It may be a hobby, passion, indulgence, interest or whatever.... but the moment you turn it into a career, ie a business, you can no longer treat it as such.

from an idea u need to turn it into a business model. from a biz model to turn it into a biz plan. from a biz plan u need to turn it into a biz startup. from a start up u need to turn it into a biz operation. being a biz operation u need to turn a profit. above all else u must make sure that income generated will be able to sustain your subsistence (salary, expenses & such) and at the same time to be able to keep the biz afloat as well as grow and later to expand.

first cardinal rule.... it no longer a hobby, interest, indulgence or whatever... it is a business. none of the items are yours anymore... you need to detach yourself from the merchandise and your ultimate goal will have to be profit.

if u are really serious... here are the steps u need to undertake (this is just a simplified guide):


Step 1 - research

what is ur core business
what are ur products
what segment is your market
who are your customer (age, sex, income level)
what can your customer afford
who are your competitors
what will be your market share

Step 2 - biz model

where do u want set up
how big is your operation
what are your channels of distribution
what are your channels of marketing
how much you are ready to invest

Step 3 - Financial plan

u need to draw project all the cost and expenses that u might incur to start and operate the biz.

a. Start up cost including deposit for rentals, company registration, stock purchase, renovation of premise, advertising, etc.
b. projected itemised monthly cost... how much to be spent on salary, rent, utilities, stationeries, maintenance, etc.
taking all these into accounts you'll be able to calculate the amount required for startups and cash in hand to remain operational for at least 2-5 years.

total all this up and u'll have a figure that u need to have to make this hobby your career. then decide whether u have that much moeny or where to get them. if u r going to get loan, put the repayment instalment into your cost too.
u need to do a 5 years management account. including projected monthly cash flow, proforma profit & loss, balance sheet, and projected income statement.

after all this is done... you'll be able to see whether its feasible or not whether u'll be able to turn a profitor go bust... whether to be a business man or a salary-earning coolie.

if ur serious, give it a try, run the numbers and try it on for size. there are many other factors to consider to (ie rising interest rate, inflation rate, changing taste and fluctuation in demand, rising rate of wages, rental, etc)

or if u got the money, i can do all the above for u for a fee.... stop whining and wastte all our members time oredi... why dont u put your money where ur mouth is.