Starting a storefront

[Zippy]

Home amp repair shop? How 'bout calling it "The Amp Garage"?

Or is that name already taken?

[NickC]

I am an accountant doing audit work as my day-job. And since it hasn't been mentioned yet, I recommend computerized accounting using Intuit Quickbooks Pro 2013 (I don't have any personal interest in the firm, and don't own stock). I recommend it to all my clients because it's affordable, relatively user-friendly, and works great.

Feel free to PM if you have questions about it. I salute your entrepreneurial spirit.

[vibratoking]

... but I think my sanity is more important than making money slaving away at a job that I'm not happy with.

+1000...don't lose sight of that thought...ever.

[briane]

my own terms and not have to deal with the inevitable Friday night email/text/call saying I need to come in for the weekend and fix something yesterday

umm no - repeat customers come from happy customers.

When I get a call friday night saying broky, broky - I say what time will you be over so I can fix it?

happy - happy is the key. The customer is always right (as long as I still have a smile)...etc...whatever....

anyways - I think you have the skills - do what your good at and work will always be easy for you. money - thats another issue entirely.

[ER]

Yeah, work from home if you can. Avoid debt like the plague.

A penny saved is a penny earned, low overhead=increased profit. And you already pay rent anyways...

A lot of the storefront chopper guys after the economy tanked are back in their garages, but the guys that never left their garages have lost less and weathered the storm better.

If you really do need to expand at some point the money will be there to do it.

[NickC]

Yeah, work from home if you can. Avoid debt like the plague.

A penny saved is a penny earned, low overhead=increased profit. And you already pay rent anyways...

A lot of the storefront chopper guys after the economy tanked are back in their garages, but the guys that never left their garages have lost less and weathered the storm better.

If you really do need to expand at some point the money will be there to do it.

+1

[Scooter Thomas]

I thought you were talking about Austin, completely missed that you're in Waco.

[billyz]

Cliff,
I gather Waco is too far to be practical to work in Austin.
I know Oz still needs a good amptech and i did mention you to him at one time. Also, Steve at Austin Vintage was in need of a repair tech.
As you may know i have relocated to Spokane. I did not expect much work here but lo and behold it is finding me.

My 2 cents on a store front would be find a retail store that needs a tech and pay them a percentage , like 20%. The other way is to become a parts store yourself, and expand the inventory as demand leads. You'll be selling strings, amps and guitars before you know it.

Good luck,
Z

[skyboltone]

Cliff,
I gather Waco is too far to be practical to work in Austin.
I know Oz still needs a good amptech and i did mention you to him at one time. Also, Steve at Austin Vintage was in need of a repair tech.
As you may know i have relocated to Spokane. I did not expect much work here but lo and behold it is finding me.

My 2 cents on a store front would be find a retail store that needs a tech and pay them a percentage , like 20%. The other way is to become a parts store yourself, and expand the inventory as demand leads. You'll be selling strings, amps and guitars before you know it.

Good luck,
Z

This is kinda what I had in mind too only Billy writ it up better. Any sort of older audio stuff has a niche market too. In your neck of the woods you may want to build up a Standel 25L15 clone combo style and load it with D or E130s. I don't know for sure if I would stick with 807s because of that screen voltage limitation. I think a smart guy like you might be able to make 6CA7s sound like that. Not two of the originals were built the same anyway. I would prefer a retail space and the country is full of empty ones everywhere. I have too many distractions at home. Locate a horn repair guy and share the space with him. He's going to make more dirt than you with all that polishing compound but musicians know musicians. Right? You could even throw Hammond organ repair in there too. It's all of the same piece.

Dan

[Cliff Schecht]

I'm not in Waco.. I'm in Pflugerville/Round Rock about 5 minutes from Austin.

[Cliff Schecht]

And thanks for all of the advice so far guys!!

[billyz]

Go see Oz . Tell him I Sent you. I thought I remembered you told me you were in Waco, sorry , didnt mean to offend you . Not that there is anything wrong with Waco. I also did work for Danny Rays in round rock and I don't think he has an amp tech. He did find a guitar tech though.

Definitely get a Good Website . I was pleasantly surprised by how much business I got from one. Between my website, Austin Guitar House and Danny Rays I was too busy.

Z

[martin manning]

Definitely get a Good Website

Without a web presence you don't exist, and potential customers will take it as an indicator of your professionalism, judging a book by its cover so to speak. It doesn't have to be too elaborate, just contain all the basics: credentials, contact info, and appeal to the clientele you want to serve.

[Phil_S]

Cliff:
See if you can sublet inside an existing business so you can reduce the cost of "getting it off the ground." This may improve your ability to get "location, location, location." I'm thinking a strip shopping center with good parking and easy access is what you want. You might also be glad for the company as it can be pretty creepy being by yourself day after day in a storefront. Make sure you negotiate adequate signage rights and all sorts of other practical things you'll need. Get someone else you know and trust to look at your business arrangements and give you an unemotional opinion of any deal you make, lease or sublease.

Good luck!

Phil

[Jerry2013]

wow..Roundrock. Thats way north of Austin proper. Not that thats a bad thing,esepcailly with the tolll road and for Austin resisdents, but as someone coming from out of town, personally when i see "Roundrock", I figure I'm not going that far, or the person will have to meet me in South Austin.
Maybe you can get a drop off /pick up lcation in Central Austin.