We recently got a very interesting question from a reader who lived in a small community (1800 people) and wanted to know how to find out how the locals would feel about an adult store.
Because your store will be selling products that may upset some people, we think this is a prudent and essential question.
The first thing to do is to research any businesses that are risqué. For instance, is there a strip club? Do the pubs and clubs have adult’s only nights? Are there any adult party planners (people already selling from home). What sort of adults-only activities are there.
Secondly, a prudent step would be to ask your friends where they are getting their sex toys from and if they are happy with the delivery times.
This will serve two purposes: to help you discover if your business will have any customers and to go against the online competition (your fiercest competitor).
Now for the survey
The first thing to do is search for local Google searches in your area. This will tell you the exact trend if you follow this link (https://cool.ink/trends). It should geolocate your location and give you the information you need.
Here’s a video I have Made Searching Local Sex Toy Needs
Once you have found out, your community has a slight interest. You need to find out if they will accept your business. I suppose you could do a survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/ and email it or send it to your community. But this will make your intention clear to everyone at once and create two things potential competition and immediate opposition.
I would probably do a soft survey IE set up a survey on survey monkey and discretely ask people around town their thoughts, answering it on your survey; this will do two things it will give you a feel for the general attitude and the other a measurable result on your survey. You will use it to get a loan or put forward a business case.
Soft Starting Your Adult Store Business
Once you have gauged community feelings, and if it’s still 50/50, you may want to start a soft business. This means a discreet opening to ensure that your community won’t lynch you.
Two Options
- Start A website or social media site to service your customers
- Start an Adult Party Plan Business (this is where you visit peoples homes and sell like Tupperware)
These are just the basics of starting a shop; please visit our how-to start a sex shop if you want more. Hopefully, this article has covered many of your questions and helped you decide about starting your own business. Want to add to this article contact us.
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