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?
@grislybutter I said nothing about boring, corporate or cubicles. Its a choice to be responsible, to save, to ensure a secure future. To do otherwise is flat out financially irresponsible and dangerous.
Dreaming and hoping for a secure future? Knock yourself out. I have 300 co-workers and it isnt very hard to figure out who is setting aside for tomorrow and who isnt. |
@ghasley you didn't say it, I did. 97% of the world doesn't have 2.34 million or whatever the number is for a "secure" My #1 priority is to take care of my sick mother, support my kids and not to put money away for retirement - it's a binary choice - I can't do both. That's the old model that worked for 2000+ years. I know it's not the model of the last 50 in the US but call me stupid, I know I am not "normal". Sorry for the tangent @nashvillehifi my offer still stands to run the stats on the hifi buying potential of the area. |
@nashvillehifi I was certainly acquainted with your business. You definitely have many years of experience. The key is clientele. So many folks opening up an audio store for the first time have no client base, and they believe they will just show up (Field of Dreams scenario). This is not your first rodeo by any stretch! The question I would ask is, can you recapture your clientele and have a sustaining client base? My best wishes for you, whatever decision you make. |
I’m in Nashville a lot and would love to see another high-end store in that area. With that said, it’s obviously a big risk and you better have substantial financial reserves to get through the startup cost and the first year or two. I don’t think a store would make it selling low or mid stuff. Too much competition from the Internet, Best Buy, etc. As others have said, there is considerable competition at the high end in Nashville. |
