How much do you believe the average bowling pro-shop owner makes?

Question

I'm considering going into this field and would like to know all i can about it before i make my final decision.

Answer 1

Not much, unless you make the right decisions about your pro shop business.  Most of the pro shop owners I know just purchase every single bowling ball manufactured in almost every weight and when those bowling balls get replaced or new and improved ones come out, they just become expensive paperweights and they lose out when they don't get sold.  Those owners resort to spending extra money selling extra stock on EBay at a loss.

The successful pro shop owners will sign up with certain popular manufacturers, will learn their specific drilling techniques and will not purchase every single bowling ball manufactured.  They will buy the popular bowling balls at the weights frequently used (10, 12, 14, 15 & 16 lbs.) and specific high performance and starter equipment like bags and shoes.  Everything else will be ordered from local bowling distributors so that special orders will be fulfilled instead of overstocking the store with stuff that will just get unsold.

It also depends on if you are a certified USBC bowling instructor/coach and offer lessons on the side.  That also brings in revenue for selling private and group lessons.  

Good luck with your new venture!