With a start-up of $3000 what can I accomplish?

[Luisc137]

Background:
My name is Luis and I am an 18 yr old male currently enlisted in the US Coast Guard. Before I joined the USCG I always dreamed of having my own business. When I was in High School I tested the waters but selling "variant" shoes. I had a supplier from China and I would go around with a catalog I had and I would take orders from people and then I'd place the order with my supplier and put the profits in my pocket which would later get blown on dumb stuff. That lasted about 2 months before I stopped due to the hassle of mixed up orders, late orders, and just quality problems.

Goals:
Now that I'm in the USCG I can count on a guaranteed check on the 1st and the 15th of every month. I'm currently bringing in about $1400 a month after taxes and pay about $200 into bills and $400 into savings. The rest of the month just gets blown pretty much. I currently have $1800 saved and between now and the time I get $3000 I want to plan a way to make at least an extra $200 a week. I wanted to start an online retail store selling bboy/urban skaters/hip hop in general. Nothing fancy just maybe some custom tees, hats, buckles, belts, armbands, decals, and maybe some mix tapes. The only problem with that is that I have no idea where to find any wholesalers for that kind of stuff. I'd want some custom stuff that you'd only find in your local skate shop or small boutique in the mall. My other idea would be a website that would show people how to generate income online through online surveys, blah blah blah. My other big problem and my lack of creativity and lack of web design knowledge.

Needs:
I just need some kind of direction. I know no one is just going to hand me all the resources I need to get started but I also know that I can't do this alone. I'm looking for tips, advice, and anything anyone has to say. If you have any recommendations please post. I'm open to any and all ideas. If you have any good book suggestions, If you know anyone I can talk to, anything you can offer I will take.

Thanks in advance to everyone and I will be back frequently to keep up with replies.

[Gaulkin]

Whatever you start make sure you love doing it and make sure you do all the research BEFORE you start to spend your money.

[Luisc137]

Just to throw it out there, how would I go looking for wholesalers? Is it bad to go to similar shops and ask some questions?

[mankeyinc]

i'd say you should save more, and meanwhile you should perhaps get a demo and try understand the forex market.... i have a place i go to that is live streaming a neural network system that takes trades in the forex market 24/5 for all the general pairs (not to mention how profitable it is) and from there you can use the trades as your bias then generate money. write me mankeyinc-at-gmail.com if you are interested, everything is free. you said you want any kind of opinions, you might as well check this out

[KKoher]

You might not get too far asking local shops who thier wholesalers are. I know I would be very reluctant to give out info on who my wholesalers are b/c obviously that person could turn around and go sell the same stuff to me. Especially small, local shops. its hard enough being a small no-name store, but to have someone else in the area wanting to go and sell that same stuff would be murder. If you do find someone willing to give up that info. they are either very trusting, or very stupid.

[Luisc137]

mankeyinc: I have heard of the whole forex thing but I'm looking for something I have a bit more control over. With a website I feel like I'm in control of my money.

KKoher: I do agree with what you said about asking other shops. I just feel like I have no idea where to start looking for this kind of wholesaler. I'm looking more for clothing based on the look and uniqueness rather than the brand.

[mankeyinc]

you will have control over anything you are fully informed about and/or have learnt and devote your time to, in my opinion. You sound like you really have no idea of a direction you want to head to, don't worry mate you will find... I'm posting a thread about the Forex thingy anyway, just working to get over 5 posts so I can attach links... Good luck with your venture!

[KKoher]

google "underground clothing comapny" "wholesale urban" "wholesale hip hop clothing" or any other phrase that might describe what your looking for. Some sites have wholesale info on the site about what you need to get started, and if they don't , send them an email and tell them exactly what your looking for. Thats how we found all of our wholesalers.

[Luisc137]

mankeyinc: Not very cool how your using my thread just to be able to post links.

KKoher: Thanks for the suggestion, will try!

[Encrypted]

Well for starters, im pretty sure you were selling fake shoes back in highschool. haha. But imo, just get involved in something that you enjoy doing. For example, if you like shoes, start a shoe store. Although i don't think you'll be able to do that with $3,000. But you can always take out a business loan.

[hugh009]

Hi, Luis! I have 34 years of serial entrepreneurship ventures including retail clothing. I really don't know the hiphop market but I will tell you that if you go to a small store and just act interested in what is in the store and ask QUESTIONS, you will be amazed at how open and helpful people will be.

I have been thinking of offering a distributorship for what we call Street Corner Marketing which in the USA is now a BILLION dollar annual biz! $100,000,000 in New York alone. We have a line of very unusual key chains that are designed for the music and automotive market. They are very reasonable where we can get the keychains to the seller for about $2 a piece and they can be sold as high as $5. We even did a special order and design for Monster Garage TV program. Those key chains are also avail.

If you are interested PM me.

Hugh

[Luisc137]

hugh009: Keychains would be a pretty good idea to add to my site but they would be something offered during the checkout process almost like they have candy at the checkout in a regular store. But once I find a good supplier for clothing and I get that sorted I'd be more than happy to shoot you a pm for more details.