Opening a Business

[-Rudel-]

Well here some thoughts that I would like to do in Japan or Okinawa after I graduate the college of my choice, along with living in Okinawa or Japan.

First I need to submit for a certificate of eligibility after I get out of service...

I realize I need a working visa, but to make things slightly easier, most likely the business will be in my wife's name until I get the proper credential of owning it myself.

So my first choice would be....opening a franchise clothing store that is pretty popular by the youth of American kids. Im not talking about Gate-2 type stores, but commercial store you find in Malls and such. Have the teens or young adults with the same fasion sense work as the clerks.

My second would be to open an independant recording studio. Something I've always wanted to do. Many bands out there need to be discovered and recorded! Who knows maybe one day it can expand globally if I ever decide to switch to major labeling.

What do you guys think? :thumbup1: or :thumbdown:

[Asshat]

What do you guys think? :thumbup1: or :thumbdown:

I think you will be screwed for many reasons. I also think many people will respond negatively like me, and you shouldn't listen to any of us.

It's your life, so you should do what you want to do to make money in it. Good luck.

[hankypanky]

Music industry takes years of being in the "business", actually doing the work and knowing people. I've been doing it for over 10 years here and finally have a little name recognition.

Small time businesses are hard because the guys who have been doing it for 10-20 years and have the capital can push you right out. Plenty of scraps out there, but don't plan on getting rich in the near future unless u come up with some type of gimmic, which will wear off in less than a year, then u start all over again:D

You can eat but pork chops are more realistic than backstrap!

[-Rudel-]

I know there will negetive thoughts here. I'll just weed through them. But hey...I just like to know what people think about others' ideas sometimes.

I do appreciate the replies though!

Good points :D

[Sex Wax]

i've known many musicians here on Okinawa that have tried the recording studio gig, and most have only lasted a few months. There are already a couple established independent ones here on Okinawa, as well as a couple satelltite studios for Sony and others. Your best bet would be to try and line up something with one of the independent ones, work there for a bit, get the experience, then maybe try it on your own. Same thing with the "hip" clothing store idea...some last forawhile, some don't. What you shold do is open a raw oyster bar near the beach with pitchers of beer and sand on the floor. I think you would do well at that. I'd be there alot. :D

[-Rudel-]

lol....You brought up a good point I that went right over my head....You're right though, I should work for the stuios before I go on my own. Definately better!

Now a raw oyster bar. Theres something that could be opened world wide...

[Muku]

Now a raw oyster bar.
Often hear this one but I am always curious where people think they are going to get the fresh oysters from and what they expect their customers will pay for them?

I go to a place that serves fresh oysters and one oyster on the half shell costs between 800 to 1000 yen.

I wonder if people here are willing to pay $120.00 for a dozen oysters?:scratchchin:

[Carl]

Since I'll probably never end up doing it myself, I'll give you my idea. When I was stationed here, I HATED going to the PX every Sunday and waiting hours for a haircut. My idea was to buy or rent a building outside of the commissary gate of Foster or near an off base housing area (Chatan?) and open up a barber shop geared towards military with competitive prices. There are no off base barber shops that I know of that specialize in this nor offer a price comparable to that of the PX.

[Muku]

Since I'll probably never end up doing it myself, I'll give you my idea. When I was stationed here, I HATED going to the PX every Sunday and waiting hours for a haircut. My idea was to buy or rent a building outside of the commissary gate of Foster or near an off base housing area (Chatan?) and open up a barber shop geared towards military with competitive prices. There are no off base barber shops that I know of that specialize in this nor offer a price comparable to that of the PX.

What does a haircut on base cost? There are plenty of places off base that charge 1,000 for a cut, is that comparable?

[Carl]

What does a haircut on base cost? There are plenty of places off base that charge 1,000 for a cut, is that comparable?

I think it's about 600 yen or something like that at the PX (it's been a while though, so I could be off a little bit). Also, whenever I got my hair cut off base here, it was never short enough (Marines are ******* weird about haircuts) and I'd end up having to go back to the PX anyway. AF and Navy could get away with one of the 1000 yen places I think.

Edit: Oh yes, and of course my barbershop would be full of attractive women. Just like Combat Barber in 29 Palms (which is why that was where I always got my haircut ;) ).

[Muku]

I think it's about 600 yen or something like that at the PX (it's been a while though, so I could be off a little bit). Also, whenever I got my hair cut off base here, it was never short enough (Marines are ******* weird about haircuts) and I'd end up having to go back to the PX anyway. AF and Navy could get away with one of the 1000 yen places I think.

Well, one thing you would need to do if you are serious about this is getting licensed here to open a barber shop which in most cases means going to a barber school and then apprenticing out to an established place, or opening your own shop up right afterwards.

If you are only interested in the US military as your customer good luck because if you charged even 1,000 per cut imagine the number of haircuts you would have to give monthly to pay the bills.

How are you going to pay them girls?:D Or will you also have a soapie on the side as well? Think of the possibilities, shit you could give the haircuts for free too.:smile4:

[Carl]

Well, one thing you would need to do if you are serious about this is getting licensed here to open a barber shop which in most cases means going to a barber school and then apprenticing out to an established place, or opening your own shop up right afterwards.

If you are only interested in the US military as your customer good luck because if you charged even 1,000 per cut imagine the number of haircuts you would have to give monthly to pay the bills.

How are you going to pay them girls?:D Or will you also have a soapie on the side as well? Think of the possibilities, shit you could give the haircuts for free too.:smile4:

I'd get my hair cut alot more often if it had a happy ending :thumbup:

[thatguy4]

Hate to sound like a woman here but...... My wife complains a lot about how womens pants fit differently on each and every woman out there. That being said (and I hate to sound like a prick and this doesn't apply to everyone) I haven't noticed what Sir Mix a'lot sings about walking around Okinawa. It seems like more of an american thing. That being said ( and I hate to sound like a prick and this doesn't apply to everyone) there are some big women walking around base. I am sure buying clothes, specifically jeans is a pain in the ass aorund here since many of the women on the Island lack the ghetto booty as it is called.

In short, I think american clothing is a pretty good idea. I have a feeling you could do pretty well there. In fact if you could get a set up in a JUSTCO or close to american village I think you are going to be rolling in dough in no time.

[I Am Luna]

Just get a friend on base and black market stuff. I make TONS.

[jthizz]

I think it's about 600 yen or something like that at the PX (it's been a while though, so I could be off a little bit). Also, whenever I got my hair cut off base here, it was never short enough (Marines are ******* weird about haircuts) and I'd end up having to go back to the PX anyway. AF and Navy could get away with one of the 1000 yen places I think.

Edit: Oh yes, and of course my barbershop would be full of attractive women. Just like Combat Barber in 29 Palms (which is why that was where I always got my haircut ;) ).

Stud cuts in Oceanside, had all female barbers, they even have those chick chairs, so they can wash and massage your head

[Obe1Canole]

If you open a recording studio I could be your recording and mixing engineer! I didn't know there were any reputable studios out here... Where are they SW? American clothes geared at American kids or Japanese kids? Seems like the only American fashion Japanese are into is hip hop... I think a lot of military dudes would shop there though if you had lots of Abercrombie and Aero stuff, PX fashion sucks. As far as barber shops go, there's one right outside gate 4 Kinser and they only charge 10 bucks. Their revenue is limited though because they only have 2 chairs. On the contrary, I think a fortune could be made in America if you opened a Coco's franchise. There's nothing like it in the states, not chain restaurants anyway.

[sktmfy]

If you open a recording studio I could be your recording and mixing engineer! I didn't know there were any reputable studios out here... Where are they SW? American clothes geared at American kids or Japanese kids? Seems like the only American fashion Japanese are into is hip hop... I think a lot of military dudes would shop there though if you had lots of Abercrombie and Aero stuff, PX fashion sucks. As far as barber shops go, there's one right outside gate 4 Kinser and they only charge 10 bucks. Their revenue is limited though because they only have 2 chairs. On the contrary, I think a fortune could be made in America if you opened a Coco's franchise. There's nothing like it in the states, not chain restaurants anyway.

there are few studios out here...all over...i heard the one in koza music town is pretty awesome, but they charge an arm and a leg, its cheaper if you know how to work the equipment, and if you need one of thier guys there, they will take you to the bank, or you could just come by my place i have a full recording studio in a barracks room that i keep on base....invitation only.

[Obe1Canole]

there are few studios out here...all over...i heard the one in koza music town is pretty awesome, but they charge an arm and a leg, its cheaper if you know how to work the equipment, and if you need one of thier guys there, they will take you to the bank, or you could just come by my place i have a full recording studio in a barracks room that i keep on base....invitation only.

I've got a little studio of my own in the barracks as well. I bet mines better!:first:

[-Rudel-]

The store would be geared both Japanese and Americans., but yes, getting it into a Jusco or San-A is the direction I want to go. American Village is even better. All those stores have the same clothing, but if I bring something different to spot, I'm sure it would cause some attention.

Obe and Sktmfy...you guys should colaborate and work for me. :D

[DoctorP]

The store would be geared both Japanese and Americans., but yes, getting it into a Jusco or San-A is the direction I want to go. American Village is even better. All those stores have the same clothing, but if I bring something different to spot, I'm sure it would cause some attention.

Obe and Sktmfy...you guys should colaborate and work for me. :D

If you get ready to do something I might be able to help you get into a JUSCO, not the one in Chatan, but I have friends that I could introduce you to.