The United States is peppered with small towns full of locals who love their local businesses. Small towns usually have a few well-loved local businesses, mom-and-pop type places that have been staples of the local community for ages. This may make it sound as though business owners or entrepreneurs shouldn’t bother trying to start a new business in a rural area or small town, but that’s not the case. Local communities can be quite friendly to new business owners who have a small town business idea that will truly benefit their town.
If you’re an entrepreneur with a business idea that you love, you should know that running a successful business in a small town can be more of a pleasure than a chore. Locals who are excited about a new bakery or food truck will support you far more than people in a big city would. Plus, remember that you’ll be bringing jobs into a small-town economy. By recruiting locals to work at your grocery store or coffee shop, you’re boosting the economy of the rural area. That’s a great way to get locals excited about your startup. If you’re interested in starting a restaurant in a small town, read on for some tips that should make it easier to get your small business off the ground and thriving.
1. Invest in state-of-the-art restaurant equipment.
Just because you’re starting a coffee shop, bakery, food truck, or restaurant in a rural area or small town doesn’t mean that you should limit your options when it comes to restaurant equipment. Let’s say that you’re starting a small business outside Seattle, in a small town like Centralia or Sequim. You can still get big-city-grade restaurant equipment delivered to the more rural areas of the U.S.
Plus, Seattle restaurant equipment financing is available for small town business ideas, no matter how boutique or niche they may be. Restaurant owners can get freezers, refrigerators, ice machines, pizza prep tables, and more by opting for financing options. Whether you’re specializing in an all-American breakfast menu or opening a French p√¢tisserie, you’ll make a great first impression by having the highest quality restaurant equipment. Plus, you don’t have to break the bank to buy your freezers and refrigerators!
2. Recruit locals to work at your new business.
Do not, under any circumstances, hire outsiders to work at a small town business. Even if a qualified candidate sends you a resume that says San Francisco or New York City, recruit your new hires from within the small community. You can find top candidates in smaller towns as well, and it’s a good idea to offer open positions to locals first. You want to be clear that you believe in the local community, and that you’re here to boost the local economy with your venture, not to become a drain on existing resources.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with everything that goes into launching a new business and can’t imagine spending time scheduling interviews with job seekers, there are ways to improve your hiring process. Using scheduling software and optimizing job postings to populate your new restaurant with the best candidates will streamline the interview process no end.
3. Show the local community that you care.
This is key. Whether you’re launching a combination microbrewery-ice cream shop or a local grocery store and pharmacy, you need to be invested in the local community. Larger companies take community life for granted, and they shouldn’t. Reach out to church leaders, local teachers, and business owners from well-loved businesses for guidance. Ask locals what they’d like or need. Offer to host an ice-cream party for the local elementary school, or offer locals discounted haircuts at your barbershop every third Friday of the month. Showing the clientele that you care about their small town is the quick way into their hearts.
Starting a lucrative business in a small town can be both easy and fun. Get the best restaurant equipment out there, host special events for the locals, and streamline the hiring process to find the professionals you need. You’ll be enjoying your successful business idea soon enough.
