Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Just out of curiosity, I was wondering if any of you would like to share why, or how you started / decided on your dream business. 

I have never planned on opening a restaurant in my life; never thought I would!  What motivated me to do this is the frustration I get every time when I take my toddler to the restaurant (one of them is being as a single parent, quite a few times we leave to use the bathroom our food would be taken away by the time we return!); some similar frustration other parents have shared with me when they take their children out; all the annoying co-workers at work who love to play office politics; plus I really begin the hate (and I always tell my boy `hate` is a strong word, ha!) the fact I work my bXtt off to make some CEO who doesn`t even know how to convert a word doc. to PDF rich! 

So there is my why & how =)

OH WOW...that last sentence is sooooooo me!!! HAHAHA!!! Not the reason why I started this adventure...but definitely a driving force! I love my current boss...but for crying-out-loud...who is running this business anyway!!??

My story...I remember in my high school biology class my teacher told my mom one day that if I didn`t become a genetist she would eat her hat. She was so confident that it was my passion and my destiny was to save the world from some bizarre genetic anomaly. LOL...funny thing is...I am doing something very similar now.

When my son was born 4 years ago with a chromosome abnormality I was devestated...and when every doctor we turned to told me they didn`t know how to help...information was limited...their time was limited for researching...etc etc etc...I knew then and there that I needed to make a change for myself and others like me. There should be a place to go when you need answers to these questions...and there are...a million places...but finding them can be...well...frankly...it can be hell! Hours on Google and Yahoo and every other search engine known to mankind sifting through websites that want to sell you everything from a miracle drug to sex toys...and I typed in genetics!!!

So I creating a one stop shop of all things special needs...I am basically creating the special needs COMMUNITY one link at a time...and there will finally be some unity...some sense of belonging and support for families who are struck with difficult diagnosis. A place for doctors to send their patients...a place for families to come together...a place where people can go and finally not feel so completely lost and helpless in their quest for a better life for their children and loved ones who have special needs. I am saving the world from ALL of the genetic anomalies...lol...only it doesn`t much have anything to do with genetics....ahhh....wouldn`t my teacher be proud!  

Anyway...that is my reason...my story for starting this project! I have to admit...taking on the world is a BIG adventure...so how am I doing it...well...I take it one tiny step at a time...hopefully...eventually...someone will reach out to help me...or I will find that infamous EASY button that I keep hearing about!

Best of luck to you all!

Good post! Mine was out of necessity. I was pregnant with my second son and needed a way to bring money into the household while raising our boys. Daycare for two is very expensive and wouldn`t be worth it. Before I started my company I was working all sorts of crazy hours as a Realtor. I knew I couldn`t continue. Luckily, my career before real estate was in graphic design and prepress. It was probably easier for me to go into a business like this than most, because I can do my own packaging, web site, newsletters, logo and everything like that myself. (I`m a dummy when it comes to finance though!) I`ve been in business now for about a year and a half and I am having a great time. It`s certainly stressful, but also incredibly rewarding.

Hats off to these two phenomenal moms!!! Wow!!!

Most of the kids friendly restaurant give children a few crayons and coloring pages but children tend to get bored with that easily.  That might entertain them before the meal is served but not afterward.  Chuck E Cheese has a great way to entertain children but parents have to pay for tokens!

Then there are parents who take their children out to dinner because they are too tired to cook.  For the same reason, they are too tired to discipline their kids for running around, screaming, etc.

My restaurant will provide 1. a relaxing atomsphere for parents to enjoy the meal; 2. a fun and educational enviornment for children and they are fully entertained the second they walk into the restaurant; 3. parents can get 5-star meal without having to hire a sitter (so they can eat at those fancy restaurants that prefer you don`t bring your kids!); 4. bring the community closer by having events such as Kidz Talent Show; Parent - child talent show, and so on. 

list goes on ...

Entreprenerd, if it`s okay to send you a private message, I would like to teoo you more about the restaurant and since you are a graphic designer, I was wondering if I can have you take a look of the logo and web layout I did and offer some professional opinions! =)

Leah, the restaurant will serve a mix of cuisine: Italian, Asian, Mexican, and a large selection of Vegetarian meals. 

Hey, if the grand opening is on schedule, which is summer 2007, maybe you can open one up in Oregon after that!  =)

What an amazing idea! I would be in total awe of a place like that around here! We would be constant regulars. It is so hard to find places that truly cator to the "family". It`s as if "family restaurant" now means as long as your family is above the age of 12-13.  BRAVO!!!! I know at least a million and one parents who would ask you to consider (quickly) franchising into their area so they can have a decent night out once in a while!

Best of luck to you!!

Hmm...well if I don`t...I happen to know a business major at a college here in the Portland area who wants to start a restaurant when she is done with school...which should be around that same time. I will have to tell her to pop on here and check this thread out! Man...I just totally love this idea! Really! I would love to see one in this area...and I just KNOW it would be well received.