Homework for Lex and Lotfi and ETHAN and Siyi only (but others can do this as well...)

Remember - the key skill we are trying to develop is EVALUATION.

Monday’s Homework

Mountain Climbing/Abseiling

CONCEPT: With some outdoor background, a small business entrepreneur can offer classes and climbing and/or abseiling - possibly both on the one trip - in a spectacular local area.

STRENGTHS:

WEAKNESSES:

REAL WORLD BIZ: http://www.rockfrog.co.uk/; www.bcl.com.au/sydney/active/climbingabseiling.htm;

Tuesday’s Homework

Kayak Hire/Tours

CONCEPT: At a local river/creek or waterside location, operate a kayak tour or kayak/canoe hire business.

STRENGTHS:

WEAKNESSES:

REAL WORLD BIZ: http://www.seakayaking.com/; www.headwater.com/all/activities/canoeing.htm; www.acadiafun.com

Wednesday’s homework

Band Rehearsal Space Rentals

CONCEPT: Every city has plenty of garage bands and wannabe rockstars-in-training. However, a problem they usually face is that their parents/neighbours will no longer tolerate hearing Smoke On The Water at 200 decibels in their garage any more. The solution for them is to rent out a space where they can rehearse - loudly.

Finding this kind of warehouse space isn’t difficult and free marketing via flyers in all of your city’s music instrument shops should ensure a steady flow of ‘School of Rock’ (Page 203) graduates and drop-outs alike. Soundproofing is a good, albeit costly, option too.

STRENGTHS:

WEAKNESSES:

REAL WORLD BIZ:

http://spotlightstudiosnw.com/rehearsals.aspx; www.musicmakerstudios.com/practicerooms.shtml; www.brockportstudios.com;

www.bandname.com/classifieds/

Thursday’s homework

Exotic Plant/Herb Dealer at Markets

CONCEPT: Plant species like the Venus Flytrap, Cobra Plant, Yellow Trumpet, Hooded Pitcher Plant and Maroon Sundew Plant all like to eat. Meat. As such, they are an intriguing novelty for children or childish adults and can do very well at markets. Just keep your little children away from these carnivores.

STRENGTHS:

WEAKNESSES:

REAL WORLD BIZ: www.petflytrap.com; http://www.buyvenus-/ flytrap-plants.com; http://www.urbanjungle.uk.com/; www.davids-exoticplants.co.uk; www.theepicentre.com

Friday’s homework

Vending Machines

CONCEPT: One of the very best types of small business is one that requires the least amount of attention. Vending machines fit this model perfectly.

Step 1: Purchase vending machine/s (or a vending franchise);

Step 2: Negotiate with relevant businesses and organisations to use their space to place the machine (usually they will want a percentage);

Step 3: Once/twice a week, you reload the stock and collect the profits.

STRENGTHS:

WEAKNESSES:

REAL WORLD BIZ: http://www.vendingondemand.com/; www.vendingmachinesunlimited.com;

www.universalvending.com; http://www.generalvending.co.uk/; www.ukvending.co.uk