What business do you own and how did you get into it?
Discussion
Australiam said:
I am a partner in a New IT company (we went live Jan 1st). Years of working for IT Vendors, some large some small, and always having the niggling desire to do something for myself, we started discussing things in detail last year. There is never a 'right' time, and always a thousand reasons not to get on with it. However thanks to accommodating families we have just got stuck in! So far, once we get in front of people, we are being successful and have now employed our first staff member to service the managed service contracts we have won. At the same time, trying to meet new contacts and drive awareness is very hard! Fortunately we anticipated this, but we are putting in a LOT of hours, not just reaching out wherever we can, but also the new things that I had never been involved with in previous jobs (For example, I would say I have spent 20 hours since Friday learning Adwords). So to the OP's question, it had been in the back of my mind for a long time, and I think it was my business partners frustration at their previous job that finally made us sit at the table and start testing how it would work, that finally got us into it.
If I can offer one tip from my near quarter of a century of working in IT, please lose the dreadful Americanisms. 
I used to be a race car mechanic at Goodwood many years ago. Then started working on corporate entertainment days instructing on the track and skidpan. Fun for a while but got frustrated working for little reward and seasonally.
My cleverer half suggested that there might be a market for teaching people who wanted to learn or their kids to learn to drive to a high standard before going out on the road.
Having been disappointed by my driving lessons, I developed a way of teaching quite different from the standard mirror, signal, manoeuvre and it turns out that she was right and there is a market for high ticket driving instructors.
My cleverer half suggested that there might be a market for teaching people who wanted to learn or their kids to learn to drive to a high standard before going out on the road.
Having been disappointed by my driving lessons, I developed a way of teaching quite different from the standard mirror, signal, manoeuvre and it turns out that she was right and there is a market for high ticket driving instructors.
I set up a niche information security business with a friend. We had been working in a particular area for a few years and thought we could offer a better service than large consultancies/systems integrators/Big 4 could offer. It's been a fun 10 years but we are in the middle of selling the business.
Always been handy at fixing machinery. Normally employed but got fed up with cringe-inducing 'performance reviews' and such like.
Started out fixing things self employed and now fix and sell things.
Spent years dreaming of the 'great business idea' and ended up just doing what I know. Wish I'd done it years ago rather than chasing a one-in-a-million 'great idea'.
Started out fixing things self employed and now fix and sell things.
Spent years dreaming of the 'great business idea' and ended up just doing what I know. Wish I'd done it years ago rather than chasing a one-in-a-million 'great idea'.
singlecoil said:
I doubt anyone posting on this thread is doing it just for the OP's benefit, I expect it's because they know the rest of us will be reading the replies too.
This. I didn't notice OP's status and wouldn't be surprised if he is fishing for leads. However, I think the topic is interesting for the "Business" forum in general and enjoy reading the responses.TheRingDing said:
I work full time and wanted to make some extra cash on the side. Being young, and having used Facebook since it was launched, I found it fairly easy to figure out the most effective ways to use Facebook ads, and realised that a lot of the older generation of business owners were not as understanding of Facebook as they would like to be!
Got any ideas in mind?
I have an idea and am currently looking into how I can start it as effectively as possible.Got any ideas in mind?
Basically, here in Turkey, 99% of the cars are way too expensivce due to the import tax.
However, there are some type of cars (e.g. 1970/1980) Mercedes that are very very cheap here and are sought after in Germany.
Combining that with the very low laber costs here (6-700 pounds for a bare metal respray) I am currently looking into exporting cars from here to Germany.
I have family there, so right now we are looking into the details of founding two companies in the respective countries for importation and exportation respectively and how to declare and transfer the funds and profits etc. etc.
Since I have never done something like this, am only 24 and working full time, it takes a bit longer
But, better safe than sorry.
Edited by tektas on Thursday 30th March 14:52
Edited by tektas on Thursday 30th March 14:53
My business; Behavioural Change Consultancy for the Waste and Sanitation Sector
What I did: Graphic Designer / Advertising Creative....what I wanted to do from the age of 15.
What i do now: Travel the world working with governments developing initiatives that get populations to change their behaviours towards waste and sanitation as well as working with local authorities in the UK to help get their residents to recycle, reduce waste, etc. (If you've ever had someone knock at your door to talk about your rubbish...the chances are that was probably one of ours).
How: Was running a full-service ad-agency and in 2003, won a big contract for a council (Rotherham) to develop a campaign supporting a new kerbside recycling service. This was hugely successful and attracted the attention of other councils looking to do the same. Within 18 months, we'd had five big similar projects on the go across the UK. I thought 'hang on...what's going on?" Had a look and discovered the government was then pumping £40m into communications to support councils promote and encourage use in new recycling service. No other agency was interested in the market and by then, we had built up some exceptionally strong credentials. Decided to make some hay while the sun shone and sunk myself into the sector becoming a waste management and behavioural change geek.
Thought it would last three, perhaps four years. well, 132 UK councils and 22 countries later and I'm still telling people what they can and can't recycle which means I'm either really crap at what or I do or pretty good.
What I did: Graphic Designer / Advertising Creative....what I wanted to do from the age of 15.
What i do now: Travel the world working with governments developing initiatives that get populations to change their behaviours towards waste and sanitation as well as working with local authorities in the UK to help get their residents to recycle, reduce waste, etc. (If you've ever had someone knock at your door to talk about your rubbish...the chances are that was probably one of ours).
How: Was running a full-service ad-agency and in 2003, won a big contract for a council (Rotherham) to develop a campaign supporting a new kerbside recycling service. This was hugely successful and attracted the attention of other councils looking to do the same. Within 18 months, we'd had five big similar projects on the go across the UK. I thought 'hang on...what's going on?" Had a look and discovered the government was then pumping £40m into communications to support councils promote and encourage use in new recycling service. No other agency was interested in the market and by then, we had built up some exceptionally strong credentials. Decided to make some hay while the sun shone and sunk myself into the sector becoming a waste management and behavioural change geek.
Thought it would last three, perhaps four years. well, 132 UK councils and 22 countries later and I'm still telling people what they can and can't recycle which means I'm either really crap at what or I do or pretty good.
tektas said:
TheRingDing said:
I work full time and wanted to make some extra cash on the side. Being young, and having used Facebook since it was launched, I found it fairly easy to figure out the most effective ways to use Facebook ads, and realised that a lot of the older generation of business owners were not as understanding of Facebook as they would like to be!
Got any ideas in mind?
I have an idea and am currently looking into how I can start it as effectively as possible.Got any ideas in mind?
Basically, here in Turkey, 99% of the cars are way too expensivce due to the import tax.
However, there are some type of cars (e.g. 1970/1980) Mercedes that are very very cheap here and are sought after in Germany.
Combining that with the very low laber costs here (6-700 pounds for a bare metal respray) I am currently looking into exporting cars from here to Germany.
I have family there, so right now we are looking into the details of founding two companies in the respective countries for importation and exportation respectively and how to declare and transfer the funds and profits etc. etc.
Since I have never done something like this, am only 24 and working full time, it takes a bit longer
But, better safe than sorry.
I have the money to see your potential business proposition through...you just wasted a very good idea to make me some extra cash!
( I hope this reply explains my first post in this thread.)
Sump said:
Why would you tell people this on a public forum?
I have the money to see your potential business proposition through...you just wasted a very good idea to make me some extra cash!
( I hope this reply explains my first post in this thread.)
I get your point and I agree to a degree. However, I do not think someone else will now snoop around the corner and take away all of my potential income.I have the money to see your potential business proposition through...you just wasted a very good idea to make me some extra cash!
( I hope this reply explains my first post in this thread.)
And if someone does, then so be it. Onwands and upwands.
StevieBee said:
My business; Behavioural Change Consultancy for the Waste and Sanitation Sector
What I did: Graphic Designer / Advertising Creative....what I wanted to do from the age of 15.
What i do now: Travel the world working with governments developing initiatives that get populations to change their behaviours towards waste and sanitation as well as working with local authorities in the UK to help get their residents to recycle, reduce waste, etc. (If you've ever had someone knock at your door to talk about your rubbish...the chances are that was probably one of ours).
How: Was running a full-service ad-agency and in 2003, won a big contract for a council (Rotherham) to develop a campaign supporting a new kerbside recycling service. This was hugely successful and attracted the attention of other councils looking to do the same. Within 18 months, we'd had five big similar projects on the go across the UK. I thought 'hang on...what's going on?" Had a look and discovered the government was then pumping £40m into communications to support councils promote and encourage use in new recycling service. No other agency was interested in the market and by then, we had built up some exceptionally strong credentials. Decided to make some hay while the sun shone and sunk myself into the sector becoming a waste management and behavioural change geek.
Thought it would last three, perhaps four years. well, 132 UK councils and 22 countries later and I'm still telling people what they can and can't recycle which means I'm either really crap at what or I do or pretty good.
Any chance I can get you at PH mates rates? To get the missus to finally figure out what goes in what bin!? What I did: Graphic Designer / Advertising Creative....what I wanted to do from the age of 15.
What i do now: Travel the world working with governments developing initiatives that get populations to change their behaviours towards waste and sanitation as well as working with local authorities in the UK to help get their residents to recycle, reduce waste, etc. (If you've ever had someone knock at your door to talk about your rubbish...the chances are that was probably one of ours).
How: Was running a full-service ad-agency and in 2003, won a big contract for a council (Rotherham) to develop a campaign supporting a new kerbside recycling service. This was hugely successful and attracted the attention of other councils looking to do the same. Within 18 months, we'd had five big similar projects on the go across the UK. I thought 'hang on...what's going on?" Had a look and discovered the government was then pumping £40m into communications to support councils promote and encourage use in new recycling service. No other agency was interested in the market and by then, we had built up some exceptionally strong credentials. Decided to make some hay while the sun shone and sunk myself into the sector becoming a waste management and behavioural change geek.
Thought it would last three, perhaps four years. well, 132 UK councils and 22 countries later and I'm still telling people what they can and can't recycle which means I'm either really crap at what or I do or pretty good.
I'll admit I did a huge eye roll when I first read 'Behavioural Change Consultancy' but it sounds interesting.
When I read the comments on yet another story in my local paper's website about people objecting to bi-weekly bin collections I want to cut my eyes out with spoons. I didn't know there were people engaged in this sector, outside of Local Authorities - assumed they just 'had a go' at it in house.
PurpleTurtle said:
StevieBee said:
My business; Behavioural Change Consultancy for the Waste and Sanitation Sector
What I did: Graphic Designer / Advertising Creative....what I wanted to do from the age of 15.
What i do now: Travel the world working with governments developing initiatives that get populations to change their behaviours towards waste and sanitation as well as working with local authorities in the UK to help get their residents to recycle, reduce waste, etc. (If you've ever had someone knock at your door to talk about your rubbish...the chances are that was probably one of ours).
How: Was running a full-service ad-agency and in 2003, won a big contract for a council (Rotherham) to develop a campaign supporting a new kerbside recycling service. This was hugely successful and attracted the attention of other councils looking to do the same. Within 18 months, we'd had five big similar projects on the go across the UK. I thought 'hang on...what's going on?" Had a look and discovered the government was then pumping £40m into communications to support councils promote and encourage use in new recycling service. No other agency was interested in the market and by then, we had built up some exceptionally strong credentials. Decided to make some hay while the sun shone and sunk myself into the sector becoming a waste management and behavioural change geek.
Thought it would last three, perhaps four years. well, 132 UK councils and 22 countries later and I'm still telling people what they can and can't recycle which means I'm either really crap at what or I do or pretty good.
Any chance I can get you at PH mates rates? To get the missus to finally figure out what goes in what bin!? What I did: Graphic Designer / Advertising Creative....what I wanted to do from the age of 15.
What i do now: Travel the world working with governments developing initiatives that get populations to change their behaviours towards waste and sanitation as well as working with local authorities in the UK to help get their residents to recycle, reduce waste, etc. (If you've ever had someone knock at your door to talk about your rubbish...the chances are that was probably one of ours).
How: Was running a full-service ad-agency and in 2003, won a big contract for a council (Rotherham) to develop a campaign supporting a new kerbside recycling service. This was hugely successful and attracted the attention of other councils looking to do the same. Within 18 months, we'd had five big similar projects on the go across the UK. I thought 'hang on...what's going on?" Had a look and discovered the government was then pumping £40m into communications to support councils promote and encourage use in new recycling service. No other agency was interested in the market and by then, we had built up some exceptionally strong credentials. Decided to make some hay while the sun shone and sunk myself into the sector becoming a waste management and behavioural change geek.
Thought it would last three, perhaps four years. well, 132 UK councils and 22 countries later and I'm still telling people what they can and can't recycle which means I'm either really crap at what or I do or pretty good.
I'll admit I did a huge eye roll when I first read 'Behavioural Change Consultancy' but it sounds interesting.
When I read the comments on yet another story in my local paper's website about people objecting to bi-weekly bin collections I want to cut my eyes out with spoons. I didn't know there were people engaged in this sector, outside of Local Authorities - assumed they just 'had a go' at it in house.
As for your missus...tell her not to worry; according to the Daily Mail it all ends up in the same hole anyway!
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