Hustle In the Hood: Small Businesses in High Crime Areas Face More Challenges

Hustle In the Hood: Small Businesses in High Crime Areas Face More Challenges

Last night someone rammed their SUV into the fence and security booth of my church in Newark, NJ. Thankfully no one was hurt. This is just one of  a string of challenges that have occurred to our church (and members) over the years. We’ve had robberies, car jackings, stabbings and more.

The New York Times recently reported about the challenges of some Detroit small businesses, and how they’re being helped by the local police.  The story reads, “Years of dogged, incremental work went into the district’s renaissance, much of it led by the nonprofit development group Midtown Detroit Inc. But those who live and work in the area also point to a more unusual catalyst: the Wayne State University police department, which has become the primary security force in Midtown.”

While all businesses face challenges – we’ve got to do a better job at marketing, managing our cash flow, hiring great employees and so much more – I think some businesses face more challenges than others. High crime is one concern in some areas, in other areas, it’s not enough foot traffic, in other areas, it’s a huge brand or big box retailer that looms around the corner, taking away customers each day.

Being the small business entrepreneurs that we are, no matter what our situation we always find ways to not just survive, but thrive. For many of the small businesses in high crime areas, they have to invest in more security and be vigilant to better know who is a potential customer and who is a potential threat.

What I loved most about the article is that it highlights the awesome partnership between businesses, police and consumers. Working together – we can all thrive.

Do you run a business in a high crime area? What additional challenges does that bring t you and how do you use smart hustle to stay ahead of it? I’d love to hear from you.