The £100 business start up challenge 2013-2014

The £100 business start up challenge 2013-2014

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Discussion

Hoofy

76,253 posts

281 months

Thursday 5th December 2013
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condor said:
Had my first inclusion into an art exhibition earlier today - my painting had a few interested comments but no sales. The christmas craft type ideas seem to have sold well ( pity I didn't do them!)
Well, it's still good that you got included. smile

SmuttyYoda

12,230 posts

193 months

Sunday 8th December 2013
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How about if you could get hold of a 'spares or repairs' scooter, repair, then sell?

Frimley111R

Original Poster:

15,535 posts

233 months

Monday 9th December 2013
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SmuttyYoda said:
How about if you could get hold of a 'spares or repairs' scooter, repair, then sell?
As long as it costs less than £100.

spikeyhead

17,222 posts

196 months

Monday 9th December 2013
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I've broken a few cars, back when the scrap metal price was poor and people couldn't just weigh in an MOT failure, then you could pick something up for pennies and the seller would be grateful, rather than having to pay a scrapman to take it away. The more complex the car the better the return, things like window winder motors, ECUs and good leather seats mean a once posh barge can make a lot of money, however it does take a lot of time, and a lot of shelf space to get rid of it all.

OlberJ

14,101 posts

232 months

Tuesday 10th December 2013
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It's the selling parts that becomes an issue.

Ebay has costs everywhere and paypal. Then you've got returns if the parts don't work. Plus the space to store things as when you have a car in bits ready to go it takes up around 4 times the space of 1 car.

It's doable if it's out of sight. Break a car on your driveway though and expect neighbours to start complaining.

OlberJ

14,101 posts

232 months

Tuesday 10th December 2013
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Side of the house, yeah you'd be better with that but neighbours see it and report you to the council for having a tip in your garden, then you get hit with running a business from home etc.

Running a recycling centre or breakers yard from your home is severely frowned upon.

Not saying it's right, just that it's something to be wary of.

If you can do it where it's non visible from the street for both your neighbours and those who might wish to steal it, then that's the way i'd be doing it.

Willeh85

760 posts

142 months

Thursday 12th December 2013
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I'm a bit late for the start of this one, but I'm going to participate.

I'm going to attempt to refurb wooden furniture from gumtree, freecycle, and other second hand item websites with a sander and few coats of varnish.

I'm going to do some furniture browsing this evening (while im supposed to be working wink and go buy myself a belt sander over the weekend.

Frimley111R

Original Poster:

15,535 posts

233 months

Thursday 12th December 2013
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Sounds like a good idea. A friend's wife use to do some great things with furniture in just the same way (but just for herself, not to sell).

Boro

521 posts

206 months

Sunday 15th December 2013
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Great idea! Definitely do-able with the right idea, time and motivation.

Kozy

3,169 posts

217 months

Saturday 21st December 2013
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If I designed and made (had made) a product, and a single unit cost me less than £100, but I made several of them at once, and then sold them, do I qualify? I suppose by virtue of the fact that to do a single one would cost more than £100, perhaps not?

maffski

1,866 posts

158 months

Sunday 22nd December 2013
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OlberJ said:
It's the selling parts that becomes an issue.

Ebay has costs everywhere and paypal...
I've been thinking for a while about doing a site for people to list parts they have available. Based on the idea of paying a single monthly fee to list everything.

Effectively the front end would be classifieds for parts and the back end would give you an inventory tracking system. Do you think something like that would be any good?

sider

2,059 posts

220 months

Sunday 22nd December 2013
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On the breaking parts thing, bit of an odd one.

I once knew a chap who bought and sold expensive alloy wheels.

He'd buy a 'full set' for say £1000 - so 5 wheels, brand new, £200 each = £1k.

But would then sell a 'set' for say £900. Only thing is, a 'set' was 4 wheels.

So, 4 full sets bought = £4k = 20 wheels.

But, 5 'sets' sold = 20 wheels but in 5 lots of 4, rather than 4 lots of 5 = £900 x 5 = £4500.


mondeoman

11,430 posts

265 months

Monday 23rd December 2013
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Kozy said:
If I designed and made (had made) a product, and a single unit cost me less than £100, but I made several of them at once, and then sold them, do I qualify? I suppose by virtue of the fact that to do a single one would cost more than £100, perhaps not?
Sadly not - you have a budget of £100, so unless you can advertise and pre-sell (within the £100 budget) to bring in more cash to finance the manufacturing, I think you're out of luck. Maybe.

spikeyhead

17,222 posts

196 months

Monday 23rd December 2013
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mondeoman said:
Kozy said:
If I designed and made (had made) a product, and a single unit cost me less than £100, but I made several of them at once, and then sold them, do I qualify? I suppose by virtue of the fact that to do a single one would cost more than £100, perhaps not?
Sadly not - you have a budget of £100, so unless you can advertise and pre-sell (within the £100 budget) to bring in more cash to finance the manufacturing, I think you're out of luck. Maybe.
I'd not worry too much, so long as it's in the spirit of the thread. If you were putting in a few grand that would be a different matter.

19Dogger87

68 posts

138 months

Thursday 2nd January 2014
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I have a small set up for nickel and chrome plating - might be an idea to advertise a service for people restoring car/bike parts

Kozy

3,169 posts

217 months

Friday 3rd January 2014
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spikeyhead said:
I'd not worry too much, so long as it's in the spirit of the thread. If you were putting in a few grand that would be a different matter.
Well I'll do it anyway, it probably doesn't fall 'strictly within the rules' but it's in the spirit of the thread and hopefully has PH appeal.

My idea is making 'engineered art' for petrolheads in the form of custom designed blueprints of their cars, laser etched onto 1.5mm thick anodised aluminium sheets.

Inital outlay was £125 for a prototype. This was given away as a retirement gift.



On the back of that, I got some orders from friends who loved the idea. Here's a pair of Locost racers:













Manufacturing costs about £75-100 per piece, target selling £200-250.

Sold 7 units already, but at discounted mates rates to get production going.

Current profit around £300.


Edited by Kozy on Tuesday 7th January 10:19

countachman

1,284 posts

210 months

Friday 3rd January 2014
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Thanks this is a great thread...I need help and some inspiration this month as I need a new career..job..businesses. ....keep them coming its helping me think :-).

spikeyhead

17,222 posts

196 months

Friday 3rd January 2014
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Kozy said:
Well I'll do it anyway, it probably doesn't fall 'strictly within the rules' but it's in the spirit of the thread and hopefully has PH appeal.
I like those a lot.

Can you do one for an Atom?

Kozy

3,169 posts

217 months

Friday 3rd January 2014
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
On the Locosts, none at all.

I spoke with Ford about licensing things like their classic models, they liked the product and said no problem with the artwork or using names. One off works not really something they would pursue. Mass production of works including logos/branding would need a brand license which they were happy to issue at a cost of about 5-10% royalty, which I am happy with. Unfortunately the upfront contract costs of these licenses are prohibitive at present (WELL into four figures) especially given that I will not be doing one single marque. What I will be seeking in the near future is legal advice on a 'cover all' type license where I can enter an agreement with manufacturers and pay royalties using a standard contract, negating the need for them to do the legal work which requires a large up front guarantee.

First, I need to pitch the idea about a bit, sell a few one off's to get word out then approach potential resellers to get an idea of potential sales volumes if I can attain 'official licensed product' status. Basically I need a business plan, then seek out legal advice/investment. It has been suggested it could make a good pitch on Dragons Den, which I may actually look in to.

The current profits are going towards a trip to Autosport next week to scout out potential sales avenues. smile

Oh and they paid for a new camera to take decent photos with. Phone camera shots weren't going to cut it. Got a brand new unused Nikon P7100 for £120 (RRP about £300). Autosport probably about £100. So £280 profit total so far.

spikeyhead said:
I like those a lot.

Can you do one for an Atom?
Yes shouldn't be a problem, the Atom is a perfect candidate for these, lots of detail and a great specification. biggrin

Edited by Kozy on Friday 3rd January 11:28


Edited by Kozy on Friday 3rd January 11:35

skilly1

2,700 posts

194 months

Friday 3rd January 2014
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Very nice Kozy, I can see 'not on the high street' been interested in those. Do some generic classics - Landy etc.