So maybe things aren't so bleak...

Hey all!

Thanks for sticking by me. I know my last few posts have been downers.

Anyways, I was getting some scrap metal out from the neighbor's with the help of some guys, and even though I had permission, the word didn't get through to all the persons that were involved. So I was confronted by the son-in-law of one of the people that I was taking the metal from. Once he saw it was me, there were no more problems. Minor misunderstanding on a few person's part, mine included.

We talked for a bit, and he asked if I was still going to school for programming. I said no, but because of a few reasons, which I explained, and he completely understood them. He then asked what languages I knew, I listed them off, C++, some Java, Python. He thought for a moment, and then asked if I was looking for some work doing coding. I said, 'I wouldn't mind, but I didn't have a firm grasp on the languages.' He said that was fine. I had some working knowledge, and that's what he wanted. He had a lot of coding to do, and had no one to do it.

He said to get a hold of him and he handed me his card. I took it and said I would consider his offer, and that I would get back to him.

I emailed him. I gave him a low price, enough for me to live on, but does not break his bank. I haven't heard back from him, but I didn't expect him to get back to me right away.

Now, "What the hell does this have to do with the store?" is probably close to what you're thinking. Everything. Coding is not 'hard'. While I'm working on the coding, I can also start the business. On-line. Not exactly the avenue I was thinking of going right away, as I had mentioned in a response to a comment of a previous post. BUT, it would give me a bit more flexibility. And a way to build both money and customers.

Some new happenings with the store.

So you don't know much about the person behind the store, and I have reasons for that. I'm not hideous or a complete moron, but I have my reasons. There was a picture of me that I posted of myself, but it has been since taken down. For those that saw it, I'm sure you can agree with the first of the two statements. Even if I'm not your type.

Anyways, One of the factors about me is that I am unemployed. This is partly due to the economy, and partly to do with my personality. The economy is not something I can control, but my personality is. But the one factor in my personality is the need for personal freedom. In which having a boss does not go well. In turn, going with the economy, I am looking to get assistance from as many places as I can.

I had a meeting with the Department of Labor (DoL) yesterday and they have a few programs to help with getting some businesses off the ground when someone is on unemployment. Basically as long as you are accepted into the program, you may work on getting the business together, as long as you meet with people so they can see your progress. Not a bad deal in my opinion.

Let's see, what else is going on with the store? Still trying to make contacts for products, I have a decent list so far, and looking at more companies. Obviously I have not placed an order with any of them, but that will come.

Thanks.

One issue I'm having with the start-up phase

So I've talked to a few people about getting my business going and one of the things they have mentioned is figuring out the demographics out for the store. Well, yeah I have a decent idea about that. But the issue I'm having is where to find out if my target demographic is in the area that I'm looking to open up the store. Now there are a few things in my favor to that goal, due to the other stores in my area, the colleges, and the other economic factors in my area.

But I still don't know where to find the hard facts and figures for the exact information that I need for my business plan. And also where to find business information (e.g. market for products in my store) that I need to get my business plan together. I've been told, "Get your business plan together, and then you can figure out everything else from there.". But if I need the facts and figures for the plan, how do I get the plan together? Kinda of a catch-22. Welcome to my life.

Thanks for reading!

Some movement in the plan for the store!

Alright! I had a meeting today with SCORE, which is a mentoring service for people that are looking to start a business. The meeting was useful, but they didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. But they see a lot of people, so it's understandable that they treat everyone the same. I guess I was just expecting them to not hold my hand as much as they seemed to be, and listen a bit more to what I had already done. Also, I wish they were a bit more up on more current fund raising options. They seemed to be 'business as usual'. Get a business plan together, get funding from a traditional source, start small, build slow and steady. The only thing I agree with them on is 'Get a business plan together'.

I can't wait around after I open to get business coming in. I have to get business in there fast! The reason why is because I will have a lot of stock that has to move. I'm not just dealing with one or two types of products. Off the top of my head, I'm going to be having 6-8 different types of products. Probably more. Now, I know what you're thinking, "6-8 different types of products? That's not a lot..." I'm calling the consoles and games one. I'm calling anything computer related another one. Clothing another. And so on and so forth. So there are a lot of products, but just in general categories.

So yeah, I'm working on things, but I'm not sure if the direction that I'm going with getting things going is the best option for me. I know people mean well, but I'm just not seeing the benefit of going the route that I'm going.

Here's an update!

So, things are still in the planning stages, but I am making some decent moves in the right direction! I also would like to know if there is anything out there that you would like to see in a "Geek and Gamer Utopia". Leave a comment, and some links to the product if you have one available.

I recently had an interview a a new and used game store, and I am trying to get a more senior position in the store. That would help me learn how to run a (gaming) store. Or how to NOT run it. But this is a national chain, so it must be doing something right.

Also, I made a contact with a gentleman that has a degree in business management. He offered his assistance with any of the phases of the store. I was more then appreciative of his offer.

I have reached out to various companies that specialize in geek and gaming products and have (for the most part) gotten a positive response. I am getting the numbers and figures together, so I can see how much this is going to cost me altogether. I know this is not going to be a small venture. I have to go full speed ahead, because I have to make a name for myself straight out of the gate. This idea can't just coast for a little bit.

Don't forget to give me your input down below! Thank you! You are the ones I am doing this for, and when this takes off, you might be seeing a 8 to Infinity Bit Gaming store in a location near you! You never know!