A Sci-Fi Entrepreneur's Five Year Mission

Science Fiction/Fantasy Store hits 5 year mark successfully for first time entrepreneur.

In May 2002, Jumpgate: The Science Fiction/Fantasy Store will celebrate its
fifth anniversary. The fitting celebration includes a sale, special guests,
special events and further community involvement for the little store that
could. Walking into Jumpgate, one would think that they have been in
Portsmouth NH much longer, many assume that they are a part of a chain. The
truth is that Jumpgate is the sort of home brewed mom and pop shop that can
best huge corporations with a smile and a little extra service.

Store owner Hector Diaz started conceiving Jumpgate since his first
immersion into the genre of Science fiction, comics, games, books and
movies. Like a jigsaw puzzle taking shape over years of struggle, Diaz's
experiences in retail, management, shipping, receiving, computers, art and
writing all provided pieces to that puzzle. It was in 1996 when the final
piece of that puzzle was placed and like Captain Kirk's journey through the
stars, Jumpgate's first five year mission began. At the time, Diaz worked
for the Central Receiving department of the University of New Hampshire. It
was during budgetary problems that Diaz and his crew were informed that
their department would be eliminated and that they would be wise to update
their resumes. Right after that meeting, Diaz walked in to a friend's office
and offered up that they go into business together in a store specializing
in their favorite genre.

Like any true entreprenuer, once the decision to succeed was made, all that
remained for Diaz were the details. His business plan went through several
rewrites as he envisioned every aspect of his store from the entry door down
to the storage space. Potential partners who couldn't risk the potential
financial loss dropped out, leaving Diaz and his wife Sharon with a business
plan, a dream and limited funds. At the University, Diaz's department was
spared and his job was secure once again. In Diaz's mind however, it was
secure only until the next budget committee made poorly informed decisions
laced with politics and ignorance. He wanted to take hold of his own
destiny. So with an idea and a mountain of obstacles before them, the Diaz's
went ahead with their plans for Jumpgate.

Due to their inexperience, poor financial standing and a store idea that did
not fit conveniently into a application's "type of business" check off
boxes, no bank would help Jumpgate get started. While some would give up,
Diaz simply became more determined to turn Jumpgate into a reality. On May
22nd, 1997, Jumpgate: The Science Fiction/Fantasy Store opened. Throughout
the process, Diaz would stress to his staff the importance of customer
service, and how the cares of the world would need to stay outside. Jumpgate
was to be a fun place for visitors where they can escape the outside world.
Staff was encouraged (ordered) to be in a good mood, smile and be helpful.
For Diaz himself, those mandates were put to the test when three weeks
before opening, his best friend commited suicide. While working to paint
the walls and start his first venture, Diaz was also cleaning out his friend
's apartment and dealing with the loss and confusion over his friend's
death.

Two years after the store opened, Diaz was able to leave the University and
support his family modestly while working to pay the bills generated by the
new venture. Now as they round the corner and start celebrating their fifth
anniversary, the bills are paid and Jumpgate has become a mecca for science
fiction/fantasy fans in New England attracting local and regional customers
as well as tourists who have found the store through the internet, fan clubs
and word of mouth. Genre celebrities, actors, actresses, writers, artists
and game designers have supported Jumpgate through a variety of appearances
and promotions. Hector has had the opportunity to meet and befriend people
whose work he previously had admired only as a fan.

Jumpgate is popular among schools and parents as well as science fiction
fans. Diaz and his staff have participated in afterschool enrichment
programs where they teach comic art and games to eager students. In comic
art the focus is on storytelling and structure as much as it is about
drawing. For the Games class, good sportsmanship is stressed and the
mathematics used in playing and designing games is explored ("see, you will
use this in your regular life!").

This summer, the Portsmouth Music Hall, a landmark of Portsmouth NH, brings
a science fiction/fantasy festival to the Seacoast that Jumpgate will help
promote and sponsor. Involvement in the film festival, which supports the
genre, the art and the fans, also reflects the love for the business that is
Jumpgate's not-so-secret ingredient for success. For any small business,
the road to the five year mark is difficult, treacherous and daunting. To
travel the length of that road, on a showstring and a dream, takes a certain
determination and magic that is plentiful in the ailses of Jumpgate: The
Science Fiction/Fantasy Store.

###

CONTACT:

Jumpgate

1-800-400-6740

http://www.jumpgatelink.com

Hector and Sharon Diaz

603-659-7696 (home)

hector.diaz3@verizon.net