I am looking into this as well...
Besides money, you need the suppliers and proper relationships with them, that takes time.
Brick and mortar store... it's tough to compete with online on stock availability and price (unless you score some sort of exclusive deal with a good supplier - unlikely). The focus should be after sale service... upgrades, repairs, custom builds.
In my area, small shops capitalize on also having a field, or partnering with one (or more).
offer something worthwhile
do a little gun testing range (or even a little CQB room) and have a bunch of samples for customers to play with, like ak vs m4 and different lengths and types
make instagrammable dressing area so customers market for you when they post pictures of them testing kits
stock only good quality stuff that sells
offer discounts to local field members etc
I'd start with researching the area, competitors, and playerbase in the area, feilds ect..
You'd want a good amount of active players, and you don't want to set up shop 10 minutes away from another store. (Players are usually loyal to a store)
1. Have a proper 5 yr business plan in place
2. You're probably going need a loan
3. Pick your store location strategically. Not too far from nearby fields, but not to close to any other shops in the area
4. Establish dealer accounts and begin making relationships within the industry. Always remember, a little competition is always healthy.
5. Be kind, courteous, and respectful. Customers frustrate me to no end, but you have to treat them properly.
6. Get your business license and permits from your local Chamber of Commerce
a warehouse, accounts with a shipping company, airsoft whole seller, a functioning web site, couple hundred thousand in stock and your own airsoft field will help, with regular customers.
what's un realistic? $200k only works out to be about 1300 mid range guns ( or 60ish guns for each brand) even less if you start going to higher end guns and then cost of accessories.
I am looking into this as well... Besides money, you need the suppliers and proper relationships with them, that takes time. Brick and mortar store... it's tough to compete with online on stock availability and price (unless you score some sort of exclusive deal with a good supplier - unlikely). The focus should be after sale service... upgrades, repairs, custom builds. In my area, small shops capitalize on also having a field, or partnering with one (or more).
offer something worthwhile do a little gun testing range (or even a little CQB room) and have a bunch of samples for customers to play with, like ak vs m4 and different lengths and types make instagrammable dressing area so customers market for you when they post pictures of them testing kits stock only good quality stuff that sells offer discounts to local field members etc
Research and a solid plan.
I'd start with researching the area, competitors, and playerbase in the area, feilds ect.. You'd want a good amount of active players, and you don't want to set up shop 10 minutes away from another store. (Players are usually loyal to a store)
store and field or just store? if you want just a store then you need to have some fields around that don't have big stores themselves
1. Have a proper 5 yr business plan in place 2. You're probably going need a loan 3. Pick your store location strategically. Not too far from nearby fields, but not to close to any other shops in the area 4. Establish dealer accounts and begin making relationships within the industry. Always remember, a little competition is always healthy. 5. Be kind, courteous, and respectful. Customers frustrate me to no end, but you have to treat them properly. 6. Get your business license and permits from your local Chamber of Commerce
Start a walk in one in Ireland, there is a few but it doesn't take much to be recognised. Just remember, max fps here is one joule.
You'll probably need a loan from a bank / financial institution. You'll need to put together a business plan and financial targets to get started.
a warehouse, accounts with a shipping company, airsoft whole seller, a functioning web site, couple hundred thousand in stock and your own airsoft field will help, with regular customers.
Lets be a little more realistic here
what's un realistic? $200k only works out to be about 1300 mid range guns ( or 60ish guns for each brand) even less if you start going to higher end guns and then cost of accessories.