I’d have to see what you’re offering and what your social media game is like.
If it was me, I’d probably do the garage little by little and make it a gallery / home office / place to store your equipment as just a cool/nice part of your home - and then the social media is where the focus needs to be to make sales.
Businesses taking years to become profitable bc of the economics of scaling and an Etsy store being funded by a credit card not making any sales are two different things.
Having people you find online come to your house to make a purchase vs running a retail store are two different things.
I sell art from where I live. If there’s demand that you can tap into and get them come by… it works great. Don’t need to make things complicated.
At this point with the way the economy is working. I’d go into some sort of home services business w/ small truck and some tools w that money. Learn carpentry, power wash, refinish hardwood floors, paint etc.
Even if you do odd jobs on the weekends or after work, it’s so much easier to get $ from home owners for actual help vs. being another 1 in a million trying to do the ‘online grind hustle’ club crap.
Also, in your situation- You might be better off forgetting about the website and learning to use Canvas (1 afternoon) and sticking to social media to start. With Canva you can edit, change etc easily without bothering a designer.
Perfection is the enemy or progress.
If you’re outside of the US, start Googling around how other people do this stuff… You don’t need much to “start a restaurant” on some land you own outside the US
Get creative with some tables and chairs, find a used stove, take some pictures etc
Can you add some glamping cabanas? I see all these concepts put together regularly while traveling. I think you need to draw income from a lot of different sources along with having a nice nest egg/savings to make it work.
All the boutique retail, hair salons, barbers etc in my trendy area (LCOL city) are dead.
From my POV, everyone’s prices went sky high. I see all the IG business gurus telling people to double their prices bc they are worth it etc. “I charge $100 for a fade cause I’m da rizzgod yo! Know your worth! I’m good at what I do!” A barber in my area is now $40-50 and sitting empty all day while they used to have lines out the door @ 25 a few years ago.
I expected something really poorly put together. Your products on the website look fine and like what plenty of trendy businesses use. I think your issue is likely related to pricing or marketing, not being a shitty product. I couldn’t imagine saying something like this instead of providing supportive suggestions. If you put this all together yourself (including website?) I think you have potential somewhere when you find your lane.
Yes, horrible idea. I can’t imagine the first step for someone opening a coffee shop to be a $300K loan.
Are you in a city like Denver etc? Usually there’s a pretty active online community among the wildlife photographers. Probably gotta find the people doing well and see what they are doing…
I’d say the garage could be cool as a home office / nice place for your hobby but as far as making sales you’re going to have to put the work in online.