New here... Please be nice! Business Ideas

[PrestonLad]

Hi Sarah,

I've just caught up with this thread.... and my advice is clear. First read this post.

Id love to do the photography idea but i know of at least 3 people who do horse photography in my local area and then about 2 actual businesses who do it.... I cant see me being able to compete umless I can do something different?

Then read this excellent post...

Whereas kickstart is spot on... although its a common misconception that your idea has to be entirely new or has to have a (strong) USP.

You may want to try attempting to clone an existing business model of a local business and compete with them on a shoestring budget. If you can setup a website, get yourself on Google Maps (you will be surprised how many non-retail businesses are not) and get out there marketing your services... whether in person or by leaflets you have a good start in learning about running a business.

You still need to think of a business idea... photography and graphic design could be a good potential route. You do not have to be superb. The number of times I have had to get a refund for some so-called experienced designers who has come up short with design works... blimey...

First you need to brush up on your skills.
Secondly you need to work on a portfolio of previous work - this usually means discounts for testimonials etc. (some people swear that creating concepts are ok while others say it must be previous paid work)
Thirdly buy a nice template off the shelf for your website (there are thousands out there that really look superb for showing photos etc)

Focus on marketing.

Warning: As you are not yet superb do not exploit one-off events like weddings etc. - if you aren't up to scratch then you will really upset the people with the loss memories - whereas for a photo shoot its no big deal... they can simply dispute your work if they dont like and go with someone else.

Don't worry about whether the business will turnout long-term or not... its not too vital. You will eventually find that idea and have gained the business experience to have a really good shot at it.

And then read this post again....

Id love to do the photography idea but i know of at least 3 people who do horse photography in my local area and then about 2 actual businesses who do it.... I cant see me being able to compete umless I can do something different?

There is definitely something in this.

 

[SarahP]

Okay point taken PrestonL!

So are you saying that it may be a good idea/starting place to do what 10032012 suggested with the photography idea? Hmmm

 

[SarahP]

Sorry multi-store,I missed your post! Yeah iv had some really good advice/suggestions so thankyou all
I think.im so fixed in.the mindset of I need an.original.idea/great usp that I dont believe a normal business can succeed but with you guys telling me otherwise its making me think.:/

Ps. Sorry for awful spelling/grammar etc,im.on.my phone & I hate posting off it!

 

[PrestonLad]

Okay point taken PrestonL!

So are you saying that it may be a good idea/starting place to do what 10032012 suggested with the photography idea? Hmmm

Almost... but I'd take a different slant on it.

In a nutshell... You say that you'd LOVE to do the photography thing... but can't do it because you know 3 people doing that sort of thing in your area.

The bit I'd highlight from 10032012's post is that he says strongly that your business idea does not have to be original. Indeed I guess that >99.9% of successful businesses are founded on unoriginal ideas!

You know 3 people doing that photography in your area. What if the 2nd one had not bothered starting up, because there was already someone doing it? What if the 3rd person had not bothered because there were already two doing it?

After you've started up, who is to say that a fifth and sixth person won't follow suit! You just have to get in there, and offer a good service.

 

[SarahP]

Good point! Guess im just stuck thiking when theres competition I'l nevee be successful but I guess theres always competition. Like phoneshops-vodafone/orange/tmobile but all are successful...

Anyone have any ideas of a different slant/USP that I could add to the business
? Guess the other person was rightI've got nothing too loose...

On a different note to make a website for my business so I actually have to MAKE it or are there sites I can get a template from? Would templates look bad considering I want the business to be graphic design based? When people make websites for other businesses are they actually MAKING them or are they using templates & designing them then selling the them or is that illegal? Get a bit confused about websites because never thought about it before!

 

[SarahP]

Apologies again for awful spelling & grammar- I really do struggle on my phone!

 

[megamuel]

I know you said you didn't want to do a horse related business but I had a couple of ideas that I don't think would spoil it as a hobby. One would be to purchase a trap or carriage of some sort and do tours of your local area. You could also do wedding and other similar events. Also, my mum just purchased a pony and the people at her stables are buying and selling horses all the time, maybe you could make a website for buying and selling horses and equipment. Sure there are lots out there already, but make the website better/under cut them.... You don't need to make the website yourself, you can outsource it using one of the many outsourcing websites and get a self sufficient website which requires little maintenance. You would make money from commission and advertising.

Failing that you could go on your interest in design/promoting and you could contact local businesses offering a leaflet design and delivery service. Again if your design skills need work you could outsource some of the work to begin with and put a small mark up when charging the customer.

How about a cleaning business? Low start up costs and you don't need any qualifications etc. Once you get a good client base you could start employing people until you are an agent and just organise work for other cleaners.

You said you like cars - car valeting perhaps?

Kids parties are a big thing now - arty/themed parties? Bouncy castle hire?

Ok I'm just thinking aloud there really but a few ideas for you to go on.

I'm in the process of working on a few business ideas too so PM me if you ever fancy a chat. I'd even be interested to start a joint project if you have any web based ideas.

All the best,

Sam.

 

[SarahP]

The pony and cart thing could actually be a good possible idea! The buyinh & selling thing im sort of doing now but there is NO money in it and the horse market is awful so thats out!

Thanks for all the ideas feel free to pm me with any business ventures

 

[megamuel]

You mean there is no money in it the way you are doing it.... If you had a website selling 1000's of horses a year and you took 1-2% on each sale, there would be big big money in it. That's not to mention advertising and selling other horses related products and services. Just a thought.

As for the horse and cart idea. Do you have any popular tourist areas near you? Could offer it there or like I said weddings - big money to be made there.

 

[SarahP]

Its near impossible to turn around 1000s of horses a year plus the fact you'd have to pay stabling costs on say 5-10 at a time plus all the other expenses and livery(stables) is very expensive so it would quickly decrease any profit.. Besides the fact they can easily get injured meaning theyre worthless and the horse market is awful as not many people can afford them at the mo!

Had a little look at any other horse carriage hire near me and there are a few although I do think I could compete with them. As im based in Gloucestershire we're near the cotswolds which is an area of outstanding natural beauty (apparently) so we do get tourists, plus things like Cheltenham Racecourse are here. Weddings, Proms, Partiess,Tours, Pub days and other events could all possibly be included in the business. Not sure on legalities such as insurance though and if theres any restrictions on it (Eg. needing to take a horse driving test for the road?)... Plus it will have quite high startup costs, however, it could be a very good idea so thankyou 'megamuel'

 

[10032012]

Good point! Guess im just stuck thiking when theres competition I'l nevee be successful but I guess theres always competition. Like phoneshops-vodafone/orange/tmobile but all are successful...

Anyone have any ideas of a different slant/USP that I could add to the business
? Guess the other person was rightI've got nothing too loose...

On a different note to make a website for my business so I actually have to MAKE it or are there sites I can get a template from? Would templates look bad considering I want the business to be graphic design based? When people make websites for other businesses are they actually MAKING them or are they using templates & designing them then selling the them or is that illegal? Get a bit confused about websites because never thought about it before!

There are many websites you can get a template from. I can help you with that but don't get ahead of yourself yet as you have a lot of planning to do before that stage.

You should write a business plan but it would be fine to do something like this:-
* Work out your strengths and weaknesses - and find out your skills of what you are bad at, ok at (need improvement) and really exceptional at
* Develop the idea behind it (what you want to do? what you could offer? etc. - establishing a brand/company name isn't important at this stage)
* Get an idea at what potential competitors are doing

I have been looking for a local logo designer earlier... I cannot tell you how many of them did not have prices or any marketing messages on them (including get a quote etc.) relying on an email or contact form. Some didn't even have a portfolio.

 

[SarahP]

Thankyou 10032012.. Just trying to ask as many questions as I need to so I dont get confused lol!

Iv been doing some research and things today.. So il try writing down a business type plan thing soon.. I did an actual business plan at school so may find that & do it properly...

Are you saying its fustrating they havent got prices & portfolios & that would be a good way to make myself better?

 

[10032012]

Thankyou 10032012.. Just trying to ask as many questions as I need to so I dont get confused lol!

Iv been doing some research and things today.. So il try writing down a business type plan thing soon.. I did an actual business plan at school so may find that & do it properly...

Are you saying its fustrating they havent got prices & portfolios & that would be a good way to make myself better?

Well...

Lack of portfolio:-

* Doesn't matter if the design costs £1 or £10,000... if the design isn't up to scratch or even any good... I don't want it. A portfolio is a good way of showing potential customers your standard of work and creativity. A degree and any form of qualification - and even claimed experience doesn't guarantee decent work.

* I could contact them to request previous work but it leaves me in an n+5 scenario (where n is working day). That is I want to order today! Not wait a few days to get a response (some might be quick replying others not so) and then compare with others - that is a lost week and bad productivity. I would not entertain this especially that 5 working days should be the typical turnaround time from spec to design...

* The work emailed over could be anyones (so could on the website you might say) - but if its all out for show to everyone chances before long the real owner of such work would take action against the scam. I could say in the email.. I am setting up a new childrens toy business and need a fun company logo. Scammer could browse a few websites of designers and download the relevant ones for inclusion. If they happen to be the same sites you have been on previously they will be rumbled... but if you are looking for say a UK designer... they would get the logos from an American or European design website.

Prices:-

* Not vital but it helps make a decision. It could be an package ("3 logo concepts, 48 hours, vector, £100" etc), estimate ("our average logo design costs £130, contact us for a quote"), range ("we design logos starting from £50 to £2000 depending on your design requirements and budget") or hour rate ("We charge £40 per hour").


I would recommend a portfolio and pricing guide/estimate. You will be out of business in no time if your website is like some I viewed the other day... literally a page called services with several bullet points... logo design etc. and a contact form on another page. Not even a mention of "Contact to discuss your requirements" or "contact us for a quote" - both adequate but not very marketing-copy friendly.

Bottom line... I took my time to find their website (from Google search... and not an advert of any kind) then when I am on their website they can make a tiny bit of effort to get my custom!

 

[SarahP]

Great post 10032012. Thankyou

 

[megamuel]

Its near impossible to turn around 1000s of horses a year plus the fact you'd have to pay stabling costs on say 5-10 at a time plus all the other expenses and livery(stables) is very expensive so it would quickly decrease any profit.. Besides the fact they can easily get injured meaning theyre worthless and the horse market is awful as not many people can afford them at the mo!

Had a little look at any other horse carriage hire near me and there are a few although I do think I could compete with them. As im based in Gloucestershire we're near the cotswolds which is an area of outstanding natural beauty (apparently) so we do get tourists, plus things like Cheltenham Racecourse are here. Weddings, Proms, Partiess,Tours, Pub days and other events could all possibly be included in the business. Not sure on legalities such as insurance though and if theres any restrictions on it (Eg. needing to take a horse driving test for the road?)... Plus it will have quite high startup costs, however, it could be a very good idea so thankyou 'megamuel'

I think you've misunderstood the idea. You wouldn't actually be selling the horses, you wouldn't have anything to do with them so no livery costs. You'd just be supply the website, the portal for other owners to sell there horses. You wouldn't have any fees other than domain name, website hosting, merchant banking of some sort and then you'd need to pay for your website and marketing. So if someone wants to list their pony/horse on your website they can do so and when it sells you receive 1% or whatever. I looked at some similar websites, only 1 I thought was well designed. But they had around 200-500 listings per month... Almost all for over £2000. So Even if 100 sold per month through your website, that's 1200 per year. At 2000 per horse that would be £2.4m total. 1% of that would be £24,000. Pretty good I'd say considering once you set it up it'll more or less run itself. Obviously it would require a lot of effort on the marketing side and could take a few years to take off but the idea interests me so it should interest you! Also sounds a good place for the horse and carriage idea. Best of luck anyway.

Sam.

 

[SarahP]

Oh i see sam! Sorry that was my fault.. Youve got a point abour the websites being badly designed!