A production retail business is responsible for both making and selling products. It does not work with a middle man. This type of business controls who its customers are, the cost of its products as well as maintain the quality of its products. Because of the way this type of company does business, a production retail business works directly with the customer. For example, a company like Maxwell Scott, which makes “quality luxury leather handbags, briefcases, luggage and accessories,” makes one product, and makes it well, and they then sell this product to specific niche of customers. This type of business is especially appealing to women. A business like this is enticing to women for three reasons: first, a production retail business allows its owner to oversee the business and its employees; second, it aids in balancing work and home life and lastly, it presents owners with a way to challenge themselves on an ongoing basis.
Women who become entrepreneurs most often start production retail businesses. They do this because they want to “be personally challenged.” Historically, women have been the primary childcare providers in the household and “while more and more employers are making efforts to accommodate [parents] with child raising responsibilities, some women must put their own careers on hold to fulfill parenthood obligations” which means that many women are not able to become much of their lives, may start a business as a new way of expressing their individuality and also as a way of contributing to the household’s finances. A production business provides a new outlet for creative energy that had been previously engaged in rearing small children.
A production retail business provides an owner with a way to balance work and home life. This type of business can often be integrated into the home so that an owner does not have to spend unnecessary time traveling. This type of business also allows an entrepreneur to manage the hours they work. This means that a woman, who is also a primary childcare provider, can decide when and where they work.
On the topic of balance, a production retail business provides its owner with a better vantage point for keeping the company at equilibrium. A business owner in this venue can be personally involved in fulfilling its employees’ needs and the needs of the company. This is especially true if, as is common with female business owners, the company is kept small. A company such as this allows an entrepreneur to maintain creative control so that the customers’ needs are fully met and the company can continue putting out high quality products.