thinking of starting up my own coffee shop

[PBO]

t-maxxracer32, having your own business is an excellent idea. I would strongly encourage eveyone to at least try it, teaches you a lot!

I have food industry experience & have dealt with cafe/coffee shop/restuarants from most sides of the business. Food is one of the hardest industries to own a business in, the returns are typically modest, the hours are very long (60 hrs p/wk is minimum, more if you want to expand), staff are a major problem & you ride the fluctuations of the economy harder than most businesses because you're essentially surviving off the lose change in your customers pockets

I'd suggest finding a service/technology/product based business to start off with. Learn your lessons there & when you have enough cash to loose...then try food