Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I am developing a restaurant concept in the Los Angeles area and I am stuck on a few key points.  Mostly, I am adapting a concept from a less (Urban) part of the country where it is very successful.  There of multiple units within multiple different brands for this particularly style of restaurant.  It is different that almost anything found in Los Angeles, at least in the more developed parts.  I have over the past months slowly added and changed the concept to make it more LA friendly, the problem is, it is no longer the original concept.  I know I am I am not giving a ton of details, but I am less concerned about specifics and more concerned about peoples opinions of sticking to what works and keeping it simple even if it has never been tested in that demographic, or adapting to make it more generic and easier, but with less of an impact.


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Strong wood does not grow with ease. The stronger the breeze, the stronger the trees!
J.W. Marriott

Congratulations on your business/concept! I myself love to try something different to add to my business - not wanting to blend in - especially realizing that there are often times when people are looking for something different - it really is attractive. Introducing your restaurant may be a bit of a challenge depending on what you have to offer. However, if it`s something that may stand out favorably then it may be just the thing to really be a hit. I can`t tell you how many times we have passed up on restaurants because we wanted to have something different - something new. Whatever you decide - best of luck and may your business bring you great success!


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Take each day, mold it and make it yours.......

http://www.solutionshealthnwellness.com

Suppose we look at this generically. Suppose you sell an air-conditioner. The reason you chose the product is that when you went to school in Georgia, you noticed the everyone always had an A/C unit. If it broke they fixed it or bought another one.

Everyone you spoke with said that without an A/C unit, they`d die. Stores selling those items always had business, always did well, always succeeded. So you decided that selling A/C units was a great way to start a business. Back home, where you come from, you`ve never seen an A/C store, so there`s clearly a market.

Four years later, with some money saved up, you moved back to Alaska and opened up your A/C store. You had to make some minor changes, then a few more, to make it more "Alaska friendly."

Now you`re wondering whether or not you should do *exactly* what they do in Georgia, because that certainly works all the time. :-)

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If you want something you have to MAKE IT HAPPEN. No excuses. Take responsibility for your life. You have to push, push, push, and NEVER quit.

If you`re going to play the game, you have to know the rules.

In the end, you need to stand out in some way.  Amazing food, funky design, specialty food, unique atmosphere, amazing service, something.  If you become too much like everyone else, you risk becoming commoditized and then it becomes an uphill battle.  Find a way to be special and you`ll know much sooner whether or not this will work in the long run.  That`s my layman`s view.  ;)

 


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-jc

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JC Cameron, President
VendorCity, Inc. - Your source for highly recommended Vendors

http://www.VendorCity.com

JC`s View: My take on technology and entrepreneurship