Start of a new career.
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I’m looking to build a business as a side hustle as they call it. I’m fed up of my current job. I did think about going self employed doing it. But I reckon it would be even worse.
I was thinking of either building some software for the Fire and Security Industry or buying and selling equipment. As there aren’t that many wholesalers that stock the equipment.
I was thinking of either building some software for the Fire and Security Industry or buying and selling equipment. As there aren’t that many wholesalers that stock the equipment.
'Side Hustle' is (IMO) a term that is either misunderstood or used incorrectly.
A Side Hustle is doing something that risks little or anything other than time upon which you are not dependent on to earn a living. It may become more but that should never be the intent.
I used to do Discos. The money I got from these would pay for my annual LeMans trip but I did it mainly because I enjoyed it. That's a side hustle.
A friend of mine started collecting stamps years back and discovered that by buying collections at auctions and selling duplicate stamps you could make a nice few quid. That he did which topped up his pension and allowed him to retire a couple of years earlier than he planned. That's a side hustle.
To me, what you've described is more akin to setting up a bone-fide business. That's an entirely different animal and given the sector you're looking at I think would require far more of your time, effort and resource than can be provided after work and at weekends. Care is needed because attempting this could risk your day job from which at the moment you are dependent on for a living.
I'm not saying to not do it or that it's not possible but you need to keep reality in check.
And if you do decide to move on this, before you commit you need to check your employment contract to see if there's any restraint clause that would legally prevent you doing so.
A Side Hustle is doing something that risks little or anything other than time upon which you are not dependent on to earn a living. It may become more but that should never be the intent.
I used to do Discos. The money I got from these would pay for my annual LeMans trip but I did it mainly because I enjoyed it. That's a side hustle.
A friend of mine started collecting stamps years back and discovered that by buying collections at auctions and selling duplicate stamps you could make a nice few quid. That he did which topped up his pension and allowed him to retire a couple of years earlier than he planned. That's a side hustle.
To me, what you've described is more akin to setting up a bone-fide business. That's an entirely different animal and given the sector you're looking at I think would require far more of your time, effort and resource than can be provided after work and at weekends. Care is needed because attempting this could risk your day job from which at the moment you are dependent on for a living.
I'm not saying to not do it or that it's not possible but you need to keep reality in check.
And if you do decide to move on this, before you commit you need to check your employment contract to see if there's any restraint clause that would legally prevent you doing so.
Auto Artisan said:
As someone had already mentioned. Just do better than others. It s more getting the right contacts who supply the equipment. Regarding the software I do think it s possible. As from what I ve seen that s out there it s either too complicated or lacks features.
The problem with your opening post is that it didn't ask any questions, so we don't know what you want, other than you may as well simply crack on and do it.Furbo said:
We have a marquee that we rent to raves. When the weather was good during the summer, business was slow. But now is the winter of our disco tent.
That was originally a sign in the window of a camping shop: 'Now is the winter of our discount tent'...!Simpo Two said:
Furbo said:
We have a marquee that we rent to raves. When the weather was good during the summer, business was slow. But now is the winter of our disco tent.
That was originally a sign in the window of a camping shop: 'Now is the winter of our discount tent'...!Simpo Two said:
That was originally a sign in the window of a camping shop: 'Now is the winter of our discount tent'...!
For the software I don’t really need to as any questions as such other than possibly gaining some insight from people within that industry, but as I work in it. I am mostly okay. The other questions regarding selling items may depend on knowing manufacturers and people of that nature. But I’m unsure really of what your expectations are?
Frimley111R said:
MustangGT said:
First consideration would be 'What is your USP' when trying to break into an industry.
You don't need one. Demand is there, just do it better than others. I'd be wary of software given the huge increase in AI tools.
Auto Artisan said:
For the software I don t really need to as any questions as such other than possibly gaining some insight from people within that industry, but as I work in it. I am mostly okay.
The other questions regarding selling items may depend on knowing manufacturers and people of that nature. But I m unsure really of what your expectations are?
As Simpo mentioned, it would help to know what your questions are! The other questions regarding selling items may depend on knowing manufacturers and people of that nature. But I m unsure really of what your expectations are?
MustangGT said:
Frimley111R said:
MustangGT said:
First consideration would be 'What is your USP' when trying to break into an industry.
You don't need one. Demand is there, just do it better than others. I'd be wary of software given the huge increase in AI tools.
Yes, doing something better than the competition is easier than you think, as a business can't do everything equally well. You don't have to beat them 'everywhere', just 'somewhere'. maybe it's enough to just offer better customer service, or quicker delivery.
So if not stocking the equipment is a genuine advantage, then you should be good. Perhaps you don't need to start off too big. Is it the kind of business you could just have a handful of stock and turn it over until you're more confident?
So if not stocking the equipment is a genuine advantage, then you should be good. Perhaps you don't need to start off too big. Is it the kind of business you could just have a handful of stock and turn it over until you're more confident?
Auto Artisan said:
As someone had already mentioned. Just do better than others. It s more getting the right contacts who supply the equipment. Regarding the software I do think it s possible. As from what I ve seen that s out there it s either too complicated or lacks features.
Did you forget to switch accounts? 
Auto Artisan said:
I m looking to build a business as a side hustle as they call it. I m fed up of my current job. I did think about going self employed doing it. But I reckon it would be even worse.
I was thinking of either building some software for the Fire and Security Industry or buying and selling equipment. As there aren t that many wholesalers that stock the equipment.
What's your actual question?I was thinking of either building some software for the Fire and Security Industry or buying and selling equipment. As there aren t that many wholesalers that stock the equipment.
StevieBee said:
As Simpo mentioned, it would help to know what your questions are!
I suppose my main concern would be getting in touch with manufacturers, with regards to specific stock. Also I’m unsure of who to use as a courier? Also would it be worth using branded cardboard boxes labels etc.Auto Artisan said:
StevieBee said:
As Simpo mentioned, it would help to know what your questions are!
I suppose my main concern would be getting in touch with manufacturers, with regards to specific stock. Also I m unsure of who to use as a courier? Also would it be worth using branded cardboard boxes labels etc.When you're starting out do as much as possible to minimise cost. What is the absolute minimum you need to get going? Don't worry about what type of boxes you have, no-one cares, it's a box. Couriers are everywhere, just make a few enquiries or even deliver personally!
Frimley111R said:
Auto Artisan said:
StevieBee said:
As Simpo mentioned, it would help to know what your questions are!
I suppose my main concern would be getting in touch with manufacturers, with regards to specific stock. Also I m unsure of who to use as a courier? Also would it be worth using branded cardboard boxes labels etc.When you're starting out do as much as possible to minimise cost. What is the absolute minimum you need to get going? Don't worry about what type of boxes you have, no-one cares, it's a box. Couriers are everywhere, just make a few enquiries or even deliver personally!
Something to think about is seeing if you can find a supplier that does drop shipping. This is where you sell products from a third-party supplier. A customer places an order pays your retail price.You send the order details and wholesale payment to your supplier. The supplier packages and ships the product directly to the customer's door and you earn the difference between the wholesale price charged by the supplier and the retail price paid by the customer.
You don't make as much profit but the trade-off is that you're not carrying stock and having to sort packaging and shipping. Something to consider as this is only a side-hustle.
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