Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

If money were no object and you were starting a business, what would it be?

80 replies

SinkGirl · 22/11/2020 12:41

Just daydreaming here!

I have a tiny (micro) business - pre kids I used to sell my artwork, and now I sell templates for others to make their own. Now my boys have started school I’m expanding my range and then starting on crochet and knitting kits.

I would love to set up a proper business but funds won’t allow what I want to do.

My twins are both autistic and we have so many difficulties finding suitable clothes, toys, etc. I would love to set up a business which designs and makes products suitable for children with disabilities but due to safety issues it would be a huge undertaking and very expensive!

I also have an invention idea which is a redesign of a common household item (there are probably hundreds in every home) which would solve common problems with that item. Sometimes I day dream about getting a prototype made and trying to either manufacture it or license it. Maybe one day :)

I’ve also always dreamed of running a craft bar - where you can go and have a glass of wine / beer and learn to do various crafts, have lessons etc. Probably not economically viable though!

If money were no object, what business would you start?

OP posts:
HUCKMUCK · 22/11/2020 13:13

In the days before it was popular, I dreamed of owning a bookshop with a cafe.

DD (23) and I often talk about going into business together but we have NO idea what we would do!!!

Original poster
SinkGirl · 22/11/2020 13:18

I’ve run several very small businesses but all things that don’t require much capital and earn a reasonable income for one but aren’t scalable. Unfortunately all of interesting things I can think of would cost significant money to start!

OP posts:
Plump82 · 22/11/2020 13:35

Something that involves cats. Whether that's rescuing cats, rehoming them, TNR etc. Anything really to do with the cats!

TheQueef · 22/11/2020 13:40

If it were legal I would grow weed.
Organic and moderate strains.
With a nice cafe and customer area.

TheQueef · 22/11/2020 13:40

It would also have cats Grin

Waxonwaxoff0 · 22/11/2020 13:47

A mobile coffee van. They've been making a killing during this pandemic, the one at our local park always has a queue at least 5 deep.

safariboot · 22/11/2020 13:49

Buy every company I think are shitheads and make them not be shitheads.

junglepie · 22/11/2020 13:58

I would own a small garden centre. It would have lots of grounds/gardens you could wander around. Lots of areas to support wildlife. I would run a free gardening project for children/adolescents, especially encouraging those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and those with mental health difficulties. It would be super cool and fun. We would do open air movie nights in the summer on a big screen in our lovely gardens. There would also be a second hand book shop/book swap. And a small cafe, I would bake all the cakes. In the winter we would sell hot chocolates and let people wander the gardens to collect holly/greenery etc...Grin

Thelnebriati · 22/11/2020 14:08

I would grow hemp, and run an indoor fish farm using edible plants and aquaponics to clean the water.

Sauvignonblanket · 22/11/2020 14:19

I would design and manufacture school pe kits that were flattering for different body shapes and lobby for them to be used across the country. Since schools went back in September I've seen so many teenagers having to go to school in pe kits, looking miserable and self conscious. There must be a better way.

Original poster
SinkGirl · 22/11/2020 14:23

Love these ideas! I have been obsessed with Piaggo Apes since I first saw an old one in Italy - I would love to buy one and turn it into some kind of mobile food / drink mobile. Sadly I know bugger all about mechanics and can’t pass my CBT because I can’t ride a bike 😬

So many things would I do if I had the time and money... sigh.

OP posts:
Sauvignonblanket · 22/11/2020 14:23

I'd then spend my free time in @junglepie's garden centre - which sounds amazing!

Original poster
SinkGirl · 22/11/2020 14:26

I remember when I was a teenager going to a friend of a friend’s party - it was at their home which was a proper bloody mansion. Their family owned a chain of local garden centres. Clearly rather lucrative although settling one up now would cost a fortune with having to buy enough land I guess!

OP posts:
junglepie · 27/11/2020 06:19

I've had a really crap week at work this week (NHS!) and just came back to this thread to fantasise read about my dream business again! Love the ideas on here. I would love to visit your indoor fish farm sauvingonblanket Grin

junglepie · 27/11/2020 06:23

Oh sorry, it wasn't you fish farm sauvignon! The pe kits is a fab idea though. none of my dc have ever liked wearing their pe kit. Also can they not have logos on with scratchy embroidery cause ds (12) wont wear his top because of this!

junglepie · 27/11/2020 06:24

thelenbriati what fish would you have?

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 27/11/2020 07:14

A campsite.

A very ‘back to basics’ eco site, lovely glades for people to camp in, open wildflower meadow, proper campfires allowed.

And during some weeks, non-school holiday, I would run it as a sort of activity centre: singles walking week, solo lady campers weekends, stargazing week and bring in an astronomer, campfire cooking week with a suitably experienced chef, etc.

heathergem · 27/11/2020 07:22

I'ld run a dog and cat cafe in an outdoor setting, maybe next to @junglepie garden centre. Lots of fur babies to befriend & to provide therapy and interaction for those who maybe can't have pets.

ButterMeUpScotty · 27/11/2020 07:28

A fun gym/soft play, but not a trampoline park, for kids aged 11-15, everything built that bit bigger to allow them to use it. The weather sucks where I live, so to have somewhere kids can expend energy and stay safe and dry would be great. I would keep prices reasonable and stay open until 9pm to allow time for them to use it. I would hire people who are good with teenagers to work at it, and be a really good employer. I even know the site I would put it on.

AmIAWeed · 27/11/2020 07:31

I'd run my current business, just differently.

floofycroissant · 27/11/2020 07:32

Coffee shop and small event space

Othering · 27/11/2020 07:34

@SinkGirl

Just daydreaming here!

I have a tiny (micro) business - pre kids I used to sell my artwork, and now I sell templates for others to make their own. Now my boys have started school I’m expanding my range and then starting on crochet and knitting kits.

I would love to set up a proper business but funds won’t allow what I want to do.

My twins are both autistic and we have so many difficulties finding suitable clothes, toys, etc. I would love to set up a business which designs and makes products suitable for children with disabilities but due to safety issues it would be a huge undertaking and very expensive!

I also have an invention idea which is a redesign of a common household item (there are probably hundreds in every home) which would solve common problems with that item. Sometimes I day dream about getting a prototype made and trying to either manufacture it or license it. Maybe one day :)

I’ve also always dreamed of running a craft bar - where you can go and have a glass of wine / beer and learn to do various crafts, have lessons etc. Probably not economically viable though!

If money were no object, what business would you start?

What does every home have hundreds of???? I'm stumped. I can only think of bedbugs but I doubt you're thinking of redesigning them........
BikeRunSki · 27/11/2020 07:41

Bike shop with cafe somewhere beautiful and hilly.
DH would do the bikes.
There’d be a selection of walking boots and outdoor swimming stuff too. DH used to work in the outdoor industry and prides himself on getting boot fits just right.
I’d do the cafe. It would be largely veggie and full of wholesome rustic food.
We’d display the work of local artists and craftspeople for sale.

I realise that this idea had already been done and is unlikley to be viable. Has anyone been to Comrie Croft? Something not unlike that.

BikeRunSki · 27/11/2020 07:44

What does every home have hundreds of???? I'm stumped. I can only think of bedbugs but I doubt you're thinking of redesigning them........
Single socks
Pens without lids
Chargers without devices
😀

Someonesayroadtrip · 27/11/2020 07:59

Basically ramping up my business on a bigger scale. I own a animal education and experience business. So going into schools with animals, a big aspect of my business is responsible animal ownership. As well as challenge children to think about the ethics of keeping animals as pets, which type of pets etc.I do some "animal therapy" so taking animals into care homes. I don't use animals which are not responsible pets for most people.

I ultimately end up being called on to rescue animals. I guess I would love to have a bigger premises where I can do everything In-House and take in everything that needs a home and be able to rehabilitate and re-home if able. Plus I would love for my husband to be able to come ok board full time.

I would venture into YouTube possible and create care videos from a UK perspective, most for exotic animals tend to be US, I do sessions such as "so, you think you want a bearded dragon?" And go over basic care requirements, pros and cons of owning one and long term costs and commitment. I'd like to do those for YouTube too. So so many animal are bought and care is always subpar. People always want to know the minimum requirements which ultimately means the animals needs up being treated with less than the minimum.

I love exotic animals (and all animals) and I think many make great pets but there is some horrific cases of neglect.