I would like to open a small florist shop, but i dont now were or how to go about this i dont have capital?

After many years my dream would be to open a small florist, but the situation im in is somewhat difficult. I had to change my life around for personal reasons and would like to embark and a new start and a career. I dont like the fact i have to rely on handouts from the goverment, so i would like to bring my dream to reality, but short of winning the lottery how can iget help with this. I would not be able to get any capital, but could there be some kind of goverment funding to help me on my way.. I am due to start a floristery course at college and would dearly love to offer something back into to society again.

I would like to open a small florist shop, but i dont now were or how to go about this i dont have capital?
In addition to the other answers, there should be an Enterprise Centre in your locality (I'm guessing that you're from the UK) where you can





a) go on training courses to learn about finance and drawing up business plans (muy importante)


b) find out what local sources of funding there are.





If you're on benefits, it's tough to get funding from banks, but they know a good business plan when they see one.
Reply:If you want to start a small business you can put together a business proposal and go to see your bank manager to arrange a business loan
Reply:The first thing is to do is what you are doing already - if you haven't got the recognised qualifications it would be impossible.


You are probably going to need a lot more experience than a training course will give you. Get a job in a florists and see what it's really like as a job of work not a hobby.


To raise money it's often possible to sell your skills to friends and neighbours if you can do a good job at a good price word will spread BUT remember that you will have to make a living and pay overheads out of your prices when you take the plunge and go 'legit'.


Before you go chasing your tail after the mythical generous bank ........... don't bother. Any manager who isn't gaga will need 50:50 matching capital and 'bricks and mortar security' for the loan. These days sanction limits for front line managers are tiny, you'd probably get more from a credit card and the cost wouldn't be that much higher once you've paid the 'arrangement fees' for the loan.


Don't forget car boot sales and market stalls, that's where shopkeepers start these days.


One word of encouragement - have you seen how much people will pay for a wreath these days?


Come to think of it......... Christmas Wreaths for doors are catching on in the UK, foliage can be aquired from hedgerows (ask the landowner first) or offer to cut someones hedge. Reasonably priced at a car boot sale you could start raising the money now.


It is possible to earn money without affecting benefits - check with your SS office and they will probably be helpful after recovering from the shock of someone contacting them......


It is very tough and people who haven't ever been there will never understand the situation you are in. Most of the advisors and 'experts' wouldn't know a profit if it got up and bit them in the backside - if they did they wouldn't be working as advisors for peanuts would they.


Good Luck


P.S - I liked the 'Mr Meaners' joke in the previous reply, my last Bank Manager was definately one before we sacked him................
Reply:Apply online at www.surefirefinance.co.uk for a commercial loan to help fund your business.
Reply:I don't have much advice for you on the $$ end but on the actual business part I can give you some hard learned lessons.





First, work in a flower shop before you decide to open your own business. Owning your own shop is more than just playing with flowers. You have to be GREAT with money, not just good, you have to be willing to work very looooonnnng hours, you have to be physically able to work for long hours at a time with your fingers and hands.





You must be willing to do everything from scrub the commodes and buckets. You have to keep all surfaces that you are working on spotless. You must have some sort of customer service skills. Lol, I could go on and on but I am sure you get the picture.





Being a florist is hard, hard work with little or no reward (at first). You must be prepared not to bring home a pay check for at least the first two years.





Do your research and I wish you the best!
Reply:Provided that you and your bank have had a really good relationship and there have been no mr.meaners, it might be an idea to go talk to your mananger about a possible business loan.





If you have a business plan and can show him your intentions and make sure you have covered all the angles, perhaps he could advise where possible and offer some help to get you started.





Other than the bank helping you, could a reliable family member help get you on your way? what about a business partner or offer them a share.
Reply:Shirl? What is a Mr Meaner????? If you mean "misdemeanour" should you really be answering the question?





My advice to the Asker is to get a job first, probably in a florist. Get some experience, save some money and show a bank you are prepared to invest in your own talents.
Reply:Ask the lecturer at your floristry course. They will have insight into the local situation and may be able to recommend sources of capital
Reply:I have built 2 successful businesses and the rule is: do your research. Is there a need for whatever you're doing in your area. If necessary conduct a survey to find this out. What is the competition? Do a spreadsheet of projected sales/profits and overheads and treat this as your forecast. Business is common sense. For funding try the Princes trust.


http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/