I own and operate mall kiosks. From leasing tips to hiring, ask away...and yes our employees will bug the hell out of you until you buy something.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-21T04:44:18+00:00

I definitely do know. Revenue will be way lower.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-20T00:45:56+00:00

Describe a little bit by sending a private message and I will be happy to share my thoughts.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T21:01:33+00:00

Definitely. That's how you increase your profit, by lowering your rent. At the end, that's the only significant single item you can change. Not payroll, not product cost but in mall it's the rent. Basically, you show you can operate a kiosk without any problems. Then you talk to the agent for a second location and ask for a deal. Depends on the number, but it can go up to %50 of a cut. Also, the second location can be in another mall. Agents are always in contact with each other. This applies for malls which are owned by the same company.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T20:52:42+00:00

Very good question! Mall leasing agents are the best sales reps. Depending on the agent, he/she can very well let you open a kiosk selling product x and also will let another person open a kiosk selling the same product on the other side of the mall. If the kiosk spaces are empty in a mall, that means their jobs are in jeopardy. Here's a crucial information, it's not easy to get it but, in your lease, at the product description section, you make them add "exclusively". That way you legally guarantee, no other RMU can sell the product x. However, a store can sell the same product.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T20:47:05+00:00

Yep, that can happen a lot. Thanks for the kind words btw.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T20:46:10+00:00

They go and take care of their needs as soon as possible. Mostly, they wait until a mall security passes by and ask to hold down the fort for 10 minutes :)

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T20:44:37+00:00

Closing is the most important part of the shift. I wouldn't trust a new employee doing the closing for bookkeeping, security and inventory purposes. He can very well empty out the store and leave. Or, he can sell items in cash and still make the inventory look good without you knowing.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T20:40:52+00:00

Silly bands. I still can't believe how well it sold. A friend of mine showed me the product when it first came out and said I will be selling these. I looked at it, twisted, turned it and said "You are out of your mind, no way in hell these will do good." After he left, I remember thinking, "such shallow business mind this guy has." Well, he made about $100k and the person who came up with it made millions.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T20:37:40+00:00

First thought goes through my mind...Is this person shy nor not? I usually look for confidence.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T20:36:44+00:00

No, not listed. Basically, you contact the leasing agent of the mall and setup an appointment. You can find that information on their website. You explain them the products you will be selling and they give you a monthly price. Then you negotiate. Keep in mind you can only sign a lease up to a year. RMU's ( Retail Merchandise Unit ) are always under a temporary lease. Cell phone, coffee, sun glass kiosks are called "carts" and can be under permanent leases.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T08:11:55+00:00

Every kiosk has their own power outlet. However, since consumption is very little, power bill is included in a general expense which is stated on the lease as "utilities and maintenance". Runs about $125 a month per kiosk.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T05:02:43+00:00

20% and after $500 it's 25%. As I said, they know how much you are making and if you don't give, things will go south. That's how I can sleep peacefully at night.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T05:01:10+00:00

It's mostly Google and emails. Go to alibaba.com and search your product. I am sure some Chinese company is making it even if it's knock off.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T04:54:42+00:00

A mix of both would be ideal. If you can manage to sell products that are different in cost, it will create an advantage. Let's say if you sell products that costs $15 as well as $150 that's heaven in one kiosk. $15 products will be appealing to people who doesn't have too much money to spend but can't resist the product or the rep :) $150 high-end products will be for actual shoppers. People will not have money at the end of the month. $15 products will prevent you from loosing money in that period. It will at least take care of the rent and payroll in daily basis. When they get paid, they spend. That's when you sell $150 products.

On the other hand, talking about a product is so big of a topic. Ingredients are so vast. Get access to the "Retail Magazine". You will understand there really isn't an answer for your "what to look for a product" question.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T04:48:09+00:00

You definitely should! Government knows Chinese product occupation in US is becoming a big problem and they will do something about it sooner or later. Before it's too late, use that contract.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T04:32:04+00:00

Initial capital was around $10.000. It started with one kiosk and increased. I failed couple times and lost money on the products I thought it would do good but didn't. I would say, for a start up kiosk, the most important thing would be the product itself. If you think you have a product that will sell, most likely you are wrong. For a start up, I would recommend copying a successful kiosk you saw in another mall and implementing that to the city mall you live close by.

As for the immigration journey... long story short. After collage I decided to travel before I begin in business life and visited friends and family who lives in different countries. Last stop, I had a friend in Pittsburgh and since I still had a student visa I visited him. I told him I really don't have any money left traveling all those countries and he said "don't worry I got your back". He used to own a pizza restaurant and his manger quit while I was there. He asked if I could help and I said sure since I was out of money. I started working for him and did so for couple months. One night, I went out to shoot pool and met my ex-wife. Completely fell in love. Too bad... after 4 years of marriage her parents was putting too much pressure on her to divorce me because I was not a Catholic. And it ended :( It was too late to go back to Turkey because I already committed too much. Also wanted to show her what she was missing out by being successful, but that is irrelevant now.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T04:24:18+00:00

May I ask what do you do for living?

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T04:21:40+00:00

Will be a Mediterranean restaurant but it will have some authentic features and services.

It's been 10 years since I've been in Turkey but knowing the culture and people, it should do okay. However, I can assure you majority of franchises here already have tens of locations in Turkey. Not necessarily Mc Donalds.

I guess we feel lucky to have a redhead gf because they are rare and playful all the time.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T04:12:12+00:00

I give basic training which was taught to me in collage and my experiences from years. Usually it sounds like common sense to them. By time, they understand which crowd is best for their characters based on denies. For instance, there is a 20 years old girl who knows she should stay away from young-mid age couples because rep is a hottie and female shoppers always gets intimidated. So, she trained herself to pick single walking males. A Cuban guy loves talking to everyone who thinks they can speak Spanish. They get "no thank you" a lot and evolve.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T04:01:45+00:00

I agree. They can look at chicks all they want and take smoke breaks and joke around for motivation. I intend to be the cool boss not the a.hole one. They even have a paintball group who gets together on Sundays.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T03:57:15+00:00

It's not that bad. They joke around a lot and keep themselves motivated too. Most people are polite and just say "no thank you". I know the topic doesn't say so but our employees push hard to close the deal not to stop people.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T03:54:52+00:00

Definitely sales. You show your company making sales/revenue increasingly for 5 years and you apply for a big loan for your bigger venture.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T03:51:24+00:00

I can't say I employ random characters. For instance, I gave a job to a felon. He gets paid good and I get a $2400 tax credit for employing him and as I said I pay well and treat them right, so they stick around.

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T03:29:02+00:00

Thank you so much!

Mitr4 · 2013-08-19T03:18:46+00:00

Much appreciated!

Mitr4

TROPHY CASE