If you were to start your own business what would it be and why
By tammytwo
@tammytwo (4298)
United States
January 12, 2009 9:27am CST
I have been working in the newspaper industry and am looking into beginning my own little home town newspaper. The downfall to this is that we already have a newspaper here and I had worked for them for nearly two years before a new boss came in and changed things. I would be competing against them for advertising money but I already have several areas businesses saying they would support me in my efforts. I am really trying to get the funds together to get it going by June. I already have the computer and the programs I need. I have talked with someone about it printing it and could have that done for less than $500 per week. I can sell the ads, design them and layout the pages as well as report on the issues. My son, husband and daughter would pitch in to help me with taking pictures, writing a few sports articles and the many other tasks that would need to be done. I am excited about giving it a go by June. What would you do if you were to start a small business? Give me any tips you may have for starting a small business, especially a newspaper. Thanks!
2 people like this
19 responses
@thanxiang (126)
• Philippines
13 Jan 09
If i were to start my own business,i would like it to be a grill house restaurant.It would be a family business coz my brothers and sis can help to improve it and there would be contributions of ideas.I finished a course in hotel and restaurant management so i want to make use of my knowledge.I like an errand business also.The problem as of now is that,we just bought another new house so i think i cant do it soon.Good for you u will be having your own business.Good luck to you.
1 person likes this
@dorypanda (1601)
•
18 Jan 09
I am looking to start up my own business, once I'm qualified. I'm currently studying for a 'Diploma in Holistic Therapy' at college, once I've passed my course, I'd like to set up my own treatment centre. I'm afraid I don't really know anyone that could help you, as you're in America. The only advice I can give you, is to make sure you only tell those who you know you can trust what your business is, what its name and logo will be etc. as there are unscrupulous people out there who will see a good idea and try to rip it off. It's good if you can get your idea patented to, I think it's called 'intelectual property patent'.
Good luck with your business.
1 person likes this
@hey_baby (425)
• Philippines
13 Jan 09
i'd like to have a clothing shop or a restaurant or coffee shop. a gift shop would be nice too. or a spa/salon.
or if i have a really nice budget, a spa/salon where they could have some coffee and shop for clothes and accessories after being pampered :)
@fit4lifein07 (719)
• United States
17 Jan 09
I would open my own jewelry business, I sell jewelry online if I could afford to open my own store here where I live would be great but it's very expensive and I am doing good selling online plus it's private so I guess you can say I have a "little" business lol, good luck with your plans that sounds great!
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
15 Jan 09
Actually I have started my own business. It is actually a training center that offers First aid and safety training. We have been doing it for two years already and luckily we have continued to grow. Its not that rewarding in so far as money is concerned since I do not charge much for the training. But the essence of teaching someone how to save life or handle emergencies is a reward in itself already.
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
17 Jan 09
A diner! I have always wanted to open one although I do not find myself regularly patronizing one. I just thought it would be a fun business to run as well as own and make food.
Another business venture that pops into my head right now is a "cupcakery" with a bookstore or the other way around.
I do not have tips for starting a small business as I have no experience there whatsoever but I am wishing you all the best and luck in yours, tammytwo.
@writermom8 (913)
• Philippines
12 Jan 09
When I was little, I wanted to become a librarian so that I can read all the books I want. Now, I dream of having my own bookstore for the same reason :) Maybe someday ...
God bless on your newspaper venture! I would suggest you could perhaps ask people around your town what they would like to see more in a community newspaper so that you can target coming up with writeups that the other paper lacks. Make it more personal. Have a section that feature stories of local people. Put up a family page where parents can send in photos of their kids who will be celebrating their birthdays for a given week and print those every weekend. I'm sure that'll drive sales up :)
I write for several magazines and a newspaper here in my country. If I were nearer you, I would volunteer to become one of your contributing writers LOL.
@tammytwo (4298)
• United States
12 Jan 09
Thank you for the ideas. The very reason I want to start my newspaper is because I have been listening to numerous complaints of what the current one is lacking since two big city people have come in as publisher and editor. People in this small town want to see their kids in the paper and they want to know that the reporter cares enough about their events to attend them. That is exactly what I did when I worked for the paper and that is what I will take into my own newspaper. I appreciate your kind thoughts and I can always use suggestions. Keep them coming.
@gracie04 (4549)
• Philippines
13 Jan 09
If I were to open a business of my own, i'd like to run a restaurant/bar or a small gadget shop.. i'd like myself to be inclined in a business that i can probably handle.. i mean, i love food and gadgets as well.. so any of the two will do..
@tammytwo (4298)
• United States
13 Jan 09
That sounds interesting. You know I heard on the news that even though the economy is bad now is still a good time to start a small business. Many people are seeking out new options. I just know working for someone else will never make me rich or even close to it.
@DarthJustice (2014)
• United States
12 Jan 09
Tbere are two kinds of businesses I've been wanting to start someday. One, much like the first poster, is a coffee shop. I'd love to have one. There is one here in my town, so fortunately the good news is there wouldn't be too much competition here lol.
I've also have been wanting to own my own laundromat for some time. There are two here in my town I'd like to buy if I could. At least that way it wouldn't be from the ground up and I could keep that much money that would have been spent on building them.
Maybe someday I can own my own little chains of coffee houses and laundromats. Never stop dreamin', as they say.
1 person likes this
@tammytwo (4298)
• United States
12 Jan 09
I totally agree with you, never stop dreamin'. I try to instill that in my children and I keep reminding them that they can do whatever they want as long as they try and put effort into it. I have a lot of people saying it will be too hard to compete with the other newspaper and it is going to take a lot of money. But I am going to start small and remember not to try to grow to fast. It will work. The way I see it is failure is not an option.
@calyxus (825)
• Philippines
13 Jan 09
Hello tammytwo, I write for our school pub and I am also into publishing...
There could possibly be a stiff competition for you with the other paper in town. I suggest you put up promos like discount coupons from your business friends to offer to the people so that they would patronize your paper.
Maybe I can help you with some layouts or editing. Just tell me... :-)
Anyway, if I am to have my own business, it will be in the Food Industry. A catering service maybe. Or a resort, that sounds big time. Hehe!
1 person likes this
@srijshm (1165)
• India
12 Jan 09
I will surely be starting a restaurant to sell naturo food or healthy eats.
My decision is based on following logic.
* One thing people will never have is Time(recession or no recession)
* lazy, hadworker, sick or a healthy person , they all have one thing in common: they all eat three meals a day.
* with pollution & stress rising people will always be inclined more & more towards health.
On the long run, franchising this concept is not a bad idea.What do you say !!!!!
@786imran (4)
• India
13 Jan 09
hi if i would start some new busiiness i woul like to start the mobile shop, where i do downloding, recharging and sale of mobiles becuse it is very long bussiness and cost is also low u can take help of your reference to buy thecommodities on credit and run your business. and after that u can expand it also
1 person likes this
@Sherry12 (2472)
• United States
12 Jan 09
That sounds exciting and like lots of fun!
I would love to have a used clothing shop. I think with the economy the way it is, that it would be a good business to start. I can't decide though if I'd want it to be only children's clothing or if I'd want it to be for everyone. I'm leaning towards for everyone. I think I'd like to have used prom dresses too.
Best wishes for your newspaper!
@tammytwo (4298)
• United States
12 Jan 09
Thank you. We have two used clothing places in our small town. One is children's up to teens and the other is for everyone. The prom dresses are a great idea. I actually bought two of them at used clothing stores. My daughter wore one to homecoming and I will wear one next year to our annual police officers ball. I won't pay full price for something I will wear only once.
@kingdomkid (47)
• United States
12 Jan 09
My business is hosting and hosting reseller accounts. The reason I decided on this type of enterprise is anyone on the net who intends on starting a business here needs hosting. I believe that one can make a good income from this. My site is being set up now and will soon be ready to roll. If you or anyone you know would be interested in the service I am offering, please let me know and as soon as the site is ready I will post a link in my main profile. Thanks for reading and have a nice day.
@jessi0887 (2788)
• United States
12 Jan 09
I have always wanted to run a daycare. I just don't think i could do it alone. So that would be one idea. Another idea that i would like is running a business that helps moms in need. I would help them if they couldn't afford to buy stuff for their babies. MAinly though helping with housing that is affordable.
1 person likes this
@tammytwo (4298)
• United States
12 Jan 09
Maybe you could begin with a home daycare. I had a home daycare when my children were smaller. Check with your local department of human services on the requirements. I was licensed through the state and received money every month to help feed the children through a meal program. That would be a great start.
@jambi462 (4576)
• United States
12 Jan 09
If I were to open my own business it would probably be a coffee shop with a lot of my close friends so that way it's not one person having to pay everything if something goes wrong. If I didn't open a coffee shop I would probably open up some kind of music shop or perhaps a head shop either one I would enjoy running. I wouldn't mind having a recording studio also but I think that will take some time for me to actually be able to create what I would want in a recording studio.
1 person likes this
@paoxav (1382)
• Philippines
12 Jan 09
An internet cafe. There are lots of internet crazy people out here and having an internet cafe is one of the best and practical business in town. Make sure you're near a residential place so you'll have plenty of customers. Or you can place it on a nearby school so your prospects were the students. Next could be a food chain that offers meals (Lunch, some snacks, and dinners). Food is a good business coz human needs to eat from time to time. Make sure that your cook is great though.
1 person likes this
