Starting a new shop

Not sure where else to post this, but here I am anyway. So A friend of mine has a business that outfits police and other emergency vehicles with lights, radios, etc... Well, we were talking the other night and I told him how he could easily expand his business into car audio - he's already got the storefront, workspace, tools, and basic electronics knowledge, so why not? There's no other competition in town (Jacksonville, IL pop. 20,000) for car audio so it'd more than likely be pretty profitable.

 

Well, he thought it was a great idea too, but he's too busy right now with his existing projects and customers that he wouldn't have the time to start up a  new branch of his company..... so he said I could do it! He told me that he'd provide everything I needed to set up a car audio shop as long as I came up with a good business plan/model. I mean, what guy would pass up this kind of opportunity!? Well, there are several obstacles in my way here. First off, I was a communication major in college with no business background and second, I'm not MECP certified, nor to I have any professional experience dealing with car audio. Yes, I know how to do basic installs of HU's, amps, subs, speakers, etc. so I'm pretty sure I need to start doing some heavy duty research (probably including getting MECP certified).

 

I was just wondering what you all think about this whole thing. Any information about how your store is set up, how you got started, any suggestions as far as brands to go with, how much inventory to keep in stock, what types of services to offer starting out, best places to up my knowledge of the trade, anything and everything that might help me out here. Or if you think I'm just wasting my time, let me know about that too! Thanks.

 

Matt Gallas