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If you have a great business idea and you want to open a brick and mortar store, it’s all about who you know. There are certain relationships that you will need to foster in order to set your path to be able to open your doors to your waiting public. Here are a few people you should get to know in order to make opening your business a breeze.
The Permit Office
There are going to be a lot of permits for you to open your business. You are going to need a business license, permits, and permission to sell your goods no matter what they are. Knowing someone in the permit office is a good relationship to establish. Not only will you have someone on the inside helping you navigate all the paperwork and hoops that need to be jumped through, but you will also have someone who can keep you informed so that you can plan your opening accordingly. If you need to renew permits or apply for new ones, someone will be on hand to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Building Contractors
Real estate can sell fast, but if you are in the know by having a connection in the construction world, you will be able to know when buildings are being built or renovated, and you can swoop in and rent a space before it goes on the market. Having friends in commercial construction companies means that you will always have a leg up on when spaces become available. When the time comes to expand your business, or if you outgrow your current space, it will be a lot easier to find that perfect location that will help your business flourish.
Real Estate Agents
Although a building contractor can point you in the right direction, they can’t sell you the property. A real estate agent can. Having a friend in real estate will help you work your way through the process of expanding, finding profitable space, and navigating negotiations. A personal connection in this industry will alleviate a lot of the stresses of becoming more successful and needing to expand. You will have someone to answer all of your questions and prevent you from falling into a money pit you may not be able to get yourself out of.
Your Neighbors
The best connection you can make for your business is getting to know your neighbors. When you create a community of business owners who are always looking out for each other, you will have the security of knowing that you are not alone. It will also make it easier for you to open because you will be coming into a creative space where you will have a lot of support. When businesses support each other, your audience will grow and more people will want to come by and support your new endeavour.
Opening a business is not easy, but if you know the right people, your path to success will be a whole lot smoother.