Starting my showroom again


 

Hello, audiophiles. I would like to get your honest feedback. Back in 2022, I had to close my business in Nashville owing to a series of unexpected occurrences (several deaths in the family, a rapid move to assist my mother-in-law, and a brain operation); all of this necessitated that I close the store in a matter of weeks. It was now a two-hour trek to Nashville. I worked as a glorified gate operator at a chemical company because that is all was available in our small town. I received an opportunity to become national sales director for an audio company, which would provide some income—not much, but enough to go back into the hifi business at the bottom level.

 

 

 

So now you know the incredibly brief version of the story. Here's the question: there is a little town about 30 minutes away that is booming and gaining more expensive retailers like Ulta and StarBucks. So here's the question.

 

Do you believe a small town like that might support an up-and-coming hifi business that sells receivers, speakers like PS Audio, KEF, and other manufacturers at a lower price point until the store can handle more expensive items? The closest "electronics store," Electronics Express, is nearly an hour and a half away. I have had an audio shop since 2003, beginning in Florida. Thoughts?

 

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Showing 1 response by jbcrespomn

I would be hesitant as I started with a home business  in a 50 K city about 70 miles from Minneapolis  and  ended up  moving to a store front  and also another store front in a 100 K city  with closest larger city 3 hours away.  Sold Kef, Quads, spendor, Rogers , Qln and Boston Acoustics, , Vandersteen, Apature

Micro Seiki and Kyocera and Walker TT,  

Kyocera electronics, Denon, Conrad Johnson,  Hafler, Precision Fidelity

Ended up selling cheaper products like JVC, Sherwood, Fisher.

Market could no afford the products. Customers wanted a complete system with equipment rack for $1000. Lost $500,000 in 2 years .  

I was not making much at home even when I was drop shipping. Forced to go to brick and mortar.  Had to buy 1 to show and 1 to go and all COD.  It was a hobby turned into a business ( not a good idea )   Good luck if you do start.  A lot of competition now with internet sales. A lot of home based stores  as competitors.