Small Biz Survival

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A row of small town shops

Boost your rural retail business with this trick

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Shoppers at a furniture store find temporary displays of jewelry and skin care products.

A local furniture store hosts two temporary businesses for a special shopping event, combining business-in-a-business and pop-ups to benefit everyone. Photo by Becky McCray.

By Deb Brown

The old way of doing business is one building, one business. What if you could test an idea and have a business inside a business?

Anyone of us either knows or can find someone who is making things from their home and selling it.

What if you encouraged already existing home-based businesses to host a trial popup in your store?

These small popups can be short term, over a season or if it works out a permanent addition. Perhaps you’ll let them try their idea out for free for a short time. If it works, you can determine together if they pay rent to you or a commission.

Who do you know that is a:

  • Quilt maker
  • Artist
  • Artisan
  • Painter
  • Sculptor
  • Widget maker
  • Baker
  • Crafter

Look for those that are doing business from their homes. Maybe they are just beginning to think about making some money with their products.

 

How can you help them, and your business at the same time?

Invite them to set up in a corner of your shop, as a pop up.

Then try these ideas:

  • Meet the artist event
  • Have a party announcing your new acquisition
  • Create a Facebook event and do something special to announce their arrival

Why does all of this matter?

  1. You will be bringing in new people to your store to meet these crafters. Cross promotion is good for business.
  2. You’re giving a hand up and not a hand out to a new business person.
  3. You’re enlivening your community using local resources.
  4. You’re making your store a place where people come for an experience.
  5. You’re building community and that strengthens the town for everyone.

 

More rural economic development tricks

Find out more rural economic development tricks in our latest SaveYour.Town video.

About Deb Brown

Deb Brown comes from a farm outside of Geneva, Iowa, population 141. Her heart lies in sharing the possibilities for small towns. Deb travels a lot, taking back roads when possible, and talking to the locals, sharing stories of other small towns and encouraging anyone who will listen. She's the co-founder of www.saveyour.town and owner of Building Possibility.

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