Starting A Business Abroad: Location, Location, Location

Posted on 17. Feb, 2010 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Expat Entrepreneurs
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Are you starting a brick-and-mortar business? Have you found what looks like a good location? Don’t sign that lease just yet – you have some legwork to do first.

Find out what kind of business was there before, and how long it lasted. Has there been a frequent turnover in occupancy? What do other shop owners think of that particular spot?

Right in the middle of one of the most charming city blocks in Vancouver, there is one particular retail space that is inexplicably bad for business. The tony retailers and bistros around it are thriving – but that location? In less than 10 years, it has killed 4 restaurants, and a wine bar.

Even if you don’t believe in “cursed spots”, why move into a space that the locals see as a bad location? You won’t know unless you ask. So don’t let your business be the next victim – do your homework.

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Emmanuelle

Image by macwagen via Flickr Creative Commons