Could I ever have the guts....??

MORPH3US

Looking for some inspiration here, or encouragment maybe.

I work for a large UK university helping people set up businesses. I enjoy helping the businesses and would love to do it myself but I can't seem to think of an idea for the "next big thing". Maybe thats the problem, maybe i'm looking for something that hasn't been done before when maybe I should be looking to immitate something that has aleady been done before in another country, or another part of the UK.

Another problem I have is my life in general preventing me starting my own business. With student debts, a mortgage and not much for savings, I can't see how I could ever quit my job and risk everything like that....

I absoloutely love Dragons Den and Risking It All, its what I really want to do but i'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions of a business, preferably one that I could start in my spare time and build up to a point where I could quit my day job.

Hell, if anyone out there like me wants to do the same, we could start the business together. I'm sure given the chance that I can do the business (no pun intended) but just need that golden opportunity....

M

tru

I used to want to start a business, trouble was I was looking at it the wrong way round. I learned the business side of business, but still had no idea what to do/sell, or where to do it/sell. Gave up and resigned myself to carrying on working, though I was self-employed, listing for people on e-bay. Then I saw a handmade card and thought "that's rubbish, I could do that much much better" so I did. Then I thought "ooooh I could sell it". So I did And so it began........

Think about your interests and hobbies, then see how you can make money from it. You HAVE to enjoy what you're doing, otherwise it seems just like any other job and you'll end up resenting the hours you have to put in.

MORPH3US

@ troo,

Would like to hear more about your card making business if you don't mind telling!!!

Is it your only income? How much time do you put into it? How many do you sell? Whats the annual profit?

Don't worry, i'm not going to start making them, its just in my blood to ask these things!

M

gonzo10

The answer to your question is in your opening statement. Why not make helping people set up their business your business? You could take them through the process of setting up their company, registering with companies house etc etc

MORPH3US

Thats what I thought mate, but to be honest, there is so much free help available that I don't think it would work. Maybe thats the problem, I always think "it won't work" and so I never bother.

M

tru

MORPH3US wrote:

Would like to hear more about your card making business if you don't mind telling!!!

Is it your only income? Not yet

How much time do you put into it? It was full time, I was designing them at first, that took ages so I wasn't making much. Now I have the designs I want, I can throw them together really quickly. At the mo, only about 2 hours per day.

How many do you sell? Month 1, 3 (I started at the end of the month lol). Month 2, 46. Month 3, 62. Each month after that, I sold about 15-20 more than I did the month before. I also sell invitations to a charity, some months it's 0, others months it's loads. I'm also finding out about craft fairs and I'm designing wedding stationary at the mo, so sales WILL rocket

Whats the annual profit? Don't know yet.

Don't worry, i'm not going to start making them, its just in my blood to ask these things!

M

I could be selling a lot more, I need a guaranteed income at the moment so I've got a part time job as well. I'm at the stage where I need to choose between the job and the business, I've chosen the business - it was a no brainer lol - but still can't quite let the regular income go..........

Pacific_State

troo,

The best type of business to run is one where there is already a decent amount of competition.

The fact that you have companies existing and thriving in a sector is proof enough that there is enough business out there to support a new entrant.

IME, the only type of "unique" business that survives is one that is heavily backed by an outside company, as they have the cash and the experience to wait through the "early adopter" stage to "mass acceptance".

Think of something you're great at already, and start offering that service. Don't wait for that "unique idea" - in most cases, the only reason that you don't see that many "unique businesses" is because the market can not support it.

Go into business with your own skills, experience and insight.

Mark (MD)

elisebutt65

MORPH3US wrote:

I absoloutely love Dragons Den and Risking It All, its what I really want to do but i'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions of a business, preferably one that I could start in my spare time and build up to a point where I could quit my day job.

Hell, if anyone out there like me wants to do the same, we could start the business together. I'm sure given the chance that I can do the business (no pun intended) but just need that golden opportunity....

M

Well I've got a humdinger of an idea and I have some savings - my parents keep it for me though |(at 41!!) so I don't blow them on sturpid business ideas - lol.

I have thought about the Dragons Den for next year as well, when I finally graduate as I now have some firm marketing courses behind me.

Where are you based?? This is going to be a Birmingham or Stratford based business - linked to the tourist industry. Gotta do loads more research licensing - etc. Looking for a partner as well as I can't do it all on my own.

MORPH3US

elisebutt65 wrote:

Well I've got a humdinger of an idea and I have some savings - my parents keep it for me though |(at 41!!) so I don't blow them on sturpid business ideas - lol.

I have thought about the Dragons Den for next year as well, when I finally graduate as I now have some firm marketing courses behind me.

Where are you based?? This is going to be a Birmingham or Stratford based business - linked to the tourist industry. Gotta do loads more research licensing - etc. Looking for a partner as well as I can't do it all on my own.

I am based in Stafford, about 20 mins from Birmingham. I would be very interested to hear about your idea although as I said previously, I am really looking for something that I can work on eve's and weekends to start with until it would be viable for me to pack my day job in.

Even if your idea doesn't fit that "bill" then I might still be able to help you for free - afterall, thats what I spend all day at work doing!!! I have loads of contacts!

BTW, thats an interesting avatar you have there!! Should I not bother asking?

PM me if you want to discuss your idea, confidentiality of course guaranteed!!

M

elisebutt65

MORPH3US wrote:

I am based in Stafford, about 20 mins from Birmingham. I would be very interested to hear about your idea although as I said previously, I am really looking for something that I can work on eve's and weekends to start with until it would be viable for me to pack my day job in.

Even if your idea doesn't fit that "bill" then I might still be able to help you for free - afterall, thats what I spend all day at work doing!!! I have loads of contacts!

BTW, thats an interesting avatar you have there!! Should I not bother asking?WOT? My bum - RAFLMAO!!!!

PM me if you want to discuss your idea, confidentiality of course guaranteed!!

M

I was thinking after research has been done - I need to invest £6500 on the specialist equipment and then there's the marketing budget (sigh) plus incidental extras - phones, website blah blah blah.

It's going to be a do or die thing - can't afford to just start slowly but still in 2 minds as to whether to do it or not or just stick to career plan of PGCE and then lecturing job - lol.

I'll PM you tomorrow - doing dissertation at mo' and too tired to think.

mrbadexample

Yes, it's a restaurant take-away taxi service.

You roll out of the pub at 11:30, and into the curry house. You order your lamb bhuna take-away, and they deliver you home with it.

Its called: "Curry me home".

© mrbadexample 2001.

I'll sell you the idea for £50.