Sara and her team at
The Inviting Place in Tulsa, OK took part in this month's edition of Shop Girl Focus. She told Bella Ink that her and the girls had a great time discussing the questions below. As you can see from the picture above, taken in a photo booth at the wedding of one TIP's employees, this group truly has fun together no matter the occasion!
Sara purchased The Inviting Place in 2005 after working for IBM's Consulting division. They have been fabulously loyal Bella Ink customers since 2006 and we share a peanut
M&M addiction with them! We thank them for participating in this feature and wish them all the best in 2009!
So Sara...
Q: What has been your best moment as a businesswoman in the past year?
A: Being fairly new to the stationery industry, I'm always encouraged by the kind and generous comments from our customers as to our service level and knowledge of the business. The staff and I truly enjoy what we do and are so thrilled with the complimentary notes and letters we receive from our customers.
Q: Favorite place to scout new merchandise outside of industry shows?
A: My sister-in-law lives in Manhattan and is constantly sending me ideas for merchandise she finds in great New York City stores. We also have great customer suggestions on items they have seen or heard about!
Q: Your easy to make, go-to party food is...
A: Generally, it is a yummy and fattening dip with chips!
Q: Heels or flats in the shop?
A: Definitely flip-flops! We are lost in the wintertime!
Q: How far out from an event's date should the host/hostess mail invitations?
A: We recommend sending invitations three weeks prior to a social function. If an event is close to or during a holiday, we'll suggest mailing the invites four weeks prior.
Q: What design is on your personal stationery?
A: My monogram!
Q: Do you have a preferred in-store soundtrack?
A: We recently went through a "Mamma Mia" movie soundtrack phase... we have now moved on to
Taylor Swift's latest CD release.
Q: What are you thankful for this year?
A: The girls and I have had a very rough year, personally. We've battled the loss of a dear husband, a cancer scare, surgeries and fertility problems. Fortunately, we are extremely close and couldn't have made it without each other. We are truly thankful for the promise of a great 2009! We are also very thankful that we have baby girl twins arriving in December!
Q: If you could relocate your business anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Sarah, Terry's daughter and my dear friend, lives outside San Francisco. We'd both love to be closer to her! (Ok... maybe Tuscany, too!)
Q: Fashionably late is...
A: Maybe five or ten minutes.
Q: Your off duty outfit...
A: I'm really either on-duty all the time or the clear opposite and wearing my PJ's. I really don't have much of an in-between!
Q: What snack do you stash behind the register?
A: Peanut M&M's... we all have an addiction!
Q: Confess... when was the last time you sent an EVITE?
A: Never! Never! Never! I'm not sure I'd even know how to do it?
Q: Favorite method of communication?
A: Email! It is the best invention (besides TiVO) of all time!
Q: Which words or phrases are overused on invitations?
A: We've heard from customers that RSVP or Regrets information on an invitation isn't worth it. No one replies to you! So, we suggest including an email address. We have found that people are more comfortable with emailing their RSVP!
You can find The Inviting Place at:
5970 South Yale Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74135
KingsPointe Village
P: 918-488-0525
W: www.invitingplace.com
I congratulations!!
very informative ..
i was totally bother to the Shop Girl Focus: Sara at The Inviting Place
i think shopping are the favorite bonding with girls..
that's very great ideas ..
Posted by: Weddings in Tulsa | May 26, 2010 at 06:31 AM