Finding a Place to Open a Small Business in Hazelwood

Welcome back to our series on .

This week, we're offering tips and resources on how to choose the ideal Hazelwood location for your business.

Last week’s experts, David Cox, Richard Shoaf and Chris Coleman, are back with more tips for potential small business owners.

Finding your spot

Finding your ideal location will depend on a number of factors; most importantly, the type of business you’re running.

“Any realtor will tell you location, location, location and this is very true,” Shoaf said. “Your location will become part of your brand and with some industries this can be critical.”

You’ll need to ask yourself a few questions before making a final decision, according to the Small Business Association (SBA).

• Do your customers come to you?
• Do you have to go to your customers?
• Do you have employees?
• Do you manufacture products for distribution?

The SBA points out that if your business depends on pedestrian or drive-by traffic, you will do well to find a location in a popular retail area, such as a mall or strip mall. This will allow you to place attention-grabbing signs that will draw your customers in.

If your customers are more likely to seek you out, the SBA notes, you don’t need a retail space, but you should find a space that’s easy to find and close to major roads and more populated areas.

If you’re running a business in which you go to your customers or you deal with them primarily online, you could save money and time by establishing a home-based business instead.

Tips from our experts

Cox, who is the economic developer for the , said that you should first check with the city’s economic development office when it’s time to find a location for your business.

“We have data such as demographics, traffic flows, business lists and listings for available properties,” Cox said. “This information will go a long way toward helping to narrow down the list of potential locations. “

He added that the office also has contacts for other available resources for would-be Hazelwood business owners.

If your business has a Hazelwood address but isn’t located within city limits, Cox said you’ll need to check with other organizations for this information since his office only serves businesses within the city limits.

“In the unincorporated areas, St. Louis County Economic Council can provide assistance.  North County, Inc. can also provide information about the area,” he said. “Additionally, the regional chambers of commerce (Greater North County and Northwest) are a good source of basic information and can introduce people to existing small business owners.”

Shoaf said that you need to consider how much space you’ll need for your business before you make any final decisions.

“You always need about 25% more space than you think you can do without,” Shoaf said. “And with the ability to do so much work vertically, you can even consider shared business spaces, depending on your profession. “

He said he recommends Jason Jacobs, an agent with Schneider Real Estate, to his local clients.

“They have been a great help to us with our companies,” he added.

Coleman suggests that potential business owners first check out the area with the economic development department.

“Verify by demographics that your business can be supported,” he said.

Coleman also recommends getting involved with the Chamber of Commerce and connecting with other business owners outside the Hazelwood area.

“Talk to others that have gone before you and get their insights on their success and struggles,” he said.  “You may have to get outside the Hazelwood area for competition reasons to get these answers in some cases.”

In Case You Missed It

In case you’ve missed previous editions of our small business series, we have shared ideas for choosing a business concept, including the and . We’ve also discussed and given tips and ideas on ways to find . And don’t miss our . Part one offers an overview and some resources, while .

Meet the Experts

Cox is the economic developer for the . His office offers support for local businesses, including help with marketing and liaison with local developers, as well as providing information to residents and other parties who are interested in the city’s economy. He’s available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Coleman owns a St. Louis-based franchise consulting firm and does a lot of business in the Hazelwood area, he said. His company, FranNet, helps business owners choose and pursue franchise ownerships, among other things, and serves Hazelwood business owners, as well as many others in the greater St. Louis area.

Shoaf owns several businesses, including Safety Training and Consultations International (STCI), a leading global consulting firm, and , a business dedicated to helping small businesses navigate the way to success. Both companies serve Hazelwood-area businesses.

Have you always dreamed of starting your own business? Subscribe to our daily newsletter so you won’t miss a single part of this ongoing series! Next week, we’ll share tips and resources for finding free and low-cost classes and business training for business owners.

Do you own your own business in Hazelwood? We want to share your story with the community! Contact Patch reporter Angela Atkinson at angela.atkinson@patch.com to arrange for an interview.