Relocating (Boise, Mountain Home: hair salon, home, statistics)

[Sasseyann1]

My husband and I are in the process of moving to Idaho. I am an African American(Jamaican) and my husband is White. I am a licensed nail technician have worked in that field for 11 years. I would like to know the possibility of owning my own Nail/Hair salon that specializes in dreads and natural hair care for blacks, and all nail care services, such as acrylics nails, pink and white acrylics, gel and sculpture nails and hand painted designs. Would this be a suitable business to do in that area for a young black woman?:Would it be better to look at places as Boise, Mountain Home and Spokane or CDA? Thanx in advance.

[Sage of Sagle]

You really need to look at the demographics of Idaho (and Spokane for that matter). A business that caters to black people is going to have a very small clientele by nature of limited racial diversity in this region. I'm not saying you couldn't succeed, but you'd certainly need to capture a LOT of the black population since it's such a minute percentage of the populace. Now the nail salon part I can see working as you're hitting a broad demographic...

[brokencrayola]

If anyplace maybe Boise, but certainly not CDA or Spokane area, you simply would not have the black clients to keep your business going.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by Sage of Sagle

You really need to look at the demographics of Idaho (and Spokane for that matter). A business that caters to black people is going to have a very small clientele by nature of limited racial diversity in this region. I'm not saying you couldn't succeed, but you'd certainly need to capture a LOT of the black population since it's such a minute percentage of the populace. Now the nail salon part I can see working as you're hitting a broad demographic...

I agree with Sage. I'm always a little surpsed when people planning to open new businesses haven't researched the stats for themselves. They aren't hard to review, especially those on CDF.

Sasseyann1, I'd encourage you to look at the demographics of the area where you and your husband decide is best for the two of you. If you're opening a business, go to the business statistics information and get the breakdowns on age groups, dollars spent for various classifications of business, and % plus hard numbers of how many black folks would be in the area you would service.

Good luck in this next step of your life.

MSR

[Sandpointian]

Try and Seattle and Portland first. Boise and Spokane next. CDA is quite small. If you are moving b/c your husband's work and your business is as much about community as profits, then you may find success (with a few changes in the business model) in places where the demographics are not favorable. However, you should do so with feet planted firmly on the ground. Consider diversifying your offerings for a different demographic.

If I can generalize a bit, Jamaicans have a great entrepreneurial spirit. The area is transforming. With some vision and adjustment, there will be opportunities of some kind.

S.

[Fisherman 100]

Boise or Washington State might be the better choice. Most of the Panhandle is Tractors, fields, and a lot of fishing and hunting.