Great idea for a (slightly odd) new business venture

fufu_banterwaite

As some of you may know from a couple of my previous posts I am not that happy in my current job and have been thinking long and hard about an alternative career.

I’ve got a bit of money behind me and last Friday (inspired by a pub lunch) I came up with what I think is a fantastic idea for a new business. It is slightly odd though.

Basically I am thinking about setting up a business venture that wil lrevolutionarize office lunch breaks. Here is how it works.

By fusing together thousands and thousands of peanuts I have created a 'peanut suit' (jacket, tie, trousers, waistcoast, etc), which I can wear.

Once inside the suit I visit offices and lunch breaks during lunch hours. Office workers then buy coupons from me - at £1 a piece - each representing 5 minutes of snack time.

I then run around the office shouting "Mr Peanut! Mr Peanut!" while workers nibble at me for as long as their coupons allow.

My partner is slightly dubious about how successful it could be, but I really think this scheme could be a winner, and plan to take it to schools and eventually hospitals.

What do you all think?

tattycath

fufu_banterwaite wrote: »

As some of you may know from a couple of my previous posts I am not that happy in my current job and have been thinking long and hard about an alternative career.

I’ve got a bit of money behind me and last Friday (inspired by a pub lunch) I came up with what I think is a fantastic idea for a new business. It is slightly odd though.

Basically I am thinking about setting up a business venture that wil lrevolutionarize office lunch breaks. Here is how it works.

By fusing together thousands and thousands of peanuts I have created a 'peanut suit' (jacket, tie, trousers, waistcoast, etc), which I can wear.

Once inside the suit I visit offices and lunch breaks during lunch hours. Office workers then buy coupons from me - at £1 a piece - each representing 5 minutes of snack time.

I then run around the office shouting "Mr Peanut! Mr Peanut!" while workers nibble at me for as long as their coupons allow.

My partner is slightly dubious about how successful it could be, but I really think this scheme could be a winner, and plan to take it to schools and eventually hospitals.

What do you all think?

Is this a wind up?

cazziebo

Fantastic idea - why don't you franchise it?

fufu_banterwaite

tattycath wrote: »

Is this a wind up?

So basically you don't think it is worth me pursuing?

fufu_banterwaite

cazziebo wrote: »

Fantastic idea - why don't you franchise it?

Haha, not sure about that! Just trying to work out if it is worth doing at all at the moment. I've booked an appointment at my bank next Monday to discuss a loan though.

Flyonthewall

If this is serious I think you need to think about a few points.

1. The suit. How will you keep the peanuts on? What will it be like in different heat/weather conditions? How will you make sure it is hygienic?

2. If you're running around how are you expecting people to catch you? You don't want to annoy them.

3. £1 may not seem much but for a few peanuts that's very expensive.

4. Who would do this? Do you know people who would want to try that? Would you personally if someone came round your office doing that?

5. Why peanuts? Some people can't eat nuts.

6. Is this a long term business? Will people really want to do this more than once?

If anything I'd say this might wok better as some sort of stag do idea but you've still got the above to think about.

KevInChester

I think this is a great idea. Will you be offering shares?

ps.

This would be amazing on Dragon's Den.

amazon_spice

Are you nuts? :rotfl:

KiKi

tattycath wrote: »

Is this a wind up?

...and you ask the question because you think he's possibly writing this seriously?!

Flyonthewall

KiKi wrote: »

...and you ask the question because you think he's possibly writing this seriously?!

It's the internet. You never know lol.

fufu_banterwaite

Flyonthewall wrote: »

If this is serious I think you need to think about a few points.

Thanks for your input Flyonthewall. I’ve tried to answer your questions below:

1. The suit. How will you keep the peanuts on? What will it be like in different heat/weather conditions? How will you make sure it is hygienic?
Basically the prototype is a lycra body suit (with a hole for eyes and mouth), the peanuts are attached via a edible solvent that my friend who is a cake maker uses to attach things to her cake and cover all areas of the suit except my face and soles of feet. Good point about the heat,etc, I hadn’t thought about that. I will have to test it.

2. If you're running around how are you expecting people to catch you? You don't want to annoy them.
I am quite a fast runner, but for the purposes of this business I will adjust my speed accordingly. Ie if I am at an old people’s home I will go at 50% of my normal speed to allow for people in wheelchairs, on zimmer frames and with walking sticks, etc.

3. £1 may not seem much but for a few peanuts that's very expensive.
They will get 5 minutes though, so it could end up being better value for money than you think.

4. Who would do this? Do you know people who would want to try that? Would you personally if someone came round your office doing that?
This is what I want to do a bit of research on, would anyone here be interested in this? I think it would be quite fun and could lighten up someone’s day in the office.

5. Why peanuts? Some people can't eat nuts.
Another good point. Maybe I should provide an alternative, ie raisins, dates, etc, etc on a particular area of my body.

6. Is this a long term business? Will people really want to do this more than once?
Again not sure, trying to do some research on this at the moment.

Thanks for the feedback though really appreciated and has given me some food (no pun intended!) for thought.