Thinking about starting a Wi-Fi Cafe - Thoughts?

Well, I just got news that I will be getting laid-off from my current job
sometime in Feb. or March and I was contemplating going into business for
myself and wanted to get the general publics thoughts. Here's my idea so
far:

A Cyber Wi-Fi Cafe, 1 room with a coffee bar (about 8 to 10 stools) and
tables on the main floor with access to wireless internet either the
customer must buy something (coffee, sandwiches) or they can have an hour of
access for $5. In another separate room, I would like to setup a LAN gaming
room with either 16 or 32 seats setup on octagon designed tables with
partitions so no one can see each others monitors which would also be $5 per
hour for LAN play. I was thinking 3 servers with the top 3 LAN games and the
user can choose which LAN game they would like to get in on. Currently we
have nothing like this in our area at all and I thought it would be a great
idea. It's in a good business location and nearby schools and other
businesses are in the area where people travel to.
Any thoughts on this? Ideas? Suggestions?
Thanks...

My advice would be to start small, with affordable space and not too many
seats.

Some folks opened up a huge gaming center and internet cafe. It looked
really first-rate. It failed very quickly.


Tom Larus, CCIE #10,014
Author of CCIE Warm-Up: Advice and Learning Labs
http://www.ipexpert.com/products_ser...asp?sku=ip7777
(E-Mail Removed)


"GuitarMan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:PQyvb.1439$7%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Well, I just got news that I will be getting laid-off from my current job
> sometime in Feb. or March and I was contemplating going into business for
> myself and wanted to get the general publics thoughts. Here's my idea so
> far:
>
> A Cyber Wi-Fi Cafe, 1 room with a coffee bar (about 8 to 10 stools) and
> tables on the main floor with access to wireless internet either the
> customer must buy something (coffee, sandwiches) or they can have an hour
of
> access for $5. In another separate room, I would like to setup a LAN
gaming
> room with either 16 or 32 seats setup on octagon designed tables with
> partitions so no one can see each others monitors which would also be $5
per
> hour for LAN play. I was thinking 3 servers with the top 3 LAN games and
the
> user can choose which LAN game they would like to get in on. Currently we
> have nothing like this in our area at all and I thought it would be a
great
> idea. It's in a good business location and nearby schools and other
> businesses are in the area where people travel to.
> Any thoughts on this? Ideas? Suggestions?
> Thanks...
>
>

From the Economist, the cost of billing for the service may exceed revenue.
Trend may be to free WiFi since costs are low. If your market has a
StarBucks or other competition who can aford to give it away, your business
model may be in jeopardy.

--
Remove -NOSPAM- to contact me.

"Thomas Larus" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%uzvb.3230$Ac3.246@lakeread01...
> My advice would be to start small, with affordable space and not too many
> seats.
>
> Some folks opened up a huge gaming center and internet cafe. It looked
> really first-rate. It failed very quickly.
>
>
> Tom Larus, CCIE #10,014
> Author of CCIE Warm-Up: Advice and Learning Labs
> http://www.ipexpert.com/products_ser...asp?sku=ip7777
> (E-Mail Removed)
>

My thought was to start with 16 gaming seats which I figured would be
starting small for that..not sure maybe 8?
Cafe/Coffee bar would have the bar with about 8 to 10 seats at the bar and
maybe about 5 tables on the floor with about 4 or 5 seats at the tables.
Doesn't seem like alot but then again maybe it is.
Thanks Again...

"John Keiser" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:yMzvb.3745$(E-Mail Removed)...
> From the Economist, the cost of billing for the service may exceed
revenue.
> Trend may be to free WiFi since costs are low. If your market has a
> StarBucks or other competition who can aford to give it away, your
business
> model may be in jeopardy.
>
> --
> Remove -NOSPAM- to contact me.
>

There's no StarBucks around but there is a Dunkin' Donuts (with no Wi-Fi)
but no one offers any kind of Wi-Fi access around this area at all. You need
to travel about 20-30 miles from the area that I'm looking at to get Wi-Fi
access. Competition is nil as far as what I want to offer in the area.
Thanks Again...

Make SURE you ask the gamers in the area if they will come if you
offer it! Ask for the names of the games they play and the HOURS they
would be at your place! The games and programs would ALL have to be
above board and LEGAL or you could be shut down quickly!!
Also if you start small make sure you have the capability to expand at
least near by. Retail space rent can be VERY expensive!

On Sat, 22 Nov 2003 03:13:48 GMT, "GuitarMan" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>
>"John Keiser" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:yMzvb.3745$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> From the Economist, the cost of billing for the service may exceed
>revenue.
>> Trend may be to free WiFi since costs are low. If your market has a
>> StarBucks or other competition who can aford to give it away, your
>business
>> model may be in jeopardy.
>>
>> --
>> Remove -NOSPAM- to contact me.
>>
>
>There's no StarBucks around but there is a Dunkin' Donuts (with no Wi-Fi)
>but no one offers any kind of Wi-Fi access around this area at all. You need
>to travel about 20-30 miles from the area that I'm looking at to get Wi-Fi
>access. Competition is nil as far as what I want to offer in the area.
>Thanks Again...
>

"GuitarMan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:MvAvb.1537$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "John Keiser" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:yMzvb.3745$(E-Mail Removed)...
> > From the Economist, the cost of billing for the service may exceed
> revenue.
> > Trend may be to free WiFi since costs are low. If your market has a
> > StarBucks or other competition who can aford to give it away, your
> business
> > model may be in jeopardy.
> >
> > --
> > Remove -NOSPAM- to contact me.
> >
>
> There's no StarBucks around but there is a Dunkin' Donuts (with no Wi-Fi)
> but no one offers any kind of Wi-Fi access around this area at all. You need
> to travel about 20-30 miles from the area that I'm looking at to get Wi-Fi
> access. Competition is nil as far as what I want to offer in the area.
> Thanks Again...

Ah, but is there demand? I doubt you can make money as an internet access
business first, and a cafe second. However, if the cafe is a viable business by
itself, the internet access might be a good enhancement. So, are you ready to
go into the restaurant business? Also, wireless is neat, but don't forget a few
ethernet ports for people to jack into as well.

If it were as simple as sticking an access point and a few terminals into a
storefront, internet cafes would be everywhere.

Matt O.

You didn't mention your geography... but you may want to consider a
franchise like quarks.co.uk. They are small, profitable and going since
1993. They do a lot of the hard work for you in getting setup and leave
you to run your business.

Matt O'Toole wrote:
> "GuitarMan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:MvAvb.1537$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>>"John Keiser" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>news:yMzvb.3745$(E-Mail Removed).. .
>>
>>>From the Economist, the cost of billing for the service may exceed
>>
>>revenue.
>>
>>>Trend may be to free WiFi since costs are low. If your market has a
>>>StarBucks or other competition who can aford to give it away, your
>>
>>business
>>
>>>model may be in jeopardy.
>>>
>>>--
>>>Remove -NOSPAM- to contact me.
>>>
>>
>>There's no StarBucks around but there is a Dunkin' Donuts (with no Wi-Fi)
>>but no one offers any kind of Wi-Fi access around this area at all. You need
>>to travel about 20-30 miles from the area that I'm looking at to get Wi-Fi
>>access. Competition is nil as far as what I want to offer in the area.
>>Thanks Again...
>
>
> Ah, but is there demand? I doubt you can make money as an internet access
> business first, and a cafe second. However, if the cafe is a viable business by
> itself, the internet access might be a good enhancement. So, are you ready to
> go into the restaurant business? Also, wireless is neat, but don't forget a few
> ethernet ports for people to jack into as well.
>
> If it were as simple as sticking an access point and a few terminals into a
> storefront, internet cafes would be everywhere.
>
> Matt O.
>
>

GuitarMan wrote:
> Well, I just got news that I will be getting laid-off from my current job
> sometime in Feb. or March and I was contemplating going into business for
> myself and wanted to get the general publics thoughts. Here's my idea so
> far:
>
> A Cyber Wi-Fi Cafe, 1 room with a coffee bar (about 8 to 10 stools) and
> tables on the main floor with access to wireless internet either the
> customer must buy something (coffee, sandwiches) or they can have an hour of
> access for $5. In another separate room, I would like to setup a LAN gaming
> room with either 16 or 32 seats setup on octagon designed tables with
> partitions so no one can see each others monitors which would also be $5 per
> hour for LAN play. I was thinking 3 servers with the top 3 LAN games and the
> user can choose which LAN game they would like to get in on. Currently we
> have nothing like this in our area at all and I thought it would be a great
> idea. It's in a good business location and nearby schools and other
> businesses are in the area where people travel to.
> Any thoughts on this? Ideas? Suggestions?
> Thanks...
>
>

You don't say what your current/past jobs are/were. If it was managing
a restauarant business, you might have a shot 'cause you know how.
If not, you might be very surprised when you spend more time/money
keeping the health department happy than you do on WI-FI.

The first thing you need is experience. If you don't have it, you're
toast. Get a part time job at that Starbucks 20 miles away and learn
the ropes.

While you're learning the ropes, get a book on restaurant management and
another on writing a business plan. Go visit the SBA to see what help
they can give you.
Write your business plan and take it to a bank and ask for a loan.
You WON'T get the loan. Ask them why. Revise your plan and try again.
A few times thru this loop and you'll figure out that they won't give
you a loan because they think you're gonna fail. There's nothing that
you could write in your plan that would make them take the risk. Take
that input VERY seriously. Your first thought will be, "screw them,
I'll borrow on my pension and cash in the kid's college fund and my
parents can help and..."
BAD IDEA!!


Do not stick your finger in the air and say, "I can do this."
DO THE MATH.
Discount cash flow analysis is your friend and a real eye-opener.
The business plan will show you how many hours of Wi-Fi time
you're gonna have to sell to pay off the restaruant construction/equipment
and net you a cash flow equivalent to your current salary.

Hint:
How many employees are you gonna have to hire to keep the coffee flowing
and the dishes washed and the books kept and the bathroom clean and, and
oh, yes there's also the computer stuff? The first time you have to
pee, you'll appreciate the value of employees. Doesn't take very long
for a bunch of kids to make off with your hardware.
If your business plan is good, you'll get a loan. If not, you don't
want to be in that business.
Hint2:
If you're even moderately successful, how long do you think it will be
before there _IS_ a Starbucks down the street? How long will you last
when that happens?

Assuming you know all about Wi-Fi, and that's a big assumption, think
about a smaller start. Like find local business/cafes/arcades/food
court in the local mall that could benefit from
having Wi-Fi access and set it up for them for a cut of the profit.
That will limit your financial exposure and give you lots more locations
and that all important experience. You'll have much greater opportunity
to expand your business without hiring ANY employees or buying any real
estate.

Stay the hell out of the restaurant business unless you REALLY want to
be IN the restaurant business.
mike

--
Bunch of stuff For Sale and Wanted at the link below.
laptops and parts Test Equipment
Honda CB-125S
TEK Sampling Sweep Plugin and RM564
Tek 2465 $800, ham radio, 30pS pulser
Tektronix Concept Books, spot welding head...
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Monitor/4710/

"f/fgeorge" <f/(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Make SURE you ask the gamers in the area if they will come if you
> offer it!

My son is in high school and has already asked several school mates and
friends about the idea and he said they would jump on it. I'm still doing
survey work on it though.

Ask for the names of the games they play and the HOURS they
> would be at your place!

I'll definetly get the popular game ideas from the kids as they know what
they like and it will be bought legally.

The games and programs would ALL have to be
> above board and LEGAL or you could be shut down quickly!!
> Also if you start small make sure you have the capability to expand at
> least near by. Retail space rent can be VERY expensive!

My nephew already knows someone in the area who might be willing to
sub-lease some space and the place is huge so I would present and estimated
space needed with the option for expansion.

Thanks for your reply. :-)

>
> On Sat, 22 Nov 2003 03:13:48 GMT, "GuitarMan" <(E-Mail Removed)>
> wrote:
>
> >
> >"John Keiser" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >news:yMzvb.3745$(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> From the Economist, the cost of billing for the service may exceed
> >revenue.
> >> Trend may be to free WiFi since costs are low. If your market has a
> >> StarBucks or other competition who can aford to give it away, your
> >business
> >> model may be in jeopardy.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Remove -NOSPAM- to contact me.
> >>
> >
> >There's no StarBucks around but there is a Dunkin' Donuts (with no Wi-Fi)
> >but no one offers any kind of Wi-Fi access around this area at all. You
need
> >to travel about 20-30 miles from the area that I'm looking at to get
Wi-Fi
> >access. Competition is nil as far as what I want to offer in the area.
> >Thanks Again...
> >
>