Help, What Should I Do???

i think it'd be good for you to go to school

you'd be a good asset in a business program - with your experience of starting up a company and everything

 

I have thought of going to school for so long too, I just always put the business first. But I know I should go to school, it would probably be best for the long haul.

 

While I can’t imagine anyone voluntarily moving from Florida to Tennessee, If you feel more comfortable and at ease back home in Tennessee, than by all means move back home before the money runs out (and the hurricane season begins)


Hotwater

 

Tennessee is a good state, I like it there

 

Haha I always find it funny how people feel about Tennessee, they usually think it is a horrible state, and though it has it's troubles (which one doesn't?) It is really a nice place overall. Low cost of living, good job market, great colleges, and the best mexican restaurant in America. haha

 

I think it sounds pretty...to me, it sounds like soft green fields to be comfortable in.

 

And I say tennesee southern style in my head.

 

Here's the deal.

1. Don't let what other people think of you influence your decision at all.
2. If they choose to look down on you or judge you badly, who really cares.
3. All businesses take time to get going. If you are not sure about going back, stick it out. At least, give it one tourist season. That way, if you still want to go back afterwards, you can do it without any doubts. At least you'll know that you have tried.

Good luck!

 

Thanks red. The thing is, i suppose it isn't that I am unsure of going back...it's more that I am unsure of staying. I think there is a difference anyway. haha I do want to add one mistake I made on my part, well kind of anyway...I DID save spare money to hold me up until I got things going, but I didn't really save as much as I should. But I had semi good reason: I was aware that February and March are two of the busiest months here, and I assumed that if need be, I could still take a job in the week to tide me over in the meantime.

I had no idea that nobody would be hiring and that the business was going to come slower than everybody expected. I guess I really did plan forward, but I got hit with several circumstances that just push you back a bit. It happens, I know.

Now I just have to fighure out what to do next.

 

It doesn't matter what we think, what matters is already in your heart. Go and sit and think. You already know what you need to do. Your heart is in Tennessee, that's plain to see.

 

Thank you Amanda.

 

Tomorrow starts Speed week and I will be open every day. I "should" make really good money for the next ten days, so we'll see. Worst case scenario, I will have some extra cash for the move back if that's what I decide to do.

 

Well, I have read all this thread and it really hit close to my own past.


I have made almost any mistake a business person could make, so do not interpret this as griping you out.

I could have just as easily be taking to myself several years ago.

You did not do your market research.

Talking to people and getting opinions is only one small part of market research.

You did not verify the opinions with facts. You see in less than 5 minetes, on the internet, I can pull up the demographics on Daytona Beach, Florida (or any other shit hole in America).

With that I can tell you the average age of the people living there. The Unemployment rate and the average cost of renting or buying a place there.

I can also pull up trends in tourism and the demographics involved in them. It is easy to find out if tourism is going up or down.

So you screwed up on that. No big deal, you know you are in a shit hole.

The issue is not that you cant turn business around, you can. But you will have to change your business model and focus on the older market. You do not want to do this.

Besides you do not like living there, so what is the point?

What will other people think of you if you return to Tennessee?

That is none of your business!

You are in life for you and not others. What other people think of you is irrelevant.

You need to regroup and go back to your base. The cost of living is cheaper there and if you need a job you can get one.

Get a job to pay bills and recover, then focus on an internet strategy for you business. The market is there if you are willing to find it.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is cut your losses and move on. But it is one of the wisest things you can do.

Do not quit on your business idea. It is the location that did not work, not the business.

 

Thanks. The truth is, it isn't the business that's the problem, or even the location....I am selling to a very niched market. The thing is, the locals are very into the item I am selling, so yes, my research did pay off there. They eat my business up. But they are not enough to support the business long term. Truth be told, I always knew that I would carry more eventually than I am selling now. I am not the least bit concerned about the business failing or succeeding, because I know that if I stuck with it, I would make it work.

This thread really has nothing to do with the business at all truthfully, it is just one of many details. I did check my demographics, you must think I am a rookie in this business. I did much more than just ask around, and everything pointed to the market I located in. I Found the total number of visitors to the market each year, and I can see that all that is true. The main trouble is, many of those visitors don't buy, from me or anyone. They are mostly retired, and many of them only come to browse.

I could spur extra sales with a demographics shift in my business plan, but I still would not take in as much as I expected, even with a neverending supply of cash flow.

However, I did the math today and in order for me to reach the personal salary goals I have set for myself over the course of the next four years, I would have to quadruple my sales, which would be nearly impossible. I can much easier go to college and make TWICE that goal after four years.

Overall though, like I said, this isn't really about the business, it's that I am not happy here at all, I hate the area so much, and I shouldn't waste time here if I am not happy. I can do at least as well on the business in TN if I carry it back there, and I know the market upside down there.

But in my defense, I did months of research on the area and the market itself, wrote and REwrote the business plan accordingly, and all signs pointed to this being the right area for me. My own boss who has been in the industry for over 20 years, and is very familiar with Daytona, was willing to bet his life on this being the perfect place for my business.

I understand and appreciate your help, I just hate to be told I didn't do my research, because anyone who knows me would tell you that I probably do TOO MUCH research. I never just jump into a situation blindly. I could not have possibly learned more about this area than I did, and sometimes you have to admit, no amount of internet information can compare to the real thing.

Thank you though.

 

If it isn't going as you say get back from where you comed, you can go to college and than try to make your own buissnis that's what I'd do.

 

I wanted to thank anyone again who has posted thus far, you have ALL helped me in some form or another, and I appreciate it. I am about 70/30 in my opinion right now-leaning in favor of going back home. It's funny, but I still call TN home. I just feel like I am on a sort of an extended leave here, like I don't really belong.

That was what I was trying to convey all along, everyone has a "somewhere", a place where they just fit better, and for me, that is TN. I just want to be happy, and at least now if I do go back, I will know that I gave it a shot. I will not regret my decision to come here, and hopefully would not regret my decision to go back.

Thank you all.

-Anthony

 

An update. I found another market down in Fort Lauderdale that I could consider, to move the business down there and give it a try. It is supposed to be very busy, but then, so was this one, so....

Either way, I don't think it would solve the big problem that I really miss home, and think I should go to school if I can find a way to afford it. Besides Ft. Lauderdale is beautiful, but as bad as Daytona Beach is when it comes to the crime, so I probably wouldn't be improving my situation much to go down there.

I am considering it, but I still think I need to go back to TN., and it sounds like that's what everyone thinks as well. Any ideas on this new market, should I give it a try?

 

I might just be really screwed now. I called my exboss today and he already hired another girl, but he is trying to move her to another store and make room for me. The painting job I mentioned before is still on the table but is not going to be guaranteed monthly pay, I am afraid. There will be times where I will make alot of money, but others where I might not be doing so good.

I am really nervous about this, I think I fucked up everything around me and all I want os to go back and undo it all and start over.