Me and my girl are both tired of doing what we do and want to pursue our own business. Shes knoledgable about cooking and catering and I'm knowledgable about cars and construction. What are some things we could do to get some decent income rolling in that we could actually live off of? We don't have any money to invest with so we would be starting from scratch. Any ideas are appreciated.
2006-12-26 10:41:19 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
We are also both interested in photography. I'm actually pretty good at it too.
2006-12-26 10:42:15 · update #1
I recommend that you start out small, doing it as a part-time business evenings or weekends until you get some cash flow. Each of you should start your own business. Partnerships are the worst kind of business relationship, they always cause problems, and it's even worse when you are a couple. Every couple I know that has started a business together is no longer together. That's from several decades of experience.
Use whatever equipment and tools you have now. Take an inventory of what you have (kitchen equipment, construction tools, etc) Figure out what kind of services you can offer with what you already have. Then as you start to make money, expand the services and buy more tools/equipment.
Your best free advertising will be word of mouth so get talking to friends and family as soon as you figure out what kinds of businesses you are going to start. Ask them to spread the word for you. It doesn't cost much to get business cards printed up, give them out to everyone and post them at the grocery store and where ever you see free billboards. Get signage put on your vehicles, too. Advertise in local newspapers when you can afford it. Money should be spent on advertising before it's spent on additional equipment because without the phone ringing you won't need that equipment.
Remember, you don't want to be in business together but that doesn't mean you can't be there to support and help each other as much as possible. Create boundaries in each business so each of you knows when to help and when to step back.
Good luck!!
2006-12-26 11:27:56 · answer #1 · answered by macc_1957 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm going to have to disagree with some of the answers I see here. I think you can do very well in business together, but I would recommend really doing your homework first.
I started a small business in the health and wellness industry marketing a product that is phenomenal for people's health. I work with a partner and we are building very quickly. I started earning an income on my 2nd day. This is something you can both do on a part time basis until it either replaces or surpasses your income. Incomes of $10-$20k/mo are definately not unusual in this business, and once you have achieved that, you can put your business on "auto-pilot" while you pursue other businesses. What I really like is that all the training is provided, all the bookwork is done for you online, you just have to market the product. Because of it's reputation, the product is moving fast and amazing incomes are being earned. I work with a 29 year old, mother of 2 who is bringing in close to $40k/mo!
This would definately free up your time to pursue whatever you wanted.
2006-12-26 20:21:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
With no money to start leaves few options. Boyfriend-girlfriend relationships (along with husband-wife) going into business, odds are against you as well.
That said you could consider dabbling into your interests as a "hobby" until you can build up enough money, i.e. capital to get going.
Check out "Entrepreneur" magazine, for one--there's probably a half dozen other zines as well.
It can be done, it's just the odds are against you. Good Luck!!
2006-12-26 19:00:08 · answer #3 · answered by Hayseedless 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well as the old saying goes, "It takes money to make money." Kind of hard to start a business without money. Like the catering part. You would need MONEY to put ads in the paper. So you see you are doomed before you start.
2006-12-26 18:48:35 · answer #4 · answered by Big C 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well,
I would recommand u for import and export business.
Find out what products are of demand in ur place,then i can export it to u.I live in india,and you can get a lot of products here for very low prices.
what i would recommand u is clothing business also,As clothes r very cheap here,as low as 1 dollar per shirt an ordinar 1.
Contact me at cool_fyz3000@yahoo.com
2006-12-27 05:58:43 · answer #5 · answered by mobile_user_01_01_whatever 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋