bait/archary/hunting shop any idea or hints

[bigtim6656]

My dad has been talking about opening a bait/archary/hunting store.

As he does not hunt it i would be running it. Now i am new to hunting and know some but not a ton of stuff.
WE looked at a building today.
Do any of you know where to get stuff wholesale.

Also how much cash do you think a person would need to start a small shop.
My idea was to sell the bait IE minnows worms so on at or just over cost. To cut out all the local gas stations and the one bait shop in town. The guy sells his bait more then what i pay retail in the next town. The place i buy from sells wholesell but fishing only. I need a place to by the hunting stuff and camping stuff from.

Any ideas where to start.
Also one issue i thought about if i sell bow stuff people will want to shoot there bows. how shot can a range be for indoor test shooting.

[SwampCollie]

ORIGINAL: bigtim6656

My dad has been talking about opening a bait/archary/hunting store.

As he does not hunt it i would be running it. Now i am new to hunting and know some but not a ton of stuff.
WE looked at a building today.
Do any of you know where to get stuff wholesale.

Also how much cash do you think a person would need to start a small shop.
My idea was to sell the bait IE minnows worms so on at or just over cost. To cut out all the local gas stations and the one bait shop in town. The guy sells his bait more then what i pay retail in the next town. The place i buy from sells wholesell but fishing only. I need a place to by the hunting stuff and camping stuff from.

Any ideas where to start.
Also one issue i thought about if i sell bow stuff people will want to shoot there bows. how shot can a range be for indoor test shooting.

Based on what you just said, my best advice would be don't bother.

You can set up a henry's account on your own if you just want stuff at wholesale (at least you used to be able to).

As to how much cash you are going to need.... if you are going to do fishing and hunting (including firearms). Probably at least $150,000, bare minimum.

You'd better have a sparkling clean line of credit right about now too. And a spotless business plan... you aren't going to make any friends or loyal customers by selling bait at or below cost... and you aren't going to make any money either.

When it comes to bows... if you don't know what you are doing... all you are going to do is run people away from you, and give someone a chance to talk about "dummy's" over at your shop who can't even tie in a peep.

Honestly, having worked in the industry for the last eight years.... no amount of money would make me want to go into that business on my own.... especially with the economy the way it is right now.

[Schultzy]

Well said SwampCollie!! My biggest problem with Archery shops Is they don't know enough of what there doing. You better know your stuff damn good If It's something your going to do.

You need lot's of knowledge of what your selling and a good smart business mind to go Into business on your own, It's not roses by any means!

[bigbulls]

Honestly, having worked in the industry for the last eight years.... no amount of money would make me want to go into that business on my own.... especially with the economy the way it is right now.

Ditto. I run an archery shop right now andI promise you that when I am able to get out of hunting retailI will NEVER go back to it.

I made the mistake of making a loved hoby and passion into work and I advise you that if you love to hunt and fish then do not make it your work. I never have the rime to go hunting and fishing likeI did before I started working in it.

[nodog]

You got some good advise above, here's some good old farmer advise (he also was a bean counter for a local company). Boiled down he said most farmers fail from debit they can't cover. They tell themselves they need the biggest best equipment right out of the shoot. He died a wealthy, well respected man. Sorely missed by all who knew him.

[YooperMike]

If you do open a shop, make sure someone else types your ads.

If you like to hunt now, just be happy hunting and don't open a shop. Tough to make any money selling stuff for less than you paid for it.