The Employments of Women: A Cyclopædia of Woman's WorkPenny, Virginia
General
The Employments of Women: A Cyclopædia of Woman's Work
Penny, Virginia
Women -- Employment
=113. Sellers of Small Wares.= In England, the word "haberdasher" is
applied to those who engage in the sale of cord, tape, pins, and such
articles. In America there is no synonymous word--so we use the
expression heading this article, which we have seen occasionally
employed in the same way. The number of women in this business is
legion. With many it is a suitable and successful employment. Those
whose means will not permit them to engage in any more extensive
business--who have a room well located in town, and not too much
competition--can, with a small capital, commence a safe and light
business. It requires but little effort, and, with enough customers,
will well repay time and capital. Many a poor woman, unable to purchase
the articles required, has obtained them to sell on commission, and, by
industry and economy, earned sufficient, in the course of time, to
purchase a stock of her own. I called on a lady that keeps a variety
store. She sells gloves, handkerchiefs, suspenders, and such articles to
gentlemen, and tape, buttons, &c., to ladies. She would rather sell to
gentlemen. She has been keeping store thirty-five years. Her store is
near the river, and she sells much to people coming from the ferry and
off the boats. She thinks in the South and West there would be many good
openings for such stores. Spring and fall, and during the holidays, are
her best times for selling. I called in a small store: I was told by the
lady that she did not much more than make a living. She depends much on
her friends and acquaintances for custom. As they increase in number,
which they do from year to year, her custom increases. She finds herself
very closely confined at home by the business. She does not regulate her
profits entirely by the value of the articles, for cheap goods sell best
where she is, and she puts on a large profit.
=114. Sellers of Snuff, Tobacco, and Cigars.= A lady, keeping a cigar
store, said she makes only one third profit on her sales. Most people
make one half, which, she says, is the usual profit on all goods. Snuff
gives her the headache, when dealing it out, but she thinks she may get
accustomed to it. She sells most from six o'clock in the morning until
nine or ten; and then again in the evening. To know what manufactures of
tobacco, snuff, and cigars are most popular, is important. Having
acquaintances assists much, and they are the first patrons to one
commencing business. A cigar store generally pays well in large cities,
and, if well located, is sure to succeed. Fall and winter are the best
seasons for selling cigars; in very warm weather no one cares to smoke.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account