i want to make my own shop

anarchy99 · Addict Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 616 City: tacoma

i forgot what its called when u get like a loan for a business cause i want to make one but i forgot what its called so i cant look up the info for it. what is it and how hard is it to make ur own business?

criminally_minded · Posted: Dec 30, 2003 2:14 am Post subject:

Can I ask how old you are?

anarchy99 · Addict Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 616 City: tacoma

16. i got the idea cause i was watching the canadian channel and they were showing something on skim boarding and the guys were like 16 and owned there own little business and the showed someone like a business plan and got some money to start it up and i dont know what it is that they did and thats what im trying to find that out

criminally_minded · Posted: Dec 30, 2003 2:34 am Post subject:

Were the guys shaping their own skimboards?

If they were then it is very possible to run a 'backyard' operation where you turn out a low volume of product. If you have success then you can always relocate and upgrade your equipment, perhaps hire some workers and up your production, however with a shop you are talking about a whole different ballgame.

When you have a backyard business you really have no or few commitments. You can make as few or as many boards as you like and you don't really have to worry about meeting quotas or deadlines.

When you own a shop, you are COMMITTED to paying the lease on the store no matter how much you sell. You are COMMITTED to paying rates, power, taxes, water etc etc for the site, and then you are committed to purchasing and re-selling manufacturers stock. You also need to be open a certain amount of hours per week and generally will need to hire at least one other person to work when you cannot or to help out when you are doing all the bulls*it like paperwork and dealing with dodgy suppliers.

I'm not saying ditch your dream dude, but I doubt many suppliers will place their money/product in the hands of a 16 yo, and you'll need a lot of capital to start up and keep you going through the first year or two while you are building a client base.

My advice: Start small. If you're not going to manufacture your own product then try becoming the local supplier for a small manufacturer who don't have an established local presence. You can do this from your home or garage if need be. Also, try to get weekend/summer work at your local board/boat shop to see if you even like this kind if work, plus you'll pick up a heap of handy knowledge. Even if the shop is nothing like the one you want to run, at least you'll know how not to run your business.

And finally, sign up to the wakelist and email Scott and Jocko, I can only imagine the wealth of knowledge they and others must posses on the subject.

Cheers, and keep that dream alive, just start slow Wink

J_DOGG · Posted: Dec 30, 2003 4:44 am Post subject:

Looks like you killed his dream...LOL....

criminally_minded · Posted: Dec 30, 2003 4:47 am Post subject:

I'm an arsehole, it's ok though, I have come to terms with it Smile

vette74 · Posted: Dec 30, 2003 6:19 am Post subject:

If I were you I would start an internet business, the overhead is low or zero and you can set your own hours.

Partyb · Posted: Dec 30, 2003 4:41 pm Post subject:

If I were you, I would go to college first.

Inggy · Posted: Dec 31, 2003 1:13 pm Post subject:

Partyb, you said it

anarchy99, learn the basics on stuff from college first. You will be 99% more likely to sustain a buisness with a college degree