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Message: <blockquote data-quote="BMo" data-source="post: 5470753" data-attributes="member: 90536">Thanks for all the positive thoughts on my statements above. I worried a bit that I'd hear a lot more "don't listen to this guy, he doesn't know what he's talking about" types since I'm not a very active member. It encourages me to try helping more here any way I can and with that, I'd kind of like to offer another suggestion to dm4hire. Why don't you just present your ideas here and let the community try to help?This will present many more problems for you because it will be difficult to wade through the advice, but I believe you'll gain both good advice which will undoubtedly surface throughout the conversations you'll have and some potential ideas that will not come from your friends and family. Don't be scared someone is going to steal your ideas. Everyone's afraid of that in the beginning, but in the real world people are both complacent and scared- they have great ideas too, but they'll never execute them out of fear alone.I'll fire the first shot across the bow: some gaming companies require a storefront (I know for a fact Games Workshop functions that way because one of my best friends works for trade out of Memphis). They do this because they don't want a group of gamers pooling resources to buy their games at wholesale. I also know that this system has been, for a lack of a better term, "gamed" before where someone was operating out of their house in my own tiny community. I'm not suggesting that per se. I'm just saying that there are ways around it. You have to understand that Games Workshop wants their product represented and displayed well. If your friends are the only ones being exposed to the line, it isn't helping their image. With that, if you're searching for innovative ways to get their games in front of people, they may try to work with you- especially if you're documenting what you're doing so the world can see it (recommended regardless). They also may not work with you and you may have to find the cheapest storefront you can find to work as a base of operations- possibly in the worst neighborhood in your area. They set up the rules and you have to abide by them, but it's a fine line to walk. In the end, they're interested in making sales and you'll get very far by making those sales and ordering more.Innovative way to market? Maybe you set up a party system like Pampered Chef where you bring games, give free stuff and show how to play those games all while having 5 different families show up. They provide snacks and everyone has a good time being exposed to Settlers of Catan or Munchkin or even introducing them to RPG's or tabletop miniatures games. You can be flexible and offer packages.It's just a crazy suggestion and not guaranteed to be a success, but it qualifies in one of the ways I stated above- it has very low overhead because you're the employee. It's fun for everyone involved and you're creating wonderful opportunities for families to spend time together. It's a talking point that is both wholesome and is a boon to society. Also, if you fail, you're not out anything at all. Literally nothing except time and the product you bought to demonstrate with.Take a chance. Open things up for people to give suggestions on the business model itself and let them fire away. Wade through the things that don't interest you or the advice you think may not be as worthwhile (including my own) and move forward. I really hope for the best and I'll be more than happy to help in any way I can. The really good business people out there will undoubtedly give you whatever they can offer (beyond money, lol) even older games they're updating or advice in dealing with common suppliers. I got advice from other business owners (competitors) in the same mall after I opened (they aren't interested in bringing in more competitors, but after you're there, many will figure "I can't get rid of them, we may as well be friends"). Business doesn't really have to be cutthroat, and by the time it becomes that way, you'll have already created something long-lasting.</blockquote>

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