Is Radical Business for You -- Part 1, Seasonal

If you own a small business, and you’re thinking you need to reduce overhead and increase profits, welcome to a problem confronting most entrepreneurs in this extended economic slowdown.

We’ve had guerrilla approaches to various aspects of business. Now it’s time for outlier radical attitudes and actions. How about going seasonal? Or following trends – in and out of markets? Or create your own version of radical chic and successful? In this series, I’ll explore non-standard business concepts.

Tips for your seasonal businesses: 

• Of course, there are always pop-up stores. We see them every Halloween season in various places. And sometimes there are Christmas pop-ups – both d?cor and trees. With empty space in many malls and shopping centers, property owners who would have balked at the idea of a temporary store a few years ago would be happy to generate revenue today.
• Some temporary store merchandise requires long ordering lead times and established credit lines so they’re not quite as ‘instant’ as they seem.
• If you’re a person whose attention span and enthusiasm for a project can wane as quickly as it revs up, you might have the perfect temperament for a seasonal business.
• Take an inventory of your strengths and weaknesses. If you’re great with customers, but hate the paperwork and all the financial details, partner with a friend who loves the work that causes you to grind your teeth.
• Think specialization. Rather than taking the financial risk of trying to be everything to everyone, how could you limit your risk and appeal to a narrower market for holidays? David Bromstad of much HGTV success started his design career as a boy. He and his sister painted inexpensive terra cotta planters for holidays and special occasions. They’d sell their creations at flea markets and other places. They generated a nice income specializing in an item that worked for them and was useful to many customers.
• What can you do that is unique to you?
• How can your talents translate into a seasonal business? Or businesses?
• Do you have expertise that you can apply to various holidays – Valentine’s, Easter, Mother’s Day, July 4th, Halloween, Winter Holidays & Celebrations?
• Does the idea of short term, burst of energy, projects appeal to you more than gradual growth of a concept over time?
• Do you have a trustworthy friend with similar interests? Someone whose abilities complement – rather than duplicate – yours, and someone who would like to go into business with you?
• Can you sell your products online as well as in a bricks & mortar setting?
• Be brutally honest. Is the market large enough for your business to earn a profit, after expenses?
• How will you generate sales?
• Are you feeling excited about an idea? If your answer is yes, start sketching out a business plan. Define your business. Explain what you want to do and how you’ll do it. Figure out how much money you’ll need to start. Where will you get merchandise? How will you produce sales?
• Can you develop one umbrella brand, under which you create multiple seasonal, short-term businesses? 

These are not normal times. High unemployment and financial tentativeness are likely to continue for at least a few more years. To survive and thrive might mean you take a radical approach to business.