Can anyone help with practical business ideas?
820819
To make a success of self-employment you have to be fired up with something that you are passionate about or which uses your skills to the full. I honestly believe that if you are asking for ideas, then you are not ready for self-employment.\n\nIf you want to work with children, why not qualify as a nursery nurse or childcare worker. Nurseries and pre-schools are crying out for qualified staff; and if you find it's for you, then you can consider becoming an independent childminder.
297848
Bye yourself the " Small Business Opportunities" book at any book store. I think it cost $3.25. There's a lot of information in that book on start up business, franchises and more.  This will give you a lot of ideas.  Good luck.
978659
We found this site very helpful\nhttp://www.Homebusinessgo.com/enter.asp?id=13894
907243
I JUST saw this great site mentioned on another answer.  It might be helpful.  Good luck:\n\nhttp://www.generatebusinessname.com/brainstorm/
10216
There's a detailed article here about ideas for startups:\nhttp://www.paulgraham.com/ideas.html\n\nIn a nutshell, he advises finding a problem that is intolerable and feeling it must be possible to solve it.  Not as easy as it sounds so his advice is well worth reading.
74403
Come up with an ingenious idea.\n\nhttp://www.milliondollarhomepage.com/
1138502
If it's a novel idea, you could just sell the idea.  That could be quick and easy.  But then, you won't benefit from the recurring revenue or growth of the business.  You might consider ridding your mind of the words "quick" and "easy" and being sure you are determined to follow through and make it happen.  \n\nThat said, here are some steps:\n1) Get (virtually) free advice from retired business owners through the Small Business Administration-sponsored program called SCORE.  You may have to pay around $50 for membership but it's well worth it.  SBA helps to arrange loans to new businesses, but you'll have to put in some effort (see below).\n\n2) To get funded, ideally you'll have a business plan.  There are a lot of helpful tools available ranging from Word templates to complete programs.  I'd just google "free business plan template" etc.  Even if you don't turn it into an epic piece of literature, a template will help structure your thoughts so you're speaking the same language as potential sources of loans and investment capitol.  You might also get help on this from MBA students at your local university - if all else fails, try pinning a note up at the business school.  Back to your plan, a couple of sentences for each section will at least give you a starting point.  Bring the items you don't know how to answer to your business advisor.\n\nConsider these goals to prepare yourself, each of which you can get help with:\n- be able to sum up the business/product/service concisely\n- be able to explain it in greater detail and to anticipate questions a potential funder or investor would ask you.  Write down the questions your advisor asks you - these are the same ones you'll be asked by investors.\n- what are the development and production costs?\n- how is the product sold and who/what are the customers?\n- what will customers be charged for the end product or service? \n- comparing start-up costs to income projections, when will the business "break even"?\n- consider your role in the business going forward.  What strengths do you bring to it, and what are your weak points?  This isn't a question to get you to sell your abilities so much as to help you identify the kinds of people you'll need to help you run the business.
172333
Check out the Small Business Administration web site -- they're a great resource for the small business owner. I listed a couple of other handy links as well.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well -- see posted link.\n\nTry reading up on the subject -- check out Amazon, your local bookstore or library. \n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
261822
Hello:\nIf you are sure that this would be a viable businesses in your area. I would create fliers and business cards (links below for lost cost options) and target families that have 2 working parents.  Give them a cost analysis of using your services to complete ironing for them as opposed to taking it all to the dry cleaner or hiring a housekeeper.  Also the elderly may be a target market, you could also possibly approach your local coin-op laundry's, ask them if they offer this service and if not ask them if perhaps they can include your card or flyer with their customers bill.  My local coin ops have a pay per pound service to have my laundry done for me, but the only one that will iron is the one that is attached to a dry cleaner (very expensive).\n\nYou may want to add other services as well (if you cant do them, maybe you can co-op with other people in your area) like sewing, alterations, laundry, errands etc.\n\nCheck out the other links, one is a forum of small business owners, they have a lnk on the left to ask questions and you can look through or post.  The other is Inc magazine, many many great articles on business. Click on "small business" "Start ups" or typr in your business and see if any articles come up.\n\nGood luck
780569
I know it aint easy however I think you should prepare a proposal or offer letter for the type of business you would want to do with these companies.\n\nAfter that do some research about how to contact these companies executives to present your business proposal, If your lucky enough.. you might be able to get in touch with few out of 10 odd you will try to contact.. \n\nTake it form there and depends on how goo dyour proposal is.\n\nGood luck bud!!\nCheers.
340247
Try business link they awere really helpful when i started up mine. also business angels and venture capitalists are groovy.
966652
Find the type of business on the link below that best describes what it is that YOU do (or want to do). Then see how to truly use the Net to make your specific business (or business idea) thrive.  http://www.wotsnext.com \n\nOr check out their new video tour http://www.sbivideo.wotsnext.com
259290
I suggest you contact your local SCORE office http://www.score.org/ - they are a group of volunteers whose main work is to help would-be entrepreneurs and business owners start, grow and manage their businesses. They give advice, they can serve as mentors, and they can give you information you need -- all for FREE! Just having someone to talk to and bounce off ideas, critique your plans and recommend better strategies is already a great help for every startup entrepreneur. Check out their website and get the address of the office nearest you.\n\nGood luck\nIsabel Isidro\nFor information on starting a home business, visit http://www.powerhomebiz.com
1098501
It would help to have more info to answer the question with. However, think about a big "PR" type event. It doesn't have to be practical, it just has to be something that gets the cameras there.\n\nA new soap? Set up showers in the mall and see who can sing best in the shower. \n\nTake whatever your product is and think about using it in a wacky way. An electric dog polisher. A fur lined sink. \n\nEventually, bring yourself back to earth with something you can actually pull off. \n\nDon't forget to have fun. \n\nRex
102724
Do a "Apprentice" like tasks where that you could split girls & boys. Have them come up with fake or actually small businesses. See who makes the most money by the end of a time period.  You can incorporated assistance with local banks & business to help. I think it would be fun & a learning experience
851586
Look for neighborhood bulletin boards at grocery stores, etc. and put some of your business cards on them.\n\nWrite postcards to your friends telling them about your new venture, and offering to help with holiday gift ideas.\n\nInvite a few close friends over for coffee, cocktails or white chili*, and have some of your wares conspicuously in view.  Don't make an overt sales pitch, but be ready with enthusiastic questions to the inevitable questions.\n\n*  My answer to your earlier white chili question was mostly tongue-in-cheek.  Sorry if I offended you.
92279
Here's a list of sample business plans:\nhttp://www.bplans.com/sp/businessplans.cfm\n\nThere isn't a specific one that meets your needs, but there are lots of plans to help you get an idea of what one should include.