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  Q1: If funding wasn't a question, would you advise someone who has just graduated from college to start a business like this or take a normal job and wait for a while? (4 pieces of advice)

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  by ErickB 

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  02.24.08 | 12:58 PM

  You might want to check out Global Exchange (www.globalexchange.org). They were involved with fair trade early on. I'd also add my voice to the get some experience before jumping in. Find a cool coffee shop (or maybe a small cafe or bookstore) to work with first so that you get a better feel for what it's like to run a small business. I'd also recommend reading 'The E-Myth' by Gerber...I found it to be very useful for understanding the mindset required to run a small business. GOOD LUCK.

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  by attaway 

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  02.05.08 | 07:37 PM

  If experience is a concern, either find a mentor while working a normal job, or make sure you've got a lot of people who can give you sound advice while starting out. But don't just get a "normal" job... find some way to incorporate other people's experience to help you along.

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  by lorax 

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  02.05.08 | 12:51 PM

  If funding is not a question, then you should try it, but that's assuming that experience is not a question. It takes funding and experience to create a successful business. If you feel that you have both, then you should pursue your dream. However, if you think that a little more experience in the industry could help, then you may want to consider getting a job with the competition for a while to learn the ins and outs. The previous advisor is right . . . . business is tough and restaurants are tougher. Good luck!

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  by limon555 

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  02.05.08 | 12:04 PM

  Do what you feel passionate about, but do your research! Sometimes its a great idea to take a job working in an industry that you want to start a business in so that you can learn on someone else's dime. Restaurants can be a tough business (80% failure rate), so make sure you do it right.

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• Advise

  What advice do you have to help me grow my idea?
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  by DottiJ 

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  03.31.08 | 04:55 PM

  Thanks for all the advice. I have already worked for the competition and developed a business plan. In response to jhammett, I am very familiar with Bongo and I know Bob Bernstein. I am also an avid supporter of Cooperative Coffees and would plan to buy all coffee, cocoa, and chai wholesale from them. Thanks to everyone for caring enough about this idea to give your feedback.

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  by jhammett 

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  02.26.08 | 01:55 PM

  This has already been done. Research Bongo World Corporation. The owner Bob Bernstein works with a couple of companies to sell their organic and fair trade coffee and is one of the founders of Cooperative Coffees. Cooperative Coffees is the only company of small roasters that buy directly from organic/fair trade farmers. they have eliminated the middle man. the only thing that is different about your idea is that you want to use organic and fairly traded sugars, teas, etc. you may want to contact Bongo World or Cooperative Coffees and work with them on this expansion of their idea. So to complete my thought, you have a wonderful idea and I think you should start the company... but you shouldn't win this competition because you aren't the first to think of it.

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  by inventorspot 

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  02.23.08 | 10:12 PM

  I would advise that you do a business plan, and in the meantime, go work in a coffeehouse to better understand all the aspects of running one. Go train and learn the ropes on their dime and then start your own, when you know all teh issues you will need to address.
  
  Good luck!
  
  Michelle
  InventorSpot.com - most popular invention website in the world

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  by meowmom71 

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  02.06.08 | 09:57 AM

  I think you have the beginning of a great idea and it will keep your mind sharp. You have a lot of potential with this idea. Go for it. I would be interested in having information brought to me instead of having to dig for it myself. I think that is the best part of your idea.

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