Kym recently completed a nice video explaining the process she went through in deciding to start a business and how to start a business (Herrohachi). You should check it out—even if you’re not considering starting a business, the bloopers are a hoot. =)
I started a business or two as a kid--but it was kid-stuff (and will be the topic of another post). As an adult, I've been a 9-to-5'er (and at times, an 8-to-all-nighter). My ideas to start businesses have been few, but my very favorite was nixed by my wife--it was a service people would really want.
One rainy Saturday I found myself thinking back to Sunday school and how the nuns had us pray for souls in Purgatory. And I remembered my grandmother praying for her 10 siblings. She had outlived them all.
Then I had a great idea for a new business--Catholic Brothers Prayer Service!!! I'm Catholic (sort of) and a brother. We would offer to include your loved ones in the Prayer Servce's (my) prayers. The operation would undoubtedly incur costs (like me charging me rent). So, the Brothers would have to request you pay a $5 administrative fee to be included in their (my) nightly prayers (5 nights for $20 and, like Vegas, big spenders would sometimes be comped). The ad would include a clear (tiny) statement that the fees were not tax deductible.
Sure, it sounds shady--and if someone else did it, it would be. But if I did it, it would be okay. In the US, many small businesses organize as limited liability companies--LLC's. But the Prayer Service would have been set up under a different section of the tax code, as a "heLLC" (the IRS provides really cool handbaskets when you sign up for one of these).
Okay, clearly this is one of those ridiculous posts that spring up here every once in a while--and provides a little insight into what my wife has to put up with. I did think about Sunday school and my grandmother and then the crazy Prayer Service idea popped into my head. I shared it with my wife that evening over dinner.
Just as I'd hoped, she laughed, rolled her eyes, and said, "You're a strange man." She was right. I started with a nice thought (praying for people) and made it weird. Also, she told me I couldn't do it, just in case I wasn't joking (I was). LOL!
PS - Friends would always be comped. :)
PS II - The handbasket reference = "Going to hell in a handbasket"
You know, Rick... She wouldn't have married you if you weren't a strange man! :D
ReplyDeleteLove this post!! I seriously wanna have dinner with you, too just because of the conversation, hahaha!
ReplyDeleteDid your business idea include a money back guarantee? :-)
ReplyDeleteLOL I remember selling a lot of candy for school fundraisers! See's Candies chocolate bars were the best sales for me!
ReplyDelete<33 Rena
I watched her video and no joke I felt so inspired to drop what I was doing at work and used that time to brainstorm what I really wanted to fully do with my time.
ReplyDeleteThen I read your post and I couldn't stop laughing! This is a business that would surely hit the roof!
Ric, I am always cracking up when I read your posts! I am not a fan of the IRS and sometimes you have to wonder if they can even decipher the tax code they've put out there..Hellc hahaha
ReplyDeleteI started a mini business last year on facebook just to get a lil bit of money to spend & save for uni. :)
ReplyDeletePrayer service, bet that would spike up your finances. Everyone needs prayer.
ReplyDeleteI noticed, I'm listed in your missing persons. Im here now! :))
Haha...this is great! "Strange" people are sometimes the most interesting and funniest. XD
ReplyDeleteSo this is the prayer service business plan you were referring to haha :D To be honest I would probably be cheap and go to a free service.. but if quality of prayer counts, that's a different story (thinking about your grandmother that outlived all her sibs)!
ReplyDeletehahhaha..not a good business i think..since many have free prayer services..hahhha!
ReplyDeleteyeah.. i know;)have a great day Rick!
hahah this post reminds me of a Taiwanese film I saw once where people had paid mourners, so I'm sure paid prayers isn't that unrealistic!
ReplyDeleteThis is so helpful! I'm an inexperienced entrepreneur in the baking industry and I'm in the middle of starting up my own cupcake business. What do you think about SEO marketing? Good idea? Do you happen to know about any reputable SEO Firms that can help me with my online marketing campaigns? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm on the same page as vickykarin. I've been talking to a couple of different seo companies about possible online marketing campaigns for my new company, but I have no idea which one to choose. Any suggestions? I'd appreciate it. Take care.
ReplyDeleteYou've got some pretty crazy ideas. But I think they're kind of interesting and creative too actually. Whether you decide to go through with them or not, I'm sure search engine optimization would be a great way to promote them. Especially for you vickykarin. Good luck with your cupcakes!
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