Small (Micro) Business: how to turn $10k into $15K?

**heli_chile** · 02-05-2008 12:50 PM

Hey Guys,
Long time lurker here, first time poster… So take it easy on me, okay?

I keep thinking that I’d like to do a couple of test-run “micro” businesses. What interests me most is the idea of using very small amounts of capital in what amounts to something more like “deals” as opposed to fully fleshed out businesses. So, I’ve come up with the following thought-experiment:

The goal: to turn $10,000 into $15,000 or better.

The only rules are that you can’t spend more than $10,000, and you can’t just use the 10k to buy equities or futures or something (that doesn’t count).

So, how would you do it?

**MASapparel** · 02-05-2008 01:19 PM

I would stick with what I know and use it to fund the marketing aspect of my new clothing line.
(I already have all the equipment and staff so it would be for traveling to boutiques and advertising)

Or I would use it to start a small scale new age computer line.

**heli_chile** · 02-05-2008 01:33 PM

small scale new-age computer line with 10k?

hmm...

My ideas are more simple, I suppose. I was thinking along the lines of buying and selling used anything (probably electronics or hobbyist stuff) on Ebay, buying domain names online and selling them to targeted companies, or even starting a small business that leverages manual labor, like cleaning, gardening, window washing services, etc.

**MASapparel** · 02-05-2008 02:11 PM

Sorry I should have explained more, all it would be is the actual computer case, no hardware.
There would be a site where you pick one of our cases then fill it with preexisting computer hardware parts, then we build it and ship it out.
It would be really easy to start off of 10k again I have most resources already in place.

**heli_chile** · 02-05-2008 03:27 PM

Ahh, I gotcha. That sounds a little more interesting, and certainly more feasible.

**Gaulkin** · 02-05-2008 05:57 PM

Why would you exclude equities?

**heli_chile** · 02-05-2008 06:52 PM

I count that as "investing" not deal making or business creating. I'm more interested in an organized, strategic business activity that returns a predictable profit. Of course, these metrics can be applied to investing, too, but for the purposes of this discussion, I think it should be dismissed.

**OnTheWayUp** · 02-06-2008 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by heli_chile

small scale new-age computer line with 10k?

hmm...

My ideas are more simple, I suppose. I was thinking along the lines of buying and selling used anything (probably electronics or hobbyist stuff) on Ebay, buying domain names online and selling them to targeted companies, or even starting a small business that leverages manual labor, like cleaning, gardening, window washing services, etc.

Selling electronics on Ebay is oversaturated. I think you would have a better chance creating your own ecommerce website and stocking it with $8000 worth of merchandise and spend $2000 on a website and SEO.

**heli_chile** · 02-06-2008 10:48 AM

yeah, i totally agree. I'm not actually interested in buying or selling electronics anyway.

I think with 10k you're limited in the types of "businesses" you can actually start, and are relegated to deal making - buy something, sell it. Unless, of course, you're going to buy $10k worth of windex and start a window washing business or something, but in my opinion, although it could be a healthy business, it's too much time commitment.

So, if it's low capital deal making, the best idea I have so far is to become a concert and sporting event ticket broker. Figure out which venues/acts always sell out and always go for a premium in the weeks before the event (this is easily done by monitoring the sales of tickets online). Start with 10k, see how fast you can turn it into 15k...

??

**MASapparel** · 02-06-2008 11:30 AM

I think you would be surprised at how much you could do with 10k. I mean I did it, and about to do it again.

My computer idea needs almost exactly that much and a small clothing line can be started for well under.

**Woodcs82** · 02-06-2008 12:03 PM

Start with one business and do it right, unless you are partnered up with the right management!

Spreading yourself too thin is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.

**heli_chile** · 02-06-2008 01:37 PM

Maybe I am underestimating what 10k can do, but I'm not hearing anything - other than the computer deal and the clothing deal both of which I know nothing about - that seem like a viable options.

Another constraint for me, at least, is that I would probably be doing whatever it ends up being as a part time business - on the weekends and after work - for quite a while.

**tucbryanker** · 02-06-2008 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by MASapparel

Sorry I should have explained more, all it would be is the actual computer case, no hardware.
There would be a site where you pick one of our cases then fill it with preexisting computer hardware parts, then we build it and ship it out.

what would be the difference between what you do and any other home computer company does?

**MASapparel** · 02-06-2008 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by tucbryanker

what would be the difference between what you do and any other home computer company does?

I dont really want to say to much because its something Im actually planning but heres a bit.

Customers can get on and either get us to design them a custom case or they can submit there own design and we will make the case for them.