One of my favorite things to any time I visit a place is check out the local shops. They always have so much character, and usually great buys! A small business run from home can be a very successful career choice if managed effectively. It requires a good understanding of Business strategy and business planning, but other than that all you need is an inventive idea! Once you muster an idea, what’s left is the dirty work of finance and real-estate. After you have the nitty-gritty settled, you’re ready to open up shop.Location is an imperative to a successful store. If you pick an outlet in a bad part of town or an area where no one visits, it will affect your business. Small businesses have no means of large advertising, since it is so expensive. So, no one will know that such a jewel is hidden in a bad location. Picking a lucrative spot can be the difference between money spent and money earned. My favorite stores are the ones located in cute towns. Anything near a waterfront or the city is a jackpot. Giving your customers a reason to stick around your store is great. If you’re located next to an ice-cream shack, tourists enjoying ice cream will wander into your store. What more could you want!Also, the store must be inviting. You have to entrance customers into your store. This should be done is a subtle way. People are often offended by flashy signs and in-your-face advertisement. Little touches of homeliness and cheer will do the trick. Adding bright colored window curtains will attract viewers from across the way, or even those driving by. Another nice touch would be chairs and tasteful decorations outside. This will make your business appear welcoming and friendly. Being tasteful is very important however, you don’t want to exclude anyone of any belief from your store. Failing to do this will loose you customers and credibility. You never want to burn bridges with what could be an advantageous client. Always keep an open door.Another important thing to remember when opening a store is your product. After all, the sole purpose of a store is to sell a product. You want your store to have a purpose. Avoid being the “junk drawer” of retail. A good way to decide what types of things to sell in your business is by looking at your audience. If you’re located near water, a kayak store would be a smart investment. If you’re near the city, maybe clothing and accessories would be more appropriate. Targeting your product to the area your in will also bring in visitors. When people travel they like to experience the culture, so stores that mirror the culture of their area will be very popular among tourists!Home run businesses are often some of the best stores. Being run by individuals makes them have character, appeal, and they are usually very nicely operated. Opening a small business can be a great money maker if you have the right stuff. It doesn’t have any set pre-requisite other than, maybe, people skills. Some things to keep in mind while thinking of opening a small business are location, appeal, and product. The location of your store is directly related to success. Also, your store has to be inviting or else you will loose customers. Lastly, your product is key. You have to sell something people want and need.