Sweet shop - Advice Please

jexygirl

Hi ya,
I am assuming the 30k, is after you have secured accom and your future for you and your family. I am in a similar situation atm, I will after a split and securing a home, have a little money to do something with, and despite having a nursing career to fall back on, I have been in the pub trade and working for myself for sometime, and it would be easy for me to jump into something I think = I fancy that! I have buisness experience, and am having to hold myself back, and assess the situation, rather than jumping in and finding a new "distraction" to help with me saying "Im ok on my own". Not saying this is what you are doing, just think it through even when its hard to.
Going into buisness as a partnership, someone to bounce ideas off and work together is one thing, going it alone is entirely different, and when you are looking ot be distracted looks like a good thing, please think it through.
Not saying the ideas and advice here are bad, just adding a personal side and perhaps reading something between the lines that maybe isnt even there.
Jex

Frenchgirl

Hi Jex I think you are right. I do want something to distract me from my old life! I also think I have a lot to give a business. I am frightened I will waste the money having had to take a £3,000 loan to live two years ago - Not got a lot to show for it!

I wish you all Gods blessings (hope you are not offended) my faith is very strong and is one of the things that has kept me going through the hard times. The sun will shine tomorrow - somewhere lolx

fabforty

I think that using this money to set up your own business, is a really good idea. However, it your plan of buying a sweetshop in a little Devon town sounds a bit romantic and idealistic and as if you haven't thought it through properly. I'm not saying that it can't work, perhaps it can, although as others have pointed out small independent shops are facing a tough time at the moment.

Instead of focusing on this one specific idea, why not get in touch with one of the many business advisory organisations, (such as Businesslink), to discuss all of the possible options that are available to you. For example you might do better at something other than retail, or different forms of retail (e.g. internet based), a sweet shop in a different location or possibly a different business in Devon.

You might also consider possibly retraining for a completely different career - using the money to support yourself while you study and cover course fees.

You have a great opportunity to change your life here. I just think it's important that you keep your options open.

Edit: I forgot to add, good luck whatever you decide to do.

butchx5

Hi
I agree with all the previous posts BUT to add a positive note:

I live in Lincoln and there is a traditional sweet shop on the edge of the Cathedral Quarter here that seems to do very well - it is a small shop and has to limit the customers in the shop to 5 at anyone time and have the rest queueing outside - they always wait.

There is another one I goto in Newport Pagnell and another in Tewkesbury.

I have used all of them and they all seem to be doing well and surviving through the years - even this recession.

They also all seem to be set up in a similar way - bulging with every sweet imaginable, special - sweets through the years packs - old fashioned scales, most sweets displayed in rows and rows of the old-style jars, gift packs. They also cater to every pocket with single sweets/lollies up to expensive luxury packs.

Wish you all the best in whatever you decide to do - I have set up and run several businesses myself and with my husband - 2 failed and left us in HUGE debt - we have lost our house twice and spent years paying off loans we used to set up. However, being mad, we never gave up and are now running a successful business that hasn't required us to invest so heavily and we have paid off our mortgage and have no debt - so it can work but takes, time, dedication and lots of guts!