Start a Business

Starting a Water Coolers Retail Business

Opening a water coolers retail business? Our comprehensive, in-depth information serves as an essential launching pad to get you going.

Thinking about opening a water coolers retail business? We tell you what you need to know to get started.

How to Create a Winning Water Coolers Retail Company Business Plan

You've heard that a quality business plan is the first step toward a successful water coolers retail business.

Although it might seem like an unnecessary formality, your water coolers retail company's business plan is a document that will shape your goals and strategies on a go-forward basis.

If that's not enough, consider that business plans inoculate your business from common startup mistakes. While other startup water coolers retail businesses are floundering, your business will be on course for growth and profits, protected by a carefully conceived plan that reflects real world business conditions and your business's unique characteristics.

Don't Overlook the Competition

Long before you open a water coolers retail business in your area, it's essential to determine how you will fit in the competitive landscape. We've provided the link below to help you get a list of local competitors in your city. Complete the form by entering your city, state and zip code to get a list of water coolers retail businesses that are close by.

Prior to opening your doors for business, be sure you fully understand the competitive landscape and where your new business will fit in.

Turning Competitors Into Collaborators

If you are seriously contemplating launching a water coolers retail business, the next step is to have a conversation with someone who is in the business. It's very unlikely that the local competition will talk to you. It'd be crazy for them to teach you the business.

Fortunately, somebody who runs a water coolers retail business in another town may be willing to share their entrepreneurial wisdom with you, provided that you won't be directly competing with them. Indeed, many experienced entrepreneurs enjoy offering advice to startup entrepreneurs. It can take a while to find an entrepreneur who is willing to talk, but it's well worth the effort.

So, what can you do to find a water coolers retail business owner who is willing to advise you because you live in different cities?

Simple. Let your fingers do the walking by using the link below.

Acquisitions vs. Startups

Unfortunately, many inexperienced water coolers retail business entrepreneurs approach ownership with the mistaken idea that a startup is their only option when they could also pursue a business acquisition.

Both ownership strategies have their benefits and drawbacks. For first-time business owners, it makes more sense to buy an existing water coolers retail business than to attempt to build one from the ground up.

An acquired water coolers retail business is a known quantity; a startup is less certain because its forecasts depend on estimated outcomes. If you're diligent about finding the right acquisition prospect, you may be able to leverage a business buying strategy to rapidly propel yourself into a position of industry leadership.

Franchising May Be a Better Way to Go

If this is your first venture, it's smart to think through leveraging the success of an established franchise network.

Before you consider starting a water coolers retail business, you would be wise to check out whether buying a franchise could help you on your entrepreneurial journey.

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.

Related Articles on Starting a Company

These additional resources regarding starting a business may be of interest to you.

Questions to Ask Before Starting a Business

Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs

Share this article


Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs

Lists of Venture Capital and Private Equity Firms

Franchise Opportunities

Contributors

Business Glossary