I moved back home after college and decided to start a vape supply business.
I was the first shop of that kind in town, and business was a very slow in the beginning.
I didn’t have my first customer for three days, even when the open sign was clearly flashing. Some of the problem was lack of foot traffic, but a lot of the problem was the general dislike for my business. Most people saw the shop as a paraphernalia shop for bongs, marijuana, and marijuana accessories. I was hoping that our state would legalize marijuana soon, but I was willing to keep selling vaping accessories until that time. In my college town, there is a vape shop on every corner. Some of them sell water pipes and bongs, but most of them sell vape accessories and flavored juices. When I tried to hire a printing company to make advertisements, they refused my service. They flat-out told me that they didn’t want to do business with the likes of me. At the time, I didn’t understand exactly what that meant. Several weeks later, I realized that most people in the town were upset about my presence. I went to three different printing companies, before I realized the issue. Luckily, I don’t need a local printing company to get the job completed. I hired a website online to make the graphic banner and advertisements. I even paid extra for a tall balloon guy that swings in the wind. Since everyone wants to complain about my small business, I will give them plenty of reasons to complain.