| Business is an interesting subject. Think back to when | | | | There used to be small mom and pop stores located |
| gas stations were all full service and the owner would | | | | in every town across the country. Little corner grocery |
| come out and check the oil for every customer. They | | | | stores and 5 & Dimes. Pretty soon Wal-mart |
| would sell you tires, change your oil and do tune-ups | | | | moved in with 7-Elevens on every corner and grocery |
| for your car. All at one place. | | | | stores became massive chains. Small owner operated |
| Pretty soon the market was taken over by franchise | | | | stores closed all over the pace. |
| stores who added a quicky mart concept. They | | | | Has the era of the small owner operated business |
| offered absolutely no service other than taking your | | | | come to an end? The answer is a resounding NO! |
| money. | | | | Look at all the coffee shops, boutique restaurants, |
| Not long after that oil-lube places started showing up | | | | specialty stores and service companies that are |
| that would change your oil (with environmentally safe | | | | prospering. True it would be impossible for a small |
| disposal) and check your fluids and batteries. Other | | | | business to compete head to head with a big box |
| chains opened that sold and mounted tires. Still others | | | | business but think of it this way. |
| became specialists in auto repairs. All these branched | | | | While big businesses can dominate big markets, they |
| out from the little one owner gasoline station and | | | | are much too unwieldy to fit into the niche markets |
| started to offer more service because there was a | | | | that abound. Find your niche and you can create a |
| market for the extra service. | | | | profitable independent business for yourself. |