some great business ideas, shared by ali mayar

By Dan Miller

Business Ideas 48 www.48days.net 2

Introduction SOOFTEN I HEARPEOPLESAY thattheywouldlovetostartabusinessbutdon’thavethemoneytodoanything.Andthustheyquicklydismisswhatmaybetheirgreatestopportunity.

InNoMoreDreadedMondays(http://www.48days.com/products.php#noMoreMondays)Iaddresstheissueofmoneyforstartingabusiness:

Therearetypicallythreereasonspeopleneveractontheirdreamstoachievethefinancialindependencetheydesire.

1.Thefirstreasonisfearoffailure.Thereisnothingmorecripplingthanfearoffailure.I’veseenotherwiseintelligentpeoplewhoaresoafraidoffailuretheyletideaafterideapassthemby,onlytoregrettheirinaction.

“FORGODHATHNOTGIVENUSTHESPIRITOFFEAR;BUTOFPOWER, ANDOFLOVE, ANDOFASOUNDMIND.”

2 TIMOTHY1:7 (KJV)


2.Thesecondreasonislackofknowledge.Creative,nontraditional,orinnovativeskillsarenotjustthingsyoustumbleonto.Youhavetolearnhowtoinvest,howtodealinrealestate,howtoevaluatebusinessopportunities,orperhapshowtomanageemployees.Buttheseareallthingsthatcanbelearnedandshouldneverpreventyoufromexploringnewoptionsforabetterlife.

3.Thethirdreasonpeopledon’tactontheirdreamsisaperceivedlackofmoney.Istressperceivedbecausemoneyisnotreallywhat’sholdingthemback.Peoplethinktheydon’thaveenoughmoneytotakethefirststepstowardrevolutionarywork,buttheproblemusuallycomesbacktofearoffailureorlackofknowledge.Igeteighttotenrequestsperweekfrompeoplewantingtoknowwheretofindstart‐upmoneyfornewventures.And,yes,capitalisdifficulttofind—especiallyforbusinessesthatuseservice,information,ortechnology.Doesthatmeanit’simpossibletolaunchagreatideawithoutstart‐upcapital?Absolutelynot!

TakealookatthisrecentCensusBureaudata:  26PERCENTOFBUSINESSSTART‐UPSDIDN’TREQUIREANYCAPITAL  34PERCENTNEEDEDLESSTHAN$5,000  9PERCENTNEEDED$5,000–$9,999  12PERCENTNEEDED$10,000–$24,999  6PERCENTNEEDED$25,000–$49,999  5PERCENTNEEDED$50,000–$99,000  4PERCENTNEEDED$100,000–$249,999  3PERCENTNEEDED$250,000–$999,999  1PERCENTNEEDED$1MILLIONORMORE


No money ‒ No problem!IF 69 PERCENTOFALL NEWBUSINESSESneedlessthan$10,000togetstartedand70percentofthepeopleonthestreetsaytheywouldliketostarttheirownbusiness,whydon’tthey?

I’mgoingtogiveyou48inexpensiveideasforbusinesses.Herearesomeotherquicktips:  SHAREYOURIDEAS.DON’TBESECRETIVE.GETINPUTFROMEVERYONEYOUKNOW.IDEASAREADIMEADOZEN.BUTTHE

PERSONWHOPUTSAPLANOFACTIONTOGETHERISTHEONLYONEWHOWILLBENEFIT.  YOURFRIENDSWILLLIKELYBETOOBUSYTOHELPYOU—ORTOSTEALYOURIDEA—BUTYOUCANGETTHEIROPINIONSAND

INPUT.  MAKESUREYOUFINDSOMETHINGYOUBELIEVEIN,SOMETHINGYOUWOULDBUYYOURSELFANDUSEYOURSELF,AND

WOULDSELLTOYOURBESTFRIEND.

SomeAdditionalConsiderations  IMPROVINGANEXISTINGPRODUCTORSERVICEISTHESURESTANDQUICKESTWAYTOSUCCESS.  BRAND‐NEWPRODUCTSORSERVICESAREUSUALLYVERYRISKY.  DON’TLOOKFORGETRICHQUICKSCHEMES.IFITSOUNDSTOOGOODTOBETRUE,ITPROBABLYIS.  LOOKATTHELONG‐TERMPERSPECTIVE.  DECIDETOBEEXCELLENTATWHATEVERYOUDO.THISPROVIDESMORELEVERAGETHANANYOTHERFACTOR.


48 Business Ideas OKAY, HEREARE48 IDEASyoucantakeandmakethemyourowninanywayyouwant.Goahead,pleasestealmyideasandthenletmeknowhowsuccessfulyou’vebeen([email protected]).I’llbeyourmostexcitedfan.


1 Haulin Amish

WEALLKNOWTHEAMISHDONOTDRIVECARS. Butguesswhat–theystillhavetogotoweddings,funerals,doctors’visitsandfamilyreunions.MyDadretiredfromfarmingwhenhewas62yearsold.Forthenext26yearshehadadeliveryservicefortheAmish.Hehadseveralpassengervansinthatperiodoftimeasheputatonofmilesoneachone.(Healreadyhadafamilyvansotherewasnostart‐upcost.)HavingbeenraisedAmishhimself,helovedrelatingtothepeopleandsharingtheirlives.Hewouldoftenleaveat3:30AMtobeginpickinguppassengers,transportingthemtowhatevereventtheywantedtoattend.Hisstandardrateatthattimewas$1.50permile.Itwasnotunusualforhimtotakeafamilytoanevent,stayovernightanddrivebackthenextday,coveringperhaps600‐700milesonthetrip.Hemadedecentincomeandlovedwhathewasdoing–untilhemovedtoaretirementcenteratage88.

Atthispointthemileageratecouldeasilybemore–youdothemath.IsthereauniquegroupofAmish,elderly,foreignvisitors,ortouristswhereyoucouldprovideasimilarservice?Lookaround–youmaybesurprisedatthepossibilities.


2 Ron Baldwin ‒ artist

RONTRANSITIONEDFROMBEINGTHEPASTOROFACHURCH tobeingtheartistGodcreatedhimtobe.Withnoformaltraininghenowdoesthesemagnificentpaintings–abstract,boldandwithamusicaltheme.Ratherthanbeingonemoregeneralartist,Ronnarrowedhisfocustomusicandfloralsandhasdoneextremelywell.Obviously,startupmaterialswereminimal–afewcanvasesandsomepaintandhewasabletostart.WhilehewasbuildinghisreputationRondidfauxfinishesinpeople’shomes.Buttodayhedoesnothingbuttheseverydistinctivepaintingsthataresoldthroughthefinestgalleriesandinteriordesignshopsacrossthenation.Thepaintingyouseehereandtheonehegavemeformyofficeareexamplesofhis$10,000pieces.Yes,weallhearabout“starvingartists”butifthatisyourauthenticfitandifyoupositionyourselfasaspecialistasRonhasdonewithmusicthemes,youcanenjoymeaningfulworkandyourbesttoolforafinancialwindfall.http://ronaldbaldwin.com


3 Caricature

DOWHATYOULOVE: JoanneandIwereinvitedtoacorporateChristmasluncheon.Astheirguestsweweretreatedtolunchandothergoodies.OneoftheothergoodieswastheprivilegeofhavingacaricaturedrawnbyTracyLatham.Tracysharedthathehadread48DaystotheWorkYouLovefouryearsagoanditinspiredhimtogointohisbusinessfull‐time.Andthatbusinessisdrawingtheseincrediblecaricatures.

Yes,peopletoldhimthiswasnotrealisticorpractical–buthemovedaheadanyway.Nowhestaysbookedatcorporateevents,birthdayparties,conventions,conferences,etc.Hecharges$100anhourwitha4hourminimumandisacontinualcrowdpleaser.


AcouplequestionslistedonTracy’ssitesay:

Q:Didyougotoschoolforthis,orareyounaturallytalented?A:Iwenttoschooltodelayadulthood,andIamnaturallylazy.Q:Whatdoyoudowhenyouarenotdoingthis(partycaricatures)?A:WhenIamnotdrawingatgigs,Iamtryingtobookmoregigs.Q:Doyoueverdootherkindsofart?A:Onlyastimepermits…mymotherisstillwaitingforthatoilpaintingofducksonalake.

Nowwho’stellingyouit’sunrealistictopursueyourdream?Andyes,that’sJoanneandmeinthecaricaturehere.ApparentlyTracyknowswho’sinthedriver’sseatinthishousehold.

Checkouthisinformationhere:TracyLatham’sDrawingBoard(http://drawing‐board.net)


4 Tree Carving

WEHAVEATREE IN OURFRONTYARDthatwasdamagedbyastormandultimatelydied.Anormalpersonwouldhavecutdownthedeadtreeandremovedthestump.ButI’mnotanormalperson.Icringedatthethoughtofcuttingdownevenadeadtree—andbegantolookatthattreewithdifferenteyes.IcalledthestorewhereIboughtmychainsawandaskediftheyknewanyonewhodidwoodcarvings.ThreephonecallslaterItalkedwithaladynamedTerry.Shesaidthatwhileshedidwoodcarvingsinhershop,shehadneverdoneanythingonastandingtree,butshewouldbewillingtogiveitashot.Shereferencedherwebsite(http://www.carvingsforchrist.com)andweagreedtomeetafewdayslater.


Afterlookingattheincrediblecarvingsonherwebsite,Isentherabriefmessagerelayingmyexcitementabouthavinghercometoourhouse.IimmediatelygotthismessagebackfromTerry:NOWAY!!!You’reTHATDanMiller???!?!?!!Well,welcometotheresultsofmyreadingyourbook48DaystotheWorkYouLove(www.48Days.com).Whatagas!Iwasdyinginmyjob,readyourbook,andrealizedIreallywasn’tthebadperson“they”werebrainwashingmeintothinkingIwas…Igave2monthsnoticeatmyjob,andimmediatelyexperiencedapeacethatsurpassesallunderstanding.IstartedtobreathedeeperthanIhadinyears…Lifeissogoodnow!Ihavetonsofenergy,[am]feelingcreative,andcangointomystudioandcarveaway...Thishasbeenthebestyearofmylifesofar!

Doesthelifeyoucurrentlyhaveallowyoutobreathedeeply?Ifyourbreathingisshallowandconstrained,whyisthat?Whatwouldittaketorelease“apeacethatsurpassesallunderstanding”foryou?Bepreparedtotakeanunusualpath.Workthat’sfulfillingtoyoumaynotbeimmediatelyseenaspracticalandrealisticbythosearoundyou.Trustme,youwillnotfind“treecarver”intheU.S.LaborDepartment’sDictionaryofOccupationalTitles.


Terrydidcomeouttoourhouse.Shewasabletoseetwoamazingfacesinthatdeadtree.WethinkthefaceslooklikeperhapsAbrahamandMoses.Insteadofanuglystump,wenowhaveapermanentpieceofartinouryard.Wehaveaddedflowersandshrubsinourlittle“wisdomgarden”andit’sthefirstplaceforconversationwhenpeoplevisitourhome.Terrybroughtachainsawandabagofchiselsandhammers–certainlyfarlessthan$2000worthofmaterials.Ipaidher$500forwhatyouseehere.

Update:Here’sTerry’slatestworkonourproperty.Wehadalargecedartreethatdidnotcomebacktolifethisspring–notsurewhathappened.Butit’srightoutsidemyofficeandonceagainIwonderediftherewassomethingtobesalvagedotherthananuglystump.Wecutituphighenoughthatthelowestbrancheswerestillintact–andthisistheeaglethatTerryfoundlurkinginsidethat“dead”tree.

Whatyouseehereisrightaftershecompletedhercarving.Therehasbeennocoloradded.Therichredissimplythenaturalcolorofthecedarwood.Ipaidher$1000forthisone–ittookherpartsofthreedays.She’shappy–I’mhappy.


Asyoucanseeherewedecidedtogivetheeagleaname.Outofhundredsofnamessubmittedbyreadersofthe48Daysnewsletter,weselectedARISTOTLEbecauseitmeans"thebestpurpose."

Start‐upCosts:Asmallchainsaw,acoupleofhammersandagoodsetofcarvingtools–maybe$500.


5 Sidewalk Stamping

AYOUNGMANJUSTCOMPLETED astampedconcretesidewalkatourcountryhouse.AlthoughhehasonlyahighschooldegreeIpaidhimasahighlycompensatedprofessionalforhisuniqueability.Heattendedoneofmyseminarsandcomplainedthathewasstuckinalowlyconstructionjob.Ihelpedhimexploretheuniqueareasofcompetencehehasandwasblownawayashedescribedthisprocessformakingpouredconcretelooklikeindividuallylaidstones.Weplannedoutawide,curvedsidewalkwithacentralcircletojointwodirections.Hebuilttheneededforms,borrowedthestampingformsfromafriend,andarrangedfortheconcretetobedelivered.Ipaidfortheconcretewhenitarrived($438)anddeducteditfromthe$2000pricewehadagreedon.Aswehaveconstantfriendsandvisitorsatourhouse,wewereabletoshowhisworkimmediately.Hisnextjobwasan$11,000drivewayandsidewalkforourgoodfriends.Thatgentleman’sbrotherthenrequesteda$6000project–andthisyoungmanwentontogrossover$100,000inhisfirstfullyearinbusiness.


FreevideosonYouTube(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ8Sf46gTdM)FreeTrainingBasics(http://www.concretedecor.net/Abstracts/CD401_Stamping_Basics.cfm)Sourcesfortherequiredstampingforms(http://www.jobsitesupply.com/decorative‐concrete.php)AlwayscheckeBay(http://business.shop.ebay.com/Concrete‐Stamps‐Forms‐Mats‐/55804/i.html)

Thisisanopportunitytocombineaveryordinaryprocess–concretepouring–withalittleartisticabilitytodramaticallyincreaseprofits.Start‐upCosts:$300–1000


6 Jim Hodges ‒ audio books

WHAT IS YOURDREAM? IhadtheprivilegeofinterviewingJimHodgesforateleseminartitled30‐SecondCommute:WorkingfromHome.Jimreadshistorybooks,makingaudiorecordingsthatmakehistorycomealiveforstudentsyoungandold.Hetravelstohome‐schoolingconferencesandothereducationaleventstosharehisproducts.Andnowbookpublishersarecomingtoaskhimtoproducetheiraudiorecordings.SohowdidJimfindthislineofwork?Severalyearsago,whiletheywereoutonadinnerdate,Jim’swifeaskedhim,“Ifyoucoulddowhateveryouwantedto,whatwouldthatbe?”Jimimmediatelyreplied,“I’dreadhistorybooks.”

Sohowdoyoutakethatkindofdreamandturnitintoareal,income‐producingoutcome?Mostpeoplewouldhavefinisheddinnerandgonebacktothedrudgeryofreallife.However,withJim,theseedwassomehowplanted.

Insubmittinghisworkdescriptiontome,Jimsaid,“Honestly,Ineverworkanymore.Theentirebusiness,fromrecordingtomarketingtotravelingtoconventions,allofit,isimmenselypleasurableforme.”(YoucanlistentoasampleofJim’senthusiasticreadingathttp://www.hentybooksontape.com)Whatcouldyoudoifyouactedonyourrealdreamsratherthansquashingthem?


Aretherebooksyoucanreadwithoutthecomplexityofauthorpermission,royaltiesandlicenseissue?Absolutely–therearethousandsofbooksinthe“publicdomain”thatarewaitingtobebroughtbacktolifeinaformatthatisdemandedbytoday’slearners.

ProjectGutenberg(http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page)istheplacewhereyoucandownloadover30,000freeebooks.

Here’sanotherusefulsite:http://www.authorama.com/

Ifyou’renotfamiliarwith“publicdomain”booksyoucanreaduponithere:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain


7 Flipping Cars

I DON’T HATEMYJOB, BUT…WhenImetMikeSparks,hewasworkingatNissanmanufacturing,inajobthatmostpeoplewouldconsidertheAmericandream.Greatpay,greatbenefits,andallthesecurityofatraditionaljob.Buthewasrestless,lookingformore.MikesaysI’mtheonlyonewhoencouragedhimtoexploresomenewoptionsandtakeaction.Whenwefirstmet,hewasalreadyexperimentingwithsellingcarsoneBay.Inoneofhisinitialtransactions,MikeboughtaredJaguarconvertible,checkedeverydetail,solditonline,andmademoremoneyfromthecar’ssalethanhewouldhavemadeinamonthathis“real”job.Afterlookingatthesuccesshehadalreadyexperienced,Iencouragedhimtoquithisjobandexpandhiscarbusinesstoafull‐timeopportunity.


Everyoneelsetoldhimhewascrazyforthinkingaboutleavingagreatjob.ButlastyearMikesold150carsfromhisMidTNAutos(http://www.midtnautos.com)inSmyrna,Tennessee.

Thereareapproximately135cardealersinthesamecountyasMike,butfully60percentofhissaleslastyearwerecompletedovertheInternet.He’sdeliveredcarstoCostaRica,Germany,andawholelotofotherinterestingplaces.Inlookingatanybusinessidea,IencouragetheownertohavewhatIcallauniquesellingproposition(USP).Whatwillyoubedoingthatisnotbeingdonewellbyanyoneelse?Mike’sUSPwasthathewasoneofthefirsttoperfecttheprocessofsellingcarsontheInternet.

IhavepurchasedelevenvehiclesfromMikeandhiswife,Felicia,inthelastcoupleofyears.Here’syetanotherexampleofsomeonewholookedinward,recognizedhisuniquestrengths,createdaplan,andactedonthatplan.

IhaveboughtandsoldcarssinceIwas14yearsold.It’sjustsomethingIenjoy–andunderstand.Therearecountlessrepossessionandotherautoauctionsyoucanattend.HereintheNashvilleareathereareregularmonthlyauctionsthatanyonecanparticipatein.Youmusthavecashreadytogoandobviouslyyoumusthaveaprettygoodunderstandingofthecarbusiness.Ifacariscomingacrosstheauctionblockyoumayhave30secondstodecideifyouwillbuyitornot.Notestdrive,nocheckingCarFaxandnoguaranteeofanything.Butwhenyouhavethepotentialtobuycarsatdeep,deepdiscountsyoustillhavetheopportunitytomakegreatprofits.


Ifindthatcarsinthelowerpricerangeareeasiertofind–andtoresell.

Here’safree12‐ebookstudycourseonbeingacardealer:http://www.dealerlicense.com/

You’llneedtoknowtherequirementsforsellingcarsinyourstate.Moststateswillallowyoutosell4or5carsayearwithnodealerlicense.Beyondthatyouwilllikelyneedtohavealicense.Andthatmayrequirealot,asignandliabilityinsurance.Havingadealerlicensewillkeepyoufromhavingtopayyourstatesalestaxoneachvehicle–amajorconsiderationthateatsintoprofitsquickly.

Here’sacarIboughtrecentlyfor$800:


Here’sanotheronefor$1000:

AtthetimeofpurchaseKellyBlueBookshowedaretailvalueof$2575.Thisis1993ChryslerNewYorker.Purchasedbrandnewbyagentlemanforhiswife.Afterherdeathhetoldhisneighborhewantedtosellthecar.Istoppedbyandgavehimexactlywhathewasasking–anincredibledealonaone‐ownercar.It’simmaculateineveryway.Youseetheproudnewownerhere.Inolongersellcars.Isimplyenjoyfindinggreatcarsforpeoplewhoneedahelpinghand.


Thiswasa1993Volvo760–

I’vepurchasedcarsfromeBay,Craigslist,auctions,banks,yardsales,andsettinginfrontyards.Myformulaforgettinggreatdealsis–Alwaysbereadyandneverbeinahavetoposition.Ijusthavefunlookingandamalwaysamazedatthedealsavailable.

Ifyouknowcars,haveapleasantpersonalityandenjoyservingpeople,thisisagreatbusinesstobein.

Start‐upCosts:Obviouslyawiderange–butyes,youcangetstartedwith$400‐500andworkyourwayupinworkingcapitalquicklybyaccumulatingprofits.


8 Massage

ASMOREANDMOREPEOPLEWORKWHILESITTINGDOWN ,thelevelofstressandtightmusclesincreases.Ifyou’vegotahealingtouchyoumaybeacandidateforprovidingmassages.Yougetthebenefitsofalow‐coststartupandthesatisfactionofmakingtheworldamorepeaceful,relaxingplace.JoanneandIgetmassageseveryFridayafternoon.Oneofreasonswechoseourmassagetherapistisbecauseshecomestoourhouse,setshertableupinoursparebedroomandwetaketurnsforourone‐hourmassage.Thenwearerelaxed,readyforourFridaynightdateandanenjoyableevening.

Nowyoumaythinkyouhavetofindwealthyclientstomakethiswork.Notnecessarilyso.JoanneandIconsiderthisanessentialpartofourhealthmaintenance–notsomeextravagantluxury,butalegitimatemethodofremovingtoxinsandstressfromourbusylives.Wearecurrentlypaying$60/hr.Forbothofusplustipwepay$135weekly.


Youmayneedtobelicensedtocallyourselfa“massagetherapist.”CheckwiththeAmericanMassageTherapyAssociation(http://www.amtamassage.org/government/state_laws.html)tofindoutifyourstateisoneofthem.IknowthismaybeapointofcontentionforsomemassagetherapistsbutIhavefoundthatsomepeoplehaveempathyforpeople,havestudiedmassageandhaveasoothing,restfulnature–withouteverhavinggottenaspecificlicense.Personally,I’mmoreinterestedintheskillsofthepersonthanthedegreesorcertifications.

Costsofabout$1000shouldprovideyouwithatable,amusicsource,someoils,towelsandmassagecrème.$25to$60anhourseemstocovertherangeoffees.Thisisabusinessthatgrowsbestbyreferrals.Iwouldnotchosesomeonebecauseofseeinganadinthepaperorgettingaletterinthemail.Thisisaverypersonalserviceandyourbusinesswillgrowbecausepeoplelikeandtrustyou.

YoucanalsocheckwiththeNationalCertificationBoardforTherapeuticMassage&Bodywork(http://www.ncbtmb.org/).


9 Kettle Corn

THIS IS THEFAMILYSIZE BAGOFPOPCORN –andit’s$21.00.IseethisvendoratlotsofmiddleTennesseeevents–anditalwaysblowsmymind.Thereisalwaysalonglinewaitingforthechancetopurchasethispopcorn.It’s“kettlecorn”meaningyoucanwatchthempopitinbigcopperkettles.Theystiritwithlongpaddles–addlotsofsaltandsugar–butcertainlynothingthatunusual.I’mconvincedit’spartlytheincrediblesmellandmainlyjustthenoveltyofseeingitmadeinthisway.Andofyes,itisgood.Butoneoftheyoungworkerstoldmetheywillsellaround2000bagsinatypicalday.Letsassumetheaverageisfora“medium”bagwhichisonly$6.00.That’s$12,000grossrevenue–andtrustme,thecostofmaterialsisprobablynomorethan10%ofthat.Soundslikeagreatbusinesstome.

Thereareawholelotof“businessopportunities”outthereforkettlecorn.(http://www.popnmama.com/opportunity.htm)Andyou’llfindfinancingdealstoenticeyoutojuststartwitha$10,000setup.Obviously,I’mnotrecommendingthathere.


Ithinksomeoftheappealisinhavingasimpleoperationlikeshownhere:

Akettleonanopenflamejustmakestheproductmoreappealingthathavingitcomeoutfrombehindsomefancycounter.Keepitsimpleandreapmoreprofits.

ThelocalguywhoworksalltheFranklin,TNeventsstartedhisbusinesssohecouldhavesomethingthatwouldinvolvehiswifeandchildren.Youcanreadhisstoryhere:http://aceskettlecorn.com/

Start‐upCosts:$500‐1000


10 Piano Tuning

YES, THIS IS STILL A VERYBIGBUSINESS. Howbig?ItisestimatedthateverythirdhouseinAmericahasapiano,andpianosshouldbetunedonceortwiceayear.Ihaveafriendthatdoespianotuningfulltimeandstaysbookedweeksinadvance.Hecharges$70pertuningandnormallydoes4or5aday.Withtwoweeksoffthatworksouttobeabout$70,000annually.

Industryaveragesshowpianotuningfeesrangefrom$70to$120.Experiencedtunersspendabout1hourperpiano,tuningupto4perday.

AmericanSchoolofPianoTuningappearstobethebiggesttrainingschoolforthis.Isentfortheirinformationandreceivedtheircourseofferat$1490.BeforeIhadachancetorespondIreceivedasecondmailinginformingmeofsomeunexpectedreturns.Icouldnowpurchasetheentiretenlessonprogramandallthenecessarytoolsandequipmentforstartingmyownbusinessfor“only$745.”Youhaveuptoayeartoreturnyourlessonsbuttheysayyoucanalsocompletetheentireprogramin40hours.


AmericanSchoolofPianoTuning‐‐http://www.piano‐tuning.com/

Likemanytrainingprogramsitappearsthepianotuningschoolsteachyoutotunepianos–theydon’tteachyouhowtorunabusiness.Andlikeanyprofessional,whetheryou’readoctor,dentistorattorney,justhavingtheskilldoesn’tmakeyousuccessful.Youhavetounderstandhowtomarketandsellyourservice.

Thisisagreatexampleofaveryspecializedareaofexpertise–butnotalongorexpensiveprocesstogetinto.Ithinkit’sasleeperareaofopportunity.Onceyouarereadytogoyoucandoyourmarketingandbeinbusiness.



11 Dry cleaning pick‐up

SEVERALYEARSAGO whenIstillhadanofficeintownayoungmanwalkedinonemorning.Heaskedifwewouldbeinterestedinhavinghimpickupourdrycleaning.HewouldpickuponTuesdayandThursdayandreturnitemsonthosesamedays.Wewouldpaythesameratesasifwewalkedinthedoorofthedrycleanerourselves.Obviouslythiswasano‐brainer.Whywouldn’twesaveourselvesthehassleofdrivingtothedrycleaner,tryingtorememberwhatdayouritemswouldbeready,orrunninginthroughtherain?

Andhowdoesthismakesensefortheyoungmandoingthepick‐upanddeliveries?Keepinmindthatmarketingisamajorexpenseforanydrycleaner.Inthiscasethedrycleanerwaswillingtopay40%ofthetotalchargeinexchangeforthenewbusiness.Andjustsupposetheyoungmanwasabletobringin$20,000worthofbusinessamonth?Andtheseareprettyrealfigures.

Hiscosttostart–probablylessthan$10.Healreadyhadafamilyvan.Whenheapproachedourofficehedidn’thavebusinesscardsorinvoices.Hehadasimpleone‐pageflyerexplaininghisservice.http://www.drycleaningandmore.com/


12 Window Washing

SEVERALYEARSAGO I HADANEMERGENCYMEETING withaladywhojustdiscoveredherhusbandhadleftandwasnotcomingback.Shehad4smallchildrenandwasafull‐timeMom.Shewasindesperateshapefinanciallyandwonderedwhereshecouldgetajob.However,inhelpingherassesshermarketableskillswehaddifficultycomingupwithanythingthatwouldgethermorethanan$8‐10/hrposition.

Isuggestedthatwelookformorecreativeoptions.Here’swhatwecameupwith.ShewenttoWal‐Martandpurchasedabucketandsqueegee.WiththatshetookheroldestchildwithherandwentupanddownoneprimarybusinessstreetinsouthNashville,offeringtocleantheirwindows.Shefoundareceptivemarketforherservicesanddiscoveredshecouldmake$50‐60andhourbybiddingthejobsinadvance.

Ihadwantedtohelpherfindsomethingshecoulddoforadayortwotojustgetimmediateincome.Windowwashingworkedsowellshecontinuedtodothatforover4monthswhileshethenmadeplanstomoveintoaprofessionalsellingjob–whereshehasdoneverywell.


Windowwashingappearstoworkbestinlargestripmalls.Andalwayschargebythetotaljoborbythewindow.Itdoesn’tmakeanysensetoworkbythehourinthiskindofbusiness.Asanexample,youmightcharge$18foralargewindow–onethatwouldtakeabout10minutestoclean.

Tobefullypreparedyoumaywanttoinvestin:  ABUCKET  AMMONIA  DISHWASHINGDETERGENT  ABRUSHONALONGHANDLE  ASIX‐INCHSQUEEGEE  ATWELVE‐INCHSQUEEGEE  SOMERAGSANDSPONGES

There’sevenawindowcleaningassociationyoucanjoin.InternationalWindowCleaningAssociationhttp://www.iwca.org/

Yourtotalstart‐upcostsshouldnotbemorethan$20‐30.


13 Real Estate Signs

HERE INWILLIAMSONCOUNTY ,Tennesseewehavealotofrealestateactivity,eveninsloweconomictimes.Adambeganofferingtherealestateofficesaservicewherehewouldputupthesignsfortheweekendopenhouses.TypicallythatmeansgoingaroundandputtingthemonstrategiccornersonFridayorSaturday.ThenonSundaynighthewouldgoaroundandretrievethosesamesigns.Hischargewasonly$6.00each.Haveyoueverseenarealestateagentinhighheelstryingtogetanopenhousesigninthegroundduringarainstorm?Doyouthinkthatagentwouldbewillingtopay$6.00tonothavetoriskpersonalinjuryandscrapesontheMercedes?

Adamwasdoingabout200signsaweekend.Keepinmindoneopenhousemayrequire4or5signs.Youdoyourownmathonthepossibilities.Adamhasasmallpickuptruckthatwashispersonalvehicle.Ifyoualreadyhaveatruckyourstartupcostsmaybeasimpleflyertoadvertiseyourservice.Youcangetpermissiontoplaceoneofthoseinthepersonalmailboxesofeachagentattheirbroker’soffice–avoidingevenpostagecosts.

Start‐upCosts:Possibly$50forsomeniceflyersplusyourownpickuptruckorsmalltrailer.


14 House Cleaning

ThisisayoungladythatmywifeJoannehasbeenmentoring.Andthisistheactualflyersheusedtogetstarted.Ratesforhousecleaninginourarearangefrom$20‐45perhourbaseda3BRhousewhichisbasicallya4hourjobforanexperiencedcleaner.


WithCatherine’sbackgroundshestruggledtofinda$10/hrjob.Andwithasmallchildtherigidtimedemandsofa“realjob”weredifficulttomanage.Cleaninggiveshertheprideofrunningherownsimplebusiness,timeflexibilitylikeshewouldneverhaveinajob,andthepotentialtoearnsignificantlymoreincome.

Start‐upCosts–approximately$10forahandfulofflyersplus$50forinitialcleaningsupplies.


15 Home Inspection

INSPECTIONOFAHOMEhasbecomeanexpectedpartofthepurchaseprocess.Ifyouaresomeonewhoisahandymananyway,youmayfindthistobeaneasyfit.Whiletherearespecificskillsneeded,itappearsgoodpeopleskillsandtheabilitytoseedetailsthatothersmaynotseearetheessentialcharacteristicsrequired.

Intoday’senvironmentitalsohelpstohavedecentcomputerskillsasyourreportswillneedtohaveaprofessionallook.Andthecomputersoftwareavailablewillmakeyourworkmuchmoreefficientaswellasattractive.

Itisestimatedthat5.37millionhomeinspectionswereconductedintheUnitedStateslastyearandthatnumberisincreasingevenwithaslowdownintransactions.Thereappearstobealong‐termdemandforqualifiedindividualstostarthomeinspectionbusinesses.Homeinspectorstypicallychargefrom$275to$375toinspectanaveragehome.Dependingonyourmarketareayoucouldearn$1000ormoreinasingledayinspectinghomes.


Thisisadevelopingareaofexpertisesolicensingregulationsvarystatebystate.Youcancheckouttherequirementsforyourstatehere:http://www.homeinspectioninstitute.com/regulations.htmlYoumayhavetopassatestinyourstatetothenbelicensedasahomeinspector.

Mostofthetrainingprogramsarestudysystemsthatyoustudyonyourown.

Hereareacoupleofexamples:

ProfessionalHomeInspectionInstitute:http://www.homeinspectioninstitute.com/index.html

StratfordCareerInstitute$589.00http://www.scitraining.com/Courses_US/Home_Inspector/Tuition.htm

Setupreferralrelationshipswithlocalrealestateagents,bankers,andmortgageoriginators.

Start‐upCosts:Appeartorangefrom$399to$1499.00


16 Translator

LISASTOPPEDMEAFTERASEMINARPRESENTATION. Shehada$10/hrjobandfelttrappedbecauseshedidn’thaveacollegedegree.Ihada5‐minuteconversationwithher,askingwhatuniqueskillsshehad.ShementionedthatshehadbeenborninMexicobutmovedtotheU.S.asalittlegirl.HerEnglishwasimpeccable,however,shewascompletelyfluentinSpanishaswell.Isuggestedshepositionherselfasatranslatoranddescribedhowshecoulddothat.ApproximatelyonemonthlaterIranintoLisaagain.Sheshowedmeherbusinesscard.OnonesideitsaidLisaChambers–translator.OntheothersideitsaidLisaChambers–traducor.Shetoldmeshehadcontactedaboutsixlegalfirmsandaboutthatmanymedicalclinics,offeringtotranslateinthecourtroomorinhospitalsituations.Sherelatedacoupleassignmentsshehadjustcompleted.AsmallchildhadbeenbroughttoNashvillefromBoliviaforacomplicatedeyeprocedure.Lisaspentthreedayswiththefamilyinthehospital,translatingthedoctors’informationintotheirnativelanguage–at$50anhour.Shesaidthoseinitialcontactswerekeepingherbookedapproximately20hoursaweek.Andthatwasasmuchasshewantedtodo.

Herstart‐upcostforherfirst500businesscards–$10.(http://www.vistaprint.com)Formoreinformation:AmericanTranslatorsAssociation(http://atanet.org)


17 Telephone/Address Books

THIS IS YETANOTHEROFTHEREALBUSINESSES Ihavedonemyself.Haveyoueverseenthefancybrochureschurchesgiveouttovisitors?Theyareextremelycostlytothechurchandhaveaveryshortlifespan.Someareleftinthechurchpews,somemakeittotheparkinglotandafewendupontopofthemicrowaveathome.

Whatifwecouldgivethevisitorsomethingniceenoughtheywouldneverthrowitaway–andwhatifthechurchcouldhandoutthatgiftwithabsolutelynocosttothematall?IpurchasedareallyniceTelephone/Addressbookfromourlocalbookstorefor$10.36,includingtax.ThenIwenttoaprominentBaptistchurchandaskedhowtheywouldliketoreceive1000freeTAbookswiththeirchurchlogoorimageonthefrontcover.Wewouldalsoputfourpagesinthefrontofthebookswiththescheduleofservices,planofsalvation,photosofstaff,orwhatevertheywishedtoinclude.Knowingthesewerea$10valuethatwasofferingtogivethem$10,000worthofpromotionalmaterialatnocost.

AllIexpectedinreturnwasalistofprofessionalbusinesspeopleinthechurchandthelocalbusinessesthechurchusedasvendors.Iwantedalistofatleast50businesses–realestateandinsuranceagents,thepastor’sfavoriterestaurant,thecompanythatputanewroofonlastyearorpavedtheparkinglot,thehotelwheretheybookedguests,etc.Thechurchwouldalwayswillinglygavemethatlist.Iwouldthenapproachthosebusinessesandgivethe“opportunitytohighlight”theirbusinesstothatcaptiveaudience.


Puttingsevenadspotsontheinsidefrontcover,theinsideandoutsidebackcovergaveme21spaces.Atacostof$395eachthatwouldgenerate$8295.IwouldcollectinfullasIcommittedthosespaces.ThenIdidasimplelayoutforeachadmyself,hadthe1000booksprintedatacostofabout$4.00each,deliveredthebookstothegratefulchurchandput$4295inmypocket.Iwouldtypicallycompleteabookin4or5days.Iwouldnormallydotwoamonth,allowingmetwoweeksamonthtodevelopmycoachingbusiness,buildingitfromastart‐uptowherethatincomeovertooktheTAbooksales.

Incidentally,Idiscoveredotherorganizationsthatwereevenmoreprofitable.Banks,collegesandnon‐profitsweregreatcustomers.IcompletedonebookfortheUAWattheCorvetteplantinBowlingGreen,KYwhereIjustkeptputtinginmoreinsidepagesforadsbecauseeveryonewantedtobeincluded.OnthatoneInettedover$8200formyefforts.

P.S.Berealisticaboutthewaytelephone/addressbookusagehaschanged.I’mnotsurethissameconceptwouldbeasviabletoday.Peopleuseelectronicaddressbooksmorethanphysical.Perhapsthere’sanelectronicversionofwhatIdescribedhere.


18 Wood Chip Merchant

ACOUPLEOFYEARSAGO Inoticedtherewereaseveraltreecompaniesworkinginourneighborhood.Theirassignmentwastocutthetreesbackwherevertherewasdangerofthemfallingagainstpowerlines.Theirworkoftenleftthetreeslookingmisshapenanddistorted,thustheywerefrownedandtreatedbadlybymostoftheneighborhoodresidents,eventhoughtheyweredoingworkthatneededtobedone.WhiletheywereonmypropertyIconcludedthatIwouldgetbetterresultsifIbefriendedtheworkers.IndoingsoIalsodiscoveredthattheyhadtodriveabout15milesoutinthecountrytodumpeachtruckloadoffreshlychippedwood.Iaskediftheywouldmindjustdumpingthechipsfrommypropertyrightthereinabigpile.Theylaughedatthethoughtofnothavingtowasteanhourdrivingtotheirnormaldumpsite.WhattheythoughtwastrashIrecognizedasabonusforme.


Overthecourseofaboutsixmonthsthosetreecompaniesbroughtmeapproximately120truckloadsofchips.Ihaveusedthemfornaturetrails,playgroundareasandincoveringareasformerlyfullofrocksandthorns.NeighborshaveaskedmeiftheycouldbuychipsfrommeandwonderedhowIwasso“lucky.”

IfIwerelookingforanothersourceofincomeIcouldsellthis“free”product,installplaygroundsorcreatenaturetrailsasIhavedoneonourproperty.

Costofbusiness–zero.


19 Chauffeur

DRIVECELEBRITIES orjusttakesomeonetotheirdoctor’svisit.ChauffeursshouldobtainthestandardClassDlicenseinadditiontoafor‐hire("F")endorsement.Toreceivetheendorsement,applicantsmustbeatleast18yearsold,meettheeligibilityrequirements,passavisiontest,andpassaspecializedknowledgetest.Theendorsementcosts$4.50.ACommercialDriver’sLicenseisrequiredonlyifthevehicleisdesignedtotransportatleast16people(includingthedriver).Youcanchargebythehour,bytheperson,bythetriporjusttobeoncall.Getcreativeaboutwhatworksforyou.

Buyanoldlimoandyou’resetforweddings,promsorotherspecialoccasions.Youmayalreadyhaveavehicleyoucoulduse–andifnot,yes,therearestillinterestingbuysoutthereinthe$2000range–hey,alittlepaintandyou’rereadytogo.


20 Pet Walking/Sitting

WHILE I WAS INSANFRANCISCO foraconferenceItookabreaktoenjoyanoutdoorcaféononeofthehillystreets.Ayounggalwalkedupandsatdown–havingfourdogsintow.Istruckupaconversationwithherandobviouslyaskedaboutherdogs.Shesaidshewasastudentbutwalkeddogsashersourceofincome.Itwaseasytotargetbusyprofessionalsrightthereintheareawhereshelived.Shecharged$15fora30‐minutewalk–butalwayshadatleastfourdogsatatime–sometimesmore.Plus,shewouldwalkthematleasttwiceaday.Andforothersshewassimplycheckingonthemwhiletheownerswereonvacationortravelingonbusiness.Thecombinationprovidedheraregular$700‐800weeklyincome.YoumaynotliveinSanFranciscobutI’llbetthepotentialisnotmuchdifferentwhereveryouare.

Start‐upCosts–maybe$10forsomecoollookingbusinesscardsorflyers.


21 Custom Tailored Clothing

THIS IS ONEJOANNEDIDwhileIwasingraduateschool.Wehadonesmallchildatthatpointandwedidn’twanthertohavetobecommittedtoarealjob.Shehasalwaysenjoyedcreativesewingandhadagreatsewingmachinealready.

Butthenichewequicklydiscoveredwasinmakingclothesforhard‐to‐fitwomen.Somelarge,someshortandwide,somewithveryuniquephysicaloddities.AndtheylovedJoanne.Herwassomeonewhowouldtalkwiththemwithcompassionandthencreatebeautifulclothingtailoredtotheirspecificneeds.FromthebeginningJoannehadabacklogofprojectswaitingtobecompleted.Andagain,shecouldmonitorhertimesofamilyneedscamefirst.

Shepricedherworkbythecompletedgarmentandcouldmake$400‐500aweekpart‐time.

Start‐upcostsforJoanne–zero.Obviously,shealreadyhadasewingmachineasIwouldexpectanyonewhoisacandidateforthistohave.Iwouldnotrecommendthisasabusinessforsomeonewhodidnotalreadyhavealotofexperiencesewing.


22 Painting ‒ interior &exterior

YES, THIS IS ANOTHEROFMYREGULARSTANDBYS. Ienjoypainting–youcanseeabigdifferenceimmediately,everythingisfreshandcleanandit’sprettyeasytodoagreatjob.Plus,it’samonotonous,repetitivejobthatallowsforlisteningtopositive,motivationalaudioprograms.

Morethanonce,whileingraduateschoolIchosetopaintasameansofgeneratingincome.IwouldbidthejobsinadvanceandthencompletethemonmyowntimeasIwasalwaystakingclassesatthesametime.SoIcouldbeflexibleifIhadatestorifIneededtobewithmyfamily.TypicallyIwasdoinginsideroomsinvacanthousessoIcouldshowupat9:00PMandgetalotdonewithnointerruptions.

Start‐upCosts–acoupleofgoodbrushes(approximately$15)


23 Plant Rental

I LOVETHIS PARTICULARBUSINESS IDEA. AladyIknewfoundthistobeaveryprofitablebusiness.Mostofficebuildings,medicalanddentaloffices,andlotsofotherprofessionalbuildingsliketohaveplantsaspartofthedécor.Plantsaddanimmediatehominess,cleantheairandjustgivetheappearanceofawelcomingplace.

Buthowmanyofthoseplaceshaveanemployeeorownerwhocandoagreatjoboftakingcareofthoseplants?Notmany.Andifthebusinessbuystheplantstheyhavetheimmediateneedofsomeonebeingcompetenttocareforthosesameplants.


WhatDebbiediscoveredisthatrentingtheplantsisanattractivepropositionforbusinesses.Andveryprofitableforher.Shepricesherrentalssothatsherecaptureshercostontheplantinthefirst90days.Soifherwholesalecostonaplantis$20therentalfeewillbe$7.00/monthly.Thatseemstobereadilyacceptedbythebusinesses.AndyoucanseewherethisleadsforDebbie.

Herresponsibilityistoshowupandcareforthoseplants–otherwiseshelosesherinvestment.Ifshehadaplantdieinthefirst90daysshewouldactuallylosemoney.BUT–ifshecarefullycaresfortheplantsshemayhaveplantfor3years.Let’sjustusethatasanexample.Forexample,let’simagineadoctor’sofficethatnowhas10plants.That’s$70amonthforbeautifullookingplantsthatareguaranteedtolookhealthyandvibrantfromnowon–forever.IftheyeverneedtobereplacedDebbiewilltakecareofthatimmediately.Butlet’sjustsaythatsheknowsherplantswellandmaintainsthemperfectlyforthreeyears.Shemayevenrotatetheplantstootherbusinesstoprovidechangingvariety.Butonthoseoriginal10plants,withacostof$20,herinvestmentwas$200.Duringthefirstthreemonthssheissimplyrecapturinghercosts.Inmonth4the$70isallprofit.Soinourexampleiftheplantshadanaveragelifeof36months,shewouldhave33monthsofprofits–withnocostotherthanhertime,travelexpensesandperhapsalittlefertilizer.Sothatwouldbe$2310inprofitsor$770peryear.Nowthat’sonelocation.Youcandoyourownmultiplesofthat.Ifyouhad100plantsinplacethatwouldbe$7700,fivehundredwouldgrowthatto$38,500.Couldyoumaintain500plantswhereyouneededtocheckonthemonceaweek?Idon’tknow.Iwouldthinkitwouldbemorethanadequateifyouspent1minuteperplant.Thatwouldbeabout2hoursaday,fivedaysaweek–or5hoursaday,twodaysaweek.Seemslikethat’sworkable.

Start‐upcosts:$500–2000(dependingonyourinitialinventory)


24 Tip Enhancer

WHAT IF YOURANASEMINAR teachingwaitershowtoincreasetheirtips.Howtoservebetterandreceivebiggertips–guaranteedresults.Doyouknowhowmuchvariancethereisinwhatwaitersandwaitressesreceivefortheirwork?Yes,Iknowtherearesuggestedguidelinesfortippinginrestaurants(10‐20%)Butdoyouknowhowmuchdifferencethatrangecanmeanforayoungpersonhopingtopayforcollegeorthatfirstcar?

Studiesshowthatwaiterscanboosttheirtipsfrom10to100percentbydoinganyofthefollowing:

  LIGHTLYTOUCHINGTHECUSTOMER  SMILINGATTHECUSTOMER  SQUATTINGNEXTTOTHETABLE  INTRODUCINGTHEMSELVESBYNAME  THANKINGTHEMFORDININGTHERE  FORECASTINGGOODWEATHER  DRAWINGASMILEYFACEONTHECHECK


Whatifyoupromotedatwo‐hourworkshoponaSaturdaymorning,charging$25witha30‐daymoneybackguarantee?Ifsomeonedidnotincreasetheirincomebyatleastthe$25inthenext30daysyouwouldrefundtheirmoney.Whatifyoufoundalocalrestaurantthatwaslookingfornewhirestoprovidebreakfastorlunch?OryoucouldfindaCrackerBarrel,Logan’sorFamousDave’sto“sponsor”youreventwitha$1500fee?

Couldyouattract50participantsbyspreadingthewordthroughthehundredsofrestaurantsinyourarea.ThelocalnewspaperjustdidafeaturestoryhereinFranklin,TNwhenthenewNissanheadquartersopened.Theysaidthereare150restaurantswhereyoucangetlunchwithina1‐mileradiusofthatnewofficebuilding.Andthatdidnotcountthoseplaceopenonlyfordinner.Thepoolofprospectsisenormous–andmostnevergetanytrainingonhowtoincreasetheirtips.

Ifyoupositionedyourseminarcorrectlyyoucouldattractcabdrivers,hotelbellhops,hairdressers,manicurists,massagetherapists,housekeepers,babysitters,andpizzadeliverydrivers.Promotewithflyersandposters.Thisisauniqueidea–youcancontactlocalradiostationsandbookyourselfwithliveinterviewsleadinguptotheseminardates.


25 Bicycle Repair & Service

THESUMMERWHENMYSONJaredwas14hebeganaskingabouthowhecouldmakesomeextramoney.Thecommonthingfora14‐yr‐oldtodowouldhavebeentomowyardsordeliverpapers.Butthathaslittleuniqueness.

Atthetimewelivedinacommunityof438homes,representinglotsofkidsandlotsofbikes.Isuggestedthathedo“bikerepair”ashewasanavidbikerhimself,verygoodwithmechanicsandhadalreadybeentherepairmanforfamily.

Ihelpedhimcreateonesimpleflyerannouncing“thisweek’sspecial.”Andthatwas$5.00flattirerepair.Buthealsoofferedfreepickupanddelivery–amajorUSPforbusymomsanddads.Andwhatdoyousupposemostbikeswithaflattireneed?Otherrepairs.Jaredwouldcallhiscustomersandsuggestatune‐up–newchain,adjustgears,clean‐up,etc.andwouldcreatereasonableincomefarbeyondthe$5.00repair.

Wehungthosefliersonabouthalfthedoorsinourneighborhood–onetimeonly.ThatlittlepromotionkeptJaredbusyallsummerlongandallowedhimtomake$200‐300aweekparttime.


26 Window Tinting

WHENMYOLDESTSONKevinwas14yearsoldwesenthimtoathree‐daytrainingforautomotivewindowtinting.Wehadfuncomingupwithaname–SunShield–hadsomeyellowplasticvisorsimprintedwithhislogoandnameandstartedspreadingtheword.AtthetimeIownedanautoaccessoriesbusinesssowehadaprettyreadyaudience.ButKevinbuilthisowncustomerlistanddidtheworkinourgarageatourhouse.Hedidn’thaveadriver’slicensebutpeoplewoulddroptheirJaguars,Mercedes,VolvosandPorschesoffatourhousetogethismeticulouswork.

Kevinwasasophomoreinhighschoolsothiswasparttime,afterschoolwork.Butworkingtwoorthreeeveningsaweekhefoundhecouldmake$200‐300aweek.Thatfundedhisgrowinginterestinbicycleracing.

Whiletherearenolicensesorcredentialsrequiredforwindowtintingapersonwouldbewisetogetsomeinitialtraining.Thereareenoughtricksofthetradethatmakeitworthwhiletoavoidcostlymistakes.

HereareacoupleIjustfoundonline.http://www.windowtinting.com/5‐dayprogramfor$1200http://www.autowindowtinting.com14HourDVDTrainingProgram‐$275Kevin’sinitialcost–asIrememberitwasabout$450forthetrainingandhisinitialsupplies.


27 Graffiti Removal

JUSTDOWNTHEROAD fromwherewelivedafewyearsagotherewasanoldrailroadunderpass.Itprovidedaone‐lanepassthroughsocarswouldwaitpatientlyfortheirturntopassunderthetraintrack.Allsideswereconcreteandthatprovidedanapparentirresistiblecanvasforlocalgraffitiartiststosharetheirtalents.Unfortunately,ratherthanjustartisticdesignstheyoftenleftvulgarandobscenemessagesforalltosee.

Iacceptedthechallengeasaconcernedneighborhoodresidentandmadeafungameofcoveringtheirtime‐consuming“art”assoonasitappeared.Iboughtacaseofwhitespraypaintandjustkeptitwithmeinmycar.Whenevernewgraffitishowedup,I’djustjumpoutofmycarandcoveritwithfreshwhitepaint.InthebeginningIprobablypaintedacoupleoftimesaweek,thenitslowedtoacoupleamonthandeventuallythegraffitijuststoppedshowingupatall.

MypartwaseasyandmykidsthoughtitwashilariousthatIwasthedudetakingonthegangs.Ineverhadapersonalencounterwithan“artist”andsimplydecidedthattheywerenotgoingtodegradeourneighborhood.

Doyouthinkyoucouldgetpaidfordoingthesameinyourtown.AndtheanswertothatquestionisYes.


28 Unicycle ‒ or any unique item

ANONLINEPRESENCEmakesitpossibletobeextremelysuccessfulwithnicheproducts.Readthisstoryabouthowaguywhoenjoyedunicyclesfoundhimselfthrustintoanexplodingbusiness.http://www.newsweek.com/id/68369

Ilovethisstorybecauseit’sjustoneexampleofhowanunusualproductcangettractionwithanonlinepresence.Youwouldneverwanttoopenaretailstoreforunicycles.Witharetaillocationyouwillhaveaboutafive‐mileradiusofpotentialcustomers.Youwouldhavetohave100%oftheprospectsinthattinymarketareaandalsohavetodealwithleases,signpermits,retailhours,andemployees.Withanonlinesiteyoucaninstantlyhaveaccesstotheentireworldandevenwithanicheproductifyougetatinypercentageoftheprospectsyoucanknockitoutoftheparkfinancially.Andyouavoidallofthelogisticsofhavingaretailstore.ThisisarealitythatalotofpeoplewithnicheproductslikeChristianbooks,vacuumcleaners,ornecktieshavediscovered.


Theunicyclesiteactuallyhasthedomainunicycle.com(http://www.unicycle.com).That’sanotherimportantcomponentofhavingasuccessfulbusiness.Makesureyoucangeta.comdomainnamethatreadilyidentifiesyourbusiness.

Start‐upcosts:Perhaps$300‐500foraninitialwebsite.Test,test,test.Don’tpurchaseawarehousefullofanyproductuntilyoutestthemarketandyourabilitytosellthatproduct.Butgetcreativeaboutthesenichepossibilities.Youmayhaveseenaninterestingproductwhiletravelinginaforeigncountry.

Eveninourglobaleconomy,95%ofproductsproducedareneversoldoutsidethatcountry.Yearsagoagentlemansawawheelbarrowadvertisedinamagazine.Itwasafiberglass/plasticwheelbarrow,superiortowhatwasthenavailableintheUnitedStates.HeaskedtobetheU.S.distributor.Hetookonesamplewheelbarrowtoonehomeandgardenshow,andreceivedover50,000ordersforthisimprovedwheelbarrow.Hedidnotinventit,didnotpatentit,hesimplyaskedtobeadistributorforanexistingproduct.Withonlya$5.00profitmargin,that’s$250,000profit!


29 Book Sales

BOOKSHAVEAVERYSHORTLIFE. Mostpublisherswillpromoteabookforthefirst90days.Ifitdoesn’ttakeoffonitsownatthatpointtheymayendupwithasignificantnumberofbooksthattheysimplywanttoclearoutoftheirinventory.

Ihavesoldthousandsofbookswrittenbyotherauthorsovertheyears.Here’sanexample:Thisbookshoweduponhttp://www.bookcloseouts.comasaliquidationspecial.IlovedthetitlesoIorderedjustonecopytoseeifitwaswelldone.Itwas.Theretailpriceshowedas$13.00.Iorderedtheminquantitiesofabout300atatime.Wepaid$1.32eachandshowedthemata“discounted”priceonourwebsiteof$8.00.Peopleaddedthemontootherordersfromour48Days.comsite(http://www.48days.com/products.php).


Here’sanotherexample.Thisisagreattitleandtiesinnicelywiththe48Days.comthemeofbooksthathelpwiththeprocessoffindingorcreatingworkthatispurposeful,fulfillingandprofitable.ThisbookaddressesMomswhowanttobeprimarycare‐giversfortheirchildrenbutwouldalsoliketogeneratesomeincome.Thisbookwasoutofprintbutstillhadvaluableinformationinit.Itshowedaretailpriceof$14.95.Ipurchasedthemoutofremainderfor$1.42each.Weprobablysold2000ofthemat$8.00beforeoursourcedriedup.Nothingwrongwiththebooksandnothingdeceitfulabouttheprocess.Andyes,anyonecouldgotoexactlythesamesitesandpurchasethebooksatthesamepricewedid.ButthisismuchthesamebuyingprocessthatyoufindatWal‐MartorTarget.Whenpeoplearealreadyin“ourstore”theyareverylikelycandidatestoaddsimilarproductstotheirshoppingcartbeforetheycheckout.That’swhytheyputmilkandeggsatthebackofanygrocerystore.Theyknowyouwillhavetowalkpastthousandsofotherproductstofindthosetwothingsyoucameintothestoretofind.


Wemakeproductpackagesandcombinationsattractiveat48Days.com(http://www.48days.com/products.php)siteandpeopledothesamething.Theycometheretopurchase48DaystotheWorkYouLoveperhapsandthenseeotherappealingbooktitlesorproductsthattheywantaswell.

Herearesomeeasysourcestocheckout:http://www.bookcloseouts.comhttp://www.DiscountBookSale.comhttp://www.bookliquidator.comhttp://www.booksliquidation.com

Thesesourcesseldomhaveanykindofminimumpurchaserequired.Theremaybesomeincentivesforlargernumbersorsavingsonshippingifabigquantityisorderedhowever.Don’torderabigquantityuntilyou’veproventhatyoucansellaparticulartitle.

AcoupleofyearsagoJoanneandIwereatabigyardsale.Therewasabooththerewheretheyweresellingnewbooks.Thepeoplerunningitwerecomplainingthatnooneexpectedtobuynewbooksatayardsale.Iaskedhowmuchtheywouldtakefortheentireinventoryandmuchtomysurprise,theysaid$100.Itoldthemtostopshowingthebookstoanyone–IwouldbebackingmyVolvowagonuptotheclosestdoorimmediately.Ipurchased789brandnewbooks–mostlyhardbacks–forthat$100.Wesoldtonsofthemandusedlotsofthemasbonusesforotherpurchases.Iextractedsomuchvaluefromthatpurchase.I’mconstantlylookingforasimilardeal.



30 Creative Playground

WHENOURTHREEKIDSWERESMALL Ihadtwooldtractortiresinthebackyardthatweretheirfavoriteplaygrounditems.IrecentlyduplicatedthesamethingforourgrandchildreninouryardhereinTennessee.Thetiresyouseecamefromourlocaltiredealer–andwereabsolutelyfree.Iburiedthemaboutone/thirddeepintheground,makingthemunmovable.ThenmygranddaughterClarahelpedmepaintthemwithastandardoutdoorpaint.

Allthegrandkidslovethesetires.Theyareindestructibleandofferamultitudeofpossibilities.Thekidsclimbuponthem,jumpfromonetoanother,hideinthemandlettheirimaginationsrunwild.Withafewwoodchipsaroundthem(free–see#18)theybecomeacentralplaygroundattraction.

Couldyoupromoteandprovidethisremarkableattractionforhomeownersinyourtown?Wouldtheybewillingtopayforit?Ofcourse.Yes,diggingtheholestakessomework.Butwhatifyouhadapackagepriceof$500,$800or$997?Withanattractiveflyerdoyouthinkyou’dgetsometakers–absolutely.

Start‐upCosts:Obviouslyitwouldbehelpfultohaveapickuptruck.Beyondthat,agoodshovel,pickandsomegoodpicturesofwhatyoucando.Approximately$50


31 Antique mall (orrepurpose any large space)

I ONCEWORKEDWITHACLIENTwhohadbeenintheChristianmusicindustryallhislife.Butashehithismid‐40sherealizedtheopportunitiesforcontinuingtomakereasonablemoneytherewerediminishing.

Inexploringotherareasofinteresthesharedhispassionforantiquesandhowhewasalreadybuyingandsellingafewpieceshereandthere.Hesaidhewouldlovetohaveanantiqueshop–buthehadabsolutelynomoneytodothat.

Here’swhatwedid.Hefoundanoldwarehousethathadbeenvacantforsometime.Henegotiatedaleaseagreementwiththeowner–nomoneyupfrontbutsimplya30‐dayoptiontofinalizethelease.Thenwesatdown,madearoughdrawingofthefloorspaceanddivideditinto76smallspaces.Hethencontactedotherantiquebuffswhoweremorethaninterestedinhavingaspacefortheirmerchandise.Bycollectingfirstandlastmonth’srentonthosesmallspaces(hekept3forhimself)myclientcollectedinexcessof$25,000.Thenhefinalizedthelease,spentabout$15,000doinginteriorrenovationsandopenedforbusiness.Hestillhad$10,000inthebankandstartedmakingmoneyfromdayoneonthe10%commissionhereceivedfromallhislessees.Andfromthe3spaceswherehecouldsellhisownpieces.


Now–youcouldusethesameconcepttorepurposealargespaceforanyoneofmultipleideas.

OneofthehotnewtermsaccountingforpeoplewantingtoworknotfromhomeandnotfromanofficeisCoWorking.PeoplewhostrugglewithwatchingOprahorplayingXboxinthemiddleoftheafternoonmayfindthatasharedofficespaceisjustwhatyouneed.

ThetermjustmadeitintoWikipediaandisdefinedthus:Coworkingisthesocialgatheringofagroupofpeople,whoarestillworkingindependently,butwhosharevaluesandwhoareinterestedinthesynergythatcanhappenfromworkingwithtalentedpeopleinthesamespace.Blogs,socialnetworksandothersupportsystemsarebeingformedaroundthisconcept.Soleproprietors,freelancers,artists,consultantsandotherindependentworkersarefindingrefugeincoworkingenvironmentswithopenofficeareasbutdedicatedworkspace,high‐speedinternet,akitchenetteandmaybeevenprinterandfaxmachine.Ratesrangefrom$15adayto$500amonthforfull24/houraccess.Checkitouthere–CoWorkingSpacesorjustGoogleyourcitywiththeword“coworking.”

Youcouldusethesamemethodtoleasealargespace–andthenleaseitoutasofficespaceasdescribedhere.

Start‐upCosts:Zero


32 Vending Machines

YES, I KNOW. We’veallheardthehorrorstoriesaboutvendingmachinesbeingarip‐off.Butlikeabrickcanbeusedtobuildacathedralortosmashawindow,vendingcanbeascamoraveryprofitableventure.

Ihavemyownhorrorstoryaboutvendingmachines.WhenIwasonly18yearsoldIenrolledinabranchcampusofTheOhioStateUniversity.Asapoorkidwithgoodgrades,Iqualifiedforan$1800tuitiongrant.However,mypredilectionforseeingthingsinnewwayswasalreadyhinderinga“normal”viewofhavingmoneyinthebank.Thetuitionwasnotpayableimmediatelybutwouldbedueoverthenextseveralmonths—whichmeantIhadeighteenhundreddollarsinhard,coldcashsittinginmybankaccount.

Surely,Ithought,Icouldleveragethatmoneyintosomethingmore.Irespondedtoanadinamagazinemuchliketheonesmanyofyouhaveseen:“Getintothevendingbusiness;youdon’thavetosellanything.Weinstallthemachines—allyouhavetodoiscollectthemoney.”Myeighteenhundreddollarspurchasedtenhotcashewmachines.Whatcouldbemoreappealingthanhotcashews?Ithought.Cashewsaretheperfectsnackfood—wholesome,nutritious,andaperfectcomplementtoanybeverage.Thiswasgoingtobetooeasy.Ienvisionedmymachinesfindinghomesinballparks,familyrecreationcenters,andthelocalconveniencestore.Butthingsdidn’tturnourexactlyasIhadplanned.


Arepresentativecametoplacethemachines.Unfortunately,thecompanyreppreferredtolocatethemachinesinthesleaziestbarshecouldfind.Pictureit:ashy,backwardMennonitekiddiscoveringthathismachineswerebeinginstalledinplaceshehimselfhadneverbeenallowedtoenter.

Guesswhatelsedidn’tturnoutasIexpected.Doyouknowwhathappenstocashewsunderheatiftheyarenotstirredabouteverytwelvehours?Theymold!Iimmediatelybegangettingcallsfromthesesordidestablishmentstellingmetogetthosemachinesoutorsufferthewrathoftheirinebriatedcustomers.Ipickedupmytenpreciousmachinesandhidtheminanoldchickencoopwheremydadwouldneverbemadeawareofmystupidity.MonthslaterIsoldthemforroughlytencentsonthedollar.Whenitcametimetopaymytuition,IhadtogetoutandhustleforthemoneyIhadlost.Isqueezedinoddjobsaroundmyalreadybusyscheduleoffarmchoresandcollegeclasses.Itwasmyfirstofmanypainfullessonsthatlookingforaquickbuckistypicallyarecipefordisaster.

ButIlearnedfromthatexperience.Ilovethevendingbusiness.Todayweprovidethe48DaysPersonalityProfile(http/::www.48days.com:products.php#profiles)thatyoumayhavealreadybenefitedfrom.Thinkabouthowthatisdelivered.Wesetupanelectronicprocess–filleditwithavailableaccesscodesandallowpeopletopurchaseanytimedayornight.No,wedon’thavetodriveatruckacrosstowntorestockthecashewsbutessentiallywehaveanelectronicvendingmachine.Andthattriggersthesaleofthemostpopularproductinour48Daysstore–outsellingevenmymostpopularbooks.IfIhadbeendevastatedbythatfirstvendingexperienceIwouldhaveclosedthedoortoseeingvendinginanewlight–andanewopportunityusingcurrenttechnology.


Iworkedwithafiremansometimeago.Hewantedabusinessthatwouldnotrequirehimtobeavailableatspecifictimesashewasstillcommittedtobeingafireman.Buthewouldworkforperhapsthreedaysstraightandthenhavethreedayscompletelyoff.Andhewaslookingforagreatbusinessthathecouldworkonthoseoffdays.Isuggestedvendingasfittinghisrequirements.Hepurchasedacoupleofthecolognemachinesyouseeinmen’srestrooms.Youdropaquarterin,selectwhichofthethreesmellsyouwant,pushtheplungerandwalkoutsmellinglikeamillionbucks.Therearenoelectronicpartstothemachine–justamechanicaloperation.Whereascandyinavendingmachinemaycostyou$.50andyousellitfor$.75,withthiscolognetheproductcostforeachshotwaslessthan$.01.Sohehada25xmultipleforprofits.Eachmachinecosthimabout$45.HegotanagreementwiththeMapcostorestoinstallthosemachinesintheirfreewaystoresandheinstalledthemallupanddownthesoutheast.

Vendingisstilloneofthetop3millionairemakersinAmerica.It’sestimatedthat$650millionpassesthroughvendingmachineseachweek.That’sover$35billionayear.Yes,thereispotentialwithvending.VendinghasmanyofthecharacteristicsIlookforinabusiness:broadmarket,notdependentonyourtime,makesmoneywhileyousleep,thousandsofproductandplacementpossibilities,etc.However,becauseitcanbesoprofitable,thevendingindustryisalsofullofscams.TheFederalTradeCommissionhas18,882itemsfeaturedthatinvolvevendingscams.Here’sjustoneitemcalledProjectBustedOpportunity(http://www2.ftc.gov/opa/2009/01/westbrook.shtm).Yes,theyreallydidhaveasweeptheycalled“ProjectBustedOpportunity.”Mostinvolveexaggeratedearningpotential.Sellersarenotoriousforusing“shills”–peopletheypaytogiveglowingreportsabouttheirsuccess.Thousandsofvendorsaremisrepresentingthattheygivea“portion”tocharity.


Itusedtobethatweassociatedvendingmachineswithgumballsandcandy.Todayyouwillfindsandwiches,anyvarietyofdrinks,internetaccess,CDs,popcorn,pantyhose,perfume,temporarytattoos,headachemedicine,breathfreshenerandmuchmore.

Aswithanybusinessthishuge,youcanfindagreatopportunityifyoudoyourhomeworkinadvance.Don’trelyonanyoneelsetoplaceyourmachines.Talktobusinessownersinadvancetoseeiftheywouldbewillingtoletyouputoneofyourmachinesthere.Checkintojustbuyingthemachines(Sam’sWholesale,Costco,etc.)ratherthanbuyinga“businessopportunity.”Makesureyoureadaboutpopularscamssoyouwillbealertasyoudoyourresearch:CommonSmall‐BusinessScams(http://www.entrepreneur.com/management/legalcenter/article173648.html).

Researchthepossibilities–makesureyouunderstandtheimportanceoflocationandputyourselfontracktobethenextmillionaire.

Start‐upCosts:Variedfrom$30to$2000


33 Seminars and Workshops

YOUNEEDTOHAVEASPECIALIZEDTOPIC –whereyouhavesomethingvaluabletoshare.FortheveryfirstseminarsIdidIusedsomeexistingmaterial.ItwascalledAdventuresinAttitudesandIranitjustlikeitwassetup,asa10‐weekprocess.Ipurchasedthematerialsfromthetrainingcompanyat$69each.IdecidedIwantedanicecleanprofitmarginsoIpriceditat$469.ThelocalChamberofCommercepromoteditformeandallowedmetousetheirtrainingcenteratnocharge–astheyjustthoughtitwasvaluablematerialfortheirmemberbusinesses.InthatfirstworkshopIhad23participants.At$400perparticipantwithnoexpensesotherthanthematerialsthatgavemea$9200profit.AndthatwaslongbeforeIhadeverpublishedabookorhadanyreputationasapresenter.Isimplyusedexistingmaterialsandfacilitatedthatprocess.

Irepeatedthatsameseminarmanymanytimes.Ioffereditasacommunityworkshop,diditfornon‐profitgroups,churches,andcorporations.

Ihavebeendoingseminarsforover20years.MyareaofconcentrationgrewoutofleadingaSundaySchoolclassonCareer/LifePlanning.ThatclassgrewintoaMondaynightcommunityseminarthattypicallydrew60‐80peopleeachweek.Thatseminarwasfreetoanyonewhowantedtoattend.Butitalsoallowedmetobuildanaudienceandareputationinthecommunity.


SoIstarteddoingseminarsonSaturdayswhereIchargedafee.Iwoulddoa48DaystotheWorkYouLoveseminar–typicallya3‐hourpresentation.Ijustexperimentedwithdifferentregistrationfees.Wewouldalwayshaveabout100peopleattend,whetherthefeewas$49,$89or$119.AndthosewereactualpricesIusedatvarioustimes.

ThenIaddeddoingacorporatepresentationonDevelopingLeadershipSkills.AgainIusedatoolthatwaswellestablished–thatbeingtheDISCprofile.Iwouldallowupto25peoplefromthesameorganization,runtheprofilesonallparticipantsanddoa3‐hourworkshopfor$3500.IdidtonsofthosefororganizationslikeGeneralElectric,NFIB,DeutscheBank,TennesseeDeptofCorrectionsandmanymore.ThiswasmyprimaryincomegeneratorwhileIwasbuildingmycoaching,speakingandwritingbusinessthatIhavetoday.

Decidewhatyourareasofexpertiseis.Findorcreatematerialsforyourpresentations.Targettheindividualsororganizationsthatcouldbenefitfromwhatyouhavetooffer.Icreatedalistof120companiesasmytargets.ThenIusedaprocesswecall“nurturemarketing”whereeachmonththosecompanieswouldreceivesomethingfromme.Notjustasalespiece,butsomethingthatwouldbehelpfultothem–onmanagement,leadership,hiringtherightpeople,etc.Thatcreated“topofmind”positioningformeandovertimefilledmyscheduleasthegotoguyforthosetopics.

Start‐upcosts:Probablylessthan$500formaterials,flyers,websiteandinitialpromotion.


34 Specialized Book Publishing

I HAVEPRODUCEDAWIDEVARIETYof“intellectualproperty”materialsovertheyears.WheneverIfindaninterestingtopicIputtogetherathree‐ringbinderwiththetextandperhapsacoupleofaudioCDstocreateanewproduct.

Thefirstversionof48DaystotheWorkYouLovewasdoneexactlylikethat.IhadaloosearrayofnotesfrommySundaySchoolclassthatIputinbinder.Iwenttoafriend’shouseonaSaturdaymorningbecausehehadafancyrecorder.Wehungablanketoneithersideofmeinhishallwaytodeadenthesoundofhiskid’splaying.ThenIrecordedmyaudiocontent–rightstraightthrough.Noedits,nomusic,nothingfancy.Ihadthosecassettesduplicatedandstucktheminthepocketofthatthree‐ringbinderandstartingselling48Daysontheinternetat$24.95.Itstartedsellingwell.ThenasIstudiedmarketingprinciplesIdecidedtoraiseitto$49butwithan“InternetSpecial”at$39.Thatexplodedoursales.Isoldover$2millionworthofthatsimpleproduct.Noagents,nopublisher,nobookstorepresence–justviralmarketingontheinternet.THENpublisherscametoseemeandIgotmyfirsttraditionalpublishingdeal.


Istilllovecreatingnewproductslikethis.Itdoesn’thavetobeanythingfancy–justgreatcontent.Herearesomerecentexamples:

Youcanseetheseveryrealproductsthatweselleverydayoftheyear(http://www.48days.com/products.php).WritetotheBankcamefromaliveteleseminarsthatIdidacoupleofyearsago.Peoplepaidfortheliveteleseminar–butthentheresponsewassostrongthatIdecidedtomakeitaphysicalproduct.Wesimplytooktheaudiorecordingwealreadyhad,transcribedthataudioforthetextversionandstartingofferingitat$69fortheversionyouseehere.The3‐ringbinderscost$1.69rightofftheshelfatCostco,thecover,backandspinecosts$.53eachset,the2CDscost$.42eachandthebodyinsertis$2.89.Soourentirecostisrightat$6.00.Itcontinuestobeoneofourhottestsellingproducts–because81%oftheAmericanpopulationsaythey’dliketowriteabook.


Iworkedwithaphysicianrecently,ahighlevelspecialistwhoisrespectednationally.Yethisdescriptionofhissituationwassummedupin–“I’matthetopofmygameandIhavenolife.”Yes,working100hoursaweekwillculminateinthatunfortunateendresult,nomatterhowexcellentyourworkmaybe.

Thisphysicianwastrappedinthemodelofgeneratinglinearincomeonly.Hegetspaidverywellbutassoonashestopsoperatingorconsultinghisincomestopsaswell.

Isitpossibletoleveragehisexpertiseinwaysthatwillcreateincomewhilehesleeps?–Absolutely.Here’sjustoneexample:

EveryyearhespeaksataprestigiousmedicalschoolonthebusinessprinciplesusedbyRitzCarltonHotelforexcellentcustomerserviceandemployeecommitment.Hedoesthisforfreeandjustenjoysthebreakfromhisoffice(whilehisincomestops).

Myrecommendationtohimwasthis:LookatyourFourSeasonspresentationasabodyofintellectualpropertyratherthanjustasaspeech.You’vealreadydonethehardworktocreatethecontent.Createa3‐ringbinderinstructionalmanualcompletewithyourtext,graphs,charts,andperhapsanaudioCDorademonstrationDVD.Andsuddenlyyouhavearesidualincomepossibility.Ifthemessageisfocusedtowardmedicalstudentsthenyourmarketingfocuswouldbequitesimpletodevelop.Ifhegavethatagreattitlewithanattractivephysicalpresentationhecouldpositionitat$189–areasonablepricepointforthetargetaudience.Histargetmarketiseasytoidentify.Ifhesoldtoonly2%ofthe301,270physiciansintheUnitedStatesalone,hewouldgenerateovera$1millionfromthatonethingalone.Andthepressureofcontinuinghisincomewiththeinsanehoursrequiredwouldevaporate.


Havingtheveryprestigiousmedicalschoolashisestablishedvenue,hecouldnowoffertomakethesamepresentationto12othermedicalschools.Yes,hecouldstilloffertocomeforfree–orperhapsjustaskfortravelexpenses.Butthenapproach3‐4majorcorporatesponsorsforlet’ssaya$20,000sponsorshippackage.Pfizer,Mercedes,BankofAmericaandRitzCarltonarejustthebeginningpossibilities.Youcanmodifythosenumbersanywayyouwantbuttheimplicationsareclear.Here’sastep‐by‐stepguideforwritingaCorporateSponsorshipProposal:http://www.ehow.com/how_2146333_write‐corporate‐sponsorship‐proposal.html.

Mostofyoureadingthisprobablyhaveasimilarareaofintellectualexpertise.Howcouldyouleveragewhatyouknowratherthanjustdoingwhatyoudo?Whatotheropportunitiesdoyouhaveforcreatingresidualincome?

Start‐upCosts:Assumingyoualreadyhaveacomputer–lessthan$500.YoucancreateyourrecordingswiththefreeprogramAudacity(http://audacity.sourceforge.net).Fromthereyoucanfindanyplacethatcreatesduplicates.IhaveusedCRT(http://www.crtcustomproducts.com)hereinNashvilleformanyyears.TheinsertswehavecopiedatalocalcopycenterandasImentionedabove,westillbuythebindersrightofftheshelfatCostco.


35 Career and Life Coach

IF YOU’RETHEONEPEOPLECOMETOLOOKINGFORADVICE–theoptimistic,affirming,cheerfulgo‐topersonatyourwork,churchorcommunity,thenthismaybearealpossibilityforyou.

Workingwithancoachisoftenthefirststepmanyindividualstakeastheyplanforacareermove,anewjob,apromotion,orinanticipatinganew"season"inlife.Iftheneedforachangehascomeunexpectedly,it'seasyforself‐confidencetobelowandfrustrationtobehigh,withtheeffectsofthesespillingoverintofamilyandpersonallife.Makingchangesofthismagnitude,especiallywithoutanycounsel,canbeveryintimidating,butitcanalsobethemostexcitingtimeofyourlife–ifyouseeitasanopportunitytotakeafreshlookatwhereyouareandwhereyouwanttogo.

Thiscoachingprocessisnottraditionalcounseling.Whilecounselingfocusesonthepast,coachingisveryfutureoriented.Iworkwithclientsonsettingprioritiesandgoals,identifyingyour"uniquevalue,"andwalkingwithyouthroughthestepsoftakingactionthatwillenableyoutoachieveahigherlevelofsuccess.


Ihavebeencoachingindividualsforover20years.ThisworkevolvedoutofthecontinuedrequestsIwasreceivingfromsuccessful,healthypeoplewhowerelookingtoexploretheirbestoptionsformaximalsuccess.

Also,werecognizethatworkmodelsarechanging.Theoldmodelofatraditional8‐5jobisnottheonlychoice.Inworkingwithprofessionalsfromallareas,weexploreconsulting,free‐lancework,franchisesandentrepreneurialopportunitiesaswellasthetraditionalcareerpaths.Thecorrectfocusforthiscanonlybediscoveredbyknowingwhatisuniqueabouttheindividual.

Coachingisahotnewbusiness–viewedverypositively.While“counseling”maybeseenasdealingwithweaknesses,“coaching”isperceivedassomethinganywinnerdoes.Youcanworkfromhome,youcanstartpart‐timeandbeapositivepartofpeople’slivesastheyaremovingtohigherlevelsofsuccess.

Okay,you’reprobablywonderingaboutdegreesandcertification.Andyes,thisisatrickysubject.Buttherearenotestablishedcredentialsforcoaches.We’veidentifiedover300organizationsaroundtheworldthatoffer“certification”butthestandardsvarywidely.Andguesswhat–clientsdon’tknowwhatthecertificationmeansanyway.Thosefancyacronymsbehindyournamewillmeannothingtoanyoneotherthananothercoach.Iamnotdemeaninganyofthetrainingprograms,butIamsayingthatyourpersonalrelationshipskillswilllikelyhavemoretodowithyoursuccessthanaparticulardegree.

Idon’trecallthatIhaveeverhadmorethan2‐3clientsaskaboutmyacademicbackgroundorcredentials.Buttheydoknowsomeoneaco‐workerorneighborIworkedwithinthepastandthatreputationofhelpingthroughexcitingtransitionskeepsnewclientswaitinginline.TodayIreceiveapproximately150‐200requestsamonthformypersonalcoaching.OfthoseItypicallyselect2or3toworkwithandrefertheremaindertoothercoachesinour48Daysnetwork.

Herearemycoachingoptions:


Option1:TheEagle'sClub‐$4500Iaccept2‐3Eagle’sClubclientspermonth,andnormallystayscheduledabouttwomonthsahead,althoughemergencysituationsarealwayscarefullyconsidered.TheEagle’sClubisafull‐on,comprehensive30‐45dayprocessofone‐on‐oneLifePlanningandistheresultofover20yearsofprofessionalconsultingandcoachingwithsuccessfulindividuals.Theirsuccessandchallengeshavehelpedtoidentifyaconceptual,yetstructured,processthatwillenhanceone'spersonalsenseofbalance,focus,confidenceandenthusiasm,regardlessofanymomentarycircumstances.Thisisnotaboutjust“findingajob.”Eachofthefoursessionsisapproximately2hoursinlengthandincludespersonalworkassignmentscomplementingeachinteraction.Theculminationisthepersonalizedapplication,whichtakesmanyindividualizedapplications,oftenembracingcreativeskillsinwaysneverbeforeseenaspossible.

Sessions‐Clickheretoreviewthecontentsandsubjectofeachsession:http://www.48days.com/eaglesessions.php

Thisprocessinvolvesidentifyingsuccessin7differentareasofyourlife.Onlyafterclarifyingwhat“success”meanstoyoucanwethendeterminewhatworkmodelandapplicationisbest.Typicalsuccessesrangefrom:

  DEFININGONE’SPURPOSEANDCALLING  IDENTIFYINGMEANSFORTRANSLATINGTHATPURPOSEINTOMEANINGFUL,FULFILLING–ANDPROFITABLEWORK  FINDINGNEWEMPLOYMENTATINCREASEDPAYANDBETTERCIRCUMSTANCES  CREATINGANDLAUNCHINGABRANDNEWBUSINESSINANON‐TRADITIONALDIRECTION  PURCHASINGAFRANCHISE,BUSINESSOPPORTUNITYOREXISTINGBUSINESS  BECOMINGANINDEPENDENTCONTRACTORUTILIZINGSKILLS,ABILITIESANDEXPERIENCE  ENGAGINGCREATIVESKILLSTOGENERATERESIDUALINCOME–ORMULTIPLESTREAMSOFINCOME  ANDMUCHMORE…(Whilenotcommon,sometimesthenewfounddreampositionisaloweringofincome

andlifestyle–reflectingamoreaccuratepositioningoftheclient’sowndreams–ratherthanthecontinuedlivingoutofsomeoneelse’sexpectations.)


Option2:TheCareerEnhancementPackage‐‐$2500Thisisafocusedtwo‐sessionplanningprocessandintegratesprimarilythefirsttwosessionsofTheEaglesClub.Itincludesallofthe48DaysmaterialresourcesofTheEaglesClubandtheinitialplanningphases.Thisisanappropriateprocessforthosewantingtore‐examinepurposeandfocusbutmaynotwantbeexpectingamajorshiftincareerapplication.Thesesessionswilllookatcreatingaclearintrospectiveunderstanding–integratingpassionsandGod‐designedpurpose.Thisconstitutes85%oftheprocessofhavingtheconfidenceofproperdirection.

Option3:TheBumblebee‐‐BusinessorIdeaOverview‐‐$1075Scientistsstatethatthebumblebeecannotpossiblyfly.Thereisnotenoughwingspantoovercomethebodymass.Ifindthatgreatideasareoftenviewedinthesameway.However,Ihavefounditacontinuedsourceofdelighttoseeideasdevelopandflourishwhileseeminglydefyingallcommonexpectations.Requestsforthis2‐3hoursinglesessionoverviewhaveskyrocketedinthelastfewmonths.Thisislargelyduetotheunusualsuccessofour48Daysbusinessmodel.Ihavesevendifferentstreamsofrevenue,allderivedfromrepurposingthe48DaystotheWorkYouLovecontent.Inthisintenseoverviewwewilllookatwaystoleverageyourintellectualcapital–whateverthatmaybe.Wecanevaluatetheuseoffranchising,patents,trademarks,publishing,e‐products,marketingstrategies,establishingaffiliaterelationshipsandothermethodsofinitiatingorgrowingyourbusinessconcept.Whetheryourbusinessisatraditionalbricksandmortaroneoronethatoperatesincyberspace,wecanexaminenewwaysofmovingyouforwardinyourjourneyofsuccess.


Wehavelotsofcompetentcoachesonhttp://www.48days.net.Thesepeoplehavechosencoachingthatmatchtheirpersonalinterestsandspecialties–health,sportsandfitness,spiritualwellness,career,life,writing,speakingandmanymore.

WealsohavetrainingeventsattheSanctuary(http://www.48days.com/events.php)hereinFranklin,TennesseecalledCoachingwithExcellence–severaltimeseachyear.Inthosewehelpyoupositionyourselfasacoachandshowyouhowtogenerateincomefromdoingso.

Start‐upCosts:$500to$2000


36 Professional Service

BOOKKEEPER, GRAPHICDESIGNER, WEBSITEDEVELOPER ,computerprogrammer,humanresourcespecialist,etc.Anyareaofexpertisecanbeleveragedintoaprofitablebusiness.Ifyoucurrentlyworkforacompanyasagraphicdesignerfor$15anhouryouaremakingabout$30,000ayear.Whatwouldhappenifyoumovedoutfromunderthecorporateumbrellatodoingworkonyourown?Graphicdesignisaveryportableskillandneededbyvirtuallyeverybusinessanywhere.

52.8%ofthebusinessesinAmericahave1‐4employees.Only2.6%ofthecompaniesinAmericahavemorethan99employees.Mostoftheother97.4%ofthecompaniesarenotlargeenoughtohaveafull‐timegraphicdesigner(bookkeeper,websitedesigner,etc.).Butaretheycandidatesforsomeonewiththoseskillsthattheycoulduse1dayaweek,or2daysamonth–absolutely.Andguesswhathappenswhenyouarenowaprofessionalinyourfieldratherthanan“employee?”Insteadofthe$15/houryoucannowcharge$40‐60/hourforyourservices.Youmayevenfindthatyourpreviousemployeriseagertobeyourfirstcustomer.


Whenyoubecomean“independentcontractor”youcannotexpecttobillfor40hoursaweek.Planonhaving20‐25billablehoursandspendingtherestofyourtimeonadministrativeandmarketingneeds.Butthose20‐25hoursatanaverageof$50/hourstilltranslateintoanannualincomeof$50,000to$65,000.

Start‐upCosts:Lessthan$300forawebsiteandpromotionalmaterials.Alotofprofessionalslikethissimplyusetheirpersonalpageonhttp://www.48days.comfortheirwebsite.


37 Lawn Care

I HAVEALWAYSBEEN IMPRESSEDwithpeoplewhodogreatlawnservicework.Mylawnmaintenancemanagerstartedhisbusinesswiththepurchaseofa$600truck.Todayhehasafleetoftrucks,mowers,constructiontoolsandtrailers.Hehasneverborrowedmoney–simplyallowingthebusinessprofitstogrowhisbusiness.

Yes,it’saneasybusinesstogetinto–thus,youwillhaveinstantcompetition.Lookforyour“uniquesellingproposition”(USP).Whatcanyoudobetterthananyoneelse?Myguyhaslotsofcustomers–buthealsodoesstonework,waterfeaturesandtreetrimming.ThisspringIwantedmytwoverylonggravellanesgradedandresurfaced.Hegavemeabidonthatworkanddidamagnificentjob.Youcandoyourownmathonwhatthepossibilitiesare.Ihaven’tshoppedthemarketinover10yearsnowbecausemyguydoessuchanamazingjob.



38 Water Softener Service

I HAVENEVERSEENSOMEONEOFFERTHIS BUSINESSbutI’mconvincedithasrealpotential.WelivejustoutsideFranklin,Tennesseeandareonawellratherthancitywater.Weloveusingwellwater–nochemicals,norecycledwaste,justpure,cleannaturalwater.Andnowaterorsewagebills.Butthenaturalwaterisquitehard,makingwashingdishesandclothesortakingshowersachallenge.Sowehadafiltrationandwatersofteningsysteminstalledafewyearsago.

ThatmeansthataboutonceamonthJoannewilltellmeshethinksIneedtocheckthesaltpelletlevelinourwatersoftener.SoIgoouttoourlittlewellhouse,takethetopoffthesoftenerandseeifinfactIneedtoaddsalt.IfneededIwillthenmakeatriptoHomeDepot,loadtheheavysaltbagsinmycar,bringthemhomeandaddacouple.Idon’tknowmuchaboutwhetherthesystemisworkingproperlyornot,soIjustaddsaltandhowforthebest.


WehappentoliveinWilliamsonCounty,thehighestpercapitaincomecountyinthestateofTennessee.Therearethousandsofhomesjustlikeours–farenoughoutinthebeautifulcountrysidetobeonawellratherthanonacitysystem.I’mconfidentthereareplentyofotherhomeownersfacingthisverysameissue.Andthus,I’malsoconfidentthere’stheopportunityforsomeonetoprovideasimpleservicetocheckonthemaintenanceandsaltlevelsinmywatersofteningsystem.

NowIknowthatifyougetoneofthemostexpensivesystemslikeaCulligan,Pelican,orRainDance,itmaycomewithsomekindofserviceagreement.ButIsuspectalotofhomeownersmakethedecisionlikewedidtogowithamoreeconomicalsystemthatdoesnotincludeongoingservice.

Sowhatiftherewerea$35/monthchargeforthatservice?Itappearsaquickcheckandaddingsaltifneededwouldnottakemorethan15minutes.Andwhatifapersonestablishedaregularroutewith100customersinaclosegeographicrange?Thatwouldbea$3500/monthgrossincome.Thesaltisprettyinexpensive,sotheadditionalcostwouldbevehicleexpenses.Itstilllookstomelikeanicheopportunity.

Start‐upCosts:$50forsomeniceflyerstodistribute.Pluspossibly$100foraninitialsupplyofsofteningsalt.


39 Vinyl Lettering

Thisisauniquebutexcitingbusinessapplicationthatwehaveusedinourhome.InthepicturebelowyouseeJoanneandmestandinginourlivingroom.Andyoucanseetheletteringonthewalljustaboveourbaywindow.Whileitissubtle,peopleareimmediatelystruckbytheeleganceandpowerofthosewords–“Peacegiveslifetothebody.”Joannevaluesmakingourhomeahavenofpeaceandhavingthisscriptureonourwallreinforcesthatthemeeveryday.

Mostpeopleassumethiswascarefullyandexpensivelyhandpainted,butitwasnot.ThiscametousfromTapestryofTruth(http://tapestryoftruth.com)asapre‐cutadhesivebackedroll.Wehadchosenthewords,thefontandthecolor.WhenitarrivedImeasuredthespace,tapedtherollinplace,pealedthebackingoffandcompletedtheinstallationinabout10minutes.Welovethebeautyandtheuniquenessthisaddstoourhomeandhaveaddedseveralothersoverdoorpostsandnearourstairway.


Thisisasimplecomputerizedprocessofcuttinginvinyl.Therearemachinesreadilyavailablestartingatabout$399.Here’sanexample:http://www.macroenter.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=FPC‐HX‐140&Click=1763.YoucanuseyourexistingcomputerandconnecttoacuttingmachinewithaUSBcord.AsIwaswritingthisIdidaquickcheckoneBayfor“vinylcutter”andfound2073results.Thereisawidevarietyofmachinesfromwhichtochoose.

Thematerialcostshouldnotexceed10%ofthesellingprice,thusyouhaveunusuallylargeprofitmargins.Virtuallyeveryhome,school,churchandbusinessisacandidateforthisprocess.The“heartatpeace”costsusabout$40.Longerphrasesorcorporatemissionstatementswillquicklyrun$200‐300yetwillberecognizedasaneconomicalmethodofaddingclassandsignificancetotheorganization.DoyourowncalculationsbutIthink$3000‐4000/monthinsaleswouldbeareasonablepart‐timegoal.

Start‐upCosts:Website,cuttingmachineandinitialsupplyofvinyl‐‐$1500


40 Pressure Washing & Sealing

YES IS A VERYCOMMONandverylow‐techbusiness.Youblastwaterontosurfacestoremovemoldanddebris.ButIstillseeitasagreatservicebusinessbecauseofthewidevarietyofapplications.Belowarejustafewofthemorecommonones.

Residen'alSurfaceCleaning&PressureWashingServices  HOUSE  DRIVEWAYS&SIDEWALKCLEANING  POOLSIDEANDPATIO  PATIOFURNITURE  FENCES  DECKS  MOBILEHOMES  AUTODETAILING  BOATS  LAWNEQUIPMENT

CommercialSurfaceCleaning&PressureWashing  BANKDRIVETHRU'S  FASTFOODDRIVETHRU'S  GASSTATIONS&CONVENIENCESTORES  PARKINGLOTS  STOREFRONTS&SIDEWALKS


Here’sasimplevideoinstructionprogramIfoundonlinefor$36.95:http://www.pressurewashingbusiness.com

Here’sastep‐by‐stepguideforstartingapowerwashingbusiness:http://www.ehow.com/how_2089431_start‐power‐wash‐business.html

Andanothergreatlink:http://pressurewashers.lifetips.com/cat/60232/starting‐a‐pressure‐washing‐business/index.html

Hereareacoupleofotherhelpfulsites:http://www.powerwashingbusiness.comhttp://www.pressurenet.net

Acommercialpowerwasherwillbeyourbiggestinvestmentforthisbusiness.Afterreadingsomeoftheinformationintheselinksyou’llseetheneedforhavingapowerwasherthatdeliversatleast3000‐3500psi.Andthosewillrangeincostfromabout$399upto$799.Aswithanyservicebusinessyoucanwatchyourlocalpaperforusedequipmentorgotoauctionstopurchaseyourequipmentforpenniesonthedollar.

Whenyouhaveyourwasheryoucanuseyourcurrentpickuptruckorasmalltrailerforgettingtoyourjobsites.


AsIsaid,thisisaveryuncomplicatedbusiness.SowhydoIrecommenditwhentherearesomanypeoplealreadyofferingthisservice?Becauseofonebasicprinciple–portrayedinthefamousWoodyAllenquotation:“Eightypercentofsuccessisshowingup.”

Therearesomanyordinaryservicesbusinesseswhereyoucanbeverysuccessfulsimplyby“showingup.”Joannerecentlycalled5powerwashingbusinesseshereinFranklin,TN.Nowthesearebusinessesthatarepayingforadvertisingtotrytogetcustomers.Shecalledthemandtoldeachofthemthatwehadalongsidewalkandtwostoneporcheswithstonestepsthatwewantedpowerwashedandsealed.Asmuchaswecantell,2ofthosebusinesseshadsomeonecomeby,tookaquicklookandleftanestimateinourmailbox.NOTONEofthemevercalledtofollowupwithus.Italkedwithourlawnmaintenancemanandhadhisguysdothejob–whichtheydidbeautifully.

Thisisayear‐roundbusiness.Ifyoulearntoseethepotentialapplicationsinyourlocalareayou’llrecognizetheongoingbusinessthiscouldbringin.Addsealingtoyourservicesfordecks,porches,sidewalksanddrivewaysandyou’lldoubleyourprofitsonthosejobs.

Oneweekendjobat$600‐800equals$35,000ingrossrevenueforayear.



41 eBay Merchant

YES, I KNOW ,we’veallheardthestoriesaboutpeoplemakingamilliondollarsoneBay.Soitmaybeeasytojustdismissthewholepossibility.Butlikemanyotherideas,thisoneisfullofpotentialscamsbutalsoamazingrealpossibilities.

I’veknownlotsofpeoplewhoaremakingsignificantamountsofmoneyeverymonthusingnothingbuteBay.

It’snotuncommontofindcratesorpalletsofmerchandisewhereyouarepayingpenniesonthedollarandcanthensellthemindividuallyatagreatprofit.http://www.closeoutdirect.com

Now,whatareyourcreativeideasforproductsthatyoucouldpromoteandprofitfrom?Itcouldbe  AUNIQUEPETPRODUCT(HTTP://WWW.DOGGLES.COM)  ACRAZYTOOTHPICKHOLDER(HTTP://WWW.TARGET.COM/OUCH‐VOODOO‐TOOTHPICK‐HOLDER‐GRAY/DP/B001339YVO)  ORSOMETHINGTHATAPPEALSTOANAFFINITYGROUPLIKEBASEBALLCARDSORMINIATURENASCARCARS

HTTP://SHOP.EBAY.COM/?_FROM=R40&_TRKSID=P3907.M570.L1313&_NKW=MINIATURE+CARS&_SACAT=SEE‐ALL‐CATEGORIES


Thebestplanistofocusonaspecificitemorcategory,learneverythingyoucanaboutthatitemandbecomeanexpertforotherenthusiasts.Thensearchforliquidatorsorclose‐outsonthoseitemsandcreateastrategyforpositioningthemwelloneBay.Greatphotosandanexcellentseller’srecordwillassureyoursuccess.

eBayprovidesatonofinstructiontohelpyouinyoursuccess:

DirectfromeBay:http://pages.ebay.com/education/

eBayUniversity–coursesaroundthecountry:http://pages.ebay.com/university/

Courseregistrationisjust$25.Thisfeeincludesregistration,coursehandouts,andcoffee.Thesessionwilllastfrom9:00amto3:30pmwithalunchbreak.

Whatsomeotherindividualsaredoing:http://www.wildmind.net/~biz/ebay_tutorial.htm

Eighty‐fivepercentofwhatyouneedtoknowaboutrunningasuccessfulbusinessyoucanlearnfromrunningasuccessfulmail‐orderoreBaybusiness.Youcanexperimentwithnearlyallthenecessarycomponentsofatraditionalbusinessandadjustyourworkmodelasyoulearn.

Start‐upCosts:Whileyoucouldpurchaseatrainingprogram,thereisplentythat’savailableforfree.Yourstart‐upcostsshouldbelessthan$100otherthanactualpurchasesofthingthatyouintendtoresell.


42 Foreign Country Opportunities

I HADARECENTCONVERSATIONwithNoeTorres,mylandscapeandyardmaintenancemanager.HisdadlivesinaMexicancityofaboutfiftythousandresidents.Likemanypeoplewhohaverelativeshere,hisdadhadbeenwaitingeachweekforthecheckfromhissonswholiveandworkintheUnitedStates.

Noeandhisbrotheraretrueentrepreneurs—andtheybegantolookforopportunitiestohelptheirdadbemoreself‐sufficient.HehasalwayshadadreamofoperatingalittleicecreamshopinthatlittleMexicancity.SoNoepurchasedacoupleofsmallelectricfreezersatHomeDepothereintheStatesfor$150eachandtookthemdowntohisdad.Hebuiltaforty‐by‐eighty‐footwarehouseandpurchasedamachinethatmakes2,500icepopsineighthours.Theymakeicecreamandstocktheselittlefreezerswithicecreamgoodies.Theythenoffertoplacetheminmom‐and‐popstoresaroundthecity.Nomoneyrequired—theysimplycomebackthenextweek,restockthefreezers,andsplittheproceedsfromanythingthathassold.


Atthispointtheyhavetwenty‐threefreezersinplace.Thestoreownersloveit,andNoe’sdadislivingouthisdream.Heisalsoemployingabouttengrandchildren,whoarenowmakingtheirownmoneyforschoolclothesandsuppliesbyhelpingtostockanddeliverthefreezers.Theaveragedailyincomeinthiscityis$10to$15.Mr.Torresiscurrentlymakingabout$150aday,andhissonsareprojectingthatwillgrowto$500adaywithinanothersixmonths.Awholefamilyhasbeenremovedfromthe“welfare”expectations,andanewgenerationislearningtheprinciplesofworkingandmanagingmoneywithanopportunityrightintheirownbackyard.

Yes,thegrassfrequentlyappearsgreenerontheothersideofthefence.Butinrealitythegrassisgreenestwhereitgetswateredmost.Isthereanidearightinyourbackyardthatcouldchangeyourfamily’sfinancialcondition?Chattingwithafriend,attendingaconcert,goingtoamuseum,themovies,orasportsevent,evenjuststoppingatthedrycleanersonaSaturdaymorningmaybeallyouneedtodotoreleaseyourmillion‐dollaridea.

Solarandwindpowerareofferingnewopportunitiesallovertheworld.Ifyoucanprovideabasicserviceinanunderservedarea,youcanmaketheworldabetterplaceandmakeaprofitaswell.FreePlay(http://www.freeplayenergy.com)revolutionizedsomeareasaroundtheworldwiththeirhandcrankflashlights,lanternsandradios.

Start‐upCosts:Youimaginationistheonlylimitationtobothstart‐upcostsandprofitpotential.


43 Social Entrepreneur

OKAY, SOTHIS MAYNOTLOOKLIKEA TYPICALBUSINESS. Buttheopportunitiesinnewareasandwithnewideasarelimitless.Manyofyouwantto“makeadifference,”to“maketheworldabetterplace”ortodo“somethingnoble.”Thoseareallworthygoalsandarenotincompatiblewithwantingtomakemoneyaswell.

Manyofyouhaveaskedtohearmoreabout“socialentrepreneurship.”Ihavementionedthisfrequentlyoverthelastcoupleofyearsasagrowingexampleofbeingableto“dogood”while“doingwell.”WhatImeanbythatisthatyoucanchangetheworld,addresspollution,poverty,sharethegospel,maketheworldabetterplace–yougettodecidewhatyourpassionis–andMAKEMONEYintheprocess.

IfyouwanttohelptheorphansinHaitiortheearthquakevictimsinChina,youmaybeabletocomeupwithavalidideatohelpthemandstructureaprofitablebusinessaswell.Theolddaysofjuststartinganon‐profitwhereyou“give”moneyandsuppliestotheneedyandhaveitfundedbyrichAmericansareover.Nowtheintelligentthingtodoisfindawaytoteachandequipthepeopleyouwanttohelpandtohavetheoperationitselffunditscosts–andproduceprofits.


IwouldsuggestreadingDavidBornstein’sbook:HowtoChangetheWorld:SocialEntrepreneursandthePowerofNewIdeashttp://www.amazon.com/How‐Change‐World‐Entrepreneurs‐Updated/dp/0195334760/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272126276&sr=1‐1)

Here’saphotoofoneofthenecklacesfromthehttp://www.Keza.comcollection.MysonJaredheadsupthisorganizationtohelpthewidowsofRwandaandotherAfricancountries.Theproductsaremadefromtrashpaper(catalogues,brochures,calendars,flyers,magazines).WithnoaddedcolorthatpaperisrolledandsealedintothesebeautifuljewelrythatarethensoldonQVC,atchurchevents,inhigh‐fashionboutiquesanddepartmentstores.Theprofitspaythewomenwellfortheirefforts,fundtheadministrativecostsoftheorganizationandcreateprofitsforeveryoneinvolved.

RecentlyIhadtheprivilegeofhearingJohnSagespeakonsocialentrepreneurship.JohnbeganhiscareeratMicrosoftwhereheintroducedWindowstotheworld.Afterthatamazingsuccessheregisteredforseminarybutquicklyrealizedhewouldbestifledinthatenvironment.Instead,herecognizedhecouldusehis“capitalisticaddiction”ashismosteffectivetoolforministryandtocreategoodintheworld.

WithadesiretohelphiscollegeroommateinhiseffortswiththepoorchildrenofPeru,JohnandthisroommatefoundedPuraVidaCoffee(http://www.puravidacoffee.com)wheretheysellfairtrade,organic,shade‐growncoffee.Thecompanyhasgrowndramaticallyandisagreatexampleof“CompassionateCapitalism.”Customersnotonlybuycoffeebutaskhowtheycandonatebeyondthattoparticipateinhelpingthechildreninthecountrieswherethecoffeeisgrown.


Ilovethisgrowingawarenessof“socialentrepreneurship”ortheunderstandingthatwecanshiftcapitalismtocreategood.Manyofuscomefrombackgroundsthatmakeusquestionifmakingmoneyissomehowmovingawayfromdoingtrueministry.Iamconvinceditisthemosteffectiveandmostdirectpathtoactuallyincreasingourministryefforts.

Thereisevenanewcategoryoflegalbusinessstructurethataddressesthis–theBCorporation(http://www.bcorporation.net).BCorporationsareanewtypeofcorporationthatusethepowerofbusinesstocreatepublicbenefit.

Thepossibilitieshereareendless.Yesyoucanhelpmaketheworldabetter,dotrue“ministry”andstillmakeaprofit.

Start‐upCosts:$0–2500


44 Recycling Trash

I ’MNOTTALKINGABOUTPICKINGUPALUMINUMCANSalongtheroadwayandturningtheminfor$5.00foranafternoonofdangerouswork.No,I’mreferringtoallthethingsyoucandotoreusewhatothersseeas“trash.”

Thinkaboutthethingswe’veseeninrecentyears:  COCOABEANS–FUELANDMULCH  OLDTIRES–RETREADTIRES,BASKETBALLCOURTS,SHOES  COWMANURE–FUEL,FERTILIZER,POOPETS(http://www.gardengazebo.com/poopets)  WINEBARRELS(WHICHCANBEUSEDONLYONCE)–COMPOSTINGBARRELS,PLANTERS  LICENSEPLATES–ARTPIECES,CUSTOM‐MADEPURSES,JOURNALS,PHOTOALBUMS,CDHOLDERS  NEWSPAPER,CARDBOARD,PLASTIC,GLASS  ANDTHEREAREMANYMORE.


JakeandLukeHerringfindoldbarnsthatarescheduledtobedemolishedinthepathofnewconstruction.Theycarefullydisassembletheagedwordandthenbuildbeautifulanduniquefurniturepieces:TennesseeBarnProject(http://web.me.com/natural_design/TN_barn_project/Welcome.html)

ThemorningIwrotethisIsawanoteintheNashvilleTennessean.NashvilleMetroCouncilvotedTuesdaytotake$114,000fromthecity’sreservefundstodemolish17housestheyconsider“eyesores.”Doyouthinkmaybetherearedoors,windows,stonework,wroughtiron,copper,wood,fireplacemantles,orappliancesthatcouldbereusedinsomefashion?Howwouldyouliketohaveabusinesswhereyouwerepaidtobegivenmaterialsthatyouwouldthenresell?


Ineededtohavealargedeadcedartreeremoved.Mytreeguy,Rob,cameoutandcutthetreedownandcleaneduptheareainexchangeforthecedarwoodwhichheturnsintointerestingoutdooraccentpieces:ArborCareTreeSpecialist(http://www.arborcaretreespecialist.com)

ImetTomSzakyrecently.TomdroppedoutofPrincetonwhenhegottheideaforTerraCycle(http://www.terracycle.net),called“thecoolestlittlestart‐upinAmerica”byIncmagazine.Hegetspaidtotaketrashofallkinds,separatesouttheplasticbottlesthathethenusestopackagehisfamouswormpoop.ThewormseatthetrashandleavebehindahighlyvaluablefertilizerthatTomandhiscrewliquefyandselltoWal‐Mart,HomeDepot,Target,andKmart.Sothinkaboutit,hehasnocostforrawmaterials,companiespayhimtogivehimthebottlesforpackaginghisproductwhichhethensellsatcompetitiveprices.Tomhascreatedacompanythat’sgoodforpeople,goodforprofits,andgoodfortheplanet.YoucanreadTom’sstoryinhisbook,RevolutioninaBottle(http://www.amazon.com/Revolution‐Bottle‐TerraCycle‐Redefining‐Business/dp/B002HREKNM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272238222&sr=1‐1).

Artistanddesigner,ShawnSouth‐Aswad,worksoutofherrenovatedsiloabout20milessouthofNashville,TN.InherSiloStudios(http://silostudios.blogspot.com)shecreatesone‐of‐a‐kindfurniturepiecesthatareconstructedof“architecturalsalvage.”Sheopensherstudioonedayamonthtoaneagerlywaitingcrowd.

Whatcouldyoudowithazerocostofmaterials?Doyouthinkthatwouldhelpyougenerateaprofit?Manybusinesseshopefora3‐5%profitmarginontheirsales.Howwouldittransformyourbusinessplantohavea100%grossmarginonsellingsomethingthatyouhadsimplyrepurposedfromgoingtoalandfill?


PooPets(http://www.gardengazebo.com/poopets)putscowmanureinmoldsthatcreatelittle“pets”tositinyourgarden.Astheydecomposetheyfertilizeandnurtureyourplants.Andthefreemanureturnsintoacutelittlefrogat$14.99.

Manyoftheseideashavethepotentialforhundredsofthousandsofdollarsinprofit.Thepotentialofhavingandefficientbusinessthatis“green”andhelpsbothpeopleandtheplanethasneverbeengreater.Becreativeinrecognizingideasrightaroundyouthatopenthedoortoarealbusiness.

Start‐upCosts:Hammer,saw,wormtray,poopmold?????$0‐1000


45 Photography

YES, THIS APPEARSTOBEVERYCOMMON ,anditis.Ihesitatedtoevenputitinherebecausethisopportunityhascertainlychangedinthelastfewyears.Rememberwhenyouusedtotakepictures–notbeingsureofwhatyouhad,andthenyouwouldtakethemtothedrugstore,waitaboutaweek,pickupyourpicturesandthenseehowyouhadUncleMiltpositionedjustrighttolooklikeatreewascomingoutofthetopofhishead?

Today,thingsaredifferent.Digitalcamerasareinexpensive–anyonecanbea“photographer.”Ratherthanhavingoneprofessionalphotographeratagraduation,birthdayparty,sportseventorwedding,youarelikelytosee40or50peoplesnappingpictures.Andtheycancheckinstantlytoseeiftheperspectiveandqualitywerewhattheywanted.LaterthatafternoontheycanuseafreeprogramlikePicassa(http://picasa.google.com),Paint.net(http://www.getpaint.net),orPicnik(http://www.picnik.com)tomodifycolors,addcaptions,andremovethattreefromUncleMilt’shead.

Sohowisitpossibletosetyourselfapartandactuallymakemoneyusingyourphotographyskills?AsinanyotherbusinessyoumustidentifyyourUniqueSellingProposition(USP).Youwillstarveasageneralist–findaspecialtyandbeknownforexcellenceinthatnichearea.


Iknowpeoplewhophotograph:

  REALESTATE–HOUSESTHATAREBEINGFEATURED  PETS–THISREMAINSAPOPULARSPECIALTYAREA  NATURE–PLANTS,WATER,MOUNTAINS,ETC.  FOOD–MAGAZINEANDIN‐STOREPROMOTIONSAREONGOING  PRODUCTPROMOTION–IRECENTLYPAIDFORNEWPHOTOSFORALLOFOUR

48DAYSPRODUCTS–ITMAKESADRAMATICDIFFERENCEWHENYOUARESELLINGPRODUCTSVISUALLY

  SCHOOLPICTURES  OLDTIMECLOTHINGSHOTS  SPECIALTREATMENTS–SEPIATONES,BLACKANDWHITEONLY,CARTOONMODIFICATIONS  SPECIALTYTHEMES

Thebiggestchallengewithphotographyisthatmostofitcreates“linear”incomeonly.Youtakethepictureandgetpaidonce.Ifyoucanfigureoutawaytoleverageyourefforts,whereyoutakethephotosandgetpaidthousandsoftimes,yourchancesofsuccesstoupdramatically.


Here’sanexample:DoyleYodertakesbeautifulphotosintheAmishareaofHolmesCounty,Ohio.Fromthosehehascompiledbooks,jigsawpuzzlesandcalendars.Igethiscalendareachyear–andhaveforprobably10years.EachyearasIturnthepagefromSeptembertoOctoberIseetheorderformforthenextyear’scalendar.Soinsteadoftakingaphotowhereheattemptstobepaid$20forthatoneshot,heturnsthatphotointoasmallpartofaproductthatcanbesoldoverandoveragain.Thecalendaris$11.95(AmishCalendarhttp://ohioamish.com).Onepicturegeneratesonly$1.00.Butwhatifhesells50,000calendars?Thenthatonephotobecomesveryprofitable.That’sthepowerofleverage–andmovingfromlineartoresidualincome.

Ifyoulovephotography,makeitthebasisofyourbusiness.ButthenfigureouthowyoucancreateyourUSP.

Start‐upCosts:A$300‐400camerawillputyousolidlyinthegame.


46 Elder Care

THEREARE76. 1 MILLIONAMERICANSwhowerebornbetween1946and1964–theBabyBoomers.AsIwritethisthatmeans76.1millionpeoplearebetweentheagesof46and64.Andwithincreasedlongevitymanyofthesearenowtakingcareoftheirparents.Butwealsoknowthatwithincreasedmobilityandworkplacevolatilitymanyofthosepeopledonotliveinthesametownastheiragingparents.

Couldyouprovideasimpleservicetojustcheckinonsomeone’sparentsonceaday,twiceaweek,orwhateverthechildrenthoughtnecessary?Wehaveexactlythatkindofserviceformymother‐in‐law,eventhoughsheisinanindependentlivingfacility.Ourhiredcareprovidermakessuremother‐in‐lawhasfreshclotheson,vacuumsthecarpets,cleansouttherefrigeratoranddoesthelaundry.Weprovidethevacuumandreimburseforanycleaningsuppliesneeded.Thoseservicesallowustokeepmother‐in‐lawinabeautifulindependentlivingfacilityeventhoughherlevelofrequiredcareissomewhatbeyondwhatisprovided.Buttheexpenseofhavinganoutsidecaregiverisfarlessthantheincreaseofmovingmother‐in‐lawtoanassistedlivingornursinghome.


ThisisfromtheUnitedStatesBureauofLaborsite(http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos326.htm):

Educationandtraining.Homehealthaidesandpersonalandhomecareaidesaregenerallynotrequiredtohaveahighschooldiploma.Theyusuallyaretrainedonthejobbyregisterednurses,licensedpracticalnurses,experiencedaides,ortheirsupervisor.Aidesareinstructedonhowtocookforaclient,includingonspecialdiets.Furthermore,theymaybetrainedinbasichousekeepingtasks,suchasmakingabedandkeepingthehomesanitaryandsafefortheclient.Generally,theyaretaughthowtorespondtoanemergency,learningbasicsafetytechniques.Employersalsomaytrainaidestoconductthemselvesinaprofessionalandcourteousmannerwhileinaclient’shome.Someclientspreferthattasksaredoneacertainwayandwillteachtheaide.Acompetencyevaluationmayberequiredtoensurethattheaidecanperformtherequiredtasks.

Licensure.HomehealthaideswhoworkforagenciesthatreceivereimbursementfromMedicareorMedicaidmustreceiveaminimumleveloftraining.Theymustcompletebothatrainingprogramconsistingofaminimumof75hoursandacompetencyevaluationorstatecertificationprogram.Trainingincludesinformationregardingpersonalhygiene,safetransfertechniques,readingandrecordingvitalsigns,infectioncontrol,andbasicnutrition.Aidesmaytakeacompetencyexamtobecomecertifiedwithouttakinganyofthetraining.Ataminimum,16hoursofsupervisedpracticaltrainingarerequiredbeforeanaidehasdirectcontactwitharesident.Thesecertificationrequirementsrepresenttheminimum,asoutlinedbytheFederalGovernment.SomeStatesmayrequireadditionalhoursoftrainingtobecomecertified.

Personalandhomecareaidesarenotrequiredtobecertified.


Otherqualifications.Aidesshouldhaveadesiretohelppeople.Theyshouldberesponsible,compassionate,patient,emotionallystable,andcheerful.Inaddition,aidesshouldbetactful,honest,anddiscreet,becausetheyworkinprivatehomes.Aidesalsomustbeingoodhealth.Aphysicalexamination,includingState‐mandatedtestsfortuberculosisandotherdiseases,mayberequired.Acriminalbackgroundcheckandagooddrivingrecordalsomayberequiredforemployment.

Certificationandadvancement.TheNationalAssociationforHomeCareandHospice(NAHC)offersnationalcertificationforaides.Certificationisavoluntarydemonstrationthattheindividualhasmetindustrystandards.Certificationrequiresthecompletionof75hoursoftraining;observationanddocumentationof17skillsforcompetency,assessedbyaregisterednurse;andthepassingofawrittenexamdevelopedbyNAHC.

Asyoucansee,therequirementsareminimal.Theprimaryonesbeingsomeonewhoiscaring,compassionateandwhocanearnthetrustofboththeparentsbeingprovidedforandtheconcernedchildrenwhomaybepayingfortheservices.

Myencouragementwouldbetocontractfortheservice–withaweeklyormonthlyfee,ratherthancalculatinganhourlycompensation.Youmayfindthatsomedaysmoretimeisrequiredandatothertimeseverythingseemstobeinorder.Oronsomedaystheelderpersonmaybealertandingreatspiritsandthenoccasionallyneedingmoretimeandcare.Butifyouhaveaweeklycontractat$60buthave10peopletocheckinonatthesamefacilityyoucanseehowyourtimecouldbeusedefficientlytogenerateasignificantincome.

Start‐upCosts:Perhapssomebasiccleaningsupplies‐‐$100‐200


47 Tutoring

THEOPPORTUNITIES FORSPECIALTYTUTORINGaregrowingexponentially.Thereismorefrustrationwiththepublicschoolsystemsandparentsarelookingforoptionstomakesuretheirchildrenaregettingtheeducationtheydesire.Homeschoolingfamiliesarelookingforthosewhocanteachspecialtopics–biology,geography,physics,geometry,calculus,computerscience,socialmediausage–andthelistgoesonandon.Anyareaofexpertiseprovidesapotentialtrainingmodel.

Youmaybeanexpertinasubjectthatwouldhaveinteresttoadultsaswellaschildren.Thiswillincludeart,aerobics,music,crochet,jewelrymaking,gymnastics,anylanguage,scrapbooking,theatre,parenting,writing,photography,bingoandyoga.Don’tthinkintermsoftraditionalacademiccoursesonly.Peopletodayareopentolearningaboutawidevarietyofsubjects–andifyouhavesomeknowledgeinaparticulararea,youmaybesittingrightontopofyourbestopportunityforgeneratingadditionalincome.

Youcanrunadsforaprivategrouporyoucanpartnerwithalocalcommunityorganizationwheretheyadvertiseandprovideyouwitharoomforyourclasses.Typically,theywilltake25‐30%oftheregistrationfees–butitlessensthechallengesofbuildingyourownplatformandreputation.OurlocalWilliamsonCountryRecreationCenter(http://www.wcparksandrec.com)offersalloftheprogramsmentionedinthepreviousparagraph.


Also,keepinmindthatwithtoday’stechnologyyoumay“teach”aclassofferedonlyontheinternet.Onlineprogramsareavailableforanythingyoucanimagine,includingmedicalbilling,business,nursing,computerprogramming,criminaljustice,socialsciencesandcourtreporting.Justknowthatmajoruniversitiesareallofferingonlinecoursesandsomeonehastoteachthoseclasses.Thatopensthedoorforpositionsthatwewouldnothavethoughtpossiblejustafewyearsago.

Privatetutoringrangesfrom$20‐40perhour.Inagroupsetting,youmayhave15studentspaying$10each.Again,youcanseehowleveragingyourexpertisecanincreaseyourincomequickly.Becreativeaboutpromotingyourexpertise–manyofthethingsmentionedherearenotdependentonhavingacademicdegrees.Ifyouareahorsewhisperer,nooneisgoingtoaskwhereyouwenttoschool.



48 What could you do with a truck?

HEY I SAIDTHESEWERE IDEASYOUCOULDSTARTFOR$2500ORLESS. Andyes,Iboughtthis1993FordtruckoneBayforexactlythat‐$2500.IhadbeenlookingforatrucktohelpmoveallthefurnitureJoannefindsforyoungladiesmakingafreshstartinlife.ButthenwhenIgotthetruckandsawhowmanyusesithad,IwonderedhowIhadevergottenalongwithoutit.

Ithastwojumpseatsbehindthedriver’sandpassenger’sseats,awalk‐throughdoorandafullramp.ItwasaHertztruck,carefullymaintainedandhad119,000milesonitwhenIpurchasedit.

Thistruckstaysbookednearlyeveryweekendwithfriendswhoneeditorwhoarehelpingothersaswell.ButifIwantedtogenerateincome,theopportunitiesareendless.


Whatcouldyoudowithatrucklikethis?  DELIVERFURNITUREFORMULTIPLESTORES  SHOWUPATAUCTIONSANDARRANGETODELIVERGOODS  RENTITOUTFORWEEKENDS(MINESTAYSINUSEALOTALTHOUGHIJUSTLOANITFORFREE)  CONTRACTWITHFEDEXTODOHOMEDELIVERIES  HAULLANDSCAPINGTREESANDBUSHES  HANGAROUNDHOMEDEPOTONSATURDAYSANDARRANGETODELIVERGOODSPURCHASED

Youcouldeasilypaintyourlogoandbusinessinformationonthesideandhaveanocost,mobilebillboard.Orrentthatspacebycontractingtohaveanotherlocalbusinesspromotion.



Bonus Ideas Stilllookingforyouridea?Here’sabonuslistofanother999ideas:

HamsterBurialKits&998OtherBusinessIdeas(http://www.sixmonthmba.com/2009/02/999ideas.html)

http://www.sixmonthmba.com/2009/02/999ideas.html

Andyoucancheckoutthissiteforanadditional100IdeasYouCanStartToday(http://www.youngentrepreneur.com/blog/100‐business‐ideas‐you‐can‐drive‐home‐today)

http://www.youngentrepreneur.com/blog/100‐business‐ideas‐you‐can‐drive‐home‐today/

Okay,nowyouhavealonglistofpossibilities.Ifyourejecteveryideahereandseethemasimpossibleforyou,Isuggestyoulookinthemirrorandaskthatpersonwhatpersonalbeliefsareblockingyoursuccess.

Ifyou’vefound4or5ideasthathavecapturedyourattention–great.Explorealittledeeper,doyourownresearchandgetstarted.Jointhegrowinggroupofpeopleathttp://www.48days.nettorefineyourideaandshareyoursuccess.Itcostsnothingtobeamemberhereandbeconnectedtoalltheadditionalresourcesthere.

some great business ideas, shared by ali mayar

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