[stoinkythepig]

This tire mounting thread got me thinking. I have been contemplating starting a little retail business some day (not bike tires). What kind of capital does one really need? I'd guess the place would be <1200 square feet and have maybe $35,000 in (wholesale cost) inventory. What's a typical monthly lease payment for strip mall space?

[Karaya One]

I have customers with small bike shops and they have 75K in inventory.

You have no idea how quickly it adds up.

Scary!

Originally posted by Karaya One
I have customers with small bike shops and they have 75K in inventory.

And not a single stock Kawi turn signal...

[Karaya One]

Independants usually don't have OEM turn signals. Kawi isn't fond of selling them to outfits who aren't their dealers.

Funny how that works.

Originally posted by Karaya One
Independants usually don't have OEM turn signals. Kawi isn't fond of selling them to outfits who aren't their dealers.

Funny how that works.

Sad thing is, my dealer, which happens to be a Kawi dealer, didn't even have them "in stock", thus necessitating the ubiquitous, "I'll have to place an order..."

Man, just thinking about the gaffer behind the parts counter saying that raises my blood pressure...

[dhuze]

Originally posted by stoinkythepig
This tire mounting thread got me thinking. I have been contemplating starting a little retail business some day (not bike tires). What kind of capital does one really need? I'd guess the place would be <1200 square feet and have maybe $35,000 in (wholesale cost) inventory. What's a typical monthly lease payment for strip mall space?

monthly lease at a mall depends on many things.
1. the mall location
2. average local retail space cost
3. the size of your company (i.e. sears will get a better rate than a typical mom and pop store)
4. how well you negotiate a lease
5. how much bussiness you will bring to the mall

There are more reasons. Malls also charge you for a percentage of your yearly profits.
$35,000 in inventory? What are you opening a dollar store?

[Stoneman]

My wife & I have been tossing around the idea of buying a business or starting our own too. My wife's an accountant, and we've been looking heavily into a coupla options. I normally work 50-60 hours a week, so long hours don't bother me. I'm just tired of doing it (18 years now) to put the REAL money and beni's in someone else's pocket, even though they're family. Anyway, I'll be happy to share any info with you, stoink. Then again, why not just look it all up in your dictionary?

I have a dream business that I've been thinking about for a long time. Don't know if I'm too willing to discuss particulars yet as it may be a fairly simple thing to get off the ground, and I don't want wunna you vultures cashing in on my idea

My other concerns with this particular business would be year-round stability and competing with internet businesses...

But I can assure you all that if I was to ever get this going, you'd ALL benefit from it. In a BIG way...

[stoinkythepig]

Originally posted by dhuze

$35,000 in inventory? What are you opening a dollar store?

It was a wild ass guess to be honest. I have almost no understanding of how to run a small business but I have some money available, a very interested limited partner, a wife who is looking for interesting work, (we do just fine on my salary, so it's mostly out of boredom now that my youngest is in first grade) and I have an excellent idea for a small business.

Say then $100,000 in inventory. How much of my own money do I really need and how much can I borrow? Looking to have as little personal risk as possible here. That said, I understand personal risk is a given in this situation, but I imagine everyone does whatever they can to minimize it.

A couple I know bought a little trading post business near my house as a hobby for retirement a few years ago. Without much effort, (they take months off at a time), they grossed $800,000 last year mostly by selling kayaks and canoes. I think they sell over 1000 little boats a season. He makes weeekly trips in the Summer to Old Town ME with a huge trailer and he gets 50 boats at a time. Got me thinking, ya know?