Does anyone have any suggestions on how to find business partners and investors?

I am currently working on trying to start my own business. Here's my idea...

I want to open a restaurant where I would work with a local shelter to hire homeless people (who can't get jobs elsewhere, because they don't have an address) and help them get a leg up. My goal is to be able to work out a deal with the shelter wherein my employees would be able to forgo any shelter costs in exchange for putting their wages into a special account, either with me, or with a local bank, until they have enough saved for first month's rent and security deposit on a place of their own.

In addition, I would use my own produce and herbs, as well as working with local farmers and suppliers, to make my own recipes in order to offer healthful food at an affordable price, all the while helping to strengthen the community. I would also have a little gift shop where people could sell things on consignment, and a portion of all profits would go to the shelter to help them with costs.

I have already taken into account all the things that could go wrong by hiring the homeless, so please, only positive feedback. Thank you, in advance, for your help.

Blessed Be

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Permalink Reply by Gypsy LeeLee on November 20, 2008 at 12:11pm: You have to network your ass of! Find sponsors. Public Service announcements on the radio and in the paper are free if you have an event of some sort where you give to a charity as far as the homeless shelter help is concerned.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Gypsy LeeLee on November 20, 2008 at 12:13pm: Also search and seek out the other people in the community with the same passion you have that may be willing to help..; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Emily on November 20, 2008 at 1:43pm: Thanks, I hadn't thought about the PSAs or the radio. That would be something to look into once I have a good start.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jess on November 20, 2008 at 1:56pm: That's a wonderful idea, Emily!
In addition to Gypsy's ideas, look into grants from the government or private foundations to help get you started. Non-profits get a lot of funding in this way. The folks running the shelters should be able to point you in the right direction, and give you tips on how to approach investors. Good luck! I hope your compassionate project sees much success; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Gypsy LeeLee on November 20, 2008 at 2:03pm: Me too! :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Emily on November 20, 2008 at 6:23pm: Thank you! I have been looking for grants on my own, but to no avail, everyone just wants to sell me books on how to find and write them. I will start contacting shelters to get some more leads. They should be much more helpful than the internet.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Fionn oMurchu on November 23, 2008 at 10:39am: only one suggestion - no family or friends :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Fionn oMurchu on November 23, 2008 at 12:32pm: Almost every time you start a business with family or friends, results are disastrous. Only when there is the distance, the space, of people with no personal issues, does a venture like this prosper.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Emily on November 23, 2008 at 12:26pm: It is said that hiring family and friends can turn out bad in the end, as they think because they are family/friends, they are entitled to special treatment and bonuses, where other employers are to be treated only as the help.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rowan on November 23, 2008 at 12:43pm: I commend you on what you want to do, it's hard to get anything up and going and most businesses fail, if you have a partner your chances of surviving are even less, best to be your own person.
Who needs the grief!
Others have already given you good ideas so that's all I have to add for now.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rhiannonfirewitch on November 23, 2008 at 12:44pm: There is also a thing called angel investors. Who are anonymous. Also you have to have a business plan, Which are a pain in the ass, American Express has a program where they can help you with the plan at no charge.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Emily on November 23, 2008 at 4:22pm: Would you happen to know or have web site or phone number for the AmEx program?; ▶ Reply to This