I’ve been passionate about games and gaming my entire life. So no matter what I do, you can bet that it’s directly related to the video game industry. Take eBash, for example, my bread and butter, a video game center. We’ve had a wild run since I started it in 2004, and since then, we’ve opened multiple stores nationwide.
I’ve helped establish multiple companies since I graduated in 1998. So, I have a ton of real-world experience when it comes to operating small businesses. But, at this point in my career, I get so frustrated whenever I hear a small business, an esports venue, or a LAN center especially ultimately fail after just a few months or a couple of years of operation.
Knowing what leads to this failure is key to solving the problems that cause a business’s demise. Fortunately, this is where my experience can and will help. So, what do I think the problem is? Ready? All right, listen.
You cannot be one of the biggest consumers of your product
Wait, what do I mean about this statement? Think about it. Do you think your bar will be successful or have profit if you are its number one customer consuming a bulk of the alcoholic drinks you sell in your business? Probably not.
Even though it’s your business, you still need to be professional and set some boundaries. They say to choose a job or, in this case, a business that you love and you will never have to work a single day in your life.
Good advice, but don’t take it too literally. Starting a business like an esports gaming center is no easy feat. It’s fun but not easy. There are plenty of tasks to do in the business, and you need to be at the engine room running it. You can’t be in the middle of your LAN center playing for hours and hours as if you’re a customer yourself.
Don’t be tempted to join esports game events and tournaments in your own LAN center
I’ve had some close relationships with gaming center owners throughout my years of work in the LAN center industry. Unfortunately, some of them have failed at their business. I’ve known LAN center business owners that prioritize playing games day in and day out instead of running their store. Some would even kick customers and even employees out for gaming-related reasons. If you don’t listen to good advice, your LAN center business will fail.
Your business comes first
Easier said than done? I understand that sentiment only too well. The only reason why I’m confident that this is at least one of the solutions to a huge problem is that I’ve been there and done that.
I was so close to endangering our store back then. Did I say that I am passionate about gaming? I did, right? I love gaming with a passion, and I am very competitive. There were games that I was a top-ranked player worldwide, so you know that I played a lot (too much) and was very good at it.
Gaming stations should be used only by customers!
I spent countless hours playing games while working the bare minimum and neglecting many aspects of the business. I was lucky enough that I was surrounded by the right people at the right time back then, and when I realized what I was doing wrong, I immediately worked with them to get our esports gaming center back on the right track.
A lot of us established esports centers because we love video games. It was our playground and our dream when we were young. Unfortunately, you’re in for a rude awakening if you think that it’s possible to manage a business while gaming at the same time. I eventually found the right balance between work and play, and I’m confident you can do it.
As a LAN center business owner, your goal is to learn new technology about computers, build partnerships, organize esports gaming events, and be innovative.
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Not adding more revenue stream
It is one of the biggest mistakes an esports gaming venue owner can make to their business. You will miss out on possible earnings by not adding another revenue stream, but it will also guarantee that your business will eventually fail. A great example of this is not offering food & beverage to your customers.
Esports venues should not be limited to PC and console gaming, free up some space and add pinball machines
You can add many things around your esports offering, like adding pinball machines (something that I’m now doing with eBash), selling merchandise like toys, game cards such as Steam credits, etc. If you have an existing business unrelated to gaming, we recommend adding esports as an attraction!
Let’s talk about your LAN center business!
If you run a small business, an esports venue, or a LAN center but are still struggling to grow it, play games for more than 10 hours a week, and feel like you’re missing a secret ingredient to finally get to the next level, then contact me. I would love to hear from you.
Esports has become a household name in the past few years. Just like a lot of us gamers envisioned. It’s now globally recognized because of games like LOL and DOTA. And this is a great thing for all of us gamers all over the world!
There are many opportunities in this arena now that the gateways have been opened. So help me help you grow your esports venue business.
