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Starting a business when you don't agree with the morality/principles of the product.

Posted on 1/9/25 at 1:18 pm
Posted by Ranger Call
Lonesome Dove / Montana
Member since Apr 2023
674 posts
Posted on 1/9/25 at 1:18 pm
Let me get this out of the way...Vaping/Smoking is OBVIOUSLY trashy according to 99% of the posters on TD.


That said, the area in which I reside (small town, 2k residents, but tons of through traffic) does not have a tobacco/vape shop, and it is situated on a highway that has a lot of vehicles feeding towards an interstate.

There are a couple of gas stations, but nothing specifically targeted towards the exclusive sale of tobacco/vape products. IMO, there is an opportunity for money to be made selling these vices to people willingly handing their money over in a legal exchange.

I don't smoke, vape, and quit drinking years ago, but I do like to make a buck. When I've considered this as a viable start up, I remind myself that I don't partake in these products and may have a moral conflict selling them in my community.

Trying to gather input on this topic. Flame away if need be, but I'm trying to frame this as a profit discussion overall.

Has anyone done a shop like this? Is there money to be made?

Thanks.
Posted by DarthRebel
Tier Five is Alive
Member since Feb 2013
24815 posts
Posted on 1/9/25 at 1:43 pm to
Vape shops are trashy as frick, but now that is out of the way

Selling something legal, to legal aged adults makes everything easier to swallow.

Selling vapes is better than selling porn or legal marijuana. Honestly selling alcohol is probably a worse offense morally, but plenty of us have done it.
Posted by Ranger Call
Lonesome Dove / Montana
Member since Apr 2023
674 posts
Posted on 1/9/25 at 1:48 pm to
quote:

Selling something legal, to legal aged adults makes everything easier to swallow.

Selling vapes is better than selling porn or legal marijuana. Honestly selling alcohol is probably a worse offense morally, but plenty of us have done it.


This is how I rationalize it as well. Same thing with slot machines in gas stations. Absolutely raping people.

I suppose I'm trying to determine if the "juice is worth the squeeze"?? I have a career that keeps me quite busy, but am trying to find avenues to make enough money to hop out of the hampster wheel I'm turning for someone else and do my own ventures.
Posted by Fat Bastard
2024 NFL pick'em champion
Member since Mar 2009
88789 posts
Posted on 1/9/25 at 2:19 pm to
quote:

Selling vapes is better than selling porn or legal marijuana


that is your opinion and not a fact.

quote:

Honestly selling alcohol is probably a worse offense morally,


nothing but opinion
Posted by anc
Member since Nov 2012
20351 posts
Posted on 1/9/25 at 2:19 pm to
I sat through a pitch a couple years ago after medical cannibas was legalized a couple years ago in Mississippi. The pitch was good, the numbers were solid, and it would have probably been a great investment.

I couldn't do it.

That's just me though, but letting you know your feelings are shared on the subject.
Posted by Joshjrn
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2008
31485 posts
Posted on 1/9/25 at 2:33 pm to
I wouldn't have a moral issue with it. With that said, only you can decide how the money balances with answering "I own a vape shop" when people ask what you do for a living. And I know that probably sounds snarky, but I truly don't mean it to be
Posted by DarthRebel
Tier Five is Alive
Member since Feb 2013
24815 posts
Posted on 1/9/25 at 2:34 pm to
quote:

quote:

Selling vapes is better than selling porn or legal marijuana




that is your opinion and not a fact.


Please provide evidence where porn and marijuana have added to a better societal environment. While vapes are equally not a positive addition to life, when you rank them Vapes are better than the other two.
Posted by Ranger Call
Lonesome Dove / Montana
Member since Apr 2023
674 posts
Posted on 1/9/25 at 2:44 pm to
very true. My 12-YO daughter and I are always clowning on vapes, which started as my way as to subconsciously get her making fun of it at an early age. If she saw me making coin on it, her attitude might change
Posted by VolSquatch
First Coast
Member since Sep 2023
7512 posts
Posted on 1/9/25 at 2:53 pm to
quote:

Please provide evidence where porn and marijuana have added to a better societal environment. While vapes are equally not a positive addition to life, when you rank them Vapes are better than the other two.


Galaxy brain take: Vapes actually improve society because they kill trashy people quicker
Posted by Joshjrn
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2008
31485 posts
Posted on 1/9/25 at 3:01 pm to
quote:

very true. My 12-YO daughter and I are always clowning on vapes, which started as my way as to subconsciously get her making fun of it at an early age. If she saw me making coin on it, her attitude might change

Right?

But yeah, I'm an attorney. I've had people offer to pay me good money to do "car wreck billboard" type work. It's always been a polite but firm "no thank you" from me. And that's not me knocking my friends who do that work; it's just not for me. I have zero interest in answering "I do personal injury work" when asked what I do
Posted by KamaCausey_LSU
Member since Apr 2013
17050 posts
Posted on 1/9/25 at 3:38 pm to
If in LA, I think you would be able to sell legal hemp THC products which are banned from gas stations too.
Posted by soccerfüt
Location: A Series of Tubes
Member since May 2013
72716 posts
Posted on 1/10/25 at 11:40 am to
quote:

Flame away if need be, but I'm trying to frame this as a profit discussion overall.
You are either part of the problem or part of the solution.

Globally & locally you would be a net "taker" if you were to open that type of business (imo).

Now that I've flamed away, I couldn't get past the crappy optics and morality component (again, imo).

I don't care what the potential return would be.

Good luck.
Posted by TulaneLSU
Member since Aug 2003
Member since Dec 2007
13608 posts
Posted on 1/10/25 at 8:30 pm to
Friend,

Those who profit from the weakness and vices of others have made a deal with Satan. “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”

Yours,
TulaneLSU
Posted by LSUtigerME
Walker, LA
Member since Oct 2012
3932 posts
Posted on 1/10/25 at 9:37 pm to
If we’re talking morality and principles, it depends on whether you’ll have obnoxious flashing lights and LEDs and signs lit up like Christmas?
Posted by blueboxer1119
Baton Rouge
Member since May 2013
9560 posts
Posted on 1/11/25 at 7:45 am to
Vape shops are made for laundering money.
Posted by lsuconnman
Baton rouge
Member since Feb 2007
4440 posts
Posted on 1/11/25 at 8:10 am to






This post was edited on 1/25/25 at 5:37 pm
Posted by XanderCrews
Member since Mar 2009
803 posts
Posted on 1/11/25 at 8:19 am to
(no message)
This post was edited on 1/17/25 at 6:39 am
Posted by GeauxTigers123
Member since Feb 2007
3057 posts
Posted on 1/11/25 at 9:50 am to
quote:

Friend, Those who profit from the weakness and vices of others have made a deal with Satan. “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” Yours, TulaneLSU



You are a top 5 poster in my mind. Keep it up. Our cast of characters is what makes this site entertaining.
This post was edited on 1/11/25 at 9:53 am
Posted by Ranger Call
Lonesome Dove / Montana
Member since Apr 2023
674 posts
Posted on 1/13/25 at 11:30 am to
Like carwashes?
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