Archive for August 2011
Pet Detectives Needed: Dognapping on the Rise
During the first seven months of 2011, the number of stolen dogs reported to the American Kennel Club have almost doubled over last year. Some thieves falsify where they got the dogs, then sell them via the Internet, at flea markets or at roadside stands. Others pretend they “found” the dog after a reward-seeking flier [...]
Infographic: History of the SBA
Drapper Snappers Fix Saggy Toddler Pants
When your toddler’s pants begin to droop, what do you do? Sometimes parents use a built in adjuster that makes the pants bunch up. Others may try tying loops together to make the waist tighter. Michelle Cazella invented Drapper Snappers. The Drapper Snappers are made to be easy on parents and even easier on the [...]
We often mention companies who have just gotten started. However, what about the companies that do not make it? When Christina Ross started her company last year, she was filled with high hopes. This year she had to close up shop, and The Local took a closer look at the reason why. The Local: Why [...]
When The Government Decides To Compete
If you thought it was hard to compete against a larger company for customers, imagine running a campaign tour bus company and discovering the government is now offering candidates Secret Service-owned tour buses. “The government went into competition with me,” Williams told The Daily Caller. “Something is not right, or fair about this.” Williams, whose [...]
In the future, if someone attacks you and tries to take your money from the ATM, typing in a unique ATM code may call for help. At least, that is the latest safety idea Joe Zingher has created to help protect against trouble. Zingher is trying to get banks to install it. He says people [...]
Parents have spent years complaining about the lunch options offered to kids. Instead of complaining about what their kids ate at school, Debbie Blacher and Samantha Gotlib started Wholesome Tummies to offer a better option. “Over some barbecue, we discussed our shared passion for healthy foods and childhood nutrition,” Gotlib said. “We discussed the lack [...]
Bloggers: How Do You Explain What You Do?
A reader asked: I’m a professional blogger, like you. How do describe what you do? I hate this question. Not your question, mind you, but the “What do you do?” one. If I was a plumber, everyone would immediately understand what that means, even if they didn’t quite understand all of the various types of [...]
I live in the middle of nowhere and take my backyard for granted. New Yorkers, though, live in apartments and private, open, green space is at premium. Timeshare Backyard has stepped up to fill the need. The business is a grass lot in Manhattan’s Lower East Side that is rentable for $50 per hour. Video [...]
Get Protected: Insurance Types for Small Business Owners
All too often entrepreneurs and small business owners are so caught up with developing a brand, recruiting employees and creating a solid marketing plan that they forget to purchase one of the most important things that can protect them from the “risks” typically associated with start-ups—small business insurance. While getting insured may be the last [...]
By Gordon: Artistic Product Development for the Home
By Gordon is a product development company that specializes in high quality, custom-crafted items for the home. I recently had a chance to speak with the owner Chad Gordon about the company and their new product, a wine chandelier. What is By Gordon? Whether your personal design style is traditional, contemporary, mid-century modern or country [...]
Why Whole Industries Have Disappeared
Decades of outsourcing manufacturing have left US industry without the means to invent the next generation of high-tech products. How did it get this way? This excerpt from the book The Innovator’s Prescription by Clayton Christensen, Jerome Grossman and Jason Hwang, with comment from Forbes, may help answer that: ASUSTeK started out making the simple [...]
The NY Times up a really long, and very interesting article about dollar stores. The long quote below deals with operations, but the article touches on numerous aspects of the biz: In Hamilton’s view, the secret of a good dollar store is an obsessive manager who can monitor 8,000 to 10,000 items, constantly varying product [...]
Industry Hubs Across the Country
The Wall Street Journal has up an interesting article and graphic about these hub cities that are flourishing on specific industries. It’s a lesson that’s all too easy to forget in a world driven by mobile devices, cloud computing and home offices. There are big benefits to setting up shop in the right spot—especially among [...]
Restaurant Serves Internationally Inspired Hot Dogs
I had no idea there were so many variations of the hot dog. If you’re starting a hot dog business, you don’t have to settle for the traditional American condiments. Think internally, like this Delaware couple: Hot dogs will come with more than ketchup and relish at a new restaurant that will open next month [...]
NY Times: In low-slung suburban strip malls, nestled among fast-food restaurants and auto supply stores, hair salons are sprouting like mushrooms. The Census Bureau recently noted their jump in an otherwise glum report about mom-and-pop businesses, stating that the number of hairdressers and barbers and the shops they work in grew by about 8 percent [...]
Online Dating is Big Biz: Profit Offline
Fast Company: Like so much online content, love don’t cost a thing. But it can earn the right startup a bundle. Online dating is a $1.5 billion per year industry in the U.S., according to estimates by David Evans, a consultant in the field and author of the Online Dating Insider. About 1,500 sites populate [...]
Making Furniture from Old Bicycle Parts
LubockOnline: Krystal O’Mara can see the art and the utilitarian in the wheel of a bicycle. Her new business, called ReMain EcoDesign, was featured in the August issue of Entrepreneur magazine because of its unique niche in the home furnishings marketplace. She uses rims, spokes, hubs — essentially the entire bicycle — to make hourglass [...]
The economic downturn and the decline of the housing market killed off many pool-cleaning business as homeowners cut back on expenses in order to continue making their outrageous mortgage payments. The recession hasn’t been all bad news for pool cleaners, though. For some, business is booming: In some areas, foreclosed homes with pools have become [...]
The following is a guest post by Cristian Dorobantescu of the Small Business Entrepreneur Blog from Romania. Every couple of weeks I see lists of “entrepreneurship myths” – it seems like it’s a never ending story – some are fueling them and the others are debunking them. There is one myth in particular that really [...]
The 20-Something Entrepreneur Market
Raised on Internet and social media, the people born after 1980 are experiencing a boom as entrepreneurs, reports Tampa Bay Online. When it comes to networking and social media, young entrepreneurs have the edge, said Stephen Budd of the University of South Florida Center for Entrepreneurship. “Some of the key factors for millennials are that [...]
Most 7 year olds are learning the basics of reading and writing. He is running a LLC, reports Youngstown News. The soon-to-be second-grader recently debuted his first app called Toaster Pop, a brightly colored game in which participants try to spread butter, jam and other toppings on one of his favorite breakfast foods — toast. [...]
Inventors Whose Inventions Killed Them
Inventing is a wonderful pastime, unless your invention also ends your life. Business Insider has pulled together a list of ten inventors and their inventions that killed them. Here are five of those stories. Winstanley – 1703 – Eddystone Lighthouse During the Great Storm of 1703, he and five others perished when they refused to [...]
After you’re done using your iPhone app to find cheap beer, take a look at some inventions inspired by the alcoholic beverage found on Philly.com. Party Goggles, application No. 12/927,974, by Bruce Riggs of Helendale, Calif. “How many times,” Riggs asks in his application, “have we all been stuck at a fetid fete marooned at [...]
Need Beer? There’s An App For That
People love beer, and a new iPhone app draws on that love by helping people find the closest, cheapest beer in their area. NearBeer is a free app released in July that finds the closest location to buy beer at the lowest price. You may search by distance, brand or quantity (look for kegs, for [...]
Niche Biz: Down Syndrome Fashions
Karen Bowersox granddaughter, who suffers from Down Syndrome, holds a special place in her heart. So, when her daughter suggested she find a way to start a business dedicated to clothes that would fit people living with downs comfortably, Karen saw an opportunity, reports Mentor Patch. Though she knew nothing about making clothes, Bowersox knows [...]
Is Your Biz Holding You Prisoner?
As every entrepreneur knows, you must be dedicated to your business if you are going to succeed. Sometimes a good business can take a lot of time to build an run. So, at what point does it begin to hold you prisoner? At some point, business owners must take some time for themselves. However, the [...]
Hunting Remote Controlled Airplanes
This sounds like an interesting business idea. It’s from the UK, but could be successful here, too: What is a gnat? Basically it an airplane just like the ones the big boys in the military use for target practice, but much smaller and specifically designed to be shot at with shotguns. Imagine it. After a [...]
The X Prize awarded $10,000,000 to the first non-government organization to launch a reusable manned spacecraft to a height of 100 kilometers, twice within two weeks. A Spanish entrepreneur who wants to take private astronauts to “near-space” argues that the 100-km definition of space is somewhat arbitrary. Autotopia has more on his audacious plans: A [...]
Fast Company: “This is a $2.4 trillion industry run on handwritten notes,” says 33-year-old Dr. Jay Parkinson. “We’re using 3,000-year-old tools to deliver health care in the richest country on the planet.” His prescription: a Facebook-like platform that uses technology, from IM to video chat, to restore the traditional doctor-patient relationship that has been lost [...]
Chicago Shuts Down Ice Cream Entrepreneur
Chicago Tribune: A few years ago, Kris Swanberg, having been laid-off from her job as a Chicago Public School teacher, remembered she received an ice cream maker as a wedding gift. The Chicago mom fished it out of her kitchen cabinet and eventually started a new career. Today Swanberg’s Nice Cream — on sale at [...]
Every year marketers release statistics and fun insights about that year’s college freshman. The Class of 2015 report from Mr. Youth, a youth marketing and social media organization, is out. Most interesting insight for me: Did you know that “The Class of 2015” watches TV with at least two or more electronic devices so how [...]
OnGard Guards Against Lint Fires
Every year over 15,000 dryer-related fires occur. Often these statistics would go unnoticed, except one man, Gerry Flood, took notice and decided to do something about it. So he created the OnGard dryer vent fire suppression system. With an easy setup system and basic instructions, the OnGard can quickly turn a life threatening possibility into [...]
Inventor’s Journal: Talking Toilet Paper Dispenser
One year ago today, Rich Whittle spoke to Russ Colby, the inventor of the Talking Toilet Paper Dispenser for Inventor’s Journal. The video is below.
Manufacturing Moving From China to the USA
According to the the father and son team behind Sleek Audio, it’s all because of the quality. CNN: When Mark Krywko and his son, Jason, launched Sleek Audio, a small business making in-ear headphones for iPods and other audio devices from a Florida town near St. Petersburg, they asked several U.S. manufacturers for quotes on [...]
A lot occurred during the 1900′s. Many notable businesses launched, and some failed. Here are three well-known companies that got their start during last century. What would you add to the list? Hallmark gets its start: Jan. 10, 1910. Joyce C. Hall, a teenager (and a guy, by the way) from Norfolk, Neb., arrives in [...]
Don’t quite have social media down for your business? Why not get some help from the 14 year old guru, Lane Sutton. Like many people from the younger generation, he has beaten his own path to success using the various services, reports The MetroWest Daily News. Sutton’s rise to whiz-kid status began two years ago [...]
It seems so simple, how could no one have thought of it before? That was the thought that crossed through Jessica Mashkevich’s mind when she created a unique robe that can be taken apart piece-by-piece. The OmniRobe can be worn four ways. The garment goes on like a regular robe, but portions of it easily [...]
Solar Sister Helps Women In Africa
Huffington Post: Katherine Lucey is the founder of Solar Sister, a social enterprise devoted to equipping women in Africa to solve the epidemic of energy poverty through a community based model of entrepreneurship. Beginning with a seed investment in an individual entrepreneur, the women are given training, marketing materials and a solar lamp inventory. As [...]
Section Of Canadian Highway Dedicated to Alexander Graham Bell
Mr. Bell was an amazing inventor and an important piece of history for Brantford. The actual name of the highway will not change, but signs will be places along it displaying the dedication. “This will be used as a marketing tool for us to draw people to the Alexander Graham Bell Homestead,” Levac said. “It [...]
Making Something Sweet Out Of A Sour Market
When the real estate industry began to suffer, Nikki Lewis knew it was time to bail for a better business. That is whens he turned a sour market into sweet opportunity with her Mallow Munchies. “I have always loved making Rice Krispie treats—I made them with my mom as a kid,” she said. “I’ve been [...]
Finding Comfort In The Dog Business
Amy Parsons used to work as a telecommunications executive, but the stress was eating her alive. Diagnosed with an autoimmune condition aggravated by stress, she didn’t let it frustrate her when she was laid off. Instead, she picked herself up and started a business, reports Philly.com. “It’s a different type of stress,” she said during [...]
A lot of work goes into planning the perfect day, so it comes as no surprise that the new bride does not want to spend hours trying to officially change over her last name. It was that type of problem that inspired Danielle Tate to launch her business, reports Financial Post. MissNowMrs.com has helped some [...]
A reader wrote: What do you think about starting a house cleaning business? There’s something all-American about entrepreneurs who start from scratch. Cleaning — a person and some rags and soap — is the quintessential start-up business that doesn’t require much capital. That’s not to say it’s easy. You must deal with a range of [...]
Find An Opportunity In Hurricane Grill & Wings
Franchising is often compared to the wheel. If you have a good design, why bother reinventing it? This idea fits well with Hurricane Grill & Wings. With over 40 locations, this franchise is growing fast. From their signature sauces and relaxed atmosphere to their family-friendly pricing, Hurricane has quickly become a restaurant people can enjoy. [...]
At $20, it may not seem like a light bulb worth buying. However, when you consider its solar-powered abilities, it’s hard to believe no one thought of it before! The solar-powered light bulb by Nokero holds roughly enough energy to power the bulb for 4 hours. According to The Washington Post, the bulb is perfect [...]
Niche Biz: Baby Safe Photo Albums
Babies love photo, but their parents are not crazy about letting them get ruined. It was in there that Laura Miranti saw a need for baby-friendly photo albums, reports BND.com. “Kids love photos, but most parents aren’t going to hand over their photo albums to their little ones. They don’t want them to get messed [...]
Creative Ways To Use The iPad In Business
We’ve often shared ways the iPad can help you manage your business, but what about using it to attract customers? Some places like Tenoverten, a nail salon, are using iPads like magazines. They make them available to customers, so they can surf the web while waiting for their manicure or pedicure to finish. However, Butter [...]
Teen Battles Kudzu With Helium
For his sixth grade science project, Jacob Schindler wanted to find a way to prove that kudzu could live on Mars. He is now 17, and his plans have shifted. He’s not experimenting with a unique reaction he experienced when dosing kudzu with helium. Now he is hoping to eliminate unwanted kudzu in an environment-friendly [...]
Have you heard the story about how the American Tobacco Company changed the color of the Lucky Strike cigarette package to aid the war effort during World War II? The story goes something like this: When the United States entered World War II, the federal government mandated that all green pigments would be used for [...]
