To start a pro-shop - investment / ideas?
 

Not a decent archery place for 200 miles -
Wondering if any have had experience starting a shop - how long it took - what kind of investment $ and what you would like to see in one. Have a model in mind but like to hear your inputs. If your thinkin about discouraging me - you'll have to stand in line... just looking for ideas though.

RE: To start a pro-shop - investment / ideas?
 

The very finest way to remove all pleasure from a great hobby is to turn it into a business.

I firmly believe that. And that is based on experience.

RE: To start a pro-shop - investment / ideas?
 

I know what you mean, I don't have a true archery proshop within an hour drive of my house! All I know is what I look for is, freindly service, fair prices, items in stock that I am looking for, more than a couple of bows in stock, and I want to be able to test shoot a bow before I buy it! You would be suprised how many places don't allow you to test shoot befrore you buy. I would love to have the ability to start my own proshop, but I don't have the money, time, or guts to do it! I wish you well on your idea, and I hope it works out for you.

TAKE YOUR KIDS HUNTING AND YOU WON'T BE HUNTING FOR YOUR KIDS

RE: To start a pro-shop - investment / ideas?
 

I started a shop to support my hobby 2 years ago. I set up a bow & let the customer shoot the bow, some times even let them take it home for a day or to.I stock accessories broadheads,quiver kits,releases,arrows & found a dist. to get orders to me next day.
stock one line of bows but have access to alot more. Started investment $5000.00
Keep it fun, fair & honest. It supports my hobby very well.
Go for it !!! & good luck
greg

RE: To start a pro-shop - investment / ideas?
 

I've condidered the same thing time and again. The only problem is that every small shop here keeps going under...due to 2 big hunting stores. They are hunting/fishing only and do a nice job, but there is no personal touch in their business. That makes it hard to go there.

RE: To start a pro-shop - investment / ideas?
 

pro-line
start as hobby offer the personal touch
you will be surprised & pleased good luck

RE: To start a pro-shop - investment / ideas?
 

BTrack,I can't tell you from personal experience but the shop I go to I remember he started it in his basement on a small basis.I asked him one time I would of loved to do what he was doing but didn't have the money to start.He said he started out with a few thousand dollars but put everything back into the business untill he got going strong.
He also worked during the day at another job and kept his shop open at night and on the weekends.It seemed to work out he has moved twice now to find a bigger place.The reason I go to him he will sell you anything you want but will also let you know if it safe or not to do or sometimes even needed.I would warn you of one thing though most archery shop owners lose alot of time hunting
if at all because that is when they are the busiest and make their profit so beware of how much you like to hunt and how much time can you be away from it.Good Luck

RE: To start a pro-shop - investment / ideas?
 

Don't ask me..... I'm &quot;Standing in line&quot;.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

If you don't have an idea of what it will cost, how long to get it going, and YOUR &quot;model&quot; doesn't include those things.... you got a long road. It'll cost as much as you want to put into it. How big do you want it? You've got thousands of dollars in start up cost having nothing to do with archery. If you have to borrow a lot, it's going to cost. You'll have to have at least a 3 and 5 year business plan with projected sales growth and revenues for the bank. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Landlords want money too. You start paying those cost before you sell the first arrow head. You have to beable to float the tuff times. You have to have money to get a loan. You have to have experience in the field to get loans and some leases. Saying I like archery a lot doesn't do it. If you've never run a business.... being pretty won't help. I've owned my own business for 30 years. I've been thru bad times and good times. It's not all pretty. As far as the shop, you have to have knowledgeable help, be open when people want you open, stock what they want, and make them feel they're getting something special. You'll be surprised to learn who of your friends will still shop at &quot;Discount Bargain Barn&quot; once you show them all they need to know. You can't be the cheapest guy in town and make any money. You can't be the cheapest guy in town and pay the bills. If you can't make money at it..... DON'T DO IT. You can't compete on PRICE and expect to be happy or successful. You're not in it to establish a &quot;GOOD PRO SHOP&quot;. Just because there is none within 200 miles.... doesn't mean there can be. If the market doesn't support it that's why there is none. Your soul purpose should be to make MONEY.... not have a good pro shop. You can't try to meet everyones needs. In my opinion.... If you have to ask strangers on a talk forum what to do or what they want..... You don't have a clue about making it work. You say don't try to discourage you... I won't. The business community and free market economy have a way of weeding and doing those things. Have fun.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: To start a pro-shop - investment / ideas?
 

You should start the shop.....theres not enough of them.

RE: To start a pro-shop - investment / ideas?
 

You need to line up distributors and see what kind of inventory you'll need and its cost. Start with what you're familiar with and go from there. With a good distributor you can get delivery in a few days. No need to carry 60 different broadheads, same with arrow shafts. Kinda hard to say what you'll need to invest, when I started $3000.00 was my inventory cost, but that's been decades ago. Unlike some I think the purpose for the first few years should be to establish a good shop and get customers. You have to make enough to cover expenses of course, but don't try to make your entire living out of it. If you do you're sure to burn out or go broke. Service sells but in todays economy price will make a big difference.