Starting a business can be terrifying, but if you are endeavoring in entrepreneurship in Gainesville, you have a better start than most. Gainesville is one of the best cities in the country for businesses, according to Forbes, and undoubtedly the best place in the state in regards to factors such as income growth, costs, and quality of life.
Still, success isn’t guaranteed in Gainesville. Here is a handy guide that could get you a few steps closer to success in the best city in the state for business.
Step One: Research Local Success Stories
Whether you are looking to understand your competition or you need some local inspiration, it helps to get to know the stand-out businesses in the region. You should already be keeping current on local news by reading the business section of the Gainesville Sun, but other news outlets are useful resources, as well. Sometimes, Gainesville businesses make state and national news with outstanding practices.
There are several more ways to learn about the city’s best businesses. For example, you can connect with the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, which will proudly provide information about the highest achieving local companies as well as some invaluable market research. Finally, you can take to the web to uncover all sorts of data on area employers using sites like Glassdoor and Indeed.
Step Two: Invest in Local Business
As a local businessperson yourself, you should do your best to encourage the local economy. Essentially, that means engaging with local businesses to the best of your ability. While you are getting started (or when your contract period ends) you should look for businesses around you to provide the supplies and services you need.
Often, your fellow Gainesville natives will surprise you with better prices and enhanced features that impersonal national or online businesses cannot offer. Plus, local businesses understand your unique needs better than those located outside the city; for example, Gainesville web design firms appreciate what Gainesville natives prefer, so you’ll have better luck with online marketing campaigns even when your target audience is nearby. By partnering with fellow local businesses, you will improve the Gainesville economy and foster success for yourself.
Step Three: Connect With the Community
Gainesville is a big city, so you need to put forth an effort to get noticed by the community. How you do this depends upon your industry and your available funds. Joining the city’s Chamber of Commerce is an excellent way to introduce yourself to other companies ― which could boost business if you are B2B ― and attending conferences and conventions can help spread awareness of your new local enterprise amongst the industry’s community. You might even host your own inclusive networking event to increase your business’s prestige.
However, connecting with the greater Gainesville community requires a different approach. You might consider partnering with a local charity and sponsoring events, such as 5ks or festivals, to help associate your business’s name with good works. Sales and other promotions are also useful at getting bodies into your store, assuming you advertise properly.
Step Four: Focus on People
Gainesvillians are proud and old-fashioned, so most do not easily forgive a local business with a bad reputation for service. Gossip in Gainesville spreads fast, and any mistreatment of customer or employee will probably impact your weekly profits. Therefore, it is essential that you give respect to all the people associated with your business, from your newest office intern to your most valued client.
It is impossible to be too polite; being deferential will only earn positive marks from those who associates with your business. By placing an emphasis on proper treatment, you can ensure your business will grow steadily into the future.
Step Five: Learn Adaptability
Though courtesy will likely remain a constant in Gainesville for decades to come, other trends may come and go. As the internet globalizes the world like never before, you should expect local trends to change quickly alongside national movements. The same news sources you use to research local businesses can also be helpful in reporting on upcoming fashions, which may aid your business in the future. It is impossible to say what Gainesville (or any city in the world) will be like even one year from today, so flexibility is necessary to succeed in the best place for business in Florida.