Business is slow, but stable. In fact, you’re already looking ahead to long-term growth. Despite the down market, in fact, because of the down market, now is a strategic time to open a second business. According to Unchartered Waters, Setting Sail for a Second Location Can Be a Great Way to Grow a Business, employees will be easier to find, property will be cheaper, and marketing costs will be down.

The key is to keep realistic expectations and stay on budget. This way, even if you open a second business in a location that’s hard hit, you can look ahead toward promising future prospects. Think about it. If you can succeed in these conditions, you’ll be in a great position once business picks up.

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