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Starting your own business

established 10/22/2007 2:57 pm | updated 10/22/2007 2:57 pm

Starting your own business sounds nice, but what business is right for you? Home-based Internet company? A consulting practice? Non-profit? This group is all about kicking around ideas and sharing your experiences in creating your own business.


GROUP MESSAGES:

I am opening an organic clothing and apparrel store in the Milwaukee, WI area. The store is scheduled to open in April 2008 and will sell organic men's, women's and children's clothing, shoes, home goods and personal care products. One of our missions is to constantly look for and provide our clients with new and better high end organic fashion. The websight (not yet completed) is www.oliveorganic.org. I am building a store with all eco-friendly products, recycled carpet, eco-friendly paint, counters and wall treatments, eco-friendly light fixtures, the whole nine yards. As a new reatailer I would appreciate any advice on how to make sure that this business is successful. I can be reached at mickat004@hotmail.com.

posted by mkatarincic on 1/ 3/2008 5:04 pm
Comments (1)

Take a page from the dry cleaning business where it has been demonstrated again and again that, if you can get a new customer to come into your business four times, you have him or her for life! (As long as you treat them well and provide good service.)

Dan Kennedy, my main marketing mentor, says that the same pattern holds true for just about any retail business. So your challenge is to attract customers and get them to return 3 times once they first enter your store. Suggestions include deep discount coupons, a direct mail sequence of 3 letters and/or post cards, building a mailing list ASAP and mailing to it atleast once a month, special offers to existing customers, a membership program, freebies, links to local charities and civic organizations, Tupperware like parties, guest speakers, creating a WOW!! experience to everyone entering your shop, publicity angles, internet sales, ebay sales, etc., etc. And do as many of the above and whatever else you can think of simultaneously.

It sounds like a good idea. When you franchise it to the New York City area, let me know and I'll shop there!

posted by usyzygyme on 4/25/2008 11:57 pm



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