I hate my job and want to open a ski shop!

[ctenidae]

You won't be able to compete with the internet on price, so you'll have to focus on service. Unfortunately, I think ski tuning is a pretty low-margin business. However, custom boot fitting could be a profit center, especiallyif you can get a podiatrist on board who makes custom insoles (and can charge insurance for them, like we did for my wife).

The service angle could work, though, thinking briefly on it. You can buy skis anywahere, but where can you get a good tune, or find the nifty gear that needs an expert opinion on, and oten requires a hands-on review? I'm thinking AT gear, tuning equipment, and the like, niche stuff. You can do the same kind ofo thing for bikes, kayaks, adn such, too. And racks. Having more than just the standard Thule display could be a draw- especially if you offer installation, etc (I wonder if house call rack installation would be attractive- I personally wouldn't pay someone to install my racks, but I always seem to be doing it in the middle of the night when it's butt cold and usually drizzling or something. And never have that one extra bolt or piece that I need and can't find, so I have to order a new one) Inventory costs on racks could be huge, though, considering the 40 bazillion different Thule configs alone (as an aside, the private equity firm, Nordic Capital, that owns Thule wrote the value of their EUR 777 million investment to 0 after a 20% drop in profits, and the bank, Nordea, that holds the debt is reportedly in talks to figure out how to keep them alive).

So, after all that rambling, I guess the question is, how do you run a ski shop that doesn't sell (many) skis?

 

[wa-loaf]

Cons: No ski areas locally (Maybe Blue Hills..?)

You are closer to Nashoba and Wachusett. I think there are plenty of people in the area who head there for night skiing and if you put in a good stock of racing supplies you might become a bit of a specialist in the area.

 

[Dr Skimeister]

You may in fact find that procuring the Small Business Loan at this time to be a limiting factor.

 

[ALLSKIING]

Once you do the homework its tough to pull the trigger. But if its your dream don't let it die. Take your time with it all and make sure you have gone through it all. Again the best advise I have seen is go work in a shop and get that "hands on" experience.

 

[ALLSKIING]

You may in fact find that procuring the Small Business Loan at this time to be a limiting factor.

This is also true. Infact I am sure they would want you to have X amount of your own money in savings to use towards the business before they lend to you.

 

[Bostonian]

You are closer to Nashoba and Wachusett. I think there are plenty of people in the area who head there for night skiing and if you put in a good stock of racing supplies you might become a bit of a specialist in the area.

Well when you think about it, there is Nashoba in Westford and Wachusett in Princeton. Also, there is Blue Hills in Milton and Ski Ward in Shrewsbury as the closest places to ski. Now one other thing I was thinking in terms of ski tuning, not only do you have Ski Market which is big in the Boston area, but also REI does tuning (and my friend swears by them for some reason). I also like the idea of getting a podiatrist involved with boot fitting and custom insoles. The more and more I look at it, and if we were to do a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) it looks more like an uphill battle then it is well worth.

I will post my swot in a little while... Should be fun to dissect.

 

[campgottagopee]

All I can add is this----a very good friend of mine who worked/ran the 40 yr old fam biz (2 ski shops) had to close his doors this year.

 

[snafu]

I would say if you are passionate about owning a ski shop - and have a good idea of the risks involved and still want to do it - then by all means do it. If you don't own a house and don't have much personal overhead(family, kids, expensive tastes) you have a good shot at pulling it off. The one big thing against you is the internet, more and more people(me included) go to the local stores, try on stuff, then see how much cheaper we can get it online. Its just the way of the world these days. So service and convenience are your friends.

My suggestion would be to focus that research instead on scratching a particular itch that the average skier would have. Long johns that don't creep down your leg or bring gaitors back. Develop some product(or find undermarketed items) and sell that online and in ski shops. Like others said you will spend tons of time in your shop when you would probably rather want to be skiing. There are other ways to be in the industry without being tied down to a particular place. Not that it would be any easier, but most likely alot more flexible.

I have started my own business and have been at it for over 5 years, its a rocky road full of highs and lows. Persistence is key. It will take more than an MBA to save you.

 

[Bostonian]

Hmm maybe it is a better idea to lobby to get prospect hill re-open at this point

 

[Jisch]

Again driving back to MTB (sorry). Good friends of mine own a bike shop. After years of pretty good business in the low end bikes and a smattering of higher end bikes they decided to change their business model. They still sell the lower end stuff for people who walk in off the street, but they have installed a boutique shop in the top of the store. Couches, expresso machine etc. Up there they sell the highest of high end road bikes, which are all custom sized, ordered and built. So they get the $, but don't have any overhead.

Not saying that would work exactly for a ski shop, but some angle that sets you apart from the Ski Markets etc would be good. I know the local ski shops don't carry anything for AT or even serious XC ski gear, however REI and EMS have those angles covered to some degree. So I guess its back to the Service and knowledge angle.

John

 

[jack97]

Hmm maybe it is a better idea to lobby to get prospect hill re-open at this point

Buy it if you can get thru the hurdles of opening up the place for business. IMO, the after school programs are big for Nashoba, they are making a killing just on the bunny slopes.

The place in Waltham is prime location for a program like that.

 

[Bostonian]

Buy it if you can get thru the hurdles of opening up the place for business. IMO, the after school programs are big for Nashoba, they are making a killing just on the bunny slopes.

The place in Waltham is prime location for a program like that.

I was thinking the same thing. I am actually trying to get myself well situation for something potentially political in the city itself. I know that the mayor has taken prospect hill as a pet project of her own (the part itself not the ski area). The land is owned by the city though, so if anything does happen it would have go through them. I also was speaking to some long time city residents and a local business owner saying how they would love to get the hill back operational. I think if anything, this would be a better angle then opening a ski shop. But to be honest, I don't know the first thing about running a ski area.

Just poaching powder a month ago there, this places needs a ton of work... Re-cutting of trails,re-installation of the lights, and putting in a lift whether it is a rope tow, or a double. Maybe if I can get enough support in the local communtity (meaning waltham, weston, lexington and etc) to at least look at the idea of re-opening Prospect Hill it would be a start?

 

[wa-loaf]

Re-open prospect hill and then put your new ski shop at the base!

 

[billski]

Well when you think about it, there is Nashoba in Westford and Wachusett in Princeton. Also, there is Blue Hills in Milton and Ski Ward in Shrewsbury as the closest places to ski. Now one other thing I was thinking in terms of ski tuning, not only do you have Ski Market which is big in the Boston area, but also REI does tuning (and my friend swears by them for some reason). I also like the idea of getting a podiatrist involved with boot fitting and custom insoles. The more and more I look at it, and if we were to do a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) it looks more like an uphill battle then it is well worth.

I will post my swot in a little while... Should be fun to dissect.

you also need to consider how much of a market Zimmerman's at Nashoba and the shop at WaWa would be your competition.

 

[jack97]

I was thinking the same thing. I am actually trying to get myself well situation for something potentially political in the city itself. I know that the mayor has taken prospect hill as a pet project of her own (the part itself not the ski area). The land is owned by the city though, so if anything does happen it would have go through them. I also was speaking to some long time city residents and a local business owner saying how they would love to get the hill back operational. I think if anything, this would be a better angle then opening a ski shop. But to be honest, I don't know the first thing about running a ski area.

Just poaching powder a month ago there, this places needs a ton of work... Re-cutting of trails,re-installation of the lights, and putting in a lift whether it is a rope tow, or a double. Maybe if I can get enough support in the local communtity (meaning waltham, weston, lexington and etc) to at least look at the idea of re-opening Prospect Hill it would be a start?

show the city how it can be a source of revenue for the city itself and the local businesses. That may fly since the state is cutting back on funds to the local towns and cities.

If you don't know anything about running a ski area, there other opportunities, just imagine the margin the food and beverage services gets during the season or keep the books or run the sales and marketing side of things....


btw.... make sure they add a seeded mogul run

 

[billski]

maybe you should just find a job like a street sweeper, where you get laid off in December, ski all winter and get called back in the spring?

maybe I should too!

 

[BigJay]

Selling hardgoods is the hardest... Most "BC" people are like mountain bikers and buy online when there is a sale... so a "BC-oriented" shop might not be the thing... Racers put lof of money into racing... and change skis every season... and rich families normally pay up for prime equipement... so you'll have to sell high-end racing skis... But hardgoods is a lot harder to sell and less profitable then clothing... but to sell clothing, you have to have a lot of variety... Only getting a few piece of clothing will result in a lack of choices and you customer might just walk away to a big chain store where they have less quality clothing... but lots of choices in colors and sizes...

Being close to a ski area makes you sell a lot of accessories that people tend to loose, forget or upgrade: Hats, Helmets, goggles, mitts and gloves, locks and such... Good money to be made there... A good tune always helps... So you need to have the right equipement that will make a difference. For a shop near the resort a ceramic trim disc will get those edge real sharp and a "good ol' belt" for base-grinding and base bevel will do the trick. Iron-on wax and you've got a 30-35$ tune-up that is worth the trip...

So yeah, opening a shop is hard if you're not near a ski area... I use to manage a ski/snowboard shop for a couple years and loved it... But it was pretty hard being stuck between all these big stores that are like grocerie-stores of skiing... I don't know your area at all... but look real deep into it... If there isn't a shop in your area, why is that? Is there room for one? What territory-brand is available for you? Would you be picking prime brands of leftovers that no one sells or skis on?

 

[Bostonian]

show the city how it can be a source of revenue for the city itself and the local businesses. That may fly since the state is cutting back on funds to the local towns and cities.

If you don't know anything about running a ski area, there other opportunities, just imagine the margin the food and beverage services gets during the season or keep the books or run the sales and marketing side of things....


btw.... make sure they add a seeded mogul run

Maybe what I can do is contact some of the smaller ski areas in NJ and PA (nothing local up here since of competition) along with pulling the books for Blue Hills if I can swing it (I think it is public record since the hill is owned by DCR, but operated by a private company). I can imagine especially for the hotels off in Waltham right down the street; Waltham, Weston and Lexington High close by this could be a boon to the area. If the revenue could be generated that money could put back into the city of waltham, it would help improve the park's image and it would be right down the street for me to ski!

As for the seeded mogul run, done deal lol

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Okay... Seeing that I am completely miserable at work and looking to start something of my own. I was thinking, how crazy would it be to start up my own ski shop in beautiful Waltham? With a small business loan, my MBA, and a passion for skiing... how tough could it be?

Pros: No other ski shop within miles (closest would be Newton, Woburn, Watertown (near brighton), and Framingham).
Cater to the wealthy suburbs of Weston, Lexington, Lincoln and Parts of Newton.
Working in an industry that I love
Passionate people who actually enjoy the winter


Cons: No ski areas locally (Maybe Blue Hills..?)
Recession
Lack of any real industry experience.


What do you guys think?

Opening a ski shop seems like a bad idea..most of the busy periods are during the ski season which cuts into ski time and with e-commerce..more and more skiers and riders are buying gear online

 

[deadheadskier]

As much as you dislike your job, I'd put this dream off a couple of years until you stop seeing head lines like this every day:

Macy's to lay off 7000
Circuit City going out of business, 30,000 jobs lost

I think starting an independent retail venture in today's economic climate is suicide.