New Indoor Arena Eugene OR

[razazarak]

I dont feel that its wrong...i feel its backwards. Sure I can understand they dont necessarily want basement businesses, but some of the best companies came out of basements (microsoft, mac, facebook..well that was a dorm room, etc.). Im looking for wholesale because I wont have a whole lot of capital to begin with, and wholesale is the cheapest way I could go. Besides, it would be a good idea to start having a relationship with manufacturers early if the arena will also be a pro shop eventually. Figure id start with catalog sales and special orders until the arena makes enough to eventually have a stocked pro shop.

Also I would talk with local retailers who retail airsoft equipment, but honestly theres no major retailer who does in the eugene/springfield area except for places like walmart. I have talked with smaller places, like Zapper Defense in the VRC who sells stuff like nightsticks, tasers, and barely touches airsoft, who will let me put up flyers and a few other places, but the only major retailers of airsoft equipment are in the portland area that ive found. Besides I asked in another post which manufacturers people liked best so that I could provide equipment people trusted and wanted, and hopefully at a better price.

[Jewish Ninja]

[Matt]

[razazarak]

I agree, It does seem a bit old fashioned. I have spoken with a few of the manufacturers and they said that they would try to work with me when I get closer to opening. Perhaps when I am in negotiations to get a brick and mortar place or something. But they did say they would work with me somehow so thats good!

[razazarak]

Small update, I designed a logo that im happy with for now. Ill have it touched up another time down the road. Wanted to share it with you guys.

[mrgoldfishybo]

[SierraTango]

[SierraTango]

[razazarak]

Thank you for the replies! So I just want to throw this out, not much movement has been made on ECA. Reason being I found that my credit rating has dropped a little bit for some odd reason...still looking into it. So I am waiting to have a little more on hand moneys to put forward into this endeavor (for licensing, permits, rent costs, etc). I want to have this up before next summer. So I will keep everyone updated! And thank you for the continued support for this idea, I really am looking forward to building it and seeing everyone have a great time!

Kevin

[Transition]

One reason the companies require you to have a store etc, is to protect other retailers. If they just hooked you up with pricing you will go around to local games etc and hook up your buddies with below map pricing, screwing over the other stores. This has happened before and its a big deal. I have HUGE overhead every month with High Ground, I would be pissed at my suppliers if they just allowed anyone with a EIN and re-seller to setup shop next door without vetting them first. What you are looking at starting is going to run you around 150k minimum to get up and running. Figure you will need 30% and two years in business before a bank will even speak to you. I would be spending my time on getting actual demographics for your area, hire a firm to dig into it for you (about 500-700). Write a true business plan, for example mine cost me around $1500, plus research fees and countless hours of work. Even with that and money in the bank and great credit with a full time well paying job they still would not loan me money. Dont worry about maps and layouts right now, you do not even have a building, you will have to plan for things like fire exits, sprinklers, permits, life and safety monitoring, TAXES, building permits, city use permits, security systems, buildout costs, waiver and POS systems, website design and upkeep, web hosting, advertising ( this is where most airsoft shops and arenas fail ) Look around online at what others are charging and what you are getting for it. DO NOT fall into the theory that milsim players will keep the lights on, they wont. Birthday parties, new players, they come back, they spend money. I love seeing new arenas opening up, but until you have all that plus more you are spinning your wheels. We spent 3 years developing HGA, we will be two years in March and have started working on our second location already. It is the most rewarding hardest thing I have and you will ever do, just be prepared for tons of NO's along the way, and start saving every penny cause you will need it.

[mrgoldfishybo]

So is this idea abandoned?..... if not.. Could i get an update?

[razazarak]

I apologize, no it is not abandoned! I have been in and out of work for the past months with nothing really solid to provide for my family yet. Now that may be changing this week (and we are excited). Once I have something solid to provide with, the ideas will continue!

As far as an update, I have spoken with entrepreneurs from NEDCO in springfield and they believe that I have a great idea and they see that it will be profitable and be a small help to the eugene/springfield economy. They applauded the work that I have completed in the business plan thus far and look forward to continuing to help me. We discussed ways to raise and save money specifically for this business venture (I.e. and IDA that matches 3 to 1), etc. Just as well they discussed roughly how long out I would need to plan for to make this a success without going bankrupt. I have also been looking into areas that this business would be able to be located and from my searches I've found that around putters on hwy 99 would be the best bet.

My hope is that once I have this job for my family and begin trucking on this business venture idea again, I hope to have it open and operational by Christmas time or very soon after (like last minute items needing to be taken care of).

I apologize again for not keeping everyone up to date on what has been happening. It has been slow, but it has been happening. Please keep up the support and hopes. I do fall back on them when I start to doubt this business venture. This will happen!

If anyone has any questions, please pm me any time. This way I get an email so I remember to check back!

[Darman]

Really been looking for a more tactical environment, mixtures of long hallways with lots of corners and walls to play around. Basically like a little city inside of a building . Love the idea!!! cant wait to see how it all turns out

[razazarak]

Hey everyone! So I wanted to give an update so you all don't think that this idea is gone.

So, firstly I finally have a job that isnt contract, so I can spend more time on turning the business idea into a reality. Second, I am taking beginning the Financial Foundations course at NEDCO which is the first step towards getting an IDA (Independent Development Account) in which they match 3:1. Third, I spoke with my local credit union and at this point they wouldn't even consider loaning more money until I work on my credit. So for a while now I will need to get gazelle intense on my credit. For anyone who recognizes that term...i am skipping baby step 1 in order to do this right now. And that goes back to me finally having a job lol, im actually able to HELP my credit now! Lastly, ive spoken with the Eugene and Springfield PD Chief's who in turn got me in touch with their security officers and i need to remind them about having their firearms masters to give me a call. So something looking up...NO OBJECTIONS by either chief! The EPD chief actually sounded a little hopeful.

So while im working on my credit, that gives me time to do other things for the business. Ill be saving into the IDA, and doing some fundraising to put into the IDA. By this I mean I will be looking to the chamber of commerce for funding, crowdfunding, etc. and when any funds raised go into the IDA and get matched 3:1, we will be that much closer to opening! Example, if I raise $12,000 and put it into the IDA, NEDCO will match by applying $36,000 into the IDA. If that were to happen I think my bank would consider a much smaller loan to get started sooner. Ill also be working on finalizing the monthly budget, speaking with wholesalers, looking at venues, etc. It will be a miracle if we open by January, but if I do get an IDA AND raise $12,000...I have no doubt we can open by January if not sooner.

So theres an update for you all. Im still here and Im still pursuing this grand idea for everyone! It may even topple High Ground Airsoft j/k! Anyway, when more happens I will keep you all updated. See ya!


Oh on a separate note, my wife is 11 weeks pregnant. SO EXCITED! Have a good day all!

[axisofweasles]

This state is starved for a venue that caters to realism! I think you could open it in Enterprise, OR and people would flock to the venue, if it was of a caliber higher than TAC-OPS or OAA.

The insurance is the worst part, but if TAC-OPS can do it, so can you. And they're crap.