Want to start a business

[ItalianFX]

I moved out to San Diego two weeks ago and finding a job is harder than I expected. I took the risk moving here without a job because I needed to get away from home. I'm originally from Pennsylvania.

Anyways, a little bit about me, I'm 25 and have a BA in Economics.

At one time I attempted to start a sporting goods, apparel, collectibles online business called The Athletic Arena, but never got anywhere with it because working with the website provider and trying to input inventory was a real hassle. It burned me out and I lost interest trying to get their sh** together.

However, now I don't have a job, I'm living with a friend, which I'm moving out in a couple days to go to my Aunts, but then want to get my own place. I've applied to so many jobs and haven't heard anything else, but I'm still hoping. I don't know if I'm going to end up in San Diego or Los Angeles with a job, so finding a place to stay on my own is a pretty tough proposition for me to think about right now.

So I want to make a serious attempt at a business. I prefer something that is online and low overhead as I don't want to sink alot of money in it right away. It doesn't have to be the next million dollar idea, just for something to get the ball rolling, get me some experience and a little bit of income.

Ideas?

Thanks.

[HeyIdea]

Hey Italian, too bad you didn't move to Boston, I'm in a similar boat.. I'm 22 and I just lost 60K in the market.. now putting together a business is even more of a challenge as my fund are limited in backing it. I completely fell in love with an idea I have for an online business and while piecing together the business plan it has evolved into a different idea altogether but on the same foundation.

Luckily I kept ties with a VC I met a little bit back, so I have that in my favor..

Why don't you look for partners?.. it may reduce the stress and reduce the likelihood of feeling burnt out..

If you studied economics, and you're really into it.. You should consider a business which you can apply your knowledge too.. I personally love economics but I know the average person doesn't want to talk about the GDP..

You can start a website that focuses around "economic debate".. people love to be heard on their point of view.. and most never meet eye to eye. This will serve as a niche for a particular crowd and you could advertise.. who knows where it may go from there?.. There's multitudes of things you can do..

Good luck with everything, I hope you find your vision.

Be creative. Be bold. You'll be ok.

[ItalianFX]

Thanks HeyIdea. Could you clarify/expand on that economics debate idea? Exactly what is it that I would be doing?

Given that I've been having such a hard time finding a job, I've thought about trying to refine the system tailored towards those with Economics degrees, I just do not know what exactly it is that I could do. There are a few job search sites out there for those with economic degrees, but they aren't very helpful.

I've also thought about creating a website geared towards security cameras and systems and other things like that as I also have a law enforcement background (which I no longer do). I found that a security camera or system would always come in handy to deter criminals and just when you wish someone had one, a criminal goes and gets away with their crimes, which is very nonproductive to society.

Actually, I like that idea now that I've thought about it a little more, but I'll have to research because I can probably bet the market is full of websites like that already.

[ItalianFX]

And just as I say that and go type in a quick google search, the market is pretty saturated.

[ItalianFX]

Also, I spoke with a friend about a business opportunity and we kind of agreed on real estate, but the market(s) is terrible right now. I also question his discipline as he has had some money management issues in the near past. He screwed me over a couple weeks ago too, so I'm not too happy with him.

I spoke with the friend I'm living with too (for a couple more days) about a business opportunity just to open the door and him and his g/f thought it was a good idea to start a business for some more income, but he is currently screwing me over and I'm not so sure I trust his judgment. I don't know how well him and I would see eye-to-eye.

[crackah]

Forget the security camera idea. Its very saturated... too hard to get into it imo.

[ItalianFX]

Forget the security camera idea. Its very saturated... too hard to get into it imo.

I agree. I just have this vision of a large influx of people buying security systems to deter crime. I grew up in a small community and worked as a police officer in that town and I think it would be a very profitable venture to try and sell door-to-door cameras/systems and hope that it deters crime in a substantial way. Only problem is that I am now 2,500 miles away.

[HeyIdea]

Hey Italian,

The beautiful thing with the internet is that you can literally create your own opportunities.. Basically the debate idea is to start a website which people can interact with each other on message boards like this.. just a thought.. it seems that people love power.. you give them power on the internet and they will use it...

blogs enable any person to be a journalist.. youtube allows anyone to be a director... and so on..

Myspace and Facebook is beloved because people create their own page which projects their personal self.. Myspace leaped passed friendster in social networking because they paid attention to what it was the users demanded.. they were willing to tweak and add to the platform as they saw to better fit the people.. because of that.. it was an experience..

Give the people something they want.. people want to be heard.. if your passion is economics (not sure if it is) run with it!..

There are people out there that are passionate about economics.. a debate forum which is skilled in recognizing and scoring debates.. could turn into something huge.. a collaborative magazine?.. A founder to a non-profit that raises money to help economic futures..

Maybe you could form a network where anybody can propose a new policy?.. or crowds of people can collaborate together and add to it.. like wikipedia.. who knows?..

Just be creative.. find something you'd love to dive into.. don't restrict yourself to conventional online business activities.. it's my personal opinion that it'd be safer to be different.. read Purple Cow by Seth Godin..

Challenge the world my friend.. push the limits.. empower people.. we live in innovative times.. be the leader of the flock..

[ItalianFX]

One thing I like to do is to read the news and stay fresh on current events. I'm not much of an arguer though and so I don't know how I could facilitate a debate.

And then my next question is always, "well how can I profit from doing that?" It seems that a lot of ideas have profit motives based on advertising on the page. So if I was to do something within economics, how could I monetize that?

I'm trying to think of things I could do. Other things I thought about doing was being a web editor and keeping webpages current, or writing articles for them based on public relations information. Other ideas I've had in the past was to be a niche page for things like Pittsburgh sports following the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates.

There is just so much to think about, I don't know where to zero in. I want to do something fresh, but I have trouble finding that creative part of me.

[HeyIdea]

All of those are great ideas especially if they things you are passionate about. You could start a business which focuses on toilet if toilets were you passion.. and I'd tip my hat to you.. When you are passionate about something.. it is so easy to get behind it and put all of your energy into your vision.

There are tons of ways to monetize an online business.. advertisement revenues being one.. I'm sure there are many more ways yo earn cash from online that still haven't been tapped..

If you can build upon anything.. any entity which you put together.. you can be seen as an authority on the topic.. whether it be yourself or your company as a whole..

If you're looking for a variety of ideas they may get the creative ideas flowing.. Use google video search for "heyidea" I have about 350 videos I made that are just random business ideas.. asking what if?.. why not?.. that kind of thing..

When the idea comes to you.. the one you fall in love with.. you'll know it.. I used to work diligently to shoot my ideas down.. I never thought I'd find one which suited me..

I think I have it now though.. it'll happen.. keep the wheels turning.. if you have to get a job to pay bills.. it is in my opinion that you shouldn't be afraid to take a job that seems scary.. something you could never see yourself doing.. this in itself will shed some light on what it's like to work a different type of job.. may even spring up a new idea..

If you want to think outside the box.. sometimes it's best to live outside the box.. society expects you to do things a certain way.. if it rains you are expected to be inside, dry.. why not take a walk?.. lay on your front lawn?..

Why not?.. innovation starts out as speculation..

But then again.. this is me talking.. I merit you for following your heart.. if you're more of a starting a laundromat.. I say go for it!.. Just do something you're not afraid to love.

[ItalianFX]

I also have another idea that I've played back and forth in my head, which will require a lot of capital and would require 110% of my time and be pretty high risk, but that I think could work. I don't know the laws though and I don't really know how to research for those laws.

I really don't want to give away the idea though. I will say that the idea is a spinoff of one of the men I have looked up to for the last several years and he is a billionaire now.

HeyIdea, I did look at your site and watched some of your videos last night. I do have to say from an outsider looking in that you need to fix up your website a little bit. I think you should reformat it or overhaul it in such a way that it is easier to navigate, or make it look like you put some time into it. (I mean no offense to what you've done, just giving you a friendly opinion).

[HeyIdea]

huh? I thought I told you to do a google video search?.. we scrapped the site a couple of months ago.. you shouldn't have been able to much there. thank you for the concern though.

[ItalianFX]

I got there through your youtube site. Sorry.

[selfemploymentcoach]

As a self-employment coach, I would recommend you start at the top...being...what do you love to do, what do you like to do, what do you hate to do? I believe that if you cannot find some level of enjoyment when you start a business, it will most likely fail before it has begun... You see, if you do not like to get up a do what you do everyday, you will not have a boss or someone else pressing you to get your work done. second, I would look hard at your skill sets & training... What are you good at, what are you great at, and what is not your forte? From there, you can brainstorm and develop all sorts of ideas. In the meantime, it is pretty easy to get some freelancing type work to pay the bills... There is bookkeeping, web designers, virtual assistants and more...The need for these outsourcing type businesses are in high demand right now. If you need more help, I would invite you to visit my website and complete the questionaire - and I would be happy to offer you a free consultation that could get you headed down the right track. I literally just helped a friend of mine aquire 8 bookkeeping clients in less than 2 months. Now thats a start. Good luck to you!

[ItalianFX]

I have an idea, but right now I don't have a very good internet connection. I'm at my aunt's house and picking up a very weak wireless signal.