Student Business

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  • renrew
    Junior Member
    • Sep 2011
    • 14

    #1

    Student Business

    Hi Guys,

    This is my first post on here, been reading thorugh the amjority of the website and I must say its nice to be able to read some local content.
    Im currently a 2nd year B.com Supply Chain Management student, and have already set up an online business, but being at varsity and listening to all the studnets always looking for money or ways to make money, I would like to set up a business where you employ studnets.

    I have pretty basic ideas such as a pool cleaning service. What other ideas could possibly work that i can start on a small scale with the possibility of expansion later on?

    Thanks
  • AndyD
    Diamond Member

    • Jan 2010
    • 4946

    #2
    Hi Renrew, welcome to TFSA.
    _______________________________________________

    _______________________________________________

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    • Just Gone
      Suspended

      • Nov 2010
      • 893

      #3
      I have a few people that work on a refferal basis - they would refer someone to me that is interested in either electric fencing or access control etc etc - I would phone them and take it from there - if I can get the job I give them a percentage commission. Obvioulsy this is a trust thing, but we are all clever enough to know that if I do not pay them my leads would dissapear. This might interest you in making some extra cash .......... but I am talking about the JHB area only, not Pretoria.

      Comment

      • Mark Atkinson
        Gold Member

        • Jul 2010
        • 796

        #4
        Hi Renrew, welcome to TFSA.

        Always nice to see other entrepreneurial students!
        "The way to gain a good reputation, is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear." - Socrates
        Mark My Words - Arbitrary thoughts on ordinary things

        Trench Life - A blog for young professionals, BY young professionals

        LinkedIn

        Bafokke Shirts - South Africa's No. 1 Fan Shirt!

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        • renrew
          Junior Member
          • Sep 2011
          • 14

          #5
          Thanks for all the replies guys. Just to clarify i am not looking for work myself, i would like to set up a small business where i use students as my work force.

          I dont have a set idea on what i would like to do, as the majority of the service businesses i considered already saturate the market or makes it to difficult to be able to sustain a competitive advantage over the other companies.

          Now students are generally willing to work for cheap so I would prefer to employ them into a service business, where they wont need specific skills. Do any of you have some ideas?

          Thanks for the help!

          Comment

          • Dave A
            Site Caretaker

            • May 2006
            • 22803

            #6
            Originally posted by renrew
            I dont have a set idea on what i would like to do, as the majority of the service businesses i considered already saturate the market or makes it to difficult to be able to sustain a competitive advantage over the other companies.
            Welcome to the real business world
            It's competitive. Get used to it.

            The good news is if you play the game right, you can make money anyway.

            Mark's a good example. Aren't there enough website designers in the world already?
            Sure there are.

            He's still cracked some business, in a highly competitive market, and got good reviews for the work Red Giant has done too.
            Participation is voluntary.

            Alcocks Electrical Services | Alcocks Pest Control & Entomological Services | Alcocks Hygiene Services

            Comment

            • Mark Atkinson
              Gold Member

              • Jul 2010
              • 796

              #7
              Originally posted by Dave A
              Welcome to the real business world
              It's competitive. Get used to it.
              Damn right. You will almost always have competition. Just make sure that you're offering something, a USP, that your competitors aren't (better price, better quality, different features, better customer service, different target market, etc.) and eventually you will make a name for yourself. If you do exactly the same thing as your competition, then you're in trouble.

              This applies for any kind of business. Heck, you could start up a car wash and still differentiate yourself from your competitors somehow. On that note, I'm still waiting for a "Babes in Bikinis" car wash to open up nearby.
              The key is to find something that you love doing or are good at and figure out how you can make money out of it. Find out who your competitors are and what they're doing, then do it better.

              Just don't become a web designer. 'Nuff of those around already.
              "The way to gain a good reputation, is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear." - Socrates
              Mark My Words - Arbitrary thoughts on ordinary things

              Trench Life - A blog for young professionals, BY young professionals

              LinkedIn

              Bafokke Shirts - South Africa's No. 1 Fan Shirt!

              Comment

              • wynn
                Diamond Member

                • Oct 2006
                • 3338

                #8
                Start a 'Bring your own booze tjisanyama' all you need is a cheap venue a fire and seating? you sell meat, salads, potato bake, paper plates, crisps and cooldrinks on the side
                "Nobody who has succeeded has not failed along the way"
                Arianna Huffington

                Read the first 10% of my books "Didymus" and "The BEAST of BIKO BRIDGE" for free
                You can also read and download 100% free my short stories "A Real Surprise" and "Pieces of Eight" at
                http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/332256

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                • enos
                  Junior Member
                  • Oct 2011
                  • 15

                  #9
                  hey wynn. funny. i had the thought in mind. lol i even created a business plan for it.. but mine will have a bikini babe car wash.

                  Comment

                  • Pap_sak
                    Silver Member

                    • Sep 2008
                    • 466

                    #10
                    Originally posted by renrew
                    Thanks for all the replies guys. Just to clarify i am not looking for work myself, i would like to set up a small business where i use students as my work force.

                    I dont have a set idea on what i would like to do, as the majority of the service businesses i considered already saturate the market or makes it to difficult to be able to sustain a competitive advantage over the other companies.

                    Now students are generally willing to work for cheap so I would prefer to employ them into a service business, where they wont need specific skills. Do any of you have some ideas?

                    Thanks for the help!
                    As an idea you could start a small promo company which basically works this way: BTW it's not a new idea, but is quite suitable for students

                    1)You approach larger companies esp if they want to launch a new company/push a product. Lets say philips want to push a new kitchen appliance.

                    2) you then set up a display in one of the larger stores and manned with students, demo and push those products on a Saturday morning.

                    Of course can also be done at markets and festivals.

                    Comment

                    • Blurock
                      Diamond Member

                      • May 2010
                      • 4203

                      #11
                      Originally posted by renrew
                      ... being at varsity and listening to all the studnets always looking for money or ways to make money, I would like to set up a business where you employ studnets.

                      Thanks
                      It is refreshing to hear from another entrepreneurial student. It is good to have an attitude of "what can I do with my skills" rather than "who will employ me".

                      My experience is that students that work during their holidays are easier to employ than the graduate that has only jolling skills. By working part time students are exposed to business and commerce and quickly realise that the reality is much different from text books.

                      Opportunity smiles upon those that seek it. Opportunities are created, and not stumbled upon. Success does not smile upon the lazy, nor does it seek you out.

                      Good luck!
                      Excellence is not a skill; its an attitude...

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