First journey into business!

[justlikeme]

So all I want to do is start up and run a business most of my business ideas involve a few thousand pounds start up costs, which working in a bar and with the cost of living in London is a nightmare to save up.

I don't want to be the guy that always says he wants his own business but gets in to a rut and never does it and seeing as I'm still young (22) The risk of failure is less of a factor than it may be as I get older.

I've decided I'm going to go part time in my job and with the small savings I do have (potentially my dad may also chip in) start something small, with the hope of taking it on full time, growing it and dedpending how things go run with it or move onto another idea.

I'm thinking of going with a market stall to begin and I have narrowed my options down to two options:


Hot Home made soup, it can be cheap easy to produce and I don't think it would be to much of a risk, I would probably sell them in bread bowls to be different. There wouldn't be much room to grow but it would be a start in business, I could support myself and it would be a learning experience.

The other idea is Male grooming products, more down the line of straight razors and homemade shaving soaps etc I know where I can by supplies cheap and I can package them myself, again in market stalls but I could try and sell to retail too.

I would appreciate any input!

Thanks
Mark

 

[Scalloway]

If you plan to sell soup you will need to get in touch witt the environmental health department of your council to ensure your hygeine is up to scratch. Good luck with setting up your business.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Hi Mark,welcome to the forum.
Before you go any further,are there pitches available on the market you intend selling at? Maybe check with the Market Officer (or similar title) to establish costs and their requirements,if there is already someone else doing soup you may not get on.
Then as above contact your local council and sort out their requirements for health/hygiene.
As for grooming products do you really mean "homemade" I imagine that sort of stuff needs to be tested in some way to ensure it is "safe" for human use.And that sounds expensive to me.

 

[webgeek]

Some products will lend themselves to selling online as well as in a stall.

Some will sell year round, while others will be mostly seasonal - cold weather.

I'm kinda leaning towards the grooming supplies, if facing those 2 choices, despite the 'Soup Nazi' episode of Seinfeld being one of the most memorable TV shows of all time. I'm doubting male grooming supplies could make that kind of impression.