Paperless File Cabinets

We all know that there is a major shift happening with record keeping.  It's all going electronic.  Almost all bills can be received via email and paid online.  Medical records are going electronic too. 

A few weeks ago we checked out at the Apple Store and the sales person asked, "Do you want a receipt or should I just email it to you?"

On top of that  people are beginning to accumulate photos and videos on there computers, but don't have a consistent backup of those files.

What if someone would come to your house and set up an electronic filing cabinet?   Here's what you'd get:

1. Scanning of all the files currently in your file cabinet saved to electronic folders instead
2. Electronic billing setup for all your bills
3. Filters and rules set up in your email inbox to make sure they are all filed consistently
4. A server set up to back up all of your files each day
5. Instruction  on how to stay organized
6. Instruction on how to label all of the people in your photos so that they are easily searchable

What do you think?  Could you charge enough to pay for the time?  Would it be hard to get people to trust the company with personal information?

Home Energy Consulting

Test homes for energy efficiency and sell them on improvements.  Reseal windows instead of replacing them, suggest solar panels, replace heating filters, fill attics and crawl spaces with more insulation, etc.

Concession Trailer

I'm not talking about buying an old truck that plays terrible jingles at ridiculously high volumes. I'm talking about rethinking the ice cream truck concept altogether.

It wouldn't be very hard to compete with any ice cream truck I've seen in the last 5 years.  All you really have to do is accept a credit card. 

Here's what I'm picturing.  

• Shops pulled behind Hummers
• Glass all the way around the shop so that people can see in easily
• 4 workers with 4 credit card machines to keep the lines moving quickly
• Full coffee bar functionality
• Fresh baked cookies
• Stereo system with Jack Johnson playing
• A second truck nearby dedicated to selling alcohol

It's almost summer and pretty soon there will be a lot of parks full of hungry people watching a softball or soccer game.  There is a business opportunity here. 

Honor System Vending Machines

It's a small refridgerator stocked with drinks, and a coffee cup beside it.  Prices are clearly marked so people know it isn't free. Even better if it has food, candy and gum for as well.  

It's critical to have an office environment or a common break area at a workplace for this.  Wouldn't want to try it at a mall or anything.

Another key here is using $0.25 incriments on prices.  It just needs to be easy for people to make change.

So I've actually tried this one and it's working right now on a small scale.   I actually stole this basic idea from a book, and then I modified it for my work situation.  The idea I read about was somebody who delivered bagels to a whole bunch of offices in California every day with a box for people to leave money.

I have been doing this for 6 months, and it's consistently bringing in revenue.  Cans of soda, chips, and muffins are the staples. 

Could this be done on a large scale?  Could I be the honor-system-vending-machine-guy for my entire city?