Depending on where you locate, finding people with the right skills and levels of sophistication may be difficult. If you are in the DFW, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, or Austin markets you will have no problem. If you locate in Breckenridge, TX the story changes. Use city information to share information about the 1) population, 2) income, 3) education levels, 4) unemployment numbers, 5) growth rate, and 6) housing. City web sites, www.citytowninfo.com, (Links to an external site.) www.areavibes.com, (Links to an external site.) and www.Census.gov (Links to an external site.) has some of this by Zip Code.
Mutual Support.
In the beginning, owning and running a business can be a lonely job. Do you have other business owners to talk too? Does this support come from the BBB, the local Chamber of Commerce, Toast Masters, Kiwanis International, Masonic Lodge, church, or other organizations? Can we talk to business owners that are part of the Texas Association of Bed and Breakfast Owners? Do you have friends you can talk too? Will they talk you out of quitting?
If you are located in a major metropolitan area, this should be no problem. You will still need 20% down and a thorough business plan to show bankers/ investors that you know what you are doing. Keep in mind that Venture Capitalists and Mezzanine investors (eg. Edward Jones, etc.) will not invest in start-ups. 1) Are there commercial banks in the area and who are they? Is there an Angel network in your area?