Virtual Entrepreneur

Make Your Business Virtual

SmallBizTrends:
The Dayton Business Journal has an old article about a small business that is so ‘virtual’ it can just pick up and relocate the company because the owner desires to make a lifestyle change.

John Wilfong wrote about Support Air, a small business that was relocating its entire operation from Miami Florida to the Miami Valley in Ohio. Support Air is a US$5 Million business that sources replacement aircraft parts, operating as an intermediary between the parts suppliers and the aircraft operators. Like an increasing number of small companies it’s international in scope. Most of its business is done by Internet and fax.

What makes the relocation so feasible is the ‘virtual’ nature of the business. This business does not necessarily need to be near its customers, suppliers, raw materials or transportation facilities. It can locate in a place that’s simply convenient to its owner.

The virtual business model is a trend that small businesses have adopted with enthusiasm. We were asked for our opinion in the article whether this was unusual. Here’s what we said: ‘Quickly developing technologies, such as Web-based purchasing systems, cell phones that transfer photographs and video streams have allowed companies to not only shed overhead costs, but to set up shop wherever they want,’ she said.

‘It’s the epitome of ‘less is more’,’ Campbell said. ‘There’s less expense and more profit. The less you have to burden yourself with plants and equipment, the more you can put toward profit. It doesn’t really matter where you’re at nowadays.’