How Major Events Like Playoff Baseball Impact Small Businesses

Baseball playoff excitement is spreading nationwide with the euphoria in the nation’s capital at an all-time high for Washington Nationals fans. Supporters of the club are highly confident this is the breakthrough year for the squad to win the World Series.  

Another byproduct for the city is the impact events of this stature have on businesses, specifically sports bars and restaurants.  From outdoor bars to sit-down restaurants, proprietors are anticipating high customer traffic.  Additionally, several venues like the Bullpen in Washington, DC are planning a spate of viewing parties, promotions and other activities to help their businesses during this exciting time.

Even if there isn’t baseball coming to your area this year, there are great opportunities to fund a few extra promotions centered on local events.  Some small business owners have used small business loans to facilitate their marketing efforts as well.  However, if you’re getting ready for the playoffs—just remember to root, root, root for the home team!

National Coffee Day Beneficial for Small Businesses and Coffee Enthusiasts

Most of us wish the weekend didn’t end so abruptly because we dread Monday morning. Typically, coffee is the go-to vice for those searching for a pick-me-up to get through the day.  Today, coffee lovers of the world can rejoice, and have a reason to indulge in a few extra cups of coffee in celebration of National Coffee Day.  

The day has no specific origin, yet it is celebrated worldwide by various countries. For the small business restaurant community, it has the potential to be a lucrative day for owners searching for a boost in Monday traffic.  One of the top priorities for small business proprietors is keeping patrons happy, and as a goodwill gesture, several local coffee shops in the Syracuse, NY area, like Recess Coffee, are advertising special offers on discounted priced cups of coffee to celebrate the occasion, while attracting die-hard coffee drinkers looking for that daily caffeine fix.

 By running this type of promotion, small businesses can expect a significant increase in customer traffic since people have a penchant for spending money when special offers for coffee are on the table.   

For more information on the Recess Coffee small business, visit:
http://recesscoffee.com/

Ryder Cup Means Big Business for Scottish Hotel Industry

The 2014 Ryder Cup kicks off tomorrow in Scotland with an influx of visitors expected to touchdown in the area this weekend.  Scottish tourism executives estimate that 45,000 people per day will show up to the Gleneagles Hotel (the tournament venue) to watch the three-day extravaganza. This prestigious golf tournament will generate substantial revenue for the local economy, specifically the hotel industry.     

Hotel managers are anticipating a hectic weekend and are planning accordingly to ensure there are enough rooms to accommodate guests, reservations are booked, hotel amenities are immaculate, and the hotel is fully staffed.  

This large contingent of visitors can present challenges for hotel management when there is a scarcity of rooms.  Since lodging in and around the Gleneagles Hotel area fills up quickly, visitors end up staying in neighboring town hotels over 45 miles away from the tournament.  This may seem like an inconvenience for people that want to be adjacent to the event; however, since the Ryder Cup is such a big deal for hard core golf fans, they are willing to pay any amount to find lodging no matter the distance in order to see their favorite players and teams compete, which is a huge financial benefit for local hotels.

The Impact of a Wage Increase on Small Businesses

 

The life of a small business owner can be taxing.  From balancing monthly budgets, to monitoring inventory, and tracking daily revenue, every decision made is critical to the company’s bottom line.  Yet one of the bigger challenges for proprietors is determining how to budget the cost of paying fair wages to employees, while keeping the business afloat financially. 

Legislators in several states are considering raising the minimum wage for workers as a way to boost economic growth. While the concept sounds promising for most, some small business owner’s wonder about the financial ramifications a wage hike may have on employee retention numbers if there isn’t enough money to distribute equally among staffers.

Conversely, small business owners understand that raising the minimum wage is conducive for building  positive workplace morale, and can be influential in attracting skilled and qualified job seekers looking to get a foot-in-the door and valuable work experience. The wage increase also gives small businesses an opportunity to compete with larger corporations with ample resources to hire people.

The wage increase debate is an important issue for small businesses. So much of the organizations success is predicated on retaining and hiring employees to help generate revenue. With the upcoming holidays being a key part of the year for the company’s profitability, small business owners will have to decide a suitable wage to pay their workers.

Car-free Day can serve as a Chance for Small Businesses to Support the Cause and Cyclists

Those of us in America that benefit from having a car enjoy its convenience. Sure, the concept of grabbing keys off the counter and driving seems more appealing then walking or cycling.  But we rarely consider why these alternative transportation options can contribute to an improved quality of life. Fortunately, National Car-free Day (which is today) brings attention to this matter.

The day was established back in the 1970s as a way to create awareness for the public on the importance of physical activities like walking and cycling, and to demonstrate how it can reduce the amount of pollution in the environment.

Since cycling is one of the more popular transportation choices for people within the Washington, DC metro area, bicycle shops within the small business community will likely get involved in car-free day to show support for the cause and all cycling enthusiasts.

A day like National Car-free Day may lead to an increased demand for small business bicycle shops services.  Whether it’s a refurbishment of an existing bike, or the sale of a new one, small business owners are aware of all of the available options necessary for acquiring working capital to order new models of bicycles, parts, and tools for their shop needs.