Going vertical

Well, I made the decision to switch from Constant Contact to Vertical Response for my e-mail newsletter.  I submitted my application for the non-profit rate today and hopefully will receive that soon.  I’ve created a couple e-mails but am still on a learning curve.  The awesome, awesome thing is that I was able to transfer my Constant Contact contacts into Vertical Response without any problems – and they all came through properly.  I can’t remember the last time I got simple, fast results with a software program.  For real.

*****
Light of Islam is a nonprofit bookstore whose mission is to provide the Houston-area community with accurate and accessible information about Islam and Muslims. Find out more at http://www.light-of-islam.org/.

 

Part-time store manager position – Clear Lake, Houston

HELP WANTED: PART-TIME STORE MANAGER

Light of Islam, a nonprofit bookstore and educational center in Clear Lake, is seeking a part-time store manager.  Please contact Ruth Nasrullah at 832-205-1457 or 713-397-9994.

JOB DUTIES

• Greet and assist customers
• Process sales
• Keep store clean and orderly

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum age 18 years
• Minimum education high school diploma
• Excellent command of English
• Retail experience preferred
• Basic knowledge of Islam
• Flexibility in work schedule

HOURS

9 hours per week; 3-8 hours additional per week as needed

PAY

$7.50/hour starting salary

 

Yes, I procrastinate but we should be ready

Tomorrow morning is the board of directors meeting and although I’ve put off putting everything together, I should have all I need to give them for us to create our 2010 budget.  (Yes, it’s January 2010, but you do what you can.)  We will also God willing finalize the marketing plan and advertising budget for the year. 

I am going to have to stop holding on to money and spend money on payroll and advertising/marketing.  I need to hire a store manager because I simply can’t do all the activities I need to and be in the store 35 hours a week.

 

A ghost town

I’m changing the bookstore’s hours on Sunday to 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., instead of closing at 5 p.m. as I have been.  There is no one around here…all the businesses are closed, and even the church apparently closes on Sunday afternoons, and it feels very unsafe.  Very few people have ever come to the bookstore on Sunday afternoons, so I feel confident closing earlier.  Plus, it’s an extra half day “off” for me! 

It’s Sunday at 3:40 p.m. and I’m outta here!

 

Identify yourself!

A couple days ago a guy came into the bookstore who was selling steaks off the back of a truck (that sort of thing happens often around here).  I declined and he paused for a second, looked around and said, “What is this place?”  (That happens often too, when solicitors come by and have no clue what kind of business they’re walking into.)  I answered, “Oh, it’s an Islamic bookstore.”  He said oh, and left.  After he left, I realized that was the wrong answer, and that I should try to use my elevator speech whenever I explain what Light of Islam is.  So what I should have said was: “This is Light of Islam, a nonprofit bookstore and educational center where we serve people of all faiths.  Our goal is to provide accurate information about Islam and Muslims.”  Or some variation thereof, but whatever I say it should include all the pertinent facts about just what LOI is.

The board of directors is meeting on the 22nd, and I plan to send out information packets to the remaining two board members (since Melissa resigned effective 12/31) prior to the meeting.  I’m almost done with the marketing plan and budget.  I’m irritated that we’re making 2010 plans and budget at the end of January 2010, but I guess it’s better than never.

*****
Light of Islam is a nonprofit bookstore whose mission is to provide the Houston-area community with accurate and accessible information about Islam and Muslims. Find out more at http://www.light-of-islam.org/.

 

Blogs run amuck

Wow, even personal injury attorney Jim Adler – AKA the Hammer, AKA the Tough, Smart Lawyer – has a blog on chron.com.   The Chronicle must be charging for these blogs cum advertising!  In which case, perhaps I’m in the wrong business.  Maybe I should be blogging for pay.

 

Book fair at Ilm Academy (Houston) March 29 and 30

Yesterday I scheduled Light of Islam’s next book fair, at Ilm Academy in northwest Houston, next to masjid El Farouq, for Monday and Tuesday, March 29 and 30.  I will for sure be incorporating lessons learned from the last book fair (and my first)!  I quite completely misunderstood the way the highway 3 school wanted the book fair run.  My understanding was that they wanted me to bring a few copies of the titles available and give the children order forms.  In fact what I was supposed to do – and what makes 1000 times more sense – is give the children a list of titles for sale ahead of time so they can select books if they choose to, and their parents can either pick up the books for them or send them with payment.

Because the school is on the complete opposite end of town (thank God I have the Fit now!) I will be there for the entire day, although I will be selling primarily during pick-up and drop-off time.  But because the masjid is next door I can spend some time there, and perhaps leave promotional material and/or talk to them about how we can work together.  Dar-us-Salam is also there, on the other side of the masjid, so I could potentially do some shopping and save shipping costs.  (Thank God I have the Fit now!)

*****
Light of Islam is a nonprofit bookstore whose mission is to provide the Houston-area community with accurate and accessible information about Islam and Muslims. Find out more at http://www.light-of-islam.org/.

 

Inventory complete!

 

Another Chronicle bookstore blog

The Blue Willow bookstore also has a blog, on the Chronicle’s “Mom” section.  Hmm…

 

Counting, recording and filing

Between now and Saturday LOI is closed and I am working on streamlining and perfecting my systems for processing and recording the various transactions LOI engages in.  Friday is inventory day.  It will be a long week but worth it if I can get everything organized.

On a different note, I’m not sure how I feel about this new blog on the Chronicle’s web site.  It appears to be free advertising in the guise of a blog.  On the other hand, it might be paid advertising in the guise of a blog.  Either way, it’s advertising in the guise of a blog on the website of a major daily newspaper.