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Meitzi,
I am planning to start Hawaiian eateries in San Antonio, TX. Can you provide the following:
- Financing. Are you using conventional or SBA loans?
- What program you use for business plan?
- Where to research demographics?
- How to determine a good location?
- Biggest challenge so far?
Cliff
Hi Craig and our Buddy or Buddies that quit their job to start a business:
What your feeling is quite normal. You were an employee for XX years and now your going to get out of your comfort zone and change your mindset to that of an employer, business owner, sole proprietor,etc. Congratulations!
But first, some word of caution. There are no such things as a "Get Rich Quick" scheme and any advertisement and/or infomercial that says you will be up and running in no time and drawing an income stream while you sleep is Bull____.
Do you really know a lot about clothing, fabrics, styles, etc? If so, this may be your niche. Your niche should reflect a strong passion from within and something you like to read about and/or experience every day. If you worked many years for an employer are you an expert in a specific area? Why not try to write an "How To" E-Book. Information is a great seller over the web. Clothing may drive some sales but with all the competition out there, I do not think it will generate the sales your looking for. Unless $1,000 a month is acceptable to you.
I retired early after 32 years in State Goverment and have enrolled in an online business start-up course that covers stuff from A-Z. I spend 7-10 hours a day writing text for my site and working through the online program that requires me to create a Business Vision Statement, Time Line, writing into a daily business journal, etc.....and I LOVE IT. I have a coach that contacts me every week to discuss issues, progress, "What am I Feeling Right Now", etc and makes sure I stay the course and complete my tasks every week. Tough stuff, but well worth it. Remember playing a sport or trying to play the piano.......you cannot just say I can do this by myself..... WE ALL NEED A COACH TO HELP US!!!!!!! It takes the strain out of trying to actually accomplishing things every day. Remember, take some baby steps first!!!!
My web-site will be up in about 3 months. I will be offering a "How To" video. In the meantime my coach recommended that I sell products on E bay to gain a sense of marketing and to find out what consumers really like to buy. I have learned a lot about marketing already, made some bucks, and am having fun to boot.
Give it some thought.
SwingPal
Katherine, your idea sounds promising!!! I remember reading a smiliar business idea (but her product wasnt` organic, I believe it was lip balm) off Working Mother Magazine. You might still be able to find the story on the website. Finding a right partner is tricky ... you have to have the right vibe and same level of motivation. Pamslim (one of the SuN member) has a great website with lots of inspiring articles. Feel free to check it out if you have some spare time!!!
Good luck!!
Meitzi,
I am planning to start Hawaiian eateries in San Antonio, TX. Can you provide the following:
- Financing. Are you using conventional or SBA loans?
At the moment I am using Meitzi`s Saving account. I`d very much like to meet an angel investor (who doesn`t?!) but very likely get a loan from the bank.
- What program you use for business plan?
I am actually not using any program for the business plan. I have a great mentor who forwarded me a template of a restaurant business plan; plus I also download the one from SuN web page.
- Where to research demographics?
census.gov
- How to determine a good location?
it depends on who your target customers are. For me, I would like to have families with young children so I found a place that is within a shopping center with Toys R Us right across and an ice skating rink next door.
- Biggest challenge so far?
you mean challengeS?! Writing business plan for one, is a challenge. I am not a chef is another. Trying to find time to work on this while I work full time and also have a toddler whose social life is just way too exciting and busy is also another challenge. But I was laid-off recently, this might not be a challenge any more ... which leads to the new challenge - living on savings and unemployment ... yeeks!
Cliff
Thank You for the feedback. I know finding a partner is tricky, but I have tried for over two years to go at it alone and just find that unless I have someone on my team with management experience, and who can polish the business plan to wow Venture Capitalists, it is going to be forever before it gets off the ground. Good luck to all of us as we pursue our dreams.
Hope you all had a good weekend. It`s Sunday morning (where I am) now and as I will be traveling to my Home Business`s, XanGo, convention in Utah by weeks end I just wanted to say good luck to all of you who have/are/will/might start a business, home or otherwise.
Don`t give up! Whatever you decide! Just Don`t Give Up!
RSchlieper (Ron)
Thank You for the encouragement. I am going to look for a partner for this venture who has excellent credit, management experience, and can help me refine the business plan, so it can be presented to angel investors and venture capitalists. Good luck to everyone at S.U.N.
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