Hello everyone I hope someone can give me so great advice. I just opened a dog day care center 2 moths ago. Things are going rather slow. My monday and Tuesdays I never have any dogs. My idea to bring in some more money was to get a part time serving job, and close on mondays and tuesday. My family thinks I am giving up. I dont see it that way I think I need to do what it takes to bring money in so I can keep my buisness open. My family said I should be there no matter if I have 10 dogs or 0. Please let me know what you guys think I should do. Thanks you all Jacque
#1. "RE: should I close or stay open?" In response to Reply # 0 Thu Dec-14-06 05:20 PM by Nancy
Hi, Jacque.
At two months, your business is just getting started. I would strongly suggest you stay with your current business hours.
If Mondays and Tuesdays continue to be slow, look at offering incentives for customers on those days.
For now, take those slow times you're experiencing to plan marketing and advertising efforts to grow your business.
For the customers you already have, hand out pens imprinted with your business name and phone number (plus a description if your business name isn't self-explanatory). Ask them to tell others about your business.
#4. "RE: should I close or stay open?" In response to Reply # 1
Thank you for your advice Do you think it would be a bad idea to close monday and have mondays be my day i pass out flyer and buisness card and meet new people and stay open on tuesdays. I dont know I guess I am getting to worried to soon. thanks again and have a wonderful holiday. Jacque
#7. "RE: should I close or stay open?" In response to Reply # 4
>Do you think it would be a bad idea to close monday and have >mondays be my day i pass out flyer and buisness card and meet >new people and stay open on tuesdays. I dont know I guess I >am getting to worried to soon. thanks again and have a >wonderful holiday. >Jacque
Even just two months into your business, it sounds as if you have enough customers to keep you busy more days than not. That's great. Just keep building.
Getting involved with your community and talking up your business at every opportunity is important. As challenging as it might be, try to make time for that without closing your business. If you have irregular hours, that can be hard to remember for potential customers, and your current ones as well.
#2. "RE: should I close or stay open?" In response to Reply # 0
My question is why are Mondays and Tuesdays slow and what would counter that?
Secondly I take my son to a hobby/train shop in a town near us, the shop owner keeps a ridiculous schedule, once we went down there and it was close on a weekday because it was mothers day(sign on the door)! We were side by side by side with other people wondering what the hell? Then he was closed on Mondays, now it's Sundays, and now it's F him! Now I take my kid 15 miles more out of the way to a different shop.
#3. "RE: should I close or stay open?" In response to Reply # 2
Thank you very much for your advice,that is a good point. I dont know how many people i might be loosing by not being there. Thank you again and have a wonderful holiday. Jacque
#5. "RE: should I close or stay open?" In response to Reply # 3
Darla, is there any way you can have someone cover the shop on those two days while you get a p/t job to bring in some income? A family member perhaps that you wouldn't need to pay much? I often advise people to keep their "day" jobs while their new business is getting off the ground. Of course that advice doesn't work for every business, but if it's a viable option you might consider it.
#6. "RE: should I close or stay open?" In response to Reply # 5
Do you think it would be ok to close even if I have no one there to keep the store open? I am really not sure what is the best for everyone. Thanks for the help. Jacque
#8. "RE: should I close or stay open?" In response to Reply # 6
Since your business is still fairly new why not just set your days that you are closed as Mondays and Tuesdays (if those are the days you want to work another job). Post your days/hours on your door as a normal, regular schedule. Your customers will learn your hours. Sure you may get a few disgruntled or confused people at first...but you gotta do what you gotta do to keep your business going. If it means getting a part time job two days a week, then you should do that. As business picks up and you can quit the p/t job you can change the days to include Mondays and Tuesdays again.
It's not an ideal solution, but you need to be able to pay your personal expenses while building your business.