| Going From Real Estate To Baking Posted: 29 Jul 2011 05:00 AM PDT 
Baking isn’t usually considered a natural segway from real estate, but that is exactly how it worked for two real estate agents, Joe Barbato and Sharon Tabasco, when the recession slowed their business down. According to Tampa Bay Online, Sharon convinced Joe to buy into her idea after a batch of her cupcakes were a hit at a party. They leased 1,000 square feet in the 500 SoHo Plaza shopping center, a former ice cream parlor already outfitted with the bureaucratic food-service requirements, like fireproof walls, a mop sink and pricey grease trap. Most importantly, the existing kitchen accommodated Sharon’s white thumb and room to prepare her 200 cupcake recipes. It also became a test kitchen for experimenting, creating new recipes around select toppings or candies. Her original toppings include fresh raspberries, strawberries and the like, but some call for unique ingredients like Guinness beer, port wine or vodka-soaked cranberries. The shop’s signature creation: Champagne Pear Bellini. Word-of-mouth advertising has fueled growth at Frostings Etc. “We knew we weren’t going to make it on onesies and twosies,” selling a $3.50 cupcake here, another there, said Barbato, whose regular customers call him Joey B. “But the walk-in business leads to other things,” he discovered. Joey B. tells of the Hyde Park lawyer who popped in one afternoon “just jonesing for a cupcake.” He later phoned: “Your cupcakes are amazing,” he said, ordering 250 for his upcoming holiday party. He reordered the following December.
Photo from Frostings Etc. 
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| Top Tips For Inventors Posted: 29 Jul 2011 04:30 AM PDT 
Currently working on that next ‘great’ project? Inventors Digest has a few tips to help you get off on the right foot. 1.) Have your invention evaluated by a non-biased professional – even if your mom's in the business, go to someone else. 2.) Read all you can about new-product development. Go to your local book store or library and dig through the Web … others have gone before you. Don't reinvent the wheel. 3.) Network with other inventors. Join a local inventors' organization. 4.) Do your own patent search. If it looked promising, make an appointment with a patent attorney, patent agent or professional patent searcher. Show them the results of your search and follow their advice. 5.) Do what you do well and hire pros to do the rest.
Photo by Dennis Hamilton 
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| Niche: Arrow Ballistics Posted: 29 Jul 2011 04:00 AM PDT 
The bow and arrow may not be the most common weapon used today, but it is still a popular niche for business. Enthusiasts enjoy the sport of hunting or simply using their favorite bow for target practice. Velocitip is counting on it, reports Boston Herald. "You put the device on the arrow to collect flight data and flight characteristics," Donahoe said. "It's based on the inertial navigation system that's been used in planes and rockets for decades. It's just a lot smaller obviously." Donahoe packed his three passions — bow hunting, electrical engineering and patent lawyering — into the Velocitip Ballistic System, a "pioneering" product aimed at serious archers who want to fine-tune their shots and sporting goods manufacturers that want to put their bows and arrows to the test. The $1,100 Velocitip—slightly longer than a typical field point and weighing 100 grains, or about 6.5 grams—features microelectronics and an accelerometer that record up to four shots worth of data at a time. The removable aluminum tip slides into a handheld "docking station" that Donahoe designed for easy downloading and feedback on arrow flights. "As long as you can hit the target, you can determine what's happening downrange. A user can easily create a profile of their kinetic energy and velocity as their shot distance changes," he said.
Photo by Valocitip 
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| Next Generation Entrepreneurs In England Posted: 29 Jul 2011 03:30 AM PDT 
A new survey of 2,000 kids between 11 -18 shows that 77% of them want to start a business when they grow up. Nearly half of the kids mentioned that they have always had an interest in being their own boss. TV programmes such as The Apprentice and Dragon's Den and the high profile of entrepreneurs, particularly those creating successful online businesses such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Skype, are having a profound effect on the dreams of Britain's children. Online or digital businesses and IT are among the most popular areas of business interest for young Brits, with more than one in five (22 per cent) saying this is where they intend to pursue their ambitions. Encouragingly, there is no dramatic difference in entrepreneurial ambition between the genders: 75 per cent of girls want to run a business of their own, almost matching the 80 per cent of boys with the same determination. While entrepreneurship is burgeoning among young Brits, the Ambition AXA Awards survey reveals that more can still be done to support and nurture entrepreneurship. Of the quarter of young people not keen on running their own business, 17 per cent say it is down to a lack of confidence. However, the majority admit it is down to finances: 40 per cent worry about the money required to start it, while 38% are concerned by the risk of failure.
Photo by Ralph Daily 
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| Sewing Is Easy Brings The Art Of Sewing Back Posted: 28 Jul 2011 12:09 PM PDT 
At one time, sewing was an important skill to possess if you wanted clothing to wear. Although these skills are no longer necessary for staying covered, it has evolved into a wonderful hobby and business for many lucky people. Vicky Triantos always loved to sew. Starting as a small sewing group, her friends and family urged her to begin teaching what came so naturally to her. From that moment, she started a business teaching others how to sew. Through her website SewingIsEasy.com, she sells an instructional video downloads and her DVD. She also helps beginners learn how to sew quickly and efficiently through lessons. Vicky uses her talents to keep the art alive, and her students learn a useful skill. I recently asked her a few questions about her business and the inspiration behind it. Tell us a little about Sewing is Easy. Sewing Is Easy began as a small sewing group in the local hall. As our reputation grew so did the demand for our classes. We were getting enquiries from many and varied areas which were physically impossible for us to serve. That was when we started looking at producing Interactive sewing DVD's that enable people to learn how to sew in the comfort of their own home, either on their own or with friends, at times that suit them, without the commitment to weekly classes all for the cost of the DVD!
What inspired it? The inspiration behind Sewing Is Easy was the encouragement by family and friends to take that first step into teaching. They could see my love and passion for something that I turned into a career and thought it only natural to take that next step.
How did you get started? For as long as I can remember, we always had a sewing machine in our home and my aunt had an antique Singer treadle machine in her home that I spent hours playing on. I always told her to give it me when she decided to part with it and was devastated to learn that she disposed of it some years later when they rebuilt their home! I can remember dabbling in anything creative as I was growing up. At the age of 14 my parents bought me my first sewing machine that I spent hours on. Sewing/needlework was one of the first subjects I received an A, so I knew I was on a good thing. I can still hear my sewing teacher's words!!! When I finished High School I took a Gap year from Uni(I never thought of doing fashion as a career at this stage and was pursuing studies in criminal psychology)and did a short course in textiles and clothing. When I returned to UNI, 18 months into my degree, my father died unexpectedly and as the family business was in clothing retail, it seemed only natural that I step in and the rest as they is history.
How much do your lessons cost? I run the dressmaking classes in 21hr blocks (7 x 3hr classes, weekly) at a cost of $250 per block. We are also introducing new classes in 2012, such as Master classes, quilting, workshops (we are calculating the cost as we speak). This makes our DVD exceptional value!
What separates you from the competition? The answer to this question comes direct from the students. Keep in mind that a lot of them have attended other sewing classes before they've come to me. I've been told that my classes make sewing fun. They like being challenged without feeling intimidated. They love the fact that they decide what they make rather than being told what to make. A lot regard the classes as their weekly therapy session and their timeout for themselves!!!
Do you have any goals you’d like to accomplish over the next year or so? Build and grow the business is the obvious answer. Really create market awareness and branding of Sewing Is Easy. Break down the stereotype of the image of sewing and the type of people that do sew. Develop interest and enthusiasm for the industry by not only preaching to the converted but attracting new enthusiasts of all ages and gender.
What are some lessons your business has taught you? PATIENCE!!!!!! Believe in yourself and what you are trying to achieve. Never give up on a dream. Be realistic. Do your research, ask advice from relevant people. Accept and listen to feedback. Learn to differentiate between constructive criticism and destructive opinion. Pick yourself up because knockbacks are inevitable. Anything is possible, the impossible takes a little longer!!!!!
Do you have any advice you’d like to offer entrepreneurs who are just getting started? Research, Research, Research!!!!!!!!!!!! "No" isn't always the answer
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| How PeachMac Competes With Apple Posted: 28 Jul 2011 12:02 PM PDT 
PeachMac's founders, Darryl and Anne Lyndon Peck, have been in the Apple/Macintosh market for over 20 years. In 2007, they decided to make time for their family, and so opened a small retail and service store specializing in Apple products in Athens, Georgia. Quickly, Peck found that his new business venture posed a challenge: How could he maintain and support the Apple brand, while also being competitive with Apple stores? He spoke about this with Inc.com’s Nicole Carter. His secret? PeachMac is an Apple Premier Specialist, which is the highest level of independent sellers the brand has. It means that more than 70 percent of the store’s computer sales are Apple, and for us it’s a 100 percent. But where we stand apart is in accessories. Whereas they sell maybe 300 or so different accessories, we sell around 1,500. We also test everything, and make sure it is up to snuff for our customer. What they’re doing seems to be working. They now have eight locations. 
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| Is This The Most Expensive Thing On Amazon.com? Posted: 28 Jul 2011 11:54 AM PDT 
Is this watch the most expensive thing you can buy on Amazon? Black microblasted titanium case, Black titanium bracelet with blue lateral inserts, Deployant buckle, Unidirectional rotating black carbon fiber bezel, Screw down crown and push buttons, Black dial with silver carbon fiber in center, Luminous hands, Small seconds subdial, Chronograph feature (Seconds, Minutes, Hours), Magnified date at the 12 o’clock, Tourbillon visible at the 11 o’clock, Scratch resistant sapphire crystal, Automatic mechanical movement, Water resistant to 1000 meters/ 3330 feet. Shock and high pressure resistant. Limited Edition of 25 pieces. I dare you to find something more expensive. PS, Although my link is an affiliate one, I can’t earn any affiliate revenue from Amazon because I live in California. 
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| Skywriting Takes Off! Posted: 28 Jul 2011 11:44 AM PDT 
WSJ In Charge: It's a bird. It's a plane. No wait—it's your ad in the sky. According to an article in today's WSJ, old-fashioned airborne advertising is a popular marketing medium for businesses this summer thanks to consistently hot, sunny weekend weather. It says that most likely to benefit are beachside establishments with products or and services that help celebrate summer. Skywriting and banners towed by humming planes are undoubtedly tough for consumers to ignore. They're also a relatively inexpensive advertising option compared with other classic formats like television commercials and glossy magazine ads. FlySigns.com, a national aerial-advertising company based in Los Angeles, charges companies about $500 an hour to tow ads behind a plane at about 45 to 60 miles an hour, the WSJ article states. Image by FlySigns.com. 
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| They Like it Hot: Sauceaholics Store Posted: 28 Jul 2011 11:37 AM PDT 
Sauceaholics is a culinary adventure store in Jacksonville, Florida offering over 600 choices of BBQ sauce, hot sauce, rubs, marinades, jams, jellies, chutneys, chips, salsas, simmering sauces, flavored whipped honey, relishes, condiments, t shirts, and smokin’ wood chunks/chips. According to the owner, the idea came about a couple Christmases ago when he went online to buy salsas for his partner in their CPA firm. “The further I went, the more this exploded,” he said. “There’s a whole cult out there of people and their salsas.” Good to know. You can also find them on Facebook, here. 
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| Another Accidental Franchise: Sky Zone Sports Posted: 28 Jul 2011 11:10 AM PDT 
The Franchise Hound has up a profile another business that accidentally became a franchise: Jeff Platt had never planned on starting a business model let alone a successful national franchise. With hopes of creating a brand new sport, more than a million dollars was invested in developing new teams and building a facility from the ground up. When it didn't take off as planned Jeff was left scratching his head on what to do next. That's when some local kids came knocking on the door and a successful national franchise was born. Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park is just what the name suggests – a giant indoor facility with wall to wall trampolines. It has become all the rage as a new form of fitness training as well as entertainment for kids and adults alike. One of the company's main objectives is to provide families and kids a unique, wholesome place to play, jump, exercise and have fun, while encouraging healthy lifestyle choices. Startup costs are estimated to be between $800,000 and $1.3 million. 
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| Surfing Bus Tour of Spain Posted: 28 Jul 2011 07:54 AM PDT 
Via Springwise, comes news about this weeklong bus tour of Spain for surfers: Surfing is enjoying a fresh surge in popularity in Spain, so it's no wonder Surf Road Experience is offering its surfing trips every week. The company has reportedly decked out eight British-style double-decker buses with beds, showers and all the amenities surfers might need, and every Monday new tours depart from the northwestern city of Vigo. A surfing instructor goes along on each trip, and up to 12 surfing enthusiasts aged 12 and up are equipped with surf boards for the week. Days, then, are spent touring the mainland coast in search of good waves and good times, with surf lessons provided along the way. Trips for novices and advanced surfers are available; pricing is EUR 445 for a six-day trip or EUR 190 for a weekend version. Promotional video below. Surf Road Experience from surfroadexperience on Vimeo. 
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| Wrongulator: The Calculator That is Always Wrong Posted: 28 Jul 2011 07:47 AM PDT 
The Wrongulator, from Red5, is no ordinary calculator. It is, in fact, the world's worst calculator as it never gives the right answer, ever! If your calculator has been exchanged for this one then every single calculation you've entered in it has been wrong. It is perhaps the cruelest practical joke you could inflict on your office mates. 
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| $1 Million Selling Rubber Duckies Posted: 28 Jul 2011 07:43 AM PDT 
CNN Money: Since founding Quacker Gift Shop in 2005, Jennifer Brown and Steve Kudron get this question a lot: Is there money in selling rubber ducks? Yes. So far, about a million dollars worth. Their duck-themed shop — selling everything from a wedding greeting card to the ubiquitous rubber duckie — attracts customers of all ages, and Denver-area tourists, too. “How do you turn a $2 duck into a million-dollar business? It’s because you grab a hold of something people know and remember, and you leverage that,” said Kudron. There’s plenty to leverage. Rubber ducks became popular in the 1970s after Ernie the Muppet from “Sesame Street” made the song “Rubber Duckie” famous. 
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| Inventor’s Journal: Katherine Huck Posted: 28 Jul 2011 06:30 AM PDT 
Last year on this date, Rich Whittle spoke to inventor Katherine Huck about her kids’ creative construction product, the Fort-A-Ma-Jig. Video below. 
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