Business Ideas?
Discussion
Everyone must have had ideas for a business which, for whatever reason, they're just not equipped to do - maybe you don't have the right skills, the right contacts, the right resources, etc.
How about sharing these here, in case someone else does..?
I'll kick off by saying I'd love somewhere to buy classic car-related furniture - e.g. "the back end of a TVR made into a sofa" (as mentioned in the "Lads Pad" thread).
Would have thought there's a good niche market for this kind of stuff, but I don't have much (any) mechanical expertise to actually make it happen.
What ideas have you guys come up with?
How about sharing these here, in case someone else does..?
I'll kick off by saying I'd love somewhere to buy classic car-related furniture - e.g. "the back end of a TVR made into a sofa" (as mentioned in the "Lads Pad" thread).
Would have thought there's a good niche market for this kind of stuff, but I don't have much (any) mechanical expertise to actually make it happen.
What ideas have you guys come up with?
I've got dozens of cunning plans, some of which I plan to finally put into action in the new year.
I dont think I'm going to share them this time though, keeping well under my belt until Im up and running :P
(Or until it all goes horribly tits up and doesnt run according to plan).
The car furniture would be a bitch to make, but I'm damn sure there is a market for it.
I dont think I'm going to share them this time though, keeping well under my belt until Im up and running :P
(Or until it all goes horribly tits up and doesnt run according to plan).
The car furniture would be a bitch to make, but I'm damn sure there is a market for it.
Well I've reckoned for a while I should be doing bespoke databases in my spare time (M$ Access / SQL server). Have created many small systems in the past for equivalent price of off the shelf.
Problem with this sort of thing as I see it is that its best to do them for established contacts as it takes a degree of trust. My problem is lack of contacts (especially where I live)
Given the number of IT people out and about on PH (mainly down south where much more wonga floating about), must be some milage in the idea of doing systems for PH members for them to sell on to their contacts
...
Problem with this sort of thing as I see it is that its best to do them for established contacts as it takes a degree of trust. My problem is lack of contacts (especially where I live)
Given the number of IT people out and about on PH (mainly down south where much more wonga floating about), must be some milage in the idea of doing systems for PH members for them to sell on to their contacts
... vixpy1 said:
First rule, keep good business idea's too yourself, if you can't do it now, you may be able too later in life!
Definitely agree - the idea I posted is one I'll never get around to, because I don't have a practical streak or any prospect of developing one. Thought it might be interesting for someone with some workshop space, spare time and talent...
Am working on one or two things which will stay under my hat for the time being
RichardD said:
Well I've reckoned for a while I should be doing bespoke databases in my spare time (M$ Access / SQL server). Have created many small systems in the past for equivalent price of off the shelf.
I agree there's a big market for this among small businesses. Most I've worked with seem to be working with a cobbled-together MS Access template database, which seems a recipe for disaster in the long-term.
The hard part is reaching them. Probably best to start out with a few contacts/friends-of-friends, and do them cheaply/well - then aim for some coverage in the industry press.
Although hard to pull off, this would far more effective than advertising.
I have plenty of ideas, which I'm careful to write down so I don't forget. I'm currently tryingto start one new one each year. It's not easy, but it's getting there.
All I would say is have a go. It's tremendous fun, and you'll never believe you could enjoy hard work so much. Even if it doesn't work out in the end, you'll be glad you did it.
All I would say is have a go. It's tremendous fun, and you'll never believe you could enjoy hard work so much. Even if it doesn't work out in the end, you'll be glad you did it.
D-Angle said:
I'm currently tryingto start one new one each year. It's not easy, but it's getting there.
Do you have a full-time job too? My current problem is affording £150/week rent, bills, etc, which means holding down a full-time job while working on things in the evening/weekends.
D-Angle said:
All I would say is have a go. It's tremendous fun, and you'll never believe you could enjoy hard work so much. Even if it doesn't work out in the end, you'll be glad you did it.
Completely agree. I started a Speed Dating company in my final year at University, and built it up full-time for a year after graduating - finally selling it on this Summer.
Fantastic experience, bloody hard work, but enjoyed every moment - and continually felt like I was using my full potential, rather than sitting at a desk day-dreaming 9 to 5.
Am now programming for an Investment Bank, but very bored and would love to get back to doing my own thing.
Myself and a partner went into business about 15 years ago - best thing I ever did. However, let me explain why I 'took the plunge'. I found that over the years I met a lot of blokes (often retired or near retirement) who talked endlessly about what they 'nearly' did. "I thought about doing XXXX, and I considered starting a XXXXXX company". I've come to name these people: "nearly men". They'd talk endlessly about all the wonderful things that they nearly did and the fantastic places they nearly went to. I thought to myself "I don't ever want to be a 'nearly man'. I'd rather have a go and fail than have to live with regrets in later life ("I wish I'd done this or that.") In fact, when I was coming back from Le Mans this year my BMW was parked next to a TVR and I said to the owner "I nearly bought one of those a few years ago". As I was saying it I resolved that I'd buy one. Two months later I've got one (much to the wife's annoyance).
Anyway, the secret to going into business is not so much the idea (although of course this is a major issue) it's having the nerve to do it. What I found was helpful, bearing in mind I was leaving a secure job, was the thought "even if it fails it's not a matter of life & death". If you take this approach then it's much easier to sleep at night.
My advice is simple: Try and live your life so that by the time you retire you'll have no regrets. Also, think of the idea / issue / challenge from a 3rd perspective - as though you were a consultant brought in to advise yourself, because it's easier to be wise for others than for yourself. Lastly, don't listen to gloomy people who will emphasise all the potential probems - get them out of your life. If you do come across them, resolve to yorself that you will prove them wrong, and use it as a motivation.
Anyway, the secret to going into business is not so much the idea (although of course this is a major issue) it's having the nerve to do it. What I found was helpful, bearing in mind I was leaving a secure job, was the thought "even if it fails it's not a matter of life & death". If you take this approach then it's much easier to sleep at night.
My advice is simple: Try and live your life so that by the time you retire you'll have no regrets. Also, think of the idea / issue / challenge from a 3rd perspective - as though you were a consultant brought in to advise yourself, because it's easier to be wise for others than for yourself. Lastly, don't listen to gloomy people who will emphasise all the potential probems - get them out of your life. If you do come across them, resolve to yorself that you will prove them wrong, and use it as a motivation.
An oldie:
Advertise 10 lighters for 1 pound. Min 100 units.
When the tenners come in , send 100 matches... perfectly legal.
Alternatively try the www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?f=92&h=0 business forum, very helpful..
Advertise 10 lighters for 1 pound. Min 100 units.
When the tenners come in , send 100 matches... perfectly legal.
Alternatively try the www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?f=92&h=0 business forum, very helpful..
There does seem to be a wide market for freelance developers with skills in ASP.NET, VB & SQL.
Try www.thejobco.com
Try www.thejobco.com
drv112 said:
There does seem to be a wide market for freelance developers with skills in ASP.NET, VB & SQL.
Try <a href="http://www.thejobco.com">www.thejobco.com</a>
Thanks for that... I'm actually on an ASP.NET course all this week
>> Edited by blueski on Thursday 11th November 20:06
Having ideas is easy.
Having an idea for a business that will pay you enough to make it worthwhile is harder.
I've thought about a kit car company for ages. Sadly even a simple seven stlye kit requires a lot of time, money and space to bring a properly sorted kit with bespoke body styling to market. This is a shame as I have put some chassis designs through the FE analysis software at work. I know my chassis designs are good. I only hope this makes me an "eventually man" as opposed to a "nearly man".
Another idea I had was for making stained glass items. The idea applies to windows and lampshades. They are hand made and decent ones can take hundreds of hours to make and a lot of glass can be wasted. I wondered about automating part of the manufacture, cutting all the glass pieces with a computer controlled abrasive jet cutter instead of by hand.
I've also thought about making traditional sweets such as toffee and fudge, it's another hobby of mine, but though you do see fudge kitchens at tourist attractions and seaside resorts I'm not certain if there'd ever be much money in it.
I'm currently toying with offering a chassis analysis service to the kit car industry. Weight and stiffness optimisation for example. As most kit car spaceframes are actually worse than ladder frames of the same weight this might be a good one.
Having an idea for a business that will pay you enough to make it worthwhile is harder.
I've thought about a kit car company for ages. Sadly even a simple seven stlye kit requires a lot of time, money and space to bring a properly sorted kit with bespoke body styling to market. This is a shame as I have put some chassis designs through the FE analysis software at work. I know my chassis designs are good. I only hope this makes me an "eventually man" as opposed to a "nearly man".
Another idea I had was for making stained glass items. The idea applies to windows and lampshades. They are hand made and decent ones can take hundreds of hours to make and a lot of glass can be wasted. I wondered about automating part of the manufacture, cutting all the glass pieces with a computer controlled abrasive jet cutter instead of by hand.
I've also thought about making traditional sweets such as toffee and fudge, it's another hobby of mine, but though you do see fudge kitchens at tourist attractions and seaside resorts I'm not certain if there'd ever be much money in it.
I'm currently toying with offering a chassis analysis service to the kit car industry. Weight and stiffness optimisation for example. As most kit car spaceframes are actually worse than ladder frames of the same weight this might be a good one.
cymtriks said:
Having ideas is easy.
Having an idea for a business that will pay you enough to make it worthwhile is harder.
I've thought about a kit car company for ages. Sadly even a simple seven stlye kit requires a lot of time, money and space to bring a properly sorted kit with bespoke body styling to market. This is a shame as I have put some chassis designs through the FE analysis software at work. I know my chassis designs are good. I only hope this makes me an "eventually man" as opposed to a "nearly man".
Another idea I had was for making stained glass items. The idea applies to windows and lampshades. They are hand made and decent ones can take hundreds of hours to make and a lot of glass can be wasted. I wondered about automating part of the manufacture, cutting all the glass pieces with a computer controlled abrasive jet cutter instead of by hand.
I've also thought about making traditional sweets such as toffee and fudge, it's another hobby of mine, but though you do see fudge kitchens at tourist attractions and seaside resorts I'm not certain if there'd ever be much money in it.
I'm currently toying with offering a chassis analysis service to the kit car industry. Weight and stiffness optimisation for example. As most kit car spaceframes are actually worse than ladder frames of the same weight this might be a good one.
I know what you mean Chris. If you’ve got the nerve to go into business (which is the big hurdle) all you now need is the idea. As mentioned, I’ve never regretted it and spend most of my day surfing the net, while my business earns me a damn good living.
Regarding the idea, the things that I tend to consider when embarking on a new venture are:
Is there a decent market for my idea?
What can I offer which differentiates me from others?
What can I charge for the product / service?
What I do is every time I stumble across little things which I find irritating, I think to myself “I can’t be the only one to have this problem” and “can I find a solution and sell it to other people?” Also, an idea doesn’t have to be a totally new concept. If, for example, every time you go out for a meal in your town you find it tricky to get a table, this indicates a lack of restaurants in the area.
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