Drive-In Cloakroom As A Business

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http://www.cloakvroom.com/

 CloakVroom is staffed 24 hours a day to provide event-goers with peace of mind, and offer event organisers a hassle-free drive-in facility.

The mobile service goes the extra mile: customers are given a numbered wristband with CloakVroom's mobile number and website. If anyone leaves an item behind, they can reclaim it by contacting CloakVroom, which will mail the goods back to them. The company was launched last month by M40 Media, an agency that specialises in event sponsorship and festival publications. After 10 years of working with festivals, they noticed a growing need for secure on-site storage, and voila — CloakVroom was born.

According to Gary Pitt, CloakVroom's founder, his fledgling venture has received unprecedented interest and the vehicle is booked at an event every weekend until the end of September. CloakVroom's service will be on offer at Wild in the Country Knebworth, Bestival, The V Festival, Creamfields, Cornbury Festival, The Secret Garden Party, Lovebox and many more. CloakVroom is also taking corporate bookings — the biggest of which is the official relaunch later this month of London's Millennium Dome, now called the 02.

CloakVroom plans to roll out a franchise in 2008, with separate vehicles covering different regions in the UK. One to start up in your own neck of the woods?

[Via - Springwise] 

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Hobbyist hooked on lure of tackle: An inexpensive way to entertain his children now a part-time career

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HANOVER - Larry Wentworth has yet to hook his trophy fish, a 40-pound striped bass. But he vows that when he does, it will be with one of his hand-made wooden lures.

In the meantime, the 42-year-old owner of BigFish Bait Co. is catching anglers. From his workshop at his Hanover home, Wentworth crafts half a dozen varieties of lures and paints them in 12 colors.

ССTwo of the colors are for fish and 10 are for the fishermen,’’ he said. ССI have to catch the fishermen, and they have to catch the fish.’’

Wentworth, a self-employed heating oil tank installer, started fishing 10 years ago as an inexpensive way to entertain his two sons. What started as a hobby turned into an obsession that lured Wentworth into joining the Massachusetts Striped Bass Association and making his own fishing gear.

Four years ago, equipped with a lathe, sand paper and instructions from an online forum, Wentworth began crafting metal-lipped swimming lures and surface skimmers from Alaskan yellow cedar. Since then, production has taken over his garage and basement.

ССAt first this was just for fun,’’ he said. ССI got intoxicated with it, and I bought $1,500 worth of (materials).’’

Wentworth sold his first lure in August of 2005 and started BigFish Bait Co. six months later. Last year, three local bait and tackle shops carried his lures, and at least three more have placed orders for the coming season.

His most popular item is a yellow and white ССpencil popper,’’ a kind of lure that bobs on the surface. Wentworth stumbled onto the design by accident when he shaved too much wood off one end of a lure, he said.

He tried to balance the mistake by taking the same amount off of the other end. The resulting product became his best-selling lure: a bass magnet that was featured in the regional fishing magazine, On the Water.

ССIt’s a great feeling when you make something, (and) you throw it in the water and you catch fish,’’ Wentworth said.

From start to finish, each lure passes through Wentworth’s hands 40 or 50 times, he said. He produces them in batches of 500, and spends about six hours a day cutting, drilling, sanding and painting.

ССThe challenge is to make them look real and move like real,’’ he said. ССAfter each step, I have to stop to make sure it looks right.’’

Wentworth uses joints and weights in the construction of his lures to imitate a fish’s movement and details like plastic eyes and iridescent paint to replicate the appearance.

After he completes a batch of lures, Wentworth has to test them, he said. Testing usually means spending the day at one of his lucky spots in Marshfield or Provincetown and casting a line into the ocean.

ССIf I catch the trophy fish on some else’s lure, that would be disastrous,’’ he said. ССI have to have bragging rights when I finally catch one.’’
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Austin inventor racks up patents

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SAN ANTONIO - For Scott Winters, a master inventor, distinguished engineer and director of development at IBM in Austin, inspiration can come from anywhere.

"Wherever I go now I constantly see things that I can do better or different, whether it's going to the supermarket or a football game or driving the car and coming to work," said Winters, 51.

He was sitting in the food court at an Austin mall while his family shopped when he came up with a new system for a cell phone network that he later patented. Winters modeled a directory of cellular services on the way kiosk vendors display their merchandise.
That kind of innovative thinking makes Winters one of the top patent producers at IBM. He received 25 patents last year; during his 18 years with the company, his total is 65 patents and another 40 pending.

For the 14th consecutive year, IBM topped the list of patent recipients, according to IFI Claims Patent Services, which compiles its annual report from U.S. Patent and Trademark Office data.

"Electronic technology is a hot area these days and will continue to be," said Darlene Slaughter, general manager of IFI Claims, based in Wilmington, Del.

Some electronic patents have a short lifespan, so companies are continually filing new ones on the latest innovations, she said.

IBM this week announced that it received a record 3,621 patents in 2006. The Austin campus received 640, up from 550 a year earlier. Fifty were related to Sony's PlayStation 3 video game console, on which IBM worked with Sony and Toshiba.

At IBM, patents are rarely issued to a single person; usually three or four people share in the development of one, said Winters, who develops mentoring groups with people at different stages of their careers.

The patents awarded to Winters last year focus primarily on cell phone software. This year's submissions to the patent office, he said, all will be based on social networking.
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#1 - Comics know how to tell a good story: Whether delivering a set of jokes or a few long-form stories, comics learn how to structure the material and their delivery - timing, pacing, and rhythm - to get the maximum laughs from their effort.

#2 - Comics focus on results: No matter how funny something may seem to the comic, if the audience isn't laughing, it isn't funny. (And if only the band is laughing, you're really in trouble.)

#3 - Comics steal smart: Comics steal from each other all the time, but only from the best among them. Milton Berle (does anyone know who he is?) was famous for it as were/are others.

#4 - Comics always test: They test the material, the delivery and what works with which audiences. They're always tweaking, pushing to earn a better laugh.

#5 - Comics know how to tap into frustration, fear and anxiety and ultimately deliver relief: Although what makes people laugh is highly personal and subject to generational, cultural, ethnic/racial, gender, etc. influences, there are some basic truths about the human condition -- marriage/family, work/school -- that makes us all smile, laugh, and gives us great pause before the big laugh.

Now take another look at these reasons through the prism of a copywriter's eye. See? Same stuff transformed into a different medium. Ultimately, it's all about "delivering the goods for maximum effect."

With a little more time, I could probably write at least 5 more reasons, but I'll quit now. (Always leave your audience hungering for a little bit more :=)

[Via - CopywritingMaven]

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New changes for eBay users

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It seems that almost every time I write my column, there's something new and exciting to talk about. This time, the changes are far more pedestrian, but they'll affect everyone who does business on eBay. Both good and bad changes from the U.S. Postal Service go into effect on May 14, while eBay is adding some new options you'll want to take advantage of.

International Mailing Changes
USPS is revamping its international services and raising prices. I'll give you the good news first. Many online sellers rue the day they get an international order. The different levels of mailing are confusing, and customs forms vary depending on your packages. That's all about to change.

The categories for international mail will become the same as those used for domestic mail. USPS will offer the following: Global Express Guaranteed (the most expensive option), Express Mail International (formerly Global Express), Priority Mail International (eight to 10 day service) and First-Class Mail International. Customs forms and address labels will be combined for most mailings when postage is printed electronically.

You can also now get discounts on international mailings when you print your own postage. Watch for discounts on the USPS website, PayPal postage printing and electronic postage sites like Endicia.com. Here are examples of the savings:

• 10 percent on Global Express Guaranteed
• 8 percent on Express Mail International
• 5 percent on Priority Mail International

An international flat rate will also be an option. For Express Mail International you can use the same free packaging and flat-rate options you use for domestic Express Mail. The flat-rate envelope postage is $22 for Canada and Mexico and $25 for other countries. For Priority Mail International, you can also use the same packaging you use for domestic mailings. The Priority flat-rate envelope (with a 4-pound weight limit) will be $9 for Canada and Mexico and $11 for all other countries. There's also a flat-rate box with a 20-pound weight limit that will cost $23 for Canada and Mexico and $37 for all other countries. Tracking will also finally be available on the Priority Mail International flat-rate boxes.

If you're shipping documents or lightweight merchandise up to 4 pounds, you can use the new First-Class Mail International rates at a great discount. The prices are based on weight, and you can basically send a 2-pound package anywhere in the world for $8.26 to $16.80.

Domestic Mailing Changes
Sadly, for those of us who use Priority Mail, the rates will go up. The flat-rate envelope goes from $4.05 to $4.60, and the Priority Mail flat-rate boxes will go up to $9.15. A 5-pound package in a non-flat-rate box will cost between $6.30 and $15.85 based on distance.

First-class mail is also getting a rate increase, with letters going up to 41 cents. It's still a bargain for eBay sellers to send items up to 13 ounces via first-class mail. USPS will now offer two levels of first-class mail. Letter-size envelopes begin at 41 cents an ounce, and large envelopes start at 80 cents. The rate for packages will be $1.13 for the first ounce. For each additional ounce on letters, flats and boxes, expect to pay 17 cents per ounce. Letters weighing more than 3.5 ounces will be charged the same rate as flats.

The good news is that boxes from USPS and carrier pickup will remain free. For more information on all the USPS changes, go to www.usps.com/ratecase.

Upcoming eBay Changes
eBay has rarely made changes in its feedback system--the backbone of customer confidence on the site. I like to call the enhanced system Feedback 2.0. The new system can be seen on many of the international eBay sites. Go to www.ebay.co.uk, search for an item and then click on the feedback link next to the seller's name to see how it works.

The new system divides feedback into "feedback from a buyer," "feedback from a seller" and "feedback left for others." You'll also see the addition of detailed seller ratings defined by one to five stars. Buyers can now rate sellers on various aspects, including item description, communication, shipping time, and shipping and handling charges.

eBay is also now letting users link to video within auction descriptions. (You can't embed the video; just link.) Write a line similar to: "See how great this item is in action. Watch a short demonstration by clicking this link." When you upload your short video on YouTube, you receive a link that allows you to share your video. You can also link to other video sites available from Google, MySpace, Microsoft or AOL.

This is an effective way to include your own infomercial on the item. Keep in mind, though, that this type of promotion is best for your stock or very special items. Also, many buyers won't have time to view your video, so don't neglect your item description and regular photos.

Marsha Collier, a successful eBay PowerSeller, is Entrepreneur.com's "eBay" columnist as well as the author of the bestselling eBay references,eBay for Dummies and Starting an eBay Business for Dummies.

New changes for eBay users - Entrepreneur.com

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To People Who Want Your Own Business – But Don’t Know Where To Start

Comedy club 61 - GALIGIN

Being your own boss is a dream that hundreds of thousands of people aspire to every year. But out of the many people that start a business each year, approximately eighty percent fail. But, that also means that twenty percent of the dreamers build a successful business. Whether you want to open a family business, or you intend to build a chain of stores, there are some common elements that are necessary for success.

A Business Plan is necessary for every business no matter how large or small. This plan should include such things as a description of your business and your plan for its future success. Operating without a business plan would be like starting on a vacation without knowing where you were going. You would make it somewhere, but it might not be where you wanted.

A good business plan is written as a guide for your business. List what your objectives are; are your business objectives only to make a profit, or are you interested in long term expansion. These are questions to ponder.

Your business plan should include a marketing plan. How will your customers know that you are there? What types of advertising are best for your business? Advertising rates can vary widely depending on which media you choose to use. Newspaper advertising may be successful for one promotion, but not for others. One business owner that I know created a very expensive radio advertising campaign during a basketball tournament to advertise a clothing store and did not do very well with the promotion. Other times, I have known radio campaigns that did very well. The best way to “get the word out” will vary from location to location.

Be realistic. Your competition is a major factor to think about when considering opening a business. Perhaps there are too many stores that sell the same items that you want to sell. Visit the businesses that are going to be your competition; or have others visit them and report back to you. You may learn a lot from what others are doing. You may also learn what things they are doing well and what things that you can improve. Every person has been in a business and after leaving thought about things they would do if the business were theirs.

Opening Capital. How much money you will need to get started is something that is often under estimated. I would suggest that you estimate everything that you can think of that is necessary and at least double it. It may not take that much, but I have found that it is better to be over capitalized, than to be under funded. And, you will always have expenses that you forgot.

Finally, find out what your potential customers want. The adage “If you build it, they will come,” is not necessarily true. If you are selling something that customers in that area don’t need or want, the likelihood of success is minimal. Having a clothing store that specializes in men’s suits would not seem to be a good idea in a rural farm area. However, having a clothing store that sold jeans and overalls might do very well in that area. Ask yourself questions. If you do not purchase items very often that you are considering selling, chances are that your potential customers will not either.

Do your homework. Opening a business is hard work and taking shortcuts on your research will only hurt you in the long run.

And Do Not Give Up. There will be plenty of difficult times in the beginning. But if you persevere, perhaps you will be one of the twenty percent of the businesses that succeed and prosper. It will feel good to be your own boss and you will decide that it was well worth the headaches.

Article Source: http://www.articlecube.com

Paul Taylor is a business owner that helps other business owners and entrepreneurs locate wholesale distributors and dropshippers. Visit his website www.WholesaleMap.com" target="_blank">www.WholesaleMap.com for information about wholesale sources or opening a business.

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