Homeschool supply store, should I start one?

Question

I currently work in a teacher supply store. The owners are teachers, they have not been able to decide what they are doing. Since they have opened they have added scrapbook supplies, christian items, office supplies and gifts. They are failing. They are selling the business. They offered it to me. I would want to turn it into a school supply store that catered more to the homeschooling sect. Maybe even offer craft classes for the little ones or supply space for someone to teach a unit study, the attendees would pay for it and I would get a cut of it. Maybe turn the back room into small lab room?

Would this be of interest to anyone?

Answer 1

I would be hesitant without knowing more.

It's a good idea, but I'd do it on the internet.

A brick store requries shoppers.

Be careful

If they can't make it, maybe you can't either

Just joit down their sources and see if you can do a virtual store.

That would have more customers.

Answer 2

Absolutely!

Would love to see a science lab, fully equipped with all  needed for chem/bio/physics experiments for the younger set (i.e. not old enough for community college)

Great idea!

Answer 3

Yes, definitely. A few things come to mind though.

Make sure you have enough home schoolers near by to make it worth while for you. I know I am quite thrifty, so prices would have to be low. Maybe open up a store front and a space on the internet. You would have to be able to buy in bulk in order to be able have any substantial savings to pass to your customers.

You also should consider catering to teachers of all kinds and as you stated have arts and crafts supplies available as well.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

By Golly, I think you are onto something!

Answer 5

The simple answer to this question is yes...

However, to be an effective business, you need something special, something that other teaching supply stores don't have.

Maybe have a section with homeschool books on law, college prep (since many universities used to turn us away). SAT, ACT, CHSPE.

Organize classes for specialized units (calculus, chemistry, physics, american literature, govt...etc.) that parents might not be able to teach their children. Also have study/tutoring sessions. Essentially, offer all of the positive aspects that public school does, but homeschooling doesn't. Homeschoolers aren't in public school for one reason or another, but those reasons are rarely access to resources.

You might also contact teachers and parents and ask them what they'd like you to carry or have available for order. This way you give yourself a form of insurance that the store will be successful.

Answer 6

That depends on if there is a market.

Call the small business administration, and have them do a market analysis, and help you develop a business plan to see if there is a lender that will finance it.

Depending on the market, you will have stiff competition from Internet businesses, you may want to look into having an on-line component as well.

Good luck; and remember your success will depend on how well you did the research, and prior planning.

Answer 7

h**l yeah

Answer 8

We have a teachers supply store here and we love it. It's great to be able to go browse the shelves and see whats there that I can use to teach! So yeah do it. I also really like the class idea! Good Luck!