[Senkusha]

A long time ago, I had a dream to run an anime store/cafe, much like Cracker Barrel.  I almost was ready to launch it when my life took an unexpected turn.

I look around today, and regret not starting a business for myself.  I see companies exploiting workers with ridiculous lists of responsibilities, offer subpar pay, and near non-existent benefits.

So, I'm thinking of trying again, especially after reading that RightStuf! will be absorbed by Crunchyroll -- I despise monopolies.  If I'm going to run a company, I want input, feedback.  I need to know, what would you, the customer, want from a company offering anime stuff?

Things I'm considering would be a 100% remote working experience.  Since I'm just starting out, I would only order inventory on demand.  This would allow me to inspect the quality of shipment from my distributor and add any additional protection or change distributors entirely.  I want to focus on quality, and retaining customer relationships.

What are some things that you'd be interested in purchasing but have difficulty locating?

I've got a ton of research ahead of me, and not much available free time right now, so if you could provide me with your insight, that will help everyone!

Thank you, and have fun!

[TwitchisMental]

I would think that the first issue you would run into is copyright/trademark law issues. By no means am I a lawyer but I feel like there is some red tape even if the anime stuff is made by you.

Now with that negative thought out of the way.

The website that you make for this will need to be modern, easy to navigate, and show what you provide up front.

What I would look for in an Anime Store/ Cafe is tons of merch.  Posters, T-Shirts, Rugs, Candles, Hats, Pants, etc etc

I would also wanna see a variety of anime from the norms like DBZ to lesser know stuff like Bofuri.

Good customer service is also gonna be a big drive on being successful.  However an even bigger part would be a unique customer service experience.   BestBuy use to be good at this. They would have sales people for each area like computers, home theater etc.. They would know their products. They specialized in it afterall.  This is not so true nowadays unfortunately.

So as an Anime Store, I'd expect the employees to know their anime.

 Let's say I am a parent looking to get a present for their kid. I know they watch that there poke e mon show with the little pikachoo guy.. Do y'all got anything poke e mon related?   I hope your employee knows about poke e mon or that customer is gonna be disappointed lol.

Just some random stuff off of the top of my head.

[ZandraJoi]

How is this wonderful idea coming along? I'm not into anime too much, not like some people & not enough to have a forum dedicated to it lol But that is just an idea too. You know how companies use FaceBook to keep in touch. That could be an idea for your company. Have a forum instead. Then ideas are not lost in the shuffle. All the new people can be acknowledged (that is a big thing for me, to say HI to newbies so they don't feel like they are just a number).

[Senkusha]

I wish I had the time and energy to actually look more into this.  But lately, I've been so burnt out and exhausted.  Truth be told, I haven't put much thought into this recently. 😭

[ZandraJoi]

I wish I had the time and energy to actually look more into this.  But lately, I've been so burnt out and exhausted.  Truth be told, I haven't put much thought into this recently. 😭

That's too bad! You have the bestest of ideas & are so good at tech. You are the type I'd envision running a company. Downside of that is, you need money to MAKE money.
You ever thought of getting investors? Show your work & have people help it get off the ground.

[Senkusha]

I don't think my morals and ethics would be all that compatible with investors.