08-18-2006, 04:53 AM
Aloha Kevin & Meghan,
It would seem most of your potential new clients would be newcomers. I'm not sure how exactly you would target them with your advertising, but if you could then I would think it would save some advertising efforts.
Is your storefront easily visible? Is it clean and bright? Is there a sign which says "Post Boxes Available" posted in the window? Maybe with a price list so when you aren't open folks can still see what you offer and how much it is? A phone number or some way they can get in contact with you if they aren't able to get there during your business hours?
"Pushy New Yorker" attitude may not be an asset in this locale, maybe you could try switching to chamomile tea instead of your morning coffee?
(just a joke!)
On this island we have lots of businesses which wear many hats in order to survive. Can you expand beyond just mail boxes? Perhaps you could add a small cafe on the side? Pick up your mail, buy a manapua and some coffee and have a small table to sit and read your mail? You could find out whoever supplies 7-11 and the gas stations with their manapua and other snacks and since they don't have certified kitchens it should be okay for you to sell them as well. Sort of a coffee shop with mail.
Actually, just a small table and some chairs might be a good addition so your clients could read their mail when they pick it up.
Well, anyway, patience is also good. From what I understand, it can take several years usually before small businesses do much more than break even. However, if you are doing what you want and something you like, then it should be less like "work" one would hope.
A hui hou,
Cathy
It would seem most of your potential new clients would be newcomers. I'm not sure how exactly you would target them with your advertising, but if you could then I would think it would save some advertising efforts.
Is your storefront easily visible? Is it clean and bright? Is there a sign which says "Post Boxes Available" posted in the window? Maybe with a price list so when you aren't open folks can still see what you offer and how much it is? A phone number or some way they can get in contact with you if they aren't able to get there during your business hours?
"Pushy New Yorker" attitude may not be an asset in this locale, maybe you could try switching to chamomile tea instead of your morning coffee?
(just a joke!)On this island we have lots of businesses which wear many hats in order to survive. Can you expand beyond just mail boxes? Perhaps you could add a small cafe on the side? Pick up your mail, buy a manapua and some coffee and have a small table to sit and read your mail? You could find out whoever supplies 7-11 and the gas stations with their manapua and other snacks and since they don't have certified kitchens it should be okay for you to sell them as well. Sort of a coffee shop with mail.
Actually, just a small table and some chairs might be a good addition so your clients could read their mail when they pick it up.
Well, anyway, patience is also good. From what I understand, it can take several years usually before small businesses do much more than break even. However, if you are doing what you want and something you like, then it should be less like "work" one would hope.
A hui hou,
Cathy
Kurt Wilson