Business Idea - Bird Feeder Mogul

Be the quirky gal down the block who made her millions manufacturing bird feeders. Collect a selection of plans. Start producing and selling them by mail-order or eBay. Knockdown kits are great to market to parents looking for an easy, project to do with their kids. Sell tallow-seed mixes by mail. Obtain a list of pet-stores and gardening shops and sell at wholesale to them.

Business Idea - Steam Cleaning Service

Again the start up cost of this is not too bad, just the cost of your steam cleaner. Buy your first one used to decrease costs even further. (Check with a local equipment dealer.) You could go door-to-door cleaning car engines or you could work at truck stops cleaning truck engines and undercarriages. Or you could work late nights steam-cleaning restaurant kitchens which become caked with grease. Keep your eyes open for new ways to sell your service.

Business Idea - Apple Doll Maker

I’m not sure how marketable these things are, but I love them anyway. No two ever look alike. Each one is a unique reflection of the inner lives of its creator. (Hmmm... a bit too flowery there, but you get the idea.) Peel the apple under cold water to keep it from browning. Use spoons and knives to carve out the facial features. Soak in salt water for two days. Remove and hang dry for three weeks. Now decorate the face adding beads for eyes and a little acrylic paint for blush on the cheeks. Add a sawdust-filled body and clothes and coat the apple face with floor wax to preserve its appearance. In the end you’ll have neat, little wizened creatures that you can sell as folk art. Get books out of your local library for inspiration. (Try little wizards in home-made hats and gowns to cash in on the Harry Potter craze.) Send me links to pictures of your creations.

Business Idea - Specialty Aprons

Specialty aprons are a great and practical, kitschy gift. Make ‘em for all occasions, Xmas themes, retirement, tourist souvenirs, Halloween, Thanksgiving. Make fancy pinafore ones or over-the-top luxury ones with fake fur or leopard trim for the divas in your customers’ lives. You can sell by mail order or a mall kiosk during holiday seasons. Sell apron patterns and fabrics and you have yourself one well-rounded business.

Business Idea - House Cleaning

Most normal people hate housework and many will pay handsomely to avoid it all together. If you have a strong stomach, this can be a very decent business with very little overhead going in.

Business Idea - Construction Site Cleanup

After the job is complete, construction sites are a mess. Profit by it by subcontracting to do the cleanup. You’ll need a few basic hand tools and a pickup truck will probably come in handy. Sometimes you can even negotiate salvage materials left over as part of your quote.

Business Idea - Washrooms Only Cleaning Service

If you’re got a strong stomach, this could be the business for you. Clean public washrooms are the holy grail of any extended shopping trip. Businesses should know that we all judge their operations by the cleanliness of their bathrooms. Bad bathroom, bad kitchen is the judgment I make of restaurants that don’t care about clean washrooms. A small purchase of cleaning supplies and presto, jingo, you’ve got yourself a Restroom Only cleaning service. Gas stations and restaurants should be easy to convince of the merits of hiring you. Do timed checks throughout the day. Offer a free demonstration. As you expand, hire other people to fulfill your contracts.