Food Business right at the Garage -- Opening Soon!
By jureathome
@jureathome (5361)
Philippines
February 8, 2013 1:23am CST
I've decided, I don't want to go back working in the office, and would rather work online if there is a good job available. At the same time, we've thought of opening a mini-restaurant at a good location which is targeted to Class B and C customers. However, since I don't have much experience in running such business, I thought of starting small by selling food at home, and have ample space for 3-4 tables for customers to eat if they want to dine in. By the way, this home business is quite common here in the Philippines, although, it may sound odd for people from other countries.
So, we will have a little construction job to do to put up the display table and other stuff at the garage. Actually, it'll be at my sister's apartment and she won't be using the garage space, so she agreed that I'd give my share on the rental and utilities, so I can use the garage for business.
I hope all will flow smoothly well, and in time, we'd be ready to compete on the business streets.
2 people like this
10 responses
@ARIES1973 (11426)
• Legaspi, Philippines
8 Feb 13
That is a good business venture that you started out jureathome. Good luck and best wishes.
People would love to stay on places where there is wifi so please add this into your consideration. I am also planning of having such kind of business in the future. A small internet shop, with an area where customers can take their snacks and something like that.
I know that with my present work, there is no way for me to get earn better so I am doing my best to save to start my own business also.
1 person likes this
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
9 Feb 13
That's right, when I start the mini-restaurant, I'd have that wifi idea as one of the features. I'd be needing it, too, anyway. Thanks for the tip.
Entrepreneurship is really the way to succeed, and not being employed for years and years.
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
9 Feb 13
Yes, food business nowadays is profitable.
My sister also put up a snack house in the front yard of our parents house, where they live in a compound, their house at the back part of the compound.
Since then, it has boomed in our place and has now became the most famous snack house in our town. She serves pancit, lomi , bijon and other snack foods. People would as early as 8 am come to the snack house and eat.
They have to expand the area and put more tables and chairs. But my sister prefers that the customers just order take-out foods, because they don't have to wash dishes that they will use.
Go for it my friend, it's a good business. Just make the foods affordable but delicious.
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
11 Feb 13
I really do hope I'd get the same luck or blessings as your sister. I believe she was also very passionate about her stuff to have succeeded that, right.
I hope I could the help I need in terms of workforce and support. I have not been into any business, aside from my short term RTW online shop. So, this will be my first and I'm a bit nervous how it'll turn out. I am the type who fears to fail, but I guess we learn when we fail.
@lynboobsy11 (11343)
• Philippines
8 Feb 13
Good luck to your new business, I have the same business 2 years ago when I still have space in my previous house I rented. Actually it's trial and error only to test the market in our street. I already have a mini store and at the same time I manage to test if selling cooked food will be also be successful. At first month it was fine but problems still occur, it is very hard to compete in prices and how to make the food delicious and sell it and earn. More advantage like in your place since you said you have a garage that you can put some table and chairs. Success in the business needs more strategy and creativity. Good luck!
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
11 Feb 13
Good thing, in that area, noone else is selling cooked food yet. So, I got to do this fast and be the first. I have trust in my cooking skill, although, it's not the master chef level, but home cooking type. I do want to study culinary arts once my new nanny gets better with handling the kids and is more reliable.
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
8 Feb 13
I don't think that it sounds odd. In fact, I think that it makes quite a bit of sense. What prevents many small food-related ventures in the U.S., though, are the laws. The laws tend to be skewed in this country to favor large-scale food production.
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
9 Feb 13
I say it's odd, because I know it's not a common sight to see a food stall at a garage in the US or in other countries. But, here, it's something that one can put up easily, because it doesn't really involve a big investment, it all depends on how many you want to serve and how big you plan it to be.
@airasheila (5454)
• Philippines
8 Feb 13
good day jureathome,
with reference to your post, well, that is a good idea. having been resourceful in some ways plus maximizing what you have got at the moment. if only i can visit you in your place and dine-in at your mini-restaurant then i would definitely do it. plus, if i can apply myself to be a partner of your business then it will be more grateful. goodluck on your new endeavor. cheers. 
@airasheila (5454)
• Philippines
9 Feb 13
hi there jureathome,
no im just kidding, please don't be upset. i know that i can also do the same thing here at my end. wishing you goodluck on your new endeavor.
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
11 Feb 13
No, I'm not upset. I'm sure you can do whatever you want wherever you are right now. With God's grace, we can reach our dreams and goals in life. Be happy!
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
9 Feb 13
A business partner, huh! Oh, you can always put up your own business, wherever you are, my friend. Thanks for the response.
@vernaC (1491)
• Romania
8 Feb 13
You know what, I realize that we are lucky in Philippines because we can put up small business without government taxes or charges or other requirements that would go after on a small business. Here in Romania, even for an online store, they would go after that, tracking down and asking for permits and fees. Well, goodluck on your business.
.@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
9 Feb 13
For this business, I would still file for business licenses and permits, because I have plans of growing big. This will just be my first steps.
Online businesses have to get permits, over there?!
That's absurd. Probably, for bigger investments and profits, it's just right for them to pay taxes, but for small time earners, they should just cut them some slack.
That's absurd. Probably, for bigger investments and profits, it's just right for them to pay taxes, but for small time earners, they should just cut them some slack. @jalucia (1431)
• United States
8 Feb 13
You're right. This does sound a little strange... your sister having a restaurant at her apartment. Again, I envy you. You don't see this type of small business in the States. The closest I've seen are people who sell candy, icees or one or two food items through their door or window. But you can't go in their house and sit down and eat it.
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
9 Feb 13
Yeah, I know it sounds odd, but this is really a common sight around here. As long as you have ample space in a way that you won't block driveways and streets, then you just have to get a stable display counter where to put the food so customers can see it. Then a couple tables for those who wants to dine in. You don't really expect a lot of diners, because its a residential place and they have their own houses, so most of the time they just stop to buy food to go.
@jazel_juan (15746)
• Philippines
8 Feb 13
wow goodluck with that sis! food business is always good especially if your price is competitive and the taste is great. 
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
9 Feb 13
My plan is to serve 2 categories of food. There will be those that are common and more affordable, and I would also have a couple viands that are special and something that is not easily cooked at home, and would be a bit pricey but worth it.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
8 Feb 13
My mother in law used to tell me to put up a business like that. But as usual, it all turn into dust coz of a lot of "mocking birds" around.
That is one good business. Coz if you cook real great then, a lot of people will surely come to your place. Good luck!
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
9 Feb 13
And, the good thing is there is noone else having the same business nearby. So, the market is free from competition. I got to get right on it, before somebody else does.
I think my cooking is good enough. I just have to adjust it to a commercial level so that I won't end up at a loss.
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
8 Feb 13
if you want to really start small and easy since this is your first time, it's better to just have take out, no dining at all. that way, you're not monitoring diners who might leave without paying or take off with the cutlery. you don't need to wash anything, provide drinking water, wipe tables, sweep trash and dispose them. if you only stick to take out, you only pay for space and setting up and packing up is much easier. don't feel the need to maximize all that space, because it starts a chain reaction. it means more expenses, more things to do, more stress.
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
9 Feb 13
Hhmmm..that's a good point. I can start with just food to go, and then when I see the need to put up some tables, then I can work on it later. There's actually a wholesale business a couple houses away, and there are many deliveries everyday to that place, so I thought, those drivers and delivery crew can stop by our place to eat once their done with their stuff. I can only expect passersby to dine in, because neighbors would surely just take the food to their own homes.
