What is the most important thing you can do for your business today?

Check to make sure you confirmed your hours of operations for Veterans Day!

"But Mercedes, how will this affect our revenue?

Well, it’s no surprise that with kids out of school tomorrow, many families will be looking to get away. School holidays often lead to increased revenue for venues and businesses—that is, if your online presence is up-to-date and ready to welcome those visitors coming to town!

In this episode, I visited a new venue in Chula Vista, Tender Hooligan—a fantastic listening cafe by day and a beer and wine bar by night. This episode reminded me to get back to the basics and focus on the things we sometimes overlook when we're hustling to get our doors open!

Are you accidentally turning away guests with your online presence (or lack thereof)?

I almost didn't visit Tender Hooligan this morning because their hours of operation weren’t listed on Google or Yelp. I didn’t want to call to check; I just assumed they were probably closed. But I’m so glad I called, because they were open!

What I did next might surprise you—I updated their hours on Google myself! Did you know you can suggest an edit with proof of business hours? This isn’t the first time I’ve done this, but it was definitely my "full-circle" moment in realizing just how important it is for businesses to keep their hours updated online.

Are your hours updated for this Monday’s holiday?

A Common Misconception

A common misconception people have when they hold a beer and wine license is that they can’t serve cocktails. However, nothing could be further from the truth. A beer and wine license only limits the ABV (alcohol by volume) of what you can sell, not the types of drinks you can offer. For example, at a bar I used to work at, we served booze slushies—an inventive way to expand offerings while staying within the license limits.

Maximizing your beer and wine license isn’t just about catering to everyone’s preferences; it’s about creating more revenue opportunities and increasing profit. After all, it’s no secret that people are willing to pay more for a cocktail than for a beer.

These slushies were a huge hit, and it's easy to see why—just look at how great they looked!

Let’s break down the numbers:

• Profit on beer ranges from $1.20 to $2.30.
• Profit on cocktails can range from $2.40 to $3.00.

With a profit difference of 26% to 66%, your cocktail program can make or break your profit margins, especially when operating under a beer and wine license..

Can You Open a Venue Without a Website?

YES!

But think about this—how many additional streams of revenue could you generate with a website?

Especially during the holiday season, when everyone is in gift card-buying mode, whether for a coworker or a friend. Merchandise is another asset that can make you money while you sleep.

Don’t want the hassle of coordinating printing and mailing merch?

There's an easy solution: Amazon Merch—an incredible tool for companies wanting to test the waters with merch, without committing to inventory or financial risks.

Check it out here: Amazon Merch.

If you enjoy this content, my name is Mercedes, and I’d love for you to join my community! I share weekly insights through video content, and I try to keep up with the newsletter too. Check out my profile for more content that might resonate with you.

Disclaimer: These ideas are my own and not associated with the Tender Hooligan brand or its affiliates.