What business would you do offline?

[Betpartners]

I am looking in to starting up a new business venture offline, not sure what it will be, maybe a shop/store, maybe a service involving a trade, may even look in to the publishing industry, just not sure.

But i do know that i want another business that may be of interest to my younger children when they get older, as an example i have three young girls here in Malta and just cannot see them getting in to running a football/soccer website and my boys are more interested in bakugan and fireman sam than football.

Anyway the question is this.

What business would you like to do offline ?

Maybe someone can inspire me

[Chips]

After completing 31 years of retailing in nearly every genre of shop there is except porn, alcohol and tobacco, I would not open a brick and mortar shop. Online is so much easier and has little overhead as compared to the hoops you have to leap through in the "real world".

I pondered many types of shops throughout my career (thankfully not completing the purchase of the video rental store in 1992) and determined that I could earn more "working for the man" as a manager or district manager than I could as a shop owner.

I have just returned from a visit to my father's town and where I grew up. Most of the "mom and pop" stores that my former employers and friends owned for many years have been swallowed up by the big box stores.

Now that it has been nearly a year since I last worked in a "day job" I would not turn back for anything. Just being able to set my hours, work when I want, how I want and if I want makes all the difference in the world to me.

Not trying to dash your dream, just how I feel and what I saw since I entered retail in 197x <--- not telling or dating myself We did sell vinyl records and 8-track tapes though. And calculators had 4 functions and cost more than $50 USD! lol

[TheGooner]

Me?

Football players agent or stadium manager would be a well targetted job.

Failing that running a high-end niche market wine shop might be a good match - although I suspect that the retail angle would not appeal

[Connie B]

Hi Betpartners,

Nice to meet you!

It sounds that you are very familiar with football/soccer so why not to open a small shop to sell maybe a variety of items for soccer fans for all ages.
- Soccer Apparel
- Accesories
- Footwear
- Balls
etc

Then you can market your website slowly to those offline customers. Your kids can take care of the shop and you take care of the website.

Cheers,

Connie Burstin

[universal4]

Well if it will be retail, I'd say Tech related or Electronics...or phones....

All 3 sectors will see massive growth (and changes) for the foreseeable future.

However, simply opening up a computer store, brings with it it's own set of problems etc...and the margins on equipment itself is pretty poor. The service side of that is much better if the apptitude and training is there. (or hiring the right tech)

I like Gooners idea of the wine shop....lol

Rick
Universal4

[Shaun O'neill]

Bp

Before we made the move to Costa Rica we lived in Spain and we owned a nightclub.

I had so much running it, it was bloody hard work as we had live bands ect 14 staff 25 differant djs that we used so it was kindof crazy times, but so rewarding euro wise, in the end we sold it as the offer was to good to say no to.

I would like to go back to it again, we where lucky we found a winning concept and it was packed full everynight but that was about 4 years ago so i have no idea how it would be now.

Good luck trying to work out what to do.

Shaun

[Jinnia]

A night club would be my first choice.

My second would be retail in amateur radio equipment.

Yea, I'm a HAM, 'tech' only for now, but gonna try for my 'general' next year.

[Chalkie]

Well one day i am opening "Chalkies Faggots un Paes shop", i can licence it out to you for Malta if you like?

In all seriousness though i would love to open an italian restaurant, although it would be more of a vanity business than anything.

Ideally to involve the kids i reckon that a techy idea would go down best, although could you not get them selling something that is interesting to them on the net?

[Betpartners]

Some good thoughts there folks

The missus wants to do something animal related as she is animal mad and so are the kids, i am thinking some form of animal publication as that can be done from home.

Whatever it will be it must be something i enjoy and to be honest i kinda like the idea that it would be offline and not affiliate related, gives one a break and a change.

[Chalkie]

Publication? Oh No!

Bloody dam hard work is that!

I started a whats on guide for the northwest in the mid nineties, however, what i really started was an advertising sales company!

What a flaming headache!

Mind you it was my first proper commercial success and i got a Jag and a Lotus out of it!

If you are thinking of running a publication that supports itself by sales volume you will probably struggle from day 1 til eternity and if you intend to make it support itself by advertising, all you are starting is an advertising company as i did and animals will come in to the equation very rarely, work wise that is!

Unless of course you can employ a sales team.

[Betpartners]

Publication? Oh No!

Bloody dam hard work is that!

I started a whats on guide for the northwest in the mid nineties, however, what i really started was an advertising sales company!

What a flaming headache!

Mind you it was my first proper commercial success and i got a Jag and a Lotus out of it!

If you are thinking of running a publication that supports itself by sales volume you will probably struggle from day 1 til eternity and if you intend to make it support itself by advertising, all you are starting is an advertising company as i did and animals will come in to the equation very rarely, work wise that is!

Unless of course you can employ a sales team.

You could be right mate but that is ok with me, i dont mind doing the advertising side and the missus takes care of the other stuff, the idea is that it is something that would interest my kids for now and in the future.

But maybe not a publication, its just an idea

Still brain storming.

[Chalkie]

Just as an idea, i had a team of 7 selling advertising, 6 full time and 1 part time, a co director on sales too, complementing a graphics guy and 1 writer, with me as the editor and admin general dogsbody!

[Betpartners]

Well Paul mate if i go down that road consider your brains picked

[Chalkie]

Feel free mate, you will be very welcome.

[specialagent08]

Well even though I do have my sites away, from this I own a UK Private Investigation business and I would not change it either! Ever day brings new and interesting challenges.........

[Chalkie]

Well even though I do have my sites away, from this I own a UK Private Investigation business and I would not change it either! Ever day brings new and interesting challenges.........

EEEEEEEEK im off

Chalkie, who the **** is chalkie!

But seriously though, wow, i always wanted to be a private eye!

[specialagent08]

Hey your safe !!!

I'm sure i've not been contracted for any members here lol

Yeah take a look I get up to a range of interesting things and of course my profession intregues many people:- http://www.dcinvestigators.co.uk

Chat soon

Josh - OnlineGamblingPortal
http://www.onlinegamblingportal.co.uk

[bonusbeast]

Why does it need to be offline, couldn't you start up some websites that don't pertain to affiliate marketing. The web seems to be an easier and more cost effective way to go.

[giggles7p]

LMAOOOO, the Geek would open a Computer store...who would of thought?

Well if it will be retail, I'd say Tech related or Electronics...or phones....

All 3 sectors will see massive growth (and changes) for the foreseeable future.

However, simply opening up a computer store, brings with it it's own set of problems etc...and the margins on equipment itself is pretty poor. The service side of that is much better if the apptitude and training is there. (or hiring the right tech)

I like Gooners idea of the wine shop....lol

Rick
Universal4

[giggles7p]

I second Chalkie's EEEEEEEK! lolll

Tell me do you look like Magnum PI???? lollll

I think i would loveeeee to do some of this PI stuff, could get veryyyy interesting!

Well even though I do have my sites away, from this I own a UK Private Investigation business and I would not change it either! Ever day brings new and interesting challenges.........