Summary:
In this article, four Tulsa-area municipal leaders share their advice for small businesses looking for quick wins:
Are you a small business that’s looking for a few quick wins? I recently spoke to four local municipal leaders in the Tulsa area about small business opportunities hiding in plain sight. They had some great advice. Here’s what they had to say:
When referring to small businesses, Michael Gerber, in his book The E-Myth, coined the phrase “Work on it, not just in it”. Mike Fina, Executive Director of Oklahoma Municipal League, agrees. “Small businesses get so consumed with doing whatever it is that they do, they just don't have time to reach out and find those opportunities…They need to spend a little time researching and make sure that they are optimizing any opportunity that they have.” It’s necessary to keep your head down doing “all the things” that are required for your business to be successful, but don’t forget to look up every now and then so you don’t miss the opportunities that are right in front of you.
Kendal Francis, Muscogee City Manager, says small businesses should pay attention to what’s going on around them and look for new opportunities that arise from those new developments.
“A lot of the data centers get the news, big industry gets the news, but those bring so many ancillary things: they bring housing, they bring a need for retail, they bring a need for tourism. We’re getting people into our communities, so I think there are a lot of opportunities for niche type markets.” - Kendal Francis (Muscogee City Manager)
He also mentioned that as we continue to see more downtown revitalization efforts occurring in Oklahoma, small businesses will have more retail and food and beverage opportunities. If we look ahead at what’s coming in our communities, and stay ahead of the curve, we’re likely to do well.
Sometimes we forget about all the free resources we can find online. Lisa Ford, Broken Arrow City Councilor Ward 2 says, “Sometimes it's so easy, people try to make it hard, you know, but all those resources are readily available.” Lisa recommends that small businesses look at local chamber websites, economic development websites and city or community development pages for plenty of free resources that may be hiding in plain sight.
Last but certainly not least, we can’t overlook the opportunity to contract with local municipalities. David Hinkle, Executive Director of Central Oklahoma Economic Development District, says that “Contracting with your local municipalities, county government or state government is overlooked because most people don't know the process or how to begin.” Hinkle recommends that small businesses start at the local level by introducing their business to the city manager, the council and “begin to avail yourself to the local economic development office.” Once you’ve introduced yourself to local officials, go regional, then state and then federal. Hinkle concludes by saying, “You’ve got to start somewhere, and if you’re not known at home, you won’t be known anywhere else.”
Be sure and check out my article entitled Want to Win Government Contracts? Do This First. (Read Blog)
Melissa Brinkley owns Squeegee Squad, a commercial window cleaning company, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She regularly interviews local municipal leaders to learn how small businesses can grow and thrive in their communities. To learn more about the leaders she has interviewed, visit Squeegee Squad Tulsa today!
Tags: Oklahoma Municipal League, City of Muscogee, City of Broken Arrow, COEDD, oklahoma small business, municipal leaders