Archive for February 2011
$99 Business Idea Consulting from Austria
Do you have a business idea and no real way of knowing how good or bad the idea is? We’ve all experienced this. We carefully explain the idea to our parents only to hear “Good idea, son!” Or to our spouses who say “That’s a great idea, but can you take out the garbage and [...]
Inspiration is the mother of invention. Sami Bayrakci’s business SomethingStore.com came about because he was unable to decide what get a friend for their birthday. Wouldn’t it be nice is someone else would just make the decision for him, he though. After the sharing the idea with friends, and being laughed at, he went ahead [...]
Want to Run a Post Office in Antarctica?
Escape the City is a very niche job website. It was specifically designed for people that want to get off the rat race treadmill and don’t want jobs in normal places. Escape the City advertises a spectrum of refuges, from marketing and management posts to one-off charity events. Log on now and you could apply [...]
All golfers know what a golf tee is. It is a piece of wood that is pushed into the ground, the golf ball is placed on it, and the golfer hits the ball off it using a club. The idea sounds quite simple. However, one young inventor has decided to give it another purpose. Stephen [...]
Patent laws have not changed much since 1952. It appears that Congress is ready to try and change that, though. The Associated Press reports that the Senate is taking charge with the Patent Reform Act. It will overhaul a 1952 law, and and help bring the system in line for the 21st century. Congress has [...]
Invention: Water Powered Radio
Shower radios are all the rage amongst a certain demographic of people. I’ve never bought one, because I’m too shy to sing the shower and the idea of battery powered devices and running water never really appealed to me. Plus, there was the whole changing the batteries thing. Fast forward to today. The H2O Shower [...]
If being a parent wasn’t hard enough, working a job that requires long hours and little flexibility can be very frustrating. The Huffington Post has gathered together a list of 100 jobs that are mom-friendly. Here are five jobs that I feel could also double as a flexible business opportunity for the right mompreneur. Interior [...]
Video: The Quest for Free (Groceries)
More here. I know that the stores get reimbursed and all, but is this ethical?
As we prepare to pay the federal government their share of our business income, now is a good time to look at some of the tax breaks that are available. Portfolio.com takes a look at the Small Business Jobs Act that was passed in September of last year, and how you can take advantage of [...]
Advertising on the Backs of Thighs
A clothing store in New Zealand has installed plates on local benches to imprint their advertising on the backs bare legs. The ad agency that put it all together explains: We put indented plates on bus stop, mall, and park benches, so that when people sat down, the message was imprinted on their thighs. This [...]
Today in Entrepreneurial History: February 28
1827 – The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad is incorporated, becoming the first railroad in America offering commercial transportation of both people and freight. 1849 – Regular steamboat service from the west to the east coast of the United States begins with the arrival of the SS California in San Francisco Bay, 4 months 22 days after [...]
Original Monopoly Game Sold For $150K
The board game Monopoly was originally a round oilcloth 33 inches in diameter. The earliest ever version of the board game Monopoly has sold for almost $150,000 in the UK. The game is the only one of 5,000 made by Monopoly inventor Charles Darrow in 1933 to survive to present day. Heating engineer Darrow drew [...]
Today in Entrepreneurial History: February 25
1836 – Samuel Colt is granted a United States patent for the Colt revolver. 1901 – J. P. Morgan incorporates the United States Steel Corporation. 1919 – Oregon places a 1 cent per U.S. gallon tax on gasoline, becoming the first U.S. state to levy a gasoline tax. 1928 – Charles Jenkins Laboratories of Washington, [...]
The Cost Of Launching A Business
Who knew it was so expensive to start up and run a new business? According to the Wall Street Journal, not many. In a recent survey by Bermuda-based insurer Hiscox, one third of 500 U.S. business owners with fewer than 100 employees said higher-than-expected costs was their single biggest start-up mistake, followed by hiring the [...]
Finding Recognition In Football Checkers
James Pickett is a fan of the movie, Flash of Genius. The movie chronicles the fight that Robert Kearns had to go through to be recognized as the inventor of intermittent windshield wipers. James is in a similar fight for recognition. Twenty five yeas ago, James came up with the idea to use small football [...]
Inventor Is Building A Solid Foundation For Success
Thomas Stewart has been in the construction business for nearly 30 years, and it was during his time in the business that inspired him to build a unique device. According to Charleston Daily Mail, he was in the middle of renovating historic homes when he was hit with inspiration. The manual effort put into doing [...]
Squeezing Exercise Into Your Day
What excuse do you have for not exercising? If you’re anything like me, the argument is simply that there is not enough time in the day. Between all of our commitments, when are we supposed to get it done? The founders of SqueezeItIn.com, Brigette Polmar and Jenny Hein, accept no excuses. Jenny and Brigette were [...]
AllerDine: Restaurant Allergy Guide
If you suffer from food allergies, dining out can be a challenge. A new webite called AllerDine hopes to make the process a little easier. AllerDine is a restaurant guide that rates the “allergy friendliness” of each restaurant in their guide. Criteria include: Formal allergy policy What allergens are on their menu A list of [...]
Having popcorn and candy at the movies? How boring! Our American movie theater snacks could use an upgrade. Imagine enjoying fish and chips with a cold beer during your next movie trip. According to Women’s Day, that’s what they serve in Barbados. Take a look at what patrons around the world eat when they go [...]
Made in China. What does this bring to mind? Dirty factories, assembly lines, poverty-stricken workers? Unfortunately, this has been a skeleton in American’s closet in our effort to produce more and pay less. But times are changing. Enter fair trade. According to Fairtrade International Fairtrade is an alternative approach to conventional trade and is based [...]
Invention: A Cane That Stands Up By Itself
The problem with canes is that people who need them typically can’t bend down to the floor to pick them up when they drop them. Enter the Balance Stick. Why didn’t you think of this? Photos after the jump.
Laura Wayland stumbled into “nannying” after an impressive corporate career with no real plan of making this her next gig. Finding full-time nanny work not conducive to her own personal schedule, she wondered, “What if I served many families on a part-time basis rather than one family on a full-time basis?” Her curiosity led to [...]
It’s 2011. I figured we’d have flying cars by now, didn’t you? It’s underwater instead of in the air, but this family submarine from Korea fulfills many of the same fantasies for me. Billing itself as the world’s ‘first compact semi submarine’, the ‘ego’ craft by korean company raonhaje is built around a submergible core, [...]
Caricature Yourself: FlipFace.me
In the old days, if you needed a comic representation of your face inked by a professional artist, it would cost you more than $15 (adjusted for inflation, of course!) and take longer than a couple hours. But that’s exactly what you can get today from FlipFace.me. They call them customized cartoon avatars. Earlier today [...]
Some small businesses depend on contracts to stay in business. When it comes to keeping the business afloat, the quality of a contract is more important than the number of contracts help. Unfortunately, Laura Glynn has recently learned what can happen if you depend solely on too few customers, reports The Washington Post. Glynn, president [...]
We Wait For You is a company in London, England that provides short term house-sitting services throughout the city. What is short term house-sitting? Although I’ve never used the term, I understand exactly the service the company provides. Have you ever ordered cable television and been told that the installer will be there sometime between [...]
Libby Hill soon noticed a pattern in the way men treated her when she first started her business, Family Karate, in 2005. Even a simple interview with a copy supplier could become problematic. One man felt uncomfortable because he was afraid to tell her off-color jokes. According to TMCnet.com, another kept wondering where her husband [...]
Business Idea from Twitter: Swag Parties
What is schwag? I think he means “swag”. Swag is promotional merchandise, promotional items, promotional products, promotional gifts, or advertising gifts, sometimes nicknamed swag, are articles of merchandise (often branded with a logo) used in marketing and communication programs. They are given away to promote a company, corporate image, brand, or event. These items are [...]
Turning Up The Heat On One-Size, Unisex Clothing
Some people do not appreciate the comfort of one-size pants, but the woman behind a unique style of unisex pants is hoping the Dragon’s will feel differently. Carley Stenson will be featured on the March 2nd episode of Dragon’s Den where the world will find out if she was able to get funding to help [...]
You know what they say: The family that tends bees together get’s stung together. I’ve recently decided to purchase some hives and bees and have a go at being a beekeeper. Good to see that others are profiting from it: What started as a trip to the library has now turned into a family-owned business [...]
Saying Goodbye To The Inventor Of Scuba
Dr. Christian J. Lambertsen, known mostly for inventing the parts necessary to scuba dive, died yesterday at 93 years old. His revolutionary device made it possible for people to breathe while underwater. It was even used by the military in World War II. Called the “Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus”, the name was eventually shortened [...]
Marc Ostrofsky is a domain name investor who’s made millions of dollars buying and selling domain names. The most famous one he flipped was Business.com. He bought it in the mid 1990s for $150,000 and sold it in 1999 for $7.5 million. In May, his new book Get Rich Click! will be available. It offers [...]
Today in Entrepreneurial History: February 23
1455 – Traditional date for the publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western book printed with movable type. 1886 – Charles Martin Hall produced the first samples of man-made aluminum, after several years of intensive work. He was assisted in this project by his older sister Julia Brainerd Hall. 1905 – Chicago attorney Paul [...]
Did Apple see this coming? iPads are beginning to replace menus, just as e-readers have begun to replace hard copy books. Restaurant goers will have an opportunity to custom order their meals with just a touch of a finger. USAToday talked with the founders of Stacked: Food Well Built, a new restaurant chain that will [...]
Electronic Recycling Vending Machines
First you could drop off your extra pennies, nickels and dimes in exchange for dollar bills (minus 8.9%) at Coinstar vending machines. Then you could rent and return DVDs from their Redbox vending machines. Today, Coinstar has announced a new machine called ecoATM. Earth2Tech has more: Cash for high-tech trash. That’s the basic concept for [...]
Do you enjoy flavored water? I do. I carbonate water at home and add a drop of two of lemon or berry flavoring nearly every day. Would I flavor my water with meat? I’m not sure. Luckily, if I’m ever in the mood for some Texas BBQ in a bottle, MeatWater has me covered. You [...]
What would happen if every business took a moment to create one new job opening with in the company? Through one job opening at a time, we could help more people find the jobs they need. At least, that is the idea that has been outlined by Carla Emil at The Huffington Post. Carla and [...]
How Much Caffeine Do Your Drink Each Day?
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What Every Entrepreneur Should Know
Starting a company is not easy. Sometimes it can feel like there is an endless amount of work to be done, but not enough time or resources to do it. During this early startup stage, the slightest mistake can be fatal. Venture Beat has shared three tips that may help you avoid those business-killing startup [...]
Presidents That Were Small Business Friendly
Yesterday we celebrated President’s day. It is the perfect time to remember the people that have helped make our country great. Reuters recently took a look at some of these men, and the men who small business owners should pay homage to. Two of them are below. Do you have a favorite? Bill Clinton (1993-2001) [...]
Vi-Tel Wireless Innovating The Direct Sales Cellular Business
If you want to succeed in direct sales, you must offer a product that people need. A new company is doing just that. Vi-Tel Wireless is a network marketing company that specializes in cellular, satellite, and security products. Representatives for this company have the opportunity to make money selling the items that people really need. [...]
Starting a Movie Streaming Site
A reader asked: Hello my name is Rolando, I want to ask you for your help. My friend and I are thinking about starting a video rental business that we are going to run it something like Netflix. We’ll charge a small fee every month to our members to see DVDs on the computer. Do [...]
Weird: Bacon & Pickle Toothpaste
It must be a gag gift! Do you believe that there are people out there that would brush their teeth with bacon or pickle-flavored toothpaste?
Patrick Grant never realized that a discarded copy of the Financial Times would change his life. However, that is exactly what it did. He was an MBA student, eating his lunch alone at University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School. While he sat there munching, he was drawn to an ad in the “Businesses for Sale” [...]
Social Entrepreneurship Has No Age Limit
Around the world, we are seeing an increase in the number of people that are reaching the age of retirement every year. In Scotland alone, they expect that over half of the population will be 60 or older by 2035. According to Guardian.co.uk, an organization is hoping to help the older generation find new life [...]
Niche Biz: Trash-Free Lunch Boxes
For people who want to offer their children a better selection of food at school, there is the traditional lunch box. Although it helps parents decide the best meal for their child, it does not help the environment. Between juice containers, ziplock bags, napkins, and plastic utensils, we are contributing tons of trash to landfills [...]
If you thought a normal Rubik cube was hard, Oskar van Deventer has created one so big that even he cannot solve it. Metro.co.uk states that the dimensions for this “Over the Top” product is 17x17x17. He said: ‘The puzzle has never been solved, although people have solved virtual versions of it on the internet. [...]
Meet the Readers: Angela Shupe
Once a week or so I’m going to profile the very special people who read this site. If you’d like to participate, shoot me an email. Today’s profile is of Angela Shupe, a longtime blogger for this site. Hi Angela, tell us about yourself. As you already know, my name is Angela. I am 25 [...]
Niche Biz: Rolling Alarm Clock
Do you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning? What if you had to chase your alarm clock around the room? Would that help?
4 Businesses to Start in a Down Economy
The following guest post is by Michael Herder. When the economy is down, times are difficult for all of us. History has shown that it is often the small businesses that end up bringing the economy back up to speed, but starting a business can prove to be difficult. What type of business should you [...]
