Owning a paintball store

[Guitar Junki 16]

Hey, this is to you guys that know people who own a paintball store, or if you yourself own a paintball store.

I'm thinking about going into college and studying small business management/accounting. My goal is to come out of college and open up a paintball store, and possibly a field sometime shortly after.

What I want to know, is how much money would owning your own paintball shop bring in? This is on average of course as not all stores would bring in the same profit. I just wanna get a rough idea before I pursue it to make sure that I wont be making like 20k a year you know :twocents:
Also, what do you make the most profit off of? I know that paint alone brings in alot, and air too.

I was talking to my boss who owns an awards store (trophies, signs, plaques, t-shirt printing....crap like that) and he told me that if he has a good year, sometimes he can rake in six figures (before bills and rent and crap.) but I figured that if owning a business brings in that much money, why not start a business that I would love you know??

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[pantzaroff16]

I doubt anyone knows exactly, but I know a field owner and he does pretty well. He only opens on weekends. But if you could run a proshop all the time you could make more.

[pAiNtBaLlA91]

Well, before taxes,rent, etc... you'll make around $120,000 but after all that stuff you'll end up around $50,000-$60,000. All of this is based on my local field which is open on the weekends and their proshop is open weekends thursday and friday. They charge $10 for admission and all day air if you have your own equipment, $25 for admission and all day air and a mask, gun, hopper, co2, and barrel plug. They charge around $48 for a case of field grade paint, around $56 for mid grade, and around $64 for premium/pro(w/e u wanna call it). They have an extensive proshop with every thing from tanks (nitro and co2) to drop forwards and ASAs and hoppers and masks. They have co2 refills and a nitro refill station. They also offer foods and drinks.

[iCoNMaStA11]

Good idea.....
Starting a Pro Shop is costly but it pays off. Just like paintballa said (we play on same field) those are the charges for air, paint, guns, equitment, ect....If you create some good field ideas and have a decent pro shop, you can become pretty wealthy:)

[toolbandfan]

There is one major problem that you will have to deal with, as conmasta just said. You will need around $35,000-$60,000 dollars to start.

[Headhunter]

Having been a former paintball business/field owner(broke off partnership cause I got deployed and had different ideas for business than partner did), I can say this; for the first 3-5 years you'll be in debt so I would definitely make sure I had enough money to get started and last for at least 2 years. You can never have enough paint, but projecting usage is difficult. We were ordering 150-250 cases of paint every other month. And there have been times when we didn't have any paint to sell cause our shipment didn't come in or my partner 'forgot' to order. I really enjoyed being a business operator and field owner, but I also had another job that paid the bills. I mainly operated my field on weekends and the shop as I called it was open 6-8pm Mon-Fri and it was at the field on weekends. Occasionally, I won't open the shop cause 'The Boss' and I would go out on a date and my customers understood and respected this. They also understood that after 8 I wasn't dealing with the business. That was my time to spend with my wife and for the most part, they respected that too.

I don't have a business degree, nor do I feel that I need one. It couldn't hurt but my wife has been dealing with retail most of her adult life, from stocking to sales to ordering. I know where I want to go with a paintball business and she knows how to get me there. It is one thing I do plan on doing when I return home, is opening my own business. After I buy a house...:D

[Guitar Junki 16]

Thanks a lot you guys. At least now I know what I'm up against, and I think I'm up to the challenge. Come to my shop in NJ/PA in 6 years and ask for Clark and tell me you replied to my business post on PBreview....maybe ill give ya a nice discount. :cool:

[STO Balla 22]

I'll fly up from Texas if you give me a good discount. :D

[swfreak]

This thread is really helpful, answers a lot of questions.

[Kingman27]

they get alot of profit in the long run, but youve got to start with a large amount of money.. You can get stuff from the companies for a lot cheaper, if its for a shop where youll need lots of everything.. So once you can get a good amount of products bought for the shop, that should bring in alot of cash..especially paint..everybody gets paint at the shop when there is one.. Youll also get money off the repairs to markers and stuff..that wont loose you any money unless parts are required, and they pay you..it just takes time.. IMO, it seems like this business would be really awesome..and what could be a funner job thann that? I know when Im older I'll at least work at the shop and field..maybe even start something up..dunno..youll get enough to live out of it ;)

[Guitar Junki 16]

Originally posted by Kingman27
IMO, it seems like this business would be really awesome..and what could be a funner job thann that?

Yeah thats what I was thinking. I've seen people walk around and say "Man I hate my job, but it gets me money". I figure I'll try my hardest to make a living doing my favorite thing. I just have to find a way to make $30,000 to get started. Might as well start looking for a good bank for loans now. :rolleyes:

Oh and STO balla...I'll give you a free brass eagle talon with the purchase of four cases of paint :D.

Lol, naa....You get a play all day for free coupon if you come up. Free air and paint. That goes for all you guys, free games for everyone!!! :)

[Headhunter]

Originally posted by Guitar Junki 16




Lol, naa....You get a play all day for free coupon if you come up. Free air and paint. That goes for all you guys, free games for everyone!!! :) I don't forsee me being in your neck of the country anytime in the future, but I appreciate the offer. Something you may also take in consideration, military discounts. Not so much as in having them(I didn't and I'm in the military) but keeping prices at reasonable levels. That was one of the many advantages I had at the field I operated. My prices were the cheapest in town AND I offered quality paint. I had plenty of military around me being between and Air Force and Army base.

[forumsk83r]

NUMBER 1 RULE: Customers are first

NUMBER 2 RULE: Respect people to gain respect

NUMBER 3 RULE: Dont be greedy

NUMBER 4 RULE: Dont jack up ur prices

NUMBER 5 RULE: Treat others as you want to be treated

[ppiride]

Yes get a degree and then run a business. Too many paintball shop and such have oners that have no idea how to run a good business and getting a good business backgroud will help this. SOme people have to learn about the taxes accounting aspect of it the hard way. If you have your degree you will be more prepared and know what to expect.

[crazyone777]

I do have a store and I'll let you in on a few success tips
that have served me well sinced I opened
#1 do the research know your competition and get a feel for what they charge and price competitively
#2 don't get in over your head financially, start small keep overhead to a minimum and invest most if not all your profit into inventory
#3 try to keep new and different items coming into your store
on a weekly basis which will keep customers interest up
#4 which should be #1 NEVER let a customer leave unsatisfied, do whatever you have to make em happy
mad customers talk to their friends and that pushes them towards other stores and thats not why ur in buisness
#5 try to promote a familiarity with all of your customers know their names, people are less trusting of a stranger!
take the time once in awhile to actually go out and play with the guys that extend an invitation
once you open you will be looked up to by the people who buy from you and it means everything to them to have you out there playing.
You don't need college,or a $150,000 start up budget common sense will take you farther than money any day, keep it real and keep it affordable, if people know that they can buy from you and you'll take care of them you'll do fine
as far as how much money you can make that all depends on how wisely you handle yourself and how well you put yourself in your customers shoes in any given situation