jojo100's Blog

Hi Rocket, Thanks for the reminder. I might try and pop down in the next couple of weeks to have a chat with you about this. I'd probably be more interested in reselling than a cafe, but out of interest do you think a cafe could work as you must be pretty close to macro there who I know already have an organic cafe with vegan choices.

Hi ytanp, a food business or other vegan orientated business yes, I'm just figuring out what!

Hi mfg, good luck with this. If I were in NSW I'd definitely be interested but unfortunately I'm not! If you decide to move to Melbourne though let me know :)

Hi Anikee
I’m working in property at the moment, so not a lot of use to me really! However, I am already looking for vacancies in retail or in a café as this will obviously give me some experience whilst I get a business plan etc etc together. I’m also starting the Business IV course in July.
The ideas I mentioned were just what I envision for when I hopefully get started, to offer some simple healthy options, nothing fancy just simple lunch and breakfast ideas. From what I’ve seen in existing health/organic cafes this type of food seems very popular. From your point of view, starting with baked goods sounds like a good and simple way to test the market.
I’m certainly not planning to rush into anything, I’m enthusiastic and excited about the whole idea but I imagine that its going to take at least a year to 18 months before I’m ready to start anything. However, in the meantime I’m keeping an open mind when it comes to other options such as online shop, market stall etc..or anything that I could start and build upon or possibly a partnership with someone else interested in a similar idea.
I may well take you up on your offer of help researching when I’m ready though, thanks!
Jo

Hi Rocket Just an idea, but I wonder if its worth you having a look around some of the local craft type markets if you have time. You might find some cool products made locally that are suitable for your store. Also you can get to have a chat with the stallholders there and then to see if they may be interested in the idea. I know there are a few products I've got my eye on if and when my own store gets up and running! Jo

Hi Anikee Thanks for your advice, very useful. I am looking into the Cert IV business as my local tafe run one starting in a few weeks. I have also got some small business workshops coming up. I won't be eligible for neis because of my visa status, I'd have to wait over a year before it changes and I'm allowed to apply, and I'm just too impatient to wait that long! My idea was also to incorporate a vegan cafe instore. I was thinking along the lines of simple, easy to prepare food, such as muffins, croissants, pots of muesli, for example in the mornings and a range of salads, soups, sandwiches etc at lunch together with some yummy cakes, biscuits etc. Again, I don't really have hospitality experience (this is what's making it so hard for me to know where to start as this is all a big change in direction for me). As its going to take a long time before I'm ready to get my own store up and running this could certainly be a good starting point and work well for the both of us. Have you already found a premises with kitchen and cafe space? Jo

Hi Anikee
At the moment yes I am just in the thought process but I’m now at the point where I need to start doing some planning and research. I imagine its going to take up to a year to get things up and running. I’m also weighing up whether its worth starting an online shop first and maybe trying to sell at markets, and possibly utilising Rocket’s offer. I need to attend some business courses and have also been thinking about trying to find work in a similar shop to build some retail and more in depth product knowledge.
I’d certainly be interested in sharing thoughts, ideas etc with you. St Kilda is funnily enough in the front of my mind for a location at the moment.
You and Rocket both mention neis. I’ve had a quick look but from what I understand this is only available if you are unemployed?
So yes, I’d love to hear more about your idea!
Jo

Hi Rocket, thanks for your reply. I think your idea is potentially very interesting. How long has your shop been open now? My idea really is very much in the thought stage right now and I'd really like to see it though but I'm not sure what direction will work best quite yet. I realised how hard it was to find cruelty free products in shops here and that started the idea and it's been growing in my mind since! I read your blogs with interest. The one where you mention 90% of businesses failing in the first year especially. I don't really have any retail experience and although I have some capital and the idea this may not be enough and opening a store could be a big failure. You mentioned starting at markets and online which is a good idea, and one that I have thought of too and maybe need to investigate more. Sharing your premises somehow though may be a good compromise me as it wouldn't require such a big outlay. It's certainly food for thought though. Jo

Hi, I'm pretty new to Melbourne but am giving serious consideration to opening up a shop/cafe where people could buy cruelty free, vegan and environmentally friendly products. I know that there are some health food shops etc where you can already buy these but I don't want to stock just food only, but a wide variety of different products that will hopefully appeal not just to those already conscious of these issues but others too. I was just wondering if anyone could give me there opinion of whether this would go down well in Melbourne and maybe the areas that it might work best in. Thanks for your help in advance!!