3 Buisness ideas I can't decide which to go with

[bells-couriers]

Hello I'd like to introduce myself, my name is Adam I live in the County Durham area north east uk,

For the past 3 years I've being wanting to start my own Buisness but deciding on which to go with is best

Idea 1 I first started off wanting to open my own walk in ice cream van, I know what people will be thinking there's loads of ice cream vans but not the kind I had in mind, up here in the north east there's and ice cream shop called lickedy splits it's sells nothing else but fancy ice cream 1 display freezer and 16 trays of flavoured ice cream bubble gum, toffee, mint chocolate chip, special ones like snickers ice cream etc, it's a very simple business but the amount of custom they get is unreal there's a que out the door everything I drive past which got me thinking, I could do that but mobile in a large van a Luton for example converted in the back to a walk in ice cream parlour, I have a fantastic location in mind plenty of paying customers only thing putting me off is it would be seasonal,

Idea 2 again it's seasonal hot tub hire I bought my own lay z spa inflatable hot tub which I didn't use much as I'd expected, I've already hired it out a few times but just to friends and family but at £40 per night word got out fast and even now people are hounding me about wanting to hire the hot tub just made me think I could turn it into a Buisness but as said it would be seasonal and I know there's already competition out there,

Idea 3 is my own courier company starting off as a self employed owner driver doing nationwide multi drop work only concern for me there is the costs to get started up Buisness insurance £1500 own maintenance costs and fuel costs before I even make a wage

Anyone work/worked in these sectors please share your opinion I'd really like to go with idea 1 if I got the chance

Adam

 

[Joseph H]

I like the ice cream idea, you could do festivals and shows in the summer time as well as weddings and parties, as you said it would be seasonal so you would need to earn enough to cover you for the rest of the year or have a part time job/ temp job when winter comes.

Good luck with which ever direction you decide is best.

 

[plymgary]

I actually prefer using hot tubs in the winter when it's freezing ll around me. Surely, there must be a market for them in winter?

 

[warren cass]

Being a courier nowadays is hard work. It has become increasingly more competitive and therefore harder to be very profitable. I am happy to introduce you to someone who has been there, done that and even wrote the book.

Which of the ideas gets you most excited?

 

[ethical PR]

Have you developed a business plan for each model to see what might be viable, whether you have the financial you need and that you have an understanding (and budget) to market your business?

 

[DazRave]

Idea 1 for the Summer months and kick in Idea 2 for the winter months.

But, if on a budget, I see idea 2 working wonders for you as a side line job to perhaps raise capital to lunch Idea 1 or 3. How expensive are these inflatable hot tubs?? Just get a few different sizes, offer Champagne packages (where it get's delivered and set up, then given a bucket champagne on ice). I presume it would work very similar to bouncy castle hire etc.

Good Luck!

 

[bells-couriers]

Thank you for the replies everyone I've mainly focused on the ice cream idea after all ice cream keeps unlike the likes of a hot dog/burger van what ever food they don't sell goes to waste where as ice cream has a longer expiry date,

As you can tell every idea I have involves a van of some sort the courier idea was just a back up plan for winter I'm the type of person who likes to be out and about rather than stuck in a office or whatever all day,

Idea 1 for me is the most simplest of them all, people walk in pick 3 or 4 scoops of flavoured ice cream £2 for 3 scoops £2.50 for 4 scoops something like that it's straight forward and most of all completely different to a regular ice cream van,

Hot tub hire I've bought 2 of these now when they were on special offer from tescos costing me £240 each then £60 each for a gazebo, the chemicals, hose pipes, tap adaptors, extension leads (whether proof)

My concern there is the risk of the tubs getting broke, they will be insured of course but If it did happen it would result in me having to cancel future bookings, not to mention the time and effort it takes to setup you often get people moaning about the length of time it takes for the hot tub to heat the cold water normally 12 hours so I always offer to fill with hot water straight from the tap so they can jump straight in, had 1 person moaning because she only had a back boiler not a combi so it was virtually Impossible to fill with hot water,

Worth it in the long run it just sounds easier and less hassle the my 1st idea

Adam

 

[promdressers]

OP: 3 things spring to mind. Can you afford the outlay have an ICV in the summer as well as the hot tubs? .
The best way to stop surprises annoying folk is too tell them beforehand! In my current business, I make sure al the negatives are out in the open before they sign the contract, the trick is to work out the best time too introduce the drawbacks. In my early days, folk would say something like: "if I knew that, I wouldn't; have bothered". But it is not, generally, true. They still sign up knowing the drawbacks, the difference is, they cannot complain. Simples.

Thirdly many a business has kicked off, and ground down, because the entrepreneur had been overwhelmed with punters, while still working the day job. Two things will change - your prices will have to go up, £40 is clearly not a commercial rate, and you need a LOT more punters.

That is not to say you are wrong, just make sure you have done your business plan and included EVERYTHING. On the question of insurance and cancelling jobs if a unit is FUBAR; assume you will have to buy or borrow a unit at some point to honour a commitment, and factor it into your BP. If you let someone down, it could be an early bath (!) for your concern. Clients have no interest in WHY you have let them down, onoly that you have. Also, are the £240 units sturdy enough for commercial hire - and will an insurance company actually insure them (and under what conditions)

Good luck

 

[DazRave]

My concern there is the risk of the tubs getting broke,

The first thing i thought when you said this was "what if your 'ice cream parlour on wheels' breaks down?

I'd imagine with more than a few hot tubs you would always have access to an emergency spare (and with more than a few, could even offer themed hot tub parties?)... the exception is your hot tub van breaking down.. but i'm sure you could easily stuff them into the back of a minibus in a very worst case scenario! haha.

Both idea 1 and 2 are unique and sound like interesting businesses to run, so as others have already said, I imagine the next stage is to really drill down and find out which (if any) are actually viable as a business.

 

[bells-couriers]

OP: 3 things spring to mind. Can you afford the outlay have an ICV in the summer as well as the hot tubs? .
The best way to stop surprises annoying folk is too tell them beforehand! In my current business, I make sure al the negatives are out in the open before they sign the contract, the trick is to work out the best time too introduce the drawbacks. In my early days, folk would say something like: "if I knew that, I wouldn't; have bothered". But it is not, generally, true. They still sign up knowing the drawbacks, the difference is, they cannot complain. Simples.

Thirdly many a business has kicked off, and ground down, because the entrepreneur had been overwhelmed with punters, while still working the day job. Two things will change - your prices will have to go up, £40 is clearly not a commercial rate, and you need a LOT more punters.

That is not to say you are wrong, just make sure you have done your business plan and included EVERYTHING. On the question of insurance and cancelling jobs if a unit is FUBAR; assume you will have to buy or borrow a unit at some point to honour a commitment, and factor it into your BP. If you let someone down, it could be an early bath (!) for your concern. Clients have no interest in WHY you have let them down, onoly that you have. Also, are the £240 units sturdy enough for commercial hire - and will an insurance company actually insure them (and under what conditions)

Good luck

Again thanks for the replys honestly no I couldn't afford to do all 3, I was trying to pick one and work on that but at the same time know I've got a back up plan for the winter when the custom drops off,

I'd imagine public liability insurance would cover it I've never tried getting insurance as of yet but I know there's a few pleople hiring these out now fully insured so it is possible to get them insured,
They will take an awful lot of abuse but they seem to cope rather well, The material feels like the same stuff they use for a curtain sided HGV it's that thick

Majority of people who have wanted to hire the hot tubs have asked for a full weekend so £120 per tub per weekend, the idea was to have 5 or 6 maybe more in the future, obviously I wouldn't be able to put them all out myself so I'd have to employ which or course is going to affect the income but give me more time to work on the ice cream parlour.

Adam

 

[bells-couriers]

Than

The first thing i thought when you said this was "what if your 'ice cream parlour on wheels' breaks down?

I'd imagine with more than a few hot tubs you would always have access to an emergency spare (and with more than a few, could even offer themed hot tub parties?)... the exception is your hot tub van breaking down.. but i'm sure you could easily stuff them into the back of a minibus in a very worst case scenario! haha.

Both idea 1 and 2 are unique and sound like interesting businesses to run, so as others have already said, I imagine the next stage is to really drill down and find out which (if any) are actually viable as a business.

Thanks Daz a breakdown is not something that's crossed my mind but yes fair play I guess I'd need a back up plan if that problem ever occurred,

Majority of people who want to hire these hot tubs are either surprise birthday party's a couple looking for a romantic night, or like you say a hot tub party, I've been preparing a party tub under water flashing lights, flashing solar lights in the gazebo and I offer a free bottle of wine if the tub is booked for a full weekend,

There's defiantly a market there for this there plenty of people want to book just off word of mouth so advertising yourself would bring a lot more interest, obviously Il not be booking anyone in without the appropriate insurance (other than a favour for a friend or family member)

Adam

 

[cristinabarkerjones]

Hello I'd like to introduce myself, my name is Adam I live in the County Durham area north east uk,

For the past 3 years I've being wanting to start my own Buisness but deciding on which to go with is best

Idea 1 I first started off wanting to open my own walk in ice cream van, I know what people will be thinking there's loads of ice cream vans but not the kind I had in mind, up here in the north east there's and ice cream shop called lickedy splits it's sells nothing else but fancy ice cream 1 display freezer and 16 trays of flavoured ice cream bubble gum, toffee, mint chocolate chip, special ones like snickers ice cream etc, it's a very simple business but the amount of custom they get is unreal there's a que out the door everything I drive past which got me thinking, I could do that but mobile in a large van a Luton for example converted in the back to a walk in ice cream parlour, I have a fantastic location in mind plenty of paying customers only thing putting me off is it would be seasonal,

Idea 2 again it's seasonal hot tub hire I bought my own lay z spa inflatable hot tub which I didn't use much as I'd expected, I've already hired it out a few times but just to friends and family but at £40 per night word got out fast and even now people are hounding me about wanting to hire the hot tub just made me think I could turn it into a Buisness but as said it would be seasonal and I know there's already competition out there,

Idea 3 is my own courier company starting off as a self employed owner driver doing nationwide multi drop work only concern for me there is the costs to get started up Buisness insurance £1500 own maintenance costs and fuel costs before I even make a wage

Anyone work/worked in these sectors please share your opinion I'd really like to go with idea 1 if I got the chance

Adam

Choose Idea 1! The ice cream is something people will never stop buying. Moreover, all of us have heart about the green house effect and how each year the planet is getting warmer! This means more ice creams sold, right?

 

[Shahzad Habib]

you are absolutely right. the planet is getting warmer and warmer. This means more ice creams sold but this also means that we all will die soon. So whats the point investing in ice cream business?

 

[Gordon544]

Shahsad, have you been on the waccy baccy? Are you predicting we'll all die in the next few years?

 

[IanG]

Idea 3 we can safely rule out because its a fairly saturated market and you'll just be joining a list of other people trying to pay for a van.

Idea 1 I half like but you'll still have the expense of a specific (large?) vehicle which you've got to store, tax, insure, maintain and drive about. Also not sure where you plan to park it - trouble with being upcoming and trendy is that your locations are going to be key - and there's probably not many places to do that. That said if you can get in to shows and festivals you'd probably smash it. I would say though - think a bit bigger than Luton. Not only are you only going to get around 15' of length, they're also very high in terms of getting in the back.

I'd be having something like this - http://bit.ly/YU30RJ - very easy access, already nice inside and you can see out, doesn't look like an old removal van and plenty of space. Disadvantages include it being a bit heavier which means you'll need the appropriate licences and and possibly a tacho although there may be some exemptions you can rely on to get around that. But I'd use that so you're £2.50 better off already. I wouldn't climb in the back of a Luton with windows.

Idea 2 - you're already doing it - crack on. I'd re-invest in a few spare tubs and I'd be clearer that you need hot water. How is currently heated? Electricity? Perhaps put the price up a few quid and turn up with one of these and a bottle of gas - http://bit.ly/1vyHRcC - got to be quicker than immersion type heater elements and probably cheaper - although you're paying not the customer. You'd have to find a level at which you can pass on the cost.

Also - you don't need to employ people to deliver them unless you're actually running out of time in a week. I think you probably mean that you have three to set up and they need doing at the same time - in which case timetable your installations better or get up earlier. Employing help is a cost and good business minimises costs.

 

[bells-couriers]

Shahzad if that's the case there's no point in any Buisness ideas

I'm making slow progress my ice cream parlour is the one I've decided on simple, straight forward and unique, I've actually made an offer on a van today although the one I've picked actually requires me to do a class 2 licence to drive, the idea is to use a family member who passed before 1997 do drive it to its location just until I'm sorted with a 7.5 t driving entitlement,

Here's the van I have in mind it's actually a burger van but the key points being yen electrics etc are already in so it most take a great lot to install a large display freezer

 

[bells-couriers]

Ah it won't allow me to post links here's the eBay item number if anyone's curious 291252181560

 

[PaulThompson]

I like the idea of ice cream served in the hot tub
Have a look at bathingunderthesky they sell gorgeous wooden hot tubs - wood fired...

 

[HFE Signs]

I'd say ideas 1 or 2 or keep thinking, you might come up with idea 4?

 

[WillLoxley]

1 sounds really fun. If you're into ice cream and all that goes with it I'm sure you'll love doing it, and it sounds as if it'll make cash too.

 

[IanG]

Ah it won't allow me to post links here's the eBay item number if anyone's curious 291252181560

Love it - hopefully with most of the hard work done already.

Can't wait to see it stickered up with your ice cream livery!

 

[datahound]

Courier idea is very bad. Avoid.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

100% Hot Tub and offer Weekend and whole week

 

[philbaxter]

Our swimming pool here is doing something similar to your idea #(1) with a bus. Early days but seems to be pretty successful. They do food/coffee and such too but then it's a massive bus.

http://www.shirleyswimmingpool.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41&Itemid=58

 

[lanilogic]

Wouldn't it have been better to grab a nice trailer like this?

Ebay item #221559787339

 

[Duke Fame]

An ice cream parlour in the back of a Luton sounds very heavy and unstable on the move. I think you may need to lower the centre of gravity or you'll be tipping over and it will not be very easy to get in & out.

 

[SwindonSteve]

An ice cream parlour in the back of a Luton sounds very heavy and unstable on the move. I think you may need to lower the centre of gravity or you'll be tipping over and it will not be very easy to get in & out.

Convert a coach?

 

[progresstrader]

Hi Adam,

I can't tell you which business to go for but I can give you some advice regarding the ice cream idea.

Firstly, if you get it right, there is a lot of money to be made from it. Secondly, during the 'season' it's a great lifestyle business (so long as you don't mind putting in looooong hours).

Personally, I wouldn't overthink the concept of the van. You don't need to go overboard when it comes to certain things - everybody loves ice cream. So long as you keep your van clean and appealing and your ice creams good and at a fair enough price then you should be onto a winner.

Getting into festivals is much more difficult than a lot of people realise. Unless you know somebody who can get you a pitch then I'd concentrate on getting a permanent place to trade from to begin with.

I'd keep it simple to begin with - why not have a year or two with an ordinary ice cream van, see how that goes, and then think about getting the walk-in van you're thinking of?

 

[SarahDinnage]

I like your hot tub idea, its different and I know a lot of people who have bought permanent fixtures so obviously a market for it. I would suggest you get a good insurance policy though in particular against Legionella issues. Static hot tubs need to be regularly cleaned with chlorine or bacteria develops and can cause some nasty illnesses - one of which is legionella which can kill the more vulnerable.

As your hot tub is moveable I'm assuming you would have some kind of deep cleaning procedure but you ought to make users sign a disclaimer saying their water is safe before they use it and if its going out on more than a days hire it would need some form of chemical upkeep for which they would be responsible.

Wishing you the best of luck with whichever you decide but do make sure you get some advice from a water treatment company if you go with this fab idea.

 

[Anazoth]

I personally like idea #1. You can't go wrong with ice cream, the kids will be hunting you down for it lol. There is a small ice cream parlour near me that sells 'different' ice creams. Some example flavours would be turkish delight, ferrero rochet, malteser, cream egg etc. The place is doing excellent, even in the winter! I've found myself taking a craving for it in the winter myself, at the start i expected it to be a pop-up business but 3 years later and it's still doing great business.

We also have a milkshake parlour that makes ANY milkshakes you want, if you want a cabbage milkshake then you got it!. This could also be a good addition to your ice cream van. (google the cookie box to see it, i can't post links yet)

A way around the break-down would be to use a trailer instead of an ice cream van. That way if you're vehicle breaks down you can temporarily hire a car or borrow a friends/relatives car to take over while you get yours fixed.

I personally don't like the idea of #3, the courier market is very competitive these days and it will be a massive start-up cost and it might be quite a while before you make a profit depending on how quickly you can get your name out there and build up your customers which will cost a fortune in marketing and advertising, even at that, you've got the constant increasing fuel costs and the insurance will be a lot.

Idea #2 could also work, not a bad idea, maybe you could combine this with #1 since you already have the equipment. Work it around so that you can switch to this on the slow seasons.

 

[WillLoxley]

I don't think people buying permanent hot tubs shows there's a market for rentals, quite the otherwise perhaps?

 

[MASSEY]

I'm surprised there is so much optimism in this thread. As a glass half empty kinda guy i automatically think both ideas have been done to death.

Whenever people appear on Dragons Den Duncan, and even Debra, are quick to shy away from the ice cream types.

Me personally i would be worried with Ice Cream as it is so seasonal. Plus i am a bit of a health freak so probably wouldn't feel comfortable selling sugary food. I probably eat 5 ice creams a year if that and that is when it is incredibly hot and i need something to cool me down.

As for the hot tubs, i would feel as though i was a bit late to the party as the novelty of people dumping big tubs in their tiny English gardens was so five years ago.

I don't like any of the ideas.

 

[WillLoxley]

Check out little baby's ice cream. It's an American company but they're based in a city which has a similar climate and such to the UK. Innovation helps.

Also didn't Duncan start out with ice cream vans himself?

 

[Sriramanaenterprises]

Good idea, one idea can change your life.

 

[Simply Business]

You seem set on idea 1, but just in case your mind was still on idea 2, there are a couple things to keep in mind.

With regards to your hot tubs breaking down and potentially costing you custom, there is something called business interruption cover that could protect you in this scenario. It could essentially cover you for the additional expenses incurred to keep your business running because of damage to your equipment.

Also, it's worth noting that a lot of public liability covers wont protect you for when you leave your equipment - which presumably you would do with a hot tub!

Ideas 1 and 2 both sound great, however!

 

[DazRave]

Someone mentioned ice cream being seasonal... obviously hot weather boosts sales however I live a stone's throw away from the 'Chill Factore' which is a large indoor ski slope. Inside this place it has a Frederick's ice cream parlour (apparently there is a few of these in and around Manchester). It seems to always have a queue of customers outside.. even though the place is freezing inside!

So, my point being, it looks like some people just like ice cream no matter what!

 

[WillLoxley]

Someone mentioned ice cream being seasonal... obviously hot weather boosts sales however I live a stone's throw away from the 'Chill Factore' which is a large indoor ski slope. Inside this place it has a Frederick's ice cream parlour (apparently there is a few of these in and around Manchester). It seems to always have a queue of customers outside.. even though the place is freezing inside!

So, my point being, it looks like some people just like ice cream no matter what!

This indeed. "gourmet" ice cream will do well no matter what. But I suppose if you're getting an ice cream truck the weather might do you in.

 

[Christine Hough]

Anyone invented a hot fudge product which can go into a cone for winter months?
Hot fudge on mallow and biscuit with candyfloss topping.... now I am getting carried away!

 

[Christine Hough]

Anyone invented a hot fudge product which can go into a cone for winter months?
Hot fudge on mallow and biscuit with candyfloss topping.... now I am getting carried away!

You could sell ice cream and fire cream.
And call yourself 'Glacier and Geyser'

The interior of your van could be ice sculptures and steamy pools

It would be a strong identity!


Hot fudge products to include chilli and chocolate, irish coffee, mulled wine, hot chestnut, boiling blackcurrant, apple cinnamon

 

[Christine Hough]

rum and raisin could feature on both icecream and firecream