Clark Howard's Tips

Entrepreneurs going mobile in search of customers

August 18, 2008

Not all states are created equal when it comes to employment. While Michigan, Ohio and Indiana are seeing jobs leave, other states can't find enough workers. Wyoming and Texas are both examples of the latter situation.

Americans have always been a migratory people in search of better opportunities elsewhere. Now the newest wrinkle is that many entrepreneurs are going mobile by coming to customers -- instead of waiting for customers to come to them. For example, mobile dentists in RVs are going to patients or specific businesses. Dog-grooming services and legit massage therapists are also doing the same thing.

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While it may cost entrepreneurs more in fuel to go to customers, they also enjoy lower overhead if they don't have a storefront. The Boston Globe reports one mobile spa company has 700 technicians in 50 states and revenue is up 300%.

So if you're an entrepreneur, what creative thing can you do to generate more customer traffic? Is there a cost-effective way for you to go to the customer?

On the other hand, if you're a worker and you find that opportunity is lacking where you are, you may have to go mobile too!

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