The little shop in Stara Cegielnia Mall attracts passers-by with colors and fragrances.  Many step in out of pure curiosity, the first time, since it has been open since mid-December.  Some people, though, head straight to the shelves with their favorite cosmetics.  Magdalena Stańczyk, the owner of the shop, which bears a mysterious name of Bomb World, greets all of them with a smile.

She has called it a soap shop since it offers all sorts of bathing products: butter, gels, shampoos, peeling cosmetics, fizzy bath balls, and even colorful bathtub muffins and cupcakes.  The offer includes also body creams, lotions and masks.  Fragrant candles, waxes and oils have their place, too.

“All products offered in Bomb World consist of natural ingredients only, are hand-made, not tested on animals”, says the owner.  “We are the only shop in the region selling products of renowned manufacturers, such as Bomb Cosmetics, Regent House, or Kringle Candle. It’s not a random selection.   I have personally tested each one and checked opinions of others in Internet.  I knew there were many connoisseurs of these products, also in Szczecin, but they were available in Internet only.  And I have decided to change this.”

Prior to opening the shop, Magda had had a permanent job as a waiter.  She had always been interested in cosmetics, read cosmetic blogs and Internet forums, tested new products and was very well oriented.  “Thus, I have discovered a number of fabulous products, which, although not commonly available, had many fond users”, she says.  “I even found queries regarding their possible availability in Szczecin.  And I decided this was a perfect opportunity for me to change my professional career.”

She got in touch with a distributor of brands she was interested in. He was not only eager to cooperate, but guaranteed her exclusivity in Szczecin and helped to start the business.  Simultaneously she began a search for the appropriate location. “I have always thought about a mall, but I was aware that I could not afford a large space”, she recalls.  “I decided that investing too much in a lease in the very beginning, when I was not sure how it would go, could pose too much risk for me.  I have invested my own savings in the shop, did not want to take a bank loan.  And I live close to Stara Cegielnia, so the place seemed just right for me.”

In two weeks, working by herself and assisted by her boyfriend, she refurbished the place, providing it with colors that best matched her "bathing" business.  High speed was a must, as she wanted to open the shop before Christmas.  It was a success: Bomb World opened in mid-December.  “Frankly, I had no time to think about an ad”, she admits.  “I only established a fan-page on a community portal and the information spread.  I think that bloggers writing about cosmetics have contributed to my good start.  Finally, the popularity of my shop and the number of clients have much outgrown my expectations.  I had assumed that I would have to patch up my finances in the initial months, but I have been making money already.”

Of course, she is aware that the “Christmas fever” helped her a lot, but she believes the products she offers have contributed to the success.  “I work in my shop myself, so I talk to my clients every day. I can see what they like”, she says.  “Some people come here out of curiosity, attracted with the look and fragrance, but I have some clients who purposefully come from distant districts because they know the products.  Often I have long talks with them. Many people who have happened to buy something here because they have been curious, come back.  Other got my products for Christmas and they liked them so much they want more.  This gives me great satisfaction, confirms that I have made a good decision and makes me believe that I will succeed.”

 

ŁP