GOODBYE LAS VEGAS, HELLO NEW MEXICO!
After 11 wonderful years living in Sin City, as most of you know through my Instagram account ,I have moved from Las Vegas Nevada to the state of New Mexico. It was a difficult decision but I am a true believer it has been the best decision ever. My shop has been doing way better and my pop up events have been an absolute blast. But was this an easy change? Absolutely not.
I went from being excited, to being absolutely worried about my future. To questioning my choices and wondering were I should start.
The first step was to get my business licenses to operate my business legally. The second, to find a way to start my business in town since I still struggle to generate business online. But where do I look? Where do I go? Who do I ask?.
In Las Vegas, the owner of Fist Bump Pup was the one guided me through my journey as a small business owner and I will forever be thankful to her (www.fistbumppup.com). In New Mexico I didn't know anyone so I contacted the owner of Desert Bella Candles (www.desertbellacandles.com) which I was following on Instagram and she responded all my questions. Long story short?: I ended up being able to re open my shop in no time .
But here are some of my tips if you are re locating to a new place with a small business. Remember we are all different and this is what worked for me.
#1: It's ok to be scared. I didn't even know where to go or where to start and I am not ashamed to admit that. I still struggle to generate sales on line and I am learning new tricks every day. admitting you don't know is the start.
#2: Do your research BEFORE you move. Start searching for the business licenses that you would need. Google your city Clerk office or Business Organizations. Write down pages, names, places, follow local businesses that might be able to include you in their events. Since I was in Las Vegas I followed Blush Beauty Bar (www.blushbeautybar.com) just out of curiosity and today I am part of their pop up events and my shop does extremely well there.
#3: Get your tax ID as soon as you can. Without that you have nothing. A good legal reliable business (no mater how big or small) pays proper taxes. Get yourself acquaintance with the department of taxation of your city and state. Here in New Mexico is www. tax.newmexico.gov
#4 Ask for help!. It's ok to not know, and people are willing to help way more than you think. If it wasn't for the owner of Desert Bella Candles (that by the way she does not know me personally) I would still be struggling to understand taxes here. She, without knowing me, was able to guide me through the basics. If you are reading this, Thank you!
If you are a small business owner, and you are reading this I want you to know that some of us don't blow up online and go viral like others did. Some of us struggle more trying to find the way. We make mistakes. we change things, we have to self teach ourselves new ways, and all of that is ok.
I hope you keep trying, I hope you keep pushing, whatever your dream is, I hope you don't give up.
Yani