How TEAMWORK Expanded Entrepreneurial Impact in Delaware!

Transcription

1 How TEAMWORK Expanded Entrepreneurial Impact in Delaware! Diane Laird, State Coordinator, Downtown Delaware Ken Anderson, Director of Entrepreneurial & Small Business Support Delaware Economic Development Office Tuesday, April 1, 2015

2 Reminders

3

4 Introductions

5 WINS Three seasons of Pop Up 14 traditional Pop Up businesses 12 still in business in owned/ leased spaces 1 expanded into adjacent space 16 vacancies filled thru Pop Up Advised over 20 Pop Up businesses in six towns After

6 What would you do?

7 Meaningful for Main Street! Team effort engages local partnerships Approvals on a variety of levels Innovative collaborations between state, county, local agencies Unique opportunities and needs of entrepreneurs

8 Sustainable solutions! Entrepreneurial and business development metrics in the recruitment of businesses Sustainable, profitable and job creators Populate vacant spaces Long term occupancy of 16 commercial spaces Statewide entrepreneurial and traditional small business resources included

9 DELAWARE S THREE MONTH INCUBATOR

10 Delaware s Model 1. Goal is long-term occupancy 14 (established) businesses accepted Resulting in long terms leases VACANCY 2. State-Led but you can customize! Tips, templates, and a timeline TODAY Launch your own successful program TOMORROW

11 Realities Of The New Economy It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change. New or Digital Economy is global & entrepreneurial Knowledge, technology and innovation are embedded in products and services

12 On Line Sales 40% Media, Sporting and Hobby 30% Electronics and Appliances.in other words 70% percent of Media, Sporting, Hobby Goods, Electronic and Appliances That s compared to about 17% in 2004!

13 Fostering Business Growth & Expansion Technology Difference between entrepreneur and small business person MUST have a website in some stage of development! MUST use ! MUST have social media capacity!

14 Logistics of Pop Up: The Timeline JUNE & PRIOR SETTING THE STAGE INTERNAL APPROVALS IDENTIFY / ENGAGE PARTNERS JULY PROPERTY SELECTIONS SECURE PROPERTIES BUSINESS OWNER APPLICATIONS AUGUST BUSINESS VETTING PROCESS INTERVIEW CANDIDATES & ECOMMERCE SELECT BUSINESSES & MATCH WITH PROPERTIES SEPTEMBER PREPARE SPACES ADVISE BUSINESS OWNERS BUSINESSES MOVE IN OCTOBER 1 st SOFT LAUNCH 15 th FORMAL OPENING NOVEMBER OPENING CELEBRATIONS ONGOING ADVISORY OPENING CELEBRATIONS DECEMBER 31 st Pop Up ENDS LONG TERM LEASE COMMENCES

15 JUNE Setting the Stage Blessing to Proceed Permission/authorization to go forward? How will you fund it? What committed and qualified business advisory services can you trust? Lack of any of these necessities suggest a no go!

16 Local Program/Town Contacts JUNE Setting the Stage o Understand program, their role with property owners/business owners and in readying the space. o Other local players? town government, Chamber, neighboring businesses, etc. Consider proximate locations to Main Street

17 Internal marketing team meeting: o Marketing strategy o Program logo o Marketing materials o Press releases o Save the date! o Website o Social media o Posters for storefronts JUNE Setting the Stage

18 What would you do?

19 JULY Property Selection %20Fixed%20Today.mp4?dl=0

20 JULY Property Selection Call for properties through Local Contact Circulate Property Owner Applications Ensure property/owner is in good standing

21 o Make final property selections keep them fluid JULY Property Selection o Descriptions, images, disclaimers Address: 22 S. Walnut Location: Square footage: 1,300 SF Description of setting within downtown Utilities cost - specify each with disclaimer Value of rental per month: $800 Suitable prospects: arts, office, shoes, etc.

22 What would you do?

23 Properties should not need more than simple clean-up JULY Property Selection Property owners may try to get more for utilities than what is fair and accurate. Are both the property AND the property owner in good standing?

24 JULY While you re getting properties selected Business Owner Application Upload property selections to website o Pictures o Descriptions o Costs (utilities, etc.) o Value of space Posters in windows

25 Widely market program to business owners via social media, radio, press releases, contact lists, industry partners! JULY Open for Applications.Market Widely!!

26 AUGUST VETTING & SELECTING BUSINESS OWNERS The Interview Team: o State: Main Street Coordinator & Entrepreneurial and Small Business Support Director o Business Development Consultant: SBA, Main Street State staff or consultant, Loan Fund Representative o Local Program Contact: Main Street Board Member/ Economic Restructuring chair o Property Owner o Other?

27 AUGUST VETTING & SELECTING BUSINESS OWNERS The Interview: o What to wear? What to bring? o Discussion with applicant: Goals (short/long term) Revenue generated? Business plan? Social media/web presence/ ? How many customers/followers Valid business license? A full time job? What is their likely investment?

28 What would you do?

29 Case Study 2014 Project Pop Up Selectee Latricia Vicks Owner, Patty Cakes Milford, Delaware qgn3e0en1nw/patty%20cakes. mp4?dl=0

30 AUGUST MATCHING BUSINESSES TO PROPERTIES Knowing the properties/needs/stage of the businesses. The right property with the right applicant. Dynamics of the particular town o Types of businesses in close proximity? o Foot traffic in the area during regular business hours? after hours? weekends? o If there is minimal foot traffic Can they survive for even three (3) months?

31 MATCHING BUSINESSES TO PROPERTIES Cultural or other issues in this town positively/negative impact? Consider first, second or third choice or the choice they never selected! AUGUST

32 Case Study 2013 Project Pop Up Selectee Karen Gill Owner, Royal Treatments Smyrna, Delaware

33 Smyrna Cards and Gifts Senator Tom Carper and Woody Gill

34 SEPTEMBER PREPARING FOR A STRONG LAUNCH What are their needs? o Bookkeeping o Money o Cutting red tape o Website and social media help: ecommerce

35 SEPTEMBER PREPARING FOR A STRONG LAUNCH

36 PREPARING FOR A STRONG LAUNCH Spaces are prepared several weeks in advance of launch or only need minor final touches as owner moves in. How long will the business need to get up and running once they have access to the space? o Business owner fit out? o How much investment? o Purchase of Inventory? o Personal issues SEPTEMBER

37 What would you do?

38 Case Study 2014 Project Pop Up Selectee Hillary Reid Owner, Nest Spa Milton, Delaware a%20skin%20by%20hillary.mp4?dl=0

39 SEPTEMBER THE GRAND OPENING! Who takes the lead? Remember to invite Engaging the media Talking points Who s taking pictures? Has someone got the ribbon?

40 ONGOING BUSINESS OWNER SUPPORT The first keys to success: o selecting the best prepared early stage businesses o ensuring that they are capable of being ready to launch on or near October...unless investment requires later date What are their needs? SEPTEMBER Value of follow-up discussions regarding the status of the business.

41 Milford Massage and Wellness

42 ONGOING BUSINESS OWNER SUPPORT Critical items and systems: SEPTEMBER o A Point of Sale System o Ability and experience to handle cash, credit cards and other forms of payment at the sales desk Bookkeeping system: Quickbooks /Comparable o Online o Connects directly to the Business Owner s bank account o Allows the Business Owner Accountant or Bookkeeper to access remotely

43 SEPTEMBER ONGOING BUSINESS OWNER SUPPORT Staffing Mandatory hours Value of advertising Continued press Social media An active website.with ecommerce solution or point of sale capability Can this business come up with security deposit and enter into a annual or multi-year lease?

44 LAUNCH!!!

45 OCTOBER - DECEMBER After successful launch Ongoing on-site visits Mandatory one on one business advisory sessions. Press and social media opportunities There may be additional mandatory requirements to meet with selected Small Business Resource partners

46 Benchmarks of success Immediate increases in sales and revenues compared to the pre-pop Up disposition of the business Increase clicks on the webpage and other social media Increase in sales due to foot traffic not previously available to the Pop Up in its pre Pop Up disposition

47 Benchmarks of success ss.mp4?dl=0

48 Red flags Late to first interview! Not able to be in a position to launch on time for no discernible reason Failure to respond in a timely manner to the Project Pop Up leadership Visibly slow preparation for the Grand Opening Failure to keep previously scheduled business advisory appointments The failure for the Pop Up and the property owner to execute a lease by the October 1 launch date

49 What WILL you do?

50 FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

51 QUESTIONS?

52 Thank you! Please complete the session evaluation on the conference app before you leave the room.