I Think I Have A Good Business Idea

[ResidentEvil7]

As you guys know by now being autistic with Asperger's Syndrome has costed me many years of my life trying to get a job and having to live off of disability SSI deposits and SNAP benefits. Unless, I somehow manage to find a job, hopefully at my local Best Buy, this holiday season where I can start in the warehouse and work my way to Geek Squad after taking some tech courses, the follow business idea might not happen.

If I ever get enough money, I'm highly considering starting a small business just on the next block from where I live that used to be occupied by a Bath & Body Works store. I love electronic games; so I'm considering opening up a small arcade gaming lounge with arcades, pinball, snack vending, soda vending, tabletop games and PC and console gaming. I figure I either charge $20 unlimited free play for the day, or do prepaid gaming cards like they do instead of tokens. I even have a cool name for the could-be business.

I want this, because I don't want to live the way I have been my entire adult life any longer: getting up late, no work, just sitting in front of the computer or TV watching time pass, searching for a job that's not a VERY stressful pain in the butt to apply for (assessment tests and difficult hiring process) while living with my only living parent and stepfather when I should of been exploring this world. I want to live with my best friend someday and so does he, and both of us are unemployed with mental disabilities that just want to venture out. We want a nice house where we can have our own private arcade and bar in the basement and a garage gym. Let's face it, this job search has been a REALLY stressful waste of time and it got me nowhere.

This short video shows just what is possible with an arcade business. It shows a grown man with a passion of arcades starting a business and he's doing well enough that he's expanding. So he must be doing something right.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXbi...NpbmVzcw%3D%3D

[Roseangelo]

I would recommend starting smaller by buying and selling video games locally and online. You'll learn a lot about the market, and also the costs of business. Taking some community college classes in business would probably also be helpful. Unfortunately, while this is a nice idea in concept, making it a viable business is going to be difficult. Which is why I recommend starting small and scaling up. Good luck!

[Andrew NDB]

[CyberCubed]

So basically you have to pay rent for a building space, buy all these arcade and pinball machines, pay the electric bill to keep them going, buy snack/food vendors, advertise it somehow online or in your local paper so people are aware it exists....and on top of all that hope random strangers just stop by and want to kill an hour or so just playing random games?

There's a reason even the "big" arcades struggle to do business these days, and most shut down over a decade or two ago.

As said above...good luck I guess?

[Barkworm]

Without a good business plan, you're not going to get anywhere. You'll also need a good amount of seed funding to make anything happen.

[ResidentEvil7]

Are you guys trying to discourage me, or are you guys being honest? You can't blame a guy for following a dream and a cool one too. Besides, even if I did go through with it, I have a good location; in a mini-mall above an underground parking garage and just off from an apartment building in a downtown area of Arlington Heights, just the next block from me.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

I think the nicest advise is to keep arcades as a hobby because this current economic climate is only good for mega corporations. The system is not good for everyday people like you and me.

As for job searching, what worked for me is applying in literally every store in the city until something landed. If there are 100 employers in your area, apply to every single one in your area and offer to work every day and odd hours, no exceptions.

If they don't come back to you, try with even more employers until something clicks. The aim is to secure a source of money that is consistent, and that will help you achieve your goals.

[IndigoErth]

Also, as someone with a disability, there might be some loans or whatnot available specifically for such would-be disabled entrepreneurs.


Just a thought, if there's space to store them and a way to move them, have you considered owning some machines and renting out? Like for parties or something.

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by sdp

Don't let the haters get to you, they're just jealous. This is a FANTASTIC business idea. You should definitely start it up as soon as possible, ask the bank for a loan, if they don't give you the money then borrow from your family and friends. This idea will change your financial life. This last sentence I can guarantee it.

Originally Posted by IndigoErth

Also, as someone with a disability, there might be some loans or whatnot available specifically for such would-be disabled entrepreneurs.

I'm not saying you're wrong because I genuinely don't know but... I kinda doubt it? I can't imagine there are investors lining up to throw money into businesses behind people who are already disadvantaged in various ways, handicapped in others.

[IndigoErth]

There seems to least some out there -- as I try to Google stuff like that before just guessing and talking out of my ass -- but is it local to him, or are there specific requirements, or is it helpful enough... no idea, I didn't look far into it. *shrug*

Edit: Unsure if they have to be for existing business or would-be start-ups, one I just went back and looked at appears to be for the former.