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Author Topic: Question about Proshop ownership and operation  (Read 5473 times)

jmc1972

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Question about Proshop ownership and operation
« on: October 01, 2017, 12:44:56 AM »
I'm considering investing in the game I love. My Wife and I are considering opening a Proshop. I have zero experience in ball drilling, fitting, filling, etc. yet I have many years of experience in sales.

Has anyone been to the schools offered by Jayhawk and/or Innovative?  If we do this we will purchase a complete package from one of these companies which will include the Drill Press, Jigs, Bits, all figment tools, and the list goes on and on. We are figuring it to be somewhere between $35k to $65k after buildout, machinery, and merchandise.

I would like to eventually operate the shop myself.  Will the courses provide a decent stepping stone toward operation?  How long has it taken people to do proper figment, get the ball reaction the customer wants, etc?
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ignitebowling

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Re: Question about Proshop ownership and operation
« Reply #16 on: October 01, 2017, 10:45:07 PM »
Save your money.

Try and get hired at a local proshop when you move to your new house. After a year see if you are still interested in going out on your own…… or if you even make it a year in the business.

It can teach you a lot,  and likely save you a lot of $$$$$ and regret.
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SG17

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Re: Question about Proshop ownership and operation
« Reply #17 on: October 02, 2017, 12:29:42 AM »
my former pro-shop guy had a near monolopy on the county we lived in.  he had customers driving 3 hours one way to visit him.  Has customers in the military that he still ships to, where ever they are stationed.  the dude worked 8-5 M-F in at his construction job, then 5:30 - 8:00 pm in the shop.  all day Saturday and half days on Sunday. 

This guy was/is a top notch ball driller; and the construction job is need to pay his bills.  he frankly only keeps the pro-shop for the love of the sport and the access to the equipment to drill his own gear as he doesn't trust anyone else to the job for him.  I doubt he makes much, if any profit.
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Impending Doom

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Re: Question about Proshop ownership and operation
« Reply #18 on: October 02, 2017, 08:24:27 AM »
Before I opened a shop again, I'd buy the tools and do it from home. Would rather spend $10k on doing something I love and not have to pay rent on it. It's a sad state of affairs in the pro shop business.
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milorafferty

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Re: Question about Proshop ownership and operation
« Reply #19 on: October 02, 2017, 09:49:32 AM »
I think I would spend the money on buying an existing shop instead of starting fresh(if possible).

I don't know squat about running a pro shop, but I do have decent knowledge about running a small business.

Your first goal should not be making a profit, you need to focus on cash flow. These are two completely different things by the way. You can show a profit and still go out of business if you don't have cash on hand to pay rent, taxes, utilities etc.

Buying a bunch of shiny new tools, investing in capital improvements to your shop and adding a bunch of inventory that doesn't turn quickly will be a sure way to churn though your bankroll in short order. If you don't have liquid capital, you will fail, it's that simple in ANY small business.

It's not rocket science as far as ball drilling goes, but I think you probably need super human mental strength for some of the pain-in-the-ass people you will be dealing with though.

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jmc1972

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Re: Question about Proshop ownership and operation
« Reply #20 on: October 02, 2017, 11:47:29 PM »
Quote from: milorafferty on October 02, 2017, 09:49:32 AM
I think I would spend the money on buying an existing shop instead of starting fresh(if possible).

I don't know squat about running a pro shop, but I do have decent knowledge about running a small business.

Your first goal should not be making a profit, you need to focus on cash flow. These are two completely different things by the way. You can show a profit and still go out of business if you don't have cash on hand to pay rent, taxes, utilities etc.

Buying a bunch of shiny new tools, investing in capital improvements to your shop and adding a bunch of inventory that doesn't turn quickly will be a sure way to churn though your bankroll in short order. If you don't have liquid capital, you will fail, it's that simple in ANY small business.

It's not rocket science as far as ball drilling goes, but I think you probably need super human mental strength for some of the pain-in-the-ass people you will be dealing with though.

Thanks for your opinion. I have problem with running a business as I have been a successful business owner for the last 28 years. As far as liquid assets, we have more than we really need. Our retirement accounts are fully funded, our condo is paid off, and our emergency fund can cover at least 5 years of no money coming in. With that said, I still don't wa t to open a business of any kind that won't at least pay for itself and show a profit at year 2. Year one is always the time to work out the bugs as they come. I've looked for an existing shop with clientele, equipment, and stock and I have not been able to find one.
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jmc1972

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Re: Question about Proshop ownership and operation
« Reply #21 on: October 02, 2017, 11:49:31 PM »
Quote from: itsallaboutme on October 01, 2017, 09:06:19 PM
You don't know anything about the technical aspect of the shop, do you know anything about running a business?

Without any drilling experience your sales ability better be on the level of selling ice to eskimos because these days you pretty much need to sell something to everyone that walks in the door.

I don't have any technical knowledge and your sales adage is funny because....yes I have sold ice (machines) to eskimos lol. I have many years of business operation and ownership.
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milorafferty

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Re: Question about Proshop ownership and operation
« Reply #22 on: October 03, 2017, 12:20:25 AM »
Curious, all that experience in business yet you don't seem to have a business plan for this one. Good luck with that.
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itsallaboutme

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Re: Question about Proshop ownership and operation
« Reply #23 on: October 03, 2017, 07:08:06 AM »
Opening a shop is no more than buying yourself a job.  Unless you are in a perfect location in a busy bowling center the best you are going to do is cover wages.  And depending on the income level you are used to and what you feel your time is worth you probably won't even do that. 

There are probably less than a handful of shops in every state that gross over $150k per year.  Those locations get gobbled up quick if they ever open up.  Being realistic you are going to be doing well if you gross over $100k. If you run a tight ship and do a fair amount of labor you can get your cost of goods below 50%.  Figure your expenses and you will quickly realize the pro shop isn't exactly a good business opportunity.  In an established market like DFW it is good money chasing none. 
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Impending Doom

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Re: Question about Proshop ownership and operation
« Reply #24 on: October 03, 2017, 08:07:32 AM »
I've thought about opening my own shop again, but only if I could place a server rack in the backroom, manage my actual money making profession from the shop, and have 24 hour access to it. So I'd basically work my normie job 8-4, shop 4-9.

But I also like to see my kids and wife, so there's that...
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jmc1972

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Re: Question about Proshop ownership and operation
« Reply #25 on: October 03, 2017, 09:52:57 AM »
Quote from: milorafferty on October 03, 2017, 12:20:25 AM
Curious, all that experience in business yet you don't seem to have a business plan for this one. Good luck with that.

Figured I'd ask questions of those with experience. It doesn't appear it'd be worth the time to work up a business plan since it seems to be either a break even or loss type of business. If I had millions a year and needed a write-off company then maybe it'd be worth it.
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milorafferty

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Re: Question about Proshop ownership and operation
« Reply #26 on: October 03, 2017, 10:00:00 AM »
Quote from: jmc1972 on October 03, 2017, 09:52:57 AM
Quote from: milorafferty on October 03, 2017, 12:20:25 AM
Curious, all that experience in business yet you don't seem to have a business plan for this one. Good luck with that.

Figured I'd ask questions of those with experience. It doesn't appear it'd be worth the time to work up a business plan since it seems to be either a break even or loss type of business. If I had millions a year and needed a write-off company then maybe it'd be worth it.

Fair enough. Then I think I would just do it in my garage.
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Kegler300800

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Re: Question about Proshop ownership and operation
« Reply #27 on: October 03, 2017, 11:03:11 AM »
>> yes I have sold ice (machines) to eskimos lol.

But can you sell an elevator to Geronimo?

Anyone know where that quote came from? I do.
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jmc1972

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Re: Question about Proshop ownership and operation
« Reply #28 on: October 03, 2017, 12:48:50 PM »
Quote from: milorafferty on October 03, 2017, 10:00:00 AM
Quote from: jmc1972 on October 03, 2017, 09:52:57 AM
Quote from: milorafferty on October 03, 2017, 12:20:25 AM
Curious, all that experience in business yet you don't seem to have a business plan for this one. Good luck with that.

Figured I'd ask questions of those with experience. It doesn't appear it'd be worth the time to work up a business plan since it seems to be either a break even or loss type of business. If I had millions a year and needed a write-off company then maybe it'd be worth it.

Fair enough. Then I think I would just do it in my garage.

I thought about that and the issue for me is this....if I'm going to put something in my garage for $19k it better have tires or float lol
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itsallaboutme

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Re: Question about Proshop ownership and operation
« Reply #29 on: October 03, 2017, 01:05:14 PM »
If you are patient and look around you could find a good used setup for $3-4k.  For everything you need.  There are shops closing all the time.  There is no need for a new $10k mill for your garage.
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Impending Doom

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Re: Question about Proshop ownership and operation
« Reply #30 on: October 03, 2017, 01:32:17 PM »
Lol "shops closing all the time" "let's open a shop!"

I'd be the first person to open a shop if it was remotely profitable, but I just can't.
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