forgotten_aria | I am not an entreprenuer, then what am I doing?

So in the porter exchange there is an aproximately 10'x10' space with a sign on it that it's available for lease. It's in the middle of the hall, no walls. I look at that space, I look at all the japanese and korean food shops in the porter exchange and think "There should be a DDR machine there." I think, "I need a source of income, maybe I should put a DDR machine there."

I wrote down the number, but didn't call. So many issues to think about. I don't even know how to apply for a small business permit. What about liablity, what about vandalism, what about the stigma that some people have that video games attract unsavory people. Do I really want to risk n thousand dollars on a plan that could go so horribly awry? If they kicked me out I don't even have enough storage to keep the machine in until I could sell it.

I don't have the dive right in, go get it, fight against all odds personality that one really needs to be an entreprenuer. I'm more of the hide-in-the-corner-and-see-if-people-throw-money-at-me type.

So why did I just phone the number and leave voice mail with my name and number asking for details on the space?

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Go for it! I think it's great idea, and really fills a niche. Arcades are a rough business, but you're really into DDR, etc. I think a DDR and bemani games-only arcade could really work in Boston, but only with a good business plan. Some links to resources:

BC small business FAQ
http://www.bc.edu/centers/sbdc/faq/

MA small business development centers
http://msbdc.som.umass.edu/

US Small business admin
http://www.sba.gov/ma/

Write a business plan and keep good books. Does the space have power in the right location for the machine, and can you alter the floor to put in tie-downs for a secure cover for the machine? Maybe you can protect the back of the machine by putting a big storage cabinet there.

Is it going to be attended or not? That'll make a difference in your insurance premiums.

Good luck, this sounds like it really fills a niche.

oh, and definitely get business and liability insurance, and make the business a separate financial entity from you as a person.

It has power and phone, not that I'll need phone. I dont' think it needs to be covered at night. I wasn't even sure if I wouldn't just pay to leave it on all night. I don't know how much power it would take. The back isnt' the problem. I'm just worried about being being hard on the machine because it wouldn't be atteneded beyond the surounding shops keeping a half eye on it. I figured I'd come empty the coin box once a day and mostly fix the machine myself, though the mechanicals, since I'm not touching the video and the eltronics are all mysterous black boxes now a days.

I think that the machine might be big enough to occupy the entire space (ddr machines are about 6'x6'.)

I think the money risk is the thing scaring me the most. If I could do this and not be putting so much moneyon the line, then I would just do it, but I keep falling back into the idea that this is a hair brined scheme.

Maybe it will be all moot if/when she phones back.

And I really aprricate the links and the encouragement.

The business plan is the part where you figure out how much money is on the line. Once you put those numbers together and make a budget, I think you'll feel better about the risk and can decide whether or not it's worth it. Sure, you'll be guessing at how much you'll take in, but you can make a few different estimates.

Say, which space is it? I didn't realize any of the current ones were gone. (shiseido, cell phone kiosk or bakery)

-Jen

You might want to ask about the demographics of the people who walk through the area.

See if there are any stats on number of people going through the area.

If not, Maybe go there and sit with a book pretend to read, and count how many people you think would play DDR walk by the area.

Also be sure to check about noise regulations. It would be a shame to get a machine, and then have them complain and make you get rid of it because there was too much noise generated.

It's actually between them. Which means the noise issue is a big one.

I'm pretty sure the demographic is pretty good just from the number of times that I've been around the porter exchange and the people that it caters too.

The noise is one of my worries. It will only make noise when people are using it, but.... still...

One of the noodle shops was playing music though, last time I was there, so it might be ok.

So it's by the doors to the Gap between the cell phones and the bakery? That's a great location, but really tight space. Yeah, I can see noise being a big problem there.

-Jen

Then you own a DDR machine! I don't see a downside here.

I have no where in my house to put it stored, let alone set up for use.

Plus what ever reant/lease I pay is lost.

You've certainly seen/used a lot more DDR machines than me, so maybe you know what to expect, but you could talk to the CAC or whoever runs the Student Center DDR machine and find out how much it makes, etc. I'm not sure if that would be useful since it's obviously a different location, but the CAC people are friendly.

One thing to at least think about is what happens if some less-than-cool people start hanging out there, get into a fight, etc., and then you get sued since it happened in your "store". Presumably the liability insurance will cover such things (modulo the deductible), and you'll have incorporated so they can't go after your personal checking account.... but still, it won't win points with your neighboring stores.

Especially if an incident involves minors, their parents or their lawyers will conjure up stories about how video games attract "the wrong element", and will at the very least cause a huge amount of annoyance and stress in your life...

Definately a valid concern, especially since it will be unmanned. I've thought about it. It's hard to quantify.

I think it would have to be addressed in the insurance.

I am not an entreprenuer, then what am I doing?

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Hey, it could be a good thing!

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Re: Hey, it could be a good thing!

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if it does go under...

Re: if it does go under...

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