2. speakers
  3. 192369-135653

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?

 

128x128nashvillehifi
emergingsoul
1,167 posts
 

I would take a page from Jay's audio playbook and become a dealer from your basement. Create a YouTube channel and offer advice and expertise something that Jay really doesn't do and cultivate a following. The future of the audio industry is Drop shipments from the manufacturers and the storefront presence is a dying art.

 

mrdon
109 posts
 

Hi, I recall when you had to go out of business. I purchase a Cardas power cable and a Rel T9x from you.. James633 is pretty accurate about how new home builders are installing wall and ceiling units. Point is, that is something you could do by hiring out contractors in the area or just hire a crew that would work for you. That could turn out to be fruitful. Another suggestion was to do this with used components, THAT is a great idea and the way of the future. There is TM audio room, Echo Audio who post newly purchased items daily. Hawthorne is another one out there and Skylabs featuring high end vintage. That is what I would do, buy and sale used audio and most of the sales would be online anyway. Don’t forget the little guy when you make it big! 

 

 

 

 

daveyf's avatar
daveyf
2,875 posts
 

Where I live we have three high end dealers. One works out of his home, the other two have brick and mortar stores. The B&M store owners have been in business for either over 30 years..or just over 5. The one who has been in business just over 5 is simply trying to acquire a long term visa into the US...and once acquired will probably close up shop. The other, well he is sitting on an old lease, has a great relationship with his landlord and is paying way below market rent .

The one fellow who works out of his home, his business plan is knowing a couple of very big hitters who swap gear multiple times a year. These two guys keep him in business, so long as he plays nice with them. They go away, he goes away.

 

B& M stores are failing all around my location ( S.Calif)..mainly due to the fact that the vendors/owners fail to comprehend the total cost of remaining in business through time. They underestimate the impact of rent and rent increases, general over-head, tax impacts, potential legal expenses, the impact of competition; and they over-estimate the demand for their goods and services and the potential volume of sales. Make one mistake in any of these areas and you will pay the price...since all of them have to be under control before a true profit through time is accrued. B&M is a VERY tough business these days.

More to discover