One of the most asked questions during my appearances on MSNBC’s Your Business have revolved around timing a new business.
Many people will rightly ask you Ms. Entrepreneur, “The economy is so tough, why would you want to open a retail store or start a new business NOW?”
Look, the economy has always been tough…
In 1942 they dropped the bomb but the French came up with the bikini. There is always an entrepreneur to look at things differently because they are up for the game.
Maybe you’ve always wanted to be your own boss. You’ve always enjoyed shopping and think opening your own store will be fun. It can be fun but make no mistake, succeeding in retail is about planning, change, and making yourself available.
Scads of stores’ customers know who the owner is because they are seen there practically every day. Then there are the unsuccessful absentee storeowners -unmotivated employee inmates running what seems to be a prison within sterile surroundings.
The choice to open your store should be made with your eyes wide open. Just like deciding to have a child or adopt a pet is a major change in lifestyle, so too is owning your own retail store.
Before you pick out a dog from the ASPCA shelter, you need to know who will feed it, clean up after it, take it to obedience school, wash it, walk it twice a day, etc.
As the business owner, you’ll need to know who will run the store, what you are going to sell, how this will affect vacation plans, family responsibilities and your finances.
While you might have inherited or purchased a family business, the choice is still the same – do you want to jump in or tip toe around? I call tip-toers hobbyists – they are owners when it is convenient for them. They take few risks and would rather not be bothered with the day-to-day challenge of running a successful business. Hobbyists are great to compete against though – they give you a clear picture of the dangers of slacking off.
How do you know if a retail store is for you? Answer these questions:
What would you feel like if you had to work Christmas Eve until 8 pm?
Realize it could happen, no matter how great your employees. Like Roseanne Roseannadanna said on Saturday Night Live, “It’s always something.”
What would you do when a friend’s child broke one of your expensive baubles and did not offer to pay for it?
It’s going to happen and it is best if you not take it personally. You’ll need to be able to separate personal relations from your business.
How would you handle your manager leaving early and going skiing over the weekend without telling you in advance?
Would you be willing to reprimand them, especially a friend working for you?
What would you do if your favorite item that you stocked heavily didn’t sell?
You have to separate your personal favorites from what the marketplace desires.
Have you ever had to fire someone?
It’s part of doing business. If you hire them, eventually they will leave your or you’ll have to fire them. You need to have the stomach to put someone out of work.
What would you do if you caught a shoplifter?
Shrinkage is not just from customers but also from salespeople. A forceful response leads to less of it it happening in your store.
Do you hate repeating yourself?
Training is about sharing your vision of service and making your employees as close to a carbon copy of you as possible. That takes a lot of time and reptition.
Do you genuinely like talking to other people?
Retail is connecting with people from your crew to your landlord to your vendors and to your customers. If you don’t like to do that, this is probably not for you.
Do you get a thrill from making a sale?
The sense of accomplishment and rush from a particularly large sale is necessary to balance the inevitable slow day or January doldrums.
Have you visited other stores who carry similar products and know where they are weak?
Competition is healthy to see how you would be different. You should not be afraid of anyone selling anything similar to you.
Could you survive financially for 8 – 18 months without drawing a salary from the business?
The greatest cause of retail businesses closing is due to having an unrealistic idea of breakeven and profitability. Get enough money from your bank so you don’t cripple the business from the start.
Do you have a great location?
This can be a great asset but test it by asking your friends if they go to that center and why or why not. You don’t want to get “a deal” on a property only to learn later it was due to poor visibility or parking. You never want to be 100 feet from success so visibility is key.
Do you like to create a team atmosphere or do you want to be the “OWNER?”
Retail is teamwork. Employees rarely go out of their way for the boss or the customer if they are afraid.
Do you have a great idea of how your retail business will standout from the rest?
A plan created early assures success. Who are your customers and why would they be willing to crawl over broken glass naked to come buy from you.
Are you prepared to work long hours?
The average retail store is open 70 hours a week including weekends.
Reasons not to open a retail store or your own business:
- I need to get out of the house.
- I have some money I need to do something with.
- I’m bored with my present job.
- I want to be my own boss.
- I love to buy things.
- I want to do something with my husband/partner/wife.
- I want to get the manufacturer discount and never pay retail again.
Reasons to open a retail store or own your own business:
- You want to create wealth for yourself and your family.
- You want to make a difference in your community by opening a store that meets their needs.
- You want to create opportunities for people in your community to better themselves through working with you.
- You have a passion to serve others by helping them purchase items.
Yes you can have a passion to serve others, but without the rest of the sentence, you could be a welfare worker.
To get a head start on your decision, pick up a copy of The Retail Doctor’s Guide to Growing Your Business.
