Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I am new to this community and I am a chronic entrepreneur at heart with a book full of ideas. I keep telling myself I will wait for the right moment in my life. Well I turn thirty in six months and I don`t really thing there will ever be a "right moment". I have flexibility, no children, and a supportive family and husband. What am I waiting for?

I will start with the idea I think would be the lowest overhead and easiet to get started. I am from a small town and have identified a need for a concierge service. Catering2Convenience with a list of menu items. I have`nt decided if this would a be a membership based model or a service oriented business for: cleaning, pet sitting, catering (a passion of mine), errands, personal assistant, etc.

Do you think this is viable? I`m just at the beginning stages.. but passionate about what I do and I love helping others.

Any advice would be great!!

Of course That`s doable. The biggest spending will probabaly be marketing. Find one that suits your environment. I can see this become a good business.

My one pet peeve is that I can`t handle numbers in a name. It`s not an age thing either - I`ll be 30 about 4 months after you!

Other than being a snob of the English language ... I think it`s a great idea, something that is really growing in popularity. There are some other people on SuN who offer similar services, like this nice guy for example. Perhaps you should have a conversation - you guys can share what works and doesn`t in your own areas, maybe spark some ideas in each other.

Other than that, get that business plan going and START IT UP!

Good luck!

Thank you so much for the advice and encouragement! I really appreciate the connection to the Charlotte business. I can`t find any around here so I think I might be on to something!

Thanks again!

Since I have the flexibility is it advisable to start this up part-time? I can find relatively cheap office space in the area, but is that bad and jump starting too soon?

I don`t think I am as exposed to someone taking the name if I do a sole prop. vs. an LLC option....

My brain is going ninety miles an hour and I`m afraid I`m getting ahead of myself.

I`m with NHG on this, get that plan going and start it up. Your welcome to sit on the sidelines if you want but at some point, don`t you want to actually play the game! Thats where all the fun is! It`s NOT going to be easy, but from your post you have support from the family. Don`t wait because you`ll really kick yourself when some competitor comes in and starts offering what you thought of.

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He who gets greedy like a pig, gets slaughtered like a hog!

I`d want to make sure the small town has enough wealthy people who could afford something like this.  I`m from a small town (<1000) and very few people had money to spend in this way.  I`d say you`d want a maket at least  >50,000 people. 

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Travis Tschepen
Hibachi Bros. LLC

--My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.--

I agree with the Grill Guy from MN..

FIRST... assess the full market potential... if sufficient, then `go like the dickens` to make it happen.

If not, return to GO and collect a new idea.

Repeat until the pain subsides.

Thanks again for the suggestions and thoughts

To answer the question regarding market.. market is >50,000 people and I am specifically looking at partnering with a resort property nearby that is very popular. In recent years the town has several commuters since it is a satelite town (within 45-50 minutes) to a major metropolitan area. This is what drove me to choose this idea over the others, which would require more startup $$.

I still have a ton of research to complete - this is the most helpful place I have found for information.

Any ideas on how long it takes from inception to launch?

Should have added another question.. Is it bad to start networking with these businesses before there is a business in place??