I’m typing this at 30,000ft en route to San Antonio in Texas. It’s the fourth time this year that I’ve made the trip to the lone star state with one goal in mind: To find new ideas and ways to grow my business.

How does it work you might ask? Well, me and 17 other business owners have signed up to be part of a business mastermind led by an entrepreneur who has taken her business to a huge level already and is now facilitating a forum where we can all benefit from her knowledge and experience, but more importantly, to put our business models, processes, systems and ideas on the table for everyone else to pick apart, critique and of course congratulate where necessary. It’s quite a humbling experience and you need to leave your ego at the door if you really want to get the most out of it.

I have benefitted hugely from masterminding with a group of peers that “get me” and understand the challenges and hurdles I face in my business.

Some of the advice that I received has really allowed me to take my business to another level and I know that some of the advice that I have given to others in the group has helped them with their challenges.

The life coach and personal growth expert Tony Robbins credits his successes to always being part of a mastermind group. In his words “Always hang around with people who are smarter and richer than you”. That way you’re always learning something.

So, my question is this: who do you get your advice from?, who challenges your business every day?, are you willing to be critiqued and reviewed?

You may have a family friend or associate whose opinion you value who can do this for you or you might pay a consultant to review your business periodically.

Think about how you can utilize someone elses viewpoint and experiences to YOUR advantage.

We are currently considering setting up an online mastermind group for a select few bar and restaurant owners interested on driving their business forward through mutual sharing and coaching. If this is somethng you think would benefit your business, post a comment here and let us know.

Perhaps you have never thought of hiring a consultant to help you with the things you need to get done, but the services they can provide to you are very important for you to thrive as a bar owner!  One of the most important things a bar consultant can do to help you in opening a bar or improve your existing one is to prepare a bar management plan that includes a detailed report of your bar business plan, future expenses and targeted profits.

Who would pass up the chance to work with someone who can help you conceptualize new bar management techniques, leading to greater levels of revenue?  In addition, a bar consultant can help you reduce your startup costs by assisting you in the selection of an ideal property to set up shop.  Working with a bar consultant can be the “in” you need to have access to listings of properties for lease or sale at very reasonable prices.

Once your bar consultant has helped you in opening a bar in a prime location, they can continue to help you with developing the vision of your bar.  Atmosphere, music, themes and service style should all match what appeals to your target market.  Once you establish these aspects, your consultant can help you carry them out by hiring and training people to fulfill the requirements of your bar business plan.  You will have nothing to sell if you do not have dependable suppliers, which of course your consultant should be able to help you establish.

Their network of contacts can help in hooking you up with exactly the right suppliers for your needs.  Finances, advice on future expansions, specific recommendations on menu changes and overall bar management are really just the start of what a dependable bar consultant can accomplish so make sure they have this ability before hiring them.

Being a bar owner has many responsibilities and you can ease your workload by hiring a bar consultant.  Before hiring one person or another, ask them about all these aspects, about their contacts, listings available to them and their personal experience.  You want someone who has done this before with desirable outcomes.  Opening a bar can be as easy or challenging as you want.  If you opt for the easy option, seriously consider hiring someone to help you.