Awesome Idea !

[Maximus]

Ok so here it is. I am sure most people have at one point or another thought to themselves "I have a Great Idea,How do I make it real"
I think I have an absolute winner of an idea/theme for a nightclub as well as having a built in marketing machine staff and clientel.

A club is only active for a few hrs a night... What about making the facilities available during daytime hrs.
My problem is this I have multiple ideas for daytime uses some of them overlap. Meaning I could have three different profit centers within one building. It also provides me with a talent pool for each of the other businesses.

My question is how do I put this idea together and present it to potential investors and not have it stolen and see it developed by someone else ?

Thanks for your help!

[Kansas City]

Trust me no one will steel this "new idea".

[The Event Guy]

Trust me no one will steel this "new idea".

Each venue is different so each marketing campaign is different. What works here might not work there. What you plan to do there someone else is doing here...

Present this idea the same way you would a business plan to a bank. You can't copyright a theory so you've got nothing to loose at this point so put your energy intop preparing your presentation instead of worrying about copyrights and infringement.

It all comes down to how you get the job done so make sure YOU can fulfill your obligations as the marketeer. If you're looking to make money just by selling an idea, then you should be a consulting service and market yourself as such.

[wygk]

I've been involved in the venture capital world as well as raising funding for various small businesses. In my experience, investors look at three things:

* The team of people and their track record

* The business plan

* The concept or idea

Of the three, the "idea" is probably least important (unless it represents a big technology leap that can be patented - but that's not what you're talking about).

As EventGuy says, focus on putting together a solid story for investors on why they should invest in you and your business.

[Maximus]

I understand what you are saying in regards to the business plan. No I am not looking to sell the idea. I am looking to put this idea in motion I have looked at the demographics and the business plan works the market is there the numbers are solid.I dont have the total funds needed to make this happen so I am considering going to a few of the people here in town that have clubs but on the other side of town.My concern is that once they see the opportunity here they will go ahead without me and make it happen.

What other sources should I look at instead of other club owners here in town ?

[wygk]

In most businesses, I'd say try to qualify for an SBA-backed loan from your bank... but that's really hard to do with a club.

Other sources of private funding are "high net worth individuals" looking for investment opportunities. You reach them through networking, and it takes time, but I've seen a guy raise over $3 million this way.

Check out score.org and see if there's a chapter in your area. They can help with your business plan and can sometimes help with networking to locate investors.

Also, check out your local community colleges for business extension classes, especially classes in "starting a small business." These classes are often run by retired business people. You can learn a lot by taking the class, plus the instructors often have good connections and networks that can help with funding. (Another friend pursued this path and raised $500,000 for her business.)

It all takes time and persistence, but it can be done. Good luck!