My first world problem.

[Chocolate Lover]

Dec 4, 2012 15:31:14 GMT -5 973beachbum said:

Dec 4, 2012 15:30:21 GMT -5 swamp said:

One meeeeelion dollars.

I have a couple of half empty bottles of booze.

And maybe some Mike's Hard Lemonade or some other flavor hanging around the house.

[swamp]

Dec 4, 2012 15:31:14 GMT -5 973beachbum said:

Dec 4, 2012 15:30:21 GMT -5 swamp said:

One meeeeelion dollars.

I have a couple of half empty bottles of booze.

If its gin, that works.

[Chocolate Lover]

Mine's not gin.

[Deleted]

This thread is making me LOL.

[Chocolate Lover]

MJ, you really shouldn't lie like that! You've been as good as I have

[Deleted]

I guess if I was good all year I wouldn't be having the problems I'm having.

[Chocolate Lover]

You were supposed to say, that you've been very good indeed then!

[geenamercile]

Just be good at what you do..

[milee]

Is there something that's only a little or even completely un-related to your current work that you could maybe focus on instead for a while to at least get something interesting going?

[swamp]

Dec 4, 2012 20:06:54 GMT -5 milee said:

Is there something that's only a little or even completely un-related to your current work that you could maybe focus on instead for a while to at least get something interesting going?

Yes, I spent at least 5 hours a week at skating rinks.

[chiver78]

Dec 4, 2012 14:37:58 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

I never considered handing out condom stuffed acorns.

What about acorn-stuffed condoms? Think of the fun the kids could have playing cornhole with 'em!

I'm shocked that it took so long for someone to wonder what the hell Nancy's using for cornhole beanbags. that must be your "home court advantage" there, luv.

[milee]

Dec 4, 2012 20:25:13 GMT -5 swamp said:

Dec 4, 2012 20:06:54 GMT -5 milee said:

Is there something that's only a little or even completely un-related to your current work that you could maybe focus on instead for a while to at least get something interesting going?

Yes, I spent at least 5 hours a week at skating rinks.

OK, so your assignment for the next 4 weeks you're at the rink is to think of a product or service that is related to this. Here's what will make you your million:

1) Has to be related and appealing, but not obvious. DO NOT think about opening a rink or skate school, for instance. Think tangential but important product that nobody makes (or makes well.)
2) Little competition or high barriers to new entry.
3) Starts with the skating rink or customers but can transition to other markets.
4) Fires you up.

BTW, this kinda describes my business. I don't ever talk about my product to people at cocktail parties because I'm worried that they'll get bored, go unconscious and hit their head on the way down, but there's a reasonable need for it out there and very few of us who know how to make it. It's not so big it attracts the multinational competitors, but it's big enough to allow me to live waterfront in an expensive community.

[swamp]

Adult sippy cups.

[chiver78]

Dec 4, 2012 20:32:42 GMT -5 milee said:

Dec 4, 2012 20:25:13 GMT -5 swamp said:

Yes, I spent at least 5 hours a week at skating rinks.

OK, so your assignment for the next 4 weeks you're at the rink is to think of a product or service that is related to this. Here's what will make you your million:

1) Has to be related and appealing, but not obvious. DO NOT think about opening a rink or skate school, for instance. Think tangential but important product that nobody makes (or makes well.)
2) Little competition or high barriers to new entry.
3) Starts with the skating rink or customers but can transition to other markets.
4) Fires you up.

BTW, this kinda describes my business. I don't ever talk about my product to people at cocktail parties because I'm worried that they'll get bored, go unconscious and hit their head on the way down, but there's a reasonable need for it out there and very few of us who know how to make it. It's not so big it attracts the multinational competitors, but it's big enough to allow me to live waterfront in an expensive community.

that would be the following short list (I grew up in a rink):
*note: hockey and figure skating parents are entirely different breeds. I'm pretty sure swamp knows this, that note is for everyone else.

-how to distract yourself as a rink rat parent
-how to keep yourself warm as a rink rat parent
-merchandise opportunities as a rink rat parent (that do not encroach on the host rink's pro shop or various hockey and FS clubs)
-marketing to coach various skills that you deem insufficient in the areas that you've got experience as a voyeur.

pretty much everything else is covered by existing organizations. really, I promise.

[chiver78]

Dec 4, 2012 20:39:04 GMT -5 swamp said:

Adult sippy cups.

travel mug, or "water" bottle.

done. next!

[swamp]

Hockey parents are much more fun than figure skating parents.

[milee]

Generally speaking, if it's an idea you can come up with after a few minutes of brainstorming, it's not The One. This needs to be something that's less obvious, more ingenious or maybe completely crazy or so simple it will be an "OMG, why hasn't someone thought of that?!?" Anyway, just think about it for the next few weeks at the rink. Don't look at it straight on, but keep looking for it out of the corner of your eye, if you know what I'm getting at.

[Miss Tequila]

Dec 4, 2012 15:31:14 GMT -5 973beachbum said:

Dec 4, 2012 15:30:21 GMT -5 swamp said:

One meeeeelion dollars.

I have a couple of half empty bottles of booze.

Ummm...about those bottles....<<hic>>

[chiver78]

Dec 4, 2012 20:41:25 GMT -5 swamp said:

Hockey parents are much more fun than figure skating parents.

my dad qualifies as both. and he's a damn riot if you get him going!

[Iggy aka IG]

[973beachbum]

Dec 4, 2012 20:41:13 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Dec 4, 2012 20:39:04 GMT -5 swamp said:

Adult sippy cups.

travel mug, or "water" bottle.

done. next!

We were a hockey family and I could find the hot beverage machine inside of 30 seconds, at an unfamaliar rink at 4:30 in the morning no problem, every time. It was my super power. ;D

I also learned very quickly which adults mugs would have more than just coffee and creamer in them, even at 4:30 in the morning.

[973beachbum]

Dec 4, 2012 20:59:16 GMT -5 Miss Tequila said:

Dec 4, 2012 15:31:14 GMT -5 973beachbum said:

I have a couple of half empty bottles of booze.

Ummm...about those bottles....<<hic>>

That's okay but they were pretty old. Did they taste okay? I have been wondering if I should throw them out since at this point dust is probably a main ingredient but since I don't drink rum or brandy I haven't been sure if anyone else that came here and wanted a drink would notice.

[thyme4change]

No, I'm fishing for campaign contributions, duh.

I'll start collecting all my used Acorns.

Adult sippy cups.

[tskeeter]

Dec 4, 2012 13:22:54 GMT -5 swamp said:

I'm bored with what I do. It pays really well, but I don't wanna do it anymore.

I tried running for judge, I lost by 1% against the incumbent. I don't want to run for DA. No realistic judgeships opening up in the next few years I applied to teach at a college but didn't get the job.

I think I'll just keep treading water for a few years and run for judge again when ther is an opening.

Swamp, you gotta do more pro bono work! People who can afford to pay you are boring. The people who can't afford to pay you? Well the lives they lead are the reason they can't pay you. But their lives are way more interesting than the people who pay.

My limited contact with this type of situation occurred when I did some volunteer tax prep work. One of the returns I did was for a young single Mom, who had just started working as an exotic dancer, who wondered if the money she gave her boyfriend, who was in jail, could be considered a charitable donation. Attractive young woman. Was tempting to try to determine if any dancing costumes were exotic enough to be deducted as work clothes not suitable for everyday use.

[movingforward]

"One of the returns I did was for a young single Mom, who had just started working as an exotic dancer, who wondered if the money she gave her boyfriend, who was in jail, could be considered a charitable donation"

[Nazgul Girl]

Run again in a few years and keep turning up at events, political meetings, bar association meetings, whatever, and try to be helpful along the way, without being crooked of course. Your lost by only 1% is statistically an even tie with the incumbent, so the next time, things might go your way.

[Sum Dum Gai]

1) Has to be related and appealing, but not obvious. DO NOT think about opening a rink or skate school, for instance. Think tangential but important product that nobody makes (or makes well.)
2) Little competition or high barriers to new entry.
3) Starts with the skating rink or customers but can transition to other markets.
4) Fires you up.

Couple questions. Probably more than a couple but I type as I think.

1) Think of a skating related product that everybody needs but nobody makes, so basically it has to be a brand new invention?
2) By default it would have little competition, since nobody is currently making it, or has even thought of it. But wouldn't the high barriers to entry also apply to Swamp trying to get started?
3) So, skating related, but everyone actually needs one, even though nobody has thought of or invented it yet?
4) This wonderful thing that costs a fortune to manufacture, that nobody has thought of, but everyone needs, should also be exciting?

So... uh... yeah. Why go to all that trouble, just cure cancer or something. It sounds like it would be easier. Maybe invent the perfect man? Like half the planet needs one of those, right? You could start with the perfect hockey dad model, then expand from there. There ya go Swamp, your million dollar idea. You're welcome.

[milee]

Dec 6, 2012 22:38:10 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

1) Think of a skating related product that everybody needs but nobody makes, so basically it has to be a brand new invention?
2) By default it would have little competition, since nobody is currently making it, or has even thought of it. But wouldn't the high barriers to entry also apply to Swamp trying to get started?
3) So, skating related, but everyone actually needs one, even though nobody has thought of or invented it yet?
4) This wonderful thing that costs a fortune to manufacture, that nobody has thought of, but everyone needs, should also be exciting?

So... uh... yeah. Why go to all that trouble, just cure cancer or something. It sounds like it would be easier. Maybe invent the perfect man? Like half the planet needs one of those, right? You could start with the perfect hockey dad model, then expand from there. There ya go Swamp, your million dollar idea. You're welcome.

1. No, does not need to be skating related. Don't be that narrow. Could be a tweak for the Zamboni, could be a gadget, method or product that makes it easier to use the bathroom while wearing skates/gloves, could be something that relates to people wearing jackets. If you only think skating, that's too narrow.
2. The high barrier to entry could be in technical expertise, could be in being first to market or could be to patenting your idea. Many ways to have a barrier.
3. Maybe not skating related at all. Skating just is the venue where you'll do your thinking and consider the groups. Your end customer could end up being skating rinks, manufacturers of commerical refrigerants, vendors to sporting arenas, etc.
4. Why would it need to cost a fortune? Plus, doesn't need to be exciting to anybody but you. The secret is that if it's your own product, you will be excited about it. If I were to describe to you what my company makes, you'd be bored to tears. It's not exciting. I'm excited by it because I find manufacturing interesting and I love the fact that we build this thing from scratch, so that keeps me going. But you don't even need to manufacture to find that passion. You might find it in something that you create and sell to people or a process that you perfect.

Or you could just go get a franchise. You know - buy yourself a job. Have all the risks and hassles of owning a business without the upside of making the kind of money that business creators make.