Weekend Reading 6/24/11

June 24, 2011

Retailers Continue to Add to Expansion Pipeline. Expansion by the national and regional continues to increase, which will put pressure on rents as the chains absorb the excess space on the market.  Now is the time for the boutique retailer to take advantage of the market. A year from now the pickings will be a lot slimmer.

Startup Professionals Musings: How You Can be Viewed as a Fundable Entrepreneur.  How you present yourself and your idea can make the difference.

Live Webcast | BNET.  Very relevant for a small business owner starting a new store. Finding the time to get everything done is always a challenge.

The 5 Minute Guide To Cheap Startup Advertising. If online marketing is part of your store front  marketing plan this is worth reading.

Subway franchisees find success through perseverance » Abilene Reporter-News. I love stories about entrepreneurs who keep through grit and determination succeed. This is a good one.

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Posted by Gary Simning

Weekend Reading 6/19/11

June 19, 2011

Small Business? Big Dreams? No Loans. | Credit.com News + Advice.  Getting a loan for your small business is still hard but it is improving. In another post I am going to show you how to put together package on your business that will get you a loan.

Freedom, Not Money, Buys Happiness | The Secret to Happiness | Business News Daily.  This is so true. I would go a step further and say that having a feeling of control over the direction of your life and your actions is equally as important.

ICSC – International Council of Shopping Centers. Short article on the state of financing for small businesses.

Future of Shopping Malls – KIMT.com – Iowa & Minnesota Together. More discussion on what is happening in the retail space leasing market.

Note to entrepreneurs: Your idea is not special | Entrepreneurial. Execution is the key to successful store front start ups.

2 Comments | Entrepreneur, Franchisee, Marketing, Weekend Reading | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Gary Simning

Practical Information for Opening a New Store

May 23, 2011

There are six people you need on your team before you sign a lease for a new store. Opening a retail store is an expensive and often confusing process for the first time entrepreneur. These six individuals will help take the confusion out of the process.

#1)  A mentor: Find an individual who has already opened a successful store. It’s hard to over emphasize how extremely valuable it is to have someone you can talk to about your plans and ideas who already has the experience and can guide you through the process. Who is the most successful person you know, or know of, in your community?   Call them and introduce yourself.  Ask them if you can call them from time to time for advice. Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted by Gary Simning

Forget the downturn. Now is the time to open your new store

May 9, 2011

In the last 30 years I have seen a number of economic downturns. Admittedly, this one has been the worst.  Business ebbs and flows, and I have no doubt that in the commercial real estate market the worst of it is over. As a shopping center developer and owner, the indications over the last year are that we have moved beyond the bottom of the leasing cycle.  Business is now on a slow, but upward trajectory. Read the rest of this entry »

2 Comments | Franchisee, Site Selection, Timing | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Gary Simning

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