Graduate Entrepreneur?

SeaFields

Hi all,

As a recent graduate (that phrase is becoming more and more inaccurate as I graduated last year so “recent” no longer applies), I am like the vast majority in not being able to get a foothold in the jobs market. I have come to the conclusion that the only route to a job in this country is getting on a plane or starting your own business. I’ll examine the latter first!

As a means of keeping me sane from the mindnumbing boredom that is everyday life, I have been researching an idea. It would be along the lines of a visitor centre that brings together the more interesting aspects of local flora and fauna for my local area (I would prefer not to say much more than that) and uses knowledge’s and skills I have from both my third level education and my hobbies and interests.

However, and it’s a big however, I’m a graduate. I’m still in debt from my college days and therefore don’t have the capital that I would need. I may be able to get some finance from family on condition it is repaid at a later date (this would only be fair). Banks are gone all zombie I believe. The project may qualify for some funding under a sustainable tourism initiative from various rural development schemes (research currently underway). I may also be the disadvantaging factor tho...being a graduate and rather green in business world. I have seen a commercial venture through to completion as the leader on a departmental initiative in college which may stand to me in terms of experience. I have also many close friends in the business world which have starting helping already with further assurances of being able to pick their brain.

Am I mad? Is it even possible? Are all these graduate entrepreneurialism sound bites out of our politians merely that – sound bites – or are there supports there? Any words of encouragement would be welcomed. Any home truths would be grudgingly accepted as necessary.

Thanks

My advice to you is don't be afraid to have a go at starting something, but the vital thing is that your idea is based around a very low cost setup. You see most likely you will make a lot of mistakes, the trial and error type. You'll learn and get better from them, but you dont want to lose too much cash in the meantime.

I had exactly the same problem as you about 9 years ago. I ended up having to work for commission only door to door sales. But a couple of months later I had the confidence to setup my first business after being inspired because I was able to sell so much. I started with a contract with a telecom company,a latop and a printer and went from there.

It might be good for you to try and get inspiration for an idea as opposed to sitting down and thinking what business could I setup. To do that you might need to do something similar and work on commission only for a business or two. Its important you get experience selling something and a little bit of sales training. Because your business will rise and fall on your sales ability and the hours you put into sales.
So, again if you can do something for a low cost, then go for it, you have nothing to lose at your age....

TheCostumeShop.ie: Ronan

Go for it. Keep the costs to a minimum as El Rifel said. Try to run some basic tour and make sure they are as entertaining as possible, collect surveys from everyone and keep the good and the bad for use later to prove your business model and have testimonials. Offer kickbacks to tour operators / B&Bs to suggest / make available your excursion to the potential users.

It's a lot of hard work at the start but you will reap the rewards from that work no matter how the venture turns out.