WVU article on Davis movers-shakers

WVU Uncovered Article Here

When it comes to area small businesses, there is distinctly an old style and a new style. There's an evolution in the business models of small public-facing businesses in Canaan and Davis. Boiled down, I'd say that the new guard makes sense to both locals and urban transplants or weekenders.

WVU and the Parson's Advocate both have published articles noting this trend, with I think more analysis of this phenomenal transition to come in the future. We are not just talking about older proprietors being replaced by younger entrepreneurs. The change here is a move past offerings that entail less quality or choice than one might find back in town, toward more unique offerings that celebrate the natural surroundings and considerable gifts or skills of the people who live here.

When I started my own information technology services company, I chose a space that seemed to be dominated by players who were not trying very hard and who were very low tech in their delivery systems, and who offered mediocre quality. That spelled 'opportunity' and indeed it was a huge opportunity.

A tour of the Canaan-Davis-Thomas area has historically been quick to yield complaints from business owners blaming the seasons or weekly cycle, or the population for their struggles. Similarly, a survey of visitors over the years would quickly reveal stories of poor service, closed business doors, lack of beer selection or similar letdowns when engaging the local marketplace. If you think I am generalizing, it is because I am, since if one is not willing to generalize, one cannot understand underlying trends.

Better food, better service and better products are not necessarily code for "less affordable." Better means niche products -- not ones available at Walmart. Better means hand crafted foods rather than just mass produced ones. Better means chatting with the customer rather than listless order taking. Is it really necessary to behave like a zombie when ringing up groceries? Better means busting out the superhot hot sauce. Better means offering locally made and baked pastries that are out-of-this-world delicious. Better means being inspired to put some style into what you offer and how you offer it to the marketplace.

I'm not saying that every business that is slogging along without getting articles written about its innovation is a loser. What I am saying is that the visitors and residents are here and will do much more with local businesses than they do today. There is no cart or horse here. Great businesses attract more consumers and more consumers allow more businesses to start and grow. Fortunately for the Canaan-Davis-Thomas business community, there is plenty of opportunity to design a business for success. Add to that structural opportunity the fact that Corridor H and national trends will continue to interest more people in this little jewel named Davis, and I think we will see many more business success stories.