Don't Overlook Competitors

Prior to opening a variety store in your area, it's a good idea to find out how strong the competition is. Use the link below to generate a list of competitors in your area. After clicking on the link, type in your city, state and zip code to get a list of variety stores near you.

• Locate Variety Stores Near You

Is the local market large enough to support another variety store? If not, you had better be sure that you are doing things much better than the competition.

Talk to People Who Are Already in the Business

After you've evaluated your local competitors, be sure to learn from folks who are already in business. It's very unlikely that the local competition will talk to you. Why would they want to educate a future competitor?

However, a fellow entrepreneur who has started a variety store in a different city may be more than happy to give you a few tips, as long as they don't view you as a competitive threat. In fact, they are often very willing to share startup advice with you. If you are persistent, you can find a business mentor who is willing to help you out.

How does one quickly and easily locate a variety store manager who is willing to talk to you but doesn't live nearby?

Easy. Find them using our link below and start calling until you are successful.

• Find Your Variety Store Mentor

Is Franchising the Right Option?

Your chances of achieving the entrepreneurial goal of thriving in your new business are much better if you buy a franchise instead of doing it all on your own.

Prior to starting a variety store, you should check out whether purchasing a franchise might be the right move for you.

The link below gives you access to our franchise directory so you can see if there's a franchise opportunity for you. You might even find something that points you in a completely different direction.

• Franchise Directory