how do i start up my own business?

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x_Sammie_x

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as tital really, been doing alot of thinking, and i know the monie situation isnt exactly good at the moment and no-one is buying anything but id like to rent a yard and start up a livery business? or buy and sell horse trailers and horseboxes by doing them up (obviously to a good standard) so there safe reliable etc etc..

i know everyones dream is to have some monie in the bank and have a lovely big house but i suppose you never know untill you find out and try?

anyone got any info on this kind of thing? or is it just a "dont bother untill the market has changed"?
 
Sammie, I would say don't even consider it.

You have demonstrated quite widely on this forum that you know very little about trailers and horseboxes and I am not persuaded that your equine knowledge is that comprehensive either. So you would be starting from a position of considerable disadvantage - people with years of experience are struggling at the moment and businesses are going under every day.

In fact, even in a boom, I imagine you would find it far more challenging than you imagine.
 
Bit negative that mother_hen! As a starting point I would go to your nearest Business Link as they offer very sound advice on all things about starting a business...finances, marketing, whether the idea will work etc etc. They would be my first point of call.
 
Usually I might be more positive, but a brief scan of the OP's other posts is enough to tell me that this is a plan destined to end in disaster and financial loss.

Sometimes it is kinder to be blunt.
 
that was abit blunt and negative why is this always a constant battle for me when asking questions how the hell do you know what i do and dont know about trailers/horseboxes and horse knowledge? you dont even know me so please dont judge me!
ok me and my horse dont get on but whats that got to do with a business?

thank you pottamus thats all i asked x
 
I would say hold off. You don't sound like you really know what you want to do and both of the things you have suggested will have huge set up and marketing costs.

If you do decide to go ahead, speak to your local Business Link and make sure you have a solid business plan in place and enough money in the bank to support you until the business is making a profit.
 
Hey,

Talk to family & close friends ask them to tell you straight what they think about your plans etc, most of all listen.

If you pass that, my advise is as (Pottamus) said, Business Link.

If we all sat around, nothing would get done...you follow your dreams !

Wayne
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Thanks hun, people do start from the bottom and thats what id love to do, i love to learn new things ok im not experianced rider but that dont mean that i cant learn more!
 
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how the hell do you know what i do and dont know about trailers/horseboxes and horse knowledge? you dont even know me so please dont judge me!


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Eeeerrrrrmmm - from having tried to help you on the numerous threads you made asking about buying firstly a horsebox and then a trailer . . . . . . . .

However, you did make a profit on the trailer and if you're convinced you can do it again you could try Business Link as already suggested or possibly the Prince's Trust may have grants to help you if you are the right age.
 
There is naff all money to be made in the livery yard business unless you are top notch and have a yard full of full liveries - DIY covers your costs, but that is it if you have a very well maintained yard with very good facilities.
 
I used to work in the restuarant business and alawys enjoyed doing the Wedding functions. I worked along side Jamie Oliver in the early 90's before he was famous!
And also worked for Brian Turner.
15 years on when my kids were all doing exams and off to uni I decided that why am I using all my skills to profit my boss.
So I set up my own Catering company-Allstar Catering.
I went to the local business centre attached to the job center and they were incredibly helpful and supportive. We were introduced to other small busineses and accountants,tax advisors,advertising agents etc.
All this was free! and I applied for a grant to start me off and got £250 which I used for yell.com
In the first year I had ten small jobs and made 50% profit
Year two about 30 jobs and 60%profit
Now I am very busy with funerals, parties,Dinner parties and Weddings!
My husband quit his very very well paid career in London last year so that we could work together and have quality time now are kids are older.
Follow your dreams-it is hard work with not much reward in the early years but suddenly things take off when people hear about you etc.
Wish you all the best,don't lose sight of your ambitions and make use of Business Link
 
But surely people want a fairly experienced person as their YO?

I think the way M_H put it is quite blunt, but all you need to do is take a look through past NL threads to see that there are SOOO many things to go wrong regarding owning a livery business.
 
iv found a yard with good grazing 20 boxes flood lit mange and great hacking... i might look into it..

i did make £500 profit on my trailer and i know i can do it again iv had so meny calls and emails and i still get them even tho it says SOLD? random...

i will have a good think about them both and see what one is more likely to make money, i wouldnt buy something that i know it wont make anymonie, im not that stupid..
theres no point in being negative all the time
 
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There is naff all money to be made in the livery yard business unless you are top notch and have a yard full of full liveries - DIY covers your costs, but that is it if you have a very well maintained yard with very good facilities.

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Correct, and in order to have that yard you have to either buy it or be credible enough to rent it and manage it, be able to handle any type of horse, have more than a passing acquaintance with equine first aid, ideally have experience or qualifications in running a yard, be able to cope with a number of clients who could all be difficult in any number of ways, understand how to manage the pasture and have the finance to do so...the list of required skills is endless. Oh and get used to working up to 12 hours a day, every day of the week with no holidays until you can afford responsible staff.

If it was easy more of us would be doing it.
 
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But surely people want a fairly experienced person as their YO?

I think the way M_H put it is quite blunt, but all you need to do is take a look through past NL threads to see that there are SOOO many things to go wrong regarding owning a livery business.

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like iv said whats wrong with learning? everyone starts somewhere dont they?
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or am i THAT wrong?
 
Its not your horses though. You will be dealing with others horses and therefore if you mess up whilst learning (we all do it) then you could open yourself up for some serious legal action being taken against you.

Everyone does have to start somewhere but buying a yard with 20 boxes is rather jumping in at the deep end!

I hope you do get to do what you want in the end, but start small and get lots of experience first.
 
thanks canasta and well done for getting where you are now!for the livery thing YES i would take a college course etc to make sure i am good enough for that kind of work..
as for the 12 hours aday LOL i worked 14 hours a day days and nights for a few years so im pretty sure i will be fine!
 
Ive been following this thread and now need to jump in!

I dont think a 20 box yard is a good starting point and I certainly wouldnt wont to keep my horse at livery with an inexperienced YO/YM.
Maybe see if you can get a job at a yard and work along side the manager to get some experience.
 
If its your dream , go for it .
Yes you may no make a profit but if this is what you want to do YOU will do your hardest to make it work right ??
Its always been my dream to own and run my own livery yard and thats what im going to do
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Even though im 14 ive got big dreams haha.
My advise is you only live once,,, go for it
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TBH I think you would be better off sticking with the trailers (assuming your recent success wasn't just a one off).

If you take on a livery yard you will have enormous fixed costs which you will be liable for regardless of how many liveries you have, and you would also have to bear in mind that there is no way you would be able to fill those 20 boxes immediately.

To my mind you would be insane to consider it, especially with your lack of experience. In fact you would be a bankruptcy waiting to happen.
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Why don't you sit down and work out a realistic cash flow for the yard based on 50% occupancy? Remember to factor in all the insurance, cost of loans and a decent contingency.
 
Can i just ask (not been funny im just curious) how does a yard owner get experiance running a yard if they never have ??
Just alot of you are saying this and im rather confused atm haha
 
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iv found a yard with good grazing 20 boxes flood lit mange and great hacking... i might look into it..


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Where is this yard as location is important if you wish to fill it.
I would also say start off smaller, 20 boxes is a lot -
Can you cover the rent on the yard when it isnt full for example?
Can you afford to advertise your new yard?
Have you looked into muck removal costs?
Do you have a supplier for all your hay/ straw?

All of the above and much more needs to be looked into before you seriously consider it.
 
right ok seeing as the livery business looks like its not a good idea to you lot even though in a couple of post iv said id take courses etc obviously thats not good enough id do the trailers and horseboxes
iv got a damn good mec (my bf lol) and i know someone that can do the body work etc so i think i might think about that one insted then
 
Starting from scratch with little experience of the industry or business is always going to be tricky and if you need to loan money the banks will see this as a bit of a negative...but it can be done...it requires hard work and passion but it can be done. If it goes wrong then so be it as we have all learnt by a mistake or too and so long as you can financially make a mistake then it is not too bad...just hurts the pocket and pride!
 
By doing a BHS stable managers course plus experience of working on yards, studs, veterinary yards or other premises in a lower position - or maybe by years of experience with their own horses if they have been breeders or run a string of competition horses - a successful name can give you credibility.
 
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theres no point in being negative all the time

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I was giving ADVICE and being realistic, NOT negative. I was managing a livery yard at 16, I have been part of livery yards since I was 12, I do know what I am talking about, and the facts are as they are, there is very little money in it.

ETS: Decent insurance alone runs at £2k+ per year iirc.
 
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