PickyDomains.Com is a perfect example of how to turn one's talent into a profitable business. With ever expanding Internet and tens of millions existing websites, finding an available domain name that's not already taken by cybersquatters can be a real nightmare.
But one man's problem is another man's While the idea is brainlessly simple, it appears that PickyDomains.Com has no competition with its risk-free business model. But that is almost certain to change as more people find out that finding available domain names for other people can be a profitable business. Domain Names: How to Choose & Protect a Great Name for Your Website
Location-based messaging for neighbourhoods
It was back in 2003 that we began covering nethoods, as our sister site calls them, and since then GPS and mobile technologies have greatly increased locally focused possibilities. BlockChalk is a new site that aims to provide the online equivalent of a neighbourhood bulletin board where residents can use their mobile phones to leave location-based messages for other people in their community.
Billed as "the voice of your neighbourhood," BlockChalk lets mobile phone users leave messages ("chalks," as the service calls them) on their block, their street, at the coffee shop or anywhere they happen to be. Neighbourhood tips, restaurant recommendations, pothole alerts or even lost pets are all perfect candidates for location-tagged message topics that can be left on BlockChalk, which allows other users of the service in the same area to reply either publicly or privately. No signup is required to use the service, and BlockChalk never reveals a user's identity or exact location unless they specifically request it. The mobile application is now available for iPhone, Palm Pre and Android-based handsets, with Blackberry and Nokia support coming soon. Launched early this year, BlockChalk is now used in more than 114 countries, 8,700 cities and 13,700 or so neighborhoods. The Bay Area startup is also in the process of integrating its service with Twitter's new geo-enabled A
Besides helping to connect neighbours with each other and with a wealth of hyperlocal information, BlockChalk also promises a world of advertising opportunities for local businesses; for developers, an API is already available. One to partner with in your neck of the location-based woods...? (Related: Connecting neighbours and landlords online — More neighbourhood problem-solving: SeeClickFix.)
Website: www.blockchalk.com
Contact: contact@blockchalk.com
Spotted by: Judy McRae
пятница, 26 февраля 2010 г.
Giving portfolio for donors aiming to make a big impact
Earlier this month we wrote about Givv.org, a non-profit that allows donors to support all their favourite organisations from a single location and with a single monthly payment. Launched in January by GlobalGiving.co.uk, the Thousand Pound Club also facilitates one-stop giving, but is exclusively for donors willing to commit at least GBP 1,000 to support a personalised portfolio of well-vetted international charity projects.
Those wishing to join the Thousand Pound Club complete an online questionnaire detailing their interests, passions and charitable preferences. GlobalGiving then proposes a set of charitable projects to be supported through the applicant's "Giving Portfolio". Applicants review the portfolio, make changes to the selection if desired, and then activate it by sending in their donation cheque.
Members of the Thousand Pound Club can log in to their account to read regular email updates on the progress of their projects and find out exactly what a difference their donations are making. One to get involved in, or to emulate for a new model of major giving in your part of the world?
Website: www.globalgiving.co.uk/thousand-pound-club
Contact: sjeevan@globalgiving.co.uk
Now, That's A Bright Idea
PickyDomains.Com is a perfect example of how to turn one's talent into a profitable business. With ever expanding Internet and tens of millions existing websites, finding an available domain name that's not already taken by cybersquatters can be a real nightmare.
But one man's problem is another man's While the idea is brainlessly simple, it appears that PickyDomains.Com has no competition with its risk-free business model. But that is almost certain to change as more people find out that finding available domain names for other people can be a profitable business. Domain Names: How to Choose & Protect a Great Name for Your Website PickyDomains.Com is a perfect example of how to turn one's talent into a profitable business. With ever expanding Internet and tens of millions existing websites, finding an available domain name that's not already taken by cybersquatters can be a real nightmare. But one man's problem is another man's While the idea is brainlessly simple, it appears that PickyDomains.Com has no competition with its risk-free business model. But that is almost certain to change as more people find out that finding available domain names for other people can be a profitable business. Domain Names: How to Choose & Protect a Great Name for Your Website Toddlers and young children are notorious for their desire to grab whatever might be dangerous for them, and hot beverages are no exception. In fact, some 100,000 children each year are scalded by hot drinks and foods in the United States alone, according to the American Burn Association. Enter the MummyMug, a new innovation that uses a lip-activated lid to prevent drinks from spilling. Parents simply fill the MummyMug with their favourite hot drink, secure the screw-on lid, and start sipping. The pressure of the drinker's top lip against the top of the lid causes the valve to open. It automatically closes up after every sip, ensuring that the MummyMug remains safe if accidentally knocked over. Made from a material that gives the look and feel of ceramics but with shatterproof durability, the patent-pending mug is recyclable and guaranteed BPA-free. The Swedish-made MummyMug, sold by the Dutch company of the same name, will hit European stores this autumn. There's no word yet on pricing. Parenting and baby retailers around the world: better sign up now ... Website: www.mummymug.com One of the keys to e-commerce success is to ensure that customers know exactly what they're ordering. That has been an elusive goal for florists, thanks to fluctuations in flowers' appearance and availability; the result is that customers must typically take it on faith that they'll get something similar to what they saw online. In an effort to bring new transparency to the process, New Zealand florist Roses Are Red emails their customers a digital photo of the very bouquet they ordered, so the purchaser can see exactly what was delivered. The Auckland-based company delivers flowers, plants and gifts throughout New Zealand, with a full 99 percent of deliveries dispatched directly from its offices. If a customer isn't satisfied with what they see in the photograph, Roses Are Red offers a full replacement guarantee. Roses Are Red has been offering this digital photo service since they went online back in 2001, but few other florists have followed their lead. Nevertheless it's a safe bet that others will be compelled to do so soon, since consumers are increasingly demanding unprecedented transparency in everything from ski slopes to real estate agents. Could you be the first to enjoy transparency triumph in your area? Website: www.rosesarered.co.nz PickyDomains.Com is a perfect example of how to turn one's talent into a profitable business. With ever expanding Internet and tens of millions existing websites, finding an available domain name that's not already taken by cybersquatters can be a real nightmare. But one man's problem is another man's While the idea is brainlessly simple, it appears that PickyDomains.Com has no competition with its risk-free business model. But that is almost certain to change as more people find out that finding available domain names for other people can be a profitable business. Domain Names: How to Choose & Protect a Great Name for Your Website PickyDomains.Com is a perfect example of how to turn one's talent into a profitable business. With ever expanding Internet and tens of millions existing websites, finding an available domain name that's not already taken by cybersquatters can be a real nightmare. But one man's problem is another man's While the idea is brainlessly simple, it appears that PickyDomains.Com has no competition with its risk-free business model. But that is almost certain to change as more people find out that finding available domain names for other people can be a profitable business. Domain Names: How to Choose & Protect a Great Name for Your Website There are few things we love more at Springwise than to see formerly drab and utilitarian products reborn with a splash of style. We've already seen that happen with fire protection kits, for example; now, another case in point is California-based *emera, which has targeted the practical (but often ungainly) camera bag. *emera's 'Modern' and 'Quilted' tote lines are designed to be elegant but functional equipment bags for fashion-conscious urban photographers. Strongly built and water resistant, the bags are structured and padded to protect delicate photographic gear. Inside are modular dividers that can be arranged to suit the size and shape of cameras, lenses and accessories. The bags also feature internal compartments for small items such as memory cards, and have exterior pockets at each end. Prices are USD 149 for the canvas-exterior design (which comes in a choice of colours), and USD 169 for the quilted design. *emera is now accepting wholesale orders, so retail camera shops around the world may want to start getting in line. Or are there other utilitarian goods that you could transform with a little flair for fashion? (Related: Puzzle books given a design makeover — Toilet seat covers, upgraded — Chic vomit bags for morning-sick moms.) Website: www.emerabags.com Spotted by: Amy Leung There are ever more connections being forged between the online and offline worlds, as we've been noting regularly for years. We've already seen T-shirts printed with scannable QR codes, and now a Pennsylvania startup is adding flexibility to the concept by putting the codes on patches that can be affixed practically anywhere. Pennsylvania-based Tikaro Interactive now offers a series of 2-by-4-inch, Velcro-backed patches with a "mysterious commando" design on top and a QR code on the bottom. The code on each p8tch, as they're called, is actually a URL that can be scanned with a smartphone. Initially it directs scanners to the domain "p8t.ch," but patch owners can set the redirect target of the URL to whatever page they wish, much like with TinyURL or other URL shortening services. Bloggers, for instance, can redirect the code to their blog; videographers can send it to their latest YouTube video. Users can change the target URL as often as they like. Each patch costs USD 19.95, including one waterproof, machine-washable patch along with two rectangles of Velcro "loop" fabric for attachment to a jacket, backpack, laptop sleeve or other visible spot. A Just as consumers have long used real-world products and brands to tell the world who they are, so too have online destinations come to play a similar role. The opportunity? Create a digital lifestyle lubricant that lets users flaunt their online affiliations in the offline world, and you may receive some nice lifestyle lubrication in return! ;-) (Related: Google window decals link online & off for retailers — Bumper stickers recruit Twitter followers in traffic — Electronic business card forges online connections.) Website: www.p8t.ch Spotted by: Jeremy Pope PickyDomains.Com is a perfect example of how to turn one's talent into a profitable business. With ever expanding Internet and tens of millions existing websites, finding an available domain name that's not already taken by cybersquatters can be a real nightmare. But one man's problem is another man's While the idea is brainlessly simple, it appears that PickyDomains.Com has no competition with its risk-free business model. But that is almost certain to change as more people find out that finding available domain names for other people can be a profitable business. Domain Names: How to Choose & Protect a Great Name for Your Website PickyDomains.Com is a perfect example of how to turn one's talent into a profitable business. With ever expanding Internet and tens of millions existing websites, finding an available domain name that's not already taken by cybersquatters can be a real nightmare. But one man's problem is another man's While the idea is brainlessly simple, it appears that PickyDomains.Com has no competition with its risk-free business model. But that is almost certain to change as more people find out that finding available domain names for other people can be a profitable business. Domain Names: How to Choose & Protect a Great Name for Your Website There are ever more connections being forged between the online and offline worlds, as we've been noting regularly for years. We've already seen T-shirts printed with scannable QR codes, and now a Pennsylvania startup is adding flexibility to the concept by putting the codes on patches that can be affixed practically anywhere. Pennsylvania-based Tikaro Interactive now offers a series of 2-by-4-inch, Velcro-backed patches with a "mysterious commando" design on top and a QR code on the bottom. The code on each p8tch, as they're called, is actually a URL that can be scanned with a smartphone. Initially it directs scanners to the domain "p8t.ch," but patch owners can set the redirect target of the URL to whatever page they wish, much like with TinyURL or other URL shortening services. Bloggers, for instance, can redirect the code to their blog; videographers can send it to their latest YouTube video. Users can change the target URL as often as they like. Each patch costs USD 19.95, including one waterproof, machine-washable patch along with two rectangles of Velcro "loop" fabric for attachment to a jacket, backpack, laptop sleeve or other visible spot. A Just as consumers have long used real-world products and brands to tell the world who they are, so too have online destinations come to play a similar role. The opportunity? Create a digital lifestyle lubricant that lets users flaunt their online affiliations in the offline world, and you may receive some nice lifestyle lubrication in return! ;-) (Related: Google window decals link online & off for retailers — Bumper stickers recruit Twitter followers in traffic — Electronic business card forges online connections.) Website: www.p8t.ch Spotted by: Jeremy Pope PickyDomains.Com is a perfect example of how to turn one's talent into a profitable business. With ever expanding Internet and tens of millions existing websites, finding an available domain name that's not already taken by cybersquatters can be a real nightmare. But one man's problem is another man's While the idea is brainlessly simple, it appears that PickyDomains.Com has no competition with its risk-free business model. But that is almost certain to change as more people find out that finding available domain names for other people can be a profitable business. Domain Names: How to Choose & Protect a Great Name for Your Website We've seen numerous web services aimed at small businesses, including an automated phone system, an online exchange and—most recently—a trove of marketing ideas. It wasn't until earlier this week, however, that we came across one targeting farms. That's just what Pittsburgh-based Small Farm Central does, though, with a service that helps farmers create websites for their farms. Small Farm Central's core service provides farms with a website, email addresses, a domain name, photo upload capability, page creation, template customisation and more through an easy-to-use control panel. Additional features include phone support, mailing list handling, a blog service and image editing help. An optional e-commerce extension provides a shopping cart and order processing functionality right inside the farm's site, while Small Farm Central's Member Assembler component is a member management platform for community-supported farms. Pricing for core service plans begins at USD 18 per month, while e-commerce options begin at USD 9 each month. Some 250 farms across the United States and Canada now use Small Farm Central to tell their stories, sell their produce and build community among their customers, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review recently reported. A model to bring to other parts of the world? (Related: Remote farming: tailor-made, no-fuss vegetable gardens.) Website: www.smallfarmcentral.com Spotted by: Jim Stewart PickyDomains.Com is a perfect example of how to turn one's talent into a profitable business. With ever expanding Internet and tens of millions existing websites, finding an available domain name that's not already taken by cybersquatters can be a real nightmare. But one man's problem is another man's While the idea is brainlessly simple, it appears that PickyDomains.Com has no competition with its risk-free business model. But that is almost certain to change as more people find out that finding available domain names for other people can be a profitable business. Domain Names: How to Choose & Protect a Great Name for Your Website There are job sites galore serving workers and employers around the world, but Spanish Jobsket offers an interesting twist. Specifically, in addition to hosting candidates' CVs and connecting them with open positions, it also estimates their worth on the local market. With sites targeting both Spain and Ireland, Jobsket allows candidates to upload their CVs without having to alter the format to fit into predefined templates; rather, the site preserves the original appearance as it converts them into Flash. Working from a database of salaries in various jobs and locations, Jobsket then uses a proprietary algorithm to estimate the value of a given CV in a particular role and market given the candidate's background and training. Candidates can decide how public they want their CV to be, including hiding their personal data and worth if they wish; they can also embed it in a website or blog and share it through sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Companies with jobs to fill, meanwhile, can post their openings on Jobsket; potential candidates can then request email alerts about relevant opportunities, and manage their applications through the site. Jobsket is free for employees; companies wishing to post jobs are charged a fee starting at EU Jobsket aims to reach an 85 percent accuracy rate in estimating the worth of 90 percent of CVs—whether it achieves that yet isn't entirely clear, as TechCrunch Europe reports. Nevertheless, it's an interesting concept, and one that will doubtless be refined over time. One to partner with or to emulate in a job market near you...? (Related: Jobs site focuses on finding & reviewing 'great bosses' — Job site for working parents — Job site for high earners — www.jobsket.es Spotted by: Tais Reis Link of the day - If You Sell Links On Your Site, I Will Buy Them Off You Do you think you know a lot about money? Maybe you do. Maybe you don't. But let's see if any of the following facts are in any way surprising to you: If stand-alone offices can be set up in people's gardens, then why not at the local marina? That, in fact, is exactly the concept behind WaterSpace, a Welsh company that offers self-contained floating office units designed to fit into a standard marina berth. The H2Office is a purpose-built floating office that can comfortably accommodate one or two workers. In addition to a sun deck above, the H2Office comes equipped with a work area featuring wood-like flooring and an L-shaped desk and shelving unit across the beam. A carpeted L-shaped "break-out" area includes a pull-out berth for occasional overnight stays, while an included kitchenette features over and under storage cupboards. Optional extras include teak-effect flooring, kitchen appliances and solar panels. Pricing for a standard unit is GBP 59,950 plus VAT. In addition to the possibilities for telecommuting office workers and waterfront retail or professional space, WaterSpace notes that its floating offices could also offer a way for marina operators to create an income-generating floating business park that makes use even of areas with water too shallow for most boating purposes. Then, too, there's the ocean—so to speak—of pop-up possibilities. Launched in December, the H2Office will be on display at the Ideal Home Show starting next month in London. One to check out, partner with or otherwise get involved in....? (Related: Pop-up cabins designed for stargazing — Foldable hotel rooms pop up as needed — www.floating-offices.co.uk Link of the day - If You Sell Links On Your Site, I Will Buy Them Off You Do you think you know a lot about money? Maybe you do. Maybe you don't. But let's see if any of the following facts are in any way surprising to you: Niche social networking sites aren't new. We've written about plenty of them, covering a diverse range of people and interests including travellers, property owners, office workers, restaurateurs, people with disabilities, baby boomers and even dogs. So, who is the newest kid on the social networking block? FaceChipz, a safe, age-appropriate online networking site for "tweens" where friendship links can only be made as the result of face-to-face exchanges in the real world. Created by parents concerned about whom their kids were communicating with online, FaceChipz caters for tweens, who have outgrown traditional children's websites but aren't yet ready for the open social networking experience. FaceChipz has all the features of any other social network, but the one major difference is that kids can only interact with people with whom they've physically exchanged unique tokens—FaceChipz. The way it works is: parents register their child on the site for a one-time fee of USD 1. Kids purchase packs of five collectible FaceChipz tokens from select retailers and then register each token online by entering the unique code printed on the chip. Once the FaceChipz are registered, kids hand them out to friends. A receiver goes online and they also enter the chip's code. The FaceChipz database then confirms the friendship, and the two people are linked. It remains to be seen whether FaceChipz will be able to thrive alongside existing social network giants. But there's no doubt that tokens are a clever angle, providing parents with a sense of security while potentially unleashing the viral power of a schoolyard collectible craze. Website: www.facechipz.com Spotted by: Frederick Ashton A few months ago, we covered nAscent Art, which offers a wedding registry service for original art, allowing friends and relatives to make donations towards buying a piece of art for the happy couple. While nAscent was limited to work by New York artists, Giwaza is a gift registry for any piece of art. Launched as Artmigos.com in 2007, the California-based site now returns rebranded, and with improved functionality and security. Giwaza offers a few ways to go about arranging a collective gift. Visitors to the website can choose a piece from a gallery of work by participating artists and dealers. Alternatively, if anyone spots a piece of art elsewhere that they'd like bought for them, they can submit the details to Giwaza, who will contact the seller to make arrangements for a collective purchase. Finally, consumers who know they want some artwork but haven't yet decided on a particular piece can set up a fund for donations, and fill in the blanks at a later date. Operating outside the domain of traditional wedding registries—which typically don't feature a wide range of art—Giwaza paints an attractive picture for celebrants looking for a unique memento for a special occasion. Giwaza takes a commission using a graduated scale: 19% of the first USD 5,000, 13.5% of the next USD 5,000, and so on. When shared between a group of contributors, this may seem a price worth paying for a gift with a status story. Are there other original gifts missing from registries? Website: www.giwaza.com Spotted by: Andrew Damron We've written about several food brands that provide consumers with detailed information on the sources and background of their jam, bananas, coffee and other foods. Now, a premium chocolate company has taken product life stories to the next level by incorporating a transparent commitment to rainforest conservation. Launched in 2008 and now expanding worldwide, San Francisco-based Original Beans offers a direct link between its cu For each bar sold, Original Beans plants a tree in the rainforest where the bar's ingredients originated. Each bar carries a certificate inside the wrapper with a lot number that designates the location of a new tree. By entering the tracking code on the company's website, customers can not only trace where the cacao beans in their individual bar were grown, but also what their contribution is to the chocolatier's rainforest replenishment efforts. Hence the company's mantra: "One bar, one tree, go see." Original Beans offers three varieties of single-origin chocolate, from Ecuador, Bolivia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The company is allied with farmers' co-ops in these areas, who plant rare cacao trees plus a mix of trees necessary for lively biodiversity. Incorporating ecological and social costs into its pricing model means each 3.5oz (100g) bar of Original Beans chocolate is steeply priced at USD 12. Even for an indulgence that helps the environment, it remains to be seen whether customers will be willing to regularly pay double digits for chocolate bars. But there's no doubt that it's smart to empower consumers to see a direct, measurable positive effect on the environment with their purchase, especially when brands find engaging ways to share those benefits. How else will companies experiment with, and up the ante on, "life story labels"? Website: www.originalbeans.com Spotted by: Roelof le Roux We've written about several food brands that provide consumers with detailed information on the sources and background of their jam, bananas, coffee and other foods. Now, a premium chocolate company has taken product life stories to the next level by incorporating a transparent commitment to rainforest conservation. Launched in 2008 and now expanding worldwide, San Francisco-based Original Beans offers a direct link between its cu For each bar sold, Original Beans plants a tree in the rainforest where the bar's ingredients originated. Each bar carries a certificate inside the wrapper with a lot number that designates the location of a new tree. By entering the tracking code on the company's website, customers can not only trace where the cacao beans in their individual bar were grown, but also what their contribution is to the chocolatier's rainforest replenishment efforts. Hence the company's mantra: "One bar, one tree, go see." Original Beans offers three varieties of single-origin chocolate, from Ecuador, Bolivia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The company is allied with farmers' co-ops in these areas, who plant rare cacao trees plus a mix of trees necessary for lively biodiversity. Incorporating ecological and social costs into its pricing model means each 3.5oz (100g) bar of Original Beans chocolate is steeply priced at USD 12. Even for an indulgence that helps the environment, it remains to be seen whether customers will be willing to regularly pay double digits for chocolate bars. But there's no doubt that it's smart to empower consumers to see a direct, measurable positive effect on the environment with their purchase, especially when brands find engaging ways to share those benefits. How else will companies experiment with, and up the ante on, "life story labels"? Website: www.originalbeans.com Spotted by: Roelof le Roux Link of the day - Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else 1000000 pixels, charge a dollar per pixel – that's perhaps the dumbest idea for online business anyone could have possible come up with. Still, Alex Tew, a 21-year-old who came up with the idea, is now a millionaire. 2. PickyDomains Hire another person to think of a cool domain oe County, 90 miles northwest of Madison. Yeah, real monks refilling your cartridges. Hallelujah! Their 2005 sales were $2.5 million! Praise the Lord. Full Story 5. AntennaBalls You can't sell antenna ball online. There is no way. And surely it wouldn't make you rich. But this is exactly what Jason Wall did, and now he is now a millionaire. Full Story 6. FitDeck Create a deck of cards featuring exercise routines, and sell it online for $18.95. Sounds like a disaster idea to me. But former Navy SEAL and fitness instructor Phil Black reported last year sales of $4.7 m ore than $180,000 in sales for 2
Back in 2007, we noted Babyfy's TripAdvisor-like reviews of hospitals' maternity wards. Now we've discovered RevaHealth, an Irish website that provides a similar service for all medical tourists. Targeted primarily at consumers from the UK and Ireland, the site features more than 100,000 clinics from Boston to Bratislava, offering a range of procedures such as dentistry, cosmetic surgery and fertility treatment. RevaHealth's value comes from the search features and the richness of the information it provides. Searches can be filtered according to location, specialization, treatment and special services. So, for example, a search for "dentist" can be narrowed down to "cosmetic dentist", or even to a female dentist in Istanbul who can put on veneers. When users click on a clinic, there's usually a map of its location and a list of services offered and their prices. The clinic details may also include languages spoken, facilities and user reviews. Clinics can add themselves to the directory for free, but have to pay between EUR 200 and EUR 9,500 per year for a premium listing. RevaHealth is a triumph for transparency in a sector where consumers really can't have enough information—if you're going to let someone in a foreign country cut you open, you want to be confident that they're the right person for the job. And while there's been a boom in directories and review sites, there are still niche areas where consumers will welcome a comprehensive, accessible directory with reviews. Website: www.revahealth.com Spotted by: Jonathan Kyle Link of the day - Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else 1000000 pixels, charge a dollar per pixel – that's perhaps the dumbest idea for online business anyone could have possible come up with. Still, Alex Tew, a 21-year-old who came up with the idea, is now a millionaire. 2. PickyDomains Hire another person to think of a cool domain oe County, 90 miles northwest of Madison. Yeah, real monks refilling your cartridges. Hallelujah! Their 2005 sales were $2.5 million! Praise the Lord. Full Story 5. AntennaBalls You can't sell antenna ball online. There is no way. And surely it wouldn't make you rich. But this is exactly what Jason Wall did, and now he is now a millionaire. Full Story 6. FitDeck Create a deck of cards featuring exercise routines, and sell it online for $18.95. Sounds like a disaster idea to me. But former Navy SEAL and fitness instructor Phil Black reported last year sales of $4.7 m ore than $180,000 in sales for 2
'Try before you buy' is an ages-old maxim that's at the heart of the tryvertising trend we write about so often. It's a tough one to apply to books, though—beyond enabling browsing—and even tougher when it comes to cookbooks. That's where 25° Celsius comes in. First, it's a bookstore that sells only cookbooks. Second, it features an on-site test kitchen and café that lets patrons sample from the recipes served up on the shelves. Singapore-based 25°C aims to offer a wide variety of cooking-related titles, browsable by region or ingredients as well as special interest topics like travel. Even more interesting, however, is that 25°C has created what appears to be the first bookstore-owned test kitchen in Singapore. On a regular basis, the 25°C staff will pick a book off the shelves and test out a few of the recipes it contains, making a point to closely follow the prescribed steps. Those recipes are then included on the menu of the month at the 25°C Café. The lesson to be learned? All those who think the tryvertising trend doesn't apply to you, think again! With a little ingenuity, you may just hit upon a way to make it happen—and to build a loyal community while you're at it. One to emulate as soon as possible! (Related: More meal prep and cooking instruction, this time by Jamie Oliver — Tasting bar for babies serves up tryvertising for tykes.) Website: www.25degreec.com Spotted by: Sharon Sng The key to wine may lie in the soil, but it's the container that carries a heavy carbon footprint. That's why Yealands—a sustainable winemaker from New Zealand—is producing wine in plastic bottles. Shattering the shining, purist image of glass, the recyclable PET plastic used in Yealands' newly launched Full Circle range generates 54% less greenhouse gas emissions and uses 19% less energy. The plastic bottles boast a weight saving of 89% over glass, earning them kudos as carbon-saving cargo. The first full circle wine is a 2009 Sauvignon Blanc. To ensure that the wine quality is unaffected, Full Circle bottles use new DiamondClear technology, which keeps oxygen out of the wine, and feature best-before labels advising customers to drink the wine within 18 months. Yealands' owner, Peter Yealands, believes that plastic-bottled wine is here to stay: "Tim Atkin, one of the UK's leading wine critics from the Observer, has declared war on overweight packaging by vowing to boycott wines sold in heavyweight wine bottles," he says. Yealands' efforts at sustainability are far-reaching, from a solar- and wind-powered winery, to replacing lawnmowers with sheep in the vineyards. The company has already earned a CarboNZero certification from New Zealand's Landcare Research organisation; the Full Circle range will bring Yealands yet more eco-bounty. Not only will it appeal to green-conscious consumers, the smaller size and lighter weight of the plastic bottles also makes them more convenient for picnics, and a new option for pubs and outdoor events where glass is banned. There are definite echoes of the screw-top vs. cork debate—will plastic bottles be the next vinous trend? (Related: Local bottling makes for greener wine at Waitrose.) Website: www.yealands.com Spotted by: Raymond Kollau Link of the day - Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else 1000000 pixels, charge a dollar per pixel – that's perhaps the dumbest idea for online business anyone could have possible come up with. Still, Alex Tew, a 21-year-old who came up with the idea, is now a millionaire. 2. PickyDomains Hire another person to think of a cool domain oe County, 90 miles northwest of Madison. Yeah, real monks refilling your cartridges. Hallelujah! Their 2005 sales were $2.5 million! Praise the Lord. Full Story 5. AntennaBalls You can't sell antenna ball online. There is no way. And surely it wouldn't make you rich. But this is exactly what Jason Wall did, and now he is now a millionaire. Full Story 6. FitDeck Create a deck of cards featuring exercise routines, and sell it online for $18.95. Sounds like a disaster idea to me. But former Navy SEAL and fitness instructor Phil Black reported last year sales of $4.7 m ore than $180,000 in sales for 2
четверг, 25 февраля 2010 г.
Now, That's A Bright Idea
Contact: info@mummymug.comвторник, 23 февраля 2010 г.
Florist confirms each bouquet with an e-photo
Contact: enquiries@rosesarered.co.nz
Now, That's A Bright Idea
понедельник, 22 февраля 2010 г.
Now, That's A Bright Idea
Contact: nathiya@emerabags.com воскресенье, 21 февраля 2010 г.
Wearable patches feature scannable code
Contact: john.young@gmail.com
Now, That's A Bright Idea
суббота, 20 февраля 2010 г.
Now, That's A Bright Idea
Contact: john.young@gmail.comпятница, 19 февраля 2010 г.
Now, That's A Bright Idea
Contact: info@smallfarmcentral.comчетверг, 18 февраля 2010 г.
Now, That's A Bright Idea
Contact: jobsket@jobsket.comсреда, 17 февраля 2010 г.
41 Money Facts That Will Blow You Away
Floating offices for two
Contact: enquiries@floating-offices.co.ukвторник, 16 февраля 2010 г.
41 Money Facts That Will Blow You Away
Online network for tweens requires offline introductions
Contact: info@facechipz.comпонедельник, 15 февраля 2010 г.
Online art registry for collective gift-buying
Contact: info@giwaza.com
Vanity Barcodes
http://www.vanitybarcodes.com/
It's been more than three years since we wrote about Japanese Design Barcode, with its clever and whimsical UPC designs. Proving that the idea still has plenty of merit, New Jersey-based Vanity Barcodes just launched a similar service to help businesses take advantage of what it considers the little-known marketing potential of the d br />[Via - Springwise]
The Million-Dollar Idea in Everyone: Easy New Ways to Make Money from Your Interests, Insights, and Inventions
IdeaSpotting: How to Find Your Next Great Idea
Make Your
воскресенье, 14 февраля 2010 г.
Chocolate with a conservation commitment
Contact: info@originalbeans.com
Vanity Barcodes
http://www.vanitybarcodes.com/
It's been more than three years since we wrote about Japanese Design Barcode, with its clever and whimsical UPC designs. Proving that the idea still has plenty of merit, New Jersey-based Vanity Barcodes just launched a similar service to help businesses take advantage of what it considers the little-known marketing potential of the d br />[Via - Springwise]
The Million-Dollar Idea in Everyone: Easy New Ways to Make Money from Your Interests, Insights, and Inventions
IdeaSpotting: How to Find Your Next Great Idea
Make Your
суббота, 13 февраля 2010 г.
Aquarium Millionaire Story
Looking for million dollar ideas? Here is one:
http://www.aquavistainc.com/
Startup Costs: $150,000
Scott Yen loved his pet fish but hated their tanks. "Fish tanks, by nature, are very ugly," he says. That's why the 31-year-old was so interested when a friend brought up splay and a heating system. By 2004, they had filed patents and incorporated the company. By the next year, they had located an overseas manufacturer in China. The aquarium, which is designed for freshwater fish, comes preassembled with all the necessary parts.
In 2006, Scott left his job as an investment banker to work full time on Aquavista. "I didn't know where this would go," Scott says. "Something told me this was something special when I saw how people reacted to our product." The company's unique aquarium is now sold online and through the Hammacher Schlemmer catalog, and Aquavista has distributors in Europe and the Middle East. Scott is also currently in talks with major retailers to carry the product nationwide and projects 2007 sales of more than $1.5 million.
For more unusual ways to make money, visit this site
Contact: info@originalbeans.comчетверг, 11 февраля 2010 г.
10 Totally Stupid Online Business Ideas That Made Someone Rich
Global directory lets medical tourists find & review clinics
Contact: info@revahealth.comсреда, 10 февраля 2010 г.
10 Totally Stupid Online Business Ideas That Made Someone Rich
Cookbook-only store with test kitchen and café
Contact: ask@25degreec.comвторник, 9 февраля 2010 г.
Plastic bottles for carbon-saving wines
Contact: michael@yealands.co.nz
10 Totally Stupid Online Business Ideas That Made Someone Rich