What is the best marketing plan for a small coffee shop in a mall setting currently grossing $80,000 per year?
354107
Starbucks gives you the living-room you don't have at home. They sell "ambiance" plus flavor plus variety.\n\nTheir coffee isn't inexpensive, so what I'm saying is that a low price for your products isn't always the answer to sell more.\n\nDo you have nice coffee cups or do you just sell coffee in the disposable cups? People drink coffe more pleasantly with nice coffee cups or mugs.\n\nI don´t know the market you are serving. Where is the mall located? In what part of town? Who is the typical customer of your products?\n\nWhat do they drink with their coffee?\n\nAnd we could go on and on with other questions.\n\nTry to get an answer for stuff related to the traditional for "P's" of marketing: price, product, place, promotion.
396615
You don't. A cafe is a business that requires capital. Unless you can find investors to provide funds for you or a bank that can give you a loan, this is not a business that you can start for only $5,000. If your resources are not enough, cashflow will be extremely tight and there is a very high chance that the business will fail. The #1 reason why businesses fail is due to lack of capital, and without money and no experience in the business, you stand a formidable challenge.\n\nFrom the article "How to Start a Business with Little Cash" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol30/nocash.htm here are some tips on how you can start a business and earn more money even if you are short of cash today:\n\n1. Find a business that you can start for little money (e.g. starting a personal chef business where you cook meals for families and cater is cheaper than opening a cafe)\n\n2. Consider your time and effort - if you have little cash, you may have to work harder for the money because you will have no resource to outsource or employ others to do certain tasks for you; or you have no money to buy equipment so you can only do certain things the long way\n\n3. Get your creative juices flowing. With no money, the only thing you have is your imagination. Be creative and find ways to get things done \n\n4. Be prepared to do all the work yourself - from doing your business plan, finding financing, writing emails, shipping and handling, marketing or whatever processes your business requires. \n\n5. Be prepared to invite investors - you may need financing help from someone down the road so be prepared to share some of the pie. \n\nAs for writing your business plan, here are some resources that can help you write your business plan:\n\n- SBA Business Plan Basics http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/planning/basic.html\n- PowerHomeBiz.com Creating a Business Plan section http://www.powerhomebiz.com/startup/businessplan.htm\n- Entrepreneur.com Writing a Business Plan section http://www.entrepreneur.com/bizplan/0,7253,,00.html\n\nYou may also want to review some sample business plans to see how it actually looks like:\n\n- Bplans.com http://www.bplans.com/sp/businessplans.cfm\n- MOOT Corp Business Plan competition winners\nhttp://www.businessplans.org/businessplans.html\n- VFinance - View hundreds of real business plans in pdf format. http://www.vfinance.com/home.asp?bps=1&ToolPage=bps_main.asp\n- Business Owners Toolkit Sample business plans and information on how to create a plan. http://www.toolkit.cch.com/tools/buspln_m.asp\n- PlanWare Planning software and information. http://www.planware.org/\n- Virtual Business Plan Walk through the design of a business plan. http://www.bizplanit.com/vplan.html \n-SBA Business Planning Guide http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/planning/basic.html\n- Small Business Advancement Center http://www.sbaer.uca.edu/business_plan/businessPlan.pdf\n- Sample Business Plan General planning guide created by the Canadian Business Service Center. http://www.cbsc.org/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=CBSC_FE/display&c=GuideFactSheet&cid\n- Business Plans Index - A subject guide to sample business plans and profiles for specific business types from Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. http://216.183.184.20/subject/business/bplansindex.html\n\nSome recommended books are :\n\n- Start and Run a Coffee Bar (Start & Run a) by Tom Matzen and Marybeth Harrison\n- Real-World Wrap Cafe Business Start-up by Dan Titus and Juice Gallery Multimedia\n- FabJob Guide to Become a Coffee House Owner by Tom Hennessey\n- How to Open a Financially Successful Coffee, Espresso & Tea Shop by Elizabeth Godsmark\n- ESPRESSO! Starting and Running Your Own Specialty Coffee Business by Joe Monaghan
990147
I would start by doing lots of research on opening a business and jotting down just off the top of your head what you'll need to get started before you even try to figure out costs - listing everything will give you a place to start.  Here are some things I would think about:\n\n1) where and how big do you want this shop to be?\n2) what space is available in the area where you want the location\n3) will you need to do your own renovating/remodeling to the space\n4) do you plan to buy or rent the space?\n5) location is really, really important; are there other businesses in the area that draw people and might promote walk-in business for your shop?\n6) how close is your nearest competition? don't even try to compete with starbucks if they're anywhere near unless there's something so unique about your shop that you'll have your own niche following\n7) how will you advertise?\n8) will you need to hire employees\n9) who will handle the legal work? the accounting? \n10) how much insurance will you need - property insurance, insurance against loss of inventory, liability insurance in case a customer or an employee gets hurt in the store\n11)how much inventory do you need to get started?\n12) how much money do you need not just for upfront costs but to keep the shop going in the beginning before the business takes off\n13) have either of you worked at the kind of coffee/tea shop you'd like to own - are you willing to do that for awhile to really learn the ins and outs of the business?
325736
It sounds like you need customers.  Good luck.
79738
The inside design of the coffee shop is very essential.  It makes people feel cozy.  Offer Free internet.  Weekly allow poetry readings and have someone perform...perhaps a music student or someone who wants to get their name out there so that you do not have to pay salary overhead.  Your expenses should be kept at a low.  Coffee shops do not have to be flashy but need to be unique..do not try tooo hard because it shows and can look fake or copy cat ..maybe ask some local interior design students to take a shot at designing your shop (they should do it for free just for a little recongnition) ....even if your coffee falls short ..the human psyche has a weakness ..it always goes for something "niche" and fresh....People with money like cozy places undiscovered places.. simple..sweet..unique...design your shop to meet that demand..develop a customer base...Also your location should not be near another coffee shop ..you do not need to share the spotlight..there needs to be at least a 10-15 mile radius between competition..also give dine-in customers real coffee cups maybe with a cute design or something..paper cups are a no-no!!
510089
Hi there, running any kind of business is always risky. I suggest you take management and marketing workshops instead of selling the cafe. New ideas for your cafe, may be the solution you need to start making money. \nGood Luck, ;)
634817
Culinary arts is GREAT hands-on approach.......with heavy doses of accounting. You need to learn how to work long and "dirty"..........independently and with employees.\n\nI sell stuff to coffee shops......for 30 years. We have several coffee carts and have a catering business for espresso/tea/cappuccino for 18 years.\n\nBefore you start the business you need to be financially viable and not in debt. NO DEBT. no personal debt, no student debt.........NO DEBT.\n\nYou need to know about site selection, leases, general plumbing/electrical handy-work, human resources, taxes and how to have a FIRM financial household to go home to.\n\nThe biggest problem in owning a business is money management. If you spend too much money on yourself you will go broke in business.\n\nYou need to be able to work 18 hours a day for 6-7 days a week as long as you have the business. You cannot keep good quality product being served to your customers if you are not there. You cannot be sure you equipment is being properly cared for if you are not there.\n\nWe prefer La Marzocco espresso machines and Fetco coffee machines.\n\nGet a job in a coffee shop and learn EVERYTHING about the maintenance of all machinery, electrical and plumbing systems.\n\nGood luck..........contact me if you need to.
690583
You could open a shop but that could be high cost.\n\nHave you thought about offering the service TO other shops. Contact your gift shop, art shop, florists, choc shop etc and see if they would like to offer that service - you can collect and deliver. Minimal outlay until you get the clientale to justify a shop. As an artist you can create some nice looking poster or mock-ups and use these as displays for these outlets.
599300
Details about what kind of business it is would be helpful.  As a generality right now though, it would be good to get the word out by way of word of mouth and flyers.  Explain why your business is worth visiting (i.e. good food, helpful to the community, etc.)
353086
The success of retail mall shopping in the West esp. in the U.S. is largely due to the attitudes of U.S. consumers. This is not say that such venture would necessarily work in a smaller town where the population is smaller, disposable income maybe lower etc. You have to do market research in a particular area and see if such venture would work.\n\nThat said, I have seen some strip shopping centers and  open-air marts in some African countries and they are doing quiet well. Perhaps that is also something to look into.
1127510
Set up a jar at a few local businesses with their consent together with a short brochure made on your PC.  Inform the business owner of the organization, its purpose and its need.  Ask the local business to place a notice in its window.  Coffee shops, diners and bars are great for this.
94390
Business is all about visibility. The more you are visible, the more business you have. I presume that you know that this is the fundemental rule behind advertising. \n\nNow... for your business... I think you are targetting small scale customers (or customers within a small locality). So trying to list your business in a google search or such enterprise site might be a waste of money. \n\nThe question is how will you then market your business. You have to take an active role in promoting the business. It is self initiative. How will others know about your business if you don't tell. A few ways that you should improve your sell is... \n1. Attach a signature in all your mails with your website URL. Not just tradeall.in Make it the full like eg: http://tradeall.in\n2. Make sure your website is available 24x7. I checked your website and got a MYSQL error. This will give a negative effect for your business. For this, I suggest you should host your website with a reliable external ISP. You might need to pay some money. Remember.. There could be people who provide service for cheap cost. If you pay peanuts you will get monkeys. \n3. Your namecard/businesscard should print your website address. \n4. Try to get an advertisement through the mobile service providers. It can be as simple as a banner outside their office or having a small advertisement printed in their brochure. [You can even offer them that you will take the brochure print charges for these companies in a particular location.. a win-win deal\n5. Last but not the least... the most effective advertisement is the satisfied customer. If your staff is going to deal with your customer in an unpleasant way, be sure the customer will never refer another one. See the success of website 'Google'. With no advertisement they became the market leader. The reason is short and simple. Satisfied customers.
667466
Most of your customers would be local, or need a place local to where you are to store their possesions if they are outside the area.\n\nThe best way is with newspapers and the phone book.  If your on a busy street, make sure you have a sign that gets noticed.  Any local advertising, such as high school football games or yearbooks, if you can go for it some radio spots or late night tv commercials.  Local newspapers, county papers, and don't forget the auto trade or RV magazines and maybe those free local deli publications for various purposes or those mailer coupon people in your area.  \n\nAdvertising is a cost of doing business, and you need to have a budget as part of your overhead and consideration for what rent you charge.  As a local business owner, check out your local chamber of commerce.  If you can afford a website, contact me.  (ok, maybe uncalled for).\n\nAlso, if you have other friends or aquaintences in the business, ask them what they do.  Sponsor a little league team.  Check out those business card people you see that distribute them in restaurants.  Find out what works best for you.\n\nI'm sure you already know not to limit your customers to people but also other businesses, like seasonal ones, or flea markets that need you kind of service, but I'm sure there are many more.
910734
First, analyze your neighborhood, find out what kind of people reside in the area, lower income customers will be more attracted to specials, happy hours, and free popcorn, stuff like that, college kids also will enjoy good prices but also live entertainment pool table etc. Higher income may like a clean bar, with more of a upperscale atmosphere, i.e. dueling pianos, jazz band, good food, etc. Most importantly you should first find out which group of customers you wish to attract, then advertise and attack, make flyers, hire bands, run specials, and remember this.....crowds attract crowds, if you can get large crowds there even for a short but consistent time, more people will come, Run a "great" special even if you must first lose money, make flyers to advertise this special and place them where your targeted crowd can find them, hire entertainment, make a huge party and enjoy!!!!!!
609458
Maybe you could start with the neccesary things first, then expand. If you can undercut any competition within a reasonable driving distance, and can remember names well,sell goldfish, dog and cat food, treats, manufactured as well as custom built houses, then add your designer clothing as a small addition, just to see how it goes. You know if your items cost the same or more the traffic will be very low. But yes I think pet sales account for a real good income. Now, location, the better the locatiuon the more it'll cost you. People in towns where traffic is 9 cars long  to the intersection find that corner lots are not as good as they were when cars only lined up 2-3 long. Too busy of an intersection makes it impossible to get in and out. \n\nOr you could purchase a franchise. But here's a clean little example of what it might take to seriously consider such an enterprise:
1157473
A good idea to open a small business is begin thinking on what you would like to do, and what you will like to serve.\n\nThere are many opportunities in the business, you can open a small restaurant, a barbershop, mini-market, Pizzeria, Internet-Cafes, Coffee Shops (Like Starbucks), Bookstores and others.\n\nFirst you need to look for your area and look the interests that the people are seeking: (Food, Entertainment etc)\nAnother good tip is look for a:\n1. Local\n2. Good Area\n3. Opportunity Costs\n4. Excellent Interests\n5. Customer's Satisfaction\n\nThe other trouble is the money, if you have money you can start and open your business in a correctly manner, in which it can help you alot.\nOther option is to get a loan from a bank (shared money) and pay to the bank monthly the fee plus the interests (if applicable)\n\nFlorida is a state that has alot of population and many seniors, you can think in the people interests, for example seniors do not like to cook at home, so you can open a restaurant in which the seniors can go to the restaurant and use your service.\n\nSo think in that way, you may be able to open and start your business! So go ahead...Open it now what are you waiting for?\nRegards
375620
Name is too long, Monstersports.com , maybe.\nI believe that the type of store you mentioned could be very profitable, if you offer the right products, Maybe a partnership with cafepress.com for personal promotional stuff as far as the store.\nBesides that you might need to think of offering a fairly low price point, or having the advantage of selling kits. An example might be 1 ticket to a game plus some promo stuff for their team.\nHope that helps.