Small business owners?

[Wing Nut]

 Lately, the wife and I have been talking about long term goals, now that we have accomplished having our children.  We know that after next winter we will be moving back to Florida, and I want us to be concrete about our plans before we go.  We have always talked about the possibility of opening a Dive Shop for scuba diving, and more and more, that seems like a goal we would like to make reality.

 Unfortunately, I know absolutely nothing about opening a small business.  I don't know wether to open a new shop or buy a turn key operation, I don't know how to deal with vendors, I know absolutley nothing about accounting.

 So my question is, does anyone here own a small business, and can you pooint me to where I might look further to assess the reality of attempting this?  I have looked around the web a bit, but most of what I find is about loans for small business and almost nothing on the details of setting one up.

Thanks,
Kevin

[denishc]

 Find out if the city you plan to open your shop in has a "Smaal Business Owners Association", then ask the association for help or suggestions.

[Paz]

 Maybe you could find some classes or books on small business management.

[Politically Incorrect]

I myself have been looking into the small business idea, just tired of making all the money for the boss. Although mine is quite the opposite and possiably more difficult to make profit in (Woodworking) it is still a work and study in progress.

1) turn-key operation (exsisting business)- Check with the BBB (Better Business Bureu(?) ) for the reputation of the place your looking into. You don't want to invest in someoneelse's bad rep.
2) After managing Convience stores for well over 12yrs the one thing I learned is that vendors will try and take advantage of you and rip you off. Not all of them but most!
Shop around and check prices and mark-up (the profit you'll make) and always remember that you are paying them for services so they WORK for you. They try to cheat and steal FIRE them!
3)accounting: Not as hard as some make it seem, basic organization, math skills and common sense and you should have no problem!
But as Paz mentioned look around into local colleges, and in the newspapers for seminars on Small Business, calsses on basic accounting etc.
Today with the computer the accounting part has been made easy!
4) Ask other small business owners, how they started, what they did (or do) to stay in business etc. Basically go out and do interviews with some. Most will be happy to share knowledge and stories of the ups and downs.
5) Don't plan on "Getting rich quick"! It doesn't happen over night and takes allot of time and effort. They say that most new businesses make little or no money the first three years, so it takes time to reap the awards of your work and efforts, not to mention three years will also give you the time to see if your in the right line of work. But don't give up it will take that to get customers and once you get one you must keeo them coming back!
All in all , no easy task, but well worth it in the end if all goes well!!!!
Best of luck and study as much as possible before jumping in!!!!!!!!!!

[elvis767]

You start buy enjoying your hobbie, then expanding it to suit interested clients. But mostly you have fun and the people you meet come to you because of your happy nature, make your buisness your hobbie, so you can love it day to day.

Just be able to handle groups of 3-6. as this is a good charter to handle. And look at a boat that can double its tasks. if its not Diveing, Para sailing brings interested customers.

Its all about love , love what you do and people will love being near.  ;D