The main factors that can affect a new business are finding a new business that affects you directly in the culture of the place you are building your business.  For example, you will have a tough time having a ice cream business in Alaska.  You COULD be successful but your chances of building that same fabulous business in Nevada or Arizona might be better.  Your concern as any small business owner should be making sure that your business will fit with your surroundings.  Any successful business owner will tell you that makings you are that you are a part of that community holds huge sales as well a big hit with the community.