What business can I start that requires practical/technical skills?

Question

I'm interested in starting my own business, but I'm quite stumped on the types of businesses I could start up. I like to be practical and I also have a lot of technical skills. I don't mind risk/danger.

Does anyone have any ideas, or know where to look for ideas?

Answer 1

The biggest challenge for any business is rarely practical and technical skills.  It's usually keeping positive cashflow and making a profit.  The best way to do this is market your business well so that you have a steady/increasing stream of customers.

You can start any kind of business you choose but you need to have an idea of the demand for your product or services and how you'll make your company different from others so that people will buy from you.

It can be easier to pick something in which you have some experience so that you don't have to worry too much about the technical side of it and you can concentrate on marketing it.  Say you're a good photographer, set up a professional photography business.  You may choose to be a family photographer and your difference is that instead of bringing families to your studio, you visit them in their own homes, where they're more comfortable.  You'd market in places where families gather, say at nursery schools and playgroups.

Once of the best places for helping you sort out what's needed to run a business is Business Link.  They offer lots of free help and advice for you even when you're just thinking of starting up, including a one day seminar on starting in business.

I've run my own companies for over 10 years and run businesses for other people before that.  It's not always easy but if you have the commitment to it and market well the rewards are extremely satisfying.

Good luck!