Starting a headshop?

[iDRINKBLEACH]

With legalization possibly around the corner I'm contemplating starting a headshop. I'm not rich by any means but would like to throw 10k down. Using mostly dhgate. I'm wondering the best vendors for this situation, product suggestions, marketing ideas. I've never tried to own a business and any help would greatly be appreciated

 

[arb]

With legalization possibly around the corner I'm contemplating starting a headshop. I'm not rich by any means but would like to throw 10k down. Using mostly dhgate. I'm wondering the best vendors for this situation, product suggestions,

Do you have storefront in a urban area?
PayPal will fuck you,banks will shun you law enforcement will see you as low hanging fruit and finally 10k ain't gonna be enough to be a retainer for adequate legal representation.
Going legal is a fucking nightmare and puts a giant target on your back in multiple ways.........just saying.

 

[iDRINKBLEACH]

Do you have storefront in a urban area?
PayPal will fuck you,banks will shun you law enforcement will see you as low hanging fruit and finally 10k ain't gonna be enough to be a retainer for adequate legal representation.
Going legal is a fucking nightmare and puts a giant target on your back in multiple ways.........just saying.

I know a few places I can rent in the middle of town. Loans I'm not worried about. Legal aspect currently you can buy tobacco water pipes in my state but where I live there isnt much choice a few way overpriced pieces in e liquid vape stores.

 

[arb]

I know a few places I can rent in the middle of town. Loans I'm not worried about. Legal aspect currently you can buy tobacco water pipes in my state but where I live there isnt much choice a few way overpriced pieces in e liquid vape stores.

Federal laws apply to anything shipped or received which is the loophole that is used.
I only speak of my experience in a very conservative state things may be different where you live..........I really hope they are.

 

[iDRINKBLEACH]

Federal laws apply to anything shipped or received which is the loophole that is used.
I only speak of my experience in a very conservative state things may be different where you live..........I really hope they are.

I hope so too. I'm looking into a tobacco license to reduce chances of seizures. I would hate to get 10k of glass taken on top of a 10k fine

 

[strech]

As a small business owner myself my first word of advice to write up a business plan. 1year 3yearand 5 years goals. I would contact your local SBA/score office and get some local free advise.

Also don't forget your biggest expense advertising and marketing. Even with free online listings your gonna need to spend some coin here.

Last I will leave you with this. There is a lot more to business then just buy cheap and sell high.

Good luck.

 

[justcametomind]

Why don't you start with an online headshop and advertise locally with craigslist, stickers on bus benches and avoid renting anything physical?
If business is so good you can always decide if embark yourself in the hassle of getting a place, licenses, and such.
EDIT from reading the Cheap hi quality glass thread: bongs seized in CALIFORNIA under the anti-paraphernalia law. arb is probably right about federal laws. And that's California, where it's legal since decades.

More than 8,300 bongs seized by Customs and Border Protections officers

Customs and Border Protection officers seized thousands of marijuana water pipes during an inspection at Dulles Airport in suburban Washington.

www.foxnews.com

 

[BrianTL]

Why don't you start with an online headshop and advertise locally with craigslist, stickers on bus benches and avoid renting anything physical?
If business is so good you can always decide if embark yourself in the hassle of getting a place, licenses, and such.
EDIT from reading the Cheap hi quality glass thread: bongs seized in CALIFORNIA under the anti-paraphernalia law. arb is probably right about federal laws. And that's California, where it's legal since decades.

More than 8,300 bongs seized by Customs and Border Protections officers

Customs and Border Protection officers seized thousands of marijuana water pipes during an inspection at Dulles Airport in suburban Washington.

www.foxnews.com

Well the problem while yes its California, international shipments are handled by CBP, who are federal agents, and follow federal law rather than state law. Federally, (not too familiar with the paraphernalia law at all) I think its illegal to ship that stuff internationally. The story is also extremely vague. Were they going to a residential address? Commercial address? 8,300 bongs, split over 41 boxes, going to one single address is going to grab attention, I'm sure.

Obviously bongs are shipped from China every day without issue. Apparently its illegal. So dont just go ordering 8,000 of them at once? Maybe order a few smaller shipments instead? Also not sure what the average china glass bong goes for, but doing the math they value them at around 17 bucks a pop...

That said...tons of headshops out there operate every day without issue. It can be done.

My advice, dont be a typical headshop, if you go through with it. Like stretch said, theres a lot more to a business besides buy cheap sell high.

Just be different than your run of the mill headshop. Have any other local headshops? Do some research. See what they're selling, who their clientele typically is. If I had to guess, they have the standard grungy head shop vibe, operating under the guise of a tobacco shop but really targeting stoners.

With legalization around the corner, there will probably be a new target market coming up of people who want to try, but are NOT your typical stoner. If I were opening a head shop, I would aim for that market. The business men, the soccer moms, the people who would typically cringe and shy away from most head shops out there today. These are people who IMO wouldnt feel super comfortable walking into that semi-sketchy looking corner head shop with flashing lights and cheap displays filling the window. Give these people some place to feel comfortable coming to for all of their gear, a place they'll recommend to others in similar positions, idk... could work.

 

[iDRINKBLEACH]

Well the problem while yes its California, international shipments are handled by CBP, who are federal agents, and follow federal law rather than state law. Federally, (not too familiar with the paraphernalia law at all) I think its illegal to ship that stuff internationally. The story is also extremely vague. Were they going to a residential address? Commercial address? 8,300 bongs, split over 41 boxes, going to one single address is going to grab attention, I'm sure.

Obviously bongs are shipped from China every day without issue. Apparently its illegal. So dont just go ordering 8,000 of them at once? Maybe order a few smaller shipments instead? Also not sure what the average china glass bong goes for, but doing the math they value them at around 17 bucks a pop...

That said...tons of headshops out there operate every day without issue. It can be done.

My advice, dont be a typical headshop, if you go through with it. Like stretch said, theres a lot more to a business besides buy cheap sell high.

Just be different than your run of the mill headshop. Have any other local headshops? Do some research. See what they're selling, who their clientele typically is. If I had to guess, they have the standard grungy head shop vibe, operating under the guise of a tobacco shop but really targeting stoners.

With legalization around the corner, there will probably be a new target market coming up of people who want to try, but are NOT your typical stoner. If I were opening a head shop, I would aim for that market. The business men, the soccer moms, the people who would typically cringe and shy away from most head shops out there today. These are people who IMO wouldnt feel super comfortable walking into that semi-sketchy looking corner head shop with flashing lights and cheap displays filling the window. Give these people some place to feel comfortable coming to for all of their gear, a place they'll recommend to others in similar positions, idk... could work.

This was the plan. I have put more thought into it than buy low sell high. We have no headshops within 2 hours of me. My wife has been her family business accountant for several years. Waterpipes make it through everyday but the wife and I plan on trying to stick to dhgate local warehouse for the first few to avoid customs. We have a first n second year plan to try to grow our store. Third year we have not thought that far because we know we will adapt the store to the needs of the community. As far as fulfilling the niche for the "non-stoner" types that is our main focus group because of our location. The town I live in is a tourist trap for hunting and fishing then sturgis rally brings a ton of people where I live, so we want to appeal to them also.
I know this will not be easy but if I dont try I'll beat myself up.

 

[BrianTL]

This was the plan. I have put more thought into it than buy low sell high. We have no headshops within 2 hours of me. My wife has been her family business accountant for several years. Waterpipes make it through everyday but the wife and I plan on trying to stick to dhgate local warehouse for the first few to avoid customs. We have a first n second year plan to try to grow our store. Third year we have not thought that far because we know we will adapt the store to the needs of the community. As far as fulfilling the niche for the "non-stoner" types that is our main focus group because of our location. The town I live in is a tourist trap for hunting and fishing then sturgis rally brings a ton of people where I live, so we want to appeal to them also.
I know this will not be easy but if I dont try I'll beat myself up.

Ahh, you're over by sturgis. Yeah, I'm sure I dont have to tell you but Sturgis is a completely different ball game during the rally. Find a glass blower to make a few HD related pipes, you'll probably sell a few of those!

I'm actually headed out there for next years rally. Cant wait!

Around here they're really not "head shops" but more like "vape shops" for E-Cigs, basically same concept but geared more towards E-Cigs... not sure if its for marketing or legal reasons, but I'm about 5 mins from the CT border and they have plain old smoke shops there. 90% of them that I see, even I would feel a little sketched walking into. They just give off a sleazy vibe lol.

It can absolutely be done in a better way, imo. Good luck!

 

[iDRINKBLEACH]

Selling e cig or tobacco eases the tension on legality issues (plus extra profit for something that doesn't take up much space) . I plan on using hookahs to ease it a long with e liquid and cigar . It's pretty packed at sturgis a good time though for sure

 

[BrianTL]

Yeah thats what I assumed, eases the tension it a bit, it makes it more, "appealing" I think to passerby i.e. stuck up people are less likely to complain, etc. Sounds like you've at least got a good idea about what you wanna do with it!

 

[Chainfish]

I've noticed a lot of nice glass products coming from China, not just bongs. You could go the Glass shop route, display is just nice decanters, bongs, drinking glasses and have a selection of headshop necessities in. Bet China do interesting little glass souvenirs with hunting and bikes. plus keeps profile of shop down and doesn't offend any "old dear church party tourists". Good luck to you both in your venture

 

[strech]

There is local wholesale suppliers who will have stock state side already. Might want to check that out too.


Edited to add

SPS Wholesale - Wholesale Glass Pipes, CBD, Bongs, and Smoke Shop Supplies

Wholesale supplier of glass pipes, CBD, dab rigs, bongs, vaporizers, water pipes, adapters and other wholesale smoking accessories.

spswholesale.com

Wholesale Head Shop | Glass Pipes, Bongs, Oil Rigs

Aux Ark Trading wholesale Head Shop Sells wholesale glass pipes, dab rigs, oil rigs, bongs, bubblers, concentrate pipes, and water pipes.

www.auxarktrading.com

Just a couple quick ones that I found.

 

[iDRINKBLEACH]

There is local wholesale suppliers who will have stock state side already. Might want to check that out too.


Edited to add

SPS Wholesale - Wholesale Glass Pipes, CBD, Bongs, and Smoke Shop Supplies

Wholesale supplier of glass pipes, CBD, dab rigs, bongs, vaporizers, water pipes, adapters and other wholesale smoking accessories.

spswholesale.com

Wholesale Head Shop | Glass Pipes, Bongs, Oil Rigs

Aux Ark Trading wholesale Head Shop Sells wholesale glass pipes, dab rigs, oil rigs, bongs, bubblers, concentrate pipes, and water pipes.

www.auxarktrading.com

Just a couple quick ones that I found.

I will definitely look into that. I like the idea of buying a big set. As I'm set in my ways with glass I would hate to be narrow minded and only get what I like [banger hangers with bent neck or a whipped water piece] the $2500 -$5k set might be okay to try I'm definitely going to look into more and try to see what customers recieved. I dont wanna go all Joe dirt on it and only get snakes n sparklers

 

[strech]

Also don't forget the heady high end folks. Some people get some cash and will spend spend spend. Have some stuff they can spend on! Notice how most Shops have the under $50 display under$100 then the fancy stuff on the shelf behind the counter.

Get a local or simi local blower to make a few things for you. You will be shocked how reasonable prices can be when your buying a box full of stuff over the one custom piece.

Also remember to buy stock that you can sell. Not just stuff you think is cool. From my conversations with my local head shop owners the masses want cheap real cheap. Most will pass on a quality piece to save $5. Is that the same everywhere idk. It's the same response I heard from 2 different shops in Chicago. Both have different clientele and in extremely different neighborhoods.

 

[arb]

The low end silicone shit sells like crazy round here.
Anything over a nickel and hands start wringing.

 

[iDRINKBLEACH]

Heady high end is 3-6 month plan. I mean I want to open with some heady like empire and illuminati wheres its price is reasonable for how heady they can get.
@arb I did have silicone in mind too. I dislike them myself and have owned one but there is definitely a market for them.

 

[strech]

I got this for $100. My shop had a tag for $150. Brand is tattoo.





This one wqs under $130 don't remember exactly. Brand is encore.

 

[iDRINKBLEACH]

That top one is Illuminati glass, the brand I referred to. They are awesome price for how heady they are. They did I pretty good Salt glass impersonations on your piece.

 

[strech]

It's a cool piece. In hand you can clearly see it is not high end glass. I would not have paid more then $100. I'm sure many wouldn't notice the many imperfections and just sloppy work. It's got a super smooth pull and is a hell of a ripper.

 

[iDRINKBLEACH]

Haha I know I feel the same way about my glass from them. Looks good viewed like art from 6 feet away haha.

 

[strech]

Haha I know I feel the same way about my glass from them. Looks good viewed like art from 6 feet away haha.

I always like how my dad would describe cars with the same sloppy work. Ten Fifties he would say. They look good at ten feet going 50 mph!

 

[FlyingLow]

Do you have storefront in a urban area?
PayPal will fuck you,banks will shun you law enforcement will see you as low hanging fruit and finally 10k ain't gonna be enough to be a retainer for adequate legal representation.
Going legal is a fucking nightmare and puts a giant target on your back in multiple ways.........just saying.

I could not agree more... I have been in retail for 15 years and you could not pay me any amount of money to start a retail storefront in this economic climate. Retail is DEAD. COVID has only exacerbated the pains, people do not want to shop in person, and walk-in traffic is also DEAD.... Not to mention, it is going to take EXPONENTIALLY more than $10k for a startup... I would not recommend building a business model around these numbers. You cant even afford to put fresh paint or carpet in your space (anticipate $5 per square foot minimum).

Best advice I have would be to save your money, and put it towards something else that can make you happy and a little money. Perhaps put $10k down on an inexpensive mountain house that you can rent out Air-BNB style and use it when it is not rented.

This is a very litigious business and you have no money for legal representation. Not a good position to be starting out in.


All that advice aside, say you do go forward and put your heart, your savings and all your effort into the venture. Your ownership is going to be so diminished after bringing in investors and capital, it seems like it would be a real challenge to make a proud living...

 

[BrianTL]

Thats also some sound advice... if you're open to other avenues, that 10K could be put to very good use.

Not to discourage, but to be realistic, I'm in insurance sales, focusing primarily on the commercial side. The amount of businesses (both new and long-established) I've been seeing close (re: clients and friends) lately is just insane. Then again, we are in one of the areas hit hardest, like idk when NYC will ever recover.

Never insured a head shop, but just based on my general experience, I would also really look into that when figuring your expenses out. It could get pretty expensive.