mezzo soprano
08-25-2007, 05:56 PM
I am in the midst of a career change. We are selling our family business (a bank) and of course the new owners don't really want us hanging around after the sale... understandable. (My dad is going to stay on the board of directors of the new bank, but that's the extent of the family's involvement after the sale.)
Anyhoo....I am considering opening a yarn or craft store after the dust settles from the sale. I guess I wouldn't really have to work (I was an 18% owner so I get 18% of the proceeds) but I think I'd go nuts if I were home all day with dh! :)
Money won't really be a concern, except of course I don't want to spend millions on this endeavor! ;) I am considering buying a building in the historic district of our local downtown and renovating it. What I REALLY want is to also have a coffee shop/ice cream parlour, but I'm only going to do that if I can get TWO buildings because there wouldn't be enough room otherwise.
The building will cost probably $200,000 or so, and I know I have to put another $200-300,000 into it (although that could also skyrocket being that it's an old building and we have new standards for preservation of historic buildings). So I might end up in a "newer" building or renting in our local mall where there is a perfect large space available.
What I'd like input on is this: What are some good books and resources out there for someone looking to start a retail business? And if you've started a business, what were the pitfalls for you?
Oh, and I guess I might need to come up with a new user name one of these days.... ;)
Anyhoo....I am considering opening a yarn or craft store after the dust settles from the sale. I guess I wouldn't really have to work (I was an 18% owner so I get 18% of the proceeds) but I think I'd go nuts if I were home all day with dh! :)
Money won't really be a concern, except of course I don't want to spend millions on this endeavor! ;) I am considering buying a building in the historic district of our local downtown and renovating it. What I REALLY want is to also have a coffee shop/ice cream parlour, but I'm only going to do that if I can get TWO buildings because there wouldn't be enough room otherwise.
The building will cost probably $200,000 or so, and I know I have to put another $200-300,000 into it (although that could also skyrocket being that it's an old building and we have new standards for preservation of historic buildings). So I might end up in a "newer" building or renting in our local mall where there is a perfect large space available.
What I'd like input on is this: What are some good books and resources out there for someone looking to start a retail business? And if you've started a business, what were the pitfalls for you?
Oh, and I guess I might need to come up with a new user name one of these days.... ;)