Do you have any suggestions to share for a nice business to venture this coming 2008?

I'm planning to open some small business this 2008.. like a small building with internet cafe, a mini gift shop and a dress shop at the same time. I'm living in a city and the location for my shop is just near the offices, schools, and residentials. So I guess there's no problem with it. Well.. do you think it's a nice idea to open a business like what I've just mentioned? If you have suggestions/ideas please do feel free to share. Thanks.

Is what you mentioned, is what you really enjoy to do everyday? If the answer is yes, then it can work for you. I assume that you will open your business in the Philippines since it's with the internet cafe idea.
To comment: This is a good start for you to have an experience rather than to buy a franchise even you already have some million of pesos. You will learn so much about handling the business on your own risk in small scale. The knowledge and the hands on skills in management will surely grow in you everyday. You will be amaze how much you will become sharper in decision making. You will understand how much to manage your hard earned money, and also to humbly manage your people.
I have small international business. I also plan to make small ventures back home someday soon, but more on consultations and part non-profit ! Good Luck!
To share what other possible business:
1. Travel Agency - no recruitements, just air plane ticketing
2. Music and Performing Training Center, since you are close to school. add to sell music instruments, cd, books
3. Bakery - pizza, cakes, ice cream
4. Bookstore (?) used and new afordable price.

Do you mean to put up a business here in the Phils or abroad? .. If in the Philippines, I think importing Cheap but top quality furniture would hit it big ... like IKEA furniture because furniture here is terribly overpriced and the choices are not that good. Oftentimes, we have to have furniture custom made because of lousy choices in furniture shops. If I HAD the capital that's what i would do. =(

EDIT: oh a new avatar pic ... you two make cute couple. =)

Carpetbagger

If okay money is fine with you then go ahead with that idea.. I think that it can sustain you and your family.. As far as earning money from it, I wouldn't expect much but at least it can take care of your basic needs... If you have at least a few million pesos, I would suggest getting franchises.. What I meant by franchises are the real stores and not those tit for tat run-off-the mill stores whose already franchising while only having a very small asset and only been around a few years or so.. get partners who wants to also invest and maybe decide on buying a Pizza Hut, Jollibee, McDonald's, etc(you get my drift).. Otherwise, try to venture on overseas recruiting... Good luck...

You said that you are close to offices,
schools and residentials.

Suggest you include a photocopy and plastic
lamination service in your mini-gift shop. Also
include stickers ( students always buy them ).
Stickers at 10 pesos at sheet is selling like
hotcakes near schools.

i really wouldn't recommend internet cafe unless you cater to higher end market. those who could afford and demand quality service. some internet cafes in the philippines are dropping their rates to as low as 10 pesos per hourand most of their customers are student who are not only cutting classes but are addicted to internet gaming.

the surest form of investment and most stable would be real estate. buy condominium units and rent it out to koreans. they are swarming the philippines this past few years.

You are trying to do too much too soon.

Do some market research in your area and see which one people in your city want the most.

Go to your local SBA office and get advice.

the idea sounds fine, but check out the place, competitor and foot traffic. these would be your basis for price and profit. As you did not provide details on your location, it is hard to estimate if this is a good business venture or not.

though after location, you would need a good product and marketing for the product. would the three products complement each other? maybe the internet cafe, snack house and gift shop would be a fit, but the dress shop might not be. you might need a different space for it. unless you want the internet users ogling the dresses and visitors to your dress shoppe.

maybe a t-shirt shop with nice wacky prints and sayings can be a good mix for your internet shop.

so again, research the location, pick your target market, create your product and do the marketing strategy - 4Ps or 5Ps.

You seem to have it all planned out. Just make sure the entrance to your dress shop is separated from the Internet Cafe. You might want to put the gift shop somewhere in the middle so it can be accessed by both your cafe patrons and ladies needing dresses. Good Luck!