Business Idea

[The Lettonian]

I was mowing the lawn today, and I suddenly the thoughts of girlfriend were interrupted by what occupies the OTHER half of my mind...airsoft. And I started thinking...there aren't any dedicated commercial airsoft fields. Now, before the flaming starts, hear me out a bit...I'm just putting this thought together, so it's not 100% yet, but here's just what I came up with in the hour it took to do my lawn:

1) Family owns 100 acres just outside of Barrie. Field = a go.
2) Build permit for multiple small structures around the field, in addition to a large structure for indoor play (similar to the general setup of Wasaga PB)
3) In the field in the big building, have the floors angled slightly...BBs roll into gutters, thereby aiding in cleanup. Please see side note a) for a question about a detail here...
4) Have the smaller cover/structures in the big building on stilts that slot into holes in the floor. holes with covers all over = modular field. See side note b) for addressing a safety concern.
5) In-house AEG rentals. buncha M4s and/or AKs See side notes c), d) and e)
6) Gun tech would be a must...gotta keep these things running. Also, deposit against damages.
7) Outdoor field would be in a wooded area...lots of big trees abound, and underbrush is clearable.
8) Approved BB brands only would probably be an insurance req...see side note f) for my ideas on that front
9) Lots of batteries and chargers. Lots of them.
10) field FPS limit in place, mandatory chrony before each game.

Now, that's the short version. Here come the side notes:

a) Can BBs be recycled? And I don't mean re-used...I mean, can a pile of BBs be melted down or whatever the process is and re-made? I don't know what the manufacturing process is, but it just struck me that simply chucking thousands of BBs would be a waste if they could still be used. I'm not suggesting that I want to make them, but if I had a few gallons of used BBs sitting around, all of one brand, would that help whoever made them if I returned them? Just curious about this one.

b) An immediate question that came to me was "well, what if someone takes a cover out and someone else breaks their ankle when their toe catches in it?" Answer: covers over the holes that run flush with the floor, secured by a latch like the ones you see for paper towel dispensers...you don't need a specific key, just a really awkward tool that most people just don't have lying around.

c)Business import licence for obtaining AEGs? I mean, if it's my business to rent them to people so they can use them, would that be a basis for one? I don't know what the laws are here, but it's just an idea that came to mind. And I'd need to get a wholesale amount of guns for this to work. Going through retailers would work too...but really, going direct from manufacturer is probably a more sound way to do it if I could make it legit. A big if, admittedly, but that's why it's just an idea.

d) Mags. Where do you put them, and what about capacity? I was thinking hicaps with rentals, and in this case having all one type of gun might be best just to even the playing field. Hicaps have lots of ammo, so a new player wouldn't have to reload...but they need winding, which people might forget to do on occasion. Twinlinked midcaps? Like I said, I'm still pondering alot of these aspects, and your thoughts are appreciated.

e)Rental AEGs would be running about 300 with various internal upgrades to increase reliability. Just some metal bushings and shims, probably. I'm still learning on this front, so it's something to think on. Minimum parts for maximum reliability and longevity. Low spring means gearbox isn't taking a beating, in addition to ensuring that a bunch of noobs playing at the same time won't be drawing blood on each other.

f) I was thinking that much as paintball places are required to use only paintballs sold at the facility, insurance might require the same of an airsoft field. Talk with a manufacturer (BB Bastard?) about exclusive BB supply? Again, just an idea...this isn't going anywhere in the near future, if at all, but it's something I thought of.


So that's what I've got so far. I also ran through some media and marketing ideas, but I just wanted to get this out there first.

BEFORE YOU FLAME ME, PLEASE READ:

I understand that starting a business is a long and arduous process, but this is an idea, and it's my idea. But it is only an idea! I am not suggesting that I will run out and start on this tomorrow. I want to do some research into the feasibility of such a project, as well as get some input from the community. Which is why I posted. Any advice and further ideas are great. Am I being ambitious in my thoughts? Yes. Are there things I haven't considered? Most definitely. Am I a fairly junior member of the community who may not know much of anything about airsoft? You bet. I know that, and you don't have to tell me. Rather, tell me what more realistic alternatives to my ideas are, what those things I haven't thought of are, and what specific obstacles would lie in the path of such a facility.

Thanks for reading. As mentioned, this is just an idea that came to mind that I explored. I just hope that one day I might be able to make it a reality. It might not happen, but hey, it's fun to dream. So please, flame valves closed.

FNG_13

p.s. sorry about the text overload...I'm not too great at spicing up my posts yet.

[THE CAT]

If your idea is to start a business, fine. This is a free country. Most of your questions can be answered by searching the forum or by googling them.

Start by creating a business plan first. Get ready to plunge in your pockets and invest a lot of time.

Success has a simple formula: Do your best and people may like it.

[Gryphon]

There are several developed commercial airsoft fields including indoor facilities across the country that are already doing this.

http://www.xtreme-tactics.com

[Skladfin]

that's really great idea. +1

It's great that you have a private property we can play at, and I hope that you can start doing this, but money is a big problem

If you have the money and enough players interested, I'd love to get this idea going. Except I live in the west end of the country =(

[Ronan]

Don't forget insurance!

[mcguyver]

Ask Brian McIlmoyle about licensing for in-house rental use/training only.

[The Lettonian]

Originally Posted by Gryphon

There are several developed commercial airsoft fields including indoor facilities across the country that are already doing this.

http://www.xtreme-tactics.com

My mistake. And yeah...that's about what I'd want to do. Why is it that someone has thought of any good idea before you? That being said, winnipeg is a ways away from southern Ontario...so at least I wouldn't be treading on their toes any. And from what I understand, most fields are combined with paintball fields, are they not? I'll look it up tommorow....

Originally Posted by THE CAT

If your idea is to start a business, fine. This is a free country. Most of your questions can be answered by searching the forum or by googling them.

Start by creating a business plan first. Get ready to plunge in your pockets and invest a lot of time.

Success has a simple formula: Do your best and people may like it.

I'm starting an Arts & Business program in September, so I'm planning to do an actual business plan once I've learned a bit about how to do one. As mentioned, this is an idea, and I'm still learning, researching, and working on it.

Thanks guys!

[The Lettonian]

This was put together at 12:30ish after I thought of it day of...so yes, I will be asking Brian, Scarecrow, and others about a few of these things...that being said, if (like mcguyver) you think of someone I should talk to about something, just give me a name and I'll add it to my list. Thanks again!

[Brian McIlmoyle]

1. just because you have the land does not mean that it is zoned for that use. Find out that first

2. Insurance

3. Incorporation ( not that expensive.. but still needs doing )

Making money... PB fields make money on paint.. you will need to do the same but on BBS

Only allow your BBS to be used on site.. you could have a specific colour made.

Charge $10/ 1000 ( 1 cent a shot)

Say you get an average of 100 players a week at $20 per player + 1.5 bags of bbs per player. That is $3500 a week = $14000 a month gross revenue. x 8 useful playing months in a year = Gross revenue of $112000 a year.

Out of that you have to buy BBs, build rental stock and maintain it . keep the field in good repair pay insurance, pay employees ( because you can't do it alone) and pay taxes... maybe.. maybe you come out with $20 000 retained earnings.. from this you will have to pay yourself.

And realistically you will need to invest $20 000 to get it off the ground to start.

I could be a viable business... but you would not make much doing it.

Saving the BBs ... not worth the effort balanced against the cost.

[Brian McIlmoyle]

Originally Posted by mcguyver

Ask Brian McIlmoyle about licensing for in-house rental use/training only.

Its a non starter from the CFO standpoint. They don't want to know.

Recreational use of Replicas is not considered an "legitimate need" for BFL or Import license.

An existing firearm training Facility likely could make it fly.. but not a start up.

[arman]

nice thinking on #3

#4 go to TTAC they have a good set up for movable walls

[Skladfin]

I think another way to rig up revenue is by renting out an area for airsot clubs. Say $ 500?

[Ilya_7]

the thought's crossed my mind as well...

And maybe to help with the financial situation you could make it a kind of private membership club. not a $20,000 per year country club type of suggestion, but for example having an annual fee for members and the members have executive privileges; for example being allowed on field with x amount of guests at the time or their choosing, (not on just specific game dates), choices in certain decision aspects of the field (i.e. in regards to type, amount etc... of structures) and also a kind of private locker room, where members can store guns/work on them if they are local to the area, with quick access to their personal armory and the ability to test fire, chrony or field a gun while swapping internals all at the disposal...

The members would of course aswell have to be responsible for the general upkeep of the facilties(to a degree). It could help to create a really tight community and have members know each other on a less amibiguous basis, such as is on ASC where first names aren't always known.

an annual fee of, for example, $100 or $250 or $500 (with guests and/or non members paying a pay-as-you-play fee) would help the finances of your plans and create a kind of personal space for the 'members'. I know I'd happily pay a set fee for a service such as I've described to be able to field my guns much more often, rather than clearing rooms in my house and firing into bedsheets.

Cheers.

[diamond_SEA]

If this whole idea comes to fruition, you should really make a business trip out here to XT. Not only do they have pretty much all the same ideas, but they might be a useful resourse and guide, seeing as it wont be competition. hey, maybe XT will franchise?? lol

[The Lettonian]

Yeah, I was thinking a trip or two or six might be in store to Winnipeg...I'll reply to the rest of the above posts when I'm NOT getting ready for work...say in 12 hours or so after I get home and eat.