How stupid and unrealistic am I?

[Katymac]

On a management course last week my management style was discussed and it was suggested that for me the appeal is the struggle to get things right

After some discussion with my parents and DH - we agreed that this was probably true and that I should look in the next year or so for my next challenge

While fliking through the local paper I saw a converted chapel for sale -it's currently an Art Gallery - the same class of business use as a nursery

So I started a business plan, discussed financing, made pages and pages of plans.......

I went to see it today and it's completely unsuitable

Why would I expect the first property I saw to be suitable....why did I do all that work?...

What planet am I on?
I probably couldn't even manage a nursery never mind open one

Why is completely unsuitable? Many nurseries are in converted churches, can't it be worked round

The annex is unstable and needs rebuilding - the kitchen floor is laid on bare earth and needs a dampproof course
The dampproof course is compromised at the rear due to soil being higher (and there electrical cables underneath so you can't jsut dig it out and build a retaining wall
The outside space is too small - difficult to secure and surrounded by a garden with 4 very large boxer dogs (who may not like the children's noise)
The staircase is in the wrong place
It need a new boiler and oil tank (and may need a new heating system...but I'm not an expect)
The downstairs was too small and it would be impracticle to have the children sleep upstairs due to H&S
The floor in the main room is on about 4 different levels and would need reconstructing in a big way

So one or two I could have had a go at but all that would be too expensive

Well, I'm sure the practice of doing the business plan etc was good for you, and presumably some of it could apply to a different nursery space?

Just sounds to me as though that property was unsuitable.

While you have spent time on your plans and research, a lot of that would equally apply to a different property, do you not agree?

Finding a venue is always going to be tricky, nothing will be ideal - thus why some companies use purpost-built nurseries, they just buy land!

Time to move on... that venue is not viable, so start over and hunt for another venue. If you can find something close to the old venue, then a lot of your marketing research will still be valid.

One key to venues is I feel to find somewhere easy to find and highly visable (so people pass it often). Saves on the advertising if your potential users are driving past it most days!

Good luck with your new venture... there will be lows and highs, now is just one of the lows. With luck, the next high is just a little way off.

Thank you for taking me seriously

I'd started to think I was being a prat for even considering it

I'd love to purpose build but that isn't practical in this area...unless I'm significantly underestimating the grant I can get

I like the highly visible idea Nick - that's fab

What about a workplace nursery where a company provide a building, you rent it from them and kit it out and run the nursery?

It's an idea I hadn't thought of...it maybe worth considering however I feel instinctively that I want to be my own boss - I've done so well in my current business.....I don't want anyone to interfear

But I did download the ofsted daycare regs so I have a bit to read

There are 4 existing nurseries for sale in my county. How about looking into buying an existing nursery? Google "business for sale" and search in your area.

There are 4 for sale in Norfolk

But no details where.....so without wasting anyones time, I'm a bit stumped

Thanks Pol - I've checked on-line (& am getting a free copy of thier mag) but they don't have the classifieds on-line...so I'll have to wait for the Mag

Bit impatient of me really as this idea didn't exist until Thursday

try here

Thanks RedTartanlass - they are the ones I'd found

I have since discovered where one is (& it's too far away)

I'm looking on lots of websites tring to find where they are advertised (so i can see where they are)