What 1st...

[carole]

I am not happy at my job. I am a department manager of a large supermarket chain. Don't get me wrong it's not a bad job. I don't like some of the procedures and policies. I think too much time on the money side of things and not enough time is spent on customer service. That's the case with most big companies. So I have decided I just want my own small buisiness. In my local area there is a development happening. I think it will be at least 2 or 3 years away. We are a small country area about 30 minutes from any major shopping centres. They are looking at putting in around 2000 homes in our area, if it all goes ahead. Also a small shopping centre.

I would like to start a shop that sells Gifts, trinkets and treasures. I would like the shop to sell a range of goods. Because of where we live I want to make it diverse.

So for example the kids have a birthday party to go to and you haven't bought a present my shop will have a good range of gifts that you can purchase. Also a range of prices from cheap things to more expensive and better quality goods. I want to carry trinkets the type you get from the two buck shop.

The reason I don't just want a two buck shop is I don't think it would make enough money to pay rent. But I like the idea of have cheap bits and pieces for people to buy. If I have a good enough range it's somewhere the kids will be able to spend pocket money.

I also want to sell unique type gifts. I have lots of ideas for example a section of the shop that only has local and Australian made products in it. There are many people who would rather pay a little more to buy NOT imported products. And of course there are many like me who just love a bargain and don't really think about it's origan, just it's price.

I think we have a need for this type of shop.

What order do I do things in. Do I try and find out who's going to building such a centre and put in an expression of interest. Do I try and figure out how much money I'll need. Is there some way of knowing what time line I need to start the ball rolling. Do I save up the money myself or get a loan.
There is so much I need to know, anyone know where I should start?
can you help with some advice, please ?

Cheers Carole

[alexwilson101]

I think the idea of running your own business is exciting.

I personally love the idea of eventually working for myself and running a business with an actual physical shop front presence.

A few things I would suggest doing;

1. Contact the developers or site owners, figure out the cost of establishing a shop front.

2. Establish a STRONG and written business plan. Put all your thoughts into writing, how it will make money, why it will make money, things you will sell.

3. Visit the bank. Learn how much you can borrow for the project.

4. If you feel you are ready to go ahead, start searching the internet for places to get stock for the shop when you do open. A good place to import goods and trinkets from China is Alibab.com - it lets you find places in China that sell products in bulk and very cheap prices. Only catch is you need to manage the import yourself which can be tricky.