[ShagginJet]

You shouldn't need that much money. the big killer is going to be the rent on the shop itself. as for the equipment and things to sell, you talk directly with the manufactures and they hook you up. You get special pricing and open an account that says you agree to purchase atleast 1-3k of good over the year. You don't get the best price, but you get a low enough price to make some good money. Carry about 5-10 different lines, make sure that you ahve the several copies of the manufactures full catalog on hand at all times. Keep 1 or 2 of some of the most popular kits in stock. If someone needs something you can usually pick it up from a local rep, or the manufacture will ship it out next day at an extra like 10-20 bucks, no big deal.

I've been there, done that. I want to get a shop going out here but lack the resources because at this time.

Besides selling localy, you can take some of the items and sell them on ebay for a little extra cash, and to help meet that 3000$ PO that you made with the manufacture. All you really have to do is to sell enough stuff to make rent for the shop and what ever income youhad before you opened the shop, should be easy.