Im in a bind, Ive abandoned my career in finance at the young age of 25, recognizing that I was not going to live my life for those two days a week when I wasnt spitting out ratios and counting other peoples money. So Im looking to start my own business, one that incorporates my love of sailing and the outdoors. So I ask you guys, what markets are saturated and has anyone noticed any untapped potential for a young man with determination and energy. Ive just returned from a large marina, marina del ray, here in L.A.(the landoasshols, hah) and Im kinda bummed. The sailing community there just wasnt what I had remembered from my days sailing the bahamas a couple of years ago. However I remain optimistic, cause' I know this is a great community to be involved with. I really want to know if anyone out there is making any money buying and reselling boats, small or large, I have some money to invest and currently have a lease on small industrial property that I could store the boats. Im looking at the ones in auctions and those given to charity, and walking the docks, but dont want to invest my time and savings into a dead end. Ive thought of hull cleaning in my spare time, along with underwater video(maybe someone wants to know what their hull looks like?) and digital documentation of boat belongings for insurance purposes. Any suggestions or hints would be awesome. thanks for reading all this.
- Status
Presuming that you have a business degree
then you know how to write a business plan. Have you defined your work skills. Hull cleaning in this area is done on the hard with a pressure washer. Almost everybody has or can afford a digital camera. Remember that you will have to depend on the citizens of thelandofassholes for your business so the attitude needs some work. There are many ways to make a living. You need to define your lifestyle goals and the costs for supporting that lifestyle. Do you live independantly now? If not, then recognize that your lifestyle is subsidized by others. Niche` work in the best because of the small level of competition. If you choose to compete with the crowd you will be working for wages with none of the benefits.
then you know how to write a business plan. Have you defined your work skills. Hull cleaning in this area is done on the hard with a pressure washer. Almost everybody has or can afford a digital camera. Remember that you will have to depend on the citizens of thelandofassholes for your business so the attitude needs some work. There are many ways to make a living. You need to define your lifestyle goals and the costs for supporting that lifestyle. Do you live independantly now? If not, then recognize that your lifestyle is subsidized by others. Niche` work in the best because of the small level of competition. If you choose to compete with the crowd you will be working for wages with none of the benefits.
If I was young again ...
and thinking along your lines I would consider getting into a good retail outfit and really learn what makes the customers tick. It may seem like a step down, long hours, low pay, working at rather than enjoying your interests ... but you need to understand what sells and how much work and relationship building it takes. Working the floor is entry level for sure, but it's where you learn the business you want to be in. Build relationships with customers, sales reps, distributors and find out who is on the cutting edge. When you want to get in on the ground floor of something new and innovative, you have to be in position to see it, you are not going to stumble into it and nobody is going to come looking for you to help them get off the ground. That is where a young guy on the sales floor is going to see what's happening and who is going to be the next success. Maybe you are the innovator, but you need to know what it takes to sell your own product, so that's where the same advise holds. I saw a friend of mine take that road to becoming a very successful distributor of inboard competition ski boats. He was in on the ground floor when Malibu Boats took off in the late 80's. He knew the guys because he was selling ski boats when they where working for the company they left (a ski boat manufacturer) to start Malibu Boats. My friend knew these fellows well by that time and took a calculated risk that they would soon become one of the leaders in the industry (which they did). He happenened to get into selling ski boats by first selling snow ski equipment and building up the skiing end of the business of a large boat retailer. Several years later, when he had his own business distributing and retailing ski boats, he was able sell his business at a substantial profit and take on a much less stressful lifestyle (still working in the retail industry - but from an ownership position with much less risk). As long as I've known the guy, he was extremely energetic in his business (which is obviously what it takes) but he worked his own hours and spent a lot more time doing the things that we both loved to do than I was ever able to do. So if you have the energy, patience, and relationship skills to work in retail, maybe find a good place to get your start on the ground floor. There are obviously a lot of talented people working in these avenues and it takes a lot to stand out, but it always seemed like a good way to go to me.
and thinking along your lines I would consider getting into a good retail outfit and really learn what makes the customers tick. It may seem like a step down, long hours, low pay, working at rather than enjoying your interests ... but you need to understand what sells and how much work and relationship building it takes. Working the floor is entry level for sure, but it's where you learn the business you want to be in. Build relationships with customers, sales reps, distributors and find out who is on the cutting edge. When you want to get in on the ground floor of something new and innovative, you have to be in position to see it, you are not going to stumble into it and nobody is going to come looking for you to help them get off the ground. That is where a young guy on the sales floor is going to see what's happening and who is going to be the next success. Maybe you are the innovator, but you need to know what it takes to sell your own product, so that's where the same advise holds. I saw a friend of mine take that road to becoming a very successful distributor of inboard competition ski boats. He was in on the ground floor when Malibu Boats took off in the late 80's. He knew the guys because he was selling ski boats when they where working for the company they left (a ski boat manufacturer) to start Malibu Boats. My friend knew these fellows well by that time and took a calculated risk that they would soon become one of the leaders in the industry (which they did). He happenened to get into selling ski boats by first selling snow ski equipment and building up the skiing end of the business of a large boat retailer. Several years later, when he had his own business distributing and retailing ski boats, he was able sell his business at a substantial profit and take on a much less stressful lifestyle (still working in the retail industry - but from an ownership position with much less risk). As long as I've known the guy, he was extremely energetic in his business (which is obviously what it takes) but he worked his own hours and spent a lot more time doing the things that we both loved to do than I was ever able to do. So if you have the energy, patience, and relationship skills to work in retail, maybe find a good place to get your start on the ground floor. There are obviously a lot of talented people working in these avenues and it takes a lot to stand out, but it always seemed like a good way to go to me.
Buying and reselling is a dead end.
Used boats do not sell very fast and they are costly to store and maintain. That is why boat brockerage businesses let the boat owners carry the investment, pay for the slip and maintenance issues while they find a buyer. As a hobby to find a boat cheap, upgrade it cosmetically and resell it at a profit would be fine but don't try to make it a career. Nothing wrong with a diving service, just do a good job at a fair price and word of mouth will get you going. I always wondered why medical doctors choose specialties such as proctology; looking for less competion? The majority of folks end up in a career by accident; only a few have a specific calling and know all along what they want to do. One path is not necessarily better than the other. To be successfull hard work is the main ingredient followed by good luck.
Used boats do not sell very fast and they are costly to store and maintain. That is why boat brockerage businesses let the boat owners carry the investment, pay for the slip and maintenance issues while they find a buyer. As a hobby to find a boat cheap, upgrade it cosmetically and resell it at a profit would be fine but don't try to make it a career. Nothing wrong with a diving service, just do a good job at a fair price and word of mouth will get you going. I always wondered why medical doctors choose specialties such as proctology; looking for less competion? The majority of folks end up in a career by accident; only a few have a specific calling and know all along what they want to do. One path is not necessarily better than the other. To be successfull hard work is the main ingredient followed by good luck.
Think dumb
The dumber the better apparently (see related link below). Don't worry if a market is already flooded, that just makes it easier to over-take the weakest in the herd and capture his share for yourself! Some day Wal-Mart will find itself in K-Mart's position and Microsoft will be another Digital Research, not bcause the market will dry-up but because someone else will do it better, cheaper and faster (think E-Bay). Happy sales *_/), MArk
The dumber the better apparently (see related link below). Don't worry if a market is already flooded, that just makes it easier to over-take the weakest in the herd and capture his share for yourself! Some day Wal-Mart will find itself in K-Mart's position and Microsoft will be another Digital Research, not bcause the market will dry-up but because someone else will do it better, cheaper and faster (think E-Bay). Happy sales *_/), MArk
There was an article
a month or two ago in Good Old Boat magazine about a guy who buys boats, fixes them up and sells them. He seems to be doing alright at it, but it's like anything else, you have to buy right.
a month or two ago in Good Old Boat magazine about a guy who buys boats, fixes them up and sells them. He seems to be doing alright at it, but it's like anything else, you have to buy right.
Buying & selling
I recently purchased a 1978 MacGregor 22 for $1000. Hull was in excellent shape - cabin interior a mess. I've put $4000 additional into it replacing all the standing and running rigging and improving much over the original design (such as jib downhaul, halyards to the cockpit, top lift, etc.) If I was doinging this as a business venture with $5000 invested, I would certainly want to sell her for $15,000. I do not know anyone who would spend anywhere near that for her. So, this would not be a good business plan.
I recently purchased a 1978 MacGregor 22 for $1000. Hull was in excellent shape - cabin interior a mess. I've put $4000 additional into it replacing all the standing and running rigging and improving much over the original design (such as jib downhaul, halyards to the cockpit, top lift, etc.) If I was doinging this as a business venture with $5000 invested, I would certainly want to sell her for $15,000. I do not know anyone who would spend anywhere near that for her. So, this would not be a good business plan.
being in business is one of the most
complex jobs you can ever have. As just noted by Steve, he has 5000 dollars invested in a cat 22. He doesn't say how many hours of his time. But he does say that he feels that time and effort make it worth 15,000 Dollars. Selling will cost some money, his time is worth some money. The value of the place where the boat lays can be measured in dollars.In the meantime he has had to live, pay his utilities and phone bills, maintain his car,,,,, the list is seemingly endless. Determine how much money you need to live in the manner that pleases you and then see if the business that you envision will support you.
complex jobs you can ever have. As just noted by Steve, he has 5000 dollars invested in a cat 22. He doesn't say how many hours of his time. But he does say that he feels that time and effort make it worth 15,000 Dollars. Selling will cost some money, his time is worth some money. The value of the place where the boat lays can be measured in dollars.In the meantime he has had to live, pay his utilities and phone bills, maintain his car,,,,, the list is seemingly endless. Determine how much money you need to live in the manner that pleases you and then see if the business that you envision will support you.
Get real
Landlocked, 25 is pretty darn young to decide that you don't want to work just for those two days off and I sure wouldn't call it abandoning a career. A career is something you have done for decades. Also, the Bahamas is not LA and vice versa. I think you have some growing up to do frankly. Your best bet is to leverage your finance skills with the boating industry. Try to land a job with one of the manufacturers or perhaps some other segment of the marine industry, heck maybe even management of a big marina where you can learn to extend yourself and deal with a**h*les. Scrubbing boat bottoms and taking digital pictures will get you nowhere.
Landlocked, 25 is pretty darn young to decide that you don't want to work just for those two days off and I sure wouldn't call it abandoning a career. A career is something you have done for decades. Also, the Bahamas is not LA and vice versa. I think you have some growing up to do frankly. Your best bet is to leverage your finance skills with the boating industry. Try to land a job with one of the manufacturers or perhaps some other segment of the marine industry, heck maybe even management of a big marina where you can learn to extend yourself and deal with a**h*les. Scrubbing boat bottoms and taking digital pictures will get you nowhere.
Boating for handicapped
This is an idea that I know works and it is untapped in most nautical areas in North America. A friend of mine and his dying wife decided to outfit a house boat (it doesn't have to be a house boat, but it does need to be a power boat) for handicapped; I'm talking paraplegics and quadriplegics. This included special lifts into a bath tube and special life jackets for wheel chairs. In the middle of this outfitting, my friends wife died and he continued the project on in her memory. He was surprised at how quickly the business took off; including Christopher Reeves (blanked out on his first name - superman) who rented his house boat in the Okanagon. There are many handicapped who are from wealthy backgrounds. Also many handicapped are supported by "societies" who have money for a decent vacation. Because his house boat was so different from the usual vacations many handicapped take, it caught on. He has gone on to devote another house boat to the handicapped; it has done well. Don't forget that all handicapped have support people who also have to love the vacation; they love the house boat.
This is an idea that I know works and it is untapped in most nautical areas in North America. A friend of mine and his dying wife decided to outfit a house boat (it doesn't have to be a house boat, but it does need to be a power boat) for handicapped; I'm talking paraplegics and quadriplegics. This included special lifts into a bath tube and special life jackets for wheel chairs. In the middle of this outfitting, my friends wife died and he continued the project on in her memory. He was surprised at how quickly the business took off; including Christopher Reeves (blanked out on his first name - superman) who rented his house boat in the Okanagon. There are many handicapped who are from wealthy backgrounds. Also many handicapped are supported by "societies" who have money for a decent vacation. Because his house boat was so different from the usual vacations many handicapped take, it caught on. He has gone on to devote another house boat to the handicapped; it has done well. Don't forget that all handicapped have support people who also have to love the vacation; they love the house boat.
Live on a Boat
If you live near MDR - buy a boat and live on it...then you have your 5-days of boating before and after work and your weekends as a bonus! Seriously, I almost did it when I lived in MDR a few years back. I was looking at a nice Catalina 30 that was selling for $15k. Another thought is to try a job a sailing magazine.... Good luck and rememner - no shortcuts in life. Work hard and work smart.
If you live near MDR - buy a boat and live on it...then you have your 5-days of boating before and after work and your weekends as a bonus! Seriously, I almost did it when I lived in MDR a few years back. I was looking at a nice Catalina 30 that was selling for $15k. Another thought is to try a job a sailing magazine.... Good luck and rememner - no shortcuts in life. Work hard and work smart.
Great Idea, but there's a problem
I have a rigging and accessories business here in Arkansas. I have to keep a day job to survive. I have a very good repore with my marina and they let me do what I need there without paying them a 10 percent bounty on services performed there. If I had to do a bottom job I would have to rent a spot in the yard. That will be gone in a few years though with the epa, Most customers think that since the winds free that everything else should be. THERE IS MONEY TO BE MADE OUT THERE!!!!! If you buy a boat for resale. Buy it sell it for a small profit then have the buyer pay you to fix it up. I bought a oday 22 for $1000 with slip included, leased the slip to a buddy and sold the boat for $1700. Now I sell the buyer ropes and other misc items. With all of the BIG marine retailers out there I find it hard to sell accessories unless I buy in bulk. For instance a roller furler can be purchased off of the internet for $100 more than I can buy it for. And I am set up with several companies with a wholesale account. So my profit would be less than 5% if I sold it for what they could get it for. And oh yeah I have to charge sales tax also, internet sales are ussually tax exempt. Labor is something you have to charge a premium for. Drive time to the marina. Lots of extra charges but most don't want to pay em. So for right now I'll keep my day job also. I do make enough through my business to outfit my boat and pay for some cruising (Bahamas) Iv'e done. Good Luck and best wishes Tim Welsh. S.V. Cabo Wabo
I have a rigging and accessories business here in Arkansas. I have to keep a day job to survive. I have a very good repore with my marina and they let me do what I need there without paying them a 10 percent bounty on services performed there. If I had to do a bottom job I would have to rent a spot in the yard. That will be gone in a few years though with the epa, Most customers think that since the winds free that everything else should be. THERE IS MONEY TO BE MADE OUT THERE!!!!! If you buy a boat for resale. Buy it sell it for a small profit then have the buyer pay you to fix it up. I bought a oday 22 for $1000 with slip included, leased the slip to a buddy and sold the boat for $1700. Now I sell the buyer ropes and other misc items. With all of the BIG marine retailers out there I find it hard to sell accessories unless I buy in bulk. For instance a roller furler can be purchased off of the internet for $100 more than I can buy it for. And I am set up with several companies with a wholesale account. So my profit would be less than 5% if I sold it for what they could get it for. And oh yeah I have to charge sales tax also, internet sales are ussually tax exempt. Labor is something you have to charge a premium for. Drive time to the marina. Lots of extra charges but most don't want to pay em. So for right now I'll keep my day job also. I do make enough through my business to outfit my boat and pay for some cruising (Bahamas) Iv'e done. Good Luck and best wishes Tim Welsh. S.V. Cabo Wabo
The marine industry can be difficult to break into
I work as an industry manager in a depressed and dying market (chemicals), and I've been looking for years to break into the marine industry. I routinely monitor the NMMA (National Marine Merchants Association) job mart. I haven't found much that would apply to my background (sales and marketing in the midwest), however you may see something interesting. Good luck out there...
I work as an industry manager in a depressed and dying market (chemicals), and I've been looking for years to break into the marine industry. I routinely monitor the NMMA (National Marine Merchants Association) job mart. I haven't found much that would apply to my background (sales and marketing in the midwest), however you may see something interesting. Good luck out there...
my thought is worth this much $.02
My thought is this...obviously most of us have our day jobs, this is something that could be done on the side and still be lucrative, if done correctly. As most sailors enter the community, most will buy a pre-owned boat. Since there is no such thing as a perfect boat, there are always things to fix, uprade or just a want/need. Think Rudy at D/R marine, he has his market, he knows it well, he provides an incredible service, and is a recognized authority on the boats that he services. My thought is this, often the boats that can be purchased cheaply, are worth more as parts than as whole boats. I live in Tampa, and see sailboats/powerboats being blown out for sale or even just to haul away. The internet is an incredible tool to search for what you need, and the widget that you have, might just be the same one that Joe from Milwaukee needs. I think it could work. It might be tough to make a living at from the get-go, but do-able without a doubt. That way, you can keep your day job, and start your own marine salvage boutique. No store front, just run it through a storage building. The biggest key is keeping an incredible database of what you have, and where it came from. Whaddaya think? Ross 1979 Oday Lola Tampa
My thought is this...obviously most of us have our day jobs, this is something that could be done on the side and still be lucrative, if done correctly. As most sailors enter the community, most will buy a pre-owned boat. Since there is no such thing as a perfect boat, there are always things to fix, uprade or just a want/need. Think Rudy at D/R marine, he has his market, he knows it well, he provides an incredible service, and is a recognized authority on the boats that he services. My thought is this, often the boats that can be purchased cheaply, are worth more as parts than as whole boats. I live in Tampa, and see sailboats/powerboats being blown out for sale or even just to haul away. The internet is an incredible tool to search for what you need, and the widget that you have, might just be the same one that Joe from Milwaukee needs. I think it could work. It might be tough to make a living at from the get-go, but do-able without a doubt. That way, you can keep your day job, and start your own marine salvage boutique. No store front, just run it through a storage building. The biggest key is keeping an incredible database of what you have, and where it came from. Whaddaya think? Ross 1979 Oday Lola Tampa
Own your own business and you never are off.
"live my life for those two days a week", will be words that you may live to eat. When you own your own business, it ususally turns into 24 x 7. It even becomes difficult to really have a vacation. Have you considered a business career with a retirement (30 years and you could have a pension - retired at 55). 2-3 weeks of PAID vacation (you never get this when you own your own). Paid medical. Paid Sick...... I have owned my own business and know that it is VERY satisfying and worth every minute that I spent doing it. I also realize that I could have taken a job that would have paid a fair salary and I never would have missed a nights sleep worrying about this, that and the other.
"live my life for those two days a week", will be words that you may live to eat. When you own your own business, it ususally turns into 24 x 7. It even becomes difficult to really have a vacation. Have you considered a business career with a retirement (30 years and you could have a pension - retired at 55). 2-3 weeks of PAID vacation (you never get this when you own your own). Paid medical. Paid Sick...... I have owned my own business and know that it is VERY satisfying and worth every minute that I spent doing it. I also realize that I could have taken a job that would have paid a fair salary and I never would have missed a nights sleep worrying about this, that and the other.
Burtn out at 25, only 40 years more to go...
if your lucky. Successfull people have a passion about what they do such that it doesn't become "work" to them but a love for what they do. Looking for something that makes money and then doing it without an interest or love for it is a recepy for failure. At 25 I was in graduate school. I am 47 and love what I do. I am also self employed, but I have balance in my life so that I can devote time to my 17yr and to my wife. I suggest instead of asking others what to do, that you ask yourself what you want to do and what will you be happy doing...then be the best in that field, provide good prompt service, and you will succeed. No use trying to become a diesel mechanic if you hate it no matter how much in demand they are and how much they can make. I love that mechanic that charges good money for his work, but you can see how involved he is in what he does, takes pride, will work a little extra to get the job properly done, and walks away with a smile on his face. Tomorrow, when the economy turns sour that guy will still be in business. good luck abe
if your lucky. Successfull people have a passion about what they do such that it doesn't become "work" to them but a love for what they do. Looking for something that makes money and then doing it without an interest or love for it is a recepy for failure. At 25 I was in graduate school. I am 47 and love what I do. I am also self employed, but I have balance in my life so that I can devote time to my 17yr and to my wife. I suggest instead of asking others what to do, that you ask yourself what you want to do and what will you be happy doing...then be the best in that field, provide good prompt service, and you will succeed. No use trying to become a diesel mechanic if you hate it no matter how much in demand they are and how much they can make. I love that mechanic that charges good money for his work, but you can see how involved he is in what he does, takes pride, will work a little extra to get the job properly done, and walks away with a smile on his face. Tomorrow, when the economy turns sour that guy will still be in business. good luck abe
Marine Salvage - Tampa Ross
Obviously a business case would have to be put together to measure the costs/returns, but I could see merit in this. How many posts have you seen here for "Need 10 feet of toerail" or "Looking for XXX for this engine"? As Ross points out, it would take a little while to get things going as one builds inventory. Assuming that you could locate someplace that has a reasonable supply of salvageable boats (FL, Gulf coast) and reasonable real estate costs for a storage location. Tom
Obviously a business case would have to be put together to measure the costs/returns, but I could see merit in this. How many posts have you seen here for "Need 10 feet of toerail" or "Looking for XXX for this engine"? As Ross points out, it would take a little while to get things going as one builds inventory. Assuming that you could locate someplace that has a reasonable supply of salvageable boats (FL, Gulf coast) and reasonable real estate costs for a storage location. Tom
Landlocked
My advice is to go back to your day job but at the same time cut your spending to ABSOLUTELY NEEDS. I'm talking a car that just goes from point A to point B. An apartment that is small...very small and torn up. No more vacations to the Bahamas. In just a few years you will have a ton of cash and then can retire, buy a boat, sail all over the place, even the world if you want. During that time you will gain experience in fixing your boat and the areas you sail to and how to be a great sailor. A few years of just doing this and you can un-retire and change careers to be a delivery captain and odd job repair man. But if you want to raise a family, then forget all that and just stick with your day job and deal with it
If your dead set on having an outside job, then about the only thing that I think is a good enough income to raise a family with is being a marine mechanic (diesel and gas). With the growth of power boaters hitting the market the past few years, this just may be the big demand job. BTW: The sailing community in the Bahamas is going to be different then mainland. Bahamas is going to be people on vacation and cruisers. They are more into the sailing community then people who work a 9-5 and just have time for a few hours on the weekend.
My advice is to go back to your day job but at the same time cut your spending to ABSOLUTELY NEEDS. I'm talking a car that just goes from point A to point B. An apartment that is small...very small and torn up. No more vacations to the Bahamas. In just a few years you will have a ton of cash and then can retire, buy a boat, sail all over the place, even the world if you want. During that time you will gain experience in fixing your boat and the areas you sail to and how to be a great sailor. A few years of just doing this and you can un-retire and change careers to be a delivery captain and odd job repair man. But if you want to raise a family, then forget all that and just stick with your day job and deal with it
If your dead set on having an outside job, then about the only thing that I think is a good enough income to raise a family with is being a marine mechanic (diesel and gas). With the growth of power boaters hitting the market the past few years, this just may be the big demand job. BTW: The sailing community in the Bahamas is going to be different then mainland. Bahamas is going to be people on vacation and cruisers. They are more into the sailing community then people who work a 9-5 and just have time for a few hours on the weekend.Landlocked - go ahead, dive in
Landlocked - Let me share in your feelings of the corporate world. I too am realizing at 24, that no matter how hard I push to be sucessful in business, no matter how far I go or how much I accomplish, the reward is not there for me. Just because a person can force themself to be good in business, can push themselves to the limit, dig up the most impressive work ethic from their heels, doesn't mean they will ever be satisfied with making money for the man. If you are like me, the need for adventure, self reward and the search for "life" unrivaled by corporate politics and continously dissapointing 5 day work weeks and 48 short hours of so called rest, isn't quite the "American Dream" that others persue... welcome to the club I'm a 24 year old corporate burn out - in the last two years I made huge advances in my company, great pay, and great benefits, but after 70 hour work weeks, going to school full time, a hectic social life and trying to sustain a relationship, I've had enough. The pressure I can handle, its the lack of reward and satisfaction that I can't live with. The idea of starting a business is a great one, but mostly its filled with huge faults - where to get the money, how long will it take to make any money, and what do I do if I fail. Planning is critical. The last few years have been a testing phase for me. Usually I start with a crazy wild off the cuff pipedream idea. From there, I strip down the fantasy parts, introduce real world consequences, and slowly over a few months, the plan is evolved into something that is actually feasible. Recently my brother and I started to plan a new life for us, which started with one crazy idea. We both grew up around boats, spending all of our free time on powerboats in lakes and rivers. One day, we thought, lets go save some money, buy 2 boats, and live on them. We'll take off and come back only if we feel the need to. Then we stripped it down to reality. From there we figured out the faults and worked through the problems until we have a somewhat fool proof plan. We are currently in the process of planning 2 year sailing excursion to get away from it all and explore the world. When we return, we are looking to buy a larger sail boat in need of repair. Spend some serious time recondition the boat and starting a vacation service to bring couples out for a week long vacation to sail and enjoy fine dining from a variety of ports. Obviously, we have some capital to work with, which not everyone will have, however, the idea is, start with a pipe dream, and work through the irrational parts and work towards a feasible goal. Once you have something that seams profitable, feasible and satisfactory to you, put together a business plan, work the numbers, apply for a business loan, search for investors, it can definately be done. My limited spare time in the last few years has been focused on business building plans. I've come up with 4 in the last two years which look to be profitable, feasible and fun, and they all started with a pipe dream idea, evolved into something manageable. *Some say i'm too young to be giving up on the real world, the thing is, take a dreamer/adventurer and put him in a cage... you will kill his soul... I've made it 24 years, I'm ready to live
Landlocked - Let me share in your feelings of the corporate world. I too am realizing at 24, that no matter how hard I push to be sucessful in business, no matter how far I go or how much I accomplish, the reward is not there for me. Just because a person can force themself to be good in business, can push themselves to the limit, dig up the most impressive work ethic from their heels, doesn't mean they will ever be satisfied with making money for the man. If you are like me, the need for adventure, self reward and the search for "life" unrivaled by corporate politics and continously dissapointing 5 day work weeks and 48 short hours of so called rest, isn't quite the "American Dream" that others persue... welcome to the club I'm a 24 year old corporate burn out - in the last two years I made huge advances in my company, great pay, and great benefits, but after 70 hour work weeks, going to school full time, a hectic social life and trying to sustain a relationship, I've had enough. The pressure I can handle, its the lack of reward and satisfaction that I can't live with. The idea of starting a business is a great one, but mostly its filled with huge faults - where to get the money, how long will it take to make any money, and what do I do if I fail. Planning is critical. The last few years have been a testing phase for me. Usually I start with a crazy wild off the cuff pipedream idea. From there, I strip down the fantasy parts, introduce real world consequences, and slowly over a few months, the plan is evolved into something that is actually feasible. Recently my brother and I started to plan a new life for us, which started with one crazy idea. We both grew up around boats, spending all of our free time on powerboats in lakes and rivers. One day, we thought, lets go save some money, buy 2 boats, and live on them. We'll take off and come back only if we feel the need to. Then we stripped it down to reality. From there we figured out the faults and worked through the problems until we have a somewhat fool proof plan. We are currently in the process of planning 2 year sailing excursion to get away from it all and explore the world. When we return, we are looking to buy a larger sail boat in need of repair. Spend some serious time recondition the boat and starting a vacation service to bring couples out for a week long vacation to sail and enjoy fine dining from a variety of ports. Obviously, we have some capital to work with, which not everyone will have, however, the idea is, start with a pipe dream, and work through the irrational parts and work towards a feasible goal. Once you have something that seams profitable, feasible and satisfactory to you, put together a business plan, work the numbers, apply for a business loan, search for investors, it can definately be done. My limited spare time in the last few years has been focused on business building plans. I've come up with 4 in the last two years which look to be profitable, feasible and fun, and they all started with a pipe dream idea, evolved into something manageable. *Some say i'm too young to be giving up on the real world, the thing is, take a dreamer/adventurer and put him in a cage... you will kill his soul... I've made it 24 years, I'm ready to live
- Status