Post recession startups, co-ops, new business models

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Cycle-cafe-open-raising-pound-120-000-funding/story-18727482-detail/story.html#axzz2RBtH0VN8

Internet comment of the day:

“Nice to see he dressed up for the photo! Scruffy git! Would you want to eat something he's prepared? No, nor me!”

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who took the time to fill in my bike cafe survey, the input has been valuable. If anyone is interested here is a summary of the responses I received through LFGSS (40 responses in 4 days was more than I expected). One of the things I've decided is that I will probably have to rethink the location, no dramas, on with the project. Watch this space.

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.

thanks for that - was yet to come across that website.. will check at home..

been wondering about post-Corporation-world employment for a while now..

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hey guys.
so i 've been hard at work securing something some of you young start ups might find interesting. I've got Hackney, Camden and Lambeth agreed to a free cargo bike trial scheme.
If you have a business in any of these 3 buroughs and a need to potentially use a cargo bike to shift, deliver etc., whatever you can trial one for free with no obligation for a week.
I don't know if you'll find it helpful or not but if you're thinking about your logistics and where potentially going to do by bike, this is a good chance to grab a week for free to help you see if its practical or feasible.
my email is press a t londongreencycles co uk

Well done and good luck!

We launched a social enterprise start-up in 2010, and we're on the verge of signing a contract that will take our turnover to around £1M. We started with three people and should be around 15 by the end of the summer.

Lessons learned: -

-Cashflow is your biggest challenge - all my creditors need paying regularly, my income comes in peaks and troughs
-Apply for grants, they're out there, you just need to know where
-Have influential and connected directors, investors, partners - they're crucial
-No one knows your business like you do, but a bit of external insight can be invaluable
-Be humble, admit when you've got it wrong, learn and move on
-You will have sleepless nights, there's no one to hide behind, there's no one to fall back on, and it's difficult to build up adequate reserves when you need to invest every pound you earn in the business
-Being responsible for ensuring your people get paid is a sobering experience

Good to hear Mark, well done.

Well done, Mark

We launched a social enterprise start-up in 2010, and we're on the verge of signing a contract that will take our turnover to around £1M.

are you able to disclose what the social enterprise start-up is - out of curiosity?!

Bringing Aerospoke manufacture to East London.

Bringing Aerospoke manufacture to East London.

wowza!

Bringing Aerospoke manufacture to East London.
They would still servicing the Tokyo market, I assume, and working 3am - 5am?

ASM. A true entrepreneur.