What to do when you hit the wall..

This is just a little rant I suppose.
Ive been dreaming of 'My Business' for nearly two years now. Have everything in my head. But for some reason, I cannot co-hesively put it all together in a straighforward manner, that I can present to someone to further the Business along.
I feel like Im chasing my tail.
Ive have some very nice offers of help from people on here,( deirdre ) but they are not in Dublin.
I feel like a need a good mental shakedown.
I need an advisor.
Im so stuck.
I keep saying in my head, that old chestnut 'get up and do it, if you dont someone else will,'.
I dont want to miss the boat.

Do any of you experience this feeling of just being plain mixed up.

shoutman

I have zero experience in setting up a business, but it seems like you need to write yourself a business plan.

I'm a little bit confused when you say you have everything in your head but can't put it together. Do you mean you know what service or product you want to produce but you don't know how to go about doing it?

shoutman

shoutman wrote: »

I have zero experience in setting up a business, but it seems like you need to write yourself a business plan.

I'm a little bit confused when you say you have everything in your head but can't put it together. Do you mean you know what service or product you want to produce but you don't know how to go about doing it?

Thats pretty much it. Do I use enterprise boards, or just go to bank myself, find makers etc..etc..

Im thinking Ill get in touch with an enterpise agency and speak with a business advisor.

shoutman

It couldn't hurt. Can I ask is it a product or a service?

Tones69

Jake1 wrote: »

Thats pretty much it. Do I use enterprise boards, or just go to bank myself, find makers etc..etc..

Im thinking Ill get in touch with an enterpise agency and speak with a business advisor.

Depends what the business is dude, they dont give grants for a lot of things. If you have a regular savings in a credit union or bank they should give you a business loan with no probs really, again its depending on the plan and how much you want. Hard for us to give advice when we dont know anything about it

I have zero money.
But I do think it will sell, here and abroad, the antiaging markets are not slowing down.Ive become a devotee of trend reports by Mintel etc. Im reading white papers on the latest technologys. I know what I want, but I cant put it together.


its a product. I (obviously) think it will sell, partly due to the stay at home factor doing the rounds now, and also because its an anti aging product.
recession or no recession, I know not of a woman, that wants lines or wrinkles

suey71

i'm not sure where in dublin you live but you should check out a start your own business course in swords starting in 2 weeks, the one in www.bap.ie blanchardstown is booked out. costs 200 euros though. or get start your own business in ireland. by ron imink. i,m in the same boat as you are, great idea but stuck on something. in my case i've started the plan but stuck on potential sales figures. thats why i've been trying to find out the online traffic of my future rivals. plus i'm worried that due to the present economic climate that my sales figures for the next 3 years will be way off. if you want good advice, besides this forum you could get in touch with niall comber in bap in blanch and he,ll be helpfull. the other baps in dublin are only for unemployed people but blanch has an open door policy. good luck.

Thanks for the Baps link Suey, I'll check it out.

I think just by writing, how I was feeling, and getting it all out has already helped.
I feel like Ive had a mental kick in the arse

suey71

and my wife says i need a physical one.:D great idea dont give too much away though;).

suey71

suey71 wrote: »

and my wife says i need a physical one.:D great idea dont give too much away though;).

Thanks
good advice.

Thanks every one, Im off to make more notes

leitrim lad

jake1
hello i run several business ,have done since i was 16, now i was head strong when i started and nothing would stop me,

but i noticed you said your product would sell here and abroad, so my advice is get your self to enterprise ireland in the morning, thats excatly what they are looking ,small export companies,

i had several ideas with the down turn and i got advice from my own accountants, and enterprise ireland are feeling around abroad for contacts for me to distribute the product abroad for me, now i didnt avail of any grants, but they told me they will give a one off €75k start up payable back to them if successful in 4 years no interest, and for every employee you take on direct is another grant of €7500 up to 10 employees, so i hope that helps

leitrim lad

stepbar

Okay, it's an anti aging product? Is it A) One you have developed yourself or one which you can get a licence to sell?

If it's A) how much time, money and effort have you put into this product yourself? What testing / certification have you done / got to date?

If it's ask yourself why the company who developed the product is not promoting the product themselves?

I'd like to help but TBH I'd have no interest in hand holding to be frank.

TheCostumeShop.ie: Ronan

Jake,

You need mentors, go to your local enterprise board for a start.

To start a business all you need to be is:

1. Passionate about the idea (so you don't give up at the first hurdle)
2. Good with your personal finances - If you can't budget your personal expenditure you definitely will make a balls of the businesses financials.
3. Personable - if people like you, they will do business with you if you get everything else right.

PM me if you need help or advice.

TheCostumeShop.ie: Ronan

leitrim lad wrote: »

jake1
hello i run several business ,have done since i was 16, now i was head strong when i started and nothing would stop me,

but i noticed you said your product would sell here and abroad, so my advice is get your self to enterprise ireland in the morning, thats excatly what they are looking ,small export companies,

i had several ideas with the down turn and i got advice from my own accountants, and enterprise ireland are feeling around abroad for contacts for me to distribute the product abroad for me, now i didnt avail of any grants, but they told me they will give a one off €75k start up payable back to them if successful in 4 years no interest, and for every employee you take on direct is another grant of €7500 up to 10 employees, so i hope that helps

leitrim lad

Not sure about that advice Leitrim Lad, the Enterprise boards are broke at the moment and can take 3 months to OK a simple website subsidization. What they do have plenty of is advice, contacts and support.

stepbar

stepbar wrote: »

Okay, it's an anti aging product? Is it A) One you have developed yourself or one which you can get a licence to sell?

If it's A) how much time, money and effort have you put into this product yourself? What testing / certification have you done / got to date?

If it's ask yourself why the company who developed the product is not promoting the product themselves?

I'd like to help but TBH I'd have no interest in hand holding to be frank.

To be honest right back, I did not ask for hand holding, I was simply ranting because I was stuck in a rut.

Thank you.

leitrim lad

leitrim lad wrote: »

jake1
hello i run several business ,have done since i was 16, now i was head strong when i started and nothing would stop me,

but i noticed you said your product would sell here and abroad, so my advice is get your self to enterprise ireland in the morning, thats excatly what they are looking ,small export companies,

i had several ideas with the down turn and i got advice from my own accountants, and enterprise ireland are feeling around abroad for contacts for me to distribute the product abroad for me, now i didnt avail of any grants, but they told me they will give a one off €75k start up payable back to them if successful in 4 years no interest, and for every employee you take on direct is another grant of €7500 up to 10 employees, so i hope that helps

leitrim lad

Hi there

Thats brilliant for you. Well done. Please keep us updated.
I think they can give brilliant advice.
I spoke to them over the phone yesterday, give breif discription,, they seemed interested.
I have appointment with them thursday morning, so Im keeping fingers toes crossed.
Thanks for the heads up, its much appreciated.
its nice that some people take the time to be helpful.Things are bad enough at the moment, the more people help each other, the better off we'll all be.

stepbar

Jake1 wrote: »

To be honest right back, I did not ask for hand holding, I was simply ranting because I was stuck in a rut.

Thank you.

It certainly looks like it. I mean seriously have you a business plan? If not why not!!! It doesn't have to be a good one. Why has it taken 2 years to get this far? what have you been at

Fancy Dresser

Fancy Dresser wrote: »

Jake,

You need mentors, go to your local enterprise board for a start.

To start a business all you need to be is:

1. Passionate about the idea (so you don't give up at the first hurdle)
2. Good with your personal finances - If you can't budget your personal expenditure you definitely will make a balls of the businesses financials.
3. Personable - if people like you, they will do business with you if you get everything else right.

PM me if you need help or advice.

Thank you so much for that.
You are exactly right. I need mentors, so I have an appointment with Enterprise board, on thurs.

I am very passionate about it, to be honest its all Ive thought about for nearly two years.
Personal finances,...mmm not so good, but i do have access to accountant.
I think, hope , I am personable. I try to be friendly, helpful.I smile a lot.
I have determination, I just need a small bit of direction.
Im really looking forward to the meeting.
Im hoping to create jobs, be good to my staff, reward them often.
Im hoping for a lot of things but i wont bore you now.
But thanks again, all advice is really appreciated.
I'll let everyone know how it go's.

Jake

stepbar

stepbar wrote: »

It certainly looks like it. I mean seriously have you a business plan? If not why not!!! It doesn't have to be a good one. Why has it taken 2 years to get this far? what have you been at

Why is my rant abut getting stuck in a rut bothering you.
I have been researching, talking to manufacturers all over the world, pricing,, reading trend reports.
My daughter is studying for junior cert, I dont have the time for full time business course right now. I wish I did, Im the first to admit it.

I dont have a business plan, because I am still, very unsure of how to do it right. Im sorry my ignorance bothers you.
yes its taken a long time, but you know what, I believe, sincerley, that trying at least to arm myself with knowledge, no matter how slowly I do it, is the best thing for me.
I know now, heart and soul, I will march into that meeting with my head up high, ready to take any questions, and ready to listen.

I was stuck in a rut, it happens,
To the best of us

Im feeling more sure of my self now.
A lot of it has to do with people on this board, who instead of trying to be insulting and condescending, have given me great suggestions, advice, and it seems anyway, their interest.

I was looking for a hand up from the board, not a hand out.

Its probably best for you to just ignore me, and what Im doing from now on.I certainly dont need your negativity.

stepbar

Seriously, it doesn't bother me the least but putting a a little rant up on an open forum like this will not solve your problem. You can arm yourself with all the knowledge you like but unless you actually go out and do something with same, its a waste of time IMO. It seems that you are trying to take some comfort in the info you have gathered to date You'll end up talking yourself out of this if you're not careful. I'm trying to give you a bit of constructive critism if anything. There's nothing insulting about that. There will be lots of people out there who will give you plenty of false hope etc, get your hopes up etc. And TBH if you're getting offended by what I have to say, well then you'll be a basket case by the end of it all because in equal measures there will be lots of people waiting to knock you down.

To be honest if every Entrepreneur went out into the world with the aim of doing thing right, they'd learn nothing. There's nothing wrong with making mistakes. It's how you learn from them will determine the sort of entrepreneur you have the potential to be. Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely place to be (as in not knowing what to do). But not doing anything is even worse. At least you've started on the road but don't be under any illusions it won't be easy.

stepbar

''

stepbar wrote: »

Seriously, it doesn't bother me the least but putting a a little rant up on an open forum like this will not solve your problem. You can arm yourself with all the knowledge you like but unless you actually go out and do something with same, its a waste of time IMO. It seems that you are trying to take some comfort in the info you have gathered to date You'll end up talking yourself out of this if you're not careful. ''

To be honset, I cant disagree with you there. I do take comfort in what I do know. But I did have lack of confidence, so I felt it was useful.
I do see what your saying though about being active about it.
Im starting to do that now.I wont talk myself out if it, becuase, Its just something I have to try.


''I'm trying to give you a bit of constructive critism if anything. There's nothing insulting about that. There will be lots of people out there who will give you plenty of false hope etc, get your hopes up etc. An TBH if your are getting offended by what I have to say, well then you'll be a basket case by the end of it all because in equal measures there will be lots of people waiting to knock you down.''

No, I wont be a basket case, I can take critism Again, I agree with you there will be lots of knock downs. I'll just have to keep getting back up.



To be honest if every Entrapreneur went out into the world with the aim of doing thing right, they'd learn nothing. There's nothing wrong with making mistakes. It's how you learn from them will determine the sort of entrapreneur you have the potential to be. Being an entrapreneur can be a lonely place to be (as in not knowing what to do). But not doing anything is even worse. At least you've started on the road but don't be under any illusions it won't be easy.

Im not, scared ****less actually But I am starting something thursday, so we;ll see how it goes.
Cheers for the words, I will take it on board.

Jake1, fair play and congratulations on wanting to do something about, on this board you need to pay attention to the ones that matter and ignore the ones that don't. I'm sure you can make that decision up yourself.

I'd take Fancy Dressers advice on board as it's positive, solid and accurate and what you need to do to make progress. I've met Enterprise Ireland mentors before and to get the best out of them, you need to know what you want the business to do, make notes and write down what you want to do. Get a business plan template and pay attention to the advice that applies to you and you only: http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/NR/rdonlyres/820E0EFA-DBE3-4AC0-B038-DC0127DCFAE4/0/businessplantemplate.doc

Also, try to get advice from people who know the area you are focussing on i.e. If I want to get advice on running a bakery, I'm not going to get advice from a barber even though he proclaims to be an expert at running a business

stepbar

stepbar wrote: »

To be honest if every Entrapreneur went out into the world with the aim of doing thing right, they'd learn nothing. There's nothing wrong with making mistakes. It's how you learn from them will determine the sort of entrapreneur you have the potential to be. Being an entrapreneur can be a lonely place to be (as in not knowing what to do). But not doing anything is even worse. At least you've started on the road but don't be under any illusions it won't be easy.

Entrepreneur.

stepbar

Deleted User wrote: »

Entrepreneur.

Indeed, well thanks for pointing that out. I'll go off and correct that. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

Jake1, fair play and congratulations on wanting to do something about, on this board you need to pay attention to the ones that matter and ignore the ones that don't. I'm sure you can make that decision up yourself.

I'd take Fancy Dressers advice on board as it's positive, solid and accurate and what you need to do to make progress. I've met Enterprise Ireland mentors before and to get the best out of them, you need to know what you want the business to do, make notes and write down what you want to do. Get a business plan template and pay attention to the advice that applies to you and you only: http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/NR/rdonlyres/820E0EFA-DBE3-4AC0-B038-DC0127DCFAE4/0/businessplantemplate.doc

Also, try to get advice from people who know the area you are focussing on i.e. If I want to get advice on running a bakery, I'm not going to get advice from a barber even though he proclaims to be an expert at running a business

Thanks for your kind words Ent. Im also a woman:) Couldnt get user name is my real name so, jake is my nickname from years ago.


I do take fancy dresses advice. Im looking forward to the meeting now, i was a bit anxious, but I believe I'l be okay. Im absorb every bit of info they give me.

Watching, and reading everyones story, the ups downs etc, have really inspired me.
I think the rant helped me tho, Stepbar. mentally, you know, maybe I just need to get the stress I was feeling out. But yes, you are right, DO something. If not someone else will.

So, now im planning what suit to wear, how to present etc.
Its good, feels like Im getting on the road.

stepbar

stepbar wrote: »

Indeed, well thanks for pointing that out. I'll go off and correct that. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Sorry, I'm not interested in holding your hand.

Stepbar, how are things going for you? Doing good I hope.
Do you mind if I ask what business sevtor youre in?

stepbar

Jake1 wrote: »

Thanks for your kind words Ent. Im also a woman:) Couldnt get user name is my real name so, jake is my nickname from years ago.


I do take fancy dresses advice. Im looking forward to the meeting now, i was a bit anxious, but I believe I'l be okay. Im absorb every bit of info they give me.

Watching, and reading everyones story, the ups downs etc, have really inspired me.
I think the rant helped me tho, Stepbar. mentally, you know, maybe I just need to get the stress I was feeling out. But yes, you are right, DO something. If not someone else will.

So, now im planning what suit to wear, how to present etc.
Its good, feels like Im getting on the road.

Nobody is perfect, if we were I'm afraid life would be pretty boring. TBH I think you need someone to push you along to achieve what you want to do. Not a bad thing at all. A mentor should fill that role. It can be very easy to stay stuck in the same mindset if you're trying to do things on your own. The very best entrepreneurs have a team of individuals around them who bring the best out of them. Even the best of them make mistakes. Even the likes of Sean Quinn (arguably one of Ireland's top entrepreneurs) make serious mistakes from time to time. Does he dwell on same? I think not. He gets on with it and learns from it. Move on and upwards.

stepbar

Deleted User wrote: »

Sorry, I'm not interested in holding your hand.

Lol, stop will ya. My hands are quite big. Anyhow any comment on what I've said? Or are you going to just ignore same?

Again, I agree. I need Mentor. If I get an hour or so with one of them, I'll get it all out to them, and listen to what they say. Hopefully they'll at least send me in right direction.

I do believe I have a good product, which will sell worldwide, theres certainly potential based on some of what big competitors are doing recession or no recession.
Its also cost effective, user freindly, not tested on animals, so I think theres a lot going for it.
Plus, it will create some jobs.
Oh, and recylcled packaging materials.
So, again hopefully when I meet this person, they will get my enthusiasm for the product, the passion I have for it, and the belief in it.

A good brainstorming session is what I need also:)

stepbar

Jake1 wrote: »

Stepbar, how are things going for you? Doing good I hope.
Do you mind if I ask what business sevtor youre in?

Truth be told Im a PAYE worker. But I come from a family of entrepreneurs, who IMO have ran through walls to get where they are at mo. My own da is self employed and managed to run a successful business through recessionary times (he started his business in 1984 without any help or SFA guidance). I spent all my summers working for him but TBH I had no interest in his line of work. Neighbours of mine and personal friends of my da run multi million euro businesses that were started from scratch. His line of logic was that he wanted to see his sons with pens behind their lugs. I couldn't argue with the logic TBH considering that I seen SFA of him when I was young. I fully appreciate how hard it can be to be an entrepreneur. There were times when my Da was barely able to put food on the table. Thankfully I was too young to understand the complexities of same. For god sake I remember one Christmas being told by the Ma that Santa got delayed and that he'd be around the following week. When I think about it how did she feel coming out with stuff like that?

I now work on the other side, as in the lending side of things, so maybe you might meet the likes of me in the future when you're looking for money. For me, if I lend someone money I want to see it back. I like to see businesses grounded in some common sense. I've seen plenty of business plans some good and some awful. Such is life. That's where I come from.

Sonnenblumen

stepbar wrote: »

Seriously, it doesn't bother me the least but putting a a little rant up on an open forum like this will not solve your problem. You can arm yourself with all the knowledge you like but unless you actually go out and do something with same, its a waste of time IMO. It seems that you are trying to take some comfort in the info you have gathered to date You'll end up talking yourself out of this if you're not careful. I'm trying to give you a bit of constructive critism if anything. There's nothing insulting about that. There will be lots of people out there who will give you plenty of false hope etc, get your hopes up etc. And TBH if you're getting offended by what I have to say, well then you'll be a basket case by the end of it all because in equal measures there will be lots of people waiting to knock you down.

To be honest if every Entrepreneur went out into the world with the aim of doing thing right, they'd learn nothing. There's nothing wrong with making mistakes. It's how you learn from them will determine the sort of entrepreneur you have the potential to be. Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely place to be (as in not knowing what to do). But not doing anything is even worse. At least you've started on the road but don't be under any illusions it won't be easy.

Stepbar

you're probably meaning well but you seem to use very pointed language and it seems like you're trying to teach someone how to swim without ever getting your feet wet. You said somewhere you were in the money lending business, this could mean loan shark or worse still banking!! The former would probably be less deserving of criticism as he/she is dealing with own funds and rather than creating any basket cases, is probably assisting some. Bankers on the otherhand have been reckless with other peoples money and have created the greatest misery and potentially more basket cases than any other industry etc.

So rather than lecturing people, perhaps you should and your colleagues should attend some lectures to prepare for some future date when the Gov allows properly regulated banks to perform simple tasks of providing credit. If little has been learned from apparent association with enterprise, at least acknowledge the efforts of individuals trying to improve. The performance of your peers has created a great destructive environment that will undermine enterprise and enterprising culture for a considerable period. If I were a banker I would be shy on enterprise and high on humility towards individuals who are trying to make a better future.

The people who are tasked with keeping our streets clean are contributing more to the future well being of this state than the current generation of Irish bankers ever will.

SKYDOG

I met with a CEB just last week regarding a service business and they were willing to pledge cash. In fairness I have good business plan and the service is innovative with growth potential so the homework was done. FYI, there is another layer of approval introduced recently to the CEB's. they now have to through Enterprise dept for sign off on investment which does slow things down.
good luck jake!

stepbar

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

Stepbar

you're probably meaning well but you seem to use very pointed language and it seems like you're trying to teach someone how to swim without ever getting your feet wet. You said somewhere you were in the money lending business, this could mean loan shark or worse still banking!! The former would probably be less deserving of criticism as he/she is dealing with own funds and rather than creating any basket cases, is probably assisting some. Bankers on the otherhand have been reckless with other peoples money and have created the greatest misery and potentially more basket cases than any other industry etc.

So rather than lecturing people, perhaps you should and your colleagues should attend some lectures to prepare for some future date when the Gov allows properly regulated banks to perform simple tasks of providing credit. If little has been learned from apparent association with enterprise, at least acknowledge the efforts of individuals trying to improve. The performance of your peers has created a great destructive environment that will undermine enterprise and enterprising culture for a considerable period. If I were a banker I would be shy on enterprise and high on humility towards individuals who are trying to make a better future.

The people who are tasked with keeping our streets clean are contributing more to the future well being of this state than the current generation of Irish bankers ever will.

Hold on there, boss. No one is disagreeing that bankers should be forced to "go back to school" per se. The fundaments haven't changed TBH. Good businesses shouldn't have problems. It's the ones who lived on excess are now the ones now going cap in hand to who ever will listen. More fool for collegues of mine for entertaining such proposals. And lets be honest there's a reason the likes of BoSI lost 250 mil last yr.... I'll let you make your own opinion about that. TBH your comments are not reflective of all bankers in the industry and perhaps are not relative to this thread. How about looking towards the financial regulator. Were they not supposed to be be in charge? Instead of "banker bashing" it might be wise to take a look outside the box before passing any further comment.

Furthermore, I hope you're not trying to suggest that loan sharks are in any way looking after the interests of customers. I seriously hope you're not trying to suggest this.

Sonnenblumen

stepbar wrote: »

Hold on there, boss. No one is disagreeing that bankers should be forced to "go back to school" per se. The fundaments haven't changed TBH. Good businesses shouldn't have problems. It's the ones who lived on excess are now the ones now going cap in hand to who ever will listen. More fool for collegues of mine for entertaining such proposals. And lets be honest there's a reason the likes of BoSI lost 250 mil last yr.... I'll let you make your own opinion about that. TBH your comments are not reflective of all bankers in the industry and perhaps are not relative to this thread. How about looking towards the financial regulator. Were they not supposed to be be in charge? Instead of "banker bashing" it might be wise to take a look outside the box before passing any further comment.

Furthermore, I hope you're not trying to suggest that loan sharks are in any way looking after the interests of customers. I seriously hope you're not trying to suggest this.

Thats a laugh blaming the Regulator for wreckless banking, it's like criminals complaining about inadequate policing for the proliferation of crime. How in light of the greatest financial debacle that has ever confronted Ireland (and other countries) can any representative from banking believe they have any credible position or role in offering advice on enterprise or business management. The facts are that banks were driven by inane greed to sell/lend on a patently obvious basis. Regrettably this is only begining to emerge an dwill take many years of recovery to recover. I agree the Regulatory authorities were derelict in their duties, but ultimately the greatest dereliction of duty was by banks. They've destroyed trust from all quarters (shareholders, customers, businesses, in fact Ireland inc).

Quite an achievement don't you think? Something a loan shark could never achieve never mind dream about. And like loan sharks the banks seem to be immune (so far anyway) from any form of criminal sanction.

I think my points are more than relevant. Banks have no credible role in lecturing business owners how to run businesses. On the contrary as any 1st year student of business knows, sales is vanity and margin is sanity. A lesson that was so miserably lost amongst bankers.

Mickk

Jake1 wrote: »

Again, I agree. I need Mentor. If I get an hour or so with one of them, I'll get it all out to them, and listen to what they say. Hopefully they'll at least send me in right direction.

I do believe I have a good product, which will sell worldwide, theres certainly potential based on some of what big competitors are doing recession or no recession.
Its also cost effective, user freindly, not tested on animals, so I think theres a lot going for it.
Plus, it will create some jobs.
Oh, and recylcled packaging materials.
So, again hopefully when I meet this person, they will get my enthusiasm for the product, the passion I have for it, and the belief in it.

A good brainstorming session is what I need also:)

Hi,

I hate to be negative but it just seems to me that you are in way over your head. Having a good idea and being passionate about something is only about 1% of it, selling something worldwide is so easy to say but so so hard to actually go and do. The antiaging business is a hundred billion dollar industry, you need massive funds to launch a product even just in Ireland and if your product has potential or a unique selling point the chances are that one of the pharma monsters in the industry will rip it off and blow you out of the water. Patents are also probably impossible for you to get because I think you are getting the idea or ingredients from the latest research papers in the US or do you think you could patent the idea? Licensing the idea to a big company might be a better way to go (or going on the dragons den and getting an investor and some amazing free advertising!)

Darragh29

Jake1 wrote: »

This is just a little rant I suppose.
Ive been dreaming of 'My Business' for nearly two years now. Have everything in my head. But for some reason, I cannot co-hesively put it all together in a straighforward manner, that I can present to someone to further the Business along.
I feel like Im chasing my tail.
Ive have some very nice offers of help from people on here,( deirdre ) but they are not in Dublin.
I feel like a need a good mental shakedown.
I need an advisor.
Im so stuck.
I keep saying in my head, that old chestnut 'get up and do it, if you dont someone else will,'.
I dont want to miss the boat.

Do any of you experience this feeling of just being plain mixed up.

The hardest part OP is "doing it". I suffered with this problem big time a few years ago and sometimes I'll still fall into this place again for a week or two.

I'm lucky now that I've made good friends who are entrepreneurs like myself and when you are in daily contact with hard working people, it kind of rubs off on you. Also, I found at one stage in my life just before I started this journey, my lifestyle wasn't conductive to running a business, spending too many evenings out with the lads on the lash, etc, etc.

What I'd suggest is put yourself on a business start-up "footing". Tonight when you are going to bed, set the alarm clock for 6:00AM, get up at 6:00AM tomorrow morning for a jog or a quick work out in the gym, come home & have a shower and be ready to go for 7:00AM. Do this for a week straight and you'll be in a better place mentally and in terms of fitness to "go at it". Pick a date for your business launch and get your plan together and use help from wherever it becomes available, and you'd be surprised at how helpful people can be when you need a bit of a hand with something...

I can put my hand on my heart and say that for any start-up that I was involved in, I spent way too much time fannying around with an idea and a plan to start-up. You need a bit of luck as welll after you do start up to give you the confidence to throw yourself completely into it...

Darragh29

Mickk wrote: »

Hi,

I hate to be negative but it just seems to me that you are in way over your head. Having a good idea and being passionate about something is only about 1% of it, selling something worldwide is so easy to say but so so hard to actually go and do. The antiaging business is a hundred billion dollar industry, you need massive funds to launch a product even just in Ireland and if your product has potential or a unique selling point the chances are that one of the pharma monsters in the industry will rip it off and blow you out of the water. Patents are also probably impossible for you to get because I think you are getting the idea or ingredients from the latest research papers in the US or do you think you could patent the idea? Licensing the idea to a big company might be a better way to go (or going on the dragons den and getting an investor and some amazing free advertising!)

Having a good idea and being passionate about it is 90% of it!!! If you are prepared to work hard and push yourself harder, there is nothing you cannot accomplish. The lads I know who are successful, they all have one thing in common, they are the hardest workers I know, they are pure Trojans! Another thing you'll notice about them is they are good communicators, they can talk with anyone with a view to resolving problems...

Another thing I can say about these folks I know and myself, is that we all went into business with a certain degree of naievity, and due to this, we all lost big sums of money down to at one stage or another, having a waster in the business who was theiving cash or theiving stock or theiving customers. We all agree now that decent hard working HONEST people are hard to come by...

Mickk

Darragh29 wrote: »

Having a good idea and being passionate about it is 90% of it!!! If you are prepared to work hard and push yourself harder, there is nothing you cannot accomplish. The lads I know who are successful, they all have one thing in common, they are the hardest workers I know, they are pure Trojans! Another thing you'll notice about them is they are good communicators, they can talk with anyone with a view to resolving problems...

Another thing I can say about these folks I know and myself, is that we all went into business with a certain degree of naievity, and due to this, we all lost big sums of money down to at one stage or another, having a waster in the business who was theiving cash or theiving stock or theiving customers. We all agree now that decent hard working HONEST people are hard to come by...

Thats my point exactly, the hard work day in and out 16 hours a day is what gets you places, having an idea and getting excited about it is 2 a penny. The OP said they didn't have time for a business startup course...

I agree with yiz lads. Hardwork and getting out there doing it.

No more fannying around.
I think after todays Enterprise meeting....., Id be better off anyway:)

Mickk

Mickk wrote: »

Hi,

I hate to be negative but it just seems to me that you are in way over your head. Having a good idea and being passionate about something is only about 1% of it, selling something worldwide is so easy to say but so so hard to actually go and do. The antiaging business is a hundred billion dollar industry, you need massive funds to launch a product even just in Ireland and if your product has potential or a unique selling point the chances are that one of the pharma monsters in the industry will rip it off and blow you out of the water. Patents are also probably impossible for you to get because I think you are getting the idea or ingredients from the latest research papers in the US or do you think you could patent the idea? Licensing the idea to a big company might be a better way to go (or going on the dragons den and getting an investor and some amazing free advertising!)

I see what you are saying,, but the way I see it, Huge Industry or not, that shouldnt stop anyone. Last year a new skincare range called 'Say yes to carrots' took off like a hot potatoe.
I think if the idea can do a number of things for people, they may well want it.
Plus, yes, I think I can patent it, because there is not one available on market yet.
Also, there are lots of hair styling devices, variations of a kind mostly, what Im saying is I think there are ways around things too.

Some guys on TV3 this week, got some enterprise boards, for PIES, so, are there not lots of pies in the world? Do you see what I mean? I cant let that stop me.
Plus, the Big businesses havent done it yet... so , why not me?
Ester lauder started small.

Im not finished before Ive began.

tommurphy73

Good luck with the new business. I hope it works out for you.

On the point of patents, does anyone realize how much it costs to get a patent and how long it takes to actually get one. Then having got one it is worth very little if you are not willing to defend it which costs even more money.



Tom

Sonnenblumen

Darragh29 wrote: »

Having a good idea and being passionate about it is 90% of it!!! If you are prepared to work hard and push yourself harder, there is nothing you cannot accomplish. The lads I know who are successful, they all have one thing in common, they are the hardest workers I know, they are pure Trojans! Another thing you'll notice about them is they are good communicators, they can talk with anyone with a view to resolving problems...

Well another way of looking at it might be working very hard pushing a rope up the hill (it will take a gigantan effort and you might get there ) might afterall be poor return for effort or perhaps an alternative approach might be smart working and the pull the rope up the hill.

I'll let you figure out which is more effective, hard working or smart working?

Incidentally I remember one of our Secondary teachers once talk about studying for exams. The fact you think you're studying (X hours/night) doesn't necessarily mean you're actually studying!

suey71

how did the meeting go yesterday?

suey71

suey71 wrote: »

how did the meeting go yesterday?

Hi Suey71,

It didnt go very well for me. It wasnt exactly what I was looking for.
Turns out it was in a Community Center in Bawnougue.

The advice I got was along the lines of...

'hmm, have you asked any friends for help?, 'try Google was another..

Little gems of advice like that

But she did suggest when I did everything to go back to her.. she didnt say for what though. ...

They seemed to be more aimed toward travellers.Reading and writing groups.
They gave me a form to fill out, asking was I White, Ethnic Minority or Traveller.

I called Enterprise Ireland in East Point Dublin 3, they told me to fill out some IP forms on there site, and we'll see how it goes from there.
So, onwards and upwards.

I need to work on my spelling too

suey71

thats bloody discraceful. and was this with enterprise ireland? if not who did you go to? i take it that you from clondalkin. i was just on the website for clondalkin partnership and they seem to only cater for the disadvantaged and minoritie groups unlike their counterparts in blanchardstown who cater for anyone who has a business idea. have you been on the fingal county enterprise boards website?. lots of advice there, even if your not from fingal. dont get down over this. think of it as getting a new layer of that thick skin you'll need. best of luck.

suey71

suey71 wrote: »

thats bloody discraceful. and was this with enterprise ireland? if not who did you go to? i take it that you from clondalkin. i was just on the website for clondalkin partnership and they seem to only cater for the disadvantaged and minoritie groups unlike their counterparts in blanchardstown who cater for anyone who has a business idea. have you been on the fingal county enterprise boards website?. lots of advice there, even if your not from fingal. dont get down over this. think of it as getting a new layer of that thick skin you'll need. best of luck.

Hi,
The SD enterprise folks sent me there. I live in Lucan.

Thicker skin growing by the day