If a new business, traditional or internet, is not a safe bet at this time of the year; And the stock market sure isn't safe...then what is a safe way of making money other than a 8-5 J-O-B?

-- Lori Moshier (moshier@simplecom.net), September 27, 1999

Answers

Lori,

I don't know if this will provide any consolation, but NOTHING is "safe" these days, with or without Y2K as a potential problem looming on the horizon. Look what has happened to people who have worked in large, "safe" companies during the 1990s -- lots of them have been outsourced, downsized, rightsized, and laid off.

There are no guarantees any more, and Y2K simply adds another level to the uncertainty.

Ed

-- Ed Yourdon (HumptyDumptyY2K@yourdon.com), September 28, 1999.

Lori: A new business is NEVER a safe bet...but if you wanted to start one, this might not be all that bad of a time. You just need to factor in the uncertainties in the near future. (Or you could do a Christmas Tree sales business...which might be disrupted very little by Y2K!)

Personally, I'm considering starting one that would be going up against some industry giants...but this period of disruption and change might give me a real competitive advantage.

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), September 27, 1999.

Perform necessary services: taking care of children; older folks needing help around the house, yard, farm; garden maintaince and prep; maintain a goat brushing service; firewood

Become a food source: garden & greenhousing; jar canning service; raise food animals or birds - cattle, swine, chickens, turkeys, pigeons; goats - dairy, meat, cheese, milk, hides

-- Mitchell Barnes (spanda@inreach.com), September 28, 1999.

Dear Lori, There is here in the Uk a saying that when it comes to starting a successful business,you have already failed at two others earlier.

This was true for us.Our third ,a handcraft now earns us a living.. just but we still eat carrot soup from time to time.We are supposed to be one of the best at what we do but that doesn't always pay the bills.

I think if I was just starting again,I would think really hard about the following.

1.Few small primary manufacturers make much money.Less than 15% of crafts people ever earn a living.Most supplement earnings by teaching skill seminars etc or have taken early retirement with a pension etc etc.

2.If you are self employed you do not always have a regular income yet the bills come in regularly.

3.Depending on the type of business it may be normal to give say 30 day credit terms.That can mean you have outlaid money 2 months before you get it back...that's if the customer pays on time.We work on the basis of 4 weeks for manufacture & 4 weeks credit.

4.Look very carefully at the COST of selling.If,in order to sell,you have to visit the customer at his place of business then you need a vehicle,money & time.Time away from what you do is double time ! Customers do not like heavy freight costs even if you are selling lead weights.Packaging can be very expensive esp decorative packaging. Tip.Look at mass produced packaging then size your product around the packaging.

5.Try to analyse where your customers are located.How easy will it be for you to sell to them?Will they all speak English.

The aim is to choose an occupation where the costs & risks are minimised.ie. Customers pay predominantly in cash They come to you. Competition is minimal. There are enough local customers to allow you to earn a living.Again an odd statistic that stuck in my mind was that a small shop needs a shopping population of 12000 to itself.ie.A town of 36,000 people will only support a max of 5 pet shops at most.

In Y2K times I would also look at something where consumption of raw materials/overheads & capital requirements were minimal.eg.basically you sell a skill or knowledge(Teaching) or even fresh water if you have a well. If you have a computer, printer & generator maybe you could work from home typing letters etc.You can bet that many existing businesses of this kind will not be able to operate without power.Just buy in enough fuel,ribbons,paper & envelopes.You could then branch into a bicycle delivery service !!

Good luck but think really hard before deciding.

-- Chris (griffen@globalnet.co.uk), September 28, 1999.

SELL-FILTERED=WATER.

-- GOD gives clues. (dogs@zianet.com), September 28, 1999.

I'm 48 next month, I've had my own small business since 1977. Lori, it _is hard, but it is harder for me to even consider peeing into someone's cup, someone telling me how to cut my hair or beard, someone telling me I _must get up and go to work. Yes, the bills often come in before the money. I just hope I can continue, and have laid in plans for a less physically strenuous business which is very post-y2k compatable, bad or good scene.

Bee keeping is another of the Produce Food busnesses.

-- Mitchell Barnes (spanda@inreach.com), September 28, 1999.

Al-d! You actually wrote something intelligent!

-- BiGG (supersite@acronet.net), September 28, 1999.