Looking to start a business... Need some advice

Hey Fellas,
Im a recent college grad and Im looking to start up a business. I want something with low overhead and that can be run from home.

Any advice/ideas?

This is what i have so far:
1. Landscaping
2. Car Detailing
3. Carpet Cleaning

Thanks for looking!

 

Do you have any background in any of those things?

 

Depends on where you are. In my community I would go landscaping because of the older retired people who live in gated communities with manicured lawns.

Personally I would rather do car detailing. Thought about trying to start something with detailing myself on the side and see where it goes.

 

Well, with car detailing and carpet cleaning, you will need insurance. I have a carpet cleaning business. Most places require $1,000,000 coverage. And its not exactly something you can start over night. You will need to learn the process and the overhead isnt exactly cheap. Car detailing is a low overhead, but look into the insurance just to cover your ass. Landscaping is seasonal. I actually just started a Janitorial Business. Very low overhead, just needed the insurance (if you have employees then you will need to be bonded) and basic supplies. Good luck!

 

No its just that I need some extra cash on the side and I have different career goals, but being that the economy is not doing so well right now I am forced to put those of for a while.

 

Thanks,
Reguarding the janitorial gig, How did you get your word out? Did you go door to door asking for business?

 

The thing with landscaping is that the tools required can add up pretty quickly and its a very competitive field here in socal. My advantage is that I'm bilingual and can communicate much more clearly than the other gardners.

 

You should have the tools necessary to do it by yourself for a while. You said you want to do this on the side so I'm assuming you don't have the time to manage a bunch of sites and workers. Unless you work out work vehicles or pay for them to drive their own you're trucks going to be the one hauling the trailer of tools and workers. In SC there are mostly hispanic landscapers too and language skills are really useful

 

have you considered house painting? those guys make a fortune. and you can do it on the side.

 

clean pools... you get the perks...

 

What is your new degree in?

Seems like whatever it is it should prepare you for more than the 3 options above...unless they have degrees in those things now...wouldn't surprise me.

Whit

 

Good idea, thats actually a pretty nice side gig.

 

LOL I looked in to that but its really hard to get on your feet, and have absolutely no idea how to do it.

 

Believe it or not, I have an accounting degree and graduated top 5 percent of my class from one of the best business schools in the world. Thing is accounting isn't what im looking to do. My dream is to become a police officer but no departments are hiring right now because of budget cuts.

 

how much $$$$ do you have to invest and get started?>

 

Wouldn't recommend car detailing if it's ultimately about cash. While on the surface it seems like easy money, fact is it is tough to turn cars quickly - proper detailing takes several hours (wash/wax/sweep/carpet clean/engine bay/door jams/rims/tires) and unless you charge a premium it wouldn't be worth your time. If you charge a premium, you better have the tools and knowledge and product - and to charge a premium, you would want a clientele of owners of high-end cars and planes. And if you fuck up a car, it's a big and professional expense, especially the higher-end car you go. Landscaping is easy to fix, and carpet has more room for error. I detailed cars in high school/college and spent HOURS detailing dirty-ass cars that just didn't justify the time put in. People are cheap - they'll pay to go to the local car-wash vs. your premium. They'll also pay cheap for you to lay mulch, but there's more room for profit here and it's a quick and easy job... AND they're less picky (I also did landscaping in high school/college). My vote is landscaping: overhead is low, and it's easier to control your time invested and thus, your expenses. It was always quick and easy dollars for me... In the time I put into detailing a car I could've mowed 3 yards and made more profit. Plus it was easy to fit a job into a smaller window than it was to fit a car detailing.

Your being bilingual is a great asset in the landscaping business. Good luck!

 

Thanks for the great advice man, I have some experience in landscaping so I was already leaning that way.

 

I would like to keep start up costs as low as possible, mainly because I want to turn a profit as soon as possible.

 

Hate to be "that guy" but you are almost certain to lose money in these endeavors as well as any others that you take on with the attitude (just need some money on the side). To make a business work you either have to have a passion for the job, have lots of experience in the job, or have the $$ and sense to hire someone who does and let them run it. You would be much better served to get a temp to hire job while waiting for the PD hiring to pick up.

Just FYI.
My dad was the head carpet tech for a company for most of my childhood and had his own business for many years. I worked with him like a grown man from the time I was 13 and it is not just showing up and collecting money. You have to know your shit and even then you will just scrape by considering the gear to get started is around $150K (not including business licenses, insurance, etc).

Good luck with what ever you do but don't think just because you "start a business" you'll have any side money, personal time, etc. Chances are you won't have any. Of course it is a great learning experience...