Black & White
I’m going to stand on my soap box here for a moment.
The comments that were put forth on the Blog totally hurt me and hurt me hard.
Have you ever poured your life and soul into something? Have you ever put blood, sweat and tears into something? Then have somebody come along and smack talk that something?
I now feel like I need to be heard from all of you. Not just Rob, My Mom and My Friends. But all you customers out there.
I want you to logically think to yourself….if CompuPro Scrapbooking was a thriving business would Nicole really step away and go get another job? Would she? Let me answer that for you…..NO she would not. Pretty Black and White Right?
If CompuPro Scrapbooking, was selling lots of inventory would you feel like there wasn’t anything NEW coming in? Let me answer that too for you…..NO you would not. The Black and White in that is that in order to Order in New Product the Inventory on hand must sell first. We take what sells and we order stuff in. Scrapbook hobbiest are not buying like they once did. We have to be very selective on what we do order in making sure that it is a seller.
In saying ALL THE ABOVE we are NOT going anywheres. We are just going with the changes of this hobby. People are cross border shopping more, dollar stores are dabbing in the hobby, online stores are taking their bite and then the ever impending giant Michaels.(That doesn’t even touch the fact that some you have enough stock at home to open your own store LOL) You look at a pie chart with all those taken into the grand scheme and your Local Scrapbook Store has a smaller piece of the pie in which to operate and bring you in those hot items. Which at one time we knew would sell and now take a gamble only hoping it will.
I have lots of ideas still for the store. Hollee, and I have a very busy Summer ahead of us to put those ideas into motion. Will they be for the better? I sure hope so!!!!
For the Love of all Things Good and for those that know me....PLEASE email me if you have any concerns. I have dealt with Rumours and now a case of the Nasties all publically. Know me for who I have always been to you and just email me or call me or smoke signal me or something :)
xoxox
Nicole
Now unto your regularly scheduled programming!
12 comments:
I didn’t read the nasty comments but I just wanted you to know that I appreciate all that you have done for me as a scrapper. Before I met you I wanted to scrap every picture, every event, every moment of my kid’s lives. But then I always felt like I was behind and never enjoyed the process. It just felt like work. You shared you pages with me, I took a few classes at your store and now I love everything about scrapbooking. Now I take a few pictures that I love, then add some of your fabulous pattered paper and matching embellishments and I end up with a page that I know I will cherish forever. I feel like I have created a little piece of art. You bring in the most beautiful supplies – Micheals and the dollar store will never be able to compete with the stunning papers that you so carefully choose and supply to us. I do have quite a stash of your paper but I just love it! My sister tells me that I should just frame the papers because I enjoy them so much. She is probably right : ) Looking at beautiful paper just makes me feel good – and where else can I spend a dollar and get that rush! So thank you for helping me grow as a scrapper. Thank you for putting your heart and soul in other people’s pages and their lives. Thank you for creating a store that is a haven for people obsessed with all things about scrapbooking. You didn’t just create a store - you created friendship. I feel bad for the people who are not able to feel what I feel when I walk in your store - They missed the point of what scraping is all about. So for every negative comment you receive from anonymous readers I hope you receive 10 positive ones from happy customers.
Amen Sista! All in favour say "Aye".
Well said Nick. I know I have learned only all to well that speaking to someone or e-mailing someone directly about an issue is the best way to go. Anon comments only leave us angry, hurt, & bewildered. I believe that if you have an opinion and express that opinion publicly, then you have to have the guts to own that comment. I am glad to hear you re-affirm that you are not closing. Know that your friends and loyal customers are behind you. Thank you for all you have done for us over the years Nick!!
Lesley said exactly what I was feeling. I remember walking into your store 4 years ago as a "newbie" and you made me feel so comfortable. You made me feel welcomed and helped me to expand my scrapbooking abilities. Thank you so much Nic for everything you have done and continue to do :o0
I too must agree with Lesly. My scrapping didn't take off until I met YOU Nic :) That's why I get so excited about being able to help with the blog etc. :) I Love the energy and the chemistry when everyone gets together, and you have made it so much fun, why wouldn't I want to help? I mean...there's no pension plan, so it must be for the love of scrappin - right? lol I think that there's a kind way to say everything, and anything you don't have the courage to say directly...probably isn't kind. I've also learned that nothing said or done on line is ever anonamous. In any case, thanks for being you Nic and thanks for your honesty. I think it's important for everyone to hear.
I live in Moncton and have access to Micheals but really can't wait to get to Fredericton to visit Nicole's. Micheals product is outdated and not hand selected as is Nicole's. You not only get scrapbooking supplies at Nicole's, you get a great person who has incredible insite into layouts and design! You don't get someone at other locations that know your name and your kids names when you come it for a visit! Nicole adds that personal touch!
I did not read the "nasties".......but am very sad that there is someone out there that can't see what a genuine sweetie Nicole is!
Years ago I walked into her store on Prospect Street...as a customer looking for new scrapbooking supplies. I not only found supplies,ideas, friends, laughs, great times....I found a community of very caring people. Nicole is at the helm!
Nicole is there through good times and bad. We've celebrated graduations, weddings and vacations....she helped create those wonderful scrapbooks!
Nicole not only knows what kind of paper and embellies you like, but she remembers and truly CARES about her customers! Luv ya Nickie Roo!
Well said Lesly - I think you speak for all of us! Nick, I remember the first night I met you when Melissa took me to your store and you and I and Robin scrapbooked at Prospect Street. After that I was bitten by the bug and haven't looked back. It has always amazed me how you know every customers name and things about their personal lives. You make every single person who walks into that store feel special! I have made so many wonderful friends through scrapbooking and it wouldn't have happened if I had never taken classes from you or attended crops. I feel truly blessed to call you my friend and all the others that I have met through you too.
I also agree with Jeanette in that all of your friends and loyal customers will be there to support you through thick and thin!
Love ya Nick!
Seriously thank you all! I seriously wasn't putting out the last post for a ego stroke.
I did it get it off my chest and be honest and truthful with all you as you all deserve, that was it. To admit the things saud pubcially, I hope it closes alot of that talk out there.
I am the lucky one believe me!!!!
We are fortunate that we have a local scrapbook store. I make a point to support local business so that I have the option to go the the scrapbook store when I choose. I don't want to wait 2 weeks for delivery from a faceless website.
Convenience aside, many of us have taken ownership of Nicole's store. It has become a meeting place with a sense of community and loyalty. I've met and becomes friends with many people that I may not have otherwise crossed paths with in life. As with anything esle, the experience of the store is what YOU decide it will be.
No one is forcing any individual to frequent the store, read the blog, or participate on the Facebook group. We do this of your own freewill. If you do not enjoy these outlets then, please, just don't visit. If anyone has concerns, I know Nicole wants to hear them. But there is a way to do it as an adult and be taken seriously.
If nothing else, this store has proven time and time again that in times of need everyone rallies around. This time will be no different. Slander and hurt are not welcome.
Wow. I didn't know people like that existed...I mean maybe I'm naive, but who would say something 'nasty' to the cheeriest, happiest, queen mother of scrapbooking? Not nice at all. All I know is that although I may not go to Nicole's that much anymore (because I'm bustin' at the seems with the products I have now - note to self, scrapboook!!!), the thought of going to Nicole's is super exciting to me. I mean, what Dollarama has someone who shouts out to you by name when you walk in the door? Who at Michaels knows about you daughters birth, your sisters wedding, or about your mom who lives away? Where can you go and have someone be genuinely interested in your news and your pages. Even better, where can you go that you can both gush over the papers, embellies, etc. and everything else you HAVE to have? You know it makes me think back to this little candy store that I remember growing up, where the owners were a husband and wife and they knew that Suzie and Johnny were Bobby and Judy's kids and they were Henry and Betty's kids...etc. You would go there for the candy, for the friendly smile, the company, and of course the community gossip, it was a feel good place. Last time I checked no one at the bulk barn knows my name... ANYWAYS. My point is... Nicole's (CompuPro) is like the Cheers of scrapbooking, it's where everybody knows your name. It just makes me sad that someone would not appreciate something that is so special to so many of us.
Anyone else craving gummy bears and patterned paper?
Nicole, move over on that soapbox, here's my two cents worth...
I am guilty of fearing that the store was closing, BUT, Nicole has stated over and over that this isn't the case and I believe her. I'm also guilty of not supporting the store as I once did, but it's because life got in the way and I just didn't have the time to devote to my hobby as I once did and for no other reason.
My husband and I are small business owners and we have had to deal with NASTY postings on the web done by people who were too cowardly to sign their name to it, however, no-one can completely hide their identity online. I know who each and everyone one the fourteen people involved in our case are and it took me less than two days to figure it out.
I didn't read the nasty comments left here, but I can't believe that someone would attack a person as sweet and genuine as Nicole. When I got into scrapbooking, I knew nothing of her store until someone told me that was where they bought their supplies. I visited the store, met Nicole, and have been a customer ever since. Yes, Michaels's is comming but I guarantee you will not get the service or the atmosphere that you get a Nic's store. She became an instant friend and is actually interested in what you are working on (not to mention how you are doing personally), and you won't find that at the big box store.
I hope whoever left these nasty comments reads these comments, because I think they will find that they don't have many supporters to their point of view about Nicole or her store.
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