Don’t Tempt Fate!

The title of this blog is taken from one of the many interesting and varied people who walk through my shop door.  

Today, I put a sign up outside, encouraging people to pop in and say hello (it’s 35 bloody degrees out there so I need to encourage the only 3 people brave enough to walk around Ilminster today to cross the threshold!). At 12.10 an older lady walked in and asked if she could have a browse (I know this because I’m now keeping a list of everyone who comes into my shop, the time they enter and how long they stay - I know!) Anyway, 45 minutes later she left, having told me her life story and repeatedly telling me, “Don’t tempt fate!”  

She has had a very difficult few years and is in poor health herself now (I won’t go into any more details as discretion is key as a shopkeeper) and she unfortunately made a decision a few years back that affected everything going forward - she “tempted fate”.  Her overriding message though was to never take anything for granted, to not sweat the small stuff and to take chances (well, opening a shop selling luxury items at the start of a major recession qualifies I reckon).  I am totally on board with this philosophy and if you’re reading this now and thinking that there are things you still want to achieve - go and make it happen!  

Shortly afterwards, a stylish lady from Brighton popped in to look at my handbags as she had seen one in the window last week.  Whilst chatting, it turns out that she comes down here to see her 100 year old father (yes you heard it correctly) who was the vicar at our beautiful Minster for 17 years - she used to live in the old vicarage which I duly showed her a photograph of that I had taken a few weeks ago. All the buildings up around the Minster are absolutely stunning and well worth a visit if you’re ever in Ilminster. 

She was followed shortly afterwards by a lady who came in just to say hello because that’s what my sign had said to do (!) and although she didn’t think my shop would last (had to bite my tongue at that point) because people don’t have the money these days to buy the non essential things in life - who doesn’t need a handbag or a beautiful lambswool blanket?! - she was very charming and said she would send her relatives up here when they come and stay at the weekend.  That’s all I can ask for.

So I’m pleased that I put my sign up today as people really have popped in and just said hello!  I haven’t made a single sale and it’s hotter than Hades out there but I’m cool as a cucumber in my little shop and am grateful to be the trusted listening ear for many a potential customer who comes in.

I love meeting new people and this is a great way to do it - I’ve met so many interesting characters since opening in beautiful Ilminster.  Thank you to all those of you who have already popped in and said hello and for those that I hope will do so in the future.  

Peace out.

Sophie x

p.s. It’s now Thursday and before I got the chance to post this, the aforementioned lady with the slightly negative attitude (although very charming) came in with a bunch of lavender to say sorry for being negative yesterday - so what do you know? It seems that literally EVERYONE in Ilminster is a beautiful person.  Come and experience the good vibes soon!