Small Towns Are Great Business Locations

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Take advantage of the things that small towns offer to businesses!

Thinking about taking your business to the next level or starting one in general? If you live in a small town, then you should definitely consider it! Small towns and cities offer some advantages and benefits that you may not find in larger, more populated areas such as Washington D.C., New York, Baltimore, Miami, or Los Angelos. Looking at places like Roanoke, VA, Colorado Springs, CO, etc. you will find plenty of business opportunities that could be very successful.

Here are 11 reasons why small towns and cities are attractive business locations:

1. Potentially weaker competition because the big box retailers and business are not focusing on the area or have focused on larger cities.
2. Opportunities to work with smaller and more dynamic companies that are interested in helping you succeed as well as themselves.
3. Better chances for media exposure. Small town papers and news channels will eat up a story about a young entrepreneur or new small business opening in the are. This is press you probably wouldn’t be able to get in larger towns.
4. The cost of living can be extremely less in small cities and can make opening or expanding your business more viable. Retail/office lease prices are less as well.
5. You can usually drastically lower your commute time by not having to fight through traffic during peak hours.
6. Access to more resources such as universities and their departments (such as the VT Knowledgeworks)
7. Better chances of getting to know influential people in a region and more opportunities for intimate networking.
8. Getting out of a more populated city can bring you closer to quality of life amenities such as golf courses, parks, hiking trails, mountains,
9. Small town attitudes and relationships can be very helpful. Knowing your customers and the people you serve by name, dealing with them regularly, and leveraging any other relationships you may have in area such as family or friends can be HUGE to your business.
10. Advertising and marketing efforts can be more cost effective in small towns.
11. Lower operating costs including electricity, utilities, health care, etc.

A big thank you goes out to two good friends of mine, Stuart Mease and Mike Michalowicz, for their input and thoughts on the topic. I highly recommend checking out their websites!

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