Starting A Small Business In Sundance? (Gillette, Sheridan: co-op, lenders, how much)

[JohnnyQuest]

My wife and I want to relocate and start a small business in Sundance. We can offer a service to the locals so they don't need to drive all the way to Gillette or SD.
Any thoughts on this subject?

Enjoying the simple things in life is good for your health.

[ElkHunter]

Through the years, several businesses were born and died in Sundance. Normally, not enough business to make a go. Not enough people.

The people in remote areas like Sundance have become accustomed to making do with a Monthly trip to Spearfish or Rapid City for major food runs, school clothes and supplies, etc.

If a person could come up with a business that brought relief from major trips for locals, and also had internet business that shipped out of there, you might make it. Or, if a person or couple were semi retired and slow times were not a problem, you might make it.

[StealthRabbit]

When living overseas we used 'provisioners' to do shopping (because there are no supermarkets and it takes a long time to get around the city by bus and wait in lines at each store)

I think that is potentially a good business model for remote areas, BUT there is a cultural barrier to break too, as some folks kinda look forward to the monthly trip, even if it is a hassle. AND you need to compliment local services, and not erode them. (I.e. local stores / merchants).

Maybe some comprehensive service to both parties. (I.e. Bringing bulk supplies that do not compromise local business, and distributing them 1/wk At the local store parking lot, while brings some bulk products for the local store to make an incremental profit - bulk fruit / veggies / specialty)

Something that could go both ways would be a bonus. Local producers might need to get their products accessible to population areas. Here regionally, we have a Mobile Farmers Market and a Mobile USDA approved slaughter truck. These are Co-op owned and provide good regional service and market access (W/o grower / producer having to set up and attend a farmers market all weekend)

Get in touch with your local SBDC, I saw an opening in Sundance and was all but jumping to apply. (til I realized I can't spring for that, yet... maybe in my next life )
http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/sbdc/ (broken link)
These folks are really great!!!!

personally (since I like to drive... did DEN>Buffalo>Newcastle>Ft Collins daily for 7 ys)) I would look into a way to leverage the location and need for services. Hopefully, get a document delivery route for banks / lenders and regional customers + some relief driving for small goods / parts delivery for locals. (in the olden days (pre-fed-x)... the Trailways bus could deliver stuff daily). I would make me up a euro spec 4motion TDI diesel VW passat wagon that had 40 + mpg and a 1000 mile range. I saw a guy importing parts to do this, as these cars can't come to USA assembled.

[JohnnyQuest]

Thanks for the info.

We wanted to see if a full service computer store and Ebay seller would be successful.
I am a semi-retired IT professional. So just a little cash flow would work for us.

Also, does anyone know what the fastest ISP is there?

[ElkHunter]

I'm not sure how much you have looked into Sundance but it's only 1100 people. Very little business in town other then support type for fuel, food, and such.

Sheridan has 2 computer stores for 15000 people and neither one could make it strictly as a computer store. So they do other things.

Here are some links to possibly help with Sundance.

City of Sundance

City-Data demographics

[JohnnyQuest]

Thanks ElkHunter.

I was looking at the bigger picture and was thinking about all of Crook County. I have successfully built and sold (2) prior computer stores. I had customers driving from other county's to deal with me. I was hoping that my wonderful personality and extreme experience will do the same in Sundance. But then... You never know. That's why, I was hoping, if I offer the Ebay selling and even website design... I can make it work. Right?

Maybe we should make another trip there and chat with some of the folks. See what they think. Maybe we should venture to Spearfish.

We like small towns. I always felt we would blend in nicely there. I'm the guy that likes to help everyone. (Hey! Is that my lawn mower in your garage? )

[StealthRabbit]

Regional IT support would be my choice.

Retail / office or store I would not recommend. (fixed costs, defined hours, back-up help)
There could be some long days (weeks) waiting for a customer.

Newcastle / Custer may be a better choice for higher volume of customers.

[WyoNewk]

You might consider traveling a bit if you can. I know of a computer store in Rapid City that services a mine or more around Gillette. That means they can also service other businesses when they're here. I bought my current computer from them, as well as my wide-format printer, a few hard drives, etc., and they came here to service my flatbed scanner when it quit working a couple years ago.

[jody_wy]

or do like Hunky did here he comes to you or you to him.
hunkydory.cc

[CptnRn]

A quick search on "computer" looking at the Sundance area in Google Maps turns up two Computer businesses in the area. Mountain Computer Services Mountain Computer Services and Stallion Techs Computer Support, Network Support, Web Design