Hello everyone , I'm looking to start a small boutique in Michigan?

Question

I'm wondering if selling clothing for women ages 18-30 is the best way to go (i know we like to shop more then men) but i'm wondering if i should have shoes and accessories also and if this is a good business to start.

I'm wondering if selling clothing for women ages 18-30 is the best way to go (i know we like to shop more then men) but i'm wondering if i should have shoes and accessories also and if this is a good business to start. Please also give me your idea of what area in Grand Rapids, MI would you like for it to be in.

Please also give me your idea of what area in Grand Rapids, MI would you like for it to be in.

Please also give me your idea of what area in Grand Rapids, MI would you like for it to be in.

Answer 1

Yes, Grand Rapids would embrace a well run successful boutique. When searching for a location, check the potential location several times a day, to see how much foot traffic, and car traffic it has. The traffic determines whether your store will recieve a steady stream of potential customers.A upscale strip mall next to a supermarket with other nice retail stores is one of the ideal locations, but not necessary the most inexpensive. I have included resources to help you launch your business wisely and successfully. If you have additional questions, email me.You did not mention whether your funding is in place, I will include a couple of funding choices. If your funding needs are more than $35,000, feel free to email me for other viable funding sources. If you have additional questions, email me. Much Success to You!

There books can be purchased on amazon.com new or used. They can assist you in your pre-start up research.

FabJob Guide to Become a Boutique Owner (FabJob Guides) (FabJob Guides) by Debbra Mikaelsen and Pamela Skillings

Start and Run Your Own Shop: How to Open a Successful Retail Business by Val Clark

Start and Run a Profitable Retail Business: A Step-By-Step Business Plan (Self-Counsel Business) by Michael M. Coltman

Start Your Own Successful Retail Business by Entrepreneur Press

The Business Startup Checklist and Planning Guide: Seize Your Entrepreneurial Dreams! by Stephanie

Streetwise Small Business Book of Lists: Hundreds of Lists to Help You Reduce Costs, Increase Revenues, and Boost Your Profits (Adams Streetwise Series) by Gene Marks

The Inspired Retail Space: Attract Customers, Build Branding, Increase Volume by Corinna Dean

Buying a Business With Little or No Capital: A Practical Guide With $0-Down Strategies by Rudy LeCorps

Start and Run a Profitable Retail Business (Start & Run a) by Jim Dion and Ted Topping

Winning At Retail: Developing a Sustained Model for Retail Success by Willard N. Jr. Ander and Neil Z. Stern


Here are some sample business plans and free business plan templates to help you write your business plan for the boutique.

http://www.bplans.com/sp/browse.cfm

http://www.sample-business-plan.org/

http://www.score.org/template_gallery.html

Fashion Entrepreneurship: Retail Business Planning by Michele Granger and Tina Sterling

Business Plans Handbook: Business Plans for Retail Clothing Industries

For small business loans $35,000 and under, you can get a microloan. Below is the definition and the locations of microenterprise organizations in Grand Rapids area that give the loans.

Microenterprise Defined
AEO and its members have defined microenterprise as a business with five or fewer employees requiring $35,000* or less in start-up capital. AEO estimates that there are over 20 million U.S microenterprises, which represent 17% of all private employment in the U.S. In addition, microenterprise represents a path from poverty to financial security for many low-income individuals.

* Loans of $35,000 and under are known as microloans.

Microenterprise Development Industry
The estimated 600 microenterprise development organizations (MDOs) operating in the U.S. exist to support disadvantaged entrepreneurs as they start or expand their businesses. MDOs can increase the chance of business success by bridging the gap between disadvantaged individuals and the tools they need to start and grow successful businesses. With the help of AEO services, MDOs offer business training, technical assistance, access to capital, and other services to entrepreneurs to assist them in realizing their dream of business ownership. For many low-income entrepreneurs MDOs represent the only opportunity to access the capital and business tools necessary for business start-up.

Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW)
25 Sheldon Blvd., S.E.
Suite 210
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: http://www.growbusiness.org

Some of these are statewide, you will need to contact them directly to find out.

Battle Creek Area Chamber Foundation
97 E. Michigan
Suite 80
Battle Creek, MI 49017
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: http://battlecreek.org

Center for Empowerment & Economic Development
2002 Hogback Rd
Suite 12
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: http://www.miceed.org

Community Economic Development Association of Michigan
1000 South Washington Avenue
Suite 101
Lansing, MI 48910
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: http://www.cedam.info

Cornerstone Alliance / Renaissance Development Fund
38 W. Wall Street
P.O. Box 428
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: http://www.cstonealliance.org

Detroit Entrepreneurship Institute, Inc.
1010 Antietam
Detroit, MI 48207
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: http://www.deibus.org

Detroit Regional Economic Partnership
1 Woodward Ave.
Suite 1900
Detroit, MI 48232
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: http://www.detroit chamber.com/smallbizhelp

Human Development Commission
429 Montague Avenue
Caro, MI 48723
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Lansing Community Micro Enterprise Fund
520 West Ionia
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: http://www.lansingmicrofund.org

Northside Economic Potential Group
526 North Burdick
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Phone: [phone]
Website: http://www.mepg.org

Answer 2

I think it's a great business. Thinking about it myself. I think you should have some accessories. Shoes, etc. I've noticed boutiques doing well with high end candles. Maybe find a local jewelry artist and do some kind of consignment with them. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Any business is going to be about Location, Location, Location. Make sure you pay the additional rent to open in a place where people have plenty of money to shop! That's what you want, people to come in and buy your stuff---you know, so you can go out and buy other people's stuff! It's a vicious cycle, but one we all participate in....have fun with it and good luck!

Answer 4

I have 60lbs. of live rock, that I paid nearly $600 for. I bought the live rock in slowly, piece by piece. If I had bought the live rock in bulk, I probably would have paid half. So, be that as it may, your best bet would be to by a large quantity. The more you buy at one time the more you save. So, at 10.99 a pound, see if they will drop it down to 6.99 a pound if you buy more than 10lbs. at a time. If you buy 20lbs. of live rock, maybe they can sell it to you at 4.99 a pound. Some fish stores will deal like that, others won't.

Answer 5

Heavens yes!!!!! Please open your boutique in Grand Rapids and keep your prices low enough so those on social security can spend out money at your shop. Grand Rapids is the best place to live in Michigan.