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A Fin24 user seeks advice on how to start small with green events and eventually expand. She writes:
I would like to know what steps to follow in getting started with my business.
I want to start my own green party venue for children and baby showers, eventually hosting corporate functions, moving into farm and petting zoos, tea gardens and safe learning through play.
Play places would cater for children from the ages of six months to 14/15 years.
Business development consultant Anton Ressel responds:
The green sector is still in its infancy here in SA, so growth potential is considerable.
For me, the starting point would be to develop a business scenario/concept outline (as a precursor to a proper business plan).
In this, you can scope out market potential, target markets, define the offering a bit more clearly, identify potential suitable sites for such a venture, look at staffing needs, think about how you will charge for the different services on offer, etc.
This does not need to be in great detail, just a document to help crystallise your thoughts and get something concrete down on paper.
The next step would be to share it with a business development specialist and get their feedback as to whether the idea is viable or not.
If yes, you would develop that into a proper business plan and go looking for funding and if not, you may need to go back to the drawing board and refine it further until it makes sense.
Remember too that starting small is often a good strategy in a venture like this, as you have indicated.
Trying to manage multiple revenue streams is very challenging and you would probably be better served focusing on one or maybe two elements initially, such as childrens' parties.
Good luck!
- Fin24
Share your experience of setting up a business or simply ask a question. Our business panel can put you on the right path.
I would like to know what steps to follow in getting started with my business.
I want to start my own green party venue for children and baby showers, eventually hosting corporate functions, moving into farm and petting zoos, tea gardens and safe learning through play.
Play places would cater for children from the ages of six months to 14/15 years.
Business development consultant Anton Ressel responds:
The green sector is still in its infancy here in SA, so growth potential is considerable.
For me, the starting point would be to develop a business scenario/concept outline (as a precursor to a proper business plan).
In this, you can scope out market potential, target markets, define the offering a bit more clearly, identify potential suitable sites for such a venture, look at staffing needs, think about how you will charge for the different services on offer, etc.
This does not need to be in great detail, just a document to help crystallise your thoughts and get something concrete down on paper.
The next step would be to share it with a business development specialist and get their feedback as to whether the idea is viable or not.
If yes, you would develop that into a proper business plan and go looking for funding and if not, you may need to go back to the drawing board and refine it further until it makes sense.
Remember too that starting small is often a good strategy in a venture like this, as you have indicated.
Trying to manage multiple revenue streams is very challenging and you would probably be better served focusing on one or maybe two elements initially, such as childrens' parties.
Good luck!
- Fin24
Share your experience of setting up a business or simply ask a question. Our business panel can put you on the right path.
