Any Ideas Welcome

[Jack H]

I have just found myself out of a job! I'm looking for inspiration or ideas to start something for myself. I have a little amount of money put to one side (a few hundred). I have spent the last 10 years in customer service, retail and sales roles. I'm a peoples person and love chatting and getting to know new people. Unfortunately, I do not have my driving licence yet and I have a mortgage to pay too so the risk here is pretty high but I also have everything to fight for.

Has anyone got any ideas for a low cost start up with this kind of skill set?

I was intrigued by becoming a virtual assistant but it would seem that a lot of people are doing that, is there a market to earn decent money from this?

 

[fisicx]

Hi @Jack H and welcome to UKBF.

There is no quick or easy way to start up a profitable business. There are thousands of VA, PA and associated whatevers all pushing this sort of service. Same as selling stuff online - huge competition.

Get a job stacking shelves, working in a warehouse, deliveroo or anything else you can find. At least you will have a steady income while you find your niche.

Took me 15 years to find my niche. But I'm a slow learner.

 

[Mark T Jones]

As @fisicx says, at this stage I'd suggest getting a job - if you have selling skills you should never struggle to find work.

The fact that you are asking for ideas suggests you aren't yet ready to start a business

You can use both your work environment and your spare time to start something of your own

 

[MOIC]

I have spent the last 10 years in customer service, retail and sales roles. I'm a peoples person and love chatting and getting to know new people

Stay within your comfort zone and look to get another job utilising your experience and skills you’ve built up over the past 10 years.

Starting a business at this stage will require more money than you’ve saved and at least a year before you start making a profit to equal a salary, given the time you’ll need to research, set-up and get going.

Starting a business in the current economic climate will make things twice as hard, although a (very) few would say it’s the best time to start a business.

Good luck with what you decide to do.

 

[MBE2017]

Get your driving license ASAP, will completely open up many avenues. In the meantime, try call centre work, retail sales etc.

 

[JamaC]

Good and realistic advice given here. Just take your time and figure out what it is exactly you want to do. I've been in the exact same situation.

Your skillset in sales can easily land you another job. Just use the situation you were put in as a eye opener for your long term goal.

Try and forget the quick money earners and learn about the foundations of business whilst you are working. Many of those who rush in too fast, lack essential knowledge which causes them to suffer later.

As time goes on you will figure it out, it's just about the consistency. Your creative mind will improve over time believe me.

 

[Berbinto]

Based on your circumstances and the current economic situation starting a business isn't easy, and I would recommend you get a job.
If you are on here asking for business ideas proves you are not ready.
Putting every other factor aside you need to be passionate about your business. If you don't know what you want to do getting ideas from other people is not the way forward.
Find employment and then think of how you can start a side hussle based on your skill set.

 

[Socio South West]

I was intrigued by becoming a virtual assistant but it would seem that a lot of people are doing that, is there a market to earn decent money from this?

I took the VA route as a low cost start up wind down towards retirement and it has been far more profitable and infinitely more flexible with my time than dealing with physical product ever was.

The snag is competing against others who are accepting probably a third of your lowest rate... maybe even lower.... so you have to trawl through a lot of dross and accept a high percentage of no responses to email/cv applications before something decent comes up.

My longest regular work assignment to date was 7 years, and I never met anyone else from the company in all that time: I currently have two assignments of about 4 years standing, and have had a couple of brief meetings with other team members in all that time.
I have also undertaken numerous short term specific task assignments, and have a small portfolio of clients for whom I troubleshoot and sort various needs for.

The work is there.... its like any other business.... presenting and promoting, researching and trawling to find customers.