A Michigan teen’s hot dog cart is a more complex operation than your garden-variety lemonade stand. Wanting to earn some money to help out his disabled parents, the 13-year-old saved up to purchase a hot dog cart, then set up business in downtown Holland. The city promptly shut him down. Thanks to zoning laws designed to protect downtown eateries, food carts can’t set up in the city unless they’re part of an existing restaurant operation. The young entrepreneur is too young for a street vendor’s license, which could have kept the business running. So what did he do next? After attracting national media attention, he sold the cart to a local business, but retains the right to borrow it back for special events that might require hot dogs. [More]
entrepreneurship
3 Ways To Cope With That Flakiest Of Bosses: Yourself
If you leave the work force to become a freelancer/contractor, you’re blessed with the freedom of making your own hours and deciding to do only the work you deem to be worth doing. The downside is that your new boss — you — may be an unreasonable slave-driver or a rubber-spined pushover. [More]
5 Things To Think About Before You Start Your Own Business
Most anyone who toils away at an unsatisfying job dreams of chucking it all and venturing off to business on their own. The move just might be the path to success and happiness, but before you embark on a daring venture you need to take a reality check and identify your talents, motivations and expectations. [More]
Before You Start A Food Truck, Slow Your Roll
Food trucks offering everything from cupcakes to waffles have sprouted in cities all over, and it sure sounds fun. Driving around, selling unique food, tweeting about it, who wouldn’t want that? But before you jump in, you should know it’s a darn hard grind. $100,000 in startup costs is not unheard of, and you better make sure you know the regulations. For instance, how are you going to sell food from your truck if you’re not allowed to park it anywhere? [More]
Business Credit Cards Not Protected By CARD Act
Sorry, small businesses, the much ballyhooed protections of the CARD Act do not cover your credit cards. Only consumer credit cards get safeguarded against the most punitive of the old interest rate and fee policies. No wonder credit card solicitations to small business owners have increased 256%, vs 29% for consumer credit cards – they’re more profitable now. [More]
A Lesson In Lost And Found Reward Inflation
The High Definite spotted these signs in Baltimore. Since the device in question, the iPod Touch, costs $200 on the low end, there’s plenty of room for higher bidding. [More]
Hire A Hipster Housecleaner On Craigslist
Phil is a hipster and will totally clean your house and make it sweet. ” You can rest easy with the fact that a sweet dude in skinny jeans is totally taking out the garbage and cleaning your toilet,” says his rad Craigslist ad. [More]
Ways To Raise Funds For a Small Business
Forgive potential investors for being skeptical of tossing you their spare change for your business proposition in this post-Madoff world. Banks aren’t exactly waving small-business loans in your face these days either, so what’s someone with a great new business idea to do?
Cupcake Truck Hits New York
Two words. The first word is cupcake. The second is truck. Started by a recently graduated New York Law School student who realized he wasn’t getting a job this year, Cupcakestop will be scooting around Manhattan, serving up treats like red velvet, oreo crumb, and black and white cookie. $1 for minis, $2.25 for regular size. I think they’re going to be Twittering their location at each stop, too. Innovation in the recession. Tasty.
Personal Finance Roundup
6 Ways to Save on Beer, Wine and Liquor [Smart Money] “Here are six ways to save on your favorite vintage, malt or brew.”
Free Business Plan: Apartment Bloodhound
s an idea for a business for you can start for little money.
