Is owning my own shop just a pipe dream?

[Cerberussss]

G'day to all,

I have this crazy idea of either buying or opening a shop in the southern states or on one of the islands in the Caribbean.
Would like to hear from those of you who have done the same. Anyone out there toss their perfectly prosperous career for a chance at running their own shop?
Not looking to make a million dollars just want a slower, more friendly, kinda life.

Looking to hear from any and all current and former shop owners. Dont hold back, I am hoping for Good, Bad, and UGLY stories or advice.

Thanks to all that take the time to reply,
Cerberussss
"......Would rather be diving!!!"

 

[Guba]

Sure wish you'd try in my area (North Central Texas). We don't have a real dive shop for 75 miles in any direction because they KEEP CLOSING! Even shops that were open for many years (about 35 miles away) boarded up their doors this year. I'm sure a shop can be run efficiently and make a go of it, but that has not been the case around here, evidently.
Best of fortune to you. Hope you can make your dream come true.

 

[captain]

Keep the perfectly prosperous career, save money, retire early to the islands and dive whenever you want and not have to put up with BS

 

[AZdiver1279]

G'day to all,

I have this crazy idea of either buying or opening a shop in the southern states or on one of the islands in the Caribbean.
Would like to hear from those of you who have done the same. Anyone out there toss their perfectly prosperous career for a chance at running their own shop?
Not looking to make a million dollars just want a slower, more friendly, kinda life.

Looking to hear from any and all current and former shop owners. Dont hold back, I am hoping for Good, Bad, and UGLY stories or advice.

Thanks to all that take the time to reply,
Cerberussss
"......Would rather be diving!!!"

Cerberussss,

Thanks for posting the question, it is one I had thought of posting but you beat me to it.

I'll be watching the response to questions with keen interest as I consider my own options!

I have a similiar question about dive charter boats in Caribbean or Florida I'll probably post in another forum.

Take care!

 

[MichaelBaranows]

I have to agree with "Captain" and that is the plan I have right now. The oil market is good right now so I am working as much as I can and saving every extra penny. Hopefully this will allow me to retire young and move south. As Divemaster or instructor, I am sure I can find a little work from time to time to make a little extra spending money.

 

[Brian Sharpe]

I have clients who had the same dream and bought a dive shop in Bonaire. I don't know all the details but it turned out the original owners were scamming them and it took a lengthy court battle to recover their investment.

Moral of the story - dream the dream but when it comes to getting your cheque (I spelled it that was as you're a fellow Canuck) book out make sure you've had the paperwork vetted by your own lawyer and the financial data reviewed by your own accountant. It's easy to get swept away...........

 

[Hoomi]

Be sure to read through this topic for insights into what makes a good, versus not-so-good, dive shop.

 

[don Francisco]

It isn't a pipe dream, if that's what you want out of life.

Let me warn you, it'll be lots of hard work, with low rewards for a number of years until it gets rolling (if it ever does), but if you want to live in the tropics, have great people skills, are willing to work hard, and have enough of a stake to to start/buy a business, but not enough to retire, it's an option.

I know a number of ex-pat dove operation owners, some love it, some feel trapped, some burn out after a few years. I assume that if you open a shop, you'll fall into one of those categories, but who knows which.

 

[RJP]

Not looking to make a million dollars just want a slower, more friendly, kinda life.

Just what we need, another dive shop that's not concerned about being prosperous, and in fact admits up front that while they'll be friendly that they will for sure be slow!

"Hey buddy how ya doing!? VIP? Yep, we can do that. How's two weeks from next Wednesday sound?"

 

[Doc]

Not looking to make a million dollars

You might want to start with that million, however.

To survive, you're going to need a pool or ocean access that will suffice for Confined Water. Then you're going to need ocean access for Open Water.

Your going to need tanks, lead and a compressor. That's tough to UPS to an island, many of which don't have UPS.

To survive, you're going to need access to a boat. To prosper, you're going to need to own the boat. You'll need a dive staff, preferably not the ones who think they are on vacation.

On the upside, you likely won't need more than one pair of real shoes, you'll meet happy people on vacation and your DMs will meet a lot of guests in Bikinis. Your wife will leave you, but you'll veer towards beer.

You will get old and wrinkly, possibly "go island", and live the life we all dream of.