Well…so far so good…
I got a preliminary approval of all the licenses for PlayaResale yesterday, the city business license will be ready in 15 business days, but as far as they are concerned my papers are in and I am a business. Really the process didn’t take too long(a little under a month) and it was only a little bit of jumping through hoops.
The largest setback right now is that the department of urban development asked me to take down my large sign on the roof of the building in front of me. My shop is located in a warehouse space behind some other stores, it was the best large space I could find for a price that I was willing to pay. When my business partner and I were looking for places to put the store, we decided that we could deal with being off the main street if we had good signs. Unfortunately, our idea of good signs seems to coincide with the city’s idea of a public safety risk. No signs on roofs is what I was told, and for good measure the city is not permitting any signs over 90cm tall either, because that is damaging to the public image.
PlayaResale flag and sign(still unpainted)
The idea for the sign we had was a large, vertical sign saying PlayaResale with the large PlayaResale flag coming out of the top. We had the sign put up but never painted because the city was pretty specific about not actually displaying anything until we got approval. The flag worked great, you could see it from three blocks in either direction, which was perfect for attracting customers. Unfortunately this wasn’t going to fly, so we had to try something else.
So, I ordered a large tarp sign to hang in the driveway temporarily until I can get something else figured out, this should be up today. I am looking into other ways to display the flag, because it is sort of the big push on my advertising campaign, all the brochures and business cards I have been handing out, as well as the website mention that the customers should look for the big orange flag. My newest idea is to get a 6 meter piece of pole and mounted it off the ground and running up the side of the building, it won’t be as tall as the previous flag, but I think it may work. I am going to look into that today.
Great new site! How about one of those windsock types of things either on a flag pole and that spin around (ala Seaside beach)or one of those 20 foot nylon tubes that inflate with a fan at the bottom of the “sock” and sort of wave and flop around. (not the big or thick figure type that would blow away in a strong wind)
Car dealers have them often around here. Their eradic blowing around always gets a look. You’d have to take it down at night or risk getting it stolen would be a problem. Sounds like you are doing well!
My grandpa told me “A business with no sign, is a sign of no business!”
Best of luck with your new business!