Need advice -starting new business
 

I am getting ready to retire, and I'm interested in starting a new business here in the villages. Anyone have any input on the greatest need?

For a first post, you have thrown yourself in at the deep end.
What was your skill set before retirement?
Would it be useful in TV.
Better the devil you know.

I think the greatest need is for reliable, affordable transportation both locally and to airports and cruise departures.

Repair turn signals - seems a lot do not work here

I always thought "retiring" meant you didn't work any more?

do search on ToTV.................we have been down this road before.

Something that doesn't require employees because there are none.

Invest in some buckets, a ladder, some squeegees, and study up on the best way to wash windows.

Very little investment and you will never run out of windows to wash in TV.

Boomer

Many amusing answers here, but you didn't mention your experience or even your interests. If you glace through the daily paper classifieds, you will see there are almost no ideas that have not been pursued, or franchises we don't don't have. My opinion is we could sure use a Waffle House inside our boundaries, but others would say we have too many breakfast cafes now. As someone mentioned, with about 3000 (yep !) types of lessons, clubs, activities, sports, etc. you might first try a full year or two and see if you can't find many of your favorite interests and hobbies, and even try some you have never before considered ? Take a few art classes if you have never had any interest in art, or join a philosophy club, a travel group, a scuba group ? You may just find that running a business, stress and deadlines, demanding customers, or any number of the negatives, may not be what you want after all ? And, if you find you just can't stand life without some working hours, there are all kinds of villages jobs at gates, pools, golf courses and rec centers. People often come thinking they want to have a job, and soon become way too busy to work, so they quit constantly !

Also, look carefully at your deed restrictions if you are thinking about running your business out of your house, generally NOT allowed. I do not have any specific suggestions for your business. Also, you might look into the newer sections of TV as there appears to be a lack of local businesses in that area.

#1. Manage a Costco Store.

#2. Be a police officer with a willingness to write speeding tickets at lest one every 1/2 hour.

#3. Set up a doggie care business so people can to out to eat without taking their mutts along.

The south of 44 villages need just about every type of business imaginable, fast food to sit down food just about any retail store you can think of however there are very few if any retail spaces available for lease, so not only is there a lack of employees down here, there's really nowhere to open a business until more retail space is built so there you go.

One thing we're in short supply of:

Primary Care Physicians who accept new patients and Florida Blue insurance, both Medicare and not-Medicare, especially in the northeastern half of the community. Ones who speak English well enough that the average 60-year-old American-born retiree wouldn't have trouble understanding.

So there's a goal for ya. Let us know when you've completed your residency.

Good one, I'd welcome that person.

The South end of The Villages/Sumter County needs a Chic-fi-A

Three EXCELLENT suggestions. Also want to mention to the about to retire individual, check out the UNLIMITED number of volunteer activities here. Honestly, if you really want to work, you can give your time and hard work to so many worthwhile endeavors you will never be bored ! From building homes for other with Habitat for Humanity (which we thoroughly enjoy... and never before had jobs that involved physical labor so you do not have to come with building skills, to all kinds of opportunities to help area children, our veterans, the hungry and the homeless. Are you a retired pilot ? You can volunteer to fly critically ill children, or if you are a nurse or nurses aid, you can volunteer to accompany an WWII vet on a tour of Washington D.C. war memorials. Before you jump, really explore what awaits you here !

NE half of the community? Live in Spanish Springs and most of the doctors are in this area and there is a hospital here and a second one in Leesburg. Seems to me that there are not any medical offices in the new areas.

Need to budget in a traffic cop on this business.

They are building a teaching hospital near Middleton.

Some type of expertise is needed first.

to open any kind of business here is not worth it. I like someone said employees are awful here in Florida. Nobody wants to work. I guess it’s just that age group.. But there’s always plenty of opportunities on the Internet. Find yourself something that you can do from anywhere and work from home a few hours a day and then enjoy your retirement. But it would help to know what you did before. Good luck, you will love, THE VILLAGES!!!

I personally think being willing to socialize with people in assisted living and/or memory care. Many times people just want someone to spend time with their loved ones while they may have to go out of state for some family emergency or event. Or even that life gets so busy sometimes, and they can’t visit their loved one as much as they’d like. The only other option is for them to get a CNA, but they cost $20 - $30/hr. But, usually one doesn’t need a CNA type person, they just need a friend to come make sure all is fine with their loved one.

A lot of people here have had health/injury issues and I hear there's a need for personal therapists for home visits.

Well, you’re wrong.

Open a new bank. Can't have too many of those, can we?

Help those who can’t help themselves

Jukebox repairman
 

My 1965 Seeburg jukebox needs attention and I have checked for anyone that can look at it for hundreds of miles around, Does anyone know of a repairman that can at least look at it? Maybe that is a good business to suggest if the skills are there.
Any suggestions please let me know.:cryin2:

Pulling weeds.

All Pet Wash - pet washing stations.

I'd certainly patronize a golf cart wash.

There is a huge need for reliable swimming pool maintenance.

Someone earlier mentioned doggie day care as a joke but it actually is a good idea. In Tampa there are several and they are full with waiting lists. So many villagers have dogs and like to go on day trips I think it would do really well. No training really needed or too many employees, easy to find workers who love dogs.if interested maybe check out the Tampa ones.

:1rotfl::BigApplause:

If you don't really need the money try 6 months of the retired life really go to activities attend functions meetings concerts etc you might find that your life is way too busy I know mine sure is

Lots of doctors in the Brownwood area including primaries and a lot more coming. We take care of all of our healthcare down here using Medicare and Blue Cross supplement and if a hospital is needed we use Leesburg.

Operate a cash business, self employed, handyman. 30$ per hour, fixed price jobs list .

Open a Costco

Yes!!!
 

YES!! The Nation's first and only golf cart accessible Waffle House!

Or an ice cream truck fleet!

Lesson 1: The average 'customer' in The Villages is here because they have lifetime skills at pinching pennies. Your best shot at making money is something with booze in order to loosen that grip up a little.

^This
A crew could stay very busy.