Business Idea - Bumper Stickers

Bumper stickers give voice to the voiceless everywhere and lighten up depressing traffic jams, if witty enough. They’re also a great way to advertise a small business. You can set up your own business to print and sell them to all kinds of clients. Pre-sell your orders to tourist attractions, to politicians, church groups, PTAs and gift and novelty shops. Design special stickers for tourist attractions in your area and design specialty stickers just for them, i.e. “I survived climbing Mt. Way-Too-High”, etc. Your overhead costs will be negligible compared to potential profits if you come up with a catchy marketing scheme

Business Idea - Modern Day Blacksmith

The home renovation craze means that quality craftspeople are in demand. Wrought iron and decorative ironwork are being used in homes for things like banisters, plant and decorative wall hangers, railings and so on. Pick up this reviving trade and become a modern day blacksmith. Check out your local community college for courses.

(And this isn't that far-fetched. I actually have a distant great uncle who does ironwork.)

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.