Announcement

March 21, 2024

After completing all the business structure tasks, I moved to building the e-commerce platform. I build websites for my marketing agency clients on WordPress, so I could have built an e-commerce solution on it. But I decided to go with Shopify. I need to learn more about Shopify, so this merch store seemed like a good test candidate. Also, I figured it would integrate better with print-on-demand companies and payment processors. I set up a test e-commerce store on Shopify and started learning about Shopify. There are a lot of areas to learn, like payments, shipping, taxes, and integrating with print-on-demand services. These are the back-end functions. However, there is also the user interface that includes theme selection and content. In the end, Shopify seems to be a great solution.

March 19, 2024

After setting up a website, I officially created a business. Since Intergalactic Gear would be selling physical products, I wanted to set up some liability protection. I set up an LLC (limited liability company) with my local state government. Next, I got an IRS identification number and applied for a state business license. Once all that was processed and official, I set up a business bank account and got a business credit card. The final step in creating the business was to obtain a reseller account to resell products related to state sales taxes. There are many steps to creating the necessary business structure, but it is all necessary to set up an e-commerce business.

March 14, 2024

With the project plan done, one of the first things I wanted to do was get a website built for my future Star Atlas merch store. I am a big believer in the power of websites, even with social media and community platforms. Part of this is to get a domain name and have a place on the Internet that I fully control. Domain names are complicated now days because all the good names are already taken. But I got lucky because I had already found a name for my Star Atlas blog and newsletter website, Intergalactic Herald. I did some brainstorming, and the word “gear” sounded good for a merch store. I started building the actual website. I run a digital marketing agency and build websites in WordPress for clients, so this was one of the easier parts of this process. As part of the Star Star IP Build program, […]

March 4, 2024

The first step that I did was some idea brainstorming about what kind of merch store I wanted to build.  I used AI to help with this process.  It turned out to be a great helper to get some ideas.  I created AI prompts about target audience, product ideas and why even start a merch store. I took all these ideas and created a project plan.  

March 3, 2024

In spring of 2023, Star Atlas announced their intellectual (IP) Build Program.  This was a program that would allow anyone to have access to to the Star Atlas’ IP to use for a profit making enterprise.  I applied to create a merch store and was approved in the middle of June 2023. I had been doing a few things related to Star Atlas as a content creator with the avatar of Intergalactic Herald.  But, I was interested in the idea of a more direct revenue generation effort.  A merch store sounded like a good idea and it would give me a chance to learn more about ecommerce.  I am the owner of a marketing agency and meet people that need help with their ecommerce businesses for paid ad and SEO.  I could get more experience for my business, provide a service to the Star Atlas community and maybe make a […]

February 26, 2024

Welcome to Intergalactic Gear – your home for Star Atlas gear.