milee
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Post by milee on May 22, 2016 12:20:06 GMT -5
picture a concept like "Made", "Made in Dallas" or "By Hand"- a place for locally made goods. Lol. I thought you were describing places you've been... Maybe you were just developing an idea... Oh, I'm not crafty. I've never been someplace like that so don't know if they have anything like that somewhere. Was just trying to think of how I'd develop an overall concept and some diverse income streams.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2016 12:22:18 GMT -5
Those everybody paints the same pic places are everywhere here. But but I don't really think SHE wanted to be the one to offer or arrange classes. Just provide the space? Maybe I'm wrong.
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milee
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Post by milee on May 22, 2016 12:27:24 GMT -5
But but I don't really think SHE wanted to be the one to offer or arrange classes. Just provide the space? Maybe I'm wrong. Yes, I understand she doesn't want to be the one to offer or arrange classes. Her original idea - just offer a big space and clean up after people - is not IMHO going to give her enough business to survive, so I'm trying to offer her some other ideas that fit with her idea and just expand a bit.
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milee
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Post by milee on May 22, 2016 12:31:08 GMT -5
Those everybody paints the same pic places are everywhere here. They're here, too.
To have a profitable business, she should get over whether the goods being produced are of artistic merit and embrace whatever brings in the people, even if it's just a bunch of drunk girlfriends painting schlock. The good art places (and knitting places, etc.) around here are run by dedicated artistes who are impeccably talented, highly knowledgeable, stock high quality materials... and are going broke. The "everybody paints the same pic" places are packed to the gills, booked weeks in advance and the probably-knows-nothing-about-art owners are laughing all the way to the bank.
Karaboo should give serious thought as to whether this should be something for specialists or something that makes money.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on May 22, 2016 12:32:17 GMT -5
First, make sure that what you're offering isn't being offered elsewhere for FREE. We have community centers that offer blocks of time at their facilities you can use gratis. You can paint, sculpt, craft, scrapbook, whatever, at no cost.
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milee
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Post by milee on May 22, 2016 12:35:32 GMT -5
First, make sure that what you're offering isn't being offered elsewhere for FREE. We have community centers that offer blocks of time at their facilities you can use gratis. You can paint, sculpt, craft, scrapbook, whatever, at no cost. And this is exactly why you can't make money by offering a big empty room with limited supplies and a clean-up service.
It's also why you need to create a brand - like featuring items made by hand - rather than just rent space. Space is a commodity and not very profitable. You want to create an environment and a fun experience. Around here anyways, the community centers, back rooms of craft stores, library meeting rooms, church halls, etc. are soulless, sterile, bland spaces that don't feel very crafty, inspiring or even all that welcoming or comfy. If you can create a space that people feel welcome, invigorated and inspired in... that's where you make your money.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2016 12:38:52 GMT -5
Those everybody paints the same pic places are everywhere here. They're here, too.
To have a profitable business, she should get over whether the goods being produced are of artistic merit and embrace whatever brings in the people, even if it's just a bunch of drunk girlfriends painting schlock. The good art places (and knitting places, etc.) around here are run by dedicated artistes who are impeccably talented, highly knowledgeable, stock high quality materials... and are going broke. The "everybody paints the same pic" places are packed to the gills, booked weeks in advance and the probably-knows-nothing-about-art owners are laughing all the way to the bank.
Karaboo should give serious thought as to whether this should be something for specialists or something that makes money.
Chasing current fads isn't going to make money long term either. These places will go the way of scrapping places in a few years. But then Karaboo seems to understand that. lol.
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milee
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Post by milee on May 22, 2016 12:46:48 GMT -5
They're here, too.
To have a profitable business, she should get over whether the goods being produced are of artistic merit and embrace whatever brings in the people, even if it's just a bunch of drunk girlfriends painting schlock. The good art places (and knitting places, etc.) around here are run by dedicated artistes who are impeccably talented, highly knowledgeable, stock high quality materials... and are going broke. The "everybody paints the same pic" places are packed to the gills, booked weeks in advance and the probably-knows-nothing-about-art owners are laughing all the way to the bank.
Karaboo should give serious thought as to whether this should be something for specialists or something that makes money.
Chasing current fads isn't going to make money long term either. These places will go the way of scrapping places in a few years. If your model isn't focused on any one fad and instead is a place that hosts a variety of offerings, then you get the best of all worlds. You make some extra $$$ by scheduling classes on the fads and as one fad goes away then you schedule fewer of those events and more of whatever the new fad is. Heck if you make the space inviting enough and create enough foot traffic with the coffee shop (or whatever your draw is to get people through the store regularly), you can even create fads because you'll have a large enough customer base to get things percolating yourself.
That's how you make money. Not by being the best ____ (fill in the blank with whatever hobby you want) out there and carrying the highest end _____ materials available.
If we want to talk about hobbies - OK. But I think Karaboo is doing this to make money and the specialty hobby stuff is not a good way to make money, so let's ditch that and figure out what does.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2016 12:57:08 GMT -5
Obviously a coffee shop Anyway, I think I probably said all I can here. I'll leave it to the 'real' business people to make the suggestions now
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on May 22, 2016 13:31:45 GMT -5
I did a quick Google to see what is available locally for crafting. Other than the quilt and yarn shops I know about, there are many others but they tend to have a theme.....mainly because the theme allows the owner to cater better to the clientele.
Spaces like this that are not box stores, or provided by community centers, libraries, etc. are provided for electronics (classes given too), woodworking (includes use of tools) and sewing (also includes use of tools and sewing machines). I didn't see anything for paper crafts, like scrapbooking but I do know that a local store did close recently that provided this service.
Pricewise, the sewing and woodworking places have a membership that you pay per month.
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on May 22, 2016 13:50:31 GMT -5
A couple artists opened up one of those paint places by my fiancee's house. They are very talented. It seems like they've found a niche doing parties and fundraiser nights. They have a kids night every week. And they do art lessons for kids and adults.
At least around metro DC the trend is more for those events to be in bars. They don't have actual physical space. I prefer the studio one plus it's BYOB. They provide ice, cups and corkscrews.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on May 22, 2016 14:11:34 GMT -5
I was thinking about messy things my kids do that I hate cleaning up after.
I would seriously pay $100 for one hour to go to a cookie decorating place during the holidays. For that $100, I'd want to be able to get 3 dozen already baked cookies in shapes I've picked out (I'm thinking 4-5), 4-6 colors of frosting, and a nice selection of decorations..I'd want the stuff that's hard to get/I don't want to buy because they take forever to use up.. like Rudolph shaped jimmies, snow flake jimmies, etc.
I'd want to arrive, grab my cookies, decorate them, and leave.
We try to decorate cookies for major Holidays: Valentine's day, Fourth of July, Halloween, Christmas..sometimes a spring one in there too. That wouldn't be enough to sustain business, but you could also offer other things: baking classes, cookie decorating parties, etc.
If you are still with me on my posts, I would also not suggest a 3 hour block of table time for a grandma and young kids. That's way too long. One hour would be best, IMVHO. My 8 yo isn't even ready to sit for an hour and craft..
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milee
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Post by milee on May 22, 2016 14:30:26 GMT -5
Combining some of the good ideas here - but you'd be surprised how many people cook for their dogs. A class on making treats for your dog (either can do no-cook treats or do all the prep in class and they take them home to bake would work) could be a big draw. At the same time, I wouldn't recommend allowing dogs at your location - too much liability for too little additional business.
And - donning flame proof suit here - unless you're going to be primarily kid oriented, I'd think long and hard before marketing to both adults and adults + kids like the grandma in your example. As Gira mentioned, sometimes people use hobby time as an escape and depending on what's going on with the surrounding kids, that can be a big problem. The two groups - the wine drinking bad painters and grandmas with kids - don't always mix seamlessly. And if you're focused on the $$$, in the evening hours I really think you'll make more money off the adult group than the families.
But I loved Gira's idea about the cookie decorating and think if you do that on specific nights, that would be a big draw.
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msventoux
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Post by msventoux on May 22, 2016 14:49:10 GMT -5
I think there were multiple threads by Dark about starting his business. This is one of them, but I think others were deleted. Starting a Business
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cameragrrl
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Post by cameragrrl on May 22, 2016 15:11:51 GMT -5
We have a few Tech Shop locations here. It's not the same as what you're thinking of, but it has some similarities and caters to some of your potential clientele.
They have a monthly membership system and a day-pass system. They have a ton of tech equipment for creating things, including welders, lathes, ovens, CNC mills. They also have basic tools and work spaces.
For crafters, they have laser cutters (have you seen laser cut plastic jewelry? Very cool.) Embroidery tools and other sewing stuff. They offer classes in all the offered tools and hold events.
This is obviously more than what you're thinking of, but it might be interesting to look at their business model to get some ideas. Maker Faire (this may only be a Bay Area thing) has a ton of crafty stuff as well, which may give you ideas.
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NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on May 22, 2016 15:48:16 GMT -5
I think Karaboo is onto something, and she should consider doing it. Unlike some people who have started businesses here without having a clue , she is a pretty savvy person. She knows this is a dicey proposition, but then again, going out on your own always is. She does seem to have a grasp of the basics, and is willing to not only ask for help, but to actually listen to sound advice. The fact that she asked about Dark's thread tells me something good about her right there. I am also planning to start my own business. I am in the planning stages now (still working full time for someone else, but putting money aside). I am in the research and talking-to-the-experts stage.
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tloonya
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Post by tloonya on May 22, 2016 16:23:33 GMT -5
I think Karaboo is onto something, and she should consider doing it. Unlike some people who have started businesses here without having a clue , she is a pretty savvy person. She knows this is a dicey proposition, but then again, going out on your own always is. She does seem to have a grasp of the basics, and is willing to not only ask for help, but to actually listen to sound advice. The fact that she asked about Dark's thread tells me something good about her right there. I am also planning to start my own business. I am in the planning stages now (still working full time for someone else, but putting money aside). I am in the research and talking-to-the-experts stage. Do tell! And if you are lasting less than 7 years in your business - send me an apology note
Does anyone knows WHY Dark's threads were deleted?
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Pants
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Post by Pants on May 22, 2016 17:22:56 GMT -5
Kara, before you do anything. like this, please do the equation on your utilization.
If your overhead is $4k/month (which is on the low end most likely) and you are open for 200 hours a month (10 hour days) you need to make $20/he to break even. Add in someone minimum wage to operate while you are working your job and you need $30/he to break even. Depending on your price point, that's X# of tables an hour. Every hour. At $5/table that's 6 tables an hour. Add in 10 minutes between sessions to greet, clean, process transactions and you've only got 8.5 workable hours per table per day. Which leads to an increase in cost and the number of tables you have to keep full. You have no cash to put into the business, so you're going to have to repay loans. $$$. Add in investments in furniture, decor, equipment that can lure in crafters, etc. and you just keep pushing that tables per hour rate higher and higher. I just took a Percocet so I can't do the math right now but you see where I'm going with this. This space for cash model is not going to work for you unless you've got very low overhead and free labor. Shoobys side-job model or Milees local coffee shop model have better chances of success, but coffee shops are a risky business and have their own profitability issues as well as all the attendant issues with increased labor, food handling, licensing, etc. You would be far better off putting some time I to shoobys side job idea and seeing if you can build a following that way.
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on May 22, 2016 17:39:59 GMT -5
OK....here we go. I personally dont see any grasp of the basics. If you are thinking of doing this business on borrowed money are you willing to fail and come out the end of the process in debt $100,000 to $200,000? If you fail are you willing to declare bankruptcy? Are you willing to give up your day job to take this chance? If you quit your day job, are you willing to work 7 days a week, 60-80 hours per week on this business? Do you have a family, are they willing to take the financial and personal risk? Last post, I will just watch from the sidelines from here on. Posting on these sorts of threads just makes me feel too negative. Reminds me of a friend that works for a major auction house. She gets beaten down by constantly being the EVIL QUEEN AND MESSENGER OF DOOM every time someone brings in a painting that they think is worth a fortune and she has to tell them the truth. PLEASE don't let this be your last post! I WANT to hear the negatives!! Really I do! If I only hear the cheerleaders, then I will fail and I won't be successful. I want to know every gory, sordid detail of WHY something like this will/may fail. I cannot hope to be successful - OR - decide it isn't for me - if I don't hear the negatives. I've only skimmed the posts since I posted last, but will come back to reread and post a little later tonight. Since I am working full time, I won't be able to post tomorrow until the evening.
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on May 22, 2016 17:48:45 GMT -5
Some of your other questions -
Should you stock supplies? Not just "no" but "Hell no." There is no win here. You will not only alienate the craft stores you will need to partner with, but you will tear your hair out finding, managing and selling that inventory. It will be one of your single largest hassles and it will net you almost no money. Run. Run fast, run far and don't do it. The only way I'd touch that is by integrating it with your "Made" local vibe and having a cute, artsy armoire where people can leave or take extra supplies. Have a little paint left in the container... leave it here for the next guy. Need a little paint... check the freecycle-style cabinet. Creates community and keeps you out of the supplies business.
Grants or loans? No again. Grants are a bit of a myth anyways, so don't waste time with all the scams out there. As for a loan, honestly, if you need one for this type of business you probably shouldn't be doing it. Spend the next year saving your money and figuring out how to live on your DH's salary so you can fund this yourself. During that year, you can develop your business plan and could even start developing a customer base by doing art projects in rented space on different nights. But don't get a big loan for this.
I agree with Milee. Don't stock supplies. Even as an accommodation for customers. First, you'll have to have a very large stock of supplies to cover a wide variety of crafts. A Michael's breadth of inventory, and then some. And when you ask more for your supplies than Michael's, your customers will think you are being greedy because you have a captive audience. Not a good perspective for your customers to have. Then, whatever you stock, it won't be what your customer wants. It'll be the wrong color, wrong style, poor quality, too expensive, and on and on. A free cycle cabinet, however, has merit. Free doesn't carry the same expectations as for sale.
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NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on May 22, 2016 17:51:29 GMT -5
Not sure why you feel that way, frankly. Karaboo isn't slamming anyone or calling anyone out for a single piece of advice or question she's been asked thus far. She's looking for feedback, not running headlong into starting a business tomorrow morning. She is answering posts as time allows, and I think she does have a grasp of the basics in the sense that she has an idea, she wants to do something she loves and is doing the research on whether or not it is feasible, and is not giving up her day job at this point to pursue it. The fact that she is posting here means she knows folks on this board have a ton of good experience and advice to offer. If anything, some of the responses to HER posts are sounding a bit negative Nelly to me. Most, however, are pretty sound and honest stuff from people who have been there, done that and gotten all the T-shirts, so to speak. It's the back-and-forth, give-and-take discussion of what does and does not work in small business operations that helps potential owners learn what they need.
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NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on May 22, 2016 17:53:50 GMT -5
I think Karaboo is onto something, and she should consider doing it. Unlike some people who have started businesses here without having a clue , she is a pretty savvy person. She knows this is a dicey proposition, but then again, going out on your own always is. She does seem to have a grasp of the basics, and is willing to not only ask for help, but to actually listen to sound advice. The fact that she asked about Dark's thread tells me something good about her right there. I am also planning to start my own business. I am in the planning stages now (still working full time for someone else, but putting money aside). I am in the research and talking-to-the-experts stage. Do tell! And if you are lasting less than 7 years in your business - send me an apology note
Does anyone knows WHY Dark's threads were deleted?
No apology from me...I've been working a side business for eight years now and done just fine, TYVM. And threads are usually deleted because they are against the COC, the poster asks for them to be deleted, or chooses to do so on their own.
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on May 22, 2016 17:56:10 GMT -5
When I think of money, business, and the smartest people I know, I always come back to this board! I haven't been around in a while - mostly due to life and work, but I appreciate this board so much and you guys were the first ones I thought of to ask for advice and assistance. First - I have tried - very unsuccessfully, to search for Dark's original post on beginning his business. There was a TON of wonderful information on that thread that I would like to re-read/review rather than have you guys retype the information (but by all means, do so if you want!). I just need some help finding the thread. Yes, I am aware he closed the store, but that doesn't mean the opinions and facts offered up in the thread weren't worthwhile anyway. If someone would post a link to the thread - I would be VERY grateful! Second - I would like to talk with anyone who has started their own business and let me know what their trials and triumphs were/are. I want to know, in all of the gory details, exactly what I'm getting myself into. I want to know if I have the perseverance to make it through the tough times and struggles (I believe I do - but I don't know what I don't know). My idea: It appears on the very limited searches I have done so far, to be unique. It would have to be a brick and mortar location - preferably in close proximity to large, existing crafting stores (think stores like Michael's, JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, etc). I would be providing rental space on an hourly basis, to individuals and/or large groups, to work on craft projects without the stress of clean-up (that would be provided by me). The rental would include a table, w/chairs (2-4 max) and some basic tools for a flat fee per hour. The basic crafting tools would be along the lines of paper plates (as paint palates), cups (for rinsing paint brushes), paper towels, scissors, pencils, glue, glue guns, hair dryer (for faster drying times for paint), basic paint brushes (nothing fancy or expensive), and a few other things. Where the idea came from: I have a small house and a large desire to craft, but no space to work on said crafts. I thought about how much more pleasant crafting would be if I had people around me doing the similar projects (like a quilting bee – the work is so much more enjoyable when you have someone to talk to). I thought about how much I loathe having to clean up after myself (in my own home) after a craft session – I just want to take my finished craft and be done! I thought about all of the crafts offered up in stores that I haven’t tried because I have no idea how to do something like that. I thought about how much people love to hear praise for their crafts (such as a patron walking by another crafter’s table…Hey! That’s cool! I’ve always thought about doing something like that. How hard is to do that?). Finally – I was the craft organizer for a non-profit adult cancer camp for 10 years. I planned, purchased, and directed 3 hour craft sessions for 40-80 people (men and women). I’ve seen almost all of this 1st hand and up close. The only thing I haven’t done is turn it into a business. Other considerations: Allowing crafters to come in and block reserve a section to teach their particular craft to their group or open to the public (their choice). I wouldn’t be involved other than the rental space and clean up (there would be a minimum reservation fee attached to something like this). I would help with advertising on my webpage and distributing flyers. Allowing it to be BYOB – similar to the business “Painting with a Twist”. I still have to research the legalities of allowing something like this on property. Has been suggested to me to sell very basic craft supplies on-site as a “convenience” factor. I initially rejected the idea as I’m not attempting to compete with the big craft stores – but being able to provide an extra ounce of paint (for a small convenience fee) without a patron having to leave does sound like a good idea. I’ve considered having the availability of “consignment” space (shelves along the perimeter of the store) that crafters can rent monthly to display and sell their own crafts. Current point in this project: Planning stage. I am in the process of writing a business plan. I am on the US Small Business Association site and learning as much as I can. Budget is currently being worked on. I’ve already been informed to double whatever my initial estimate would be. I think I will add 10% to each budget line estimate and then add an additional 20% to my final number as a “crap – I didn’t think of that” line item. I am still working full time. I live in a very large metropolitan – Dallas/Fort Worth. Location wise, it’s just a matter of researching cost of rentals in an area that would be ideal (there’s actually a store closing in a location that I would consider absolutely perfect – however, I know the rent would be extreme. It is 2 stores down from a JoAnn’s, across the street from a Michael’s and 2 blocks away from a major shopping mall – so lots of exposure, but lots of moolah also). Money – non-existent at this moment. Looking at grants and loans available for women owned small businesses. Okay – that’s the basics. Thoughts? Opinions? The first question you need to ask yourself is if you have the tenacity and stamina to be a small business owner? Can you work 12-16 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year for the next five years or more? No vacations, no days off. My impression of Dark's situation is that the store had gotten to the point where it was paying the bills, but that the grind had gotten to be more than he could stand.
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milee
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Post by milee on May 22, 2016 18:02:03 GMT -5
Along the lines of not just shooting something down without suggesting an alternative... instead of marketing to the grandma with three grandkids or other kid type activities during the day, on at least a few days of the week, you could market activities to adult tourists. There is a growing population of travelers who google to research local activities and experiences they can do where they are traveling. For example, I'm planning a family trip to Italy and I googled how to take a local cooking class and found things like "cook with an Italian grandma in her apartment" etc. Tourists are hungry for interesting, unique, local experiences and your "Made in Dallas" fits that to a T. You could offer classes from local artists featuring local materials or subjects, you could feature a class on how to smoke brisket (the best part about that is many pitmasters have huge portable smokers so the actual cooking would be done in the parking lot outside your business, you don't need a kitchen and you can sell BBQ that night, plus the smell is heavenly and will pull in people from all over), etc. Think of all the uniquely local things you know of and offer a class. Then think of all the cliché ideas tourists have and offer a class on those, too. How to make a craft out of rattlesnake skin, emboss your own western belt, etc. Seriously, tourists will love this.
You can advertise via your own website using SEO so tourists find key phrases, partner up with some tour groups, get listed and rated on TripAdvisor, etc.
And if it seems like I'm shooting out a hundred ideas for this business, it's because you are going to need to really, really hustle to fill this kind of space with enough paying customers to cover your bills. This will not be a "build it and they will come" situation. You will need to have a plan that's chock full of good ideas and work it tirelessly until it gets going. Some of these ideas will flop and some will catch fire, can't tell before you try. And if you don't have more than one plan for income on this thing, it's unlikely to work. On the other hand, if you have multiple planned possible income streams then you can survive and build on whichever catches hold.
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msventoux
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Post by msventoux on May 22, 2016 18:17:00 GMT -5
At the risk of going off topic and being seen as being unkind, do you have the personal resources to be able to run a business? From what I remember of your previous posts, your life was more than a bit chaotic with some financial struggles as well. Owning your own business will do nothing to alleviate any of those problems, likely for years, and will likely only exacerbate them. I recall you being very strong and taking care of everyone around you, and I'm worried this would just be another stressor for you. Running a business impacts every aspect of your life and is tough to weather even if you start out on solid ground.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on May 22, 2016 20:11:50 GMT -5
One other point. It seems you will be relying on others to be the real face of your business. i.e the craft leaders or experts that you bring in to lead and direct the classes. You can vette them but you will not have control over them really or how they present your place of business or maybe they aren't as expert as they pretend and so forth. I predict you will have some issues in that regard as you grow your business. Obviously you can't be an expert in everything, but finding people who claim to be versus those who are really good at it may be difficult. Not that you can't and no doubt you have done this in the past with the events you put on. But, if you expand your market into other crafts, etc that you aren't as familiar with, a bad leader could make a client feel that they didn't get value for their money and so forth.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2016 20:42:20 GMT -5
I have not read this whole thread yet but if it has not been mentioned I think you need a place for people to store things especially if you get regulars. All my crafty things seem to need room and they are not something I would want to lug back and forth much.
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KaraBoo
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Joined: Dec 21, 2010 17:14:51 GMT -5
Posts: 3,076
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Post by KaraBoo on May 22, 2016 21:49:58 GMT -5
Okay - tonight's gotten away from me since I'm also having to prep for the coming work week, so I'm only going to post a couple of quick answers to the posts I've seen so far.
Oh - and FYI - I'll have a LOT of extra time for research (online and by telephone) after next weekend. I'm having a minor surgery that will have me off work and on light duty around the house for a little over 2 weeks, so I'm going to use that time to follow up on ALL of these suggestions, work on the business plan, call some businesses to see about setting up times with the owners for a question session (if they're willing) and anything else that I've been sitting on regarding this idea/plan.
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KaraBoo
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 17:14:51 GMT -5
Posts: 3,076
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Post by KaraBoo on May 22, 2016 22:03:40 GMT -5
Okay – that’s the basics. Thoughts? Opinions? The first question you need to ask yourself is if you have the tenacity and stamina to be a small business owner? Can you work 12-16 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year for the next five years or more? No vacations, no days off.My impression of Dark's situation is that the store had gotten to the point where it was paying the bills, but that the grind had gotten to be more than he could stand. I'm going to answer the bolded part with this: I've been in my current position for a little over a year now. Those who may remember from my other thread, I previously worked a VERY high stress position where I worked between 50-80 hours a week, for about 3 years in an industry where I had little-to-no-training, thrown into a start-up where a seasoned, experienced, certified person told me (after I was already in the position) that they wouldn't have touched the job for ANY amount of pay. I had NO vacations during that time and next to no days off (usually working from home whenever I wasn't at work). At my core, I believe I DO have the tenacity and stamina to be a small business owner. Why? Because I've already proved I can do this for someone else. Why SHOULDN'T I do the same for myself? At my current job, I've realized that I love interacting with my clients/patients. I thoroughly enjoyed doing so in the craft camp I volunteered at. I am/was their cheerleader. The more I've thought about my idea, the more I get excited about it. Maybe I'm romanticizing it. I probably am -but I haven't forgotten the hard work that the camp proved to be in the past either. I know I can handle something like this. The question boils down to - is this a viable business idea? That's where my research and your (everyone's) reality slaps come in.
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KaraBoo
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 17:14:51 GMT -5
Posts: 3,076
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Post by KaraBoo on May 22, 2016 22:16:17 GMT -5
At the risk of going off topic and being seen as being unkind, do you have the personal resources to be able to run a business? From what I remember of your previous posts, your life was more than a bit chaotic with some financial struggles as well. Owning your own business will do nothing to alleviate any of those problems, likely for years, and will likely only exacerbate them. I recall you being very strong and taking care of everyone around you, and I'm worried this would just be another stressor for you. Running a business impacts every aspect of your life and is tough to weather even if you start out on solid ground. Not unkind at all! Very valid points in fact. Some of my major stressors have disappeared in the last year. I'm no longer working a job that sucked the life out of me, but my step-son (who was making it his mission to drive my husband and I apart at every opportunity he could while also being a royal jerk at everything in life we tried to help him with) also no longer lives with us. My son graduates a week from today (YAY!) and we'll only have one left in high school. She's decided not to do any school activities next year that require participation from us (she was in color guard this year - practice every day that we had to coordinate pick-ups for, and games/competitions every weekend). Our financial problems, while not completely solved, are on the apex of going from uphill struggles to finally being back on solid ground. One of my biggest concerns when I first thought of this idea was how my husband would feel about me trying to go for this idea. He was/still is, understandably concerned about the financial impact. He's also concerned about the time away from home this business will require of me. I have assured him that I will not pull the trigger without a solid idea of if this will have a chance to succeed. I'm not one to just jump without looking and that is why I've come here for advice.
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