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Franchises For Preppers
Dec 9, 2013 by Joel Libava In Franchise 16
Prepper franchise - kit
Until now, I’ve never written an article for Small Business Trends while sitting in my basement. Usually, my words come alive in my well-equipped office.
But, I couldn’t write about prepper-related franchises without putting myself in the prepper’s shoes (or combat boots) for a few hours. I have to tell you, hanging around in my somewhat musty basement for a few hours is as far as I’m willing to go. It’s only been 15 minutes, and I’m already thinking of scampering upstairs to finish this article.
All kidding aside, today I want to take a serious look at a cultural phenomenon — and the franchise opportunities around it. I am not advocating that anyone run out and jump into these franchises. I never advocate jumping into ANY franchise without investigation. Buying a franchise involves spending serious money. There are pros and cons to buying a franchise. You should always do your due diligence.
But as part of my work, I make it my business to know about franchises that are available. As prepping has drifted more into the public’s eye, there are more products marketed to preppers.
And there are some prepper franchise opportunities with crossover appeal. We’ll get to that point in a moment.
What Are Preppers?
If you’re not a regular viewer on the Reality Television circuit, you may not know about the television show that’s on the National Geographic Channel called Doomsday Preppers. In its third season, Doomsday Preppers is a television show about preppers and survivalists. Here’s how the show is described on the National Geographic website:
“Doomsday Preppers explores the lives of otherwise ordinary Americans who are preparing for the end of the world as we know it. Unique in their beliefs, motivations, and strategies, preppers will go to whatever lengths they can to make sure they are prepared for any of life’s uncertainties.â€
The National Geographic channel sounds a bit melodramatic, doesn’t it?
Drama aside, being prepared is a way of life for a growing number of people. Some Americans simply want to be prepared for the aftermath of a natural disaster like Hurricane Sandy or Katrina. Those events disrupted lives and businesses for weeks, months, in some cases years.
Did you know that there are meetings taking place for preppers all over the United States? Most are likely kept within close circles of family and friends, but some meetings are public. On the Meetup.com website I found many Meetups on topics such as preparedness, prepping, disaster, survival and similar terms. Go ahead and try searching. You may be surprised.
There are literally hundreds if not thousands of websites, blogs, podcasts and YouTube channels on the topic of prepping and survival. Some have large audiences.
Prepper Franchise Opportunities with Mainstream Appeal
Let’s look at franchise opportunities that may take advantage of the prepping trend, yet also have crossover appeal to a mainstream market. There’s also quite a bit of overlap in products when it comes to hikers, campers and hunters. Keep that in mind as part of the potential target market.
I emphasize the crossover appeal when it comes to a prepper franchise, because the potential market will be larger.
Also, unless you are living the prepper lifestyle yourself, you may find it hard to break into a niche market like preppers.
Metal Supermarkets
The Anderson shelter was a popular mini-bomb shelter that was distributed to citizens in the UK during WW2. It’s a well-known fact that The Anderson shelters performed well under blast and ground shock. That’s because they were made with curved and straight galvanized corrugated steel panels – 14 of them actually.
Those wanting to reinforce a basement or building with galvanized corrugated steel panels might turn to a place like the local Metal Supermarkets franchise that makes it easy to buy reinforcing materials.
Dec 9, 2013 by Joel Libava In Franchise 16
Prepper franchise - kit
Until now, I’ve never written an article for Small Business Trends while sitting in my basement. Usually, my words come alive in my well-equipped office.
But, I couldn’t write about prepper-related franchises without putting myself in the prepper’s shoes (or combat boots) for a few hours. I have to tell you, hanging around in my somewhat musty basement for a few hours is as far as I’m willing to go. It’s only been 15 minutes, and I’m already thinking of scampering upstairs to finish this article.
All kidding aside, today I want to take a serious look at a cultural phenomenon — and the franchise opportunities around it. I am not advocating that anyone run out and jump into these franchises. I never advocate jumping into ANY franchise without investigation. Buying a franchise involves spending serious money. There are pros and cons to buying a franchise. You should always do your due diligence.
But as part of my work, I make it my business to know about franchises that are available. As prepping has drifted more into the public’s eye, there are more products marketed to preppers.
And there are some prepper franchise opportunities with crossover appeal. We’ll get to that point in a moment.
What Are Preppers?
If you’re not a regular viewer on the Reality Television circuit, you may not know about the television show that’s on the National Geographic Channel called Doomsday Preppers. In its third season, Doomsday Preppers is a television show about preppers and survivalists. Here’s how the show is described on the National Geographic website:
“Doomsday Preppers explores the lives of otherwise ordinary Americans who are preparing for the end of the world as we know it. Unique in their beliefs, motivations, and strategies, preppers will go to whatever lengths they can to make sure they are prepared for any of life’s uncertainties.â€
The National Geographic channel sounds a bit melodramatic, doesn’t it?
Drama aside, being prepared is a way of life for a growing number of people. Some Americans simply want to be prepared for the aftermath of a natural disaster like Hurricane Sandy or Katrina. Those events disrupted lives and businesses for weeks, months, in some cases years.
Did you know that there are meetings taking place for preppers all over the United States? Most are likely kept within close circles of family and friends, but some meetings are public. On the Meetup.com website I found many Meetups on topics such as preparedness, prepping, disaster, survival and similar terms. Go ahead and try searching. You may be surprised.
There are literally hundreds if not thousands of websites, blogs, podcasts and YouTube channels on the topic of prepping and survival. Some have large audiences.
Prepper Franchise Opportunities with Mainstream Appeal
Let’s look at franchise opportunities that may take advantage of the prepping trend, yet also have crossover appeal to a mainstream market. There’s also quite a bit of overlap in products when it comes to hikers, campers and hunters. Keep that in mind as part of the potential target market.
I emphasize the crossover appeal when it comes to a prepper franchise, because the potential market will be larger.
Also, unless you are living the prepper lifestyle yourself, you may find it hard to break into a niche market like preppers.
Metal Supermarkets
The Anderson shelter was a popular mini-bomb shelter that was distributed to citizens in the UK during WW2. It’s a well-known fact that The Anderson shelters performed well under blast and ground shock. That’s because they were made with curved and straight galvanized corrugated steel panels – 14 of them actually.
Those wanting to reinforce a basement or building with galvanized corrugated steel panels might turn to a place like the local Metal Supermarkets franchise that makes it easy to buy reinforcing materials.
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