Bob Kramer, of Service Corps of Retired Executives counsels Trish Taylor, left, and Nancy Thomin, co-owners of Reruns for Wee Ones, at their store Tuesday. After five years of operation, the pair asked SCORE for marketing and expansion advice.

SCORE Big Hit for Fairfield Business

"He came in prepared. If he doesn't have the answer he'll find the answer."
Trish Taylor Co-owner, Reruns for Wee Ones

Retailers receive experienced advice

FAIRFIELD - After establishing and expanding a successful business that fills a niche in the community, two stay-at-home moms turned small-business women weren't sure what to do next.

That's when Trish Taylor and Nancy Thomin, sisters-in-law and co-owners of Reruns for Wee Ones - a locally owned an operated children's resale shop located at 5353 Dixie Hwy. - called on the Service Corps of Retired Executives.

Sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicat-ed to entrepreneur education and the information, growth and success of small businesses. It pairs entrepreneurs with retired business owners and top level executives.

After five years of operation, Reruns for Wee Ones owners asked SCORE for marketing and expansion advice. SCORE sent Bob Kramer, a retired Fairfield resident who owned and operated a successful retail chain. Now, Taylor and Thomin say they don't want to let him go.

"He's been in the trenches. He's got the retail experience," Taylor said.

Though Kramer has been counseling them for only two months, he impressed the pair right away, Taylor said.

"He came in prepared. If he doesn't have the answer, he'll find out the answer," she said.

Reruns for Wee Ones is healthy, though Taylor and Thomin said it has experienced growing pains.

"I think we grew too big, too fast," Taylor said "Neither one of us worked in a retail store or managed a store."

In 1999, the store spiraled into the international spotlight after a preschooler wandered from day care, hot wired a toy car outside the store and headed home up Ohio 4. The boy, Who was unharmed, was safeguarded by Fairfield police.

"It put us on the map," said Thomin, who said the store received calls from all over the country and from as far away as Australia. Not long after the incident, the two moved from their l,700 square-foot shop to the current 5,000 square-foot location up the road.

The store is not a consignment shop, but a resale shop that gives cash or store credit for items brought in. For example, if the store offers $10 for an item, the customer can instead opt for $13.50 in store credit. The formula has so far been successful owners said.

Long term, the owner say they would like to open another location, Thomin said. But they aren't sure how, or if they are on the right track.

But Kramer gives the small-business owners credit for their business savvy by first focusing on what they are doing right, and for getting where they are today. Most businesses fail in the first five years, he said.

Looking around, Kramer said he doesn't see much room for improvement. Signs in the store clearly mark merchandise. Like items are displayed together. Cloth items sorted by sizes and genders.

The store is bright and attractive. You don't look like you're in a resale shop," he said.

The owners know their market: parents and grandparents. The store's play area makes it child friendly for parents and grandparents to bring children with them while they shop, he said.

And most importantly, the customer comes second. Employees, they said come first.

"Happy employees lead happy customers" Kramer said. "That's been a key part of their customer service is how they treat their employees."

Store Manager Deana Snodgrass, who has been with the store since its inception, said she enjoys coming to work "I love the concept of buying used items and selling them," she said. "Its really a wonderful, family atmosphere."

What Kramer recommends is that the owners write a business plan and focus on more ways to market the store. A business plan is a road map that projects sales, profits and expenses, he said.

With Kramer's help, the owners are looking at business management, marketing strategies, financial management, personnel management and store security issues.

"We've learned so many things the hard way that it would be crazy not to take advantage of," Taylor said of Kramer's advice. Through his counsel and the support of the SCORE group, Kramer said he hopes to help the store owners achieve greater success. As a Fairfield resident, he said it has been a double joy to assist a Fairfield business.

Reruns for Wee Ones website is     www.rerunsforweeones.com
Reruns for Wee Ones phone number is      513-829-1300

SCORE workshops are taught by a team of members. To register for the workshop, apply for counseling or to learn more about becoming a volunteer counselor, call 513-684-2812 or visit www.scorechapter34.org.