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I was just wondering if anybody on this site owns a performance shop? I am looking to open one here in NJ were I live but I don't know how I can get this whole idea started. I have people willing to me out and invest some of the money. I will be doing performance as well as audio. Any help would be appreciated. I just don't know how to start as far as buying from a manufacturer.

 
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first of all, have you been to any schooling in any of these area's? it's generally easier to establish a name for your self when you have certification in areas you are going to be doing work in. most of the audio manufacturers have schooling you can go to on their products. as far as performance parts, i am not too sure about that aspect as to if the manufacturers offer schooling. i am considering opening a shop here, and will be doing body work, and audio installs (both custom and factory direct applications), and installing performance parts. but first, i am going to complete schooling on all of these areas. currently, i am taking welding and body work classes. next will be fiberglassing techniques, and mechanics. after that i am going to be looking into schools offered by the manufacturer. as far as getting set up to buy from them, im sure you are required to have a business license first, then set up an account with the manufacturer. i can look for more information, and ask around to some friends i have that own audio shops, and other types of shops.

 
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universal technical institute is a good place to go for engines and overall automotive things related, as far as i know most manufacturers dont offer school except that of how to tune their engine management products, ie...greddy and AEM.

going into business on two different aspects totally is iffy, if ur good at performance ull have so much work from that alone that u wont have time to do the simpler audio things.

as far as buying from a manufacturer, if u want to be a dealer of certain products u have to show that ur sales of their product alone are high, skunk2 i know of has certain levels of dealer sales and the level u sell at determines ur % discount. my shop sells round 30k a year i think, it might be a month but im not sure. ud be better off going through a distributor of great size, example, one local shop goes through a place called SPD, SPD goes through dynamic autosports, who then goes to the manufacturer, thats too many people to have to go through. now my shop goes straight to dynamic autosports, who then goes to the manufacturer. alot less hassle if something goes wrong.

 
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Hardest part is finding products @ wholesale prices... Mainly from the manufacturer.. Good luck because most require you to spend over $10k to get there products cheaper.

 
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thanks for the help. I mainly want to start with audio products first and then branch off into other aspects of performance. Myself and my partner are both looking at some audio install schools first before we even attempt to open a shop. I don't want to be another one of those half assed shops that make claims that they can't support. I noticed that in my area alot of shops sell products that they won't install. Like let's say a set of coilovers. They'll sell them to you but if you ask about installation, all of a sudden there's a problem. Or they'll "refer" you to someone who can do it. To me it doesn't make sense why sell and then not be able to install. I understand that alot of people DIY there stuff like myself. But there are certain things that I don't have the tools to do. I thank-you for your help and anything else you may be able to help me with would be greatly appreciated.