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TheGal
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Default Oct 19, 2022 at 01:46 PM
  #1
Hi Everyone,

I am looking to start my own business and was wondering whether there are people in our community who've done it.

How is it going?
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Default Oct 19, 2022 at 02:14 PM
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Welll, My husband is a book collector (for 38 years). He owns over 60,000 books. Many years ago he wanted to open a brick-and-mortar book store. But, our kids were still in elementary school at the time, my husband had a full-time job. I was working p/t in social services and very busy with taking care of my family. Investing in a business (loans, etc.) would have been impossible time & money wise.

I can't recall how, but my husband learned about the possibility of having an online business, which for us meant selling books. So we thought we'd give it a shot. We opened "book shops" on Amazon, on ABEBooks (which is more of a specialized book site), and on Barnes & Noble. We carefully designed our shops, began listing books for sale (giving excellent descriptions of each book), and we give a lot of attention to providing excellent customer service.

That was 14 years ago this month. We have not made a fortune - but the money we make from our book business provides an excellent supplement to our monthly income (we're now both retired). Plus, we enjoy the work; it's especially good for my husband who would be twiddling his thumbs, being retired.

Between 2000 and 2015 I managed a very busy cafe. In addition to being 1 of 2 managers I worked the closing night shift by myself. Not an easy job! I certainly didn't own that business, so didn't have to handle all the financial stuff, but I was excellent at my job. I mean, despite having a mental illness, being on meds, and so forth.

Oh - I meant to mention that both my husband and I are diagnosed with mental illnesses. I am in treatment for mine, he refuses treatment for his.

What kind of business are you thinking of opening?

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Default Oct 19, 2022 at 02:51 PM
  #3
Hi Beth,

I love abebooks and ordered from there recently... in fact, just had a delivery the other day!

The business I want to start is in the hospitality/care realm.

I'm very impressed with what you and your husband have managed to do...

Sixty-thousand books is a lot. How do you manage to keep them in order? Do you have barcodes? How do you find the books on the shelves/boxes/storage ... I ask because I might need to use barcodes and don't have a clue as to where to get started. Also, would need to find out about the corresponding software needed to manage goods...

I think it is wonderful that you managed a cafe... that is awesome. Did you have to do hiring as well?

I'm feeling that I'll be working a lot by starting my own business, but the hours will be flexible enough to allow me to go to appointments... I am being treated for MI and have other doctors appointments as well... I'm in my early 50s and frankly fall into a category where my getting hired seems rather improbable, but I've been an excellent employee in the past. I feel I've my feet enough on the ground to embark on this adventure...

Thank you for your detailed reply, Beth!

It is so good to chat with you...
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Default Oct 21, 2022 at 05:29 PM
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I tried to get set up as a dog walker years ago, failed though due to lack of demand
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Default Oct 22, 2022 at 02:01 AM
  #5
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Originally Posted by TheGal View Post
Hi Beth,

I love abebooks and ordered from there recently... in fact, just had a delivery the other day!


Yes, it's a wonderful site.

The business I want to start is in the hospitality/care realm.

That's great!

I'm very impressed with what you and your husband have managed to do...

Thank you, I think the key to what we do is that we both enjoy and take pride in our business.

Sixty-thousand books is a lot. How do you manage to keep them in order? Do you have barcodes? How do you find the books on the shelves/boxes/storage ... I ask because I might need to use barcodes and don't have a clue as to where to get started. Also, would need to find out about the corresponding software needed to manage goods...

No, no barcodes...we're very low-tech. Keeping the books in order is not, fortunately, my part of the job. My husband has his system and it works well. I couldn't begin to figure it out.

I think it is wonderful that you managed a cafe... that is awesome. Did you have to do hiring as well?

I loved my job and the cafe was a fabulous place. Totally indie. No, the owner did the hiring, although sometimes she'd consult with me. I did ask one guy to quit once. I felt rotten about it, but he just plain didn't fit into the environment. No one was benefiting, not him, either.

I'm feeling that I'll be working a lot by starting my own business, but the hours will be flexible enough to allow me to go to appointments... I am being treated for MI and have other doctors appointments as well... I'm in my early 50s and frankly fall into a category where my getting hired seems rather improbable, but I've been an excellent employee in the past. I feel I've my feet enough on the ground to embark on this adventure...

I wish you immense luck and lots of good times with you business!

Thank you for your detailed reply, Beth!

You're so welcome

It is so good to chat with you...

You, too, TheGal
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Default Oct 22, 2022 at 09:59 AM
  #6
Much love to all

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Default Oct 22, 2022 at 03:57 PM
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Thanks, Beth... and kudos to you and your husband! Sounds like fun! Though I've a lot to do, I have started a business plan and am looking at potential problems and weak points, as well. I want to be able to scale the business which seems like a lot in the beginning stages, but I really want this to work. I'm very excited about the prospect actually.

Sorry your dog-walking business didn't take off, willowtigger.

Thanks Fuzzybear.
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