Investors

[jeannieb]

Anyone know of investors who would invest in our custom furniture business? Have business plan, but bad credit. Any suggestions.

[Don]

Hey, Jeannieb and welcome to the forum. As many here will attest, you can make a small fortune in the woodworking business - unfortunately you have to start with a large one.

Woodworking shops, cabinet shops, millwork and furniture plants have typically left a bad taste in the mouths of banks and venture capitalists. There are so many other opportunities that offer a better chance of return that it leaves most of us having to fend for ourselves. Unless you are offering a very unique piece of "art," the margins are usually very small - you have to do everything just right in order to make money and even then it takes constant management to stay fresh. There are mega corporations that have pretty much cornered the market in the US and many of them are now gone overseas.

That does not mean that it can't be done, it simply means that it'll take a lot of conviction and commitment on your part. In order to get the ball rolling on a limited budget I would certainly make some prototype pieces and get a presence on the web. This would be the first best steps in showing anyone your commitment. If you are small and of limited means (and credit) you have to step up and at least pretend those barriers don't exist.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out for you.

All the best, Don

[Danno30008]

Hey:
Good luck with your dream, I hope it works out for you.
Check out this site:
www.prosper.com

You can either lend or borrow money there. Basically, you put out what you need and people bid and lend you parts of your total.

Anyway, take a look and good luck.

Dan