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Looking for Mentor and Potential Investors For Outdoor Sports Retail Store

Veteran

Samuel Comer Fayetteville , WV

I am a service connected veteran small business owner looking assistance to expand into the Outdoor Sports retail business. My plan is to open a custom hunting and fishing retail store that caters to the everyday sportman as well as the high end profesional guides and sportsman.

I have contacted a distributor for Lamiglas, South Bend and other retail products for retail stock and I plan to include my own hand made custom goods as well as other local custom made products for sale as well. This would include custom one of a kind fishing rods, fishing nets, fly wallets, knives and similar products.

The only competition within 40 miles is Walmart, Dicks and Dunham's Sporting Goods stores. All 3 of these locations only carry a limited selection of equipment and no custom made products or professional products. There is a Cabela's store approximately 60 miles away from the planned location.

I welcome any assistance that is offered in this venture.

Sincerely,

Sam Comer

5 June 2013 10 replies Small Business

Answers

Advisor

ALAN KARLIN Valley Stream , NY

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATING THIS PROPOSED BUSINESS?

Advisor

Tim Rescigno Lewisville , NC

Email any questions on space management, sales generation, margin enhancement, and expense control to trescigno@jetstreamxpress.com.

Tim

Veteran

Samuel Comer Fayetteville , WV

Thanks for all your help Thomas. I had not thought of the tech strategy for my business plan. I will update you on how repayvets.com works out.

Advisor

Tom Cal, CFA San Francisco , CA

Re repayvets.com, please let us know how it progresses and what you think of the firm.

Re SCORE, if a suitable face-to-face mentor is not available, also pursue remote mentoring that SCORE offers via phone, email, video-conferencing, etc The quality of mentor is mixed, so be sure to pursue a suitable mentor for your project.

Advisor

Tom Cal, CFA San Francisco , CA

I'd incorporate and weave a "technology strategy" into your business plan ... back-office, inventory management, pricing, web, mobile, social-media, customer-tracking and outreach, blogs, eBay, Google Shopping, etc. Many of these will overlap with operations, sales & marketing, etc.

Veteran

Samuel Comer Fayetteville , WV

I have started my business plan and I am considering crowdfunding using a veteran run site www.repayvets.com.

Thanks for all of you help!

Sam

Advisor

Tom Cal, CFA San Francisco , CA

Maybe consider one of the "crowdfunding" sites? e.g. kickstarter, etc.

Or a wealthy customer or potential customer, or a group of customers?

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/crowdfunding-sites/

Advisor

Tom Cal, CFA San Francisco , CA

Do you have a business plan?

Veteran

Samuel Comer Fayetteville , WV

Hi Thomas,

Thanks for your suggestion, I have applied to SCORE and have attended a small business fundamentals class put on by the state of WV. I am waiting for a reply from SCORE and have applied for a small business Patriot Express loan. I am currently looking for funding to fill the gap until my loan is processed.

Sincerely,

Sam

Advisor

Tom Cal, CFA San Francisco , CA

SCORE.org can possibly provide mentors, help you write a business plan, and learn more about financing options, etc.

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