25A - What's Next?

Existing Market.

I believe my next step is to find a location for the adult camp and to inquire about business licenses and needed permits.

My three interviewees for the existing market agreed in general but had other ideas for next steps. One believed that I need to come up with a name and logo so I can start to “visualize” the business and potential customers will be able to do the same. Another interviewee thought I needed to create an online media campaign asking for interest levels and getting potential customers excited about the concept. Another interviewee said I should be putting together a business plan to see if this all makes sense at least on paper. They all said that customers want to see visuals of what the camp offers and will be like. The concept alone is not enough to get firm interest levels.

I like the idea of visualizing the business and having something in hand that starts the process. I’m going to come up with a name, logo, and mission statement. After that I’m going to inquire about how much liquor licensing cost, insurance would cost, and what permitting would be needed for an adult camp. Once I get all of that I’m going to put together a business plan and get a feel of how much I need to charge people to make a profit. If all of that checks out and makes sense, then I would start looking for a location for the camp and what amenities are available.

 

New Market.

A new market that I haven’t targeted yet would be elderly individuals. I don’t think they would like the adventurous concepts I have for the adult camp. I could adapt to their needs and have low impact water aerobics, more craft making, less alcohol influence, and 50’s style “sock hop” dances. We could have card game and board game competitions.

My first interviewee in this age group said she would be interested in seeing old movies with a group of people her age. She said, “they don’t show movies like they used to.” She referenced having dance classes and old swing music playing that they could listen to with friends. My other interviewee said he would like to teach people of today more life skills that they seem to not have. “Everyone is on the internet and nobody does anything themselves anymore.” He would like to show people how to change oil and do basic home repairs. He said he taught his sons and they are now equipped for what the world throws at you.

My basic assumptions about this group was correct. They aren’t interested in water skiing and ziplines. They don’t want to get drunk and party. They aren’t even thrilled about sleeping in a cabin bunk. However, I learned that I might be able to incorporate them into the camp for select weeks by having them teach skills and tell war stories. Even with that option, this segment of new market is not very interesting to make a profit with.