NationStates Jolt Archive

I live in a community with high local unemployment (over 10%). There is very little industry in my town - mostly tourism. (I live in Florida) I have thought it might be nice if I were to be able to create a business which manufactures something. Something which has a demand and which could be sold all around the country. Something which would create jobs for the community. The sort of jobs unskilled labor could do. Something with high enough margins that a fair wage could be paid.

There is an interstate nearby for distribution. Railroads and shipping are not far away either. Land is cheap and local government is accommodating. The land near the coast is environmentally sensitive. I have access to about a $250,000 start up loan. I have no manufacturing experience.

So - what would be the perfect item to manufacture? What sort of enterprise would YOU start.

-- and yes - it needs to be manufacturing. My community is too dependent on tourism and services. They need to have something tangible here. Something that results in a hard and tangible asset. Something which brings money in from outside...

You could make an electric motorcycle.

mail order brides

Clothes? Everyone needs clothes unless they live in a nudist colony.

mail order brides

Thats a service. Unless they were robotic mail order brides.

I live in a community with high local unemployment (over 10%). There is very little industry in my town - mostly tourism. (I live in Florida) I have thought it might be nice if I were to be able to create a business which manufactures something. Something which has a demand and which could be sold all around the country. Something which would create jobs for the community. The sort of jobs unskilled labor could do. Something with high enough margins that a fair wage could be paid.

There is an interstate nearby for distribution. Railroads and shipping are not far away either. Land is cheap and local government is accommodating. The land near the coast is environmentally sensitive. I have access to about a $250,000 start up loan. I have no manufacturing experience.

So - what would be the perfect item to manufacture? What sort of enterprise would YOU start.

-- and yes - it needs to be manufacturing. My community is too dependent on tourism and services. They need to have something tangible here. Something that results in a hard and tangible asset. Something which brings money in from outside...

If you weren't so set on tangible goods, I'd say consider some kind of electronic processing. Data process... back-up or storage... something like that, That kind of work can come from anywhere in the country. I don't know how much of a set-up you'd get out of 250k, though.

book publishing is nice and dependable though I guess paper and Florida don't go together well

You could make an electric motorcycle.

hell just make a small American manufactured bike (like something to hop about the city in) and you could make a killing

Machining. By that I mean machining metal pieces for applications, or even custom machining pieces (motorcycle/car parts).

Say you were doing a run of 10k sliders for seats, machined out of billet. They're all spec, so you could basically have monkeys run the mills/lathes on, say, 10 machines.

Clothes? Everyone needs clothes unless they live in a nudist colony.

Hard to be profitable. Hard to even break even.

Unless it's some kind of custom work.

brides don't appear out of nowhere. Someone has to make them, granted the process can be enjoyable. but the sheer output of brides is bound to strain both manufacturers so that they have little time to themselves.

Machining. By that I mean machining metal pieces for applications, or even custom machining pieces (motorcycle/car parts).

Say you were doing a run of 10k sliders for seats, machined out of billet. They're all spec, so you could basically have monkey's run the mills/lathes on, say, 10 machines.

Auto markets are in the shitter. Car companies are going to be dropping suppliers, not picking them up.

Hard to be profitable. Hard to even break even.

Unless it's some kind of custom work.

I'm sure there are lots of Floridians desperate for any sort of paycheck for a 12 hour day

Follow Foose and Boyd, and open up your own custom hotrod shop! :D

How about Rice Farming. They just came up with a new strain that is resistant to flooding.

Auto markets are in the shitter. Car companies are going to be dropping suppliers, not picking them up.

I meant custom/aftermarket car parts. And by seats I meant like actual "in the house" seats.

Automobiles aren't the only machines that require metal parts.

book publishing is nice and dependable though I guess paper and Florida don't go together well


Publishing not a bad idea... you'd probably get better results out of 'general' printing and publishing, rather than specialising in books.

The problem might be finding enough unskilled work... you'd need some kind of design experience, and preferably some machine/printshop experience in there too.

Machining. By that I mean machining metal pieces for applications, or even custom machining pieces (motorcycle/car parts).

Say you were doing a run of 10k sliders for seats, machined out of billet. They're all spec, so you could basically have monkeys run the mills/lathes on, say, 10 machines.

Yeah I agree, thats a good idea.

You probably need something already going to get started with a big project like the electric/non-electric motor cycle and building other peoples parts would be a great way to get started.

Start a distillery

I'm sure there are lots of Floridians desperate for any sort of paycheck for a 12 hour day

Yeah... if you can catch some kind of 'patriot' niche - otherwise you can't match import prices and still pay minimum wage.

And the problem is - the more 'custom' the clothing, the less unskilled the labour can be.

Manufacture ammunition.

I meant custom/aftermarket car parts. And by seats I meant like actual "in the house" seats.

Automobiles aren't the only machines that require metal parts.

I don't know how you'd be able to be competetive. Around where I live, that exact kind of production is the stuff that's shutting down now... that in metals, and plastics. The fabric/clothing stuff folded about 4 or 5 years ago.

Unless we get a FAIR trade agreement, American manufacture is heading towards higher price-per-unit items.

I don't know how you'd be able to be competetive. Around where I live, that exact kind of production is the stuff that's shutting down now... that in metals, and plastics. The fabric/clothing stuff folded about 4 or 5 years ago.

Unless we get a FAIR trade agreement, American manufacture is heading towards higher price-per-unit items.

That's why you'd have to run with a lower overhead. Just buy materials and run when you have an order coming in. If you only took orders over 1k pieces to stay profitable, you'd still be ahead of the game compared to big manufacturers, just for the sheer fact that they don't take orders under 10k pieces (these are rough numbers) and they have a large overhead (materials, buildings, etc).

You should be able to provide for small time manufacturers making niche equipment (scooters and the like) since they don't produce large numbers that are needed to go through major manufacturers.

(I live in Florida)
Nuff said.

The sort of jobs unskilled labor could do.
Thats another problem: If an unskilled laborer can do it chances are that a machine could be rigged up soon enough to do it too, for cheap. Then again a rival could beat you by exporting the job overseas. Both scenarios would put you(and community) back at square one.

There is an interstate nearby for distribution. Railroads and shipping are not far away either. Land is cheap and local government is accommodating. The land near the coast is environmentally sensitive. I have access to about a $250,000 start up loan.
All of this is moot since Florida will sink beneath the waves sooner than later, or hit by loads of hurricanes to drive up insurance cost.

So - what would be the perfect item to manufacture? What sort of enterprise would YOU start.
Best bet is to do/make something Green, and thank you for letting me be your buzzkill today.

Manufacture ammunition.

Not a bad idea at all.

Manufacturing is not unskilled labor. You're going to need people with some kind of skills, or you're going to need to train them.

I'm interested in starting up a small-run publishing outfit, but it's going to have to start extremely small to ease into the overhead costs of paper and ink. If you'd like to go into manufacturing environmentally sound paper or inks, maybe we could talk. :)

Plastic Injection Molding. Make such things as plastic syringes for medical use, there is always demand for those things somewhere.

Could try starting a woodwork shop thing, crafting wood shipped in by rail or lorry or whatever, turn it into furniture or trinkets, or something like that.
I take it planting trees doesn't count as an industry?
or if there's any coal lying around you could mine some of that then sell that on when people are demand more of it. (which is quite possible, it's cheap and alternate fuel sources are still in their early stages of development or organisation)

Or maybe you could ship in sand and make glass for houses for further development in houses in nearby areas?

I don't know if 250k will be enough for the infrastructure, but I strongly recommend building those glass sheets they use in solar panels en masse. I have a feeling demand for those is going to go way up.

Could try starting a woodwork shop thing, crafting wood shipped in by rail or lorry or whatever, turn it into furniture or trinkets, or something like that.
I take it planting trees doesn't count as an industry?
or if there's any coal lying around you could mine some of that then sell that on when people are demand more of it. (which is quite possible, it's cheap and alternate fuel sources are still in their early stages of development or organisation)

Or maybe you could ship in sand and make glass for houses for further development in houses in nearby areas?
He could recycle glass. It can be remelted.

Industries I'd be interested in for starting up small would be:

Glassworks
Decorative/architectural iron/steelworks (gates and whatnot)
Brewery
Publishing -- Bindery/printing, the manufacturing of the books/mags
Cabinetry/furniture making

Those are skilled labor industries, but they can be started off relatively small.

Find something no one wants to do, and something people will throw money in your face to have it done.

Find something no one wants to do, and something people will throw money in your face to have it done.

fix sewer systems? update water maintenance?
pay taxes?

textiles and transportation manufacturing are both industries which have been hit HARD by the economic crisis that nixes scooters and clothing. Solar panes are NOT something a start-up can do. Silicon mining is interesting but again it is not likely the government beurcracy would be accomodating to a startup.

Plastic injection seems interesting - but it seems to me that there should be gobs of competition in that area. Distillery is interesting. (I actually went to the same elementary school as the guys who developed California Coolers in their garage and essentially started the bottled wine coolers industry) I wonder what concoction people would associate with Florida? Sunshine State Screwdrivers? Specialty bottled drinks seem overdone lately.

What else? It seems to me that there must be something with a relatively universal demand which is not particularly difficult to manufacture... I have a child-car-safety invention on the backburner - but a new product takes substantially more effort than an existing idea.

What about manufacturing parts for Wind Mills that they use on wind famrs? GE is looking for contracters to build parts for massive projects they have planned. You might also be able to construct parts for oil drilling machines.

How about Rice Farming. They just came up with a new strain that is resistant to flooding.

You forgot to add "shameless plug" to that sentence.

How about setting up a distribution center for small businesses and for companies that are looking to cut cost, they could let you handle their shipping/packaging department for them and you save them around 10% on their bottom line.

What about manufacturing parts for Wind Mills that they use on wind famrs? GE is looking for contracters to build parts for massive projects they have planned. You might also be able to construct parts for oil drilling machines.

Florida is pretty far from the places where windmills are most effective.

I live in a community with high local unemployment (over 10%). There is very little industry in my town - mostly tourism. (I live in Florida) I have thought it might be nice if I were to be able to create a business which manufactures something. Something which has a demand and which could be sold all around the country. Something which would create jobs for the community. The sort of jobs unskilled labor could do. Something with high enough margins that a fair wage could be paid.

There is an interstate nearby for distribution. Railroads and shipping are not far away either. Land is cheap and local government is accommodating. The land near the coast is environmentally sensitive. I have access to about a $250,000 start up loan. I have no manufacturing experience.

So - what would be the perfect item to manufacture? What sort of enterprise would YOU start.

-- and yes - it needs to be manufacturing. My community is too dependent on tourism and services. They need to have something tangible here. Something that results in a hard and tangible asset. Something which brings money in from outside...

I question how you have a 250k start up loan with no plan ??
normally banks want a very nice presentation before giving you money.

Florida is pretty far from the places where windmills are most effective.

not to mention it would cause conflict with tourism because it would ruin the scenery.

Hmm, you know. You could buy a few aircrafts and offer chartered flight to the Keys or Caribbean Islands. Maybe even do cargo hauls.

Here is an Idea. Desalination plant parts. Florida has ocean on 3 sides and i have a feeling fresh water is limited there. Sell most of your water to the municipalities and bottle some to sell to the tourist as Florida natural bottled water.

Small pop-up cardboard homes for use on the street, easy to pack up and run with when the police come by.

I suspect you'll soon have a large enough market.

Slightly seriously, durable cardboard furniture - use recycled cardboard and sell it pretty cheap, you can make tables, chairs, anything really, shouldn't be too hard to design and distribute at all.

Cardboard, it's the stuff of the future man!

Of the ideas so far:

Ammunition would be very successful, huge market but a huge barrier to entry and very skilled labors are required not to mention permits. Fire hazard, explosions, theft etc.

Distillery/brewery is an awesome idea again huge market, again very skilled labors required and a lot complex machinery

Injection molding is great, again huge market, profits are based on huge volumes of product. If you could somehow get recycling into the mix then you are talking. You would get your raw materials for almost a song when compared against new plastic pelets.

Anything to do with recycling would be a really great idea there are tons of unused material just waiting for a product.

http://www.cftech.com/BrainBank/MANUFACTURING/TaxIncenRecycl.html

Florida

Sales tax exemption on recycling machinery. Tax incentives to encourage affordable transportation of recycled goods from collection points to sites for processing and disposal.

Metal Reclamation is another area to consider. This might be better for say Pennsylvania. Most of the smelters would be excellent for this purpose. The infrastructure is mostly there already. You would have to get the labor to come back in certain areas but I think it would in time.

Next step of the plan is a use for all the new metals. Silicon recycling for example. Which leads to semi-conductor manufacturing. Which leads CPUs, cell phones, PDA etc.

We need a combined approach.

Florida is pretty far from the places where windmills are most effective.

Yes, but GE is looking pretty hard for people willing to manufacture the parts for them, just because they aren't efficient in Florida doesn't mean they aren't a viable thing to produce in Florida; just an idea.

Can't go wrong with guns. The crime's going up, people are gonna take interest in this.

Of course you need to check for niches, nothing very fancy, but not just clones of mass-produced pieces.

$250,000 is enough for a good start.

Would being a Mobster count? Because I'd like to see Mobsters come back.

Not these idiots:

http://media.urbandictionary.com/image/large/crips-45442.jpg

But Mobsters:

http://www.prairieghosts.com/capone6.jpg

Okay, first, you have to find something that has a market, second, before you think about locating a factory, you need to find land that's capable of supporting it-especially a heavy industry, and third, you need a legal climate that allows you to actually do something.

The last bit kills ANY try at creating an industry in a depressed area, or reviving an area that's lost its industries.

Look ye, for instance, to Michigan and Ohio-the industries in the Midwest have become a 'rust belt' of abandoned, closed, factories and lost jobs-the industries throughout have simply died.

Some of that is being out-priced by competitors, some of it from being badly run, and a lot of it from being so expensive that nobody can actually make money employing people in manufacture of tangible goods. (the same can be said of New England's shoe factories and textile mills-most of which no longer exist, even as small-scale custom-shops).

The problems in florida include the fact that the state's mostly a sand-bar, and hit frequently with the kind of weather that makes it really hard to carry on reliable production of much of anything. It's always been that way, and will be that way for the foreseeable future. Add in how much of the state is under Federal "protection" as an environmental preserve, and then add the NIMBYs in the richer parts of the state...well... it's a bad bet to build much of anything in the Continental U.S., even now, even with a recession that's diving toward depression.

Here is an Idea. Desalination plant parts. Florida has ocean on 3 sides and i have a feeling fresh water is limited there. Sell most of your water to the municipalities and bottle some to sell to the tourist as Florida natural bottled water.

I have a more optimal idea. Get water out of the tap, filter it a bit, and label it "Eco-Water: recycled from seawater by carbon-neutral solar power."

I have a more optimal idea. Get water out of the tap, filter it a bit, and label it "Eco-Water: recycled from seawater by carbon-neutral solar power."

That's how both Coca Cola and Pepsi 'make' bottled water.

In the last year or two, they've been forced to reveal that little tidbit, although they use typical marketing speak to hide it, describing it as 'water from a public source', now, I believe.

I have a more optimal idea. Get water out of the tap, filter it a bit, and label it "Eco-Water: recycled from seawater by carbon-neutral solar power."

i was thinking the bulk of profits could be from selling water to the municipality as they are running low on fresh water in Florida (and most of the US actually) due to population growth. this would provide stability when the tourist aren't there to be conned into buying over priced bottled water.

That's how both Coca Cola and Pepsi 'make' bottled water.

Ah, wouldn't it be great to be a haute bourgeoisie. :tongue:

"Well, since those ratbags tried to destroy the pop industry, our reputation as a provider of satisfying beverages has come through, and now we don't have to add caffeine, sugar, colouring, or carbonic acid to our product! We closed half our factories, and we're still selling! We're selling the suckers WATER!"

Lols and double shots all round.

What about creating a solar farm . . .that's right a sun farm! Get a bunch of solar panels set em up and expand as profit goes u. Energy costs are relatively low right now but thats not gonna last long and you could provide it relatively cheaply especially in the surrounding area. I have no idea what sort of paperwork you'd have to do to do this though I imagine it would be considerable so that may be a downside. Throw in a few Windmills when you've got the monney and you've suddenly become and "environmentally friendly" power supplier.

i was thinking the bulk of profits could be from selling water to the municipality as they are running low on fresh water in Florida (and most of the US actually) due to population growth. this would provide stability when the tourist aren't there to be conned into buying over priced bottled water.

Seriously, the existing tourist industry is an asset to a small manufacturer. It's a mini-market, short ranged and short termed ... a trendy thing where strangers are asking in person for some gimmick or experience they heard about from their friend.

To just go all haughty and say "manufacturing is real industry, but tourism is not" is to turn a blind eye to a lambent opportunity: physically existent people are turning up, spending money they did not earn locally, and then going away again. That's "money coming into the community" or nothing is.

A manufacturer who ignores that ... well, they're so dumb they deserve to lose their quarter million.

I'll try to address your point.

Water desalination favours the big-scale. It needs significant investment to get cheap energy contracts, or workable environmental agreements. The quarter million would probably set you right in the legal sphere, after which you'd need some further investments ... for the actual desalination plant. Let alone marketing, distribution, legal challenges from Pepsi, Coke, etc, who claim that you infringe some patent they own but aren't using.

I think it comes down to this: sell directly to consumers (including tourists), or get on the government bandwagon and get some of the Great Stimulus Package That Is To Come. I speak, of course, of the Stimulus Package so Great, that our existing stimulus package is insufficient even to calculate its basic parameters.

Scamming the tourists with "natural solar extraction from seawater" is actually the most viable solution, to get money into the local economy, do something "manufactoury" and to make every involved party glow with a clean green aura. And after all: who does it harm?

It's intellectually dishonest. But does it harm anyone?

Seriously, the existing tourist industry is an asset to a small manufacturer. It's a mini-market, short ranged and short termed ... a trendy thing where strangers are asking in person for some gimmick or experience they heard about from their friend.

To just go all haughty and say "manufacturing is real industry, but tourism is not" is to turn a blind eye to a lambent opportunity: physically existent people are turning up, spending money they did not earn locally, and then going away again. That's "money coming into the community" or nothing is.

A manufacturer who ignores that ... well, they're so dumb they deserve to lose their quarter million.

I'll try to address your point.

Water desalination favours the big-scale. It needs significant investment to get cheap energy contracts, or workable environmental agreements. The quarter million would probably set you right in the legal sphere, after which you'd need some further investments ... for the actual desalination plant. Let alone marketing, distribution, legal challenges from Pepsi, Coke, etc, who claim that you infringe some patent they own but aren't using.

I think it comes down to this: sell directly to consumers (including tourists), or get on the government bandwagon and get some of the Great Stimulus Package That Is To Come. I speak, of course, of the Stimulus Package so Great, that our existing stimulus package is insufficient even to calculate its basic parameters.

Scamming the tourists with "natural solar extraction from seawater" is actually the most viable solution, to get money into the local economy, do something "manufactoury" and to make every involved party glow with a clean green aura. And after all: who does it harm?

It's intellectually dishonest. But does it harm anyone?

the tourist are seasonal, when they aren't there suddenly you don't have as many reason to employ people. The trick is with municipal supplies is you sell a city council on the idea. (and if they are short on water) they will handle much of the legal fees and give you a property tax exemption for 5 years.

I have it.

I was racking my brains, trying to think of anything Florida has but sunshine.

Then it dawned on me: the main launching base for US spacecraft.

You're in the US equivalent of the Straits of Aden.

Buy a gutsy little aircraft, say a C-120. It doesn't need vertical climb capacity, only payload capacity. It's not like launches from Kennedy are ships in the night. More like shooting fish in a barrel. Spend another 50k fitting it out with a lasso.

Aaaarrr me hearties! We be taking shuttles now!

the tourist are seasonal, when they aren't there suddenly you don't have as many reason to employ people. The trick is with municipal supplies is you sell a city council on the idea. (and if they are short on water) they will handle much of the legal fees and give you a property tax exemption for 5 years.

Yes and no.

If you get on a pilot program to explore desalination as an option, perhaps you make a profit even if that doesn't turn out to be viable.

And desalination essentially uses electricity to produce fresh water. It's not really that viable at current rates for both. "Bottled electricity."

But no. Unless you're offering some new technology (commercial in confidence of course) then desal is for the big boys.

Yes and no.

If you get on a pilot program to explore desalination as an option, perhaps you make a profit even if that doesn't turn out to be viable.

And desalination essentially uses electricity to produce fresh water. It's not really that viable at current rates for both. "Bottled electricity."

But no. Unless you're offering some new technology (commercial in confidence of course) then desal is for the big boys.

start with a small town. use solar power for the electricity.
its a small town convince them it is something new. if it is full of hippies they will go for it.

start with a small town. use solar power for the electricity.
its a small town convince them it is something new. if it is full of hippies they will go for it.

So basically your business plan is "find a local council run by hippies and rip them off."

Do you own a vehicle of any kind? I can forge signatures pretty well. We would make good business partners :p

Its seems you are in the ideal position to set up an exploding umbrella business.

Picture the scene...you come in from a downpour and go to a meeting. There's nowhere to leave your umbrella outside the room, but a brand-new, expensive carpet has been laid in the meeting room, and soaking it with a dripping umbrella would severely damage your status in the eyes of those who extract the surplus value from your labour.

With the new *exploding umbrella*, your problems are solved. Press the big red button, and it destroys itself harmlessly with a 100 megaton bomb explosion, leaving you free from workplace embarassment.

Also good for scaring away rapists. No one likes a rapist.

I live in a community with high local unemployment (over 10%). There is very little industry in my town - mostly tourism. (I live in#post14467429 Florida) I have thought it might be nice if I were to be able to create a business which manufactures something. Something which has a demand and which could be sold all around the country. Something which would create jobs for the community. The sort of jobs unskilled labor could do. Something with high enough margins that a fair wage could be paid.

There is an interstate nearby for distribution. Railroads and shipping are not far away either. Land is cheap and local government is accommodating. The land near the coast is environmentally sensitive. I have access to about a $250,000 start up loan. I have no manufacturing experience.

Private loan? Parents or some similar patron giving you the big break? Lucky you.

So - what would be the perfect item to manufacture? What sort of enterprise would YOU start.

Something very like these ideas:

Machining. By that I mean machining metal pieces for applications, or even custom machining pieces (motorcycle/car parts).

(to which I would add: small runs, even individual pieces, are where your small startup has the edge on cheap foreign manufacture. In fact, you need to be so fast and so responsive to the customer's demands that you can beat out interstate competition!)

He could recycle glass. It can be remelted.

Industries I'd be interested in for starting up small would be:

Glassworks
Decorative/architectural iron/steelworks (gates and whatnot)
Brewery
Publishing -- Bindery/printing, the manufacturing of the books/mags
Cabinetry/furniture making

Those are skilled labor industries, but they can be started off relatively small.

Key point here by Muravyets: it needs to work on the small scale.

(Both of these suggestions are like what I would (probably) do, in that they magnify my current skills. They are empowering, not speculative. Their success or failure is based in what you already know you can do, amplified by the power of capital.)

If it isn't working, you won't get further credit. But more importantly: you don't deserve further credit. Your business idea has to work within its limits, including the limit of its initial capitalization, but ultimately by how the idea provides benefit to others, and thereby earns money.

It is a small disgrace in capitalist terms to lose a fortune. Some even consider it a virtue, so long as the fortune is won back.

But if the fortune is not yours (ie it was borrowed) then it is a great disgrace to lose it. In anybody's terms it is failure. It is a claim to competence in the spending of another's money, which you subsequently fail at.

"A fool and their money are soon parted" is harsh but true. How much harsher it is, that fools are parted from some other's money. "Loan often loses both itself and friend."

So I ask you to seriously consider the consequences for yourself of not repaying the loan of about $250,000.

The golden age of small business -- a small business simply getting bigger and bigger by doing what works on a small scale -- are long gone. Franchising a working small business, into a chain of clone small businesses, is one option. Gaining a monopoly on some link in a big-business chain is another option, though probably a short term one. Founding the key business in an entire new industry, forming a natural monopoly and becoming fantastically rich and powerful, off such a small startup, is something that you should not even dream about.

You can still make a profit. You can repay the startup capital, and then either sell the viable business or build it further (by taking further debt.)

That really should be enough to aim for. So many small businesses (capitalization of .25 million is SMALL) fail, that making any return on investment should be your primary goal.

Get in the game. Cover your ass (stay profitable on your current scale, ie don't lose your capital) and THEN decide if manufacturing is for you ... or if selling out is your best option.

Losing the money gets no respect from capitalists who judge you by your spending power, nor from socialists like me who judge you by your works. "A fool and his money are soon parted."

Having money (loaned or owned) and losing it is a fail either way.

So, in summary: consider the money you would invest as if it were your own, to spend on hookers and a skywriter if you so choose. To make yourself richer, if you so choose. To do great works of no benefit to yourself, if you so choose. Money is power.

Remember that families are losing the houses they thought were their homes, that previously viable businesses are folding, that governments around the world are debasing their currencies for want of credit.

If you take that credit, use it not just with good intentions but wisely. Repay it, or be a fool with other people's money.

Its seems you are in the ideal position to set up an exploding umbrella business.

Picture the scene...you come in from a downpour and go to a meeting. There's nowhere to leave your umbrella outside the room, but a brand-new, expensive carpet has been laid in the meeting room, and soaking it with a dripping umbrella would severely damage your status in the eyes of those who extract the surplus value from your labour.

With the new *exploding umbrella*, your problems are solved. Press the big red button, and it destroys itself harmlessly with a 100 megaton bomb explosion, leaving you free from workplace embarassment.

Your product is illegal even before it hits the market.

You could probably sell a few thousand, with the explosive feature defensible as an improbable malfunction ... but no, you had to include a big red button, didn't you?

"Big red button" = "blow something up."

Your product immediately superceded by the "Picobrolly" -- a miniaturized umbrella, approximately the size of a toothpick, which extends to a metre and then pops open in any moist environment.

Your product immediately superceded by the "Picobrolly" -- a miniaturized umbrella, approximately the size of a toothpick, which extends to a metre and then pops open in any moist environment.

Where's the fun in that? Though there's some potential for sex-related accidents.

Distillery is interesting. (I actually went to the same elementary school as the guys who developed California Coolers in their garage and essentially started the bottled wine coolers industry) I wonder what concoction people would associate with Florida?

Metamucil.

Think of a better name for Psyllium Husks, or some justification for eating the nasty stuff other than "regular bowel movements" and you'll be rich.

Where's the fun in that? Though there's some potential for sex-related accidents.

We are different kinds of terrorist I guess.

I'm "you got mango between your teeth? Hey, have a toothpick!"

You're "mwahaha, I now push the Big Red Button!"

I'm not saying you're wrong, mind. Your way may indeed induce more real terror, and less youtube copycats.

We are different kinds of terrorist I guess.

I'm "you got mango between your teeth? Hey, have a toothpick!"

You're "mwahaha, I now push the Big Red Button!"

I'm not saying you're wrong, mind. Your way may indeed induce more real terror, and less youtube copycats.

Different terroristic methods, but we both hate freedom equally, right?

Different terroristic methods, but we both hate freedom equally, right?

Freedom is the biggest crock of crap ever concocted.

Freedom? So I can have whatever I want? NO.
Freedom? So I can do whatever I like? NO.
Freedom? So I can say whatever I like? NO.
Freedom? So I can go wherever I like? NO.

OK, how about you tell me what, exactly, I am free to do?

"Whatever you like, unless it breaks a law."

How do I know what breaks a law?

"There are these books, but to be sure about their interpretation you need a lawyer."

And lawyers are free, right ... ?

"Sure. After you break the law!"

Bugger industry. Not really possible with western wages. Tourism is the way to go. Spend it on making your town less shite and making up some history to guide suckas around.

Bugger industry. Not really possible with western wages. Tourism is the way to go. Spend it on making your town less shite and making up some history to guide suckas around.

Grow a beard, learn Spanish and the Cuban colloquialisms. Give the tourists an eight hour rave and a tour of the penitentiary.

"Fidel's tour of Florida."

There would be some change from the quarter million, too.

Freedom is the biggest crock of crap ever concocted.

Freedom? So I can have whatever I want? NO.
Freedom? So I can do whatever I like? NO.
Freedom? So I can say whatever I like? NO.
Freedom? So I can go wherever I like? NO.

OK, how about you tell me what, exactly, I am free to do?

"Whatever you like, unless it breaks a law."

How do I know what breaks a law?

"There are these books, but to be sure about their interpretation you need a lawyer."

And lawyers are free, right ... ?

"Sure. After you break the law!"

I'll take that as a 'yes' ^_^

I'll take that as a 'yes' ^_^

k
Freedom is BUMFODDER!!!

start with a small town. use solar power for the electricity.
its a small town convince them it is something new. if it is full of hippies they will go for it.

You might actually want to research your subject.

First - desalination isn't cheap. If you want to make a profit out of this industry, desal ain't it.

Second - in order to have a facility that could comply with drinking water standards, you're looking at a basic start-up of multiple millions, for a 'small town'.

And that's if you process it on site, and then have your own bottling. If you're thinking about piping it anywhere...

The regulatory fees alone would probably suck down a quarter-million a year.

As an aside - if someone really wants to get into water related industry, and has that kind of start-up money, there are much better projects to get involved in. It's actually an industry I've looked at set-ups in, but lack the access to start-up funds.

Okay so we start to take over the world from Florida.

Okay

Florida is hot and sticky most of the year.

Air conditioning and dehumidifiers will be a big assets. These are heavy manufacturing in most cases. A large infrastructure is almost required, skilled labor which may or may not be present within the state, high start up cost so that pretty much rules these out.

Both these I would call heavy manufacturing.

All kind of tourists require all kind of food. Since we are not trying to be farmers. We could do food production.

Naturals would be Ice Cream, Popsicles, anything cold pretty much, fish.

Of those Ice cream is fairly easy. If you take the Ben & Jerry's model. Simple, tasty, ingredients and clean, controlled manufacturing. We talking about a mixer and chiller that pretty much it, besides packaging. Plastic is pretty cheap as is some type of waxed cardboard type paper. We will decide later depending on what we find from research.

Distribution is based on local super markets and Ice Cream shops, deli, grocery stores, small mom & pop convenience stores . The market is fairly competitive but we have the advantage of being local.

We need semi skilled workers and we will train. Largely an urban area, so we locate close enough to a major market to draw labor from but far enough away to avoid unions and all that. We need to be close to the only game in town. So we need scouts.

Hint look for place Walmart sets up shop.


The rest become advertising and product development. We put some of the profit back into R&D of new flavors and try them out on the local population of the place where we setup shop. This is our way of giving back to the community for allowing us to come and work there.

Ice Cream, Sherbert, Popsicles, any pretty much and low cost, high profit frozen sweet. Before going in we research the heck out of this market we know upside down and back to front. We become Ice Cream experts. We need to spy/research what other member of our industry are doing. We become enternally paranoid. We constantly strive to over take the leader. We focus on constantly improving our process. Better, faster, cheaper, every day.


Which brings us to sales, here we need to invest in good people. Not slick car salesmen. Ben and Jerry type, real "down home" trustworthy gentlemen. Preferably with a southern accent. It is show to inspire confidence and trustworthiness. We pick a direction. We either have Georgia OR Alabama. If possible we aim for the middle. We research the crap out of those areas as well. What does it take to make in each state.

Pay a genetic engineering PhD student to take the interesting genes from a plant like coca or hemp and put them into something like mint that grows rapidly. Set up a plantation.

With regard to flavors: Orange comes to mind straight off the top.

Florida is bless with a long growing season. Excellent for us because we need real ingredients.

Strawberries, peaches are pretty close in Georgia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida

The second largest industry is agriculture. Citrus fruit, especially oranges, are a major part of the economy, and Florida produces the majority of citrus fruit grown in the U.S. – in 2006 67 percent of all citrus, 74 percent of oranges, 58 percent of tangerines, and 54 percent of grapefruit. About 95 percent of commercial orange production in the state is destined for processing (mostly as orange juice, the official state beverage).[63] Citrus canker continues to be an issue of concern. Other products include sugarcane, strawberries, tomatoes and celery.[64] The Everglades Agricultural Area is a major center for agriculture. The environmental impact of agriculture—especially water pollution— is a major issue in Florida today.


Grapefruit will require research will people by Grapefruit Ice Cream. For some reason I doubt but we test. Just cuz we think won't doesn't mean it won't

So small batches. Tomatoes and celery are of little use to us but I suppose we could llok into incorporating them into the Ice cream along the line of a "full serving" of vegetables in every gallon of Ice Creme for "health conscious consumer". I am not sure Florida is one of those State but it doesn't hurt us to test.

Just because they don't grow it currently in Florida doesn't mean it won't grow we look for flavors that might grow in Florida. I don't know mangoes or whatever.

Alabama has peanuts, also peaches so we have 2 sources of peaches. Also soybeans. Can you make Ice Cream out of Soybeans for lactose intolerant people? Also milk is a main product, that is also good to know.


Georgia has pecans, peaches, and peanuts

So our flavors are starting to form from things within a State radius.

Pay a genetic engineering PhD student to take the interesting genes from a plant like coca or hemp and put them into something like mint that grows rapidly. Set up a plantation.

Excellent idea. Who says mint won't grow? Coca is another interesting crop. Coffee also comes to mind.

Now our business plan is beginning to take shape. Now we need numbers, facts, figures, and information. How much do we need to set this up right? What is the bare minimum assuming less than ideal condition. How long does it take to pay it self off? How long before we turn a profit? What are the risks? What permits, regulations, expertise, tax breaks do I need to set this up?

Now we need a CPA or financially skilled individuals. We make several different models and we choose the best one that fits our budget.

We have 3 markets to draw from for employment Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. We have a ton of major cities within reach. Tons of national parks we could see our Ice Cream in. A big target would obviously be Disney, Universal Studios, and the NASA space centers. Now we have to sell them.

The point of this is you don't have to think heavy manufacturing . Think, small and simple and easily scalable.