Post #311711 by SugarCaddyDaddy on Fri, Jun 8, 2007 12:00 AM

hakunamatata wrote:

i have an idea to begin making and selling tiki bars at the jersey shore...
...Any thoughts on whether or not i would be able to make a profit on my own?
...any good ideas for broadcasting my tiki bars on websites?
...which websites?
...or make my own eventually?

Hakunamatata,
Please do not take this the wrong way, but allow me to ask:
Are you simply doing this as a money-making venture to capitalize on tiki in an untapped geographic area?

If the answer is yes (you can be honest here ya know), then you will most likely just make a few bars, sell a few, give a few away for next-to-nothing (yes this does happen), and then go on to the next "hottest thing", with your total posts here on Tiki Central peaking at about 15 to 20 posts.

If the answer is no, and you are doing it because you truly love tiki, the origination and transition to modern day, the designs (both historic & modern) and have the ability to add your own unique flavor to the bar design (super important for longevity in the business aspect of tiki), then be sure to not quite your day job, enjoy making your bars, savour the oohs & aahs from your buyers responses to your designs, and just keep smiling throughout the ups & downs of the business side of tiki.

You see, I ask the direct, hard question of whether or not you want to do it just for money is because the world of tiki itself is quite unique and very different, with many considering it (and making it) an actual lifestyle. Those artists, designers, manufacturers here on TC that have been here through the long haul do it first because they love it, and second because they can make a few dollars along the way (mostly reinvesting the money right back for more materials for their next project). I'm not trying to discourage you, but any of the artists here can tell you their stories of many Cup-o-Noodles nights, so don't go shopping for that home with a prime location on Maui (unless you're Chongolio or Gecko, ha), just enjoy what you do, try to use your best business sense and make some friends (not clients) along the way.

I do hope that you will stick around, whether or not you start a tiki bar making business, contribute where you can, meet the friendly folks, and hopefully spread some tiki love in your area.

SCD