Opinions most welcome ... on a potential business idea

NannaAnna I live in a town which has a plethora of clubs and interest groups, including women-only groups, so there really wouldn't seem to be a need for another such group here. (There are even three Red Hat clubs within an easy drive.)

nanaanna at ground roots this is a good idea, as there can be a lack of places where friendship can be formed for some female age groups if you fall between the school drop and the WI in some areas.

But I would stress that you need to carry out in-depth research into the area you intend to cover before you part with any money.

Let us know how things go, good luck

Isnt this what Nexus does but with added men? Nothing, but nothing, would get me near a 'Red hat 'group. I think the poem is noxious,

Sounds good to me but I would worry about who was going in terms of myself i dont want to belong to something that looks or feels like WI or U3A actualy thinking about it not keen on an all women group either.

We had a similar women's group going locally, NanaAnna, I think it was called The Women's Society, and for a while it worked well, we would take turns hosting the meetings and there was a phone-round system to let each other know where the next event would be taking place.

It wasn't ideal, as some members didn't really have enough space to accommodate the meetings, and others would drop out. I left after a while because there were a couple of rather dominant characters who took over and it all became a bit cliquey!

Run well, and if there's a demand locally, such groups can be very successful and helpful in bringing women together - as glass says, do your research thoroughly. I presume members would have to pay a fee? This can sometimes be tricky, especially if they pay meeting-by-meeting and numbers can't be guaranteed.

Good luck!

It says an annual fee Anagram. I wonder how much that would be? Many people might not like to make a bit initial outlay in case it turned out they didn't like it.

On the other hand, once the fee is paid, it might encourange them to get their money's worth!

For me, it would depend on how much I would have to pay for the franchise.

'big' not 'bit sorry

Are the church halls (if that is what you would use) very expensive to hire in your area?

Sorry, missed the bit about 'annual fee'. That's probably the only way it would work, get the money up front, but as you say jingl some women could be put off by that aspect.

Thanks everyone for the feedback so far.
susiecb it isn't at all like WI or U3A I do know what you mean about not being attracted to a women only group, but on the other hand, I've come across many women who want to socialise but are put off mixed groups because they don't like the 'dating' emphasis of them. Horses for courses, I guess.
imjingl - not church halls at all Meetings would be in coffee shops, restaurants, etc. There is a reasonable annual fee (but first meeting is free) and then you pay per event you attend (for the meal, or pampering session, or wine tasting event, etc)
Because the business is just venturing into franchising, the fee is extremely reasonable, for the first 5 franchisees. The full fee for further franchises would still be pretty reasonable in my opinion. (I've been involved with franchises for many years). Don't know if it would be acceptable to quote figures - I will if it's not against the rules

Sounds like a really good idea if the figures work - initial fee and then payment per session seems reasonable.

It sounds really good. I think, get in there quick! Go on. How much is it?

I have a friend in America who belongs to a similar group, they meet in coffee shops, bars and restaurants and do sessions such as wine tasting, pampering and art, she seems to have fun but she is a 'lady that lunches' most days of the week, she takes all her daughters along with her.. that sort of thing wouldn't appeal to me but I'm sure there are people to whom it would.

imjingl Once the first 5 franchised groups are established, they will want £1,950 to buy a territory.
However, to get things off the ground, they are offering the first 5 for £250.
The company has been running for 3 years, and have 13 groups around Kent and Surrey mainly. So far they have been run centrally, but they've got to the point where that's no longer viable (due to growth), hence the franchise route.

Grab it quick NannaA! Get in there!

I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole, but perhaps it's just me being wary.

NannaAnna It does sound a good idea for ladies who want to socialize at places you mentioned but would you not worry that your particular territory would become "full" with members because only a certain amount of women would be interested and then the franchise comes to a natural halt (does that make sense) I hope so.

Sorry, but it wouldn't appeal to me at all.

When the mood takes me, and it takes my friends too, then we just get on and enjoy each other's company whilst engaging in something interesting, or not, or we just eat and chat.

I certainly wouldn't pay someone to organise that for me.

Feel glamm has a good point about saturations levels.

You are lucky, Butternut, but the point of the project NannaAnna is considering is to bring together women who perhaps haven't got a supportive social network, and would actually like someone to organise activities that they can join in. It all depends on demand in the area, I suppose.

Yes, of course, Anagram. I was trying to suggest that it is all out there to be done, without the extra expense.

If someone is feeling isolated, I can understand that it may be difficult to
get out there, so someone offering that chance seems like a good idea, yet maybe that sense of isolation might explain the difficulties some people find in joining such a venture.

It would suggest to me that if this business venture was advertised, it would be those who feel confident enough, and are outgoing enough, to 'join in' ........ and they would be the ones who, I suspect, already have a good social network.

Another thought occurs to me - as it is considered to be a business venture - what are the financial gains, and how will profits be made?

I haven't thought about the financial aspect - I suppose there must be profits to be made - but I take your point about the type of woman who would join such a venture. It does sound a bit too adventurous and 'out there' for the shy, retiring kind, especially if they're immediately thrown into group activities with strangers from day one.

That's right Anagram I'm someone who has moved an awful lot, both within the UK and abroad. Whilst I learnt a long time ago to just get out there and find friends, there are many people who for one reason or another, don't feel able to do that. Hopefully, a supportive and welcoming network would give them the impetus. I would also think that many women who suddenly find themselves widowed or divorced would not know where to start with creating a social network. I'm sure not everyone is fortunate enough to maintain good female friendships throughout their married lives. I think for many couples, they are each others lives. After loss, and once healing and recovery begins, many may want new friends but not know how to find them (and many others will create a new life with no external help at all. Any service caters for the needs of those who need that service.)
In recent years I have often wanted to go and see someone in concert, or a particular show, but don't feel that is something I'd want to do on my own. Quite often I've not had a friend who wanted to see that particular performer or show. I've often thought it would be lovely to have a network to call upon, as there would be bound to be at least one other who'd have the same tastes. Just one example
Glammanana you raise a valid point, but I would say that communities are not static. People come and go, and peoples' needs and circumstances change. You could apply the same question to, for instance, a hairdressers, or a nursery school. Both may be fully booked at a particular point in time, but that doesn't mean the businesses have served their purpose and will generate no more business.
I mentioned in my original post the awful-sounding (IMO ) Red Hat clubs. When my friend told me about them I googled the society, and found there is one in my town. They have a waiting list for membership, and have closed the waiting list because it is too long! Not sure how that works, but it certainly shows demand! I guess one would limit numbers to any one event out of sheer practicality, so if the events are popular enough, a waiting list could develop (in which case, open another group, I'd say)
I'm still slightly at the "should I, shouldn't I?" stage, so am more than happy to get differing points of view. Cheers