Archive for July 2011
Senate After SBA Over Small Biz Contracts
Late last month, I mentioned an article discussing SBA numbers evaluated by the American Small Business League showing that the SBA did not give small businesses as many contracts as originally claimed. According to Entrepreneur, the senate is now taking a second look at the numbers released by the SBA and questioning their process. At [...]
California’s New Online Sales Tax Hits Marketers Hard
The recession didn’t kill Nick Loper’s business. Jerry Brown did. Once the governor signed the new online sales tax law last month, a variety of businesses, including Amazon, cut loose the affiliates they had in California. After six years of growing what started as a $200-a-month business into a profitable full-time gig, Loper said he [...]
Hydrokinetic Power: The Future Of Electricity
Ted Christopher moved to San Diego three years ago to work in his cousins sheet metal shop. Every weekend he tinkered on his own secret project. In 2009, he returned to Minneapolis and launched his own business, Verterra Energy Inc. Through Verterra he hopes to bring his “small” project to life. Using power of water, [...]
Groupon has helped many businesses reach new customers, but are these businesses ready to say goodbye to the service? A number of companies have been approached by Groupon and copy-cat deal a day sites for advertising, and they are no longer welcoming the service. One business owner, Joe Hargraves, who runs Tacolicious, says he’s received [...]
The Oaklahoma Daily: Liberty Belle, a 2-year-old Beagle, is trained to sniff out bedbugs. Husband-and-wife team Christen and Glen Collymore adopted Liberty Belle from the J & K Canine Academy in High Springs, Fla. The Collymores created their business, K9 Special Forces, in February. Although the company is young, the trio already have worked in [...]
Grilled Cheese Makes People Happy
WNYC has up a conversation with serial entrepreneur and creator of the Flip video camera, Jonathan Kaplan, on his next business venture: grilled cheese sandwhiches! “Grilled cheese makes people happy, and when I created the Flip I wanted to really think about a way to change the way people captured and shared video, a way [...]
USA Today: The plush robe in your hotel room now comes with an electronic leash. To keep robes and towels from checking out, a small but growing number of hotels are starting to use new radio frequency chips to keep track of their inventory. The RFID technology — which stands for radio frequency identification and [...]
ZooGue: From Sleeping on Couches to Luxury Brand
Tim Angel is a 26 year old entrepreneur and inventor of the ZooGue brand of iPad cases. His rough life, including being fired from the family business, and the other ups and downs of his entrepreneurial success story have been well documented on his YouTube channel ZooGueBROKEtoRICH, but when asked, he recently took a few [...]
Going From Real Estate To Baking
Baking isn’t usually considered a natural segway from real estate, but that is exactly how it worked for two real estate agents, Joe Barbato and Sharon Tabasco, when the recession slowed their business down. According to Tampa Bay Online, Sharon convinced Joe to buy into her idea after a batch of her cupcakes were a [...]
Currently working on that next ‘great’ project? Inventors Digest has a few tips to help you get off on the right foot. 1.) Have your invention evaluated by a non-biased professional – even if your mom’s in the business, go to someone else. 2.) Read all you can about new-product development. Go to your local [...]
The bow and arrow may not be the most common weapon used today, but it is still a popular niche for business. Enthusiasts enjoy the sport of hunting or simply using their favorite bow for target practice. Velocitip is counting on it, reports Boston Herald. “You put the device on the arrow to collect flight [...]
Next Generation Entrepreneurs In England
A new survey of 2,000 kids between 11 -18 shows that 77% of them want to start a business when they grow up. Nearly half of the kids mentioned that they have always had an interest in being their own boss. TV programmes such as The Apprentice and Dragon’s Den and the high profile of [...]
Sewing Is Easy Brings The Art Of Sewing Back
At one time, sewing was an important skill to possess if you wanted clothing to wear. Although these skills are no longer necessary for staying covered, it has evolved into a wonderful hobby and business for many lucky people. Vicky Triantos always loved to sew. Starting as a small sewing group, her friends and family [...]
How PeachMac Competes With Apple
PeachMac’s founders, Darryl and Anne Lyndon Peck, have been in the Apple/Macintosh market for over 20 years. In 2007, they decided to make time for their family, and so opened a small retail and service store specializing in Apple products in Athens, Georgia. Quickly, Peck found that his new business venture posed a challenge: How [...]
Is This The Most Expensive Thing On Amazon.com?
Is this watch the most expensive thing you can buy on Amazon? Black microblasted titanium case, Black titanium bracelet with blue lateral inserts, Deployant buckle, Unidirectional rotating black carbon fiber bezel, Screw down crown and push buttons, Black dial with silver carbon fiber in center, Luminous hands, Small seconds subdial, Chronograph feature (Seconds, Minutes, Hours), [...]
WSJ In Charge: It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No wait—it’s your ad in the sky. According to an article in today’s WSJ, old-fashioned airborne advertising is a popular marketing medium for businesses this summer thanks to consistently hot, sunny weekend weather. It says that most likely to benefit are beachside establishments with products or [...]
They Like it Hot: Sauceaholics Store
Sauceaholics is a culinary adventure store in Jacksonville, Florida offering over 600 choices of BBQ sauce, hot sauce, rubs, marinades, jams, jellies, chutneys, chips, salsas, simmering sauces, flavored whipped honey, relishes, condiments, t shirts, and smokin’ wood chunks/chips. According to the owner, the idea came about a couple Christmases ago when he went online to [...]
Another Accidental Franchise: Sky Zone Sports
The Franchise Hound has up a profile another business that accidentally became a franchise: Jeff Platt had never planned on starting a business model let alone a successful national franchise. With hopes of creating a brand new sport, more than a million dollars was invested in developing new teams and building a facility from the [...]
Via Springwise, comes news about this weeklong bus tour of Spain for surfers: Surfing is enjoying a fresh surge in popularity in Spain, so it’s no wonder Surf Road Experience is offering its surfing trips every week. The company has reportedly decked out eight British-style double-decker buses with beds, showers and all the amenities surfers [...]
Wrongulator: The Calculator That is Always Wrong
The Wrongulator, from Red5, is no ordinary calculator. It is, in fact, the world’s worst calculator as it never gives the right answer, ever! If your calculator has been exchanged for this one then every single calculation you’ve entered in it has been wrong. It is perhaps the cruelest practical joke you could inflict on [...]
$1 Million Selling Rubber Duckies
CNN Money: Since founding Quacker Gift Shop in 2005, Jennifer Brown and Steve Kudron get this question a lot: Is there money in selling rubber ducks? Yes. So far, about a million dollars worth. Their duck-themed shop — selling everything from a wedding greeting card to the ubiquitous rubber duckie — attracts customers of all [...]
Inventor’s Journal: Katherine Huck
Last year on this date, Rich Whittle spoke to inventor Katherine Huck about her kids’ creative construction product, the Fort-A-Ma-Jig. Video below.
Young teens are usually spending time with friends or thinking of boys, but Isabella Weems was already running her own business. She is the proud owner of Origami Owl, a business that sells personalized lockets and charms. Her business began when she decided she wanted a white pickup truck like her friend had, reports The [...]
Niche Biz: Metrodome Roof Pieces
While most fans were still in shock over the roof of the Metrodome collapsing this past winter, Guy Nelson was preparing his next business venture. He was buying the broken roof, so he could sell pieces from it. His online venture is selling cut-out pieces of the teflon as memorabilia in the form of rectangles [...]
Get Your Idea Made: Telebrands
Often, an inventor with a limited budget may never see his or her invention go anywhere. However, if you have a little time, maybe you can grab the attention of Telebrands. Everyone knows the As Seen on TV logo that has graced many products (like the one above). Those same products have also made millions. [...]
Stop Watching TV and Make $10,000 More Per Year
How much do you value your time? How much television do you watch per day? Multiple those two numbers together and then multiply that number by 365 and leave your answer in the comments. I got the idea from this.
Bad Business Ideas Are All Around Us
I asked, the other day on Google Plus: Have you seen any good business ideas in your local newspaper or in any of the sites you read today? A reader responded: No, but I was too busy at work to really do any reading. Which reminds me, I saw lots of bad business ideas when [...]
The Treadmill Was Only Patented in 1985?
Today, people patent esoteric things like 1 click checkouts and user interfaces, but it wasn’t that long ago that many items you use every day were patented. I just discovered that the inventor of the treadmill was granted a patent in 1985!
The Cumm, from designers Jun-se Kim, Yonggu Do & Eunha Seo is a prototype design for a trash can on top of a vacuum cleaner. You just turn the device on and sweep dust and debris towards it. What do you think? Perfect for the kitchen?
Super Expensive Car Wash for Super Cars
Daily Mail: For most people washing your car involves a bucket of soapy water, a sponge and chamois leather. But for some drivers with top of the range sports cars that simple method just doesn’t cut it. Now though, those owners can treat their Ferrari, Lamorghinis and Aston Martins to ultimate all-star treatment – a [...]
Scenic, South Dakota for Sale: $799k
The entire town of Scenic, South Dakota is up for sale, and boy is it scenic! The property is posted on buyscenicsd.com, which offers video tours of various locations. Cow skulls adorn the sign for the Longhorn Saloon, which advertises tobacco, lunch and dancing — in that order. 46-Acres (approximately 12 acres in town-lots & [...]
Job Destruction Isn’t Bad: It Makes Us Richer
In 1900 there were 100,000 horses in New York City. That many horses required a huge number of employees of a wide variety of industries to maintain, feed and clean up after them, in addition to any of the jobs created by the horse-power itself. With the rise of the automobile, the horses have all [...]
A new fad, when interviewing candidates for a potential job, is to ask them ridiculous questions in an effort to figure out how they think. For tough or oddball interview questions, it’s not always about getting the right answers it’s about how you tackle a challenging problem. The question for employers may be really about [...]
Vending Machine With Healthy Snacks
Tennessean: A Franklin mother found inspiration for her new business venture while begrudgingly purchasing a bag of Skittles. Christy Sykes found zero healthy options in a vending machine when she wanted to purchase a snack for her 3-year-old daughter at her son’s soccer game. Sykes, a pharmaceutical saleswoman, decided to purchase a franchise of vending [...]
Steam & Clean, is a new business in Redmond, Washington that steam cleans trash cans, windows, driveways and holding tanks. The Seattle Times has more: Emily Wiewiorka, the company founder and president, said the business is going well and expanding as she finds new uses for her system. One company recently told her they had [...]
The 8 Biggest Mistakes I’ve Made
The following is a guest post by Brian Hamilton, CEO of Sageworks, Inc. Running a business should earn you an honorary graduate or even doctoral degree given all you will learn. For those just starting out, here are the CliffNotes, the mistakes you should hear now and avoid. Hiring in advance of revenue. There is [...]
Still Made In America: Evinrude
What does an outboard motor and ice cream have in common? The Evinrude. Evinrude was the world’s first outboard motor, and it has a story that thrives today. Manufactured in Wisconsin, where the brand originated, the innovator in speed for boats also has a unique story behind it. Inventor Ole Evinrude was courting his beloved [...]
We have often mentioned Quirky inventions, like the Mantis keyboard light and the Broom Groomer that removes dust from broom bristles, in the past. However, what about the man behind the website that helped bring these unique creations to light? That would be Ben Kaufman. Entrepreneur has the story on how he created a place [...]
Mom’s Business Is For The Dogs
As Shannon Mathews’ son prepared for Kindergarten, she knew it was time for her to go back to work. But what should she do? She assumed she would just leap back into the home decorating business. However, that question was quickly answered for her when her kids adopted two puppies, reports al.com. The Mathews family [...]
Post Office Closure Could Be Good for Small Businesses
The US Postal Service currently operates more than 31,000 retail outlets across the country, down from 38,000 a decade ago, but in recent years business has declined sharply as first-class mail moved to the Internet. Today, the USPS released a list of 3,653 post offices that could be shut down. Over three thousand of these [...]
A reader asked: Where can I get funding for my business idea? The truth is, ideas don’t get funded, businesses do. Budget your savings and sell, sell, sell! Once you’re up and running, then you can think about approaching lenders and other entrepreneurs about additional expansion capital. Photo by roswellsgirl.
New Bizop Classified Ads This Week
New listing this week on the Business Opportunities Weblog Classifieds. Work At Home Moms Will Love This! Please Look! Retirement Business For Sale – Orange County, Ca How Sharing A Free Product Can Help The Elderly Have A Beef Jerky Party, Free Buffalo Steaks, Too Turn Your Computer Into An ATM Rodan + Fields Dermatologists [...]
CreateMyTee Inspires Creativity And Opportunity
From sports to graduation, people love customized clothing. High school and college seniors often wear shirts promoting their successful transition from student to graduate. School band members sometimes create personalized shirts to promote their sections, from saxophone to percussion. People with team pride often like buying color-themed hoodies and that match their favorite sports team [...]
Doctors Do House Calls by Video Chat
With your life racing at break neck speed, chances are you don’t have time to sit all day in a doctor’s office. Enter the high tech house call, where from the convenience of the computer in your home or office you have a video appointment with a doctor. You talk about your health problem via [...]
Outdoor Recreation Boom in California
LA Times: …Outdoor retailers are bouncing back from the recession. That is particularly true in California, where recreation gear merchants have made plans to open new stores and expand existing outlets to take advantage of the state’s massive sales potential and reputation as an outdoor enthusiasts’ playground. Sales of such outdoor gear as tents, backpacks, [...]
Research Before Seeking SBA Loans
Before you start filling in your loan application, the Los Angeles Times has some advice you may want to consider. So, what’s the best way to get a small-business loan in this economic environment? Business owners who have scored loans said one of the keys was preparation. Expect to explain and justify every aspect of [...]
Looking for a fun summer business your child can enjoy? Forget lemonade, balloon animals are taking over. Amber Liggett is 15 years old, and she is already a savvy business woman. With her business selling balloon animals for $2, she is able to expand on a fun talent while making a little extra money. Six [...]
Step Forward In Water Filtration
Pat Farrelly is currently in the process of patenting a unique water filtration system that he believes will revolutionize water filtering for commercial and humanitarian purposes. His invention, Aqua-Nu, took five years to develop in his own kitchen. Farrelly said that Aqua-Nu had multiple applications, from filtering water for individual houses and group schemes to [...]
Member.ly Lets You Make Your own Subscription Business
This was a good article at Mashable on how the new site/service called Member.ly can put you into your own subscription business! Here’s the idea: maybe you’re earning some good money once in a while selling your hand made goodies on Etsy.com or something. You sell nothing for 3 weeks and then get 15 orders. [...]
World’s Top Selling Cars by Country
I stumbled across this interesting chart of the world’s top selling cars by country. Even in the small version above you can see that VW (red) dominates in China, Northern Europe and South America, while Toyota (blue) has Russian, South East Asia and Africa all tied up. GM’s (dark gray) numbers are big, but that [...]
