Want to start own company - need to do research - any suggestions

[Tillysmummy]

I am thinking of starting my own business and want to research it with all of you to see what you think but is that allowed ?

[PamT]

Annie Whats-her-name did it on here about her indoor play area (as well as at least 2 other boards) and Pupuce has talked about her business venture so I don't see why not as long as you're not advertising. You could ask the Mumsnet team to make sure.

I'd recommend Business Link who give free advice to people who have just started or are thinking of starting their own business. They do training courses and one-to-one advice sessions, all free of charge.

What are you thinking of doing?

[Tillysmummy]

Hi PamT, thanks for the response, how do I ask the Mumsnet team ?

My mum and I are thinking of starting an everything for your baby shop for people who want to buy everything in one place and don't want the hassle of a department store. It would be a physical premises in Radlett where I live. It's a nice area and there are plenty of people spending lots of money there but property is at a premium. The idea would be to keep an eye out for something and this shop would be somewhere where mum's could buy clothes, furniture, toys etc and their children could play, supervised while they shop, hopefully stress free.

One of the main things we are thinking of selling is old fashioned prams. My mum collects them and we each have one which we use for dd. She loves sleeping in it outside and going out for walks. Whenever I walk with her people always comment on it and a lot of people have asked where we got it. So initially we are probably thinking of starting with a website for these prams because I don't think a babyshop website would be that different. It needs to be a physical place offering added benefits like child entertainment while shopping. But the prams thing might work on the internet. I don't know....

[SueW]

Tillysmummy, if you are going to sell prams are you aware of the restricted on wheeled conveyances? If they are brand new and made to EC psec you won't have a problem but secondhand is more difficult.

Sounds like a great idea to do something child-related though.

A local secondhand babywear store has a picket-fenced area at the back of the shop with a playhouse etc so parents can sort of lock their children in whilst they browse. They can still see them easily but it means the children are occupied and less likely to whinge.

SOrry - getting pestered by stupid cat who won't leave keyboard alone. WIll try to write more later

[Tillysmummy]

Hi Sue

That is really interesting re the prams thing, I didn't realise that so do you know where i would find this out ?

Re the shop, that is exactly what we are thinking of.

[Willow2]

yeah - go for it