Calling all Local Service Business Owners

[shmit88]

Hi all,

I’ve been a long time lurker on these forums and have been an active ‘entrepreneur’ for a few years.

Two months ago I stepped out of my comfort zone, did what most millennials don’t do and started a local service business. There’s nothing like it here in South Wales and I’ve not seen anything on Google despite my attempts to find any similar services.

I’m wondering if there are any local service business people here that would be willing to set up a mastermind or a Facebook group so that we can all discuss and improve our service businesses together?

My knowledge and experience come mostly from eCommerce and online advertising so I could do with some advice in the local service business sector. Having said that I feel I could share a lot of valuable knowledge as I have 40+ people that I’ve offered my service too in the last 2 months which have all come from Facebook groups and Facebook ads.

Would be great to share thoughts, ideas and stories!

 

[redigo.]

What local service do you offer ?

 

[shmit88]

I won't disclose what local service business I have started, I'm not comfortable doing so on these forums as there really aren't any barriers to entry.

All I will say is that this is something people neglect on a regular basis.

 

[estwig]

Oh I luv Cluedo, is it Christmas already?

Mrs Mop in the laundry with a spanner!

Did I get it right, did I?????

 

[Newchodge]

ocal service business people

Local to where? What kind of service? I am a service business - I offer a service to businesses. But you are using words that have multiple interpretations as if they have a single meaning that everyone knows. I doubt you'll get much response.

 

[Phil Elvin]

I'm now intrigued to know what service you offer!

 

[Mark T Jones]

As a rule, if you don’t disclose it you will find it difficulties sell.

Once you do start, if it’s any good, people will copy it. If they don’t, you need to worry

In realty , being copied by someone with deep pockets can be the best thing that can happen to you

Being copied and beaten by a small stArt up indicates that you haven’t done it properly

 

[shmit88]

Oh I luv Cluedo, is it Christmas already?

Mrs Mop in the laundry with a spanner!

Did I get it right, did I?????

Yes that’s right!

Local to where? What kind of service? I am a service business - I offer a service to businesses. But you are using words that have multiple interpretations as if they have a single meaning that everyone knows. I doubt you'll get much response.

I appreciate that I haven’t provided much information and could appear somewhat vague, I just feel that it’s unnecessary to delve too deep into the details of the service I offer on the forum, particularly as it’s not entirely relevant. If you told me that you sold ice to eskimos, I’d be more interested with how you sold the ice, how you advertised and marketed the ice, how you plan to scale, how you are managing your time, etc. The service isn’t relevant as such, I’m just more interested in networking with like minded individuals who run service businesses so we can discuss/exchange systems and ideas.

I am however happy to discuss my service in detail through message or a mastermind (which is why I started the thread).

As a small insight for those who care of what service I offer. My service business is currently B2C but I’m also trying to get some business clients. It’s a completely new service as far as I’m aware. It’s the kind of service where someone would say ‘I can’t believe I never thought of that’. It’s more than likely someone else does offer this but not on the scale I will do so. People actually pay and do this themselves, but I offer to do it for them. There’s no skill involved, just an understanding required. (@estwig more clues 4 u, as u ‘luv Cluedo’)

 

[estwig]

It's always Mrs Mop, shady cow, you gotta keep your eye on her!

I've been B2C for 30 years, the last 10 offering a service that doesn't involve any products, I charge for lines on a piece of paper.

Your magic solution that is going to save the World and have everyone going 'wow why didn't I think of that', not very likely is it!

 

[Gordon - Commercial Finance]

Does a Brain Trust by any other name smell as fishy?

 

[estwig]

Does a Brain Trust by any other name smell as fishy?

That would be a Kipper Trust.

Done up like one, when you give help and advice to a numpty for nothing in return.

 

[Gordon - Commercial Finance]

for nothing in return.

Isn't the deep joy that comes from helping someone else reward enough?

 

[estwig]

Isn't the deep joy that comes from helping someone else reward enough?

Only if there is a kipper in it!

 

[Newchodge]

I’m just more interested in networking with like minded individuals who run service businesses so we can discuss/exchange systems and ideas.

I think that's one of the purposes of this forum

 

[shmit88]

Okay, great chat, great positive environment, it’s been a pleasure, thank you all for being so supportive.

 

[estwig]

It is, just a shame you don't seem to get it.

 

[Noah]

Okay, great chat, great positive environment, it’s been a pleasure, thank you all for being so supportive.

With respect, it is up to you to "sell" your idea to us; I don't think it's reasonable to blame us for not buying what you are selling - whatever that may be.

 

[ethical PR]

Hi all,

I’ve been a long time lurker on these forums and have been an active ‘entrepreneur’ for a few years.

Two months ago I stepped out of my comfort zone, did what most millennials don’t do and started a local service business. There’s nothing like it here in South Wales and I’ve not seen anything on Google despite my attempts to find any similar services.

I’m wondering if there are any local service business people here that would be willing to set up a mastermind or a Facebook group so that we can all discuss and improve our service businesses together?

My knowledge and experience come mostly from eCommerce and online advertising so I could do with some advice in the local service business sector. Having said that I feel I could share a lot of valuable knowledge as I have 40+ people that I’ve offered my service too in the last 2 months which have all come from Facebook groups and Facebook ads.

Would be great to share thoughts, ideas and stories!

You are wrong lots of millennials start up their own business.

And there is no need to set up a group. There are local business networking groups in most areas, even in south Wales .

It sounds like you have set up your business without having carried out market research to establish a need for your service and you don't have an understanding of the local business sector who are your key target customer.

You can find out information about your local business community through your local business support organisations.

 

[JandJC]

Well I feel slightly confused, is it a board game for fish?

 

[JandJC]

I currently help businesses save money by taking credit and debit card payments, is that helpful?

 

[estwig]

I currently help businesses save money by taking credit and debit card payments, is that helpful?

No

 

[JandJC]

No

Without exactly understanding what I do, you can not really justify your comment.

And the services in which I provide have already helped over 70,000 Independent businesses and they have benefited from the services provided.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Without exactly understanding what I do, you can not really justify your comment.

And the services in which I provide have already helped over 70,000 Independent businesses and they have benefited from the services provided.

How is it relevant to the thread?

 

[JandJC]

How is it relevant to the thread?

Didn't the original post focus on Local Service Providers, I could be wrong but I provide services to businesses.

I think it could have some relevance or maybe I'm on another planet

 

[estwig]

Without exactly understanding what I do, you can not really justify your comment.

And the services in which I provide have already helped over 70,000 Independent businesses and they have benefited from the services provided.

Yes I can, your a spammer.

 

[Gordon - Commercial Finance]

maybe I'm on another planet

Yes, you are.

 

[JandJC]

Yes I can, your a spammer.

I tend to like Honey roast Ham rather than Spam, another fact you got wrong!

 

[shmit88]

With respect, it is up to you to "sell" your idea to us; I don't think it's reasonable to blame us for not buying what you are selling - whatever that may be.

I've no idea what you're talking about. Did I imply I was selling anything?

You are wrong lots of millennials start up their own business.

And there is no need to set up a group. There are local business networking groups in most areas, even in south Wales .

It sounds like you have set up your business without having carried out market research to establish a need for your service and you don't have an understanding of the local business sector who are your key target customer.

You can find out information about your local business community through your local business support organisations.

Hi, I appreciate your post and agree that there are networking groups in South Wales and other areas. I have been to a couple through Meet Ups. I just figured a UK business forum would also have friendly, like-minded individuals willing to discuss strategies and ideas with regards to a service type business.

I'm going to have to disagree with you regarding the part about market research. I trialled this particular project for 2 months before committing to it. It took only a few days to actually establish there is a need for the service and it took only a little longer to establish the customer demographic. When considering I use Facebook Ads and have acquired customers for only £3, which is a small fraction of estimated customer lifetime value, I don't think you can question my understanding of my target market/customer demographic.

I'm not sure where your assumption of the above came from. I didn't create this thread for help regarding market research or target market. As above, I created the thread to discuss strategies and ideas with other service business owners. Unlike many of the contributors to this thread I like to help others and get a buzz from discussing business.

Yes I can, your a spammer.

Wow, it looks like someone needs to take a look in the mirror...

Oh I luv Cluedo, is it Christmas already?

Mrs Mop in the laundry with a spanner!

Did I get it right, did I?????

Spam alert^^^

Well I feel slightly confused, is it a board game for fish?

Why didn't I think of that!?

 

[Gordon - Commercial Finance]

Unlike many of the contributors to this thread I like to help others and get a buzz from discussing business.

With the greatest respect, I think the problem here, and the reason why you're coming up against a bit of negativity, is that you've come to an online forum where people are looking to "help other and get a buzz from discussing business", and what you're proposing is just the same as the forum, except smaller, local, and face to face. We're all here to help and to give and take advice - what's so wrong with you getting what you need from here?

 

[JandJC]

To contribute on a more professional level...I deliver services which enable businesses to save on their credit and debit card transactions (not meaning to spam); one core strategy which we deliver is the offering of a Free Statement Review.

The approach is simply over the phone or face to face, we like to understand how a business works by way of allowing customers to pay for their products.

The more information we obtain from our prospects the better we can serve them.

 

[shmit88]

With the greatest respect, I think the problem here, and the reason why you're coming up against a bit of negativity, is that you've come to an online forum where people are looking to "help other and get a buzz from discussing business", and what you're proposing is just the same as the forum, except smaller, local, and face to face. We're all here to help and to give and take advice - what's so wrong with you getting what you need from here?

Thank you for your honest and direct message, I can see your point of view and it does appear I made a mistake proposing a mastermind or discussion group, in this instance.

There are indeed many people on this forum that are great contributors and willing to give and take advice, it’s just a shame a small minority create negativity in what was initially started as a positive thread. ‘UKBF Legends’ in particular.

 

[Noah]

I've no idea what you're talking about. Did I imply I was selling anything?

No - that's why I put it in quotes; sorry if my terminology obscured the message : you are asking forum participants to do something for you, but you haven't been clear on what you actually want nor what's in it for them.

 

[ethical PR]

I've no idea what you're talking about. Did I imply I was selling anything?

I'm going to have to disagree with you regarding the part about market research. I trialled this particular project for 2 months before committing to it. It took only a few days to actually establish there is a need for the service and it took only a little longer to establish the customer demographic. When considering I use Facebook Ads and have acquired customers for only £3, which is a small fraction of estimated customer lifetime value, I don't think you can question my understanding of my target market/customer demographic.

I'm not sure where your assumption of the above came from. I didn't create this thread for help regarding market research or target market. As above, I created the thread to discuss strategies and ideas with other service business owners. Unlike many of the contributors to this thread I like to help others and get a buzz from discussing business.

I didn't make an assumption you said "My knowledge and experience come mostly from eCommerce and online advertising so I could do with some advice in the local service business sector".