The 10 Top Questions to Ask BEFORE Leasing a Store Space!

Once you have identified a site, or multiple sites of interest, you should then call the Landlord or Listing Broker to obtain all information like asking price per square foot, size of the available store, and set up a showing so that you can view the interior of the space.

photo credit:  Ian Balwin

Additional questions to keep in mind:

- Does the frontage (the number of feet of window space you have open to the street) provide enough visibility to the road?

- Is the bathroom strategically located in a spot that will not take up valuable floor or storage space?

- Is the ceiling in good shape?

- What is the age of the heating and air conditioning unit?

- What are the 1-3-5 mile radius demographics?

- What are the traffic counts at the intersection of the roads at the property?

- What is the access in and out of the property from the streets?

- Is there pylon signage available to you?

- Is there plenty of parking available to you?

- Look at the co-tenants in the shopping center. Are they complimentary uses to yours?

Leasing a retail store should be a successful venture if you are in the correct location and part of a team who not only leasing you the building but works to promote it using social media. Sharp Realty has a proven track record of success and will be happy to help your business to become a success!


Sharp Realty, LLC.
400 Union Hill Suite 300
Birmingham, Al. 35209
Phone: 205-879-1995www.sharprealty.com

Three Keys to Business Ownership

    Many working individuals dream of owning a business rather than working for corporate America or a retail chain. The thought of setting his or her own schedule, spending time with the family, and being his or her own boss sounds wonderful.   Consequently, choosing the correct type of business to own is important in fulfilling this non-corporate dream.  While it may sound wonderful, there are a few vital factors to consider before quitting a day job.  Business ownership requires, time, money, and good products for success.

photo credit: Igor Ovsyannykov

Addressing the first of these factors - time, the most commonly over looked; however, it is the life blood of a new business.  The first year will require much time in establishing a business brand and product line than most business owners anticipate.  Additionally, the store build out and set up will require many long days, nights, and weekend to complete.  If the business has no employees, the business owner will be required to work all the store’s operating hours.  A new business owner must be prepared to spend many long hours to accomplish his or her dream of business ownership.

    On the other hand, there is the issue of money, or lack of it.  Many new business owners think, “build it” and “they” (the buying public) will come.  Sadly, this is most often not the case; in fact, it is many times the opposite. On average the first few years a new business does not make a profit.  The amount of money needed to start, sustain, and market a new business is many times grossly underestimated.  Consequently, a new business owner should be prepared for the “cost” of business ownership and the “lack of revenue” the first few years.

    Under these circumstances, a line of good products to sell to the shopping public is vital for new business success.  The influence of search engines, and social media have created a more shopping savvy consumer.   Monitoring the latest shopping trends, and anticipating future trends is critical for a business to stay fresh and current.  A continuous line of good products will secure business success in the constant changing shopping world.  Therefore, a new business owner must constantly monitor the demand for the line of products his or her business sells.

   Admittedly, there is nothing that makes working people dream more than owning a new business.  A new business owner must anticipate working long, long hours for several years.  Plan to spend much more money on setup, general cost and marketing than originally planned.  Become obsessed with the current line of products the business carries, thus making it better.  After doing all of this, the dream of business ownership will no longer be a dream, it will be a successful reality.

For help with store locations.

Sharp Realty

400 Union Hill, Suite 300
Birmingham, Al 35809
205.879.1995

Beat Burnout - 5 Tips for Better Work-Life Balance

The best way to beat burnout is by making more time for the activities and people that matter most to you.

1.  Build downtime into your schedule.

When planning your week, make it a point to schedule time with your family and friends, and exercise that help you recharge.

2.   Learn to say NO.

When you quit accepting tasks out of guilt or a false sense of obligation, you'll have more time for the activities that are meaningful to you.

3.   Rethink your daily tasks.
Cut or delegate activities you don't enjoy or can't handle — or share your concerns and possible solutions with your family or employer.

4.   Get moving.

It's hard to make time for exercise but it may ultimately help you get more done by boosting your energy level and ability to concentrate.

5.   Remember that a little relaxation goes a long way.

Even during a busy day, you can take 10 or 15 minutes to rest your mind and/or body and recharge your batteries.

For more great tips follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Sharp Realty

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, Al 35209

205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com

What are the Advantages of Having a Smaller Store Space?

One of the biggest trends is actually, well, small. The combination of changing consumer shopping behaviors and hard-to-pass-up real-estate opportunities has created an opportunity for many traditional stores.

Over the past few years, some large retailers have decided to forgo the hundreds of thousands of square feet and instead opened smaller stores – and consumers are responding quite favorably.

Consumers at times feel overwhelmed in large, massive merchandised filled stores with so many items to select from.

Having an organized exclusive store is easier for the consumers to browse and connect with the staff; this is where the loyalty begins!

Additional advantages for business owner are lower cost and investment. For many small businesses and start-ups this is just the ticket needed for success!

So think outside the box and think small!

For more great tips follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Sharp Realty

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, Al 35209

205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com

Why Open A Family Business in Madison, Georgia?

Madison Georgia, what makes it a great place to open a business?

Besides the amazing people, weather and its proximity to Atlanta and the beaches, the demographics are perfect for a family owned business.

Sharp Realty, owns and manages the retail shopping location at Madison Crossing. Our anchor store is Bi-Lo (41,423 SF), the family friendly tenants include: The Cato Corporation, Shoe Show, Hong Kong Restaurants, Fancy Nails, Lock’s Hair Salon, Pancho’s MexicanGrill, Madison Family Dentistry and Orthodontic Center.

We currently have two retail spaces available in the sizes of 2,800 SF and 1,500 SF. 

Get your business in the right location!

Commercial Space available for lease, call today to join our retail team.Our Management Team Leader: Rhonda Lusco

Sharp Realty, LLC.

400 Union Hill Suite 300

Birmingham, Al. 35209

Phone: 205-879-1995

www.sharprealty.com

Other topics:
How being organized in a multi-tasking world ensures business success? 

Make a Good Impression: 5 Ways To Spruce Up the Office. 
3 Basics of Business Branding for Small Business Today. 

Troy Alabama - Commercial Real Estate Space for Lease

Sharp Realty & Management, LLC specializes in the acquisition and redevelopment of real estate assets and has a successful track record in value creation. Sharp Realty currently owns and manages over 2,000,000 square feet of space.

Shopping Centers with Retail & Outparcels Space Available for Lease 

Space Available in Troy, Alabama
Southland Village - 104,496 SF Retail Center

Our anchor stores are Farmer's Furniture, Dollar General and Rite Aid. Our other stores are Anytime Fitness, Tractor Supply Company, and Sunny Beauty.

Troy Alabama - Southland Village offers many of the idea conditions prospective business owners are looking for in their new location. It is a 104,496 square foot shopping center located on 231 and Elba Highway.

Spaces for lease: #113 - 3,150 SF and #101 - 11,000 SF

Troy Alabama is the home of Troy University which is the fastest growing state university in Alabama.  Troy serves as the regional shopping hub for the central portion of the state.

Contact Sharp Realty for this or other retail locations.

Sharp Realty, LLC.

400 Union Hill Suite 300

Birmingham, Al. 35209

Phone: 205-879-1995

www.sharprealty.com

Other topics:
How being organized in a multi-tasking world ensures business success. 

Make a Good Impression: 5 Ways ToSpruce Up the Office 

3 Basics of Business Branding for Small Business Today

Franchise Verses Traditional Business Owner - Which is best?

Many people dream of opening their own business but they are unsure what avenue will be best for their personality, time and money. Is franchising or being a traditional business owner best?

You must weigh the benefits and costs of both and determine which best fits your needs, life style and personality.

Here are six areas you should consider.

Control

When you start your own business, you're in control of every detail, large and small. This can be a blessing and a curse.  With a franchise business, you control your franchise unit in terms of the culture and values you set, and who you hire and fire, but you must follow the franchisor's operating system.

Business Operating system
If you're the creative, innovative type, starting your own business is the way to go. Most franchised businesses provide a complete, out-of-the-box ready to use operating business system.

Brand Awareness
Building brand awareness takes time and money. The advantage for franchise owners is the brand has been established over years or decades. Customers seek out the reliability and familiarity of their favorite brands.

Most Franchises have a set amount of money to spend on marketing or it is pooled together into a national marketing campaign. 

A single business owner must set aside money and/or time to do the marketing for the business. 

Equipment and supplies
Pros and Cons; Outfitting your new business with everything you need means researching what equipment to buy, finding suppliers, and negotiating deals. The pro is you can be creative and think outside the box.  The con is it can cost a lot of time and money with a small margin for error.

Franchisors can provide invaluable help in knowing both what and how much to buy - often at reduced prices and they have the styles picked out for you.

Training
You may be the best at what you do, but do you know how to manage a business, hire and train employees, market your product or service, keep the books, etc.? When you start your own business, you must learn all these things or hire someone who does.

Franchisors provide new franchisees with extensive training in every aspect of their new business.

Location

We have all heard, location, location, location!

As a small business owner you need the best location to attract the buying customers to your store front. Doing research and contacting an experienced Commercial Realtor who knows your area is all part of starting on your own. 

Most franchises have done all the research for you and they know where you should open your store front.

No matter what you decide, run your business with passion and determination to succeed!

Sharp Realty, LLC.

400 Union Hill Suite 300

Birmingham, Al. 35209

Phone: 205-879-1995

www.sharprealty.com

Other topics:
How being organized in a multi-tasking world ensures business success? 

Make a Good Impression: 5 Ways ToSpruce Up the Office

3 Basics of Business Branding for Small Business Today

Business is thriving in Washington Indiana, what is the secret?

The Cherry Tree Plaza is hot with activity of customers and retail stores thriving in this Washington, Indiana shopping complex.

The current businesses located in the plaza include Peebles Department Store, Jay C Foods, Orscheln Farm & Home, Trader Baker’s Flea Market, GNC, Radio Shack, Southern Wireless, Fiesta Salon, Hibbett Sports, Jimbo's Pizza & Wings and Great Wall Restaurant.

New stores added in 2013:
Smooth You Med Spa & Boutique
108 Cherry Tree Plaza
Washington, Indiana 47501
(812) 254-6810

About: Smooth You is a place where all your skincare needs can be met with our numerous products and specialized services. We are located in Cherry Tree Plaza in Washington, IN. Sharon Cullen, R.N. is the owner of Smooth You.

Visit them on Facebook.  

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Four Stars Books & Games
107 Cherry Tree Plaza
Washington, IN 47501
(812) 259-2035

About: We love entertainment! Video games (New & Retro), DVDs, Books, Electronics, Vinyl, Comics, and RPG Books and Dice! PC repair with FREE estimates! We Buy, Sell, and Trade!

Here at Four Star: Books And Games we pride ourselves in 4 STAR QUALITY REPAIRS at the lowest possible prices! Don’t throw your money away on a new system. Make your electronics last longer, and operate more efficiently! Let us keep your electronics like new, and keep more cash in your pocket!  

Four Star: Books And Games - because if it’s not the best, it just isn’t worth it!

Visit them on Facebook.

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EyeWorks
109 Cherry Tree Plaza
Washington, Indiana 47501
(512) 254-1600

About: Glasses and Contacts in about one hour!

We are a full service optometric practice. We have 5 full time optometrists on staff along with 3 visiting Opthalmologists, one being a retinal specialist. We perform full eye health examinations, along with fitting glasses and all types of contact lenses. We have the largest inventory of the latest eyeglasses and contact lenses in the area. We also have a state of the art computerized optical lab to produce the finest eyeglasses for you in about one hour.

Visit them on Facebook. 

Expanded in 2013:
Anytime Fitness
101 Cherry Tree Plaza
Washington, Indiana 47501
(812) 254-2200

About: 24 Hour Fitness Club with Personal Training and Tanning available.
Visit them on Facebook.

How to be successful in small business in 2014?
One of most important things is having the right location for your business. Sharp Realty has been helping businesses find the best locations for over 20 years, let us help you!

Get your business in the right location!
Commercial Space available for lease in Washington, Indiana and other locations throughout the United States.
Management Team: Rhonda Lusco, 205-879-1995

Realtor to view the Plaza: Shelley Brinson, 512-254-5204

At Cherry Tree:
Suite 100 @ 2,000 sf

Suite 112 @ 910 sf

Suite 114 @ 5,425 sf

Suite 116 @ 1,200 sf

Sharp Realty, LLC.

400 Union Hill Suite 300

Birmingham, Al. 35209

Phone: 205-879-1995

www.sharprealty.com

Other topics:
How being organized in a multi-tasking world ensures business success? 

Make a Good Impression: 5 Ways ToSpruce Up the Office
3 Basics of Business Branding for Small Business Today

The #1 Video Game And Electronic Store In Daviess County!
Your One Stop Entertainment Shop!

3 Basics of Business Branding for Small Business Today

Time spent marketing your business can be very overwhelming.  By learning these few basic branding steps you will be able to save time and easily drive new customers to your business.

Consistency: Make sure your branding is consistent throughout all your print ads, commercials, social media campaigns, and online presence. Consistent brand recognition is key in marketing and top of mind awareness.  

Simplicity: Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS).  It's a funny saying but oh so true. Be persistent in finding and targeting your niche.  Keep the look and message simple.

Sincerity: It's not enough to have a Facebook page or a Twitter account; you must participate in the conversation by making regular posts and replying to direct messages from your customers.

Monitor your brand's reputation, and be ready to respond.  "Google Alerts" allow users to track select keywords and receive e-mail updates whenever they are mentioned on the Web.

By taking these few steps early and staying consistent you will become better at marketing your business.

Sharp Realty, LLC | Commercial Real Estate 
400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 | Birmingham, Al. 35209
205-879-1995  |  www.sharprealty.com