1. 1. By Dan Miller
2. 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. 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. 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. 5. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 5 48 Business Ideas OKAY,HEREARE48IDEASyoucantakeandmakethemyourowninanywayyouwant.Goahead,please stealmyideasandthenletmeknowhowsuccessfulyouvebeen(askDan@48Days.com).Illbeyourmostexcited fan.
6. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 13. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 13 Asyoucanseeherewedecidedtogivetheeagleaname.Outofhundredsofnamessubmittedbyreadersof the48Daysnewsletter,weselectedARISTOTLEbecauseitmeans"thebestpurpose." StartupCosts:Asmallchainsaw,acoupleofhammersandagoodsetofcarvingtoolsmaybe$500.
14. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 21. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 21 Heresanotheronefor$1000: AtthetimeofpurchaseKellyBlueBookshowedaretailvalueof$2575.Thisis1993ChryslerNewYorker. Purchasedbrandnewbyagentlemanforhiswife.Afterherdeathhetoldhisneighborhewantedtosellthe car.Istoppedbyandgavehimexactlywhathewasaskinganincredibledealonaoneownercar.Its immaculateineveryway.Youseetheproudnewownerhere.Inolongersellcars.Isimplyenjoyndinggreat carsforpeoplewhoneedahelpinghand.
22. 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. 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. 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. 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. 26. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 26 Ithinksomeoftheappealisinhavingasimpleoperationlikeshownhere: Akettleonanopenamejustmakestheproductmoreappealingthathavingit comeoutfrombehindsomefancycounter.Keepitsimpleandreapmore prots. ThelocalguywhoworksalltheFranklin,TNeventsstartedhisbusinesssohe couldhavesomethingthatwouldinvolvehiswifeandchildren.Youcanread hisstoryhere:http://aceskettlecorn.com/ StartupCosts:$5001000
27. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 33. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 33 14 House Cleaning ThisisayoungladythatmywifeJoannehasbeenmentoring.Andthisistheactualyersheusedtogetstarted. Ratesforhousecleaninginourarearangefrom$2045perhourbaseda3BRhousewhichisbasicallya4hourjob foranexperiencedcleaner.
34. 34. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 34 WithCatherinesbackgroundshestruggledtonda$10/hrjob.Andwithasmallchildtherigidtimedemandsof arealjobwerediculttomanage.Cleaninggiveshertheprideofrunningherownsimplebusiness,time exibilitylikeshewouldneverhaveinajob,andthepotentialtoearnsignicantlymoreincome. StartupCostsapproximately$10forahandfulofyersplus$50forinitialcleaningsupplies.
35. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 41. Business Ideas48 www.48days.net 41 Overthecourseofaboutsixmonthsthosetreecompaniesbroughtmeapproximately120truckloadsofchips.I haveusedthemfornaturetrails,playgroundareasandincoveringareasformerlyfullofrocksandthorns. NeighborshaveaskedmeiftheycouldbuychipsfrommeandwonderedhowIwassolucky. IfIwerelookingforanothersourceofincomeIcouldsellthisfreeproduct,installplaygroundsorcreate naturetrailsasIhavedoneonourproperty. Costofbusinesszero.
42. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.