Pizza by the slice, car style
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Walking around downtown Atlanta last weekend, I noticed Flexcar signs everywhere. I've seen the cars on the streets for a while, but didn't really understand the concept. It's actually a brilliant one.Flexcar is a Seattle-based company which has successfully introduced "car sharing" to L.A., Chicago, San Franciso, Atlanta and San Diego, winning numerous awards for reducing traffic and air pollution in those cities. [Wikipedia - Flexcar]
It works like this: You reserve a car using the phone or online, which displays car locations and availability, then simply walk to the vehicle, swipe a smartcard, and the car is yours. The whole thing costs $9/hour (plus a $40 annual membership fee), which covers insurance, unlimited mileage, 24/7 roadside assistance and gas. The company has charts of how much money you could save by using their service over a year. [Flexcar offers commuters an alternative]
Great concept and I honestly think that I'll think about doing it as it gets bigger in future years.
Labels: cool stuff, creative biz., green, lifestyle, places, trends, urban life
posted by Michael Tavani @ 11:57 AM |
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How would you like an extra $8K a month?
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Interesting story from loyal reader TC:
You'd be surprised how much money you can make by creating a flash game and giving it away for free on the internet. The Tower Defense game mode is a business opportunity for an enterprising programmer. According to a recent interview, Paul Preese, the author of Desktop Tower Defense, is making around $8,000 per month.So minus the time he spent programming, and his nominal hosting fees, Paul Preese is clearing almost $100,000 "salary" per year with Desktop Tower Defense. And he did it all on his own: he wrote the game, placed it on a public web server, hooked up AdSense, and then submitted it to a few social bookmark sites. No selling his soul to a publisher, no middlemen, just pure income, controlled directly by him.
Ah, the power of the internet.
Labels: creative biz., web
posted by Michael Tavani @ 11:38 PM |
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Join the mile high club
Sunday, June 03, 2007
This is one of the most creative ideas I've ever seen.Five years ago, corporate pilot Bob Smith pimped out his small plane with a mattress and a curtain and started Mile High Atlanta. You can assume the rest. His company charges randy couples $299 for the opportunity to join the mile-high club with an hour of in-flight lovin'. Smith says the flights are not against FAA regulations because "it qualifies as a sightseeing trip." Also included is a bottle of champagne and you get to keep your sheets as a souvenir of this special event.
From their website:
Our pilot is very discreet and all flights are handled with the utmost confidentiality.
Brilliant idea!
Labels: creative biz., humor
posted by Michael Tavani @ 9:11 PM |
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Creative business idea - Zingo Transportation
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Check out this creative company called Zingo. I don't know how long-term viable it is, but the idea is definitely original. [via JB-atl]Here's how it works:
- When you've had too much to drink, you call Zingo
- A guy on a folding moped comes to pick you up
- He then folds the scooter, puts it in a bag and puts it in your trunk
- He drives you home
- When you are safe and sound at home, he hops on his scooter and he's off
Labels: creative biz.
posted by Michael Tavani @ 10:40 PM |
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Why didn't I think of that? Etch-it cups
Friday, May 11, 2007
You go to an old school red cup kegger and your cup gets lost with other 20 red cups on the side of the pool table.Introduing Etch-it cups. The innovative Etch-It Cup features a label on the outside of a disposable cup that can be “etched” with a name, identifying mark or other designs (it could get hilarious) so partygoers can easily identify their red cup.
This is truly the ultimate "why didn't I think of that" idea. Apparently, the guy who started Etch-it cup was a little more sober than everyone else at the party.
Labels: cool stuff, creative biz.
posted by Michael Tavani @ 1:02 PM |
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I got beat to the punch on video resumes
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
My idea
Back in November of '06, I had a business idea that kept me up at night.
It was going to change the way people search for their career passions. It was going to make the job resume sexy and allow people to create their own career path. It was all planned out in my head. I even went as far as to quickly make a You Tube video (below) extolling its virtues & benefits.
Thoink Big: making the resume sexy
I had a couple of ideas for names, but settled on Thoink Big, in part because I already owned the domain. Young people would go to thoinkbig.com and upload a video that creatively and more effectively represented who they are to potential employers. It was going to replace the old-fashioned paper resume (big adjectives, cream-colored paper and all). And employers would log on the site to scout out what type of talent and creativity various job seekers really had.
The site came to be - unfortunately not mine
Brilliant idea, huh!? Due to lack of cash, time and high-end web programming skills, I did not go through with the concept.
But, in the mold of a great capitalist society, somebody else did.
Read the article: Job seekers begin to turn to video resumes for edge
Check out a video resume site: Work Blast
The concept of video resumes was inevitable. The old format prevented job seekers from allowing their "true colors" to come out - good or bad. Some people (me included) feel that once they get to the actual interview stage, the job is theirs.
Labels: biz, creative biz., trends, video, web 2.0
posted by Michael Tavani @ 5:53 PM |
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The Urban (R)evolution
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Fast Company has a pretty solid interview with Jeff Staple, founder of the innovative urban company, Staple Design, which includes four major forms of business: 1) An independent clothing collection called STAPLE that is distributed all over the globe in top shops and boutiques. 2) A creative / consulting agency with some of the most influential clients in the world including Nike, Burton Snowboards and LVMH. 3) A retail experiment called Reed Space with locations in New York City and Tokyo. Plans for more Reed Spaces worldwide are in the works. 4) An art gallery that functions as a base for artist relations and management.Pretty interesting read.
Labels: creative biz., urban life
posted by Michael Tavani @ 8:23 PM |
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10 internet businesses you can start with less than $100
Monday, March 19, 2007
The best part about the internet is that it is the great equalizer. Anyone with a computer and an internet connection can compete with the biggest companies in the world. It's all about the idea and attracting the eyeballs of the masses.Check out Kineda's post, 10 Internet Businesses You Can Start with as Little as $100.
Labels: biz, creative biz., web, web 2.0
posted by Michael Tavani @ 8:19 PM |
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Entrepreneurial office spaces
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Back in May, I posted about how young, creative start-up companies were doing away with traditional offices and setting up shop in coffee shops. It's a great idea. Many new age companies can thrive on a computer and some creativity. No need to blow $2,000/ month in rent on that. Plus, coffee shops usually offer a free internet connection and a solid atmosphere.Now, there's a new trend in entrepreneurial workspaces - community office spaces. These co-working offices are popping up in a bunch of urban areas. They're unique work and office space for a wide variety of entrepreneurs, writers, and small businesses. (see Where the Coffee Shop Meets the Cubicle) Look at these photos.
Creative co-working offices
* 116 W. Houston - SoHo (NYC)
* ActivSpace - Seattle, Portland, Berkeley, San Fran
* Indoor Playground - Toronto
* Sunshine - TriBeCa, NoHo, Flat Iron (NYC)
Labels: biz, creative biz.
posted by Michael Tavani @ 7:38 PM |
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Badass watches
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Check these things out. The Philip Stein Teslar watch is a high-end watch for men and women featuring dual analog faces that keep track of different times around the world. The Teslar technology emits unique signals and repels negative electronic energy directed towards people everyday from cell phones, blackberries, computers, PDAs, etc. Those who wear the quartz watch supposedly sleep better, experience less headaches and stress, have improvements in well-being, along with more energy, productivity and creativity.Labels: creative biz., fashion
posted by Michael Tavani @ 9:36 PM |
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How companies got their names
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Company names are more important than you think. Pick a bad one and no one remembers it. I like short names or random, catchy names. Check out this interesting list of how companies were named.Labels: cool websites, creative biz.
posted by Michael Tavani @ 11:42 PM |
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DNA, fingerprint art
Monday, February 19, 2007
Check out this badass idea and website. DNA 11 creates personalized and original abstract art from a sample of your DNA or fingerprints. The art starts at $190 for your fingerprint, $390 for your DNA strand or $790 for an illuminated GlowFrame. The art is legitimately good-looking, modern and urban. Give a look at the galleries. [via CW]Labels: cool websites, creative biz.
posted by Michael Tavani @ 11:06 PM |
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Urine for a long night
Thursday, February 15, 2007
New Mexico aims to keep bar-hopping drunks off the road by nagging them at a place they're likely to visit just before getting behind the wheel: the men's room urinal. The state Transportation Department recently paid $21 each for about 500 talking urinal deodorizer cakes to put in men's restrooms at various bars and restaurants.A New York-based company called Healthquest Technolgies is marketing the products under the Wizmark name. What a brilliant idea because like they always advise when at a urinal - "look straight ahead".
When a man steps up, the motion-sensitive plastic device says, in a woman's voice that is flirty, then stern: "Hey, big guy. Having a few drinks? Think you had one too many? Then it's time to call a cab or call a sober friend for a ride home."
The recorded message ends: "Remember, your future is in your hand."
Labels: creative biz.
posted by Michael Tavani @ 10:38 PM |
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Online biz & domain name post
Thursday, January 18, 2007
People are starting online businesses before even having an actual company. Then once they get the visitors, they start the company. Novel idea. [via JB]
Domain names are the real estate of the 22nd century. Don't believe it? Read here and here.
Labels: creative biz., web
posted by Michael Tavani @ 10:52 PM |
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Biodegradable utensils help environment
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Fast food restaurants, office environments, and schools all use millions of plastic utensils and Styrofoam cups a week. As bad as this is for the environment, there is now hope.From the consumer advocate show, Clark Howard: A California company Excellent Packaging and Supply creates biodegradable and compostable products such as forks, knives and spoons. The utensils are made of potato starch and soy oil and they're completely safe for the environment. EPS also makes dinner plates and coffee cups out of leftover sugar cane. This is a great idea with huge potential. The company has already sold $5 million so far. It costs a bit more to make these products and that is reflected in the cost to the consumer. But it may be worth it to you. Hopefully for the environment's sake, these products take off.
Thoughts on this topic via loyal reader RW:
The concept itself, using natural materials to make useful items so that when they are discarded they can continue to add value to the earth/environment, is not revolutionary. It is one of many topics covered in a book that I read 4 years ago titled Cradle to Cradle. Among other interesting topics covered in the book, the question: Why do more people not have grass roofs?
Labels: creative biz., green
posted by Michael Tavani @ 10:47 PM |
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12 Meals. 2 Hours. Simple.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
The Dinner A'Fare is a pretty creative concept. It's a studio kitchen where you have a two-hour session to assemble 12 family-sized entrees to take home and place in your freezer. They prepare all the food for you (slicing, dicing, shopping). You simply compile the ingredients the way you want.I like their concept of charging a lump sum for their service. By emphasizing that 12 meals can be made, people are willing to pay the $140 price. It's similar to the monthly membership barber shops that I've seen. Both ideas are also franchise concepts.
I've heard some people suggest that Starbucks would be more profitable if it charged a monthly membership fee for regular customers. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, because it'd definitely be a great deal for those daily customers shelling out $4/ day. [via MR]
Labels: creative biz., places
posted by Michael Tavani @ 1:03 PM |
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100 best companies to work for
Monday, January 08, 2007
3 great reads.> CNN/Money Magazine's 100 best companies to work for is always interesting. Gooess who's #1?
> 10 Hot Jobs for 2007
> How to launch a career with your blog
Labels: biz, creative biz., news
posted by Michael Tavani @ 7:45 PM |
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Runaway alarm clock forces you to get up
Thursday, December 28, 2006
87% of the population press snooze on their alarm clock in the morning. There's now an alarm clock to combat that problem. Clocky is an alarm clock that has wheels and runs away and hides to force you to get out of bed by rolling off your nightstand once you press the snooze button. The first batch of Clockys are shipping now. They're $49.99 and are available in white, aqua and mint. The original Clocky looks like a furry granola bar. Read how they got started.First, the watch alarm clock that wakes you when your body signals it to now Clocky. The cuckoo alarm clocks of years past are being revolutionized.
Labels: creative biz., lifestyle, trends
posted by Michael Tavani @ 3:22 PM |
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PayPerPost stirring contoversy, filming web reality TV show
Thursday, December 21, 2006
PayPerPost, a new start-up is causing quite the controversy (especially on TechCrunch) in the blogosphere. The company, who recently raised $3 million in venture capital, is connecting advertisers with bloggers that are willing to write about their products for payment. Essentially bloggers log into the PayPerPost site and search listings of advertisers and corresponding payments a blogger would get for blogging about them. This practice looks very similar to payola in the music industry, where record companies pay money for the broadcast of records on music radio. Payola is illegal in the U.S.PayPerPost will now require disclosures amid criticism and a regulatory threat. Before this week, it was not required for bloggers to disclose that they were getting paid. Under the new policy, bloggers must disclose that they are accepting payment, either in the write-up or in a general disclosure policy on the blogger's Web journal. The disclosure can still be hidden in the "policy" or some other section of a blog that nobody reads anyway.
PPP's flamboyant founder is about 30 years old and this is the 6th company he's founded. He seems to be a bit cheesy and over-the-top, but I give him credit for creating some buzz and founding some successful companies (MindComet). He has hired a film crew to film a reality style TV show for the internet similar in style to the documentary Startup.com which came out around the time of the dot com bubble. The reality show for can be found at Rockstartup.com - the episodes are very professionally done and it's entertaining to watch a young, energetic start-up from the very beginning as they try to create a sustainable business. Check out this episode about the company and this episode where they shellac the Today Show audience with freebies.
Labels: creative biz., web 2.0
posted by Michael Tavani @ 11:52 AM |
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