Starting your own Business

[Christmas Tree 4669]

So lets say you've got £5,000 to play with and you've just been sacked and your only alternative is working for yourself.

 

What would you do?

 

I'll tell you because thats EXACTLY the scenario that hubby faced one year ago. Well he wasnt sacked as such, I'd say things were just made so difficult for him to remain in his job that he left. He'd worked as bike mechanic/MOT inspector in the same firm for 29 years, the last 10 years or so he ran the workshop completely. Anyhow the daughter of the owner took over and of course had new ideas etc, they clashed so hubby left.

We had £5,000 given as a gift from his parents. nothing more except my wages and just alittle savings. We were scared stiff but there was no way hubby could work for anyone else, he'd run the garage his own way for too long. Besides why should he? he'd made others well off for long enough! Tbh it was all go and luckily we didnt have much time to ponder on the 'what ifs' Within a couple weeks we'd found a unit on a trading estate to rent, all our mates helped to get it looking smart. Luckily hubby had most of the tools and equipment he needed as he'd bought it all off 'snap on' overs the years. (thousands of pounds worth of gear which I think we can still claim the tax on) We sorted out accounts with parts dealers, opened a business account (major headache in itself) had a nightmare getting insurances, found an accountant... etc etc ..its always the paperwork stuff that gives you the stress!!!

He opened the doors of his garage last April. One year on now and things have been pretty good. Our aim was just to try and make it through the first year which we've done. A big learning curve but I have to say apart from 2 or 3 quiet weeks after Christmas hubby has been pretty much flat out with work. Having been in the trade for years and knowing so many people, a large majority of his old firm's customers came to him plus new ones too. Their loyality and support has been briliant, many say, 'Bri has looked after my bikes for years, I'm not letting anyone else touch them!'

 

So considering our bad timing with the recession an all, things have worked out. . Now we are finding we could do with bigger premises and plan to put in our own MOT bay. Im very cautious about it all though.

 

 

Thats brilliant

[Christmas Tree 4669]

So lets say you've got £5,000 to play with and you've just been sacked and your only alternative is working for yourself.

 

What would you do?

 

Only start a business if you have a client/clients first.

 

Ideal world stuff tho.

 

I know of a product that is mainly advertised through classified ads in local papers, followed up by a home visit to clinch the sale. This is very profitable but absolutely virtually impossible to get any sort of sales projections or client base. Makes the business plan pretty futile.

 

Its simply a case of placing the ad and waiting for the phone to ring.

 

Trying to raise the capitol to get started in the next few weeks so I'll let you know.

 

P.S. Anyone want to buy a Taxi!

[Renton 21040]

Opening North Tyneside's first gastropub. Money's not a problem, everything else is. I'm sure it'd be a success. Any potential partners out there?

[peasepud 59]

So lets say you've got £5,000 to play with and you've just been sacked and your only alternative is working for yourself.

 

What would you do?

 

Well first Id get yourself a better website

[Guest Stevie]

I have plans to start my own business in the next 2 years, when the recession is over anyway, I won't even need 5 grand to start it, I already have the infrastructure in place.

 

Stevie if you have a recruitment background and 5 or 6 clients you get on with it's a license to print money. Go for it.

Parky I have hundreds of clients, most of them are cunts, but I have 20 solid base clients who would take me to lunch but at the moment 20 clients isn't enough, it's pretty desperate times. You see traits around the country with clients - London and the South East: money to burn, will agree to nearly any terms if you get what they want but sadly I don't cover the sarf...yet

 

Midlands (particularly the West Midlands): all cunts, dull, repetitive, play various consultancies against each other hate dealing with them -

 

South West and Wales: jovial but dense and when push comes to shove normally haggle like fuck -

 

North West and Yorkshire: I'll put them in the same bracket because 90% are cunts, they all expect a scam, they're incredibly pessimistic and they trust absolutely no one - hard to deal with but Yorkshire are even worse than the NW (only place I've placed someone round there is Sheffield)

 

North East: seriously best people in the country to deal with and I aint even being biased, but sadly there's not much money to be had

 

Scotland: when times are good it's brilliant, when times are bad it's terrible, when there's a recession forget about devolution Scotland seems to get it worse than anywhere.

 

All in all to cut it short Parky I need a buoyant economy to go it alone, and London and the SE is the ONLY place to get big money, it really is true.

[Guest Stevie]

I tell you a good idea I've had for ages, but I'd need at least £1,000,000 to get it up and running. Getting a betting license for a pub in a city centre, imagine that, it would be fucking heaving every day.

[Douggy B 0]

I tell you a good idea I've had for ages, but I'd need at least £1,000,000 to get it up and running. Getting a betting license for a pub in a city centre, imagine that, it would be fucking heaving every day.

 

surely there are licencing issues on both alcohol and the betting side there.

 

Could you imagine people would wake up penniless with no idea how.

 

I would expect it would be subject to casinoesque controls.

[Toonraider 0]

I have plans to start my own business in the next 2 years, when the recession is over anyway, I won't even need 5 grand to start it, I already have the infrastructure in place.

 

Stevie if you have a recruitment background and 5 or 6 clients you get on with it's a license to print money. Go for it.

Parky I have hundreds of clients, most of them are cunts, but I have 20 solid base clients who would take me to lunch but at the moment 20 clients isn't enough, it's pretty desperate times. You see traits around the country with clients - London and the South East: money to burn, will agree to nearly any terms if you get what they want but sadly I don't cover the sarf...yet

 

Midlands (particularly the West Midlands): all cunts, dull, repetitive, play various consultancies against each other hate dealing with them -

South West and Wales: jovial but dense and when push comes to shove normally haggle like fuck -

 

North West and Yorkshire: I'll put them in the same bracket because 90% are cunts, they all expect a scam, they're incredibly pessimistic and they trust absolutely no one - hard to deal with but Yorkshire are even worse than the NW (only place I've placed someone round there is Sheffield)

 

North East: seriously best people in the country to deal with and I aint even being biased, but sadly there's not much money to be had

 

Scotland: when times are good it's brilliant, when times are bad it's terrible, when there's a recession forget about devolution Scotland seems to get it worse than anywhere.

 

All in all to cut it short Parky I need a buoyant economy to go it alone, and London and the SE is the ONLY place to get big money, it really is true.

 

Love you too!!!!!!!

[Toonraider 0]

Our business is working because we already had a large customer base. We had a 'proper' service to offer. And people will always need their bikes serviced/MOT'd.

[Park Life 71]

Opening North Tyneside's first gastropub. Money's not a problem, everything else is. I'm sure it'd be a success. Any potential partners out there?

 

The food game is one of the toughest. The variables are massive.

[Park Life 71]

I have plans to start my own business in the next 2 years, when the recession is over anyway, I won't even need 5 grand to start it, I already have the infrastructure in place.

 

Stevie if you have a recruitment background and 5 or 6 clients you get on with it's a license to print money. Go for it.

Parky I have hundreds of clients, most of them are cunts, but I have 20 solid base clients who would take me to lunch but at the moment 20 clients isn't enough, it's pretty desperate times. You see traits around the country with clients - London and the South East: money to burn, will agree to nearly any terms if you get what they want but sadly I don't cover the sarf...yet

 

Midlands (particularly the West Midlands): all cunts, dull, repetitive, play various consultancies against each other hate dealing with them -

 

South West and Wales: jovial but dense and when push comes to shove normally haggle like fuck -

 

North West and Yorkshire: I'll put them in the same bracket because 90% are cunts, they all expect a scam, they're incredibly pessimistic and they trust absolutely no one - hard to deal with but Yorkshire are even worse than the NW (only place I've placed someone round there is Sheffield)

 

North East: seriously best people in the country to deal with and I aint even being biased, but sadly there's not much money to be had

 

Scotland: when times are good it's brilliant, when times are bad it's terrible, when there's a recession forget about devolution Scotland seems to get it worse than anywhere.

 

All in all to cut it short Parky I need a buoyant economy to go it alone, and London and the SE is the ONLY place to get big money, it really is true.

 

 

More proof if any were necessary that you'd be successful. Clearly identified market conditions by zone.

 

 

What one of my mates did was he slowly went off book with a handful of recruits and placed them alone (coaching and interview preps). Then when he had enough to cover his fixed costs he took a leap of faith. He now works I'd say about 3 days a week and clears 40k (not a huge amount in your game I know) with time to enjoy the other parts of his life. Based in London though.

Edited March 26, 2009 by Park Life

[Renton 21040]

Opening North Tyneside's first gastropub. Money's not a problem, everything else is. I'm sure it'd be a success. Any potential partners out there?

 

The food game is one of the toughest. The variables are massive.

 

Don't know how familiar you are with North Tyneside Parky, but there's a huge gap in the market for a Pub selling decent food. The only ones that do sell half decent food are mobbed 24/7 as it is, and believe me, they're not that good. You could make a killing.

 

Unfortunately, contrary to popular belief, I don't have 13 Michelin stars.

[Jusoda Kid 1]

I wouldn't buy food from a smackhead

[JawD 99]

If you can start with some clients you know it makes a huge difference. Approaching them first with your plan, you'd often find they would tell you then if they would back you. In the early days, old closer clients will often try to help you out as well, paying on better terms etc. Once you have yourself established they go back to their usual ways like.

 

All I'd say at the mo is be very careful. Not sure what the background is etc, but there will be loads of people go under this year. Keep overheads low and deal with people you trust. If you can do something where giving people credit is avoided then alls better.

 

Its not just banks that are with holding cash, its most financials. Good bank currently I find is the co-op.

 

A good accountant should save you more than his costs every year.

 

Few random initial thoughts there anyway

 

Ive had my own business since early 2004 and the learning curve has been pretty vertical.

[Park Life 71]

Opening North Tyneside's first gastropub. Money's not a problem, everything else is. I'm sure it'd be a success. Any potential partners out there?

 

The food game is one of the toughest. The variables are massive.

 

Don't know how familiar you are with North Tyneside Parky, but there's a huge gap in the market for a Pub selling decent food. The only ones that do sell half decent food are mobbed 24/7 as it is, and believe me, they're not that good. You could make a killing.

 

Unfortunately, contrary to popular belief, I don't have 13 Michelin stars.

 

If you see a gap in the market that is a good start.

 

A friend of mine had a restaurant near Nice and he must have sunk about 200k into it (fantastic location, great weather, good chef)...The

staff robbed him blind. He had to close it before it impacted on his core business which was supporting it. One of his partners used to go in there in the afternoon and eat and drink free till midnight etc...2/3 days a week.

 

I would say you'd either need to have good management skills (of any kind) but ideally in running a leisure business or you'd need to be a solid cook. Either way if you aren't prepared to be there 6 days a week for the first 2 years forget it.

[Christmas Tree 4669]

So lets say you've got £5,000 to play with and you've just been sacked and your only alternative is working for yourself.

 

What would you do?

 

Well first Id get yourself a better website

 

 

Cheeky bugger Wasnt bad for two hours work trialing some downloaded software.

[Guest Stevie]

I have plans to start my own business in the next 2 years, when the recession is over anyway, I won't even need 5 grand to start it, I already have the infrastructure in place.

 

Stevie if you have a recruitment background and 5 or 6 clients you get on with it's a license to print money. Go for it.

Parky I have hundreds of clients, most of them are cunts, but I have 20 solid base clients who would take me to lunch but at the moment 20 clients isn't enough, it's pretty desperate times. You see traits around the country with clients - London and the South East: money to burn, will agree to nearly any terms if you get what they want but sadly I don't cover the sarf...yet

 

Midlands (particularly the West Midlands): all cunts, dull, repetitive, play various consultancies against each other hate dealing with them -

 

South West and Wales: jovial but dense and when push comes to shove normally haggle like fuck -

 

North West and Yorkshire: I'll put them in the same bracket because 90% are cunts, they all expect a scam, they're incredibly pessimistic and they trust absolutely no one - hard to deal with but Yorkshire are even worse than the NW (only place I've placed someone round there is Sheffield)

 

North East: seriously best people in the country to deal with and I aint even being biased, but sadly there's not much money to be had

 

Scotland: when times are good it's brilliant, when times are bad it's terrible, when there's a recession forget about devolution Scotland seems to get it worse than anywhere.

 

All in all to cut it short Parky I need a buoyant economy to go it alone, and London and the SE is the ONLY place to get big money, it really is true.

 

 

More proof if any were necessary that you'd be successful. Clearly identified market conditions by zone.

 

 

What one of my mates did was he slowly went off book with a handful of recruits and placed them alone (coaching and interview preps). Then when he had enough to cover his fixed costs he took a leap of faith. He now works I'd say about 3 days a week and clears 40k (not a huge amount in your game I know) with time to enjoy the other parts of his life. Based in London though.

What sector? To be honest, I want to be earning 100k plus when I go it alone, although 40k and 4 days off is still a good standard of living and significantly more than I'm making under the restraints of working for an employer. Where you are based is irrelevant Parky. London is 3 hours away on the train, I do the journey more than some inspectors, and I've been to Manchester and Glasgow on client visits too. All they are, are arselicky trips where you buy the client some dinner get pissed and have a laugh. Any specifics about vacancies you can get by email or over the phone.

[Christmas Tree 4669]

I have plans to start my own business in the next 2 years, when the recession is over anyway, I won't even need 5 grand to start it, I already have the infrastructure in place.

 

Stevie if you have a recruitment background and 5 or 6 clients you get on with it's a license to print money. Go for it.

Parky I have hundreds of clients, most of them are cunts, but I have 20 solid base clients who would take me to lunch but at the moment 20 clients isn't enough, it's pretty desperate times. You see traits around the country with clients - London and the South East: money to burn, will agree to nearly any terms if you get what they want but sadly I don't cover the sarf...yet

 

Midlands (particularly the West Midlands): all cunts, dull, repetitive, play various consultancies against each other hate dealing with them -

 

South West and Wales: jovial but dense and when push comes to shove normally haggle like fuck -

 

North West and Yorkshire: I'll put them in the same bracket because 90% are cunts, they all expect a scam, they're incredibly pessimistic and they trust absolutely no one - hard to deal with but Yorkshire are even worse than the NW (only place I've placed someone round there is Sheffield)

 

North East: seriously best people in the country to deal with and I aint even being biased, but sadly there's not much money to be had

 

Scotland: when times are good it's brilliant, when times are bad it's terrible, when there's a recession forget about devolution Scotland seems to get it worse than anywhere.

 

All in all to cut it short Parky I need a buoyant economy to go it alone, and London and the SE is the ONLY place to get big money, it really is true.

 

 

More proof if any were necessary that you'd be successful. Clearly identified market conditions by zone.

 

 

What one of my mates did was he slowly went off book with a handful of recruits and placed them alone (coaching and interview preps). Then when he had enough to cover his fixed costs he took a leap of faith. He now works I'd say about 3 days a week and clears 40k (not a huge amount in your game I know) with time to enjoy the other parts of his life. Based in London though.

What sector? To be honest, I want to be earning 100k plus when I go it alone, although 40k and 4 days off is still a good standard of living and significantly more than I'm making under the restraints of working for an employer. Where you are based is irrelevant Parky. London is 3 hours away on the train, I do the journey more than some inspectors, and I've been to Manchester and Glasgow on client visits too. All they are, are arselicky trips where you buy the client some dinner get pissed and have a laugh. Any specifics about vacancies you can get by email or over the phone.

 

 

40K and 4 days off beats 100k and six days working any day of the week. (Speaking from experience) Particularly if you have a family.

 

Pub / food is definately the quick route to grey hair and dodgy ticker.

 

Now writing books for companies highlighting how clever the ceo is That must be a license to print money.

[Park Life 71]

I have plans to start my own business in the next 2 years, when the recession is over anyway, I won't even need 5 grand to start it, I already have the infrastructure in place.

 

Stevie if you have a recruitment background and 5 or 6 clients you get on with it's a license to print money. Go for it.

Parky I have hundreds of clients, most of them are cunts, but I have 20 solid base clients who would take me to lunch but at the moment 20 clients isn't enough, it's pretty desperate times. You see traits around the country with clients - London and the South East: money to burn, will agree to nearly any terms if you get what they want but sadly I don't cover the sarf...yet

 

Midlands (particularly the West Midlands): all cunts, dull, repetitive, play various consultancies against each other hate dealing with them -

 

South West and Wales: jovial but dense and when push comes to shove normally haggle like fuck -

 

North West and Yorkshire: I'll put them in the same bracket because 90% are cunts, they all expect a scam, they're incredibly pessimistic and they trust absolutely no one - hard to deal with but Yorkshire are even worse than the NW (only place I've placed someone round there is Sheffield)

 

North East: seriously best people in the country to deal with and I aint even being biased, but sadly there's not much money to be had

 

Scotland: when times are good it's brilliant, when times are bad it's terrible, when there's a recession forget about devolution Scotland seems to get it worse than anywhere.

 

All in all to cut it short Parky I need a buoyant economy to go it alone, and London and the SE is the ONLY place to get big money, it really is true.

 

 

More proof if any were necessary that you'd be successful. Clearly identified market conditions by zone.

 

 

What one of my mates did was he slowly went off book with a handful of recruits and placed them alone (coaching and interview preps). Then when he had enough to cover his fixed costs he took a leap of faith. He now works I'd say about 3 days a week and clears 40k (not a huge amount in your game I know) with time to enjoy the other parts of his life. Based in London though.

What sector? To be honest, I want to be earning 100k plus when I go it alone, although 40k and 4 days off is still a good standard of living and significantly more than I'm making under the restraints of working for an employer. Where you are based is irrelevant Parky. London is 3 hours away on the train, I do the journey more than some inspectors, and I've been to Manchester and Glasgow on client visits too. All they are, are arselicky trips where you buy the client some dinner get pissed and have a laugh. Any specifics about vacancies you can get by email or over the phone.

 

I think it was media related.

 

Frankly, you've got the profile of someone who would want to be his own boss and really nail it.

 

It would be a real shame if you didn't try.

[Guest Stevie]

I have plans to start my own business in the next 2 years, when the recession is over anyway, I won't even need 5 grand to start it, I already have the infrastructure in place.

 

Stevie if you have a recruitment background and 5 or 6 clients you get on with it's a license to print money. Go for it.

Parky I have hundreds of clients, most of them are cunts, but I have 20 solid base clients who would take me to lunch but at the moment 20 clients isn't enough, it's pretty desperate times. You see traits around the country with clients - London and the South East: money to burn, will agree to nearly any terms if you get what they want but sadly I don't cover the sarf...yet

 

Midlands (particularly the West Midlands): all cunts, dull, repetitive, play various consultancies against each other hate dealing with them -

 

South West and Wales: jovial but dense and when push comes to shove normally haggle like fuck -

 

North West and Yorkshire: I'll put them in the same bracket because 90% are cunts, they all expect a scam, they're incredibly pessimistic and they trust absolutely no one - hard to deal with but Yorkshire are even worse than the NW (only place I've placed someone round there is Sheffield)

 

North East: seriously best people in the country to deal with and I aint even being biased, but sadly there's not much money to be had

 

Scotland: when times are good it's brilliant, when times are bad it's terrible, when there's a recession forget about devolution Scotland seems to get it worse than anywhere.

 

All in all to cut it short Parky I need a buoyant economy to go it alone, and London and the SE is the ONLY place to get big money, it really is true.

 

 

More proof if any were necessary that you'd be successful. Clearly identified market conditions by zone.

 

 

What one of my mates did was he slowly went off book with a handful of recruits and placed them alone (coaching and interview preps). Then when he had enough to cover his fixed costs he took a leap of faith. He now works I'd say about 3 days a week and clears 40k (not a huge amount in your game I know) with time to enjoy the other parts of his life. Based in London though.

What sector? To be honest, I want to be earning 100k plus when I go it alone, although 40k and 4 days off is still a good standard of living and significantly more than I'm making under the restraints of working for an employer. Where you are based is irrelevant Parky. London is 3 hours away on the train, I do the journey more than some inspectors, and I've been to Manchester and Glasgow on client visits too. All they are, are arselicky trips where you buy the client some dinner get pissed and have a laugh. Any specifics about vacancies you can get by email or over the phone.

 

I think it was media related.

 

Frankly, you've got the profile of someone who would want to be his own boss and really nail it.

 

It would be a real shame if you didn't try.

I'm definitely going to do it, just not till the economy is booming, I don't want to manage anyone though, I don't want the stress or responsibility.

[Meenzer 15346]

I don't want to manage anyone though, I don't want the stress or responsibility.

Aye, that's my main problem with the idea of starting a company rather than just freelancing. I'm a control freak, I know I'm better at what I do than the vast majority of other translators (primarily because it's a hugely specific area and utterly unimportant in the grand scheme of things), plus I hate people.

[Kevin Carr's Gloves 3788]

A friend of mine and I are starting our own business doing historical walking tours of Glasgow.

[Jusoda Kid 1]

A friend of mine and I are starting our own business doing historical walking tours of Glasgow.

 

 

 

Hope you're not doing the talking.

[Park Life 71]

A friend of mine and I are starting our own business doing historical walking tours of Glasgow.

 

 

 

Hope you're not doing the talking.

 

I think he's sticking to walking the walk.

[Christmas Tree 4669]

Did any of the wannabe entrepreneurs ever get a business off the ground?

 

From looking and memory there was....

 

KCG

Stevie

Jusoda Kid

Charvski

 

All hoping to set up.

 

 

Ive been watching that "compare your life" on channel four and once again got the bug.

 

I should know better as I dont really think Im cut out for it (Too scatty these days), so something our lass could run would be better.

 

She used to work in a post office but was involved in an armed robbery so doesnt fancy that.

She's also a qualified nursery nurse so could run a nursery however I think that could be very stressful.

I quite like the idea of running one of these soft play centres. Never going to make you a millionaire but could provide a nice income.

 

Looking on Daltons there's absolutely Zillions of businesses for sale and obviously lots of them will have been providing their current owners with very good incomes to date. Sure there will be some dogs mixed in as well.

 

So would you cash in your house and rent somewhere in order to buy a business?