Thursday, December 17, 2015

Arranging for new space

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     to help you better manage your small business

     Expanding? Need space for that new small business? Moving your operation out of the house?

     You have three choices--lease the space you need, share a space with another business, or you can buy the building.

     Example: Rita was excited. She was about to realize her dream of establishing her own retail shop. She found the perfect storefront in an upscale small town. The landlord asked a reasonable rent, but he wanted a one-year lease. This raised a red flag in Rita's mind. On the one hand, if her store didn't do well, she would be out of the lease in 12 months. On the other hand, if all went well, she would be in a bad position to negotiate a continuing lease. The landlord could insist on doubling the rent, knowing she would not want to move. Or perhaps he had other plans for the building and was simply looking for rental income for one year. Rita believed in her dream business, and she held her ground--she told the landlord she wanted a 5-year lease or she would look elsewhere. Her persistence paid off. The landlord counter-offered and they settled on a 3-year lease.

     Example: John is a furniture designer. He could not afford a storefront of his own, so he went looking for another type of space. He found a gift shop that catered to high end buyers of works produced by up-and-coming artists and artisans. He made arrangements to display his chairs and tables on a consignment basis. Also, he uses Facebook and Etsy to reach out to the public. 

     Example: Diane is a personal trainer. She sees private clients in their homes, and she sees employees in company fitness centers. She is building a following with the eye to establish her own place in the future. But her plans don't stop there. Diane would like to expand eventually into a full-fledged wellness center, offering space to nutritionists, massage specialists, and other health and wellness practitioners. With her goal firmly in mind, her business plan is writing itself. 

     Finding the space you need for your business can be daunting. The opportunities can vary. 

     Explore the possibilities and work them through your business plan. Make certain that your decision matches your long term goals. 

     Finding space appropriate to your business is a vital part of managing. Even if you are running a home-based business, you need space. And, what happens when you grow and expand beyond the bedroom or garage? 

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