Thread: Potential Business

Hello all. I have a few questions for those willing to tell. I have been discussing with a close friend of mine about opening a small...I don't want to say night club, but that's kind of what it is, in the FL area. We haven't looked too much into the actual physical details about it, but we have tons and tons of ideas that would easily fit into any situation. I can create a business plan in a heartbeat with the information we have come up with, but what I need to know, is where do I start to be able to make this a reality?

Quick back-story on us to get an idea, both of us are heavily into the upper class car scene, enjoy going downtown to the lounges to sit back, we enjoy everything the same and any time disagree on anything are able to compromise to make it work for either of us. I am 22, went through school to receive an associates degree for auto repair, but took a course in business management where we had to create mock business plans. Everyone else did there's as pretend, but I'm 99% sure if I were to take my plans to sponsors I would own a company by now. He is about 24 and only took basic courses. We always talk about opening a place, but neither one of us have the capitol to put down and we already know because of our ages no one will take us seriously. Which is the reason we haven't done anything.

Were looking to open a place to come to, to have a good time. An upstairs lounge area to hangout, as well as a downstairs dance floor for those who want to. Dress code in effect, but not overly strict. And many more plans.

Because we currently live in Springfield IL, there is absolutely no chance of even trying to start anything here, where would I start to look to find out how to open this place in FL? Also, where should I search for vendors for the supplies, I know the companies around here, (I work for a soda vendor currently) and know our alcohol vendors here, but I don't know any there. Also, what would be the correct way to approach banks to fund us? Neither of us have the lucky rich uncle scenario that most start ups seem to have the luxury of. Were looking to start small, to get our foot in the door, and once established become larger-but not huge.

Thanks in advance.

There is a whole lot that goes into creating an establishment that allows alcohol. Health codes, fire codes, insurance costs, liability, security ect. There are plenty of guys on here than have a lot of experience creating or promoting/ running clubs and i'm sure they will agree with me when I say "do some serious research."

It's always good to dream big but when you say "We haven't looked too much into the actual physical details about it, but we have tons and tons of ideas" it worries me haha. Find the owner of a local club/ bar and talk to him about all the costs and little things that go into something like this. Im sure the amount of information you will receive will quickly ground you and make you re-evaluate the idea.

(by the way, Im at UofI right now, if you ever are up here let me know)

Florida is pretty competitive in regards to Night Clubs. For a start up, unless it has a high capital or prime property (one comes with the other) you will be in some tight competition and dare I say possibly run out of business.

Have you thought about opening up something in Illinois? Heck, how about a Teen club, they seem to be doing pretty well. I've spoken with the owner of a teen club in the area and he said the turn outs are pretty high on weekends. And on the off days you can rent the space out for other activities. It is lower risk etc.

This is assuming you have a source of money. Otherwise, night clubs are expensive to get into and to maintain.

Originally Posted by EuroTech500

Hello all. I have a few questions for those willing to tell. I have been discussing with a close friend of mine about opening a small...I don't want to say night club, but that's kind of what it is, in the FL area. We haven't looked too much into the actual physical details about it, but we have tons and tons of ideas that would easily fit into any situation. I can create a business plan in a heartbeat with the information we have come up with, but what I need to know, is where do I start to be able to make this a reality?

Quick back-story on us to get an idea, both of us are heavily into the upper class car scene, enjoy going downtown to the lounges to sit back, we enjoy everything the same and any time disagree on anything are able to compromise to make it work for either of us. I am 22, went through school to receive an associates degree for auto repair, but took a course in business management where we had to create mock business plans. Everyone else did there's as pretend, but I'm 99% sure if I were to take my plans to sponsors I would own a company by now. He is about 24 and only took basic courses. We always talk about opening a place, but neither one of us have the capitol to put down and we already know because of our ages no one will take us seriously. Which is the reason we haven't done anything.

Were looking to open a place to come to, to have a good time. An upstairs lounge area to hangout, as well as a downstairs dance floor for those who want to. Dress code in effect, but not overly strict. And many more plans.

Because we currently live in Springfield IL, there is absolutely no chance of even trying to start anything here, where would I start to look to find out how to open this place in FL? Also, where should I search for vendors for the supplies, I know the companies around here, (I work for a soda vendor currently) and know our alcohol vendors here, but I don't know any there. Also, what would be the correct way to approach banks to fund us? Neither of us have the lucky rich uncle scenario that most start ups seem to have the luxury of. Were looking to start small, to get our foot in the door, and once established become larger-but not huge.

Thanks in advance.

Why don't you do this now? Then go after the "club" once you have more capital.

First, I would get into the area and the industry. Real estate is cheap in south Florida, so moving there might be a worthwhile option, regardless. Find a job in something related, restaurant or bar business, so you can start meeting the local contacts and get a feel for how everything works. From there you would have a better idea of what would and wouldn't work. This all assumes that you are serious enough about this business to uproot yourself and move there. If you're not, you'll never find an investor anyway.

If you need help finding real estate in south florida, feel free to pm me

Thanks everyone for the quick replies. I've been able to check my email while at work to see the replies, and I've been thinking about them all day.

Adrenaline981- Ill have to do this, very good idea I'm surprised I hadn't come up with, I'm actually friends on FB with an owner of a club here, but never really talked to him about it. I'll have to send him a message.

KingNikan- As far as I know, we only have one around here, and from the reviews from people I know, it isn't that great, but its the only place for them to go. We want to create a place that ourselves and our friends can go to to relax, have a smoke (cigar) and a drink. I don't like to deal with high school drama, and personally cant stand the high school'ers attitudes around here.

David@MR- I've been thinking about it, but im still hesitant for the possibility of failure, I dont want to be one of those people who owe tons of money, and have nothing to show for it.

saintz- That is probably exactly what I am going to have to do. I spoke with my boss about a month ago, about how to do transfers from state to state, and he informed me its nothing more than a few mouse clicks and a moving truck. So I would be able to move there and still have a job while researching everything else I would need. And yes, as long as I can afford to live there on my own, I would move there ASAP. BUT my current situation makes me have to stick around this poor place until I get put on a delivery truck.

Originally Posted by EuroTech500

KingNikan- As far as I know, we only have one around here, and from the reviews from people I know, it isn't that great, but its the only place for them to go. We want to create a place that ourselves and our friends can go to to relax, have a smoke (cigar) and a drink. I don't like to deal with high school drama, and personally cant stand the high school'ers attitudes around here.

Why open it up in Florida? Why not do something around the area you are already? I mean if competition is low you can create the market there yourself.

there is so many "nightclubs" in florida, be careful

Originally Posted by KingNikan

Why open it up in Florida? Why not do something around the area you are already? I mean if competition is low you can create the market there yourself.

this. People want to party and enjoy themselves on a weekend no matter where they live. Night clubs don't usually have a long life span as they become "un-cool" after a while and its all about the "new" club that opened down the street. That, with the high amount of starting capital and I don't know why anyone who's not already filthy rich would want to get into night clubs.

We have a successful cigar lounge AND full bar. Only one of its kind and it seems to be doing very well as I'm on of the regulars there. However cigars are not accepted everywhere and its a love or hate type of thing. You can go to a starbucks and smoke a cigarette outside but god forbid should you light up a cigar. Like anything, it helps to know the business. How bout a car wash with cigar lounge, leather furniture and a good wine selection? That will keep out the soccer moms and bratty teens.

You'll probably need about a million at least, and with that kind of cash there are a lot more better things to do imo.