Traditional Archery
03-16-2004 | 03:43 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
From:
Traditional Archery
I am interested in starting my own traditional shop, is there some sort of course you can get into that could teach the ins and outs of traditional archery, as i would like to know everything there is. and im not to sure exactly how one would start there on shop. Im a JR. in highschool right now and im experienced in the field of marketing, this is just a long term goal for me as we do not have any traditional shops here in boise. thanks and sorry for the essay!
03-16-2004 | 05:21 PM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 0
From: Goose Creek SC
RE: Traditional Archery
Archer18,
A good start would to be get rid of the Bowtech VS Mathews action figures at the bottom of your page!
The next step would be to take all the business courses you can in high school and go to college and get a degree in business. And if you can, find a part-time and summer job in an archery shop in Boise, even if all they sell is compounds. They basics of the business will be the same, except when you open a trad shop you won't have to worry about all of the gadgets that are on a compound!!
When you open up the shop, endeavor to have an 8 to 10 lane indoor range of at least 20 yards. Also, if you can, setup a range outdoors with 3D targets.
Bill
A good start would to be get rid of the Bowtech VS Mathews action figures at the bottom of your page!
The next step would be to take all the business courses you can in high school and go to college and get a degree in business. And if you can, find a part-time and summer job in an archery shop in Boise, even if all they sell is compounds. They basics of the business will be the same, except when you open a trad shop you won't have to worry about all of the gadgets that are on a compound!!When you open up the shop, endeavor to have an 8 to 10 lane indoor range of at least 20 yards. Also, if you can, setup a range outdoors with 3D targets.
Bill
03-16-2004 | 10:25 PM
#3
Boone & Crockett
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,295
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi USA
RE: Traditional Archery
Don't take this the wrong way--I don't mean it to be negative, just honest, and maybe a bit blunt.
#1 Finish school, go to college, and get into a business/occupation/trade where you can make good money.
#2 Save up all you can.
#3 Start out with baby steps--part time, limited inventory--don't risk it all in one fell swoop.
#4 KNOW your products intimately. Don't sell a brand that you wouldn't be happy using yourself, even if it's trendy or popular at the time.
#5 Don't shoot people a line of bull--be honest even if it costs you a sale. In the end, it will pay off. This is much easier to do when you stick to #4.
#6 Be ready to give up most of your spare time, including nights and weekends, especially before/during hunting season. Be prepared to miss most of your hunting season to keep customers happy.
#7 If you plan to set up at tournaments, be ready to get hot, cold, dirty, smelly, bug-eaten, worn out. If you plan to shoot, do it first thing in the morning.
#8 Learn to take a butt-chewing without retailliating. Develop more patience than you ever thought possible.
#9 Be prepared to get cheated, lied to, swindled.
#10 Be prepared to fail--have a back-up plan. It's a very tough and competitive bussiness, and can be very seasonal. Very, very few people will ever get rich--it's a labor of love. By this I don't mean expect to fail, but don't let yourself become homeless because you bet all your money on one horse.
Now, those are the negatives based on my experience in the few years I have had an "official" business (going on 5). Starting out is really tough--people have to get to know and trust you, and you will have to earn that trust. A good reputation can take years to build, but can be marred in no time flat.
When it all works out, ain't nothing any more satisfying. If you can make a go of it, more power to you, but for many of us it's an overgrown hobby at best. You do have to love the sport to have a chance at any kind of long-term survival. Opening a store in a place where there is none is great, as long as there are people in the area that are also involved in the sport--there must be a demand for you to supply. If you start off with a bang, most likely you will have a competitor or three jump on the bandwagon, aside from big mail-order stores, Wal-Mart, etc. Your service may make the difference in making a profit or going under.
One of the best things, and one thing that pretty much overrides all the negatives, is the people you get to meet. Sure, you will run across a skunk now and then, but you have to learn to watch for them. Sometimes they will fool you anyway--just mark it up to experience.
Talk to other people that have a store. I don't know of anyone that has just jumped in with both feet and made it work. Learning the ropes and earning your stripes is all part of it. My business isn't a store by any stretch--but I never intended it to be. It's something I love to do, and the rewards outweigh the aggravation.
Think about it long and hard. Research it throuroughly. Talk to people that are doing it--books are no substitute for experience. If you decide to give it a go, best of luck to you--it takes a lot of work, but it sure is a lot of fun!
Chad
#1 Finish school, go to college, and get into a business/occupation/trade where you can make good money.
#2 Save up all you can.
#3 Start out with baby steps--part time, limited inventory--don't risk it all in one fell swoop.
#4 KNOW your products intimately. Don't sell a brand that you wouldn't be happy using yourself, even if it's trendy or popular at the time.
#5 Don't shoot people a line of bull--be honest even if it costs you a sale. In the end, it will pay off. This is much easier to do when you stick to #4.
#6 Be ready to give up most of your spare time, including nights and weekends, especially before/during hunting season. Be prepared to miss most of your hunting season to keep customers happy.
#7 If you plan to set up at tournaments, be ready to get hot, cold, dirty, smelly, bug-eaten, worn out. If you plan to shoot, do it first thing in the morning.
#8 Learn to take a butt-chewing without retailliating. Develop more patience than you ever thought possible.
#9 Be prepared to get cheated, lied to, swindled.
#10 Be prepared to fail--have a back-up plan. It's a very tough and competitive bussiness, and can be very seasonal. Very, very few people will ever get rich--it's a labor of love. By this I don't mean expect to fail, but don't let yourself become homeless because you bet all your money on one horse.
Now, those are the negatives based on my experience in the few years I have had an "official" business (going on 5). Starting out is really tough--people have to get to know and trust you, and you will have to earn that trust. A good reputation can take years to build, but can be marred in no time flat.
When it all works out, ain't nothing any more satisfying. If you can make a go of it, more power to you, but for many of us it's an overgrown hobby at best. You do have to love the sport to have a chance at any kind of long-term survival. Opening a store in a place where there is none is great, as long as there are people in the area that are also involved in the sport--there must be a demand for you to supply. If you start off with a bang, most likely you will have a competitor or three jump on the bandwagon, aside from big mail-order stores, Wal-Mart, etc. Your service may make the difference in making a profit or going under.
One of the best things, and one thing that pretty much overrides all the negatives, is the people you get to meet. Sure, you will run across a skunk now and then, but you have to learn to watch for them. Sometimes they will fool you anyway--just mark it up to experience.
Talk to other people that have a store. I don't know of anyone that has just jumped in with both feet and made it work. Learning the ropes and earning your stripes is all part of it. My business isn't a store by any stretch--but I never intended it to be. It's something I love to do, and the rewards outweigh the aggravation.
Think about it long and hard. Research it throuroughly. Talk to people that are doing it--books are no substitute for experience. If you decide to give it a go, best of luck to you--it takes a lot of work, but it sure is a lot of fun!
Chad
03-17-2004 | 06:28 PM
#4
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Traditional Archery
Chad,
Thanks a lot for the input that helps a lot, i agree with not betting all your money one horse thats a great analogy, i will do a lot of research and think hard about it,
once again THANKS!
Thanks a lot for the input that helps a lot, i agree with not betting all your money one horse thats a great analogy, i will do a lot of research and think hard about it,
once again THANKS!
03-17-2004 | 06:55 PM
#5
Boone & Crockett
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,295
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi USA
RE: Traditional Archery
No problem--didn't mean to soudn so negative--I really enjoy it, but it doesn't put food on the table.
One other thing--several years ago when I helped out in the local archery shop (closed now) there was a dealer magizine that had a story on how to make your shop work in the off-season--primarily by combining it with some other type bussiness to keep you busy (and a check coming). That would be an idea if you ever decide to go at it full-time. This fellow did desiel repair in a shop behind his store.
Chad
One other thing--several years ago when I helped out in the local archery shop (closed now) there was a dealer magizine that had a story on how to make your shop work in the off-season--primarily by combining it with some other type bussiness to keep you busy (and a check coming). That would be an idea if you ever decide to go at it full-time. This fellow did desiel repair in a shop behind his store.
Chad
03-19-2004 | 05:14 AM
#6
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 443
Likes: 0
From: Walker LA USA
RE: Traditional Archery
I think chad hit it on the head.To make it a profitable deal you have to get something to tide you over in the off season.One local guy does alot of team sports stuff,baseball equipment etc..He's managed to stay in business.Another sells fishing tackle very big here.One day when I retire,I have entertained ideas of opening a shop.Would'nt really care if it made any money,just a place to hang out with other bow hunters.Then I can tell stories like an old timer,"well back in the day son"
CB
CB
