do
this...don’t do that
Thinking About Opening a Second Location?
DO Make Mini Manag- ers: “I’ve opened and/ or moved locations at least half a dozen times. My best advice is to train every team member to be able to do your job. The more well-trained your staff is, the less they rely on you. This means you can focus on honing your existing processes while developing new ones, which scale accordingly
DON’T Take the First Offer: “Negotiate your lease. Landlords are still looking for good tenants. For most operations you will want good street visibility and plenty of parking. Your landlord often will provide build-out money for doors, interior walls and other structural improvements.” —John Haynes, Al & Ed’s Autosound, Van Nuys, Calif.
you think it’s time or the place you’re considering has good traffic. First, consider the market. Is there enough business in the market to support expansion? What kinds of competitors are in the area? And second, consid- er your own business. Do you have good man- agement and business controls that will allow you to spend time on the
DON’T Get Caught Short: “Think about what it cost to open your current business. Carefully plan your budget for staff, training, infrastructure, product, rent, materials and everything else, then go over it again. Finally, once you’ve gotten every single expenditure on paper, add 25 percent to your budget.” —Tony Gestri, Doc’s Auto Sound, Chico, Calif.
DO Marketing on the Cheap: “Advertising is the hardest part of opening and promoting a new location. It can also be the most expensive; you can break the bank and not get anything in return. I’ve found that car shows or local events are ideal for announcing a new store’s grand opening. Another good way is to employ good old word-of-mouth through your existing cus- tomers and friends.” —Stephan Sunday, Cre- ative Sounds, Sonora, Calif.
without your direct over- sight or interactions. —Joe Cassity, Tunes- N-Tint/Alarms ETC., Lakeland, Fla.
DO Look Before You Leap: “Opening a second location is one of the most difficult steps for any small business. You can’t just do it because
new location and not lose step with your current business?” —Steve Scott, The Stereo Store, Eugene, Ore.
DON’T Assume Anything: “Just like you know all of the ins and outs of doing business in your area, there are other business owners in the area you want to expand to that know the area and its conditions better than you. Conduct your due diligence and talk to them about the demographics, traffic, annual events and other situations relevant to doing business there.” —Dave Beratta, Custom Sound, Yorkville, N.Y
14 Mobile Electronics February—March 2013
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