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Starting my showroom again

 

Hello, audiophiles. I would like to get your honest feedback. Back in 2022, I had to close my business in Nashville owing to a series of unexpected occurrences (several deaths in the family, a rapid move to assist my mother-in-law, and a brain operation); all of this necessitated that I close the store in a matter of weeks. It was now a two-hour trek to Nashville. I worked as a glorified gate operator at a chemical company because that is all was available in our small town. I received an opportunity to become national sales director for an audio company, which would provide some income—not much, but enough to go back into the hifi business at the bottom level.

 

 

 

So now you know the incredibly brief version of the story. Here's the question: there is a little town about 30 minutes away that is booming and gaining more expensive retailers like Ulta and StarBucks. So here's the question.

 

Do you believe a small town like that might support an up-and-coming hifi business that sells receivers, speakers like PS Audio, KEF, and other manufacturers at a lower price point until the store can handle more expensive items? The closest "electronics store," Electronics Express, is nearly an hour and a half away. I have had an audio shop since 2003, beginning in Florida. Thoughts?

 

128x128nashvillehifi
nashvillehifi's avatar
nashvillehifi OP
5 posts
 

I think you bring out a very good point I'm 42 years old right now and I've probably got maybe another 8 or 10 in me my vision would be something to wear I could keep my overhead low I've run the entire shop all my life with one person me handling payroll bookkeeping taxes inventory and all that it's what's in my blood it's what I know how to do and my plan would be is to open a shop to where you could appeal to people that maybe just want something small and really don't know too much about it and all they see is ADS left and right but really don't know what they want and to have somebody explain it

bjesien
1,332 posts
 

The model that seems to work is a retired guy with some bucks and a passion to have gear around. Write off a portion of the house, be able to buy larger lots and sell off the dogs as "demos". Use the internet to meet audiophiles, cross dealership lines, sell, sell, sell. I get solicitations from dealers on this site. It's a warm lead.

Small town tough. Best of luck sounds like a passion!

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,863 posts
 

I know several who maintained their company name, but now work out of their homes. The downstairs is the showroom and the upstairs is their living quarters.

Just a thought.

grislybutter
3,307 posts
 

I have no doubt a small town/population could sustain your business, 100K people or so, in a 20 mile radius. It's mostly about what would sell. A few expensive brands and components are boring to most of the public, you would attract maybe a few 100 people. I would think you would need a range of audio products and systems under $1000. You'd have inexpensive but quality equipment during Christmas time flying off the shelves. I would avoid brands Amazon sells.

But honestly, I don't know how much starting a business like this would cost, so I should stay out of it.

bigkidz
3,397 posts
 

First, check to see if there are any audio clubs in your area.  You already know the competition.  Get to know some local audiophiles and see what they have interest in.  Will you offer repair and set-up of systems and equipment?  We recently placed our equipment in a well established audio business.  The place the speakers up against the wall and I was a little taken back by that.  Our components sounded fantastic but I asked why so close to the wall.  The response was that the wife usually does not want speakers half way out into the living room.  Our gear prices match the speakers and the streamer so that was a selling point.

You probably won't get rich in this business.  Plus a lot of well established manufacturers are possibly not on stable ground either.  If you are just looking to sell components, then I'd say no.  If you are going to offer real full services then you could be OK.

 

 

 

 

 

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