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Head Shop start up cost

Discussion in 'Marijuana Consumption Q&A' started by DragonShades, Dec 12, 2013.

  1. #1 DragonShades, Dec 12, 2013
    Greetings friends! First post of many, I hope. I'm planning on opening a head shop in Raleigh, NC or Atlanta, GA by the end of 2014 if everything works out. I was wondering if anyone here could tell me roughly what it would cost to get started along with any type of breakdown of individual costs ie: rent, insurance, product, licenses, etc. My goal is to have 20k saved up over the price of what it takes to get it started. So if it takes 12k to get started, I want 32k in the bank. So far, I've saved up 10k. This has been a dream on mine since I was a kid and now at 30 I'm almost in position to make it happen. Also, any advice on what to expect throughout the process along with running it would be welcomed.
     
     
    :D

     
  2. #2 Hypoxic, Dec 12, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 12, 2013
    I appreciate the initiative! That'd be an awesome career to build up. My one concern would be how well you can compete with online shops that do not have the overhead of having a brick and mortar store. The best LHS here specializes in unique local blown glass so they have a nice little niche. I'd try and get in with local artists and start building relationships and go from that angle. You'll never be able to match the web for china glass or mass produced bigger name glass. Good luck and I think you should name it The Glass City and give all blades a discount :) lol
     
  3. #3 DragonShades, Dec 12, 2013
    That's interesting. I've been told to defiantly get in with a glass artist. Luckily, I have a lot of friends in the Asheville community lol. The Glass City is a cool name though.  I have a few ideas but don't want to give anything away right now ;) I will keep everyone here up to date with my progress. The internet stores make me nervous but a lot of the stores I've researched have been around for years. I think the most important element is going to be location. No one made a big splash without jumping first. Thank you for the advice friend!
     
  4. #4 Kush cookies, Dec 12, 2013
    Try contacting local glass blowers for pipes and bongs, buy straight from a manufacturer it will be cheaper!
     
  5. #5 Heroic Dose, Dec 12, 2013
    Well, assume that youll probably drop a few thousand on bulk china glass to fill out the store at first. Easily another few thousand for the higher end glass to attract customers. Another few on vapes, and another few between misc. Headshop wares. I would expect about 10k minimum startup for product alone for a REAL headshop.

    Then the other costs vary greatly based on what you want. Youll easily spend a couple grand getting a location store ready if it isnt, and sky is the limit with interior work. Display cases and fixtures arent always cheap.

    Id assume at least $1k a month in rent and likely more. Please have enough saved to pay at least 6 months even if you never made a sale, so people have time to learn of you.

    Then you have insurance and all you misc . Startup fees. I do not know what insurance would run, but id think it must be a few hundred a month on the low end.


    So if youre ready to take out loans the 10k will cover an okay portion. Product, basic setup, maybe a little more. However if youre trying to do it loan free.....you need more. Probably 10k more bare minimum.
     
  6. #6 DragonShades, Dec 12, 2013
     
     
    Defiantly agree with all you said. I'm currently at 10 and have a goal to save at least 30k. I'm blessed to have a very well paying sales job so saving 20k more at the minimum should be doable by the end of 2014. I want to have all bills paid for 6 months like you said while I get my name out there. Thank you for the advice.
     
  7. #7 Heroic Dose, Dec 12, 2013
    Also consider online sales. It isnt hard to pay off all the expenses youd incur making/hosting a site with a handful of sales, it can be done very cheaply. Even if it isnt a primary focus, you can probably resell some of the china glass you buy in bulk for some side income.
     
  8. #8 Alecskates12, Dec 12, 2013
    Wow this would be an amazing dream. I want to work with you :p

    I do not have much information for you because I do not know much but the location has to be important. I live in Orlando is the ucf area and there are a few head shops. I think having a head shop near a college is a great idea because of all the kids who smoke and go to college. Just a thought.

    Sent from my DROID RAZR using Grasscity Forum mobile app
     
  9. #9 DragonShades, Dec 12, 2013
     
    That's a thought. I've read though that could be dangerous too. Didn't Tommy Chong go down for selling bongs across the state lines?
     
  10. #10 DragonShades, Dec 12, 2013
    Way ahead of you haha. I'm scouting locations near NC State and Kennesaw State. Lots of traffic along with lots of kids.  
     
  11. #11 Heroic Dose, Dec 12, 2013
    No, he took the fall for his son who operated the business that used his name and likeness on bongs. The case happened because its a high publicity thing. Not a concern.
     
  12. #12 DragonShades, Dec 12, 2013
     
    Got cha. Would you recommend opening a shop in a state that has at least approved cannabis for medical use or will I be ok in strict state?  
     
  13. #13 Heroic Dose, Dec 12, 2013
    Probably stricter the better. Its totally legal to sell pieces as tobacco pipes, and there will likely be less competition in stricter places
     
  14. #14 DragonShades, Dec 12, 2013
     
     
    That's what I was thinking because if North Carolina or Georgia ever wakes up and legalizes it, I will already be established.
     
  15. #15 Heroic Dose, Dec 12, 2013
    Yup, get in early and if you do well youll be prime to convert to a headshop/dispensary if the day comes
     
  16. #16 gbt34, Dec 12, 2013
    Hey DragonShades! check your pm!
     

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