Archive for January 2011
Carbon Monoxide Monitor Will Open Your Door
When CO2 builds up to dangerous levels, bad things can happen. It was the story of a man dying in his garage from carbon poisoning that spurred John Vole to create something to help solve the problem. According to The Dayton Beach News-Journal, that moment of inspiration lead to a carbon monoxide monitor that would [...]
Whether you like it plain, covered in caramel, sprinkled with cheese flavor, or kettle, popcorn has a special place in everyones heart. No longer just a movie night treat, people are enjoying it any night of the week. Doc Popcorn is taking advantage of this ‘pop’ularity with their own franchise opportunity. Rob and Renée Israel [...]
Jo Meacham is a people-person, while her husband prefers to keep to himself. This opposites attract appearance not only works for relationships, but it has helped make their business, Urban Kitchens, a success. According to NewsOK, it all started in 1999. “We decided to focus on kitchens, because that allows us to offer the best [...]
How do we measure the level of passion that someone feels for cars? Do we look at the number they own, or the work they do? Either way, it is obvious Daniel Poirier has a thing for vehicles. According to The Gazette, he is the owner of Passion Diecast, one of the largest outlets specializing [...]
The Buff Mom Is Helping Others Get Fit
Leslie Gordon Christie started out a pudgy child. During her recent pregnancies, she even found herself reaching over 200 pounds. From that experience, she was determined to turn her body around. According to TheRecord, it took 7 months but she succeeded. Viewers of CTV Southwestern Ontario (formerly CKCO) television news knew how big she grew [...]
Forget gold teeth, LED lighted teeth are all the rage in Japan: The new fashion accessories were originally created as an experiment by two Japanese designers and are now being used in a commercial advertising a winter sale at a Japanese clothing store, Laforet Harajuku. They are quickly becoming a sought after accessory. The LED [...]
It is tax season again, and with it comes the fear of being audited by the government. The Wall Street Journal recently posted a list of 10 tips that can help you avoid that problem. We are posting five of them below. Are you ready for the tax season to begin? 1. Choose your tax [...]
Today in Entrepreneurial History: January 24
1848 – California Gold Rush: James W. Marshall finds gold at Sutter’s Mill near Sacramento. 1916 – In Brushaber v. Union Pacific Railroad, the Supreme Court of the United States declares the federal income tax constitutional. 1984 – The first Apple Macintosh goes on sale. Photo of me at the Mariposa Museum and History Center [...]
SBA Launches Small Biz Teaming Pilot Program
According to Daily Globe, the US Small Business Administration has begun accepting grant proposals from organizations that are interested in offering training, guidance, counseling, mentoring, and procurement assistance to small businesses. Under this new program, the SBA expects to make 10 to 20 grant awards for fiscal year 2011. To be eligible for these grant [...]
Most self-employed people get caught in a trap of their own making: they’re successful because of their own efforts. Unfortunately, since they’re so busy being successful they don’t have time to find and train anyone to help them. Derek Sivers, the founder of CD Baby shares his story about how he broke out of the [...]
There’s a marketer for every silly idea under the sun including, it seems, cologne that smells like money. Packed in real shredded US dollar bills, His Money opens with the woody aroma of newly printed money. A bold fusion of fresh ocean breezes and bright citrus notes are joined by rosemary, grass, and precious woods. [...]
Longtime Business Opportunities Weblog blogger Rich Whittle passed away in his home in Florida last week. Rich has been a mainstay of this site almost five years, posting nearly 6,300 stories. I’ll miss his wit from our nearly daily conversations. Let’s remember his genial take on niche businesses as we at the Business Opportunities Weblog [...]
When Selling Food, Trust Your Gut
Nothing will tell you how good the food is quite like your stomach. For Michael Jordan Friedman, it was good choices mixed with instinct that has helped put his health food business on the radar. According to Crain’s New York Business, the inspiration hit while working as an independent food consultant. His job required him [...]
You could probably say that Kevin Green is an old fashion romantic. He definitely knows how to tell a woman exactly what is on his mind. According to STLToday.com, he’s using technology to help him get that message across. Known as, “The Love Guy,” Kevin is now helping men spread that message online. Whether they’re [...]
If you use Google AdWords, or have been looking for an excuse to give it a try, one of you is in luck. Our blogger Angela Shupe received yet another coupon from them for $100 in free advertising. To get the full $100 it is supposed to be used by February 18, otherwise it drops [...]
How to Raise Money for a Video Game?
A reader asked: I need a tip from you. I’m working on a video game. How can I get some funds (money) to make it? Just some money to buy some programs, and hire a few programers. Read this article: How He Raised $31,000 on Kickstarter. Photo by muoi.
Financial Success Strategies For Everyone
Women play a big role within society. We work hard as employees, business owners, and moms. Unfortunately, demands on our time can distract us from our true financial goals. Indo American News has listed five strategies that can help women (and men) get their finances in check. Step #1: Be honest with yourself. Take a [...]
Their Shoes Were So Good The NBA Banned Them
Adam and Ryan Goldston invented a pair of basketball shoes that promised to increase a player’s vertical leap by up to 3.5 inches. The promise was true. Too true, in fact, for the NBA which promptly banned them and crushed any hope of a big payoff for the brothers. Until their “bad press” story went [...]
Short and Sweet: Nordstrom’s Employee Handbook
For years, Nordstrom’s Employee Handbook was a single a 5-by-8-inch gray card with these 75 words: Welcome to Nordstrom We’re glad to have you with our Company. Our number one goal is to provide outstanding customer service. Set both your personal and professional goals high. We have great confidence in your ability to achieve them. [...]
International Franchise Association’s 51st Annual Convention
The International Franchise Association’s 51st Annual Convention will be held February 13-16, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. This year’s keynote speaker is Mitt Romney. An official iPhone app is available for free to help you navigate with interactive maps, search the exhibitor directory, or create your show schedule by choosing sessions [...]
Walmart, First Lady Partner On Healthy Foods Program
Not long ago, President Obama insisted that he would not shop at Walmart. According to The Washington Post, that is about to change. Michelle Obama recently met with executives from Walmart to announce a new program that will promote healthier food choices. This is just one move in part of her campaign to fight against [...]
Since launching Exotic Taco Wednesday, Boca Tacos y Tequila has served tacos made from pythons, alligators, elk, kangaroo and rattlesnakes. Last week they announced that the Feburary 16th exotic tacos night will be even more exotic! They announced on Facebook that the shop will begin accepting prepaid orders for lion tacos! Each lion taco will [...]
A business woman in Napanee, Canada is bringing a chapter of Power of Women Exchange (POWE) to her community. This organization offers business women across Canada an opportunity to network, reports The Napanee Guide. POWE, Dickerson explained, is a well-known women’s networking group that has chapters in several large cities across Canada. She says the [...]
Small Businesses Sold In California On The Rise
According to the BizBen Index, an improvement in closed escrow volume has been spotted at the end of 2010, with the numbers showing an improvement over 2009. Does this mean that California businesses are bouncing back? “What we’re seeing is the impact of the innovative strategies employed by California’s small business entrepreneurs,” according to Peter [...]
Backward Pouring Beer Dispenser
How many people can say they were a few margaritas in to their night when inspiration for an invention hit? According to King5.com, that person would be Josh Springer. His “Bottoms Up” tap fills a specially-designed cup, as it says: An upside down approach to conventional wisdom. The cups have holes, with magnets, that open [...]
“Bubble Ball” iPhone App Inventor In 8th Grade
What is considered one of the most frequently downloaded iphone apps also happens to be a creation from the mind of a 14 year old boy, reports The US Daily. “I just wanted to make an iPhone app. I thought it would be cool. And I wanted to see if I could do it,” Robert [...]
There are bibs for messy babies, but what about drippy bottles? Previously, the solution might have been to toss the bottle and buy something different, but not anymore. Michelle Cloney was getting tired of the bottles dripping onto her daughter while she ate. Those little drips would made her daughter wet and sticky. Besides this [...]
UK Eco-Entrepreneur Program Expanding
The UK government is giving entrepreneurs in Australia, China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia access to their grant program, E-idea, for a chance to fund and support their eco-ideas, reports 9news. “The United Kingdom may be responsible for just two per cent of the world’s carbon emissions but the consequences of climate change will [...]
Rollerblade Inventor Peddling New Ideas
Scott Olson has moved on from his Rollerblades invention to a new transport system that is powered by passengers, reports The National. The futuristic proposal is basically a monorail with pods propelled by passengers pedalling or “rowing” the capsules. Mr Olson’s company, SkyRide Technology, also plans to include electric capsules that travel on rails using [...]
Teaching Social Entrepreneurship
When Muhammad Yunus founded Bangladesh’s Grameen Bank almost 35 years ago, no one was there to teach him about social entrepreneurship. John Bird didn’t have any resources either when he started The Big Issue in 1991, reports Guardian.co.uk. Needless to say, social entrepreneurs are know to take this route alone. However, courses are bigging to [...]
Mom’s Project Saving Thousands In Haiti
Lisa Ballantine might be just another mom, but she’s also a woman that has found a way to help provide safe drinking water to people in third world countries, reports Daily Herald. She has developed a clay water filter that can be made by locals in those countries. There’s a patent pending on her FilterPure [...]
A mentorship is crucial to the growth of a new entrepreneur. There is a lot they do not know, and a mentor can help. Gigaom recently discussed a few mistakes that new entrepreneurs make with their mentor. Take yourself out of the running before you’re in the running Some pre-preneurs take themselves out of the [...]
RGJ’s Entrepreneur Of The Year
The Reno Gazette-Journal and Nevada Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology are currently looking for the regions Entrepreneur of the Year. Is there someone that you feel deserves a nomination? Tomorrow is the deadline to enter their information. Winners in four categories will be selected by a panel of judges that includes editors from the Gazette-Journal [...]
Most moms know how morning sickness can feel. That urge to vomit can happen anywhere, whether or not there is a bathroom nearby. According to The Vancouver Sun, Tara Ramos would know. For seven months of her pregnancy, Tara found herself getting the urge up to 12 times per day. Her Morning Chicness bags give [...]
The Future Of Small Business Tech Needs
Small business owners are on the go. Thankfully, technology is here to help them keep up with everything they need to do. From smartphones to tablets, business owners are constantly in touch and cloud computing, reports The Vancouver Sun. Mr. Jacobson contends that the future uses of technologies lie in providing borderless brain experiences. He [...]
TripleCanopy has up a great profile of a 40 year old woman who has been making wigs for Orthodox Jewish women since 1995: >The market for human hair is generally limited to places with impoverished populations willing to sell a two-foot ponytail — the product of two years of growth — for twenty dollars. Dark [...]
At first glance, Just Love Coffee Roasters might look like any other coffee business. However, that is far from the truth. Sure, they are selling coffee, ground or whole bean, like many other coffee companies do, but their coffee is also fair trade. They even donate a part of their proceeds to help build a [...]
What is that rule? Is is the theory that there needs to be a three second following distance between vehicles. You are putting yourself and your passengers at risk for an accident if you follow any closer. At least, that is the theory used with Don Jurgich’s new invention: GoodDrivR. According to KitsapSun, his device [...]
Young Entrepreneur Knits Her Path To Europe
According to LaCrosseTribune.com, Dagny Mochalski’s small knitting business is the first step in helping her pay for a $7,000 trip with People to People. At 14 years old, she has high hopes over reaching this goal. The Coulee Montessori eighth-grader is hoping the knitted hats, scarves, footbags and iPod holders she’s selling through Coulee Arts [...]
The timing couldn’t have been better or worse for Betsy Hansen. She was getting ready to launch her gently used kids clothing store when she found out she was pregnant. Now when she looks at baby clothes, she sees it as an opportunity to sell it in her own store later reports Baraboo News Republic. [...]
What Makes An Entrepreneur Great?
That is a question that many people considering entrepreneurship have asked themselves at one time or another. Why do some people do well, while others fail at their venture? An article posted at Entrepreneur Corner takes a look at some of the things an entrepreneur needs to be ‘super’. Guts. The entrepreneur world is not [...]
What if you could leave a quick voicemail or text message with a couple of taps? That is exactly what Dan Sherman was looking for when the inspiration for his rattle.me app was born. Dan was driving one day when the idea came to him. Trying to talk or text while behind the wheel is [...]
As Daniel Felkins’ grandmother approached the age of 90, she realized that she needed help doing things she had once done herself. One of these important things was caring for and maintaining her late husband’s gravesite. Daniel and his wife stepped in to help. After his grandmother passed away, Daniel realized that no one would [...]
How much time did you spend next to the grill the last time you cooked some meat? Getting the temperature right, not overcooking or under cooking the food can be tricky if you get distracted. Christopher Allen wanted to mingle with guests, or simply walk away from the food without having to worry. According to [...]
Mom/Daughter Boutique Dream Turns Co-Op
Lisa Crain wanted to sell her handmade jewelry. Teisha Boccaccio was looking to sell her handmade bags. So this mom/daughter team got together and created their own boutique. According to The Arizona Republic, their interest soon began to grow. That is when they decided to open their doors to outside artisans. Over the past year, [...]
WSJ: DoodyCalls, which launched in 2000 and began franchising four years later, originally marketed itself as a service for cleaning up after dogs. But in recent years, the company’s 35 franchisees have been increasingly getting requests from consumers for help with washing and sanitizing litter boxes, says Jacob D’Aniello, co-founder and president of the Charlottesville, [...]
Buried in Style: Cruisin Caskets
Cruisin Caskets is a casket fabricating company that creates custom car designs for the car lover that wants to leave this world in style. They are currently taking orders for a 1950’s style “Mercury coffin”. The specially designed, car-shaped coffin opens as conventional coffins do, with a hinged top portion, and features the same type [...]
FDIC Releases Hotline For Small Businesses Seeking Credit Availability
Yesterday the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation held a forum on small business lending. In response to the forum and a need to make credit available to small businesses, the FDIC has released a new hotline for businesses to call for help. “A combination of factors have created issues and challenges for small businesses, but it [...]
2011 Franchise and Business Opportunities Shows
The National Franchise and Business Opportunities Show has published their 2011 schedule. It is below. table { width: 625px; } th { background-color: black; color: white; text-align: left; } City Date Location San Diego, CA January 22-23, 2011 Del Mar Fairgrounds Charlotte, NC January 29-30, 2011 The Park Expo & Conference Center Nashville, TN February [...]
Small Businesses Look Toward Marketing, Expansion In 2011
According to Independent Retailer, a new survey from Manta states that small business owners hope to spend more money on their business in 2011. Nearly half of those surveyed have prioritized marketing and sales as their top spending target, with 24 percent noting business development as top priority and 23 percent opting for marketing and [...]
