60 Second Ideas

Profit by Imagination Radio Show to Interview Donald Trump's Season One Winner, Bill Rancic, Sunday January 21, 2007 at 2:00 PM EST

I am really excited about this live interview with Bill Rancic. I hope you can join us.

Bill Rancic knows a lot about entrepreneurship. At age 23, he started his own company, cigarsaroundtheworld.com. Winner of the first season of Donald' Trump's The Apprentice and now a judge on the show, Rancic will be interviewed this Sunday, January 21, 2007 at 2-3 PM (EST) on our Profit by Imagination Radio Show. We will talk to Bill about what it was like to be on the Apprentice, first as a candidate and now as a judge. What his thoughts are on Entrepreneurship and Small Business Ownership, find out what Bill is doing these days and why he is traveling the country in a 45 foot bus called the "Dream Ace Machines." Hint: Bill Rancic is helping to promote a contest that will give one entrepreneur the chance to fulfill his or her dream of owning and managing their own Ace Hardware business worth over $1 Million Dollars. The contest ends January 31, 2007 and you get can get all the details on how to enter during The Profit By Imagination Radio Show this Sunday at 2:00PM EST. Plus, Bill will have give aways for live listeners. Listeners will also have an opportunity to talk to Bill Rancic live and get their questions answered.

60 Second Ideas Podcast - San Francisco Funny Girl Sarah Lefton and Jewish Fashion Conspiracy

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Sarah Lefton's funny mind set and her Jewish pride led her to a profitable home based business. As the marketing director for a Jewish summer camp at Yosemite National Park, Lefton discovered a little doctoring of the word Yosemite would create "Yo Semite".  Amused, she silk screened the term on a few T-shirts for herself. Wearing her clever Yo Semite T-shirts around the streets of San Francisco, Sarah was continually approached by people wanting to know where they could get one. Two days later, she had taken orders for 36 shirts and her Internet based business, Jewish Fashion Conspiracy was born.

With the success of the Yo Semite shirts, Lefton has now added additional designs to her product line. Always fun, and sometimes racy, the goal is to create a sense of cultural identify and pride among 20 to 30 something Jews.  The Chanukah panties are a huge hit and promote Jewish sex appeal. An avid baseball fan, Lefton also has designed a "Jews for Jeter" shirt to honor the New York Yankee's star Derek Jeter. Lefton's designs are a way to have fun and be Jewish at the same time. Lefton's clever idea has received media attention from a variety of Jewish publications and Time Magazine.

In our next 60 Second Ideas Episode, you will hear about how Sarah’s quick wit earned her some quick cash just be paying attention to the news…and we will do a third where you will hear from the San Fransicio Funny Girl, Sarah Lefton herself. You can hear it all and subscribe to this podcast at 60secondideas.com and of course through Itunes.

Download 60 Second Ideas Podcast - San Francisco Funny Girl Sarah Lefton and Jewish Fashion Conspiracy mp3

60 Second Ideas - Six Degrees of Separation

This post is about six degrees of separation – I don’t mean the failed TV show, but as a practical matter in real life. It really is a small world out there. Anyway, last week, I was on the phone Cheryl McLaughlin, founder of the McLaughlin Human Performance Institute, (http://www.cherylmclaughlin.typepad.com, http://www.cherylmclaughlin.com) whom I had never met. Cheryl happened to listen in on the debut 60 Second Ideas Profit by Imagination Radio Show on Blog Talk Radio. She emailed me with some questions. I emailed her back and mentioned that she could call me if she had further questions. Through our emails we found that we had some things in common, namely we were both former college athletes and she used to live in my adopted home town of Boise,Idaho. She called me and found that we even knew some of the same people and we had a good time just talking about common experiences and our lives in general before we ever got to talking about business. Then after virtually becoming friends over the phone, we got to talking business - helping each other out, brainstorming and even imagining ideas on how we might be able to work together….very cool.

The Internet has made it easier than ever to come in contact with amazing people. Don’t be afraid to email someone or even call if you have questions, comments, or an idea. You never know what might transpire - what you can imagine and brainstorm together and at the very least you could have a new friend and contact.

60 Second Ideas - Top 10 Small Business Blogs

It’s that time again. Time for the 60 Second Ideas top 10 small business blogs for the second quarter of 2006. As we did with our first Top 10, “We spanned the blogosphere looking for small business related blogs that offer more than just the tired repetition of the usual ideas. The result is 4 new small business blogs worth your time and 6 from last quarter’s top 10 that still make the grade. Here we go.

Solo Business Marketing – Written by Shirley George Frazier, Solo Business Marketing is loaded with practical advice for the solo small business or home based business owner. Recent posts include Using Solutions to Get More Sales , Make a Decision, Any Decision and one we have been preaching for months now, Press Releases Elevate Your Visibility.

Verusnova  – Produced by Mike Martone, and engineer and IT guy, Verusnova focuses on technology for small business with the goal of providing information and advice for non – technical small and home business owners operate more effectively and efficiently. Recent posts include Important Reminders Just Got Easier, Free Business Start Up Tools, and 8 Lists That I Like.

ProBlogger – Darren Rowse is the guy behind ProBlogger. A 34 year old offers a virtual gold mine of tips, tricks and advice on producing an effective blog for your business. If you don’t already know it, a blog can benefit your business in too many ways to count, but it must be done right and there is a lot to learn to blog right. ProBlogger will teach you everything you need to know and then some. Recent posts include Creating Interest In Your Posts – Persuasive Blogging, Car Salesmen, Preachers and the Art of Persuasion, and The Five Challenges of Communication.

The Long Tail – Written by Chris Anderson, an editor at Wired Magazine, The Long Tail Blog discusses themes around Anderson’s book, which argues that the Internet offers infinite inventory creating opportunity for niche markets that are not likely to ever become blockbusters. While the blog focuses on the music and entertainment industries, there are lessons for small and home based business owners here. Recent posts include What Do People Really Want In Music, A Billion Dollar Question.

The blogs below round out our Top 10 Small Business Blogs and were also included in our 1st Quarter Top 10.

The Entrepreneurial Mind - written by the Director of Belmont University's Center for Entrepreneurship, Jeff Cornwall, this blog looks at everything from how current political issues affect small business mixed in with solid advice for any entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurs Journey  - produced by Yaro Starak, an interesting young entrepreneur from Australia. The blog posts useful articles aimed at starting and running an Internet business, interviews with other entrepreneurs and podcasts.

Marketing Experiments Blog - The Blog of Dr. Flint McGlaughlin and his research team at marketingexperiments.com, provides detailed information and research with real life case examples of what really works in the world of Internet Marketing.

Flyte Blog - What Works Online - Rich Brooks who builds and markets websites offers practical tips and techniques in the world of online marketing. Mixed with humorous posts on a variety of topics.

Duct Tape Marketing - John Jantsch gets a lot of rave reviews for his Duct Tape Marketing Blog and we agree. What makes this blog really unique though, is he has pulled together some the best blogs for small and home based business under his Duct Tape umbrella.

60 Second Ideas Blog – Produced by Michael Brooks and Michael Donahue, this unique video format blog produces two shows per week to inspire small business owners, home based business owners, and budding entrepreneurs with proven ideas that be tweaked, copied, borrowed or pilfered to make more money.

Congratulations to all of our Top 10 Small Business Blogs. Take a look at these blogs and let us know what you think. Also, if you have a blog that we should consider for our 60 Second Ideas 3rd Quarter Top 10 Small Business Blogs, let us know. Email us at [email protected].

QuickTime/ITunes Download: Download 60 Second Ideas Top 10 Small Business Blogs.mp4

Pluto Downgraded to Dwarf Planet, Disney Responds - What We Can Learn

Disney had some fun with the news this week that the planet Pluto (and namesake of one of Disney's most beloved characters) was not a real planet at all - just a dwarf planet.

Here's The Disney Press Release...
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24 August 2006

    Despite Planetary Downgrade, Pluto Is Still Disney’s ‘Dog Star’

    BURBANK, CALIF (Thursday, August 24, 2006) – In reaction to news today that Pluto was demoted to the status of “dwarf planet,” the Seven Dwarfs issued their own short statement:

    “Although we think it's DOPEY that Pluto has been downgraded to a dwarf planet, which has made  some people GRUMPY and others just SLEEPY, we are not BASHFUL in saying we would be HAPPY if Disney's Pluto would join us as an 8th dwarf. We think this is just what the DOC ordered and is nothing to SNEEZE at.”

    As Mickey Mouse’s faithful companion, Pluto made his debut in 1930 – the same year that scientists discovered what they believed was a ninth planet.

    Said a white-gloved, yellow-shoed source close to Disney’s top dog, “I think the whole thing is goofy. Pluto has never been interested in astronomy before, other than maybe an occasional howl at the moon.”

---End---

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Not that Disney needs more publicity, but this press release will likely be picked up by media from around the world.

Why?

- It's newsworthy - the Pluto Downgrade was announced just this week.
- It's Fun - It makes people smile and the media is always looking for feel good stories in spite of what it looks like sometimes.

Disney watched for something in the news, and took the opportunity to make it a fun press release   that related to their business. That is very smart. As small business owners or home based business owners we can learn from Disney and do the same thing.

By the way, if you are not using press releases as a part of your marketing strategy, you are missing one of the most effective low or no cost ways of promoting your business. The Internet has made it a whole new ball game. To learn how to get a top Google News Ranking every time you issue a press release and achieve hundreds to thousands of incoming links to your website, take a look at our special report ebook, The Power Press Marketing Strategy.

Note: Monday, we release our 60 Second Ideas 2nd Quarter 2006 Top 10 Small Business Blogs Video Post.

Boomer Space

Here is a perfect example of taking a popular idea and tweaking it for a niche market. Everyone has heard of the social networking site, My Space. My Space and similar sites for the Generation X crowd have proven that they are far more than a fad.

Indeed social networking has evolved beyond hooking up to consumers seeking online connections that land them jobs, find them stuff and keep them entertained. In short, social networking is about marketing too and smart marketers are taking notice.

Well now comes Eons.com - a My Space style social networking site for boomers and matures. Developed by the founder of Monster.com, the site even include a death alert, so members know when online buds have moved on to that space in the great beyond.

According to Eons.com

• A whopping 70% of all new Eons members are between the ages of 50 and 60 years old.
• 45% of new Eons members are women.
• New Eons members are most likely to be from: California, Massachusetts, Alabama, Florida & Illinois.

Eons.com shows us that the possibilities are endless for taking good ideas to new niche markets and as for marketing in general to boomers, Eons makes it a whole new ball game.

Note: We are just a few days away from releasing our Top 10 Small Business Blogs for the 2nd Quarter of 2006. Stay Tuned!

60 Second Ideas - Baby Boomers in Business

In February of 2006 we did a 60 Second Ideas video entitled Boomer Basics talking about the opportunities and pitfalls of marketing to baby boomers.

Did you know, however, that boomers and even seniors are not only buying products and services important to them, but starting their own businesses in big numbers too? For the past 10 years - adults ages 55 to 64 have been the group most likely to start a new business according to a a study released in May by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Indeed, Harlan Sanders started Kentucky Fried Chicken at 65; Lee Iacocca is introducing a line of electric-powered bicycles at 75. Dr. Robert Ross is a commodities broker, founder of Ross University School of Medicine, and the Ross School of Veterinary Medicine, still in the limelight at 87. Just goes to show you are never to old to reach for the stars and achieve your dreams.

Note: We are taking a week or two off from our regular weekly 60 Second Idea Videos to get ready to release our 3rd Quarter Top 10 Small Business Blogs. The 60 Second Ideas Top 10 small Business Blogs is one of our most popular features. If you have a suggestion for a top 10 small business blog that we should consider, please email us at [email protected].

60 Second Ideas - Funny Covers

You can’t judge a book by it’s cover…or can you? Here’s a cool little idea that can act as a conversation starter and have you talking and laughing with total strangers in no time.

Conversation starters indeed. Imagine yourself flying on a jet plane and you take out your copy of Hemmingway’s A Farewell to Arms. But your seat mate does not see the original book cover, instead, he or she sees I Made my Mother a Porn Star or Do it Yourself Liposuction. Talk about playing with someone’s mind. Now, during your flight, one of two things will happen, your seatmate you will begin feeling uneasy, give you strange stares and ask to move their seat…as far away from you as possible or begin laughing and ask you about it. Before you know it, you have a new friend and as the plane lands a long flight seems like it just started. Either way you win and have some fun. 

The idea for these funny covers comes from Canada’s Michelle Watters. Her husband suggested the idea to her one day and Michelle ran with the idea and founded FlapArt. Just 9 months old, FlapArt has 23 titles and has sold thousands of book covers with titles like How to Murder a Complete Stranger and Get Away With It and Fast Track to Prison - Exploring the Many Benefits of Life Behind Bars. Each FlapArt has text on the back cover, that is just as funny as the title. Best selling titles include The Nutritional Benefits of Nose Picking and Perfecting the Art of Fart Projection.

So for all you comics and funny people out there, put on your thinking caps and brainstorm ways to use your sense of humor to create a funny product or two. Do that and you will be laughing all the way to the bank.

Everyone loves to laugh and Michelle Watters is proving there is money in funny and there can be for you too with the right idea.

Today’s Show Links
http://flapart.com

QuickTime/Itunes Download Link: Download 60 Second Ideas Funny_Covers_1.mp4

Video Correction. The 60 Second Ideas Video recorded Michelle Watters name as Walters. We apologize to Michelle, her family and our viewers for the mistake.

Earth Friendly Fashion

Green is very cool these days and we are not talking about the color of money. Green has also come to mean what is good for the environment, even Walmart is getting into green with their recent announcement that they will offer organic foods. but green garments?....yes,  now even what you wear can send a fashion statement and help out good ole mother earth.

We’ve all heard of tofu and soymilk, but I bet most people have not heard of SoySilk. SoySilk Fiber is made from the residue of soybeans from tofu manufacturing.  This process is a 100-percent natural renewable resource and free of petrochemicals, making it extremely earth friendly.

You might think that wearing something this good for the environment, looks and feels like burlap. Nope. SoySilk fiber has the feel of cashmere, is beautiful to look at and has excellent wearability. It’s even machine washable.

Here’s the key to opportunity. At the moment, SoySilk Fiber is mostly sold wholesale to higher end fabric stores across the country. There are few outlets either online or offline, selling ready to wear clothing made from SoySilk. The best part is that SoySilk can be bought wholesale online from SouthWest Trading Company, the nation’s leading wholesaler of SoySilk.

So for all you sewers, knitters, crocheters, and fashion design people out there…what not start your own eco friendly fashion design company online by making hand made ready to wear SoySilk garments?....even plush toys are a possibility. See SouthWest Trading Company’s tofu bear. There is green to be had here and we are talking about the color of money.  Carpe Diem.

Savy entrepreneurs can use Eco-luxury materials like SoySilk to give consumers a no-sacrifice, looking and feeling great save-the-Earth style.

Today's Show Links
http://soysilk.com
http://www.tofubear.com

QuickTime/ITunes Download Link: Download Earth Friendly Fashion.mp4

Park My Car, California Style

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Cars with pretty girls is always an interesting combination and can apparently be quite profitable too. No, we are not talking about some sort of mobile brothel or Indy Car sensation Danica Patrick.

Beverly Hills, California based Girls Valet Parking hires struggling models, actresses, and college students dressed in bikinis, miniskirts even Santa hats to park the cars of the rich and famous and others in the Los Angeles area.

Given the choice of the usual teenage boys in red or yellow vests vs, beautiful women trained in safety and hospitality parking cars at restaurants, boutique hotels, clubs and private parties, company founder Brad Saltzman was betting they would prefer the later. Turns out that was a good bet. Just about a year old now, Saltzman expects revenues of 3 million by the end of 2006. The company is now starting to expand – seeking to license the brand around the country.

It’s not a huge stretch to duplicate something similar in your city or partner with Girls Valet Parking. Either way you could be driving home a lot of cool cash.

Cars, girls and money, now there is a dream job for a lot of people. This is an awesome idea, especially in areas where parking close is a problem. Contract with a restaurant or two, hire and train some college girls, make sure your company is insured and your in business.

Today's Show Links
http://www.valetgirlsparking.com/

QuickTime/ITunes Download Link: Download Park My Car.mp4