[doganjo]

for me its the difference between a hobby business and a serious attempt at making money - you are absolutely right at the hobby end of the scale

Seems to me DitW is doing something right.  

Just had a thought - specialising in growing things - how about learning about herbs and setting up a herb garden - you could sell pots of herbs - alone or grouped together in a mini garden, herb wheels, jars of herb seeds, olive oil with herbs, tours round your herb garden explaining what each herb is for etc etc 

[happygolucky]

Now I love that Idea Anne, and its very current!!
 

[deepinthewoods]

yes but its a saturated market.

the best herb business ive seen was selling fresh, in packets for a £. they flew out of the door. but you have to watch the shrinkage. and required a polytunnel to keep it going out of season which is where the skill lies.

[HesterF]

How is the market for herbal remedies now? I get the impression it's a growing demand - both for people and animals - but it may be just that I'm more aware of it. And I have no idea what the supply is like. I also miss being able to buy a really good range of frozen herbs. You can buy parsley, basil and chives and that's about it. A very niche market though and those who are really passionate about herbs will grow their own.

H

[happygolucky]

I'm my original post I mentioned that in Australia Lavender growing is huge, my daughter is a cosmetic scientist and Lavender products are used widely in many products, growing it brings in huge incomes to match!!
There must be similar high value herbs and spices 

[the great composto]

eh?

my hobby keeps me fully employed on a fair tradesmans rate, and two other tradesmen. just got a new van, keeps a workshop running full time, business due to turn 150k this financial yr.

apologies for a slight detour for your thread but i feel the need to answer..
DitW - turnover isnt the interesting figure in a business - profit is - if you employed a few people and made yourself 50k plus then that would start to take you away from a hobby business.
My point is that even though you enjoy what you do and it sounds like you make a few bob doesnt make it a scalable business because it probably depends on your skills and there will only ever be one of you.
 

[deepinthewoods]

well considering ive only been in this for a year properly and my bank manager has offered me finance adn im due to take on another 2 employees in the next 4 months. it would seem that it is scalable. in fact i have an order book stretching to 4 yrs worth now.

all built from what was basically a hobby.

it can be done. i know lots of others doing it...

you need to find a niche that fits your life and you find satisying and can add value to.

im happy to know that the personal profit will come. as is my accountant.

the thing is, the market has changed. the new growth in this economy will not come from large enterprise, that has had its day.

if turnover isnt the interesting figure, how come tescos only make 4%? when im making 15% even with a fairly high capital outlay for equipment, vehicles etc..

id prefer 4% of 200? billion to 15% of 150k.

turnover is everything.

maybe you need a new business advisor?

[the great composto]

Jeez - your bell gets rattled easily?

There are exceptions to everything - there is sense in what I said but I didnt quote it as the LAW.

[Lesley Silvester]

What about turning some of the land over to growing cider apples.  I knew someone who did that and found there were good returns for little work.

[deepinthewoods]

great compost.....

not often no, but tis one of them nights. im sorry if i offended.

but the argument stands. that it is entirely and feasibly possible to take an interest or a hobby and turn it inot a scalable business.

of course there is logic in what u say but we're talking about working off an area of land. and it is possible to be succesful if its done right. being succesful doesnt mean its an exception.

one friend of mine, has slowly built up a cracking business from one medium polytunnel, to 3 and is dojng great selling herbs at £1 a pack.
one of my clients has 80head of dairy and adds value by making icecream, built from just a few head.

look at river cottage, look at any of those kind of succesful businesses. look at jimmys farm.

the estate where i live have done it.

the model has changed.

[claire123]

Hi Thank you everone for your ideas , Im not wanting to start a buisness to pay for up keep of land its just ive always wanted to start my own buisness and the time sems right for me, I love my goats but dont think i could breed for meat , Would like to have a go at soap making and love the idea of herbs Thank you all again x

[claire123]

Hi Forgot to say my plot is down a  lane off the main road situated in a small village , Ive got 2 livery yards near me and a fishing lake rest is farmers fields x

[doganjo]

Good luck, whatever you decide, Claire.  My second husband had the idea of a herb garden, just didn't get round to it in time.

[chrismahon]

Might do well using the space for second hand rotorvators and parts, or other stuff. The good old junk shop is doing well over here. Brocante they call it.

[happygolucky]

There are some herbs that are legal to grow but give people the same high as non legal ones...always a market for something like that!!!!
I also think along the lines of min input, max outcome......