Testimonials

"Ann Burton is a very hard working, dedicated business woman. I personally worked with Ann for many years while she owned Animal Crackers, a high end children's store. She was very successful in running her own store, as well as franchising another. Mrs.. Burton was instrumental in coordinating and promoting the Clay Avenue shopping district, while developing a network of independent retailers. She is very knowledgeable in the retail trade and is well respected by myself and many other vendors."

Steve Kuhlman

American Paper & Plastic

"In case you don’t realize it, you are in for a ‘good read’. Having read the ‘Introduction’ and the ‘Table of Contents’, I realized that Ann Burton has accomplished the very ‘task’ that virtually every retailer always talks about but never ‘gets around to’. I have been around retailing my entire life, I have just as many stories as any other retailer (maybe more), and I haven’t written a book. I guess I’m jealous!

If I had written a book, it would probably look very much like this book. You see, I’m the consultant that Ann speaks about in the Intro. She and I are on exactly the same page when it comes to retailing. Most of the guidance from this writing will walk you through the necessary steps to own and run your very own retail concern. I know because I watched Ann run and prosper and actually enjoy her own business...

All good ideas degenerate into work! (Yet another cliché that I learned early). Look closely at Ann’s format: Ideas and Tasks (tasks are the work part). This book can be used as a how-to guide. Please don’t try to recreate the wheel; we have all made plenty of mistakes in our retail life so I hope you will learn from reading these pages and accepting the knowledge that time teaches..."

Tom Licking

Consulting Concepts

Tucson, AZ

"I met Ann Burton some years ago when she would drive up from Kentucky to Akron to visit with her parents and shop at my store before returning to Lexington. Her mom and dad were good customers and Ann grew up with a taste for quality. Well, as a Kentucky retailer with her Animal Crackers Children’s Clothing Store we had a lot in common. It was through her interest in fine food and her return to Akron that we became better acquainted. When I began a business plan for our soon to be opened Tea Room within my store I shared the concept with Ann and one thing let to another and soon she was consulting to West Point Market. With Ann’s retail experience she brought fresh ideas to the project. After months of research and planning and many sessions over coffee we opened Mrs. Ticklemore’s Tea Room. It remains the only loose leaf tea room with a complete menu showcasing miniature tea sandwiches, savories and pastry trays in the city of Akron. Ann has a passion for retail, just my kind of lady."

Russ Vernon

Chairman

West Point Market, Inc.