if you’re below 30, able-bodied, gainfully employed, with no recurring debt obligations, and continuously save 10% of your monthly gross, you’ll be a lot better off than most businessmen. and you’re bound to retire rich.
Obligatory Buffy quote:
Buffy: “He even has that test to see if you’re crazy that asks if you ever hear voices or if you ever wanted to be a florist.”
Willow: “Ooh, I used to want… Wait, florist means crazy, right? I never wanted to do that.”
Well the first thing your gonna need is a time machine.
Read “The E-Myth Revisited.” It’s one of the best business books I’ve come across. It specifically points out many of the pitfalls that entrepreneurs encounter when setting up their own business, as well as provides solutions to increase your chances for success.
Also, check out SCORE. It’s a program through the Small Business Administration which provides free business counseling. It’s a fantastic program and you can pretty much ask any question related to a potential business (or actual business once you get started) and get straightforward advice and feedback. They can help you set up a business and marketing plans, show you how to set up financials and tell you if you have a viable business idea and strategy. The counselors are all experienced business owners and high level corporate types that volunteer their time. And it’s free!
Alongside all the good advice above, have a think about whether a florist shop is the right way to go. You may find, after working in a florist’s for a while, that the major cash is through online sales or corporate and events floristry (there are florists in London who make a BOMB providing weekly grand flower arrangements for the reception foyers of large corporations, loads more profitable than flogging half a dozen roses to Joe Bloggs).
I guess what I’m saying is, don’t necessarily fixate on a physical ‘shop’. Buying habits are changing (have changed) and a shop might just be a drain on your overheads. Keep an open mind.
My completely unresearched and off the top of my head idea, which will probably change as I get experience and knowledge, is to hopefully have a small shop but use the internet, facebook, and all that good stuff to get our business out there.
I do think that’s one thing I have going for me: I grew up using computer so I’ll be better, hopefully, able to use it as a tool.