Own business spin-off - if you could do anything, what would you do

[JessieBird]

Krikets post about opening a store got me thinking...I'm just curious to hear some crazy creative ideas. If you could be your own boss and start any new business, what would it be? Just day-dreaming, not necessarily realistic or possible.

I would love to teach women-only woodworking classes in my own workshop that has (hypothetically) huge garage doors that we could open up and work partly outside. We'd pick one project such as a coffee table and go source out reclaimed lumber and then build them from start to finish, learning different skills along the way. All while drinking delicious lattes and eating home-baked gooey treats of course. Wouldn't that be awesome? (till someone looses a finger...)

[Caneel]

I would definately take that class!

Mine would be a combo wine bar/cooking school. A place for friends/family to get together, some could sit around this giant island while the one who were so inclided could work at preparing an array of appet or a meal.

Almost like going to someone's really fantastic, huge dream kitchen with great equipment with a gourment chef to teach them how to turn out great, yet simple food.

Oh, my kitchen/bar/restaurant would have acres of white veined marble with huge windows looking out to the garden.

[darcytrue]

I would want a bakery. although being self-employed doesn't really appeal to me. My DH owns his business and its 24/7 for him and its not easy.

[AllisonR]

Jessie, sign me up for the class too. I'd love it. FWIW: I did a paper making class in my basement once. Casual, lots of laughter and coffee drinking.

You can do it. Maybe you could test the waters first? Here there is a big organization that offers classes for adults - everything from yoga to sewing to basic guitar to wood carving. They offer the buildings and major supplies, the advertisement.... and you do the class and split the profits with them.

[AllisonR]

Oops - I forgot to answer the question.

I would paint full-time. With 30-40 hours a week I could not only paint, but get to all the galleries, send out promotional pieces, smooze.... all the business crap that I dislike but is so necessary. Right now I am trying to do this, plus hold down a full time job, care for my 2 and 5 yo, DH, the house.... to say I am STRESSED is an understatement.

[tjlucca]

I would write. Free lance, books. Traveling the world and unschooling my babes in the process. What an amazing life!!

[simplemama32]

I would write and take pictures. I'd love to have a gorgeous, airy converted-barn photography studio with natural light pouring in everywhere...and I'd also love to do some sort of on-site photography like birth-story photography or travel photography.

I also think it would be so much fun to have an annual junk market/antique fair somewhere on our property...and opening up my own bookshop would be pretty great, too. One of those cozy, old-fashioned bookstores with creaky wooden floors and lots of character.

Yeah, I've got tons of dreams, just no guts to follow through with them! ;-)

[alicia622]

I would love to have a fancy bakery with amazing cakes.

[JessieBird]

Mmmm...those are awesome ideas! And all of them artistic, which is so cool. (I'm including the cooks of course!)

AllisonR, I'm a painter too! Today is my last day of mat leave before going back to my office job and I have to get off the computer to finish up a big commission before finding time to paint becomes impossible again.

Caneel, I know of a place just like that in Ottawa. It is called The Urban Element on Parkdale Ave. If you google those details, it'll come up. I went to a wedding reception there once and it was fantastic. The entertainment was watching all the top chefs prepare the tapas and chatting with them as they worked. Great concept!

Ooh, I am so inspired. I love my office job but hope to return to self employment in 6-12 months once DH's new business is generating steady income. I'm trying to be patient but it's hard!

[Caneel]

Originally Posted by JessieBird

Caneel, I know of a place just like that in Ottawa. It is called The Urban Element on Parkdale Ave. If you google those details, it'll come up. I went to a wedding reception there once and it was fantastic. The entertainment was watching all the top chefs prepare the tapas and chatting with them as they worked. Great concept!

I couldn't look at their site (something with my computer) but I read about it on the Ottawa tourism website.

What an awesome place! And in a converted firehouse too.

I like to cook and experiment. Most of my friends are so intimidated by anything culinary and say things like "oh I could never make this" when it was actually a very simple process. I know they would love to get together for a communal wine tasting and cooking presentation.

sigh, oh to dream....

I would invite you all to hang your paintings, photos and have your coffee tables in the lobby. And the menus would be printed on homemade paper. Did I leave anyone out?

[Teenytoona]

Write, research, write, research, write... I'd love to be paid for writing what I want.

[Starr]

I would love to have a gourmet kitchen store selling kitchen products and also have it attached to a meat/ food store with different products than you would find in a grocery store. And have room to teach cooking classes.

[Poodge]

I would be a cheesemonger with my own cute little shop. I would travel the world with DH and DS learning, tasting, and picking new cheeses to sell.

[nina_yyc]

I would be a documentary filmmaker. With reasonable deadlines, LOL.

[justKate]

Wet nurse and storyteller for the tribe!