Own Shop

lucylema

I would love to have my own little shop. i know this is not possible in this climate and can dream. No real point to this thread just putting down my thoughts and feelings.

Its an allsorts shop but nothing tacky.

ho humm

Amber_Sunshine

Nothing wrong with having a dream! Why not start small, with an ebay shop or market stall? You could also look into the logistics, for example how much suitable premises would cost, how you would finance it, research wholesalers, find out if there is a need for this kind of shop and an interest. Try contacting your local Business Link. Don't assume that it is out of reach, but do be realistic. Good luck!

fayei

I agree with Amber sunshine, its not out of reach you just need to do some ground work and some home work. Online would be the best start to keep your inital costs down.

Speak to the princes trust, they are offering free 4 days courses for people looking into setting up on their own!

Good luck!!

Gazing_On_Sunsets

Hey, why not? As you can see from the list of jobs I have on my profile, I do a bit of everything, and for the past year I've been running a small shop on my weekends. Stupid, mad, crazy idea that made no money and ate up ALL my time...yet totally worth it, for me.

Here's the story, might give you a push to try it:

I decided to open a shop selling the art and craft of local makers, on a sale or return basis (so no outlay for me!} and taking commission. I KNEW I would not make a living from this and so did not give up my day job of teaching. I opened last May. I opened in a run down and scabby shopping arcade where all the other units were empty, so I told the agents I would take the shop on IF they'd let me use the other shops as display space for local artwork. They said yes! Which got me into the papers for free advertising, woo hoo!

The shop rent is £135 pcm including a service charge and I pay a tiny business rate of £15 a month. I paid for a years insurance in one go, about £2OO I think it was. My elec bills are about £6O a quarter even though I am only there on a weekend because the heating is elec and it's a cold shop.

I started with a capital, loaned by my brother, of £2OOO. This has gone on rent, insurance, some outgoings like shelving, receipt book, a dash around Booker for carrier bags. I did not bother getting a till; I decided to see how it went.

I got a "Small Business Account Book" and have kept weekly records. My run up to Christmas was pretty good but at no point over the last year have I made my rental income solely from shop sales. In May this year when the lease is up, I'm not renewing it.

BUT it has been a great and life changing experience because I started doing pet portrait commissions: people came in and liked MY work, not the art of other pople that I was selling! I also started doing private tutoring while I was here, and because I declare that income it kind of keeps the shop afloat at the moment.

On paper, it has been a daft exercise doomed to failure from the start.

But in reality, I have learnt so much, met amazing people, worked harder than I ever thought possible, and taken up new incomes that didn't occur to me before! I work better if I leave my house and go somewhere else so it taught me discipline and gave me confidence.

Do your projections and see if you can factor it into your life. Maybe start with a market stall which you can do on days off....

scotsbob

Most commercial property agents rent vacant properties in the high streets on a short term basis while they are looking for long term clients.

Some large independent stores are happy to rent out space to people.

As someone else suggested you could have a "weekend shop" which is a stall in an indoor market.

Not sure what allsorts is, if it is some kind of confectionary then you are going to face a lot of competition. Fruit is the quick and easy startup because no one expects a fruit shop to look smart so you can rent anywhere and just stick down the boxes you buy straight from the market. You will pay little tax because you can claim anything that perishes as a loss. Once you have made a frew quid profit you can rent better premises and start selling something else.

I know a few people who over the years have done this, just pick up the phone, rent, stick your stuff in and start selling. All respect to the above posters but once you start getting involved in business links and council initiatives and goodness knows what else you will lose your enthusiasm, they will bog you down with paperwork.
Go for it and good luck

lucylema

Thank you all for replying to me and being supportive. When I say allsorts i mean along the lines of the shop in the tv programme Ghost Whisperer. I would like to sell lovely shabby chic furniture, clothes, jewellry basically a upmarket car boot so to speak.

I know the name of the shop lol

Lucy xx