GOT SOME EXTRA MONEY lying around? Looking to invest? Well, you can always put it in the stock market. That’s been a pretty good bet over the years. Or, you could play the long odds and buy lottery tickets. Every now and then we hear of someone scratching some cash out of that. Of course, you could visit one of our casinos. Spin the wheel and maybe hit the jackpot there.
Or… you could take a flyer and bet on yourself, by starting your own business. Sound scary? It should. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately one of five new businesses fail during their first two years, and almost half don’t make it five years. So, all that extra money you once had, not to mention a ton of time and energy, has resulted in a payoff of… nothing. Nada.
But, for better or worse, entrepreneurs of all stripes continue to buck the odds and put everything they’ve got into their own personal American dream… and start a business. We see it happening locally as new establishments continue to appear, with aspiring owners hoping to take advantage of what looks to be a flourishing economy.
Thrown Any Axes Lately?
One new local business that’s still in that two-year window is Razor Axe, located on U.S. 41 between Marquette and Negaunee. In case you’re not familiar… you won’t buy an axe there… you’ll throw one.
As is often the case with new businesses, owner Jake Truttmann, seen above, fell back on his own passion when deciding what shingle to hang. “I enjoy throwing axes, and I wanted to add value to the community.”
Ah… value to the community. According to the business website Investopedia, misreading the market is one of the main reasons businesses fail. “You have to find an opening or unmet need within a market and then fill it rather than try and push your product or service in.”
Apparently Truttmann has found it. “Business has been good, and the public response has been that people have greatly enjoyed their time being able to throw in this environment.”
The environment he’s referring to is his user-friendly axe-throwing venue featuring cool lighting, pop music, and a bar. He ups the ante with nightly axe throwing specials, leagues, and group events. And in case you’re not sure of your axe-throwing skills, Truttmann, a proud Marine Corps veteran, is a certified World Axe Throwing League coach.
If you’d have asked me a few years ago what I thought of an axe throwing business, I probably wouldn’t have given it much of a chance. Well, I was wrong about that one. Sometimes you have to think outside the box to find that niche. And by definition, you have to be different to be better. Let ‘er fly.
On the Record
If there was one business comeback I’d have never predicted, it’s the return of the record store. But they’re back… with one change. We don’t call them records anymore. The correct term is “vinyl.” (And they’re serious about that.)
The Emporium, formerly located on West Washington, has now opened a new location… at 816 N. Third. When I first wrote about The Emporium back in 2020, I honestly thought owner Jon Teichman’s love of the groovy discs wasn’t going to be enough to sustain a brick & mortar business. And I was wrong again.
While hours were limited at his previous location, the new storefront is open Wednesday thru Sunday, with an invitation to stop in and check the inventory, or just share the vinyl love with like-minded aficionados.
There was a time when the record-player was following the typewriter into oblivion. It served its purpose, but we’d moved on… to tape, digital, Pandora, Alexa… well beyond the turntable. But, according to Teichman, “Vinyl records never ‘went away,’ they always held a special place in people’s collections. Vinyl records (unlike any other format) offer a rich, full, interactive opportunity.”
The Emporium’s expansion and move to the new location will fit right in with the popular summer concert series, “Music on Third.” The step up is also a testament to what an owner’s enthusiasm can mean to the success of a business. Spin ‘em if you got ‘em.
Something New in Healthcare!
Sure, there’s always something new going on in healthcare, but I never imagined we’d see a novel way to avoid the menace of mold, but here we are.
Local overachiever, and one of the forces behind the development of Word on the Street, Justin Carlson, has used his own battle with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) as inspiration behind the promotion of Moldmap.
Moldmap, according to Carlson, “is a website that helps people find places with healthy indoor air quality. Without that, it’s very difficult–if not impossible–to heal from chronic illnesses like what I had. And thus Moldmap was born.”
Since the pandemic, people are more aware of their environmental surroundings… particularly the air they’re breathing. That’s where Carlson’s new business has its footings. “In today’s world, environmental toxins are super prevalent, and the number of people whose health is affected by them is greater than ever before. We have a mold crisis in our country due to the way we construct and maintain buildings.”
Sounds good Justin, but how does one use Moldmap? “You can go to Moldmap and start searching our database immediately. You can also sign up for free to start reviewing locations, and save them in your dashboard for future reference. We also have a Facebook community you can join here.”
Just when you thought the best you could do was a mask, along comes Moldmap. Something simple to help you stay healthy. I think JC is on to something here.
Another Gym?
No… not just another gym. It’s the Flying Squirrel Ninja Academy, the brainchild of Adela and Jason Piper. Scheduled to open in Negaunee next month, the Flying Squirrel Ninja Academy, targeting children ages 3-17, will be offering a workout experience different than most.
The name itself should give you an idea of what’s in store for the kids. According to Adela, “Children can expect to swing, jump, roll, balance, and traverse through obstacles like angled steps, warped walls, monkey bars, rings, and much more.”
The theme, says Adela, is based on the sport of Ninja Warrior. “We saw how the sport was a perfect blend of fun and fitness, cultivated a supportive environment in which to take on challenges, and created a strong sense of community in an individual sport while supporting physical and mental health and well-being.”
Basically, it’s exercise, mental and physical, with a specific appeal to young people. Jumping jacks just don’t cut it anymore, and it looks like the Pipers recognize that. Plus, it appears a lot of the experience will be for that big muscle in the head. “In our eyes, we’re here to teach and empower children to face life’s obstacles and challenges with courage, determination, resilience, and grit—both in the gym and in life.”
On their Facebook page, it says “the most important quality of a Flying Squirrel Ninja Warrior is MINDSET.”
Sounds like something that could also apply to someone starting a new business.