What do you guys think of this?

comeatmebro

comeatmebro

Active member
Now let me start out and say, that I in no way am in a position to be serious about this yet. I am 15 years old and live in Pennsylvania. I have been thinking about things lately as far as what I want to do in college. And have been thinking about taking the business route. I really don't see myself working for anybody, just not the type of person I am. I have been thinking of opening up my own ski shop somewhere out west. Nothing huge, just a chill ski shop, maybe the "to be" place for locals. I am not around the typical "ski town" out west except when I go there to ski once a year usually. So with that being the case, I don't know how things really work. Anyways, I know that sometimes people get these crazy ideas they think will work, and never do. Would you guys see this being something possible to do? I know I am very young and all of that type of thing, but please throw that out the window and let me know your thoughts about it.
 
It could work...and it would be really sweet if it did. You will need A LOT of capital to start it though. Ski shit is expensive as hell, as we all know.
 
Yeah, that is the thing that really worries me. I just think if it failed, it would really fuck me over in the long run. Like I said I have a lot of time to "plan things out" if you will. It would definitely suck ass for it to not work out, and file for bankruptcy or some shit hahaha.
 
i may be doing it next year, its a huge risk if you go straight for ski gear...most of them fail and you lose a lot of money. i would suggest doing something less costly to start, my brothers roomate runs a store that sells tees and hoodies and its slowly growing into more and more gear for sale. i think i may be doing something like that next year as a way to make some cash while im at school. if you have the right location and the right product anything is possible.
 
Yeah that's what I'm talking about man. Just looking for ideas and stuff. That would be a really good idea, because like you said just selling ski gear is a big risk. And I know it sounds stupid, but I really wouldn't be willing to sell race gear or skis etc. Definitely snowboards and shit though. But i like the clothing and "softgoods" if that's what you call them haha.
 
You can have a credit card with your name on it but it will be on your parents account because you need to be 18 to have your own account.
 
ski shops are dying out because of internet sales. it's cheaper and has a larger selection than most shops. specialty shops are still around, and some good ski shops, but it's really difficult to get one up and running. just a heads up.

if you want experience, try working at a shop for a while, or talk to some guys from local shops or josh at jibij or any other shops, they have a lot of info, and I'm sure most shop owners will be willing to talk to someone interested
 
dude go to college first get a business degree. After college get a small business loan, and open something up. But really go to college. First, college was/is fun as hell, party when you want, ski when you want.. Seriously, if you thinking about the west thing, go to college out there begin to network with people, maybe work in a ski shop (even though you dont want to work under anyone), find out how things work. Second, you really need a degree in business and a great understanding of business to open your own company up.
 
Good idea but...

tons of kids already want to do that. If you have the drive and the ability to live and breath your business for a long time than maybe you will succeed. 98% of all new businesses fail. (not to be debbie downer)

that being said, if that is what you really want to do, get a degree in either finance or accounting (preferrably both) go out and work corporate for a few years ( to get money, build credit, get contacts, and see how a business is supposed to work....then if you still want to, do it! it will be hard but if you put enough time and passion into it, you cannot fail!
 
man guys thanks for all the help. and i definitely plan on going to college, no doubts on that. most likely out west as well. i don't have a problem working for someone while im young, i just wouldn't want to do it for the rest of my life. i completely understand the fail rate, and that it will be hard. but i must say i would be willing to work hard to do it. just being able to keep skiing in my life like that would be awesome. i think it would be a job i would never, ever, get tired of. plus i have a lot of interest in business and things that deal with it.
 
Just a thought...

Try working for a ski company before hand. Work retail with them, then work your way up to management. Once you have some managing experience, you will certainly have the connections you need to open up your own shop. Don't expect to get too far opening a shop on your own coming straight out of college through a bank loan
 
i have been planning on doing the same thing for years. and about a week before i needed to apply to college i started to second guess myself. i would love to run a ski store and i think i would be good at it. but its risking litterally everything
 
yeah it really is scary. i mean i REALLY think i could do this, and i want to. but you never know, losing everything is some scary shit. and i do plan on working in the industry before i go into, i should have clarified that. i don't mind working for someone, just not forever.
 
Taking that on a differents branch. Work for a ski company and work you way up. If you've worked high up enough than you know you want to do it just but that shop or be the manager of that shop. I wouldnt know but if its a small shop like you say you want, you'll probaly have tons of control with the company and have a pretty chill boss.
 
dude just steal a ski shop. break in, change the locks, and just be like "what? this bitch is MINE NOW"

costs less and people will think you're pretty g
 
it's going to be one of those things where everyone smart and educated around you is going to be saying that you are stupid for trying it and that you should just go with the flow, get a job with your educatation and make money in a way that most people do. It's a risk but do it if you get the chance. If you don't you will be stuck working for someone wishing that you tried to open that ski shop not caring about the chances if it was going to fail or not.
 
yeah you gotta start out working retail at a ski shop if you wanna get anywhere. how about instead of taking out a loan to start out, group up some money and invest in stocks/mutual funds and you might be able to get more than enough money out of that, without taking out a loan. plus it'll teach you a lot about business in general
 
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