This one order/shop was our biggest order to date, and double our previous biggest order, and it did scare us, especially how quickly they wanted it in-store, but scared us into doing something we've known we've needed to do for a long time - to take on an employee - we knew there was enough work coming in now to justify it, as we have a couple of trade shows coming up, and shops are already jumping the queue to get their orders in before the show orders come in. And then we'll need to start stockpiling for Christmas (last year we discovered that even shop buyers panic-buy in the last week before Christmas to keep their shelves full!)
So, our new guy, Josh, came in on Friday morning, we showed him around, and taught him how to print our mugs, kept an eye on him for a bit whilst I stocked up the shelves getting blanks out their boxes along with QC. And then left him to it for the rest of the day. He's a good worked and just gets on with it, and does it right, although about half the speed I work, which is what I expected on his first day. He came back in on Monday and just kept going. I can then get on with getting the other products needed for the orders made, and actually having some design time in PhotoShop, and admin duties. And, then when we're at the tradeshow next week, he will still be here printing, and making up orders as they come in - rather than us making them up after we've got back and recovered from the show!
The other plus was we actually got to go out with family for lunch on Wednesday, which we otherwise wouldn't have been able to do!
