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Legendary Ideas Group

Legendary Ideas Group

How I Built My Brick-and-Mortar Business From the Ground up

Building a business is no easy feat – it’s challenging and it will absolutely test you in ways you never knew possible! And while you’ll have many sleepless nights, I assure you that it’s all for the greater good! You’ll get there…but if you need some inspiration, that’s what I’m here to share today. Below are some helpful tips on what you should focus on right now if you’re looking to open a brick-and-mortar shop for your business. It’s easy to get sidetracked with a million different things but try to focus on just one thing at a time and I bet you’ll find much success.

 

Decide what you’ll be selling.

In March of 2013, I received the keys to my very first pet grooming shop, Puff & Fluff Pet Grooming, in Phoenix, AZ. Initially I had one goal: to provide stellar grooming services to the pets in my community. We’ve since grown to five locations and now we offer a bunch of fun products and services to our customers!

 

The key here is knowing that you don’t need to be an expert to open your first storefront. I was a total beginner and learned along the way by just getting out there and DOING it. The best way to start is to have a clear idea of the products and/or services you’ll be providing. How will that manifest into a storefront? Get the juices flowing and you’ll be on your way.

 

Have a proper plan in place.

Ideally, you should have a business plan in place prior to flipping the sign on your shop from ‘closed’ to ‘open’. You’ll want to think about your supply chain, how often you’ll get deliveries, etc. and then who will actually be working in your shop. You’ll have to figure out costs and budgets and all that fun stuff as well – again, it can seem overwhelming, but just take everything one step at a time and you’ll get there.

 

Admittedly, I learned a LOT along the way after opening my first shop. Things were running smoothly…until they weren’t. And I knew I’d need more systems and processes in place if I wanted to continue to expand my business. Don’t think of any missteps as failures– it’s all about lessons learned along the way!

 

Find the perfect storefront!

This process can be as fun as it is daunting – how big do you want your storefront to be? What about the location? How is the visibility? Is the shop easy for folks to get to? Does the location make sense given your target audience? Can you afford this spot? There are so many things to consider!

 

Ultimately, finding the right space will be super rewarding – if you can envision yourself and your business there, that’s a great start! Once you find the right spot, don’t wait on it. If the stars are aligned, take the leap and grab the storefront – now, you can really start your journey!

 

You’re not done yet…

Securing a storefront is only the start of building a brick-and-mortar business. Next, you’ll have to furnish the space depending on what you’re offering customers and you may have to secure certain licenses depending on your business. Then, you’ll have to staff your storefront, spread the word, and ultimately plan the grand opening!

 

Even though I’ve been through the process myself, there is no better way to learn then to dive in and go for it. You’ll make mistakes along the way and surely have doubts, but you’ll get through it. I’m rooting for you! Looking for business tips and advice? Contact me anytime!

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