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7 Reasons Why Reno, NV, is a Great Place to Start a Business

1/26/2023

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Are you thinking about moving to Reno, NV? Whether you’re a current or prospective entrepreneur, Reno is a fantastic location to run a business. The city and state boasts all kinds of wonderful opportunities for entrepreneurs. You’ll enjoy robust community support for small businesses, an educated workforce, and no shortage of local resources designed to help local businesses thrive. In a rocky economy, the value of launching a business in a supportive environment cannot be overstated. Below, Waking Girl explores the reasons you should consider setting up shop in Reno.

Availability of Rentals

If you’re not in a position to buy a home, renting is a great alternative, especially in Reno. The city has a variety of rental options at price points suited to various budgets. Look for homes in a neighborhood that fit the needs and wants of your family. 

Once you’ve chosen a few suitable areas, view online listings to find properties in your price range. Most online rental sites will allow you to filter your search results based on your desired number of bedrooms and bathrooms, so remember to take advantage of these tools!

Cost of Living

Living in Reno is more expensive than in many other areas of the country. The cost of housing in Reno is significantly above the national average. This cost of living leaves means your business will need to be more competitive on wages to attract talent.

Strong Sense of Community

The people of Reno have a strong sense of community. As a result, residents are eager to support small businesses, and city leaders prioritize policies that support local ventures. 

High Quality of Life

People in Reno generally enjoy a high quality of life. This is great for business! Community members with access to cultural opportunities, tasty food options, high-quality education, and beautiful green space make for happier, healthier employees. These well-known attractions draw new residents:

  • National Automobile Museum
  • Truckee River Walk
  • Mt. Rose Ski Resort
  • Nevada Museum of Art

Educated Workforce

Thanks to the number of reputable colleges nearby, the city workforce is well-educated. Good local colleges create a vast pool of local talent that benefit businesses like yours! Here are a few top-ranked schools in the Reno area:
  • University of Nevada - Reno
  • Multnomah University Nevada
  • Sierra Nevada University

Proximity to Destination Resorts

Reno is just a short distance from Lake Tahoe. This makes it easy to find high earners and establish valuable business relationships. Plus, your proximity to high income clients will increase your customer base and offer opportunities to scale your business easily.

Your Reno Business Quick-Start Checklist

Are you ready to start a business in Reno? One of the biggest steps is setting up an LLC in Nevada. Once you’ve launched your official business entity, the following are a few organizations that can help you get off the ground:
  • Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce
  • Nevada Economic Development Corporation
  • City of Reno Development Services

Reno could be the perfect home base for you and your business. If you’re interested in this beautiful city, start looking for available rentals, review cost of living considerations, and check out all the local resources that are available to support your business. You will thrive as an entrepreneur in Reno!

If you’re searching for help to wake up your business’s website, contact Waking Girl today!

​Image via Pixabay
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What Happens to Your Website when you sell

4/3/2019

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There is no doubt that how we do business has changed dramatically since the world wide web presented itself. We have seen the demise of brick and mortar businesses all across our country. The last Blockbuster Movie store just closed as a good example. Changes in how we buy goods and services have impacted the traditional process. How we find companies to do business with has changed as well. Phone books and Yellow Pages have been replaced with web domains. Almost every business has some level of web presence these days if they want to stay viable.

When the time comes to sell a business, owners should consider part of the value of their company is their web presence. It is just as much an asset as inventory and real estate. That being the case, business owners that are thinking of selling should invest some effort in making sure their website is current and valuable and can be demonstrated as a generator of revenue. Some web designers do much more than host a site. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) efforts are a good example of additional services that drive traffic and attract sales. Social media posts and ads directed to a  target market can be shown to prospective buyers that your business is viable and current with today's marketing strategies.  A discussion with the web hosting company should be part of the selling process to determine what is owned and if there are any contractual arrangements that would prevent a new owner from assuming the website terms and conditions.

Your website can be modified to include a "hidden" page that can be shown to prospective buyers that give information not visible to the public that could include sales helps such as a history of revenues, profitability, cost of goods, recent evaluations of inventory, real estate holdings, etc. Tapping into the full potential of a website includes working with your web team to promote the value not only of your products and services, but your business as well.
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How the media messes with our minds

12/5/2016

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By now you've all heard about the incident at HUG High School. There was a student with a knife. Campus police disarmed the student by shooting him in the shoulder.

Lawsuits and drama ensue.

But wait! The date on this post is December 5, and the actual event happened on December 7.

And Linda from Facebook claims the event was planned for the 6th, and the media prepared for a big conspiratorial showdown.

Web designers modify dates on the web all the time. We backdate social media posts, blog posts, and any assignments that were supposed to be completed by a certain deadline. We can even modify the dates of an email (it's tricky and not sustainable, but yes, it can be done). Web developers have the power to time travel.

Here, I just traveled to the future:

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Or did I?

The media has certainly given us enough evidence to think that everything they pump out is a massive lie, but in this case, we're just seeing journalists take advantage of Google's indexing rules.

Most likely the news websites prepare the framework for "Today's Hottest" article in advance (just like they do with the paper version). They don't know what's going into that slot when they prepare the framework, they just know that the hottest story is going there.

The date can be manipulated so that Google recognizes that story as "the story that broke first" and other journalists will refer to that story as the "seed" article and draw from it.

That's just media strategy. Not conspiracy.

When in doubt, ask your neighborhood web designer! She'll be the first to join you in the bunker if something is truly amiss.
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Holiday Gift Guide for the Reno, NV Area

11/26/2015

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We are thankful for the cornucopia of businesses that have blessed us with their knowledge, wisdom, and enthusiasm. We wanted to give you a sample of some of our favorites! These businesses offer products and/or services in the Reno and Northern Nevada area. We invite you to get creative and find a unique one-of-a-kind gift for everyone on your list! Want to buy locally, but don't know how to turn house cleaning or live entertainment into a Christmas gift? Just ask! We can help! Thank you, Reno, for giving back with your gifting this year!

Activities, Trips and Tours: Clear the clutter with something to do!

Give the gift of memories! Travel opportunities that range from day trips to week long vacations.
Art studio for kids (and adults)!
For your outdoor enthusiast headed to Mammoth: Ski rental & snowboards!
Machine Gun Party!

Entertaining

Holiday party venue, centerpieces and more!
Schedule LIVE entertainment for your holiday party!
Surprise your loved ones with a singing telegram by this Barbershop Chorus!
Solo violinist offers performances and lessons!

For the Kids (and Kids at Heart)

Get an Art Membership: unlimited art time!
Birthday Parties and Camps at Olympian-owned and operated Gymnastics Studio!
Urban Art Farm offers sewing and art classes.
Toys, games and novelty items for every person on your Gift List!

Health, Wellness & Beauty

Dermatologist-approved skin care products.
Physical therapy and nutrition counseling.
Weight loss and Health coaching!
Pilates, MELT Method and tools so you can say Bye-Bye to body pain!
Gift of relaxation and stress management through hypnotherapy. MP3s available.
Amazing all natural body products, sugar scrubs & fragrance sprays.
Get your hair done for your holiday party!
Personal Stylist--get dressed to impress for your holiday party!

Fine Art, Customized Art--prices ranging from $5 to $5000

Beautiful high end art by Yuyu Yang.
Custom stained glass belt buckles and many other beautiful stained glass items.
Professional level art by local artists.
Unique, one of a kind pottery!

For the Gun Enthusiast

Custom gun holsters
New and used guns and CCW classes.
Guns, gun repair, Jewelry, Machine Gun Parties!
Long Range Precision Shooting System.

Home Improvement

In home audio and security systems!
House & carpet cleaning
Handyman for some extra help around the holidays!
Granite Countertops. Need we say more?
Custom sewing for home decor: tablecloths, drapes and more!
Make room under your tree with personal organizing services!
Put a friend's home or office in order with a gift card!
Yard Maintenance and Snow Removal

Good Eats, Drinks and Catering for your Holiday Party

Gift card for a fabulous dinner!
Great place to grab lunch, dinner or a coffee. Give a gift card to someone you love!
Gift card perfect for dinner and a margarita!
Delectable catering and personal chef! Give the gift of food!

Over 21 Crowd

Hookahs, water pipes, and don't forget nitrous-oxide for the pie!
Novelty toys for kids of all ages!
Whiskey and spirits to get your holiday cheer started!
Give an experience with a night out at Reno's favorite Dive bar!

For the Business Owner

Bookkeeping for the business owner in your life!
Custom business gifts and web design.
From banners to custom table covers!
Gift your favorite business owner with SEO services!

For the Auto Fanatic

Gaskets for the Off-Roader on your list!
Original Factory-Made Wheels
Skip the new car, and go for a car that's looking good as new!
Need the new car? Get help finding the best deal!

Charities to Support

Non-Profit to support bird preservation and bird watching.
Non-profit art in Tahoe area for all to enjoy.
Women's shelter
Offers orthodontic care for children and young adults.

Need a place for your Pets for the holidays?

Dog Lovers: Boarding, Training, Daycare and Grooming services!
Gardnerville Pet Sitting

Do you love your Local Businesses? Like and Share below! :)

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Best of Northern Nevada 2015: Congratulations!

8/6/2015

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Best of 2015
We were excited to see so many Waking Girl websites represented in the 2015 Best of Northern Nevada contest! Congratulations!! YOU make your business great; thank you for letting us tag along for the ride!

Best place to buy a firearm
Willey Brothers Firearms

Best tanning salon
Sunsation

Best pet boarding
Best doggy daycare

On Command

Best selection of local art
Best art gallery
Best independent art gallery

Liberty Fine Art Gallery

Best place to have sex in public
Shea's Tavern

Best Italian
Johnny's Ristorante Italiano

Best Vietnamese
Asian Noodles

Best toy store
Happy Happy Joy Joy



See all the Results!
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City of Reno: A lesson in logos

7/24/2015

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City of Reno Logo
There I was minding my own Facebook business when suddenly an avalanche of opinions started pouring through my feed. Logo this, logo that, city this, city that--honey, grab the pitchfork, we've got a logo to fight off!

In my decade+ of graphic design experience I had never seen design criticism in such magnitude. A whole city with an opinion! If only Logos were on the ballot in November, the polls would be filled!

I have been watching the Biggest Little City campaign for the last few years with glee, admiration and respect. I had the privilege of attending a luncheon that explained all the details, the passion, the reasoning. It was the ultimate Logo Presentation, and the citizens of Reno who never had a chance to attend--certainly missed out.

So let's go through some of these SUPER GREAT questions/comments that have been surfacing in Reno's great design school, Facebook University, where people go to hone their art and graphic design skills so they can fit in with the Teslas, the Apples and all the other innovative Joneses that are so far ahead I am wondering if Texas wants a second shot at the bid.

Question/Comment #1:
It looks like a cattle brand. We don't need no stinkin' cattle brand. We ain't no cow town!
Well when you put it like that! See the image above. All great logos can be turned into cattle brands. The term branding came from cattle branding--it is how a rancher could distinguish his cattle from the neighbor's cattle. Just like when you go to a store and you want to grab your favorite brand, you look for the tag, the label, that signature button. It's usually not super obvious, just tucked inside the collar; but God, you get a sense of pride when you have your favorite brand rubbing up against your body all day. The Reno BRAND is subtle and simple--the way a good brand should be. It works on a subconscious level, tucked into a corner, supporting and identifying whatever wall, sign, shirt, store or project it is attached to. Your psyche spots it as you walk by, and you smile. You're not sure why, but there is something inviting about that building, that event, that business. You want to go in, something is beckoning you! That is why it looks like a cattle brand!

Question/Comment #2:
It's too simple.
Again, look above. The beauty of a simple logo is that it can evolve and function with more complex concepts. Have a white wall? Use the black version of the logo. Have a black wall, use the white version. Want to call it Christmas in Reno--try it in Red and Green*. I'm sure you can recall a few variations of the Nike and Coca-Cola logos. Successful marketing operations rarely go back to the drawing board completely; they just make variations on the theme. Why? We don't want you to have to rebuild a psychological impression every time the seasons, the dimensions of a billboard or the Facebook timeline cover requirements change. By utilizing a simple logo, other concepts can be built around it. Yes, it is simple. Awesome!

Question/Comment #3:
It looks like my 7 year old made it.
Your 7 year old should probably go into graphic design immediately.

Question/Comment #4:
It's so old I think I've seen this before--when I was a baby.
Hey--no one asked you your age, but since you volunteered--yes, great designers pull from historic elements of a business (or city) to give a timeless appeal to a logo. The logo is a throwback to the original Reno Arch. No one is looking to rewrite Reno's history; the creators understand that Reno's history is part of its greatness. But they also get that Reno's future can be even greater.

Question/Comment #5:
Stop? It's a stop sign!!?! OMG!!!!!! PANIC.
An octagon is a respectable shape, and I don't think STOP has it trademarked. It's up for grabs, people! What does an octagon mean to you? Why do you associate that with a STOP sign? And why is that a bad thing in your mind? I just LOVE the psychology behind a good logo! A great logo WILL make you STOP and think, question, evolve. It might even make you want to STOP and stay in Reno for the night, the week--hell, maybe forever. But if you just can't handle the idea of more people stopping in Reno, consider a higher meaning of the octagon which deals with: Regeneration; Totality; Infinity; Rebirth; Transition. Huh. That sounds oddly appropriate.

Question/Comment #6:
Why do we need this. The old one is perfectly fine.
I didn't even realize we had an old logo until this discussion came up. Then I saw the old logo and was reminded, "OMG that thing?! WE HAVE A LOGO AND IT IS SO 1997." I'm not going to bash it (much) because the previous logo was designed by committee and through intense government regulations. It fits all the requirements of the Facebook community, and well--that kind of explains it, doesn't it? To stay relevant to my clients I have to update their websites every month. And then we have to do whole website overhauls every year--just to keep up with technology. As businesses grow and they realize that their original image is no longer relevant--we have to also change their logo and branding. Reno is in an exciting place of transition and innovative growth. It's time for all of Reno to not only consider a new logo, but also a new wardrobe, a new career, a new place to dine, a new habit, a new route to work. If you're still comfortable with the old logo, it may be time for some deep spiritual introspection--what else have you been putting up with for the last 15 years? An abusive relationship, a horrible boss, an extra 40 pounds? Rebrand yourself. Tell the people that are bringing you down to STOP; you're getting a new logo, a new look. Hopefully the Facebook Community will be on board with the new you; I know I will!



*provided that is allowed under the confines of the branding guide.
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Reno, NV 89509
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