So maybe things aren't so bleak...

Hey all!

Thanks for sticking by me. I know my last few posts have been downers.

Anyways, I was getting some scrap metal out from the neighbor's with the help of some guys, and even though I had permission, the word didn't get through to all the persons that were involved. So I was confronted by the son-in-law of one of the people that I was taking the metal from. Once he saw it was me, there were no more problems. Minor misunderstanding on a few person's part, mine included.

We talked for a bit, and he asked if I was still going to school for programming. I said no, but because of a few reasons, which I explained, and he completely understood them. He then asked what languages I knew, I listed them off, C++, some Java, Python. He thought for a moment, and then asked if I was looking for some work doing coding. I said, 'I wouldn't mind, but I didn't have a firm grasp on the languages.' He said that was fine. I had some working knowledge, and that's what he wanted. He had a lot of coding to do, and had no one to do it.

He said to get a hold of him and he handed me his card. I took it and said I would consider his offer, and that I would get back to him.

I emailed him. I gave him a low price, enough for me to live on, but does not break his bank. I haven't heard back from him, but I didn't expect him to get back to me right away.

Now, "What the hell does this have to do with the store?" is probably close to what you're thinking. Everything. Coding is not 'hard'. While I'm working on the coding, I can also start the business. On-line. Not exactly the avenue I was thinking of going right away, as I had mentioned in a response to a comment of a previous post. BUT, it would give me a bit more flexibility. And a way to build both money and customers.

Some new happenings with the store.

So you don't know much about the person behind the store, and I have reasons for that. I'm not hideous or a complete moron, but I have my reasons. There was a picture of me that I posted of myself, but it has been since taken down. For those that saw it, I'm sure you can agree with the first of the two statements. Even if I'm not your type.

Anyways, One of the factors about me is that I am unemployed. This is partly due to the economy, and partly to do with my personality. The economy is not something I can control, but my personality is. But the one factor in my personality is the need for personal freedom. In which having a boss does not go well. In turn, going with the economy, I am looking to get assistance from as many places as I can.

I had a meeting with the Department of Labor (DoL) yesterday and they have a few programs to help with getting some businesses off the ground when someone is on unemployment. Basically as long as you are accepted into the program, you may work on getting the business together, as long as you meet with people so they can see your progress. Not a bad deal in my opinion.

Let's see, what else is going on with the store? Still trying to make contacts for products, I have a decent list so far, and looking at more companies. Obviously I have not placed an order with any of them, but that will come.

Thanks.

One issue I'm having with the start-up phase

So I've talked to a few people about getting my business going and one of the things they have mentioned is figuring out the demographics out for the store. Well, yeah I have a decent idea about that. But the issue I'm having is where to find out if my target demographic is in the area that I'm looking to open up the store. Now there are a few things in my favor to that goal, due to the other stores in my area, the colleges, and the other economic factors in my area.

But I still don't know where to find the hard facts and figures for the exact information that I need for my business plan. And also where to find business information (e.g. market for products in my store) that I need to get my business plan together. I've been told, "Get your business plan together, and then you can figure out everything else from there.". But if I need the facts and figures for the plan, how do I get the plan together? Kinda of a catch-22. Welcome to my life.

Thanks for reading!