I am currently taking a business course to help me decide if I want to
open a Retail BF store.  Just like taking courses in BFing, it is amazing
how much someone else can teach you.  I have learned a lot about marketing
myself and have completely rewritten my products brochure and have changed
how I interact with the call to inquire about prices.  I tell them why I
am better than the competition.  I think that Medela ought to have some
support for those who are established and maybe give us a 5 mile radius of
no competion, but I doubt that we will ever see that.  I also have someone
in my own small town planning to open a rental station in a few months, she
has never contacted me, we could probably work together rather than against each
each other.

So far, any time I have been threatened by a competitor I have actually had
 an increase in business.  I think that their work to promote themselves has
 had an additive effect on sales and rentals and there ends up being more
business for everyone.  Let's hope my luck holds.

Look into what services are available for small businesses, there is a gold
mine out there.  The problem is finding time to use it.

Ruth Sweet of Verona WI  (let me know if you want a sample of my brochures,
I am very proud of them.  <[log in to unmask]>