Specialty Shop Retailing
How to Run Your Own Store
Chapter One
GETTING
STARTED
I firmly believe retailing is the most exciting and creative field of small
business today. Nevertheless, when budding entrepreneurs approach me
for advice about starting a store, the first thing I do is try to talk them out
of it. There are, of course, many good reasons not to open a store: the risk
of losing everything you own, the fact that discounters are beginning to
dominate the marketplace, competition from the Internet, the high percentage
of new store failures. If no amount of arguing can deter a potential
new retailer, I know that he or she has the determination and enthusiasm
necessary to beat the odds and run a successful business.
We all start with a dream. Yours may be that you want to share merchandise
you love with customers or that you've always wanted to be your
own boss. Perhaps you've talked to friends about building a business together,
or yo ... read full excerpt from Specialty Shop Retailing: How to Run Your Own Store (Revised and Updated) ebook
