We run a portable hookah pipe business: http://HoboHookah.com. Its pretty boutique, been around for 3 years. Its still a profit loser, but we've been featured on Thrillist, Swagapalooza (YC), WNBC (NY NBC affiliate) and Le Grande Fooding.
Whats been tough? Our first product was over priced by the manufacturer (although high quality) which did not make the first run profitable in any way. The other thing is lack of understanding of retail and manufacturing. We had no idea how the whole retail / wholesale / distributor / manufacturer business worked.
We've learned a lot (as they say: Starting a business is the cheapest MBA money can buy) and I think we'll be able to get profitable in 6-months and probably be able to exit in 2-3 years (there are some ideal buyers for the business).
Whats been tough? Our first product was over priced by the manufacturer (although high quality) which did not make the first run profitable in any way. The other thing is lack of understanding of retail and manufacturing. We had no idea how the whole retail / wholesale / distributor / manufacturer business worked.
We've learned a lot (as they say: Starting a business is the cheapest MBA money can buy) and I think we'll be able to get profitable in 6-months and probably be able to exit in 2-3 years (there are some ideal buyers for the business).