Veteran-Comic Book Store Start Up
Donation protected
As a Veteran, returning to civilian life is a true challenge. All the training and experience in the world, can never truly prepare you for what civilian life is like.
For a while I did in civilian life, what I did in military life. I went from a Hospital Corpsman assigned to the Marines, to being a Paramedic on the ambulance. I was good too. Real good. However, after a terrible injury, I ripped my shoulder out of it's socket saving a patient who was falling down a hill side on a stretcher. I caught the whole rig one handed, thus ending my career as a Paramedic.
You see, a Paramedic has to be able to lift significant weights. I can no longer do that as my shoulder dislocates after lifting anything over 200 pounds. So I needed a new profession. I had been dabling at the time as a Fiction writer, and eventually became published. I still write and have more and more readers flocking to my Novels.
With a growing following and fan base, I got picked up as a full time writer for a tactical web site. My fiction novels became popular, and I am now delving into the world of comic books and graphic novels. As I have always been a Comic fan, ever since I was a child; it was and is familiar ground to me.
Writing a successful blog and running social media for a fan base of over 2 million people has also helped teach me how to advertise and use social media to my advantage.
So I came up with the notion to start my own comic book store. I know the trade, I know the clientel, there aren't many stores within a 100 mile radius of me. I have a location found that would be perfect. There's great foot traffic and local road way traffic. A younger populace is moving into the area, and the closest store is 10 miles away in a mall that is about to go under.
Our neighborhood is thriving though. However getting financing is near impossible these days. Most grants and venture capital for Veterans, are allocated for technology and agricultural business goals. Not, retail stores. I have worked off and on throughtout the years in retail as management, sales and retail. I know how to market and sell a product. I just need the help getting there.
I am trying to build a business that I can pass off to my son, and also help inspire young minds and re-inspire old minds alike. You see, no matter how messed up things were in the world, I could always find that solace and world of wonder, when reading a comic book, and I want the world to see it too.
Here are some reasons why there are benefits to selling comics, according to Diamond Distributors(biggest Comic distributor in the world):
The Benefits of Selling Comics.
Repeat business. Most comics are published on a monthly or bi-monthly schedule, and feature continuing storylines that will keep consumers returning on a regular basis to find out "what happens next."
Graphic novels. These bookshelf-ready editions offer self-contained stories, and appeal to both current fans and new readers. Unlike comics, they are usually kept in print, and therefore can be easily restocked. Because of their convenience and visual appeal, graphic novels are a rapidly growing product category.
All-ages appeal. Comics offer stories for every age group, from young readers just discovering Superman to older ones who remember his debut.
Something for everyone. In addition to superhero stories, comics offer a multitude of subjects for every taste: humor, sci-fi, horror, biography, and more!
High sales per square foot. Whether they occupy one spinner rack or an entire wall, comic books are an economical way to provide your customers with a lot of entertainment for a relatively small price.
Easy media tie-ins. Today more than ever, comics are serving as the inspiration for a number of television series and movie blockbusters. This provides you with extensive opportunities to promote your store in conjunction with local TV stations and theaters and turn thousands of moviegoers into customers.
I know I can make this work. I just need help getting there. $20,000 is what I believe the bare minimum I need to get off the ground is. I aim to re-purpose materials for displays, shelving, flooring and the like. Why buy new when you can save waste and recycle?
I see the pure joy in my sons eyes when we sit and practice his reading with a comic book. I think other kids should be afforded the same opportunity. I am trying to get this shop up and running this Spring. But I can't do it without help.
This is really hard for me, to swallow my pride and ask for help. The dream though, the stable work environment and ablility to provide for my family, the chance to make my community a better place; these are the reasons I am fighting to make this dream a reality.
For a while I did in civilian life, what I did in military life. I went from a Hospital Corpsman assigned to the Marines, to being a Paramedic on the ambulance. I was good too. Real good. However, after a terrible injury, I ripped my shoulder out of it's socket saving a patient who was falling down a hill side on a stretcher. I caught the whole rig one handed, thus ending my career as a Paramedic.
You see, a Paramedic has to be able to lift significant weights. I can no longer do that as my shoulder dislocates after lifting anything over 200 pounds. So I needed a new profession. I had been dabling at the time as a Fiction writer, and eventually became published. I still write and have more and more readers flocking to my Novels.
With a growing following and fan base, I got picked up as a full time writer for a tactical web site. My fiction novels became popular, and I am now delving into the world of comic books and graphic novels. As I have always been a Comic fan, ever since I was a child; it was and is familiar ground to me.
Writing a successful blog and running social media for a fan base of over 2 million people has also helped teach me how to advertise and use social media to my advantage.
So I came up with the notion to start my own comic book store. I know the trade, I know the clientel, there aren't many stores within a 100 mile radius of me. I have a location found that would be perfect. There's great foot traffic and local road way traffic. A younger populace is moving into the area, and the closest store is 10 miles away in a mall that is about to go under.
Our neighborhood is thriving though. However getting financing is near impossible these days. Most grants and venture capital for Veterans, are allocated for technology and agricultural business goals. Not, retail stores. I have worked off and on throughtout the years in retail as management, sales and retail. I know how to market and sell a product. I just need the help getting there.
I am trying to build a business that I can pass off to my son, and also help inspire young minds and re-inspire old minds alike. You see, no matter how messed up things were in the world, I could always find that solace and world of wonder, when reading a comic book, and I want the world to see it too.
Here are some reasons why there are benefits to selling comics, according to Diamond Distributors(biggest Comic distributor in the world):
The Benefits of Selling Comics.
Repeat business. Most comics are published on a monthly or bi-monthly schedule, and feature continuing storylines that will keep consumers returning on a regular basis to find out "what happens next."
Graphic novels. These bookshelf-ready editions offer self-contained stories, and appeal to both current fans and new readers. Unlike comics, they are usually kept in print, and therefore can be easily restocked. Because of their convenience and visual appeal, graphic novels are a rapidly growing product category.
All-ages appeal. Comics offer stories for every age group, from young readers just discovering Superman to older ones who remember his debut.
Something for everyone. In addition to superhero stories, comics offer a multitude of subjects for every taste: humor, sci-fi, horror, biography, and more!
High sales per square foot. Whether they occupy one spinner rack or an entire wall, comic books are an economical way to provide your customers with a lot of entertainment for a relatively small price.
Easy media tie-ins. Today more than ever, comics are serving as the inspiration for a number of television series and movie blockbusters. This provides you with extensive opportunities to promote your store in conjunction with local TV stations and theaters and turn thousands of moviegoers into customers.
I know I can make this work. I just need help getting there. $20,000 is what I believe the bare minimum I need to get off the ground is. I aim to re-purpose materials for displays, shelving, flooring and the like. Why buy new when you can save waste and recycle?
I see the pure joy in my sons eyes when we sit and practice his reading with a comic book. I think other kids should be afforded the same opportunity. I am trying to get this shop up and running this Spring. But I can't do it without help.
This is really hard for me, to swallow my pride and ask for help. The dream though, the stable work environment and ablility to provide for my family, the chance to make my community a better place; these are the reasons I am fighting to make this dream a reality.
Organizer
Spike Bowan
Organizer
Homestead, PA