Surfshop business

Hi all
I am thinking of setting up a surfshop (kite, surf, sup) at a beach where i have a house in the philippines. Just wondering if anyone has any tips. I have not been in retail before. Ie do suppliers give a credit line of product or do you have to buy upfront? Would it be hard to import to philippines? Expensive? Any tips at all would be appreciated. Thanks.

nice one sausage! from all the people I've spoken to in this industry over the years have all come to the same conclusion, very difficult to turn a passion into a profit.
I imagine you'd get sick and tired of frothing over your new gear 10hrs a day

My number one tip would be: be discerning about who you take advice from. Opinions about business in places like pubs, bbq's and forums are sometimes cheap and often worthless. Advice and tips from the people who are doing what you want to do will serve you the best. If you want tax advice, ask an accountant etc.

Talk to national distributors to ask about terms or trade. Emails and phone calls directly to the brands can lead you to how you'll need to mange your sales.

Businesses can be tough but so can working for someone else forever...... If you have a go, good luck.

I nearly bought into a windsurfer shop many years ago. That was when my enthusiasm for windsurfing was red hot. When I sat down and thought it through, I gave that idea away. I realized that it can be hard to translate a pleasurable hobby into a business, especially a successful one.

I knew of many windsurfing shop owners throughout the years. Most of them are in it because they enjoy the sport, as well as mixing / dealing with folks of the same interest and mind set. It is my believe that not many of them made a decent living out of just windsurfing alone. They needed to have other extra sales lines such as beach wears.

Another thing I discovered is that they also have to sacrifice their time on water. It is just not possible to shut the shop when wind blows.

By the way, I desist from buying online, and instead pay a little more at the local shops. It is important to keep them viable so that whenever you needed a little spare part like a rubber tendon, or some ropes, they are there for me. Mutually beneficial ?