Sunday, October 25, 2009

Oh, What a Night...







I loved entrepreneur night! All 19 participants shopped, painted, ate and mingled w/ one another. Tips and ideas from regional business owners were soaked up on this blustery rainy night as the hot coffee was flowing. The former owner of a gift shop & tea room, the owner of 2 floral & home design shops, the husband & wife team of a popular occasional sale & Etsy store and the owner of a barn sale on her property were all in top form and eager to share how they got started, the best things about what they do, some of the pitfalls of being your own boss and plans for the future. Questions and comments from participants helped the evening to flow right along and go past our ending time of 8pm. I think this night was just the tip of the "iceberg" w/ this topic. We are looking forward to the next installment of Entreprenuer Night! A big thank you to our talented panel and wonderful participants!!

And now some pictures of the shop...

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Entrepreneur Night


There is a fun event happening at JB Knacker in just under 2 weeks. On Thursday evening, October 22nd from 5-8pm, JB Knacker in conjunction w/ our neighbor Jo at Left Bank Studio will be hosting an "Entrepreneur Night." It is a first time for this event and we are really excited! Because this is a special event, JB Knacker will close its doors at the regular time on Wednesday evening (6pm) not to open again until 5pm on Thursday evening. This will give just enough time to twirl the shop into a new look, haul in new old pieces just for this event and maybe even start some rumors!

So what is Entrepreneur Night? It is shopping, eating and a time to reflect on your dreams. Shopping begins promptly at 5pm at JB Knacker. This night is by invitation only as a thank you to our customers (your friends and family are also welcome ~ whoever would help to make this night special) and therefore, you receive a 10% discount on everything at the shop on this night! Dinner is served at 6pm next door at the Write Brain Cafe/Left Bank Studio w/ a creative exercise in exploring your dreams intertwined w/ the meal. Our entrepreneur panel will begin at 7pm w/ desserts and beverages served. We will be hosting a diverse group of business owners. The one comment that both Jo and I hear over and over is "I would love to own my own shop, cafe, coffee house ~ you fill in the blank. What better way to explore this comment than to allow talented entrepreneurs to tell their story and YOU to ask them questions ~ lots of questions. After the night is over, you also go home w/ a sweet little stash of goodies compliments of JB Knacker and the Left Bank Studio.

The cost of the evening is $25.00 and early registration is encouraged as there are space limitations because of the meal and entrepreneur panel. You can register by either calling the shop (233-2600) or just stopping by. And feel free to email me w/ any questions.

Thank you for continued support of JB Knacker and stay tuned for details on JB Knacker's Christmas Bash on Saturday, November 7th ~ Brenda



Sunday, October 4, 2009

I Can Breathe Again!

And I mean that literally. I got a bit run-down after the Junk Bonanza in Minnesota. I am just feeling better as I type this. Wow, 2 weeks is a long time to feel yucky. I actually feel quite blessed as (#1) I am returning to a healthy status and (#2) only 3 of the 6 kiddos came down w/ something as well (update: 2 more down for the count as of 10/5 am ~ ask me in a few days if I still feel blessed!).

OK, enough about sickness! The Junk Bonanza was a really good time!! I know I am the last to post about this great event, but you know the old saying...

As I mentioned in my last post (yes, over 3 weeks ago!), we pulled out of Gilbert at about 1:30pm on Wednesday and had to get to Shakopee and be set up by 7:00pm ~ totally flying by the seat of our pants. Well, we did it (thank you to the kind young security man who let us stay until 8:20pm as we feverishly tried to put a booth together).

The booths were to die for and the junk was plentiful and affordable! Ki and her crew put on a top-notch show that was run smoothly and professionally. I so recommend The Bonanza not only from a shoppers perspective, but also from a vendors stand-point.

Honestly, I didn't get many pictures except on the last day of the show (what a poor excuse for a blogger I am). Julie & I kept at a quick clip w/ sales and yapping w/ customers and vendors alike as well as attending blog parties (where I won a bag full of the Farm Chicks goodies and mingled with blog superstars). Dan of Boone's Junk Refunkery (aka Dori's husband) was very sweet to let me sit by him as at first I felt a bit like I was back in high school and attending a party where I didn't know anybody. But once introductions were made, it was a wonderful time for my first blog party! Did get a picture of our neighbors, Three Shabby Chicks from Kansas City. They had a beautifully displayed booth w/ such an ethereal feel to it ~ great displays! And a picture of our booth neighbor Dawn from Blue Earth, MN. Small world in that her backyard is right next to my aunt Polly & uncle Harold's backyard. Wonderful stuff at great prices in her booth...why didn't I grab that wicker porch swing when I had the chance?! The Iowa Junk Gypsies (Anita & Judy) were fun to meet and visit w/...sadly, I don't have a picture of their booth...great unusual finds like old statuary and rolls of vintage wallpaper to name just two. I really enjoyed visiting w/ Linda of Restyled Home and contributor to the new Fleamarket style magazine coming out next spring (w/ Ki, Matthew & Jenny Mead and Heather Bullard on board as well). Gretchen of Mimi Toria's Designs also stopped by our booth for a visit ~ talented jewelry designer! And then a bit of our booth on the last day of the show. We met wonderful vendors and customers alike and had a great time!




Back to Gilbert, Iowa... and the old shop is full, full, full! I have been shopping during my convalescence...it was the only thing that made me feel better. Well, that and Vicks. I even got to visit Barb at Simply Iowa in Fairfax this past Friday. What a sweet ephemeral experience. The ambiance in her shop is something to behold. And who do I run into there, but Sarah from Old Town Antiques in Duluth, Minnesota. When we travel north, I love to stop at this antique haven and Sarah's booth is the first one I head to! Can you believe Sarah and I were both after the same old little metal file drawers and rusty scalloped feeders (luckily there were several of each).

And back to Gilbert, Iowa once again and the shop...some of my favorites at the shop right now, well...all the different styles of dress forms, 3 sweet buffets, all the little white pumpkins, galvanized & metal buckets & drawers, chippy pair of painted chairs and funky embellishment charms for our new & vintage chain to name a few things. Stop by the old place to see the loot. We'll have a hot pot of coffee waiting for you.

Save the Date: Thursday, October 22nd ~ evening'ish...I will let you know in a day or so ~ a fun special event happening at JB Knacker for all of you with the entrepeneurial (spell check says that is correct?) spirit!