vehicle advisor

[jeepguy85]

I have been looking for a creative idea for a small business. I was running ideas through my head and came up with one. I love cars and keep up to date on all the new models, options, etc. I thought about offering my knowledge to people who are looking at new cars. Talking to them about all the options, what they are looking for, and then pairing them with a vehicle. It would provide them with info before they went to a dealer. It would combine my love for cars and a business. I just ran this through my head like I said and would like input. What does everyone think? Ideas? Is it just a dumb idea? How could I work on starting it? Thanks in advance for the help.

[akula]

hi, it's a great, proven opportunity

i'll write in bullets. some details i've skipped.

- the problem is that women (especially younger, single women) feel bullied and intimidated when buying cars. they are afraid that they will be pressured into overpaying for a lemon (which is normally what happens). this is the core problem, and your core target market.
- the solution is for you to offer a vehicle purchase negotiation service. a "buyer's agent" for cars.
- the benefits are;
1. save customers time in searching for a suitable vehicle (so they don't have to take time off work)
2. negotiate the best price for the customer, so they can get more for less
3. offer a peace of mind that the customer has gotten the best deal possible
- the business model is a small upfront fee and a % of how much you save the customer off the asking price
- the secret sauce is that because your business represents many customer, you can negotiate better prices with dealers..so it becommes uneconomical for people to buy cars directly from dealers
- you should market this venture as a "car purchase club". you need to make it easy for people to join without committing to anything...a fun club.
- your ultimate upside is to brand the business as "groupon for cars". group shopping is by far the hottest retail investment category in the world today. if you pitch "groupon for cars" to any venture fund, they'll fall over them selves to write you a cheque
- as "groupon for cars", this is a venture that you can possibly grow into a nationwide, hundred million dollar corporation that you can float on an exchange and cash out as a billionaire
- to execute the venture you need to implement the standard model for getting ventures off the ground

do you know what the standard model is?

[jeepguy85]

Thanks for the advice. I have heard about the standard model, but can't remember. Could you refresh my memory?

[akula]

sure..

the standard model in entrepreneurship is a step by step process that founders use to safely launch ventures
the central theme of the model is a "lean startup methodology" which emphasizes the use of informational leverage

the steps;

a) get out of bed tomorrow, open microsoft word
b) design some surveys. print surveys.
c) hand out surveys to prospects. collect results.
d) use the results to aggregate resources (i.e. to get a web developer to make you site on credit, or to borrow money from a lender)
e) use the resources from step d to launch venture. make sales to prospects from step c
f) collect revenue. reinvest in growth. bingo, you have a venture.

follow the steps and you'll be fine. deviate from steps and you'll have a protracted fuck up on your hands.

[nathant]

The suggestion of it being a car buying club makes sense...but there are a lot of websites out there already offering the advice you would give, and it free. I know in the UK, we have parkers.co.uk which is a well known site reviewing cars, giving cost details, cost of running, etc etc.

[generationy]

Sounds like a nice idea that you should definitely pursue if you are that much passionate about it. Why not hire a developer to design a website where people could perhaps interact with you as listeners interact with the hosts of "Car Talk" on NPR. Once you have that up and running, make sure you create an amazing social media presence that is well niched in the auto space.

A few articles to help you out:
How To Find Your Niche
Idea Validation
How To Address Special Requirements and Needs
How To Blog For Your Business

and others as well in these two sections. Good luck dude!