An Idea for a business Please Help!!

[brittaink]

Please help,

Who can I go to if I have an idea for a business, that I think will make a lot of money. It is original and there is nothing currently like it on the web at all. The only problem is that I am currently serving in the Royal Air Force and will not leave my job to persue this. I can not therefore put myself in a financial situation to start this business. I have nobody to discuss this business with who will take the idea and make it there own. Where do I go and who do i speak to.

Please help

Keith Brittain

 

[Matthew_28]

Please help,

Who can I go to if I have an idea for a business, that I think will make a lot of money. It is original and there is nothing currently like it on the web at all. The only problem is that I am currently serving in the Royal Air Force and will not leave my job to persue this. I can not therefore put myself in a financial situation to start this business. I have nobody to discuss this business with who will take the idea and make it there own. Where do I go and who do i speak to.

Please help

Keith Brittain

Keith,

Can you give us a small indication of what the business venture may entail? What are you looking to gain from giving away your idea?

Regards

Matt

 

[vvaannmmaann]

What area is the business in? Property,dress making,food,car mechanics,wine tasting?
Also,just because it is not on the internet,it does not mean it is not being done somewhere.
Without giving away too much detail,a wee bit more info may help you get some responses.

 

[brittaink]

Without giving too much away because it is an original idea that I can not copyright, it is an automated service provided by a web-site that will aid people in the organising of weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, parties, group holidays etc. There is a lot to it and I have barely touched on it here. I am not looking for a massive return on it as I can not invest (I have a young family, and I am not a business man. I am not going to pretend I am.) I need someone who has the expertise to start a web based business and can take this idea and develop it, start it, invest in it, etc. I would love to provide support for them whilst they do it. Please if you are interested in hearing more I would like it if you could contact me for a serious discussion.

Please respect confidentiality though, I want to be a small part of this business idea and would only be willing to speak to you if you are really interested.

Thank you for the quick replies already.

Keith

 

[brittaink]

Please reply if you have any idea's I really do not know where to go next

Keith

 

[akirk]

I am currently serving in the Royal Air Force and will not leave my job to persue this.

it is an original idea that I can not copyright

I can not invest

Sorry Keith - you don't have a business here.

You have an idea, but as you state, you can't put time in / you can't invest / you can't protect it...

to own a business you have to control one of those three:

- IP (Intellectual Property)
- Time (i.e. you do it)
- Money (i.e. you pay someone else to do it)

without any of those three there is no business - an idea on its own does not make a business.

I need someone who has the expertise to start a web based business and can take this idea and develop it, start it, invest in it, etc.

you clearly state that you want someone else to bring the expertise / the time / the money - what exactly are you providing? - only an idea which can not be protected, and if it can not be protected that will be because it is not original - therefore it is not 'your' idea (yes, you might have thought it, but so will others).

You mention that you will 'support' that person (the one with the expertise time money) - how? with encouraging words?

Let me give you an example...
What you are requesting is exactly the same as my toddling up to Richard Branson and saying - Richard old chap, got a great idea... how about running an airline, now I will need you to put in the time, and the expertise, and the finance to do it - but as I had the idea we will call it my company, mmm?

I will leave you to imagine the response you might get


I am sorry to be so negative - but think of it positively - you have saved wasting a lot of time!

If you believe in your idea then you need to do one of the three above - control the time put in / money put in / IP - otherwise you do not have a business.

Alasdair

 

[Big Pete]

he is right .. we all have loads of ideas ..even more if we could just think of them let others do them at there risk ,but still own them

 

[MikeJ]

He doesn't say he's got a business. He says he has an idea for a business.

 

[brittaink]

Thank you for your kind words

I fully understand where you are coming from when you say

Let me give you an example...
What you are requesting is exactly the same as my toddling up to Richard Branson and saying - Richard old chap, got a great idea... how about running an airline, now I will need you to put in the time, and the expertise, and the finance to do it - but as I had the idea we will call it my company, mmm?

Although I do not have a BUSINESS. I have an idea for a business.

I do not want this business to be mine. Just would like to have an input into it if possible.

If the "idea" is not mine then who's is it???

And if someone else could have thought of it, WHY HAVEN'T THEY???

I am sorry to be so negative - but think of it positively - you have saved wasting a lot of time!

Thank you for the kind advice, but I am not wasting my time by spending a couple of hours every week asking if there are any people in the world that would like to make money off an idea if they have the expertise. I am an honest hard working family man with an idea that would benefit many many people, I am not looking to devote my life and money persueing a good idea without the skills or money to do so. I just wanted to know if there were people out there with relevant experience in web-site development and business ethics that would like to progress this idea to the next level, and possibly make a very sound living from it.

I think I may have been mis-understood.

Kind Regards,

Keith

 

[MikeJ]

Don't let them bother you, Keith. There's lots of good advice available here, you just have to ignore the people that can't be bothered reading what's been written before spouting off.

 

[Kernowman]

Without giving too much away because it is an original idea that I can not copyright, it is an automated service provided by a web-site that will aid people in the organising of weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, parties, group holidays etc. There is a lot to it and I have barely touched on it here. I am not looking for a massive return on it as I can not invest (I have a young family, and I am not a business man. I am not going to pretend I am.) I need someone who has the expertise to start a web based business and can take this idea and develop it, start it, invest in it, etc. I would love to provide support for them whilst they do it. Please if you are interested in hearing more I would like it if you could contact me for a serious discussion.

Please respect confidentiality though, I want to be a small part of this business idea and would only be willing to speak to you if you are really interested.

Thank you for the quick replies already.

Keith

Keith, is it a sort of project management software, or is it driving the planning right through to actually booking, ordering and paying?

 

[Andy_AHG]

I would advise that you research the industry very carefully before putting any money into this. The wedding industry is hugely competitive and it depends on how you see your site operating and how you will make a profit from it.

If you are going to charge providers to add their details and users to subscribe, remember that there are a million existing wedding directories out there. Also, many venues have wedding organisers on their staff - plus the armies of independant wedding organisers too.

You don't give much away - but without that it is difficult to see what your USP is and offer advice.

Best if luck.

 

[brittaink]

Thank you for your replies,

It is a kind of aid to organising events (weddings just being one of the type of things you could incorporate), but with a twist that nobody else currnently offers. It would not cost the user of the site anything at all, is completely free for them, and they would benefit from using the site. Income is only generated from very small advertisement listing costs for the bigger companies on the site. Please contact me direct if you are interested. Keith dot Britain At Sky dot com.

Sorry to beat around the bush, but I don't just want to plaster the idea on the web as I really think that it is good, and really is not already in use.

Keith

 

[Esk247]

the problem is, i have a dozen new inventions/business ideas every day but if i were to fund every one of them i'd be in debt by 20 odd million before i even started making any money

if this idea is going to rely on advertising for revenue you may struggle, don't give up on the idea but research it first before you go and tell anyone else about it!

there isn't anyone you can just go to and say 'heres my idea, gimme money' they'll want to know you've found a market, researched the market, understand the market and have viable business opportunity that is worthy of any form of investment.

also you state that you don't have any time or money to put in to this..why should an investor do all the hard work? they won't is the short answer, think of the Dragons Den, they want to see a business that is growing, gaining customers and has room for expansion to return some profits on there investment.

 

[brittaink]

the problem is, i have a dozen new inventions/business ideas every day but if i were to fund every one of them i'd be in debt by 20 odd million before i even started making any money

if this idea is going to rely on advertising for revenue you may struggle, don't give up on the idea but research it first before you go and tell anyone else about it!

there isn't anyone you can just go to and say 'heres my idea, gimme money' they'll want to know you've found a market, researched the market, understand the market and have viable business opportunity that is worthy of any form of investment.

also you state that you don't have any time or money to put in to this..why should an investor do all the hard work? they won't is the short answer, think of the Dragons Den, they want to see a business that is growing, gaining customers and has room for expansion to return some profits on there investment.

Firstly can I just say thank you for the reply and thank you for being so polite. I do understand where you are coming from and I have been told by a few people that I am going to find it hard to find someone to invest in an idea that I can't. I watch dragons den quite avidly and have actually approached Peter Jones with the idea, (or his company anyway). I even got a phone call from them saying that it was a good idea, but they would only invest 40% maximum into an idea when fully developed. I don't want to give up on it, and honestly wouldn't really care that much if I never saw a penny.

If I did not enjoy my career so much I would persue it, but I love my profession.

I have done quite a bit of research into the idea, and it still seems very plausible. I just haven't the expertise to see it through. The problem is that, no-one will be inspired by idea everyone wants to see money.

Again thank you for the reply,

Keith

 

[CSBob]

Ideas are ten-a-penny. Turning one into a profitable business is another matter entirely... But then, you're probably already beginning to realise this from the opinions expressed above.

I honestly doubt you'll go anywhere with this unless willing & able to put money in yourself to get it started. That's always a key factor as it demonstrates at least your own faith in the idea, and shares the burden of risk with any potential partners.

If anyone says they would be willing to take your idea and fund it entirely themselves, while giving you a handsome share for your trouble, but first you have to explain it all in detail... run a mile. You'll never see a penny from it.

But if they ask how much you are able & willing to put in yourself, then you can start talking business - and the first step is a cast-iron Confidentiality Agreement, before parting with too much information.

 

[tomlock]

Thank you for your kind words

I fully understand where you are coming from when you say



Although I do not have a BUSINESS. I have an idea for a business.

I do not want this business to be mine. Just would like to have an input into it if possible.

If the "idea" is not mine then who's is it???

And if someone else could have thought of it, WHY HAVEN'T THEY???



Thank you for the kind advice, but I am not wasting my time by spending a couple of hours every week asking if there are any people in the world that would like to make money off an idea if they have the expertise. I am an honest hard working family man with an idea that would benefit many many people, I am not looking to devote my life and money persueing a good idea without the skills or money to do so. I just wanted to know if there were people out there with relevant experience in web-site development and business ethics that would like to progress this idea to the next level, and possibly make a very sound living from it.

I think I may have been mis-understood.

Kind Regards,

Keith

Keith,

Here is my advice:

Send an email to yourself describing the idea in a much detail as possible, how you thought of it etc.

Before you speak to anyone about it, make them sign some form of confidentiality document, even if you just write one up yourself, but make them sign it. If they don't want to sign it, don't talk to them about the idea.

I've got to say I'm intrigued. Good luck with it.

 

[Esk247]

Keith,

Here is my advice:

Send an email to yourself describing the idea in a much detail as possible, how you thought of it etc.

Before you speak to anyone about it, make them sign some form of confidentiality document, even if you just write one up yourself, but make them sign it. If they don't want to sign it, don't talk to them about the idea.

I've got to say I'm intrigued. Good luck with it.

Or a stamped envelope back to your address, then it goes through the postal system, you leave the envelope on the mantel piece with all of your ideas and information in, its dated, sealed and it's cost you the price of a postage stamp.

 

[PinkTipi]

Hi Keith,

Your faith in your idea is great to hear.

The one thing I'm not sure about is - if it is web-based why do you need a large sum of money - is it an idea that you could do starting with a basic website and take it slowly building up web visibility the long and tedious way if it is just providing a on-line service of directing people to different sites.

If the web design is not something you would attempt - you could always approach some students and see if any of them would be interested in developing the website as experience.

I don't think you should give up on your idea - but there must be a way to work round your limitations. It will be very hard for someone to take on your idea and you still have some involvement - when as you say yourself - you don't have any time. What kind and at what level involvement would you like to have?

I understand what someone said above about having hundreds of businesses ideas and that you could invest ££££££ and never making much money, but sometimes you get an idea and you just know - "yes, this is the one" that is how all entrepreneurial minds work, isn't it?

 

[filtuh.com]

There are ways of developing your idea to the point where a freelancer can develop it, or you can partner with a developer. Use balsamiq mockups to storyboard and wireframe the site and develop the workflow.

 

[Andy_AHG]

If the web design is not something you would attempt - you could always approach some students and see if any of them would be interested in developing the website as experience.

If your business depends on the functionality and reliability of the website, why would you want to place it in the hands of a student? If the website is the main driving force of the business, would you not value the services and expertise of a professional?

As the old saying goes, if you think a professional is expensive - wait till you see what an amateur will cost you.

 

[SGPS]

I think they call this a "light bulb moment"

I have one of these every week, its just making that decision of whether you want to pursue further, which you as a person clearly don't. You can't sell an idea (unless theres some protections or rights etc), the chances are you dont know anybody who can continue with bringing this idea to life, so you need to ask yourself what do you want?.

The chances of someone taking on this idea from this forum are probably highly unlikely. What i would suggest is, if you really think this definately the idea to a good business, do some research, put a semi business plan together, speak to a few local businesses in your area and see if they would like to persue it.

There really isnt much more you can really do, finding the ideal candidate to continue with the idea will be more difficult than you think, different people have different views etc.

Put pen to paper and create some basic plans, see how it looks and go from there.

Try and find some point of focus

Good luck

 

[akirk]

Keith,

I do see where you are coming from
You have an idea which you would like to see happen because you believe in it, and though you are not in a position to fulfill / develop a business, you would like to find someone who might... and there will be satisfaction in just seeing the idea coming together...

but... I stand by the point I was making - that there is no business without the three things mentioned - time committed / finance / IP and you have none of them...

the difficulty therefore is to work out what you are offering someone...
if it is just an idea then once they have the idea, what other involvement would they need from you? I think that you are likely to find that they will say, thank you for the idea, but goodbye!

you need to see this in the context of the fact the there are many people on this forum (and I get a lot of approaches in life outside the forum as well), who want developers for web ideas where they have no money to invest, no skills to add - just an idea... while the enthusiasm is fantastic, from a business perspective this is rarely a viable model...

the problem is that people believe that an idea has value - it doesn't, it is the bringing of that idea to life (through those three things) that has value - the idea without them has no value at all.

the reason for my response was not so much to dismiss your thoughts as being totally irrelevant - but to suggest that to make it viable you need to look at securing one of those three elements - finance / time / IP - then you have something viable and exciting.

Anyway, I hope that you find the right person for you - all the best

Alasdair

 

[ADW]

There are some grumpy, self righteous gits on this forum. He stated he is not a business person and that he just had an "idea". Chill out. He is not stating he wants loads of money or 50% of profit etc. He just seems to be a normal guy that got an idea stuck in his head and has the "what if" urge.

 

[FM1000]

Please help,

Who can I go to if I have an idea for a business, that I think will make a lot of money. It is original and there is nothing currently like it on the web at all. The only problem is that I am currently serving in the Royal Air Force and will not leave my job to persue this. I can not therefore put myself in a financial situation to start this business. I have nobody to discuss this business with who will take the idea and make it there own. Where do I go and who do i speak to.

Please help

Keith Brittain

Hi Keith,

Your best option is to find a web developer who will be interested in being a partner and will take on this job as a side project. Once its developed you can test the market to see the level of interest.

If the business proves viable you can then think about investors or financing it yourself.

You will need to put some time and effort into it yourself to sell the service initially to potential customers.

Get some advice from your local business centre, they may even put you in touch with a local web developer who may be interested.

If its unique and an automated service then it will appeal to some developer who's looking for a project he won't need to spend much time on running but will make money.

Cheers

 

[blaze056]

I agree with FM1000.

Your best option is to find a web developer who will be interested in being a partner and will take on this job as a side project. Once its developed you can test the market to see the level of interest.

If the business proves viable you can then think about investors or financing it yourself.

You will need to put some time and effort into it yourself to sell the service initially to potential customers.

Get some advice from your local business centre, they may even put you in touch with a local web developer who may be interested.

If its unique and an automated service then it will appeal to some developer who's looking for a project he won't need to spend much time on running but will make money.

Cheers

Its like asking a bank for a business loan saying that you have a solid plan and need finance to execute it. They'd not give it to you.

Rather, if you had worked on it a little and proved its making money and has a good demand, you can sell it to someone who can take it forward. Might sound funny but true - chances are Google even can knock your doors.

Best Wishes!

 

[brittaink]

Previous posts,

Can I just say to all the people that are giving me really good advice THANK YOU. I have been striving to hear this type of advice for about 3 years. I have approached the bank (Natwest) and they did offer me all the start-up loans and overdraft etc. but quite rightly it was secured against me personally. Maybe because of my solid career they didn't see me as a high risk. After all I originally only asked for £4,000. I think this is what put me off originally. I was getting married several months after this date and me and my wife to be, had stuff to sort out. I think this put me off the idea of trying to fund it myself.

Also I think because I am an electronics technician within the Air Force, I knew that the capabiltiy was already out there to make this idea come to fruitian, but knew that I did not have the specific knowledge to create this by myself.

I approached a web-development company called realtime web development and they put me together a quote for £3,500 put really didn't get the idea, and put there own spin on it in the quote. I approached another who stuck to the idea brilliantly but could not invest in it and would just do a paid job. I think this is what really stumped my development on the idea.

I am loving the advice and thank you all once again for the input. If only it was easy ha ha ha.

Kind Regards,

Keith

 

[filtuh.com]

Don't bother with this guy, he's sending out links for a kevin wiles website which is gay porn, and he's doing it from an MOD account. Absolute clown.

 

[davisonconsultancy]

I come across many people in your situation, in that they have an idea that is unique, or so they think.

In most cases, it is quite easy to qualify a business idea that is web based by answering the following questions:

1. What do people currently do to buy your product/service, how long does it take to purchase, what is the cost, how did they find the website?

2. What are the approximate development costs for your website?

3. What are the approximate costs to advertise your website? Pointless having a brand new superstore stuck in a field in the middle of the Scottish Highlands.

4. Where will you source the product/services that you will be selling, and what are the margins, handling costs, payment costs etc.

5. There is competition out there already, have you really looked hard enough? Why are you better than the competition?

6. Starting a business is a real personal commitment, think of it as rowing across the Atlantic, would you attempt it without preparation, the right tools and a GPS (or compass and sextent if you are old school)?

7. There are a multitude of Business sites out there, but a high level Business Plan will help focus the mind, and should identify the majority of costs for starting up and marketing a business.

I think that covers the basics, so fall in love with the business, not the dream.

Hope my 2 cents helps.

 

[deepred]

I think that brittaink is wondering how he could develop his idea into a business of his own or at least into a sharing project. Even coming up to R.Branson with "hey richard old chap let's make up an airline" has potential if you plan everything precisely and have really valuable ideas. Still, seems like without devoting yourself to it, you wont be able to set up anything good. People just wont do it for yourself just for your idea. Start with writing a business plan of some sort (a sketch if you will) and see if there is any point to go on.

 

[brittaink]

Don't bother with this guy, he's sending out links for a kevin wiles website which is gay porn, and he's doing it from an MOD account. Absolute clown.

I accidentally sent the wrong link when discussing things with Rob. Kevin Wiles dot co dot uk is a genuine person who I am talking to. The dot com version of this which I accidentally sent him a link to IS NOT, and as discussed with him, I was at work and thats why I sent it from my works address.

VERY SORRY

Keith

 

[filtuh.com]

Keith has emailed an apologised.

 

[Esk247]

can't work out which is the biggest fail, kevin wiles or brittaink sending dodgy links by mistake from his MoD account

 

[E Storey]

This thread amuses me.

 

[filtuh.com]

The thread is lolworthy. I now absolutely have to know what the idea is. I have far too much emotional investment, not to mention that my eyes are bleeding from that site I got directed to. I'm just waiting for the "in order to tell you what this idea is, I'd need some kind of garuntee - in the form of £2000 payment - as bond."

That's the price I'm reckoning. Who'll give me odds?

 

[brittaink]

The thread is lolworthy. I now absolutely have to know what the idea is. I have far too much emotional investment, not to mention that my eyes are bleeding from that site I got directed to. I'm just waiting for the "in order to tell you what this idea is, I'd need some kind of garuntee - in the form of £2000 payment - as bond."

That's the price I'm reckoning. Who'll give me odds?

The emotional investment is enough for me ha ha. I have sent the idea to you.

Keith

 

[JElder]

Having seen quite a few directory type sites rise, and mostly fall, you need to seriously check the numbers.

I one possible client who wanted to build a specialist industry, all-singing, all dancing directory. He was going to spend a fair bit of money promoting the site (£millions), plus the cost of building and maintaining it.

His budgets and cashflow all needed each paying advertiser to be willing to part with a minimum of £50, and for 'free' listings to convert to advertisers at about 10% rate.

We advised some market research first, so they blind called a load of the target advertisers decision makers. The average uptake was around 5%, so certainly reasonable - with better brand awareness, etc, this could reach the 10% goal. (Although getting from people saying they would to paying cash is difficult).

Unfortunately, what they thought of as the value of this was far different. Unprompted, the median value was £5. The highest was £25.

The site never launched.

 

[filtuh.com]

It's a good product idea, not sure about the business. Needs serious investment imo.

 

[Nigel@Phoenix]

The plot thickens.....

 

[FM1000]

It's a good product idea, not sure about the business. Needs serious investment imo.

I don't know what the product idea is, I haven't asked Keith. But i'm wondering if its something he could get a customer base through the RAF first, then target the general market?

If it is then that's where he should start.