After seeing off the last customer, Li Mengxue and her group closed the shop, and then took the bus to Luoguxiang.
Including the children, there are fifteen of them in total. When they walk, they seem to be more powerful than others and have an advantage when squeezing into the bus.
Yi's father, mother, brother and sister-in-law all bought new coats, and even Yi Qingqing and her friends' new clothes for the New Year were from their own store. Only Xiaohui and Sisi didn't have any, and they stared longingly at their father, mother and grandparents' new clothes.
"Grandma keeps her word. When I say I'll buy you new clothes, you must be included." Zhao Xianglan couldn't bear to see her own granddaughter like this: "Tomorrow I'll ask your aunt to take you to the department store and buy you each a new set of clothes. Come back and ask me to reimburse you!"
"Then Xiaohui wants to wear furry clothes like you guys!"
"Sisi wants one too! Maomao! The same as you guys!"
The maomao they are talking about is woolen fabric.
Zhao Xianglan was in a dilemma. She had never seen a child wearing woolen clothes. Was there any for sale?
"Qingqing, do department stores in the capital have woolen clothes for children?"
"No," Yi Qingqing said. Seeing the disappointment in the two little girls' eyes, she changed the subject: "But I have a way to let Xiaohui and Sisi wear woolen clothes too!"
"What method?" Zhao Xianglan asked.
"Why don't I make them a set?" Yi Qingqing asked Qian Duoduo, "I remember there should be some small pieces of woolen fabric left in the store, right?"
"Yes, there are still quite a few. They are all the leftover materials from taking templates. They are not enough to make a garment for adults, but they should be enough to make two garments for children." Qian Duoduo said.
"Then I'll buy it and make clothes for my niece," Yi Qingqing said.
Girls should be raised in wealth. Everyone wears woolen clothes, and my little niece likes it too. We should try our best to satisfy her. It’s not a big deal for her anyway, just a matter of operating a sewing machine for a while.
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a "pop".
With such force, my hands might turn red.
Everyone looked over and saw that Li Mengxue was very happy: "Yes! Children's clothes! Why didn't I think of that!"
"???"
Everyone was confused.
"What did you say? What children's clothes?" Qian Lailai asked.
Li Mengxue came back to her senses, coughed lightly, and said mysteriously: "Ahem, it's a business secret, I can't tell you in the car, I'll tell you when I get back!"
It would be bad if what I said was heard by others and they seized the initiative!
Li Mengxue didn't speak until they returned to Luoguxiang and entered Yi Qingqing's house.
"Don't you think our store lacks children's clothing? Clothes for children! There are very few children's clothing stores in the market right now, and the choices are even fewer than men's and women's clothing. Why don't we fill this gap in the spring launch? We can also make parent-child clothing."
There is a saying in later generations that money from children and women is the easiest to earn.
In her two lifetimes, she didn't know much about children and had little contact with them, so she didn't think about this aspect. It was only now that Xiaohui and Sisi reminded her of this.
"We can try to make a small amount of clothes first and sell them. If the response is good, we can increase the production," Qian Duoduo said. "The main reason is that most families will not buy too many nice new clothes for their growing children. Children's clothes are mostly passed down from older brothers and sisters. Most of them are made by tearing cloth. I don't know how much demand there is for ready-made clothes."
Li Mengxue calmed down this time. Yes, this era was different from later generations. Although family planning was implemented as early as 1971, it was not strict. Most families had more than two children, and three or four were not uncommon.
There are so many children and a shortage of supplies. How can it be like in later generations, where there are many only children in the family and the family devotes all its resources to one child and is willing to spend money on investing?
It may be a little early to make children's clothing now, but it will be enough when family planning is strictly implemented.
"Okay, then we'll give it a try after the New Year. Instead of specializing in children's clothing, we can make a pair of parent-child clothing that is the same as the adult clothing to test the waters. This way, if the children's clothes can't be sold, the adult clothes can be separated and sold separately." Li Mengxue chose a more conservative strategy.
Zhao Xianglan watched them discussing and felt that they were very thoughtful. They discussed things with each other and reminded each other, and it looked very harmonious.
Each of the girls has her own strengths and characteristics. When they get together and brainstorm, it’s no wonder that this business is successful!
She felt much more relieved. Qingqing's friends were really reliable.
After returning home, Yi Qingqing stewed mutton and fried a few dishes, making a large table of sumptuous dishes as a formal welcome for the family.
There were too many people and even the square table couldn’t accommodate them, but luckily there was a large round table that Yun Guyuan had made in advance.
We finished the meal after dark.
Section 266
At night, the men went to sleep in the guest rooms, while the women slept with Yi Qingqing on her big bed. Suddenly, the deserted courtyard became noisy and lively.
In the east wing, after Su Cai coaxed the two children to sleep, she whispered to Yi Zhigang, "Do you think we should also think of a way to start a small business of our own?"
She was deeply touched today, not only because of her experience in the clothing store, but also because of the several stalls and small shops she saw along the way that were obviously not state-owned stores, and their business was very good.
"Why? You don't want the regular job position in the factory anymore?" Yi Zhigang was a little confused.
"How much money can we make in a day in the factory? How much money can we make in a day doing business? I think the opportunity is really good now. Anyone who tries to do it has good business, which is much better than working. If we rely on the two of us working in the factory, how long will it take for us to save enough money to buy a bigger house?
Qingqing will bring Xiaoyun home in the future. We can't always let Xiaoyun squeeze with Dad, right? My daughter is grown up now, it's time for her to sleep in a separate room from us.
And I think what Qingqing said about the house appreciating in value is also true. As I do more and more business in the future, this shop alone will be in short supply. But if we don't have any cash, we can't afford to buy a house and can only watch the opportunity slip away.
Today, I saw Qingqing and the other girls working in the store. I was very envious. They are daring and hardworking, and they have achieved success without relying on anyone. They seem to be glowing. "
In fact, Su Cai is essentially a courageous person who dares to think and fight.
Yi Zhigang could tell that his wife was not just talking, she was really interested in it.
He didn't expect his wife to think so much, but he always kept one thing in mind. His wife was smarter than him. She hugged him from behind and said, "Just do whatever you want to do. If you succeed, my daughter and I will enjoy the good life with you. If you fail, you still have my salary as a guarantee. I won't let you three go hungry."