Post by Chris on Oct 24, 2008 10:48:17 GMT -5
I've always been the kind of guy to shift towards online ventures. But before I get talking about any of it, I really need you to know that I have nothing against the "Old World" where people employ people, whether it be for service or selling, and have a physical business most often called Brick and Mortar.
I just realize that as a young guy, opening a shop with product in it, employing people, and selling this product... It's expensive, and hard.
I would love to do it if I had a good feeling about it but when I walk outside there are hundreds of small shops and stores that seem to never have any clients. Isn't that why when you want to order out, the first places you think of are pizza, chicken and chinese?
Most of the time no one knows that those old mom and pop stores exist. They're for the casual shoppers with nothing to do on Saturday; Walking around trying out different places. (Something I would do if I had the time and money)
No, I love the idea of people getting together and providing services and products but it just doesn't seem like it is the fad of the 21st century. Instead, I would rather not have the headaches of employees and building rental and just take $300 and start something online.
I read the other day that some business online are worth 10-45,000 dollars. I think I've invested a total of $1000 over three online ventures in the last 4 years. Mind you, none of them are up and running anymore.
I'm 100% sure that if I had guaranteed myself more product over the last couple businesses that I would have been able to make a small profit. I mean, I took the time to learn the ins and outs. I had to teach myself about security, customers wants and needs, the markets I would touch and the ones I wouldn't.
There is so much to learn about this stuff that I could still spend a lifetime learning. But I've got the basics down, and I could write a small business plan and get something started in the run of a couple weeks. But its not about speed, its about making sure that you're covering your corners and that your plan is solid.
The most important thing I've learned about all of this is:
YOU HAVE TO WRITE A PLAN.
If nothing else, just taking the time to write stuff down, asking yourself questions and answering them is (If not the most) one of the most important things to do.
Just a day ago I was going through some old paper trying to clean up the home office and I came across stuff I had written down when I was starting BestEbookTutorials.com.
It was amazing being able to reflect on things but at the same time re-reading these notes had me realize that I was very thorough. I know, and confirmed to myself, having my research done is the only reason I got anywhere.
I just realize that as a young guy, opening a shop with product in it, employing people, and selling this product... It's expensive, and hard.
I would love to do it if I had a good feeling about it but when I walk outside there are hundreds of small shops and stores that seem to never have any clients. Isn't that why when you want to order out, the first places you think of are pizza, chicken and chinese?
Most of the time no one knows that those old mom and pop stores exist. They're for the casual shoppers with nothing to do on Saturday; Walking around trying out different places. (Something I would do if I had the time and money)
No, I love the idea of people getting together and providing services and products but it just doesn't seem like it is the fad of the 21st century. Instead, I would rather not have the headaches of employees and building rental and just take $300 and start something online.
I read the other day that some business online are worth 10-45,000 dollars. I think I've invested a total of $1000 over three online ventures in the last 4 years. Mind you, none of them are up and running anymore.
I'm 100% sure that if I had guaranteed myself more product over the last couple businesses that I would have been able to make a small profit. I mean, I took the time to learn the ins and outs. I had to teach myself about security, customers wants and needs, the markets I would touch and the ones I wouldn't.
There is so much to learn about this stuff that I could still spend a lifetime learning. But I've got the basics down, and I could write a small business plan and get something started in the run of a couple weeks. But its not about speed, its about making sure that you're covering your corners and that your plan is solid.
The most important thing I've learned about all of this is:
YOU HAVE TO WRITE A PLAN.
If nothing else, just taking the time to write stuff down, asking yourself questions and answering them is (If not the most) one of the most important things to do.
Just a day ago I was going through some old paper trying to clean up the home office and I came across stuff I had written down when I was starting BestEbookTutorials.com.
It was amazing being able to reflect on things but at the same time re-reading these notes had me realize that I was very thorough. I know, and confirmed to myself, having my research done is the only reason I got anywhere.