Business Idea?

[mljjones67]

Hey guys I am looking for ideas for starting a business. I have a few ideas that I would like to get every ones input on.
What I am trying to do is get myself back home rather than working out of state 4 days a week.

1.The first business idea is Soda media blasting of smaller shippable parts from guys restoring parts that don't want to go out and buy all the media blasting equipment. Now as a person restoring a vehicle would you send off parts to a business such as this one to have parts done? Now the biggest cost I can see right now is shipping. I would do this out of my garage so locals would be able to bring me larger stuff to blast. Any input would be appreciated.. Maybe add powder coating to this.

2.Commercial fleet wash. I have the equipment for this already but I am not sure I want to do this again. What I would do when I had this open 5 years ago was contract with companies that had vehicles that needed them clean for better image. I have thought of incorporating this idea with the first one.

3.Franchise. I have contacted a few that i like but the cost of start up is a lot of money. And there requirements of net worth are out of my reach.

4.




i will be adding more ideas as they come to me and your ideas as well.

thanks all

[fordman]

being a pimp is a good business. but you have to worry about your bi**hes and hoes. it is hard to keep your garden tools sorted out.

seriously i have been trying to think of new things myself. and i cant come up with anything good. maybe a professional truck restoration person. but i am not suited to working other peoples cars and trucks.

hiring myself out as a male escort. i thought of that. would it work? i don't know if i could stand blue haired old Lady's. can you say grandma?

i also considered being a Mafia hit man. but i wouldn't know where to pick up an application.

i have heard and seen lots of stuff. like getting mowing contracts for large places. and burying underground cables for the phone and cable companies. installing satellite dishes. becoming president. no qualification necessary. other than knowing how to lie and make them believe it. i also considered the printing business. that way you could sway the public view to what you liked and not what someone else likes.

or helping the government print money. thats a easy thing to do. if you have a printer. i am not trying to make fun. i seriously know what your talking about. these were thoughts i had had in the past. but all thoughts coem to one end. they all have thier risks. it is the risk in each venture that has to be weighed.

[robroy]

Good afternoon Mike!

I admire your positive, constructive thinking here, and I'm sure you'll be a success at whatever you seriously try to do!

Based on my own experience and studying I've done, I've found that your rewards in business will be in direct proportion to the number of people you're able to serve, and the quality, quantity, and spirit of service you render to them.

A business in metal blasting and powder coating would be a great idea, and I'm sure the quality, quantity, and spirit of service rendered by your business could all be excellent. When it comes to the number of people you serve with that business, you'd by definition be serving a handful of people at a time. Or one at a time really, since humans generally need to focus on one thing at any one time to be effective.

It sounds like you already have assets to help you with that business, namely your equipment, shop space, skills, and most important of all, your will to serve.

Now Mike, consider this. What methods can you think of to take your assets, and use them to serve a number of people at once? If you serve a group of people simultaneously, your rewards will be multiplied by the number of people you're serving.

Here are a few ideas of things you can do to serve multiple people simultaneously:

1. Video record a 1-hour informational video with which you can share your metal refinishing skills with others, then sell the video on a Web site.
2. Try to teach a small class on-site in your garage. You might be able to get a group organized, and they could even bring part along with them that they want to refinish, and you'd be their teacher. They could use your shop equipment and learn from you that way.
3. Put together a book on metal refinishing, perhaps one that's rich in good photos and simple explanations, then sell the book.
4. Prepare and record an audio track that explains how to restore metal, work on cars, or anything else that you're particularly knowledgeable about! Then sell the audio recording as an MP3 on a Web site. Many people commute to work--who wouldn't want to spend a few bucks for your audio and learn something during their commute every day?

Each of these ideas is a way for you to take your current assets, and use them to serve multiple people at one time. Not only that, but videos, books, and audio products continue to sell while you're developing new products, working with students, or even doing piecemeal refinishing work.

Mike, what do you enjoy doing the most? What other skills and interests do you have that might help people to come up with more ideas for you?

I wish you good fortune with your new adventure Mike!
Robroy

[FreakysFords]

Hidy!

I like your thinking here.

Were it me, I'd have to focus on option #1 as I did make a good deal of extra money on the side doing something similar, and more over that you have the equipment and knowledge to make your start. I could also see you using pick-up points in your general area to take on plenty of local work (assuming you wouldn't want to go public at your address).

Other than that, not much I can add as Robroy's given a VERY nice, functional layout!

One more thing I would consider though (seeing that you don't seem to really want to get back into fleet wash), is keeping this equipment on the standby for down times, and initial startup capital, or potentially even renting / leasing it.
A note on renting /leasing: I would definitely suggest a lawyer drawn contract releasing you from liability and holding them responsible for the upkeep and maintenance [even damages] of your equipment, while allowing you the right to come inspect your equipment at any time you choose........... also want a misuse clause that let's you out of the contract should they treat your equipment badly.

sorry wasn't gonna get that lengthy,
Frank