World crisis....would you start your own business?

It is tha same here in Greece. Lots of paperwork. If you want, go and do it. Paperwork is not a reason to give up. If you think you can be succesful, DO IT! Do you think handmade jewelry can turn a profit? Knowing a craft is good, but here in Greece it is hard to make good money.

Paperwork is not the biggest problem. For a few extra cash you can pay a lawyer to take care of them. Recently our government changed the law related to taxes. For example, some years ago if someone had a business he was not supposed to pay for health assurance. It was something optional, not mandatory. Now since they've changed the law everyone should pay some amount of money for health but all the people who chosed years ago not to pay now have to pay for all those years when they didn't.

That does not affect you since you will be starting now. Right?

that sounds like it could work, as you have experience in that area. my feeling is, though my experience of customer behaviour is restricted to the uk, but my feeling is that where a product has a brand name attached to it then its hard to sell a similar product cheaper, because of brand loyalty. but if its the sort of product that people are just looking for the cheapest option, then it should work. i think that when people can assess the quality of a product by looking at it or touching it, they will be happy to make an assessment of quality compared to price, but when its got a lot of packaging and they can't easily assess product quality before buying, they will go for the known brand. but there are always people who will just look at the price and buy the cheapest, so it sounds to me like it could work. it probably also depends on how important quality is for a product, as some products differ more in quality than others. good luck!

I thought of that too, because of sites like Groupon.com. But not promote hotels, vacation or spas. Cash is hard to be found nowadays. So, as you say, I could make deals with local producers and give them what they can't find. CASH! And I don't even have to buy the products, I could just make the deal and have somenone else deliver them (a store). I would just get the commision. I also have an idea that requires cash also and making a good deal to get a good price. I would like your opinion on that. I am talking about specialization (one product). This product has great consumption alla year round and larger in the summer. It is cheap to produce and cheap to buy, even for the final customer. Making a good deal means that you get extra packages as a bonus. And when I say extra it means even a whole truck! That's how cheap it is to produce. I know that through my experience in supermarkets. I am thinking of investing in that idea and the previous. That would mean a lot of PR and running around and the result would be (hopefully) taking over the market in my area just for that product. My goal is to have a small profit for each item/unit and have a lot of customers and activity. If I achieve that, I can sell fast and get my money back for the next deal. And the best time to start would be early in the Spring. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

Thanks for the info. The product I am referring to, is not of a specific brand. I can make a deal with any company, cheap or known brand. That's up to me. I can even have 2 brands(cheap-known brand), but I do not think that is the way to go. One product, one solution, since it will be very cheap to buy and sell. I have been thinking about this idea for a long time, but now world crisis makes life difficult. I know that in business there is not a right time to start, you just start working hard.

Good ideas but I would reduce the work effort to make money. I am not lazy, just thinking of the time involved.

Yes, I too believe that opportunities rise at times like this. I have a very good amount to start, but I am looking for a ood idea. I have a lot of experience in traditional commerce. I know services is a good way to go, but...what kind of services? That is an answer I don't have. Any ideas?