Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,520
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Sept 12, 2017 21:09:12 GMT
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I hate working in an office. Hate the commute. Hate working hard, for my employer to reap the benefits and pay me 2% of the value of my efforts over the month. Julie dislikes her job too. A nurse for 30 years. She's bored, underpaid, and under-appreciated. We both think it's time to jump off and do something for ourselves. Work for ourselves and our future. The plan of running a nice little coffee shop has always been there. Well, for some years anyway. So when the perfect storm happens - particularly disillusioned with work and happening upon a perfect little property - thoughts start to appear, plans begin to form....We know it wouldn't be easy, but hey, "who dares wins' yeah? Time to be brave? If we don't do it now, will we always regret it? The property? Lovely little town, riverside views, currently vacant, affordable, small (manageable?). Not only does it overlook the river and little bridge, but there is a grassy green which gets rammed with families during the summer months. It's visible from a busy-ish road, and although there is competition in the form of one tiny coffee shop and a slightly larger cafe/restaurant, they are both at least 10 minutes walk away, so it'd be the only one with this view...   and a couple of the vacant property...     Room for tables outside, seating for about 15-20 inside. Thoughts for the summer months - gelato ice creams to service the busy riverbank area. Long term thoughts - coffee shop during the day, evening cocktail bar. There is a current license on the property which can be transferred to me. I'm rambling. Welcome your thoughts on: 1. Leaving the rat race 2. Self-employment 3. Coffee shops 4. Going mad? |
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CURRENT FLEET
'95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles)
'99 Renault Laguna Executive
'55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale
'06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Sept 12, 2017 21:19:48 GMT
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Sounds like you're already there, mate.
You only live once. Roll the dice. The rat race will still be there if you have to scurry back. But if you don't try, how will you know?
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Jem45
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,021
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Sept 12, 2017 21:23:09 GMT
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It depends on how much hock you need to be in to make it what you want. If it's big debt, you better be big time sure. That said, do your research, plan out your first year, cost it all up and then if it adds up, do it.
Just make sure you're not swapping one rat race for another. Catering is hard graft. I wish you loads of luck and hope it comes off.
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Carbs 'n chrome
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Time to jump off....?johnthesparky
@johnthesparky
Club Retro Rides Member 6
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Sept 12, 2017 21:44:35 GMT
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I think it'll be harder work for a couple of years! You'll start out just throwing money at it (or it will feel that way) and you'll be earning nothing in return... you'll just have to ride that out for the first bit And being self employed you are your worst nightmare of a boss..... but the positives far outweigh the negatives! I'm just a sparky, so only need to get to other people's houses to work (so can't really comment, as my overheards were piffling when I started with an old van etc) but I had a couple of contingencies for if I wasn't earning enough (didn't need them, but was good for my sanity) Can you appeal to a group, to use your cafe as a regular meeting place? CTC (but then you'll have MAMILs and bikes everywhere) A local mums and tots group Retro car enthusiasts  Something that'll bring some bread and butter money in, once you've got it established! Good luck! |
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Sept 12, 2017 22:06:44 GMT
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If you feel it's right for you, go for it. I went on my own three years ago and whilst it's a very different business to yours, I still don't regret it, even in the current downturn. As johnthesparky rightly says, the Boss can be a bit of a git though! |
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Sept 12, 2017 22:16:19 GMT
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What's parking like?
Why is it vacant?
Buy or rent?
Is the upstairs included?
Can you sell/move out of your house and move in there to make it more affordable?
Lots of questions, but if the answers are right, go for it!
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1968 Cal Look Beetle - 2007cc motor - 14.45@93mph in full street trim
1970-ish Karmann Beetle cabriolet - project soon to be re-started.
1986 Scirocco - big plans, one day!
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Sept 12, 2017 22:57:50 GMT
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1. Leaving the rat race 2. Self-employment 3. Coffee shops 4. Going mad? I say make the jump. I'm at a similar junction myself at the moment. I sort of work for myself already, and I'm sick of it... I'm nearly at the end of a project that I have been working on since 2012, and frankly when it's done so am I. So... Leaving the rat race. What are you actually leaving? If you're in a position like me, then you are leaving stress, and worries about silly little things that don't add up to anything, but keep you awake all night long. Self-employment. The problem with this is as everyone else has said the boss is an ass! But atleast you'll be on first name terms with him, and you'll know him better than anyone. Coffee Shops. Love the idea, I had the same idea once, and I still think about it to this day. The best ones in my opinion are the ones that don't sell pretentious coffee at ridiculous prices, but they sell regular coffee with milk and sugar in mis matched mugs, and you sit on mis matched furniture. Don't think about some fancy sounding super foamy macchiato at about £3 per mouthful, and poncy cakes and pasties with names I can't pronounce, think a great big mug of warm brown stuff for about a quid, and a slab of sponge cake or crumpets or something. There used to be a lovely little coffee shop in Cardiff called 'The Plan' best damn coffee shop i've ever been to. I don't know what it's like now as ive not been there for years, but if you happened to be in Cardiff i would definately take a look. theplancafecardiff.co.uk/Going mad. Yes probably, but it's better to try it and know, than to not try it and always wonder. You cannot fail if you try it, because even if it doesn't work out, you've given it a shot, and thats a sucsess! Good luck. |
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awoo
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,507
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Sept 12, 2017 23:14:39 GMT
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check this out, someone on another forum asking pretty much the same question. it got quite a lot of inspirational accounts from the experience of other people www.lfgss.com/conversations/301778/I say give it a go, just make sure you're solvent. |
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Sept 13, 2017 1:07:01 GMT
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Looks delightful.
The plan to do this might be there and well established, but is the market? Is there a need for that business in that location?
Can you buy or lease without financial burden? A massive mortgage will be far more stress than any annoying boss ever will.
And lastly... There's no cool car content. I won't say "does this belong on rr" because there is a nice "other" section where it would be much better placed.
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Sept 13, 2017 3:12:17 GMT
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1. Every city bound country boy's dream.
2. Done this for a while as a transport operator. Was very hand to mouth. That said if your financial situation allows then go for it.
3. What pistonpopper said. Can't comment on the UK cos I've never been there but here in NZ, particularly in the big cities, we seem to have a multitude of fancy pants cafes serving expensive bad coffee and weird food. Plain unpretentious food for normal people is becoming hard to find.
4. Recommended.
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Sept 13, 2017 7:00:40 GMT
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As mentioned, do some research & check then double check funds etc
I was in a similar position, although not in an office, I was a truck mechanic but beginning to hate it.
I'm now in my 20th year of self employment & whilst not all plain sailing it's worked for me.
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miaspa
Part of things
Posts: 829
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Sept 13, 2017 7:15:20 GMT
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Was expecting more of this, don't do it on a whim. Much like Evel you need to plan plan and plan.  |
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Last Edit: Sept 13, 2017 7:15:53 GMT by miaspa
Found my flashing Pao again.
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miaspa
Part of things
Posts: 829
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Sept 13, 2017 7:19:21 GMT
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Oh look mustang, fastback what else can I spy.  |
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Found my flashing Pao again.
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Sept 13, 2017 7:22:16 GMT
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About 18 years ago I did jump. We sold our beautiful single story home (a rarity in Holland) gave up our jobs. Put all our belongings in a container and moved to Australia. No house, no job, and no idea but willing to work and make it work.
If we would not have jumped I would still work (most likely) the same job. Life in the same house, same street etc etc
I just needed fresh air. Got sick of living on a 250m2 block with views of a concrete wall....
As I said we did jump. Now 18 years later we are doing great. It hasn't been easy at times at all. We have had some hard times with very little money and hardly any work.
I'm now in a well paid permanent job. I had to go surfing for work today and yesterday I had to go swimming and don't start about the mountain bike ride I was asked to do on Monday....
My yard is just a touch over 4000m2 and i can see about 15 kangaroos from where I am sitting now. Not that many, there are normally about 30.
I am happy that we did jump and did take a big risk. But what is a big risk? Telling mum and dad that it didn't work?
Loosing some money?
I would say, go for it. Give it a go.
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Sept 13, 2017 7:32:36 GMT
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Oh look mustang, fastback what else can I spy. Well NOT a fastback that's for sure |
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Sept 13, 2017 7:45:50 GMT
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DO it.
But plan it out to the finest detail possible, buisness plan etc. -
what you want to do & offer.
Rent / mortguage,
Buisness Rates,
Accounts - book keeping etc.
utilities.
suppliers.
When I tried to go self employed the 1st time I didnt do all of this and ended up in a bit of a mess, both financially and personally. - I'm now all sorted, work for myself (Design Engineer), ive never been better off or a un-stressed, well i do get stressed but its a different kind, as its my doing and my problem to solve.
equipment - coffee machines arn't cheap, need regular serving, shop around for a decent coffee & machine deal or do it all seperate - so your not tied in with one company and can shop around.
make sure you have reserve for the bad months (which you may well get).
sell pie. (seroiusly, all the pubs round here do a "pie day". homemade pie, chips or mash with veg for £6-£8 and they are rammed on that day.
also is there a pub in the village? micro pubs are pretty damn popular.
sorry if I'm explaining how to suck ones chicken offspring.
best of luck to you!
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Take the Next slot right coming up on the left.
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misteralz
Posted a lot
I may drive a Volkswagen, but I'm scene tax exempt!
Posts: 2,494
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Sept 13, 2017 7:47:25 GMT
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Bad punctuation, I think he meant Mustang, Fastback, what else?
But yeah, neither the Mustang or the Type 3 are the Fastback versions so I don't know why I'm defending him.
As you were.
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thebaron
Europe
Over the river, heading out of town
Posts: 1,659 
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Sept 13, 2017 7:53:10 GMT
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Did something similar twice now. Once by choice and then the next by evaluation of circumstance.
First time it just didn't work out so I had to reset. Second time was great.
I do not regret either though as the only thing you have to ask yourself is "Is it the right thing for me/us to do (for our health,sanity,happiness) NOW?"
If the answer is yes then that's it. Whatever the result you won't regret the decision. Change is always risky but "I guess it comes down to a simple choice, really. Get busy living or get busy dying."
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Last Edit: Sept 13, 2017 7:54:03 GMT by thebaron
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miaspa
Part of things
Posts: 829
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Sept 13, 2017 8:06:57 GMT
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Bad identification, bad punctuation and cafes, pretty sure I logged into Retrorides, maybe I clicked on Pistonheads by error!😜
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Found my flashing Pao again.
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