Find Your Dream Retail Space Without the Stress or Costly Mistakes
Starting your dream shop or café shouldn’t feel overwhelming. Yet, without a clear plan, navigating leases, zoning, and site evaluations can be stressful—and costly.
That’s why I created the Essential Property Brief—a simple, printable tool designed to help you avoid the pitfalls and confidently find the perfect location for your business.
Get clarity. Save time. Avoid costly mistakes.
Find Your Dream Retail Space Without the Stress or Costly Mistakes
Opening your dream shop or café should be exciting — not overwhelming. But without a clear brief, navigating leases, zoning, and property inspections can quickly become stressful (and expensive).
That’s why I created the Essential Property Brief — a simple, professional tool used by experienced retailers to plan their premises. Now you can use it too.
Why Choose the Essential Property Brief?
As a seasoned retail design and project management consultant with over 20 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how the wrong location can make or break a business.
I know the stress, overwhelm, and financial risks that come with opening a shop. That’s why I’m sharing this proven framework to make your journey smoother and more successful.
You don’t have to do this alone—I’ll guide you every step of the way.
Why Use A Property Brief?
Hi, I’m Karyn. Over the last two decades, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers across Australia open beautiful, functional, and profitable shops. From national chains to local start-ups, I’ve seen what works — and what can go terribly wrong.
This is the exact process I’ve used with major clients to choose the right location and get fitout-ready. And now I’m sharing it with you, to help you avoid the stress, stay in control, and feel ready when opportunity knocks.
Created by a Retail Fitout Expert with 20+ Years' Experience
Before any big retailer signs a lease, they start with a property brief. It’s how they define what they need, identify red flags, and make confident, informed decisions. This is your chance to take the same strategic approach — even if you’re just starting out.
The Essential Property Brief will help you:
- Get clear on your non-negotiables before you start inspecting sites
- Save time and avoid emotional (and costly) decisions
- Communicate clearly with leasing agents, landlords, and designers
- Feel confident and in control from day one
Whether you're opening your first store or relocating, this worksheet will set you up for a smoother, more successful journey — just like the pros do.
As a seasoned retail design and project management consultant with over 20 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how the wrong location can make or break a business.
I know the stress, overwhelm, and financial risks that come with opening a shop. That’s why I’m sharing this proven framework to make your journey smoother and more successful.
You don’t have to do this alone—I’ll guide you every step of the way.
What’s Inside the Essential Property Brief?
This step-by-step guide equips you with everything you need to make smart, informed decisions about your retail or café space:
- A Clear Plan for Your Business Needs
- Define your shop name, concept, and customer profile.
- Plan essential spaces like storage, food prep, and customer service areas.
- Critical Site Requirements
- Check for zoning compliance and location-specific needs.
- Assess proximity to competitors and complementary businesses.
- Comprehensive Site Evaluation Checklist
- Ensure your site has loading docks, delivery access, and security.
- Evaluate growth potential in economically vibrant areas.
What’s Inside the Essential Property Brief?
This step-by-step guide equips you with everything you need to make smart, informed decisions about your retail or café space:
- A Clear Plan for Your Business Needs
- Define your shop name, concept, and customer profile.
- Plan essential spaces like storage, food prep, and customer service areas.
- Critical Site Requirements
- Check for zoning compliance and location-specific needs.
- Assess proximity to competitors and complementary businesses.
- Comprehensive Site Evaluation Checklist
- Ensure your site has loading docks, delivery access, and security.
- Evaluate growth potential in economically vibrant areas.
What You'll Receive
When you download the Essential Property Brief, you’ll get:
- A Comprehensive Downloadable Checklist – A detailed, printable guide to help you evaluate properties step by step, so you know exactly what to look for.
- Confidence & Language to Communicate with Leasing Agents – Understand the leasing process and ask the right questions so you don’t get stuck in a bad deal.
- Expert Guidance from Karyn in an Explanatory Video – Get insider advice on how to apply the checklist, avoid common pitfalls, and find the best location for your business.
This is more than just a checklist—it’s a complete system for choosing the right shop space with clarity and confidence.
What You'll Receive
When you download the Essential Property Brief, you’ll get:
- A Comprehensive Downloadable Checklist – A detailed, printable guide to help you evaluate properties step by step, so you know exactly what to look for.
- Confidence & Language to Communicate with Leasing Agents – Understand the leasing process and ask the right questions so you don’t get stuck in a bad deal.
- Expert Guidance from Karyn in an Explanatory Video – Get insider advice on how to apply the checklist, avoid common pitfalls, and find the best location for your business.
This is more than just a checklist—it’s a complete system for choosing the right shop space with clarity and confidence.
Who Is This For?
This guide is for first-time business owners who’ve ever said:
“I want to open a shop, but I don’t know where to start!”
“How do I find the perfect premises for my café?”
If you want to save time, reduce stress, and feel confident in your site choice, this brief is for you.
Who Is This For?
This guide is for first-time business owners who’ve ever said:
“I want to open a shop, but I don’t know where to start!”
“How do I find the perfect premises for my café?”
If you want to save time, reduce stress, and feel confident in your site choice, this brief is for you.
Why You Need This Property Brief?
-
Save Time and Reduce Stress: Know exactly what to look for in a site before you start inspecting properties.
-
Make Confident Decisions: Avoid costly mistakes with a clear understanding of your business needs.
-
Start Strong: Lay the groundwork for a successful launch with the right location.
Why You Need This Property Brief?
-
Save Time and Reduce Stress: Know exactly what to look for in a site before you start inspecting properties.
-
Make Confident Decisions: Avoid costly mistakes with a clear understanding of your business needs.
-
Start Strong: Lay the groundwork for a successful launch with the right location.
What Others Are Saying
Could not recommend Karyn (Setting Up Shop) more highly!! From the very beginning to the very end, Karyn is with you every step of the way. Our first major Café fitout and I can 100% say that we would never have made it even half way to the finish line without her guidance & expertise.
- Melanie Warren
One review will not do Karyn justice - she is efficient, knowledgeable, proactive and understanding. Karyn will save you money, pre-empt problems and have solutions before it happens, and deliver on time.
- Lucy George, Owner, Mumbleberry
But don't just take their word for it. As the founder of Setting Up Shop, I've helped countless aspiring entrepreneurs just like you turn their retail dreams into reality.
And now, I'm ready to share my step-by-step system with you.
Don't take my word for it, here's what some of my past clients have to say:
Could not recommend Karyn (Setting Up Shop) more highly!! From the very beginning to the very end, Karyn is with you every step of the way. Our first major Café fitout and I can 100% say that we would never have made it even half way to the finish line without her guidance & expertise.
- Melanie Warren
One review will not do Karyn justice - she is efficient, knowledgeable, proactive and understanding. Karyn will save you money, pre-empt problems and have solutions before it happens, and deliver on time.
- Lucy George, Owner, Mumbleberry
But don't just take their word for it. As the founder of Setting Up Shop, I've helped countless aspiring entrepreneurs just like you turn their retail dreams into reality.
And now, I'm ready to share my step-by-step system with you.
But don't just take their word for it. As the founder of Setting Up Shop, I've helped countless aspiring entrepreneurs just like you turn their retail dreams into reality.
And now, I'm ready to share my step-by-step system with you.
A smooth delivery, to budget and to our timeline.
On behalf of the Board I wanted to sincerely thank you for your work on our West Village project. Your experience, guidance and negotiating skills ensured a smooth delivery of our new home, to budget and to our timeline. And all completed in a pandemic! Thank you for your professionalism and the extra care you brought to this project. We consider you a valuable part of the Metro Arts family.
- Michael Cottier, Chair, Metro Arts
A smooth delivery, to budget and to our timeline.
On behalf of the Board I wanted to sincerely thank you for your work on our West Village project. Your experience, guidance and negotiating skills ensured a smooth delivery of our new home, to budget and to our timeline. And all completed in a pandemic! Thank you for your professionalism and the extra care you brought to this project. We consider you a valuable part of the Metro Arts family.
- Michael Cottier, Chair, Metro Arts
A wealth of knowledge.
Karyn seamlessly project-managed a new build for me over a number of months. I found her to be professional, organised, and an excellent communicator. She brought a wealth of knowledge to the project that resulted in a finished build that was beyond my expectations. I could not recommend her more highly!
- Clare Sourgnes, CEO, Artisan
A wealth of knowledge.
Karyn seamlessly project-managed a new build for me over a number of months. I found her to be professional, organised, and an excellent communicator. She brought a wealth of knowledge to the project that resulted in a finished build that was beyond my expectations. I could not recommend her more highly!
- Clare Sourgnes, CEO, Artisan
Smooth design and fit out.
Before I began the process I had no idea of exactly how much was involved, and I am so glad that I had the team from Setting Up Shop there with me the entire time. The design and fit out ran so smoothly and this was all thanks to them. If you’re doing a fit out, relocating, or opening a business you need Karyn and Ali on your team! I can’t thank them enough!!
- Alannah Read, Owner, Ella & Jade
Smooth design and fit out.
Before I began the process I had no idea of exactly how much was involved, and I am so glad that I had the team from Setting Up Shop there with me the entire time. The design and fit out ran so smoothly and this was all thanks to them. If you’re doing a fit out, relocating, or opening a business you need Karyn and Ali on your team! I can’t thank them enough!!
- Alannah Read, Owner, Ella & Jade
Smooth design and fit out.
Before I began the process I had no idea of exactly how much was involved, and I am so glad that I had the team from Setting Up Shop there with me the entire time. The design and fit out ran so smoothly and this was all thanks to them. If you’re doing a fit out, relocating, or opening a business you need Karyn and Ali on your team! I can’t thank them enough!!
- Alannah Read, Owner, Ella & Jade
Don’t Wait to Start Your Dream Shop or Café
Download your free printable guide today and begin your search with clarity and confidence. It’s helped countless business owners just like you—and now it’s your turn.
Don’t Wait to Start Your Dream Shop or Café
Download your free printable guide today and begin your search with clarity and confidence. It’s helped countless business owners just like you—and now it’s your turn.