Withnail
Well-Known Forumite
*experiences difficulty squaring circle*
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What kind of shop would people like to see?
- Thread starter wmrcomputers
- Start date
Nicedave
Well-Known Forumite
Just been They be closed !
Carole
Well-Known Forumite
Eh?
John Marwood
I ♥ cryptic crosswords
It might be that the business model for a once a month minor purchase is not seen as a lucrative one
But it would be wrong of me to spout nonsense on behalf of 'himself' given that he is so good at it himself
Carole
Well-Known Forumite
Ah yes, but the others would be in twice a day so it would all even up.
John Marwood
I ♥ cryptic crosswords
LLFC
Well-Known Forumite
WMR,
I have the upmost respect for what you are saying and doing (branching out from a business you see as being in terminal decline). It takes some balls to move into something completely new! You do however have me totally confused as to what you actually want to do?! If you cannot convince yourself as to what you would like to do then it will be difficult to convince others to follow. We all have hobbies to which we are prepared to work all hours and weekends in pursuit of but if you are serious about a business and its ability to sustain your family / 2 families then you need to plan, do market research, create a proper business plan and then have the passion and drive to deliver it (it being 1 thing and not the next thing and the next thing after that). You cannot be half pregnant. Start with one idea and it the numbers don’t add up then move on before you spend any hard earned cash on it. I have absolutely everything crossed and hope you succeed BUT PLEASE GIVE YOURSELF A CHANCE!
John Marwood
I ♥ cryptic crosswords
John Marwood
I ♥ cryptic crosswords
wmrcomputers
Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
I totally respect what you are saying and everything is quite correct from a logic point of view. However, WMR Computers began as a hobby. No business model / plan. No financial support. No market research etc.... and it's kept me going for a good few years. The word-of-mouth, google results and this forum have helped me grow my customer base constantly. The only reason for things declining now are the price of the available technology and the increase in number of people who can do everything they need to do on a smartphone. So whilst everything you've said does give a business every chance of better success it doesn't mean that a business can't do well otherwise.
I know 3 other self employed people like me who just went for it without a business plan. They are all thriving.
Anyway.... I had a girlfriend once who was half pregnant. (I was only half sure it was mine)
Carole
Well-Known Forumite
I totally respect what you are saying and everything is quite correct from a logic point of view. However, WMR Computers began as a hobby. No business model / plan. No financial support. No market research etc.... and it's kept me going for a good few years. The word-of-mouth, google results and this forum have helped me grow my customer base constantly. So whilst everything you've said does give a business every chance of better success it doesn't mean that a business can't do well otherwise.
I know 3 other self employed people like me who just went for it without a business plan. They are all thriving.
I would imagine that someone who worked from home or by themselves such as painter/decorator/window cleaner etc that doesnt have to find a big outlay could probably set up without a business plan.
However, I agree with @LLFC that once you start talking about leases etc then to go ahead withot a proper business plan is not a good idea.
That-Crazy-Rat-Lady
Well-Known Forumite
Just read this thread!
I think it sounds like a great idea - in Stafford town centre alone you have:
Students (Chetwynd Centre, Stafford College)
Retail staff
County council workers (there must be 100's of them stuffed in Scaffoldhire Towers!)
Plus general public about town!
So I think you have the clientele if your opening a reasonably priced coffee shop!
I for one will definitely be visiting!
I do have one idea! As the gallery has closed you could offer up your wall space to artists - and take a cut if pieces sell!
Free decoration, something nice for customers to look at, promoting local artists, and making a little bit on the side!
Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something because you haven't got the 'qualifications' or 'experience' all you need is passion and a good head on you!
Go for it!
I think it sounds like a great idea - in Stafford town centre alone you have:
Students (Chetwynd Centre, Stafford College)
Retail staff
County council workers (there must be 100's of them stuffed in Scaffoldhire Towers!)
Plus general public about town!
So I think you have the clientele if your opening a reasonably priced coffee shop!
I for one will definitely be visiting!
I do have one idea! As the gallery has closed you could offer up your wall space to artists - and take a cut if pieces sell!
Free decoration, something nice for customers to look at, promoting local artists, and making a little bit on the side!
Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something because you haven't got the 'qualifications' or 'experience' all you need is passion and a good head on you!
Go for it!
John Marwood
I ♥ cryptic crosswords
LLFC
Well-Known Forumite
I totally respect what you are saying and everything is quite correct from a logic point of view. However, WMR Computers began as a hobby. No business model / plan. No financial support. No market research etc.... and it's kept me going for a good few years. The word-of-mouth, google results and this forum have helped me grow my customer base constantly. The only reason for things declining now are the price of the available technology and the increase in number of people who can do everything they need to do on a smartphone. So whilst everything you've said does give a business every chance of better success it doesn't mean that a business can't do well otherwise.
I know 3 other self employed people like me who just went for it without a business plan. They are all thriving.
Anyway.... I had a girlfriend once who was half pregnant. (I was only half sure it was mine)
I totally get it but fear that my message is not being received. Hobbies are something we often do that cost us a bit of money and consume a chuck of time. You made your original hobby into something that supported you which is good. However, my point is that with little fixed costs and external (supplier) commitments the risk is low (albeit you still need to put food on the table and a roof over your head). Moving forward once you start fitting out a unit and making supplier commitments then the risk increases and so should your own due diligence (which includes a business case). Would you expect to go into a bank and ask for a business loan without a business plan? Why do you think that is? Some business’ do success (Richard Branson) but believe me many more fail because they failed to understand their cost base, what they are offering and to whom they are trying to sell. I’ve seen it so many times as I’m a bean counter. In an earlier post you said that business rates would be zero?!
In the words of Franklin “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” I simply don't want anyone to fail but people do for a number of different reasons!
staffordjas
Well-Known Forumite
Sons uni student union cafe does a roaring trade as it does cheaper and more filling sandwiches and baguettes etc and cheaper drinks than the uni canteen and Costa Coffee place on campus . Each time I've been (and after discovering their absolutely massive bacon sarnie and cup of tea for £2.50, it's getting quite a regular haunt of mine whilst waiting to pick him up) there's been loads of lecturers and workmen queuing as well as a constant line of students.
Being one of the few people who can't do everything on a smart phone (and when the contracts up, it's back to the most basic one I can find!) I rely on my laptop.
Provide decent food at a decent price and I should think people should come flocking. Add a service where you can sit and have your bacon butty and a cuppa whilst having your c0cked up laptop/phone looked at .........
Withnail
Well-Known Forumite
In answer to the OP - i don't really know.
In answer to some of the subsequent suggestions i would add my own caution to the caution of others re a food/drink outlet.
And i'm going to quote thusly -
- in support of my caution.
It must be declared that i genuinely know absolutely nothing about anything at all in any great detail - other than the Stafford Knot, of course, of which i am an expert - but it is a caution that should, at the very least, be entertained.
Because we love you, man.
In answer to some of the subsequent suggestions i would add my own caution to the caution of others re a food/drink outlet.
And i'm going to quote thusly -
- in support of my caution.
It must be declared that i genuinely know absolutely nothing about anything at all in any great detail - other than the Stafford Knot, of course, of which i am an expert - but it is a caution that should, at the very least, be entertained.
Because we love you, man.
wildchild33
Active Member
There used to be a number of these in brum called weigh and save I loved them big bag of pick n mix everytime I went town on a Saturday.
I wouldn't be keen on cereal this way but sweet, nuts etc was the items I remember getting from weigh and save
John Marwood
I ♥ cryptic crosswords
Turnover - Vanity
Profit - Sanity
Profit - Sanity
McGyver
single in the mingle
Hi, Withnail
I have wandered around Stafford market this Easter holiday weekend
and tried Tiggy's for a loaf of whole wheat bread. It is very good indeed.
Many thanks for an insightful suggestion.
Cheers.