Part time business ideas - Anything easy to set up? [Archive]

coxadmin

31st October 2005, 07:30

I have no retail experience so I can't get tempory christmas work so I was wondering if there was anything I could do get a bit of money.

My question isn't meant to offend but I was surprised to read the above statement.

Does a lack of retail experience really stop you from getting temporary Christmas work? Or do you think a lack of retail experience stops you from getting temporary Christmas work?

If a lack of retail experience was a barrier to getting a seasonal job how do students get taken on for Christmas jobs? What about stay at home parents who need extra cash? I would have thought that both types of person are classic applicants for temporary Christmas positions, so what would stop you?

Russ

31st October 2005, 08:51

The post office look for staff at this time of year! You could get a couple of hours work done for yourself in the afternoon then...

Agri-Hire

31st October 2005, 09:07

To be blunt, and I don't mean to upset you here Joy, but that question leads me to believe that you haven't got what it takes to succeed at the level you want to.

If you REALLY wanted to raise some cash to get your business off the ground then you would be doing it already, mowing lawns, working at all night petrol stations, cleaning cars, etc.

Sorry but it's a hard life and you can't just sit on a computer waiting for things to happen.

I am beginning to think that you are a bit of a dreamer. :(

Please prove me wrong mate and get out there today!!!!

Just do it.

Amber

31st October 2005, 10:28

Retail isn't your only option if you want to earn some extra cash. Call centres are almost always taking on staff, and they have shifts which let you work evenings or weekends, which would still allow you to concentrate on your business, and there's also bar work, shelf-stacking etc - none of which will require much in the way of experience. OK, none of these will sound very appealling to you, but you're not going to be doing it forever.

Jayne

31st October 2005, 10:33

I think Argos take on temp staff this time of the year, they show you what to do. If you can handle a computer, a till will be a doddle. Also Burger King etc...

Money is money, no matter how you earn it :D

Jayne

SillyJokes

31st October 2005, 11:11

At this time of year distribution centres often have work. I've worked for Early Learning centre simply pricing toys in the warehouse in the evenings when I was a young 'un.

Lots of other warehouses need staff - just go to your local recruitment agency - there are dozens of them and they will nearly all have some temporary work this time of year.

Try and get something that will look decent on your CV an teach you some skills you can use later.

Manpower are goods because they also do a bit of training if you get to be a reliable temp. I got several courses from them and ended up working at BSI (British Standards Institute).

mrbusiness999

31st October 2005, 12:43

Again, like everyone else I mean no offence by this but I think that the lack of retail experience is an excuse. When I was 16 I had only ever had a paper round but I still got taken on by a card shop over christmas, which lead to a weekend job till I went to Uni. At the moment I am working a job that isn't really what I want to do, but it providing the finance so I can get into property development. Just because you work full time wont stop you doing web design, it will also offer you a valuable networking experience. Also (an I'm not sure this applies to you) most young web designers ususlly work for an established studio while they "learn their trade" and then go off alone.

JoyDivision

31st October 2005, 12:55

The difference is I am 23, at 16 they don't give a toss about the lack of experience because they can pay them half as much.

I have also worked as a web developer before, there is not many vacancies in the area and I have a very good business idea which needs executing.

As for dreaming well I have a meeting next week with the Manchester Business Consortium to discuss my ideas.

The post office is in ideal place though. I can't work in call centres becuase I have hearing loss, I can use the phone in quite environments but I struggle in noisy places.

I did also deliver leaflets for my dad in the summer, I can still do some in the winter but the pay isn't great (about £10 a day) and it depends on the weather.

Ravenfire

31st October 2005, 13:00

Loads of stores are taking on at the moment and you dont need previous retail experience, Toys R Us, Comet, supermarkets, there are ads all over the place so plenty of seasonal work available. Hope you find something suitable!

SillyJokes

31st October 2005, 13:11

You don't want to work in a call centre anyway. That is one depressing job. Might make you get your business up and running faster though.

At 23 I am sort of assuming you don't have much in the way of dependants or mortgages to support so the world is really your lobster if you don't mind a bit of work. I can't believe you spent the summer leafleting.

By the way were you working while claiming benefits? Naughty naughty.

MorethanWords

31st October 2005, 13:34

I know most Boots stores are taking on. And Marks and Spencer is a good one because you get great food a dirt cheap prices so it'll save on your food too!!

I got a christmas turkey for my mum for a fiver when I was at uni!!

Oh, and the pay isn't too bad for retail either. You do work bloody hard for your money though.

Anyway, I'm sure you'll make enough cash to fund your idea if you work hard enough. Could you tout your web design services to family and friends to raise the cash too? My brother is doing any work he can to fund his real passion at the moment. He's handing out leaflets, designing (which he's good at) and anything else you can think of so he and his business partner can get enough cash behind them.

He's only your age too, and he's going to be working at argos depot until christmas - never worked in retail before either.

Unfortunately we all like to think we can 'get rich quick' at some point in our lives. Then we wake up and realise to make the dream happen you have to work pretty damn hard to get and keep yourself there.

That said, i'm sure you've got the passion you need to succeed. Do anything for a few months mate, get some cash behind you and make that dream a reality!!!

JoyDivision

31st October 2005, 14:06

I have only been claiming benefits for 4 weeks :) And even if I was I would still be entitled to the dole if I did leaflets as I its under 16 hours a week and very low pay.

As for getting rich I have no desire to be rich, I just don't want to be programming for sombody called Norman (no offense to Normans) for £5 an hour while he swans round in his BMW 750.

The summer has been a really tough one as I lost two very close relatives so apart from leafleting I didn't really have time to apply for part time jobs (I hoped I would get somthing full time).

I am going down to the Post Office in a minute to see if they have anything.

Agri-Hire

31st October 2005, 14:43

Dont take this the wrong way Joy. :wink:

I sympathise with your recent losses, but this story doesn't stack up.

You said that you were delivering leaflets in the summer for your dad for £10 a day, yet now you won't work for £5 an hour.

Any job is a start. It is just something to keep the money coming in until something better comes along.

I take it that your previous boss in your web design job was called Norman and you walked out after he gave you a bollocking. The fact that your parents have their own business means that you no doubt have a certain standing in the local community so you are probably a bit embarrassed to work at Argos in case anyone sees you.

You feel that deep down you are worth so much more than serving fries, and are a bit annoyed that the cards have not dealt your way this time. It's left you feeling a bit confused because you didn't expect to be in this position and you can't work out where it went wrong.

Sounds a bit like I used to be actually!

:wink:

JoyDivision

31st October 2005, 15:02

I am on very good terms with my old boss and he wasn't called Norman :D That was just a silly joke. (Norman is a name that runs in my family). The last time I saw my old boss he came me a nice bonus, sadly they don't have much work in that side of things anymore as that was only a sideline of theirs.

I have never said I didn't want to work for £5 an hour, if its doing data input I would be happy with it, in fact I am applying for a data input job for £5 an hour.

However I would rather do my own thing when it comes to web development, as a kid I always wanted to run my own business anyway, its just somthing that is there. I wanted to setup a market stall when I was 16 but my mum stopped me.

I feel a bit happier now I have seen a few jobs which I am going to apply for anyway. :)

Richard Conyard

31st October 2005, 15:13

Farming isn't dead, it's just resting.

Shouldn't that be
Farming isn't dead, it's just fallow

Sorry couldn't resist ;) - I'll get my coat.

MarkPearson

31st October 2005, 16:15

MarkPearson

31st October 2005, 16:19

Where about in the country do you live?

JoyDivision

31st October 2005, 17:14

fastfences

31st October 2005, 18:25

Hi Joy,

If you really want to make is as a webdeveloper/designer.

Whats to stop you now?

Have you heard of rentacoder.com ?

There you can view hundreds of webdesign/programing work that needs doing and make a bid.

This could be ideal for you, if you want to get work for money.

What is stopping me from doing it now as I like to do everything by the book, everything needs to be planned, if I am doing this I am doing it properly . . .

I live in Manchester by the way . . . but there isn't that many small web development companies which is quite strange.

Procrastination, procrastination, procrastination.
How many weeks have we been reading about what you want to do and how you're going to do it, but you have seemingly done sweet nothing!!

Where's the web-site more than one of us suggested you get 'up and running?' Surely that's the first marketing tool for a web-developer? And that was one of your plans, so why isn't it done? As I'd said on Oct. 7th, you will get work from your site if you're good enough. So why tout for £5.00 per hour work?

And you've illustrated a prime opportunity - 'few small web-development companies in Manchester.'

I reckon if we dont see your web-site up and running within 2 days, many of us will surely believe you're just full of it!!
Cheers, Nigel

Agri-Hire

31st October 2005, 18:34

Fastfences,

I reckon if we dont see your web-site up and running within 2 days, many of us will surely believe you're just full of it!!

This is the point I was trying to make, but unfortunately I don't have your talent for subtlety.

:wink:

DuaneJackson

31st October 2005, 18:40

...you are probably a bit embarrassed to work at Argos in case anyone sees you....

You feel that deep down you are worth so much more than serving fries, and are a bit annoyed that the cards have not dealt your way this time. It's left you feeling a bit confused because you didn't expect to be in this position and you can't work out where it went wrong.

Sounds like a horoscope!

Can I add my voice to the excess of oral (oooerr missus) and lack of trouserage camp. Do something Joy, Restore our faith!

MarkPearson

31st October 2005, 19:52

.................................................. ...........................................

YOU SAID:"What is stopping me from doing it now as I like to do everything by the book, everything needs to be planned, if I am doing this I am doing it properly, however I have applied for a few part time web positions which would fit in idealy with my business plan. I will also look at that site."
.................................................. ...........................................

When you say you want to do everything 'by the book' do you mean start up large and full on?

Because not all businesses start as full on large scale companys with all the trimmings.

The best businesses grow from very small beginings.

If we were all given a large sum of money to start a business, most of us would make some kind of sucesss, the biggest and best challenges in business can be starting from humble beginings with the money in your pocket, or minimal funds.

Nothing is stopping you from earning from your skills NOW!

If you cant get work now, using your skills, whats going to change once you do it all by the book?

Starting a new business and running an already established business is by no means easy, and it does not happen on its own.

Every single aspect of that business needs doing and setting up, and continued checking.

That is what business is all about...

JoyDivision

31st October 2005, 20:55

PS I have been critised on here a lot lately and to be honest you are all right, I do need to start producing the goods. I have already been producing UML and data flow diagrams for a content management system I inend to develop.

This my initial design for my companies website, its still very much in the rough stages but it shows people I have been doing things about setting up this business other than just talking about it :D

http://www.musicinmanchester.co.uk/rough1.jpg

So far it just exists in Photoshop I like to perfect the design in Photoshop before I start the XHTML/CSS.

The company name is just provesional until I can think of somthing better, also the logo needs work but the basic design is there.

MorethanWords

1st November 2005, 15:37

I think what some people on here forget because they've been in business for ages is that you don't just set up over night. Although the initial idea and things can be done quickly, you don't just produce a superb website at the click of a mouse. And if you want to plan and go big, that's down to you.

I think sometimes the people who frequent this site are all too quick to judge and not as supportive as those needing the courage to make the first steps would need.

Yes, businesses can be set up quickly, but the ones that plan and seek lots of advice are more likely to succeed. And everyone needs money behind them while they're building up a name and client base for themselves.

Oh, and Joy - the site is looking really good mate. Keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing the completed site soon!

MarkPearson

1st November 2005, 15:48

I think the fact that Joy has contradicted himself a few times that has got board members to be a little negative towards him.

I have read most of Joys previous posts and many people have given him really good advice.

This post was a little odd, because it seems that he is writting off a lot of his options when its them options which could be getting him on the road to success.

No one can do it for you!

Only you can make things happen.

People on this forum are very supportive and give great advice, but at the end of the day nothing is going to happen unless you grab the business by the balls - so to speak!

fastfences

1st November 2005, 16:13

I think what some people on here forget because they've been in business for ages is that you don't just set up over night.

Hi there.

A seemingly obvious response to my strong views illustrated above.

I have not been in business for ages. I commenced in April 2005. Prior to that I had suffered a debilitating financial loss through a divorce settlement. I subsequently slept in a £100 Ford Orion for 3 weeks on the banks of the Avon because I could not afford even a bed-sit.

I worked in a granite factory cutting headstones by day and from 6pm to 11.00 pm I loaded frozen food into lorrys. On Saturdays I did overtime.

During this time I knew I could do better and somehow pick up the more affluent life I had earlier led. I formed my plans and went for them. I purchased tools off eBay. I checked out local papers for advertising. I researched.

I changed my job to night shift working 10.00pm to 6.00am, then built fences during the day until 5.00pm. I slept betweem 6.00pm and 9.00pm - 5days a week. I have pursued my dream with action.

I have been extremely supportive through Joy Division's (and others)numerous potings of various topics. A search will reveal that!

However, when a web-developer is reaching out for ideas to get going and does not have the one essential tool in hand (a web site) that may springboard him/her to success, one HAS to question the motives and motivation. It was the 7 October I posted to JD about getting the web-site 'live'. And what have we seen? A header using the 'provesional' (sic) name of an already registered company?

My comments were not based upon being 'quick to judge'. They were based upon weeks of postings by JD that offered no evidence of compunction to get down and do it! But, I note:
PS I have been critised on here a lot lately and to be honest you are all right
Is that not an endorsement of my posting being seen as an incentive?
Cheers, Nigel

JoyDivision

1st November 2005, 16:18

I know the thread was a bit silly but I am sure many of us have been in a situation where we need to take on part time work to make money to setup the business, my dad worked in McDonalds for a few weeks during his initital weeks of trading for example.

I have had a good idea today and although with my web development idea I still believe in taking it slowly and doing things by this book this other site I am setting up can be done over night.

As my part time course (16 hours a week plus 10 hours a week travel + home work) finishes on Friday I will have a lot more time to concentrate on my business from next week.

I told the job centre straight about my plans as well and they had no problems with it :).

MorethanWords

1st November 2005, 17:50

Cor, it all gets so serious on here sometimes!

FastFences/Nigel - Sorry mate, didn't mean to rub you up the wrong way, just feels like everyone else knows more than us young 'uns sometiimes.

Maybe it's because I was brought up using the same school of thought as you seem to have (shake them into action so to speak) and it always gets my defences up!!

Having said that, it does work i guess - otherwise i wouldn't be determined to prove to myself that I'm good enough to do it.

No hard feelings, eh. And well done to you for turning your life around that quickly. It's an admirable achievement.

Lu x

JoyDivision

1st November 2005, 18:31

As for the comapny name it is provesional and it dosn't already exist, a quick with companies house will reveal that.

I have posted some websites I have produced on here before so people can see what I can do.

I just don't want to rush into making a website when I need to assess how much money I have to work out what services I can offer.

I will have the first part of my business running by the weekend, it will be a free online directory for taxi firms, clubs etc in Manchester, the idea being that it can be accessed by wap phones, it will be much cheaper to use than directory enquiries.

fastfences

1st November 2005, 19:33

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ewm/mp/nclarke.html

JoyDivision

1st November 2005, 19:39

As I said the name is just a provision, anyway this what a companies house search reveals so there seems to be no record of a Manchester Multimedia Centre.

http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/b7341e6cb9923ec260ab8ce4dcbbcd47//companysearch?disp=res&frfsh=1130877809#result

Agri-Hire

1st November 2005, 19:49

Hang on!

http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/b7341e6cb9923ec260ab8ce4dcbbcd47//companysearch?disp=res&frfsh=1130877809#result

That link seems to go to Roses By Design :?

If you are spending your evenings doing companies house searches on all the people who post on UKBF then you are clearly not working on your website are you?

I stand by my earlier comments.

If you can't get motivated to do anything then please don't waste our time.

MarkPearson

1st November 2005, 20:06

Does that link go to my newly registered company?

It does not go to my Roses By Design Ltd for me?

Thanks for the interest!

If you do want to know anything about my new business - Just ask...

JoyDivision

1st November 2005, 20:26

eh? That link is supposed to go to Manchester Multimedia, to show that the name dosn't exist.

Clearly the querystring does not contain that so it must use the previous page to work out what was searched for, hence the reason rose by design has shown up.

Copy and paste the link in a new window and you will see what I mean, I got a company called cox.

http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/b7341e6cb9923ec260ab8ce4dcbbcd47//companysearch?disp=res&frfsh=1130877809#result

Also I have spent most the evening writing a 3000 word report which needs to be handed in tomorrow :).

Edit I am grateful for all the advice I have recieved on here, I would also like to add that I have given people good advice on here as well, its not just a one way thing :).

As I said one of my micro businesses will be up and running by the weekend complete with a website :).

multilingual

1st November 2005, 20:29

Brings Roses By Design for me too.

JB

JoyDivision

1st November 2005, 20:38

Even when you copy and paste the link and open it in a new browser window? I had searched for Manchester Multimedia and then posted the URL for it so its quite strange.

I've still got a lot of work to do :) so I should get it done.

As I said very soon you will start to see some products rather than just talk!

MinuWeb

1st November 2005, 21:11

It is also not a good idea to publish on a public forum names of businesses or domain names that are not registered yet that you might want to register in the near future, they have a habit of dissapearing quite fast......

JoyDivision

1st November 2005, 21:24

As I said its probably not going to be my trading name it was just there for the sake of the design.

The name is probably too long anyway. By looking at the company names on the companies house website you can get a good idea of which type of name does well and which does not simply by looking at how many of them have gone bust.

SillyJokes

2nd November 2005, 06:21

Finishing your 16 hour course will be a step forward but I expect most of the people on here who are successful will have been putting in nearer 60 hours a week at the start of their business so you need to find another 44 from somewhere before you can start planning your business.

When starting a business you do need to plan but there is no book to go by, you just crack on, particularly if there is only you to answer to.

You have been so good humoured about everyones comments - its a credit to you. I've seen people go off on one on this forum for far lesser comments. You obviously have a very equitable temperment and this will stand you in good stead.