Welcome to the all new Geo Metro Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit.You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are features you can't use and images you can't see. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: Join our community! |
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
| Ever start a business?; or think of one | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Oct 26 2012, 12:34 AM (1,075 Views) | |
| Horn | Oct 26 2012, 12:34 AM Post #1 |
![]()
|
I've really been thinking about starting a business. Really want to. Was thinking about either a used car lot or a carpet cleaning business. (just a quick thought thought) Have any of you had ideas for starting a business. If you run a business, what is it? Do you like it? What would you have done differently? What are some things you didn't expect? etc |
![]() |
|
| Nyquil-Junkie | Oct 26 2012, 12:45 AM Post #2 |
![]()
|
I ran a screen printing business, it's a lot of work running your own business. I packed it up and sold it off, it got to be more work than fun. Life is too short to not enjoy what you do. But for about 10 yrs, it was a lot of fun. Once you get bigger and you have to manage employees and huge orders and snotty pissy arrogant customers who want everything a hair over cost "because we bought so much" it gets on your nerves. I had more fun afterwards collecting metal scrap and selling other people's junk at flea markets. I repaired computers and built custom systems on the side too. Some people dig running an ever growing business, it wasn't for me. I did pretty well at it, but like I said once it starts to make you go "I don't wanna" when you wake up in the morning.... it's time to find a new cash flow. Should you try? hell yeah. Ya never know what you'll enjoy until you try. |
![]() |
|
| evmetro | Oct 26 2012, 12:58 AM Post #3 |
![]()
|
I was a snap on dealer and a mac dealer. Lotsa work, lotsa money. I wrench on metros all day now, and I don't need to tell anybody here that it is fun. Before I owned my own business, I was a liberal. While owning my own business, I woke up... literally. If I did not get my ass out of bed, I found that I do not get paid. No free cheese if you are self employed. Your new found wealth will get redistributed to less motivated people. This probably sounds like a load of crap right now, but if you work for yourself, you may discover a new perspective. |
![]() |
|
| Cobb | Oct 26 2012, 05:59 AM Post #4 |
|
BANNED
![]()
|
Self employed, contractor, franchise or something else? |
![]() |
|
| Turbo Dan-O | Oct 26 2012, 07:22 AM Post #5 |
|
Obsessive Car Detailer
![]()
|
Do it, do it, do it!!!! I am still a newbie at this stuff but but hey, after 15 years of working at lots of "jobs" I woke up and realized that every single person on the planet has the skills and know how to work for themselves and make money doing something that they enjoy. Everyone is good at something! Horn, you seem like a very smart person that has lots of great ideas and lots of talent. Thats good. You will do just fine. Me? I'm an idiot! I could not tell you what 7x8= to save my life but I will tell you that I started "Mind Over Motor Performance" a few years ago with $600 and I run it out of my house. Almost ZERO overhead, I work when I want to, and I do what I enjoy(playing with car parts!). Do I like it? Yup, I love it! I have worked very few hours that I have not wanted to since 2008! What would I do differently? Get a nice(NICE) website built ASAP!!! It's hard to get a nice one done for cheap but it really needs to happen. People LOVE to see your work/reputation with a quick google search. If nothing comes up they start to think you are shady... What are some things that I did not expect? Lots of small things that really add up and eat into your profit. Paypal fees, Ebay fees, shipping fees, taxes, gas money, my time(got to be worth something...). My buddy and I are starting a new business that will(hopfully) be ready to go in the next few days doing home exteriors(roofs, gutters, siding, shudders, ect). This is a whole new level for this guy. More info to come on this one. Wish me luck! Horn, I actually have some friends that own used car lots and a new cleaning business. The new cleaning business is doing good. He does everything from cars to houses. No clue about the profit but he is doing just fine. The used car lot guys, are rolling in money!(millions of $$$!). This would be big bucks to open/start but wow these guys make bank! You would need to be good at buying low and selling high(I'm no good at it). One more thing for ya! I was talking with someone waaaay smarter than me the other day about my new new home exterior business and all of the compition that I see. I was asked: How many used car lots do you see around here? Me: hundreds of them. Him: how many do you see going out of business? Me: Hmmm... none! Sorry for the long post. Horn, if you have any questions about a used car lot or a cleaning business let me know and i can probably find out for you!
Words to live by right there! Love it! Wow, I guess this is a sore subject for me. Like I said, I'm an idiot and I don't know much but if there is one thing that I DO know: If you are unhappy/hate your job.... get out of there! You are wasting your time. Walk out the front door TODAY! You will be just fine I promise! |
![]() |
|
| Eric J | Oct 26 2012, 07:57 AM Post #6 |
|
Formerly CEJ93
![]()
|
|
![]() |
|
| rmcelwee | Oct 26 2012, 08:13 AM Post #7 |
![]()
|
I was an ISP (Internet Service Provider) in the very early days. So early that banks classified us as a phone sex operation and I had to explain what internet and email was to prospective customers. Anyway, we did that for 10 years and although it was a ton of work I had a lot of fun with it. We ended up selling the business right before the dot com bubble burst. It was a strange time with booming technology where we had to completely change our equipment every 6 months. A few tips: 1) You must enjoy what you are doing. If not, just get a shitty job with a steady paycheck like the rest of us. 2) Do not borrow money for the business. 3) Do not go into business with others (especially friends and family). 4) Lack of capital kills a lot of businesses. Make sure you don't fall into that trap. 5) Grow slowly. If things take off like wildfire you should chill out for a while. Perhaps raise your prices to trim back the amount of customers. Rapid grown and all the pitfalls that it brings will kill a business. Good luck! |
![]() |
|
| Turbo Dan-O | Oct 26 2012, 08:24 AM Post #8 |
|
Obsessive Car Detailer
![]()
|
No way!!!
|
![]() |
|
| billy508 | Oct 26 2012, 08:27 AM Post #9 |
|
billy508
![]()
|
|
![]() |
|
| Coche Blanco | Oct 26 2012, 08:48 AM Post #10 |
|
Troll Certified
![]()
|
hahahaha |
![]() |
|
| Old Man | Oct 26 2012, 10:56 AM Post #11 |
![]()
|
after retiring I opened a business that I figured I could work 20 hours a week or so and kill some time.----The business ended up being really sucessful. sold it 2 years later. running 3 shifts a day 7 days a week, three employees on each shift, wife working 90 hours a week, me working 120 hours a week. for every one sucessful "own your own" story there are 10 or more that went broke. plan on making the business your entire life for at least a couple of years.......dont hire an employee til you HAVE to.......dont use your house phone as a combined business phone |
![]() |
|
| Old Man | Oct 26 2012, 12:48 PM Post #12 |
![]()
|
If I was in your position I would stay with my studies. however i would look for a vacant lot close by and in a well traveled area and start a "consignment" used car lot. Other peoples cars and take 10,20, or 30% of what you sell it for. Only overhead is the rent on the vacant lot. If it goes well then contact the local new car lots. they have cars that they ship out to auction houses when the cars are to bad to stay on their lot. purchase the "best of the worst" from them and add them to your consignment business. then either work up from there or go out of business. You will have then "felt out the area and business" without investing too much monies and time. |
![]() |
|
| Nappers | Oct 26 2012, 06:43 PM Post #13 |
![]()
|
I was really interested in Detailing cars (not your wash and wax) but cutting paint, polishing etc. But kinda lost interest. I have thousands of dollars of equipment and products. I do like to do it still, just rough on the old body. I am really interested in gunsmithing, leaning towards muzzleloaders. I live close to Lassen college that offers gunsmithign classes. But I'm stuck in jail at the moment, have 6-7 years left |
![]() |
|
| judebert | Oct 27 2012, 10:23 AM Post #14 |
|
Supplicant
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I've started three different businesses now, and I agree almost exactly with everything on this list. None of my businesses were ultimately successful, and it was always because I messed up one or more of these reasons. I think "lack of capital" deserves a bit more detail. You need capital for equipment and rent, of course. What you forget is marketing and living expenses. Most businesses don't profit in their first year; a significant portion don't profit in their first THREE years. Make sure you won't go hungry while you're building up. Marketing is absolutely critical, and it's the last expenditure most people consider. "Word of mouth" will work, but it's slow and unreliable. A good website will help, but it relies on people coming to you in the first place. You need to visit clubs and user groups, buy radio or television ads, and/or sponsor events (whichever fits the size and growth of your business) to ensure that people know about your product. "Do not borrow money" also needs more detail. For the love of $DEITY, do not borrow on <b>personal</b> credit. However, many businesses cannot even start without borrowing money for capital or employee salaries. If you're considering a business of that size, borrowing isn't such a bad idea -- as long as it's on the company's credit. That costs more, and it's tough to get right now, but don't let that stop you. Don't put it on your credit cards. Anyway. Good luck! |
![]() |
|
| Horn | Oct 27 2012, 11:52 PM Post #15 |
![]()
|
Thanks a lot guys. This info is good to know. Old man, I never thought of a "consignment" lot.....might look into that. Turbo Dan-o GOOD LUCK!!!! I have been buying and selling cars since I was 14. Yes buying low and selling high. I really like it plus my family is very good with mechanics. I actually dislike the amount used car dealers want for their cars. In my area, I see used car dealers but I never see them with different cars. It seems like they have a low inventory turnover. Now maybe they are doing it right. I just think they want too much for them. I would like to get an internship at a used car dealer. Preferably a place where I could work with the owner and learn all about the business. From talking to customers, to doing paperwork, purchasing vehicles, and dealing the bills. I live very cheap, so maybe I could do some work for free or work for very cheap. Its more about learning the business than getting paid a lot. I just really want to learn it. If I were to do a car lot and actually make money, I would like to start a tow truck business. I would have my dad run the truck. The tow truck guys make a killing. Around here it is $60 just to hook up and I don't even know how much storage is. I live in a college town and if you park in the wrong area, you will immediately be towed. As far as the carpet cleaning business, I work for Stanley Steemer. If I could find a Stanley Steemer van for sale at a reasonable price, I would buy it in a heart beat. Most of the cost there goes towards the van, gas, employees. I know how much gas the vans uses a day because we fill them up. I started looking at industrial amounts of protectant and deodorizer. There would be little overhead because everything is done at the customers' houses. All I would need is a place to store the van and cleaning materials and another employee. I'm not really a huge fan of the carpet cleaning, but would like to own the business though. So much that I want to do and such little time. lol |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
![]() Our users say it best: "Zetaboards is the best forum service I have ever used." |
|
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · The Geo Metro Lounge · Next Topic » |
- Pages:
- 1
- 2


Welcome to the all new Geo Metro Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit.





I could not tell you what 7x8= to save my life but I will tell you that I started "Mind Over Motor Performance" a few years ago with $600 and I run it out of my house. Almost ZERO overhead, I work when I want to, and I do what I enjoy(playing with car parts!). Do I like it? Yup, I love it! I have worked very few hours that I have not wanted to since 2008! What would I do differently? Get a nice(NICE) website built ASAP!!! It's hard to get a nice one done for cheap but it really needs to happen. People LOVE to see your work/reputation with a quick google search. If nothing comes up they start to think you are shady... What are some things that I did not expect? Lots of small things that really add up and eat into your profit. Paypal fees, Ebay fees, shipping fees, taxes, gas money, my time(got to be worth something...). My buddy and I are starting a new business that will(hopfully) be ready to go in the next few days doing home exteriors(roofs, gutters, siding, shudders, ect). This is a whole new level for this guy. More info to come on this one. Wish me luck! Horn, I actually have some friends that own used car lots and a new cleaning business. The new cleaning business is doing good. He does everything from cars to houses. No clue about the profit but he is doing just fine. The used car lot guys, are rolling in money!(millions of $$$!). This would be big bucks to open/start but wow these guys make bank! You would need to be good at buying low and selling high(I'm no good at it). One more thing for ya! I was talking with someone waaaay smarter than me the other day about my new new home exterior business and all of the compition that I see. I was asked: How many used car lots do you see around here? Me: hundreds of them. Him: how many do you see going out of business? Me: Hmmm... none! Sorry for the long post. Horn, if you have any questions about a used car lot or a cleaning business let me know and i can probably find out for you!


![]](http://z3.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)

3:30 AM Jul 11