Starting a home Traditional Shop

[rraming]

Everyone I bet has thought of doing it - Hard to do if you don't make bows, arrows or something to sell and you better count on online sales as the bulk of your business. You'd go broke paying someone to design, update and promote your website so you better learn that yourself. I do have two in my state as Shaun stated. One he does it full time and the other I think just after he gets done with another job (not sure about that). Keep your current job, you'll need it. Hate to sound negative but it is what it is.

[pumatrax]

I agree ; WAY too much "crap" in the compound market..no matter what you have they want something else...and it's nearly impossible to compete with the mail order companies...I can't tell you how many guys want me to cut arrows OR fletch arrows they bought from some discount place ; it gets discouraging at times..

[minnesota_hunter]

Originally posted by rp65:
Has anyone started a traditional Shop at your home? What was it and how did it go? I would really enjoy it, but not sure what it be like to get started. There is just very little as far as shops that even understand traditional equipment where I live. I even thought about finding a small shop in the area and see if they would start stocking equipment, and offer some knowledge to help them out. I'm no expert buy any means, but I sure know more than any of the shops I go to. The closest Traditional shop from me is about three hours away.

there is one shop not to far away from you that is starting to stock a few things.  gloves, rests, 2 blade broad heads, brush buttons.   everything i have asked him to order for me, he trys to keep on hand. he also bought a recurve earlier this summer,  so that should help.  he is running the shop (wheelie stuff mostly) out of his house. It is on Lake Sarah.  If you do open one,  can i set up a charge account?

[PEARL DRUMS]

It would be helpful for others, but I doubt you would make much cash. Most traditional items are inexpensive w/ little mark up. But I bet the locals would appreciate it very much! All I would need is a sign, I already have the goods piled in my bow shop!

[Bjorn]

There is a million ways to make a buck-try one of them instead!

[Bjorn]

There is a million ways to make a buck-try one of them instead!

[reddogge]

I was in the business of supplying retailers with shelving for 35 years and most of these type businesses fail quickly.  The problem is too small of a market and too much competition on the internet.

If you can find a litte niche that may work like making arrows and selling on the internet or buying and selling used bows, equipment, making quality leather goods, refinishing or restoring bows, etc.  Something the stores don't sell and hard to come by on the internet.

[rp65]

Thanks for the replies. I would never think it would be a full time job, but I think it would be very cool to have a shooting range and just sell a few things to help pay electric and heating. This is mostly a pipe dream, but maybe some day. I go through a small town in Nebraska that had a indoor range and a few supplies and taxidermy mounts they where offering and a couch and T.V. with DVD player. I have never been able to get inside while it was open to talk to the owner, but sure looked like a place I would love to hang out at. I was told he only opens at night or weekends when he has time to be there. I could live with that.

[Hookeye]

On the fixing of bows........you'll be surprised at how grandad's or dad's bow is such a treasured item to a customer, so valuable that most folks won't spend 20 bucks to have the limb twist taken out, nicks repaired and an overall basic cleaning (you know, get that white or yellow garage event paint splatter off it).

On the "hang out" thing, yup, fun place to spend time. You'll get quite a few reitirees and regs who will hang out and never spend a dime.

If you want to have a hangout and make money, it's called a bar  

One thing about your business though.........what can you write off? Is a hunting trip, your truck (with advertising on it) or your new machined riser bow you designed........can part of that stuff be considered a business expense?

It might lessen the cost of having some fun. But at what other expense?

Dunno, just tossing that out there.

[Basic Instinct]

Had a shop and got out of it several Years ago. Hard to compete with the catalog prices, They buy in bulk, Be prepared for the shoppers who tell you they can get it else where for less, Then want all your free advice to set up the Bow or product for them for free. You will get some Loyal customers no doubt, But Most out there buy where it is the cheapest. And where they can get it right now. Everyone including myself I quess expects the most bang for the buck, But there is something to be said for good old fashioned customer service.

[tomwatson]

I have considered opening a shop after I retire. That is still a long way down the road though. I figure that if I can get the business to pay for itself, and it gives me something to do I will be happy. It will be more of a service to other Trad Hunters, and I will go to my mailbox every month and collect my pension. Then again, by the time I retire the Compound Bow may be considered "Traditional."    

Tom