Re: Who want to be your own boss ?
 

I could feel the desires burning in each one of you dudes. Kudos for having the guts to try and share this moment, dudes.

I'm actually quite impressed with this forum having all the nice people in it. :)

I'm a newbie in this forum but I'm not totally new in what you have just discussed such as the online biz startups thingy etc. I've went through several postings here and I came across several queries on how to go about setting online etc.

Well, everything is possible and the sky is the limit. ;)

Not all e-biz are alike and there's no cut n sew pattern that will assure success to anyone who follows it. But if we understand some basics, we could be one step ahead.

Here's what I'm going to share some tips that were engraved in my "biz bible" specifically about the "e-biz":

• find niche market within big n growing market, even how small it is, it's ok
• Do it for the name of "love it"
• Must know your customers
• It's important to choose a good domain name, one that ppl could remember and ties into your offering
• Design a site that is well organised and most importantly easy to navigate, there's a lot of free templates nowadays
• If necessary, engage "experts' ONLY after getting referrals and seeing sample work
• Do your homework. There's so many free tutorials all over the Web to teach you everything from HTML to the finer points of internet marketing, mostly FOC.
• Choose an ISP with 24/7 tech support, need to pay though but certainly low on overhead
• Offer secure shopping (is a must), there could be a fee to it but not huge
• Make it easy to order, no jargons or no complications, str8 to the point as long as your customers are not lost or annoyed with broken links etc
• Fill orders promptly and have a tracking system in place, free solutions available too.
• Ask your first customers for feedback and post testimonials on your site asap - this is could be the key to your success
• Post as many ways to contact or reach you as possible, no anonymous pls. Don't hide yourself, ppl need human interface too especially in the Net
• Respond to e-mails quickly, don't delay a single minute, don't ever treat them as nuisance
• Know what your competition is doing (you should have at least one) or else that's not really a business
• Be prepared for bumps in the road, definitely no smooth ride for sure
• Stop talking about it and start doing it.

Alas, two commonly essential piece of advice;

1. Make sure you love what you're going to do. Cos' when the going gets tough, and it will, your passion for your pursuit will see you through.
2. Find your own niche. There may be a finite number of industries/products/services, but, by putting a new spin/look/feel on any one of them, you can corner your little part of the thing called cyberspace.

In essence, you have to be madly in love with your idea cos 9 out of 10 people are going to tell you it stinks. If you aren't in love with it, you should then work for somebody else. You have to communicate that passion.

Well..some of the terms in the tips above may sounded alien to some. Just drop me a note and I'll be glad to oblige to explain or enlighten those terms to anyone of you nice ppl in here. ;)

Good day, everyone!

Re: Who want to be your own boss ?
 

Hi,
I am new here. I have attended the pushcart workshop by Laissezfaire not long ago, that's how I know about this forum. I have long wanted to start a business but like some of them out there who does not dare to take the first step, so..... The thought is still there so I am looking around now for the products (intend to sell childrens and ladies wear) and hopefully I can start my first pushcart soon.

Thanks.

Re: Who want to be your own boss ?
 

u stay jurong rite...we are near...maybe u can pm me to discuss more..
Maybe u can tell me more abt the workshop by Laissezfaire.
I can tell u some my pushcart experience.

i got some info of ladies wear & chidrens items lobang...not sure is it
suit u...Tks

Re: Who want to be your own boss ?
 

sure, probably next week. are you running a pushcart now, if so, i may pay you a visit.

thanks.

Re: Who want to be your own boss ?
 

Hi, I am available tomorrow between 1.00pm and 2.30pm. Will you be available to meet me, I cannot pm you because not enough posting (must have 5, i think). let try to reply a few times to get 5 posting...hee...hee. Sorry for the late notice. Tks.

Re: Who want to be your own boss ?
 

ya,is too late i saw your reply...now i dun have pushcart yet...
I working part time in the morning until afternoon.
Still dealing my timing.Maybe sept...when all settle,will set up ba.

Re: Who want to be your own boss ?
 

sure, in fact i am at jurong east central every saturday from 1pm to 2.30pm...bring my daughter for classes. we share arranged again in sept. tks

Re: Who want to be your own boss ?
 

Hi,

I'm very new here although I have previously browsed through this forum.
This forum has given me insight to pushcart business and having rent pushcart twice, I have to admit it that it was not easy.

A lot of effort and time was put into it but sales was v slow.
So i thought it would be better to continue with my online store where sale is better with low cost (labour and rent).

I currently have a job that pays well but is quite mundane. I have ever thought of quitting, but after much consideration (thank god), i think having a part time biz rather than full time better.

Having a secured income and a variable income (from e-store) allows us to continue our interest and hopefully one day, go the extra mile and open our own retail floor. Based on my limited experience, its not easy maintaining a shop. We have to constantly keep up with the trends , hunt for more suppliers and to know your competitors.

But ultimately, having buyers leaving positive feedbacks is motivation enough to keep one going. :)

Re: Who want to be your own boss ?
 

Fully agree with Anriza. Do not simply quite your job and hope you will success immediately in a new business. The best is to have financial support from your company and trying out your own business alone the way.

Re: Who want to be your own boss ?
 

One should have 3 sources of income

1) working income
2) investment income
3) business income

I will personally rate (3) last cos is the most tiring of all. I rather become an investor than a businessman.
But then I just like to sell my stuffs too .. :laff: