Well, I'm tired of small-scale dreams, so I decided a little while ago that I will finally pursue the business plan of my dreams.
Nerdvana of Ames. A super store complex for all things geeky and nerdy. The only questions are if there is a market for it here in my hometown, where would I put it, and who can I get to invest in it. It's a huge, multi-million dollar project, but I've decided it's time to either go big or go home. The job hunt market has been so poor anyway, and I'm just not happy working for some faceless corporation, so I'm going to finally start my own business and produce jobs for the community.
This is to be a true "Nerd Mecca," with shops for all things geeky - video games, movies, books, hobbies, etc. along with enough space to hold local and perhaps regional conventions and tournaments, an attached night club for geeks, buffet, and theater. I will be drafting a floor plan and business proposal over the next couple of months with some friends who have the skills I need, and speaking with local capital speculators and realtors about funding and land, and we'll see if I can't get this thing moving.
I was speculating on an old Middle School here as the perfect location, but alas the building is in such bad shape (extensive mold damage, water mains that would require replacement) that it isn't viable. The director for the school district said it was meant to be a throw-away building that outlived its intended lifespan by about 10 years and was very cheaply made, so the easy-out there is gone, but hope is not gone.
Lo, there shall be in the small city of Ames a true Mecca for all nerds. I shall see it done, by god, even if I have to remain flipping burgers and collecting data for a small-time, dead end website while I do it. GO BIG OR GO HOME, RAAAHHHH!
