I Want To Buy An Art Gallery In Wellington And I Need A Plan
Added 2025-05-03 00:14:39 +0000 UTCHi team,
This art shop recently closed its doors and is now sitting empty.
Last time I checked, to buy the space outright and own it forever, I would need $180,000 USD which is... 6+ years of my Patreon? So not very viable, when Patreon is also covering my food and rent right now and it's unlikely to stay empty for that long.
And so, simply put, I want your most practical gameplan for how I acquire this space! What should I focus on? Where can I get paid gigs to boost my income around Wellington or online? Is a business loan against it an unwise decision? Please don't tell me to sell feet pics unless you're buying! But otherwise, all ideas are welcome.
Comments
I've seen a lot of people coming and going so I think it's in the process of being sold already! I waited too long! But that's okay, it was a bit of a big dream.
Matthew Wills
2025-06-24 08:11:22 +0000 UTCI'd look into the investment boost from the newest budget too, apparently it allows small businesses to deduct 20% of the cost from a productive asset, which this would be. If you live alone, you could even turn the top mezzanine into a bedroom(or even extend the mezzanine for bedroom/loungeroom) and turn the hall into the bathroom into a small kitchen. Would cut down on living costs by sharing the space if local zoning allows it.
Chris Arnold
2025-06-24 08:00:19 +0000 UTCAs someone who is a serial entrepreneur (started eight companies, last three are successfully running) I would say make sure you look at the space from an incredible conservative viewpoint as far as making a living. You want to make sure you don't jump into something with super hopeful numbers and then you realize you can't afford to keep the space you'll have worked super hard to purchase. How is the space bringing in money, what is your insurance going to be (liability, medical, fire, unemployment, workers compensation, I'm not from NZ so I'm not sure what is required there, but my point is to research it). Will you have employee's, what will your tax liabilities be, etc. I'm not saying all this to dissuade you from buying it, merely want you to look at all the angles. Running a business is incredibly enjoyable and full-fulling, but also very energy and time intensive. As for getting the money, I would start going to local business networking events https://www.eventbrite.com/d/new-zealand--wellington/networking/ There you will be able to meet like minded individuals, and possibly find someone who would want to partner with you on the purchase, or be an investor for you. Another benefit is you can meet others who have already done what you are trying to do and they can give you advice. As multiple others have said, check out government grants, often times they don't require payback, and you already have a solid international footprint with your comics that you can pitch to them to help bring more people and interest to NZ. You could also start a gofundme page for people to chip in and help you purchase the place. It's super hard work, but I hope you are able to accomplish your goal!
igboard42
2025-05-06 18:35:50 +0000 UTCDraw porn lol
Emily Lampson
2025-05-06 18:03:17 +0000 UTCWould suggest doing a sublet on your gallery for smaller artisans to show their stuff for sale. I also worked in a place that had a gallery attached to it and setting up a show is a lot of work. You would also need to figure out how you are going to drive foot traffic. Events help but I imagine you are probably going to have to figure out a few ways you can monitize the space. Maybe rent it out for events? There is a lot of stuff to think about before you put pen to paper.
jackthemayor
2025-05-05 14:11:21 +0000 UTCI would do this as well. Even just to have an idea of what a loan would cost you long-term. Coughing up 180.000 just like that is impossible, but coughing up e.g. 500 monthly might be doable.
Zomaarwattt
2025-05-04 21:16:15 +0000 UTCFind someone (these days, probably an American) who is willing to go through the Entrepreneur Work Visa process ($100K minimum investment in a NZ business, I think, plus good health and a degree of financial self-sufficiency), and stand up the business with them. They can usually bring their family too. But you need a solid business plan and you'd have them either as owner/investor, or boss, or partner. There are companies that will assist with the process in the originating state and I'd strongly suggest they engage one of those before starting the process. The failure rate is quite high over the three year term. https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/visas/visa/entrepreneur-work-visa
David Pipes
2025-05-03 14:45:10 +0000 UTCA brick and mortar shop, I mean
Sara A
2025-05-03 08:44:37 +0000 UTCI would caution against outright buying a shop before you've tried actually running a shop first. It's a big investment and it seems like renting a space and trying things out first might be a better plan for the short term
Sara A
2025-05-03 08:44:07 +0000 UTCThere's a shop called Wellington Collective around the corner that sells all sorts of local art/stickers/crafts/etc; and two board-game-stores within 5 minutes walking distance. There is also a comic book shop across the street. There are a couple of other art galleries down the same street as this one, but they have a rotating gallery of mostly fine art and not really pop-culture stuff.
Matthew Wills
2025-05-03 01:33:26 +0000 UTCIf you were to open a combination game store and art gallery specializing in art of the fantastic, how much competition would you have in the area?
Max Kaehn
2025-05-03 01:26:49 +0000 UTCHonestly, I want to applaud you for your decision but...with diddledum in power and all his 'decisions'...I am not sure how it's really not risking more than just your skin doing that with all the new taxes. The best way would be managing to reunite the money WITHOUT getting a loan as banks are really going to get you dry if you try right now... I am sorry...
Karmakat
2025-05-03 01:26:09 +0000 UTCCould see if you could get a creative nz grant :)
The Immortal Think Tank
2025-05-03 01:00:58 +0000 UTCGo talk to a bank, they will tell you what they would need from you to get a loan and purchase.They will also know ball park costs of other things you would need to pay like insurance
Max Pepper
2025-05-03 00:47:48 +0000 UTC
