Random Question for Information and General Discussion

[m58]

The history of Great American Business and our nation's firearms industry is cottage industry.  Men with drive went for it.  As we try to change the tide (I know that BHO claims it changed a couple years ago, but I don't believe him) we need people with drive and ambition.

What does it take today to start a Second Amendment based business in today's market in the United States of America?

Identify your niche in this market (sales, manufacturing, distributing, training, facility, etc.), and how it could legally and economically be done.  I prefer a business that produces something and distributes it.

Let the party begin!

[tombogan03884]

Identify product or service, (New product or after market modification ?)
Trademark, copyright or license as needed
Business plan
Financing
Set up ( facility, staff, insurance, tooling, prototypes )
Marketing

In my opinion the most difficult part of the whole thing is coming up with the original idea .
Something that will be greeted with "hey, I could use one of those" instead of, Ho hum, another bolt action, AR, 1911 etc" .
Services are a little easier, how ever you need to study your market, why isn't there a good gunsmith in the area ?
Are there no good gunsmiths around here, or did the last one starve to death ?
If he starved to death was it because there was no market, or was he not reaching that market ?

[Solus]

My hunch says to find a way to focus on the growing women's firearm market...not exclusively, but make it a priority.  

If you have a range with a few separate Woman's Only lanes, Women's Night for discount rates, Mixed Pairs casual competition and what ever other ideas might work.

Toss in some staff who can market to women and you might have a go at it.

Wouldn't be surprised if more men started turning up either.
 

[TAB]

I agree with tom, the 2nd biggest hurtle is getting $$$$ to do it. Going thru the patten process is a pita and $$$.     just the patten process can cost 10s of thousands.      I looked into building a product a few years back.  It was going to be made out of injected moulded plastic( only way costs could be kept down)  long story short I was looking at about 50k.  That was just pattens and moulds.   

[tombogan03884]

I agree with tom, the 2nd biggest hurtle is getting $$$$ to do it. Going thru the patten process is a pita and $$$.     just the patten process can cost 10s of thousands.      I looked into building a product a few years back.  It was going to be made out of injected moulded plastic( only way costs could be kept down)  long story short I was looking at about 50k.  That was just pattens and moulds.   

I worked on the prototypes of the "Lasik" eye surgery lasers, what TAB says is very true and if it requires any kind of Gov approval, like the Lasik did it's even worse because you can't even think about beginning to recover your investment until every lawyer in DC has signed off on it.
My employer wound up waiting almost 2 years for their money through no fault of the designer.

[jaybet]

Tab is right. With original products the front end costs are pretty high. You could start out with similar products that you buy wholesale and market to your target customers, meanwhile working on your "breakthrough" product.  I like Solus' idea a lot too. Look how many women and men go to nightclubs on "Ladies Night". Fill a room or range with women with guns and men who like both will flock to you as well.

[kmitch200]

I agree with tom, the 2nd biggest hurtle is getting $$$$ to do it. Going thru the patten process is a pita and $$$  just the patten process can cost 10s of thousands.. 

Is that taking divisions through North Africa and Europe? 
No, wait...that's the Patton process...never mind.

Just poking fun.....I've read that if you start a business, you better be prepared with 2 years of funding before profits are coming in.
Don't know if thats true but in this economy it very well could be.

[PegLeg45]

Is that taking divisions through North Africa and Europe? 
No, wait...that's the Patton process...never mind.

Just poking fun.....I've read that if you start a business, you better be prepared with 2 years of funding before profits are coming in.
Don't know if thats true but in this economy it very well could be.