When times are tough, even the most successful retail business can have some trouble. Making the right business decisions is paramount when the margin for error is slim. “Fear can be a motivator, but it can also lead you into bad decisions, particularly in times like these,” says Norm Brodsky, small business writer for Inc. … More Focus and attitude
Last week we discussed the first step of “Economic Gardening,” preparing your community for entrepreneurial success. Now lets focus on the next steps: planting the seeds and nurturing the sprouts. One of the primary ways that a community can foster home-grown businesses is to offer a business incubator. Business incubators take many forms, the most … More Economic gardening: part II
Helping the downtown merchants is one of the most important functions of a Main Street organization. At the recent Virginia Main Street (VMS) Designated Community Managers’ Retreat, several VMS communities reported that their retailers had a successful 2008 holiday season with increases in sales over 2007. While much of the increase was because the downtown merchants … More 23 ideas for tough times
This article in Entrepreneur magazine could help some of your downtown businesses use their limited advertising dollars more effectively. Then again, it could help your promotional efforts as well. While Entrepreneur’s Kim Gordon gives a four-point recession advertising checklist to make sure your ad budget does the most good, her advice should adapt well to … More Recession advertising
Virginia Main Street 