start your own business

[MTK]

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

[mredskins]

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.

[SmootSmack]

Maybe you could start a "Dupe Thread Detector" business...that is, if your ego would allow it

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Maybe you could start a "Dupe Thread Detector" business...that is, if your ego would allow it

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

[firstdown]

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.

[KLHJ2]

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.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Angry

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.

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

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

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

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.


Revenue Management saved me and got me into the regular business world, thank god!

Cornell School of Hotel Administration

[ArtMonkDrillz]

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.

[724Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by ArtMonkDrillz

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.

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?

[ArtMonkDrillz]

Originally Posted by 724Skinsfan

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?

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.

[GMScud]

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.

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by GMScud

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.

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.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by GMScud

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.

I almost think the key may be to try to be a big fish in a little pond, rather than opening a place in a saturated area. My parents ran a successful small town bar/restaurant and my Grandparents on both sides did as well.

[SmootSmack]

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.