Archery Entrepreneur

[Scott E]

Thank you all so much for the feedback. I know the business is tough but I'm going to give it a shot someday. I've been thinking about all the things I can do in archery to make a living and here is my list:

Writing-I've done writing for the ATA, World Archery and USA Archery. I have contacts and if a job somewhere opened up I could possibly get it.

Coaching-I have experience shooting olympic recurve, compound target, 3D and of course trad and I'm a level 3 coach for USA Archery.

Retail-I can make arrows, splice, dip, crest. I don't think a brick and mortar shop is something I'd want to do but online is something I would consider.

I have some ideas and prototypes for different archery products but those are all works in progress.

[Jakeemt]

Hey man most of the pro shops around me sell not only archery gear but guns as well and sometime outdoor gear in general. Archery is a initial a niche market but if you diversify a bit money cane be made.

[twitchstick]

The last 2 years of mine have been spent starting up a restaurant. I have been fortunate and I have been very successful with it. The One thing I would do recommend would be to do good market research to understand what products or services that people really need. Next I would go to your local university's small business development center and talk with them. There is a lot of free business advice out there that will help you with your business plan. It's tough out there with the economy but people are finding new ways to make it work. I have a few friends in the hunting and fishing business. It seems that most of them are ether super specialized or are a jack of all trades. One of my friends has a fishing show, he also is the editor for a magazine, sales bass boats, fishing rods, advertising, etc... etc... to make it work. I say go for it you never know until you do it.

[tarponnut]

I would diversify as much as possible.
I teach school full-time(wish I was off in fall instead of summer,lol), guide anglers and bowhunters part-time, sell some artwork(I'm an art teacher),sell some flies(fly guide),etc.

I DO think there is room for more competition in archery, especially Trad archery. It's a small market but the people are as loyal as loyal gets, customers often become life-long friends.

I really think TV may be the way to go (to make real money). I have a friend filming a new show for a national audience right now.I think TV audiences would really enjoy watching a young traditional archer climb the ropes. There's a very popular show about duck hunters, of all things, that gets a very diverese group of viewers.Look at the popularity of Swamp People,too! The movie, "A River Runs Through It" in the 1990's led to an explosion of new flyfishers(and sales).
It can and should happen to traditional archery.
There are several guys in our midst(Bill Langer for one) that should be on a national stage and have what it takes to draw an audience.Clean cut, laid back, family oriented, like-able people.(I think we've seen enough beer bellied, goateed, ball cap wearing, wheel bow shooting,camo selling, long shot taking, can barely string a sentence together types for one lifetime, but I digress.)
I say go for it.

[vintage archer]

If you would like to end up with a million dollars from your archery business start  out with two.          

That was the advice given to me    

             

[eidsvolling]

I worked for five years at the largest independent outdoor retailer in the country. I am 100% convinced that the outdoor retailers, large and small, constantly miss a golden opportunity to sell to the MAJORITY of the population that has two X chromosomes instead of an X and a Y.

Think about it for a minute: Shooting a bow is inherently fun! I hear that many times in casual conversation with women who have tried it at some point. But they often get little encouragement to get involved in archery and bowhunting.

Walk into any outdoor retailer and imagine you're a woman as you watch the staff and customers. Now go home, sit down and write a business plan to meet the need that you saw was not being met.

As a vital part of marketing your new woman-oriented business, spend whatever you can afford to sponsor the "Becoming An Outdoorswoman" program in your state. Volunteer to serve as an instructor for them. I've done that, and it was a gas.

EDIT: I'd never own an archery business without an indoor range. If they come through the door to shoot, you've already accomplished the major marketing task of any retailer - getting them on the premises. Now sell them something while they've got their minds on archery.

[eflanders]

You have been given a lot of decent advice already.  It is an extremely hard thing to do what you wish.  What it all boils down to is what are you willing to live on, how hard are you willing to work at making clients happy and who else may be dependent on your dream?  Anything is possible if you can make all of the sacrifices and have the fortitude to see it all through.

[eflanders]

You have been given a lot of decent advice already.  It is an extremely hard thing to do what you wish.  What it all boils down to is what are you willing to live on, how hard are you willing to work at making clients happy and who else may be dependent on your dream?  Anything is possible if you can make all of the sacrifices and have the fortitude to see it all through.

[sloaf]

Look at the Kuiu business model.   I think clothing is the business to be in.   Products wear out and customer loyalty exists.   Also the market is huge.   There are few people developing technical hunting clothing right now and market is rapidly growing.   It wouldn't be to late to get in the game there.   My 2 cents.

[Kingsnake]

I agree with almost all of the posts in this thread . . .even the ones that don't agree with each other.

That said, I will offer one caution about making your avocation your vocation.  I have done this with two different careers . .diving and martial arts.  I experienced the pros and cons outlined above.  I have also witnessed others get into and out of those businesses for a variety of reasons.

Unfortunately, I also saw a few "good" people go "bad" and soil not only their personal reputation, but the image of the career/hobby/sport they once loved. Keep your integrity in tact, and you will be successful regardless of the profit/loss statement.

Always be a straight shooter....

Kingsnake    

[Kingsnake]

sorry . . .I meant "intact" . . .one word.

[Archie]

Sorry... for some reason my phone just re-posted something I added to this thread weeks ago!   ????

[nineworlds9]

So far the replies I felt that nailed it best were Kimba's (Lonewolf73), Eidsvolling, and Kingsnake.  All good advice, and definitely beware making your hobbby/love your job.  

I'm young like you and I also daydream about starting a business in trad archery.  I'm a firefighter, so 2 of every three days I have off and pursue secondary income.  I have one 'full time' part-time job at a hospital and also do a little free-lance (formerly full time) classic car resto and my own artwork.  I'm kind of one of those jack of all trades types, that's why I think I fit well into being a firefighter, but opening a small business in a niche that I love like trad archery would really be awesome to attain some measure of freedom beyond my public service career.  I'd say that that could be had pursuing my artwork, but that is currently also a 'niche's niche'--I do large abstract paintings and those are a limited fine arts market and each one is a high dollar item, so sales are few and far between, not enough to make any kind of a living off yet.  

I have strongly considered doing outdoor/archery themed realistic paintings under another name (don't want to affect my success in the high-art arena...kinda like doing high fashion but then selling jeans) but just not sure that kind of art is my thing.  I could try it?  

You guys think there's any market for trad archery paintings??

[Archie]

I think there's people who would be interested in good trad archery paintings.  I think they are interesting, and there are folks who are a lot more 'purist' than I am that would likely be very interested.

[D. Key]

Become a Firefighter in your city or town.  I know a few Firefighters and they all have side jobs. They typically work 24 on 24 on 48 off.  Even while they are working, there is spare time to do something else.

[killinstuff]

Young man, you must have real understanding parents. I'd come delaminated my son told me that after 4 years of school.

Good luck.

[proprod]

Are there any specific product needs that are not being filled currently in the market that you guys can think of?