Planning a new business...need some feedback

[LeesRT]

Hi.  My name is Lee.  Many of you have seen me on here in years past doing my CNC carved signs and other stuff that was Mopar related.  It's been 5 years since I did those signs.  I still get people asking me if I plan to do them again.  So, I thought what the hell.  I started conversations with Chrysler to see what it would take to get licensed to be able to use all of their trademarks.  I started the process back in November of 2015 and the contracts are almost done.  I would be able to use artwork in Chrysler's vaults or customer's artwork or pictures and use all the trademarks from the early 1900s to 2014 with the exception of the Warner Bros. characters (i.e. Roadrunner).  I'm in talks with Warner Bros. to use the Roadrunner as well.  In planning this business, I'd like to get some feedback from all you Mopar nuts like myself and see if there is a demand for these products.  My main products would be CNC carved muscle cars signs in two sizes and in woods for now with plans to do edge lit Acrylic, Aluminum, and other plastic signs as well.  Some would be painted, and some will be non-painted for people who wish to paint their own.  I also plan to make Aluminum emblems like what you would see on the door interior and custom Aluminum valve covers...all of this covered in my contracts.  I'm attaching samples of signs that I did in the past in case people don't remember them.  If there is enough demand to continue with this, I'm ready to pull the trigger and get this rolling.  Price for the signs I still need to investigate since it's been 5 years since any were made, but the 12x20 maple signs in the past were selling for around $125.00 for the one color, $200.00 for 2 color, and the 12x12 signs were selling in the $75.00 to $100.00 range depending on what the customer wanted.  My goal is to try and stay in that range with possibilities of finding lesser expensive materials for lower cost signs.  Again, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.  LeesRT

PS  If Chrysler takes off, my plan is to get licensed by Ford and GM as well.  Needed to start with the best first.

[kpkube]

Where are you located?  are you in socal?  Spring Fling is this coming weekend at Woodley Park in Van Nuys, that might be a good starting place if you have any to sell.

[LeesRT]

I'm in Northern California (1-1/4 hours north of Sacramento).  I can't sell any until the license agreement is completed and I have to get my designs approved by Chrysler.  I do plan to hit Kool April Nites in Redding next weekend to get feedback and will probably hit the Mopar shows in June in central California.  Starting a business is very difficult.  Lots of hoops to jump through.

[keepat]

very cool, good luck with your new venture!
Pat

[Daytona R/T SE]

Those look cool...

But, I can't see very many getting sold in the $75 to $200 range.  

[LeesRT]

Here are some other samples of signs I did in the past.  Now that I know how to do these, the quality will only get better.

[LeesRT]

another

[LeesRT]

Price point could be very key to these selling or not selling.  What would you be willing to spend for a sign you could get customized with something on it with the car you like the most?  There will be generic designs that anyone can pick from plus I could customize to your liking.  Bob's Charger R/T, vin XS29L9BXXXXXX.  Where else will you be able to get a sign for a 1956 Plymouth Wagon?  I will be able to do some unique signs.

[LeesRT]

Aluminum stuff

[LeesRT]

another

[Daytona R/T SE]

 What would you be willing to spend for a sign you could get customized with something on it with the car you like the most?  

Personally...  

$0.00

I've got too much car crap on the walls already.  



But,

That's just me.

Carry on.  

[LeesRT]

LOL.  I can understand that.  I have lots on the wall myself.  Just looking to do something different for the hobby.  Thanks for your input anyway.

[Daytona R/T SE]

LOL.  I can understand that.  I have lots on the wall myself.  Just looking to do something different for the hobby.  Thanks for your input anyway.

[Lennard]

I like everything I see in the pictures above,  but I can't justify spending that kind of $$ on wall art when I still have two chargers to restore.  

[stripedelete]

The wood isn't doing it for me.   Maybe my wood boat carved into mahogany, if it were a gift.   But, my wife allowing either to be hung in the house would be as good as one of those charger coo coo clocks on the wall.  But, I'm not everyone and I could see it be more appealing to the guy that wants his gentleman farm, century home, etc, in the background.  Also, I think the wood might work better with John Deere / tractor guy more than the car guy.


Now the metal....   I think a set of aluminum drink coasters with a fratzog (sp?) or the center cap of a magnum wheel would be kind of cool.   Maybe there are other subtle insignia in the blue oval and bow tie worlds. ( Or maybe a dive flag for the scuba crowd ) Price point my not work for you.

At a $75-100 price point, the mopar crowd (or even all cars guys) maybe a much too vertical market to make a go.
Just a carving of my charger would still be much too generic for me.  I see the real trick being how communicate the customization aspect, very quickly, to a potential gift giver.  Kind of like typing the your last name into an eBay search and automatically getting a listing for a tee shirt with your last name on it.  Some thing to get the gift giver to think creatively (back to the dive flag or maybe a family coat of arms).  I know that's not a perfect comparison but I hope you get what I'm saying.  There has to be an existing marketing/advertising model you could a apply.

It sounds like you may have to throw some cash at this, so I'm trying to be as straight up as possible.
If it helps, I'm 52 and spend more time trying to get rid of a lifetime of accumulation than pursuing more.  

Maybe try Shark Tank

[green69rt]

Just thinkin, maybe something for all the pics, etc I plan on displaying when my car is finished.  So some kind of cork board with a 69 Charger might work for me.  How easy would it be to gen something up from a picture??

[68X426]

I've got too much car crap on the walls already.  

Agreed.  So I'm not a potential buyer either.  Sorry Lee. 

But I am rooting for you to be successful. 

I think it's the custom work that would have the bigger potential. 

[Magnumcharger]

I've been trying to contact Chrysler for awhile now, they just won't get back to me!
I have a few items I'd like to make as well, different from your products, but using trademarked items from the 1960's.
Do you have a contact person? Or working phone number?
Can you (would you) consider sharing that information?
Thanks!

[Brock Lee]

I would consider alternate materials. Being a CNC machine means you are flexible with that, so I would consider maybe engraving plastic. Experiment with different color lamination's. Maybe a composite of wood and plastic or metal would work well. Straight wood doesn't really fit in with these cars, usually painted in vivid colors with gleaming chrome.

When thinking of a price, I would factor in your ideal goals. Would you rather make $500 fast spread out over multiple items, or $500 over a long period of time over fewer items?

And a sad reality is, the vinyl or printed signs available for much cheaper money are your competition. Being engraved is not a big deal to the average consumer.

Personally, if I were you, I would come up with some original art before you go too deep into it. The Chrysler ad illustrations and logos are easy to get and there are a lot of people with the same equipment you have looking to make money. It is only a short time before they copy and undercut you. By being original, they wont be able to replicate the art with ease, and likely will not bother.

[LeesRT]

The whole project that I started with was on the premise of doing customer's own cars or artwork that nobody else has.  I here you on the other materials.  That's why I plan to do Aluminum and plastics as well as Acrylic (a plastic yes) but edge lit with LED lighting so the carved image shows up.  I've even considered combining edge lit with either the Aluminum or wood for a different look.  I like all of this feedback.  It's given me plenty to think about.  Feel free to share more of your thoughts.  Who knows, maybe an edge lit Charger sign in the rear window as a brake light, or the R/T emblem on the rear of these cars that lights up when braking.  The possibilities are endless.

[LeesRT]

I know these are not Mopar cars shown here, but I wanted to show what two color signs had looked like when I did them in the wood.

[JB400]

Was you the one that I mentioned to about doing custom 2nd gen door pad medallions?   It was a couple years ago, if I remember correctly.

[LeesRT]

That's me.  And yes, that's one of the products I plan to do.  I can see ones that say Hemi, 440, Charger, R/T, or anything you want on them.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Welcome back Lee!  I still have the aluminum disc's you made for me a long time ago.

Put me down for a 2 color Charger one.....with the V21 of course

[RallyeMike]

I'll also throw myself in the old grump category. The walls of two garages have enough banners, signs, broken parts, mementos, and other random car stuff stuff already. That said, I think the key fobs and other cut metal trinkets are pretty cool. I could see myself buying one maybe as a gift. I think my limit on a key fob would be 35-40 bucks.

Good luck!