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

[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?

Specialist cook book shop with both new and vintage books, food related prints, pocket money toys and a demonstration/test kitchen. Although, lucrative as it might be, not a cafe, because this is a dream business and cake I can take or leave tbh.

A playgroup for children with SEND who wouldn’t cope with a mainstream nursery but haven’t got a place at a special school nursery yet so that there’s something for them. It wouldn’t make any money but it would be rewarding and that’s what I’m going to do when I win the euro millions later on tonight!

@Sinkgirl - go for it - you never know. The hardest part is the researching. I'm sure there are some mumsnetters who have gone through a similar process of designing a prototype and marketing their idea.

If I could, I would have a company which provided cats to offices. The cats would be better than mousetraps and alone available for cuddles for the office staff.

@LadyCatStark

A playgroup for children with SEND who wouldn’t cope with a mainstream nursery but haven’t got a place at a special school nursery yet so that there’s something for them. It wouldn’t make any money but it would be rewarding and that’s what I’m going to do when I win the euro millions later on tonight!

When you do, can you make provision for school age kids with SEN in school holidays? Our boys have 1:1 at specialist school and no way could any holiday childcare meet their needs - I can basically never get a job unless it’s term time and school hours only!

[quote anniemouse]@Sinkgirl - go for it - you never know. The hardest part is the researching. I'm sure there are some mumsnetters who have gone through a similar process of designing a prototype and marketing their idea.

If I could, I would have a company which provided cats to offices. The cats would be better than mousetraps and alone available for cuddles for the office staff.[/quote]
I’ve done a lot of searching and can’t find that anyone has done it or patented it. It’s a very simple idea and I could probably knock up a very basic prototype myself from a couple of existing things I could buy. Also can’t find a better solution that’s already patented. When I have some time I will definitely investigate more - I think it’s a really good idea but suspect I would have to sell it to an existing manufacturer as it’s not something most people buy separately. Will have a think :)

I'd go all woo and open a little shop selling crystals, tarot cards, candles and ghost story/angel/ the unexplained books.
Maybe offer aromatherapy massages in a little room out the back.

I'd like to be a professional CF-Exterminator. I'd have a van with flashing lights, a siren and a loudspeaker that gives CFs a ten minute warning to pack up their shit and fuck off.

I wouldn't want payment from clients though, maybe just a small business loan to buy the van and have my company logo & details put on the side - I'd name it something benign like 'CF Away!'

Small restaurant/bistro, simple dishes done well, large sun terrace and shaded/covered area. Birds and conversation as the background noise.

I think you’d struggle to beat off the tips and gifts from grateful clients if you were able to offer an effective service purrs

@Upupupintheair

I think I’d run a little quaint tea room in a popular tourist area. 9-5 hours, not too stressful and surrounded by tea and scones. What’s not too like?!

I can just imagine the reaction from someone who actually does this to the idea that it's a 9-5 job!

Own a care home. Pay decent wages to staff. Value residents, lots of person centered activity (no colouring or bingo unless they liked it), no corridors smelling of pee, decent meals. All the residents would be treated like I would want my granny/ grandad to be treated.

Pop-up swimming pools to install in parks in the summer. The same sort of idea as those temporary ice-rinks that appear in winter. With the rise in popularity in outdoor swimming, I think it would work.

A cafe/second hand book store/craft shop.
As in craft supplies. Mainly yarn. I'd run book clubs and knit and natter groups. You'd be able to curl up in one of the big arm chairs and read to your hearts content. (Provided you were buying things in the cafe). Books can be read "in store" or bought or swapped.

Or I'd buy a load of properties and rent them out at an affordable rate to single parents on benefits.

When I win the massive lottery and I’m tired of blowing my millions, I’d like to set up a home building company. I’ll build lovely good quality homes with stacks of storage, and sell them at cost.

Back more in the real world, I’d like a business selling children’s clothes.

Second hand bookstore with cafe and children reading groups.

I'd open a cafe that was staffed by ex offenders or other disadvantaged groups and operate as a training cafe, doing functional skills courses and eg. Barista, cleaning, IT, but through the medium of staffing the cafe. A bit like apprenticeships maybe. Money would have to he no object though because I imagine it would operate at a loss!!

A patent sticky tape remover from all surfaces so when covid is over my product will help magic away all the yellow tape 2m distance lines circles arrows and warnings from concrete tiles carpets etcetc so they look old normal

Gloves without partners

I've got 2 business ideas - both really social enterprises

One to help groups that aren't charities access more grant funding via legal, ethical and transparent means. I have relevant expertise

The other to help with the cost of childcare allowing women who wish to, to return to work.

OP, haven't RTFT but I know a lady who used to have a business selling disability aids/things for old people - wheelchairs, scooters, chairs that tilt etc - and she said it was a license to print money.

Also we had DH's mum here during lockdown and all the stuff she brought with her was so brown and depressing....

So I think you should open a shop selling niace disability/elderly support things while developing your prototypes for your kids, which will both give you an income and provide a customer base for your future inventions.

@junglepie

thelenbriati what fish would you have?

Tilapia, they are cold water tolerant, and have large bones which makes them easier to process (its not like boning a kipper.) Some varieties can reach harvest weight in 5 months. www.miami-aquaculture.com/tilapia

@MuchTooTired

When I win the massive lottery and I’m tired of blowing my millions, I’d like to set up a home building company. I’ll build lovely good quality homes with stacks of storage, and sell them at cost.

Back more in the real world, I’d like a business selling children’s clothes.

But you know people would immediately sell them for a profit. That's exactly what happened with council houses.

Oh the most recent posts reminds me of my other business idea. I want to build or convert some sort of co-operative housing for women with children, prioritising those escaping domestic abuse.

The women (in my dream business) will all have private spaces but there will also be communal spaces where menial work can be shared and made easier. Childcare will be shared amongst them. It will be easier for them to work or train. Rent and utilities will be low and it will be energy efficient housing.

Women supporting women.

When I win the massive lottery and I’m tired of blowing my millions, I’d like to set up a home building company. I’ll build lovely good quality homes with stacks of storage, and sell them at cost.

But you know people would immediately sell them for a profit. That's exactly what happened with council houses.

My borough has a small number of apartments that are sold at a price that is proportional to the household income to help residents and local workers, who have been priced out of the area, to get on the first rung of the housing ladder. They can only be sold back to the scheme. If you paid 25% of the market value when you bought, you get back 25% of the current market value from the council when you sell. They then allocate the property to new owners. It's like shared ownership but there is no rental element for the percentage you don't own.

I would open a fully accessible gym, I would also like a training scheme to be made that trains as many PTs and coaches as possible in how to support gym users with disabilities.

My partner has AMC, he likes going to the gym and he can make use of most bits of equipment, but he needs assistance setting them up for him and needs someone to place grabs in his hands on some machines. He has found two things, either for this basic assistance he has to pay for a PT session, or the PTs refuse to help at all. Changing rooms are also not accessible to those with disabilities, not just a lack of grab handles etc, but he can’t use a padlock so he can’t lock a locker.