Answering countless emails, handling cash transactions and scripting sales invoices on a daily basis is not what most students would willingly do during their free time. But for a handful of passionate individuals, that is a small price to pay for owning a personal blogshop.
Blogshops are making their mark in the local retail industry with a quick search on Google Trends revealing a sharp spike in their numbers over the past two years.
Many assume that fashion and income are the only reasons behind the steady rise of people jumping onto the entrepreneurship bandwagon and starting blogs.
But that is not the case.
Twenty year old Ashley Tan, co-owner of three blog shops, explains that the thirst to run their own business and be their own boss is also a huge contributing factor. “ Most of my friends with existing blogshops started it because they wanted to get the hang of running a business. Personally, I feel that being one's own boss means more flexibility and independance and of course, it's a great avenue to do something I really love and earn money at the same time!”
Besides acting as a source of income, blogshop also benefit their owners in more ways than one. For starters, the resume of a blogshop owner practically reads like a marketing textbook.
Fellicia Seow 19, owner of blogshop 'lockedup-stars.livejournal.com' (LUS), enthusiastically agrees. “I believe it (LUS) helps develop my customer relation as well as communiaction skills because at flea markets or pushcarts we have to 'sales talk' to customers.”
Customer relation skills is not all these blogshop owners hone. With so many other players in the market, each owner has to up their game in order to remain at the forefront of the competition.
Michelle Sim, owner of 'myrosebullet.livejournal.com' utilises as much promotional tools possible to put themselves on the map.
Customers can follow Michelle on twitter to get the latest updates on blog offerings and promotions. Over and above, they also have a facebook page to boost interectivity with customers. Their killer marketing strategy also boasts a fashion blog that aims to inspire readers and, of course, direct them to their blogshop.
Those who think that owning a blogshop is easy business are mistaken. Not only does it involve careful planning, hardwork and dedication, owners mustbe ready to sacrifice much time and effort.
Of course, Michelle knows all about the time and effort needed to keep a blogshop running.
“ During the holidays, We (Michelle and her sister) would fly overseas to source for goods” she reveals. “ It's not easy when we are busy with projects and exams. Some customers expect our blogshop to be updated almost everyday so we have to learn to strike a balance so neither area suffers.”
It seems other owners dedicate much quality time and effort on their blogshops too. A survey in the Straits Times found that 30% of blogshop owners spend over 20 hours per week on their sites.
Alot of hard work? Of course. But then again, since when has starting a business been the easiest process?
What matters is that these young entrepreneurs are willing to go the distance and in time, they will be tasting the fruits of their labour.
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