Businesses

### **Shop Ownership Guide**

While shop ownership may seem like a rather innocuous profession, in the realm of the magical world, this often reflects the fact that you are a professional in your career, and have a reputation that can bring in clients to your business. You are a top expert, and owning a shop is the culmination of long term goals.

This being the case, we suggest that these steps are taken, before you take over ownership, or open your own business. Even though not required, it will strengthen your app overall to have these in place:

#### **Getting Started**

It is suggested that your character spends a minimum of 3 IC years working on this phase.

The first expectation of owning a business, is of course to show that you are a professional in your chosen line of work. This can be demonstrated in numerous ways, including apprenticeships, long-term commitment to a given area of study, or demonstrable skill in business and their area of expertise.

#### **On Your Way**

This stage can take as long as you like, though a minimum of 2 IC years is suggested.

Just because you have now opened your business, doesn't necessarily mean that it will be immediately successful. Your business may start relatively small, relying on word of mouth from friends and family, or other means of advertisement. After all, it does take time and dedication to garner the reputation of canon businesses! This fame can certainly be built up IC, or it can be assumed that your character is doing what they can to spread their name amongst NPCs.

This section also includes the time it takes to work up to owning a canon business, though this kind of ownership will necessarily be on the longer side of things. Think 5-10 IC years, depending on the shop!

#### **You Did It!**

All that time and dedication has culminated in your business now receiving regular clientele! You are now a well known stop for those seeking your services, and can be expected to make a tidy sum from your endeavours. You can expect to live comfortably off of the income you are making. While you may possibly become a household name like Ollivanders, we strongly suggest that you build up this reputation IC, with the understanding that it may take years to become as famous and established as canon shops in the Harry Potter franchise!

## Player Run Businesses Rules and Pricing

For the purposes of these rules, 'businesses' refers not only to shops but also not-for-profit organizations (such as animal sanctuaries) and other forms of work that might be started or run by characters. Stores run by NPC's do **not** fall under this list of options, and will be part of different regulations.

Having player character employees, or interacting with player characters that have powers does not add any extra cost. Advertising about a business on the bulletin board is also free. The fame of a business will not be factored into the cost.

### Free, no app or regulation

* Individually run magical businesses with no storefront or NPC employees, with business spread simply through friends/clients, using only skills the character is capable of through bots, and dealing only in things that would be free or cost at most a minor token. Examples include selling self-brewed potions or self-enchanted items by mail order. Anything involving expansion of homes with Extension Charms or use of other magical powers or items will have regular charges apply for said magic, either by following enchanting rules or by paying the necessary token for NPC enchantments.
* Muggle businesses up to small or medium in size, with one or up to a handful of locations. Examples include a corner shop, pet shop, local restaurant chain, or a minor publishing or advertising company.

Note: If you want your free business featured on this page, please reach out to the wiki and apps teams on the MH Worldbuilding server.

### Apprentice

* Magical businesses that have a physical storefront or NPC employees, dealing in anything that costs up to a minor token. What makes something considered a physical storefront is whether or not a customer of said business can walk into the front door on their own, as they wish, without needing the owner to have to open/unlock the door for them.
* Magical businesses that deal in something (for example, a specific magical creature or item) costing an Apprentice or Journeyman token, if you already have paid a token to own that thing.

### Journeyman

* Magical businesses that deal in something costing an Apprentice or Journeyman token, if you haven't paid a token to own that thing.
* Magical businesses that deal in something costing a Master token, if you already have paid a token to own that thing.

### Master

* Large Muggle businesses, or multiple medium-sized businesses integrated under one master; essentially, anything that would be a household name on a national level. Taking over pre-existing giant companies, (such as Google or Amazon), is not allowed.
* Magical businesses that exists in canon and/or already (prior to the app) has a dedicated channel on Model Hogwarts, regardless of what they sell.
* Magical businesses that deal in something costing a Master token, if you haven't paid a token to own that thing.

### Additional Costs

If your business has a physical storefront and you want to place it in Diagon Alley Street, Knockturn Alley or Hogsmeade, you must pay an additional Apprentice token. This extra cost does not apply to businesses costing a Master token.

## How to Apply

On the main server you may use +forms command to bring up the applications form.

## Current Shops

### **Shop Name:**

* **Owner:**
* **Location:**
* **Description:**
* **Goods/Services:**