See I live in Washington, DC 15 minutes from Silver Spring and I am sick and tired of working to make people rich so what i want to do is open a store for my family but i do not have the resources(info) as to what kind of business to open. I really don't want it to be a seasonal store. I want it to have to do something with the year round need people have. So i'm sitting here trying to figure that out so if people who read this answer my question you will make my day and part of my life.
thanx a million
2006-06-16 15:18:35 · 7 answers · asked by Philmona T 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
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:
* Start and Run a Profitable Retail Business by Jim Dion, Ted Topping
* Retail Business Kit for Dummies by Rick Segel
* Specialty Shop Retailing: How to Run Your Own Store Revised by Carol L. Schroeder
* So You Want To Own The Store: Secrets to Running a Successful Retail Operation by Mort Brown
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!
2006-06-22 05:05:12 · answer #1 · answered by TM Express™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you want to join the ranks of the entrepreneurs out there in the world trying for and really achieving a better life. Your dream or idea of creating a chocolate store is a nice idea, but of course it will demand planning, money and time, as well as networking, money management, and all the things that go into getting people together who can either work or help you somehow establish your vision. You ask the following:
"...so what i want to do is open a store for my family but i do not have the resources(info) as to what kind of business to open..."
Seems like you don't have an idea, although you mentioned a chocolate store. However, creative ideas can be attained through brainstorming, and of course browsing the web. You can find anything that can be considered a resource on Google or Yahoo! search engines when you simply search for "ideas for a business". Here's some links I found:
Entrepreneur.com has great information about entrepreneurship and how to plan step by step on how to run a business:
http://www.entrepreneur.com/Your_Business/YB_Node/0,4507,110,00.html
About.com is a great website that tells you ABOUT all the things related to starting a business, specifically thinking up ideas...
http://entrepreneurs.about.com/od/businessideas/
To make a long story short, search those engines for key terms like "starting a business", "business ideas", and "entrepreneurship". Once you browse all the sites your eyes can take, start this step by step process:
1. Begin to make a business plan. This will give you the backbone to making your idea have some tangibility. Look online for example business plans you can copy. (ex. http://www.bplans.com/sp/businessplans.cfm)
2. Discuss with people you can trust about your intentions, and ideas. People close to you might just nod and say "yeah, do it", but you want to get the ones who can be honest and say "nah, that sucks" or some other negative (but not too negative) feedback, because you want to see what the average person would think if they saw your store on the corner. Would they walk in? Buy your stuff? Whatever the business idea, there needs to be a void/need it is fulfilling wherever you plant the idea.
3. Find out where to get money. Look online with the Small Business Administration (http://www.sba.gov/) for resources that can help you get a loan, or venture capital backing for starting a store or a small company. You will need to have a good business plan that is organized and clear to present to people you might approach for funds. The best place to borrow money first is friends and family. Get them in on the action, and let them know what your goals and aspirations are for starting your vision.
The above steps are not ALL, but they provide a start for you to start thinking about ideas, jotting them down, picking and choosing through your network of critics/ppl, and then developing your confidence to show off your concept to not just your close ones but to eventually and technically your customers.
Hope that helps.
2006-06-16 15:39:55 · answer #2 · answered by Juan E 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Be prepared to put a load of work into it and make triply sure that you keep everything legal-all the right permits and stuff. Sign up with the Better Business Bureau-potential customers will think better of you if you're a member. Advertise.
2006-06-16 15:26:20 · answer #3 · answered by tkron31 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd open a water ice/ice cream store! You work hard in the heat and sit the rest of the year to do whatever else that you want!
I don't own one, just want to.
2006-06-16 15:22:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a new thing that is coming on the horizon (and really making an impact) is a pasta shop/deli. If you can cook and make many good quality dishes along with offer varieties of meats, cheeses, and wines, people will flock!!
2006-06-16 15:21:00 · answer #5 · answered by Sunnydays 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A porn shop
People are always pervertsb and will pay big bucks if somine supplies themw ith what they need to act out dirty thoughts
2006-06-16 15:22:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I HEARD CHOCOLATE AND PET STORES DO GREAT. good luck!
2006-06-16 15:21:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋