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Business Ideas

Fueling the Fires of Inspiration

SPARK OF GENIUS: Playing with Possibilities

Developing "Plan B":

As we discussed in Options, whether you are currently gainfully employed or not, the idea of having a "Plan B" is always a smart move, so that we don't end up with "all our eggs in one basket," so to speak. If you should find yourself suddenly without a job, or if you just want to generate more income, the time is now to start thinking about what that sideline business would look like.

The ideas below are just that — ideas. Use them for brainstorming your own dreams about the sideline business that's just right for you! Your dreams, goals, skills, knowledge and talents should lead the way. Hopefully one of these ideas will spark a vision of your new future. A toast: "To your success!"

(Ideas in red are the newest additions.)

Advertising

Coupon Books - From the loose-leaf varieties that are left on your door knob, to the mailers or inserts included in your newspaper, coupon books are big business. And all it takes is some word publishing software and a good printer to get going. Think about your niche, your "angle," define your target audience, and you're on your way. RESOURCE: Association of Coupon Professionals.

Flyer Distributor - If exercise is one of your goals, you can start your own service distributing flyers door to door, and put some mileage on those Nike's. Consider recruiting family members and get everyone on this exercise program, or hiring students and retirees.

Neighborhood Classifieds - Garage sales, help wanteds, houses for sale. Start your own classified newsletter for your community and distribute to local retailers, restaurants and libraries.

Buttons/Magnets - Promotional buttons and magnets are used by businesses, schools, clubs, charities, etc. as low-cost advertising, and could generate quite a bit of demand. You can also design your own to sell at special events in your city — centennials, city fairs and festivals, etc. Go to craft stores for supplies and equipment.

Art

Framing Service - Framing is pricey, no matter where you go, and the demand seems to be quite high. If you know the mechanics of framing, offering a custom framing service may be the right business for you. RESOURCE: Framing supplies.

Murals - If you are an artist, there are many hotels and office buildings that would be interested in having wall murals painted in their lobbies or even on the outside of their building. Approaching owners with design sketches could get you started. RESOURCE: The Faux Finish Institute

Window Displays - All retailers need window displays and displays around their stores that are eye-catching and draw customers. I knew a woman who made a very successful freelance business for herself in this endeavor.

Greeting Cards - Mary Englebrite's not the only one with artistic talent. Come up with your own design concepts and themes and make your own line of Greeting Cards, gift wrap, gift bags, and other stationary items. Work on an attractive store display for bookstores, card stores and gift shops, and you're in business.

Graphic Artist - Many small businesses and entrepreneurs require the services of a freelance graphic artist to create logos, original art for advertising, brochures, etc.

Novelty Signs - Quotes, puns, expressions, colloquialisms, old wise sayings, even songs ... almost anything can be turned into a charming sign that people will hang in their homes or offices. Pick your medium — wood, ceramic, or paper — develop your own unique style, and you've got a product that can be marketed at craft shows, art shows, renaissance fairs, on a website, and in women's and home decorating magazines.

Bed & Breakfast

Bed & Breakfast - This was the dream for many in the 90s, and perhaps still is. Getting away from it all and opening an inn in a fabulous vacation spot or up in the mountains is the American Dream: independence, enterprise, and service all in one package. RESOURCES: Professional Association of Innkeepers International and Select Registry. See also Resources - Hospitality Industry.

Children

Summer Camp - If you're a teacher and have summers off, this may be the perfect option for you. Especially if you find the right niche, offer a particular interest for the camp, or specialize in a particular need.

School of Etiquette - I once knew a woman who started etiquette classes in Miami, covering manners, attire, posture, formal greetings, proper use of silverware, dance lessons, and even how to have a proper Afternoon Tea. Her classes were always full, and parents simply adored the fact that their children were getting instruction on proper comportment that would prepare them for any occasion in their lives.

Nanny - If you like children, are an expert at child-rearing, and have CPR certification, this could be a very viable choice. RESOURCES: International Nanny Association, 4nannies.com, eNannySource.com, BuckinghamNannies.com, and BuckinghamDomestics.com

Professional Babysitter - This can be as simple as offering your services in your immediate neighborhood, or you could rent space in a local mall and offer the service to shoppers who would rather shop child-free. A supervised "play center" is almost irresistible to most kids, and most parents, too. RESOURCES: Many YMCA's offer babysitting training and parenting classes (Example) and The Business of Babysitting.

Clothing

T-Shirts - Everyone has to have a wardrobe of t-shirts, and if you can come up with the right clever saying and design, you can be very successful in this business. Consider a t-shirt and sweatshirt kiosk at a local mall, or distribute to local retailers. Make t-shirts to sell commemorating special events in your city during public fairs.

Blue Jeans - Americans love jeans, and what's more, almost anything made out of jeans. If you're creative and crafty, you can put together an entire line of jean items — purses, bedspreads, placemats, pillows — just about anything you can think of! Consider craft shows or a mall kiosk for this kind of endeavor.

Contingency Clothing Store - Many people have started this kind of second-hand clothing store, selling other people's "good as new" clothing for a percentage of the sale. Specializing, such as women's business attire, or wedding dresses and gowns, could be just the right niche for you.

Silk-screening - Printing corporate or club logos on clothing, baseball caps, mouse pads, or bumper stickers for promotional uses can generate a handsome profit.

Vintage Clothing - If you have a knack for finding old treasures, or a talent for recreating historical replicas, you could do well selling or renting out these "costumes." Local theatre groups as well as the general public have a fascination for "vintage" clothing. Consider offering photography of people playing dress-up in the old-time clothes, and you may more draw more customers than you would have imagined!

Bathing Suits - Okay, this one is for me! If just one person out there would make a bathing suit with a real bra in it for support, I'd buy a lifetime supply! So, get sewing!

Embroidery Service - I've seen what these magical computerized embroidery machines can do, and there are also a lot of promotional uses for polo shirts and other items embroidered with corporate logos. Just remember to look into copyright laws before you start embroidering Mickey Mouse all over the place. RESOURCE: Embroidery Monogram Business

Computers

Computer Assistance - I was intrigued recently when I received a postcard in the mail for a service offering telephone and local at-home computer assistance. Everyone has a computer in their homes these days, but unless they're computer technicians, everyone eventually runs into a problem with their computers that they don't know how to fix. Enter the computer geeks of the world. Unless we have a warranty or have bought a technical support contract (most of us don't), the majority of us are left helpless when we encounter technical problems. If you are a computer geek, this kind of sideline or full-time business could be just the ticket!

CD Production - Are you an expert in computer media production? Are computer video production, sound files, even movies, your hobby? Do you burn CDs for your friends all the time? Then you could offer these services to all kinds of people and small businesses that are looking for a short-run (100 or less) production of CDs, DVDs, etc. Perhaps a bride and groom want to provide a CD album of photos complete with background music and a voice-over message as a party favor for each wedding guest. Perhaps just a CD of the couple's favorite songs. Perhaps someone working on their family tree wants to recreate the whole story on a DVD for each member of the family. Perhaps a small company wants to create a multi-media sales presentation to ship out to prospective clients. The ideas, and the potential business, are endless.

Crafts

Pottery - If you have a knack for creating interesting and unique pieces, this might be ideal for you. You can either get other retailers (such as art stores) to carry your items, or you could consider your own storefront if you live in a tourist area. With a store, you can also consider pottery classes, a children's pottery party area, and "make your own" pottery for your customers.

Terrariums - "Lucky Bamboo" plants, cactus arrangements and table-top zen gardens are very popular these days. It takes an eye for beauty and incorporating intriguing elements to design these coffeetable gardens. Think of mall kiosks, trade shows, home shows, fairs and festivals to make your sales.

Stuffed Animals - Teddy bears have been popular for decades, and the success of beanie babies does point to a big market for any cute and cuddly concepts you can dream up. Almost every holiday is appropriate for a stuffed animal concept, and don't forget baby themes, as stuffed wall hangings and mobiles make adorable baby shower gifts.

Quilts - People love quilts. There's something charming, quaint and totally "Americana" about them, and many people want at least one. If you're a handy seamstress, these work intensive but high-ticket items could definitely pay off. Consider quilts on particular themes and taking custom orders.

Woodworking - If you're a carpenter at heart, designing small pieces of utilitarian but hard-to-find furniture, or ornamental wood pieces, can be a very lucrative business.

CRAFT RESOURCES: Craft Guild, Weavers and Craft Guild, Craft classes.

Elderly Services

Elderly Day-Care Center - The population is aging quickly, with a huge number of baby boomers reaching their golden years. But the reality is that most people can't care for their elderly parents 24x7, nor afford full-time care or a nursing home. An elderly Day-Care Center can provide a much-needed service for people in this situation, and is a business with high growth potential in the years to come. Start-up costs can be high, depending upon what you offer: shuttle service, recreation, social activities, entertainment, rehabilitation services, healthcare, nutritionally balanced and special dietary restriction meals, social services, counseling, nurses or medical technicians on staff, and a doctor on call. State and local licenses and ordinances will also have to be met.

Travel Companions - Elderly people often avoid traveling because airports can be chaotic, connecting flights confusing, and special needs may not be met, making it a nightmare for older folks to travel alone. Older people may need a little assistance keeping track of travel logistics, and a Travel Companian service would be blessing. Leads in this area are available through senior centers and church groups.

Entertainment

Entertainer - If you have a sense of showmanship about you, you can offer your services as a clown, a magician, a dancer, a stand-up comic, or a Master of Ceremonies. Almost any public event, be it a corporate function, trade show, club gala, or charity drive will have a need for entertainment. Practice your routine and get on the circuit, to become a hometown celebrity.

Singles Club - If you know how to have fun and can lead a group of lonely hearts who are tired of going to the movies alone, you can head a singles club by hosting events in your area. Dinners, picnics, sports, theatre nights, scuba lessons, cocktails on a yacht, a weekend romp to Vegas — any kind of activity people have always wanted to do would be excellent activities to lead for this crowd. Membership dues and service fees for specific events would be your revenue areas.

Clubs/Bars - It was a running joke in my company that if we got laid-off, we'd all open a bar together so we could drown our sorrows. In good times or bad, people like to have a place where they can go to celebrate, let their hair down, or forget about their troubles. Whether a sports bar, a neighborhood brewery, a comedy club, a non-alcoholic bar, a dueling piano bar, a speakeasy for would-be poets, or a talent-search karaoke bar, themes are popular so know your local market.

Internet Cafes - These seem to be springing up everywhere. Whether it's a coffeeshop or a bar, in the right market such as a college town, this could be the ticket for your customers to surf and socialize.

Food

Restaurant - Owning your own restaurant is a big dream for many. What would be special about your place? How are you going to draw people in? Be prepared for the very long hours and hard work. RESOURCES: Food Industry News and Seminars.

Catering Service - Another common dream, but for those with a knack for hosting, scrumptious party fare, and a flair for decorating, this could be your dream opportunity. RESOURCES: Catering/Restaurant and Culinary Arts.

Catered Dinners - For busy families, there's nothing better than having dinner delivered to their door Monday through Friday. A weekly menu is provided from which to make their daily selections, and the dinner is delivered every weekday in foil containers ready to re-heat in the oven. It's the next best thing to a personal chef. Take-out gourmet dinners can also be offered. Know your neighborhood's demographics for appropriate menu choices.

Restaurant Delivery Service - Some cities have a restaurant ordering and delivery service that allows customers to order from their favorite restaurant and have it delivered to their homes or hotel rooms, from restaurants that don't offer delivery themselves. This comes in handy especially for the hungry business traveler.

Baker on a Bike - One enterprising young man started his bread making business by canvassing his neighborhood with flyers offering his own homemade breads, taking orders and delivering them by bicycle. It wasn't long before this baker on a bike had a booming business on his hands.

Midnight Munchies - Living in a college town? Take advantage of the opportunity to provide those late-night snacks to students burning the midnight oil. Pizza isn't the only thing these hungry students crave: fresh baked cookies, a pile of brownies, or pints of frozen yogurt delivered to their dorm room are just some popular cravings. TIP: make sure your delivery person wears a hat or a t-shirt with your company name and phone number emblazoned on the front and back, so all the other dorm residents know exactly who to call for their cravings. Another TIP: don't just deliver one item at a time. If you're already making a delivery to a location, bring a whole cooler filled with snacks to sell to the other hungry residents.

Let's Do Lunch - I once worked in an office where a local entrepreneur offered a sandwich delivery service to hungry employees who just couldn't leave their desks, and it was a lifesaver! The company would take orders until 10:00am, and college students would deliver the freshly-made sandwiches by 11:30am. Those who hadn't ordered, not to worry — there were always extras in the cooler for purchase. TIP: be sure to get permission from the offices and office buildings to provide your service, canvas the entire building for sales, leave your sandwich menu with the receptionist in every office, and look for office buildings without a competing in-house cafeteria service.

Home

Interior Designer - Everyone's into sprucing up their homes these days, but not everyone has an eye for design. If you do, you can start marketing your services on a consultant basis to home owners looking for advice on re-doing their rooms, or who just want someone to do the whole thing for them. Advertise at home improvement stores and in neighborhood circulars or flyers.

Landscaping - Make sure you have the expertise in the particular needs of your area (drought regions, soil quality), look for new developments being built in your area, and start contacting developers and new home owners on your services.

Home Decor - Rather than designing entire rooms or houses, if you have a talent for spotting nice artwork, putting together wall groupings or candle arrangements, or crafting home decor items, this could be your niche. Holiday decorating items and services would be in demand, as well. RESOURCE: Home Interiors

Home Organizer - If you are a genius for organization, then selling your services as a home organizer may be just the ticket! From closets to garages, people are always in need of someone who can organize their space. Advertise at home improvement stores and via flyers, and conduct seminars on space management tips to generate customers.

Gardening help - Sometimes an extra pair of hands is all that's needed to help with weeding, plantings, etc. For a homeowner who simply needs some assistance, offering hourly work rates provides an easy way of negotiating with the homeowner. The market is fairly broad including new homeowners, new mothers, overwhelmed housewives, and the elderly. Anyone who enjoys their garden, but needs that extra "oomph" that an energetic extra pair of hands can provide, would be a grateful customer.

Personal Services

Dress for Success - Whether you call it Image Consulting or Personal Stylist, many people need assistance creating their best look. Everything from how to put outfits together, to knowing how to shop for the right fit and the right lines for your personal body type, to make-up lessons and hair styles, most people have a difficult time being objective about their own appearance. Advertise to job seekers on dressing right for the job interview, college students embarking on their new professional lives, executives or business people climbing that ladder of success, and anyone transitioning from one phase of life to another who could use a total makeover. Don't forget to photograph the "before" and "after" for your client, as well as for your own professional portfolio!

Pets

Mobile Services - Vets on wheels or a pet grooming business can be a way to differentiate your services and create demand. Nothing beats the convenience of a service that comes to your door, and people are willing to pay for that convenience. RESOURCE: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association and National Dog Groomers Association of America.

Dog Walking - Best for city dwellers who can't find the time to exercise their dogs, this can be the kind of low-cost part-time venture that can get a little extra money in your pocket.

Training - If you have the know-how to train animals, you could easily find a market in people with behavior-problem animals who don't have the time to devote to training themselves.

Aquariums - Many offices, doctor waiting rooms, and corporate buildings would like to feature aquariums as a beautiful and soothing element in their workplace. You can start your own Aquarium business setting-up and installing aquariums for these corporate customers, and then providing a service contract to feed, replace fish, clean and maintain the aquariums.

Doggy Daycare - Since many pets are left home alone all day while their owners are out earning a living, the idea of a doggy daycare to provide companionship, play and exercise to man's best friend is highly appealing to many people. Not only is the result a happier, less-stressed dog, but a happier and less-stressed owner, as well.

Publishing

Personalized Books - People just love seeing their name in print. Besides the popular children's books which feature kids starring in their own adventures, couples can be featured in their own romance novels (excellent way for men to "pop the question" or as an anniversary gift), retired people may want to publish their memoirs or "advice books" to the younger generation, and grandmothers may wish to publish their own family recipes. Pick a niche and attend book fairs and craft shows offering your publishing services.

Parents Directory - If publishing is your game, then consider all the different kinds of community directories you can create. A Parents' Directory, for example, can list local pediatricians, baby-sitters, schools, children's clothes shops, party venues, amusements, after-school programs, private tutors, scouts, sports programs, children's museums, special events at malls and dept. stores, etc, as well as provide handy child emergency tips and babysitter's lists. Selling advertising space to businesses that specialize in children's services generates your revenue.

Retail

Walking Sticks - You might think walking sticks are a bit passé, but not when you devote your specialty from the most elegant of canes to the most unique walking sticks imaginable— especially if you're able to make them yourself! Canes with swords sheathed within, canes with flasks built-in, or canes with secret hidden compartments are always popular. Whether gilded, bejeweled, sculpted, engraved, antique or vaudeville style, canes are the quintessential man's gift, and collectable. This kind of business is conducive to a retail shop, mail order catalog, or website.

Isn't it Romantic? - Sure, there are flower shops and chocolatiers galore, but what about a business that specializes in everything romantic? From crystal hearts to romantic fortune cookies, to consulting and planning services for spectacular ways to "pop the question," weddings, special dates, or romantic getaways, the ideas are endless. This business idea is part concierge service and part retail, and can be done online as well as in person. Since love is never out of season, you can expect a thriving business all year long, but expect to be absolutely mobbed on Valentine's Day!

Teaching

Homeschooling Consultant - Homeschooling is growing by leaps and bounds (refer to Trends), yet it is not an easy thing to set-up at all. If you have a teaching or educational background, you could do well assisting parents in establishing a well-rounded homeschooling program for their kids. Things like scheduling, getting kids to focus, educational materials, tracking progress, field trips, special needs children, and incorporating social activities and sports could be the pertinent areas of focus. RESOURCES: K12, Homeschool.com, The Homeschool Zone.

Textiles

Fabrics - PlanetB's Trends section mentions the huge popularity of the decorating show, Trading Spaces. In fact, this series has developed such a following, that TLC is coming out with a second spin-off, Trading Spaces: Family. If you have ever watched this show, you know that fabrics are a huge part of the decorating wizardry. And you should also be aware that people everywhere are picking up tips from the show and trying their own hand at sewing curtains, bedspreads and pillows with fabulous fabrics. However, you probably also know that finding these beautiful fabrics isn't always easy. If you have the connections, be it in Asia, the Middle East, or other locations where you can obtain cost-effective, beautifully rich fabrics, you could go into business either opening your own decorating fabric shop, or being a supplier to private parties and interior decorators. A showroom or a book of swatches can get you started in your own business.

Translation Services

Website Translation - We pointed out in PlanetB.biz's List of Trends that Hispanics have now become the largest minority in the US. Yet the percentage of websites that have been translated into Spanish for this huge market is lagging. If you are bilingual with the ability to translate grammatically and capture nuance, be it for the Spanish market or any large language segment of the population, you could have a lucrative business translating webpages and other documents for many companies. Whether freelance, offering your services to any countless websites on the net, or whether you develop this position for yourself within your own company, the opportunity is there for someone with an expert command of two or more languages. And since websites always have to be kept updated, you'll always have steady work.

Transportation Services

Shuttle Bus - We have casino towns about an hour away from where I live. Most people prefer to take the shuttle buses to them rather than drive. The problem is that there are no shuttles close by — most of them are a fair drive away themselves. My city could almost certainly use such a service, and an enterprising person could take advantage of this local gap and set up their own shuttle service. In fact, anywhere there's an attraction, you could set up this service in your hometown, be it a shuttle bus to the beach, to ballgames, to the airport, to ski resorts, or any other place that people want to go. In fact, year round you could shuttle kids in your neighborhood to and from school in your private mini-van or bus shuttle service.

Web Businesses

Website Designer - If you know your way around html, you could easily generate business from new companies and local businesses that don't have the time to create and maintain their own websites. Make sure you have a professional website yourself to display, then make the rounds within your local community (Chambers of Commerce, retailers, etc.) to generate clients.

Every month we'll be adding more Business Ideas to this section, so come back often. The newest additions will be in red. Do you have any Business Ideas suggestions?