Starting up a small business?

Question

I am planning on starting up a gaming type of business but I dont know everything I would need. The business is this...in a way I guess you could call it a part of the gaming business I would have (at the start) about 4-5 xbox systems, a Wii and a playstation or two. And all the systems such as the xbox would be networked together and I would have a game for people to play on them such as Halo 2, Splinter Cell Chaos Theory. And it would cost around 5 dollars to get in and play any game you want (that I have) for as long as you want. There would be chairs, tvs, systems, everything the kids/adults would want to have fun. Now I need to know two things though. Does this sound like something that would work and in my town what would I have to do to get it started. Saying I already have a building to "beta test" the business in.

In my town there is only one store that has to do with games and that is a high priced "blockbuster" like store. Where I live there are about 5 schools in all and in a small town at that. So that means that 2-3 schools are not big enough to hold all the students. So that is where my customers would come from. They are about to open up a Walmart in my town and I think that would help my business even more as to a faster place to get games and more systems for my business.

In reply to Byron.

Well at the moment that is all it could be. I am only 18 but I do want to start this type of place up. So without help from someone else all it could be at the start is a place for people to have fun and game. I guess as a start to get people to know about the place I could hold a gaming contest for some of the network games I do have and whoever wins will get in free whenever they want. And as I have said the town is small enough and I know alot of the kids in school that could pass the word on. I dont know what newspaper we have in this town but I could put a add of it in there.

Well I thought about it and yes serving food and drinks is something I would have to do to get more business.

Answer 1

Have it be similar to a coffee house meets warehouse genra so you can profit form gamers as well as people just hanging out drinking sodas and coffee. See if you can get your systems on ebay used, Gotto a local retail center, with lots of foot traffic of the age group targeted, movie theaters, subway's sandwhich shops, cold stone ice cream parlors etc... and see if you can negotiate with property owner a six month lease at a reduced fixed rate. If you re-sign after six months which you will you agree to pay .50 cents a square foot more for two years. Now where we live the state is a economic desert so retail space except those geared toward teens and young adults are all vacant so property owners are willing to negotiate. Make sure you have at least six month's worth of rent in the bank before you take this on.
Check liability insurance. To get a good rate you need policy and proceedures manual - defined like-- in case of fight do this, if someone comes in intoxicated you ...
Include age minimum, -you listed games that are rated M.
Maybe kids under eighteen need a parent permission slip that they can print on line and come in with signed. (like paintball arenas have)
include-
Staff training plan...
Next goto your city office and find capacity restrictions. How many people per open square foot. It will also tell you how many bathroom stalls you'll need. Handicap issues etc...

Sounds like a great idea tell us how it worked out.

If you need some help with policy and procedure manuals or free promotion of your business they do alot of free stuff for people, or if you need help with other business issues the guys at atomsfamily.net might help. Just email them.

Answer 2

I think it is a pretty good idea. I live in Saint Paul, MN and there is a restaurant that does something a bit similar with a retro feel. Sega genesis, old nintendo, etc.

How will you attract business? What is your marketing strategy? WHat else will you serve - coffee? food? etc

I don't like the cover charge concept - any other pricing method? Could you sell something else to where the gaming becomes a cost center?

Answer 3

first b4 you start the bussiness is to know whether you have capital. second will the bussiness sustain. and also where your customers come from . also try to see whether a competitor is available and how he is doing.