Greetings, investors! We are Gemini Hospitality, LLC and we’d love to talk to you about an exciting niche hotel and entertainment opportunity!
The Hotel Obsidian is set to become the world’s first immersive metal-themed boutique hotel and live music venue, uniquely designed to cater to one of the most loyal and high-spending fanbases in the world: the self-described metalhead. If at first this seems too niche, we invite you to discuss the overwhelmingly positive outlook based on extensive market research and broad demographic engagement. Located in the growing tourist market of Oklahoma City, where the local hard rock and metal scene continues to thrive, Obsidian combines accommodation, live music, and a full spectrum of metal lifestyle experiences—making it a one-of-a-kind destination for music lovers and experiential travelers alike.
Additionally, our own surveys and research show a direct appeal to even those who lack interest in the specific niche genres of hard rock or metal, with a majority of respondents indicating they'd be driven to book simply for the unique experience we plan to offer.
Business Model
Obsidian’s business model revolves around multiple, highly complementary revenue streams, eliminating the risk of failing to meet revenue goals on room sales alone.
- Hotel Room Bookings: The hotel will feature 40 standard guest rooms and 10 premium suites, each themed around iconic metal bands, albums, or eras. Room packages will include tickets to live shows and other events hosted onsite.
- Live Music Events: We will host regular concerts featuring local, national, and international metal bands, attracting both hotel guests and local concertgoers. The onsite venue will have a capacity of 300 and is designed for intimate performances.
According to a report from Ticketmaster, metal fans were found to attend more live shows annually than fans of any other genre. This supports the idea that metal fans are willing to invest time and money to see their favorite bands live. The study noted that metal fans often travel longer distances to attend shows, showing a dedication to live events even when it requires significant effort. - This kind of loyalty extends beyond the music to live concerts, festivals, and merchandise, creating a dedicated subculture that many fans participate in actively over the long term.
- Merchandise and Vinyl Sales: Our onsite vinyl and merchandise shop will offer limited-edition records, memorabilia, and band merchandise. Given the high spending habits of metal fans on collectibles, this is a key additional revenue stream.
- Live Nation reported that metal fans spend more per capita on band merchandise, vinyl, and physical media compared to other genres. This reflects their deep sense of commitment to their favorite bands, often purchasing limited-edition items and memorabilia.
- According to a 2019 Nielsen Music report, heavy metal and hard rock fans are more likely to purchase physical albums and vinyl compared to other genres. They appreciate album art, special releases, and collector’s items, which shows their dedication to supporting artists beyond streaming platforms.
- The report noted that vinyl sales among metal fans rose by 14% in 2019, outperforming other genres.
- Experiential Services: Tattoo artistry and pop-up events, private meet-and-greets with bands, and exclusive VIP experiences (available through the premium suites) will allow guests to engage with the metal culture in a way that goes beyond the music itself.
- Food and Beverage: Themed bars and tasting events with local suppliers will provide a curated food and beverage experience, including beer "tap takeovers" and local craft brews, in partnership with nearby breweries.
Customer Segments
Our target customers fall into two primary groups:
- Metal Enthusiasts: Metal fans are known for their deep loyalty to the genre, with numerous studies showing that they are more likely to attend live shows, purchase merchandise, and invest in experiences that reflect their musical identity. Obsidian will appeal to this core audience by creating a full metal immersion that extends beyond the concert stage into the place they stay, eat, and socialize.
- Experiential Travelers: Experiential travel is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the hospitality industry, with travelers increasingly seeking unique, culturally immersive experiences. Obsidian offers this market a distinctive experience, even if they are not die-hard metal fans, through its unique concept, themed amenities, and live performances.
Market Opportunity
- The experiential travel market is projected to reach $159.6 billion by 2027, and Obsidian is perfectly positioned to capture this demand by offering a truly unique travel experience.
- The global music tourism market is valued at over $8 billion, and metal fans—known for their high level of engagement—are a particularly lucrative segment within this industry.
- Spotify’s 2021 Global Fan Study and research from Ticketmaster show that metal fans are the most loyal and engaged, often attending more concerts and purchasing more merchandise than fans of any other genre. This ensures a strong, loyal customer base for Obsidian from day one.
Team
Our team is in its infant stages and for the sake of this proposal, we'll keep it to the basics! With deep roots in both the hotel industry and the metal music scene, myself and my handful of dedicated and trusted colleagues are uniquely positioned to execute on this vision.
- Kareline Castor: Founder and Managing Member of Gemini Hospitality, LLC (who will own and operate The Obsidian Hotel): With more than ten years in hospitality operations management, revenue management, strategic sales, and event planning, Kareline has a clear and detailed vision with hundreds of hours of research and strategy having been poured into this passion project.
- Michael Castor: Our Director of IT and lead technical officer--Michael has over 20 years in IT and network/system management. He is responsible for rolling out our website, overall technical layout of the property, and will manage the day-to-day IT department operations once we open, precluding the need to hire outside contractors.
- A contract is currently being finalized with a professional marketing team once we can secure seed capital to support this.
We also have strategic advisors in both the metal music industry, local tourism, economic development, brand development, local breweries, distilleries, dispensaries, event promotors, and more, all of whom have grown confident in the future success of our hotel and venue. Additionally, we have local resources helping us secure prime locations in Oklahoma City’s tax incentive zones, which will significantly reduce upfront costs.
Credentials & Strategic Advantage
- First-Mover Advantage: Obsidian is the first-ever metal-themed boutique hotel, filling a clear gap in the market. We provide a one-of-a-kind experience that competitors cannot easily replicate.
- Tax Incentive Strategy: We are currently exploring opportunities within Oklahoma City’s tax incentive development zones, which offer significant tax credits and grants for businesses that contribute to urban development.
- Partnerships: We have established relationships with local craft breweries, vinyl shops, and metal bands, which will allow us to offer unique guest experiences and exclusive merchandise.
Financial Projections
Our Ask
We are seeking $500,000 in initial funding to secure the property, begin development, and launch our marketing efforts. This investment will allow us to renovate the space, build out the concert venue, and ensure a successful opening. The funds will also go toward hiring key personnel, securing equipment, and managing operational costs for the first year. In return, we are offering equity and the opportunity to be part of a truly unique venture that will set the standard for immersive, music-themed travel experiences.
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