Business proposition No 2.

[Charlie Brown]

Hi Charlie

I've listed below the information you requested, if there's anything missing just shout up and I will send more if you need it.


Annual Gross profit (average per year) £14,000 (this has mainly come from weddings, where as you will gain further business from corporate events whilst promoting your events business)

I haven't listed my net profit because this would be different for you, to you as a company taking over an existing business there would be certain expenses that you wouldn't need to include again such as car insurance, gas, electric etc...., What I have listed for you is a break down of an average booking to give you an idea of the profit you could make.

Average booking for one large fountain
44inc chocolate fountain
100 guests
3 hours flowing time Total Charge for Hire : £295.00

Initial Outlay
6/8 different dipping foods £40.00
10kg Belgian Chocolate £39.00
Napkins £5.00
Skewers £6.00
Fresh Flowers £10.00

Total Outlay £100.00

Potential profit £190.00 per booking of 100 guests based on charging £295.00


Average Booking for the Trio Package
44 inch chocolate fountain
2 x 19 inch chocolate fountain
100 guests
3 hours flowing time Total Charge for Hire : £370


Initial Outlay
6/8 different dipping foods £40.00
10kg Milk Belgian Chocolate £39.00
2.5kg White Bel Chocolate £18.00
2.5 kg Dark Bel chocolate £18.00
Napkins £5.00
Skewers £6.00
Fresh Flowers £10.00

Total Outlay £136.00

Potential Profit £234.00 per booking of 100 guests based on charging £370.00

So far for 2010 I have booked over £9000 worth of business, there will still be plenty of bookings for the rest of the year, most of the bookings gave only paid £50 deposit, so there is still a lot of money to come in. I have added up the remaining balance to come in until end of 2010 and there's just under £6000. you have to take off the initial outlay (Chocolate, Food, Napkins etc..) to work out how much profit there is to make. I also have bookings in the diary for 2011 so far there are 3.

If the guests numbers were to rise I would charge an extra £1 per person to cover the cost of the extra food and also my time for the preparation of the food. so if there were 150 guests you could charge £345 for 44 inch fountain or if they have the trio you could charge £420.

The business would be sold to include all machinery, 1 x 44 inch chocolate fountain, 2 x 19 inch chocolate fountains, all the display plates, tubs, surplus stock of skewers, chocolate, Templates for quotations, my contacts would also be informed of the take over and I would ask them to recommend you should you decide to continue with a similar set up as to what I currently offer. All carry tubs for equipment etc...all different colours of organza material for decorating the machine.

Website domain name would be transferred to you, company name would be transferred to you.

All future enquiries I receive for the business via telephone or email ~ I would take their details and forward the enquiry on to you for you to follow up (I'm sure people will still ring my landline or mobile for a limited period)

I also have an advert in the Yellow pages, this would still run for this year but transfer to you next year, I will cover the cost of this advert and again forward the clients details on to you for further chasing.


The fountains I have purchased are made by Sephra, they are the best you can buy, they look good unlike some of the other makes i.e. poyser and giles don't look good when set up, Sephra look symmetrical in everyway and flow really nice.

You can buy other sizes but I've always used the 44inch due to the fact that if people want a fountain then they want it to make a statement.... and the 44 inch fountain really does just that! especially if you have all three side by side.

If you were to purchase a new 44 inch Sephra machine today it would cost you £2300 + vat

In terms of prospect for the business ~ I feel there is great potential for chocolate fountain hire for any event. I have mainly place my promotion of the business into Weddings. There are lots of corporate events to be had (as you know)

When you asked for details of a business plan or details regarding what I would do if i was to continue with the business, its not possible to give you full information, I'm sure we both work very differently and we both have other areas where we can progress the business, should you wish to purchase the business then I would be more than willing to pass my ideas on to you and also offer my support for a short time after the transaction has taken place. If I were to continue with the business I would spend more time contacting potential clients but there are other ways to generate business. The time I have to put into the business at the moment is a lot less than what you maybe have, I'm not selling the business due to any financial problems, I wish to sell the business due to emigrating, I'm not looking at starting any other business up in the future.


Should you wish to consider the purchase, I'm looking for nothing less than £8000 to purchase the business in full (as per above) The way I see it, this is an established chocolate fountain business with an excellent reputation with clients and also my business contacts. The gross turn over is just a % of what you could really take. It has huge potential but needs more time spending on it to generate the extra bookings. I think with your set up you could really move this business forward along with your own current business. I've got some fab ideas how you could incorporate the fountain but again I will share these with you once you decide if you are interested and become the new owner.

Please feel free to ask any further questions, I'm available till aprox 10pm tonight or ring/email me in the morning.


***

What do you all think?

Am I going crackers again?

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I get the impression Choc Fountains are declining now as its becoming "common"

[Charlie Brown]

Really?

[thex-faders]

I think if you have a local golf club / function suite that regularly turns over weddings and the such, if you got contracted work at a particular venue you could definately make a worthwhile and profitable business. Being the regular supplier for one / two maybe three venues is where I see security in the fountain business side as you can be contracted for them to use you.

Best of luck with whatever decision you take charlie
Tom

[ppentertainments]

I get the impression Choc Fountains are declining now as its becoming "common"
Can't remember the last time I saw a chocolate fountain at a wedding. Most people have small ones at home now.

IMO they are tacky and very messy.

[Mark Wild]

a) What was number 1?

B) Would this get you more work?

C) wtf has you buying a chocolate fountain have to do with mobile discos? LOL

[StarZSoundS]

I didn't have 8 Grand laying around when I was 16.;) ;) ;)

[DeckstarDeluxe]

a) What was number 1?

B) Would this get you more work?

C) wtf has you buying a chocolate fountain have to do with mobile discos? LOL


As an add on Im guessing but chances are catering companies could complete with this.

[ppentertainments]

Charlie, one minute you are going to be packing in discos, next minute you have bookings coming out your ears, now you are talking about a different venture.

I know you are young and enthusiastic, but have a good hard look at life and what you REALLY want to do :)

[Charlie Brown]

I think if you have a local golf club / function suite that regularly turns over weddings and the such, if you got contracted work at a particular venue you could definately make a worthwhile and profitable business. Being the regular supplier for one / two maybe three venues is where I see security in the fountain business side as you can be contracted for them to use you.


Ahh, so you actually own some fountains Tom?


Can't remember the last time I saw a chocolate fountain at a wedding. Most people have small ones at home now.

IMO they are tacky and very messy.

That was my opinion of them too - until I discovered 4 of my couples in July & August were having one!


a) What was number 1?

B) Would this get you more work?

C) wtf has you buying a chocolate fountain have to do with mobile discos? LOL

I guess number 1 was the whole £199 disco.

I believe it will get me more work in the long run. I think I would run the two business separate but obviously link them both to my site, change the logo etc. She's in the first page of Google. Most people booking a fountain want a disco too?


I didn't have 8 Grand laying around when I was 16.;) ;) ;)

You think I do!

It would mean a serious loan from Granddad..or using money that (would of) paid for my education next year. (another debate on it's own. I've decided to give it my best shot...if I do relatively well, I'll stay and juggle both school and work, if not - I'll leave and invest the cash)



As an add on Im guessing but chances are catering companies could complete with this.

Ahh...all the other companies in Nottingham charge £350...she is the only company charging £295

[Charlie Brown]

I know you are young and enthusiastic, but have a good hard look at life and what you REALLY want to do :)

I could cry...I really don't know!

My heads all over the shot. I'm like a "bull with tobasco rammed up it's a rse as my English teacher kindly put it.

I wouldn't be packing the disco business in.

I'll be honest...I'm bored. I'm bored with what I'm doing now. I always need to be doing something...working on a project - whether it fails or not, I gave it a go. I'm frustrated by my restrictions and age. Kinda make sense?

[Mark Wild]

I could cry...I really don't know!

My heads all over the shot. I'm like a "bull with tobasco rammed up it's a rse as my English teacher kindly put it.

I wouldn't be packing the disco business in.

I'll be honest...I'm bored. I'm bored with what I'm doing now. I always need to be doing something...working on a project - whether it fails or not, I gave it a go. I'm frustrated by my restrictions and age. Kinda make sense?

You need to get laid mate, because, the long lost son of Alan Sugar you are not ! :D

[StarZSoundS]

8090


7 years from now!!



Charlie:"Hey...That wedding we got tonight!!Have they booked a DJ or a Chocolate Fountain".


Charlies Assistant:"Hey...Come on Charlie...you haven't done a Disco since the Black Eyed Peas were in the charts".


Charlie : "S'ppose its me thats doing the sampling again then??"


Charlies Assistant:"Yup..... you always do the sampling...it's what you're good at!!":sj: :sj: :sj: :sj:

[djsteve10]

Chocolate fountains are decreasing fast, Spend your money on Uplighting and other extras that you could offer to your disco and also dry hire out on quiet weekends.

[discomobiledj]

:agree:

I think you're mad personally.

[Ukbride Owner]

Charlie can you get your hands on £8,000???

If the answer is yes, ring me and I will give you my advice.

If not there's no point in discssing it really is there!

[Corabar Entertainment]

Who would you be getting to prepare all the food, set up and operate the fountain, and clean it out at the end of the night, Charlie (because you certainly couldn't do that and the disco at the same time!)?

[djsteve10]

Charlie can you get your hands on £8,000???

If the answer is yes, ring me and I will give you my advice.

If not there's no point in discssing it really is there!

8K for a chocolate fountain? I'd expect Willy Wonka for that!

[Charlie Brown]

I didn't expect positive advise from this forum but maybe your right.

Why am I mad?

The 8K would have to be from Grandad who I'd pay back slowly.....

...maybe a bad idea already. :sofa:

Angela...I'd probably pay someone to do that?

[Corabar Entertainment]

I didn't expect positive advise from this forum
CHARMING!

I'll shut up and leave you to it then Charlie.

[Big Mix Mobile Disco]

Young, enthusiastic and mature it would seem. And very Entrepreneurial!

All I would say is be careful as to what you decide to do - don't make quick, un-thought-out decisions. If YOU truley believe in something and you think it will work then I say go for it.

But make sure you think lots into it - do your research and then more research ... and so on.

Chocolate fountains maybe dying off slowly - although I have no reason to say it is or it isn't, but what about Marquee hire??? Most people will always need a marquee - won't they? I would say this won't dye off fast, however there may be too much competition.

Or even fancy dress hire? With formal wear also?

Ok, I'm getting a little dragged into the whole thought process. The moral of my long post is - THINK IT ALL THROUGH carefully and don't be nieve! :)

[StarZSoundS]

Charlie can you get your hands on £8,000???

If the answer is yes, ring me and I will give you my advice.

If not there's no point in discssing it really is there!

Look out Charlie...

He wants your 8 grand...


You are going to get offered Platinum Membership at a discounted rate :eek: :eek::eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Charlie just spend half an hour at least working out rough costings along with the rate of repayment back to your grandad and also the extra costs in marketing etc....

[Starlight]

C) wtf has you buying a chocolate fountain have to do with mobile discos? LOL
Don't starve his passion mate :p :D ;) :Laugh: :lol:

Neil.

[womble]

Firstly I would ask why she is selling.

Then I'd try and read between the lines of whatever she says her reason is for selling.

Then I'd consider the following...

*** the following is based on lots of assumptions so you may need to amend the numbers to fit ***

She says she's booked over £9k of business this year, it sounds like some of that has already passed, so how much is left? Assuming the £9k of bookings were equally spread across 2010 then 5/12 of those bookings have passed leaving you with £3,750 worth of business, plus the 3 booked into 2011, optimistically that may be a further £1,000.

So there's potentially £4,750 booked in (12-14 gigs), based on her profit examples above you'd make about 66% profit on each one. So you have profit of approx £3,200 profit headed your way. Minus your travel costs, maintainence, insurance, etc. (I'm assuming these bookings will not coincide with any of your current disco bookings). I would then make an estimate of your costs for those things per gig and take off 12-14 times that amount. I'm going to guess that these are all local gigs, so maybe £5-£10 in fuel (?) and another £5-£10 for other bits and bobs. So take off maybe £200 over the 12-14 gigs. Leaving you with £3,000 profit from the existing gigs.

If you have any date clashes between the fountain business and the disco business then you would have to pay someone to run the fountain side while you spin the wheels of steel elsewhere (I'm going to assume you're lucky and there are no date clashes)

The equipment she is selling to you consists of a 44" Sephra fountain, yes it costs £2,300 + VAT new. But this is not new, it's 2nd hand. A quick google shows that the other fountains she is including are not commercial, but for home use and are available for about £150 each. The rest is tupperware and organza. So all the bits add up to around £3k new. Second hand, what would these be worth? £2k? Also - how long do these Sephra Chocolate Fountains last before they need servicing/replacing?

So you will be buying £3k worth of guaranteed profit and £2k of assets. That means, to me, that you would be paying £3k for the business name, website and goodwill - is it worth that? Will you be guaranteed future bookings? Depending on the level of future bookings it could take 18 months - 3 years to break even?

Personally, if I was insistent on going down the chocolate fountain route, I would consider buying similar equipment to hers and adding it as an add-on. But as others have said, I don't know if there's enough call to warrant it. Which brings me back to my first question.

Surely you could think of a better investment of £8k?

[Charlie Brown]

CHARMING!

I'll shut up and leave you to it then Charlie.

I didn't mean it like that and wasn't referring to you whatsoever.

I just didn't think I'd be encouraged to go ahead with it.



Firstly I would ask why she is selling.



She is selling due to emigration.

After reading your long/well thought out post - I asked to see the books. She told me "my accountant has advised that I don't show anybody the books until they have agreed to go ahead." :confused:

Thanks to all those who have commented. :) It's helped me (again) to make up my mind.

You've all brought me down to planet earth (reality). I'm out of koo koo land.

I can't drive. I'm still in full-time education. I'm 16.

Hey ho. :o

[Shaun]

Firstly I would ask why she is selling.

Then I'd try and read between the lines of whatever she says her reason is for selling.

Then I'd consider the following...

*** the following is based on lots of assumptions so you may need to amend the numbers to fit ***

She says she's booked over £9k of business this year, it sounds like some of that has already passed, so how much is left? Assuming the £9k of bookings were equally spread across 2010 then 5/12 of those bookings have passed leaving you with £3,750 worth of business, plus the 3 booked into 2011, optimistically that may be a further £1,000.

So there's potentially £4,750 booked in (12-14 gigs), based on her profit examples above you'd make about 66% profit on each one. So you have profit of approx £3,200 profit headed your way. Minus your travel costs, maintainence, insurance, etc. (I'm assuming these bookings will not coincide with any of your current disco bookings). I would then make an estimate of your costs for those things per gig and take off 12-14 times that amount. I'm going to guess that these are all local gigs, so maybe £5-£10 in fuel (?) and another £5-£10 for other bits and bobs. So take off maybe £200 over the 12-14 gigs. Leaving you with £3,000 profit from the existing gigs.

If you have any date clashes between the fountain business and the disco business then you would have to pay someone to run the fountain side while you spin the wheels of steel elsewhere (I'm going to assume you're lucky and there are no date clashes)

The equipment she is selling to you consists of a 44" Sephra fountain, yes it costs £2,300 + VAT new. But this is not new, it's 2nd hand. A quick google shows that the other fountains she is including are not commercial, but for home use and are available for about £150 each. The rest is tupperware and organza. So all the bits add up to around £3k new. Second hand, what would these be worth? £2k? Also - how long do these Sephra Chocolate Fountains last before they need servicing/replacing?

So you will be buying £3k worth of guaranteed profit and £2k of assets. That means, to me, that you would be paying £3k for the business name, website and goodwill - is it worth that? Will you be guaranteed future bookings? Depending on the level of future bookings it could take 18 months - 3 years to break even?

Personally, if I was insistent on going down the chocolate fountain route, I would consider buying similar equipment to hers and adding it as an add-on. But as others have said, I don't know if there's enough call to warrant it. Which brings me back to my first question.

Surely you could think of a better investment of £8k?

^^ The voice of sanity and reason ^^


Good post.

[Charlie Brown]

^^ The voice of sanity and reason ^^


Good post.

It was Shaun - you're right.

Thank you very much for the time/effort.

It made me see everything clearer. :)

[womble]

It was Shaun - you're right.

Thank you very much for the time/effort.

It made me see everything clearer. :)


No problem - so are you going to sell me those ACME moonflowers or what? :D

[Jambo]

After reading your long/well thought out post - I asked to see the books. She told me "my accountant has advised that I don't show anybody the books until they have agreed to go ahead." :confused:


Charlie, if she is not prepared to show you the books then I would avoid this with a barge poll, if the books were straight then no accountant would advise their client not to show a potential buyer of the business the books.

By not showing you the books one can only assume that she is not quite telling the truth with regards to how much she makes from the fountains!

[discomobiledj]

Charlie,

After reading your opening post again, I'm surprised I didn't notice this part the first time round.


I haven't listed my net profit because this would be different for you, to you as a company taking over an existing business there would be certain expenses that you wouldn't need to include again such as car insurance, gas, electric etc....,

The net profit is the most important thing and is something you NEED to know.

Yes there maybe items within the books that can be taken out such as ??electric?? (not sure why she would use electric as she would be at third party sites), car insurance and gas (again not sure why she would be using gas).

Quoting the cost of a new chocolate foundation is as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike. I would expect items like that would be worth 50% of the original value second hand.

Plates, skewers, napkins, chocolate (how much is she "giving" you) can all be purchased at a wholesaler, Makro, Costco etc for probably £500.

At the end of the day it's your money, but if you are going to do this then do it properly. Ask her for the last three years (preferably) accounts showing full details of the net profit and turnover. If she is asking £8k for it then I would expect to see a net profit of around £2,500 (based on three years accounts).

If she is not keen on letting you see audited accounts then I would be asking what she has to hide (not in those particular words!).

I dealt with selling businesses for 10 years so if you get stuck with anything then PM me and let me know what issue you are having.

Sorry for the long post!

[Charlie Brown]

No problem - so are you going to sell me those ACME moonflowers or what? :D

PM Sent. :D



By not showing you the books one can only assume that she is not quite telling the truth with regards to how much she makes from the fountains!

Yeah, you're right. I don't understand why she won't show me. Apparently it's not good "business practise."



The net profit is the most important thing and is something you NEED to know.

Yes there maybe items within the books that can be taken out such as ??electric?? (not sure why she would use electric as she would be at third party sites), car insurance and gas (again not sure why she would be using gas).


I didn't understand that either - I thought she meant home? She thinks I'm 30ish!

Thanks Steve also for your help.

It's all iffy and pie in the sky. She approached me (because I use her for my couples) and asked if I wanted to buy.

Thank you guys. :)

[Corabar Entertainment]

Actually, not showing the books until firm interest is shown is usual practice: At this stage of the proceedings it's nothing more than a 'general chat' between you, and I don't think it's helpful suggesting that there is something 'iffy' going on here based upon that. It's usually at stage 2 that the books are disclosed.

It discourages tyre-kickers / disclosing unnecessary information to the competition.

[Jambo]

Angela

I agree that not showing the books when someone first shows an interest is usual business practice but Charlie has already had his initial communications with the lady and has not been frightened off by the price so surely by Charlie still showing an interest and asking to see the books this means that his intent is more than a passing interest.

Also Charlie stated "After reading your long/well thought out post - I asked to see the books. She told me "my accountant has advised that I don't show anybody the books until they have agreed to go ahead."

Now surely most people would want to see the books before committing to purchase he business!

[Corabar Entertainment]

There's 'committing' and there's 'committing' :lol:

The books would (should) be made available as soon as things move to a more formal footing - rather than just a 'chat' between buyer and seller.

Charlie would still not be locked in under contract at that stage of the proceedings, but would have shown good faith action (eg Stating that he did indeed wish to purchase the business and providing the name and address of his accountant and / or solicitor who would be acting on his behalf in the purchase). They would form part of the document disclosure package.

[discomobiledj]

Accounts should be shown once buyer and seller have met and the buyer showing interest, not once solicitors are introduced.

[A1DL]

If she is not keen on letting you see audited accounts then I would be asking what she has to hide (not in those particular words!).




Unless the company turnover is >£5.6m and/or the balance sheet is >£2.8m, then it is unlikely audited accounts will exist, since audit exemption applies below these thresholds.

[A1DL]

Charlie would still not be locked in under contract at that stage of the proceedings...

Hi Angela :p ,

Interesting potential scenario this - a couple of points/observations;

1. as a minor, Charlie would not be able to enter into any contract because of his age, therefore he would have to persuade a parent, guardian or other willing adult to do so.

2. In the OP, Charlie stated;

company name would be transferred to you.

That's not black & white, is it? To clarify, does this mean the buyer will purchase 100% of the share capital for agreed consideration, or merely inherit the IP rights, (but not the share capital)?

[Corabar Entertainment]

Accounts should be shown once buyer and seller have met and the buyer showing interest, not once solicitors are introduced.I think we're just discussing semantics here over when someone should approach a solicitor! - and in any event I did just give examples of 'good faith' action.


1. as a minor, Charlie would not be able to enter into any contract because of his age, therefore he would have to persuade a parent, guardian or other willing adult to do so.Not entirely true... although it is likely that the seller would be advised not to enter into the contract with a minor.


2. In the OP, Charlie stated;


That's not black & white, is it? To clarify, does this mean the buyer will purchase 100% of the share capital for agreed consideration, or merely inherit the IP rights, (but not the share capital)?We don't even know here whether it's a 'company' at all.

[thex-faders]

Ahh, so you actually own some fountains Tom?

No I dont own fountains, but i know a couple of caterers who offer it included in there packages and it is popular. But only because its included with the food etc. I think doing just chocolate fountains on its own could be risky.... unless you got contracted somewhere as it would be secured that any event that requires a chocolate fountain... they would use you.

I think this would be a much more secure business venture rather than offering it as a side business to discos. Also have you thought about staffing costs and who would set it all up etc... As you need someone on it for the night?

Tom

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Charlie can you get your hands on £8,000???

If the answer is yes, ring me and I will give you my advice.

If not there's no point in discssing it really is there!

Why not put your advice on here Julian?


I didn't expect positive advise from this forum but maybe your right.




Realistic advice maybe.

Forget the idea. They are on their way out.

Why do you think she is selling?

[Vectis]

Forget the idea. They are on their way out.

Why do you think she is selling?

:agree:

With all things considered including loan repayments you'll be lucky to clear £50 per hire. Why not just keep subbing and take £50 in finders fee/commission and save yourself the hassle?

Work smarter, not harder ;)

[Charlie Brown]

Just update this thread:

Hi Teresa,

I’ve thought really hard about your proposition – weighing up both the pro’s and con’s.

I better tell you a little bit about myself:

I’m 16. I’m still a full time student – hating it! The company has been established for 3 years now and it’s gone from strength to strength. I’m doing my first year of A levels. I can’t obviously learn to drive till I’m 17 so mobility can sometimes be awkward. (Dad does most of it or I know a “man with a van.”)

The company has grown significantly but is hard to juggle school work, social life of a 16 year old and then the business.

Anyway:-

In an ideal work, I’d love to take on your business proposition but I felt it lacked substance. I have also had independent advice who agreed.

There didn’t seem to be enough substance to equate to your proposed figure of £8,000. The fountains, second hand – are worth no more than £1,750.

You have £6,000 of bookings secured. What’s to say they don’t like how/what I do? There is no guarantee I’ll get more bookings?

Another factor is the mobility – Travelling would be a night mare...major point I’ve been toying with.

However, if you asked me at the end of July and really thought about how much the business is worth – then I’d consider it further. Or if you decide to sell the fountains on their own – I’d defiantly be interested.

It’s really throwing myself in the deep-end. I’d love to take on the challenge but practically it’s not ideal yet.

I wish you every success and I’m sure you will find someone who has been in the catering industry for a long time with the knowledge and expertise of how to market/attract clients.

I’m happy to send you a letter confirming your company as our sole supplier of fountains – This would be a cracking selling point for you.

P.S – Sorry I haven’t got back to you earlier – I’ve been stuck in bed with the flu.

Kind Regards,

Charlie Brown

REPLY:

Hi Charlie

Well you are a dark horse lol, I never realised you were 16....I must say you are very professional and if you continue with this manner you will go a long way in life and your parents should be very proud of you, there are not many 16 year old male's who are setting up their own business and looking to expand into other areas.

I must just add.... and I'm possibly going to sound like your mum and dad now lol..... you really must continue with your studies, no matter how much you hate it, the qualifications will be useful in later life (I know that because I wish I had qualifications to back me up sometimes and I'm now 39) lecture over hahahaha

Back to the discussion of the chocolate fountain, you mentioned that you had received some independent advice and that they agreed the price was too high! any chance you could let me know how they came up with this conclusion? I did speak to someone about the value of my business and we agreed that the price I was asking was acceptable. But I would be interested in hearing what you came up with and why/how

You mentioned being interested in buying the business at the end of July depending on the price.... I'm in no rush to sell the business within weeks and the end of July is not a million miles away...come back to me with what figure you were thinking and I will consider once I have spoken to my advisor. I understand what you are saying about the possibility of clients cancelling their booking, but what I have agreed for the client isn't hard to do and I'm sure you could still delivery the same service.

Like I said in our conversation the other week, I would pass on all my knowledge to you and guide you on the bookings, I wouldn't just leave you in the deepend without any help I'm not like that.

Anyhow....have a think about things, come back to me with your valuation and lets see where things go... hope your feeling better.

Speak soon
Teresa
The Cocoa Tree

[discomobiledj]

At the end of the day Charlie the final answer has to be yours.

Just because she will guide you, it doesn't mean it will work out.

I would ask her for a copy of her accounts that she has filed with HMRC so that you can see everything. Also a copy of confirmed bookings that she has and will ultimately pass over to you.

[rob1963]

Only just caught up with this thread for some reason.

Charlie...my advice would be to forget the chocolate fountains & concentrate on building up your disco business at the moment.

You don't want to bite off more than you can chew, and I think it will be more productive to invest 100% of your time, effort & energy into the discos.

:)

[woody2]

All future enquiries I receive for the business via telephone or email ~ I would take their details and forward the enquiry on to you for you to follow up (I'm sure people will still ring my landline or mobile for a limited period)

I also have an advert in the Yellow pages, this would still run for this year but transfer to you next year, I will cover the cost of this advert and again forward the clients details on to you for further chasing.

I wish to sell the business due to emigrating



something aint right;) why not try advertise fountains on your website first,then if the business is their, buy new stuff?

cheers

[Corabar Entertainment]

Charlie - you still haven't said: do you have someone in mind to run the fountains on the night? ...and don't forget you'll need to factor in their wages to the business costs.

[Shaun]

Charlie, you also have to consider how your going to transport the fountains when they're hired. You're already having to rely on your dad/friends to transport your gear when doing discos. How's this going to work out logistically when the fountains are hired out too somewhere completely different?

My advice, concentrate on your discos for now.

[andyw]

charlie remember just like at a disco there is a lot more then playing a few cd's, a chocolate fountain is a lot more work then putting some chocolate in and away you go, on the day you have to go and get all the fresh fruit then spend many hours preparing it(you should have food hygien certificates to do this) and at the end of the night it takes hours to clean the things and then dispose of all the left over chocolate,i guarantee you will be sick of seeing chocolate by time you finish.

[Charlie Brown]

That's a good point Angela.

I'd have to pay someone to man it....the profit wouldn't be great and it's a lot of hassle.

I'll tell her I'm not interested but will continue to use her as my preferred fountainer. ;)