Ideas for a new business in the Villages
 

A friend of mine that retired too young is looking to relocate to the Villages and start some sort of business.

Does anyone have any ideas I can pass by him that would be good here? Something besides the obvious Golf Carts, Golf Clubs. There must be something out there that is missing here that even Amazon can't fill. Think outside the box. Thanks

I cannot think of anything that isn't an unrealistic goal. I think your friend should try to find a job rather than start a business.

I wish someone would bring the Cousins Maine Lobster truck back to The Villages

Franchise | Cousins Maine Lobster

Without knowing his backround and abilities do not know how to answer the question.

A Space Rocket Launch pad would be fun.
Dog poop recycling plant.
A roundabout practice area.
A large swimming pool that allowed swimmers.
So many thing that are needed. :icon_wink:

I'm gonna go way out on a limb here and make some suggestions...

I don't believe that there are any flight training schools inside TV for people that have a hankering to learn how to fly

also missing are the street vendors that sell sausages on the street corners (and umbrellas when it rains)

haven't seen any manufacturing inside TV....and somebody's already grabbed 'the pillow market'...but I'm guessing that he'd make a fortune if he could produce bagels like they have in NY

just saying

I'll bet this guy has a few ideas... All of them are gonna' make him a fortune!

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...eason_1963.jpg

A reliable service to drive people to the doctor, shopping, airport, etc.

Top Golf

I was in my own business. When, people say think, wow you had your own business, the reality is, the boss is a fool but you cannot say so, there is no hiding anything behind his back at the water cooler. On a typical job 40-50% of you income is benefits. Self employed, there are no benefits. Add to that the fact that you are on call 7 days a week
24 hours a day. You can make good money. You can also loose your investment.

Far as no competition, the reality is if there is no competition there is no business either.

Depends, are they financially secure? Are they trying to fill time - and any income is a bonus or are they trying to make a sustainable salary.

if you read this forum - a GREAT, dependable honest landscaping service would make a fortune.
I am not sure golf cart repair/oil change is a huge money maker
Renting/selling/serving golf clubs wouldn’t seem to be a huge money maker

This may sound curt, quitting too early is a big, big miscalculation.
Get some planning advice (score)before you
make a new business miscalculation.

Two ideas that need a little refining (don't be too judgmental, just trying to assist)....ONE an in-home pet sitter, one who will sit with your pet for a min of 4 hrs a day (fee around $50 per day). This person should be bonded and insured. I see many Villagers who desire to visit family and have to put their pets in "pet daycare", this way, the pet stays at home. They should also be able to administer meds should it be required (thinking of a diabetic cat for example).

TWO....how about a "Daily Helper" type of job. This person could be hired for $100 a day and perform a host of tasks, such as assist in cleaning out closets/garages, rearrange furniture, assist with packing/unpacking if you are moving or have just arrived, assist with hanging curtains, laundry, or (if possible) help with technology (IPads, Kindles, PC, macbooks, TV remotes, etc...), perhaps even drive a person to/from the store, choices are almost endless! I know, you're saying isn't that friends are for? Well, if you just moved to TV and don't know anyone yet, this could be helpful.

Broke my heart when someone created a post a few weeks ago, they just moved to TV and needed help unpacking and setting up her home, she was recently widowed and had no family....so sad, with I were there to assist! Okay, interesting to see what others suggest.

Clint, Freeport, Maine

I'd love a microbrewery. Probably would only work in newer areas with the youngest people.

Many electric golf carts with lead acid batteries can be upgraded to NiCad and the old batteries will need recycling.

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl: (while remaining polite!)

In High School 1967-1969 ish I ran a lawn mowing business. For a 5,000 sq foot lawn I would charge 7.00 a week $28.00 a month. In today's, dollars roughly 28x9=252 a month. These guys do not make a fortune.

I'm not sure but, I would not be surprised to find this is fishing for someone with money
to shoulder all the risk.

:clap2:

Remove all the labels and stickers associated with Covid.

I like the roundabout practice area idea but, that might make things worse!

There are many franchise opportunities open in the southern villages such as Jimmy John's, Jersey Mikes, just about any fast food franchise except McDonalds as they are already coming, Dairy Queen, a "real" butcher shop would go over well as would a "real" bakery, a good German restaurant. Notice my suggestions are all food related however we could use a UPS store down here too, Orthopedic doctors that accept Medicare Supplements, and here's the big one, a Primary Care Group made up of MD's, not DO's, that also accept Medicare supplements such as Blue Cross.

:bigbow:

I'm looking for someone to sponsor my dance lessons. I want to become a PotatoChippendale dancer.

Topless bar?

On ladies nights would have tons of ladies oogling the guys.

He could open a Costco

Generally if a business was needed, The Villages owns it. (Insurance, Banks, Golf Carts, Real Estate, etc. Right.)

However, smaller, riskier ideas are possible with such growth of seniors in one area.

1. Handy Man Services
2. Bakery
3. Donut Shop (Not Blah Duncan Donuts)
4. Quick Change Oil (Possible home service)
5. Personal Aid Services (Business)
6. Medical Devices Rental
7. Medical Aid Home Installations
8. Entertainment Management
9. Party Organizer/Planner (Lots of Anniversaries, Birthdays, etc.)

If I were going to start a small business around TV I would probably do one of the following:

Continuous gutters. There is some startup costs with the machine to roll them out but the margin on gutters is extremely high.

High pressure hot pressure washing (houses, driveways, etc.). Many of the pressure washing businesses with professional equipment are booked for months out and charge an arm and a leg.

Home watch, pet watch. There is competition though.

Open an airport, car wash, dairy queen

A good donut shop featuring cinnamon cake and real eclairs!

Perfect. Almost like his own private Uber. There arent many local taxi services in the villages and its badly needed. I think he would make a fortune if he runs it correctly, can prove to be reliable and on time and have decent drivers. Go for it!

Originally, we are from Western NY. In that area, plus one in Tempe AZ, they commercially cook hot dogs, sausages and hamburgers over real charcoal. I really miss that style of eating out. It was always a treat to have a Ted's hot dog! I'm confident that if that someone began a business such as this, it could become a beloved tradition.

Get a job , forget the hassle of business .staffing ,taxes , overhead etc, who needs it I did it for forty years. No more!!

We are retired business owners. I see business opportunities almost every day here. If your friend can’t see them for themselves then maybe they don’t have the vision required to be successful in business. In other words it’s not for me to put ideas in their heads. If the passion doesn’t exist within them they won’t make it anyway. I suggest they get a job and open their eyes when they get here.

Why did you even ask this question? Let your friend do a market study based on his expertise (you didn't mention that he even had any) and decide for himself. Moving to a retirement community means just that!

MicroBrewery is a great idea… I have personal connections here in Georgia
 

[QUOTE=SusanStCatherine;1963034]I'd love a microbrewery. Probably would only work in newer areas with the youngest people.


I am moving down in a few weeks and shortly after will begin furthering due diligence and feasibility. Background in all levels of business development makes for an exciting opportunity that’s well timed. The key is location and structure. As the best Brewery's have are less modern with a repurposed atmosphere. Like old multi bay garage with areas to brew, serve and interact.

Will be looking for partners who have all degrees of engagement / investor / working / silent etc.

The World of Beer concept is dated and served it’s time

Start a lawn service with push mowers instead of the riding mowers that everyone seems to have set to root burning level. Where I used to live nobody used the riding mowers unless they did their own lawns and it was just a small one. Used to have a service where the crew would jump out with 3 Lawn Boy mowers hit a yard and be gone in 20 minutes or less. It's actually funny watching neighbors having an interior lot being mowed with a large riding turn on a dime mower.

A mini casino and slot parlor.

Business Options
 

Just checking in to see if you are looking for brick & mortar business or an Online business. I do have some ideas...perhaps we can chat.