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Deprive a child – feed a brain?

April 11, 2011 in Business Start-Up, Inventions, Personal Development with 23 Comments

A few years ago, Pinon, Arizona Middle School science teacher Rochelle Silvers asked her seventh-grade students if anyone would like to do a science project for the state science fair. The only student to raise his hand was Garrett Yazzie.

Garrett, a Navajo Indian, thought maybe he could get a trip off the Indian reservation where he lived.   While 13 years old at the time, Garrett also dreamed of being able to help his little sister who suffered asthma from the fumes of their coal burning stove.  The trailer he and his family lived in had neither running water nor electricity.

For his project, Garrett made a solar-powered water heater out of 26 aluminum cans and a car radiator from a 1967 Pontiac, which he had found at a junk yard. His heater was able to heat water for bathing and could raise the inside air temperature by 45 degrees Fahrenheit.   Now known as “the junk-yard genius” Garrett’s efforts attracted the attention of Extreme Makeover, resulting in a new green home for his family and a new Ford SUV.  Read more »

Meet me out back Dude

February 17, 2011 in Business Start-Up, Finding Passion, Inventions, No More Mondays with 11 Comments

To survive in today’s business economy you’d better be willing to be creative.  Anyone can make a hamburger, sell t-shirts, do graphic design, or provide web and email services.  But Moolala, Threadless and GoDaddy have set themselves apart from the competition by being creative.  Here’s another example.  We all know the airlines are struggling – with many already in bankruptcy.  But Southwest continues on with profitability. Here’s a glimpse into their creative culture.  Back in 1996 Stevens Aviation threatened to sue Southwest for using the motto “Just Plane Smart.”  Although Southwest CEO Herb Kelleher is a lawyer, he challenged the CEO of Stevens to an arm wrestling match to settle the issue.  Kelleher lost the 2 out of 3 competition – or did he?  The event created world-wide exposure for the company and is now sometimes referred to as the greatest publicity stunt ever.  It created such good will for both companies that Stevens Aviation agreed to let Southwest use the slogan anyway. What are you doing that is creative in your business?  Read more »

Shorts vs Panties

February 10, 2011 in Business Start-Up, Inventions, No More Mondays with 15 Comments

This morning I opened a new pack of undershorts that Joanne picked up for me.  Wow – seven pairs of newFruit of the Loom shorts.  Out of curiosity I asked her what she paid for these.  She said it was $5.99 for the pack of seven.  Okay that’s $.85 each – and these babies have double stitching, a variety of colors, the extra overlap for the trap door that we guys need – all in all just a real classy piece of workmanship.

Then I asked her what she pays for her panties. She said normally $8-10.00 each.  Of course those are much simpler in design – no trapdoor needed.  Just a bag with a couple of holes in it.  Half the fabric, half the double-stitching, a touch of lace and you’re done.  Now I may be oversimplifying the issue here, but why are they ten times as much money?  Read more »

Need Start-Up Money – try Crowdfunding

February 8, 2011 in Business Start-Up, Inventions, No More Mondays with 3 Comments

CrowdFunding is a relatively new method of raising funds for a new business venture.  People contribute money to your business start-up because they just like what you’re doing, enjoy being part of something innovative, or like the rewards you are offering.  Most crowdfunding projects raise $5000 to $25,000.

The old days of going to the bank or trying to raise venture capital are fading.  More innovative methods are helping launch the streamlined, creative businesses most popular today.  Several members at 48Days.net are raising funds through CrowdFunding.  Your challenge is to make it interesting enough that other people want to be involved.

Love Cupcakes in San Jose, CA raised $8000 for their startup.  For a $50 donation they would send you a dozen cupcakes.  For $500 they named a cupcake after you.  Sure I might send in $500 of my own money, knowing that people walking in the door of Love Cupcakes could choose the “Dan Miller” cupcake.  Read more »

Do you have any "bad" ideas?

July 31, 2010 in Inventions, No More Mondays, Personal Development with 9 Comments

I just got a question from a podcast listener.  Brad from California asks:  “Dan, I hear you share about all your good ideas.  Do you ever have a bad idea?”

I had to pick myself up off the floor after laughing so hard.  Do I ever have a bad idea – oh yeah.  About 10 times a day.  And you know why?  I don’t know of any way to get to the good ideas without going through a whole lot of bad ones.  If you are waiting to share or experiment with an idea until you have a perfect one, chances are strong that 10 years from now you’ll still be waiting.

“If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.” — Albert Einstein

Most people are afraid of good or bad ideas.  Good ideas require change and that’s intimidating.  Bad ideas make us look foolish or stupid, or waste time and money.  Read more »

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