New Forum Project: Business Incubator?

Here's an idea that came up on Mr. Frog's thread: would it be cool if the Forum were to sponsor a space (maybe a 512 with a single building) for new creators to put a vendor in, for free, to try out commerce? If it were next to the Hangout, it might be guaranteed some traffic from bored forumites just wandering over, but that's not a must.

Sort of a business incubator. There would need to be a few policies around this, maybe:
-- Each embryo businessperson gets:
------ A standard vendor provided by the incubator
------ A single-prim sign they can use to explain their business (they provide the texture)
------ A suggestion box

-- Incubator administration has the right to refuse any content or avatar for arbitrary reasons (some guidelines could be done)

-- Incubator vendors are free for 45? days, then done, or, if there is free space/prims, rentable? Or extendable, if no one is waiting for a space?

-- May provide a holovendor for people who make furniture etc., but its use may involve a fee

-- Embryo businessfolks are responsible for all customer service, including stocking and servicing their vendor.

We could use some of the organization used to do the Hangout (e.g. bring Mumfuzz outa mothballs?), but it should probably be run through a separate group (which would evolve to be the 'rental' group for the vendors).

I'd also love to see some new forumites who weren't active the first time around take a leadership role in this round!

Whaddaya think? And, are you willing to help?
.

Meh, let 'em sink or swim like everyone else!

Actually I think it's a great idea. I have a prim rezzer I'd be happy to donate. I for one would love to see this done by some type of committee as I'd prefer to see more of the forum tasks done. I'm willing to volunteer if absolutely necessary, but I'm finding myself in world less and less these days so if others volunteer it'd probably be best.

if i`d have the money, i`d donate land but... maybe soon™

the idea looks good, some good filtering would have to be done to only allow those who are creative and original only to be offerd a free startup place wich would be interresting for visitors to come as it won`t be *just another minimall*

Hey Nika,

Count me in for something... I can help with cash or buy something the place will need. My in-world time is short but if there are things I can do off-world.. I'll be glad to help.

.d

Edit: Great idea btw...

It's a great idea, if i would be a land baron i'll give land for the project.

I have one extra point to add (as idea of course):

The plots dont have to be inside the same SIM, every SIM owner can give 512 sqm during 45 days, and all the land hosts can enter in some kind of network, so it's publicity for them and more land for the candidates.

Great Idea. I'd suggest Nika chairing it, an putting together a team as she see's fit, and letting them go with this. it's a great idea.

I want to help..

If there is no land available near the hangout.. I own a 512 piece you can use. Just put a landmark dispenser at the hangout.

"CX"

I totally agree with Nika chairing it. Poor thing just doesn't know what she's gotten herself in to.

lol

100 "biab i here place ok?" requests later...

I thought she was already chairing it..

.d

I'd liek to help out anyway that you need me too! I think it's a great idea.

Carl Metropolitan's NCI, and I think Travis Lambert's Shelter have already done it.

Pretty well, actually, in NCI's case - I haven't seen others.

I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have more!

But quite frankly, I'd be cautious. Business takes courage, if there is no other serendipitous raison d'etre such as: "I sell the mushrooms on my lawn I made because it was easy to click: sell for $L 10."

Without the nerve to get some $L, a little rental spot and do some personal research, most businesses are doomed.

A sense of entitlement, however, rarely knows any bounds...

Desmond makes a good point, but I think it's still a worthwhile project. I'll put it up on my land if someone else will be in charge of managing it. I'd assume that this involves maintaining a list of people that want in, promoting the businesses to both creators and buyers, and doing some form of check to see if the creators are actually making their own stuff instead of reselling someone else's. With a 3 prim vendor, a 1 prim sign, and a 1 prim suggestion box that would be 5 prims per seller. I could easily host 10 and probably 20. I've got the space to do more, but I don't want it to take away too much from the other things I'm trying to do. Whoever wants to be in charge, send me an IM in world and we'll work something out.

NCI's newbie mall is really nice, yes. I haven't seen the Shelter's either.

I would love it if Travis and/or Carl would weigh in on questions such as:

> Do people actually go on to create real businesses?

> Do they have more demand than they can satisfy?
.

Can I put in an offer to donate my free 512 tier to this venture? Not sure how it would work or how to do it but I'm not gonna use it so it may as well do some good. Anyway, offer is there if you want it and if you haven't already got anywhere.

Also, I would like to help in anyway that is needed. Can't say for definite when I am online but i would be happy to help

Well its taken a while, but I have finally gotten the applications needed to start my 3D/2D business. I hope to be one of those who benifit from something like this. So this sounds like a great Idea to me...and to add to it, those who benifit from it should be able to pay it forward in helping the new business owners that will need help in the future...keeping the spirit of the project going.

It is interesting idea and has good intentions.
I bet there are people like myself who tried to have stores when they were new and didn't
know about places like NCI,etc or only knew after the fact when we were too old.
Hard part for some of us, who are content creators who don't sale our products when were young is that we have convinced our products will never be good enough to sell which may or may not be true.
I know for myself the following was true true.
1) I tried when I was young Avatars and no one bought or found our products worthwhile to buy.
2) All these darn contraptions are overwhelming and I can't figure out.
(I never could figure out the rezzing or holo vender systems and gave up)
3) Only small group of people seem to ever make regular sales or get attention for their product.
Having a shop sets expection that people are going to come and buy the products, which may or may not happen.
Why not just have show and tell night or gallery space, special display of creations and allow people who are interested to request them some where?
Like in Gallery Page in Forum?
And save the money and tier.

Man FD -- you're emanating some bad mojo.

I am down for an incubator. I tried this when I was really new to the game and I wasn't versed enough. So I tried a few routes and then settled into my own groove.

I have a 4096 beachfront that I have been toying with the idea of starting some sort of networking liaison or perhaps an anti-club.Its been vacant for around 2 months, basically.

If anyone feels ambitious enough to take the lead on this, I can put some of my resources behind it. Those of you that know me in-world know that I can get real busy at times so devoting time to projects takes away from my core. However, I am all about helping where I can.

CC

What is an anti-club?

No 'wooting' no 'howlz' no chat spamming -- a certain subtlety mixed in with an ambiance of sultry and sexy. With some good jazz and some older classics from the 70's. A place for the eclectic to hang and not be annoyed. My friend Montana and I conjured up the idea a while back and just never implemented it.

Hey Nika: Clear space for new PMs.

Sounds perfect. Can I come? I just want to hang out and dance somewhere quiet and cool without being wooted at, howlzed at or urged 500 times in a row to vote for who my favorite person in the club is so they can win some prize. I'll be good, I promise.

Whooohooo! Fabulous idea, and the ones that followed! I would love to help, I don't have many skills but I can help with funding and would love to help in any other way I can as well.

I know the NCI New Residents Mall area is used frequently. I don't have any number on what percentage go on to start "real" virtual businesses. The person to talk to is Nardok Corrimal. She's in charge of NCI New Residents Mall.

> Do they have more demand than they can satisfy?

We don't at NCI. Last time I looked the Shelter had empty spaces, too. Travis will know for sure.

I have an "anti-club" - you're more than welcome to go there! I have live music on occasion too.