Advice

[Steele]

I am new to the Nightclub industry but have always been interested in opening my own club. My friend and I graduated from college 3 years ago and would like to open a nightclub in Rockland County New York. Between the both of us we do not have enough money to open a club. My question to you is, are we getting in way over our heads or can we put enough resources together to start our own club? Where does one start?

Thank you

[David]

The answer to your question is yes. Post more info and I'll give you a better answer.

[Steele]

So your quick answer was no, but I would like to know why you feel I should back away from opening a club. When you started out did you have experience?

[ALLorNOTHING]

I say just go for it no matter what. I plan on opening a place of my own after I get out of the Army. I have been in for 7 years, and I have alot of confidence in myself and my potential. You will never know until you try. I dont think anyone knows everything about running a bar/nightclub. I plan on working at a local sportsbar after the New Year, and the owner is real cool. I am going to try to learn as much as I can with him in about a year and half I have left in the Army, then use my Military small business loan to start off. Although people say I'm too young, I am going to use it to my advantage (and my dashingly good looks) to be constantly promoting my own place at the colleges, malls, anywhere I can find people. I have been a Recruiter for the last 3 years and have been very succesful at my profession. If I can make people understand how the Army can benefit them, I sure as hell can pursuade people to come and have a drink, listen to some good music, and check out some lovely ladies:D

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm stupid, but I like to learn things the hard way! Nothing will ever happen unless you put 100% into it, unless you get lucky.
You cant even get lucky if you DONT roll the dice! JUST DO IT!

[David]

Steele:

I wasn't saying NO. All I was saying is this.

I/we need more info.

* Do you have any business experience?
* What type of ownership will you and your partners have?
* Is this something that you feel is cool to be involved in or, are you aware of the work that is involved to make your venture a successful one?
* Are you or your partners married? Are your spouses the understanding kind.

I guess that to say "Go For It" wouldn't be something that I would recommend from my experience. Everyone that comes into our club and says "this can't be that hard" is really a complement to the staff and management. If on the surface, this is what they see, we have done our jobs.

By all means, do it if you feel that you can make it work. Just remember that nothing in life is free and those that work the hardest in this biz are the ones that are successful.

IF you need me to be more specific, re-post with more questions.

[steffen]

Steele -

With any business idea... you're going to need some sort of background to pull it off. Business, actual industry experience... something! The more you know how to do, the less you'll have to learn on your own (costing you more to do it that way). It's about being smart in the industry that you want to start.

For example... You probably woulndn't start a glass-blowing business, if you had no idea how to blow glass... right? You need a basic background of the industry you choose.

David has a valid point as well, that the nightclub industry is very hard to cope with. Not only for you as an operator, but for family and friends of yours and your partners. You will be living at your operation until you feel that you trust everyone that is there. Is this something that you're ready to commit yourself to? Is your family ready to commit to this too?

Also, remember Bar, Resturaunts, and Nightclubs have a 86% failure rate. Meaning for every 26 coffee shops, bistros, resturuants, bars and nightclubs that open... only 3 will survive to pay back their investors.

I hope I didn't scare you off, but this is a peek into this crazy business, that most of us consider a part of our lives.