Transcript of 48 business ideas (14.36MB)
- 1. By Dan Miller
- 2. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 2 Introduction
SOOFTENIHEARPEOPLESAYthattheywouldlovetostartabusinessbutdonthavethemoneytodo
anything.Andthustheyquicklydismisswhatmaybetheirgreatestopportunity.
InNoMoreDreadedMondays(http://www.48days.com/products.php#noMoreMondays)Iaddresstheissueof
moneyforstartingabusiness:
Therearetypicallythreereasonspeopleneveractontheirdreamstoachievethenancialindependencethey
desire.
1.Therstreasonisfearoffailure.Thereisnothingmorecripplingthanfearoffailure.Iveseenotherwiseintelligent
peoplewhoaresoafraidoffailuretheyletideaafterideapassthemby,
onlytoregrettheirinaction.
FORGODHATHNOTGIVENUSTHESPIRITOFFEAR;BUTOFPOWER,
ANDOFLOVE,ANDOFASOUNDMIND. 2TIMOTHY1:7(KJV)
- 3. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 3
2.Thesecondreasonislackofknowledge.Creative,nontraditional,orinnovativeskillsarenotjustthingsyou
stumbleonto.Youhavetolearnhowtoinvest,howtodealinrealestate,howtoevaluatebusiness
opportunities,orperhapshowtomanageemployees.Buttheseareallthingsthatcanbelearnedandshould
neverpreventyoufromexploringnewoptionsforabetterlife.
3.Thethirdreasonpeopledontactontheirdreamsisaperceivedlackofmoney.Istressperceivedbecause
moneyisnotreallywhatsholdingthemback.Peoplethinktheydonthaveenoughmoneytotaketherststeps
towardrevolutionarywork,buttheproblemusuallycomesbacktofearoffailureorlackofknowledge.Iget
eighttotenrequestsperweekfrompeoplewantingtoknowwheretondstartupmoneyfornewventures.
And,yes,capitalisdiculttondespeciallyforbusinessesthatuseservice,information,ortechnology.Does
thatmeanitsimpossibletolaunchagreatideawithoutstartupcapital?Absolutelynot!
TakealookatthisrecentCensusBureaudata:
26PERCENTOFBUSINESSSTARTUPSDIDNTREQUIREANYCAPITAL
34PERCENTNEEDEDLESSTHAN$5,000 9PERCENTNEEDED$5,000$9,999
12PERCENTNEEDED$10,000$24,999 6PERCENTNEEDED$25,000$49,999
5PERCENTNEEDED$50,000$99,000 4PERCENTNEEDED$100,000$249,999
3PERCENTNEEDED$250,000$999,999 1PERCENTNEEDED$1MILLIONORMORE
- 4. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 4 No money No problem!
IF69PERCENTOFALLNEWBUSINESSESneedlessthan$10,000togetstartedand70percentofthe
peopleonthestreetsaytheywouldliketostarttheirownbusiness,whydontthey?
Imgoingtogiveyou48inexpensiveideasforbusinesses.Herearesomeotherquicktips:
SHAREYOURIDEAS.DONTBESECRETIVE.GETINPUTFROMEVERYONEYOUKNOW.IDEASAREADIMEADOZEN.BUTTHE
PERSONWHOPUTSAPLANOFACTIONTOGETHERISTHEONLYONEWHOWILLBENEFIT.
YOURFRIENDSWILLLIKELYBETOOBUSYTOHELPYOUORTOSTEALYOURIDEABUTYOUCANGETTHEIROPINIONSAND
INPUT.
MAKESUREYOUFINDSOMETHINGYOUBELIEVEIN,SOMETHINGYOUWOULDBUYYOURSELFANDUSEYOURSELF,AND
WOULDSELLTOYOURBESTFRIEND. SomeAdditionalConsiderations
IMPROVINGANEXISTINGPRODUCTORSERVICEISTHESURESTANDQUICKESTWAYTOSUCCESS.
BRANDNEWPRODUCTSORSERVICESAREUSUALLYVERYRISKY.
DONTLOOKFORGETRICHQUICKSCHEMES.IFITSOUNDSTOOGOODTOBETRUE,ITPROBABLYIS.
LOOKATTHELONGTERMPERSPECTIVE.
DECIDETOBEEXCELLENTATWHATEVERYOUDO.THISPROVIDESMORELEVERAGETHANANYOTHERFACTOR.
- 5. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 5 48 Business Ideas
OKAY,HEREARE48IDEASyoucantakeandmakethemyourowninanywayyouwant.Goahead,please
stealmyideasandthenletmeknowhowsuccessfulyouvebeen(askDan@48Days.com).Illbeyourmostexcited
fan.
- 6. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 6 1 Haulin Amish
WEALLKNOWTHEAMISHDONOTDRIVECARS.Butguesswhattheystillhavetogotoweddings,
funerals,doctorsvisitsandfamilyreunions.MyDadretiredfromfarmingwhenhewas62yearsold.Forthenext26
yearshehadadeliveryservicefortheAmish.Hehadseveralpassengervansinthatperiodoftimeasheputatonof
milesoneachone.(Healreadyhadafamilyvansotherewasnostartupcost.)HavingbeenraisedAmishhimself,he
lovedrelatingtothepeopleandsharingtheirlives.Hewouldoftenleaveat3:30AMtobeginpickinguppassengers,
transportingthemtowhatevereventtheywantedtoattend.Hisstandardrateatthattimewas$1.50permile.It
wasnotunusualforhimtotakeafamilytoanevent,stayovernightand
drivebackthenextday,coveringperhaps600700milesonthetrip.He
madedecentincomeandlovedwhathewasdoinguntilhemovedto
aretirementcenteratage88.
Atthispointthemileageratecouldeasilybemoreyoudothemath.
IsthereauniquegroupofAmish,elderly,foreignvisitors,ortourists
whereyoucouldprovideasimilarservice?Lookaroundyoumaybe
surprisedatthepossibilities.
- 7. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 7 2 Ron Baldwin artist
RONTRANSITIONEDFROMBEINGTHEPASTOROFACHURCHtobeingthe
artistGodcreatedhimtobe.Withnoformaltraininghenowdoesthesemagnicent
paintingsabstract,boldandwithamusicaltheme.Ratherthanbeingonemoregeneral
artist,Ronnarrowedhisfocustomusicandoralsandhasdoneextremelywell.Obviously,
startupmaterialswereminimalafewcanvasesandsomepaintandhewasabletostart.Whilehewasbuildinghis
reputationRondidfauxnishesinpeopleshomes.Buttodayhedoesnothingbutthese
verydistinctivepaintingsthataresoldthroughthenestgalleriesandinteriordesign
shopsacrossthenation.Thepaintingyouseehereandtheonehegavemeformyoceareexamplesof
his$10,000pieces.Yes,weallhearaboutstarvingartistsbutifthatisyourauthentic
tandifyoupositionyourselfasaspecialistasRonhasdonewithmusicthemes,you
canenjoymeaningfulworkandyourbesttoolforanancialwindfall.
http://ronaldbaldwin.com
- 8. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 8 3 Caricature
DOWHATYOULOVE:JoanneandIwereinvitedtoacorporateChristmasluncheon.Astheirguestswewere
treatedtolunchandothergoodies.Oneoftheothergoodieswastheprivilegeofhavingacaricaturedrawnby
TracyLatham.Tracysharedthathehadread48DaystotheWorkYouLovefouryears
agoanditinspiredhimtogointohisbusinessfulltime.Andthatbusinessisdrawing
theseincrediblecaricatures.
Yes,peopletoldhimthiswasnotrealisticorpracticalbuthemovedaheadanyway.
Nowhestaysbookedatcorporateevents,birthdayparties,conventions,conferences,
etc.Hecharges$100anhourwitha4hourminimumandisacontinualcrowdpleaser.
- 9. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 9
AcouplequestionslistedonTracyssitesay:
Q:Didyougotoschoolforthis,orareyounaturallytalented?
A:Iwenttoschooltodelayadulthood,andIamnaturallylazy.
Q:Whatdoyoudowhenyouarenotdoingthis(partycaricatures)?
A:WhenIamnotdrawingatgigs,Iamtryingtobookmoregigs.
Q:Doyoueverdootherkindsofart?
A:Onlyastimepermitsmymotherisstillwaitingforthatoilpaintingofduckson
alake.
Nowwhostellingyouitsunrealistictopursueyourdream?Andyes,thatsJoanneandmeinthecaricature
here.ApparentlyTracyknowswhosinthedriversseatinthishousehold.
Checkouthisinformationhere:TracyLathamsDrawingBoard(http://drawingboard.net)
- 10. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 10 4 Tree Carving
WEHAVEATREEINOURFRONTYARDthatwasdamagedbyastormandultimatelydied.Anormalperson
wouldhavecutdownthedeadtreeandremovedthestump.ButImnotanormalperson.Icringedatthethought
ofcuttingdownevenadeadtreeandbegantolookatthattreewithdierenteyes.IcalledthestorewhereI
boughtmychainsawandaskediftheyknewanyonewhodidwoodcarvings.ThreephonecallslaterItalkedwitha
ladynamedTerry.Shesaidthatwhileshedidwoodcarvingsinhershop,shehadneverdoneanythingonastanding
tree,butshewouldbewillingtogiveitashot.Shereferencedherwebsite(http://www.carvingsforchrist.com)and
weagreedtomeetafewdayslater.
- 11. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 11
Afterlookingattheincrediblecarvingsonherwebsite,Isentherabriefmessagerelayingmyexcitementabout
havinghercometoourhouse.IimmediatelygotthismessagebackfromTerry:NOWAY!!!YoureTHATDan
Miller???!?!?!!Well,welcometotheresultsofmyreadingyourbook48DaystotheWorkYouLove(www.
48Days.com).Whatagas!Iwasdyinginmyjob,readyourbook,andrealizedIreallywasntthebadpersonthey
werebrainwashingmeintothinkingIwasIgave2monthsnoticeatmyjob,andimmediatelyexperiencedapeace
thatsurpassesallunderstanding.IstartedtobreathedeeperthanIhadinyearsLifeissogoodnow!Ihavetons
ofenergy,[am]feelingcreative,andcangointomystudioandcarveaway...Thishasbeenthebestyearofmylifeso
far!
Doesthelifeyoucurrentlyhaveallowyoutobreathedeeply?Ifyourbreathingisshallowandconstrained,why
isthat?Whatwouldittaketoreleaseapeacethatsurpassesallunderstandingforyou?Bepreparedtotakean
unusualpath.Workthatsfulllingtoyoumaynotbeimmediatelyseenaspracticalandrealisticbythosearound
you.Trustme,youwillnotndtreecarverintheU.S.LaborDepartmentsDictionaryofOccupationalTitles.
- 12. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 12
Terrydidcomeouttoourhouse.Shewasabletoseetwoamazingfacesinthatdeadtree.Wethinkthefaces
looklikeperhapsAbrahamandMoses.Insteadofanuglystump,wenowhaveapermanentpieceofartinour
yard.Wehaveaddedowersandshrubsinourlittlewisdomgardenanditstherstplaceforconversation
whenpeoplevisitourhome.Terrybroughtachainsawandabagofchiselsandhammerscertainlyfarless
than$2000worthofmaterials.Ipaidher$500forwhatyouseehere.
Update:HeresTerryslatestworkonourproperty.Wehadalarge
cedartreethatdidnotcomebacktolifethisspringnotsurewhat
happened.ButitsrightoutsidemyoceandonceagainIwonderedif
therewassomethingtobesalvagedotherthananuglystump.Wecutit
uphighenoughthatthelowestbrancheswerestillintactandthisis
theeaglethatTerryfoundlurkinginsidethatdeadtree.
Whatyouseehereisrightaftershecompletedhercarving.Therehas
beennocoloradded.Therichredissimplythenaturalcolorofthecedar
wood.Ipaidher$1000forthisoneittookherpartsofthreedays.
SheshappyImhappy.
- 13. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 13
Asyoucanseeherewedecidedtogivetheeagleaname.Outofhundredsofnamessubmittedbyreadersof
the48Daysnewsletter,weselectedARISTOTLEbecauseitmeans"thebestpurpose."
StartupCosts:Asmallchainsaw,acoupleofhammersandagoodsetofcarvingtoolsmaybe$500.
- 14. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 14 5 Sidewalk Stamping
AYOUNGMANJUSTCOMPLETEDastampedconcretesidewalk
atourcountryhouse.AlthoughhehasonlyahighschooldegreeIpaid
himasahighlycompensatedprofessionalforhisuniqueability.He
attendedoneofmyseminarsandcomplainedthathewasstuckina
lowlyconstructionjob.Ihelpedhimexploretheuniqueareasof
competencehehasandwasblownawayashedescribedthisprocess
formakingpouredconcretelooklikeindividuallylaidstones.We
plannedoutawide,curvedsidewalkwithacentralcircletojointwo
directions.Hebuilttheneededforms,borrowedthestampingforms
fromafriend,andarrangedfortheconcretetobedelivered.Ipaidfor
theconcretewhenitarrived($438)anddeducteditfromthe$2000
pricewehadagreedon.Aswehaveconstantfriendsandvisitorsat
ourhouse,wewereabletoshowhisworkimmediately.Hisnextjobwasan$11,000drivewayandsidewalkforour
goodfriends.Thatgentlemansbrotherthenrequesteda$6000projectandthisyoungmanwentontogrossover
$100,000inhisrstfullyearinbusiness.
- 15. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 15
FreevideosonYouTube(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ8Sf46gTdM)
FreeTrainingBasics(http://www.concretedecor.net/Abstracts/CD401_Stamping_Basics.cfm)
Sourcesfortherequiredstampingforms(http://www.jobsitesupply.com/decorativeconcrete.php)
AlwayscheckeBay(http://business.shop.ebay.com/ConcreteStampsFormsMats/55804/i.html)
Thisisanopportunitytocombineaveryordinaryprocessconcretepouringwithalittleartisticabilityto
dramaticallyincreaseprots.StartupCosts:$3001000
- 16. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 16 6 Jim Hodges audio books
WHATISYOURDREAM?IhadtheprivilegeofinterviewingJimHodgesforateleseminartitled30Second
Commute:WorkingfromHome.Jimreadshistorybooks,makingaudiorecordingsthatmakehistorycomealivefor
studentsyoungandold.Hetravelstohomeschoolingconferencesandothereducationaleventstosharehis
products.Andnowbookpublishersarecomingtoaskhimtoproducetheiraudiorecordings.SohowdidJimnd
thislineofwork?Severalyearsago,whiletheywereoutonadinnerdate,Jimswifeaskedhim,Ifyoucoulddo
whateveryouwantedto,whatwouldthatbe?Jimimmediatelyreplied,Idreadhistorybooks.
Sohowdoyoutakethatkindofdreamandturnitintoareal,incomeproducingoutcome?Mostpeoplewouldhave
nisheddinnerandgonebacktothedrudgeryofreallife.However,withJim,theseedwassomehowplanted.
Insubmittinghisworkdescriptiontome,Jimsaid,Honestly,Ineverworkanymore.Theentirebusiness,from
recordingtomarketingtotravelingtoconventions,allofit,isimmenselypleasurableforme.(Youcanlistentoa
sampleofJimsenthusiasticreadingathttp://www.hentybooksontape.com)Whatcouldyoudoifyouactedonyour
realdreamsratherthansquashingthem?
- 17. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 17
Aretherebooksyoucanreadwithoutthecomplexityofauthorpermission,royaltiesandlicenseissue?
Absolutelytherearethousandsofbooksinthepublicdomainthatarewaitingtobebroughtbacktolifeina
formatthatisdemandedbytodayslearners.
ProjectGutenberg(http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page)istheplacewhereyoucandownloadover
30,000freeebooks. Heresanotherusefulsite:http://www.authorama.com/
Ifyourenotfamiliarwithpublicdomainbooksyoucanreaduponithere:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain
- 18. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 18 7 Flipping Cars
IDONTHATEMYJOB,BUTWhenImetMikeSparks,hewasworkingatNissanmanufacturing,inajobthat
mostpeoplewouldconsidertheAmericandream.Greatpay,greatbenets,andallthesecurityofatraditionaljob.
Buthewasrestless,lookingformore.MikesaysImtheonlyonewhoencouragedhimtoexploresomenew
optionsandtakeaction.Whenwerstmet,hewasalreadyexperimentingwithsellingcarsoneBay.Inoneofhis
initialtransactions,MikeboughtaredJaguarconvertible,checkedeverydetail,solditonline,andmademoremoney
fromthecarssalethanhewouldhavemadeinamonthathisrealjob.Afterlookingatthesuccesshehadalready
experienced,Iencouragedhimtoquithisjobandexpandhiscarbusinesstoafulltimeopportunity.
- 19. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 19
Everyoneelsetoldhimhewascrazyforthinkingaboutleavingagreatjob.ButlastyearMikesold150carsfrom
hisMidTNAutos(http://www.midtnautos.com)inSmyrna,Tennessee.
Thereareapproximately135cardealersinthesamecountyasMike,butfully60percentofhissaleslastyear
werecompletedovertheInternet.HesdeliveredcarstoCostaRica,Germany,andawholelotofother
interestingplaces.
Inlookingatanybusinessidea,IencouragetheownertohavewhatIcallauniquesellingproposition(USP).
Whatwillyoubedoingthatisnotbeingdonewellbyanyoneelse?MikesUSPwasthathewasoneoftherstto
perfecttheprocessofsellingcarsontheInternet.
IhavepurchasedelevenvehiclesfromMikeandhiswife,Felicia,inthelastcoupleofyears.Heresyetanother
exampleofsomeonewholookedinward,recognizedhisuniquestrengths,createdaplan,andactedonthat
plan.
IhaveboughtandsoldcarssinceIwas14yearsold.ItsjustsomethingIenjoyandunderstand.Thereare
countlessrepossessionandotherautoauctionsyoucanattend.HereintheNashvilleareathereareregular
monthlyauctionsthatanyonecanparticipatein.Youmusthavecashreadytogoandobviouslyyoumusthavea
prettygoodunderstandingofthecarbusiness.Ifacariscomingacrosstheauctionblockyoumayhave30
secondstodecideifyouwillbuyitornot.Notestdrive,nocheckingCarFaxandnoguaranteeofanything.But
whenyouhavethepotentialtobuycarsatdeep,deepdiscountsyoustillhavetheopportunitytomakegreat
prots.
- 20. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 20
Indthatcarsinthelowerpricerangeareeasiertondandtoresell.
Heresafree12ebookstudycourseonbeingacardealer:http://www.dealerlicense.com/
Youllneedtoknowtherequirementsforsellingcarsinyourstate.Moststateswillallowyoutosell4or5carsa
yearwithnodealerlicense.Beyondthatyouwilllikelyneedtohavealicense.Andthatmayrequirealot,asign
andliabilityinsurance.Havingadealerlicensewillkeepyoufromhavingtopayyourstatesalestaxoneach
vehicleamajorconsiderationthateatsintoprotsquickly.
HeresacarIboughtrecentlyfor$800:
- 21. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 21 Heresanotheronefor$1000:
AtthetimeofpurchaseKellyBlueBookshowedaretailvalueof$2575.Thisis1993ChryslerNewYorker.
Purchasedbrandnewbyagentlemanforhiswife.Afterherdeathhetoldhisneighborhewantedtosellthe
car.Istoppedbyandgavehimexactlywhathewasaskinganincredibledealonaoneownercar.Its
immaculateineveryway.Youseetheproudnewownerhere.Inolongersellcars.Isimplyenjoyndinggreat
carsforpeoplewhoneedahelpinghand.
- 22. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 22 Thiswasa1993Volvo760
IvepurchasedcarsfromeBay,Craigslist,auctions,banks,yardsales,andsettinginfrontyards.Myformulafor
gettinggreatdealsisAlwaysbereadyandneverbeinahavetoposition.Ijusthavefunlookingandamalways
amazedatthedealsavailable.
Ifyouknowcars,haveapleasantpersonalityandenjoyservingpeople,thisisagreatbusinesstobein.
StartupCosts:Obviouslyawiderangebutyes,youcangetstartedwith$400500andworkyourwayupin
workingcapitalquicklybyaccumulatingprots.
- 23. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 23 8 Massage
ASMOREANDMOREPEOPLEWORKWHILESITTINGDOWN,thelevelofstressandtightmuscles
increases.Ifyouvegotahealingtouchyoumaybeacandidateforprovidingmassages.Yougetthebenetsofa
lowcoststartupandthesatisfactionofmakingtheworldamorepeaceful,relaxingplace.JoanneandIget
massageseveryFridayafternoon.Oneofreasonswechoseourmassagetherapistisbecauseshecomestoour
house,setshertableupinoursparebedroomandwetaketurnsforouronehourmassage.Thenwearerelaxed,
readyforourFridaynightdateandanenjoyableevening.
Nowyoumaythinkyouhavetondwealthyclientstomakethiswork.Notnecessarilyso.JoanneandIconsider
thisanessentialpartofourhealthmaintenancenotsomeextravagantluxury,butalegitimatemethodof
removingtoxinsandstressfromourbusylives.Wearecurrentlypaying$60/hr.
Forbothofusplustipwepay$135weekly.
- 24. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 24
Youmayneedtobelicensedtocallyourselfamassagetherapist.CheckwiththeAmericanMassageTherapy
Association(http://www.amtamassage.org/government/state_laws.html)tondoutifyourstateisoneof
them.IknowthismaybeapointofcontentionforsomemassagetherapistsbutIhavefoundthatsomepeople
haveempathyforpeople,havestudiedmassageandhaveasoothing,restfulnaturewithouteverhaving
gottenaspeciclicense.Personally,Immoreinterestedintheskillsofthepersonthanthedegreesor
certications.
Costsofabout$1000shouldprovideyouwithatable,amusicsource,someoils,towelsandmassagecrme.$25
to$60anhourseemstocovertherangeoffees.Thisisabusinessthatgrowsbestbyreferrals.Iwouldnot
chosesomeonebecauseofseeinganadinthepaperorgettingaletterinthemail.Thisisaverypersonal
serviceandyourbusinesswillgrowbecausepeoplelikeandtrustyou.
YoucanalsocheckwiththeNationalCerticationBoardforTherapeuticMassage&Bodywork
(http://www.ncbtmb.org/).
- 25. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 25 9 Kettle Corn
THISISTHEFAMILYSIZEBAGOFPOPCORNandits$21.00.IseethisvendoratlotsofmiddleTennessee
eventsanditalwaysblowsmymind.Thereisalwaysalonglinewaitingforthechancetopurchasethispopcorn.
Itskettlecornmeaningyoucanwatchthempopitinbigcopperkettles.Theystiritwithlongpaddlesaddlots
ofsaltandsugarbutcertainlynothingthatunusual.Imconvinceditspartlythe
incrediblesmellandmainlyjustthenoveltyofseeingitmadeinthisway.Andof
course,itisgood.Butoneoftheyoungworkerstoldmetheywillsellaround2000
bagsinatypicalday.Letsassumetheaverageisforamediumbagwhichisonly
$6.00.Thats$12,000grossrevenueandtrustme,thecostofmaterialsisprobably
nomorethan10%ofthat.Soundslikeagreatbusinesstome.
Thereareawholelotofbusinessopportunitiesoutthereforkettlecorn.
(http://www.popnmama.com/opportunity.htm)Andyoullndnancingdealsto
enticeyoutojuststartwitha$10,000setup.Obviously,Imnotrecommendingthat
here.
- 26. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 26
Ithinksomeoftheappealisinhavingasimpleoperationlikeshownhere:
Akettleonanopenamejustmakestheproductmoreappealingthathavingit
comeoutfrombehindsomefancycounter.Keepitsimpleandreapmore prots.
ThelocalguywhoworksalltheFranklin,TNeventsstartedhisbusinesssohe
couldhavesomethingthatwouldinvolvehiswifeandchildren.Youcanread
hisstoryhere:http://aceskettlecorn.com/ StartupCosts:$5001000
- 27. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 27 10 Piano Tuning
YES,THISISSTILLAVERYBIGBUSINESS.Howbig?ItisestimatedthateverythirdhouseinAmericahasa
piano,andpianosshouldbetunedonceortwiceayear.Ihaveafriendthatdoespianotuningfulltimeandstays
bookedweeksinadvance.Hecharges$70pertuningandnormallydoes4
or5aday.Withtwoweeksothatworksouttobeabout$70,000annually.
Industryaveragesshowpianotuningfeesrangefrom$70to$120.
Experiencedtunersspendabout1hourperpiano,tuningupto4perday.
AmericanSchoolofPianoTuningappearstobethebiggesttrainingschool
forthis.Isentfortheirinformationandreceivedtheircourseoerat$1490.BeforeIhadachancetorespondI
receivedasecondmailinginformingmeofsomeunexpectedreturns.I
couldnowpurchasetheentiretenlessonprogramandallthenecessary
toolsandequipmentforstartingmyownbusinessforonly$745.Youhaveuptoayeartoreturnyourlessonsbut
theysayyoucanalsocompletetheentireprogramin40hours.
- 28. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 28
AmericanSchoolofPianoTuninghttp://www.pianotuning.com/
Likemanytrainingprogramsitappearsthepianotuningschoolsteachyoutotunepianostheydontteachyou
howtorunabusiness.Andlikeanyprofessional,whetheryoureadoctor,dentistorattorney,justhavingthe
skilldoesntmakeyousuccessful.Youhavetounderstandhowtomarketandsellyourservice.
Thisisagreatexampleofaveryspecializedareaofexpertisebutnotalongorexpensiveprocesstogetinto.I
thinkitsasleeperareaofopportunity.Onceyouarereadytogoyoucandoyourmarketingandbeinbusiness.
StartupCosts:$5001000
- 29. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 29 11 Dry cleaning pickup
SEVERALYEARSAGOwhenIstillhadanoceintownayoungmanwalkedinonemorning.Heaskedifwe
wouldbeinterestedinhavinghimpickupourdrycleaning.HewouldpickuponTuesdayandThursdayandreturn
itemsonthosesamedays.Wewouldpaythesameratesasifwewalkedinthedoorofthedrycleanerourselves.
Obviouslythiswasanobrainer.Whywouldntwesaveourselvesthehassleofdrivingtothedrycleaner,tryingto
rememberwhatdayouritemswouldbeready,orrunninginthroughtherain?
Andhowdoesthismakesensefortheyoungmandoingthepickupanddeliveries?Keepinmindthatmarketingisa
majorexpenseforanydrycleaner.Inthiscasethedrycleanerwaswillingtopay40%ofthetotalchargeinexchange
forthenewbusiness.Andjustsupposetheyoungmanwasabletobringin$20,000worthofbusinessamonth?
Andtheseareprettyrealgures.
Hiscosttostartprobablylessthan$10.Healreadyhadafamilyvan.Whenheapproachedourocehedidnt
havebusinesscardsorinvoices.Hehadasimpleonepageyerexplaininghisservice.
http://www.drycleaningandmore.com/
- 30. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 30 12 Window Washing
SEVERALYEARSAGOIHADANEMERGENCYMEETINGwithaladywhojustdiscoveredherhusbandhad
leftandwasnotcomingback.Shehad4smallchildrenandwasafulltimeMom.Shewasindesperateshape
nanciallyandwonderedwhereshecouldgetajob.However,inhelpingherassesshermarketableskillswehad
dicultycomingupwithanythingthatwouldgethermorethanan$810/hrposition.
Isuggestedthatwelookformorecreativeoptions.Hereswhatwecameupwith.ShewenttoWalMartand
purchasedabucketandsqueegee.Withthatshetookheroldestchildwithherandwentupanddownoneprimary
businessstreetinsouthNashville,oeringtocleantheirwindows.Shefoundareceptivemarketforherservices
anddiscoveredshecouldmake$5060andhourbybiddingthejobsinadvance.
Ihadwantedtohelpherndsomethingshecoulddoforadayortwotojustgetimmediateincome.Window
washingworkedsowellshecontinuedtodothatforover4monthswhileshethenmadeplanstomoveintoa
professionalsellingjobwhereshehasdoneverywell.
- 31. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 31
Windowwashingappearstoworkbestinlargestripmalls.Andalwayschargebythetotaljoborbythewindow.
Itdoesntmakeanysensetoworkbythehourinthiskindofbusiness.Asanexample,youmightcharge$18for
alargewindowonethatwouldtakeabout10minutestoclean.
Tobefullypreparedyoumaywanttoinvestin: ABUCKET AMMONIA
DISHWASHINGDETERGENT ABRUSHONALONGHANDLE ASIXINCHSQUEEGEE
ATWELVEINCHSQUEEGEE SOMERAGSANDSPONGES
Theresevenawindowcleaningassociationyoucanjoin.
InternationalWindowCleaningAssociationhttp://www.iwca.org/
Yourtotalstartupcostsshouldnotbemorethan$2030.
- 32. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 32 13 Real Estate Signs
HEREINWILLIAMSONCOUNTY,Tennesseewehavealotofrealestateactivity,eveninsloweconomictimes.
Adambeganoeringtherealestateocesaservicewherehewouldputupthesignsfortheweekendopenhouses.
TypicallythatmeansgoingaroundandputtingthemonstrategiccornersonFridayor
Saturday.ThenonSundaynighthewouldgoaroundandretrievethosesamesigns.His
chargewasonly$6.00each.Haveyoueverseenarealestateagentinhighheelstryingto
getanopenhousesigninthegroundduringarainstorm?Doyouthinkthatagentwouldbe
willingtopay$6.00tonothavetoriskpersonalinjuryandscrapesontheMercedes?
Adamwasdoingabout200signsaweekend.Keepinmindoneopenhousemayrequire4
or5signs.Youdoyourownmathonthepossibilities.Adamhasasmallpickuptruckthat
washispersonalvehicle.Ifyoualreadyhaveatruckyourstartupcostsmaybeasimpleyer
toadvertiseyourservice.Youcangetpermissiontoplaceoneofthoseinthepersonalmail
boxesofeachagentattheirbrokersoceavoidingevenpostagecosts.
StartupCosts:Possibly$50forsomeniceyersplusyourownpickuptruckorsmalltrailer.
- 33. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 33 14 House Cleaning
ThisisayoungladythatmywifeJoannehasbeenmentoring.Andthisistheactualyersheusedtogetstarted.
Ratesforhousecleaninginourarearangefrom$2045perhourbaseda3BRhousewhichisbasicallya4hourjob
foranexperiencedcleaner.
- 34. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 34
WithCatherinesbackgroundshestruggledtonda$10/hrjob.Andwithasmallchildtherigidtimedemandsof
arealjobwerediculttomanage.Cleaninggiveshertheprideofrunningherownsimplebusiness,time
exibilitylikeshewouldneverhaveinajob,andthepotentialtoearnsignicantlymoreincome.
StartupCostsapproximately$10forahandfulofyersplus$50forinitialcleaningsupplies.
- 35. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 35 15 Home Inspection
INSPECTIONOFAHOMEhasbecomeanexpectedpartofthepurchaseprocess.Ifyouaresomeonewhoisa
handymananyway,youmayndthistobeaneasyt.Whiletherearespecicskillsneeded,itappearsgoodpeople
skillsandtheabilitytoseedetailsthatothersmaynotseearetheessentialcharacteristicsrequired.
Intodaysenvironmentitalsohelpstohavedecentcomputerskillsasyourreportswillneedtohaveaprofessional
look.Andthecomputersoftwareavailablewillmakeyourworkmuchmoreecientaswellasattractive.
Itisestimatedthat5.37millionhomeinspectionswereconductedintheUnitedStateslastyearandthatnumberis
increasingevenwithaslowdownintransactions.Thereappearstobealongtermdemandforqualiedindividuals
tostarthomeinspectionbusinesses.Homeinspectorstypicallychargefrom$275to$375toinspectanaverage
home.Dependingonyourmarketareayoucouldearn$1000ormoreinasingledayinspectinghomes.
- 36. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 36
Thisisadevelopingareaofexpertisesolicensingregulationsvarystatebystate.Youcancheckoutthe
requirementsforyourstatehere:
http://www.homeinspectioninstitute.com/regulations.htmlYoumayhavetopassatestinyourstatetothenbe
licensedasahomeinspector.
Mostofthetrainingprogramsarestudysystemsthatyoustudyonyourown.
Hereareacoupleofexamples: ProfessionalHomeInspectionInstitute:
http://www.homeinspectioninstitute.com/index.html
StratfordCareerInstitute$589.00
http://www.scitraining.com/Courses_US/Home_Inspector/Tuition.htm
Setupreferralrelationshipswithlocalrealestateagents,bankers,andmortgageoriginators.
StartupCosts:Appeartorangefrom$399to$1499.00
- 37. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 37 16 Translator
LISASTOPPEDMEAFTERASEMINARPRESENTATION.Shehada$10/hrjobandfelttrappedbecauseshe
didnthaveacollegedegree.Ihada5minuteconversationwithher,askingwhatuniqueskillsshehad.She
mentionedthatshehadbeenborninMexicobutmovedtotheU.S.asalittlegirl.HerEnglishwasimpeccable,
however,shewascompletelyuentinSpanishaswell.Isuggestedshepositionherselfasatranslatorand
describedhowshecoulddothat.ApproximatelyonemonthlaterIranintoLisaagain.Sheshowedmeherbusiness
card.OnonesideitsaidLisaChamberstranslator.OntheothersideitsaidLisaChamberstraducor.Shetoldme
shehadcontactedaboutsixlegalrmsandaboutthatmanymedicalclinics,oeringtotranslateinthecourtroomor
inhospitalsituations.Sherelatedacoupleassignmentsshehadjustcompleted.Asmallchildhadbeenbroughtto
NashvillefromBoliviaforacomplicatedeyeprocedure.Lisaspentthreedayswiththefamilyinthehospital,
translatingthedoctorsinformationintotheirnativelanguageat$50anhour.Shesaidthoseinitialcontactswere
keepingherbookedapproximately20hoursaweek.Andthatwasasmuchasshewantedtodo.
Herstartupcostforherrst500businesscards$10.(http://www.vistaprint.com)
Formoreinformation:AmericanTranslatorsAssociation(http://atanet.org)
- 38. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 38 17 Telephone/Address
Books
THISISYETANOTHEROFTHEREALBUSINESSESIhavedonemyself.Haveyoueverseenthefancy
brochureschurchesgiveouttovisitors?Theyareextremelycostlytothechurchandhaveaveryshortlifespan.
Someareleftinthechurchpews,somemakeittotheparkinglotandafewendupontopofthemicrowaveat
home.
Whatifwecouldgivethevisitorsomethingniceenoughtheywouldneverthrowitawayandwhatifthechurch
couldhandoutthatgiftwithabsolutelynocosttothematall?IpurchasedareallyniceTelephone/Addressbook
fromourlocalbookstorefor$10.36,includingtax.ThenIwenttoaprominentBaptistchurchandaskedhowthey
wouldliketoreceive1000freeTAbookswiththeirchurchlogoorimageonthefrontcover.Wewouldalsoputfour
pagesinthefrontofthebookswiththescheduleofservices,planofsalvation,photosofsta,orwhateverthey
wishedtoinclude.Knowingthesewerea$10valuethatwasoeringtogivethem$10,000worthofpromotional
materialatnocost.
AllIexpectedinreturnwasalistofprofessionalbusinesspeopleinthechurchandthelocalbusinessesthechurch
usedasvendors.Iwantedalistofatleast50businessesrealestateandinsuranceagents,thepastorsfavorite
restaurant,thecompanythatputanewroofonlastyearorpavedtheparkinglot,thehotelwheretheybooked
guests,etc.Thechurchwouldalwayswillinglygavemethatlist.Iwouldthenapproachthosebusinessesandgive
theopportunitytohighlighttheirbusinesstothatcaptiveaudience.
- 39. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 39
Puttingsevenadspotsontheinsidefrontcover,theinsideandoutsidebackcovergaveme21spaces.Atacost
of$395eachthatwouldgenerate$8295.IwouldcollectinfullasIcommittedthosespaces.ThenIdidasimple
layoutforeachadmyself,hadthe1000booksprintedatacostofabout$4.00each,deliveredthebookstothe
gratefulchurchandput$4295inmypocket.Iwouldtypicallycompleteabookin4or5days.Iwouldnormally
dotwoamonth,allowingmetwoweeksamonthtodevelopmycoachingbusiness,buildingitfromastartupto
wherethatincomeovertooktheTAbooksales.
Incidentally,Idiscoveredotherorganizationsthatwereevenmoreprotable.Banks,collegesandnonprots
weregreatcustomers.IcompletedonebookfortheUAWattheCorvetteplantinBowlingGreen,KYwhereI
justkeptputtinginmoreinsidepagesforadsbecauseeveryonewantedtobeincluded.OnthatoneInetted
over$8200formyeorts.
P.S.Berealisticaboutthewaytelephone/addressbookusagehaschanged.Imnotsurethissameconcept
wouldbeasviabletoday.Peopleuseelectronicaddressbooksmorethanphysical.Perhapstheresan
electronicversionofwhatIdescribedhere.
- 40. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 40 18 Wood Chip Merchant
ACOUPLEOFYEARSAGOInoticedtherewereaseveraltreecompaniesworkinginourneighborhood.Their
assignmentwastocutthetreesbackwherevertherewasdangerofthemfallingagainstpowerlines.Theirwork
oftenleftthetreeslookingmisshapenanddistorted,thustheywere
frowneduponandtreatedbadlybymostoftheneighborhoodresidents,
eventhoughtheyweredoingworkthatneededtobedone.Whilethey
WereonmypropertyIconcludedthatIwouldgetbetterresultsifI
Befriendedtheworkers.IndoingsoIalsodiscoveredthattheyhadto
driveabout15milesoutinthecountrytodumpeachtruckloadoffreshly
chippedwood.Iaskediftheywouldmindjustdumpingthechipsfrommy
propertyrightthereinabigpile.Theylaughedatthethoughtofnot
havingtowasteanhourdrivingtotheirnormaldumpsite.Whatthey
thoughtwastrashIrecognizedasabonusforme.
- 41. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 41
Overthecourseofaboutsixmonthsthosetreecompaniesbroughtmeapproximately120truckloadsofchips.I
haveusedthemfornaturetrails,playgroundareasandincoveringareasformerlyfullofrocksandthorns.
NeighborshaveaskedmeiftheycouldbuychipsfrommeandwonderedhowIwassolucky.
IfIwerelookingforanothersourceofincomeIcouldsellthisfreeproduct,installplaygroundsorcreate
naturetrailsasIhavedoneonourproperty. Costofbusinesszero.
- 42. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 42 19 Chauffeur
DRIVECELEBRITIESorjusttakesomeonetotheirdoctorsvisit.ChaueursshouldobtainthestandardClassD
licenseinadditiontoaforhire("F")endorsement.Toreceivetheendorsement,applicantsmustbeatleast18years
old,meettheeligibilityrequirements,passavisiontest,andpassaspecializedknowledgetest.Theendorsement
costs$4.50.
ACommercialDriversLicenseisrequiredonlyifthevehicleisdesignedtotransportatleast16people(includingthe
driver).Youcanchargebythehour,bytheperson,bythetriporjusttobeoncall.Getcreativeaboutwhatworks
foryou. Buyanoldlimoandyouresetforweddings,promsorotherspecial
occasions.Youmayalreadyhaveavehicleyoucoulduseandifnot,
yes,therearestillinterestingbuysoutthereinthe$2000rangehey,
alittlepaintandyourereadytogo.
- 43. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 43 20 Pet Walking/Sitting
WHILEIWASINSANFRANCISCOforaconferenceItookabreaktoenjoyanoutdoorcafononeofthehilly
streets.Ayounggalwalkedupandsatdownhavingfourdogsintow.Istruckupaconversationwithherand
obviouslyaskedaboutherdogs.Shesaidshewasastudentbutwalkeddogsashersourceofincome.Itwaseasy
totargetbusyprofessionalsrightthereintheareawhereshelived.Shecharged$15fora30minutewalkbut
alwayshadatleastfourdogsatatimesometimesmore.Plus,shewouldwalkthematleasttwiceaday.Andfor
othersshewassimplycheckingonthemwhiletheownerswereonvacationortravelingonbusiness.The
combinationprovidedheraregular$700800weeklyincome.YoumaynotliveinSanFranciscobutIllbetthe
potentialisnotmuchdierentwhereveryouare.
StartupCostsmaybe$10forsomecoollookingbusinesscardsoryers.
- 44. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 44 21 Custom Tailored
Clothing
THISISONEJOANNEDIDwhileIwasingraduateschool.Wehadonesmallchildatthatpointandwedidnt
wanthertohavetobecommittedtoarealjob.Shehasalwaysenjoyedcreativesewingandhadagreatsewing
machinealready.
Butthenichewequicklydiscoveredwasinmakingclothesforhardtotwomen.Somelarge,
someshortandwide,somewithveryuniquephysicaloddities.AndtheylovedJoanne.Herewas
someonewhowouldtalkwiththemwithcompassionandthencreatebeautifulclothingtailored
totheirspecicneeds.FromthebeginningJoannehadabacklogofprojectswaitingtobe
completed.Andagain,shecouldmonitorhertimesofamilyneedscamerst.
Shepricedherworkbythecompletedgarmentandcouldmake$400500aweekparttime.
StartupcostsforJoannezero.Obviously,shealreadyhadasewingmachineasIwouldexpect
anyonewhoisacandidateforthistohave.Iwouldnotrecommendthisasabusinessfor
someonewhodidnotalreadyhavealotofexperiencesewing.
- 45. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 45 22 Painting interior
&exterior
YES,THISISANOTHEROFMYREGULARSTANDBYS.Ienjoypaintingyoucanseeabigdierence
immediately,everythingisfreshandcleananditsprettyeasytodoagreatjob.Plus,itsamonotonous,repetitive
jobthatallowsforlisteningtopositive,motivationalaudioprograms.
Morethanonce,whileingraduateschoolIchosetopaintasameansofgeneratingincome.Iwouldbidthejobsin
advanceandthencompletethemonmyowntimeasIwasalwaystakingclassesatthesametime.SoIcouldbe
exibleifIhadatestorifIneededtobewithmyfamily.TypicallyIwasdoinginsideroomsinvacanthousessoI
couldshowupat9:00PMandgetalotdonewithnointerruptions.
StartupCostsacoupleofgoodbrushes(approximately$15)
- 46. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 46 23 Plant Rental
ILOVETHISPARTICULARBUSINESSIDEA.AladyIknewfoundthistobea
veryprotablebusiness.Mostocebuildings,medicalanddentaloces,andlotsof
otherprofessionalbuildingsliketohaveplantsaspartofthedcor.Plantsaddan
immediatehominess,cleantheairandjustgivetheappearanceofawelcomingplace.
Buthowmanyofthoseplaceshaveanemployeeorownerwhocandoagreatjobof
takingcareofthoseplants?Notmany.Andifthebusinessbuystheplantstheyhave
theimmediateneedofsomeonebeingcompetenttocareforthosesameplants.
- 47. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 47
WhatDebbiediscoveredisthatrentingtheplantsisanattractivepropositionforbusinesses.Andvery
protableforher.Shepricesherrentalssothatsherecaptureshercostontheplantintherst90days.Soif
herwholesalecostonaplantis$20therentalfeewillbe$7.00/monthly.Thatseemstobereadilyacceptedby
thebusinesses.AndyoucanseewherethisleadsforDebbie.
Herresponsibilityistoshowupandcareforthoseplantsotherwiseshelosesherinvestment.Ifshehada
plantdieintherst90daysshewouldactuallylosemoney.BUTifshecarefullycaresfortheplantsshemay
haveplantfor3years.Letsjustusethatasanexample.Forexample,letsimagineadoctorsocethatnow
has10plants.Thats$70amonthforbeautifullookingplantsthatareguaranteedtolookhealthyandvibrant
fromnowonforever.IftheyeverneedtobereplacedDebbiewilltakecareofthatimmediately.Butletsjust
saythatsheknowsherplantswellandmaintainsthemperfectlyforthreeyears.Shemayevenrotatetheplants
tootherbusinesstoprovidechangingvariety.Butonthoseoriginal10plants,withacostof$20,herinvestment
was$200.Duringtherstthreemonthssheissimplyrecapturinghercosts.Inmonth4the$70isallprot.So
inourexampleiftheplantshadanaveragelifeof36months,shewouldhave33monthsofprotswithnocost
otherthanhertime,travelexpensesandperhapsalittlefertilizer.Sothatwouldbe$2310inprotsor$770per
year.Nowthatsonelocation.Youcandoyourownmultiplesofthat.Ifyouhad100plantsinplacethatwould
be$7700,vehundredwouldgrowthatto$38,500.Couldyoumaintain500plantswhereyouneededtocheck
onthemonceaweek?Idontknow.Iwouldthinkitwouldbemorethanadequateifyouspent1minuteper
plant.Thatwouldbeabout2hoursaday,vedaysaweekor5hoursaday,twodaysaweek.Seemslike
thatsworkable.
Startupcosts:$5002000(dependingonyourinitialinventory)
- 48. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 48 24 Tip Enhancer
WHATIFYOURANASEMINARteachingwaitershowtoincreasetheirtips.Howtoservebetterandreceive
biggertipsguaranteedresults.Doyouknowhowmuchvariancethereisinwhatwaitersandwaitressesreceive
fortheirwork?Yes,Iknowtherearesuggestedguidelinesfortippinginrestaurants(1020%)Butdoyouknowhow
muchdierencethatrangecanmeanforayoungpersonhopingtopayforcollegeor
thatrstcar?
Studiesshowthatwaiterscanboosttheirtipsfrom10to100percentbydoinganyof
thefollowing: LIGHTLYTOUCHINGTHECUSTOMER SMILINGATTHECUSTOMER
SQUATTINGNEXTTOTHETABLE INTRODUCINGTHEMSELVESBYNAME
THANKINGTHEMFORDININGTHERE FORECASTINGGOODWEATHER
DRAWINGASMILEYFACEONTHECHECK
- 49. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 49
WhatifyoupromotedatwohourworkshoponaSaturdaymorning,charging$25witha30daymoneyback
guarantee?Ifsomeonedidnotincreasetheirincomebyatleastthe$25inthenext30daysyouwouldrefund
theirmoney.Whatifyoufoundalocalrestaurantthatwaslookingfornewhirestoprovidebreakfastorlunch?
OryoucouldndaCrackerBarrel,LogansorFamousDavestosponsoryoureventwitha$1500fee?
Couldyouattract50participantsbyspreadingthewordthroughthehundredsofrestaurantsinyourarea.The
localnewspaperjustdidafeaturestoryhereinFranklin,TNwhenthenewNissanheadquartersopened.They
saidthereare150restaurantswhereyoucangetlunchwithina1mileradiusofthatnewocebuilding.And
thatdidnotcountthoseplaceopenonlyfordinner.Thepoolofprospectsisenormousandmostneverget
anytrainingonhowtoincreasetheirtips.
Ifyoupositionedyourseminarcorrectlyyoucouldattractcabdrivers,hotelbellhops,hairdressers,manicurists,
massagetherapists,housekeepers,babysitters,andpizzadeliverydrivers.Promotewithyersandposters.
Thisisauniqueideayoucancontactlocalradiostationsandbookyourselfwithliveinterviewsleadingupto
theseminardates.
- 50. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 50 25 Bicycle Repair &
Service
THESUMMERWHENMYSONJaredwas14hebeganaskingabouthowhecouldmakesomeextramoney.
Thecommonthingfora14yroldtodowouldhavebeentomowyardsordeliverpapers.Butthathaslittle
uniqueness.
Atthetimewelivedinacommunityof438homes,representinglotsofkidsandlotsof
bikes.Isuggestedthathedobikerepairashewasanavidbikerhimself,verygoodwith
mechanicsandhadalreadybeentherepairmanforfamily.
Ihelpedhimcreateonesimpleyerannouncingthisweeksspecial.Andthatwas$5.00
attirerepair.ButhealsooeredfreepickupanddeliveryamajorUSPforbusymoms
anddads.Andwhatdoyousupposemostbikeswithaattireneed?Otherrepairs.Jared
wouldcallhiscustomersandsuggestatuneupnewchain,adjustgears,cleanup,etc.
andwouldcreatereasonableincomefarbeyondthe$5.00repair.
Wehungthoseiersonabouthalfthedoorsinourneighborhoodonetimeonly.That
littlepromotionkeptJaredbusyallsummerlongandallowedhimtomake$200300a
weekparttime.
- 51. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 51 26 Window Tinting
WHENMYOLDESTSONKevinwas14yearsoldwesenthimtoathreedaytrainingforautomotivewindow
tinting.WehadfuncomingupwithanameSunShieldhadsomeyellowplasticvisorsimprintedwithhislogoand
nameandstartedspreadingtheword.AtthetimeIownedanautoaccessoriesbusinesssowehadaprettyready
audience.ButKevinbuilthisowncustomerlistanddidtheworkinourgarageatourhouse.Hedidnthavea
driverslicensebutpeoplewoulddroptheirJaguars,Mercedes,VolvosandPorschesoatourhousetogethis
meticulouswork.
Kevinwasasophomoreinhighschoolsothiswasparttime,afterschoolwork.Butworkingtwoorthreeeveningsa
weekhefoundhecouldmake$200300aweek.Thatfundedhisgrowinginterestinbicycleracing.
Whiletherearenolicensesorcredentialsrequiredforwindowtintingaperson
wouldbewisetogetsomeinitialtraining.Thereareenoughtricksofthetrade
thatmakeitworthwhiletoavoidcostlymistakes.
HereareacoupleIjustfoundonline.
http://www.windowtinting.com/5dayprogramfor$1200
http://www.autowindowtinting.com14HourDVDTrainingProgram$275
KevinsinitialcostasIrememberitwasabout$450forthetrainingandhisinitialsupplies.
- 52. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 52 27 Graffiti Removal
JUSTDOWNTHEROADfromwherewelivedafewyearsagotherewasanoldrailroadunderpass.Itprovideda
onelanepassthroughsocarswouldwaitpatientlyfortheirturntopassunderthetraintrack.Allsideswere
concreteandthatprovidedanapparentirresistiblecanvasforlocalgratiartiststosharetheirtalents.
Unfortunately,ratherthanjustartisticdesignstheyoftenleftvulgarandobscenemessagesforalltosee.
Iacceptedthechallengeasaconcernedneighborhoodresidentandmadeafungameofcoveringtheirtime
consumingartassoonasitappeared.Iboughtacaseofwhitespraypaintandjustkeptitwithmeinmycar.
Whenevernewgratishowedup,Idjustjumpoutofmycarandcoveritwithfreshwhitepaint.InthebeginningI
probablypaintedacoupleoftimesaweek,thenitslowedtoacoupleamonth
andeventuallythegratijuststoppedshowingupatall.
MypartwaseasyandmykidsthoughtitwashilariousthatIwasthedudetaking
onthegangs.Ineverhadapersonalencounterwithanartistandsimply
decidedthattheywerenotgoingtodegradeourneighborhood.
Doyouthinkyoucouldgetpaidfordoingthesameinyourtown.Andthe
answertothatquestionisYes.
- 53. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 53 28 Unicycle or any
unique item
ANONLINEPRESENCEmakesitpossibletobeextremelysuccessfulwithnicheproducts.Readthisstoryabout
howaguywhoenjoyedunicyclesfoundhimselfthrustintoanexplodingbusiness.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/68369
Ilovethisstorybecauseitsjustoneexampleofhowanunusualproductcangettractionwith
anonlinepresence.Youwouldneverwanttoopenaretailstoreforunicycles.Witharetail
locationyouwillhaveaboutavemileradiusofpotentialcustomers.Youwouldhavetohave
100%oftheprospectsinthattinymarketareaandalsohavetodealwithleases,signpermits,
retailhours,andemployees.Withanonlinesiteyoucaninstantlyhaveaccesstotheentire
worldandevenwithanicheproductifyougetatinypercentageoftheprospectsyoucan
knockitoutoftheparknancially.Andyouavoidallofthelogisticsofhavingaretailstore.
ThisisarealitythatalotofpeoplewithnicheproductslikeChristianbooks,vacuumcleaners,
ornecktieshavediscovered.
- 54. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 54
Theunicyclesiteactuallyhasthedomainunicycle.com(http://www.unicycle.com).Thatsanotherimportant
componentofhavingasuccessfulbusiness.Makesureyoucangeta.comdomainnamethatreadilyidenties
yourbusiness.
Startupcosts:Perhaps$300500foraninitialwebsite.Test,test,test.Dontpurchaseawarehousefullofany
productuntilyoutestthemarketandyourabilitytosellthatproduct.Butgetcreativeabouttheseniche
possibilities.Youmayhaveseenaninterestingproductwhiletravelinginaforeigncountry.
Eveninourglobaleconomy,95%ofproductsproducedareneversoldoutsidethatcountry.Yearsagoa
gentlemansawawheelbarrowadvertisedinamagazine.Itwasaberglass/plasticwheelbarrow,superiorto
whatwasthenavailableintheUnitedStates.HeaskedtobetheU.S.distributor.Hetookonesample
wheelbarrowtoonehomeandgardenshow,andreceivedover50,000ordersforthisimprovedwheelbarrow.
Hedidnotinventit,didnotpatentit,hesimplyaskedtobeadistributorforanexistingproduct.Withonlya
$5.00protmargin,thats$250,000prot!
- 55. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 55 29 Book Sales
BOOKSHAVEAVERYSHORTLIFE.Mostpublisherswillpromoteabookfortherst90days.Ifitdoesnt
takeoonitsownatthatpointtheymayendupwithasignicantnumberofbooksthattheysimplywanttoclear
outoftheirinventory.
Ihavesoldthousandsofbookswrittenbyotherauthorsovertheyears.Heresanexample:Thisbookshowedup
onhttp://www.bookcloseouts.comasaliquidationspecial.IlovedthetitlesoIorderedjustonecopytoseeifitwas
welldone.Itwas.Theretailpriceshowedas$13.00.Iorderedtheminquantitiesofabout300atatime.Wepaid
$1.32eachandshowedthematadiscountedpriceonourwebsiteof$8.00.Peopleaddedthemontoother
ordersfromour48Days.comsite(http://www.48days.com/products.php).
- 56. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 56
Heresanotherexample.Thisisagreattitleandtiesinnicelywiththe48Days.comthemeofbooksthathelp
withtheprocessofndingorcreatingworkthatispurposeful,fulllingandprotable.Thisbookaddresses
Momswhowanttobeprimarycaregiversfortheirchildrenbutwouldalsoliketogeneratesomeincome.This
bookwasoutofprintbutstillhadvaluableinformationinit.Itshowedaretailpriceof$14.95.Ipurchasedthem
outofremainderfor$1.42each.Weprobablysold2000ofthemat$8.00beforeoursourcedriedup.Nothing
wrongwiththebooksandnothingdeceitfulabouttheprocess.Andyes,anyonecouldgotoexactlythesame
sitesandpurchasethebooksatthesamepricewedid.Butthisismuchthesamebuyingprocessthatyoundat
WalMartorTarget.Whenpeoplearealreadyinourstoretheyareverylikelycandidatestoaddsimilar
productstotheirshoppingcartbeforetheycheckout.Thatswhytheyputmilkandeggsatthebackofany
grocerystore.Theyknowyouwillhavetowalkpastthousandsofotherproductstondthosetwothingsyou
cameintothestoretond.
- 57. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 57
Wemakeproductpackagesandcombinationsattractiveat48Days.com(http://www.48days.com/products.php)
siteandpeopledothesamething.Theycometheretopurchase48DaystotheWorkYouLoveperhapsand
thenseeotherappealingbooktitlesorproductsthattheywantaswell.
Herearesomeeasysourcestocheckout: http://www.bookcloseouts.com
http://www.DiscountBookSale.com http://www.bookliquidator.com
http://www.booksliquidation.com
Thesesourcesseldomhaveanykindofminimumpurchaserequired.Theremaybesomeincentivesforlarger
numbersorsavingsonshippingifabigquantityisorderedhowever.Dontorderabigquantityuntilyouve
proventhatyoucansellaparticulartitle.
AcoupleofyearsagoJoanneandIwereatabigyardsale.Therewasabooththerewheretheywereselling
newbooks.Thepeoplerunningitwerecomplainingthatnooneexpectedtobuynewbooksatayardsale.I
askedhowmuchtheywouldtakefortheentireinventoryandmuchtomysurprise,theysaid$100.Itoldthem
tostopshowingthebookstoanyoneIwouldbebackingmyVolvowagonuptotheclosestdoorimmediately.
Ipurchased789brandnewbooksmostlyhardbacksforthat$100.Wesoldtonsofthemandusedlotsof
themasbonusesforotherpurchases.Iextractedsomuchvaluefromthatpurchase.Imconstantlylookingfor
asimilardeal. StartupCosts:$1002000
- 58. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 58 30 Creative Playground
WHENOURTHREEKIDSWERESMALLIhadtwooldtractortiresinthebackyardthatweretheirfavorite
playgrounditems.IrecentlyduplicatedthesamethingforourgrandchildreninouryardhereinTennessee.The
tiresyouseecamefromourlocaltiredealerandwereabsolutelyfree.Iburiedthemaboutone/thirddeepinthe
ground,makingthemunmovable.ThenmygranddaughterClarahelpedmepaintthemwithastandardoutdoor
paint.
Allthegrandkidslovethesetires.Theyareindestructibleandoeramultitudeofpossibilities.Thekidsclimbupon
them,jumpfromonetoanother,hideinthemandlettheirimaginationsrunwild.Withafewwoodchipsaround
them(freesee#18)theybecomeacentralplaygroundattraction.
Couldyoupromoteandprovidethisremarkableattractionforhomeownersinyour
town?Wouldtheybewillingtopayforit?Ofcourse.Yes,diggingtheholestakes
somework.Butwhatifyouhadapackagepriceof$500,$800or$997?Withan
attractiveyerdoyouthinkyoudgetsometakersabsolutely.
StartupCosts:Obviouslyitwouldbehelpfultohaveapickuptruck.Beyondthat,
agoodshovel,pickandsomegoodpicturesofwhatyoucando.
Approximately$50
- 59. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 59 31 Antique mall
(orrepurpose any large space)
IONCEWORKEDWITHACLIENTwhohadbeenintheChristianmusicindustryallhislife.Butashehithis
mid40sherealizedtheopportunitiesforcontinuingtomakereasonablemoneytherewerediminishing.
Inexploringotherareasofinteresthesharedhispassionforantiquesand
howhewasalreadybuyingandsellingafewpieceshereandthere.Hesaid
hewouldlovetohaveanantiqueshopbuthehadabsolutelynomoneyto dothat.
Hereswhatwedid.Hefoundanoldwarehousethathadbeenvacant
forsometime.Henegotiatedaleaseagreementwiththeownerno
moneyupfrontbutsimplya30dayoptiontonalizethelease.Thenwe
satdown,madearoughdrawingoftheoorspaceanddivideditinto76
smallspaces.Hethencontactedotherantiquebuswhoweremorethaninterestedinhavingaspacefortheir
merchandise.Bycollectingrstandlastmonthsrentonthosesmallspaces(hekept3forhimself)myclient
collectedinexcessof$25,000.Thenhenalizedthelease,spentabout$15,000doinginteriorrenovationsand
openedforbusiness.Hestillhad$10,000inthebankandstartedmakingmoneyfromdayoneonthe10%
commissionhereceivedfromallhislessees.Andfromthe3spaceswherehecouldsellhisownpieces.
- 60. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 60
Nowyoucouldusethesameconcepttorepurposealargespaceforany
oneofmultipleideas.
Oneofthehotnewtermsaccountingforpeoplewantingtoworknotfrom
homeandnotfromanoceisCoWorking.Peoplewhostrugglewith
watchingOprahorplayingXboxinthemiddleoftheafternoonmaynd
thatasharedocespaceisjustwhatyouneed.
ThetermjustmadeitintoWikipediaandisdenedthus:Coworkingisthe
socialgatheringofagroupofpeople,whoarestillworkingindependently,but
whosharevaluesandwhoareinterestedinthesynergythatcanhappenfromworkingwithtalentedpeopleinthe
samespace.Blogs,socialnetworksandothersupportsystemsarebeingformedaroundthisconcept.
Soleproprietors,freelancers,artists,consultantsandotherindependentworkersarendingrefugein
coworkingenvironmentswithopenoceareasbutdedicatedworkspace,highspeedinternet,akitchenette
andmaybeevenprinterandfaxmachine.Ratesrangefrom$15adayto$500amonthforfull24/houraccess.
CheckitouthereCoWorkingSpacesorjustGoogleyourcitywiththewordcoworking.
Youcouldusethesamemethodtoleasealargespaceandthenleaseitoutasocespaceasdescribedhere.
StartupCosts:Zero
- 61. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 61 32 Vending Machines
YES,IKNOW.Weveallheardthehorrorstoriesaboutvendingmachinesbeingaripo.Butlikeabrickcanbe
usedtobuildacathedralortosmashawindow,vendingcanbeascamoraveryprotableventure.
Ihavemyownhorrorstoryaboutvendingmachines.WhenIwasonly18yearsoldIenrolledinabranchcampusof
TheOhioStateUniversity.Asapoorkidwithgoodgrades,Iqualiedforan$1800tuitiongrant.However,my
predilectionforseeingthingsinnewwayswasalreadyhinderinganormalviewofhavingmoneyinthebank.The
tuitionwasnotpayableimmediatelybutwouldbedueoverthenextseveralmonthswhichmeantIhadeighteen
hundreddollarsinhard,coldcashsittinginmybankaccount.
Surely,Ithought,Icouldleveragethatmoneyintosomethingmore.Irespondedtoanadinamagazinemuchlike
theonesmanyofyouhaveseen:Getintothevendingbusiness;youdonthavetosellanything.Weinstallthe
machinesallyouhavetodoiscollectthemoney.Myeighteenhundreddollarspurchasedtenhotcashew
machines.Whatcouldbemoreappealingthanhotcashews?Ithought.Cashewsaretheperfectsnackfood
wholesome,nutritious,andaperfectcomplementtoanybeverage.Thiswasgoingtobetooeasy.Ienvisionedmy
machinesndinghomesinballparks,familyrecreationcenters,andthelocalconveniencestore.Butthingsdidnt
turnourexactlyasIhadplanned.
- 62. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 62
Arepresentativecametoplacethemachines.Unfortunately,thecompanyreppreferredtolocatethemachines
inthesleaziestbarshecouldnd.Pictureit:ashy,backwardMennonitekiddiscoveringthathismachineswere
beinginstalledinplaceshehimselfhadneverbeenallowedtoenter.
GuesswhatelsedidntturnoutasIexpected.Doyouknowwhathappenstocashewsunderheatiftheyarenot
stirredabouteverytwelvehours?Theymold!Iimmediatelybegangettingcallsfromthesesordidestablishments
tellingmetogetthosemachinesoutorsuerthewrathoftheirinebriatedcustomers.Ipickedupmyten
preciousmachinesandhidtheminanoldchickencoopwheremydadwouldneverbemadeawareofmy
stupidity.MonthslaterIsoldthemforroughlytencentsonthedollar.Whenitcametimetopaymytuition,Ihad
togetoutandhustleforthemoneyIhadlost.Isqueezedinoddjobsaroundmyalreadybusyscheduleoffarm
choresandcollegeclasses.Itwasmyrstofmanypainfullessonsthatlookingforaquickbuckistypicallya
recipefordisaster.
ButIlearnedfromthatexperience.Ilovethevendingbusiness.Todayweprovidethe48DaysPersonality
Prole(http/::www.48days.com:products.php#proles)thatyoumayhavealreadybenetedfrom.Thinkabout
howthatisdelivered.Wesetupanelectronicprocesslleditwithavailableaccesscodesandallowpeopleto
purchaseanytimedayornight.No,wedonthavetodriveatruckacrosstowntorestockthecashewsbut
essentiallywehaveanelectronicvendingmachine.Andthattriggersthesaleofthemostpopularproductin
our48Daysstoreoutsellingevenmymostpopularbooks.IfIhadbeendevastatedbythatrstvending
experienceIwouldhaveclosedthedoortoseeingvendinginanewlightandanewopportunityusingcurrent
technology.
- 63. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 63
Iworkedwitharemansometimeago.Hewantedabusinessthatwouldnotrequirehimtobeavailableat
specictimesashewasstillcommittedtobeingareman.Buthewouldworkforperhapsthreedaysstraight
andthenhavethreedayscompletelyo.Andhewaslookingforagreatbusinessthathecouldworkonthose
odays.Isuggestedvendingasttinghisrequirements.Hepurchasedacoupleofthecolognemachinesyou
seeinmensrestrooms.Youdropaquarterin,selectwhichofthethreesmellsyouwant,pushtheplungerand
walkoutsmellinglikeamillionbucks.Therearenoelectronicpartstothemachinejustamechanical
operation.Whereascandyinavendingmachinemaycostyou$.50andyousellitfor$.75,withthiscolognethe
productcostforeachshotwaslessthan$.01.Sohehada25xmultipleforprots.Each
machinecosthimabout$45.HegotanagreementwiththeMapcostorestoinstall
thosemachinesintheirfreewaystoresandheinstalledthemallupanddownthe
southeast.
Vendingisstilloneofthetop3millionairemakersinAmerica.Itsestimatedthat$650
millionpassesthroughvendingmachineseachweek.Thatsover$35billionayear.Yes,
thereispotentialwithvending.VendinghasmanyofthecharacteristicsIlookforina
business:broadmarket,notdependentonyourtime,makesmoneywhileyousleep,
thousandsofproductandplacementpossibilities,etc.However,becauseitcanbeso
protable,thevendingindustryisalsofullofscams.TheFederalTradeCommissionhas18,882itemsfeatured
thatinvolvevendingscams.HeresjustoneitemcalledProjectBustedOpportunity(
http://www2.ftc.gov/opa/2009/01/westbrook.shtm).Yes,theyreallydidhaveasweeptheycalledProject
BustedOpportunity.Mostinvolveexaggeratedearningpotential.Sellersarenotoriousforusingshills
peopletheypaytogiveglowingreportsabouttheirsuccess.Thousandsofvendorsaremisrepresentingthat
theygiveaportiontocharity.
- 64. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 64
Itusedtobethatweassociatedvendingmachineswithgumballsandcandy.Todayyouwillndsandwiches,
anyvarietyofdrinks,internetaccess,CDs,popcorn,pantyhose,perfume,temporarytattoos,headache
medicine,breathfreshenerandmuchmore.
Aswithanybusinessthishuge,youcanndagreatopportunityifyoudoyourhomeworkinadvance.Dontrely
onanyoneelsetoplaceyourmachines.Talktobusinessownersinadvancetoseeiftheywouldbewillingtolet
youputoneofyourmachinesthere.Checkintojustbuyingthemachines(SamsWholesale,Costco,etc.)rather
thanbuyingabusinessopportunity.Makesureyoureadaboutpopularscamssoyouwillbealertasyoudo
yourresearch:CommonSmallBusinessScams(
http://www.entrepreneur.com/management/legalcenter/article173648.html).
Researchthepossibilitiesmakesureyouunderstandtheimportanceoflocationandputyourselfontrackto
bethenextmillionaire. StartupCosts:Variedfrom$30to$2000
- 65. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 65 33 Seminars and
Workshops
YOUNEEDTOHAVEASPECIALIZEDTOPICwhereyouhavesomethingvaluabletoshare.Forthevery
rstseminarsIdidIusedsomeexistingmaterial.ItwascalledAdventuresinAttitudesandIranitjustlikeitwasset
up,asa10weekprocess.Ipurchasedthematerialsfromthetrainingcompanyat$69each.IdecidedIwanteda
nicecleanprotmarginsoIpriceditat$469.ThelocalChamberofCommercepromoteditformeandallowedme
tousetheirtrainingcenteratnochargeastheyjustthoughtitwasvaluablematerialfortheirmemberbusinesses.
InthatrstworkshopIhad23participants.At$400perparticipantwithnoexpensesotherthanthematerialsthat
gavemea$9200prot.AndthatwaslongbeforeIhadeverpublishedabookorhadanyreputationasapresenter.
Isimplyusedexistingmaterialsandfacilitatedthatprocess.
Irepeatedthatsameseminarmanymanytimes.Ioereditasacommunityworkshop,diditfornonprotgroups,
churches,andcorporations.
Ihavebeendoingseminarsforover20years.MyareaofconcentrationgrewoutofleadingaSundaySchoolclass
onCareer/LifePlanning.ThatclassgrewintoaMondaynightcommunityseminarthattypicallydrew6080people
eachweek.Thatseminarwasfreetoanyonewhowantedtoattend.Butitalsoallowedmetobuildanaudience
andareputationinthecommunity.
- 66. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 66
SoIstarteddoingseminarsonSaturdayswhereIchargedafee.Iwoulddoa48DaystotheWorkYouLove
seminartypicallya3hourpresentation.Ijustexperimentedwithdierentregistrationfees.Wewouldalways
haveabout100peopleattend,whetherthefeewas$49,$89or$119.AndthosewereactualpricesIusedat
varioustimes.
ThenIaddeddoingacorporatepresentationonDevelopingLeadershipSkills.AgainIusedatoolthatwaswell
establishedthatbeingtheDISCprole.Iwouldallowupto25peoplefromthesameorganization,runthe
prolesonallparticipantsanddoa3hourworkshopfor$3500.IdidtonsofthosefororganizationslikeGeneral
Electric,NFIB,DeutscheBank,TennesseeDeptofCorrectionsandmanymore.Thiswasmyprimaryincome
generatorwhileIwasbuildingmycoaching,speakingandwritingbusinessthatIhavetoday.
Decidewhatyourareasofexpertiseis.Findorcreatematerialsforyourpresentations.Targettheindividualsor
organizationsthatcouldbenetfromwhatyouhavetooer.Icreatedalistof120companiesasmytargets.
ThenIusedaprocesswecallnurturemarketingwhereeachmonththosecompanieswouldreceive
somethingfromme.Notjustasalespiece,butsomethingthatwouldbehelpfultothemonmanagement,
leadership,hiringtherightpeople,etc.Thatcreatedtopofmindpositioningformeandovertimelledmy
scheduleasthegotoguyforthosetopics.
Startupcosts:Probablylessthan$500formaterials,yers,websiteandinitialpromotion.
- 67. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 67 34 Specialized Book
Publishing
IHAVEPRODUCEDAWIDEVARIETYofintellectualpropertymaterialsovertheyears.WheneverIndan
interestingtopicIputtogetherathreeringbinderwiththetextandperhapsacoupleofaudioCDstocreateanew
product.
Therstversionof48DaystotheWorkYouLovewasdoneexactlylikethat.Ihadaloosearrayofnotesfrommy
SundaySchoolclassthatIputinbinder.IwenttoafriendshouseonaSaturdaymorningbecausehehadafancy
recorder.Wehungablanketoneithersideofmeinhishallwaytodeadenthesoundofhiskidsplaying.ThenI
recordedmyaudiocontentrightstraightthrough.Noedits,nomusic,nothingfancy.Ihadthosecassettes
duplicatedandstucktheminthepocketofthatthreeringbinderandstartingselling48Daysontheinternetat
$24.95.Itstartedsellingwell.ThenasIstudiedmarketingprinciplesIdecidedtoraiseitto$49butwithan
InternetSpecialat$39.Thatexplodedoursales.Isoldover$2millionworthofthatsimpleproduct.Noagents,
nopublisher,nobookstorepresencejustviralmarketingontheinternet.THENpublisherscametoseemeandI
gotmyrsttraditionalpublishingdeal.
- 68. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 68
Istilllovecreatingnewproductslikethis.Itdoesnthavetobeanythingfancyjustgreatcontent.Hereare
somerecentexamples:
Youcanseetheseveryrealproductsthatweselleverydayoftheyear(http://www.48days.com/products.php).
WritetotheBankcamefromaliveteleseminarsthatIdidacoupleofyearsago.Peoplepaidforthelive
teleseminarbutthentheresponsewassostrongthatIdecidedtomakeitaphysicalproduct.Wesimplytook
theaudiorecordingwealreadyhad,transcribedthataudioforthetextversionandstartingoeringitat$69for
theversionyouseehere.The3ringbinderscost$1.69rightotheshelfatCostco,thecover,backandspine
costs$.53eachset,the2CDscost$.42eachandthebodyinsertis$2.89.Soourentirecostisrightat$6.00.It
continuestobeoneofourhottestsellingproductsbecause81%oftheAmericanpopulationsaytheydliketo
writeabook.