MidwayUSA is an extremely successful company and after ordering so much $$$ worth of products from them it has got my brain juices thinking of starting a business modeled after them.
I know that starting a business is very expensive and that a lot of new businesses fail after startup. I am working on a business Minor so as I progress through the degree I can make some more well informed decisions if I want to go through with it. Shooting/guns/hunting/etc. has been my favorite hobby ever and has turned into a lifestyle for me and I might as well make money on what I enjoy doing.
This company would probably start out as a smaller shop, selling optics, ammo and guns. Eventually try to start hosting local shooting competitions to help get some recognition. Sooner or later I would expand to larger internet transactions with a sweet website with forums, thorough reviews of products and I wouldn't sell any products if I tested them out and turned out as junk. (Sort of how Liberty Optics operates)
I don't think it would have nearly the stock that Midway has, just selling excellent products and some cheaper products that aren't complete junk just to fill the niche of people that don't want to spend a whole lot. Fast shipping and excellent customer service are paramount to me especially in dealing with online sales.
What are your opinions on this? Is the market dominated by the big dogs (Midway, Brownells, Optics Planet, etc) that I wouldn't stand a chance? I wouldn't mind being a "mom & pop" store for awhile that still does small scale transactions and can still provide the community with thorough reviews and competitions. I have just always wanted to run a small/medium business, but right now I am thinking about starting a bar as well.
So please give me your insight here. Think of it like a mix of AIM, SWFA (forum example) and other smaller businesses. I don't really want to be on the scale of Bud's Gun shop or Midway.
I know that starting a business is very expensive and that a lot of new businesses fail after startup. I am working on a business Minor so as I progress through the degree I can make some more well informed decisions if I want to go through with it. Shooting/guns/hunting/etc. has been my favorite hobby ever and has turned into a lifestyle for me and I might as well make money on what I enjoy doing.
This company would probably start out as a smaller shop, selling optics, ammo and guns. Eventually try to start hosting local shooting competitions to help get some recognition. Sooner or later I would expand to larger internet transactions with a sweet website with forums, thorough reviews of products and I wouldn't sell any products if I tested them out and turned out as junk. (Sort of how Liberty Optics operates)
I don't think it would have nearly the stock that Midway has, just selling excellent products and some cheaper products that aren't complete junk just to fill the niche of people that don't want to spend a whole lot. Fast shipping and excellent customer service are paramount to me especially in dealing with online sales.
What are your opinions on this? Is the market dominated by the big dogs (Midway, Brownells, Optics Planet, etc) that I wouldn't stand a chance? I wouldn't mind being a "mom & pop" store for awhile that still does small scale transactions and can still provide the community with thorough reviews and competitions. I have just always wanted to run a small/medium business, but right now I am thinking about starting a bar as well.
So please give me your insight here. Think of it like a mix of AIM, SWFA (forum example) and other smaller businesses. I don't really want to be on the scale of Bud's Gun shop or Midway.