If you were to start your own business...

It depends on just how much cash we are talking about. A couple of million on the lottery and I'd invest it in housing for private letting. As a long term investment, property is pretty safe if bought correctly. If you aren't relying on it's value to raise further capital, you only have to worry about a drop in prices if you want to sell.

Where's the best place to buy investment property in the UK these days, Tony? (Or would you buy in Greece? )

Oh my goodness! I didn't even think about that! I was just figuring that Tony and his wife liked to vacation in Greece. I promise, I wasn't trying to be political about it!

I'd really like to own vacation properties in all the places I like to go and then just stay in whichever ones aren't rented at a given time.

Indeed! Buy an income property in Orlando AND one in Greece!

There's a thought.

So what's everyone else fancy doing?

If serving people is something you love doing, that can be a rewarding endeavor. I would not recommend the restaurant business as an investment though. While you can do well financially starting your own restaurant, it requires an awful lot of time away from your loved ones. If it is something your family could do together, that would be ideal.

I think I would go start a kayaking or white water rafting company in the mountains -- maybe somewhere in Switzerland, Italy, or Germany. That would be a blast.

Actually I've just started up my own business...... In Wedding planning and hire. Only done 1 wedding (plus my own) so its still very new but have another 2 weddings booked so things are getting there

Stuffed Cupcake shop! Hundreds of yummy, stuffed choices all decorated neatly. I would be in my glory at work each day!

Neat, Robyn. I'll be interested to hear how that progresses. I planned our wedding and people have said I should get into that but I feel like it's just too stressful.

Speaking of cupcakes, DW and I think this is a very cool idea.

Cupcakes are HUGE right now. I have to say I'm a fan of this movement.

Robyn, how do you find your clients?

Sorry I've only just found this thread again!
Find the clients ok so far, one told me to keep the deposit as she was so pleased with me! Was very nice

I agree..Cupcake Bakery! They are so big right now..and I can't imagine that there is a HUGE cost.
Of course, there is that pesky problem of learning to bake that might stand in my way.

I think if I were doing wedding planning I'd be suggesting Disney themes to everyone!

I would start up an independent book store. They are few and far between, but really good ones can survive. I would want to have a coffee shop and comfortable couches so people could hang out there too. Bring in live music and special events, maybe even have the board game group we are in meet there too!

I have put way too much thought into my perfect indie bookstore though...

I love that idea!!

I had a friend who wanted to do a bookstore & coffee shop attached to a one screen movie theatre that showed old movies..I thought that was a great idea but the town we lived it wouldn't have been the best place for it.

Of course location is a huge factor, but indie bookstores can do very well.

I'm totally behind the indie bookstore idea -- we've talked about it, but don't have the money to start it up and we aren't really sure the area would be good for one.

Do you have a lot of college students nearby?

We could if it was the right place. We are near Princeton University, which is close to a few other universities too.

There are a lot of schools around there. That could be an interesting option. We live near where the college kids hang out and the indie coffee house here sees to do gangbusters.

i'll start a restaurant

I would open a Baby Boutique. It would feature lots of diaper cakes (I love making them) and other similar baby shower items as well as unique clothing options.

A friend if mine makes Nappy (Diaper) cakes. (hope this link works http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=275132297591&v=photos)

Diaper cakes. Sounds pretty awful if you don't know what they are!

So true!!

I got an amazing diaper cake for my baby shower!
Kudos to you Scrappy..that takes real patience..and I'd totally shop at your boutique for little Holden!