Post recession startups, co-ops, new business models

I've heard rumours of another bike cafe opening up down South... Nice...

I also hate my job... Considering options, mainly foodie type stuff...

Bake cakes for me, I pay top dorra!

The largest barrier to starting anything will always be funding it. Have you got some funding to start your bike cafe?

A lot of investors say that money is actually a commodity - such that sound/viable ideas and the people to carry them off are in short supply.

I think quite often the largest barrier is being able to communicate your opportunity clearly, demonstrating that you understand it inside out and that you can carry it off unlike anyone else. If you can do this, money can be found no problem.

Sounds daft, but look at the number of crash and burns on dragon's den. A lot of people underestimate what it takes to raise money - regardless of the source.

I'd like to run a lunchtime food cart... Mrs TS and I have a few ideas we've been throwing around for a few years...

Nothing incredible, just a nice gentle way of making a living...

Guess your coffee will be passable ;)

TS, Where's this other Bike Cafe?

by crystal palace aint it

That's Cadence isn't it,. already open.

ah sorry got mixed up as what you asked.

The largest barrier to starting anything will always be funding it. Have you got some funding to start your bike cafe?

Very true- without the initial funds it's all so much dreaming.

However the initial challenge is establishing what funding is required, and from where it could be obtained.

I'd like to run a lunchtime food cart... Mrs TS and I have a few ideas we've been throwing around for a few years...

Nothing incredible, just a nice gentle way of making a living...

Me too! Pizza by the slice, every lunch time, done by three, in the pub by 4.

Very true- without the initial funds it's all so much dreaming.

However the initial challenge is establishing what funding is required, and from where it could be obtained.

If it's something like a cafe, the 'friends and family' route is ideal. How much you need often defines the type of source that can provide it. If you're lucky (depending on what type of businesses are flavour of the month) you can often find grants to start businesses, in particular if you have completed a 'friends and family' round and therefore have some cash - this can be leveraged by getting 'match funding' by a grant (i.e. you raise £50k and get a grant for £50k also). This type of cash - if you can get it - is the best as often its non-dilutive and comes with few strings. Though you have to jump through a few hoops to get it.

Merkton?

Wimbledon might be a decent place for a bike cafe, compared to the surrounding areas anyway.

Bet the rent's crazy though.

Outer London is good. How about Barnet for a bike Cafe? There's little cycling stuff there some hipster bike culture would be good.

Good thread Skully. Our company CTUK isn't new as you know but we are a cooperative and we would be happy to help others looking to set up a worker's coop

2 businesses local to me that I really admire are Franco Manca and Cargo Bike Handyman. Both awesome.

Can you point me to any more, especially the non cycle-specific ...? They say there's a rise in self-employment in the last few years, so who are the innovators?

Barn the spoon man who has a little workshop on hackney road. He's awesome, making a living selling spoons and teaching local kids woodcraft. You should go and have a chat to that guy, Skully, you'd love him.

I want to make a living carving spoons and managing a little plot of woodland in a hut in a the woods. >>>>>>>

Interesting thread...

What about having a look at www.escapethecity.org/? They have many events and willing advisors from people who have started up their own thing - many of which are food related.

Also of interest for the under 30s might be the Start Up Loans scheme. A scheme whereby you can get business advice and up to a £10k loan from the government through an affiliated provider.

Location will be key. I'm hoping to exploit Cycle Superhighway 7, so somewhere on the A24, or A238 if it gets extended that way. Toot Broadway I think the rent will be prohibitive, South Wimbledon is an option. I haven’t started looking at venues yet.

I recognise that it would be a mistake to try and replicate LMNH in this neck of the woods, the demographic is way different, but that’s no bad thing in my opinion. If I can achieve inclusive without bland I’d be happy.

Funding will be a challenge, but I genuinely believe that with a strong business plan, I’ll get the loan / backing I need. The feedback on here and the survey has already been really useful, cheers people (Blueprints, Senor Bear, d-goods, Dammit I’d spread rep if I knew how).

Interesting thread...

What about having a look at www.escapethecity.org/? They have many events and willing advisors from people who have started up their own thing - many of which are food related.

Just looking at escapethecity now. It looks like a useful resource, have you had any experience with the site?

Have figured out I really need a partner to help grow the business. I've made loads of contacts over the past 2 years, got some good foundations in place, won some new clients but there's a limit to what I can do on my own.

Ideally he or she would be an experienced, committed, copywriter, creative but also with a good head for business not the precious 'tantrum' type of creative! If you know anyone please get in touch or point them my way. Ta :)

My partner got made redundant a couple of years ago, she is now a full time jeweller/designer/maker.

I've just finished creating her new website (the shopping page is coming shortly with the help of Google checkout powered by their store gadget /Google docs)

http://www.alexyulejewellery.co.uk/

To date she has been doing craft fairs and arts events, but last week we did a trade fair for UK artists (The BCTF - British Craft Trade Fair) Which was a great experience and hopefully a kick-start into bigger things over the next couple of years.

nice work esp like the mussel ring....future pressie for the missis. All the best for it

The Kernel

If you mean the website, really not a model of how to do things:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/mar/01/the-kernel
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/mar/05/kernel-close-debts-unpaid-sentinel-media

Milo whatisface seems like a right knob.

Maybe you meant the brewery though?

I assume he was talking about the Kernel Brewery

http://www.kickstarter.com/