Whats the success rate of opening a cigar/cigarette shop as a small business?
613711
Well first off we would need to know the state and city where you want to open it. Next we need to know how much you know about cigars. Finally we need to know the area you want to open your store and the type of clientele is the normal foot traffic in that area. Perhaps re-ask the question with these details answered.
99323
Check out the Small Business Administration web site -- they're a great resource for the small business owner. I listed a couple of other handy links as well.\n\nAssociations may be helpful to you as well -- see sources box.\n\nTry reading up on the subject -- check out Amazon, your local bookstore or library. \n\nI also posted links specific to San Diego as well as the state of CA.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
293446
It's great that you are doing someting that you love to do.\n\nYou have you staff in place , do you have an accountant, laywer, mentors and any other person you need to move you farward.\n\nDo you have a marketing plan?\n\nDo you have a system for the shop from taking out the trash to customer service and any other routines?\n\nWhat results do you want are you after in opening the store? What goals do you want to achieve?\n\nYour well on your way and I am sending blessing to your success.
77599
Try here:\n\nhttp://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/\n\nGood luck!
531138
Fist thing would be to find a city, or mall that will allow you to open a such business.... Then I guess it would be order a bunch of products and open up... making sure that you only sell to people that are the appropriate age.... Police like to send under age people in stores like that...\n\nGood Luck
816535
It's really not as difficult as it seems just some effort that will seem like nothing compared to actually running your own business.\n\n1. You will need to register your business "DBA" at the County Clerk\n2. The city your business will be located in will need you to register for tax purposes this is the BUSINESS LICENSE\n(many small businesses have the city taxes waived for the first 3 years to help with development)\n3. Get a business Bank account.\n4. get your resale license (http://www.boe.ca.gov/)\n\nThere are some serious things you need to consider and doing some research will help you organize your business and have less headache. Make sure once you've done some research on what type of business you'll be starting (sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, corporation etc) you follow the correct order of steps to acquire your status as business. It will keep you from running around in circles and it will save you from potential penalties and or delays.\n\nWhen I started my first business I used went to Boarders and picked up a book by nolo press "how to open up a California business in 24 hrs" http://nolo.com/resource.cfm/catID/9FA25870-14F1-4657-9778F19FB41FB93D/111/228/\nThere are many books that are specific to steps required to open it in CA just do some research it will make this seem less daunting.\nGood Luck
935616
Most important thing is dont give up. More competition the better. What you must try to do is make some difference from what you were and what is available in the other shop.\nFirst go through your sales history and examine what is in demand mostly,  ex. 1. what type of items 2. the quality etc. \nMay be books or candles are more in demand. See whether you can sneak a peek into the other shop. I'm sure that other person started his business after giving a careful consideration to you who has been in business for 18 years. \nDepending on your finances see whether you can change the stuff you have been selling, 'cos your stuff might be a little outdated. We cannot say from here 'cos it depends on what you have been selling. You can even put a small sale and get rid of the old stuff for a cheap price. that could attract more customers , but not for long. \nTry to change the look too. As someone else has said you can put lanterna and candles to make the place attractive. Also go out of the town to a posh big gift shop and see what they have done. You dont have to copy or I'm not saying you should, but that will give you an idea as to what the trend is. You might not even be able to do everything they have done too. \nMy experiance with gift shops is that they must change with the seasons of the year as well as retaining some for someone who wants to buy something such as a b'day gift etc. Also if a person can get something inexpensive but looks good and of good quality the better. So dont give up. Do a bit of research as to the needs of your community. \nGood luck!
1110281
well - if you want to do this, you should know what you need... going into something that you know nothing about is a "VERY" risky venture .  try asking local taylors what they use, then scale it up a bit.  start small - but remember selling to europe & the states you'll have problems with quality demanded & competition from  the far east..  think hard before you do this.
103
I would recommend starting with something you enjoy, find a wholesale supplier or make the goods/services yourself, and setup a store with eBay.  This is really quick and easy (AKA: cheap) to start.  If you don't know exactly what you want to do it is a good way to see how it will work without a huge investment.  If you are successful in that marketplace you can take it to the next level and expand into a more traditional business model with less risk!  \n\nTry playing around with writing a business plan and see what your risk and financial tolerance is.  The link below is a good tool for planning a new eBay business, I would recommend you check this out first!
58481
It depends on your interests. All small businesses start off slowly, so it's best to start one that you are happy to work with. Mine took a few years to really start making profit. I was breaking even, but that is because I was putting my earnings back into my business. Now I update as I need to, and still have profit. Good luck!
894125
Google or Yahoo. Such as I dont know any cigar companies because i dont smoke! but search them\nand e mail or call or contact
665201
Well, - first would be to clean up your English.. I think you might want to "propose" a business idea.. You know, good ideas are great - - we all have many.. however, putting them into practice is another thing - thus the expression 1% inspiration 99% perspiration.. Best advice is do some paperwork and investigation first - How much are drinks like yours selling for? How much will you have to pay in rent and for employees? How many drinks a day will you have to sell just to equal your expenses? Add at least another 15% for miscelaaneous expenses that you never considered. Do the math - if it works out really really well, then you might want to show your math to a business person - rather than just another idea.. ok?
71894
Try checking with your local Small Business Administration office (www.sba.gov). The SBA is a wealth of information. Also try talking with (or interning with) some boutique owners in your area. They should know a thing or two about getting a successful business off of the ground. I hope this helps. :)
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.
1092561
alot! its not just the opening, it can take years to get established, especially when there are so many great Spanish bars, can you speak Spanish? how are you going to get suppliers that do not rip you off if you don't! its a great idea but just be careful, I've seen countless people loose all there hard earned savings in this country, and countless ruthless people try to relive you of it.
335250
First let me warn you. To have a success company you need\nsomeone to run the business operation\nyou someone to do the work (service your providing)\nyou someone to sell the company (I like to use the word pimp, but some people think it offensive.)\n\nIn a small business that can be the same person, but if you dont  have the skills yourself you need to find someone or a company to help support you.\n\nThe other thing I like to warn you about is undercapitalization. Too many people don't realize that they may not net a profit the first two years. \n\nMarketing depends alot on what type of services you want to provide and amount of money you have. Are a B2B service or you looking to provide to end-user?\n\nFor some services, word of mouth provides the best marketing.  Talk to people let them know what your doing, go to computer user group meeting, hamfest, or computer shows to pimp your services. Talk to the local business and commerce and other business organizations.  Talk to anyone who may be a pontential customer. Volunteer and get involved in  social and  community activities. People tend to deal with people they know.
640961
I think that you will do fine if you follow the three basic rules of opening any business.\n\n1) LOCATION\n2) LOCATION\n3) LOCATION\n\nIf your site selection research is good you should be fine.