Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hi everyone!

I am new to this forum. My apology for not very correct English language, English is my second language, and I am speaking lot better, then I can do my writing. But I try. My situation is: I decide to open a new café/ crepes bistro. I have a much idea what I need to do, and how this restaurant will look like, but of course a main problem is money. I try to find someone to help me write a business-plan and I will try to get a loan to start my business. My question is : I have all my idea only in my head, and I don’t want to do anything until I will now if the bank can give me a loan. Do I need to register a company or I can wait until I get the answer from the bank, but a same way how I can write a plan without a registered company. To be short I am researching any possible information, everything, every little details how to open a restaurant business I any suggestion, additional information’s will be appreciate it.

Also what you guys think about that type of business.

I will give you some general answers to your questions - but you should discuss your specific situation with professionals.

1. If you are going to operate this cafe as a sole proprietor, there will not be any formal legal entity -so you won`t need to do anything. If however, you plan to set up a formal structure then.

2 . If you have a "special" name for your business- you may want to take steps to keep someone else from using it.

  - Register a domain with that name

  - reserve the name (for a corporation or LLC) in your state

Good luck.

Robert Johnson

 

-------------------------

Business Growth Masters, LLC -
Capital Catalysts for Entrepreneurs
Home of the Scalable Business Plan and QuikStart Capital Programs
http://www.bizgrowthmasters.com
info@bizgrowthmasters.com

Hi Proficom,  I am also going to open a restaurant - do not worry, I won`t be your competitor!

I`d suggest you contacting your local SCORE office - have all the questions ready when you visit and you`ll be surprise how much useful advice you can get from them. 

My coach from SCORE, a very experienced restaurant owner / manager, told me to hold off on registering the company just yet but to work on the business plan first.   As Robert suggested above,you can definitely register a domain and reserve your company name with the Secretary of State. I have done both already.

Business plan is essential.  Same as you, English isn`t my first language so I hired a person to listen to my millions of ideas then puts them into beautiful & professional words.  Unless you have a friend who works at the bank, you must have a business plan in hand when you go talk to them.  Even if you are applying loans via Small Business Administration - they want to know that you know what you are doing, in words. 

I do hope you are going to have this crepes cafe in California - I haven`t had a real crepes since I last visited France in 1999!

All the best to you!

-------------------------

Life isn`t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

Entrepreneur Magazine has a pretty good guide for starting a restaurant -I think you can order it on line at

http://www.smallbizbooks.com/cgi-bin/SmallBizBooks/00047.htm l

You ultimately willl need a business plan, but we don`t believe you need to invest hours and $$ before you start finding out what type of funding is available to you.

Robert Johnson

 

-------------------------

Business Growth Masters, LLC -
Capital Catalysts for Entrepreneurs
Home of the Scalable Business Plan and QuikStart Capital Programs
http://www.bizgrowthmasters.com
info@bizgrowthmasters.com

Meitzi,

Smart move to hire a copy writer!  I can`t tell you how many times I have pondered a restaurant menu that was obviously not written by someone who spoke fluent English.  It can reflect poorly on your business. 

From time to time I have to research scrapbook industry manufacturers in China and more often than not, the websites make me laugh.  I swear I could build a business cleaning up the English on websites.  For instance, one Chinese website translated the word "Jewelry box" to "Jewelry Coffin"  

Of course, I, for one, am surprised though, your English is great here at SuN!

~Kim

Thank you, Kim.  I once read an article that even as an entrepreneur we should recognize our weakness then outsource that. 

I can`t afford to pay over $500.00 to go to one of the professional services. What I do is I draft out everything then hire someone to correct and rephrase for me.  I put an ad on Craigslist and got over 30 respones. I read through each one of their websites, resumes, and samples of writing then decided on a wonderful college student whose passion happens to be writing.  After I send her the draft I`d call her to answer any questions she might have (and of course, any Chinese-direct -translations that she had no clue what in the world I was talking about!)It works out so well.  She is a brilliant writer and, of course, once the business goes well she can always use it as a reference.

I`ve seen some hilarious websites before and god I hope mine won`t be one of them!

Thank you for the encouraging words!!!

-------------------------

Life isn`t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

Thank you for all of yours responses. All of my big concerns to start the business are about the idea. Crepes are not very common menu on all American restaurant, and I dont`t know if this menu will work for business.  I am very scared to start because I dont`t know if people will buy my product and I cannot find enough information about it. I need your advise and maybe you guys can recommend me any web sites to do research. Thanks

where is all my helpers today? I hope you guys will help me with my questions.