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

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

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.

Times two..retail is the pits..

 

[Trekchick]

If I were going to do this in your area, I would specialize.
Be a demo center with order on demand, to reduce overhead on stock.

On our recent trip, I borrowed a Thule box from a friend and LOVE it, but I have no desire to own one. I'd like to see ski shops rent those for travelers who only use one once or twice a year.

 

[tjf67]

Just don't use your house as collateral. Set up as an LLC or S-Corp right from the start. Be prepared to fail, and don't be afraid of it.

My .02, provided free of charge.

You can set up any type of corp you want. When you go to a bank for financing they are going to secure it with an asset anyways. If the only asset you have is your house then that will be it.

 

[BigJay]

On our recent trip, I borrowed a Thule box from a friend and LOVE it, but I have no desire to own one. I'd like to see ski shops rent those for travelers who only use one once or twice a year.

Already exists... but a real pain in the ass! These boxes are huge and take up a lot of space... And you need to rent them a lot just to cover the purchase price... You have to rent them something like 100$ a weekend for it to be a good revenue... and i think you normally rent them for about 50$/w-e!

 

[marcski]

I've only perused this thread, can't say that I've read every post, but enough.

As some others have said, there is no way to compete with internet prices, so it will be about service for you. I also think that you should get heavily into seasonal leasing of children's equipment. Might be a bit capital intensive upfront, but it seems well worth it in the long run as well as with regard to getting others in the door to the shop!>

 

[ski_resort_observer]

One of the first steps is location, location, location, parking being one of the keys there. Sounds like you have put some thought into that piece.

I know several independent shops that instead of fearing the internet you take advantage of it as they do a nice little business off their website not to mention it's use as a very cost effective marketing tool.

 

[ctenidae]

You can set up any type of corp you want. When you go to a bank for financing they are going to secure it with an asset anyways. If the only asset you have is your house then that will be it.

House and corporation are two different points- Don't secure with your house, so it's not at risk. Set up as an LLC or S-Corp so you don't have to deal with sole proprietor risk or the hassle of switching later.

 

[tjf67]

House and corporation are two different points- Don't secure with your house, so it's not at risk. Set up as an LLC or S-Corp so you don't have to deal with sole proprietor risk or the hassle of switching later.

Good point.

LLC maybe
S corp waste of money. Put it in into a good liability policy.

 

[tahoeracer]

I worked in the ski industry for over 15 years. It's dead. You need both a robust economy and good snow to make any money.That happpens every 5th year. It's extremely cash intensive plus most equipment manufacturers won't sell to you until you have been in business 3-5 years. So you are stuck trying to open by selling junk. The only time its worth owning a shop is if you are near a good mountain. you aren't even located near a crappy hill. Sorry to be doom and gloom but trust me don't open a shop. Plus Sports Authority and other big boxes are getting intot he game and killing off the small shops. You can't negotiate prices like they can being small.

Plus you never ski. That's your busy time of year. If you want to ski more open something that is super summer intensive and take in the winter of to ski midweek.

I used to have to go to the ski shows and every dealer is miserable. Don't do it!

If you want to try a smaller single man idea try starting with just mounting and tuning. Most shops really suck at this, Charge a fortune and take forever. You could do it in a tiny shop or even your basement.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I

Plus you never ski. That's your busy time of year. If you want to ski more open something that is super summer intensive and take in the winter of to ski midweek.
.

Ding Ding Ding..on point..exact..

What about starting an online ski business??? What are the barriers to entry? I imagine it would be less labor intensive and you could drop ship individual items from a large warehouse located anywhere...Me personally, I've always been intrigued with starting up an ecommerce site..whether it be briefcases or ski socks..the market is pretty swamped with sporting goods retailers but if you can find a certain niche it could work well.

For example I read an article in National Geographic Traveller about a travel company that arranges Skiing adventures in Norway..mainly 6 days in length..it's a little more than doing a trip yourself but you have access to a guide who puts you on the proper ferrys and helps make things less frantic.

Leisure spending is down...people will always buy skis but to bust ass selling skis and gear just to make overhead seems like alot of work..just my inflation adjusted 2 cents..

 

[ctenidae]

Plus you never ski. That's your busy time of year. If you want to ski more open something that is super summer intensive and take in the winter of to ski midweek.

You could buy a farm.

 

[drjeff]

You could buy a farm.

Or open a bikini shop! Not too busy when it's ski season, and a whole lotta fun during the warm weather months!

 

[ctenidae]

Or open a bikini shop! Not too busy when it's ski season, and a whole lotta fun during the warm weather months!

Uh oh- farm and bikini may just give Marc some ideas. How would a goat look in a two-piece?

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Uh oh- farm and bikini may just give Marc some ideas. How would a goat look in a two-piece?

burned..lol

 

[drjeff]

Uh oh- farm and bikini may just give Marc some ideas. How would a goat look in a two-piece?

An open top with a "wardrobe malfunction" going on down below for 'ya c-ten!

 

[ctenidae]

An open top with a "wardrobe malfunction" going on down below for 'ya c-ten!

Dudley, MA police reported a sudden increase in the number of dead kittens recently. A local man with a penchant for goats is wanted for questioning.

 

[riverc0il]

Coming from a store manager, retail is sucking pretty bad right now. Not exactly a great deal of opportunity in any retail, but especially the ski industry. I imagine that soft goods are fairing much better than the hard goods where over production and online are killing it. I would never get involved with ski retail, regardless. SRO makes some good points. Powder days will never ever happen for you again. Those would be your busiest days in the shop. Got a business plan for the summer?