start your own business

mredskins

Got a buddy's dad that does that as well. All your money is made between Thanksgiving and Jan 1.

I think it is a little less stressful then a restaurant, basically it is retail.

I think the ideal business for me would be something as a support person little face to face with the customer and very little overhead (no storefront type business). Waht that is I have no fawking idea but with my dad retiring this year he is pressuring me to do something with him, it would be on the side and see how it grows.

One interesting business that caught my eye at a trade show once was Fastsigns. Looked interesting and somewhat profitable. There is a lot of damend in that business.

Signs, Decals, Digital Printing, Custom Signs, Sign Solutions @ FASTSIGNS®

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saden1

High-end Liquor store? If you're talking about a wine bar you might have a chance.

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KLHJ2

I am in a perfect position to do that too but like you I am scared to try it. You're right there is REDONKULOUS money involved.

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saden1

Writing software once and selling it many times seems like a good idea for a business...only issue is you got to have a killer app to make decent money. I've been toying with the idea of writing an Android application but I haven't fully committed myself to it.

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SmootSmack

When I moved this past summer, it was such a pain notifying everybody about my change of address-not just friends and family but my bank, credit card companies, car insurance, phone, cable, utilities, etc. I would start a one-stop shop where you select your different providers from a drop-down menu, type in your new address once and every business that needs to be notified is notified at once

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firstdown

In Virginia all Liquor Stores "ABC Stores" are run by the state. They have talked about turining it over to private ownership over the years but it has never happened.

Mattyk

One of my friends recently explored a custom signs opportunity like that, I forget what turned him off to it, I'll have to ask him.

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Mattyk

Yeah a high end joint that sells a lot of wine, has tastings in the store, etc. There's a store in my area for sale that seems like a gold mine in a high traffic area and a nice part of town, need to explore the opportunity further though, I'm just in the beginning stages.

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ArtMonkDrillz

I've only had it a couple of times but I like it. The subs are pretty basic but they use REALLY good bread and every time I've ordered from there it seems like my food is ready before I even have my receipt. If there was one by my office I'd probably good there all the time.

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firstdown

At one time making signs was an art but now days with a few thousand dollars to buy the computer equipment just about anyone can make these signs. You can buy signs on the internet and our local area has a bunch of them around every corner. Its become a very cut throat business and sign makers are cutting their profits just to get the business. I have two customers who have been in the sign business for 15 to 20 years and both say the money is not there like it was back 10 years ago.

GMScud

The restaurant industry is really tough. My boss and his brother started a bar/grill right after college and it failed. Set them back a few years financially. Fortunately now we are both working for a fantastic restaurant group that is killing it right now, but it's established - nearly 12 years in the DC area.

I love the industry, but I don't know if I would want to open up my own restaurant/bar. Getting any small business started is a 7 day a week job for a long time till you're fully on your feet. Plus the failure rate is so high. I would do it if I was one of a handful of investors and I didn't have all of my eggs in the basket so to speak. Plus the concept would have to be unique and powerful. In a town so diluted with restaurants and bars like DC, you've got to stand out or you're done.

I actually almost started a car detailing business a few years back, but decided against it. For now. It's still something I may venture into a few years down the road. I have some great ideas for it I think.

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firstdown

Get your ducks in order and go for it. Its a risk and figure working every minute you have to get things off the ground but one day you will look back and know it was the right thing to do. I'd say one of the biggest problems people have when opening a business is having enough saved to go several years without an income. When I opened my Ins. Agency I had enough saved to live 2 years without any income but I did start making money after 6 months. Not enough to live on but it was a start and things where up and running after about 1 1/2 years. In my business most who fail do so within the first year or two before they can see a return on their hard work. Its really in the 3rd and 4th years when you can actually see a decent income.

mredskins

Probably the ink. =) It is a messy job.

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