When I retired six years ago, my son and I decided to start an online archery business. Combining my passion and hobby with a money-making enterprise would be exciting. Even though the business was small in scope, I had vastly underestimated the amount of work required. We engaged a third-person company to manage the administrative activities and taxes. Stock needed to be sourced and ordered, and on top of that, there were various regulations and additional taxes that the government imposed on an arbitrary basis, or so it seemed to us. The company required registration, a logo was designed, and business cards were printed.
At the outset, we focused on 'old-fashioned' traditional bows such as English longbows (ELBs) and Asian-style horse bows (AHBs). However, we also kept several modern-style recurve and Olympic-style bows in stock. Archery accessories such as arrows, armguards, gloves, tabs, and quivers were obtained and stored. Inventory and stock regulation systems were implemented, and my son designed, set up, and worked very hard on our professional-looking website.
At last, after much tears, sweat and long nights, we were ready to open our online store to the New Zealand public. I was very much aware that our company sold a niche product. Of our total customer audience base of 5 million, only a few thousand Kiwis shared our passion for traditional archery. I was under no illusions. If we could break even, I would be happy. Turning this passion project into a highly profitable corporation would be challenging as there were but a few potential customers and competition with other archery companies was fierce. And now, in 2025, we face the harsh realities of a problematic economy. New Zealanders are cutting back on spending as they become dismayed at rising rents and food prices. There is little left for luxuries and hobby expenditure.
Of course, my son and I had to parcel up the various business activities. Flaxen Junior gravitated toward stock acquisition and maintaining the website while I was concerned with logistics and customer service. Looking after customer queries, complaints, and other strange requests has placed my compassion and empathy under severe strain. Folks are weird, and some of their requests and enquiries should not be tolerated in any civilised society. However, I remained professional and treated all customers respectfully and courteously. In fact, I acted with a modicum of aplomb and self-possession. We recently attended and set up a stall at the local fair and did surprisingly well. We hope to reprise our success at this weekend's market and are keeping our fingers crossed regarding the weather.
I doff my hat towards my son. Not only does he manage to hold down a professional (proper) job as a Project Manager and direct many of the activities concerning our joint venture, but he also has another business setup hosting Archery Combat. I don't see how he can find the time for everything he does.
While I wouldn't call the joint venture lucrative, it pays for itself, and I even manage to take home a little pocket money. Also, I've learned a lot. After a lifetime as a professional scientist, it has been refreshing and enjoyable, though challenging, to change tack and engage in an activity never before experienced. Taking on a demanding and totally alien activity has made me realise the importance of maintaining and utilising the thinking structure between our ears, ensuring that it is used and not allowed to atrophy. I have also gained an appreciation and respect for those who put forth the effort to start a small business venture/adventure, especially those bereft of substantial financial and other support systems. And those folk looking to gain a livable livelihood from their enterprise deserve my infinite esteem in addition to lashings/dollops of good luck. According to Statistics New Zealand, only 37% of start-ups are trading after two years of operation. Those who remain in business can only do so by remortgaging their family home or taking out loans they can ill afford to pay.
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