Welcome back to our blog series on opening your very own storefront! This exciting and challenging time is one that you’ll be sure to remember—but how the opening goes will determine whether these memories are going to be wonderfully nostalgic or bitingly stressful. With ABC Lock & Key at your side, you have little to fear—we’re not only experienced in all things locksmith-related, but also in opening our storefront located in the heart of Nashville. Find some other storefront tips and tricks in our blog, and give us a call for commercial locksmith services, automotive locksmith services, rekeying, and everything in between!
Create your team.
Of course, the number of people you need and the roles you need fulfilled will change as your business progresses. However, you’ll definitely need some people at the start, or at the very least, need to figure out various responsibilities. It’s a good idea to draft up contracts and job descriptions (and consider speaking with a lawyer). This is a great measure to take, not only from a legal standpoint, but because it helps you organize various tasks and priorities, and practice delegation.
Ideally, you’ll figure out the kind of values and working styles you want on your team, as well as consider the overall culture. A business is only as good as its team, and if you set aside time to develop a solid working climate, you’ll see the results (and keep great workers around, too).
Get the word out.
You’re opening a business! This is a huge day! Not only does this need to be celebrated, but this is the time to make your presence in the community known. Host a grand opening or open house, offer some especially great deals, and feature some loyalty perks from the get-go to encourage people coming back.
In order to make all this happen—and happen successfully—you need to make sure everyone knows about your new business. Advertise through social media, continue to build up your web presence, spread the word through family and friends, and try to get as many people as possible to come by. Granted, the success of an opening day does not determine your business’ success overall. But people will need to know about your storefront in order for you to have a chance at making it. Whether it’s the first day or the fifth day of opening your storefront, drawing people into your establishment is essential for building a client base.
Figure out the details.
How will workers be getting paid? Do you take checks, in addition to cards and cash? When does inventory need to be taken, and when do orders need to be placed? These seemingly tiny, minute details add up really fast, and the more you can plan ahead, the better. It practically goes without saying that not everything can be figured out before you open your storefront, but being as prepared as possible can save you time, money, and confusion.
In order to properly figure out the details, think about an ordinary day in your storefront. Visualize (and perhaps write down) everything that happens. For each scenario or moment—such as “someone opens the store”—think about everything that needs to take place in order for this moment to occur.
With all that being said, flexibility is just as important as planning ahead. Recognizing that not everything is going to be perfect or run smoothly is part of being an effective business owner. Try to take control of the things you can now, and accept that when other things come up, you’ll find a solution in a calm and rational manner.
Prepare for the worst.
It might sound pessimistic, but having an emergency plan is essential for the safety of yourself, your team, and your customers. Things happen, and emergencies rarely choose a time that’s most convenient. Here are just a few ways you can think ahead and have a plan in mind:
Fire
Building codes mandate you have the proper materials on hand for dealing with a fire, such as a fire extinguisher and smoke alarm. In addition to these materials, you should establish a fire escape plan that every employee is aware of.
Severe Weather
In Nashville, we’ve definitely had our fair share of inclement weather. Certain storms of higher intensities can cause power outages, so it’s beneficial to have a lantern or flashlight on hand. Larger buildings (or businesses that have a much higher need for energy) might want to consider investing in a backup generator—though this is really only necessary if constant energy supply is required.
Slow Season
Not every business has an “off season,” but if yours does, you know the impact this can have. It makes sense that your winter gear storefront won’t be renting out as many snowshoes come July, but you should have a plan in mind for maintaining income and revenue that can take you through the slow times. As a second option, work towards making your business the type that can function solidly throughout the entire year. Maybe instead of solely renting out those snowshoes, you add stand-up paddleboards or guided hiking expeditions to your repertoire.
Breakdowns
They say nothing gold can stay, and the same is true for your furnace. Or your air conditioner, or your massive greenhouse light, or oven, or anything else that’s bound to break down at some point. It’s OK if you don’t have enough money to cover these breakdowns right now, but it’s important to have a savings account that can specifically help cover these expenses as they arise. Even putting a little of your monthly revenue into this account can make a huge difference down the road.
Break-ins
As iconic as a Pulp Fiction break-in and stick-up can be, you absolutely do not want this happening with your business. The proper safety measures should be taken to ensure your business and everyone there are safe and secure, at all times. While a stick-up is truly just some bad luck, there are a number of precautions you can take to protect against a break-in, and ABC Lock & Key is here to help.
Our commercial locksmith services can provide you with security measures you can trust. We offer help with changing locks and keys, which can be great for taking over a building that had previous owners. Additionally, ABC Lock & Key provides rekeying, panic bar installation and repair, door closers, access control locks, keypads, deadbolt installation, and so much more.
As Nashville’s trusted locksmith of choice, we’ve helped people who’ve been locked out of their homes, cars, and businesses for years, and we’d be honored to work with you. When your business is about to open, there are a ton of things to consider, but ABC Lock & Key can make this step in security your easiest to-do to complete. Simply give our locksmiths a call to get your storefront secure and ready for opening day.