Can you give me ANY good business ideas????

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B

bennyrealdeal

  • #1
    Hi guys,

    I am currently out of work (like thousands of others in the UK). I am desperate to get some income, my dad runs general ironmonger shop (in the West Midlands) and has space at the back that he has told me I could use. The space is about a quarter (or abit less) of an acre, the ground is hardcore and there is good access to it off the road. I was originally thinking of doing car valleting there but with there being minimal drainage, it’s probably not such a good idea.

    I just have a mental block when it comes to thinking of another business idea that I could use at the back of my dad’s shop, and with me being in a fortunate position, I want to make the most of it. So my question to you guys is, do you have any ideas that you can offer? I know this is a very broad question and very general, but what kinds of businesses are doing well/ steady money that could work?

    ANY ideas would be greatly appreciated!

    Regards,
    Ben.
     
    S

    spiritusuk

  • #2
    I take it the space you're referring to is an outside space ?

    Does it have separate access to the shop ?

    Why not advertise the land to rent let someone else decide what to do with the space ? Your dad may appreciate your ingenuity :)
     
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    B

    bennyrealdeal

  • #3
    spiritusuk said:
    I take it the space you're referring to is an outside space ?

    Does it have separate access to the shop ?

    Why not advertise the land to rent let someone else decide what to do with the space ? Your dad may appreciate your ingenuity :)
    Click to expand...


    Yes, it's outside and there is separate access to the shop, but I want to start a business of my own using the land.
     
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    R

    Root 66 Woodshop

  • #8
    The problem with caravan storage is that once you've advertised it, you'll most probably get unwanted business, i.e. those that don't wish to pay for "storage", such as travellers.

    Here's a thought... Why not buy some of your Dad's stock. Make up some display stock items, and then sell those back to your Dad? ;)

    I.E. A door with locks, handles, letter box, hinges etc etc

    If you do a good enough job, those that frequent your Dad's shop maybe interested in more "display" work from you.

    Just a thought :D
     
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    B

    bennyrealdeal

  • #12
    MY OFFICE IN CHINA said:
    Apart from the 'free land' do you have any investment capital?

    This may affect what business you can get involved with.

    Also, some experience in the field you are looking to get involved with is essential.

    It's not as easy as you think, but worth exploring.

    Best of luck

    Ron
    Click to expand...

    Yes, I have some money to invest. I am willing to work my a$$ off, I just want some ideas of businesses that are doing well at the moment, from there I would work hard on exploring every part of the trade.
     
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    MOIC

    MOIC

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  • #13
    bennyrealdeal said:
    Yes, I have some money to invest. I am willing to work my a$$ off, I just want some ideas of businesses that are doing well at the moment, from there I would work hard on exploring every part of the trade.
    Click to expand...

    My advice.........

    Self storage using used shipping containers.

    1 person can control the whole site.
     
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    UKSBD

    UKSBD

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    • Dec 30, 2005
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  • #14
    MY OFFICE IN CHINA said:
    My advice.........

    Self storage using used shipping containers.

    1 person can control the whole site.
    Click to expand...

    People by me doing that who must be making a fortune, bit of wasteland, put in hard standing so people can drive near the containers,

    They must have about 50 now charge £25 a week with no water electric or anything, just a container and a padlock (which they sell to you)
     
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    MOIC

    MOIC

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  • #20
    You can charge £40 per week for a 20ft container.

    You can charge £80 per week for a 4oft container.

    Actually, you can do much more than that to increase your revenue, send me a PM and I will tell you how.

    If I was still in the UK, that would be my next business, that's for sure.

    Ron
     
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    B

    bennyrealdeal

  • #24
    a big part of it is almost like a triangle shape, plus I would prefer to do something more than just rent the space for containers as my uncle will probably turn round and say that they could do that themselves, why let me use it just for that.... Do you have any other ideas? I do have some money to invest if the idea is good.
     
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    M

    matt seymour

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    Jan 5, 2011
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  • #25
    The way I see it, you have a good opportunity here - a piece of land on the same site as an established business.

    My advice would be to offer a product or service that is in some way related to the existing business on that site; even if it is only loosely related. You would already have a captive audience visiting the ironmongers, so take advantage of that fact.

    Consider what kind of people visit the ironmongers. What industries do they generally come from? Do a bit of homework and I'm sure you could find the right product or service to offer them. It's a whole lot easier than starting a business from scratch and marketing it to draw in paying customers.
     
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    MOIC

    MOIC

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  • #26
    bennyrealdeal said:
    a big part of it is almost like a triangle shape, plus I would prefer to do something more than just rent the space for containers as my uncle will probably turn round and say that they could do that themselves, why let me use it just for that.... Do you have any other ideas? I do have some money to invest if the idea is good.
    Click to expand...

    A triangle shape is not ideal, but you can still make it work. You are not restricted to containers, and you can have a simple aluminium construction to adapt to the odd shape.

    Put the proposition to your father, and tell him to make the investment, and you will manage it.

    A self storage site will work almost anywhere.

    Without knowing the exact location of your site, it's difficult to give suggestions as this needs to be taken into account.
     
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    B

    bennyrealdeal

  • #27
    MY OFFICE IN CHINA said:
    A triangle shape is not ideal, but you can still make it work. You are not restricted to containers, and you can have a simple aluminium construction to adapt to the odd shape.

    Put the proposition to your father, and tell him to make the investment, and you will manage it.

    A self storage site will work almost anywhere.

    Without knowing the exact location of your site, it's difficult to give suggestions as this needs to be taken into account.
    Click to expand...

    Thank you very much
     
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    M

    mobyme

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    Jan 12, 2004
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  • #28
    MY OFFICE IN CHINA said:
    A triangle shape is not ideal, but you can still make it work. You are not restricted to containers, and you can have a simple aluminium construction to adapt to the odd shape.

    Put the proposition to your father, and tell him to make the investment, and you will manage it.

    A self storage site will work almost anywhere.

    Without knowing the exact location of your site, it's difficult to give suggestions as this needs to be taken into account.
    Click to expand...

    It would have to get past planning; several of these have been turned down in my neck of the woods.
     
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    Richard Glynn

    Richard Glynn

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    Sep 6, 2005
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    Preston, Lancashire
  • #29
    Hi Benny,

    Sorry to hear about your predicament. But it sounds to me like you're already well on your way to dusting yourself down and starting a new chapter.

    I think you might be going about this the wrong way though. If I was in your shoes I would be thinking seriously about what you are most passionate about.

    My hunch is that, whatever it is, it isn't valeting cars? There's a reason we pay kids pocket money to clean them on a Sunday afternoon!

    If you follow your passion, whatever you do you will have more chance of being successful. Throw your heart and soul into it. Connect with people who share your passion. Identify the people who's problems your skills can solve.

    If you enjoy cycling (I have no idea what you enjoy) start a leisure service offering cycle tours, start a cycle repair business. Anything. But make sure you like doing it! Obviously get a feel for the money-making potential too. But this isn't the be all and end all. No point launching a rabbit pickling business if no-one wants it - no matter how much fun it might be! (Not sure where that came from)

    Maybe take a part time job in the short term while you set it up.

    If you don't do this, in a few months, you'll find yourself in another job treadmill getting little or no satisfaction chasing coin for a living.

    Have a sniff round these blogs (below) to get a feel for a different way of living. There are loads more out there too.

    www.passivepanda.com
    www.smartpassiveincome.com

    Also read anything by Seth Godin, Derek Sivers or Gary Vaynerchuck. YouTube search them.

    It sounds like your in a sticky situation. But I'd be seeing a massive opportunity. You can do anything you want. Make it count!
     
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    Ladybbird

    Ladybbird

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    Feb 11, 2012
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    Caribbean/UK
  • #30
    bennyrealdeal said:
    Hi guys,

    I am currently out of work (like thousands of others in the UK). I am desperate to get some income, my dad runs general ironmonger shop (in the West Midlands) and has space at the back that he has told me I could use. The space is about a quarter (or abit less) of an acre, the ground is hardcore and there is good access to it off the road. I was originally thinking of doing car valleting there but with there being minimal drainage, it’s probably not such a good idea.

    I just have a mental block when it comes to thinking of another business idea that I could use at the back of my dad’s shop, and with me being in a fortunate position, I want to make the most of it. So my question to you guys is, do you have any ideas that you can offer? I know this is a very broad question and very general, but what kinds of businesses are doing well/ steady money that could work?

    ANY ideas would be greatly appreciated!

    Regards,
    Ben.
    Click to expand...

    West Mids? I know it well. Here is my advice. Normally I would recommend buying downtrodden properties, in not so good areas, or bank foreclosures, at this economical downtime in the market, but as you dont have any capital, that may be out of the question. In any of the countries I have lived and worked in, all downtrodden areas always see to come back up (except in the US, but that is a complete saga in itself)

    You could however apply for a mortgage (or borrow the deposit on an existing one), and start from there, do it up and rent it to qualified renters, with a sollid contract protecting yourself. (There are ways of getting "bad" tenants out though and Im talking legal, not otherwise)

    Failing that why dont you start a security business? In this day and age that is always successful anywhere, if its done right.
    I realise that in the UK its tough to get a licence for arms and there are many other things required before you will receive one. But you could start off by securing peoples' properties, like pretty iron grills for windows and doors, installing alarms with panic buttons etc when you are established. You could also have a "watch folks properties", whilst they are on holiday etc

    If you start off small you can grow with this and as you have the land, you have place to store the iron and can buy in bulk as it would be cheaper.

    You can market it in magazines for elderly people, they would see that and ask their families about it, they would obviously investigate it and if they are impressed by you, they would think about the same thing if they go away for a spell etc,,,,, it would expand from them.....word of mouth.
    You could also offer a debt collection service and protection services. (I wouldnt offer a doorman/bouncer service, as that is very well established in the UK, especially the West Mids, and you would have all sorts of "problems" coming from the existing companies)

    I started a security company here in the caribbean (the first lady to do so), it was very successful fast because of the reputation (I trained my guards and they were armed and had very smart uniforms and appearance)
    Unfortunately I had a big heart attack and had to close it, so lost money as I had to pay out a lot of liquidation (redundancy). The stress was not from the thieves or guards but from the darn clients!!!

    But that would still be the road to go on IMHO and it wouldnt take much capital to begin it in the way I explained above.

    Good luck and keep us updated. ;)
     
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    B

    bennyrealdeal

  • #31
    Ladybbird said:
    West Mids? I know it well. Here is my advice. Normally I would recommend buying downtrodden properties, in not so good areas, or bank foreclosures, at this economical downtime in the market, but as you dont have any capital, that may be out of the question. In any of the countries I have lived and worked in, all downtrodden areas always see to come back up (except in the US, but that is a complete saga in itself)

    You could however apply for a mortgage (or borrow the deposit on an existing one), and start from there, do it up and rent it to qualified renters, with a sollid contract protecting yourself. (There are ways of getting "bad" tenants out though and Im talking legal, not otherwise)

    Failing that why dont you start a security business? In this day and age that is always successful anywhere, if its done right.
    I realise that in the UK its tough to get a licence for arms and there are many other things required before you will receive one. But you could start off by securing peoples' properties, like pretty iron grills for windows and doors, installing alarms with panic buttons etc when you are established. You could also have a "watch folks properties", whilst they are on holiday etc

    If you start off small you can grow with this and as you have the land, you have place to store the iron and can buy in bulk as it would be cheaper.

    You can market it in magazines for elderly people, they would see that and ask their families about it, they would obviously investigate it and if they are impressed by you, they would think about the same thing if they go away for a spell etc,,,,, it would expand from them.....word of mouth.
    You could also offer a debt collection service and protection services. (I wouldnt offer a doorman/bouncer service, as that is very well established in the UK, especially the West Mids, and you would have all sorts of "problems" coming from the existing companies)

    I started a security company here in the caribbean (the first lady to do so), it was very successful fast because of the reputation (I trained my guards and they were armed and had very smart uniforms and appearance)
    Unfortunately I had a big heart attack and had to close it, so lost money as I had to pay out a lot of liquidation (redundancy). The stress was not from the thieves or guards but from the darn clients!!!

    But that would still be the road to go on IMHO and it wouldnt take much capital to begin it in the way I explained above.

    Good luck and keep us updated. ;)
    Click to expand...

    I'm sorry to hear about your health problem. Thank you for the idea, I'll look into it. And will keep you updated :)

    Ben.
     
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    S

    s168

    Free Member
    May 26, 2010
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  • #33
    If you're looking at a traditional brick and mortar business of some sort, first look at the type of people you have in your local area that frequent the vicinity. Just observe them, where do they shop, what kind of work do they do (survey them), what kind of lifestyle do they have. Once you see a pattern somewhere, you can think about setting up a business that fulfils an unmet need in the local area. You can even ask them what do they wish they can get locally that they can't, in terms of products and services.
     
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    D

    Dunny

  • #36
    Ladybbird said:
    Wouldnt the competition like B & Q be in a position to outdo any prices you or he would be able to sell them for, as they can buy in bulk? Just a thought
    Click to expand...

    You would need to sell on quality and serice and not price. B and Q tend to sell the low end ones that you buy and erect yourself. The larger better quality ones tend to come from the independents. There are of course some quite large independents but there is still definitely a market o go after.

    Not sure about pallet making, you would have to be able to make a lit quickly and I suspect the margins would be low and you would need volume.

    Still one of the few things that interest me as its completely different than what I do in my day job.

    D
     
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    S

    sla3

  • #37
    Maybe not sheds (they wil be expensive if of good enough quality to compete with other bigger retailers) but a range of smaller items: bird tables, bird boxes, dog kennels, rabbit hutches & runs, aviary panels, chicken coops, insect nests and what have you.

    You'd maybe need a bit of investment in tools (but you can pick them up at car boots) and raw materials - but your folks do own a ironmongers! Flog 'em to your dad for his shop, garden centres, on a market stall etc etc

    Use old pallets as raw materials for the non-cosmetic structural bits, reclaim and use offcuts and similar.

    Get cracking now for the spring nestbox boom ..... have a look on eBay for prices and you'll see the margins availoable if you're prepared to put the work in.
     
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