How to start my own business in Tampa bay (low income, apartments)

[nyer232]

Hi gang,
Just wondering if I could get some advice on starting my own business down in Tampa bay. IE...what's the process. How to do my research and networking? How to get advice from people who have already started there own business? Also where to find resources? Any advice would be great. I am a novice with all of this.

Thanks again for any advice.

[Sunscape]

I suggest you look for SCORE Pinellas 115 and see one of the mentors. it is free and you can get a mentor for online mentoring.

http://pinellascounty.score.org/

[TampaKaren]

The Small Business Development Center has several offices, free classes, and free advice. Here's a link to get you started there --> Hillsborough County, FL - Official Website - Workshop Calendars

[alaskan adventurer]

Be tough is all I can say, I started a marine canvas buss in fl some time back, they have and make rules as needed, mostly to get more money in the govt. I remember standing in line to get a buss lic and some one came up to me and asked what new buss I was starting? I said Marine canvas, the person said OH WE already have one in this town so why bother... Florida is a good old boys club, always has been and always will be. Just remember you take half your pay in SUNSHINE in Florida. I found it much better to make my money outside of FL.

[PhotoProIP]

Also remember that there are a LOT of low income folks; so you have to choose a business that either caters to them and still makes you profits, or caters to the rich; there's no middle class left per say.

[mrviking]

Originally Posted by PhotoProIP

Also remember that there are a LOT of low income folks; so you have to choose a business that either caters to them and still makes you profits, or caters to the rich; there's no middle class left per say.

Just ignore all those houses filled with middle class people. Its just an illusion. The Tampa Bay Area is a great place to start a business. If you can provide a product or service in need, you will be successful.
Good Luck.

[Not_liking_FL]

Originally Posted by mrviking

Just ignore all those houses filled with middle class people. Its just an illusion. The Tampa Bay Area is a great place to start a business. If you can provide a product or service in need, you will be successful.
Good Luck.

Hardly.

Businesses with good business models shut their doors everyday for many different reasons. Having a product or service is only part of the equation. I would say most people are not cut out to be entrepreneurs.

OP, continue your due diligence and don't rely on internet forums for what could end up being a very expensive mistake.

[mrviking]

Originally Posted by Not_liking_FL

Hardly.

Businesses with good business models shut their doors everyday for many different reasons. Having a product or service is only part of the equation. I would say most people are not cut out to be entrepreneurs.

OP, continue your due diligence and don't rely on internet forums for what could end up being a very expensive mistake.

Well mr sunshine, I will be sure to invite you when someone needs a pep talk. Now how about you go back to stealing candy from little kids.

[PhotoProIP]

Originally Posted by Not_liking_FL

Hardly.

Businesses with good business models shut their doors everyday for many different reasons. Having a product or service is only part of the equation. I would say most people are not cut out to be entrepreneurs.

OP, continue your due diligence and don't rely on internet forums for what could end up being a very expensive mistake.

I so agree with you! Not funny how much I totally agree with you! So many people think that they can just buy a domain name, pop up a website, register a fictitious name and BANG they have a business! And when reality hits, and they realize how the weekend's gone, and they have to work 90 hours a week, they end up closing their doors.

Opening a business and keeping it OPEN are two very different things.

I could make a very long list of how many things you need to consider when opening a business here.

Start SMALL, really, start very small and grow, rather than blow a lot of capital and then fail.

[PhotoProIP]

Originally Posted by mrviking

Just ignore all those houses filled with middle class people. Its just an illusion. The Tampa Bay Area is a great place to start a business. If you can provide a product or service in need, you will be successful.
Good Luck.

So "middle class" to you equals spending? Interesting.

Let me give you an example: IF someone comes here from anywhere and wants to be a plumber, and open a plumbing business, they won't be working on the "middle class" homes, cause those are NEW(ER) and don't have plumbing problems....they'll be working on OLDER homes, or apartments that may have low income, or older citizens on medicare living in them. Same goes for the AC folks...newer homes have newer AC units unlikely to break enough to keep someone in business. (Unless that AC company breaks it, just to have to keep coming back=fraud). How often do you think an AC breaks on a mansion?

Do you have, or ever had a business? how many millions have you made in Tampa?

There is a major difference between being positive for no apparent reason, and telling someone to ignore someone for telling them a potential FACTOR they should be aware off! People don't hop on Unicorns and open businesses around Tampa! If they did, we'd have more NON chains, than chains all over.