Although everyone has at least a few great ideas for a business, that doesn’t mean the process of turning an idea into an actual business is easy. Making that happen usually requires a lot of hard work. From applying for licenses to finding the right location, you probably had a very long to-do list. And while making your new business a success is still going to require a lot of work, if you’ve reached the point where you’re ready to start servicing customers, you should give yourself a pat on the back. In fact, being ready to open is the perfect opportunity to celebrate. Not only can you share this accomplishment with your friends and family, but by throwing a grand opening event, you can kick start your business by letting lots of people in know about it. The following is a simple but proven 6-step plan to follow…
Don’t Try to Do Everything Overnight
Ideally, you’ll have a timeline of two months to plan and execute the event. While that may seem like a long time, not rushing means you’ll have time to properly market the event and ensure that as many people as possible are invited to it.
Set a Budget
As the owner of a new business, you know that every dollar really does count. Because of that reality, it’s important to be smart about the money you spend on this event. That being said, it’s worth putting some money into the marketing and execution of this event. By setting a reasonable budget that gives you some options, you’ll be able to get the best return on what you invest into this event.
Reach Out to the Right People
With many marketing efforts, you’ll only want to focus on potential customers. However, with a grand opening event, it’s useful to get the whole community involved. From suppliers to members of the media, working hard to really get the word out is the best way to make a big splash.
Make It Fun – Provide Coffee, Smoothies, Food, and More
While your business should be the focus of your grand opening event, you also want to provide some fun things for both kids and adults. Smoothies and Coffee are always a hit! Depending on your specific business, it may make sense to develop a theme for the event.
Everyone Loves Freebies and Discounts
Figure out in advance what types of freebies or discounts you want to provide. By giving people a taste of what you have to offer, you’ll be able to build goodwill, stay in their memory and ultimately win over new customers.
Remember This is Just the Start
Although a grand opening is a big milestone, it is just the start of your business. So if you ever find yourself getting overly stressed during the planning, just take a deep breath and remind yourself that this is just one of many stepping stones to being a successful business owner!
Please keep Valet Coffee in mind when you are planning your next Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky event!
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About Valet Coffee
Valet Coffee is a full service, mobile espresso and smoothie bar. It’s a unique way to impress customers, appreciate employees and kick up any special event to the next level. Our professional baristas will bring the taste and feel of an authentic European coffee house. We do all the work, all you have to do is entertain. Valet Coffee’s mobile espresso and smoothie bars are one of Greater Cincinnati’s best marketing tools.
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