any body know how to start a busness

[dorksquad]

yea i am 20 and i am seriously thinking about opening a field / retail store.
what do i need to get and where do it get it so i can talk to supplier,etc. i think i need a busness liscnse, tax id number, but i dont know what else or whre to start. i could really use your guys help, espically store owners.

[2000Sabre]

Talk to your local chamber of commerce. They have lots of advice for helping small business get started. Also search the net or check out your local library for books on starting a small business. As far as starting a field, not sure how, but try talking to another field owner. I'm sure they can point you in the right direction

[magic55]

first thing would be to learn to spell... just messing with you. i'm not really sure sorry

[ben_JD]

Tax ID #: Free

Business organization: Not too sure about PA law, but you will want some sort of limited liability entity (Corporation, Limited Liability Company (LLC), etc.) to separate you from the business (so the customer who turns around and sues you cannot have your house). This isn't too expensive; probably around $1000 for a simple set-up.

Business license: Local rules prevail and I have no idea what rules you have in PA.

Suppliers: This is the easy part. You want to sell, they want you to sell. Negotiating credit and inventory is where you will need some industry help.

Financing: Here is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. Who's going to bank-roll the operation and why? A bank? Perhaps, if you have a stellar retail history and a golden business model, demographic and feasibility statistics, and good credit...not to mention collateral. There is little chance in this market that you can get enough money from a credit-based lender alone. Otherwise, you will need some credit enhancement tool; this usually means a credit-worthy cosignor/guarantor.

Legal: Ah, it always comes down to this, doesn't it? Someone will need to help you negotiate the lease to your retail front; set up and maintain your corporate books; fend off the likely lawsuits (if you start a field); and generally be there to answer your legal questions. This won't be too cheap, but money well spent.

The sad thing about the paintball industry is that there are more fans and supporters of paintball running businesses than savvy business-folk who happen to run a paintball business. Sometimes, people make the successful crossover (Bud Orr, who is about to get into the paintball manufacturing business as well as markers; Youngblood and a couple of others), but mostly it's good people who love paintball, but who can't balance their own checkbooks.

Just think of all the paintball stores that you knew about 5 years ago...how many of them are still there?

Be careful and do it right.

[Paintchucker]

Need a little experience...

After college, I incorporated a company in the state of GA, got a business license and a tax id number and for 5 years, I worked for myself selling computer equipment and consulting services. In the end, I went to work for another Computer Consulting Group, so that I could get out of all the different aspects of it and work on the computer networks, which is the piece that I loved the most.

A personally started business is very difficult to say the least. The vast majority of them fail in the first two years. The paperwork and accounting are very tedious to keep up with.

That being said... I will leave you with two things. Firstly, I think it would be a great idea if you are serious to go and work for an existing paintball store/field in your area to get a feel for it. Secondly, National Paintball Supply has a "free color booklet" on Opening a Paintball Field. Thier ad has run in the back of APG magazine atleast since the early 90's. 1-800-346-5615

[dorksquad]

im really trying for a field instead of a store, but still need to get stuff wholesale, i know it is hard my dad had a bait shop which failed after a few years, but by grandpop just had the 50 of his business, so anyway i just need to know to contact to get the stuff i need
thanks for everybody's help

[ben_JD]

Still comes down to you needing a lot of overhead and start-up capital. Renting the realty, buying the rental guns and masks, buying the fill station, etc. and of course, the INSURANCE. Tread lightly and err on the side of conservatism.

[[NA]WARLORD]

Also check with local zoning board. It has been our experience with the locals here as to why we cant set-up a commercial field in our particular county. Some have tried but many have failed, even if its on your own land, who said this was the land of the free?

[Snooky]

I dont owna field or a business but i see that national paintball offers good deals on rental guns. i see the add in paintball2xtremes all the time. Hope this helps in some way

[Webmaster]

Yeah - the first thing to do would be to learn how to spell business...

But seriously... there should be a a small business development center in your town. Basically its a place you can go to that you can get free councelling on how to start up a business. They can get you the proper forms and guide you through the process of getting a loan and how to present a business plan.

Look in the blue pages in the phone book, or possibly call city all for a directory. Most cities have them and they are a HUGE help with getting something off the ground!

[Paintchucker]

[dorksquad]

i have some investors lined up, they are willing to put up some cash for something like this, i know it's hard and all that stuff, there is some land around that i think that i can get and for now i just want to get some paint and fill stations so my friends and i dont have to go that far, hopefully i will get the locals who play outlaw ball to come play with us.
ps spelling is overrated and unnecessary for an engineer

[Webmaster]

I am notorious for bad spelling. I use word and spell check for EVERYTHING 1/2 way important. In school when you take those aptitude tests I would get int the 95%-100% in everything but spelling.. I got like a 60%... YEESH!

[dorksquad55]

spelling isn't overrated MR. engineer. haha, anyway this is a good idea chris, where u thinking about having it?, i'll talk to u like on wednesday or when i get free time i'll come over.

ken
[email protected]

[dorksquad]

no lie hs cat test 99% reading comp 16 spelling
i do all my thinking in pictures and shapes anyway