Business Opportunities Weblog
NFIB:
One inexpensive method of building your business that I am quite fond of is overnight radio advertising. It offers you the chance to get the word out without racking up huge bills.
Consider that in major metropolitan media markets, advertising during drive time (7 - 9 a.m. and 4 - 7 p.m.) can run anywhere from $250 a minute to an amazing $1,200 a minute. And given that one secret to a successful radio campaign is repetition, advertising during peak hours is often cost-prohibitive for many small businesses.
But overnight ads, while certainly reaching a far smaller audience, cost much less and still can be very effective.
via Linda Riley.
Auction Bytes: “eBay is creating a ‘Want It Now’ format to allow buyers to post items they are looking for and allowing sellers to respond to buyers with eBay listings. Buyers can create a 30-day listing describing the item or items they wish to purchase. User IDs are not revealed in the Want It Now listings, but feedback scores and the date users joined eBay are displayed.”
→ cashamerica.com
Cash America International, Inc. is a New York Stock Exchange listed company (CSH) serving the underbanked segment of the population. Cash America is the market leader in secured non-recourse lending, providing short-term capital to customers in the United States.
For centuries, money has been loaned based solely on the value of an item pledged as collateral, commonly referred to today as a pawn loan. Cash America International, Inc. was the first company to establish a large network of locations focused on customer service and meeting the needs of secured non-recourse borrowers in the oldest and most basic form of consumer financing activity.
The fundamentals of the pawn business have not changed through its 3,000 year existence. The base business is designed to assist the borrower in meeting capital requirements under terms of a simple contract. Items used as security for loans have evolved over the years as commonly owned personal property has changed with the times. Yet the orientation of the collateral has not changed as customers use items which represent value, such as gold and diamond jewelry, capable of providing them a source of liquidity.
At Cash America pawnshops, the age-old pawn loan tradition of a fast, convenient source of ready cash with the loan amount based upon the value of the collateral presented is taken to a new level of ease and customer dignity. Cash America customers are greeted by a courteous, well-trained staff who assist them with their cash needs. The use of a proprietary computer system, which calculates the optimum loan value for the item presented as collateral, assures the loan customer of understanding the maximum loan amount available for the item pledged. In seconds, the loan document is printed, the loan proceeds are counted out and the customer leaves secure with the knowledge that the item pledged is in safe keeping at Cash America until it is redeemed.
Why choose a Cash America franchise? They offer you the most recognized name in the business. They have a reputation for professional customer service. Cash America knows how to create attractive and well-organized units.
As a Cash America franchisee, you make all of the important decisions about your pawnshop. But your decisions are based on more and better information. They’ve learned a lot about the pawn business over the years, and they’re always ready to share that knowledge with you. Here are just a few of the benefits you can enjoy as a Cash America franchisee: exclusive franchise within a defined territory, Cash America trademarks, store decor, signs and images, Cash America’s proven business practices, information from the largest body of marketing research in the pawn industry, multimedia employee training programs for all jobs from clerk to manager, strategic management consultation from pawn industry experts, advertising and marketing campaigns and materials, store design, construction services and fixture supply, exclusive “TOPS” computer system to automate virtually every aspect of pawnshop operation, exclusive “PRO*KNOW” merchandise valuation database access, premium prices on scrap gold with NO MINIMUM quantity, low-cost jewelry refurbishing and repairs, affordable insurance coverage for all aspects of the pawn business and pawnshop brokerage services to assist in buying and selling stores.
→ dei-sales.com
D.E.I. Management Group, Inc., founded in 1979 by Stephan Schiffman, has long been recognized as one of the nation’s premier sales training companies, delivering skills and management programs for organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startups.
Using face-to-face training and distance learning programs, they help organizations do what they do better by effecting measurable improvements in the most critical aspects of the sales process: effective prospecting, efficient execution of the sales process (face-to-face and telephone), productive management of prospecting and selling activity If you’re a self starter, with sales experience and the desire to succeed and gain finiancial freedom then D.E.I. offers you an exciting business opportunity – the chance to own your own firm in the vitally important sales training industry, while enjoying the benefits of an outstanding franchising company with a superior selling system.
If you would like to take your professional sales skills and talents to a fulfilling level - the ownership of your own sales and training business - D.E.I. franchise could be the career opportunity you’ve been looking for. Utilizing our sales philosophy and your local contacts and networks, you’ll represent D.E.I. in your market, developing relationships and selling our products, services, programs, and workshops to a wide variety of companies and organizations.
You don’t have to have sales training experience … just outstanding sales abilities … to be a D.E.I. franchise owner. And they’ll provide you with the very finest in training and support!
In addition to their dynamic selling system, you’ll benefit from the support you’ll receive as a member of our franchise network. D.E.I. offers motivated people many competitive advantages they would not otherwise have as independent business owners. Each year, tens of thousands of people, including sales professionals, go into business by themselves. Some succeed . . . but many don’t. Look at the outstanding advantages franchising offers, compared with those who go into business on their own. They offer a viable business model, a proven operational system and experienced guidance and support.
As a D.E.I. franchise owner, you’ll benefit from the talents of our experienced sales training professionals who will provide you with superior support services right from the start, including corporate identity, brand awareness and logo, comprehensive training, operations manual and ongoing service and support.
If you need an additional gift idea this holiday season, I heartily recommend the Oxygenics showerhead. I’ve used both a wall-mounted and handheld version of this showerhead for more than three years, and it works exactly as described.
Most low-flow showerheads work by restricting the incoming water and then only allowing the water out through tiny pinprick like holes, but not the Oxygenics:
The Oxygenics system is based on the principle that moving water, channeled properly, creates a powerful momentary vacuum that automatically mixes a precise quantity of air with water at a reduced atmospheric pressure. This natural occurrence causes a rapid cycling of on-and-off pulsation - or what is known as the massaging effect. In addition, expanded effervescent droplets are produced that actually stretch the surface coverage of the shower water on the body by as much as 30%.
There are sixteen air intake ports on the face of each head, air enters and travels to the base where it mixes with water and is accelerated out of the core by an internal fin mechanism. The internal fin coupled with the four-port Venturi increases the velocity and momentum of the water by as much as 25%.
For friends of the company, Oxygenics is running a holiday special where if you purchase either the wall-mounted or handheld version, you’ll receive an additional free showerhead. Enter “wet9″ in the promo code field for the special deal.
(Disclaimer: This is not an advertisement though I do have financial ties to the company.)
→ peeweeworkout.com
Pee Wee workout is a pre-school health/fitness program developed in 1986 to educate as many children as possible about the benefits of healthy living. You can make a difference in the early development years of a child’s health. Teaching fitness, healthy lifestyles, and a respect for their bodies is what Pee Wee Workout is all about.
Since 1986, Pee Wee Workout helps educators and fitness professionals grow in a beneficial business while they serve children. The Pee Wee Workout/CC Kids programs are designed to address the health and fitness needs of pre-school and elementary school age children.
Pre-schools, day-care centers and recreation programs are a part of every community. They provide a rich environment of skills and social development. Pee Wee Workout fits into these established settings. Parents want their children to develop healthy lifestyle habits. Educators look for quality programs to enhance their school learning environment. The Pee Wee Workout/CC Kids program teaches the basics of physical fitness and health with emphasis on living a happy, productive life.
Do you enjoy and have the ability to work with children? Have you wanted to own and operate your own business? With Pee Wee Workout you have the opportunity to take action in addressing children’s health as well as pursuing the rewards of business ownership.
Though the International Franchise Association is speaking specifically about franchises, their reasons for starting a business apply to why most new entrepreneurs:
Many prospective franchisees have figured out that though their work efforts may be creating a significant amount of wealth, in most cases they are not sharing directly in the wealth they are creating. They will put in their 40-plus years and then retire on whatever they’ve managed to save plus Social Security. Many investors are attracted to franchising because they understand that their efforts have the potential to create significant amounts of wealth and they will be the ones who own the wealth that is realized when it comes time to sell the business they’ve built.
Chuck Fey wrote:
At this time of year, many people often reflect on the past year, including their successes, failures and lessons learned. Here’s an opportunity to share what you’ve learned, and gain new insights from the experiences of other InnovationTools readers. Please respond to this question:
What is the most important lesson you learned regarding innovation, creativity or brainstorming during 2004?
Please e-mail your stories to me by December 10th at lessons@innovationtools.com. I will compile them into a special report, which I will distribute later this month via the InnovationTools website. Please limit your key learning experience to 1 paragraph in length. And please be sure to include your name, title and company in your message, so I can properly attribute your lesson to you.
I look forward to reading your replies, and wish you a wonderful holiday season!
Wow, Division of Labour is right: Ken Jennings lost on Jeopardy because of the IRS.
If the tax code were not so convoluted that it required an enormous tax preparation business for people to pay their taxes.
To add insult to injury, he also has to pay an nearly half his winnings in taxes. Thankfully, H & R Block, the answer of Ken’s losing question, has offered him free financial services for life, so that he never forgets their name again.
→ oxfordlearning.com
Since 1984, Oxford Learing Center has been energizing the learning ability of their students to absorb and process information by teaching them how to learn. This power stays with students for life. It is used in every subject and in every learning activity.
Their unique Dynamic Diagnostic Assessment™ pinpoints how each student learns and allows Oxford to develop individual programs for each student. Their exclusive curriculum and teaching methods help students to improve confidence, develop higher self-esteem and achieve better grades.
Why is OXFORD, ‘Beyond Tutoring’? Because repetitive memorization, as in tutoring or cramming, only stays with the student briefly - no real learning occurs. Oxford students learn how to learn. SKILLS FOR SUCCESS. LESSONS FOR LIFE.
Better grades are not just about memorizing more. Truly knowing how to learn is the only way a student can continually achieve good grades. Being fully engaged in learning and making sense of new information, is the foundation of good grades. They are the only supplemental educator teaching students how to learn.
Working in small groups with personal attention, Oxford students change their feelings about school, their approach to school work, test preparation and studying.
Oxford learning goes beyond tutoring. Tutoring may be a short-term answer to some problems at school. But they provide a life-long answer that engenders a love of learning and provides the skills to do it.
At Oxford, they want to give children everything they need to succeed. They treat their franchisees the same way. Oxford’s team of experienced professionals can help you reach your goals with our complete system and business package.
Oxford distinguishes itself from other learning institutions and providers of supplemental education in many ways. Their assessment program is unlike any other; exceptional teachers create unique tailored learning plans; their proprietary curriculum is proven by research and experience and, most importantly, they equip their students with a new way of thinking; they teach them how to learn.
Oxford students receive a comprehensive diagnostic assessment that pinpoints their individual strengths and weaknesses. Oxford franchisees are trained in the administration of this series of dynamic tests and are assisted in their interpretation. Using assessment information about knowledge levels, learning styles, cognitive strengths and potential, they create unique and completely individualized programs that result in dramatic successes for their students.
When you are first setting up your franchise and when you are an established, successful business, Oxford is here to help. Their head office, located in London, Ontario, Canada is in constant contact with all of its franchisees, providing unsurpassed advertising, marketing, administration and training support.
Oxford’s years of experience have allowed them to perfect their franchise system and develop a complete business package. Their training program is so comprehensive, there is no need for previous experience in teaching or operating a franchise business. They’re here for you from the start, assisting in the selection of your site and in lease negotiations.
Extensive training is provided on the Oxford approach, teaching and supervision, their diagnostic assessment, individual program development, advertising, marketing and the administration of your business.
Oxford is also here to keep you on the leading edge, aware of and applying the latest developments in education. They make regular site visits to communicate new marketing and management concepts as well as offering seminars and workshops throughout the year. They have a commitment to excellence and are dedicated to your success!
Business Week: “Female entrepreneurs may once have lagged behind their male counterparts, but now they’re making up for lost time. Business ownership among women in general is growing at nearly twice the rate (17%) as all businesses (9%), according to a new report released this month by the Center for Women’s Business Research. And the number of businesses owned by minority women, long the smallest segment of entrepreneurship in the U.S., is growing at six times the rate of all private companies, the study found.”
I just found a great two month old article in Entrepreneur magazine that I must have missed when it was first published. It features eleven different small business Ebay users, and how they’ve profited from the online marketplace. Here’s an example:
Selling to other eBay sellers is also a viable option for entrepreneurs who wish to grow their businesses, as wholesaler Gary Neubert (eBay User ID: gatorpack) has discovered. This 52-year-old Tampa, Florida, entrepreneur has been selling a wide range of packaging materials on eBay, including packing peanuts and bubble mailers, since 1999. Although Neubert won’t divulge his sales, it’s no secret that he’s an eBay Gold PowerSeller, which means his company racks up sales averaging $10,000 over a period of three months. His eBay business has been so successful, in fact, that he closed his commercial distribution location about six months after entering the eBay marketplace and now sells exclusively online.
Metafilter: “Ever wanted to know where all your tax dollars really go? Mosey on over to FedBizOpps.gov and search the nice little database they’ve got there for all those federal business opportunities you just can’t wait to bid on….How about making a wearable computer for the Navy? Want to perform for the USO? How about getting paid to surf the intarwebs to defeat the terrorists? The Special Operations Command has the job for you! Looking to unload 30 million tons of beef? You’ve got a buyer! Gather wild horses for the Dept of Ag! Haul carcasses in the search for mad cow disease! Oh, and by the way, the Iraqi Army needs some clarinets…”
via CoolGov.
Unfortunately, if you use Google PageRank (PR) to gauge the worth and legitimacy of a website, you’re now out of luck. Search Engine Roundtable is reporting that Google claims that PR is for entertainment purposes only.
From an email from Google:
The PageRank that is displayed in the Google Toolbar is for entertainment purposes only. Due to repeated attempts by hackers to access this data, Google updates the PageRank data very infrequently because is it not secure. On average, the PR that is displayed in the Google Toolbar is several months old. If the toolbar is showing a PR of zero, this is because the user is visiting a new URL that hasn’t been updated in the last update. The PR that is displayed by the Google Toolbar is not the same PR that is used to rank the webpage results so there is no need to be concerned if your PR is displayed as zero. If a site is showing up in the search results, it doesn’t not have a real PR of zero, the Toolbar is just out of date.
I have a confession to make.
Selfishly, I have held off mentioning that Jeremy Wright is auctioning off his weblogging talents on Ebay. For the winning bidder, Jeremy will post five to ten times per week for three months on any blog of the winner’s choosing. I didn’t want to mention his auction in hopes that the final bid price divided by the number of posts would be less than the my average profit per post, so that I could pickup some cheap labor.
Unfortunately for me (but good news for Jeremy) the auction is now over $1,5000 and so has just moved out of the realm of easy profit.
Good luck Jeremy, I hope you hit $2,000!
CBS Marketwatch has a great write up.
Jeremy’s also running a friendly contest, with loads of donated prizes, to guess the winning bid.
→ amscarcare.com
The Sheldricks were not planning to sell just any common oil change. They researched the market and the competition and decided that performing complete automotive maintenance actually increased the performance of their customers vehicles.
The same professionalism and integrity that has made the local AMS service center great has been incorporated into the training and support that AMS franchisees will come to expect!
The Sheldrick family wants entrepreneurs across the country to know that they can always expect personal attention in the set-up of their new business.
The AMS support staff has the experience and proven track record to work with the extreme novice who has little or no business experience.
AMS’ concept is a comprehensive management system that provides ongoing training, support and guidance to all franchisees. Our staff will work directly with you during setup to insure your business will be up and running within the first 60 days of training.
NY Times:
The animals’ main product, fleece, is worth relatively little compared with their market value. Each alpaca produces an annual average of five pounds of fleece, used to make textiles, including sweaters, scarves and other apparel. Five pounds of raw fleece is worth only $80 to $240.
But because there is still limited registered breeding stock in this country and people continue to clamor for them, an alpaca can fetch $17,500 to $22,500 on average. Some animals with certain pedigrees or prizes from the many alpaca shows held across the country sell for far more.
via Marginal Revolution.
HBS Working Knowledge: “Employers worry a lot about absenteeism, but new research suggests a bigger threat to productivity is “presenteeism”: sick workers who show up at work but are not fully functioning. U.S. companies may lose $150 billion (yes, that’s billion) annually because of presenteeism, according to some estima”tes.
Michele Miller:
Gary Heavin is sitting pretty these days, smack-dab in the middle of the business spotlight. Heavin, founder of the extraordinarily popular Curves fitness chain, has just been named Ernst & Young’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” in the service industry category.
Starting with a $10,000 investment and a single gym in 1995, Heavin now lays claim to what is (according to the Guinness Book of World Records) the fastest-growing franchise in history. Today, there are more than 8,000 Curves facilities in 25 countries, accounting for more than 80% of the women’s fitness market.
Paul Emond:
I’ve spent the past 12 years trying to build a business with no cash. The fact that I’ve made it this far surprises me to no end, and if someone were to have taken me aside and let me know how hard this journey was going to be, I would have run screaming looking for employment with a steady paycheck and manageable hours like 9-5 with weekends spent on hobbies or with friends.
But… I’m sure I would have been miserable.
This week’s Carnival of the Capitalists is up at Lachlan Gemmell’s Software Startup.
Dan Sherman:
I love this newest idea of mine. I was driving at night recently and saw this BEAUTIFUL Christmas light display at someone’s house. The house happened to be on the corner of a very busy intersection, so it’s going to be seen by lots of people. Being the person I am, I started brainstorming about how I could use the synergy of the obvious attention the light show was getting with the large amount of traffic in the position to look at it.
Sell Christmas lighting sponsorships. You become the broker.
Evelyn Rodriguez: “In this age, most public education (to be differentiated from self-education) is geared toward the job mindset which doesn’t adequately prepare one for the present or future, including within a job.”
→ jumpbunch.com
JumpBunch is a structured sports and fitness program for children 15 months to 6 years old. The classes are typically 30-minutes long, once a week, year-round. They are offered as part of a child’s day at school or day care.
Founder Tom Bunchman decided the only way to offer this great program to kids everywhere—while maintaining the quality experience he has always offered—was to expand by way of selling franchise territories throughout the country. Each JumpBunch franchise owner is carefully selected and trained by JumpBunch founder, Tom Bunchman. Through this process, you can be assured that every JumpBunch program lives up to the same high standards of education, safety and fun!
If you enjoy and care about teaching children, this could be a rewarding business opportunity for you. JumpBunch can be a part-time, home-based business, or a larger, full-time operation. JumpBunch is a competitively priced franchise that comes with a lot of hands-on support and proprietary systems to help you launch and run your business.
Brad Beiermann: “How much should you charge [for gift wrap]? Well, that’s up to you and the numbers…but let me give you a real life example of a situation that happened with a business associate of mine. She offered gift wrapping as an extra service on her website. Last holiday season she received a call from a customer wanting to buy a $19.95 item they had seen on her website. It was December 23rd and this gentleman wanted the item gift wrapped and GUARANTEED next day on his doorstep the following morning. Truly a last minute shopper! In short, this customer paid over $110 for a $19.95 item. The shipping alone was over $70. This gentleman was thrilled. I was beyond stunned. My business associate said, ‘I get these kind of orders frequently. Particularly around holidays.’”
