Help!!!

[ozarkjacobite]

Not sure if this is the right forum or not, but here goes. I'm very interested in opening a Highlandwear store in the Springfield, MO area. What I would like to do is be able to cover everything from casual daywear, (t-shirt with the kilt) to formal (Prince Charlie, etc.) Do any of the vendors on here have any advice they could give me? Also, I would like to keep my prices affordable and would most likely be selling PV kilts, any advice on suppliers? Private messages & emails would be appreciated as well as responses on here.

A HUGE Thanks to all who can help,
Zach Caselman

[KiltedChief]

I hope it happens.I would love to see a shop all things Scottish. You will probably get tired of seeing my face all the time. Best of luck!

[MacLowlife]

OJ,

Do remember that walk in traffic would likely be a huge percentage of your business, so you will probably have to pay higher rent to get a good location. You will find it difficult to compete on the web unless you have really good sources, unique items, etc. Having said that, you may want to have a number of small items ( socks, sporrans, kilt pins, ties) so that people will keep coming in. If some of those items are unique, or better still, unique and inexpensive, you will do nicely.

Someone else can show you a business plan, but the first thing that happens is you have to work ALL OF THE TIME unless you have an employee. The next thing is you have to sit down and figure out how much in sales you have to do just to keep the doors open.

Try to avoid debt, both personal and business. Anything you can do to add value to raw materials ( and while away the lonely hours when customers seem to have forgotten about you) will help your bottom line. If you can knit custom hose or make fur sporrans, or even garter ties, or engrave items, you will have a leg up.

Good luck.

MacLL

[Asser 1]

Zach,

Great idea, I am sure many of us would be hanging out often. I might suggest that along with Highland wear you might expand to Scottish/British items of all sorts food, drinks, collectables broaden the interest level to as many people as possible. Have you ever been to the British Shop or Scottish Shop in St. Charles Missouri? Those would be great to check out and pick their brains.

My final recommendation would be to have a proper pub in the back of your shop with proper food and beer.

Mark

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Zach,

In the present economy I would suggest that opening a niche market retail shop may not be the best of business decisions. Before you start looking to take on the local Irn-Bru franchise I'd suggest you have a talk with your local bank.

[Asser 1]

Excellent advice...

Zach,

In the present economy I would suggest that opening a niche market retail shop may not be the best of business decisions. Before you start looking to take on the local Irn-Bru franchise I'd suggest you have a talk with your local bank.