Support Your Neighbors

If you’re starting
a new business
in a neighborhood,
buy as much as you can
from local businesses.

Get your coffee
from the coffee shop
on the corner.

Buy your morning bagel
from a different restaurant
in the neighborhood.

Ask a neighbor
which electrician
she uses.

Buy your printer paper
from the local office supply place.

Yes, it will cost
a little bit more
but it should pay off
in connections.

Communities tend
to support their own.

Become ‘their own’
as soon as possible
by being seen
supporting the places
THEY support.

Neighborhood Relations

If you’re starting
a business
with a physical location,
whether that business
is a taco truck,
an Airbnb
or something else,
having a good relationship
with your neighbors
is important.

It can mean
the difference
between your business
succeeding
or failing.

Because neighbors
can make your life
absolute he77.

They can call the city
about perceived or real
coding violations.

They can call the police
about noise issues.

They can bad talk
your business
to potential customers.

They can block your driveway.

And do a thousand
other things
that will take your time
to resolve
and cost you money
and customers.

Introduce yourself
to your neighbors.

Give them something
as an apology
in advance for any inconveniences.

Of course,
offer them a ‘special’ discount
with your business.

And keep them informed.

You NEED your neighbors
to be
on your side.

Or, at the very least,
you want them to be
neutral.

This will
make or break
your business.

Is It A Business Or A Hobby?

A loved one
claims he purchased
a house
as a business opportunity.

He plans
to turn it into
an Airbnb.

I walked through the place.

His claims
of it being a business
are
bullsh*t.

He plans to use it
as his personal
vacation property.

How did I know this?

Every renovation decision
was based on
his personal tastes.

He has a kitchen counter,
for example,
that needs to be cleaned
a very specific way
or
it will scratch.

All his textiles,
as another small example,
have to be treated
very, very gently.

That’s not rental friendly.

If you base decisions
on what YOU like,
not what your target market
likes or needs,
you have a hobby,
not a business.