If you were given capital to build your own small business, which sort of business would you rather build?

Question

I probably would have my own grocery store considering everyone needs groceries but how about you men and women, which business would you rather have?

WhiteSteve · Accepted Answer

Of these, I’d do the gas station, if and only if it’s in a prime location and it can house a convenience store with a mini-Dunkin’ Donuts inside, and maybe an automated car-wash. There’s not much profit in selling gas, but the gas is what draws the customers in to sell them the other stuff. I know a guy with that set-up, right by a huge shopping area, it has all the aforementioned stuff plus a SubWay inside, and he makes money hand over fist.

I’ve worked in both grocery retail and in the bar business, and the profit margins just aren’t very good, your business must be excellent to succeed. And a bar staff is a nightmare to manage and keep honest.

I always wonder about strip clubs, like what the profits are. You’re basically an overpriced bar with a cover charge. I don’t know how it works with the dancers, if it’s a percentage the club takes or if that’s all for her and she’s just the hopeful draw to bring people in. I’m not really a strip club guy, but the handful I’ve been to, there’s been a $10-20 cover, and a one or two drink minimum, and the drinks were wildly pricey. So maybe your overhead is just building costs, liquor inventory, and security & management, and probably some
kind of renewing licensing. I’d need to know more.

Salons and comic book stores, I wouldn’t know what I was doing, lmao. Plus side with a salon, you can fudge your income pretty easily if customers pay cash and minimize your taxes.

t-8900 · Accepted Answer

yikes none of these. comic book stores flop a lot. Grocery stores and Gas stations come with a laundry list of headaches. Friends of family own an Italian Night Club and it gets bad sometimes. Rowdy drinkers, fights, etc. I dont need that in my life. Strip clubs... I want to be a dad and god forbid that lifestyle rubbed off on my little girl (s). Plus the drugs and entitled creeps. I guess barber shop. Least overhead, least responsibilities, smaller space means easier to clean, but none of these particularly calls out to me.

DeeDeeDeVour · Accepted Answer

I chose the Gas Station out of the list above.  I'd rather expand it into a Truck Stop and Rapid EV Charging Station.

Cherry234 · Accepted Answer

Probably a gas station. People are always going to need gas

TheBMG · Answer

Gas station is something everyone needs. The gas draws in customers to buy products. Look at Buc-ee’s in Texas. Huge super gas station with everything inside. I think you have a better chance to get a long term return on your investment. As far as a bar/strip club/hair salon all have high factors of drama. Plus they lose their luster. I’ve never seen any of these places last longer than 10-15 years at the longest. Comic book store is a money pit. You won’t make enough to keep the doors open. Grocery store is good, but you better have good products at good prices and great customer service. I don’t think the return is there or it will take longer than the gas station. Just my opinion.

ChrisMaster69 · Answer

A Dungeon

Anonymous · Answer

After reading yoru Update, I was gonna post a different one just to annoy you, but than I reread the question and you did say "RATHER" which implies that we are to only choose from the options below.

In THAT case... the only one of those I'd be really interested in owning are Grocery Store or Strip Club. I'm gonna go with Strip Club though. I often hear about how those girls are screwed over, with them doing all the work and the boss almost taking all the funds. And I always thought if I owned a brothel or strip club I would run it ever differently, and look after my girls better. And I always thought it would be interesting and even somewhat self gratifying to help girls who are in a tough spot with some easy money. Hiring high quality girls, perhaps from ethnic backgrounds you don't normally see. And there's also a sense of pride in seeing people flock to my club to see my girls.
Yeah, strip club would be cool.

jshm2 · Answer

Cafe and/or food courts are better recession proof businesses,

Bars have a lot of overheads and can be a lot of trouble, barbers are very hit or miss and dont tend to make much profit. Grocery stores are dying because of high bills and high food process. Not to mention supply chain issues. Strip clubs only really work in places like Vegas as it's hard getting good reliable staff for them. Gas stations don't make much profit and rely on traffic.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

A maw n Paw grocery store with lower price but make things so people can come and shop for groceries, make prices so people can afford to eat, etc

DamnSam · Answer

From my personal opinion it wouldn't be one of these. I have a little book with ideas which I would follow... it starts with art and ends with a very cheap energy production based on water movement...18 things so far... I already do the art part

From a money point seen, probably the gas station bc it produces money by itself bc fuel is always needed... the others could have issues with covid and embargoes or import stops

jasco · Answer

Either a bar or a strip club. All the other ones are bad short/long run. all of the others require more money to run than profit. A bar is easy to run and if put in a good place can make a good amount of money, plus if you make it like hooters than yea a two for one. Everyone likes pretty ladies and beer so yea

Agape93 · Answer

Of those here, strip club.  If it was a legal business, probably selling milsurp gear and firearms.  If it was illegal, contract work.

Notfabricated11 · Answer

If I had to pick it would be a grocery store because everyone needs groceries. My 1st pick which isn't on the list would have something to do with Mary Jane because that industry is just getting started and is taking off.

DaveToo · Answer

I would love to have a hobby store. Everything from model cars to paint and canvases. Wedding supplies and cake supplies. It's not the most lucrative business, but I'd have fun talking with customers about their passions.

DonkeyDan · Answer

I've kind of had an idea that one day I might like to own a coffee house and bake my own cakes and the like to sell there.

msc545 · Answer

A bar or a strip club. Stores and businesses that pedal soft Vice usually make quite a bit of money if they can tolerate the legal hassles.

exitseven · Answer

I would go with a Information Technology support organization.

Anonymous · Answer

Almost everyone needs a haircut once in a while. I'd make mine a little more unique though. Combine a liquor licence. Get a beer while waiting to get your hair cut.

AviatorTom · Answer

I'd build a mom and pop grocery store, emphasizing customer service and local produce.

StrawberryShake · Answer

Either a grocery store or a bar. But they would be very old fashioned themed and aesthetically pleasing.

Jamie05rhs · Answer

I would run a grocery store for local growers only. That way they could get more business than just one day a week at the farmer's market.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

Of these choices, D or E. Of my choice, a record store or recording studio.

KieranByrne · Answer

Hair salon, because i done 3 years of hairdressing!

Dinosaursandanime65 · Answer

I in a way sort of kind of maybe perhaps slightly I think am making my own sort of.

Anonymous · Answer

I'd start a professional-style pool hall and turn my area into a billiards mecca again. I already know the venue I'd buy

Naydyonov · Answer

Incidentally, strip clubs seem to have the highest profit potential. :D

anylolone · Answer

All of the above in the same place, except comic book store, I don't want to lose any money.

NathanDavis · Answer

a liquor store... by the gas station

Anonymous · Answer

Strip club, it's an all cash business and a perfect place therefore for money to be "washed"

Anonymous · Answer

a bank with a credit card company combo second choice a hedge fund third a real estate company fourth dunkin donuts

OlderAndWiser · Answer

I would develop my law practice.

Apulu_3 · Answer

Comic book store as a book lover.

douride2 · Answer

A grocery store. Everyone has to eat.

LegendaryIcon · Answer

Those aren't small businesses, lol

DizzyDesii · Answer

Lingerie store

Shortman70 · Answer

Cannabis dispensary

dustybiker · Answer

Motorcycle shop.

siennasjo · Answer

none of them lol

Relux47 · Answer

Barber shop

RayBeam · Answer

Well we all know why

ChefPapiChulo · Answer

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If you were given capital to build your own small business, which sort of business would you rather build?

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If you can own an existing business which one would you choose?

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If you can own an existing business which one would you choose?

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