The World Health Organization (WHO), in conjunction with Governments of various Countries are clamping down on smoking in public places just in a bid to protect non- smokers from the harmful effect of smoking.
Right there in the Airports, Cinemas, Shopping Malls and Public places in general, you might have noticed the “Smoking Not Allowed” signs hung at various spots informing the general public that the area is a no smoking zone. However, if you took your time to make enquiry, you would find that there are cigar lounges just around the corner.
The truth is that banning smoking in public places is actually a blessing in disguise for people with the intention of starting a cigar lounge. Little wonder we have cigar lounges being positioned in strategic places like airports, shopping malls, cinemas, et al. Although not all cigar lounge is opened to the general public. In some cigar lounges, you would be required to sign up as a member before you can have access.
If your desire is to open a cigar lounge, then the following tips may help you start your own cigar lounge, and successfully manage it.
Starting a Cigar Lounge – Sample Business Plan Template
1. Do Your Research
In order to invest wisely, you need to carry out a research on the industry or line of businessyou intend investing in. If you are opening a cigar lounge for the first time, it is important you conduct a thorough research so that you can be well informed and guided when making the choices of what you want from the array of options that are available to you. Researching will open you up to the various opportunities you can leverage on and how you can access them. It’s not compulsory that you must be the one to carry out the research; you can pay professionals to help you garner the needed information.
2. Obtain Your License and Register Your Business
Since there is law that stops people from smoking in public places, then it is only logical to know that you would require a license and permission to open a cigar lounge. You would be required to register your business and then approach the Drugs and Foods Regulation Body or a Licensing Office close to you. Your proposed facility for your cigar lounge would be inspected and they would ensure that you meet certain standards before you can be issued a license.
3. Choose a Good Location
Your choice of location sure has either positive or negative impact on your business. In opening a cigar lounge, you should look for available facilities that are within Airports, Shopping malls, Train Stations, Bus Terminus, or Sport Complexes. You can also rent a facility close to a business district that can easily be accessible by workers who will want to take short breaks to come smoke without traveling a distance.
4. Decide on How to Run Your Cigar Lounge
From the outset, you should decide how you want to run your cigar lounge so as to help you design it to suit your choice of business. There are various ways people run their cigar bars, if you have taken time to visit some (which you must), you would realize that most of them aren’t run in the same way. You could choose to allow coffee or drinks both alcoholic and non – alcoholic to be sold in your cigar lounge, or you can decide to use part of your facility as a cigar lounge and another part as a restaurant.
Whichever choice you make, ensure it is such that has the potential to thrive in the environment you choose to open it. You can only know this if you have done your survey before starting. You can also allow certain music to be played in your bar or a Karaoke.
5. Create a Cigar Lounge That Is Appealing
In other to be able to attract and retain customers, you should ensure that your cigar lounge is comfortable and appealing for people to relax and have a nice time. You can achieve this by creating good ambience with your choice of design, color of paintings, and music. Make sure you design a lounge that has good and effective ventilation system so as to avoid people chocking from puffs of smokes.
6. Establish Business Relationship with Suppliers
To ensure that your cigar stands is always loaded with varieties and the best cigar brands available; you must establish business relationship with cigar distributors/suppliers. You can make your lounge a one stop shop for lovers of cigar; by simply stocking your cigar shelve with assorted cigars. Make sure you always negotiate for a better deal when dealing with suppliers. If you grow the business to a certain level, you can even bypass the middle men and deal directly with the manufacturer of your choice of cigar – You can import directly from the factory to get a really fair price.
7. Brand and Advertise Your Cigar Lounge
If you have done all you are expected to do, the next thing is to launch your business by advertising it in both print and electronic media. Make sure you brand your cigar lounge in such a way that it may attract both smokers and non smokers alike. You can offer freebies, discounts or perks to your loyal customers who refer their friends to you. Experts have found that the fastest and cheapest way to advertise your goods or services is through a satisfied customer.
It is one thing to successfully start your cigar lounge; it is entirely another kettle of fish to run it in such a way that would break even within the shortest time possible. You must not relent in continuous improvement of your management, customer service and marketing skills, because that is eventually the determiner of your continuance in business. Review the 7 tips above, work hard and watch how your cigar lounge grows from one outlet to many other outlets.
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