Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

pcchadwick,

Online business is very time consuming and money adds up when you need a shopping cart ,UPS,credit cards etc,etc, seems easier less expensive road, but sometimes that`s not true.Besides the fact that the online idea doesn`t

really make the skate park location important.If you want to use the park as a revenue stream use it. Find your niche and sell to them Direct-Start up costs, just some inventory and a lot of sweat. A La  Michael DELL

Just a thought.......  How about selling at skater events?  You could realize a comparable return to a brick and mortar shop but not have the heavy overhead and other responsibilities a retail establishment demands.  Perhaps you could "sponsor" these events at your park to get them started and also do a little work to bring events to your park.  Then branch out to other area parks and events.  You`ll probably need to secure a vending permit from your town or city (wherever the event is located).  This can usually be a 1 day event permit and doesn`t usually cost all that much. 

As far as finding product to sell~ start making calls to those who manufacture the items you want to carry and find out who their wholesale distributors are.  Call the wholesalers of those products and ask what are their requirements for a retail account.  Tell them you are starting a skate shop business and need further information.  Ask if they dropship.  Ask what their terms are.  Ask what their minimum quantities are.  Ask if they could send you a catalogue or information about the products they distribute.   

You probably won`t get anyone to do business with you until you have a retail operators tax ID and are licensed to do business.  Once you apply and have those secured you will be able to set up accounts with suppliers.

I think that's a good suggestion. Having an online store help defray the start up cost significantly.