We've got some thoughts on searching for the "one" perfect retail space, and why the entire premise is misguided and potentially derailing.

We've all seen fictionalized accounts of a lovelorn someone searching for the "perfect" partner. You know the ones -- we watch as the protagonist goes on an endless string of first and second dates, only to determine that no suitor is right, much to the frustration of their friends and family who keep urging them to stop being so picky. Like Molly's friends and family in Insecure before things got serious with Taurean.

Is this entire concept pretty antiquated and ridiculous? Yes. Is it relevant to retail real estate? Also, yes.

You see, ...

Like all long term relationships, your feelings toward your business will change and evolve over time. I don't know a seasoned retailer who doesn't have a big ol' mixed bag of feelings about their business. Few things in life can bring so much joy and frustration, pride and defeat - sometimes in a single day.

For retailers just starting out, it can be confusing and a little scary when they start feeling REAL feelings (other than excitement and joy) about their budding business. Is it time to throw in the towel? Probably not.

Go with me here on a little analogy trip...

The romance starts with butterflies and flirting: What if instead of counting these beans all day, I finally open...

Maybe you’ve been managing coffee shops for years, made a billion cortados, can schedule your staff in your sleep, and now you’re ready to strike out on your own. Or maybe you’re done with corporate life, and your great resignation and passion for nitro cold brews has ignited your dreams of owning your own coffee shop. Wherever you’re starting, you need to know how to open a coffee shop like a pro, even if it’s your first time.

Here are five simple rules to opening a coffee shop without making rookie mistakes.

Rule #1: Have a business plan with financial projections.

If you’re more comfortable dialing in gorgeous washed process Ethiopian coffees than creating financial models, that’s okay...