What business do you own and how did you get into it?
Discussion
Food manufacturing consultancy. Process fixing, technical stuff (food safety etc). Just me.
I got into it on the back of some lousy luck. I was out on my (push)bike and mowed down by a car. Comprehensively f*ed. Spent time in hospital, lost my job. 18 months out of work, unfit. Started sniffing round. I'd done some work as a temp before, just travelling to sites and improving manufacturing processes. One came up in France. I speak French, I've worked there before. I got it, mostly because no other British food manufacturers can speak any foreign languages. Drove a £275 Astra to France. Did a decent job, earned enough in 3 months to squeak by for a year if necessary. This was 2011. Had a think, thought "this isn't half bad" so set up as a sole trader. Took 5 minutes. Cost zilch. Earned a decent living most years, some years are better than others. Recently the order book is full, I am now a limited co, a director no less, and last year I put what I used to think was a bloody good annual salary into a pension fund to avoid paying tax. This year I will do similar and hopefully get time for a few more holidays. Starting next week, I have time off.
I'm not changing jobs anytime soon.
I got into it on the back of some lousy luck. I was out on my (push)bike and mowed down by a car. Comprehensively f*ed. Spent time in hospital, lost my job. 18 months out of work, unfit. Started sniffing round. I'd done some work as a temp before, just travelling to sites and improving manufacturing processes. One came up in France. I speak French, I've worked there before. I got it, mostly because no other British food manufacturers can speak any foreign languages. Drove a £275 Astra to France. Did a decent job, earned enough in 3 months to squeak by for a year if necessary. This was 2011. Had a think, thought "this isn't half bad" so set up as a sole trader. Took 5 minutes. Cost zilch. Earned a decent living most years, some years are better than others. Recently the order book is full, I am now a limited co, a director no less, and last year I put what I used to think was a bloody good annual salary into a pension fund to avoid paying tax. This year I will do similar and hopefully get time for a few more holidays. Starting next week, I have time off.
I'm not changing jobs anytime soon.
I left school with little qualifications but soon followed my father`s footsteps into the world of plumbing/heating getting my city and guilds 4 yrs later.
Approx 10 yrs ago i started designing plantrooms/boiler houses etc for a few large mechanical engineering companies which allows me to work from home autumn and winter months and enjoy spring and summer off travelling and enjoying life..at 49yrs old im happy to be semi-retired and thank my late father for steering me into this trade.
Approx 10 yrs ago i started designing plantrooms/boiler houses etc for a few large mechanical engineering companies which allows me to work from home autumn and winter months and enjoy spring and summer off travelling and enjoying life..at 49yrs old im happy to be semi-retired and thank my late father for steering me into this trade.
bga said:
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.
DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.
To further elaborate on the point made about me sharing my idea.
Yes I understand that it may not have been the wisest of moves, since there is the possibility, however distinct it may be that someone takes it up to himself to realize the idea themselves.
However, I strongly believe that even if that happens there will be enough cake left for me to eat.
To come back to this:
If I had not elaborated on the idea, there would be no distinct way for me to generate interest, which this has undoubtendly done.
So if there is in fact interest in a more detailed explanation in how there can be a mutually beneficial procedure please feel free to drop me an E-Mail.
Yes I understand that it may not have been the wisest of moves, since there is the possibility, however distinct it may be that someone takes it up to himself to realize the idea themselves.
However, I strongly believe that even if that happens there will be enough cake left for me to eat.
To come back to this:
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 do not quite follow why I have "wasted" that oppotunity to make you some extra cash.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.)
If I had not elaborated on the idea, there would be no distinct way for me to generate interest, which this has undoubtendly done.
So if there is in fact interest in a more detailed explanation in how there can be a mutually beneficial procedure please feel free to drop me an E-Mail.
I was working as a contractor, writing, designing, building and implementing Learning and education solutions, including anything from big4 regulatory training to deliver degree/post grad degrees and clinical training/patient interventions.
After seeing the numbers and margins involved I fancied a slice, and as I built my network of global SME's I was offered projects which I now fulfil with a global network of talent.
I am getting pickier these days and tend to follow the interesting projects rather than do the compliance stuff which pays very well but is terminally dreary and often just a tick box exercise to avoid massive multimillion fines rather than up-skilling, knowledge retention or changing behaviours
Current and upcoming projects that have got my attention are setting up an Academic Press/Publishing house for ebooks, and setting up a online business school in East Africa and designing a couple of postgrad degrees to sell to some universities.
After seeing the numbers and margins involved I fancied a slice, and as I built my network of global SME's I was offered projects which I now fulfil with a global network of talent.
I am getting pickier these days and tend to follow the interesting projects rather than do the compliance stuff which pays very well but is terminally dreary and often just a tick box exercise to avoid massive multimillion fines rather than up-skilling, knowledge retention or changing behaviours
Current and upcoming projects that have got my attention are setting up an Academic Press/Publishing house for ebooks, and setting up a online business school in East Africa and designing a couple of postgrad degrees to sell to some universities.
I started out in IT, was doing OK with it too but it wasnt long before I grew to hate it and even more so working for someone else.
My old man who was a property landlord fell ill so couldnt keep on top of self managing 20 odd houses. I had always been quite handy with DIY so looked after his business whilst my mum looked after him at home in his last remaining years.
In the last 9 years ive refurbed the lot of them top to bottom, doubled the rent income, reduced tenant turnover by about half, and bought 4 of my own. I Inherited half when he died so its left me and my mum running things these days. I do the odd flip when im at a loose end but its now at the point where the houses are at a really good standard and very little maintenance.
I'm toying with the idea of setting up a lettings agency next, but will wait to see how the numerous upcoming changes to this sector take effect but its looking more and more possible within the next year or so. Im hoping to adopt a different approach to the usual rip off agents out there.
My old man who was a property landlord fell ill so couldnt keep on top of self managing 20 odd houses. I had always been quite handy with DIY so looked after his business whilst my mum looked after him at home in his last remaining years.
In the last 9 years ive refurbed the lot of them top to bottom, doubled the rent income, reduced tenant turnover by about half, and bought 4 of my own. I Inherited half when he died so its left me and my mum running things these days. I do the odd flip when im at a loose end but its now at the point where the houses are at a really good standard and very little maintenance.
I'm toying with the idea of setting up a lettings agency next, but will wait to see how the numerous upcoming changes to this sector take effect but its looking more and more possible within the next year or so. Im hoping to adopt a different approach to the usual rip off agents out there.
Edited by dazwalsh on Friday 31st March 22:52
I started out in the building trade when I was probably 9 or 10 (dad was a builder). By the time I'd completely wasted my education I trained to be a plumber and was running my own team at 17. I stuck it out until I was about 22 and left to be a bar worker, DJ and general waster in Spain.
After about 3 years of partying I had a dream (an actual sleep induced dream, not the MLK type of one) that I was a hairdresser and decided to give that a go. I moved back to the UK and worked in bars and nightclubs DJing whilst I retrained before working my way up in a national chain.
I then opened my first salon and it went from there. We moved to larger premises a couple of years ago and became a Spa with Hairdressing on site. That's what I do now. I've also started to do properties up in my spare time as I still enjoy the building trade.
Not sure where I'll go next with things next. Not sure I'd want to be Building full time but if the staff can take over the Spa themselves over the next couple of years I'd probably do more of that, I've had this business for 10 years this weekend and I feel that if I don't keep challenging/changing things I'll get bored.
Still love the hairdressing mind you so will carry on doing customers for the time being.
After about 3 years of partying I had a dream (an actual sleep induced dream, not the MLK type of one) that I was a hairdresser and decided to give that a go. I moved back to the UK and worked in bars and nightclubs DJing whilst I retrained before working my way up in a national chain.
I then opened my first salon and it went from there. We moved to larger premises a couple of years ago and became a Spa with Hairdressing on site. That's what I do now. I've also started to do properties up in my spare time as I still enjoy the building trade.
Not sure where I'll go next with things next. Not sure I'd want to be Building full time but if the staff can take over the Spa themselves over the next couple of years I'd probably do more of that, I've had this business for 10 years this weekend and I feel that if I don't keep challenging/changing things I'll get bored.
Still love the hairdressing mind you so will carry on doing customers for the time being.
strudel said:
I was actually thinking of starting a thread just like this myself. So if I can be permitted a slight hijack of the thread...
How long did it take to see a decent return on money? Curious to know if it was easy enough from day one or you only had one sale for the first six months.
Easy to make twice the national average salary from day one as a high ticket driving instructor. Even a trainee can earn over £1000 per week in London and the South East. How long did it take to see a decent return on money? Curious to know if it was easy enough from day one or you only had one sale for the first six months.
I too find peoples replies fascinating.
My own story is this: I started my Ltd Co in October last year and I labelled myself a Commercial Workspace Consultant. This came about following a few different career choices (always chasing better pay packets) and included being a postman, electrician, delivery driver, groundworker/civil engineering, mechanic, BT engineer and then the last 13 years in the office refurbishment sector up to a director level.
Following a spur of the moment resignation after a silly incident on a site in Windsor I got home and thought; s
t, now what?!! I applied for a new job at another office interiors firm, got the job (Project Manager, £60k pa etc) but lasted 3 days and came home again. Cue the 2nd round of "st, now what?!!"...
So I decided that the only way to be happy was to work for myself and put to good use all that I had been taught and experienced - namely, running office, retail and warehouse fit out/refurbishment projects, design, Autocad drawings and 3d modelling, cost evaluations, contractor and materials procurement etc etc. 6 months in and I am doing pretty well and feel a whole lot better in body and mind.
It does take a monumental leap of bravery for some but for me it was a case of survival. I have amazed myself in what I can do because I have had to - starting a company, building a couple of WIX websites, finding clients, using an accountant to name a few.
I don't want to be rich or own an Aston Martin (any more) and am quite happy earning all that I need to live without worrying too much.
Cheers
My own story is this: I started my Ltd Co in October last year and I labelled myself a Commercial Workspace Consultant. This came about following a few different career choices (always chasing better pay packets) and included being a postman, electrician, delivery driver, groundworker/civil engineering, mechanic, BT engineer and then the last 13 years in the office refurbishment sector up to a director level.
Following a spur of the moment resignation after a silly incident on a site in Windsor I got home and thought; s
t, now what?!! I applied for a new job at another office interiors firm, got the job (Project Manager, £60k pa etc) but lasted 3 days and came home again. Cue the 2nd round of "st, now what?!!"...So I decided that the only way to be happy was to work for myself and put to good use all that I had been taught and experienced - namely, running office, retail and warehouse fit out/refurbishment projects, design, Autocad drawings and 3d modelling, cost evaluations, contractor and materials procurement etc etc. 6 months in and I am doing pretty well and feel a whole lot better in body and mind.
It does take a monumental leap of bravery for some but for me it was a case of survival. I have amazed myself in what I can do because I have had to - starting a company, building a couple of WIX websites, finding clients, using an accountant to name a few.
I don't want to be rich or own an Aston Martin (any more) and am quite happy earning all that I need to live without worrying too much.
Cheers
Me and a friend, both 25, have an idea for an app. There is a similar one on the market, but ours would be a bit more simple and a few different features.
App development is expensive, and the fact there is already an established business doing it has made us hesitant to set up with the money we currently have.
So we've decided to set up in something we know, and consider that option later. Buying and selling of vintage/rare clothes and trainers for now. We've both sourced really good stuff in the past we could and have sold on for profit, and continue to do so, and in the meantime we are bringing in wholesale clothing to part out. It can be run in our spare time, we've got the storage space already. If it pays for extra beers each month, we'll be happy. I know we're never going to be millionaires.
SO through going for the "lightbulb" business idea that has a lot of risk involved, we've settled on something that could run quite nicely and not land us in a huge amount of debt!
App development is expensive, and the fact there is already an established business doing it has made us hesitant to set up with the money we currently have.
So we've decided to set up in something we know, and consider that option later. Buying and selling of vintage/rare clothes and trainers for now. We've both sourced really good stuff in the past we could and have sold on for profit, and continue to do so, and in the meantime we are bringing in wholesale clothing to part out. It can be run in our spare time, we've got the storage space already. If it pays for extra beers each month, we'll be happy. I know we're never going to be millionaires.
SO through going for the "lightbulb" business idea that has a lot of risk involved, we've settled on something that could run quite nicely and not land us in a huge amount of debt!
I run a race team never planned to be doing it but been operating as a full business since 2008 now.
Me and my brother both raced Caterhams and we bought a lot of the kit required for car setups had a few friends that got in to it at the same time so we started working on their cars as well with a decent amount of success and it spiralled from there working out of a double garage to now having an industrial premises and articulated trucks etc.
It doesn't make me much money but i enjoy it as it keeps me in my hobby and i get the odd chance to drive the cars. Always looking to progress the business but very client dependant but Le Mans is the ultimate aim.
Me and my brother both raced Caterhams and we bought a lot of the kit required for car setups had a few friends that got in to it at the same time so we started working on their cars as well with a decent amount of success and it spiralled from there working out of a double garage to now having an industrial premises and articulated trucks etc.
It doesn't make me much money but i enjoy it as it keeps me in my hobby and i get the odd chance to drive the cars. Always looking to progress the business but very client dependant but Le Mans is the ultimate aim.
I had 8.5 years working as an employee pharmacist, progressing to superintendent pharmacist covering three independent pharmacies. I realised I was creating growth and goodwill for an employer that had lost respect for my efforts and in turn I lost respect or the position.
I took the decision to leave and start my own pharmacy from scratch; I opted for a distance selling pharmacy rather than a traditional high street bricks and mortar pharmacy.
I spent the last 18 months gaining the NHS contract, getting the premises updated and registered as a pharmacy and finally haggling with the local council for a change of use permission.
We are now in the process of growing online sales (Both OTC medicines and NHS prescriptions); using eBay and Amazon whilst building a shopify site.
Huge change in attitude in the household-got myself, mrs, three kids and a big old mortgage to support!
I took the decision to leave and start my own pharmacy from scratch; I opted for a distance selling pharmacy rather than a traditional high street bricks and mortar pharmacy.
I spent the last 18 months gaining the NHS contract, getting the premises updated and registered as a pharmacy and finally haggling with the local council for a change of use permission.
We are now in the process of growing online sales (Both OTC medicines and NHS prescriptions); using eBay and Amazon whilst building a shopify site.
Huge change in attitude in the household-got myself, mrs, three kids and a big old mortgage to support!
Started an advertising business from scratch last April after watching my old employer ignore what their customers said they wanted.
Last month we'd grown to 7 employees from the 3 original and passed the £1m sales mark (most of which was the past 6 months, we t/o £400k in March alone).
Worth every moment, and we were lucky to be able to line up all the elements and scale so quickly.
Last month we'd grown to 7 employees from the 3 original and passed the £1m sales mark (most of which was the past 6 months, we t/o £400k in March alone).
Worth every moment, and we were lucky to be able to line up all the elements and scale so quickly.
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