Finance/investment Advice

[cumulus777]

I have a major problem and would like any help and advice you guys can give me. I have just set up a ltd company and have the chance to take over three bars. One a gay bar, one the only live music venue in the town and the other smack bang in the town centre. Servicing office workers and shoppers. Now on the one hand I have a good bank manager who has offered me 60% of the finance under the small firm’s loan guarantee scheme. The problem is I have no equity as I do not own my own home so it looks impossible, via the commercial route anyhow, that I could find the 40%. I have tried to find investment however it seems to be people would rather invest in a very risky technology company where they could loose everything than a secure opportunity like this. The businesses are all leased, so you buy a lease, fixtures and fittings, stock goodwill ect. All have been trading successfully and I of course would seek to significantly improve that. I’ve had a bad time of things and its really only focusing on this that has kept me fighting. Its not just an opportunity to make a fortune but to work for myself, building something I can be proud of in an industry I enjoy very much.

It is so frustrating at the moment knowing I am 60% the way there in terms of the start up costs. If anyone can advise me how I could raise the other 40% [by any means] or where I could find an investor who would seriously look at my business plan then please any advice at all would be so gratefully received. Its hard knowing everything you could ever want is almost in your hands but not quite. Any fiancé experts if you could come up with a solution I would be willing to pay a very decent fee.

GRRRR HELP!!!!

[Brian Turner]

In all honesty I think you're over-reaching yourself - and that this is plain but you're in denial because you're so focused on getting something, rather than on how to achieve it.

I mean, look at what you're talking about - not just 1 bar, but 3 together. Do you have any realistic management experience and planning? If so, why do you need to invest in 3 bars, and not just 1 to ensure you have manageable growth?

Of course, maybe I'm misunderstanding something - but so far, the suggestion is that you don't simply want to be in business - you want to be big quick - and that in itself invites all kinds of different business problems. Starting slow and learning to controll growth is a key business skill IMO.

Hope that helps.

[MarkD]

I don't mind taking a look, presume these are "short leasehold businesses". As Brian says, realistically one of the deals is probably enough for a first business, but I'll keep an open mind.

If you read my page on leasehold finance covering business purchase first, then contact me I'll see what I can do.

[Emma Reyes]

Originally Posted by cumulus777

I have a major problem and would like any help and advice you guys can give me. I have just set up a ltd company and have the chance to take over three bars. One a gay bar, one the only live music venue in the town and the other smack bang in the town centre. Servicing office workers and shoppers. Now on the one hand I have a good bank manager who has offered me 60% of the finance under the small firm’s loan guarantee scheme. The problem is I have no equity as I do not own my own home so it looks impossible, via the commercial route anyhow, that I could find the 40%. I have tried to find investment however it seems to be people would rather invest in a very risky technology company where they could loose everything than a secure opportunity like this. The businesses are all leased, so you buy a lease, fixtures and fittings, stock goodwill ect. All have been trading successfully and I of course would seek to significantly improve that. I’ve had a bad time of things and its really only focusing on this that has kept me fighting. Its not just an opportunity to make a fortune but to work for myself, building something I can be proud of in an industry I enjoy very much.

It is so frustrating at the moment knowing I am 60% the way there in terms of the start up costs. If anyone can advise me how I could raise the other 40% [by any means] or where I could find an investor who would seriously look at my business plan then please any advice at all would be so gratefully received. Its hard knowing everything you could ever want is almost in your hands but not quite. Any fiancé experts if you could come up with a solution I would be willing to pay a very decent fee.

GRRRR HELP!!!!

Hi! I also think you're spreading yourself too thin. But still I understand your desire to get rich. Probably instead of looking for investors, you may try investing yourself.I mean not trading yourself but with the help of some company. Only be careful when choosing. And you shouldn't be surprised that people are not that willing to invest in your business. It is well-known that 90 % of private companies go bankrupt within the first five years.