patrick.net

I think coffee carts can be extremely profitable. I used to buy coffee each morning from a guy with a cart in downtown San Francisco, and he used to regularly go on European vacations with his earnings.

It's a lot of work for someone, but maybe you can hire that someone. Then you expand if one works out.

Upsides to a cart:
- no bathrooms to clean
- portable

Downsides:
- hard to get a license
- cafes nearby will hate you
- weather

Are you wanting to go full time as a business owner or run it in addition to what you're doing now? The end of your first sentence is not clear to me.

If you want to move to a full time business owner, I might have a good one for you. Your 75K seed capital is more than enough.

gabbar says

I thought about a restaurant but I don't like this business.

The problem with Restaurants there are too many variables beyond the control of the guy that started the business. They all start with their ideas on how to source prepare, and present their food. I have seen way to many Establishment eateries with lines around the block, all without fail have their downfall.
The biggest burden on eateries is Rent. For some reason, City governments and Commercial leasing companies. Are out for blood when it comes to charging them fees, and rent. It is set up to fail from the get go, I don't care how talented they are, and how many people show up on the grand opening. To make it, it is set up that demands every table be full every service.

I think manufacturing a product that is in demand, doesn't need updating or the latest model released to instigate new sales. Would be the best business venture. Something that will just have steady sales, and not steady Growth. A one owner cash machine that doesn't have to post quarterly profits that were bigger than last quarter profits. .That would be the ideal business to get into something like toilet flappers.

I would try and focus on a business where you can cultivate relationships with local suppliers, as getting parts, food, supplies has been an issue for 3+ years now, and the inflation won't be letting up soon.

If you're good with sales and customer service, you could start a RE photography/videography/3D/Drone/Interactive Tour business. It is much easier than it might sound. It can also be easily started with almost zero $$.

The tour companies all work with contract photographers...no salaries. No need to purchase any equipment or website either.

After business formation...

Step 1: Liability insurance.
Step 2: Advertise for photographers/videographers etc.
Step 3: Sign up on a website I know of that will allow you to run your business through it.
Step 4: Do background checks on photographers/videographers.
Step 5: Have all photographers/videographers sign up using a URL the website will provide to you.
Step 6: Connect your account (on the website) to the payment processor.
Step 7: Go sell.
Step 8: Agents hire your contract photographers directly through the website.
Step 9: The website takes care of all scheduling using map data and available zip code information.
Step 10: Answer any phone calls having to do with customer service questions.
Step 11: All payments to the contract photographers go to YOUR business bank account.
Step 12: Every 2 weeks or whatever payment schedule you decide on, write checks to the contract photographers based on
their production. Whatever is left over from each shoot is your income.

The business owner/you sets the prices for all services. There are many services...photography, video, drone, 3D, photography+video, interactive floor plan tours etc etc. All work is uploaded (by the contract photographer) to the website and is transferred overseas for editing. You, the business owner does not have to touch anything. You do not have to go out to do the work in the field. You do not have to know ANYTHING (although it would be smart to know about your business) about photography or videography or 3D systems even.

Example photoshoot: This past weekend one of my photographers did a job we charged $579 for. The service was floor plans, photos and drone photos for a property that had 5 structures on it (it will be an Airbnb). The photographer was there for 2.5 hours. After editing costs the job paid $449. I paid the photographer $150 and I made $299. This was 1 job with 1 photographer. A photographer can do 2 of those per day although it is unlikely we would get 2 of THOSE types of jobs per day. The more photographers you have, the more jobs they can do...of course.

This is one of those businesses that, imo, will never go away. This is also the type of business that every Realtor needs. And not just Realtors. We also do commercial spaces.

One last bit of information: floor plans can be drawn by ANYONE that has a phone. Yes, there's an app for that.

P.S. - Owners on the website are able to work out agreements on territories based on zip codes.

Incorporate your LLC in New Hampshire and use it to launder money for the Biden/Pelosi/Romney machine.

GNL says

If you're good with sales and customer service, you could start a RE photography/videography/3D/Drone/Interactive Tour business. It is much easier than it might sound. It can also be easily started with almost zero $$.

Thanks @GNL

I know a young couple who might be interested in starting such a business.

@GNL Do you ever have to go to bad neighborhoods where your equipment might get stolen?

what do you plan to do? that’s really nebulous in that post.

Patrick says

GNL Do you ever have to go to bad neighborhoods where your equipment might get stolen?

The great thing is you can set the zip codes you are willing to offer your services in. I also have a TOS that states I will not put myself in danger. If I believe I am going to a rough area, I require the agent attend the shoot. If a photographer/owner were to live in a rough area, all they have to do is travel to a good area.

GNL says

Patrick says

GNL says

If you're good with sales and customer service, you could start a RE photography/videography/3D/Drone/Interactive Tour business. It is much easier than it might sound. It can also be easily started with almost zero $$.

Thanks GNL

I know a young couple who might be interested in starting such a business.

Patrick - Give them my email. I can help them all the way through the process. I would stress the importance of customer service, fare pricing and a good TOS solves almost any problem you run up against. A good TOS will mention things like you require an adult be present and that it is not acceptable to have a minor child in the house with you if no adult is present. Things like that. I do not go to bad areas.

Just for fun, here is one of the photos taken from the job I mentioned above. This was taken without flash or ANY adjustment of camera settings. All photos are taken with the same settings. There is no expertise involved. The quality is better than what you see here because it looks like Patrick resizes on upload.

GNL says

The quality is better than what you see here because it looks like Patrick resizes on upload.

True, I scale down images to save on storage costs.

GNL says

If you're good with sales and customer service, you could start a RE photography/videography/3D/Drone/Interactive Tour business. It is much easier than it might sound. It can also be easily started with almost zero $$.

I am interested. I sent you a message with my contact information

Patrick says

I think coffee carts can be extremely profitable. I used to buy coffee each morning from a guy with a cart in downtown San Francisco, and he used to regularly go on European vacations with his earnings.

It's a lot of work for someone, but maybe you can hire that someone. Then you expand if one works out.

Upsides to a cart:
- no bathrooms to clean
- portable

Downsides:
- hard to get a license
- cafes nearby will hate you
- weather

I did think about a food truck but coffee cart is compact/manageable but seems like everyone wants Starbucks now (I don't). My pay $1.20 for my coffee from a gas station that's next to my residence. Not sure if they will click in Columbus, Ohio (we have short summers and long winters)

Tenpoundbass says

I think manufacturing a product that is in demand, doesn't need updating or the latest model released to instigate new sales. Would be the best business venture. Something that will just have steady sales, and not steady Growth. A one owner cash machine that doesn't have to post quarterly profits that were bigger than last quarter profits. .That would be the ideal business to get into something like toilet flappers.

Love this idea.

gabbar says

GNL says

If you're good with sales and customer service, you could start a RE photography/videography/3D/Drone/Interactive Tour business. It is much easier than it might sound. It can also be easily started with almost zero $$.

I am interested. I sent you a message with my contact information

I think you tipped me but I do not see an email from you.

Take the $75 K and buy Vanguard Tax Efficient Capital Appreciation and forget it for 20 years and your mind will be blown.

To find a side business you like, find a product or service which you can provide, and a market which wants it.

Just do it and you can take checks in your own name and file Schedule C.

Do you have any special talents or hobbies, like photography? video making? People want stuff recorded (weddings, birthdays, etc.)

Do you like to cook or bake? I knew someone who made cheescakes and sold them to fancy restaurants in NYC.

Do you like to fix things? Can you fix people's computer problems?

Do you speak more than one language?

Do you like looking for things in yard sales and Goodwill? Maybe you can find stuff to sell online.

Do you like watches? You can take a watchmaker class and work on mechanical watches. A while ago I paid $250 for my Cartier watch to be serviced,

Do you like showing people around? You could be a tourist guide if you live near a scenic area.

Can you teach a subject at the local Adult School? This doesn't require credentials.

Maybe none of the above make much money compared to other jobs, who knows?

Selling life insurance is sometimes very profitable. Theoretically, all couples need this product.

I know a few examples of guys doing something different and making money.

A guy came to Santa Cruz and opened a cookie store; Pacific Cookie Company makes megabucks.

A couple of Santa Cruz guys paid someone from Brooklyn to teach them to make pizza NYC style; they eventually sold Pizza My Heart and are pretty rich.

A guy started making fresh orange juice and delivered it to local Santa Cruz restaurants for breakfast; he later sold Odwalla to Coca Cola and he's rich.

A guy started making backpacks for hikers and it's Osprey Backpacks; I beleve it's making him money today.

Another guy came up with a sailboat design, but I forgot his company.

A guy used neoprene sheets from airplane construction (it's under the carpeting) to make a wetsuit; Jack O'Neil made a lot of money from this.

I know a guy who made a living just being a broker of seafood, and he started out with oysters.

Something involving hookers and blow - these are always in high demand.

Thanks @clambo those are very interesting jobs.

I eat at Pizza My Heart fairly often. Did you know the guys?

Patrick says

Thanks clambo those are very interesting jobs.

I eat at Pizza My Heart fairly often. Did you know the guys?

You're right next to Amici's! I think they are better. Blue Line is also very good.

GNL says

I think you tipped me but I do not see an email from you.

I sent you my contact information in the tipping form.
I will try it again. Let me know if it worked this time.

You'd think taking photos of a property are easy, but I've seen SO MANY rental advertisements with super close up, same room a million angles and no bedroom shots, photos out of order when it comes to layout of house, ridiculously bright where color looks off-world, or wide lens where you lose all perspective of space.

I think I'd like a job doing this, and I've lived in all kinds of neighborhoods, so I'd shoot anywhere. I'm very good a blending in.

gabbar says

GNL says

I think you tipped me but I do not see an email from you.

I sent you my contact information in the tipping form.
I will try it again. Let me know if it worked this time.

Oh, I guess I don't know how that works. @Patrick @gabbar

Patrick, will you give gabbar my email please so he can contact me directly? Thanks.

NuttBoxer says

You'd think taking photos of a property are easy, but I've seen SO MANY rental advertisements with super close up, same room a million angles and no bedroom shots, photos out of order when it comes to layout of house, ridiculously bright where color looks off-world, or wide lens where you lose all perspective of space.

I think I'd like a job doing this, and I've lived in all kinds of neighborhoods, so I'd shoot anywhere. I'm very good a blending in.

1. Taking the photos is the easy part IF you have the right equipment.
2. "Super close up" means they did not use a wide angle lens (a good wide angle lens is $1,000). No, they probably used an iphone.
3. "million angles of same room" means it is a small space/apt/house and the magic number of photos is 30. Agents generally want at least 30 photos. Some believe if they take less than 30 photos, their listings will not get as good of exposure. 30 is the magic number.
4. "photos out of order" could be 1 of a few things...a. the photographer delivered out of order. b. the slideshow does not have a way to reorder them or the agent was too lazy to do it. c. etc.
5. "no bedroom shots" could mean, yes they were missed OR maybe it is a rental and the room looks like shit OR even better, the renter (it could be a group house) is still sleeping. Going into other people's homes is a special kind of experience. Especially if it is anything other than a husband and wife selling their home and they are not in the middle of a divorce. In my career, I have photographed over 10,000 homes and I have almost 10,000 stories.
6. "color looks off-world" means bad editing (in this system, you do not edit. No, you send it overseas through the system) and/or a bad lens. Ask a serious photographer what the most important piece of equipment is and they will tell you...1. your vision. taking the right angles is important. and 2. a good lens. Every lens has color considerations. If you're going to spend a lot of money, spend it on glass as they say.
7. you MUST use a wide angle lens. We use 16mm on full frame cameras. That is considered ultra-wide. We lost a client because 16mm was not wide enough. We may soon require all of our photographers to have a 14mm.

14mm on a full frame camera is considered UFW (Ultra fucking wide).

If you're interested in running your own RE photography business and you do not mind going into dark areas, I would bet you can do very well. You will get a reputation of going into those dark areas and can charge a premium,

Patrick says

GNL Do you ever have to go to bad neighborhoods where your equipment might get stolen?

People in bad neighborhoods aren't going to be using professional photographers to take pictures of their real estate.

zzyzzx says

Patrick says

GNL Do you ever have to go to bad neighborhoods where your equipment might get stolen?

People in bad neighborhoods aren't going to be using professional photographers to take pictures of their real estate.

A smart agent would. It just doesn't cost that much to get "professional" photos for a listing. Is $180 a lot of money to an agent whose commission is even as low as $1,000? I can show you some serious shitholes we have photographed. Here is my closing line when I am trying to sell a Realtor..."If you're not online, you're invisible."

Or I hit them with this line..."Every listing deserves the best photos you can provide." GOOD Realtors care about their reputation. If clients see the agent doing EVERYTHING they can for their clients, they end up getting a shit ton more referrals. GOOD Realtors are not shortsighted.

If you like pets, here are a few suggestions.

Requiring minimal investment except, probably, insurance;

Dog walking business.

Pet sitting business. We’ve used these before when we traveled. Dog stays at home. Sitter can sleep in, or make periodic visits to walk dog, feed dog, play with dog, etc.

Requiring investment:

Dog boarding business. We use one, and she is always booked. She has about ten pens set up in her garage. Not cheap, either.

Al_Sharpton_for_President says

Dog boarding business. We use one, and she is always booked. She has about ten pens set up in her garage. Not cheap, either.

We pay 25/day to our dog boarders. They are a retired couple. Do it out of their home. They usually have about 5 to 10 days on most days. Most people pay in cash. They are popular in town. But this business is not for me.

gabbar says

Al_Sharpton_for_President says

Dog boarding business. We use one, and she is always booked. She has about ten pens set up in her garage. Not cheap, either.

We pay 25/day to our dog boarders. They are a retired couple. Do it out of their home. They usually have about 5 to 10 days on most days. Most people pay in cash. But this is not for me.

It's 7 days a week. Big commitment AND liability if a dog/pet dies under your handling.

Maybe it was weird timing but our boarders husband died when we put down our last dog. She closed down. We'd board at least 6-8 times a year over a decade with them. Sad for my dog, but you kind of get to know the owners. Hill Billy out in the country but good people. When you see someone 50-70 times between drop off and pick up conversation is started, you get to know them.

WookieMan says

Hill Billy out in the country but good people.

Sometimes, hillbillies get painted with a bad brush in our society. For example, there is a stereotype about people from Kentucky. There are good and bad people everywhere. I reckon one could find hillbilly type of people in any major city too. It just depends. We are good friends with out dog boarders. But the husband chews my ears out, he loves to talk about his good old days.

Re: Pizza my Heart.
I didn't know the guys but it's true.
I arrived in Santa Cruz in 1982 and they had 2 locations; Capitola and Santa Cruz.
Previously, it was always just out of the oven.
They made 1. Plain 2. Random pizza with a topping (pepperoni, mushroom, pesto)
So you either got one just out of the oven that was plain or you could wait and see what came out in a few minutes.
Warmed up pizza; fogedaboudit!
Now it's all fucked up.
The best pizza today in Santa Cruz is Pizzeria la Bufala, it's outstanding.
I know about pizza; the first pizza I ate was made by two guys from Naples Italy with a pizzeria in Staten Island which is still open.

You hear about NYC trying to ban wood fired and coal fired pizza ovens? Don't have the link handy. Another sign of going full retard on an American classic for "green."

Re: coal and wood pizza oven ban in NYC:
This is how absurd dimwit politicians can get; there are likely fewer than 10 coal fired ovens in all of NYC.
Before the EPA, NYC apartment buildings burned their trash.
You can see the smoke in pictures of the NYC skyline from the 60's. Smoke is coming from the tops of tall apartment buildings.

I have an interview scheduled with UPS to franchise one of their stores. I don't like this, it can be hard work (lifting packages of various weights). But I will participate in the interview.

One of our friends used to franchise a coffee shop. She said a lot of money went to the franchiser.

In my opinion, franchisers aren't entrepreneurs. They bought a job and many are very long hours and/or dealing with low pay work staff. But if it pays enough...

So the LLC I started, I never filed taxes for it because I only bought a computer and a couple of domains through its bank account. Am I in trouble with the government tax departments for not filing taxes?

gabbar says

So the LLC I started, I never filed taxes for it because I only bought a computer and a couple of domains through its bank account. Am I in trouble with the government tax departments for not filing taxes?

Not tax advice at all. But you're probably totally fine. I let my LLC's lapse. It's government. A big nothing burger usually. If you made money then you might have problems if you didn't report. Otherwise they give no shits 9 out of 10 times. Lots of people start things and don't follow through. They're after the people that follow through and make a bunch of money. Not a knock. I have 2-3 LLC's and a bunch a websites. I don't even know WTF is going on in reality with my new job. I don't care. Neither does the government until you make a profit on it.

gabbar says

So the LLC I started, I never filed taxes for it because I only bought a computer and a couple of domains through its bank account. Am I in trouble with the government tax departments for not filing taxes?

If you made no profits, you have no problems.