How to Become a Wireless Phone Retailer in Dallas, Texas
The City of Dallas might be best known for its National Football Team that carries the nickname "America's Team." According to the Dallas Office of Economic Development, Dallas is also the largest arts district in the United States. The first Neiman Marcus was opened in Dallas, and it's also the home of the largest mall in Texas. There are plenty of opportunities for an entrepreneur to make his or her mark in the city. In the world of wireless, new devices are being introduced all the time to keep the industry competitive and prime for retailers.
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Instructions
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Prepare a business plan. Attend one of the pre-business workshop offered by the North Texas Development Center or El Centro College. Use the counselors available there to help you set goals in your plan, identify threats, and plan for methods to capitalize on opportunities in the local wireless market. Counseling is free.
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Calculate the sum of money you will possibly spend to open the doors of a retail store. The North Texas Small Business Development Center Network advises planning for two stages of starting a business when it comes to estimating necessary financing: "One pot will pay for the things you need just to get your new business started. The other pot is to pay your operating costs until your business reaches break-even -- that point where you are taking in the same amount of money you are paying out."
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Get a notepad to start crunching numbers. Call wireless resale agents for ideas on how much money you'll need for inventory. Skim through commercial real estate listings in newspapers for pricing on the retail shop.
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Contact the City of Dallas One Stop Permit Center to get your business license and reseller's permit. Apply for a state-issued license with the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation. Register your business name at the Dallas County Clerk's Office. Contact the Texas State Controller's Office for a Sale and Use Tax Permit.
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Apply for Financing. Get a business partner who may be interested in putting up a percentage of the money. Work with several partners to reduce the buy-in. If you can't raise the money through partnership ventures, submit your business plan and an application to a commercial bank for a business loan.
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Apply for Worker's Compensation Insurance through the Texas Department of Insurance. As an employer, the State of Texas requires you to enroll in coverage 30 days after your employee's first day of work.
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Study the Dallas wireless market. Choose the area that you believe would be most lucrative for your wireless store. Commission a commercial real estate agent to help you negotiate a deal on retail space.
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Order wireless phone inventory from a master agent or an authorized reseller for the wireless brands you wish to carry. Purchase phones based on the market you're working in. Retailers who sell to an under-30 population will need to carry smart phones and the newest models in order to be competitive. Retailers who cater to baby boomers will need easy-to-use phones with large-numbered keypads.
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Hire sales employees. Place ads in classifieds online and in the local newspaper to let the public know that you are hiring. Interview candidates. Ask questions about their previous sales experience. Hire the individuals who will best represent the brand image that you hope to establish.
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Plan a grand opening event. Schedule some contests and cell phone giveaways. Give away cell phone accessories. Invite a disc jockey, who can play the type of music your primary demographic likes. Hire a caterer to supply food.
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Get the press involved in your grand opening. Send the editors at the "Dallas Morning News," the "Star-Telegram," "D Magazine" and other local publications and local television news affiliates press releases about your grand opening.
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References
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