Welcome to the Shroomery Message Board! You are experiencing a small sample of what the site has to offer. Please login or register to post messages and view our exclusive members-only content. You'll gain access to additional forums, file attachments, board customizations, encrypted private messages, and much more!
|
 GWAR
Scumdog of theUniverse
Registered: 05/03/02
Posts: 1,025
Loc: Antarctica
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
|
 So I want to start a Head-Shop .. 
#9626519 - 01/17/09 04:21 PM (4 years, 3 months ago) |
|
|
Ok..
I live in a smaller town with a population of about 13,000 in Canada, BC, and lately I've been thinking very seriously lately about starting a head-shop, I have a very tight wholesale supplier with very low prices that I have been in regular communication with.
I *think* could make a decent profit if I can move enough products. =)
I have never owned a *real* business before and I'm not quite sure what I'm looking at. So far, I am thinking of opening a small retail shop as well as an online store.
Until recently, there *was* two other places to buy pipes in this town..
1) the pawn shop .. verrrrrrry overpriced ! i could practically cut their prices in half on the same items and still turn profit. My girlfriend bought a vapourizer off them for $250 bux, I later found the same vapourizer online (and ones superior to it) for $150-$100 less.
2) the 'tattoo' shop, which hasn't had a tattoo artist employed at all in the 2 years I've lived in this town. their prices weren't as bad, but they kept irregular hours as the owner was a hard drug user(dealer?).
The tattoo shop hadn't been open in awhile, and in fact the last time i seen it open my ex-roommate was running the place. But he ran a poor shop, and the owner apparently had an issue with him, so that did not last long.
The last time I walked past the place, it was all packed up in boxes and they were scraping their sign off the window. I sort of know the guy, could maybe even make a deal for his old stock ... or take over the same location ? but that's not important.
Anyways ... I am pretty sure that I will have to sell more than pipes, I'm thinking t-shirts hoodies, band apparel, and cool/cheap novelty items... ... maybe ... tobacco/cigars ???
One idea I had was to start a 'tobacco' shop, I could sell smokes and cigars.. but I'm also thinking..
I live in Canada, and this particular town in the summer has cruise ships come thru and a large amount of Americans get off the ship and walk around. I think they may like being able to buy their favourite brands here, but i bet the cruise ship sell them them already so I'd have to beat their prices.
Anyways, any ideas or advice ? I'm just brain-storming here.
=)
Edited by GWAR (01/18/09 07:02 AM)
|
 TODAY
Battletoad
Registered: 09/25/03
Posts: 10,218
Loc: Metropolis City, USA
|
 Re: So I want to start a head shop .. [Re: GWAR]
#9626551 - 01/17/09 04:30 PM (4 years, 3 months ago) |
|
|
Be prepared to deal with small town politics because of the whole tobacco issue. I tried to open a tobacco store in a small town in the USA but after approaching the city council they shat on me even though under current municipal code I could have opened up shop (this is arguable but I lean strongly on my side of the argument).
I might try again in another city with favorable looking laws on the books and just open up shop without talking much about what I'm going to be doing. I'll put a clause in my lease that says if laws change or I get booted then the lease is terminateable at my discretion. I am very sore at and disillusioned with the hippocritcal attitude and bureaucratic process in the so called "land of the free".
Good luck though. Just had to add my 2cents worth of experience.
--------------------
ca'rouse (k-rouz)
intr.v.
To engage in boisterous, drunken merrymaking.
|
ZippoZ
Knomadic
Registered: 06/17/03
Posts: 12,629
Loc: Pongyang, North Korea
|
Re: So I want to start a head shop .. [Re: TODAY]
#9628970 - 01/18/09 12:45 AM (4 years, 3 months ago) |
|
|
every stoner thinks about this, i did for some time myself.
ill do a quick run down on the numbers for you just so you can get a nice smack of reality.
okay, so... we will look at the first 3 months of your operation.
Shop rental
800/mox3=
$2400
security deposit
$800
Utilities (im estimating here)
250/mox3=
$750
labor (this one will kill you, and its just for one person)
8hrs day, 7 days a week, for 12 weeks. @ 8/hr =
$5,376
Inventory (which in reality will cost much more)
$2000
Total
$11,326
you can knock out about half of that if you work it yourself, but you will completely surrender your life to the business.
also, the first 3 months, you wont make much money at all as your biz will not be established....
lofty aspirations, but when i ran the numbers myself, i ran from the project, and fuck, im a glassblower.
--------------------
PEACE
 zippoz
"in times of widespread chaos and cofusion, it has ben the duty of more advanced human beings - artists, scientists, clowns, and philosophers - to create order. In such times as ours however, when there is too much order, too much m anagment, too much programming and controll, it becomes the duty of superior men and women and women to fling their favorite monkey wrenches into the machinery. To relieve the repression of the human spirit, they must sow doubt and disruption"
"People do it every day, they talk to themselves ... they see themselves as they'd like to be, they don't have the courage you have, to just run with it."
|
GWAR
Scumdog of theUniverse
Registered: 05/03/02
Posts: 1,025
Loc: Antarctica
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
|
Re: So I want to start a head shop .. [Re: ZippoZ]
#9629405 - 01/18/09 02:23 AM (4 years, 3 months ago) |
|
|
Thanks for the honest advice.
--------------------
"Freedom to all the people... Brave, true and strong... Freedom to all the people... Unless I think you're wrong!!!"
|
ChuangTzu
starvingphysicist
Registered: 09/04/02
Posts: 2,934
Last seen: 1 hour, 24 minutes
|
Re: So I want to start a head shop .. [Re: ZippoZ]
#9629697 - 01/18/09 03:42 AM (4 years, 3 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Capatalistc nomad said:
you can knock out about half of that if you work it yourself, but you will completely surrender your life to the business.
If it's your business, and you don't absolutely need anyone to help out, then there is no reason to hire anyone until you're established. During the start-up phase, you have to scrounge every penny and work your ass off. Your business and livelihood are on the line, you have no excuse to slack off and pay someone else money you don't have to do your work...
Recalculating using your figures without hired labor for the first 3 months, that's about $66/day of profit, or perhaps $100/day of sales to break even. That's not unrealistic at all. Later on down the line when your internet shop gets established and you're pulling in well more than this, then you can hire someone to help out and start expanding.
|
GWAR
Scumdog of theUniverse
Registered: 05/03/02
Posts: 1,025
Loc: Antarctica
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
|
Re: So I want to start a head shop .. [Re: ChuangTzu]
#9629905 - 01/18/09 04:59 AM (4 years, 3 months ago) |
|
|
Yes, I have looked into some things and I think I'm gonna give it a go, starting with an internet shop and a few sales here and there to friends.
So .. any suggestions for a name ?? =)
--------------------
"Freedom to all the people... Brave, true and strong... Freedom to all the people... Unless I think you're wrong!!!"
|
t00th
something terrible
Registered: 12/03/07
Posts: 3,873
Loc: the dirty dirty
|
Re: So I want to start a head shop .. [Re: GWAR]
#9630013 - 01/18/09 05:48 AM (4 years, 3 months ago) |
|
|
42 degrees
so its 42 with the degree sign so it looks like 420
--------------------
|
GWAR
Scumdog of theUniverse
Registered: 05/03/02
Posts: 1,025
Loc: Antarctica
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
|
Re: So I want to start a head shop .. [Re: t00th]
#9630194 - 01/18/09 07:03 AM (4 years, 3 months ago) |
|
|
Heh, i like that name.
What are the legalities of opening an online store ? Do i need a license?
--------------------
"Freedom to all the people... Brave, true and strong... Freedom to all the people... Unless I think you're wrong!!!"
|
t00th
something terrible
Registered: 12/03/07
Posts: 3,873
Loc: the dirty dirty
|
Re: So I want to start a head shop .. [Re: GWAR]
#9630342 - 01/18/09 07:59 AM (4 years, 3 months ago) |
|
|
its a good one
or just call it burn
--------------------
|
kidaihuan
First Growery Ban
Registered: 07/25/07
Posts: 3,173
Loc: Shanghai, China
Last seen: 2 years, 7 months
|
Re: So I want to start a head shop .. [Re: GWAR]
#9630538 - 01/18/09 09:14 AM (4 years, 3 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
GWAR said:
Heh, i like that name.
What are the legalities of opening an online store ? Do i need a license?
You are supposed to have a business licence, which is easy and cheap, and you're supposed to pay tax.
|
ZippoZ
Knomadic
Registered: 06/17/03
Posts: 12,629
Loc: Pongyang, North Korea
|
Re: So I want to start a head shop .. [Re: GWAR]
#9631216 - 01/18/09 12:57 PM (4 years, 3 months ago) |
|
|
yep,
you need a business license, a tobacco license,
and btw, selling online, is a bad idea.
google, operation pipe dreams.
--------------------
PEACE
zippoz
"in times of widespread chaos and cofusion, it has ben the duty of more advanced human beings - artists, scientists, clowns, and philosophers - to create order. In such times as ours however, when there is too much order, too much m anagment, too much programming and controll, it becomes the duty of superior men and women and women to fling their favorite monkey wrenches into the machinery. To relieve the repression of the human spirit, they must sow doubt and disruption"
"People do it every day, they talk to themselves ... they see themselves as they'd like to be, they don't have the courage you have, to just run with it."
|
geokills
∙∙∙∙☼ º¿° ☼∙∙∙∙
Registered: 05/08/01
Posts: 17,709
Loc: city of angels 
Last seen: 1 day, 17 hours
|
 Re: So I want to start a head shop .. [Re: GWAR]
#9631286 - 01/18/09 01:07 PM (4 years, 3 months ago) |
|
|
I have operated various online businesses since 1997 and to be honest, you can probably just get it rollin' and no one will ask any questions for quite a while. But to go by the book, you should at least get a business license, and look into forming a stand alone business entity such as a Limited Liability Company or an S-Corporation (click here for more info on that). Then make sure you pay your federal income taxes, as well as local taxes for any sales you make to individuals within the state in which you operate.
As nomad noted, since you will be selling paraphanalia, you need to account for the additional risk of selling online.
--------------------
--------------------
┼ ··∙ long live the shroomery ∙·· ┼
...╬π╥  ╥π╬...
|
ZippoZ
Knomadic
Registered: 06/17/03
Posts: 12,629
Loc: Pongyang, North Korea
|
Re: So I want to start a head shop .. [Re: geokills] 1
#9631586 - 01/18/09 02:03 PM (4 years, 3 months ago) |
|
|
actually one thing that i missed is that you are in CANADA!
tolerance for these things is far greater up in the great white north, than it is down here in the states.
if indeed you are interested in going ahead with this, I would suggest the following
start finding some suppliers, more times than not, this will make or break you.
As i mentioned above, i am a glass blower and considered this line of business for some time.
you are going to want to find several different blowers (in canada to avoid import taxes of 25%)
and order a selection of their wears. blowers will usually have a number of 'specialty' pieces that they make. once you get around 50 some pieces of different variety, load them up in a hand gun case and go out to parties, and start selling them in person. see what people around you like, and what they are willing to pay.
now that you know what will sell, and what is hot, you can take the money you made from selling your first case, and roll that into a larger purchase.
I did this for years, and it always worked for me. Some nights out side of concert halls, or at raves i would pull in $500 in an hour or 2.
and it is always a good time.
if you want some more info on any of this, I would be more than happy to help you. While i dont own a head shop, i do run my own business (real estate) and can definately help you with the glass.
i have a few more things to say, but im running out the door.
talk to you later.
--------------------
PEACE
zippoz
"in times of widespread chaos and cofusion, it has ben the duty of more advanced human beings - artists, scientists, clowns, and philosophers - to create order. In such times as ours however, when there is too much order, too much m anagment, too much programming and controll, it becomes the duty of superior men and women and women to fling their favorite monkey wrenches into the machinery. To relieve the repression of the human spirit, they must sow doubt and disruption"
"People do it every day, they talk to themselves ... they see themselves as they'd like to be, they don't have the courage you have, to just run with it."
|
GWAR
Scumdog of theUniverse
Registered: 05/03/02
Posts: 1,025
Loc: Antarctica
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
|
Re: So I want to start a head shop .. [Re: ZippoZ]
#9632046 - 01/18/09 03:39 PM (4 years, 3 months ago) |
|
|
Capatalistc nomad .. PM.
--------------------
"Freedom to all the people... Brave, true and strong... Freedom to all the people... Unless I think you're wrong!!!"
|
LSD 25
Welcome Stranger
Registered: 02/14/09
Posts: 27
Loc: Wonderland
Last seen: 4 years, 2 months
|
 Re: So I want to start a head shop .. [Re: t00th]
#9800986 - 02/15/09 05:06 AM (4 years, 3 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
ksinao said:
42 degrees
so its 42 with the degree sign so it looks like 420
genius
|
qualityhitz
Stranger
Registered: 02/02/12
Posts: 2
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
|
Re: So I want to start a head shop .. [Re: ZippoZ]
#15753416 - 02/02/12 10:10 PM (1 year, 3 months ago) |
|
|
The numbers you crunched could be circumvented a couple of ways... First dont buy your inventory from one supplier at one time. Dont feel bad about having several sources. Second find a quote unquote seedy location, works well in this business, cheaper rent too.
|
DebuteMachine
Psychonaut
Registered: 09/29/06
Posts: 3,173
Last seen: 24 days, 15 hours
|
Re: So I want to start a head shop .. [Re: qualityhitz]
#15787733 - 02/10/12 11:02 AM (1 year, 3 months ago) |
|
|
42 degrees... That shit is tight bro, lol. A state that has MMJ seems like a good place to open. Although out in WV there are 2 head shops that have quite the following.
| |
|
|
You cannot start new topics / You cannot reply to topics
HTML is disabled / BBCode is enabled
Moderator: geokills, Wiccan_Seeker, ZippoZ, automan
4,718 topic views. 1 members, 2 guests and 0 web crawlers are browsing this forum.
[ Toggle Favorite | Print Topic ]
| | |
|
|
|
Images only 
Threaded
Previous
Index
Next
Edit 
Reply 
