Desire to leave the corporate world- Business plans and Ideas

[anthony1995]

Wow..I just realized that's a really long subject title. Anyway, I have long since grown tired of the "typical" corporate world. When I was younger (think early 20's), I always desired obtaining an MBA and managing folks in a corporate enviroment and climbing that "ladder". Well, I have completed that goal and living that dream that I once had....and I now come to this realization, IT'S NOT FOR ME AND IT SUCKS..ha! I figure if I'm going to work this hard, I'd prefer to do it for myself and not the corporate machine.

I did take about a year off work in '07 and started a commercial cleaning company in Alabama that did well. So, I do have experience with my own business. I consider myself a people person and I also hate to be inside a building all day long. I am a white collar guy with blue collar roots in other words. Gotta thank my Dad for putting in all those long hours in the construction industry for my family when I was growing up and teaching me a good work ethic. Anyway, not to deviate from the point of this message. As you all know, the wife is working her side business (A Girl and a Bucket) and she has kicked my entrepreneurial spirit into high gear again. After reading and thinking a bit, I've considered the following things that require a low capital start up cost:

Pool Cleaning - After researching this, I've found it's best to get certified and take a 2 day class on the chemicals and ect. Minimal cost of $250 or so.

Landscaping - Think flowerbed design, arrangement, planting and maintenance.

Restraunt Delivery Service (mentioned on here somewhere) - Since I live in Sandestin, I could service that area and the wonderful 30-A. I gather menu's from local restraunts, folks call me, I place the order and deliver to them.

Thoughts? Suggestions? I appreciate all ideas. It just seems that the majority of folks on here are self employed and I thought, "Hey, no better person to ask than the already self employed folks".

Thanks again so much. Jennifer and I are really enjoying this message board and hope to meet some of you guys in person. If any of you have a 9 year old daughter or thereabouts, mine 9 year old girl needs to meet some playmates!

Anthony

 

[anthony1995]

Awww..come on guys. No opinions, thoughts, suggestions, criticism? I know you guys don't exactlyy hold back your thoughts!

 

[NoHall]

Sorry--I missed this yesterday somehow!

I went into business for myself almost 9 years ago and just left it in January. (Why I left it is a long story, and should not discourage anyone from going into business for themselves.) I loved it.

I had the sort of landscape company you describe. I didn't use a lawnmower at all--the only power equipment I really used regularly was a backpack blower, and sometimes I used an edger and a tiller. The rest were hand tools and the like--round shovel, flat shovel, rake (I used the collapsible metal kind because it was more versatile,) pole pruners, a hand trowel, a really good pair of hand pruners, a large trashcan, and a small wheelbarrow.

I did the things that the large companies and the "mow, blow, and go" people either don't have the manpower, time, or the training to do--I pulled weeds, hand-pruned shrubs, did small installation and design, built vegetable gardens, fixed minor irrigation problems, did small tree work, etc. I worked steadily for 8 years and still get calls weekly from my clients--no one in this area fills that niche.

I had some training--I worked for 2 different large companies in 2 different cities for just over a year each, and one of them trained me to do hand pruning. It's a valuable skill; I still get calls from local companies wanting me to train their crews. But it's not hard to learn, and people want someone who will do more than shear their shrubs into green balls. Your County Extension agent may be able to suggest where you can learn it, and if s/he fails you, I may be talked into an online course...

Go for it. I loved working for myself!

 

[scooterbug44]

IMO your best bet would be to set yourself up as an all around gofer/house help.

The population continues to age and move away from family so there are many regular services that would fall under that umbrella - yardwork, minor repairs, chores that require muscle etc.

 

[anthony1995]

Thanks for the input all! I really appreciate it. I think in the near future I'll try to get something going part time to see how it pans out. Thanks again.