Location, Location, Location

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Where you choose to locate your business will depend on the needs of your business.

A home office is often the first location for a new start up trying to save on rent and other start up costs. When the business is up and running you may consider moving into a larger space or decide that your home office is all that you need. Local zoning may restrict whether or not a home-based business is allowed.

A retail space in a downtown shopping district or shopping center is most appropriate for businesses selling goods or merchandise directly to consumers. Visibility, in terms of high pedestrian or automobile traffic, accessibility and convenience, and the attractiveness of the location are key considerations for retail locations. Service oriented businesses such as beauty shops or restaurants also may consider locating in a retail space.

Some businesses are based around products or services delivered to the consumer, in which case a mobile location, such as a car, truck or van may be the ideal location.

A commercial space such as an office park or building is typically most appropriate for professional businesses such as insurance agencies and doctors' offices. Accessibility and convenience are still key considerations for commercial locations but visibility is often not a concern. However, facility amenities such as a high-speed internet connection or conference room availability may make a big difference.

If your business is involved in the manufacturing or distribution of products then you will want to find an industrial location such as an industrial park or warehouse facility. The key consideration in selecting such a location is sufficient infrastructure, such as loading docks, access to adequate energy supplies or convenient access to rail or four-lane highway transportation.

Business Incubators

Increasingly communities are providing entrepreneurs access to both a physical location and technical assistance under one roof in a business incubator. Some of these incubators are intended for specialized businesses such as a value added food processing or arts and crafts production while others are open to any kind of business idea.

If an incubator is not right for your business, a number of organizations in the High Country still can provide assistance to aspiring entrepreneurs looking for a new business location: