Archive for August 2008
One Man Helps Others Like Him Add A Little Height Without Losing Comfort
If you’re a woman, and you want a little height, all you need to do is pull out a pair of high heel shoes and you’ve grown an inch or more. Yet, unless they enjoy cross dressing, men don’t have those same options… until now. Akbar Pirani knew what it was like to be a [...]
If you’re like most small biz owners, your company means a lot to you — in some ways, you consider it your baby. You’ve planned for it since its conception, nurtured it from birth, given it tender loving care, and have great hope for its future. It makes sense, then, to name your biz with [...]
How To Jumpstart The Economy – Tax Free Small Bizs
Mark Cuban At Blog Maverick: What has impacted my decision on whether or not to start a business is the amount of paperwork involved and the local, state and employer taxes involved. Its complicated and expensive to start even the smallest business in the real world. The real world of course is different than the [...]
Niche Biz: Log On And Buy A Sick Note
Reuters: Australian medical authorities are warning employees against using an online company that is planning to sell fake doctors’ sick notes that would allow people to take more time off. The notes, available from Doctorsnotestore.com, cost about $38 each and aim to exploit Australians’ fondness for “chucking a sickie,” or taking days off while supposedly [...]
Bartering Expands In The Internet Age
The New York Times: Thomas Daley had been helping friends swap sports tickets for golf course green fees and concert tickets as a sideline. But on the advice of a friend, he set up an online trading site, Joe Barter L.L.C., two years ago where college students could trade textbooks, small companies could trade equipment [...]
Providing Health Benefits On A Budget
The Wall Street Journal: Spiraling health-care costs have forced many small employers to reduce the benefits they offer — or, in some cases, eliminate coverage altogether. But small companies do have options for keeping costs in check while still providing benefits and services to employees. Here are some to consider: Discounts for Healthy Living: Employees [...]
My Small Business: The irony of Sarah Sammon’s rapid business growth is that no matter how hard she works, she will never have to remind herself to take time to smell the roses. As joint managing director of Simply Rose Petals, Sammon is constantly surrounded by those fragrant flowers. Her business supplies dried rose petals [...]
The Highs And Lows Of Selling Online
Inquirer.net: Do you have a product you want to sell but don’t have the capital to put up a store? An easy way to make a sale (and test the market) is to go online and put up a virtual store. That’s right, make cyberspace your mall and set up shop by putting up your [...]
New Shop Looks For Out-Of-The-Box Merchandise
Naperville Sun: Downtown Naperville might be packed with more eateries in a half-square mile than just about anywhere other than Chicago. But man – and woman – does not live by bread alone. Just more than a year ago, Chris Finck, 40, and his wife, Sue, 39, added a boutique to the downtown shopping experience. [...]
JK Rowling One Of The World's Youngest Female Billionaires
Financial Post: The youngest self-made female billionaire in the world is Hong Kong citizen Chu Lam Yiu, the 38-year-old head of Huabao International, which makes fragrances and flavorings for cigarettes, detergents, beverages, dairy products and cosmetics. Chu still heads the company, which she started a decade ago and which went public through a backdoor listing. [...]
Consulting For Mompreneurs and Work-At-Home Opportunities For Moms
There are so many ways that women can work from home. They can start a business and in turn become what we call ‘Mompreneurs’ or they can take on a position or job that allows them to work from home, making them ‘Work-At-Home Moms’. Then every so often there is something that comes along and [...]
One Dog One Bone Takes Dogs Swimming With Their Own Line Of Pools
If you have a pet, then you probably know how costly it can be to get pools for your dog to play in. Many of these pools don’t even hold up for all that long. Kiddie pools quickly succumb to dog nails, getting holes or torn by the animal just walking through it. Many pet [...]
The Australian: A business built on beer seems like the perfect scenario for a couple of fun-loving university students. And so it is proving for Valjean Boynton and Campbell King, final-year RMIT University entrepreneurship students. Their business, Kegs on Legs, specialises in party keg hire and delivery to a thirsty Melbourne market. “We have a [...]
The Wall Street Journal: Google Inc. is working on plans to start a venture-capital arm, according to several people briefed on the discussions. The group will be led by David Drummond, Google’s senior vice president of corporate development and chief legal officer, according to two of these people. Google has hired William Maris, a 33-year-old [...]
Invention A Feather In His Cap
The Canberra Times: A Filipino scientist says he has created a new composite building board made of chicken feathers that could be a breakthrough for the construction industry in Asia. The new material would be resistant to the region’s armies of termites, and could also solve a big environmental problem in the Philippines by providing [...]
Fast Company: Microsoft jumped into Craigslist’s pool and realized it couldn’t keep its head above water. Launched in 2006 as a new free listings service, Windows Live Expo, was discontinued on July 31. Its draw was enabling users to buy and sell merchandise, discover local events, find new jobs, or find a place to live. [...]
Discovergames.com is THE resource for toy and game inventors to learn about the industry and show their products to board game retailers, manufacturers & licensors and game players at fairs and expos around the world, e-newsletters, co-op mailings and website listings. In between inventors & retailers are game suppliers, reps and agents. We bring everyone [...]
Businesses which offer customer satisfaction guarantees are some of the most popular among customers and in return are good businesses to be in. After all, a product that can offer complete satisfaction is bound to be a good one to sell. That’s what makes FastFrame such an interesting franchising opportunity. With there 30-day guarantee, FastFrame [...]
If you’re in the market for a franchise that offers good food, and in some way dedicates itself to some honorable people, Firehouse Subs is not something to over look. Founded by 2 brothers who have not only been firefighters, but have a family history that goes back in that noble profession, Firehouse Subs is [...]
Known very well as the place for everyone, Foster’s Grille is easily the franchise of choice for someone interested in a business that will bring together the whole neighborhood. They were also named Top Ten Fastest Growing Concepts by RestaurantChains.net for 2008. Also known for the ½ lb “Charburger”, they’re the place to go for [...]
Parents Nurture Ideas, Grow Businesses
MiamiHerald.com: Miami mom Karen Rappaport had been on the go, trying to juggle wiping her baby’s bottom and searching for a diaper when she came up with an idea — create a diaper bag with a wipe holder built in. Within months, she and mom friend Denise Goldman quickly discovered the road from idea to [...]
Ahwatukee mom turns painting into her passion
azcentral.com: Ahwatukee resident Christine Hartland has done it all – Kyrene de la Colina’s Parent-Teacher Organization, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, the National Charity League and more. Recently, the 46-year-old has devoted just as much time to something else: painting. During August, her works are being featured in a monthlong display at The CoffeeBuzz at 4804 [...]
Fashion Meets Function With Chewable Jewelry
Mlive.com: Babies’ proclivity to chew has launched thousands of products, the latest being a unique blend of mommy ingenuity, fashion and dental science. Launched in November, Dr. Bloom’s Chewable Jewels were created by entrepreneurs: Kalamazoo native Mary Settlemier, Joy Bloom Wright and her sister, Dr. Helen Bloom Smith. The product line includes durable necklaces and [...]
Mommy Must Haves Hand Picked By A Mom
Not long after having her first child, Molly started up a business that she hoped would offer some of the things that mom’s need – all in one place. That place is an online shop called Tick-A-Too. Her business wasn’t always as complete as it is today. She originally started by selling children clothing and [...]
Passion Parties For The Passionate Woman
Passion Parties are not all that uncommon, and there is a good chance that some of the women reading this have either hosted or been to one. They’re a great way for women to gather together amongst other women like them, have some fun, and even receive answers to some of their own personal questions. [...]
The Wall Street Journal: A few years ago, Ed Mumm bought a piece of property in this stunning ski town and rented an excavator to clear the land. Scooping dirt by the ton, tossing boulders like pebbles, Mumm had an epiphany: This was fun. And then another: People might pay to do this. Three years [...]
Do You Really Know Your Customers?
Michele Miller At Inc.: I shop at two health food stores. I am a frequent customer, stopping by at least once if not twice a week. Nearly every time I stand at the checkout, I end up having a conversation with the clerk. In Store No. 1, the clerks are nice. As they ring me [...]
Device Guards Against Gas Thieves
KVAL.com: It’s loud, obnoxious and almost deafening, but Jason Quiring said the crazy cacophony may be the solution to greedy gas grabbers. “I came up with the gas tank alarm,” said Quiring. Here’s how it works: You turn the alarm on. Walk away and do whatever you need to do. If anyone tries to open [...]
Springwise: GreenGraffiti creates advertising on dirty city streets and walls using the clean, green power of plain water. Armed with just a template and a high-pressure water sprayer, the company has “cleaned” advertising messages out of the dirt on behalf of clients including Elle, Telfort and Universal Music. No paper, no ink, no printing process—GreenGraffiti’s [...]
Donny Deutsch At The BIG Idea: Many of the entrepreneurs who appear on my show often tell me one the biggest challenges they faced was finding a business partner. Selecting the right partner is detrimental to your success and the success of your business. The right choice in a partner can take you to a [...]
Chron: After more than a decade as a project manager in the tree care industry, Tim Scherpenisse was suddenly out of work. Two years later, he is an economic forecaster, strategic planner, marketing director and human resources supervisor. Specifically, he is a small-business owner. And the transition has not come without challenges. “It’s an obstacle [...]
CBNNews: The story of the accidental entrepreneur is iconic. It exists in infinite variations, though the theme is consistent: A person of accomplishment is forced from his occupation by a cruel twist of fate. Rather than wallow in despair, though, he strikes out on his own. Inevitably, after a requisite period of struggle, he achieves [...]
If you want to start a pizza franchise, the real question to ask is, “Which one?” After all there are so many out there. Is a big box name the way to go, or should you take on a name that may not be as well known but offers something the others do not? Weighing [...]
The question isn’t, “Need a Maid?” That’s the whole business. Need a Maid? is a franchise opportunity for those looking to invest in the home or business cleaning industry. Unlike some other opportunities available, this one will clean private homes and businesses. In an industry where people have less time to take care of their [...]
Why Didn’t I Think Of That? Bacon Alarm Clock
Matty Sallin Blog: No one likes to wake up, especially by an alarm. The Wake n’ Bacon gently wakes you up with the mouthwatering aroma of bacon, just like waking up on a Sunday morning to the smell of Mom cooking breakfast. A frozen strip of bacon is placed in the night before. Because there [...]
The best activities for kids are the ones where the kids can get out and have fun. TheaterFun is a business opportunity that gives people the chance to create a business which will keep kids having fun while letting the children use their imagination. As an educational program, TheaterFun gives the license holder the chance [...]
Unique Paint Techniques Create Old World Charm
South Bend Tribune: Faux painting took the decorating world by storm 15 or so years ago. Professionals and do-it-yourselfers alike grabbed sponges, rags and rakes and attempted to create distinctive wall treatments that began to appear, well, not so distinctive. But Hallwood has taken faux finishing to another level. Operating as Hallwood Design out of [...]
The Return Of The Calling Card
TIME: In the 1800s, there was a certain logic–and a cool distance–to the formal calling card. Those who were part of, or sought a place among, the social élite would deliver a card with their name engraved on it to someone’s home to request a visit. But now that you can IM, e-mail or text [...]
The Calgary Sun: Stepping in to help new parents keep things clean is local mom-trepreneur Jessica Gaudette with her new home-based biz called Messie Jessie — a fabulous line of baby accessories that’s creating a lot of buzz among baby-makers. Not that you have to be a mom to appreciate the products on the Messie [...]
Fashionable Necessities For Your Baby
Many moms are just as fashion forward minded as any other person out there. So when they are reduced down to simple baby styles after having a child, it can be a little depressing for the once fashionable mom. Tivoli Couture takes on that problem head on with all the baby products carried within the [...]
Fashionable Necessities For Your Baby
Many moms are just as fashion forward minded as any other person out there. So when they are reduced down to simple baby styles after having a child, it can be a little depressing for the once fashionable mom. Tivoli Couture takes on that problem head on with all the baby products carried within the [...]
Children's Clothing That Fliggity Flies
From the minds of children come… great business ideas? That’s how it worked for Lisa Leake! One day her daughter asked for a butterfly shirt and from there a business was born. As her tagline says, “clothing inspired by a child’s imagination.” It may have been inspired by her daughter, but the business has since [...]
Open Giveaways: Sterling and Pearls
We currently have one giveaway open from Sterling and Pearls. They have donated one pearl bracelet, like the one shown here, to be given away to one of our readers. Their are 3 optional lengths for the winner to choose from. If you’d like to enter you have until August 3rd at 11:59pm. Visit the [...]
Children’s Clothing That Fliggity Flies
From the minds of children come… great business ideas? That’s how it worked for Lisa Leake! One day her daughter asked for a butterfly shirt and from there a business was born. As her tagline says, “clothing inspired by a child’s imagination.” It may have been inspired by her daughter, but the business has since [...]
Dorm Room Biz: Alright guys, here is a quick and simple business idea to get you started on the right track when you get back to school and are ready to make some money! Every year, thousands of new students and old students return to the dorm rooms on their college campus. This usually means [...]
Music Retailer Thrives Serving Captive Audience
Reuters: As music retailers struggle to stay in business, a Los Angeles firm is doing nicely targeting a demographic that gets bigger every year — prisoners. More than 2.3 million people were locked up in federal, state or local systems at midyear 2007, according to the U.S. Dept. of Justice, and they want their Michael [...]
Couple Invents Magic Whiteboard
Worcester News: A Worcester couple are hoping to escape unscathed when they enter the Dragons’ Den and pitch their innovative idea to some of the most successful businessmen in the country on national television. Neil and Laura Westwood have already beaten thousands of other competitors to showcase their idea, Magic Whiteboard, on the popular BBC2 [...]
Should You Tell Clients You Work From Home?
BusinessWeek: When Ilene Drexler was laid off as a corporate consultant in January 2004, she decided to launch a professional organizing business, The Organizing Wiz, out of her one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. But gaining the trust of potential customers was a challenge at first, in part because she wasn’t running her solo [...]
