Refinishing Shop Opportunity

[Ken Whitson]

This is directed at any current refinishers who would like to re-locate to the sunny South or to anyone who may be considering getting into the business and setting up here. I live in the duo-cities of Bryan/College Station, Tx (often referred to locally as B-CS,) about 100 miles NW of Houston. This area is in need of a full-service refinishing shop. As recently as 10 years ago there were 8 refinishing shops here. Of those 8, 4 were major operations and the other 4 were mostly bit players. The devils of health and old age have reduced that number to 1 full-service shop and 1 so-so shop. No one new has stepped in to fill the void. (I was one of the major players, but have had to give up the refinishing work; age and health issues, but at least I'm still alive. For the past 5 years, I have been doing some furniture-making and some furniture repair.) The remaining full-service shop owner has gotten very restrictive as to what he is willing to work on; so much so that, in spite of the fact that all of my marketing efforts have been directed toward custom furniture-making, I am still getting calls from people desperately looking for someone who can help them.

The combined B-CS population is approx. 200,000, plus another 50,000 or so in the outlying areas. Although I have been out of the mainstream of refinishing business for a few years, I do feel that there is a substantial customer base for another shop. In fact, a good shop could garner the lion's share of the market.
College Station is the home of Texas A&M, with its student population of 60,000. The presence of Texas A&M means that there this is a growing and dynamic rea. With a lot of people moving in, there is a lot of moving damage repair opportunities, in addition to the regular refinishing/repair services.

If upholstery services were offered, that could be an additional major market segment.

One might ask what I would expect my involvement to be. It could be no involvement at all. Or it could consist of varying levels of consulting/assistance, such as initial set-up, equipment acquisition, training, sales/marketing, web site development, etal. I do have quite a bit (25+ years) of refinishing and furniture repair knowledge and business experience (35+ years), so I can help in that way, if asked. I am currently renting a 3200 square foot building and am willing to cede that space to someone who does want to set up a shop. (sometimes, finding a suitable space is the hardest part of getting started). While I do find it difficult to just walk away from an accumulated body of knowledge and (supposed) expertise, I am looking to reduce the daily demands that owning a business entails.

If anyone would like more information or has specific questions, I can be reached at 979-574-3363 or email k...@woodartcreations.com.