Viable to start this biz? pls gif me ur 2cents worth.

[MissTortoise!]

Hi All,

I have been thinking if this biz can really work in Singapore. The biz i'm saying is F & B. My idea was to open a cafe+ Fast food like. It would cater set meal. I'm really still thinking about it.. I think reserach should be done. But, in my age- 19, i'm like thinking big..anyone could suggest what is hould DO? shd i go study more about biz before opening one?


With Regards,
MissTortoise!

[Gennie]

Well, you're only 19, that seems a very young age.

Setting up a business isn't easy, you have to think of your costs like staffing, food supplies cost, shop rents, getting a license to sell food.

Perhaps a good start would be you could join a cafe as a waitress/ cashier/ other member so you could learn how it's run.

That'll give u a better footing when u start off in future...

[MissTortoise!]

Hi,

But i thought age isnt a matter? Perhaps you are telling me to get the experience, that i would agree with u. However, do u think its better to get a CERT or an experience 1st? which would think would come 1st? I mean in singapore, everything talk about the paper issue. Without "cert" thins might be different..

With Regards,
MissTortoise

[Swee]

Yes I agree with the previous reply. Getting experience in the FnB line would prove to be very useful and informative. You could have an idea how the food industry works and even things like supply chain management, even if its such one store by itself.

Starting business before you have done any sort of research or study is like stepping into the deep blue sea, blindfolded. Capital is another major factor. However, it is a great relief to see such a young lady having such great aspirations at the tender age of 19. Looks like the future's bright for Singapore!

Cheers,
Swee

[lala2]

If you're referring to starting your own business, a cert is not necessary, bcos ultimately it's your own business, unless u're planning to work for somebody.

Let's say the purpose of obtaining a relevant certificate eg: Tourism cert, F&B cert will help you understand how the industry works, it will help you to step into the business more readily than without any cert, like what Swee has said.

Why not apply for a course that relates to your interest? like tourism, f&b.

I would opt for studies first.

[Cyclops]

Hi:

Well if you are really interested in F & B, I could recommend you a company that assists you in planning and kicking start an F & B business. Its good to have that entreprenuer spirit, but well as for studies vs that. I can't make the decision for you..

Damien

ult_cyclops@yahoo.com

[Guest]

Hi,

But what i'm thinking is to get something like "degree in Business and E-commerce.."? Is there such a cert as F and B? i'm thinking of something really would have future..which mean they might have chance to branch out or etc..i cant work alone. Such things, i need chef..i need workers, and more right? so.. what are the suggestion i should go for? say i want to start a biz of my own ofcos?

wIth Love,
MissTortoise!

[Guest]

Hi All,

I have been thinking if this biz can really work in Singapore. The biz i'm saying is F & B. My idea was to open a cafe+ Fast food like. It would cater set meal. I'm really still thinking about it.. I think reserach should be done. But, in my age- 19, i'm like thinking big..anyone could suggest what is hould DO? shd i go study more about biz before opening one?


With Regards,
MissTortoise!

F&B will work. because no matter how good or bad, the economic is, people will still need to eat.

as for cert. for a lot of business people, they will be treating it as toilet paper. =)
study so much also like this... just a paper. do u think the things students study really need to do business? doing business, we need to have experiences. if no experience leverage on other people experience. know more people who are doing business now. get contacts.
this is my advice. =)

[Trix]

hi Miss Tortoise!

i've thought of opening up my own cafe as well... i;m 22...

through my own brainstorming for ideas, i actually came to the conclusion that i did not have the proper support nor the expertise or knowledge to go into F&B...

like what the others have suggested to u, go get some proper experience or a cert in F&B managment... it really does help alot... even then it may not mean tt u are equipped to start something

being young is also a problem, esp in hiring and managing people... if u're young and a female... u would really have to be assertive and dun let others take advantage of u.... most imptly....u must have the support of your family... cos when things go wrong, u have to depend on them to support u

[HaPpYgOlUcKy]

Suggest that since Tortoise and Trix has the interest, you will have the right spirit...get together and start running a small temp stall selling some food and drinks (takeaway) and experiment with your own ideas.

If you are successful starting small...then you probably have something to offer people and you can start to get investor to invest in you to think your big dreams.....

if you want to do biz...paper qualification is useless at the beginning becos it is like playing board games.....gotta be streetsmart and enjoy hardwork for a start. Once you make it...go get yr paper qualification as you grow yr biz...more advanced knowledge may help, i.e. if you want to expand into branches, get listed....etc...

But remember start small....experience is key.....sometimes studying first kill some of your natural biz instincts...

[MissTortoise!]

Hahaa..

Well, i wouldn't be very keen yet to work with someonw whom i dont know. As Trix has mentioned, we, women haf to protect ourselves more than u guys. Erm, Moreover i am studying in Singapore Poly BizIT, i was thinking if i can study biz+Ecoomerce so that my IT knowlege wont go down to drain. Alhough getting experince is important but dont you think if we were to study, it would really minimise the risk of making some foolish mistakes?! Erm.. Planning/Thinking...wonder if i really day dreaming or thinking too much of something that is not workable..from start.

The interest is there but the knowlege of how to start is another problem.

... =)

MissTortoise.....staggered off

[HaPpYgOlUcKy]

Tortoise...dreaming is never too much.....keep dreaming....young people need to have dream to drive.....

Doing biz is not about knowledge alone, it is also about your guts and gut feel. Sometimes too much knowledge kills that gut. Whatever education you have received by now...it is good enough to now use yr instinct to move you along. poly is considered tertiary education you know. just to share...i met 2 guys graduated from poly that i found impressive.

one worked for a corporate and concurrently started his own biz in IT services. He had done that for many years before he returned to do his masters...only 27 and he is pretty successful.

another was more radical...never went to work in corporate after graduation....rented stalls to do something totally different from his poly training. He was into creative arts and I was impressed enough to buy from him. He manned one stall and concurrently he was into some other biz venture with his friends. very enterprising.

my only advice is you need to learn how to conceptualise a biz plan, something someone without education may have more difficulty to start on. With a drawing on the board...you can see better if you can be successful in your idea....like a test run on paper.

Good Luck and hope to see more youngsters like you.
The REAL McCoy (HaPpYgOlUcKy)

[HaPpYgOlUcKy]

Now this nick is taken, I guess you two have to stop squabbling and use something else.

[Guest]

Hi,

wads there to Squabble about? keke. Anyway, i never wnat my studies in poly to be wasted so i am always thinking of opportunity to make use of it. Its after the ITP that i have found out that i'm not incline to IT's job. Imagine i am staring at the comp for 8 hours, its impossible. I would rather something thati could move around ..

HappyGolucky, those people are talented ones. Not many one have the capabilities to venture in biz. The risk could be quite high.and i am not sure of how to start one until i realy get into it. And i dont think my parents woudl permit.. since they wil be thinking its sure Loss.. or i'm too younG? u see.. eh..


Anyway, what can i do now.. ? i'm going to graduate soon. The scariest part of this stage is thinking i have to stick my leg on the table and idle. thats the worst thing. If i do idle, my mother would yell and ask me to do houshold chores. To choose between that, i would rather finda job. But i dont wnat work aimlessly too.

I am rattling non-stop. Got to get back to work!

Sleepy_Tortoise

[Guest]

if you can worry and think so much...then there is nothing to worry about you....you'll do fine.....just keep thinking and you may see light at the end of the tunnel....don't let the fire stop burning....