Currently gardening is a hobby for most, with little income potential or even grocery savings. A few daring people try to sell their stuff at a farmers market, but even they aren't going to make a lot of money.
But what if space could be used more wisely, and people could be paid for their artistic ability as well as their green thumb? What if art and gardening collide?
Imagine going to a wedding and picking your salad fresh from a growing spiral of art. Imagine an affluent person paying for an artistic garden to cook from, but that they don't have to take care of daily.
This idea started when I saw a product. It is called whirligrow, and you can find out more about it here.
Basically it is a spiraling tube that grows garden plants from it. It can be used in urban areas for gardening in small spaces, but it presents interesting options of landscapers, event coordinators, and wedding planners as well. It is just one idea that could make gardening more artistic.
There are a few directions this business could go. Sell event set ups. Sell ongoing gardening maintenance. Sell one-time landscaping projects. All are good I think.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Tiny Houses (Idea #50)
This is like an apartment complex, but much trendier than that. I was inspired on this idea by my friend Bryan's video share about people who live in 100 square foot houses. It was originally a Gizmodo post, if you want to check it out.
The thing is, single people can live in tiny houses. On top of that, it can be a bit of a novelty to live in a really small place. My thought is to build these in college towns very close to each other, and then put a common area in the middle where people can barbecue, sit by a swimming pool, have parties, etc.
It's not dorms. It's not an apartment complex. It is your own house. I think it offers something new. I think it appeals to an off-the-grid type of person as well.
So let's say it costs $30,000 per tiny house. You buy 2 acres of land, build 20 of these houses, and common areas. You've spent $600,000 on houses and whatever the land costs. So you're paying $6,000 per month on your debt maybe, but you're renting 20 houses. So you charge $400 per house, and clear $2,000 per month.
The key is making it look amazing. You have to make it look completely unique so that people just drive to see it because it is a novelty.
Below are some photos from google to give you an idea of the vision.
The thing is, single people can live in tiny houses. On top of that, it can be a bit of a novelty to live in a really small place. My thought is to build these in college towns very close to each other, and then put a common area in the middle where people can barbecue, sit by a swimming pool, have parties, etc.
It's not dorms. It's not an apartment complex. It is your own house. I think it offers something new. I think it appeals to an off-the-grid type of person as well.
So let's say it costs $30,000 per tiny house. You buy 2 acres of land, build 20 of these houses, and common areas. You've spent $600,000 on houses and whatever the land costs. So you're paying $6,000 per month on your debt maybe, but you're renting 20 houses. So you charge $400 per house, and clear $2,000 per month.
The key is making it look amazing. You have to make it look completely unique so that people just drive to see it because it is a novelty.
Below are some photos from google to give you an idea of the vision.
Monday, May 16, 2011
The University (Idea #49)
It is a center for kids and families, with education at the core. It is what the library used to be, but in a relevant age. It may be for profit, but it may be a 501C3, difficult to say.
I was inspired on this idea by Seth Godin again (see that blog here), but I think an actual business model is emerging here. I can see a franchise-like, modern day "library" as he describes it. I want to call it something else (university is my first try) because it needs to appeal to the target market.
The target market is people who want to find knowledge. People who want to improve themselves. People who want to be surrounded by others who are driven to succeed. This branding is really important. Going to this place needs to make people feel elite, smart, inspired.
It is a physical building, and it offers these services.
Let's talk about the Professors. These are people with masters degrees or higher, who are passionate about helping people to learn.They help people learn and reach their goals.
People pay a monthly fee to be a member of the library. They can have business meetings in the library for a fee if they are member.
Community events are very important, and are always free. The Professors would be responsible for a certain number of hours helping people find things, people, and information about their research, but they would also need to coordinate community activities once per month. They would also need to have weekly events such as classes on how to save energy and money, or how to improve health, or other things that are of interest to the community.
This reminds me of the Center for Entrepreneurs idea from 2009, but I think it improves on that idea a lot. It is still appealing to the person who wants to improve herself, and I think that is a new market.
I was inspired on this idea by Seth Godin again (see that blog here), but I think an actual business model is emerging here. I can see a franchise-like, modern day "library" as he describes it. I want to call it something else (university is my first try) because it needs to appeal to the target market.
The target market is people who want to find knowledge. People who want to improve themselves. People who want to be surrounded by others who are driven to succeed. This branding is really important. Going to this place needs to make people feel elite, smart, inspired.
It is a physical building, and it offers these services.
- A quiet place to sit and read.
- Wifi.
- Space for food vendors.
- Professors.
- Community Events.
Let's talk about the Professors. These are people with masters degrees or higher, who are passionate about helping people to learn.They help people learn and reach their goals.
People pay a monthly fee to be a member of the library. They can have business meetings in the library for a fee if they are member.
Community events are very important, and are always free. The Professors would be responsible for a certain number of hours helping people find things, people, and information about their research, but they would also need to coordinate community activities once per month. They would also need to have weekly events such as classes on how to save energy and money, or how to improve health, or other things that are of interest to the community.
This reminds me of the Center for Entrepreneurs idea from 2009, but I think it improves on that idea a lot. It is still appealing to the person who wants to improve herself, and I think that is a new market.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Could Multi-Level Work?
The problem with multi-level marketing is the overpriced stuff. You have to pay a franchise fee usually, but that isn't such a big deal. Sometimes you have to pay a monthly franchise fee, and that is usually a bad deal, but could be overlooked. The thing you can never overlook is the cost of the products.
Since so many people get a cut of the products price, it ends up costing way more than it is worth. Until now.
Check out what Moolala did. They are giving you a piece of the price of a coupon. Coupons are free to produce, and the business ends up paying for the commission.
The business gets a good deal because customers come in the door with a coupon, and you get a 2% referral fee for every friend that you get to purchase the coupon.
I think this might be a legitimate way to do a multi level business where everybody wins. Click here to sign up for free. It should automatically link you to my username (philmondy).
What do you think?
Since so many people get a cut of the products price, it ends up costing way more than it is worth. Until now.
Check out what Moolala did. They are giving you a piece of the price of a coupon. Coupons are free to produce, and the business ends up paying for the commission.
The business gets a good deal because customers come in the door with a coupon, and you get a 2% referral fee for every friend that you get to purchase the coupon.
I think this might be a legitimate way to do a multi level business where everybody wins. Click here to sign up for free. It should automatically link you to my username (philmondy).
What do you think?
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Complete I.T. Makeover
This company gives your entire office new computers, really fast. You leave work on Friday and come back in Monday to brand new computers. All hardware and software are up to date and all of the old stuff is gone. It is a custom makeover, just for your small business.
Obviously any IT company can do this, but the key is making it simple and cost effective. What if 10 computers, wireless sync, and server backup only cost $10,000?
It is possible.
It could be painless and easy to set up, and companies would want to do this again every couple of years. The key is getting buy in up front for some changes in computer software, and file storage. Things will have to be stored more efficiently.
How nice would it be to have the administrative assistant gather everyone's information on a Friday and have a completely new solution on Monday, for a low cost?
Obviously any IT company can do this, but the key is making it simple and cost effective. What if 10 computers, wireless sync, and server backup only cost $10,000?
It is possible.
It could be painless and easy to set up, and companies would want to do this again every couple of years. The key is getting buy in up front for some changes in computer software, and file storage. Things will have to be stored more efficiently.
How nice would it be to have the administrative assistant gather everyone's information on a Friday and have a completely new solution on Monday, for a low cost?
Friday, March 4, 2011
Flipping Motorcycles (Idea #47)
Motorcycles are secondary modes of transportation for most people. They typically have low miles, and will last for 20 years with only routine maintenance. People tend to sell them when they need money, and buy them when they have extra money. They also tend to sell for a lower price in the winter than in the summer.
This all adds up to a business that requires cash, knowledge of motorcycles and a keen eye on the classified ads.
I've actually watched somebody do this for the past couple of months quite successfully. He only needs to make $500 to make it worth the time usually. The major hurdles to get over are having cash on hand, and finding good deals on motorcycles. Another trick is to have the seller sign the title, but don't sign it yourself. That way it can pass directly on to the next buyer.
This all adds up to a business that requires cash, knowledge of motorcycles and a keen eye on the classified ads.
I've actually watched somebody do this for the past couple of months quite successfully. He only needs to make $500 to make it worth the time usually. The major hurdles to get over are having cash on hand, and finding good deals on motorcycles. Another trick is to have the seller sign the title, but don't sign it yourself. That way it can pass directly on to the next buyer.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Seth Godin's Blog
I read Seth Godin's blog regularly and saw this today. I'm just going to repost the entire thing because it is meaningful to me.
JK asks,
"It's like, how does anyone start their own business? How is it even possible? How do they deal with the crippling fear and harsh economic realities?"
Some people believe that if you have a good job, you shouldn't start your own gig, because it's foolish to give up a job you can't easily replace. And some people believe that if you don't have a great job, it's foolish to waste time (and the money you can ill afford to lose) starting something when you'd be a lot better off getting a great job or going to school until you do.
And both groups are missing the point.
The people who successfully start independent businesses (franchises, I think are a different thing) do it because we have no real choice in the matter. The voice in our heads won't shut up until we discover if we're right, if we can do it, if we can make something happen. This is an art, our art, and to leave it bottled up is a crime.
I guess the real question, JK, is, "How can you not do it?"
JK asks,
"It's like, how does anyone start their own business? How is it even possible? How do they deal with the crippling fear and harsh economic realities?"
Some people believe that if you have a good job, you shouldn't start your own gig, because it's foolish to give up a job you can't easily replace. And some people believe that if you don't have a great job, it's foolish to waste time (and the money you can ill afford to lose) starting something when you'd be a lot better off getting a great job or going to school until you do.
And both groups are missing the point.
The people who successfully start independent businesses (franchises, I think are a different thing) do it because we have no real choice in the matter. The voice in our heads won't shut up until we discover if we're right, if we can do it, if we can make something happen. This is an art, our art, and to leave it bottled up is a crime.
I guess the real question, JK, is, "How can you not do it?"
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