{"id":715,"date":"2023-04-13T14:07:20","date_gmt":"2023-04-13T14:07:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/positivelyasheville.com\/?p=715"},"modified":"2025-12-01T07:28:58","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T12:28:58","slug":"newcomers-guide-to-doing-business-in-asheville","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/positivelyasheville.com\/index.php\/2023\/04\/13\/newcomers-guide-to-doing-business-in-asheville\/","title":{"rendered":"Newcomer\u2019s Guide to Doing Business in Asheville"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I recently reached the one-year mark since my move to the Asheville area. Looking back, it\u2019s been a year of transformation. Regardless of my prior business experience, I couldn\u2019t have anticipated the many takeaways I\u2019ve gained by getting to know the community. For those of you who are newcomers seeking to build your business in Asheville, here is a 10-point primer to get you started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Be curious and willing to learn.<\/strong>
    Granted, you may know a lot about your business, but you don\u2019t know its compatibility with the wants and needs of the people in Greater Asheville. Seldom is there a one-size-fits-all solution to anything. Figure out how what you do is a good fit. And, for Heaven\u2019s sake, don\u2019t force it!
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  2. Be patient and kind.<\/strong>
    The prospect of breaking into the Asheville market may be exciting. Depending on your goals and situation, you may feel pressed to do it quickly. However, the decision is not entirely up to you. The people of Asheville will decide when and if they will engage you. In the meantime, your job is to be worth engaging.
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  3. Seek advice before offering it.<\/strong>
    In the short time I\u2019ve been here, I\u2019ve seen several entrepreneurs and salespeople breeze into town spouting off about what a gift they and their solutions are to the lucky citizens of Asheville. Trust me when I say, \u201cThey\u2019ve seen it, they\u2019ve heard it, and others with the same story have come and gone before you.\u201d
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  4. Focus on friendship instead of numbers.<\/strong>
    We\u2019ve all heard that selling is a numbers game. Yes, it\u2019s true that you can\u2019t move your product or service without selling, but it requires more than pure pitch. In many cases, it\u2019s the person behind the product that people want to know before they decide to buy.
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  5. Reciprocate.<\/strong>
    Generosity is alive and well in Asheville. People here have a bias to give, which is probably why there are so many charitable organizations. Whether it\u2019s a handshake, an introduction, or an invitation, accept it graciously. Then, when you have the opportunity, return the gesture to someone in kind.
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  6. Care about something greater than yourself or your business.<\/strong>
    It takes time for your business to gain a foothold in Asheville because people want to know what makes you tick. They prefer doing business with people who care. You\u2019ll learn to appreciate this, especially when you realize it has much to do with why you were attracted to Asheville in the first place.
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  7. Deliver on your promises.<\/strong>
    Asheville may be growing fast, but it remains a small town at heart. Ergo, news travels fast. Better to underpromise and over-deliver than make claims that you can\u2019t substantiate. People here listen to what you say and will hold you to your word. And that\u2019s a good thing.
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  8. Earn trust before money.<\/strong>
    The expense of earning a good customer is nothing compared to the cost of losing one. Whatever you are selling, know that you can stand by it. Be certain that your partners and suppliers have your back. The customers you take care of today are your investment in your company\u2019s future.
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  9. Leave your attitude at the door.<\/strong>
    The survival skills you learned elsewhere may not help much in Asheville. This is especially true if you\u2019re accustomed to doing big-city business. Release the excess air from your chest and let down your defenses. Listen more than talk. Be mindful of your manners. Your presence will be louder than words.
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  10. Adapt to your new surroundings.
    <\/strong>Asheville has its own style, rhythm, and pace. Adjust your offerings accordingly. Your first encounters with customers will be as much for market research as anything else. Approach people with a sincere interest in learning, and they will reply with insights that save you time and create more opportunities.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    I hope these observations serve you well. If they appeal to you, then you\u2019ll probably feel at home very soon. After reading through them, some may think that Asheville doesn\u2019t subscribe to the times. Frankly, I think it\u2019s a little ahead of them. Welcome to a city that knows who it is and what it values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Linda Ruhland<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    For those of you who are newcomers seeking to build your business in Asheville, here is a 10-point primer to get you started.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":719,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[101,112],"class_list":["post-715","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-day-maker-positivelyasheville-2","tag-new-business"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t