Paul is well suited to success

And, now that I’m out and about, I called Paul Jerome of Talisman Menswear for an appointment.

It seemed to me that the retail sector in Greater Shepparton is not acting as it did in the past.

Chain stores are offering larger than normal discounts in exchange for their customers’ contact details (70 per cent seems to me to be an extraordinary discount).

They all want our data; so they can send us unwanted text messages in the early hours.

But the market seems strange in many ways; Western Star butter is $8.50 for 500g, but you can buy a man’s linen shirt for considerably less than it cost you 20 years ago.

It’s all a bit odd.

I called Paul because he’s been in business for just under 20 years, and I’ve known him since he was four years old — and because it’s always a pleasure to catch up.

With so many locally owned menswear businesses, in Greater Shepparton, Numurkah etc. closing down, I wanted to know why Talisman is still going strong.

Like retail everywhere, Paul’s business has been changing, and he was smart enough to sense what was happening (my words, not his.)

Some years ago, his business was well-balanced with the sale of quality casual clothes and the sales/hire of suits for weddings, and celebrations of all kinds.

However, in recent times, the ‘suits’ business has ballooned.

Customers, for this part of his business, are coming from far and wide, often recommended by a satisfied bridegroom or a debutante’s partner.

Now, if you know me at all, you will know how excited I get when a locally owned business is so very good at what it offers, that it brings customers from everywhere.

Customers who not only buy from that business, but also have lunch, a walk down the street to see what others are offering and perhaps fill up with petrol (the car that is), or perhaps they stay overnight.

In other words, shops like Talisman bring money in for themselves and then spread it around.

The day I visited Paul, there were customers from Geelong, Cobram and Mornington — all needing his expertise in the suit business.

Now, you don’t drive from Geelong or Mornington without buying something.

That’s why I get so excited; that’s why he got two hugs.

We had a couple of breaks between customers — and while we talked, he worked.

He had three bow ties to make from fabric left over from bridesmaids’ frocks.

And there wasn’t enough fabric to make them in his usual way — cut along the grain of the fabric.

He had to improvise, and he wasn’t happy. He sent a photo of a bow tie to the groom, who was delighted.

He showed it to me and I thought it was perfect. He mumbled something and I heard the word ‘pedantic’ and laughed at him.

You see, this is the secret of Paul’s extraordinary success — he doesn’t simply want the sale; he wants the satisfaction of a perfect wedding and delighted customers.

No-one can expect more, and that’s why they drive from Geelong to Mooroopna.

Now, if you are not in the market for men’s suits, the store is very well-stocked with casual menswear and, truly, these items are first class.

Have a look at the quality of the scarves, on your way in; you don’t see quality like this in chain stores — and chain stores don’t bring people to us.

Talisman Menswear is in McLennan St, Mooroopna.

Our valley

One of my ‘get well’ cards carries a message about the weather — ‘The Valley of the Goulburn is wet’.

That makes two of us, supporting that name for our district, since it was first published on July 8, 1882.

Don’t think we are going to win this one, Jan.

May it be easy, my friends.

Marnie

Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au

Phone: Text or call 0409 317187