Missy B. Salick. Virgo Girl’s Editor-in-Chief is passionate about helping creative’s and small businesses turn their passion into profit. She just launched The Virgo Girl Coaching, an extension of the lifestyle blog The Virgo Girl.
Here, she shares advice on all things business.
DEAR THE VIRGO GIRL,
I live in a small town where everyone knows everyone. I am a huge coffee lover and decided one day to leave my successful job as an accountant and open a coffee shop. Everyone thinks I’m crazy considering not only did I spend a fortune on school, but I know nothing about the coffee business. I just wasn’t happy and fulfilled with my life as an accountant. Here I am three months into being a coffee shop owner and I get maybe five customers a day. I really don’t want to fail, because I know I can do this. But at the rate things are going, I won’t stay in business another three months. How can I get more customers to come in? I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.
Advice from Missy: Hi, Creative Bug. Kudos on starting your business that is a huge accomplishment!! I would first have to ask if you researched your area and market. Is it a community that is big on coffee? Do you only sell coffee? If so, think about expanding your inventory to include free Wi-Fi for customers to work, have meetings, etc. Sell pastries, muffins, etc. Everyone loves a good sweet to partner with their coffee. You mentioned that you’re in a small community, have you met your neighbors? Go introduce yourself. Walk around the neighborhood and meet your customers. On nice days you can even stand outside your coffee shop with 10 percent off coupons or membership cards, where if they buy five cups the sixth is free. Use social media to your advantage. Facebook and Google are great platforms to promote local small businesses. Attend any business associations or community events that your area hosts. Lastly, feel free to sponsor coffee for local children’s events that start really early and parents will need coffee; for example, basketball games, soccer, swimming, etc. Parents will definitely need a cup of coffee and when they do, be sure to mention where they can find your store!
Please email me at coaching@thevirgogirl.com so that we can speak more about your business struggles and I can learn more.
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