Associate I don’t think you should be out on an island by yourself anymore. It’s very difficult to keep up with what’s going on if you’re not involved. Join some sort of association or network of shops.
This also gives you an opportunity to work with other shops. If there’s equipment you can’t afford and don’t need full time, or work you can sublet out, you can partner up with someone in your area to help out. This cuts down your costs, and it lets you be able to never turn a customer away. You need to be that one-stop shop for your customers.
Market You have to get new customers in, and that means marketing. I really believe that there is some very good, economical marketing that you can do. Email is important—ask customers for updated emails every time they’re in your shop. Email is free and it’s an effective way to market. Ask if you can text them with updates and maintenance reminders.
Go to trade shows This not only gives you a chance to bounce ideas off other shop owners, but it also helps put you in touch with various product manufacturers and can help you find what’s right for your shop.
Get a website Building an online reputation is important today, but don’t do it unless you have someone dedicated to maintaining it. Ignoring it can do more harm than good.
Keep up with technology Training, new equipment, new trends—they can cost money to do, but if you don’t do them you can’t fix the problems coming through your door. You have to make that investment, and it will pay off.