Arizona Business Startup Information by William Borden Are you new to Arizona? Are you starting an new business here? If so, you'll want to read the following information carefully. It may mean the difference between financial success and failure.

It's Not Your Imagination. Running A Business In Arizona Requires A New Mindset.

Arizona is one of the best places in the country to live and work. However, it's important to know how to make money here. Most people soon discover that running a business in Arizona seems different than what they're accustomed to. The dynamics are different but they make perfect sense once you understand what you're dealing with. That's why you may need to make adjustments to your business marketing plan.

Arizona Business Startups. Dress For Success.

Even though residents of Arizona are just as educated and sophisticated as anywhere else in the country, some of us still retain our redneck, wild, wild west heritage. The longer you live here, the more our culture will rub off on you. Also the largest population centers are located in the desert. Desert living, mild winters, and extreme summer heat may help explain why life is different here.

For example if you're a professional gentleman working in New York, you might be shocked to find successful Arizona professionals meeting clients and going to business meetings in casual attire. You might view it as 'unprofessional'. Yet in Arizona, there are people who will feel uncomfortable doing business with you if you wear a three piece suit and tie. Instead of projecting 'professionalism' and respect, you may be saying this to some people, 'Look at me, I'm better than everyone else.' To other people you'll be saying, 'Look at me. I'm a visitor and new to Arizona.' Either way, you're definitely drawing the wrong kind of attention to yourself and not scoring any points. In fact, overdressing can be a costly mistake in Arizona.

Yes there are times when you could wear a suit and tie. At special occaisions it is appropriate. If you're a professional speaker addressing a large group, or perhaps a performer, or a high profile attorney. Perhaps you're attending a formal 'dress to impress' event. In these situations, no one will think twice of your suit and tie, - especially if they know that you don't dress that way on a regular basis. In fact you'll get a lot of compliments on how nice you look.

But if you're meeting business people and clients on a daily basis you may want to reconsider overdressing or dressing substantially better than other people in your profession. You might think you're making a better impression than the locals, but think again. Watch what you're collegues are wearing and copy them. You want to stand out and be unique, but you don't want people judging you negatively or distracted from what you have to say just because of what you're wearing. Be clean and neat but there is usually no need to wear anything more than casual attire.

Prove To Your Clients That You're Serious About Your Arizona Business.

Another 'quirk' if you want to call it that, is that even though most people are friendly, they tend to distrust anyone who is new in town because they don't know how long they're going to stay. For the most part, Arizona is a very transient place to live. Many people move here and just as quickly move back home without even saying goodbye. Some move here because it's so beautiful. Later they get homesick and leave. Or they might find the summers too hot for them. Others live here in the winter and go home for the summers. Some of the 'retired' people still look young. They could still be in their 40's or 50's. Often they start a small business for part of the year or on a part time basis. For them it's just a hobby or something to do whenever they feel like it.

That's why it's not unusual to hire a service business and have them leave before the job is finished or just disappear for a few weeks without warning. There are also worries about what will happen if something goes wrong during the warranty period. Will there be anyone to take care of the problem? Or will the business phone be disconnected?

So expect to be 'initiated' if you're a new unknown business from out of State. Consider it part of the Arizona 'business development' process. People in the deserts of Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma will wonder if you're going to survive the summer heat. They'll want to see your company name over and over again before most will consider doing business with you. That's why networking is so important here. People tend to do business with people they know very well or with people who are highly recommended by their friends.

New Business Startups. Expect Lots Of Price Competition In The Phoenix, AZ.

Competition is also a factor to consider when drawing up a marketing plan. Most businesses experience intense competition in high population areas such as Phoenix. If you read the newspapers or go online you'll see many opportunities, but the competition is fierce. This affects how much you can charge and how much business you can expect, - especially if you're new in town.

Another phenomena at work is the weather. When 'snow birds' or winter residents leave in the spring many businesses see a significant drop in revenue. Summer in the desert is when all of us are looking for opportunities to escape the heat. We stay indoors a lot, take vacations, or travel to cooler regions of Arizona on weekends.

With this knowledge in hand you can prepare for success by understanding the dynamics of doing business in Arizona. For best results, dress appropriately for your industry, save some money during the winters to carry you through the summer, do lots of networking and earn the trust well known figures in your community.

Business Startup Tips For New Arizona Businesses.

Finally give people compelling reasons for doing business with you over your competition and make them feel safe. This is especially true in your marketing and advertising materials where you only have second to grab people's attention before they toss your information away.

Everyone wants to see evidence that you take your business seriously, you're 100% reliable, and you're going to be here to take of them if problems arise in the future.

Email the Author: William Borden

• Arizona business home page.

Back to the top