Bridal Business - I would like to set up a bridal shop, anyone got any tips/advice?

Make sure there's a market for your kind of business in the area you are planning to set up shop. Get a business plan and especially target engaged people to learn about you. Co-partner with florists, cake shops, DJs, and other related businesses so that you can all share leads with each other. Make yourself different from other shops. Make sure there's plenty of parking. Remember that word of mouth is the best form of advertising so also give 100% customer service and correct problems immediately. I found a great book on free and low cost marketing called "Marketing without Money" by Nicholas E Bade... check your local library. You may want to sponsor a free seminar for newly engaged couples to learn about finances, wedding dances, or related informational topics to attract people and get leads for your business. Have the couples sign a register or enter names into a contest. Make the prize worthwhile even if it's a photo album or crystal wedding photo frame. People love to enter contests and you'll have a list of potential customers. Hope this helps!!!

Learn the trade first.

Try an online shop, before having to rent premises. See if your business takes off.

Have a look on ebay at some of the wedding shops on their, to see what they sell and see their ratings etc.

All the best.

1. Market research
2. Find a niche market - using specific theme
3. Find a good location for the shop
4. Hire a good PR company
5. Networking with Wedding planners

A method of establishing a successful bridal business, which is expensive to setup would be a franchise. Just type franchise bridal in the search and all the directories of franchisees comes up. This method reduces capital outlay, provides you with a business plan with financial models. They also aid with marketing. Yes they take a slice just see they do what they said they would.

Always visit other franchisees, not just the ones they choose but others they leave out, it will give you a warts and all view.

If in England contact Business Connect, in Wales contact Business Eye.

Points to remember when coonsidering setting up a business,

1. Is there a market for what I want to sell?, try it out by setting up a website to sell online first to see if there is a markt for the stuff you want to sell.

2. Location, once you have decided to set up, you need to decide where would be the best place to set up, usually someware near your customers

3. Make sure your finances are in place, lots of otherwise sucsessful business fail because they run out of cash (working capital) make sure you have worked out how much you will need for the first few months when you start up, research any business grants that may be available and get in touch with your local Business Link branch they will be able to offer help and advice on all aspets of setting up on your own and most of this help is for free, this is a good place to start your research.

make sure that all your legal obligations are covered and ensure that your bridal shop is set up as an entity divorced from yourself, that way you'll have some lawsuit protection for your personal assets.

First and foremsot many people do it succesufully, BUT you will need a good website !!, try to encompass all thats required if poss, cars photographer, catering, halls etc if you do this they will likely se you as one stop shop, which is great, good luck !

You could start by looking here, its FREE to register and you can view profiles of like minded business people. You can also post a profile of yourself.

You then need to learn how to build your business, how are you going to do that ? There is a right way and a wrong way.

One will make you good money, the other will no doubt cost you money. So learn your craft.

There are very successful (And legal) systems out there, that will help you acquire this skill, very cheaply and in some cases free.

Get yourself a good domain name, but DO IT PROPERLY... you can make a lot more money and contacts if you chose your name carefully, there is a tried and tested formula...

If you would like any further info or advice do not hesitate to mail me...

Good Luck