what is the best way to get started all i have right now are the baby items from my own 2 year old?
2006-06-08 08:35:54 · 8 answers · asked by martha c 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
Rent out a shop & buy stuff from people at 25-30% of what you plan to sell it for.
2006-06-08 08:38:15 · answer #1 · answered by mrsdebra1966 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.
I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.
Associations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.
Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:
* Too Good to be Threw: The Complete Operations Manual for Resale & Consignment Shops by Kate Holmes
* A Common Sense Entrepreneurial Guide: How to Open & Run a Successful Consignment Shop [DOWNLOAD: PDF] by Nancy L. Nolan
* How to Start and Run an eBay Consignment Business by Skip McGrath
* Specialty Shop Retailing: How to Run Your Own Store Revised by Carol L. Schroeder
There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.
Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
2006-06-08 09:43:44 · answer #2 · answered by TM Express™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're going to need to work your top three core competencies. You'll choose these, but maybe they're something like: a reliable supply of goods, a good location, and market-savvy expenses. Consignment shops aren't going to make you rich, they'll buy you a living.
From the real estate part of your business, you're going to want to spend some real time researching the market. A good commercial agent will get you market information, traffic studies, comparative lease rates, etc. You'll likely want to be in a strip mall somewhere, and you've got to know who has access to your shop.
You can get comparative market data from zapdata.com (a free service by Dun & Bradstreet). That'll get you an idea of revenue potential and averages. You can get salary information at salary.com. You can get lease rates from your local commercial real estate agent. You can get clothes prices from competing stores, as well as shop concepts.
A good book to use for setting up a retail business is Why We Buy by some odd guy. He has a consulting firm that studies shopping habits of people and he'll have some insight about what's going to make things successful for you.
Also, I'd work strongly with a good POS system. Microsoft's got Retail Management Solutions, which will take you all the way if you want to spend that kind of cash. The reason I'd invest in the information management is you've got to know what's selling, what's keeping you profitable, and how you're going to adjust your shop space, your consignment items, your advertising, etc. to get product out the door.
One good thing you have going for you is eBay. You can keep your shop people busy during slow parts of the day moving goods and services online. I've seen a lot of small shops run this way to some success.
If you would like some more information, I'm working in your industry and I'd be happy to introduce you to some people or follow up ideas. My yahoo email is the same as my nickname in these forums.
2006-06-08 08:49:38 · answer #3 · answered by Geni100 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should start by getting a store. Then use what you have to get money. Maybe ask people if they can give you free baby items.
2006-06-08 08:38:51 · answer #4 · answered by Ms. Longbottom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In addition to Narts, which is the person before me cited, check out Too Good to be Threw. It's a more open site than NARTS, and their sharing board can't be beaten!
2006-06-12 08:18:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
put a add in the news paper will pick up any old clothing.
or if you get to the salvation army involved saying they will get a % of the profit they will have a drop off at your place. see ppl get a tax break when they donate there old stuff.
2006-06-08 08:41:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put an ad out to that you collect old baby's clothes.
Ask friends, family, co-workers, etc if they have anything they could give you
2006-06-08 08:39:05 · answer #7 · answered by Just Asking?!?! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go for it! Look at similar stores and go from there.
2006-06-08 08:37:57 · answer #8 · answered by joencrystal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋