If you had 100 grand US seed money what type of business would you start

[bolly]

Hi all,

 

Hope this is the best area to put this.

 

In 2011 I will be eligible for about 100,000US$ in business loans at a ridiculously low interest rate. The catch is it has to be in Japan, but that is rather inconsequential to the question of what type of business to open with this seed money.

 

So, in all seriousness, what would you do. I have some of my own ideas, but am really interested in what people would suggest.

 

thanks for your help

bolly

[MickyBangBang]

I know it sounds silly but with that kind of money I would open a McDonald's or something like it, they always seem to do good business. Not sure how far $100,000 will go in Japan, by all accounts it's very expensive there.

[Mike Asia]

100,000 USD won't even get you close to a Mcdonalds or MOS burger franchise

[LaaMok]

I would start an internet company and once its set up, I would just move my home location to Thailand.

 

Or

 

Make a business that you can franchise to places like Thailand, and move locations later.

 

Why not expand your school, or make one with the same successful business model?

 

How about use it to get a manager trained up, so you can come to Thailand more?

[bolly]

Thanks--

keep them coming!

[Goldfishpie]

1.Find a Purchasing director of a large company.

 

2.Become very good friends.

 

3.Open a micro factory that supplies elastic bands or something to them.

 

4.Play golf with him/her a couple of times a week.

[SmellyFarang]

Launch a Pattaya forum, then sit back while the profits roll in!

-Smelly

[Daveo]

An escort agency so I could look at these all day.....

[Alex the Hedonist]

I would set up a sex school...offering top notch training to girls who aspire to the porn and bar industry...I hear there is a lot of that in Japan!

 

Would be a no-brainer money maker...your students might even qualify for government tuition assistance!

 

You think Im kidding, but Im not...

 

Cheers, Alex

[ROIDFREAK]

Bolly owned 2 English schools in Japan, so I think its fair to say his drive, ambition and business savvy are definitely not questionable..

[your_erotic_desires]

Katandmilo....you are a smart man. Your posts always make me stop and think. For real!

[loneranger]

Hi all,

 

Hope this is the best area to put this.

 

In 2011 I will be eligible for about 100,000US$ in business loans at a ridiculously low interest rate. The catch is it has to be in Japan, but that is rather inconsequential to the question of what type of business to open with this seed money.

 

So, in all seriousness, what would you do. I have some of my own ideas, but am really interested in what people would suggest.

 

thanks for your help

bolly

small bar disco tech sounds like the anwser

as they like thier music,

[loneranger]

No one did. The question is can he show the same drive at a new, unrelated business using a loan and not personal capital or sweat equity. I could not make a truly equal effort, perhaps he can.

 

A reasonable criteria for a loan is, would you use your own money for this if you could, and that was the frame of mind being discussed. If you had a 100k in in the bank would you be on the internet asking people what to do with it? Or does the perception of "free money" effect how you use it?

i would say your spot on there kantandmilo

as he would have to put the effort into any business

like you say but if it was me i would have to say a discotech if anything

[bolly]

Thanks for the valuable input. The question was more to elicit a kind of thinking out the box-- Call it online brainstorming. I think it is rather amazing that by tossing out a question on the board I can get a variety of input from a variety of people all with vastly different experiences than my own. That in itself is resource worth tapping.

[Alex the Hedonist]

LEVERAGE...can be a good thing or a bad thing...magnifies either loss or profit...i have been in and out of many businesses over the years and I have always found that borrowing is a good thing (if its cheap money, 5-8%) cuz i would never venture into a biz that wouldnt return at least 2 to 3 times that on an annual basis.

 

Admittedly, there are some ventures which do NOT lend themselves to borrowing (so to speak)...like I have invested in wildcat oil leases before...for me that is strickly a cash up front biz cuz of the high risk...you might drill 10 holes and come up dry on em all...or hit the 1st one, ya never know.

 

But, in most cases, I find adding 20-50% leverage is a prudent course.

 

just IMHO...cheers, alex

[SlickMonkey]

"Easy come (Money)...Easy Go (Money)" as the saying goes.

[BSJ]

Invest the money in something useful housewifes will buy. If it costs a couple of bucks and saves em time your set. There's a whole world of distribution channels, all you need to do is supply the product.

 

I've identified a need for a coating on ceramic plates that will release any matter in contact with in simply by dunking in hot water.

 

And a tool to extract the stone from a mango whilst leaving the edible flesh intact.

 

I'd buy both....being a Batchelor who cooks!

[cjtrader]

More important than the product is the timing. I started a software company in the last really bad recession in 1982. I had a good product but no one was buying. Wait until this financial tsunami has passed, then consider your options. Japan's economy is in huge trouble right now with exports down over 50%. I know the interest rates will be higher in a year or two, but you need someone to sell to.

[Pheromone]

I would start a cosplay business myself, but that's just me.....

[bolly]

I would start a cosplay business myself, but that's just me.....

 

LOL----now we are thinking outside the box.---Or is that weird ways to get IN the box?

[B5Jimmy]

I saw on the news in Japan once about a cosplay sushi restaurant that was getting to be popular. Anything cosplay is something a tourist like me would try to see.

[Mr.DreamTransport]

No one did. The question is can he show the same drive at a new, unrelated business using a loan and not personal capital or sweat equity. I could not make a truly equal effort, perhaps he can.

 

A reasonable criteria for a loan is, would you use your own money for this if you could, and that was the frame of mind being discussed. If you had a 100k in in the bank would you be on the internet asking people what to do with it? Or does the perception of "free money" effect how you use it?

 

 

Agreed there with you. If it was hard-earned money, then the investment would almost certainly be more thouroughly researched. Bolly I have had the pleasure of meeting in person. The fact that he has spent so much time in Japan though, would give him a slight edge as to knowing what potentially might work out, and what might not.

 

The fact that it is Japan, something electronics related can almost not go wrong. Maybe start a cell phone kiosk or 2 at some of the malls. If there is one thing there will never be a shortage of in Japan, it will be cell phone vendors. I know in the states for example, ten years ago, the phone kiosks that did the flashing antennas and key pads, all the phone mods, made a killing. So with the ever changing climate of technology over there, and the abundance of new ideas on the market, at worst he would make a fair return. It might not make him 2-3 times his initial investment, but it would certainly be a steady stream of income.

 

Thats just my 2 cents worth though. I don't live in Japan, and have no idea what the business climate is like over there. So Bolly my brother, you are probably the one person who can best anwser your own question. What is there a market over there for? What is lacking, that you can put a minimum amount of money into to get a maximum amount of return?

 

It might even be better for you to just establish a base company, and use all the funds for capitol, and put the money up for investments. No idea on this one my friend, its your dollar, and for sure you will find the best way to put the money to use.

 

Hope that helps a little my brother.

[blueboy0510]

timing is everything so a good idea now could well be bad come 2011

 

I know a little about Japan as in a past life was a buyer for a couple of large electronics companies in the UK, so spent some time out in Japan on buying trips.

 

things they are crazy for, drinking, eating, sex, football, electronics/ gaming...sure there are more buts thats what I can think of off the top of my head

 

So if you could open a bar/restaurant with short time rooms and wi-fi gaming at the tables you could be set....

 

re timing is everything in the next month they are launching a bra in the Uk that increases the ladies cleavage when she gets aroused, something to do with body heat. Now if I had that dough lying around at the moment I would try and get the Asian Rights for distribution as my take on it is it will be a massive hit in Asia.

 

Also online gaming rights can be massive. The monthly revenues can be huge, for in many cases not a lot of outlay. Physical distribution of games is becoming a thing of the past and if you can find a good opportunity in that sector over the next 2 years you could make a massive return on your investment.

 

thats my tuppence worth and I am sure I could put a load more up but as I said before a good idea now may not always be the case in 2 years

 

good luck