Next Question - Who reading this loves fantastic deals, great items and a bunch of smiling faces all at the same time??
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Last question - Who gets crazy giddy excited when they start to get flyers from a group called “For Every Season.” I mean jump up and down run to their calendars mark the days in permanent marker and gets a sitter for the kids just so you can go?If you are like me then you are not only raising your hand but you are also jumping up and down squealing and clapping (okay maybe that is just me) but I have to admit I feel like a school girl who just got asked to the prom when this glorious sale comes around. That famous purple postcard comes in the mail with that special saying “For Every Season Fall/Winter Consignment Sale” (or Springs/Summer) and I am in heaven.
I became a fan of “For EverySeason” about 4 years ago when a fellow Mommy friend of mine sent out an e-mail about the sale and that this was where she got all of her kid’s toys and outfits. At the time I had never heard of them before. I loved consignment shopping for the kids but being located in Lake Wylie, I usually had to travel to Pineville to Once Upon a Child. I had been pretty disappointed the last few times I went so I defiantly want to try this sale out since a) they were much closer to my side of town and b) my friend raved about it and she did indeed have some really cool things for her crew of little ones.
The sale I went to was their Holiday sale. As you will read in my interview, they do three sales a year and a holiday is one of them. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was blown away when I walked in. Everything was labeled, tagged and organized and had a flow to the room. It was busy but not overly crowded. There were plenty of helpers and I not only found stuff for the boys, but also a rug for my foyer, a lamp for my guest room and a really cool purse. I was thrilled.
The next sale I went too was their spring/summer and I brought my Mom along. We both left with bags full of stuff and I couldn’t wait for the fall/winter sale roll around. I think it is safe to say that I have gone to just about every sale since then and seriously plan my schedule around the time of year when they are in full swing. My boys are 5 & 6 now but I still go and find great deals on clothes, shoes and books, especially since my oldest loves to read and I am always looking for books or puzzles that he hasn’t read in school or hasn’t seen yet. I still swing by the toy aisle and pick up a few things. Last year success was a Buzz Light-year dressed in the USA colors and was a “Special Edition” in the store a few months prior. Retail value was $49.99. I paid $8.00 and it was still in great condition. Ryan still plays with him today.
I contacted Lisa last year just after their fall sale and hope they would be willing to be a feature on Lakeside Chatter. She was happy to do so and I am honored and so excited to share with you all. One of my favorite things about blogging is when I get to know people who I have always admired from afar and especially when I get to hear their amazing stories. Read more below and get to know this fantastic family owned operation and if you haven’t done so yet get those permanent markers ready for your calendars.
1) How long have you known each other, and how did you all meet?
We are sisters (Lisa is older than Lori by only 14 months.) Also, our parents are instrumental part of our sale in both their work they do for us as well as the encouragement and support that they give us. We share the same core values, but have very different gifts and talents which we have found to be an asset at being in business together. Lori is the retail manager and Lisa is the business manager of For Every Season—it works!
2) How did you all come up with the idea of For Every Season? Where did the name come from? We knew from the very beginning that For Every Season Consignment was going to be more than just a business. Both of us are very mission-minded and needed to make a difference rather than just make a profit. For Every Season is actually part of an Ecclesiastical passage from the Bible: “For Every Season, there is a purpose under heaven.” We hoped that our business could not only be a way for families to clothe their children and equip their homes “for every season,” but that our business would be a blessing to all in each season.
Our first sale was the Fall & Winter Sale in August 2002 at the Leroy Springs Recreational Complex in Fort Mill. This year’s Fall & Winter Sale (September 1-11) will be held at The Pointe (2266 Deerfield Drive in Fort Mill—I-77, Exit 88--next to Knights Baseball Stadium in the former Bobcats Training Center.
4) How many workers/volunteers are involved?
The success of our Sale would not be possible without our wonderful helpers and consignors! We have over 300 3-hour helper shifts for each sale. Our helpers come to “work” at our sale with all of their enthusiasm, talents, and ideas. At each sale, we have helpers who make great suggestions because they are thinking outside the box. We also really enjoy the friendship connections that our helpers have made with us and each other. We have a group of ladies who met at For Every Season as helpers years ago and now socialize outside of our Sale! That makes us feel great!
5) How many sales per year?
We host three sales per year: Spring & Summer Sale, Fall & Winter Sale, and Home & Holiday Sale. At all three sales, we feature children’s clothing & shoes, baby equipment, maternity items, and toys. At the Home & Holiday Sale, we expand to also include furniture and home décor, holiday decorations, electronics, appliances. At one Home & Holiday Sale, we even sold a kitchen sink! With the Home & Holiday Sale, no one ever out-grows our Sale! We love that because we enjoy seeing our consignors, helpers, and shoppers at each sale!6) Most interesting thing you have learned since starting this adventure?
That the old saying “Never mix family with business” is not necessarily true--not saying that we haven’t had disagreements. However, when the mission of the business (to make a positive difference in the lives of families) is shared by all family members in the business (sisters, parents, husbands, and kids,) a family business can be successful. We have had to learn that each of us brings different gifts and talents to the business and we have learned to appreciate those differences. At the launch of our business, we kept asking ourselves, “Why are we doing this?” when we would get tired or frustrated. We sarcastically responded, “It’s for the children.” After the very first sale, we heard back from families thanking us for what For Every Season provided to the Fort Mill/Lake Wylie/Rock Hill/Charlotte area and what a difference it makes to families. The “It’s for the children” statement has quite a different meaning for us now.
7) Most rewarding part of owning your own company/business?
The most rewarding part is working diligently all year (it takes 3-4 months to prepare for each Sale) and then seeing the “fruits of our labor” as the actual on-site Sale time begins—from set-up to drop-off to sale days to pick-up. We are always excited to see our “old” friends as they come to consign or help (or both!) and are thrilled to meet new friends as they join our Sale as first-timers. We love the relationships we have made through this business
8) You are teaming up with Coupon Mama this year, how did that come about?
The savviest “Business Moms” are the ones that know that saving money is the same as making money. Coupon Mama teaches people how to save money in many various ways—from clipping coupons to not over-buying to not blindly follow the Joneses. For Every Season Consignment offers families an opportunity to make money through consignment and then save money buying at up to 75% off retail prices. Our missions interlace perfectly, so it was just natural that we would partner together. Our Facebook Manager, Michelle Taulbee, recognized this opportunity and put us in touch with Coupon Mama. We met with her recently—she is so dynamic and enthusiastic—check out the picture of us at the meeting on our Facebook page. We are thrilled with the prospects of what For Every Season and Coupon Mama can do working together for families in our community!
Any other fun tid bits you would like to share about your Experience since starting For Every Season?
Once we had a shopper who was unfamiliar with our Sale ask if we were a non-profit charity. Our Dad quickly replied, “Well, we are a ‘not-for-much-profit’ business!” Sad, but true—as we do not measure the success of For Every Season by our bottom line, but by the enjoyment and blessings we receive in For Every Season! Our parents are such an important part of our Sale and have been with us since the beginning. When they first offered their help (free help, of course!,) Lori and I wondered what in the world we could give them to do as token work to keep them busy and out of our way. Now we can’t imagine what we would do without their help! We give them their schedules, but remind them that they work 24/7 AND are on call.
It takes months and months of work just to do a 2-week event! Lori and I always smile when someone says to us, “It must be nice to only have to work a few weeks a year!” Well, it must be, but we wouldn’t know! Ha!
I hope you enjoyed reading about For Every Season as much as I have enjoyed getting to know them and feature them on Lakeside Chatter. Make sure you check out their website and facebook page below. More than anything though spread the love. If you are an avid shopper and fan of For Every Season make sure you pass on their information and Chat Up this wonderful sale that I know personally will be one of the first in line. Sale begins September 7th.
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