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Business Opportunities Weblog

Business Opportunities Weblog

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Still Made In America: Evinrude

Posted: 27 Jul 2011 03:00 AM PDT

What does an outboard motor and ice cream have in common? The Evinrude.

Evinrude was the world’s first outboard motor, and it has a story that thrives today. Manufactured in Wisconsin, where the brand originated, the innovator in speed for boats also has a unique story behind it.

Inventor Ole Evinrude was courting his beloved Bess and went across the Okauchee Lake, in Waukesha County, to fetch her some ice cream but he couldn’t row fast enough to keep the ice cream from melting.

That is when Evinrude started tinkering on the world’s first outboard motor. The motor revolutionized personal boating, and today the Evinrude outboard motor is still made in Wisconsin.

“Right in the middle of cabbage patches and corn fields, we are building the products that take granddaughters fishing with their grandfathers,” Evinrude employee Bill Ziehm said.

Photo by WestPresent

What’s Your Quirky Idea?

Posted: 27 Jul 2011 02:30 AM PDT

We have often mentioned Quirky inventions, like the Mantis keyboard light and the Broom Groomer that removes dust from broom bristles, in the past. However, what about the man behind the website that helped bring these unique creations to light? That would be Ben Kaufman. Entrepreneur has the story on how he created a place for innovators to bring their ideas to life.

Ben Kaufman was on the subway in New York City in 2005 when he had his light-bulb moment. He saw a girl–a stranger–sporting a pair of headphones he designed at mophie, the iPod accessories company he founded the day he graduated from high school.

“I saw something I invented out in the world, and it was the best feeling,” Kaufman says. “That’s when I realized I needed to help more people experience that.”

Four years later, Kaufman launched Quirky, an online consumer products company with a social development twist: products for the people, created and designed by the people.

“We’re making invention accessible,” Kaufman says during a whirlwind tour of Quirky’s offices, which occupy the third floor of a building in SoHo, one of New York City’s busiest retail corridors. “Ninety-nine percent of people are armchair inventors. They have great product ideas, but most don’t have the time or money or expertise to make them happen.”

The goal at Quirky is to change that, and ultimately become the global, go-to brand for everyone who’s ever dreamed of becoming an inventor.

Screenshot from Quirky

Mom’s Business Is For The Dogs

Posted: 27 Jul 2011 02:00 AM PDT

As Shannon Mathews’ son prepared for Kindergarten, she knew it was time for her to go back to work. But what should she do? She assumed she would just leap back into the home decorating business. However, that question was quickly answered for her when her kids adopted two puppies, reports al.com.

The Mathews family had previously had a dog and hidden fencing, but with the new puppies their fencing needed repairs. “In talking with the dealer, we learned that he was ready to retire,” said Mathews. “We'd been customers of DogWatch for almost eight years and believed in the product, so we ended up with two rescue puppies and a new business venture.” Mathews is the new owner of DogWatch of the Gulf Coast. “It was almost like it was supposed to be,” she said.

“DogWatch Hidden Fence Systems is a way to keep your dogs safe,” said Mathews. Customized systems, for both outdoor and indoor areas, protect pet owners' lifestyles and provide assurance that the four-legged members of the household are also protected. In addition to dogs, the company has provided hidden fencing for pigs, goats, llamas and donkeys and has been asked to do something for miniature horses, Mathews said.

Screenshot from DogWatch

Post Office Closure Could Be Good for Small Businesses

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 03:02 PM PDT

Photo by Indie Bands With a Mission

The US Postal Service currently operates more than 31,000 retail outlets across the country, down from 38,000 a decade ago, but in recent years business has declined sharply as first-class mail moved to the Internet. Today, the USPS released a list of 3,653 post offices that could be shut down. Over three thousand of these offices generated less than $27,500 in annual revenue, which equates to fewer than two hours of workload per day.

Don’t fret too much, because as this article from KCRA Sacramento explains, this could be good for small local businesses:

These locations will be studied for possible closure, according to U.S. Postal Service spokeswoman Sue Brennan. Most of the post offices that are on the chopping block have “lower foot traffic and revenue,” she said, and the majority of them are in smaller communities.

In its release, the Postal Service will also outline what it calls a replacement strategy that will have local post offices partner with third party businesses in those smaller communities to create alternative options.

Such arrangements will likely be put in place in “communities that have existing businesses, mom and pop shops — some type of local business that could also provide postal services,” Brennan told CNNMoney.

The full list of communities on the “expanded access study list” can be found here.

Photo by Indie Bands With a Mission.

Funding For Your Idea?

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 02:51 PM PDT

Photo by roswellsgirl

A reader asked:

Where can I get funding for my business idea?

The truth is, ideas don’t get funded, businesses do. Budget your savings and sell, sell, sell! Once you’re up and running, then you can think about approaching lenders and other entrepreneurs about additional expansion capital.

Photo by roswellsgirl.

New Bizop Classified Ads This Week

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 02:13 PM PDT

CreateMyTee Inspires Creativity And Opportunity

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 12:34 PM PDT

From sports to graduation, people love customized clothing. High school and college seniors often wear shirts promoting their successful transition from student to graduate. School band members sometimes create personalized shirts to promote their sections, from saxophone to percussion. People with team pride often like buying color-themed hoodies and that match their favorite sports team and feature their own name. The possibilities are endless, and CreateMyTee is ready to help you put together your own custom clothing.

Do you have an out of the box idea? They can help. With (nearly) unlimited material, style, and color options, they can help anyone find the combination they need. If you are currently in college or live in an area that buys a lot of custom clothing, they also offer a rep opportunity that can help put a little extra money in your pocket.

I recently spoke with Josh Fales about his business and the inspiration behind it.

Tell us a little about CreateMyTee.

We are all entrepreneurs at heart working to create an unrivaled custom t-shirt purchasing experience. In other words, "We make shirt happen every day".

What inspired it?

A need for beer money (and this is a true story). I was a poor college student living in a fraternity. We always bought shirts. I decided, "why not have the house buy them fromme?" Next thing I knew, I sold almost $25K worth of shirts on a campus of 1,600 students my senior year.

Just how customizable are your custom shirts?

Unlimited. Well almost. We have access to most style garments and a very wide range of colors. And our creative team will bring any idea to life. The only real restrictions are is size and licensing restrictions. We also print digitally and embroider.

Tell us a little about your Rep opportunity.

Everyone needs shirts. That's one of the great aspects of the business. Who doesn't have a closet full of t-shirts? Or in other words, everyone's a potential customer. So the opportunity is available to anyone. And Being a CreateMyTee Rep is as fun as it is simple. All a CreateMyTee Rep needs to do to earn a paycheck is talk to people about why CreateMyTee is awesome, and convince them to use CreateMyTee for their custom apparel needs. We do the rest!

What are your requirements?

That's the best part. No requirements at all! Our reps just need to get people in the door and we take care of the rest.

What separates you from the competition?

Our team and their mindset. There is no question there are other great companies printing custom apparel. However, we do not feel anyone can compete with the experience we all strive to create for the customer day in and day out. We consistently provide very fast turnaround (and only getting faster), phenomenal design, excellent customer service (real, cool people) and the ability to do it in your underpants (ie…anywhere). We are going to do whatever it takes to provide customers with the ultimate experience, every single time.

Do you have any goals you’d like to accomplish over the next year or so?

Well our primary focus is to continuously enhance the customer experience. We do have one big short term goal, though. We are planning to qualify for Inc Magazines top 500 fastest growing privately held companies in 2013.

What are some lessons your business has taught you?

You don't know what you don't know. As I get older, I have grown far more humble. I still have strong opinions but at the same time respect the fact that I still have much to learn every day.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I feel lucky every day. I'm getting the opportunity to do something I love and do it with people I enjoy spending time with. It is hard to imagine anything better.

Do you have any advice you’d like to offer fellow entrepreneurs who are just getting started?

Follow your dreams but understand you can't do it alone. Find what you're best at, what you have a passion for and then build a team around you that complements your weaknesses. This is crucial for long term, sustained success.

Doctors Do House Calls by Video Chat

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 11:41 AM PDT

Photo by Laughing Squid

With your life racing at break neck speed, chances are you don't have time to sit all day in a doctor's office. Enter the high tech house call, where from the convenience of the computer in your home or office you have a video appointment with a doctor. You talk about your health problem via web cam and he prescribes medicine right then and there. No in-person appointment necessary.

Doctors Express, (previously mentioned here, here and here) the first ever national franchise of urgent cares, is test piloting this new technology called MeMD – a high tech and convenient way for patients to "see" a doctor and have him prescribe medicine without going into the office for a physical exam. It's one more way Doctors Express Urgent Care Centers are answering the country's demand for quick, convenient and affordable health care.

"We want to be at the forefront of virtual healthcare technology," says Dr. Scott Burger, co-founder of Doctors Express who is using MeMD in his urgent care facility in Towson, MD. "MeMD is for patients who wants the opinion of a doctor but don't have the time or aren't sure their medical issue is critical enough to go in and see the doctor."

How It Works

Say your son has a rash and you want to know if it's serious, but you're not able to bring him into see the doctor right away. You would connect with the system online and it will direct you to a Doctor's Express office, or another office that is a provider of MeMD services. A Doctors Express physician will receive a notice on their office computer that a patient is waiting. The doctor and patient are connected by a PC Web Cam. The parent can then chat with the doctor and show him the rash. The doctor can then make the assessment as to: get to a Doctors Express or your physician right away, go to an ER, get a topical first aid cream at the pharmacy, or don't worry about it, etc….

"Virtual visits can never completely replace the care of a physical examination," says Dr. Burger. However, it is a valuable resource for patients who know what they're suffering from and want a quick consult and prescription for minor ailments such as sinus infections and rashes. If we can't diagnose the problem via webcam, we ask the patient to come in. We don't take any chances."


Benefits Of MeMD

  • Provides convenience to patients, especially those in rural areas.
  • Great for patients looking for a second opinion.
  • Saves the patient commuting time and gas money – visit your doctor during your lunch break without having to leave the office or your home.
  • Physicians can consult patients AND E-PRESCRIBE – prescribe medicine over the internet and can pick up the prescription at their local pharmacy.
  • Cost–effective for patients and businesses – The cost to patients for this service is $40. If they are local and come into the Doctors Express for additional treatment, Doctors Express will apply that $40 towards the patient's co-pay, co-insurance or deductible.
  • If you dial into the internet and you wait more than sixteen minutes, Doctors Express will automatically connect you with another provider. They'll lose your business and give you to another doctor's office so you get "seen" quickly.

Photo by Laughing Squid.