The Business Idea Thread

[HenkHolland]

As I suggested in another topic I feel that it is a good thing to post the (of course fastlane) business ideas that we all get (some more often than others) and that we don't intend to use for our own benefit in this thread as a source of inspiration for other people.

Who wants to kick off with Business idea #1?

Don't worry, I'll contribute too but at this very moment I don't have such a (fastlane) idea available.

[rocksolid]

Ok, I'll start. I was thinking it would be cool to have a paper plate that can also turn into a bowl. Maybe it could partially be made from the same stuff those bendy straws are made from. This way you could just fold up the edges and it would stay in place.

[djs13]

One idea hit me while I was reading the news this morning. Apparently this woman from an MTV reality show was arrested for DWI and it turns out she's very wealthy. So it got me thinking, there are alot of taxi services but how many specialize in late night excursions? It seems like all of these DWIs are very preventable.

A transportation service that specializes in transporting people who plan to drink over the legal limit might be lucrative. It would model something like a limousine business, but instead of party buses/limos, the company would purchase higher-end sedans and SUVs.

Marketing this business wouldn't be too difficult, since bar/nightclub owners might allow you to post the company's information in order to give intoxicated customers a safe way home.

The only problem I see with this idea is if its a really urban area where cabs are easy to come by. Also, you would have to study the mentality that people who go clubbing have. Some people might drive to a nightclub thinking they can control themselves, and end up needing a ride home. Perhaps there can also be a service which picks them up in the morning to go get their car?


BTW, I really like this thread. There are alot of ideas that aren't feasible for me or ones that I just don't have interest in. This thread could be a pool of brain storming for everyone.

[AshanD]

Another experienced member posted this idea a while back.

Bankruptcy lawyer aggregation

Start a national service for people going through bankruptcy to call a lawyer for immediate help.

Secure 1000 lawyers across the country for $1,000 a month. This brings in $1,000,000 a month.

Spend $500,000 a month on advertising.

[tchandy]

Build your team.

Tom

[HenkHolland]

I just read the post "Stop staring at the painting" and got an idea for a procrastinatoronline website a bit along the lines of aaonline.net.
Not only entrepreneurs, but anybody who tends to put off activities can subscribe and logon and ask to get his or her "ass kicked" by help groups which are formed by other members. This can be done through chat and/or phone sessions.

Setting up will not require much time or money. You can purchase a template for a simple membership site with chat facilities and a forum. Once it's up and running the members themselves will do most of the work.

[HenkHolland]

Build your team.

Tom

As an idea I just want to expand on your suggestion to "Build your team".

Although the advantage of building a good team is obvious, however, I often hear the objection that building a team initially requires either the capital to be able to hire the team members or the need to share ownership with the team members.

The latter can be overcome by forming an expert team consisting of team members who all live in a different country. The team together comes up with the business concept and shapes it into a ready-to-start business plan.
Once this plan is ready each team member can start his/her own company in their own country based on this business plan (much like franchising but in this case with a business concept you helped creating and without the need to pay a fee).
The team members should agree to continue working together at arm's length in improving the concept along the way and by giving advice related to their specific field of expertise to eachother.

[kurtyordy]

*warning- thread hijack*

Ok, I like the creativity and all, but lets take this a step further and make it worthwhile. When you post an idea, tell why you are not pursuing it yourself. Not what you do not like about it, but what fastlane venture are you pursuing instead of it.

We can all sit here a spew great ideas all day long, but like bilge said, you are just staring at the painting. Unless of course you are running after something else.

Here is an example of what I am talking about:
Deck Medics- Quality Healthcare for Aging Decks This would be great for franchising.

I am not pursuing it because I have decided to pursue web based ventures and am putting my focus on this. Therefore it does not fit into my overall strategy/plan, so I cannot pursue it violating my plan.

An example of what I am not talking about-
Deck Medics- Quality Healthcare for Aging Decks This would be great for franchising.

I am not pursuing this because I know nothing about franchising and I cannot afford a truck and blah blah blah...

The latter example is someone who does not actually think it is a great idea, or they would overcome the excuses they are fronting.

Ok, carry on....

[PaulRobert]

I'll add my idea that I had two years ago-

A website that brings entrepreneurs, investors, and venture capitalists together. There they came brainstorm ideas, business plans, and strategies.

The reason why I am not pursuing it: There is no passion or drive in me to do this. I would only be doing it to get money. No passion to do it = Crappy website and greed. I have found an idea that I am passionate about and am currently pursuing.


Edit: I reposted my idea because I did not explain why I am giving it out.

[HenkHolland]

Kurtyordy, in my case both the ideas that I posted just popped up today, triggered by postings of other members.
The procrastinator website idea I will not pursue myself since I am too busy with the introduction of a new health product and I am not skilled enough to set up a website in the little spare time that is left.

The second idea revolving a global team may be something I will pursue in the not too distant future, once I get the health product business to a level where my daily involvement is not required anymore.

When I started this thread I had the idea for it to be a kind of brainstorm summary without judgement. Everybody can decide if there is something useful for him or her.
It would be nice if somebody reports it back in this thread in case he/she decides to use one of the ideas.

[kurtyordy]

Kurtyordy, in my case both the ideas that I posted just popped up today, triggered by postings of other members.
The procrastinator website idea I will not pursue myself since I am too busy with the introduction of a new health product and I am not skilled enough to set up a website in the little spare time that is left.

The second idea revolving a global team may be something I will pursue in the not too distant future, once I get the health product business to a level where my daily involvement is not required anymore.

When I started this thread I had the idea for it to be a kind of brainstorm summary without judgement. Everybody can decide if there is something useful for him or her.
It would be nice if somebody reports it back in this thread in case he/she decides to use one of the ideas.

Henk- I in no way meant to poop on your parade, just trying to take it up a notch. I started a similar thread about a year or so ago in the private forums. Knowing my weaknesses and the weaknesses of a typical idea factory person, it is very easy to waste much time just thinking through ideas and never acting on anything. They typically waste their own and many others time as well. That is the reason I suggested posting the why not.

If each time someone posts an idea, they have to commit in words to their plan and what it is, it will help keep their plan in their minds, and should up their commitment.

I would love to see someone run with some of these ideas, and that is a great idea, just looking to help everyone commit a little more.

[kurtyordy]

I'll add my idea that I had two years ago-

A website that brings entrepreneurs, investors, and venture capitalists together. There they came brainstorm ideas, business plans, and strategies.

The reason why I am not pursuing it: There is no passion or drive in me to do this. I would only be doing it to get money. No passion to do it = Crappy website and greed. I have found an idea that I am passionate about and am currently pursuing.


Edit: I reposted my idea because I did not explain why I am giving it out.

ok, so what are you doing?

[michael]

Here is an example of what I am talking about:
Deck Medics- Quality Healthcare for Aging Decks This would be great for franchising.

An example of what I am not talking about-
Deck Medics- Quality Healthcare for Aging Decks This would be great for franchising.

Great suggestion Kurt (telling people to give a reason why they're not using the idea)

My play centre idea is just one I offered to anyone interested, it may very well be something I pursue as I can easily get staff onboard.

As soon as I am finally finished with school in 2 weeks I will look closely at my ideas and work out what it would take to start each... the idea that can be started the cheapest will be what I do.

Can you expand on what deck medics is?

[kurtyordy]

Can you expand on what deck medics is?

Deck Medics- it would be the roto rooter for decks. In my area, decks are increasingly being added as part of the exterior of homes. Proper maintenance and refurbishing of decks takes much time and equipment. This is where Deck Medics comes in. One truck, one guy, deck is done in a day. Got a party tomorrow? deck looks like crap? Don't break you back, call Deck Medics.

[NoMoneyDown]

kurtyordy - I think saying why you aren't pursuing the idea is an excellent idea in itself. To push the envelope further, I wouldn't even mind a place where ideas can not only be shared/collaborated on, but also where disjointly-minded individuals can seek help/partnerships. IOW, I have an excellent idea for a new hat design, but have no earthly idea how/what to do next. I also have an idea for a washing machine, but have no idea how/what to do next. My field of expertise lay within real estate and IT - not apparal or mechanical design. Having someone who IS into apparal design to assist/partner/license/etc. my hat design would be a win-win. Same with my washing machine idea and several others I have.

[PaulRobert]

ok, so what are you doing?

I am trying to bring a product of my own to market. I am starting off by meeting up with a patent attorney next week and discuss the product. After that, I already have a company that can get the product created in China and I will a do test run to see how my product will sell.

[SweetJones]

I am trying to bring a product of my own to market. I am starting off by meeting up with a patent attorney next week and discuss the product. After that, I already have a company that can get the product created in China and I will a do test run to see how my product will sell.

I'm no expert, but why do you need to go through a patent attorney first? Here is a video I watched, someone had posted it earlier. It's by the creator of Under Armour.. sell first, patent later. Don't want to patent something that won't sell.. but is it to check if someone else is doing it?

Good luck with your venture!

Create a selling product

[PaulRobert]

I'm no expert, but why do you need to go through a patent attorney first? Here is a video I watched, someone had posted it earlier. It's by the creator of Under Armour.. sell first, patent later. Don't want to patent something that won't sell.. but is it to check if someone else is doing it?

Good luck with your venture!

Create a selling product

The reason: I'd rather spend $500-$1000 on a provisional patent with an attorney and have the thought in the back of my mind that my product is protected than be nervous and then fight in court that I was the first to invent. Its always better to spend a little more in the beginning than pay for it big time in the end.

[royemunson]

Two ideas I have - both are offline:

1. Healthy fast food chain with drive through yet quality atmosphere inside and more options than some of these other places - goal would be to keep costs down.

2. Women's jeans for a fuller figured woman. Many women I know have trouble finding good jeans that fit who aren't size 6 where you don't have to spend a fortune at places like Lane Bryant.

Joe

[dnuge3]

Lamboman, have you ever used the site called Quirky.com? It's a socially run site that gives you the opportunity to present your idea to designers, manufactures, distributors and the like. From which they vote on the idea and bring it to market. The cost is exceptionally low. Might want to check it out.