Starting a small business
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Lemonade can be bought at most restaurants, any that have coca-cola freestyle, and most stores for very cheap. Also a lemonade stand in winter would not do well. might have to switch to hot cocoa, but most coffee shops also have that. A lemonade stand at a yard sale can make you a few bucks if you have a cute little kid selling it and adults think its cute that the little one is learning business, but for an adult it is not profitable.
Pot Shops are getting squeezed out by the government. Also all the rules about not being near another pot shop or school is a real drag. You are better off just dealing weed on the lack market.
Gardener can make good money, as lots of homeowner have gardens. But in order to get that big you have to have a few trucks, some employees, spend years working up a brand and reputation. You have to invest a lot of time and money into that business, and have to really love it care for it and nurture it and make it grow.
Pot Shops are getting squeezed out by the government. Also all the rules about not being near another pot shop or school is a real drag. You are better off just dealing weed on the lack market.
Gardener can make good money, as lots of homeowner have gardens. But in order to get that big you have to have a few trucks, some employees, spend years working up a brand and reputation. You have to invest a lot of time and money into that business, and have to really love it care for it and nurture it and make it grow.
Starting a small business has never been easier than it is today, because of the Internet.
You can promote your business online and be on an equal footing with your stiffest competition.
All you need to do is identify the right market - a "starving crowd" of people whose needs you can meet - solve their problems, or feed their desires.
You can certainly start a successful gardening service without a fleet of trucks and an army of employees.
You can promote your business online and be on an equal footing with your stiffest competition.
All you need to do is identify the right market - a "starving crowd" of people whose needs you can meet - solve their problems, or feed their desires.
You can certainly start a successful gardening service without a fleet of trucks and an army of employees.
It is not for everyone! Being organized, keeping on top of all paperwork and saving for tax time are just some of the challenges. Knowing if and when to go bigger, whether you need that expensive new piece of equipment or just want it, and being able to make time for yourself are a few others.
I have been in business for quite a few years and have fallen victim to many of the traps at one time or another. Things are very good now, with plenty of money in the bank, the best of the best for tools and equipment, and more work than I can possibly handle, but it was a huge struggle to get here! I work 6 or 7 days a week, and most likely always will, that is the nature of a driven, successful, self employed being.
Good luck!
I have been in business for quite a few years and have fallen victim to many of the traps at one time or another. Things are very good now, with plenty of money in the bank, the best of the best for tools and equipment, and more work than I can possibly handle, but it was a huge struggle to get here! I work 6 or 7 days a week, and most likely always will, that is the nature of a driven, successful, self employed being.
Good luck!
Are these the actual choices or code for something I don't understand? Starting your own business can be exciting and profitable. So many variables involved I don't even know where to start. I notice all of your choices seem to have a physical product. Some involve manufacturing. Tough areas to be in.
This. But also those 6-7 days per week are typically 10-12 hour days. For me, the hardest part of running a small business is dealing with staff. Whether its a lack of them or just dealing with them. If I could, I would clone myself 3 or 4 times over and that headache would go away.
I have been running my own business for nearly 30 years. I'm in the business of helping other folks. If I need staff, I outsource.
Thinking about gardening, here are a few ideas:
You could do topiary, design organic garden plans for homeowners, or set up custom aquaponic systems.
Thinking about gardening, here are a few ideas:
You could do topiary, design organic garden plans for homeowners, or set up custom aquaponic systems.
Running your own business usually means working everyday for long hours and not much pay when you start out. My brother and I have had our own business for 30 years and we've just become mortgage free. Over that 30 years, never went anywhere,never did anything,didn't play the part acting like a big shot. Just worked,worked some more and just when we saw the light at the end of the tunnel they changed the rules and we had to work even more.
You constantly have yo be willing to change and be adaptable. You need to pay your staff and your bills before you take that vacation to Cancun,to get that new set of bolt ons for the mistress. I love it though being a commercial fisherman is all I ever wanted to be. Sadly the rules changed and we had to diversify and take on more debt, sell off licenses that were once profitable but aren't anymore. But I like being my own boss.
You constantly have yo be willing to change and be adaptable. You need to pay your staff and your bills before you take that vacation to Cancun,to get that new set of bolt ons for the mistress. I love it though being a commercial fisherman is all I ever wanted to be. Sadly the rules changed and we had to diversify and take on more debt, sell off licenses that were once profitable but aren't anymore. But I like being my own boss.
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Awesome post and well summed up!
Your never "Off for the weekend"
I took on a mortgage 16 years into my business to payout a partner, or in fact an Ex.
I couldn't get rid of that payment fast enough, as it crippled me, due to I only get paid twice a year.
You never knew what your expenses were going to be through the year.....with the mortgage gone....things went back to very good.
I don't think I could ever go back to having a Boss.....I tend to say what's on my mind, and do what I feel is important first....having someone else make that decision for me would now be intolerable.
If I manage well for the conditions....I'm rewarded, if I manage wrong, I pay for the consequences, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Small business in Canada is dependent on folks consuming and a deep global recession is in the works.
People need to eat, they need a place to sleep, and they need transportation. Three things that are almost recession proof.
Big recesdion of the 80's, we never ate out, my dad put the house up for sale for $47,000. for six months and never had a sniff. Mind you interest was hovering around 20%. And he drove to work in a 5 year old paid off pick up truck.I remember the boom days of the late 70's,new vehicles every two years, then it was like someone turned off the taps. There was a brand new sub division near where I lived with all the services, street lamps installed and paved roads, maybe two or three brand new houses and the next week it was all shut down. The houses and the sub division remained empty for years.
The first thing you learn is it is not as much fun signing the front of cheques as it is the back.
Been in business for almost 30 years.
Had some struggles for sure !
Pay the piper ! That’s my biggest contribution.
It’s not for everyone or everyone would be doing it.
It’s been a fun ride for sure.
Had some struggles for sure !
Pay the piper ! That’s my biggest contribution.
It’s not for everyone or everyone would be doing it.
It’s been a fun ride for sure.
Totally agree .. you have to be prepared to give up a lot of your time . I’ve had 2 brick & mortar retail businesses and it can be a very emotional tiring journey, number 1 most important thing , make sure you’re very passionate about your business , is it something that you can do for years happily ? What I have learned about myself is I’m very creative , very driven but I found once I finished the set up and opened the doors I found myself kind of bored . I think that’s why I’ve returned to this world in between business ventures as it gives me soooo much satisfaction from being able to be expressive & creative. Talking to a lending officer at a bank can be a good help to give you things to think about that you might not have . Pros & Cons . Good luck ! no
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