Ed,
Thinking as a business person and not a hobbyist if I had, say, a couple of
hundred thousand to invest where to I go? Not Treasuries. Perhaps rental
houses or some ETF. But if I am looking for a niche market where the sharks
don't swim I would consider S. I can see a S modeler being more aware of niche
opportunties than non-modelers. But it's either providing something because
you want it, or having a less competitive way of making a living or a new niche
to add to current business with relative less investment. Still the niche has
to potenially meet your investment needs regardless.
George Courtney
--- In [email protected], "Ed" wrote:
>
> > I know that it would be exceedingly difficult to have SHS' help,
> > involvement, and personal touches in any size company.
> > Rance Velapoldi
>
> Rance's comment caused me to think a bit. A conclusion, of sorts, is this:
>
> Major companies making S scale products have one thing in common. They
> are/were owned/operated by S scale enthusiasts. SHS and AM both have/had S
> folks at the helm. Kinsman and Lehigh Valley kits had known S guys running
> them. Tomalco and The Supply Car the same. Not to mention River Raisin
> Models and Omnicon Scale Models and G&W Models. And the dozens and dozens of
> cottage industry products made in garages and spare bedrooms by enthusiastic
> S modelers. All run by folks who were S folks first and became suppliers
> later. Even S magazine publishers tend to be S modelers first and publishers
> later.
>
> Every generalization has its exceptions. In this case, some of the big time
> brass importers would be exceptions. Tom Marsh of Overland, Mort Mann of
> Sunset and ALCO Models were not, to the best of my knowledge, S modelers at
> all. Lionel and MTH certainly fall into this category as well.
>
> So the question is: Can a non-S scale businessman make a success of a
> venture into the S scale world? Or is love of hobby a prerequisite for
> sticking it out over the long haul?
>
> Just thinking.....Ed Loizeaux
> (who actually signs both first and last name.)
>
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