Getting out of the Rat Race

Cooketh77

Hi


Not sure if there's a specific section for what I'm asking. But I'm currently working a fairly stressful job that pays well but is starting to consume my free time and become 'all things'. I work as a self employed agency worker via an middle man agency.


I have a few ideas for future business's that I have very little experience in, so that's what I'm looking for on here really...


Looking to start designing t-shirts and screen printing them. I have a design and theme in mind to go with.


The second idea is to hire out a retro style VW camper. Probably a bit of a niche market but there is a market for that type of thing.


Thirdly, is probably the biggest and will require the largest investment of time and money. It's to open a caf! / music bar, but I zero experience in any of these fields.


Please feel free to comment and / or offer advice.


Many thanks


Regards Alex

System

I don't have any specific advice to offer in those fields but just wanted to say best of luck to you!

If you don't try you won't succeed

Flyonthewall

Cooketh77 wrote: »

Looking to start designing t-shirts and screen printing them. I have a design and theme in mind to go with.

Do you know the process of printing them? Will you be printing them yourself or will someone else be printing them? Where will you sell them?

Are you creating the designs yourself or will someone else do it?

I assume you have more than one design idea because unless it's something amazing and you market it very very well you're highly unlikely to get anywhere with just one design.

The second idea is to hire out a retro style VW camper. Probably a bit of a niche market but there is a market for that type of thing.

I'd research this idea very carefully before doing anything. There may be a market, but if no one else is doing it already then you need to ask why. There could be a very good reason. If there is already someone doing that then they may already been well known by those that want it so you'll need to consider what you can offer that they can't already get through someone else.

Thirdly, is probably the biggest and will require the largest investment of time and money. It's to open a caf! / music bar, but I zero experience in any of these fields.

If you have no experience or knowledge I'd suggest getting some. Check out local cafes and bars, research the area and what's already available and think about what you could offer and how much you will realistically be able to make.

However, your reason for wanting to do something else is due to stress and it taking up your free time. A business like that would be far more stressful and time consuming and it's likely to be a while before you really see any profit.

Cooketh77

Thanks for the responses...




With regards to experience, I appreciate that I need to get experience and carry out as much market research as possible.
The t-shirt printing would start out at home as a side hobby, I'm not expecting to make this into the next All Saints or whatever. But I do have designs in mind all based around a main theme.
The classic VW camper van is a bit of a gamble due to me not being very mechanically minded with engines or comfortable with vehicle restoration work, however there are these type of companies dotted about the UK but none located within the Lake District, which is where I'm from.
As for the restaurant, I realise this is a massive ask, but I believe that with the right market research this could be a successful venture. More and more people are becoming conscious about their health and the food they buy and I think the kind of place I'm thinking of would suit this. As for music and alcohol, I would look to have performers or bands on local to the area, which would be in my closest city with a University in it. I'm only in the very early stages of researching this as I appreciate there will need to be a substantial investment up front.


If you have any info on getting financial backing from banks etc... I'd be very happy to listen to what you know.


thanks

SeduLOUs

Cooketh77 wrote: »

If you have any info on getting financial backing from banks etc... I'd be very happy to listen to what you know.

The most important aspect of this is to have a very thorough plan. Research all the costs involved in the business you decide to go into, and how much you realistically expect to make.

To get any start up money from a bank they will need to be convinced that your idea is viable and won't result in you going bankrupt with their money.