Building Community Relationships: A Newcomer Business Guide for Small Towns
- Gull Lake Events
- Jun 16
- 3 min read
Moving to a small town and launching your first venture is an exciting leap. You’ll be greeted by close-knit community, friendly people at every corner, and the chance to become a favorite local business. But earning trust and standing out (especially when the nearest city is just 50 km away) takes intentional effort. Here are some strategies to integrate your business into the community from the very beginning.
Foundations for Newcomers
Show up at local events, support fundraisers and local organizations. Dive into community life—make your business the best you can, offer top-notch service, and take advantage of new-business assessment exemptions on the Town of Gull Lake’s website to help get started.
“One genuine greeting can open doors across families and friendships.”
Cultivating Trust & Relationships
Be the friendly new face: learn names, recall preferences, and spotlight community triumphs—for example, after the Gull Lake Lions high school football team wins Friday night’s game, post their team photo on Instagram/Facebook with “Go Lions!” When hiccups happen, resolve them cheerfully and publicly reinforce your commitment to quality. Partner with hometown nonprofits—help sponsor a local event or facility, or volunteer at a fundraiser to show you care about more than profits. And always lead with kindness: celebrate fellow businesses, never badmouth competitors, and look for ways to collaborate.
What If Locals Aren’t Visiting?
If foot traffic is slow, don’t panic—pivot. Engage directly with the community by:
Verbal Feedback: Train staff to ask at checkout, “What would bring you back more often?” Record answers on a slip or tablet, then thank participants with a small discount.
One-question comment cards: Display cards at the counter (e.g., “What’s one thing we could do to make you visit more often?”).
3–5-Question Quick Surveys: Email your list or post on your business Facebook page (or any local community group).
“What’s stopped you from visiting us recently?”
“Which days or times are most convenient for you?”
“What product, service, or event would excite you to stop in?”
“On a scale of 1–5, how satisfied were you with your last visit?”
“Any other suggestions we could act on?”
Social listening & review management: Publicly thank positive reviewers and address negative feedback promptly to show you care.
Combine all feedback to tweak promotions, hours, products, or event ideas. Stay visible in local spaces, keep showing up, and momentum will follow.
Expanding Your Reach Locally
Word-of-mouth is invaluable, but savvy newcomers harness social media to amplify their story. Share behind-the-scenes clips on Instagram Stories, post specials in community Facebook groups, and invite local influencers to tag your business. Tag Gull Lake Events and the Town of Gull Lake to tap into their built-in audiences. For visitor traffic, join the Gull Lake Tourism & Economic Development Committee’s highway sign corridor—your billboard fees help town-wide tourism efforts while guiding travelers straight to your door.
Lessons from My Experience
As someone who once welcomed new businesses as mayor—and now features them on my Gull Lake Events site and socials—I’ve seen newcomers flourish and others stumble over avoidable pitfalls. Key takeaways for new-to-town entrepreneurs:
Honor Local Ties: One genuine greeting can open doors across families and friendships.
Lead with Courtesy: Embrace the town’s history, champion established shops (goodwill leads to cross-promotions and referrals), and never disparage competitors.
Dive In Early: Join committees, volunteer, and introduce yourself everywhere.
Build Trust Over Time: Consistency, transparency, and heartfelt engagement turn curious neighbors into lifelong patrons.
Final Thoughts
Small-town success for newcomers isn’t accidental—it’s earned through relationships, respect, and ongoing community investment. Follow these steps, and your business will become Gull Lake’s next local favorite buisness.
Ready to kickstart your small-town success story? Reach out to the Town of Gull Lake Economic Development Officer or join our Gull Lake Business Connection Facebook group to connect with fellow businesses.
Blake Campbell
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