There was some talk a few weeks ago on here about several of you getting together in a business relationship and sharing some resources, and such. This got me thinking, and while at Black Lion (http://www.blacklion.com/) in Pineville I began to ask questions about renting space. While I'm probably not the one to steer any effort like this (as I don't have anything to sell right now!), I figured I'd at least throw this out for discussion.
I was thinking that if five to ten of us got together in some capacity and pooled our "products" that we would likely have a very interesting offering in the marketplace. My initial thoughts were the semi-pro or serious-hobbyist woodworker who could turn out a couple of pieces a year would be able to get their products to the market for a reasonable fee and have the opportunity to make some money.
In very preliminary talks with Black Lion is sounds like a single space there is about $550/mo. That probably isn't a horrible rate ... but only if the traffic is enough to warrant it and sales can keep up. I was lucky enough to find a tenant there and we chatted a bit. She said Black Lion was excellent, but the economy is hurting (heard that before?). She was in a position of just breaking even at Black Lion (except during the Christmas months). She also recommended that I check out Metrolina Expo (http://www.metrolinatradeshowexpo.com/), as her business there was booming during the 4 days a month it was open, and the fees were minimal (don't quote me, but I thinks he said $100/day). The catch with Metrolina is that someone must be there to sell the items, collect money, and such for 4 days in a row.
In any event ... would an arrangement like this be of interest to anyone? Does anyone have products they want to sell? Might be worth a shot if we could pool our resources.
Could be interesting ... I'd like to hear your thoughts.
I was thinking that if five to ten of us got together in some capacity and pooled our "products" that we would likely have a very interesting offering in the marketplace. My initial thoughts were the semi-pro or serious-hobbyist woodworker who could turn out a couple of pieces a year would be able to get their products to the market for a reasonable fee and have the opportunity to make some money.
In very preliminary talks with Black Lion is sounds like a single space there is about $550/mo. That probably isn't a horrible rate ... but only if the traffic is enough to warrant it and sales can keep up. I was lucky enough to find a tenant there and we chatted a bit. She said Black Lion was excellent, but the economy is hurting (heard that before?). She was in a position of just breaking even at Black Lion (except during the Christmas months). She also recommended that I check out Metrolina Expo (http://www.metrolinatradeshowexpo.com/), as her business there was booming during the 4 days a month it was open, and the fees were minimal (don't quote me, but I thinks he said $100/day). The catch with Metrolina is that someone must be there to sell the items, collect money, and such for 4 days in a row.
In any event ... would an arrangement like this be of interest to anyone? Does anyone have products they want to sell? Might be worth a shot if we could pool our resources.
Could be interesting ... I'd like to hear your thoughts.