Looking for advice on an idea

Mark Williams

Mark Williams

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As many of you know , I'm a disabled veteran.

Making knives is something that I can do on my own pace and make a little extra cash every now and then. I know that a lot of disabled vets and their dependents do various arts and crafts and could use the added exposure of their work at a storefront.

I am thinking of checking to see if maybe I could get the use of some real estate in the downtown area near my home and feature the work of disabled veterans and their dependents in the shop. It would be nice if someone could donate the store space as a tax write-off, but that may not happen. I know the store would have utility expenses so the store would have to take a pecentage of each purchase in order to function. I would definately NOT want to handle the accounting , so there would be another expense.

The folks that wished to sell their work could donate their time in the store as needed waiting on customers and letting them know what the place is all about.

I have absolutley no business experience but I think it could work.

Could a place that serves veterans and does make money in order to function be considered non-profit?

I'm probably trying to get into something way over my head with this, but I may be able to get some help from local veterans advocates. Who knows?

Ya dont know till you try :)

Any advice would be welcome
 
Have you ever thought of trying to get a gallery or art/craft store to hold an exhibition or carry some stuff on commission. It would allow you to present the veteran's wares to an already existing clientele. This way you would maybe only have to pay a 10% or so commission instead of utilities, maintenance, and/or rent for a space.

Just an idea,

Nathan
 
That's a great idea Nathan,

Sure would make things simple. I guess I always make things more difficult than they have to be.
 
NDallyn said:
Have you ever thought of trying to get a gallery or art/craft store to hold an exhibition or carry some stuff on commission. It would allow you to present the veteran's wares to an already existing clientele. This way you would maybe only have to pay a 10% or so commission instead of utilities, maintenance, and/or rent for a space.

Just an idea,

Nathan
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That would be a simpler way to do it, but I doubt you'll find a gallery that would agree to 10%. One of the reasons I got out of commision sales was that they sometimes wanted 40 to 60%. I work like hell to make the product and they get a bunch of money for providing a shelf. Not for me, but it's worth a try. You might find a good one.
 
man - getting a storefront donated sounds like the hard part!!

You may need a small corner for coffee and fresh baked pickups like muffins, cookies, grill cheeze sandwiches to bring people in off the streets. Dont know what kind of lincense you will need to serve foods though....
 
the non profit prob not but there is such a animal as a "not for profit" buisness. i just set one up an account last week, i know nothing about it but its worth looking in to
 
oldwolf said:
That would be a simpler way to do it, but I doubt you'll find a gallery that would agree to 10%. One of the reasons I got out of commision sales was that they sometimes wanted 40 to 60%. I work like hell to make the product and they get a bunch of money for providing a shelf. Not for me, but it's worth a try. You might find a good one.
Click to expand...

I'm a welder, not an art snob. The closest I've ever come to an "art gallery" was passing by one on the bus while I was in trade school:D . I personally prefer the artwork of Remington, Savage, and Winchester:D . Maybe part of me likes to think that some of those white collar folks would give a break to disabled vets. I would hope so anyways.

Best of luck Mr. Williams,

Nathan
 
I'm tempted to start putting DAV logos or VFW logos on everything I do on the web. GEt enough people to do it- and check the membership rolls! - and it could take off.

Not related to your idea specifically.

I think it is a great idea, though.
 
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