I'm not one to make resolutions, but I am a big fan of goal-setting. Here are a few workable goals you might set for your store. As always, goals need to have three things. They need to be clearly definable, they need a budget, and they need a deadline.

Not Open Yet

If you're not open yet, your priorities are education on a budget and marketing on a budget.

Get your paperwork in order. Put together things like applications, order forms, special order requests, schedules, Plan-o-grams, etc. You might find it boring. I get a big kick out of it.

Budget: $0

Deadline: April 1

Network. Join local Meetups. Become a demo volunteer for at least one game publisher. Run games at a local convention. Become known generally in the gaming community.

Budget: $200 (mostly con fees and costs)

Deadline: July 1

Check local regulations. This phrase appears over and over in my upcoming book, but here's the short version. Check for signage laws, shoplifting laws, sales tax laws, meeting place-related legislation, check to see if there are regulations regarding the purchase and sale of second-hand goods, and see if you need a food permit for snacks and drinks (if you plan to carry those items).

Budget: $0

Deadline: September 1

Newly Open

You still have a ton of things to do in the your first year or so—including things you wanted to do before you opened and couldn't afford.

Get your taxes done on time. This one's a no-brainer, but 20% of all businesses file late. Okay, I made that number up, but it's still important to file on time so you're not at risk of penalties and fines.

Budget: $400 (assuming a reasonably competent accountant)

Deadline: March 15

Draft your website. On paper, that is. Identify what pages you want, how they'll interact, and what your goals are. Price design work. Tip: look to your customer base. You might be able to work out a trade.

Budget: $0

Deadline: May 1

Launch a new game line. I'm not talking about placing an order and putting it on the shelf. Make it a special event. Plan ahead, advertise it in your newsletter, and make a spectacle in your store. Cover the display with a cloth and yank it off in a big ceremony. Have a drum roll and everything.

I recently started a new business—a courier service. When my partner wanted to do a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a local Chamber event, I thought he was crazy. Nobody was going to show up. As it turns out, he's a networking guru. The president of the Chamber showed up, people took pictures, and the booth space was packed. Who knew? We got at least three new accounts from that trade show.

Your event doesn't have to be expensive. Just make some noise. Create excitement.

Budget: $1,000 (merchandise and promotional cost)

Deadline: August

Older Stores

Older stores have programs and infrastructure in place, and the changes tend to be smaller and less often. Education, profit-raising, marketing & advertising, and steady growth are your goals.

Experiment with a new marketing program. Today I counseled a business owner in another industry—martial arts training. A colleague had urged him to cut his new student package cost in half. He was against it at first, but he decided to give it the full-court press based on the source of the recommendation. Enrollment took off, and a large percentage of those students stayed; many of them signed up for a year-long contract. He earned back those discounted dollars many times over. Lesson: sometimes marketing works counter-intuitively. Judge by the numbers, not by your gut.

Budget: $500

Deadline: October 1

Attend the GAMA Trade Show. The value of this event varies, and it might not be worthwhile for everyone. I believe that it's a great learning tool to attend at least once. After that, it's up to you. Train your staff up to do without you for a while, plan your travel, and plot out your seminars and other events.

Budget: $1,200 (travel, GAMA membership, food, hotel)

Deadline: March 16 (last day of the show)

Take a day off. It's entirely possible that you're so wrapped up in your store that you don't even realize that it's been six months or a year since you've had a full 24 hours without answering a phone call or stopping in for a few minutes. Train your crew, provide options for minor emergencies, hand off the keys and get out of there.

Budget: $150 (labor cost of an hourly employee all day, plus $50 for a date night)

Deadline: December 1