If You Could Start a Business Tomorrow...

...how would you run it?

This is a serious question, so, no "I want to run a moon colony business!" (unless you can realistically show how you'd want to do it) or other such nonsense. I mean, actual structure and whatnot. I'm just curious, because I imagine that, as most of us are apparently young (male optional) nerds, we could come up with better business models than those in practice.

And then argue that other people's business models will fail economics completely...

So, get to it, I guess...

edited 21st Sep '11 5:34:08 PM by USAF713

Well as a startup, I'd initially have a small team, probably 2-4 people including myself. So there's no real need for a formal organizational structure.

Depends on what kind of business.

But if it grew it would be satndard corporate structure.

You gotta say what you're making, remember?

Not really. Getting the right team is more important. Buisness models change frequently.

...

No, I meant that, for the purposes of the thread, you have to say what product you're making (or service you're providing).

I saw news coverage on a new bakery start up a week or so ago. Seems like co-ops are the way to go with the cost of renting and buying a place to do the business going up. Everyone pools in in order to afford the place. (I can't remember all the details, so I don't know if this was with their employees or with other people who wanted to use the building for other businesses.)

And, since I am not exactly flush myself. (I would not want to sink all of what I currently have into this, given my low expectations that my efforts would succeed) a co-op for a business seems wise. As for the business I would start.... eh, something to do with graphic design for posters and shirts and stuff? I would need other artists to take a chance with me, though.

Indie game developer, full stop. But not tomorrow, gotta actually make some practice games first... ^^;

Honestly? One thing I have been occasionally fantasizing about (but it's not really something I am going to consider seriously) is starting to raise poultry (for eggs and meat both, but focusing on eggs) professionally. I'd deal with (relatively) small quantities, but with high quality breeds and organic eggs/meat.*

My only qualifications, however, are that we used to raise chicken for our own use when I was a kid, and I really liked that. Uh, and that I am a trained accountant, that could come handy, I suppose.

Yeah, I would probably end up bankrupted within one year...

I'd move to a city and start my accouting firm up

Completely different. It has always been my dream to run a business in a way that no one else thought of. Finding some way to harness the TV Tropes Hive Mind for fun and profit would be my ultimate goal.

Haha, no. I'm a comic book/pornography/piracy nerd. I know fuck-all about running a business.

An IT consultants firm. Integral services for small businesses: Cookie-cutter, easy to maintain websites and online stores, computer maintenance/repairs/replacements, and remotely sysadmining the lot of'em.

It's not very different from what everyone else is doing, but I'd do it as a co-op: Just cut the damn suits off and share the full loot among the techies.

edited 23rd Sep '11 4:47:31 PM by SavageHeathen

The IT place nearby makes some money running some kind of VoIP service for call centers in other countries, and it's not a very crowded market, so I guess I'd do that?

I dunno. The field I know the most about right now (computer networking) doesn't lend itself to small business very well...

I'd buy some imaging software, good scanners and photography equipment, and some high end press equipment, and start my own printing company, and hire a bunch of fellow graphic designers and graphic art tech majors as employees.

I'd be running a Steampunk-themed cafe/patisserie in Portland or Seattle. I plan on calling it sTEAm. Hire local bakers, grow my own tea for the house blend, and try to shop locally for my supplies as much as I can. Do it local to boost the economy and try to make it as eco-friendly as I can on my no-doubt extremely limited budget.
Most of it will be like a Starbucks sort of gig, but you can buy trays of biscuits and other goodies (preloaded or specified treats for a little extra). Have the main cafe floor with two tea rooms for rent for parties. Open from breakfast to 5. I believe everyone should have dinner with their families.

edited 25th Sep '11 1:30:01 AM by Sakan4k