School’s back in session: what effect does this have on your small business?
AS KIDS GO
back to school, parents and teachers will be adjusting their schedules. What does that mean for your small business? More traffic on the roads especially before and after school. More parents are available during school hours. If your ideal customer is a parent, consider offering webinars or in-store specials during the day. While days are less hectic, afternoons and evenings are becoming busier as kids get involved with after-school sports and activities.
According to the Motley Fool, an online investment advice site, consumers are spending more this year and expressing less pessimism about the economy. While slightly more parents with kids in K-12 are looking for deals, fewer parents with college-age children are.
That is great news for small businesses. When people are more optimistic about the economy, they are more likely to open their wallets for other things. The next six weeks may be the perfect time to launch a new product while consumers are still in a good mood but before holiday spending begins.
Back-to-school time is also an excellent time to scoop up deals for your small business. Office supply and electronics deals are great right now. If you need pens, paper, Post-It notes or a new computer or printer, now would be the time to pick up those items.
There are only four months left in 2019. Soon, the holidays will be upon us and customers will turn their attention to Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. As business owners, the last few months of the year are an excellent time for us to start planning for 2020. What better way to get a jump on 2020 than to have your plans in place before the year begins?
Adults like summer, too, and summer is a time when many tend to ease up on the intensity of their work. With vacations and kids home from school it is easy to fall behind in moving your business forward. But now that school’s back in session, it’s time to get back on track.
Join in chamber networking events to be inspired by your fellow chamber members. Attend the upcoming Member Benefits Seminar on Aug. 28 at noon to learn how to update your business page on taoschamber.com.
The Taos County Chamber of Commerce is returning to our regular Mix and Meet Networking Event schedule on the second Thursday of each month for the next three months. We are very excited to announce our September Mix and Meet will be held at The Stakeout just south of town. Many will remember the Stakeout Restaurant – that property has been purchased and renovated as an event space. On Thursday, Sept. 12 our Mix and Meet will be held there from 5:30-7 p.m. In October we will have the Mix and Meet at the Taos Center for the Arts and in November at the Historic Taos Inn.
Contact the TCCC at taoschamber.com, (575) 751-8800 or email susan@ taoschamber.com. The Taos County Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting local businesses.