Hello my new friends

[ryancoutts1984]

Hello All,

I would first like to indroduce a new startup business which has recently launched a text message service, which allows you to receive cocktail ingredients on your mobile. All you have to do is send the cocktail name to shortcode 82055, where you will instantly recieve the requested instructions.

Looking forward to chatting with you all and hope we manage to help each other out along the way.

Also on the look out for a good web design company who can sort my site out a bit.

Kind regards,

Ryan Coutts
Text 4 Cocktails
www.text4cocktails.co.uk

[ryancoutts1984]

Sorry forgot to mention I am from Aberdeen

[pcsupport]

I sent a cocktail-loving female friend of mine the link to your website and her opinion - bizarre!

Not too sure if that's a good bizarre or a bad bizarre though

[frockery]

Welcome to SBF, Ryan.

Interesting business you have (as it involves alcohol!) How long have you been running?

[ryancoutts1984]

Thank you pcsupport & Frockery for your responses (especially on a sat night)

I know the business may sound bizzare but that is the uniqueness behind it. I have been running for 2 months now and in my opinon have got off to a good start. My main markets are people buying alcohol from the shops (attempting to get a contract setup with a supermarket at the moment) also bar/restaurant staff and students.

The UK is fast becomming more intrested in the concept of cocktails, especially after the sex and the city movie. The problem is everyones scared of making these, thats where my service comes in. It offers you on the move to instantly receive the instruction and ingredient for your requested cocktail instantly. This can come in handy in many situations, for example you are shopping in the off licence for drinks for your party. You want to spice things up a little but you are the shop assistant dont know what you have can buy. 9 times out of 10 you will have your mobile with you, where all you will need to do is send a text message, voilla!!

Thanks

Ryan
Text 4 Cocktails

[stugster]

Hi Ryan,

Love the idea! Although aren't you restricting yourself quite a bit with your target market? Why not have a service that does all alcoholic drinks? "Ask the Bar Man" or something.

How does it work exactly? Is it fully automated or do you have someone responding with the ingredients?

Welcome to the forums!

Stuart

[ryancoutts1984]

Hello Stuart,

I know where you are comming from regarding the comment about my market but my aim is to get the basics right first then move towards a wider audience. I have a database setup through a company which controls the texts, where I maintain this. So this is a hastle free business but is only time consuming with maintaining and updating.

My next goal is to get the website redesigned as it was my 1st attempt, then will be working on some other projects for the service.

Thanks,

Ryan
Text 4 Cocktails

[stugster]

Hi Ryan,

The website is certainly a good first attempt! And made even better if you're not a web-designer.

Have a word with some of the designers on here, I'm sure they'd be happy to help you out for a reasonable fee! If the site is pretty simple (which I'm sure it is) they shouldn't take too long (if they're not busy) to get it complete for you.

Have you had a look at Business Gateway for advice, support, and grants?

[ryancoutts1984]

Yeah it was hours messing with scripts etc, he he.

Had a startup workshop with gateway and luckily they have chosen the service to be in next months magazine. They also passed my info onto other media sources and has one article with business 7 last week and hopefully more on the way. So on whole there help has been excellent so far. As funding goes they were not able to offer anything at the moment. The biggest areas they helped me understand more were taxes and copyrights.

I will try and get a hold of designers on here, also came accross a package today called Mr Site Takeaway Website Design Software. Have you heard or know anyone ever used this? Any good?

Thanks,

Ryan
Text 4 Cocktails

[barryhynd]

Ryan,

Welcome to SBF Your business is certainly something very different and I wish you every success with it. The article is Business7 etc is a great start as I think viral and pr is going to be the best way to spread the word. Hopefully you'll stay around and keep us posted on how things are going. Also dont be afraid of asking questions on here as well as we have loads of experienced people already on board