While hanging out over the weekend at Blog Carnival, I came across a few new sources for solo entrepreneurs with some good tips. Grant Griffiths is the Home Office Warrior and writes exclusively on making it work. One article that immediately caught my attention was Cell Phone vs Landline.
Since I've moved to using only my cellphone this past 6 months, the article was relevant to where I am now - Qwest may be hooking me up again! Dead spots,echo chamber conversations and just finding that stupid phone when I need to make a quick call (don't ask!) is getting on my nerve - I only have one, and lately it's been on over-drive.
You have GOT to love solo entrepreneurs! We'll find ways to make money in some of the strangest ways possible and it doesn't always have to be pretty - just profitable! Eric Wills is a blogger who founded One Away where he talks about just what we as solos already know - it ain't the vehicle, it's how you use it to get where you're trying to go!
Anyway, this post has me thinking about re-inventing Georjina Sinese & Company. Meet Ned Hand, a solo entrepreneur from Cape Ann Massachusetts who took the idea 'old truck, will travel' to a whole new level. This WOMAN SOLO ENTREPRENEUR ROCKS! Ned Hand
I'll finish up with one more for your viewing pleasure, The Startup Blog at Partnerup, Making The Leap From Corporate America, is a decent read even if the 'corporate' part turns you off. It's about taking the first step towards creating the business life you want. When reading the article, as in everything that goes along with being a solo entrepreneur - take what you can use, leave the rest.
Time for some new business ideas:
1. Looking for a business that isn't all hype and allows you to offer stressed out customers a place to just relax? Think tea! This is a business that you can operate year round, has a very large market and the margins for making a profit aren't too shabby either. A couple links for those of you looking
for something a bit different:
Tea Trends
World Tea Expo 2008
Tea Business Guide
2. ATMs are a relatively simple business to start and can be profitable for the right
person. I had a client who owned 3 and was pulling in over $200k a year net income but there are some downside things to consider - How to initially stock the machine with cash, how to maintain them, ATM insurance and other things you'll want to consider before you get into it.
I did find a franchise on Entrepreneur that starts at $29,000 and there are quite a few sites with ATMs for sale or lease. Start with the franchise information and go from there: ACFN.
Now for the resources, take what you can use and leave the rest.
Business Plans. Get samples, edit and print out what you need. Palo Alto Software
Need a model of your invention or next great toy company? E Prototypes
Finding that working from anywhere you want is hampered by no connection? True Remote Access
Looking for business connections in the US or Canada? Local Business Date
If outsourcing has crossed your mind, get the information you need to do it right. Fast Trac
Best article submission software I've found in a while (no, this isn't my affiliate link!). Artemis Pro
Need business ideas that aren't only the 'same old, same old' and from around the globe?
Here you go! Springwise World Trends
For my Internetpreneurs (is that a word?!), here's another toolkit to bookmark: How To Corp
That's it for today and I leave you with this -
Most of us aren't interested in getting rich - we just don't want to get poor! ~Andy Rooney
