When business opportunity knocks, open the door.
"Sometimes it’s a matter of using a familiar product in a new way," wrote StartupNation community member Sara Schaedig in response to our previous entry about the invention of Velcro.
Sara went on to state a problem horse owners deal with. "Those of us who have horses and trail ride have the same problem with burs. How to get them out when your horse’s tail looks like a matted broom?"
Her time-honored solution is simple. "Baby oil. The burs can’t stick when you put that on. Each one slides right out," Sara says.
And here’s the opportunity Sara handed you on a silver platter, "Now if someone wants to package that for the horse industry, have at it! Because it works."
Our question to you is, who among you is going to respond to Sara’s great idea to re-package an old product for a new application and make it a commercial success? Post your email address and invite sara to contact you to collaborate on her great idea for horse grooming.
March 30th, 2005 at 10:08 pm
Dear Sarah,
My name is Jarod Chelo and I am [u]very[/u] interested in your idea. Please respond.
March 31st, 2005 at 9:47 am
Jarod,
Thank you for the interest.
There are many things horse owners do for short cuts. Baby oil is only one of them. My feed/tack room is full of stuff that I made from different feed, cloth and hardware items, or household remedies. Many times I bypass what has been specifically produced for horses to save on cost.
It’s about what is practical and being a smart consumer. If an idea is going to work those principals must be kept in mind. Why should I buy a psyllium digestive supplement for $5/lb plus shipping when I can go to a local discount store that sells the same exact thing for humans at a lower cost sans shipping? My horses won’t know the difference, but my wallet will.
If you have questions I’ll gladly be a sounding board.
Sara
April 4th, 2005 at 11:37 am
Sara,
Sounds like you have the making of a book.
Suggest interleaving chapters on:
- basic care of horses from foal to old age with (for the new horse owner and even the owner who needs to brush up on essentials: medical care….)
- stories of favorite horses (horse owners love anything to do with horses and stories are entertaining)
- chapters on where to get hard to find equipment (custom leather saddles / spurs, etc.), how to fix equipment….
- intersperse within this framework your unique solutions to horse problems. Imagine pages every now and then with engravings of famous horses or just various great images of horses and underneath the image / engraving you list a solution to a unique problem in a few sentences.
_____________________________________
Idea #2 Create a calander of horses with a unique problem / solution for every month.
I’d contact:http://www.whisperingriver.com
All the Best,
Brewer
April 5th, 2005 at 9:46 pm
Hi Sara,
I think you should write a booklet and title it "Hints From Sara on Horsecare", "Money Saving Hints from Sara on Horsecare",etc.
I think you should sell it on the internet, in Vets Offices, Tack Shops, Feed Stores, Horse Shows, etc. for a very nominal fee…maybe $3-5.00’s. I know keeping horses is a really expensive proposition, so I think people would definately spend a few dollars to save a lot of dollars.
You could probably print it yourself. Get some colored paper and print. fold in half, staple…put a really neat picture of a horse on the front, and I bet you’ll make a ton of money..Maybe intersperse some horse folklore, jokes, interesting facts about horses.
Best to You…..Mary
April 24th, 2005 at 5:40 pm
I can spot a need … for a couple of years I told family members that a particular water ice franchise would do well in a particular spot. It opened there.
Then there was the clothing store that closed and I told family members that a movie theater would do well… it opened there.
So far, I’ve named the spots for businesses 2 to 3 years before they opened: 2 water ice franchises; a movie theater, a bowling alley, gas station, hotel, dollar store, 2 fast food restaurants and a home improvement center…. they all opened and are doing well.
I have a number of other ideas for businesses and locations that would do well but no ideas on how to get them started…ergo startupNation.
April 25th, 2005 at 4:19 pm
let’s talk, bill!
what about coming on our radio show for a little brainstorming session on what to do with your great ideas.
i bet we can help you figure out the SHORT LIST of steps you should take.
we’d love the challenge–and we’d REALLY love to get you moving!
what do you say?!
rich and jeff
April 27th, 2005 at 9:07 am
Wow! There are so many questions!
Franchise costs are daunting. Land prices are through the roof, especially for good locations. Then there’s the franchise research. For instance, let’s say I was interested in a mid-sized restaurant. Do they provide an inventory control system; supplier sources; POS systems; etc? How do they compare with another mid-sized chain like Perkins for instance?
Would I be better off with a smaller start like an ice cream store for example?
Or instead, would a themed miniature support the land and tax costs in the traffic location that it would need?
Would perhaps a Philly-style pretzel factory be the better choice that targets a specific market? Oven and energy costs might be high but location would not be as critical.
In any of these what are the potential 1st; 3rd and 5th year income projections and how do I forecast these?
Of course I would have to immerse myself a bit in the industry and/or find and afford good management.
Zoning, licensing, and other government red tape are other issues. Finding the capital to launch, affording the switch with 2 kids in college with a pay as you go plan in affect are all serious questions.
If I were to do this I would want a fairly detailed plan that would anticipate as much of the costs and requirements as possible. No weak points that would invite failure.
Come on the radio? If we frame it well. I’m not exceptional at ad-lib; I’m much better at thinking things through first. I have a lot of questions and there are a lot that I probably don’t know that I need answered yet. Give me the topic, scope or even the questions that you would like to answer and I’ll be happy to ask. If I can see the “turning point” I’ll take a shot at the steps you propose.
Oh, one problem, if not in the next 30 days then not until August….for personal reasons that don’t belong on a blog.
April 27th, 2005 at 2:12 pm
bill,
if you could provide your email address to me that would be great! i’d love to talk about bringing you on the radio show! for privacy you are welcome to fill out the [link=http://www.startupnation.com/pages/contact/' target='_blank']contact us[/link] form on our website and i will personally see to it that we get things organized. just be sure to reference this blog.
we have lots of wisdom to share regarding franchise entrepreneurship and i think a lot of listeners would be interested! we also cover this topic in [link=http://www.startupnation.com' target='_blank']our book[/link], which you’ve probably seen offered on our site.
-Sloan bros.
October 4th, 2005 at 2:22 am
hi,bill :
I would like to find some information about that open an ice cream shop .I will write a business plan for my teacher.
jc
January 4th, 2006 at 9:54 am
Trying to get in touch with Sara, and i don’t believe i have the right email.
Can anyone help?
Thanks
February 24th, 2006 at 12:08 pm
Dear Sloan Bros.
I am having a VERY hard time finding a manufacturer for a textile product. I am trying to develope (blanket/bedding). I know the manufacturers are in China, but I cant find who or where for help in manufacturing my product. I did find one company, but when they found out I was on my own, trying to "start" a business, they were no longer interested.
Any advise?
Sincerely,
Kate O”Malley
kathrynomalley@sbcglobal.net
February 24th, 2006 at 4:37 pm
What is so fascinating to me about Sara’’s baby oil challenge is…about 2 nights ago I was tinkering around with the idea of starting a blog which would be dedicated to discussions and brainstorming about products that have uses beyond what they were invented and marketed for. Honestly. "ARoseAintARose.com lol.
Think about the product "Bag Balm" designed originally to soften the udders of cows…this product has many uses…from softening the pads of a dog’’s paws, to hand cream to wood enhancer.
Plant Hollywood sells fried chicken with a Captain Crunch coating…breakfast for dinner! Got to love it.
And the undisputed king of products with varied uses….Duct Tape!
Now if we could only get Robert Redford (Horse Whisperer)…to be the official spokes person for Sara, we would be golden.