An Army man of eight years, Ron Johnson figures there is a right way and a wrong way to do just about everything.

So when he started his own business after being laid off from 25 years in the telecommunication industry, Johnson read everything he could about his new field and exhaustively researched the competition.

Then he named his business Ron John Poo-B-Gone. read all »

So you think your place is small? One night recently, a group of architecture students staying up late in a loft in Brooklyn took to amusing themselves by stuffing a mattress into a hole cut into the wall above a bedroom door. Then they tried the mattress out for comfort. Not half bad! It occurred to one of them, Nick Freeman, that people might pay money to call that elevated mattress home.

So Mr. Freeman posted an ad on the Web site Craigslist: “$35 — elevated mattress-sized space between rooms.” He used a minimalist pitch. “Opening between hall and room available for long/short-term use, accessible by ladder, sheets and pillows not provided.” The ad went up around noon, and by the end of that day, Mr. Freeman had a dozen potential takers. read all »

Everyone has things lying around that they no longer have a use for. Many of these things have great value to others. Even though many people know that eBay is there, they do not know how it works or they just do not feel like messing with it, this is where you come in. read all »

Most people today are so busy that the last thing they want to do is wait in line to get an oil change or car wash. So why not develop a car care service that goes to the customer’s home? read all »

Hey students, here’s some great part-time small business ideas to make you some extra cash. You don’t have to be penniless anymore or bother Mom and Dad every time you need some money.

It is a fact of life that students are notorious for being cash-strapped most times. But it needn’t have to be that way. With some clever thinking, some hard work and perseverance, a part-time business can be a solution. Here are a few opportunities that I’d recommend to the student. These businesses can be started with little or no capital and requires little or no training. They are virtually certain to produce extra income and can be sold once the student graduates and starts a full-time job.

1. Typing Service

Provide a typing service to other students. Offer to type their assignments, resumes, thesis, etc.

2. Auto Detailing

If you have a flair for graphics and design and you love cars, then you might consider offering a detailing service to vehicle owners. Apart from putting on stunning graphics, you could also detail company vehicles and trucks by putting on logos, signs or advertisements.

3. Auto Protection/Car Sound Installation

If you are good with electronics and sound, you may consider this very lucrative opportunity. You can source alarm units or sound equipment direct from the manufacturer or wholesaler and put a small mark-up on it if you like but your best income would be from the actual installation charge.

4. Tutor

If you are really good in a certain subject, you can tutor school kids in your area. You could either do this at their home or yours. You will charge a rate per hour. read all »

If you’ve ever been in an office, especially cluttered with little cubicles, you know how dark and dreary they can be, no matter how much light is pouring through the windows. Imagine spending the majority of your waking time in such an atmosphere.

Now you can make corporate America a little more cheerful by renting plants to local businesses. It’s easy! Your clients choose the type of plants they want to rent, you deliver them to the office. read all »

There are many things you can find that can be sold. Gold and precious stones come to mind, but it doesn’t end there. Get up into that attic to see what treasures you find, and then check out some of the more unusual ways to go treasure hunting below.

1. Hunting Diamonds In Parking Lots

The temperature changes your jewelry experiences getting in and out of cars and buildings cause diamonds to come loose from their settings. This makes parking lots one of the most common places that diamonds are lost. One older couple I read about become so good at telling the difference (from a distance!) between the sparkle of a diamond and bits of glass that they regularly take early morning walks in mall parking lots for a second income. read all »

Just over 32 percent of new business owners needed less than $5,000 to start or acquire their business. Amazingly enough, 25 percent of business owners needed no dollar amount to start up. The following is just a small list of some ways to start your new business with little or no money.

1. Work from home - Starting a home business is easier and much less expensive than renting commercial space. Most small business does not require a special location. Benefits to home businesses include flexibility in hours, less travel expense, no rent, great in-home tax advantages, and being able to comfortably work in your PJ’s. If you can start your new business from home, do it; there will be enough expenses without the added cost of commercial rental space.

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In local news, an 11 year old girl from New Ulm has taken up an unlikely hobby that looks to benefit the environment. 11 year old Kennedi Kokesch makes all these bird feeders with recycled glass. After seeing glass being thrown away, and into garbage bins, at a local business, she had a creative epiphany. Kennedi Kokesch says, ”I asked them is this going to a landfill or are you throwing this away? And they said they’re gonna throw it away, and that just got me interested.”Interested in re-using that glass, to create beautiful and unique bird feeders. read all »

Long time statistics have shown that 9 out of 10 new businesses fail in their first year. Lack of planning and financial ruin is one of the most common causes. Starting small is a way to insure minimal risk in new business. The founder of Dell computers was a college dropout on a shoe-string budget who started his business out of his garage. One in three computers sold today is a Dell.

The following is a list of just some of the businesses you can start for $500 or less.

1. Housekeeping - Requirements/ household cleaners, mop, broom, vacuum, towels, bucket, business cards - approximate cost $150. Molly Maids is a multi-million dollar business started with a broom, a mop, and quality and reliable service. I can guarantee you that the CEO of Molly Maids doesn’t clean houses any longer. read all »

The Power Washing Business is a lucrative business that most anyone can start and make a honest living. The start-up capital required is low and there isn’t expensive overhead required to keep your business running. In many areas there is low competition and high demand for both residential and commercial work. read all »

Business Idea: Camping Classes

Camping is an outdoors recreational pastime enjoyed by millions of people across North America. Thus, starting a “how-to camp” instructional business that teaches novice campers and hikers practical information and tips on how to safely go camping is an extremely low-cost business start-up that can potentially generate fabulous profits. read all »

My business is designing and laminating bookmarks for wedding favors, business promotions, nonprofit organizations, holidays and other special occasions or projects. I design them on my computer, depending on what the customer wants. Then I print and laminate them.

I came up with the idea of a bookmark business because it was a fun way to express my creativity and would require a low investment. read all »

Because few homeowners or tenants have the time, means or energy to do it themselves, there is always a need for someone with a pickup truck to transport things found or accumulated around the house and yard. Examples are trash from private homes and businesses (most collection services will not pick up certain types of refuse), carting off things that have been cleaned out of the garage or attic, delivery of large items, picking up tree and shrub trimmings, etc. all that is needed is a truck and a strong back. read all »

1. Rent Out A Room

Of course if your earnings are over the taxable limit, you could be taxed on rent as an income. But hey, if your rent was over the taxable income, you probably wouldn’t have the need to make extra money in the first place. Make sure that the room you’re renting is comfortable, secure and well decorated.

Your home should also be conducive to accommodate someone comfortably, remember that what you’re offering is not just a room but a home to someone. Renting a room in your house is an easy way to making money, and if you pick the right person, (someone who works long hours, or travels a lot) you may hardly ever see them. read all »