Let me start by saying, that I know all things take time, and this is a new program in my Michael's store...but BOY, is it frustrating in the meantime! I am not posting which store I am with, as I don't want to point fingers at ANYONE. The frustration is an overall thing.

First of all, I am going in blind as to what is expected of me, what would be provided to me, etc. I had my first real Demo today. I called an hour ahead of time, to make sure there was a table ready for me. There is nothing worse than running around prior to a class or demo and trying to move around table chairs - resulting in a flustered, out of breath and sweaty teacher. There was no table. It took 20 minutes to get an answer as to where I was supposed to be...at which time I was put at a rolling counter type thing and told I wasn't allowed to SIT. Really????? Does anyone know if this is true? I am used to standing for my job, but not in one spot. My knees and back began to hurt after an hour.

Flash forward, 2 1/2 hours later, for a beginner's class. A dirty, paint stained table, partially covered in craft paper was provided for my class in the farthest corner of the store in front of the Receiving doors. This is out on the floor, which is ok...cuz you can pick up students that way...but I am in no-man's land...with an ugly, unprofessional looking table, covered (poorly) in brown paper! I'm sorry, but these classes are a bit pricey...and if someone is paying for something, you want to treat them like queen for the day. 2 co-workers, feeling bad for me, took it upon theirselves to "move" me over to the yarn section and provide a table cloth....all this extra running around and setting up AGAIN making for a sweaty, breathless teacher without much of a break between the am and pm events.

NOW, I have A student (that is one) who, thank goodness, was persistant in coming in the store to sign up...because the first time she came in...NO ONE had a clue what my schedule was. Hmmmm....me thinks this is maybe ONE reason why I am having trouble getting people signed up. People...I post my schedule all over the yarn department and up front....wherever they think they can spare precious space. Yes, teachers seem to be second class citizens. I even have taken it upon myself to put the sign-up sheets in the binder up front...because I will post my schedule and it takes too long for them to show up in the binder for sign ups. Hey, people are busy, I understand, I am not placing blame...I just can't be successful that way. Again, I feel teachers (non - Wilton ones) are unimportant. Tell that to my bank account that is a couple hundred short from signing up for THESE certification classes that THEY tell me I must have to teach a class THEY need and want me to teach.

SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT PROMOTING CLASSES!!!! There needs to be a corporate designated spot UP FRONT where all the information is for the classes...with space for samples if wanted/needed. Customers don't even KNOW we have crochet/knitting classes, even though I put up my little 1 page signs everywhere. I've even gone as far to print the schedule for the month on a sheet of paper (4 to a page) and cut them in quarters to hand out at the register. People want to LOOK at what's available and digest it prior to deciding. My student today complained about class promoting and visibility in the store. She said AC Moore has their classes posted as soon as you walk in the front door. She took the beginner's class there prior to coming to Michael's...because she didn't know Michael's had classes. You think not???? She has a VERY BAD experience with the teacher there and that is how she ended up with me. She will be coming back next week.

Speaking of signs...did I mention the large framed board I made that was all cute and homey looking with lace and trim on it that had my classes, dates and times listed on it for the month. (All cost for which is taken out of my pocket, because noone can explain what is acceptable usage for using products for demoes, signage, classes, etc.) I took it in just prior to the month it was advertising and handed it off to a responsible party. Do you know when it got hung up??? 3 WEEKS INTO THE MONTH I WAS ADVERTISING FOR!!! I decided to do it myself! It even ended up in a cupboard at one point!!!!

Frustrated? YES, I am frustrated and I am not mad at any one person and not putting blame on anyone. I love everyone I work with...but feel they are all stretched too thin and classes DON'T get priority attention. If there was some corporate mandated procedures for class setup, product use, and promotion of classes...I think the world would be a much happier place for ALOT of people...including corporate. Happy customers = Sales.

I'm done venting. Thanks for listening.