What do I need to know about starting a dogwalking/sitting service? [more inside]
posted by Lipstick Thespian on Oct 24, 2009 - 6 answers

Help me learn about the clothing consignment business. [more inside]
posted by mintchip on Sep 21, 2009 - 1 answer

How successful can a VHS-to-DVD conversion business be? [more inside]
posted by st starseed on Sep 3, 2009 - 11 answers

Use cash to start a business or for a down payment on a home. [more inside]
posted by mintchip on Sep 1, 2009 - 10 answers

What's it like to own a business? [more inside]
posted by btkuhn on Aug 3, 2009 - 31 answers

good research materials on the subject of electric cars, 3d modeling and/or entrepreneurship? [more inside]
posted by groovinkim on Jul 20, 2009 - 4 answers

Thinking of opening up a bagel store in a town nearby where there are no bagel stores. Looking for tips, suggestions, advice, and name ideas! [more inside]
posted by firei on Jun 21, 2009 - 23 answers

Help me find out if my dream is totally unrealistic! [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 8, 2009 - 23 answers

Help me get my ducks in a row in terms of what business documents and billing method I'll need for launching my new lead generation business! [more inside]
posted by Elminster24 on May 12, 2009 - 2 answers

i believe myself to be quite gifted when it comes to typing. can this be parlayed into an income somehow? [more inside]
posted by austere on Mar 13, 2009 - 34 answers

How should I go about buying/starting/running a small business? [more inside]
posted by Spike on Feb 25, 2009 - 14 answers

Tell me stories about successful people that deviated from the typical career path. [more inside]
posted by prunes on Feb 9, 2009 - 10 answers

Ideas for marketing a new pilates studio in Manhattan? [more inside]
posted by lgandme0717 on Feb 8, 2009 - 2 answers

What are some alternative business models on the internet besides selling antiques and books? I have been tasked at school with brainstorming ideas for alternative business models including revenue generating websites and internet based services. That revenue could come from advertising, AdWords, Software as Subscription, or any other alternative model. Things that quickly come to mind are: 1) Subscription based software for take-out restaurants, 2) Residential helpdesk service using GoToMyPC type software, or 3) iTunes for call centers ( Jukebox while your on hold ). If you ran a startup, what would it be? Are there a finite amount of ways to generate revenue?
posted by kaizen on Jan 5, 2009 - 3 answers

I'm presenting a social entrepreneurish talk with case studies on how people are using the web to help improve lives for marginalized communities and empowering social movements. Ie doing good thru the internets. So far only 2 distinct ones come to mind... kiva.org and change.org. Does anybody know any else? Extra points for web2.0-ish examples.
posted by arrowhead on Nov 26, 2008 - 11 answers

How can I generate some income with a 10k sq. ft space, only available three weekdays out of the week?
posted by puddleglum on Nov 12, 2008 - 19 answers

I've just finished business school and have landed myself an internship at a very respectable multinational company in Barcelona, Spain. The internship is great, the salary dreadful. So, I'm now in a position where I can barely afford to live and need to find something else to suppliment my income. Can someone give me an idea of what formalities I need to address in order to sell food in the streets of Barcelona? [more inside]
posted by Zé Pequeno on Jul 16, 2008 - 9 answers

What is the profitability of a small restaurant? [more inside]
posted by CWitt on Jun 26, 2008 - 28 answers

I'm looking for practical, first-person, inspirational stories of how to launch/bootstrap entrepreneurial ideas with little or no resources. The more specific and detailed, the better. [more inside]
posted by jmnugent on May 27, 2008 - 6 answers

I think I'm too nice to do certain things entrepreneurship requires. I need tips to be a tougher negotiator and be able to drive good deals. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 22, 2008 - 15 answers

Help me think of a new business or career that can be started by one person with a small start-up budget? [more inside]
posted by pinkbungalow on May 7, 2008 - 14 answers

Which web development technology should I pursue for a commercial venture - php, python, perl or ruby? [more inside]
posted by mooders on Feb 6, 2008 - 18 answers

What should I do for my technology-related Master's final project? -How can I better brainstorm my own ideas? -Do you have a dream app you want me to implement? -Are there areas or problems that you feel are underserved by technology? I have a few ideas that I'm kinda excited about, but none that's pure gold. My program is pretty technical, but has close ties with econ, sociology, law, et others. Pretty loose requirements. Hive minds are of interest to me, so I thought this would be a cool place to hear people's suggestions. [more inside]
posted by k7lim on Oct 30, 2007 - 3 answers

Need help appraising the intellectual property values of acquaintances, if I do all the work bringing their ideas to market. [more inside]
posted by Redruin on Oct 14, 2007 - 5 answers

I'm in the very early phases of putting together a special-interest web site, which will begin as a blog but could eventually add other features. For at least the first year or two, I expect to lose money on this. Eventually, I hope to cover my costs or maybe even make a small (very small) profit with advertising. What business, tax and technology considerations should I keep in mind as I get going? [more inside]
posted by croutonsupafreak on Jul 23, 2007 - 1 answer

Help me create my new job. [more inside]
posted by iurodivii on May 22, 2007 - 3 answers

You're an entrepreneur. You're the owner and head of your own business. You're a completely new start-up with no (or very few) employees. What do you call yourself? CEO? Managing Director? Development Manager? [more inside]
posted by dcbarker on May 3, 2007 - 34 answers

So I'd like to start a website. More specifically, a search engine. Turns out, I'm pretty clueless when it comes to, well, everything about starting it up... [more inside]
posted by undercoverhuwaaah on Apr 20, 2007 - 15 answers

My wife and I are about to launch a new web startup. This is her second successful venture and I am moving from agency creative to join her. Throughout the process, there are many opportunities to reinvent the wheel and I would love to connect with other people that are putting their nest eggs on the line and taking the web 2.0 leap. I am looking for a "founders forum" for entrepreneurs. Does anyone know of a forum or community that is centered around the trials and tribulations of serious startups?
posted by Occams Hammer on Apr 12, 2007 - 11 answers

Considering opening a computer repair store. Input desperately needed. [more inside]
posted by Phyltre on Apr 5, 2007 - 22 answers

Please help me find this biz book. Topic: small biz startups. Author: a serial entrepeneur who claims to have started ~20 companies, none of which failed. Date: About 2-3 years ago. (I'm basically interested in any authors who have a track record of multiple successful small biz starts.)
posted by Moistener on Jan 1, 2007 - 3 answers

What should I do with my internet startup business? [more inside]
posted by lunchbox on Sep 20, 2006 - 6 answers

I'm interested in hearing stories about people who have cleverly worked the system, or set up innovative small businesses in emerging markets. [more inside]
posted by mhuckaba on Aug 18, 2006 - 9 answers

I need advice about taking my side business to the next level. [more inside]
posted by Bjkokenos on Feb 16, 2006 - 4 answers

Parents with home-based businesses -- how do you do it? [more inside]
posted by acoutu on Jan 19, 2006 - 6 answers

Interesting entrepreneurial ventures - what are some unique and quirky ways that people have used to make money? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Jan 4, 2006 - 18 answers

I have an idea for a couple of new iPod accessories. Unfortunately, I have no technical knowledge to design and manufacture them myself. I have put some money aside which I can use to finance the production. Where can I find someone who I can hire to build these products for me?
posted by zeerobots on Nov 11, 2005 - 13 answers

what are some good ways for a creative person to make money? (the problem is no business know-how) [more inside]
posted by GleepGlop on Jul 26, 2005 - 24 answers