Im going in

**snguyen75094** · 10-28-2009 12:59 AM

alright guys its been way to long since ive been away on this fourm. now i am back to show you what ive been doing. alright summer 2010 im going to open my little own venture. currently im working on my start-up cost. im trying to save around 20k.

my goal is to have a least 10k by the end of december.

i will need some advice/help.

im working on a business plan right now, and i was wondering for a business i will need a tax id?

what else would i need? My business is a desert store. do i need any liecene for food?

**snguyen75094** · 10-28-2009 12:53 PM

any thoughts? you guys not ready for business huh?

**draz** · 01-13-2010 06:57 AM

I don't think you should be doing a business plan first. You should perhaps save that for last? Why don't you create a profile first of all your existing competition and see what it is that they are all doing. For instance with the generic profile that you create, you may have the prices being charged by x store, where is the store located, are they online as well or are they not? Try and work out what it is that's most important with your business. Once you've created a profile and have done this for a few stores, you will have some good data on hand. Now you can use this data to create a competitor analysis, for a competitor analysis you can source a blank one if you type it in google. Fill this out and again you will see a clearer picture of where it is that you will be sitting or fitting in.

Your main is to suss out what your competitors are doing first before you start plotting your plan of attack or locking in what it is that you are going to do. Through this you should be able to see a niche, if it is not with something that's not being offered perhaps you will realise that there is no desert shop at a certain location. Sure the idea of having a business is great but you don't want to be a loser after the first year and see your 20 grand gone.

Any how I could ramble on day and night but hopefully you get the gist......

**DerekS** · 01-13-2010 08:57 AM

1.)I suggest you go work in a confectionery or similar shop to get a feel for the business. Some of the research that DRAZ suggested can be done while you learn from someone who is in the business and can speed up the learning process for you. Work for free if you have to, but I bet you can find a paying job helping out around a shop.

2.)Learn to spell dessert. You can't sell a product you can't spell and the concept of a desert store seems much less tasty.

**chinaoilpainting** · 01-21-2010 02:45 AM

haha...I think a restaurant is ok. But as DerekS, you should know every part of your business first.

**-Mike-** · 01-21-2010 02:31 PM

I see your from Austin, Thats a great place with lots of creative people, ill probably be going by later this weekend

A dessert store would do awesome in a place like Austin, especially if it has a theme to it, Austinites like that sorta thing. And agreed, learn everything you can about desserts. Focus on location, that kind of store in the right location has lots of potential. Ie: 6th street and surrounding high traffic areas.

I think location and lack of funding would be what will kill you, if your not in a location with enough traffic you might not get many sales. Problem: Good location in Austin is expensive.

I would also ask what kind of Dessert store your shooting for, if its a high end place that provides unique selection you may draw in people from different parts of town. If its just desserts you can find most places, treat them like an impulse buy, which means you will need to be around lots of people who might get the impulse to buy desserts next to say restaurant chains, flower shops etc. A dessert store can also double as a smoothie bar? They're already there to purchase treats, add a sitting area and they might stick around and buy more?

I would also maybe consider an online presence for your store initially to help get the word out, especially if your store hasn't opened yet, that way you can show people what kind of desserts you carry and why they might want to visit your grand opening. A press release would be great also.

And as for the rest.. its just plain hard work. You might want to visit the Austin Chamber of Commerce for information as far as licenses required and the paperwork end of it. Obviously you would want to incorporate. Maybe get some professional assistance in finding a good location, a real estate agent specializing in commercial property might be good. Study on your potential competition, plan on hiring, daily duties, suppliers and all that should be thought out in your business plan.

Lastly, i strongly agree with DerekS, find someone who owns a dessert shop or similar business and invite them on a free lunch on you and ask lots and lots of questions