help!!

[timberdog]

:cry:

Hi

I am looking for ideas from you peeps as i am driving myself mad with this one:

I am looking to start a small business as i no longer wish to carry on with my work having spent 16 years as a manager within distribution and i find myself getting no job satisfaction from it anymore !

Also being my own boss appeals and so does the green stuff!!

I will have approx £30.000 when i sell my house in free money and i know this is not vast amounts within Small business circles but i feel if i choose the right avenue it may get me a average living if i choose wisely.

I would also consider buying in on a buisness Falconry would be great but i have to draw a decent wage but offers invited???

I have grafted in my life so hard work and getting my hands dirty do not bother me and i will not give in if a problem presents its self till its sorted out so coupled with a few years management this should help.

I suppose the main critia would have to be low overheads working from home ???? i don't know???.

Ideas so far:

Lease hold on shop but overheads high..
the old greasy joes burger vans.
Van courier
buying and selling Antiques as i dabble !
mobile valet
on-line trading


I feel at my Witt's end thinking about it and i know big step and a risk but as the saying goes if ya dont try you will kick ya self wondering if ya could have done it.

if anyone has any ideas then fire away?. HELP!!!


_________________
We should take care not to make the intellect our god; it has, of course, powerful muscles, but no personality.

[Ozzy]

Hi TimberDog!
What you are experiencing is the same as everyone who wants to and has started their own business. You want that inspiration of something that will make loads of money and you will enjoy doing.

As soon as you find it let me know ;)

On a more serious note, investigate every avenue you think about. Look at the competition and look at realistic profit levels it can generate. Also worth considering is whether doing a job that gives you more free time and less money, is that better or worse than a job that gives you less free time but more money?
Only you can choose what business to go into, and you need to make the decision yourself ultimately because it is you that could be doing that for the next 10, 20, 30 or more years!

[Top Hat]

My first post, I'm Phil from SillyJokes

And what a big question.

Why not try ebay, you could get going without giving up your day job

First go through your house and sell all your old stuff, so you learn about ebay, get some feedback.

Then find a source of stuff to sell on ebay, carboots, auctions, house clearances, maybe find a wholesaler and sell new stuff, even import.

After a bit you'll know if you can make a living from it, and whether you want to.

Bingo, your self employed, you’ve not risked your house.

[mobyme]

Hi Timberdog,

From time to time (sorry I can't be more specific) the Daily Mail hold franchise exhibitions around the country. These are a good day out and you might just see something that is right up your street. Remember that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and you might see an idea that you could start from scratch on your own account. Take advice before entering into any agreements and always talk to other franchisees if you do get tempted however. Hope you get yourself sorted :D

[Rob]

Timberdog,

Here are some tips on how you can hit upon an idea which can be the basis for your business.

Turn Your Job into Your Business

One of the advantages of being an employee is the skills and insider knowledge you can pick up. Your job may be such that you could quit and use your knowledge to set up on your own. You will have to be careful and ensure you don’t blatantly steal clients but generally this is a good way of coming up with a business idea.

Turn Your Hobby into Your Business

Do you have a hobby which could easily be turned into a business? If you have a hobby, take some time and brainstorm on how you could turn it into a viable business. Could you produce a product to help people practice their hobby? Could you provide an advice service to help people take up the hobby? Could you become a retailer for items connected with your hobby?
Turning your hobby into your business is an easier route than starting from scratch – you already have the desire and knowledge.

Look For a Gap and Fill It

Set yourself the goal that for 2 weeks you will constantly be on the look out for possible business opportunities in every type of sector or industry, even if you have no knowledge of it. Everywhere you go keep you mind and eyes open to all the possibilities. Did you suddenly have a need or desire which could not be fulfilled? Did you overhear people talking about a problem which with some thought you could solve? Did you spot a business which is closing down but you know you could make it work?
If you don’t set your mind the task of hunting out these opportunities they will be harder to find. Get in the right frame of mind and the answer will come.

Research the Possibilities

As well as opportunity spotting while walking around, read newspapers, trade journals, and magazines and constantly ask yourself, “Can I turn this into a business?”
If you have a rough idea of the sector you want to be in, attend trade shows and exhibitions and see if you can get inspiration to further develop your idea.

Copy Success

Very few businesses are original. Most are variations on a theme. Study successful businesses and ask yourself, “How can I use that idea?” Without copying the total concept or breaching copyright think how you can turn the existing business into one of your own. Look at the explosion in coffee shops. They all offer the same product and yet are distinctively different.
When visiting other towns, or even other countries, you may see a business which is not present in your area. Could you take that idea and establish a similar business locally?

Are You a Budding Inventor?

Creative people often come up with ideas for products or new ways of producing things. Do you have an idea for a product or a different way of producing a something which is unique? Could you translate that into a viable business?
Take some time to think this through and how you could achieve it.

There are a number of ways for you to come up with a possible idea.
However, when you hit upon a potentially viable idea make sure it’s an area you could be passionate about. Passion and desire for your idea will help you make it a reality. A half-hearted interest will get you nowhere.

Best of luck