Handcrafted childrens fingerprint jewellery business
By Matt Eve
There is a large market for keepsakes that allow parents and grandparents to remember children. One such business is the creating unique jewellery pieces that have childrens fingerprints as an integral part of the design.
Over the last couple of years a few frnachises have started to spring up in this area, a sure sign that there is a market. Probably the largest at present is Smallprint
However this type of business would not be that difficult to start. It revloves around the use of precious metal clay. This is a type of silver which comes in a putty like form and can be molded (or used to capture a finger print). It can then be fired in a kiln and polished up and then used to make all different kinds of jewellery such as pendants, cuff links, bracelets etc.
You can find training with one of the following providers:
http://www.chunungatree.co.uk/index_files/Page3042.htm
http://www.magnoliastudios.co.uk/silver_jewellery.htm
http://www.pajed.co.uk/asp/ClassesHome.asp - £85
http://www.artclaysupplies.co.uk/art-clay-workshops.shtml
Once you have mastered the techniques at one of these course, which should only take a day you will then need the following:
- Kiln for firing pieces of jewellery
- Rotary tumbler for finishing jewellery
- Precious metal clay
- Packaging materials
Most of these items can be found easily on Ebay or in online craft shops.
To market this kind of business it should be possible to set up a stall in a shopping center or childrens clothing or toy store. Also word of mouth and a good website will be good for attracting parents of small children. Gift vouchers could also be sold via gift shops. The possibilities are endless.
Topics: Irish Business Opportunities | 2 Comments »
Aerial Photography Business
By Matt Eve
There is a good opportunity to make money with aerial photography taking photos from an elevated position.
In the past you would have needed access to an aeroplane or hot air balloon to offer this kind of service. However there are now systems available that allow you to mount a camera onto a telescopic tripod and take photographs without you ever leaving the ground.
This type of business is attractive for a number of reasons:
1) It requires a relatively low investment in equipment, you should be able to get all the equipment you need to get started for under €7000.
2) Overheads will be low and include motor expenses and marketing.
3) Flexible, you can operate this kind of business on a full or part time basis
4) Outdoors, this business is appealing if you like to get out and about working outdoors
5) The chance to build a list of both corporate and private clients.
Customers for this service will include high end estate agents, private homeowners, commercial property owners and agents. There is also the opportunity of providing a service for people running outdoor events, shows and parties.
If you are interested in this oportunity have a look at http://www.aerocamera.net they are based in Germany and have a lot of experience in getting people set up in this kind of business. You might also like to look at http://www.elevatedphotos.com
The following links are businesses in Ireland already offering this service
http://www.hawkeye.ie/
http://www.skyhighimages.eu/
http://www.elevatedimages.ie
Topics: Irish Business Opportunities | No Comments »
Alloy Wheel Repair business opportunity
By Matt Eve
There are approximately 1.75 million cars in Ireland and of these approx 70% have alloy wheels. This represents a good opportunity to start an alloy wheel repair business. With cars in Ireland being particularly expensive it makes sense that people want to keep them looking as good as possible.
Keeping alloy wheels dent and scratch free is a service that is growing in demand and there are a number of companies that provide training and equipment to help you start your own alloy wheel repair business.
Smartfix UK offer a number of different business packages which include equipment and training starting at around €10,000 which will set you up with a mobile or workshop based repair system. This will allow you to offer a quality same day service.
Getting customers could be as simple as leaving flyers on cars with alloy wheels that you notice are damaged, or forging relationships with local garages and car showrooms to work with them.
Typically an alloy wheel repair would cost the customer around €75 and it should be possible to repair between 4 and 16 alloy wheels per day. This would give you a typical average of €300 to €1200 per day in turnover. Your costs will include materials and running your van if you provide a mobile service or rent, rates etc if you opt for a workshop based operation.
Topics: Irish Business Opportunities | No Comments »
Business Card Display Advertising
By Matt Eve
Here is an opportunity for people with good sales skills.
This service involves siting business card dispensing displays in places where people congregate such as doctors surgeries, waiting rooms, local shops etc.
Once you have sited the display boards you would then offer advertising to local businesses to have their card displayed on the board.
Some companies that supply these boards are as follows:
http://www.bizcardbox.com €1300 for 10 display boxes including shipping
http://www.freecard.com
These companies provide boards that have 16 compartments for business cards. If you were to charge a business owner €25 per month per compartment then each display board could generate 16*25 = €400
The benefits to the advertiser over a lot of other types of advertising is that there is something for their potential customers to take away with them. Unlike most advertising where you are at the mercy of the customer to remember the advert and contact details with business card advertising the customer has the card to take with them with the advertisers full contact details.
With 10 of these display boards that is a potential income of €4000 per month or €48000 per year.
The following website has a lot of free information for anyone considering this business: http://www.businesscarddisplays.info
Topics: Irish Business Opportunities | 3 Comments »
Online Backup Service Opportunity
By Matt Eve
As businesses in Ireland rely more and more on computer systems for running their businesses, there is a growing need for them to ensure that their data is backed up. In the past those companies that did back up their data did so by using external hard drives or tape devices. This was often cumbersome and prone to user error as it required manual intervention.
More recently as faster internet connections have become available for most businesses, the ability to back up data to a remote server has been opened up. Typically now most back up services work automatically. Once the initial setup has been done, which usually entails installing a piece of software on the pc or servers to be backed up and configuring it the backup service then works away in the background either in real time or at set periods throughout the day, or after business hours.
The availability of this technology presents a good business opportunity. To start your own online backup service these days can be done relatively cheaply. Companies like Ashay provide software for people starting their own backup service. Essentially what you need is a server (or ideally two mirrored servers in different locations) which can easily be rented from a company like Rackspace. You would then install the Software from Ashay on these servers and on the computers of your clients allowing them to synchronise with each other.
Typically you could offer a business the ability to backup all of their data starting at around €20-€30 per month. Your costs would be server rental around €500 per month (for two servers) and licences from Ashay. On a rough calculation you would need somewhere around 20-30 customers to break even (i.e. to cover the server costs).
One word of caution is that there a number of companies all over the world offering this service over the internet. Where I think the real opportunity lies is by offering this service on a local level and by marketing it directly using offline techniques and picking up those clients who are not actively aware of the service or looking for it of which there are many.
You would need to educate them on the benefits and then could even offer them a free no strings attached trial. Once they see how effortlessly a system like this can work, and you reinforce the benefits of peace of mind that this service can bring a large percentage should remain ongoing customers.
The beauty of this kind of service is that it provides a very good residual income. Your customers will pay you every month on an ongoing basis, even though you have only had to do the upfront sale once. This will allow you a lot of time to focus on attracting new customers and building a solid repeat income and a business which is very valuable.
Topics: Irish Business Opportunities | 10 Comments »
Estate Agent Brocure Opportunity
By Matt Eve
The slowdown in the property market here could present its own opportunities, anything that helps sell properties might make a good business opportunity.
In the US and many other countries it is common for a property for sale to have a brochure available in a display box outside the property. This means that someone passing by can obtain a copy of the sales particulars without contacting the agent. However I have never seen this in Ireland.
To find a supplier for the brochure boxes just search google or ebay for “Outdoor Brochure Box”. You can find them for around €10 each.
Then it would be a question of approaching auctioneers, estate agents and letting agents and offering the service of setting up the brochure boxes outside their listed properties and then to go round replenishing the brochures a copule of times a week.
You could probably get the agents to pay say €10 set up and then €5 per week per property. If a property is typically on the market then this might end up costing the agent or vendor around €70 which is pretty low compared with other advertising methods.
If you built up a round of 100 to 200 properties at any one time you could generate a significant income. The investment for this kind of business would be low and it should be possible to build a high level of repeat income by running a professional service and building a relationship with the estate agents.
Topics: Irish Business Opportunities | 1 Comment »
Welcome to Business Opportunities Ireland
By Matt Eve
Welcome and thanks for stopping by.
By way of an introduction my name is Matt Eve and I own and operate a number of businesses, the main one is a marketing and business growth consultancy based in Ireland
From an early age I’ve been fascinated with all different kinds of business ideas and opportunities. The idea of this blog is to share some of them with you and hopefully provide the catalyst to getting off your backside and starting your own business.
I hope you enjoy it and if you come across any interesting opportunities I’m always curious to hear about them.
Matt
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
