I wouldn't worry about saving too many billions for retirement . . . I think the average lifespan for US males has dropped to under 75 years old.
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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@immatthewj just when I was starting to plan my next 20 years, you remind me of reality |
Nashville, Hello. Having done exactly what you are contemplating back in 2008 ( What a fun year to start a business! ), I can only offer my own experience. I run Wolfsong Audio LLC from my home in Dawsonville, Ga. about 30 miles out of Atlanta. Not in my home but in the garage apartment we built out for that purpose. 2 room showroom and office. We carry about a dozen brands and show what I feel to be the "best price to performance ratio" models. Speakers, Turntables, SS power and pre, tube power , preamps integrated amps. Some internet available kit like streamers, Dacs, Roon. Time is split about 60/40 in the showroom and doing in person service calls for auditions, room tune and turntable calibration. It turns out people really like it when they can demo gear in their own rooms with their own systems and their own music. Nearly zero overhead. Not going to retire with giga dollars but I get to do what I love and that is helping people listen to music longer and enjoy it more. Spending time in a customer's home allows me to hear their rig and learn what they like, what performance parameters are most important to them and how they listen. Hours can be long, travel time can be long ( I have customers all over the South and East Coast). But when a guy calls and asks about a $300 Streamer to add to his teenage grandkids TV room so they can stream music, I get a new generation of clients. Market research is great. Exclusivity is nearly impossible. Only sell what you like. Full Stop. Offer a real audition. Read those 4 sentences again.
Best of Luck.
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So you want to stick with 2 channel hi-fi? Not car audio? Not HT? Can your local population support products like those sold by this savvy brick and mortar startup? Note these brands are not sold by your local competition nor online. He emphasizes his expertise in set up and combining the right components. Something you won’t get online or at big-box stores. 2nd other suggestions here to do headphones and such. Maybe not the profit of home stereo but that stuff is maybe the most popular product out there right now (think Bose earbuds). Also those folks may appreciate some nice desktop speakers and maybe even a streamer DAC down the road. |
Take @grislybutter up on his offer......... Btw I could analyze the demographics, age, education, income, etc. if you told us what town it is, that's part of my day job Regards, barts |
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