Friday, May 4, 2007

Opening a Dollar Store - Be Fair to Your new Business

Are you opening a dollar store? How big should your business be? How small should your business be? When first opening a dollar store as an independent owner most just set some goals and work to build a business that supports the final plan. But what happens when unexpected events occur?

For most new entrepreneurs the primary factor that determines the size of the store is finances. It comes down to how much business you can afford to open. It is how much money you have and how much will that investment buy. With a little luck this formula works. However, what happens if important costs and reserves are forgotten? What happens if there isn’t enough money to properly open a dollar store and then keep that store running?

When costs and reserves associated with opening a dollar store are forgotten the likely outcome is at the least stress and strain of working feverishly to find more money to keep the business operating during the early stages. It can even mean business failure. The bottom line is that projecting costs and expenses isn’t an area where a new retailer should work alone.

Look to experts to help prepare the projected numbers. A qualified accountant with experience in discount retailing can really help eliminate some of the guesswork. There are also many qualified experts who can provide valuable input as you develop your initial projections regarding opening a dollar store.

Even though emotions are likely running high as you get ever closer to your dream of opening a dollar store be sure that you remain conservative whenever money is involved. Always hold back extra reserves for the unexpected. If the standard wisdom regarding breakeven for your store at you location is six month assume it will take twelve months. If experts are telling you that you will not need to advertise, budget for advertising against industry standards anyway. It will be a much better feeling to have excess reserves remaining at the end of the first year of operation than to be scrambling to find the funds to keep the doors open.

Every new business needs the time to become established. When opening a dollar store sales will grow and profits will come with the right management. Be sure that you have properly budgeted costs and reserves so that your business is given the opportunity to become a success.
Are you opening a dollar store? How big should your business be? How small should your business be? When first opening a dollar store as an independent owner most just set some goals and work to build a business that supports the final plan. But what happens when unexpected events occur?

For most new entrepreneurs the primary factor that determines the size of the store is finances. It comes down to how much business you can afford to open. It is how much money you have and how much will that investment buy. With a little luck this formula works. However, what happens if important costs and reserves are forgotten? What happens if there isn’t enough money to properly open a dollar store and then keep that store running?

When costs and reserves associated with opening a dollar store are forgotten the likely outcome is at the least stress and strain of working feverishly to find more money to keep the business operating during the early stages. It can even mean business failure. The bottom line is that projecting costs and expenses isn’t an area where a new retailer should work alone.

Look to experts to help prepare the projected numbers. A qualified accountant with experience in discount retailing can really help eliminate some of the guesswork. There are also many qualified experts who can provide valuable input as you develop your initial projections regarding opening a dollar store.

Even though emotions are likely running high as you get ever closer to your dream of opening a dollar store be sure that you remain conservative whenever money is involved. Always hold back extra reserves for the unexpected. If the standard wisdom regarding breakeven for your store at you location is six month assume it will take twelve months. If experts are telling you that you will not need to advertise, budget for advertising against industry standards anyway. It will be a much better feeling to have excess reserves remaining at the end of the first year of operation than to be scrambling to find the funds to keep the doors open.

Every new business needs the time to become established. When opening a dollar store sales will grow and profits will come with the right management. Be sure that you have properly budgeted costs and reserves so that your business is given the opportunity to become a success.