other business ideas

« **on:** May 15, 2012, 04:02:35 pm »

If yous guys didnt do carpet cleaning what business do you think you would start up?

just curious

« **Reply #1 on:** May 15, 2012, 04:06:40 pm »

Porn Industry!!!

« **Reply #2 on:** May 15, 2012, 04:09:21 pm »

I would start a religion

« **Reply #3 on:** May 15, 2012, 04:22:25 pm »

2 poop jokes

« **Reply #4 on:** May 15, 2012, 04:31:32 pm »

Jamie thats why we are carpet cleaners

« **Reply #5 on:** May 15, 2012, 04:40:57 pm »

mobile coffee shop

video production aimed at small busniess

weed-control

security lighting ( fitting security light to private homes ( cost £6 wholesale....... supply and fit £110 or 2 for £175)

grass cutting (done like window cleaning eg: have a round that gets done every 2 weeks at a cheap price)

« **Reply #6 on:** May 15, 2012, 04:50:33 pm »

Billy why would you want to buy and sell things :

« **Reply #7 on:** May 15, 2012, 04:50:45 pm »

Virginity tester not much work round our way though

Shaun

« **Reply #8 on:** May 15, 2012, 05:03:35 pm »

undertaker or vet! never out of work!!

« **Reply #9 on:** May 15, 2012, 05:06:51 pm »

spy holes in wooden doors, drill, fit, £35. "NEXT"

and its easy to find your prey, just look for wooden front doors without spy holes. mwahhh mwahhhh mwahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

some guy on the business forums did that, he's a millionaire now and invests in new inventions.

« **Reply #10 on:** May 15, 2012, 05:20:10 pm »

I would start up a debt counselling service in Greece and branch out to Spain, Italy, France....

« **Reply #11 on:** May 15, 2012, 05:44:02 pm »

Fake tan spraying

seriously though it would be a butty van, a friend of mine has one and she said she had 39k year profit, has several holidays abroad and a property overseas too, from 1 old butty van.

Andrew

« **Reply #12 on:** May 15, 2012, 06:22:39 pm »

Never eaten a van before

Shaun

« **Reply #13 on:** May 15, 2012, 06:46:42 pm »

Let me know I am looking.

Has to be less physical

« **Reply #14 on:** May 15, 2012, 06:57:18 pm »

burgervan for me also, little goldmines with the right pitch, then progressing on to sandwich shop then chippy/pizza place

« **Reply #15 on:** May 15, 2012, 07:06:13 pm »

Actually i'm in the process of starting something part-time which is not related to c.c. not sure if it will work or not but it is not going to cost me a lot, basically a mail order / internet product, but like a lot of people once you have found an idea you don't like to tell others what it is or who your suppliers are in case someone copies your idea.

If you want idea's etc try looking on ukbusinessforums co uk or thewholesaleforums co uk for some idea's.

« **Reply #16 on:** May 15, 2012, 07:20:26 pm »

I think you get the best new ideas from travelling. You either see a service being offered that you don't get in the UK or a product that again, you haven't seen before. There is one near me called Yogberries {or something like that}. A couple went travelling, saw this shop selling a mix of fresh yoghurt and fresh berries and hey presto, came home opened the first one and already have a small chain going.

« **Reply #17 on:** May 15, 2012, 07:43:09 pm »

Quote from: Billy Russell on May 15, 2012, 04:06:40 pm

Porn Industry!!!

think missed the word gay out

« **Reply #18 on:** May 15, 2012, 07:44:33 pm »

traffic warden

« **Reply #19 on:** May 15, 2012, 08:02:54 pm »

Quote from: Shaun_Ashmore on May 15, 2012, 04:50:45 pm

Virginity tester not much work round our way though

Shaun

No girl thingy footing around

« **Reply #20 on:** May 15, 2012, 08:23:32 pm »

Events promotion.

Have dabbled in the past but had to give up as it was interfering with work and becoming almost full time.

At one time I was shifting 1500 kids across scotland to raves and concerts every other month.

« **Reply #21 on:** May 15, 2012, 09:05:52 pm »

If your looking for a local business....

Pizza take away service. High mark up, very proftable and easy to run.

A friend of mine in Italy runs a shop that during the day is a sandwich/coffee shop (getting all the day time trade from offices, schools etc) and at night its a pizzaria. Sit in and delivery service. He's very rich!

The pizza take out service makes the most money by far according to him.

Rent and rates as well as other utility bills have to be taken into consideration when planning on setting up a shop. The better the location and higher the bills!

« **Reply #22 on:** May 16, 2012, 08:13:45 am »

Anyone who thinks a burger van is an easy way to make money think again. Thats what I did before I discovered carpet cleaning. Carpet cleanings a walk in the park in comparison.

« **Reply #23 on:** May 16, 2012, 08:40:56 am »

I guy I know runs an up-market chip van business (no burgers) and is very wealthy indeed.

He does a lot of weddings and events, including for a lot of celebs, I have talked to him about franchising it out,as I would take one on and get some in to run it,early stages of discussion at the moment.

« **Reply #24 on:** May 16, 2012, 09:11:47 am »

The biggest problem with Shops etc you are often locked into long deals and service charges etc.

Although Pop Up Shops and more and more for some reason Gypsies and Fairground People appear to have expertise in this sector

« **Reply #25 on:** May 16, 2012, 10:19:46 am »

hi
i have been thinking of a coffee shop, there are two neros, 3 costas, and a coffe republic plus other independents.

And i still line up for a coffee, at 2.50. i counted in costa the other day there where 6 queing one woman spent 15
another 12 the others drinks and cakes, 40 quid in minutes. i know the over heads are massive but so is the spend.

i think its down to rents on the premises you can get 2000 square feet, for 30,000 a year but in good location can be 100k pa. so you need the bargain where its busy but not top rents.

got my eye on an empty bar nice wine bar fitted out. just a new coffee machine of we go new tesco superstore opening up over the road so be busy next year.

so any investors interested we need 100,000

cheers

john

« **Reply #26 on:** May 16, 2012, 04:02:26 pm »

Quote from: clarkson on May 16, 2012, 10:19:46 am

hi
i have been thinking of a coffee shop, there are two neros, 3 costas, and a coffe republic plus other independents.

And i still line up for a coffee, at 2.50. i counted in costa the other day there where 6 queing one woman spent 15
another 12 the others drinks and cakes, 40 quid in minutes. i know the over heads are massive but so is the spend.

i think its down to rents on the premises you can get 2000 square feet, for 30,000 a year but in good location can be 100k pa. so you need the bargain where its busy but not top rents.

got my eye on an empty bar nice wine bar fitted out. just a new coffee machine of we go new tesco superstore opening up over the road so be busy next year.

so any investors interested we need 100,000

cheers

john

tesco's = costa, well it does where we are.
and now youve got costa machines in all or most shell garages. and there latte's are TDF, lol

« **Reply #27 on:** May 16, 2012, 04:06:28 pm »

mobile is the way to go with coffee shops........ carnivals, car boots, country fairs etc..etc

« **Reply #28 on:** May 16, 2012, 04:28:25 pm »

Was down the Sunday market on Newcastles Quayside the other week and there must have been 10 mobile coffee stands.

« **Reply #29 on:** May 16, 2012, 04:36:57 pm »

I think you need to think out side the box (i hate that saying) near me is a open common where everyone walks their dogs there must be 30 cars parked their every day, all day. the owners standing around chatting perfect pace to put a coffee stand, the same place is packed with people every time it snows ( is a big hill) i've never seen any refreshment sold.

« **Reply #30 on:** May 16, 2012, 05:16:17 pm »

Unfortunately its not that easy. You can't just set up where you like. The council may allow you to trade there if you approached them, however it may entail a hefty fee. It may also be completely prohibited due to local bylaws or covenants on the land.

« **Reply #31 on:** May 16, 2012, 05:28:53 pm »

All I know is nobody got rich doing something they didn't enjoy. Yet there are loads of people who have a talent for something and really love it, and somehow make millions, even if its something that's been around forever or even in decline as a business opportunity.

So maybe ask yourself what are your innate talents and what do you love doing.

Been watching a series called Hidden Talents and there are lots of 'ordinary people' who don't realise they have an innate gift. Find that rather than the next big think I say.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/hidden-talent/articles/take-the-hidden-talent-tests

« **Reply #32 on:** May 16, 2012, 05:40:12 pm »

Aerial repair/fitting I hear is well paying.

Also met a guy in Wales who was a sole trader fitting CCTV to homes and business he was doing Really well out of it!

Call out Lock smiths another lucrative one.

« **Reply #33 on:** May 16, 2012, 06:01:04 pm »

My friend who is in our bike club customises motorbikes and has done work on two of my bikes.

Got to be something you have to enjoy mind..

« **Reply #34 on:** May 16, 2012, 06:10:21 pm »

Car trading

« **Reply #35 on:** May 16, 2012, 06:48:16 pm »

Quote from: CleaningSystemsUK on May 15, 2012, 08:23:32 pm

Events promotion.

Have dabbled in the past but had to give up as it was interfering with work and becoming almost full time.

At one time I was shifting 1500 kids across scotland to raves and concerts every other month.

Sounds interesting was the money not good though since you gave it up ?

« **Reply #36 on:** May 16, 2012, 06:58:07 pm »

jason

Mondeo 2.0 petrol zetec 04 50,000 1 owner from new fsh £2300 01226872204 / 07947790547 12mth test tax till march

« **Reply #37 on:** May 16, 2012, 08:23:20 pm »

Quote from: Alan falconer on May 16, 2012, 06:48:16 pm

Quote from: CleaningSystemsUK on May 15, 2012, 08:23:32 pm
Events promotion.

Have dabbled in the past but had to give up as it was interfering with work and becoming almost full time.

At one time I was shifting 1500 kids across scotland to raves and concerts every other month.
Sounds interesting was the money not good though since you gave it up ?

Yes, so was the VIP tickets, drinks tokens etc etc. It got to the stage where I could influence line ups at events in Scotland. It basically got as big as it could then the quality of the nights being run were in decline and it was becoming a chore rather than a passion so I walked away.

« **Reply #38 on:** May 16, 2012, 08:58:37 pm »

We've set up a Jewellery making Business,doing very well,most of it goes to the America.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Sandrasgems4u

Regards Rob

« **Reply #39 on:** May 17, 2012, 08:39:35 am »

Quote from: neil 47 on May 16, 2012, 06:58:07 pm

jason

Mondeo 2.0 petrol zetec 04 50,000 1 owner from new fsh £2300 01226872204 / 07947790547 12mth test tax till march

Or 1200 in auctions , 250 with 100k miles

« **Reply #40 on:** May 17, 2012, 09:07:55 am »

SO nobodys wanting to stay in carpet cleaning then. Wonder why.

Mark

« **Reply #41 on:** May 17, 2012, 11:59:39 am »

I think the idea of the topic is other business ideas to run along side your current business,

« **Reply #42 on:** May 17, 2012, 12:05:34 pm »

Quote from: Derek West on May 16, 2012, 04:02:26 pm

Quote from: clarkson on May 16, 2012, 10:19:46 am

hi
i have been thinking of a coffee shop, there are two neros, 3 costas, and a coffe republic plus other independents.

And i still line up for a coffee, at 2.50. i counted in costa the other day there where 6 queing one woman spent 15
another 12 the others drinks and cakes, 40 quid in minutes. i know the over heads are massive but so is the spend.

i think its down to rents on the premises you can get 2000 square feet, for 30,000 a year but in good location can be 100k pa. so you need the bargain where its busy but not top rents.

got my eye on an empty bar nice wine bar fitted out. just a new coffee machine of we go new tesco superstore opening up over the road so be busy next year.

so any investors interested we need 100,000

cheers

john

tesco's = costa, well it does where we are.
and now youve got costa machines in all or most shell garages. and there latte's are TDF, lol

« **Reply #43 on:** May 17, 2012, 12:28:03 pm »

Quote from: Mike Halliday on May 16, 2012, 04:06:28 pm

mobile is the way to go with coffee shops........ carnivals, car boots, country fairs etc..etc

yeah I have been looking on Ebay for the equipment that fits in the back of a small hatch.

Even tried Google.

Found Ice Cream Bikes Was thinking of Sandringham Estate but as John says local Mafia will want their cut

« **Reply #44 on:** May 17, 2012, 01:30:54 pm »

I would be a consultant. Not sure in what, but it's money for old rope.
I signed up, a couple of years ago, to a scheme that WAG was running to have your IT needs assessed.
A guy turned up at my workshop, we had a 20 min chat about computers and a cup of tea and left.
I was sent a copy of his consultation report and he'd writen down, almost word for word, my opinions on my computer needs (he had rurned it into a 5 page report though).
I later found out, by accident, that he was paid £500 for each one.

« **Reply #45 on:** May 17, 2012, 02:16:47 pm »

Ian--- you mean our Phil??

« **Reply #46 on:** May 17, 2012, 09:23:56 pm »

I love carpet cleaning. I enjoy learning other things and have had several other businesses since being in carpet cleaning and to be honest I think that I am very good at what I do. With my business I have the equipment to take on anything and there is not any aspect of the business that I am not in control of.
Despite being in the sign business for 5 years the sign business employing 9 people at one time we were swamped by overheads and there were aspects of the business that I had to rely on other people for. Not many as, I have a lot of skills but I am not a graphic designer. I had excellent selling skill as being in business has taught me a lot. I think if you are looking for a fast easy buck it is not so easy to find. Any business takes time and dedication and I do not think that I can get a better return on my labour than carpet cleaning without sacryficing a lot of time and expenditure to go into a new field. My other interests took me away from my core business and impacted my turnover. I think that there are a lot of people in the carpet cleaning business that expect to earn a lot of money without any knowledge or investment in descent equipment and these are the people that are doing the greatest damage to the industry. If you are goijng to go into anything you need to be professional, you cannot go to bed and wake up the next morning as something else.
Me I will stick with carpet cleaning. There may be other add ons but focus on your strenths.
Peter
www.carpetcleaningcardiff.com

« **Reply #47 on:** May 18, 2012, 12:18:41 am »

People say to me that they are thinking of the next best idea or you have to have something original, i dont agree, everybodys already done the next best idea unless your an inventor or something!

I think that you just look for something thats doing well and think how you can do it better!

Obviously training will come into it but everybody is capable of learning.

I also think if you could be bothered with the hours and late nights a pizza shop or take away or sandwich shop/coffee shop of some sort is probably one of the best money makers out there. I know a couple of people who have went this way, one has sold the business for a fortune and now owns a pub which he turned around to an unbelievable standard and is so busy its unreal, and i know hes making a fortune because he lives next door to my parents and hes been putting extensions on the extensions he already put on and the other one is still raking it in!

Cheers, Paul

« **Reply #48 on:** May 18, 2012, 12:22:06 am »

Who says you (the silent partner) has to do any of the late nights?

« **Reply #49 on:** May 18, 2012, 12:30:17 am »

True enough like!

These days you normally find the Turkish and the whole family behind them in the same Pizza shop....

I actually say good luck to them cos we seem like we cant be arsed with it!

« **Reply #50 on:** May 18, 2012, 12:40:36 am »

Yeah, alot of older generation business people (mainly Asians etc) believe they cant run a business without being there 24/7. Mainly a trust issue.

You will undoubtedly lose some money and quailty leaving the business in the hands of someone else (very little with the right systems in place). But you cant scale up a business without employee's.

I know of several very wealth businessmen in my city that run several bars/resturants without ever being there. And half of them are as thick as s h i t!

Thats where the true money is! Putting in the intial investment and risk, and then letting other people work thier socks off lining your pockets (Smoking cigar smiley) Puts the earnings of the highest earning cc to shame...

Tony

« **Reply #51 on:** May 18, 2012, 12:44:12 am »

makes me think i wish i was that thick sometimes haha

« **Reply #52 on:** May 18, 2012, 12:51:38 am »

Luck, timing, street smarts and "who you know" plays a big part in it too.

« **Reply #53 on:** May 18, 2012, 12:58:11 am »

damn right it does mate......

everything ive done so far has been quite alright in the fact i seem to be able to get work quite easily, so im hoping this rubs off on the new carpet cleaning venture!

Did you read my post?

Im actually passing your way every 3 weeks at the most as my bairn lives up in Beith! u know where that is?

« **Reply #54 on:** May 18, 2012, 05:16:13 am »

Some of you may be aware that I run a bike hire and transfer service up here, delivering bikes and people to Whitehaven, Edinburgh etc to do the C2C and other cycle routes, however I've now been told that I need to have a private hire licence in order to transport paying passengers!!

So on Tuesday I'm buying a 9 seater Fiat Scudo Combi, registering it as a private hire vehicle, putting myself and a couple of others through their taxi licencing and setting them away on a evening/weekend and we'll see how it goes, whatever comes in will be a bonus as it's primary purpose will be for the bikes and as an additional work vehicle if required.

We already have 20+ bike transfer booking for it for 5+ people that I would previously have passed to another hire company, including a delivery to Ardrossen for some Americans who are doing a 9 day ride and then being picked up from John O Groats!

« **Reply #55 on:** May 18, 2012, 11:15:22 am »

Quote from: Kinver_Clean on May 17, 2012, 02:16:47 pm

Ian--- you mean our Phil??

But I do not want my head chopped off.

Last time I had Dinner with him I got pushed along the line by a lot of Ex Air Force Types

« **Reply #56 on:** May 18, 2012, 11:18:21 am »

Quote from: Ian Rochester on May 18, 2012, 05:16:13 am

Some of you may be aware that I run a bike hire and transfer service up here, delivering bikes and people to Whitehaven, Edinburgh etc to do the C2C and other cycle routes, however I've now been told that I need to have a private hire licence in order to transport paying passengers!!

So on Tuesday I'm buying a 9 seater Fiat Scudo Combi, registering it as a private hire vehicle, putting myself and a couple of others through their taxi licencing and setting them away on a evening/weekend and we'll see how it goes, whatever comes in will be a bonus as it's primary purpose will be for the bikes and as an additional work vehicle if required.

Its a good job you did not come before my Committee i would have banned you before you started.

Is there no end to your Enterprise Well done

We already have 20+ bike transfer booking for it for 5+ people that I would previously have passed to another hire company, including a delivery to Ardrossen for some Americans who are doing a 9 day ride and then being picked up from John O Groats!