Secret Identity Comics | Application Preview
Secret Identity Comics is seeking government grants to alleviate debt incurred during the pandemic and to prepare for the winter months, where foot traffic may decline. The owners invested substantially to keep the business operational after lockdown, but canceled events this year resulted in a lack of savings for the coming winter. The grant funding would allow them to stock up for the holiday season and ensure financial stability during harsh weather.
Their business plan involves expanding their space to host tournaments for card and board games, aiming to leverage the popularity of their brand within the community. They have strong ties to the LGBTQ+ and Drag communities and were poised to host Delaware, Ohio's first Pride Festival before the pandemic. Additionally, they are one of only three stores certified to send collectibles for grading and preservation, and plan to broaden their services beyond the state.
The owners express a strong emotional connection to their business, particularly the joy of introducing children to comic books. Their store aims to provide a welcoming environment for young readers, fostering a love for literature. The funding is crucial for continuing this mission.
In terms of competition, their main rival operates in a nearby strip mall, focusing more on tournaments and collectible game pieces. Another competitor has been established for longer and also emphasizes tournaments over comic books. A premium store in Columbus serves as a mentor but poses less direct competition due to distance. Secret Identity Comics distinguishes itself with a clean and organized aesthetic, appreciated by customers and designed to attract a diverse audience. This unique atmosphere, combined with their community involvement, gives them a competitive edge in the local market.
-
General Information
Business Registration Number: 84-4605391
Location: Delaware, OH, United States
Length of Operation: 3.5
Number of Employees:
Annual Gross Income:
Annual Gross Expense:
Open to Loans: NO
-
Funding Usage
After the pandemic lock down, the owners (my husband and myself) had to invest a significant amount of money to keep the business afloat. We would really like to clear that debt. This is also to bolster our accounts to prep for the winter. We are very reliant on foot traffic and a harsh winter can create a deficit in the early months. Usually we have 2 major events a year to create a surplus for the winter but due to COVID, both of those events were cancelled this year and we were able to save nothing for this coming winter. We also have no ability to stock up for the holiday season right now, so this would help us with that as well.
-
Business Plan
Assuming that things get to a new normal where we could expand our space, we want to start holding tournaments for card and board games (which would require an entrance fee). We have a brand that is very popular in the community and would love to be able to expand the usage and visibility of that logo. We are also very involved in the LGBTQ+ community and the Drag community as well. Before the pandemic, we were lined up to help host the first ever Delaware, Ohio Pride Festival and would love to see that realized. We are 1 of only 3 stores that are certified to send in collectibles for grading and preserving. We have had some very good success with this so far and really want to expand our availability to outside the state. It is very difficult to explain why a comic book store is worth the time and money. I get asked why we bother sometimes and though I have several reasons why this is so dear to me, my favorite reason is kids. There is nothing more fun and inspiring for me than getting down on the floor with a child who is there to pick out their very first comic book. The look on their face when they flip through the pages of a Sonic, Scooby Doo, Spongebob, or Hero Cats book is so amazing to watch. Their idea of a picture book changes right in front of you and they become excited about reading. We invest in our store to make it welcoming and a cool fun space for kids to come and read or explore. We need someone to invest in us so that we can continue to invest in them.
-
Self Identified Competition
Our #1 competitor is a shop in a strip mall just outside of town. They sell comics but concentrate more on tournaments and collector game pieces. He is a speculator, meaning he finds books to buy below their current value and sells that for a premium price. #2 would be a store that has been open for longer than I have even lived in this town. He sells comics but also specializes in tournaments and hobby items. He is not very interested in the books. #3 is actually quite a bit away from us and is the premium shop in Columbus. The GM of that store has mentored us since we opened and has become a great friend. He started a group chat for all the local owners to share ideas and look for rare items. His motto is "A rising tide sails all ships". We have learned a lot from him. We have gotten the remark over and over that our shop is so clean and organized. This is not usually the case with small stores like ours. We went for the more Pintrest style of shop. This was mostly to match the aesthetic of the rest of the uptown stores around us but has become a drawing point for a lot of our customers.
-
Contact Applicant
Subscribe to our Administrator Dashboard to gain full access to this application. Learn More
