EliteCM.net

I've been toying with the idea of creating a small business while I'm at my current job. It’s going to be a lot of work but if I start off part time I think it’s doable. I need some more income and I’m really interested in doing something else with my life, other than working 7-5 everyday until I retire or die from carpel tunnel. I haven’t really done any research on this topic, I was wondering if any of you have a small business or have thought about one. I’m not sure really what it would be, one idea I had was a custom shop (i.e. install suspension/wheels/maybe work up to doing more but like I said part time at first). There are none in Mobile and there is a market for it. It’s a big risk, especially if the business tanks, I’m left with a big ass loan to pay off. Give me some feedback please as I am serious about this.

My grandfather started a furniture company in 1968, Rose Hill Company (http://www.allbusiness.com/marketing-advertising/strategic-marketing/980692-1.html)They sold it but it is still running now. Obviously you wouldn't want to get into manufacturing like we were but if you could import stuff you never know. Two typical doctors wives I know started buying furniture samples at three different furniture markets, Vegas, Tupelo, and High Point and sell them out of a warehouse here in Tupelo. It has been very successful.

I've wanted to go into buying items wholesale and reselling them but, I couldn't find a supplier. It seems anyone involved in that type of business doesn't want to give away their contacts/connections. Opening a shop would be bad ass but, you would have to first find suppliers. It's hard now days because of the internet genearally a consumer can find an excellent price on the net so it's tough to make a lot of money on parts.

how about car detailing? do it from your house for now and if it grows then get a shop. thats what my friend did, we have shop now to work from. very relaxing business, work at your own pace and i get to work on some nice cars

investment is not that huge to start, maybe 1-2K if that, depends on your city if there is need for this, if there is nice cars and stuff, maybe even do mobile detailing but start cost gona be bigger propbably

I've toyed around with the idea of starting a shop with a few friends who have more mechanical experience than I do.  Since my specialty is audio and being a jerk, I could take care of that and a few other menial tasks when it comes to mechanical work.  Misha also has a good idea with the detailing.  You can usually do it from home to start and it doesn't require a bunch of expensive tools, only products.  The only thing I would recommend whenever working on cars in this capacity, is to get insurance.  You want to be able to have a back up in case something expensive gets damaged.

If you're looking for something to do that has nothing to do with cars, you could open a restaurant if you like to cook.

I've thought about this idea.  A few things stop me right now: the time investment, lack of access to a hose, and don't want to get caught running a business in an apartment.  I don't even have enough time to detail my own car right now :(

yeah you cant run from appartment. any garages around you that you can rent to do it from? couse thats what we pretty much did, we rent garage in business complex and thats our shop(its pretty big garage though 1200sq ft, we were able to fit 6 cars in there at one time, stupid bathroom right in middle of one of the walls which sucks

If I were to get into detailing, I would do mobile detailing. In my grandparents old neighborhood in Brentwood, TN there was always at least one detailing van there. People would just line their cars up in their driveway and they would go to work. Get a magnet made, slap it on the Odyssey, and you are good to go other than buying materials. I would still do the furniture though.

rent here is pretty expensive.  i haven't really scouted out locations, since i haven't really had much time to do so.  at the same time, with rent being so high, i don't know if i'd be able to clear enough business to cover overhead cost when first starting out.  and that's capital i don't have right now.

offering to do mobile detail at customer garage?
do couple friends car to have some word of mouth and go from therem