My friends and I want to start up a coffee shop/tanning salon...where do we begin? Any suggestions??

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.





I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal %26amp; Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.





Associations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.





Research, research, research 鈥?this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:





Coffee Shop Specific:


* Ultimate Guide to Specialty Retail: How to Start a Cart, Kiosk or Store -- by Patricia Norins


* Start and Run a Coffee Bar by Tom Matzen, Marybeth Harrison


* Coffee Basics: A Quick and Easy Guide by Kevin Knox


* How to Open a Financially Successful Coffee, Espresso %26amp; Tea Shop by Elizabeth Godsmark


* ESPRESSO! Starting and Running Your Own Specialty Coffee Business by Joe Monaghan





Tanning Salon Specific:


* Spa Business Strategies: A Plan for Success by Janet M. D'Angelo


* SalonOvations' Day Spa Operations (S Business Series) by Erica Miller


* Start Your Own Hair Salon and Day Spa by Eileen Figure Sandlin


* 101 Media and Marketing Tips for Salon Owners, Stylists and Managers by Nanette Miner





There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.





Hope that helps! I wish you much success %26amp; happiness in all your ventures!My friends and I want to start up a coffee shop/tanning salon...where do we begin? Any suggestions??
Go to coffee shops and tanning salons and talk to the owners and have a look at the things you like and want to have in yours.


Start out small.


Agree on everything in writing with your friends before you invest any money in anything.


Don't forget location-location-location!My friends and I want to start up a coffee shop/tanning salon...where do we begin? Any suggestions??
You might want to look into buying an already existing coffee shop. These are fun and relaxed businesses to own, however the profit margin is low. If you can find a coffee shop that is already running, has customers, and is generating profit, you might be better off than starting from scratch. There is a listing of coffee shops for sale at the following link:





http://www.acquireo.com/Search/SearchDisplayResults.aspx?key=coffee%26amp;op=LF4+WmMRKwSr5G5bws79Ag==%26amp;lo=%26amp;tl=rNFhMt805GNVD37jmRASDQ==%26amp;pmin=rNFhMt805GNVD37jmRASDQ==%26amp;pmax=rNFhMt805GNVD37jmRASDQ==%26amp;cat=%26amp;mile=rNFhMt805GNVD37jmRASDQ==%26amp;hom=rNFhMt805GNVD37jmRASDQ==%26amp;rel=rNFhMt805GNVD37jmRASDQ==%26amp;st=VKB/2/FJBcTgLCtfdvwTpg==
well first thing you need to do is a make a business plan, and then find a way to finance it. It sounds like a really interesting venture. I hope it will work out for you guys!!!!