How hard is it to start a business in Downtown Las Vegas?
How hard is it to start a business in Downtown Las Vegas?
I have to break this up, because it’s asking so much at once.
How hard is it to start a business___:
That’s like asking someone how hard it is to be a parent. It’s fucking hard. You start a business, hopefully, because you can solve a problem and the solving of the problem is important enough that someone will pay for it. Typically, if the solution will make that ‘someone’ money or save them time. THAT is hard to do. Especially if you ever want to grow. Because that will require you to manage all the aspects of a business that are typically handled by others. If you’re ready to wear the following hats, go ahead and begin planting seeds: CEO, CFO, Investor, Human Resources, Accountant, Manager, Project Director, etc. etc...
Let’s compound this with my very unique situation:
WOMAN: I can honestly say that this has impacted me. But, not in the ways you may jump to consider. I will tell you this, as an unmarried woman with no biological children, I receive no support from governments, insurance companies or banks. Financially speaking, if you’re also a single woman without children there are absolutely ZERO incentives to chose this entrepreneurial life so caveat empteaur.
WBE Certification: What about that?
Did you know it’s over $500 to be certified for this? The barriers for this are insurmountable. Then, once certified, you can now apply for government work, but not until then. It doesn't guarantee that you will get work, and if you're newly certified, your chances of securing a bid are super slim since "Experience working with governments" is always a question. It's a catch 22, the way I see it & not actually an "opportunity." Just sayin...
How hard is it to start a business in {FREMONT EAST} Downtown, Las Vegas?
Right now, we need to get people working in Downtown Las Vegas. And I’m not talking about Zappos employees. They have a coffeehouse and cafeteria with free food on their campus. We need people to work downtown if locals are expected to spend money there in the daytime. That will sustain business down there that need foot traffic. If not, don’t be surprised when all the “new businesses” continue to build for the tourist market with the uphill battle of having them cross LV Blvd (gasp!)
B2B Businesses: Today, and probably for the next 5 years, I would predict that the types of businesses that could sustain in DTLV are those that require NO foot traffic. This includes service based businesses who have international clients, law firms, lobbyists, etc. Why? Because they can be open everyday from 9am – 5pm without ever going broke. We can’t just stick a new “coffee concept” or “pizza concept” in DTLV and think it will survive. You know how many “pizza” places have closed in 5 years? At least 5.
Be Closer: There are gaps that are “unwalkable” and all of Downtown is divided and confusing. In Vegas, we are used to streets that go both ways, parking in abundance, and food, dining and entertainment all under 1 roof. The Fremont Street Experience is a roof and the casinos under it have corralled the visitors. This is not a perceived barrier, it is a real barrier if we want a Downtown that is more expansive than that one street, which I hear that many of us DO want.
But, what if, we get more B2B businesses in spaces where those old motels used to be?
Aha, but isn’t that what DTP tried to do?
Yep, they have created a lunch break, a coffee break, a drink break Downtown. Chicken or egg? We have one, now we need the other.
Build office space in the 3rd floor of container park, turn part of El Cortez Cabana suites into offices. Recruit B2B businesses and stop trying so hard with tech. Continue to market Coworking!!
