I want to get another plane, and don't want to sell the one that I have.

I've been wanting to make and sell backcountry T's and hats for the last year or two. Problem is, I'm not very creative . But I do feel that I can recognize a good idea. So, here's my plan

I think that there is a lot of creative talent involved with this forum, judgeing from the posts that I have read over the years . I would like any of you folks with a good idea for a shirt (and/or hat), to submit the idea to me. Probably PM is best for obvious reasons. If I use it, I'll give ya a couple shirts for the suggestion.

I prefer a little humor to be involved. A little tasteful, off color should also be OK. Not necessarilly combined, but OK if it is.

I have had a few ideas like, Backcontry pilot check list, Honey, do these tires make my plane look small(picture of a taildragger with oversize bush tires), Couple old pilots sittin on stumps with plane and campfire w/a saying like "I've spent most of my money on planes, whiskey and avgas, the rest of it I just wasted." You get the idea.

Exact art work isn't required. I can work with an idea. And I think rough, sketch like drawings are fine anyways.

Thanks to anyone that feels like participating. It should be fun to see where this goes.

I hope to be able to sell them through this website, along with ebay, maybe others like Barnstormers????

Gary

I like them all.
I need a new wardrobe, as my wife can't seem to keep my two Alaska bushwheel shirts clean.

Sounds like a great idea. Shirts have a good markup, especially if you do them in great enough quantities.

However for obvious reasons, I'd appreciate you not trying to capitalize on "Backcountry Pilot", "BackcountryPilot.org", or previous or current logos in any form that refer to this website or related media. Other than that, I'm cool with you coordinating and selling your shirts or merchandise here in the Marketplace forum.

I like this one...

I agree w/you completely Joe. That's the kinda shirt I would like/to sell
Gary

I certainly don't want to infringe upon anything you got goin on, but might be hard toleave out the word backcountry, seeing as how thats what it is all about, and anyone looking for a backcountry t shirt would probably google that.

Certanly wouldn't have the org attached. Might be somethin like , PM sent.

I also like the calender idea. It would be easy for me to do in Utah cuz I am so close, and there so often.

Gary

How about selling Tee's with the Backcountry.org logo and giving Zane a percentage of the sales??

I think there's definitely a market for cool looking aviation shirts. Especially backcountry type. I know I'm always looking for cool aviation shirts, but just doesn't seem to be alot out there. The other problem I find is that there's very few shirts sold in the XXXL size (don't even think about it!! ....... ).

Have you thought about designing and selling hats?? I loved my Idahobushco.com hat. It finally fell apart after a few too many times through the washing machine .

Hey Pat

Yes, I mentioned hats. I like the calender idea also. That would be another good one for Z, made up of some of the cool shots from the members here. Coyote Ugly could be the poster boy for that one.

I do some for my own plane and have them embroidered. They hold up well. I don't wash them too often, and then by hand, letting them dry over a slim fast container to keep their shape(mine too ).

Zane's deal is just that, he does shirts when he wants to.

You come up with a good idea, and I'll make your shirt first XXXL, any color ya want.

Gary

My favorite SCO tee shirt is a plain grey with the black Silhouette of a cub.

Simple and it still says it all.

Functional, I have 'em in short and long sleeves and in sweat shirts too.


Hats, I got a lot of them that you will never be able to sell. Stay away from hats - they don't wear out.

You guys can do what you like, but if it's designed to be associated with this site, I'd rather do it myself or at least oversee the content of anything printed. I've got this control issue about anything graphic/art/logo related.

As for fund raising, don't worry about that. It's not terribly lucrative, and I'd rather spend time on working on the new website. However, I know you guy want more logo shirts. The look/feel/logo is about to change, so hang tight.

Calendars are a great idea, but we have to solicit photo entries, as going through the galleries and poaching is not enough to warrant a release for usage. Plus we need full resolution versions of the image file.



But back to Gary's deal...we can worry about BCP another time.

"Paved runways are for pussies.... " (taken)
"Nice training wheel..."
"Who chewed this hole in the seat cushion?"

I like this one, especially for the corporate pilots I work with. What, you don't think a Gulfstream pilot walks on water???



It would be funny to change the words a little and adapt it to a Backcountry pilot, add a logo and ???

I started looking into this type of business as well about a year ago and here's what I found.

1) It's going to be more of a hobby for a while cause not many people actually make enough of the sales of shirts and hats to turn much of a profit at first. (Lots on online info about this)

2) Unless you buy in bulk, shirt and prints can be pricey, most want 100 shirts per print to get a decent price. Also as mentioned, sizes need to be thought out in advance. The first couple logos/styles of shirts can really make or break a business (you don't want to be left with 300 shirts in you basement that no one wants) so a little market research (via forums perhaps) is advised.

3) Colors, graphics, and screen print vs. iron on can really add up.

4) Start looking for a .com/.org/.net url (godaddy.com). You would be surprised how little is left and it needs to be something that people can remember that's short and sweet (something that'll stick in your mind at the end of the day). It took me a couple weeks to find one that I really liked and that I felt was marketable.

5) Online forums, airshow booths, events, and fly-ins are probably the best way of advertising.

I will hopefully be in a position to start something next summer or fall, but right now I just don't have enough cash to put into it. Hopefully I'll have a little niche in the market that may catch on. I do agree this is a pretty good area to get into though. I'm not planning on getting rich by any means, but flying/camping/art is defiantly a passion of mine and I feel it's something I would love to pursue in the future (even if I make little to no money).

Hope that helps - Matt

Here's a couple of ideas for you Gary...

#1
(drawing of super STOL back country gravel bar with 180 or Cub on it)
No asphalt... no tower... NO PROBLEM !

#2
(drawing of a remote 500 foot STOL strip with a cabin and a Super Cub parked)
Super Cub with monster tires, VG's, and 180HP... $125,000
37 acres in the remote back country with no roads in or out... $47,000
Pre-fab DIY cabin kit with solar and wind self-sufficiency... $23,000
Having your own airport that the FAA can't get to... PRICELESS !

REALLY good looking babe standing beside a bed ( in a bikini), next to a formula one racecar, next to a SC with big tires.
LOGO:
If you can't race it, take it to bed, or do it in the bush,
it ain't worth havin'
HC

HC

I like the way you are thinkin

Gary

Tripp Wacker at Ryan Air used to have a shirt with an image of a J3 on Floats and "slip it in and get it wet".

Picture - "A good looking girl lovingly caressing the propellor of a super cub"

Text - "Fly - It's what gets you up!"

Great ideas guys.

EZflap, nice avatar, hadn't noticed her before.

Matt
Not really in it for the money, although I don't need another place to throw away money. 'Ol Buzzard Bait does a pretty good job at that. Although it's not really throwing it away, it does seem to go pretty fast.

I have a guy here in town that can do shirts 1 at a time if I want. Kind of pricey that way because of the color charge. $20/color. 1 shirt $30. 50 SHIRTS+ $520 or $10.40/shirt

There is not an ounce of artistic talent in my body, so that is the most difficult part.

Honestly, I figure more of a hobby than anything else. Had also hoped for a tax write off for my plane and fuel, but that doesn't sound too hopeful..

shortfielder wrote:I want to get another plane, and don't want to sell the one that I have.

I've been wanting to make and sell backcountry T's and hats for the last year or two. Problem is, I'm not very creative . But I do feel that I can recognize a good idea. So, here's my plan

I think that there is a lot of creative talent involved with this forum, judgeing from the posts that I have read over the years . I would like any of you folks with a good idea for a shirt (and/or hat), to submit the idea to me. Probably PM is best for obvious reasons. If I use it, I'll give ya a couple shirts for the suggestion.

I prefer a little humor to be involved. A little tasteful, off color should also be OK. Not necessarilly combined, but OK if it is.

I have had a few ideas like, Backcontry pilot check list, Honey, do these tires make my plane look small(picture of a taildragger with oversize bush tires), Couple old pilots sittin on stumps with plane and campfire w/a saying like "I've spent most of my money on planes, whiskey and avgas, the rest of it I just wasted." You get the idea.

Exact art work isn't required. I can work with an idea. And I think rough, sketch like drawings are fine anyways.

Thanks to anyone that feels like participating. It should be fun to see where this goes.

I hope to be able to sell them through this website, along with ebay, maybe others like Barnstormers????

Gary

Gary:
First don't limit your Business to Pilots or airplanes -----There always Political Posters or Anti that would be big sellers to a larger audience.Go to car shows,EAA Flying-in's or Boat shows etc. get some of there pictures for shirts etc. Silk Screening equipment is not all that expensive to buy and operate. Set your self up for the LONG HAUL -don't expect to being going down to the Rolls Royce dealership anytime soon. Offer several different types of service
with your products. Go to trade shows and print up stuff to identify employees or salesman etc. Hats are a great way to sell to Veterans origination's for reunions or get togetherness. Diversity your product so more people will be able or willing to buy it. There's a vast ocean out there of people who have never heard of or had anything to do with small airplanes ----- but who have went to say a car show --or county fair --or family reunion .

Hey Bill

Thanks for the thoughts. I already have a day job, as it is. Don't want to go into the hat & t-shirt business any farther than to have some fun with something that I already really enjoy.

May just be a wasted exercise here, but it is a thought/idea that I have had for awhile, and just thought that I would throw it out and see what comes back.


Gary