By Rieva Lesonsky Every

By Rieva Lesonsky www.smallbiztrendcast.com Every year thousands and thousands of Americans dream about opening a bar or restaurant. That has been the subject of many letters and emails I’ve gotten from aspiring entrepreneurs. To many owning a bar or restaurant seems like a fun business, but as bar and restaurant owners can tell you, running these businesses is hard work. That’s why I am eagerly anticipating the new TV show Bar Rescue, which debuts Sunday, July 17th on Spike TV. On Bar Rescue, award-winning bar/restaurant owner, and turnaround consultant Jon Taffer is going to help struggling bar owners get back on their feet again. I recently talked to Taffer, who says Bar Rescue is eager to take on the task of fixing struggling bars. He says the show is going to be full of how-to information that will be valuable for both existing, as well as hopeful bar owners. Taffer says the bar business is hard work, “The reality is,” he says, “this is a really hard business, you’re going to be working 16-18 hours a day.” Taffer says too many bar owners trip up by building “monuments to themselves.” Instead he reminds bar owners, (advice I’m certain every SCORE counselor has uttered at one point) “This is not about ego. You’re building a business.” All of us know that owning a bar or restaurant is a high-risk business. Taffer says most of the problems come from not having enough capital to sustain you through the crucial startup months. But, he adds, success in this business is not just about having enough money, it’s about not having the right systems in place.” He insists that bar owners have a concrete internal accounting system in place. “Operating a bar,” Taffer says, “is not like running a retail business” You have to, he adds, be constantly concerned about price points. Taffer stresses that owning a bar or restaurant is not, surprisingly, about the food and beverages. Rather, he says, it’s about “creating reactions. Whoever creates the biggest reaction wins.” And he emphasizes you can’t compete in this very competitive industry on price. Think about it, he says, “No one leaves a great bar talking about the low prices. Don't be cheaper, be better." If you can stand the heat, however, Taffer predicts that bars are a growth industry. Popular concepts change, though, so you need to stay on top of industry trends. The once-popular dance and hip-hop clubs are no longer bringing in the crowds like they once did. Today, smaller, more intimate atmospheres are attracting customers. And “infused concepts,” ones that combine food, drink and ambience, are also hot right now. Whether you want to start a bar or restaurant, or already own one, you’re going to need more personalized help than Bar Rescue can offer. And that’s where SCORE comes in. SCORE has created a new toolkit for you, full of free resources, tools, information and content to help you get started, or improve your existing facility. And of course the experienced SCORE counselors are available to assist you. Check it out now, and let SCORE help you succeed. Rieva Lesonsky is CEO of GrowBiz Media, a media company that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Follow Rieva at Twitter.com/Rieva and visit her blog at SmallBizDaily.com. Visit her website SmallBizTrendCast to get the scoop on business trends and sign up for Rieva’s free TrendCast reports. .

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