If someone gave you a million

[Hopefulworker]

If someone gave you a million pounds to start a business, what business would you start?

Riffing off the interview question thread, I’ve been asked this and thought it was an interesting one as it shows a little about someone’s true passions/hobbies

Funeral director.

Or if that wasn't possible

Set up a decent alternative clothing company (like emp but based in the uk)

On, and providing financing for some projects, and independently publish some of the writers, any profits would go back into the foundation.

I'd buy the little used bar in our village and convert it into a restaurant, serving free/heavily subsidised meals to the community during the day and fine dining in the evening with a courier service up to my house.

Start up a gymnastics club - buy a huge warehouse, put in sprung floors, trampolines, tumbling tracks, equipment, spectator area, cafe, etc., hire the very best coaches, and have lots of classes and events for all ages and abilities including competing in national and international events. It would be phenomenal!

Bakery with sourdough bread, bagels, rolls and cakes. Cakes that are edible and don’t contain so much sugar that you feel sick after first bite.
I would buy some land and get some chickens and dairy cows. Make butter and cheese.
Huge greenhouse/polytunnel.
Anything to make myself self sufficient in food.

A wildlife rescue/conservation centre. That is my plan for when we've earned enough money. Or donate to an existing one and volunteer. I'd love to live in Tanzania and protect African wildlife.

Mobile daytime animal care with a sideline in kennels and a cattery. I will also look after your small pets like guineas and rabbits, at vairy reasonable cost.

Honestly? I'd like to set up a primary-phase free school based on the stoic philosophy.

But I think my children would prefer a Makers Space and a Music Studio. And a campsite with a surf school.

I'd quite like to be a benevolent landlord, in my part of the uk I could probably get two or three houses (and the correct insurance etc) for a million. I think property/land is always worth investing in, or I could maybe own a book shop (or do both?)

And I know £1m wouldn't even get a school off the ground!

I'd also like to develop a supported community where people can live semi-communally, based around one street/courtyard, but people of all ages, who would support each other, e.g. older people to prevent isolation, lone parents to support them with child care, families with teens who would help care for the environment etc.
Yeah sounds like hippy nonsense.

A secondhand bookshop. Ranging from dirt cheap charity shop type prices for basic books up to mega money for rare/antique/collectables. I would have guest readings by local authors and stock their works and works of local interest. I would also allow the space to be used in the evenings a few times a month for book clubs/local history groups/certain events. I can picture it all clearly in my head. I'd probably go bust within 6 months due to having no business sense, but at least I would have had a go.

I've always loved the idea of being a florist...in reality I'm a keen amateur photographer so works try and invest some in my photographs by business...

I'm also a qualified early years teacher so a toddler class business would appeal too

I just inherited close to a million. I'm giving it away to my kids.

An antiques shop.

Or a small theatre company.

I’d buy 5 houses at £200k each, rent them out and live off the income.

I'd start a library of things.

I'd invest in an upholstery business I've just started by buying a van and a proper lovely industrial sewing machine.

With the rest I would start a Saturday club for kids with learning disabilities/autism/other disabilities so that their parents could drop them off for five hour sessions for a reasonable fee.

There would be gardening activities, an iPad room, a kitchen, an amazing climbing frame and a tv room. The kids could walk with a carer to a swim session and other activities.

And then I would tell SS that their respite assessments are pointless, time consuming and ultimately a patronising waste of time as they have no money. They create a giant hoopla just so they can say 'no' and it has been the most draining and upsetting process I have ever been through, three times over. And I might tell them to fuck off, which would be wrong and petty of me but ultimately, a bit of an outlet for years worth of phone calls, home assessments and paperwork they get me to fill in but never read.

@7ofNine
That sounds great, I would live there 😊

Party planning or some sort of entertainment venue. I love organising events.

I’d go in with my two closest friends to buy land to run a forest school. It would have discounted/free service for kids and adults who have suffered trauma in their lives. We’d run weekend/holiday family sessions, have regular home education groups and preschool sessions. Thought about it loads.

I'd set up a holistic therapeutic/mental health intervention service for young people who have experienced trauma, with a quarterly residential activity and wellbeing element.

@SciFiScream it might give you some inspiration to know things like this already exist, have a look at the Rosie centre in Harlow and their move on and outreach aspect as well as the refuge, it's just like your vision. It's an utterly inspiring place.

I'd set up some sort of scheme to help full time working single mothers/fathers. It would be like a little family for those without family to help.

All parents DBS checked. Space for babysitting with a rota where everyone supports everyone. Free food donation fridge for excess food. Sounds a bit like a commune but more just general support where you are all contributing and don't feel like you're grovelling for help.

None at all, to be honest!

First of all, a million really isn't very much in the grand scheme of things. Nowhere near enough to really get off the ground in my line of work, anyway.

Secondly, I'd hate being self-employed. I could be, and I'd arguably be making more money if I were. But I love that my job comes with the inbuilt benefit of recruiting smart, ambitious and inspiring people for me to collaborate with. I know what I can and what I cannot do - and I'm not the best at hiring the kind of people I enjoy the most. My colleague is. If I could get him to commit to partner with me and to take responsibility for all the hiring: maybe ...

@Neverender we could pool our £1m and go in together!