start your own business
 

If you were going to start your own business, what would it be? Or, if you already have a business, what is it exactly?

Re: start your own business
 

A car wash supposedly has the quickest up start, meaning ROI is fast.


My dad is kicking around the idea of being a car broker, help folks buy a car at a good price. Seems to be a niche right now.

Re: start your own business
 

Maybe you could start a "Dupe Thread Detector" [url=http://www.thewarpath.net/parking-lot/15314-if-you-could-start-any-business.html]business[/url]...that is, if your ego would allow it :)

Re: start your own business
 

Like most know I have my own Ins. Agency and right now we are doing pretty good. If I was going to start a new business I would probably look into opening a Chick-Fil-A as I know two people who own locations and both do very well. They are rated as one of the best franchises to own and I don't think I have ever seen one that went out of business.

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=SmootSmack;653643]Maybe you could start a "Dupe Thread Detector" [URL="http://www.thewarpath.net/parking-lot/15314-if-you-could-start-any-business.html"]business[/URL]...that is, if your ego would allow it :)[/quote]

ahhh good idea, nobody would use it though, that's been proven.

Re: start your own business
 

I want to start my own Bar/Restaraunt. It's a lot of work and most of them fail in the first couple of years, but if you can get it going they are recession proof.

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=Angry;653653]I want to start my own Bar/Restaraunt. It's a lot of work and most of them fail in the first couple of years, but if you can get it going they are recession proof.[/quote]

I would love to go that route too, but it's definitely a tough biz to break in to.

Re: start your own business
 

I would love to have a sandwich shop along the lines of Potbelly's or Jimmy John's, except not necessarily a franchise, in either a beach or college town.
My buddy and I were talking about this one day and he came up with a great name and slogan for it. I don't want to share it in case any of you vultures try to steal the idea but I will say that we would make a killing on marketing.

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=Mattyk;653657]I would love to go that route too, but it's definitely a tough biz to break in to.[/quote]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]I worked in the Hospitality Industry and even have a degree from Cornell in Hotel Management; let me tell you it is a tough tough business. I worked for Marriott for ten plus years from the kitchen to Revenue Mgmt. When I worked in operations in a slow week I worked 50 hours (all salary employees for Marriott must work a min. of 50 hours) and in a busy week close to 85-90 hours a week. It was pure hell. [/FONT][/COLOR]


[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Revenue Management saved me and got me into the regular business world, thank god![/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana][URL="http://www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/"]Cornell School of Hotel Administration[/URL][/FONT][/COLOR]

Re: start your own business
 

My wife's parents were in the restaurant business for several years and my wife has talked about wanting to start her own at some point. But she knows firsthand the challenges involved.

Re: start your own business
 

It all comes down to food cost. Wonder why so many Pizza joints? Easiest start up and the cost of making a pizza is very low. So you can absorb a lot of hits like mistakes, spoilage, folks stealing etc...

If you have a steak house food cost is very high doesn't take much from the above pitfalls to put you in the red really fast.

I think someone on here owns a Pizza type restaurent, I forget who.

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=SmootSmack;653665]My wife's parents were in the restaurant business for several years and my wife has talked about wanting to start her own at some point. But she knows firsthand the challenges involved.[/quote]


I still have buddies working in the hotel/restaurent business and you know what seperates them from me. PASSION you must have a passion for this business if you don't yo uwill be miserable really fast!

I had passion in college and when I first started but after about 5 years of it my passion dimmed and it became a job.

Also,you better be a people person becasue you will be dealing with a lot of them.

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=mredskins;653666]It all comes down to food cost. Wonder why so many Pizza joints? Easiest start up and the cost of making a pizza is very low. So you can absorb a lot of hits like mistakes, spoilage, folks stealing etc...

If you have a steak house food cost is very high doesn't take much from the above pitfalls to put you in the red really fast.

I think someone on here owns a Pizza type restaurent, I forget who.[/quote]
Slingin Sammy 33 has a place in Va Beach but I don't think its his primary income. I've been wantin to check it out one day for lunch but it seems anytime I'm in that area I'm in a rush.

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=firstdown;653670]Slingin Sammy 33 has a place in Va Beach but I don't think its his primary income. I've been wantin to check it out one day for lunch but it seems anytime I'm in that area I'm in a rush.[/quote]


Okay you are right.

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;653661]I would love to have a sandwich shop along the lines of Potbelly's or Jimmy John's, except not necessarily a franchise, in either a beach or college town.
My buddy and I were talking about this one day and he came up with a great name and slogan for it. I don't want to share it in case any of you vultures try to steal the idea but I will say that we would make a killing on marketing.[/quote]

Hey, we're getting a Jimmy John's right down the road from my house. I had never even heard of it. Is it pretty good?

Re: start your own business
 

How about a liquor store? Not some cheap corner store in a seedy part of town, I'm talking about a higher end store in a strip mall next to a grocery store.

Re: start your own business
 

IT Consultant. There's ridiculous money to be made, but I can't convince myself to take that leap...

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=Mattyk;653675]How about a liquor store? Not some cheap corner store in a seedy part of town, I'm talking about a higher end store in a strip mall next to a grocery store.[/quote]


Got a buddy's dad that does that as well. All your money is made between Thanksgiving and Jan 1.

I think it is a little less stressful then a restaurant, basically it is retail.

I think the ideal business for me would be something as a support person little face to face with the customer and very little overhead (no storefront type business). Waht that is I have no fawking idea but with my dad retiring this year he is pressuring me to do something with him, it would be on the side and see how it grows.

One interesting business that caught my eye at a trade show once was Fastsigns. Looked interesting and somewhat profitable. There is a lot of damend in that business.

[url=http://www.fastsigns.com/]Signs, Decals, Digital Printing, Custom Signs, Sign Solutions @ FASTSIGNS®[/url]

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=Mattyk;653675]How about a liquor store? Not some cheap corner store in a seedy part of town, I'm talking about a higher end store in a strip mall next to a grocery store.[/quote]

High-end Liquor store? If you're talking about a wine bar you might have a chance.

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=BleedBurgundy;653677]IT Consultant. There's ridiculous money to be made, but I can't convince myself to take that leap...[/quote]

I am in a perfect position to do that too but like you I am scared to try it. You're right there is REDONKULOUS money involved.

Re: start your own business
 

Writing software once and selling it many times seems like a good idea for a business...only issue is you got to have a killer app to make decent money. I've been toying with the idea of writing an Android application but I haven't fully committed myself to it.

Re: start your own business
 

When I moved this past summer, it was such a pain notifying everybody about my change of address-not just friends and family but my bank, credit card companies, car insurance, phone, cable, utilities, etc. I would start a one-stop shop where you select your different providers from a drop-down menu, type in your new address once and every business that needs to be notified is notified at once

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=Mattyk;653675]How about a liquor store? Not some cheap corner store in a seedy part of town, I'm talking about a higher end store in a strip mall next to a grocery store.[/quote]
In Virginia all Liquor Stores "ABC Stores" are run by the state. They have talked about turining it over to private ownership over the years but it has never happened.

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=mredskins;653678]Got a buddy's dad that does that as well. All your money is made between Thanksgiving and Jan 1.

I think it is a little less stressful then a restaurant, basically it is retail.

I think the ideal business for me would be something as a support person little face to face with the customer and very little overhead (no storefront type business). Waht that is I have no fawking idea but with my dad retiring this year he is pressuring me to do something with him, it would be on the side and see how it grows.

One interesting business that caught my eye at a trade show once was Fastsigns. Looked interesting and somewhat profitable. There is a lot of damend in that business.

[URL="http://www.fastsigns.com/"]Signs, Decals, Digital Printing, Custom Signs, Sign Solutions @ FASTSIGNS®[/URL][/quote]

One of my friends recently explored a custom signs opportunity like that, I forget what turned him off to it, I'll have to ask him.

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=saden1;653679]High-end Liquor store? If you're talking about a wine bar you might have a chance.[/quote]

Yeah a high end joint that sells a lot of wine, has tastings in the store, etc. There's a store in my area for sale that seems like a gold mine in a high traffic area and a nice part of town, need to explore the opportunity further though, I'm just in the beginning stages.

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=724Skinsfan;653674]Hey, we're getting a Jimmy John's right down the road from my house. I had never even heard of it. Is it pretty good?[/quote]I've only had it a couple of times but I like it. The subs are pretty basic but they use REALLY good bread and every time I've ordered from there it seems like my food is ready before I even have my receipt. If there was one by my office I'd probably good there all the time.

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=mredskins;653678]Got a buddy's dad that does that as well. All your money is made between Thanksgiving and Jan 1.

I think it is a little less stressful then a restaurant, basically it is retail.

I think the ideal business for me would be something as a support person little face to face with the customer and very little overhead (no storefront type business). Waht that is I have no fawking idea but with my dad retiring this year he is pressuring me to do something with him, it would be on the side and see how it grows.

One interesting business that caught my eye at a trade show once was Fastsigns. Looked interesting and somewhat profitable. There is a lot of damend in that business.

[URL="http://www.fastsigns.com/"]Signs, Decals, Digital Printing, Custom Signs, Sign Solutions @ FASTSIGNS®[/URL][/quote]
At one time making signs was an art but now days with a few thousand dollars to buy the computer equipment just about anyone can make these signs. You can buy signs on the internet and our local area has a bunch of them around every corner. Its become a very cut throat business and sign makers are cutting their profits just to get the business. I have two customers who have been in the sign business for 15 to 20 years and both say the money is not there like it was back 10 years ago.

Re: start your own business
 

The restaurant industry is really tough. My boss and his brother started a bar/grill right after college and it failed. Set them back a few years financially. Fortunately now we are both working for a fantastic restaurant group that is killing it right now, but it's established - nearly 12 years in the DC area.

I love the industry, but I don't know if I would want to open up my own restaurant/bar. Getting any small business started is a 7 day a week job for a long time till you're fully on your feet. Plus the failure rate is so high. I would do it if I was one of a handful of investors and I didn't have all of my eggs in the basket so to speak. Plus the concept would have to be unique and powerful. In a town so diluted with restaurants and bars like DC, you've got to stand out or you're done.

I actually almost started a car detailing business a few years back, but decided against it. For now. It's still something I may venture into a few years down the road. I have some great ideas for it I think.

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=BleedBurgundy;653677]IT Consultant. There's ridiculous money to be made, but I can't convince myself to take that leap...[/quote]
Get your ducks in order and go for it. Its a risk and figure working every minute you have to get things off the ground but one day you will look back and know it was the right thing to do. I'd say one of the biggest problems people have when opening a business is having enough saved to go several years without an income. When I opened my Ins. Agency I had enough saved to live 2 years without any income but I did start making money after 6 months. Not enough to live on but it was a start and things where up and running after about 1 1/2 years. In my business most who fail do so within the first year or two before they can see a return on their hard work. Its really in the 3rd and 4th years when you can actually see a decent income.

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=Mattyk;653688]One of my friends recently explored a custom signs opportunity like that, I forget what turned him off to it, I'll have to ask him.[/quote]


Probably the ink. =) It is a messy job.

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=GMScud;653700]The restaurant industry is really tough. My boss and his brother started a bar/grill right after college and it failed. Set them back a few years financially. Fortunately now we are both working for a fantastic restaurant group that is killing it right now, but it's established - nearly 12 years in the DC area.

I love the industry, but I don't know if I would want to open up my own restaurant/bar. Getting any small business started is a 7 day a week job for a long time till you're fully on your feet. Plus the failure rate is so high. I would do it if it was one of a handful of investors and I didn't have all of my eggs in the basket so to speak. Plus the concept would have to be unique and powerful. In a town so diluted with restuarants and bars like DC, you've got to stand out or you're done.

I actually almost started a car detailing business a few years back, but decided against it. For now. It's still something I may venture into a few years down the road. I have some great ideas for it I think.[/quote]

I am glad you chimed in I remeber you work in the industry as well.

If I had to guess where you worked from reading your past post.

I would pick in this order:

Capital Grill
Morton's
Ruth Chris's
Daily Grill

I know if it is not one of them they are your competition.

One last guess, Great American Restaurant Group.

You don't have to say which one just a simple yae or nah.

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=mredskins;653722]I am glad you chimed in I remeber you work in the industry as well.

If I had to guess where you worked from reading your past post.

I would pick in this order:

Capital Grill
Morton's
Ruth Chris's
Daily Grill

I know if it is not one of them they are your competition.

One last guess, Great American Restaurant Group.

You don't have to say which one just a simple yae or nah.[/quote]

No, it's none of those. All of our locations are in the Washingtonian top 100 though, which we're thrilled about. I'd rather not say where I work. I love my job and I'm proud of it, but I'd rather keep it to myself on this board.

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=GMScud;653724]No, it's none of those. All of our locations are in the Washingtonian top 100 though, which we're thrilled about. I'd rather not say where I work. I love my job and I'm proud of it, but I'd rather keep it to myself on this board.[/quote]


I hear you no worries.

Re: start your own business
 

If it was to be my livelihood, I would start a technology consulting firm. If I was loaded and wanted a hobby business, a custom/hot rod/speed shop. I'd build cars that could easily get around Schneed and his tactics. ;)

Re: start your own business
 

Jimmy John's is awesome.

I also run a computer consulting business outside of my current IT job. It's all by word of mouth and I charge $50/hour. Basically just do a good job in a certain neighborhood and then you can easily make a couple grand in six months by the surrounding neighbors.

I hate spyware, but sometimes I have to be thankful for it. Some asshole writing spyware overseas is the reason I have my PS3. :)

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=cpayne5;653735]If it was to be my livelihood, I would start a technology consulting firm. If I was loaded and wanted a hobby business, a custom/hot rod/speed shop. I'd build cars that could easily get around Schneed and his tactics. ;)[/quote]
I got a truck that could get around Schneed. Well maybe through Schneed.LOL

Re: start your own business
 

If you want to make some quick bucks, just put an ad in the newspaper saying, "Computer running slow? Have spyware? $75 flat rate cleanup."

I easily made $1000 the week that ad ran. It's also very non-active work. I just have them bring me the tower, I hook it up in my office, run ComboFix, give it back and collect my $75 for about 5 minutes of actual work.

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;653738]If you want to make some quick bucks, just put an ad in the newspaper saying, "Computer running slow? Have spyware? $75 flat rate cleanup."

I easily made $1000 the week that ad ran. It's also very non-active work. I just have them bring me the tower, I hook it up in my office, run ComboFix, give it back and collect my $75 for about 5 minutes of actual work.[/quote]

Wow. Well done sir.

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;653736]Jimmy John's is awesome.

I also run a computer consulting business outside of my current IT job. It's all by word of mouth and I charge $50/hour. Basically just do a good job in a certain neighborhood and then you can easily make a couple grand in six months by the surrounding neighbors.

I hate spyware, but sometimes I have to be thankful for it. Some asshole writing spyware overseas is the reason I have my PS3. :)[/quote]

I don't tell people what I do exactly for that reason. I don't want the work. I will work on someone's computer every now and then, but I explicitly tell them that if they tell someone about me, I will never work on their computer again. :)

Re: start your own business
 

[quote=cpayne5;653745]I don't tell people what I do exactly for that reason. I don't want the work. I will work on someone's computer every now and then, but I explicitly tell them that if they tell someone about me, I will never work on their computer again. :)[/quote]

So true. It's always feast or famine too. Like I'll never say to someone, "I don't do that anymore." because I appreciate the money, but it's like one week I'll have like 10 jobs after work and that means no free time. After that week, I might not get another for like 3 weeks.

I find that it's always famine when I'm caught up on debt. It's like karma rewards me when I'm deep in debt with a lot of jobs, but I NEVER seem to be able to get extra cash just to throw around like a playa.