Considering starting a business plan to open a gun shop

[Evil Eve]

Does anyone know what amount of capital I would need to start? Looking for investors but need a solid idea of how much I would need.

[keenkeen]

Sounds exciting, It will be interesting to see what kind of responses you get here on Calguns.

(ps- You will need "capital" to get started, hopefully that was just a typo and you won't need anything relating to the "Capitol" because that is in Washington DC. )

[Evil Eve]

Yeah thanks hopefully I will get some good insight.

[PolishMike]

$150k minimum and 6-12 months depending on what city you are in. Depending on how much TI work you need at your proposed location you may need a lot more cash than that.

[Evil Eve]

$150k minimum and 6-12 months depending on what city you are in. Depending on how much TI work you need at your proposed location you may need a lot more cash than that.

Can I pick your brain a little and ask how did you become a business owner? What were your first steps?

[shafferds]

250,000 - 500,000 includes inventory, staff, ins cost, displays, I recommend 6 months in reserve to cover all expenses (rent, so forth) ammo cost is much more than people think it is.

[PolishMike]

Can I pick your brain a little and ask how did you become a business owner? What were your first steps?

First step is to write a real business plan. Find a suitable location and find your fixed cost. Rent, Power, CC processing, Liability insurance, workers comp, ect. This will show you if your idea is even feasible with the budget you have. You will also have to determine if your city/county allows firearms stores and what extra regulations and costs are associated.
Get actual costs, including shipping, for all your store displays, security grating, vault/and or safes, ect.
Once you have determined it is feasible then secure capital.
Then work on getting your licenses. City first, then Federal then state. You will have to have a location picked out to do this.
Get together with an architect and a general and do the building TI.
Ordering inventory should be your last concern.

Once I had the business plan done it took me about 6 months to open. The business plan took longer to prepare.

[JimSar]

=Evil Eve;8874790Looking for investors but need a solid idea of how much I would need.

Just some questions -

Is a gun shop so profitable that investors will risk their money in such a heavily "regulated" enterprise as opposed to say, __________ (fill in the blank ... food truck, Subway franchise, etc)

Do you recognize a "demand" for another gun shop in the area you are eyeing?

Do you have the stomach to fight the fight with antis as well as city planning, or "city hall" in general?

I've seen many businesses fail because the primary motivation was the owners' passion for the hobby. They failed to do a proper feasibility study, business plan, yes, but geared to attract financing / investors, not really to study if returns are worth the risk.

Good luck, though.

[BucDan]

You'll be going against TDS Guns, Parallax Tactical, and Turners if you plan on marketing in the black rifle market in greater San Diego with Parallax being your number 1 competitor because they've been doing things right and are on track on to becoming San Diego's version Riflegear. DAS, is too far up north to count

Either way good luck! I hope to stop by.

[.22guy]

I can't help you much here, but good luck. Do a lot of research, and then do some more!

I don't suppose you can do the kitchen table FFL route to get you started? I had heard that they were cutting down on those, but my buddy just got his FFL in the last few months and runs it out of a home.

ETA: look for and read a thread here on Calguns by freakshow10mm (I think that's the correct user name). He wrote an informative piece about how to NOT run a business. He started an ammo business and due to variety of factors got in over his head.....

[Arkangel]

You'll be going against TDS Guns, Parallax Tactical, and Turners if you plan on marketing in the black rifle market in greater San Diego with Parallax being your number 1 competitor because they've been doing things right and are on track on to becoming San Diego's version Riflegear. DAS, is too far up north to count

Either way good luck! I hope to stop by.

With a knowledgeable and friendly staff, good selection and better business hours someone could give Parallax a run for their money.

There are plenty of gun shops in SD, but only a handful of them where I spend my money. A combination of high prices, bad hours, FUD, unfriendly staff, small selection or simple geographical distance keeps my list short.

If I could get a Parallax-like experience with better hours I would be all over that place like stink on a monkey.

[Librarian]

See also this thread in the FFL forum - http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=384995

[Dreaded Claymore]

Does anyone know what amount of capital I would need to start? Looking for investors but need a solid idea of how much I would need.

ONE BILLION

[Socalmedix]

Just some questions -

Is a gun shop so profitable that investors will risk their money in such a heavily "regulated" enterprise as opposed to say, __________ (fill in the blank ... food truck, Subway franchise, etc)

This is a very very good question.... I would be wondering what risks you take if one day the government just decides to lock down gun sales or worse by trying to regulate them more than now...

[Agent 0range]

With a knowledgeable and friendly staff, good selection and better business hours someone could give Parallax a run for their money.

There are plenty of gun shops in SD, but only a handful of them where I spend my money. A combination of high prices, bad hours, FUD, unfriendly staff, small selection or simple geographical distance keeps my list short.

If I could get a Parallax-like experience with better hours I would be all over that place like stink on a monkey.

+1. Love Parallax, but not their hours of operation. Keep us posted...I'll give you some business! Good luck.