Start-up business ideas

[Bullwinkle]

Mods ... if you feel this belongs on journalism topics only, feel free to move it.

OK, so I am thinking about partnering up with a few friends and taking a shot at starting up our own business. Between the three of us, we've got plenty of money and we've got some skills -- in journalism, in business, in marketing.

The problem? We need a concept.

It's easy to say something like, "We'd like to open up a bar," or, "Let's open up a store of some sort." But, we're really trying to find an inventive idea. We've thought of some ideas that we could pursue on the Internet, and then a few other completely random ideas, too. But I was wondering if anybody has any concepts that you think would be interesting to look into. Surely, some of you have considered getting out of the industry and trying your hand at something new. After spending years covering the story, I have to believe that we get the urge now and again to BE the story.

I know I probably sound like a moron. And yes, I am a moron.

But my friends are smart (even though their ideas suck!)  ;D

 

[BigSleeper]

Go to a college town, buy a Cereal Bowl franchise. Or sharpen saws at home.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Go to a college town, buy a Cereal Bowl franchise. Or sharpen saws at home.

I should have demanded serious replies only in the original post. Dammit!

 

[BigSleeper]

I was serious about The Cereal Bowl. Of course, it has a financial requirement of $250,000 net worth with $50,000 being liquid just to buy in.

Or you can stuff envelopes. ;D

 

[Magnum]

You can own your own plumbing business.

 

[Bullwinkle]

I think I'll take a mulligan ...

Let's say you could get out of the industry and start your dream business.

What would you pursue and why?

 

[Mystery_Meat]

start a newspaper

 

[Point of Order]

This is not my dream business, but more in line with the original post. I am definitely considering this if the situation is ever right.

http://www.calendarclub.com/

 

[Point of Order]

Also, I hear you can get into a Little Caesar's franchise for around $100,000 ($50,000 if you're retired military). The learning curve here wouldn't be too steep and you could make some really good money if you got in the right location.

 

[Bullwinkle]

This is not my dream business, but more in line with the original post.  I am definitely considering this if the situation is ever right.

http://www.calendarclub.com/

That's sort of interesting.

We are committed to putting all our time and energy into whatever idea we pursue. The problem, so far, is finding an idea (or concept) that's interesting and has great potential. We just want to ...

1. Find an idea
2. Come up with plan
3. Execute

And yes, we hope the execution of our plan is more Bill Belichick than Ty Willingham.

 

[BigSleeper]

Pool hall/hash bar called Sticks n' Stoned.

Seriously, I'd have to say private investigation firm that I run out of my boat. We'd occasionally use the big pink, porcine helicopter and our dorky friend's robot to solve cases. Why? Why flippin' not, man! All cases solved in 44 minutes or your kids eat free! As long as those snooty ass punks Rick and A.J. stay out of our hair, we're all good.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Pool hall/hash bar called Sticks n' Stoned.

Seriously, I'd have to say private investigation firm that I run out of my boat. We'd occasionally use the big pink, porcine helicopter and our dorky friend's robot to solve cases. Why? Why flippin' not, man! All cases solved in 44 minutes or your kids eat free! As long as those snooty ass punks Rick and A.J. stay out of our hair, we're all good.

Yes -- I want more ideas like this

(though ideas that are easier to execute!)

 

[Point of Order]

This is not my dream business, but more in line with the original post. I am definitely considering this if the situation is ever right.

http://www.calendarclub.com/

That's sort of interesting.

We are committed to putting all our time and energy into whatever idea we pursue. The problem, so far, is finding an idea (or concept) that's interesting and has great potential. We just want to ...

1. Find an idea
2. Come up with plan
3. Execute

And yes, we hope the execution of our plan is more Bill Belichick than Ty Willingham.

The first million dollars is always the toughest.

 

[mustangj17]

Do something like this.

BODERLINE UNSAFE FOR WORK

http://www.ashleymadison.com/

 

[luckyducky]

Also, I hear you can get into a Little Caesar's franchise for around $100,000 ($50,000 if you're retired military). The learning curve here wouldn't be too steep and you could make some really good money if you got in the right location.

A new Little Caesar's just opened up in my area and business has been crazy since day one.

 

[BigSleeper]

Do something like this.

BODERLINE UNSAFE FOR WORK

http://www.ashleymadison.com/

Wow. That's kind of sad.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Do something like this.

BODERLINE UNSAFE FOR WORK

http://www.ashleymadison.com/

Wow. That's kind of sad.

That's what I want!

 

[BigSleeper]

Considering the rise in for-profit universities, I compel you actually open Whatchamatta U. Credits unlikely to transfer.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

I've always wanted to make a company that sold modified sporting equipment. I want to play basketball on a 20-foot hoop. I want a lighter, helium-filled football I can throw 150 yards. I want a golf tee that spits the ball straight up when you stand on a button, and you swing at the ball horizontally like a baseball to tee off. I want to play tennis on a lumpy court, so you never know which way the ball will bounce. I want to play at a mini-bowl course -- like mini-golf, except for bowling (one lane per hole, with one lane involving bowling through a clown's mouth and knocking over the pins on the other side, one lane is bowling over a ledge and hitting the pins on the bottom, one involves bowling into one of several holes, with the bowling ball emerging on the far side of a wall and either coming out a strike, or off to a side; etc.)

My dad and I once attached side walls to our ping pong table and developed a new set of rules that allowed for banked shots.

So there you go. You give me a cut and I give you my permission to use my ideas.

 

[Bullwinkle]

I want to play at a mini-bowl course -- like mini-golf, except for bowling (one lane per hole, with one lane involving bowling through a clown's mouth and knocking over the pins on the other side, one lane is bowling over a ledge and hitting the pins on the bottom, one involves bowling into one of several holes, with the bowling ball emerging on the far side of a wall and either coming out a strike, or off to a side; etc.)

You give me a cut and I give you my permission to use my ideas.

How much do I have to pay for this one?