re: 40K to start working for yourself-WWYD?

quote:

---

Assume this hypothetical family could totally live off of spouses income for 18 months.

---

Okay - is $40k enough to get into one of those independent vending machine routes? I mean, it isn't enough to franchise anything. $40k of inventory is nothing, so you're not going to be able to sell anything in volume.

Does the hypothetical person have a craft or trade, such as building cabinets, furniture, etc.? At the high end, custom level, that can still be lucrative. You will need to build a network of contacts to get to customers who want custom cabinets/furniture built.

A web based retail shop might work if you can acquire/produce specialized items with a steady demand - you can at least keep the overhead low with such a model.

I know it is common sense, but you have to find a market that is underserviced and develop the skills and experience to operate within that market.

Otherwise, you're going to be really scrapping for customers in a bloated/saturated market (think personal injury lawyers - the guys at the top are making a fortune, by spending a fortune on advertising - and that's a profession requiring extensive education, licensing, etc.)