Starting an offline business

[awesomewebsites]

If you had to start an offline business, what niche would you choose ? Some specific points that I will be glad to hear from you guys :

1) What is better to these two - Selling high margin items in less volume or selling large volume of low margin (and low cost) products.

2) What is the limiting factor in an offline business except budget ?

3) If you had or have an offline business, what would have done differently if you started it again from scratch.

Thanks.

 

[Max Blax]

1) I would prefer high margin items in less volume but that often involves using more of your time
2) I think the limiting factor is your available time and energy
3) An old friend of mine had good offline business which help him gain so much money without having to spend all his time on it: car washing self service. Before that, he has tried self service washing machine but he fails with it because of the bad location...

 

[awesomewebsites]

1) I would prefer high margin items in less volume but that often involves using more of your time
2) I think the limiting factor is your available time and energy
3) An old friend of mine had good offline business which help him gain so much money without having to spend all his time on it: car washing self service. Before that, he has tried self service washing machine but he fails with it because of the bad location...

1) Shouldn't the opposite be true ?
2 ) Right. Franchise or employees should ease it.
3) Nice idea.

 

[FUTUR TIM]

1. High margin, most definitely.
2. You don't know how many people will visit your store.
3. I won't start an offline business in my country again.

 

[Max Blax]

1) Shouldn't the opposite be true ?

You're right probably at beginning of the business for example, managing a store, select the products, the physical store, find the employees etcc.. Then once the business is started you can employ a manager...

For high margin items, you would probably spend much time to find the clients and much time to deliver the product (consulting/service).

But ok, it depends of the type of business, I was just thinking about a general case

 

[MisterF]

1) What is better to these two - Selling high margin items in less volume or selling large volume of low margin (and low cost) products.

Depends on several factors; Electricals you need to offer warranties etc. Is it easier to sell something less likely to have a fault, such as photocopier paper?

Look for evergreen industry - I first started selling office supplies. Why ? Because all businesses need supplies, machines, print etc.

Price - Tesco supermarket had an unofficial slogan decades ago of; 'Stack it high, watch it fly'. They sold cheap on volume.


2) What is the limiting factor in an offline business except budget ?

A persons lack of drive, ambition or knowledge.


3) If you had or have an offline business, what would have done differently if you started it again from scratch.

Expanded when I had the chance.

 

[Flacko]

Cleaning niche.

Especially in California where the demand is high. But there’s a language barrier between the workers and clients. Something to fix that would well.

 

[bfftalk]

Are you looking for food service business or any type of cousultanco service?

 

[mancar487]

Choose a niche you either have expertise on, or have a strong interest in (so learning won't be hard).
I funnel my online earnings into my real estate business, so high margin low volume. But I was always interested in it so learning what is involved was actually more like a hobby.
I couldnt imagine running an offline business (in addition to my online one) in a niche I had no interest in.

 

[Stencil]

If you had to start an offline business, what niche would you choose ? Some specific points that I will be glad to hear from you guys :

1) What is better to these two - Selling high margin items in less volume or selling large volume of low margin (and low cost) products.

2) What is the limiting factor in an offline business except budget ?

3) If you had or have an offline business, what would have done differently if you started it again from scratch.

Thanks.

Before I say anything, I'll tell you this. I do not have any offline business neither I have done any before. Everything I say is based on my Online business experience.

To start an offline business, you must know the geography, its people, culture, their affinity, Good and trustworthy associates/colleagues/employees and most of all a vision. Based on these factors you can decide upon a product which you'd want to manufacture, sell or service.
My personal preference is doing Large Volume business with low to medium margin. In a country like India, we have scope of bargaining

Limiting factors could be the zeal to sustain the business in good and bad days, ability to know when to take that leap of expansion or keep things as it is.

I'd most likely sell packaged drinking water if I had to start it. Like most other businesses, water is a fundamental need of Humans and its not going to be ''redundant" or "out of fashion" anytime soon

 

[wize]

It’s s tough gig, what ever you choose. If you have experience within the industry it makes things much eaiser.

 

[awesomewebsites]

Are you looking for food service business or any type of cousultanco service?

I have not yet decided the niche.

 

[Jeevs]

I sell a wide range of merchandise online under my registered PVT LTD brand name, both customized and pre-designed. And whenever I get an opportunity to put up a stall in a college fest I grab it with both hands! Because it sells like HOTCAKES. It's super easy to determine what niches of merchandise would be popular in a particular college and BAM! You won't even have time to breathe once the students start to flow in. I generally have a 200-220% margin on products. Plus I encourage them to register themselves on my e-commerce site and distribute coupons for customer acquisition. Minimum efforts, maximum profit.
I know you might be looking for a more permanent offline business but here are my 2 cents on how I take my online venture offline : )

Also, feel free to contact if you want to partner/franchise.

 

[dotc0m]

I sell a wide range of merchandise online under my registered PVT LTD brand name, both customized and pre-designed. And whenever I get an opportunity to put up a stall in a college fest I grab it with both hands! Because it sells like HOTCAKES. It's super easy to determine what niches of merchandise would be popular in a particular college and BAM! You won't even have time to breathe once the students start to flow in. I generally have a 200-220% margin on products. Plus I encourage them to register themselves on my e-commerce site and distribute coupons for customer acquisition. Minimum efforts, maximum profit.
I know you might be looking for a more permanent offline business but here are my 2 cents on how I take my online venture offline : )

Also, feel free to contact if you want to partner/franchise.

Maybe not so much india, as it is a capital for garments

But selling garments in the US market has always been a great business venture.

Whether selling on the street, Online, Outside events, or in a brick and mortar

Cost is low

ROI is always high

So long you don't blow too much on Marketing and Overhead

 

[TheVigilante]

I would definitely sell local SEO which I consider would be a good recurring money model. I would make sure to have limited clients so I can give my best and also concentrate on my other businesses

 

[awesomewebsites]

I sell a wide range of merchandise online under my registered PVT LTD brand name, both customized and pre-designed. And whenever I get an opportunity to put up a stall in a college fest I grab it with both hands! Because it sells like HOTCAKES. It's super easy to determine what niches of merchandise would be popular in a particular college and BAM! You won't even have time to breathe once the students start to flow in. I generally have a 200-220% margin on products. Plus I encourage them to register themselves on my e-commerce site and distribute coupons for customer acquisition. Minimum efforts, maximum profit.
I know you might be looking for a more permanent offline business but here are my 2 cents on how I take my online venture offline : )

Also, feel free to contact if you want to partner/franchise.

That sounds interesting. How do you monitor those stalls ?

 

[Jeevs]

Maybe not so much india, as it is a capital for garments

But selling garments in the US market has always been a great business venture.

Whether selling on the street, Online, Outside events, or in a brick and mortar

Cost is low

ROI is always high

So long you don't blow too much on Marketing and Overhead

Agree. There is cut-throat competition in India when it comes to garments. Hard to survive if you don't have any X factor. Variety of products, kickass designs, and innovative marketing techniques has been our savior till now. Mainly designs. Helps us stand out.

That sounds interesting. How do you monitor those stalls ?

We do like 10-12 stalls in a year. I love the energy of those places (and count hard cash) so I personally handle most of the stalls ( with a little help of course). I send someone from my office If I'm not free. It takes 2 people to manage a stall.Max 3.

 

[Scorpion Ghost]

Sex sells. And people are a bunch of fat fucking pigs.

Sooo...

Strip joint that serves hamburgers for the win!

 

[BrandingCat]

Sell pizza because pizza it's life.

 

[awesomewebsites]

Sell pizza because pizza it's life.

It can be profitable in the area I live. A new Pizza joint has opened nearby though recently which I am yet to visit.