mossyhorn Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Since there is not a real hunting retail store around I have been thinking about opening one. We have a few bow shops around but you cant buy camo or anything non-bow. Then our Wal-Mart only has one camo pattern they sale and it carries a lot of cheap hunting stuff. I figure if I could open something that carries a lot of camo, works on bows and guns, and sale as much hunting stuff I can it should do really well. The only other spot like this is an hour drive away and I hate having to go all that way just to buy a camo shirt. Say I have a building to put this in...how much do you think I will need to set this place up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Re: I have been thinking... Good luck. I would talk to a bank. Getting started out right from the beginning will take quite a bit of start up money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Re: I have been thinking... I had a friend that tried his luck at a gun shop. He failed because he didn't have the cash to buy quantity and offer the discounts that walmart can. I would look into whether someone like Gander Mountain will sell you a franchise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterfisherman Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Re: I have been thinking... I think it's a great idea and I hope you do well. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rifleman25 Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Re: I have been thinking... Get a big line of credit and good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doughboy1956 Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Re: I have been thinking... The best of luck in whatever you decide to do Josh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Re: I have been thinking... That old saying "It takes money to make money" is very true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HEYMO Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Re: I have been thinking... sometimes its better to start small and keep reinvesting helps keep it going Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Re: I have been thinking... First, if you are going to go into business for yourself, you MUST know what your expenses are! If you do not work from that end, you are going to go broke! Just a rought guess, you would need something in the order of $100,000.00 to $200,000.00 to get something off the ground and be able to survive until the store starts to pay for itself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unioncountyslayer Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Re: I have been thinking... [ QUOTE ] That old saying "It takes money to make money" is very true. [/ QUOTE ] I'm a firm believer in this statement. Right on Tex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Re: I have been thinking... most towns have a development committee to help you. run your idea past them, then listen up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sskybnd Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Re: I have been thinking... you can also make a plain and try to get a gov grant they try to help people with start up money, they say one of the reasons small busness fail is becouse there under capitaled the grants to help you pay the bills till you get a foot hold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horst Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Re: I have been thinking... [ QUOTE ] I figure if I could open something that carries a lot of camo, works on bows and guns, and sale as much hunting stuff I can it should do really well [/ QUOTE ] Be carefull buying as much stuff as you can right off the bat, all that inventory can cost you a fortune if your not able to turn it over regularly, escpecially if your paying a loan on the whole thing.You get charge interest and other fees weather your moving the mrchandice or not.If I was going to attempt it Id start small and see what the customers wanted before filling a lot of shelves.I watched a buddy of mine crash and burn when he got to much inventory in his 2 bait shops and couldnt sell it fast enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Re: I have been thinking... sone towns will offer development grants or start up loans...but ya, Id bet a minumum of 100k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slughunter Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Re: I have been thinking... I have always dreamed of opening an archery shop of my own some day, and still plan to when I get older. let us know what happens -shane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Re: I have been thinking... I think a lot of us would love to do something along those lines but... You will have to be at your store ALL THE TIME to make money. So your hunting time is cutt. You have to compete with Wal-Mart, BassPro, Cabelas and so on... They will beat you ALL the time on price. And since you can order from them (catalog and internet) that will hurt. And dont forget about the internet. You probably should try to sell stuff on there too, because you know EVERYONE looks to there to buy things. I hope you can make it work. But it will be hard and you will need a lot of money to get it started. Just my .02 cents. Start SLOW then build your empire!!! GOOD LUCK!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowJoe Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Re: I have been thinking... I have wanted to do the same thing for the past 8 years and have looked into this pretty deeply. First, look for investors and your community college. If you haven't taken business classes or previously ran a successful business then I'd suggest starting there before you do one more thing. Getting a loan of any sort without that has gone the way of days of old. Banks just won't do it without some sort of experience on your part. As far as the amount of money goes, I'd strongly suggest you get a loan that will not only get you started but also enough to keep you afloat on your payments for at least 1 yr. Part of the money you would need is already there with you already having the building. You didn't however say if you owned the building or were buying it or the location. Check with your local chamber of commerce to find out the busiest street in your town or county. Usually it's near a walmart or local retailer or shopping plaza. This will help you to know the amount of drive by shoppers. If you are near a shopping area, the property will cost 5 -10 times more but in a 20 year run, will make you 30-40 times the amount you would have made somewhere out of the way. I know the first place I want to head in the summer and fall is the hunting department while my wife shops. Think about if you had a hunting store near a shopping center how many husbands will drop off or asked to be dropped off there instead of shopping with their wives. Locating near a local recreation place such as your state parks is ok too and much less expensive. Look to diversify your products and don't always spend the big bucks on something you can buy for bulk and divide yourself into separate packages like seed, arrow vanes, d-loop material or things like making your own string for bows. Some colleges will even offer bowsmithing and gun smithing courses if you and your new staff are interested in paying $300 or so for classes one or two nights a week. Depending on a few factors, I wouldn't jump into anything for less than $300,000 for just product and running cost and much more for a new building in a good location or renovation of an old building into a hunting and fishing store. You might also want to look into regular sporting goods like football, soccer, baseball and other such local grade school and high school sports. Diversity is the key and something walmart doesn't have is the ability to order things per customer. Selling on ebay and amazon are also ways to make money on side and having a brick and mortar store is a plus to many online shoppers. It's a big step but worth it if you go into it knowing it's tough. Don't be afraid to ask questions of established business and you may even be able to get loans based on vocational training of high school students or work study programs. WHo knows, you may be training a future employee and someone who may someday run your business for you while you are in Alaska on a carribou hunt. Good luck and sorry I am so long winded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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