The Mark Cuban Stimulus Plan – Open Source Funding
Its easy to write about what the government or other people should do with our/their money. It’s harder to come up with a course of action that I can undertake on my own that possibly, somehow could make a difference. My first inclination is always to try to look “for the next big thing”. But the next big thing is just that, next. Its not now. Its Venture Capital. Its not self funding, renewal capital.
Rather than trying to be a Venture Capitalist, I was looking for an idea that hopefully could inspire people to create businesses that could quickly become self funding. Businesses that just needed a jump start to get the ball rolling and create jobs. Im a big believer that entrepreneurs will lead us out of this mess. I just needed a way to help.
So here it is. Some people will love it, some will hate it. It is what it is.
You must post your business plan here on my blog where I expect other people can and will comment on it. I also expect that other people will steal the idea and use it elsewhere. That is the idea. Call this an open source funding environment.
If its a good idea and worth funding, we want it replicated elsewhere. The idea is not just to help you, but to figure out how to help the economy through hard work and ingenuity. If you come up with the idea and get funding, you have a head start. If you execute better than others, you could possibly make money at it. As you will see from the rules below, these are going to be businesses that are mostly driven by sweat equity.
I will invest money in businesses presented here on this blog. No minimum, no maximum, but a very specific set of rules. Here they are:
1. It can be an existing business or a start up.
2. It can not be a business that generates any revenue from advertising. Why ? Because I want this to be a business where you sell something and get paid for it. Thats the only way to get and stay profitable in such a short period of time.
3. It MUST BE CASH FLOW BREAK EVEN within 60 days
4. It must be profitable within 90 days.
5. Funding will be on a monthly basis. If you dont make your numbers, the funding stops
6. You must demonstrate as part of your plan that you sell your product or service for more than what it costs you to produce, fully encumbered
7. Everyone must work. The organization is completely flat. There are no employees reporting to managers. There is the founder/owners and everyone else
8. You must post your business plan here, or you can post it on slideshare.com , scribd.com or google docs, all completely public for anyone to see and/or download
9. I make no promises that if your business is profitable, that I will invest more money. Once you get the initial funding you are on your own
10. I will make no promises that I will be available to offer help. If I want to , I will. If not, I wont.
11. If you do get money, it goes into a bank that I specify, and I have the ability to watch the funds flow and the opportunity to require that I cosign any outflows.
12. In your business plan , make sure to specify how much equity I will receive or how I will get a return on my money.
13. No mult-level marketing programs (added 2/10/09 1pm)
Im sure I will come up with more rules as I see what comes along, if anything.
As I find businesses I like, I will use the email address you provide before you post to get in contact with you. There will be a standard agreement, you can take it or leave it. Once I have done the standard agreement, I will post it here for all to see. This will definitely be a work in progress. Maybe it leads to great things, maybe it leads to nothing. We will find out. Im not going to claim a minimum or maximum amount or total I will invest. Im not promising I will definitely invest anything. If nothing comes along that I think is viable, thats the way it goes.
Hopefully I will invest in quite a few businesses that will lead to something more
Would you be willing to change #2 to it’s not have it’s only revenue from
advertising?
Comment by Michael Buchanan — February 9, 2009 @ 11:27 pm
I bet a lot of will come out of this, probably will end up with its own webiste.
Just curious: why is the reason for rule #2?
Thank you and Best Regards,
CS
Comment by Carlos — February 9, 2009 @ 11:33 pm
Mark – Awesome. In all honesty I was hoping that you’d offer something like this up at some point. However, I’m not sure that requiring full disclosure of one’s business plan is going to get that many people to bite on your offer. I have a couple of business ventures that I am trying to get off of the ground and I’d love nothing more to pitch them to you on your blog, but I’m not sure that publicizing the details of my businesses is a good idea. I understand that an idea and business have to be tough enough to withstand competition, but sometimes having that jumpstart on the market is essential.
Not to mention that you gaining a return on your invest would be better served by not creating a potentially infinite amount of competition.
Would you be open to reviewing pitches on your blog and then details privately?
From MC> No. This is an open source opportunity. Not a pitch Mark opportunity
Comment by Ben — February 9, 2009 @ 11:33 pm
Agreed. Why throw billions at sinking ships when the next new thing
dies on the vine without funding?
I’ll bet you get a lot of iphone apps. Good Luck.
Comment by John — February 9, 2009 @ 11:40 pm
This is the best stimulus plan I’ve seen so far.
Comment by rachelmarsden — February 9, 2009 @ 11:41 pm
secondary market on delayed california state income tax rebates. seller completes their taxes. and advertises the sale of their return. buyer can purchase the future return at a discount, and a fee which goes to the business.
note: this might be wildly illegal, not sure.
Comment by anthony — February 9, 2009 @ 11:44 pm
Fair enough, I see your point, thanks Mark.
Comment by Ben — February 9, 2009 @ 11:45 pm
Wow, transparency and accountability. What a concept!
Comment by Brian St. Pierre — February 9, 2009 @ 11:47 pm
[...] “As I find businesses I like, I will use the email address you provide before you post to get in cont…. There will be a standard agreement, you can take it or leave it. Once I have done the standard agreement, I will post it here for all to see. This will definitely be a work in progress. Maybe it leads to great things, maybe it leads to nothing. We will find out. Im not going to claim a minimum or maximum amount or total I will invest. Im not promising I will definitely invest anything. If nothing comes along that I think is viable, thats the way it goes.. I will invest money in businesses presented here on this blog. No minimum, no maximum, but a very specific set of rules. Here they are: [...]
Pingback by Ben Barren - Confessions of a Mad Man » cuban will open source fund u if u have email + profitability in 90 days — February 9, 2009 @ 11:55 pm
I love the “open source” aspect. The founder either believes it is defensible (or has other barriers to entry) or they won’t post it.
Comment by Jackson — February 9, 2009 @ 11:59 pm
Here’s my idea for a business.
The current form of government isn’t working.
Start a for-profit business with the goal of competing with and replacing the current government.
Comment by FSK — February 10, 2009 @ 12:01 am
Mark,
My plan to help me, and to help others is to invent/build a screen that would go over airplanes engines which would prevent birds from being sucked up in the engines and causing problems.
Let me know what you think,
JTW
Comment by Tyler Wolf — February 10, 2009 @ 12:02 am
[...] must post your business plan on my blog where I expect other people can and will comment on it. I also expect that other people will steal [...]
Pingback by The Mark Cuban Stimulus Plan - Open Source Funding — February 10, 2009 @ 12:02 am
This is just brilliant and, I hope, will inspire a whole slew of people to do something, think of something, make something. Myself, I operate small and cottage style, designing and laying out books in the after-hours of my civil service day job. My hope is to supplement the pension I’ll receive in five or so years when I retire, so that my wife and I don’t take a hit in our lifestyle (still fairly modest). But I’m commenting to say you’re on the right track about making it a requirement that the businesses you help not be about advertising. In the social networking I do online, I see–read, actually–too much about marketing and not enough about doing something. And we need more doing in this country to move forward out of this mess.
I congratulate you for the idea, Mr. Cuban, for trying to light a fire under people. I hope to God it works.
Comment by Stephen Tiano — February 10, 2009 @ 12:03 am
I’ve been buying tickets to scalp. It’s really easy but my credit cards are already maxed out with Jimmy Buffett and Bruce Springsteen tickets so I can’t get any Seinfeld on Friday. I live in a state where it is legal. This would only work as a loan. I’d borrow 10k at 12% interest.
Comment by Kevin — February 10, 2009 @ 12:04 am
Hi Mark,
I too would like to see some sort of way to provide you with private details. I don’t mind making a summary available to the public, but we have a significant first mover advantage on a product that we are developing at Twitturly, and we could lose that if we talked about it publicly.
I will say that it could be released for around $10k-$15k (it’s already almost entirely developed – we just need the money for AWS servers), and we already have a few interested buyers, so I think we could meet your time frames.
If at all interested, I’d be happy to talk to you about it in a more private manner.
Comment by Joel Strellner — February 10, 2009 @ 12:08 am
Mark,
If you are serious & expect this to work, If you expect to get a large number of plans, If you expect a lot of people to comment on the plans & discus them, Start a slinkset. The comements area of a blog is not ideal for a project like this.
Comment by Another — February 10, 2009 @ 12:12 am
How’s this:
Provided the Justice department goes along with Obama’s campaign promises, and leave the states to decide what they’re doing with their own laws, I’ve got a fairly simple business plan. One of the oldest there is, really.
An ounce of low grade marijuana, in California, sells for just over US $200.00. High grade can go for double that. A standard grow setup costs a couple grand. Call it $3,000.00. With that much cash invested, and another $3,000.00 per month for rental of a warehouse, plus power and water in ghetto Oakland, you can churn out an average of 25 pounds of bud every 8 to 10 weeks. Less than that, depending on varieties.
So, let’s look at the math, and let’s estimate that we can sell a pound for $3,000 to any of a dozen local dispensaries in the SF Bay Area. Let’s also throw in a 5 pound average fudge factor. So, with a two month period of work, and a $1000.00 extra expenses thing going on, we can expect the following results:
$10,000 initial investment for two months of grow would result in $60,000 of revenue.
Not a bad turn-over. Since marijuana cultivation is a somewhat dodgey subject, this whole plan would be hinged upon a few factors:
1 – Clear and obvious acknowledgement from the federal government that medical marijuana laws will not be infringed by the DEA.
2 – A hand-full of card-carrying stoners: 25 plants allowed per stoner by CA law. That would put us at around 10 stoners to be employed. getting a card is easy, and with that card comes legal allowance for 25 plants a piece. I think there are even larger amounts permitted per person in Oakland and Berkeley.
3 – It might be best to put off the start by 10 weeks, and to bloat the investment needs by another $200 per person so that all involved can attend Oaksterdam University, a legitimate school in Oakland that teaches a 10 week course on Marijuana cultivation, state and federal laws, and other related topics.
So then, Mark: would you be interested at a rate of 33 percent ownership? Or, since this is all about open source, would you be OK getting a 200% or higher set return on your money, then walking away for fear of being indicted.
Others can go ahead and steal this idea if they want. It’s a hell of a quick and powerful way to make money. To avoid any potential legal issues, you’ll forgive me if I decline to introduce any qualifications here in public.
Comment by VonGuard — February 10, 2009 @ 12:33 am
You guys asking about ad revenue realize that Facebook isn’t profitable, right? Ad revenue based models are fundamentally flawed because the rely on driving large numbers of users to your site – not worrying about creating create a great software product.
Anyone can dream up some scheme to drive lots of eyeballs. A true entrepreneur will create a kick-ass product that actually solves a real world problem, and makes money doing it.
Comment by Kord Campbell — February 10, 2009 @ 12:35 am
My idea involves selling off my collection of Star Wars memorabilia that I have been collecting for 35 years. I have a 40 page business plan, although it does break my heart to sell, in this economy, I feel it is a must. The plan is solid, but I don’t feel comfortable posting it as most people wouldn’t understand. Most people don’t have the mental capacity that I do.
Is there anyway that you could fly me out to Texas and we could meet over a cup of Starbucks?
Let me know, I definitely have the best idea of all and the inventory to make it a success.
Follow me on twitter please.
Kevin.
Comment by Kevin Gawthrope — February 10, 2009 @ 12:37 am
Mark,
Ask and you shall receive.
http://www.slideshare.net/alain94040/xtremetalk
Comment by Alain Raynaud — February 10, 2009 @ 12:42 am
Mark,
I like you’re idea, and I’m up for not only a little “friendly” competition, but the excited about the “jump-start” opportunity which you’ll provide many. As with any entrepreneur though, we can bog you down in details. Can you give specifics for what information, and the amount of information required to post, in order to receive some type of honest attention from you. Perimeters of what needs to be much appreciated.
I also think a revision of #2 needs to be specified, as I’m sure you’re well aware that most (if not all) internet companies have some revenue that is driven by advertisers. As any thing that is worth reading (or gains the attention of others) is worth using as an advertising medium. Also, there’s many different definitions of “advertisements”…. Are magazines, double-click, TV in general, HDNET not making money from advertisements? Are consumer products not delivered and introduced to the consumer via advertisements? Those companies are not only necessary for product delivery, but they create hundreds of thousands of jobs A little clarification on #2 will help drastically hone ideas.
From MC> You are right, they are. However, i have no interest in investing in those types of businesses. They take time to build. This is about hitting the ground running
Cheers,
Jacob Ahrens
Comment by Jacob Ahrens — February 10, 2009 @ 12:47 am
Selling green buds on Twitter. ’nuff said.
Comment by Rolando Breckenridge — February 10, 2009 @ 12:53 am
Great proposal, though I believe something should be done to
avoid prjects that can throw us back to a new financial crisis.
I miss some rules related to “eco-efficieny”,
to “social sustainability” and to “fair trade”. We’re not in this mess
because seomething went wrong, but most of it was done wrong.
Most of the practices done since yet where not aware of those
rules and speculation was the main goal for business.
Comment by Oriol — February 10, 2009 @ 1:06 am
I sure hope you have a readership that is more capable of reading 12
rules and understanding them than the previous posters have been. I really
hope this works out. I look forward to reading some inspired ideas real
soon.
Comment by mp97303 — February 10, 2009 @ 1:09 am
Mark, I think your timelines are a little tight. You’re going to attract a lot of simple iPhone-type apps
and those aren’t going to generate any significant number of jobs or anything else that will help to
stimulate the economy, IMHO.
If you want to support an initiative that is aimed at providing an entirely new ecosystem for entrepreneurs
to build on that will be accessible to all, shoot me a note and I will be happy to elaborate. We could sure
use your help.
Good luck and thanks for the passion.
Comment by Gordon Quinn — February 10, 2009 @ 1:20 am
You can read our plan here. We’ve got the right team
and we’re already plotting a course to do this anyway, but you
could make it happen tomorrow, as opposed to a few months from now.
http://www.slideshare.net/omnivore/destination-wyoming
Comment by Ron — February 10, 2009 @ 1:22 am
Company Name: Yonkly (As seen on Mashable, Tech Crunch, KillerStartups and SoCal Tech)
Our team would like to present Yonkly, which is a niche microblogging platform that has been dominating our competitors on three metrics: (i) traffic, (ii) growth rate, (iii) revenue.
Despite our competition receiving funding within the past two months, we have outperformed them, and will continue to do so through hard work, wit and a long-term perspective.
To all readers, feel free to give us feedback, both good and bad—especially the bad. We love it. It helps us become better.
Website: http://yonkly.com
Video of Yonkly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcgZH3lzrBM&eurl=http://blog.yonkly.com/
Yonkly Executive Summary: http://www.scribd.com/doc/12034545/Yonkly-Executive-Summary
Return for Mark Cuban: Over $20 million with a 2-3 year exit (i.e. pocket change)
Comment by sscheper — February 10, 2009 @ 1:27 am
This is never going to work
Comment by cxc2117 — February 10, 2009 @ 1:47 am
OK, I’ll ponder and talk with my entrepenurial friends.
In the meantime, since nobody else can answer this one, maybe you can.
It seems to me the United States doesn’t really make things anymore.
We don’t export much except entertainment and “americana”
We don’t make anything here that the world desperately needs.
Bill Clinton suggested that government support of alternative energy and the
green economy could create new wealth and exportable technology.
We could lead the way again in a particular market sector that the world needs.
Why isn’t there a government mandate stipulating to Detroit that we will bail you out
if and only if you accept and meet the challenge of making electric cars.
The technology exists, Detroit’s commitment would drop the price of the batteries needed,
and we’d be reducing our dependence on foreign oil quickly as well as helping the
environment.
What about converting all the semi-trucks on the road to natural gas.
Same situation with the Natural gas available right here in the USA and in Canada.
Maybe that’s a secondary or tertiary plan in the recovery, but one I would like to hear
real discussion about from people who knew, or a real point to why it won’t work from
someone who knows more about big business than me.
That’s where you come in.
In the meantime, I appreciate what you are attempting to do with this post
and will be having a conference call with my entrepreneurial bent friends by
noon tomorrow PST.
Comment by JH — February 10, 2009 @ 1:48 am
Very very cool idea Mark. Might lead to something big.
I’m in Australia, I wish one of our billionaires would do something
similar. In the spirit of US-Australian friendship I might try to
come up with a business plan a US entrepreneur can “borrow”.
Comment by 8020 Financial — February 10, 2009 @ 1:49 am
Taking the bait:
10 second pitch:
I own the domain name :
mobileelectronicbooks.com
****
End of pitch.
Why should Google, Amazon, MS, and Apple be the kings of e-books ?
Basic business model.
Site for the top 10% to 20% not in the Long Tail and not in the
head of the curve either.
These authors are turned down by
stupid and bleeding publishers in NYC. They deserve to have their work
sold and read and not shit canned by Lit major bottom rung editor/readers
who haven’t read beyond the best seller lists in any event.
if we are 50-50 partners, the manager/webmaster we would hire
together but from your designed list would keep 90% of
the first $250,000 we gross, so they have enough money coming
in to run and fund that business. we would get 10%.
From 250K-500K, our share would go up to 20%,
from 500K-$1 million maybe 30%.
Once we get over a million in revenues,
the managing partner gets 55% of the gross.
You and I split the 45%.
The manager vests to 10% equity once the $1 million in
gross sales is hit.
The URL is my IP and skin in the game.
You get to pick the webmaster/ e-book guru/manager candidates,
but we make the decision on the final choice together.
I live in Phx, Dallas HQ is fine, but you pay my SWA flights
once a month.
No Mav tix requested…(grin), but 2 signed jerseys for
my sons 9 and 12….for recess/ playground bragging rights. (grin)
Chairmanship is yours.
As for e-book competitors reading your blog……
Go ahead and validate the space ….
the water is warm…get bigger or better
and buy the company…because the domain name is brandable and generic…
Steve Epstein
PS.
Teaching my 9 year old Shakespeare on my iTouch…
public domain and free..
Screw home schooling….mobilephone schooling is approaching.
Comment by Steve Epstein — February 10, 2009 @ 2:20 am
Hi Mark,
Ok, completely separate from my current business, and solely inspired by this post:
I propose that business be created that allows people to post a public summary of their business idea, and in addition, allows them to post additional (optionally) private details about their business idea, like business plans financial projections, etc.
The public summaries can be as detailed as the business owner wants, or as private. The summaries are publicly available, and the people that visit the site vote on the business overviews, a la Digg.
As business ideas become more popular, it rises to the homepage (or category page, like SaaS, Healthcare, Green, etc).
If you can get a decent number of businesses to post the content, then you can also get investors to go to the site to look at the most popular ideas for investment opportunities.
Here is the business model: you charge investors either a fee per company that they view the full details (along with contact details), or you charge investors a flat monthly fee to access X amount of company details (tiered plans).
A secondary income source would be to allow business owners to pay to have additional exposure to their business plan, kind of like what eBay does. For an extra fee, you can highlight your idea, another fee would allow you to make it featured, etc. These add-ons would be entirely optional.
To get the business idea off the homepage (or category pages), the investor marks it as a pending deal, and the business owner does too. Meaning that business ideas get pulled off when and investor and a business owner mutually pulls it off, otherwise they stay visible for other investors to view.
To setup the business licenses and merchant accounts, etc + salaries for 2-3 people for 90 days, I think this business could be done for around $25k. If you wanted to go no salaries, it could be done for around $5-10k.
If salaries were paid ($25k), I would say 25-30% equity held by you, and the remaining 70% by the 2-3 workers, divided evenly, would be fair.
If you didn’t want to pay salaries, then I believe 5-8% equity for the approximately $10k would be fair.
Your exit would come via a M&A deal, or if after 1 or 2 years no M&A or recapitalization occurs, your payment would convert to a loan at 10% interest and would begin getting paid back to you. Once all payments were made, your equity would be returned to the company to be redistributed among the owners.
This business idea is of course very rough, but certainly doable.
Comment by Joel Strellner — February 10, 2009 @ 2:22 am
I don’t need the money but I’m curious if you’d invest. Here’s the basics:
Product: BrainBank – help bloggers & educators turn their content into something they can reap rewards from (something either than AdSense.) Version 1 is done and live at http://www.brainbankhq.com. First client: http://gp.brainbankhq.com
Revenue Source: Bloggers, companies who want to attract quality prospects & people who want to build a subscription-based members-only websites. Three price-points: $24/mo, $49/mo & $149/mo
Cash-Flow Break Even: Without Founder (aka CEO & programmer) salary $250/month …
so I should be there within a couple weeks.
Profitable within 90 days: Might take longer… probably 180 days. There is a lot of optimization to do based on numbers and getting things flowing faster will require wasting more money than necessary. This is based on future expenses such as access to a strong developer advice & guidance by developers I’ve already been consulting with from time to time (http://www.actionrails.com).
Everyone must work: My plan is to work as little as possible. That’s why everything is aimed to be automated, except for customer service. This won’t be the next Google but it will provide a solid income stream for relatively low maintenance cost.
Business Plan is simple. Offer a product that lets people create online training courses that can be used to attract potential customers or generate revenue. And charge money. And make things simple. Product is about 50% of what I want it to be. Next 3 months will get it to 80%.
Investment: None needed for now. Most of the expenses for now are hosting and credit card merchant account fees. It’s a little short-sighted. I know. Once I hit $1k/mo, I’m going to use that to drive further development.
~ mel
Comment by Melvin Ram — February 10, 2009 @ 2:44 am
[...] just wrote about “Open Source Funding” (I wish he hadn’t called it “the Mark Cuban Stimulus plan”, for obvious [...]
Pingback by "Open Source Funding" by Mark Cuban | artificial ignorance — February 10, 2009 @ 2:59 am
After I read the post I was hoping for some business plans but unfortunately nothing yet after 3 hours. I personally am not one for business plans as if I have a product in hand, I would rather be out selling it then spending time projecting numbers in an excel spreadsheet.
I started racking my brain for some ideas that I have thought of in the past and most of the ideas from the past where when I was broke. Now I actually have money and can fund this on my own but then I pictured the media coverage. “Mark Cuban funds new green business as part of his new plan to jump start the economy and help fund entrepenuers.”
Here is the simplized business plan: Sell recylcled pens from China (just sent a few requests in and I am waiting on quotes) Start out by selling to higher end businesses and/or stores that tend to be green conscious. Brand them with a logo called Renewable Pens and you are ready to go. To start out sell directly to businesses on the phone or through walk in. Also setup ecommerce website. Depending on quotes I can see this business being cashflow positive in 30 days from receiving pens and profitable by about 45 days. Will know more once quotes are received but I would start out by selling at higher price point possibly at a 75-100% markup and work my way back from there depending on feedback. Once pens start selling and contacts are created then you can move into other office supplies that businesses currently use that are not recyclable.
P.S. Your comment box is pretty bad. I had to type this in notepad and paste in. For some reason the whole box isn’t showing up.
Comment by Joe — February 10, 2009 @ 3:07 am
My open-source idea:
This may sound funny, but TUMBLEWEEDS are a huge problem in
the desert. Here in Eastern Washington, the city is constantly
paying for crews to go around, gather up tumbleweeds that are piled
up in obnoxious locations (city sidewalks, etc) and then take them to
the dump where they can be burned. Obviously, this involves a lot of
driving around and takes a lot of time and man-labor.
My idea is to build a furnace-on-wheels that could essentially save
the city a lot of time and money.
By being able to safely dispose of tumbleweeds in a “fire-truck,”
the whole process of gathering tumbleweeds,
putting them in the truck, driving to the dump/burning location,
and then driving back is eliminated; you just burn the tumbleweeds
in your little traveling furnace you could weld into the back
of a truck (or some such thing…maybe a trailer.
Feel free to hit me up with your own idea).
I live in Tri-Cities, Washington, and according to the people I’ve
contacted, it’s not only legal here, but it would also serve as a
way for the city to cut down on its municipal budget, something
everyone is looking to do. People are looking for creative ways to
cut costs, and I think this is one that cities would definitely
have to take a look at.
At any rate, this is my open-source idea that I think anyone could
try in their respective city/region.
So as far as my proposition to M.C., here are my responses to his
guidelines:
1. It can be an existing business or a start up…
It is a startup.
2. Can’t be advertising…
It is something where you sell something–either the furnace
itself to various desert cities that have tumbleweed problems OR
you could focus on one specific area and sell the service
(i.e. hit the streets with your machine and burn all the weeds)
3. It MUST BE CASH FLOW BREAK EVEN within 60 days…
There really isn’t much needed other than the start-up money to
build the furnaces.
4. It must be profitable within 90 days.
If you had agreements with cities BEFORE building the units, it
would most likely be profitable within 90 days.
5. Funding will be on a monthly basis.
You could just build one unit per month to see how cities react.
6. Sell your product or service for more than what it costs…
This plan can do that.
7. Everyone must work…
It would be a flat organization.
8. You must post your business plan here…
(Hopefully this qualifies as a business plan–I’m not a business
expert–just a college kid).
9. I make no promises…
Understood.
10. I will make no promises…
Understood.
11. If you do get money, it goes into a bank that I specify…
Understood.
12. Specify how I get money…
Depending on whether we sold the idea to cities or sold services, M.C.
would be a co-owner in the company that would get a cut of either the
sales of our machine OR a cut of the wages earned from services
rendered to various cities.
Death to the tumbleweeds!
–Josh
From MC> Honestly, its not an area I know enough about to make an informed decision. Sorry
Comment by Josh Thatcher — February 10, 2009 @ 3:12 am
There’s a startling number of small location-based businesses running Google Adwords campaigns outside of their target markets. I live in Santa Monica, and I can easily find Ads for out-of-state Hair Dressers, Dry Cleaners, and Auto Mechanics. I don’t know they’re located out of state until I click on their ads. This costs them money. My goal is to put money back in their pockets by properly localizing their ads.
more …
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dg8n78gs_0gbpcqtfd
Comment by Dorian Collier — February 10, 2009 @ 3:45 am
Hi Mark,
So, post no. 25 and your first business plan…
estatecreate.com, create your own website for property and advertise it
everywhere.
estatecreate.com allows property owners to easily create their own
website for their property and then distribute their content to
classified/property listing sites (sales, lettings and holiday lets) via feeds and simplifies the
process for using AdWords and promoting via social media.
We will charge property owners £5.95/month and will also generate
revenue from URLs, revenue share from property portals and affiliate
deals.
We are about to launch in the UK. We have developed a white label
version which we have implemented for a national newspaper that will
operate on a revenue share basis. I have 5 other similar partners
that are very interested (the UK newspaper industry is in a similar
position to the US – they need to generate more revenue online)
Prospective partners have expressed interest in rolling the product
out to cover other classified sectors including cars, motorbikes
and boats.
I have co-founded and sold two other businesses before this one –
Face (www.facegroup.co.uk), a youth research and planning business
which we sold to Cello PLC in December 2007 and univillage.com,
a social network for students in the UK sold to Sub.tv.
I would be interested in discussing a plan to launch the service in
the US. The product is there – we would need to agree and implement
partnerships with the property portals. We already feed properties to
Vast for holiday rentals.
If you are interested, let me know and I will send you and invite code
to register on the site.
Comment by Henry Yates — February 10, 2009 @ 3:56 am
We are also looking to do a similar thing in the UK, with start-ups over here. I wrote up a list of investment criteria in November:
http://www.pyrosoft.co.uk/blog/2008/11/22/business-angel-investments/
We’ve made 5 investments so far:
http://www.pyrosoft.co.uk/blog/2009/02/04/fubra-investment-roundup-feb-09/
Comment by Paul Maunders — February 10, 2009 @ 4:32 am
Mark – Here is my proposal. I think I’m the only one whose taken the challenge and posted a business plan.
http://www.slideshare.net/nharlan/wse-cuban-proposal
From MC> If you would have asked me 4 years ago, I would have said yes. Today, you can buy a scanner for under 100 bucks and go to work. Or rent a higher end for the same. You dont need 150k and to try to start that big would be a mistake. Start small, build a customer base, get referrals and grow it slowly and it could work. make sure of course, to see what competition is out there and see how you can differentiate yourself
Comment by Noah — February 10, 2009 @ 4:32 am
[...] Mark Cuban has just asked people to do just that here. It is his “Open Source Funding” plan to help kick start the US economy by creating [...]
Pingback by estatecreate.com blog » Blog Archive » Post your business plan to the comments of a blog — February 10, 2009 @ 4:49 am
A cool business helping with energy independence: http://www.scribd.com/doc/12055537/Cuban
Thats the short version. I could go into more detail upon request.
From MC> I dont think it can be profitable fast enough to qualify. However, what I would suggest is that you go to the camera manufacturer with your idea. Tell them you would like to partner with them. Then you go to the local electric utility company. Tell them you want to partner with them. That you will go door to door taking pictures looking for homes that are obviously not energy efficient. Once the homes are identified. The utility company can go to them and work out an energy efficiency program. Which in turn could save them money, and also possibly create business for contractors that make homes more efficient. You may be able to get the utility company to pay you for identifying the homes, and contractors that get any business to pay you. From which you can pay the rental and possibly purchase on the camera. I dont know if utility companies would pay for this, but i think its more likely than the consumers paying to get a picture and then having to do something to fix it based on their own initiative. If you try this, let me know how it goes and we can discuss things further
Comment by Tommy — February 10, 2009 @ 4:59 am
Mark,
You should help privatize currency. Please invest in Gold Money. (goldmoney.com)
Comment by Ben — February 10, 2009 @ 5:21 am
You guys asking about ad revenue realize that Facebook isn’t profitable, right? Ad revenue based models are fundamentally flawed because the rely on driving large numbers of users to your site – not worrying about creating create a great software product. I can not agree with you any more!
Comment by Keen — February 10, 2009 @ 6:02 am
Great idea – except when a Chinese startup many of which hare VERY good – simple takes one of these ideas and runs with it, at half the startup costs.
Comment by Mike Butcher — February 10, 2009 @ 6:05 am
I imagine a ton of readers want to post an iPhone App idea here
but realize that as soon as it’s posted it will be developed by
someone else real quick. Catch 22.
Anyway – we are in business of designing and developing iPhone Apps
that make money to the owners and I will be glad to sign NDA and
talk to folks with ideas privately.
Comment by Peter — February 10, 2009 @ 6:11 am
How about “Open Source Funding” as in … funding open source?
Comment by Chris McElhatton — February 10, 2009 @ 6:36 am
I’ve been involved (mostly technology) in several startup businesses and think that the criteria for 60 days to cash flow positive as well as the 90 days to profitability would restrict anybody with a new product business plan to post here. I think this would only apply to more of a retail or product already in the bag (or easily in the bag) type of operation. Even then, in this environment predicting demand and cash flow in 60 days is tough.
I think this is great idea and was trying to figure out in m mind why you haven’t had any good idea posted, which I think may be due to the above.
my 2 cents
Go Mavs!
Comment by Scott — February 10, 2009 @ 7:47 am
mark,
here’s the concept for Burger Magic. old family meatloaf seasoning recipe that when sprinkled liberally on hamburgers during the cooking process, makes the best burger you have ever tasted. Here’s the plan:
* gross profit margins are 80%
* initially marketed and shipped direct via web search and fulfillment
* FREE one serving samples mailed out to tens of thousands who request via keywords searches
“Free, Burgers, etc.” – cost of sample including postage is $.60 ea.
* database of potential customers is now built via free samples
* poor economic climate causes increase in cook at home cheaper foods – hamburgers
* analogue is Hamburger Helper – your parents served you this
* once direct customer demand is obtained, supermarket chains call us looking for it.
* startup costs total 25k (5k website, 5k paid search, 15k initial product supply)
* pre-money valuation set at $200K, your 25k investment buys you about 11%
you in?
scott
From MC> Why wouldnt i just buy hamburger helper ? How will you differentiate yourself ? What happens if the sample distribution doesnt work ?
Comment by scott miller — February 10, 2009 @ 7:50 am
[...] former “Dancing WIth The Stars” contestant (and NBA team owner and tech billionaire) Mark Cuban says he wants to “come up with a course of action that I can undertake on my own that possibly, [...]
Pingback by Finance Geek » Mark Cuban’s Plan To Fix The Economy With His Money — February 10, 2009 @ 8:19 am
Would you be interested in international projects? I am aware of a Canadian project to provide quick, reasonable cost, effiecent, housing internationally, starting in africa. Patents are pending for the products required, memorandum of understanding is signed for phase 1 of many, and many of the team members are selected. All that is needed is the seed money(+-500K) to start production and line of credit(5mil).
Comment by Rob — February 10, 2009 @ 8:30 am
Concept is great but if I am going to start something with sweat equity and reach profitability within 60 days why do I need outside money? Perhaps I am being selfish….
From MC> Hopefully you wont need outside money. Hopefully you will step away from the computer and start the company !
Comment by Robert Stanley — February 10, 2009 @ 8:32 am
Question: will you fund a US-incorporated business catering to a US market but where the main developers are in Europe?
From MC> Yes. Im a capitalist. They could be in upper slobobia and Im fine with it
Comment by francis — February 10, 2009 @ 8:42 am
SVI HAS SUCCESSFULLY GAINED AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD INTERNATIONALLY,
HAVING RECEIVED A COMMITMENT FOR $1.25 BILLION DOLLARS, HAVING
EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR POTENTIALLY $40 BILLION DOLLARS, YET WITH
THE CURRENT FINANCIAL SWING IN NORTH AMERICAN, WE ARE HAVING
DIFFICULTIES IN RECEIVING SEED/SUPPORT FUNDS ALLOWING US TO GO
FORWARD WITH ALREADY COMMITTED GOVERNMENT FUNDS TO SECURE THE CONTRACT
WE ARE PRESENTLY LOOKING FOR INVESTORS TO ALLOW US TO GET PAST THE
INITIAL HURDLES. THIS PROJECT WILL RE-EMPLOY THOUSANDS OF TRADESMEN
AND PROVIDE HUGE DOLLARS IN SUPPLIES, GENERATING 75% OF COMMITMENT TO
THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT.
THANK YOU AND HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE SOON.
From MC> Let me guess, its in Nigeria ?
Comment by SVI international group — February 10, 2009 @ 8:45 am
I could live with most of those rules but #3 and #4 seem a bit harsh since a lot of products take more than 60 or 90 days to develope. Most software applications and video games take at least that long to design even before they begin to sell so it doesn’t really sound feasible to expect a software startup to break even in 60 days.
I do have some ideas about some video games that would bring fresh motivations to the market on my blog but I doubt they could be ready to ship in that short space of time.
Comment by Peter Ames — February 10, 2009 @ 8:49 am
Excellent Idea! I do have a few ideas that I may submit, but need a
couple of days to further develop the ideas.
Do you need an intern? I will be glad to volunteer my time to help
you facilitate this “contest”, or any other business projects you need
help with. I’ll be glad to submit my resume and any other
documentation you request.
I believe that you could develop a program similar to the one that
Seth Godin created. http://www.squidoo.com/summerintern08
Not only would having an intern benefit you, but would/could change
someones life.
Benefits to you: Helping change someone’s life, outsource task that
are routine, free your time to spend on more profitable things.
Benefits to intern: Chance to work with one of the greatest business
minds, learn about various industries/businesses, a letter of
recommendation, once in a lifetime opportunity.
Thanks for your time. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Wayne Mullins
Comment by Wayne — February 10, 2009 @ 9:18 am
Exploit the growing MMA trend by building and sponsoring a stable of Brazilian fighters who don’t have the privilege of having sponsors within their country like so many American fighters do. I’ll also make sure within their training they learn to speak and write English.
I would also like to build a chain of MMA gear outlet stores. With gear from all over the world. Japan, Brazil, Canada.
Comment by Lee — February 10, 2009 @ 9:20 am
Mark, love the idea, and thanks for the opportunity. Will post again with a link when I write/post business plan to Google Docs. One question – my idea fits all of your requirements, but it will not create a whole lot of jobs by itself, which seems to be state omething you’re aiming for. There is a potential to alter the plan slightly to create jobs within the company, but as you might guess, this draws out the profitability forecast, which I would have to ’solve’ to get back under your 90 day profitability mandate. Am I correct in assuming that your preference would be for plans that directly create jobs?
From MC> Work on making money first.
Comment by J. D. — February 10, 2009 @ 9:21 am
I look forward to your feedback.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfr3mdrk_13gpzxrz2j
Cheers!
E
From MC> I sent you an email with questions
Comment by eric parmater — February 10, 2009 @ 9:21 am
In short I want to develop a way for people to begin to treat their
recurring monthly spend and the same retail outlets (basic needs,
food, gas, etc) into a pseudo loyalty program where they advance a
consistent monthly spend to stores in exchange or the store adding
some percentage that amount in store credit (percentage can vary and
consumer can make selection every month where to allocate it based on
competitive offers from stores) and manage this through a new debit
card.
The idea further solidified itself from this
http://www.thekrogerco.com/corpnews/corpnewsinfo_pressreleases_04162008.htm
In short I would describe it like this:
Joe Consumer is having a tough time. The companies that he shops at
every month are having a tough time. Joe is used to paying his
mortgage, electric bill, telephone bill, cable bill and other bills on
a monthly basis. Those debts are automatically deducted from his bank
account every month. In some cases, Joe gets a discount from the
provider to have those debts automatically deducted.
Joe also knows that he spends, at a minimum, $200 at the same grocery
store, $150 at the same department store, and $50 at the same
electronics store. Joe has also seen advertisements from his grocery
store telling him that they will add 10% to any gift that he purchases
(e.g. he buys a $100 gift card, and he receives $110 in credit)
Joe wonders why he can’t leverage the spend he knows he is going to
make every month for living needs to receive added loyalty benefits
from all of those stores, like a reverse Upromise, where he
automatically buys store credit every month in exchange for extra cash
from the retailer, but manage that centrally on a new debit card.
Benefits:
1) Consumer gets loyalty dollars from retailers (competitive bidding
for consumer $)
2) Stores get cash immediately (non-refundable) that can work as short
term capital (what is cost of capital vs benefit to consumer)
3) Major CC player can private label and provide some of the backend or someone like that could run the card
4) New software would need to be developed on the CC side, but it
shouldn’t require a new front end to the debit card reader or
interface
5) Overhead should be low
6) The recession will provide the motivation for consumers to join this
7) We keep a cut of the $ and should in the end be printing money
(cash in, cash out, minus our cut).
From MC> No chance its profitable in a year , let alone 3 months
Comment by hmmm — February 10, 2009 @ 9:25 am
Mark how about a HomeBrew beer Bussiness it can be cash positive within a month if done right there is no licenceing costs and with the economy going bust theres more people drinking beer at home and craft brewing has seen a marked increase in the last decade .
You wont attract your Bud drinker but the people you do find in the hobby apreciate well crafted beer but they don’t want to pay $10 a 6 pack and well crafted homebrew beer can be made for about 50c a bottle.
Many homebrew business can also turn in to a supplier to the craft brewing industry ,a brew on premise establishment or even a microbrewery if they are licenced by the TTB .
Just a thought for any budding entrepreneurs out there
Comment by Matt — February 10, 2009 @ 9:30 am
Great idea Mark! And to all those that say they don’t want their idea discussed in a public forum, get over it! Someone once said that if you have a really good, innovative idea you don’t have to worry about anyone stealing it, you’ll probably have to beat people over the head with a stick just to get them to look at it! Of course the same is true for a bad idea too.
Comment by Shawn Shepherd — February 10, 2009 @ 9:30 am
Why you should quit asking Mark clarifying questions, or for
private meetings, and just get on with it.
http://tinyurl.com/az7rz4
Plus: I KNEW someone was going to propose selling weed. And…I am
pretty sure there are places that will provide up-front cash on your
income tax return. And…no investor wants to see a plan based on
ad revenue, please take my word on THAT. And…”I’ll bet you get a
lot of iphone apps” super funny, I was just going to mention one.
I just built an iPhone app that takes the NY Times API and turns all
mentions of products or services into a clickable link to buy. So you
are reading a hard copy of the NYTimes in the airport, and you read
about M. Ward’s new CD…you pick up your iPhone and clickity click,
download from iTunes and then read the reference to the Black Swan in the
business section, pick up iPhone, clickity click, download Black Swan
from Amazon…app costs .99c, of course. And/or affiliate fees paid
for sale. And/or, partnering with NYTimes to evolve the app as
they evolve their API.
And…adding rules about sustainability…would require too much
detail and complexity…Mark’s initial rules are simple for a reason
…maybe the idea is great, but can be enhanced by thinking about
fair trade or some such. but why limit the ideas getting put forth
with more requirements. Plus…how does something like Twitter address
fair trade? Maybe their offices are set up to be green and leave a
small footprint, but that isn’t something you would necessarily see
or know when discussing the Idea. On the other hand, what was
Twitter’s business model again?
Comment by mattschulte — February 10, 2009 @ 9:34 am
More on my Homebrew Idea is if you sell distillation equipment which is legal in the US for Fuel alcohol with aproval from the Treasury Department then you could sell the equipment and supplies to develop an alternative fuel industry and also set up a Community Supported Energy service selling ethanol .
http://www.permaculture.com/
Comment by Matt — February 10, 2009 @ 9:45 am
Great idea Mark.
Here’s an idea for the community: Open Source Jeweler specializing in engagement rings.
Description of service:
Consumer registers for service and chooses a budget and setting.
Consumer gets access to a series of educational videos.
Consumer doesn’t act on video except for prioritizing the criteria for choosing a diamond
Diamond expert with access to wholesale market sources diamond that best fits consumers criteria, budget and setting.
Diamond expert obtains best price for consumer in wholesale market, possibly via reverse auction model including certifications, 4c’s, and specific cut requirements
Diamond expert connects consumer with a suitable independent jeweler near consumer
Diamond expert causes wholesaler to send 1-3 diamonds to local jeweler
Consumer and local jeweler set appointment to view diamonds/select specific setting and agree on price for setting
Local jeweler submits a report and consumer is required to respond to report, both report and response are available to public via web
Local jeweler referral is exclusive for set zip codes
Two price points for consumer:
Consumer pays this fee up front.
$25 price point is for those with lower budgets. Consumer gets access to educational videos and local jeweler referral.
$100 price point is for high budgets where expert advice on diamond selection is worthwhile
Jeweler pays referral fee of $100 for the higher budget consumers. They make money from the design/margin on setting. They have an opportunity to win a valued customer.
Consumer pays fee for diamond at the time wholesaler ships
Consumer pays fee for design services/setting upon receipt of ring
Payments come via Noca or credit card. If consumer pays via credit card the consumer pays for transaction fees.
Wholesaler and local jeweler are wired money upon receipt of funds from consumer
Comment by John — February 10, 2009 @ 9:55 am
Steal this idea. Please. (I’ll put up a fleshed out plan later):
My Idea: Swap Meets and Flea Markets on the unused acreage of closed big box stores
The money: Revenue- $15 per booth.
Expenses-Local Fees, $2 per booth, Land, $2 per booth, Advertising $.50 per booth, Staff- 3 people @ $8 an hour @ 20 hours a weekend – $480 a weekend
There will be 100 vendors from day one. There is room for 1000.
Profit: $570 a week
Can operate about 40 weeks a year (dependent on weather)
Breakeven by week 2. Profitable by week 4. I would need 2k a month for 3 months. Then it would pay for itself.
Mark’s Cut: $2 per booth for the first year. $1 per booth for 6 months after. $6000 investement, $8500-$20,000 return (dependent on the number of vendors).
Even if Mark does not invest, I’m doing this. And you can too. People need flea markets.
The Story: With my mom I run a real estate agency. Obviously times are tough. So we have been looking for ways to diversify.
One of our clients owns a former big box store. He has generated NO revenue, and gotten no interest in the 8 years he has owned his property. The only thing he has done is pay taxes. LOTS OF TAXES.
His property is on a very busy street, and the demographic is poor and lower middle class, which is why the big box closed in the first place.
He asked me to be creative and think of ways to help sell or lease his property to someone.
Then it hit me. NO ONE IS GOING TO NEED THE BIG BOX STORE. But, his store sits on 20 acres of a flat parking lot. And it would be perfect for a outdoor flea market/ swap meet.
I will repeat: Swap Meets and Flea Markets on the unused acreage of closed big box stores. There is one in your town. There is an owner who wants to generate income. Rather or not Mark funds this, I’m doing it, even if I have to sell my Hyundai.
For people that are interested here are problems I have run into, and some solutions (Come hell or high water I’m launching the first market in May):
1. A lot of city governments have regulations that prohibit outdoor flea markets. They believe that these markets bring in crime and characters of ill repute. They are wrong. Swap meets allow people on the bottom to live. I know, my family grew up on swap meets. To solve this image problem use a different name. Call it a cultural bazaar. Call it a world market.
You will also have to work with city govt’s to change ordinances. I have a presentation due next week to the director of economic development. We could lift the anti-outdoor market zoning in less than 60 days because it would generate my town revenue.
2. You will need merchants. I have a list of 200+ merchants who are ready to go. How did I find them? Not on the computer. No sir, I went to flea markets and talked to people. These are not the people you went to business school with. They do not talk in theories. They understand money. I’ve learned more talking to them then I did in my BBA at Emory.
3. You need space. Here is the biggie. After I do all the leg work I don’t want my client pulling the rug from under me and doing it him self. So I’ve made sure I have a couple of locations scouted (5 infact). Now all I need to do is convince him to either lease me the land over the weekends for less than $500 a weekend, or take $1-$2 a head from every person that comes in. This would pay his taxes, plus a little more.
This is a hustlers business. If you aint a hustler. Stay home.
From MC> Its not a bad idea. What I would have to see are deal details and commitment letters from the big box retailers, as well as insurance and other liability protections in place before I invested
Comment by Broderick Turner — February 10, 2009 @ 10:13 am
Okay, Mr. Cuban, I’ll bite. This is an idea that I put into practice a few years back, but has yet to be duplicated on any level of quality. It’s developing Flash animated, custom designed virtual tours for golf courses. Me and a buddy did one for Wildcat Golf Club in Houston and it turned out really well. http://www.wildcatgolfclub.com/virtualTour/default.html – for reference.
There are a few things that set this idea apart from others. First, each hole is custom created by a graphics designer that has toured the course. No cheesy templates or vague layouts here, everything is from scratch. Secondly, the user gets real tips and help from the head pro at the course (who would write and record the voiceover for tips and advice for each hole being animated). Third, the user gets to see actual photos from various spots on each hole that are taken by the developer and designer when they tour the course.
This idea would be particularly marketable in areas with lots of golf courses who are competing for the same golfers. This online virtual tour would give the golfers a great idea of the quality of the course being considered and would really set the course apart from the others around it. Potentially good markets would be ones that have a high volumn of tourist golfers – places like Las Vegas, Scottsdale, and Myrtle Beach come to mind.
Startup cost would be fairly low, just enough to support the developer and designer in case it’s a little slow in signing up courses in the beginning. The price of airfare and daily expenses while touring the course and playing any practice rounds would be covered by the course being created. Expected cost per hole would be around $1,000, with a discount given for multiple courses or for a course signing up to do all 18 holes ($15,000 or something like that).
There could also be different packages that scale down the available options or add to them. For instance, we could create a version of the online virtual tour with the hole layouts, yardages, and tips from the pro on each page that allows the user to print it out and take with them to use as a professionally done yardage book. You could also create a version that can be made into an iPhone app, or loaded onto the in-cart GPS system. The possibilities are endless, really. You could also approach golf course management companies instead of individual courses to get more bag for your buck. Signing them up to do all 40 of their courses nationwide for only $10,000 a course would cut down on a lot of the cold calls and sales attempts, and give them a competitive edge against other courses in their same markets.
Let me know your thoughts and if you would care to discuss more in detail.
From MC> Its definitely been done before. Plus, Im guessing the economy would make it tough for golf courses to have discretionary dollars to spend on this. But, in this case the best approach is for you to do a demo and take it to some golf courses and see if they say yes. If you can sign up several customers, you probably dont need me, but if you get them to sign on the dotted line at $1k per hole, i would be interested.
Comment by Golf Enthusiast — February 10, 2009 @ 10:17 am
Problem: If my 7 year old is having a birthday party and I need a clown or if I’m an NBA team owner and need a halftime act to entertain my fans, I have NO idea where to look.
Business Idea: the amazon.com of halftime show and party gimmick acts
You log on and see videos and pics of acts in your area organized by genre ( magic, acrobatics, funny )
The acts log in and can set their availability dates.
We make money by skimming a little something off the top of every transaction.
I would be willing to give up to 25% equity.
I am a programmer, so I have no doubt that I can make this a reality.
From MC> The question is how much demand is there in any one major marketplace. Given the time period requirements, you would have to actively identify participant acts and work out a deal with them. I dont see how you can be profitable. Plus, I would be shocked if there werent agencies that specialized in just these areas that could be found with a simple search or a glance at the Yellow Pages
Comment by Brian — February 10, 2009 @ 10:22 am
Are thier details on how elaborae the business plan must be or at least a set of requirments? I have tons of ideas (many i give away at my site) but nothing formalized becasue I planned to persue them myself.
From MC> The more detail, the better the opportunity for me to participate
Comment by Bill Parker — February 10, 2009 @ 10:22 am
It is a Real Project
The project is a real project…… first of all “the SVI pre-panelized
light gauge system for housing” is a processed product that has not
yet been realized in Africa….. Libya needs such a product to address
the mandate of providing quick quality housing in numbers that
stagger over 760,000 units to be provided in the next 8 years….
the SVI product has recently been approved by the government for
usage in Libya…… the products can enter the country and can be
assembled and finished on site……
A signed MOU has been issued….. awaiting further documentation for
presentation of the Contract. A contract for the construction of
5000 units at a cost of $950USD a square metre. The initial contract
for 500 homes, phase one is approximately $125 million; the total
contract is $1.25 billion. The size of the single family residential
homes and apartment units are approximately 220-260 square metres.
(Further discussions are open to extend the Contract to 40,000 units)
We require the following funds:
$50k – funds required to register the company in Libya and enter
into a JV Partnership with our JV Partner. We are prepared to repay
this on receipt of the deposit (below) paid by the Libyan Government, at a 100% return rate where all risk is placed on investor.
$300k – LC or funds to be deposited in the JV Partnership account,
funds will not be used. This triggers the presentation of the
Contract for review and signing. We are prepared to pay a 10% rate
for the usage of the funds or LC for a length of time potentially
90-120 days. However we could retire this on receipt of deposit
from Libyan Government.
$5 million – an LC to support the venture and provide financial
strength to allow the government to participate and to allow the
Libyan government to advance 15% of the contract – $18 million.
I am told that the cheque is provided 6 days after the signing of
the Contract. With our positive cashflow model, we expect to not
require the usage of these funds. We are prepared to pay a rate
10% for the usage of the LC for a length of the project
(approximately 1 year). We expect that we could retire this however
in 3-4 months.
Comment by SVI international group — February 10, 2009 @ 10:29 am
Good Morning Mr. Cuban,
Not sure your take on clubs and such, but this town could use a place
like the place I used to frequent quite often. The place was a cash
cow. The place closed because the owners were getting old and quite
frankly quit caring about the place. It was a place where people of
all races, sizes and personalities went and just had a great time.
I went to this place for about 10 years and stopped going last year
because it was just going downhill.
I have always said, “if I could just get my hands on a place like
this…”. Well, that place is closed now and I am sure someone could
take a like concept and make a killing.
My plan would be to locate a building on the upper Greenville side,
maybe even the old place, and renovate it. I would contact the
previous owners and see if I could use their namesake as well as some
people would be able to identify this place from name alone.
Financially, I am thinking that the building would need at least $25 –
$50k worth of work and take a few months to complete. I would locate
some old staff and get them on board as well.
This place was pouring about $20 – 25k a weekend. I am thinking that
if we get this place pumping again, we could easily see that and more./
Also, I would only have this place open Thursday – Sunday; no weekdays.
Anyhow, that’s my plan…
I will be upfront and say I have no business degree. I have no
business experience other than my sales career in the printing
industry. This is all but a dream and would need help pretty much
every step of the way in regards to the business aspect. If fortunate
enough to receive the help, be assured I am committed to the cause.
Thank you for your time,
MCS
Comment by Marc in Dallas — February 10, 2009 @ 10:40 am
I think you’re approaching this incorrectly. Ideas are important, but, as I’m sure you know, the success of a project is in large part due to the quality of the people you are investing in. I understand the concept is to facilitate the free flow of ideas, which is great, but you should instead be looking for creative people that can adapt quickly to situations. A great idea is nothing without the proper people behind it, so I think you should be evaluating the people as much as the idea in your criteria for investment.
From MC> Exactly. But great idea and great people require great execution. I want proof here that the idea, plan and people are packaged together and can reach profitability quickly. Then Im interested
Comment by mojo — February 10, 2009 @ 10:41 am
I’m a software engineer and have sat at a lot of bad desks. I have
an idea for the perfect computer desk. No worthless drawers or
gimmicky keyboard trays, wide enough that you can place your elbows
on the desk even with a 19″ CRT in front of you and proper cable
management so it’s not a mess. I can build it out of Baltic Birch and
prefab table legs from local suppliers. Total cost to build including
labor about $75 I know I could sell them like hotcakes for $175.
It can start as a one man show in a garage and be profitable on the
first sale. I’d give you a percentage of sales for funding
I like my idea because it produces a real life widget and real life
value not something intangible. Standard rules
of inventory, sales, and marketing apply. There’s nothing revolutionary
about it and that’s why it will work.
From MC> How would it be better than many of the good desks that are out there ? How many others are building custom made desk and are you sure you can do it for $75. What market are you in ?
Comment by chasd00 — February 10, 2009 @ 10:46 am
my girlfriend sent me this link because we have several ideas we would like to see get off the ground. At first, the idea appeared promising, but after reading i thought otherwise. Here is the transcript verbatim:
me: [the link] is very cool; however, i don’t know how comfortable i feel posting the ideas online for all to see, for all to steal
her: I know. That was my hesitation. I think there is a way to start a business without using someone else’s funding, too.
me: though i applaud his alternative ideas, this also concerns me:
10. I will make no promises that I will be available to offer help. If I want to , I will. If not, I wont.
How about a little tact? Also, the general impression i’m getting is this is a way for him to make money:
12. In your business plan , make sure to specify how much equity I will receive or how I will get a return on my money.
So basically, he wants to be a silent partner.
Also, this is just weird:
11. If you do get money, it goes into a bank that I specify, and I have the ability to watch the funds flow and the opportunity to require that I cosign any outflows.
Thanks, but no thanks, mark
From MC> 11 isnt weird if you want to make sure the money goes to business purposes and not “client entertainment” or other non essentials
Comment by michael — February 10, 2009 @ 10:47 am
Mark, I think your idea is fantastic. In fact, I’m interested in getting you to look at my business but I am hesitant to post our business plan for all the world to see. Any thought to making this process a little less public?
Comment by Howard Bender — February 10, 2009 @ 10:48 am
You know, some people are amazing…
One could be given the opportunity of a lifetime basically handed to
you on a platter and yet some want it by their rules.
I say, pave your own way then…
MCS
Comment by Marc in Dallas — February 10, 2009 @ 10:54 am
a preemptive ‘with all due respect…’ No offense, mark. I just thought a stronger point could be made by showing a real exchange that took place and the concerns that cropped up therein. In concept, it’s a great idea. Oh! while i have your eyes, i tried contacting you a year or two ago with an idea i have for you and for you to use for free
It’s still available if you’re ever interested 
Comment by michael — February 10, 2009 @ 10:54 am
From MC> 11 isnt weird if you want to make sure the money goes to business purposes and not “client entertainment” or other non essentials
true, but i guess as someone somewhat new to starting up a business/launching an idea, i wouldn’t be so irresponsible with the opportunity. Though judging from the current state of the economy, many clearly are.
michael
Comment by michael — February 10, 2009 @ 10:58 am
shovel arbitrage.
give me some money, i’ll buy up a bunch of shovels real cheap from china. then when the stimulus gets approved and all these “shovel-ready” projects realize that they actually need shovels, i’ll sell them at huge markups, because “buy american!”
let’s see you poke holes in that one, Cuban!
Comment by gilltots — February 10, 2009 @ 10:59 am
[...] (Stimulus Plan) – http://blogmaverick.com/2009/02/09/the-mark-cuban-stimulus-plan-open-source-funding/ Share and Enjoy: [...]
Pingback by Stimulus plan - Mark Cuban Style « Jimiz.net - Jim Becher on the web — February 10, 2009 @ 11:02 am
This sounds like a perfect opportunity for this guy:
http://blogmaverick.com/2004/10/12/some-investment-opportunities-i-have-to-share/
Comment by Don — February 10, 2009 @ 11:06 am
Online typing, spelling and sentence construction lessons for bloggers.
From MC> What about humor lessons for commentors ?
Comment by Eric Barbaric — February 10, 2009 @ 11:06 am
Hi Mark, great idea. Here’s our submission:
Companies spend tens of thousands of dollars hiring headhunters and user study firms to have them locate people that use their products (or similar products) and give them surveys. These headhunters usually also pay the person to come into an office and take the surveys; usually round $20-50, with some being $100 if it involves computer interaction.
My idea is to take this mobile – have users download our application onto their iPhone, Android Phone, Blackberry or Windows Mobile device and fill out some generic profile data (Sex, Age, Location, etc) and periodically ask them further questions (‘What kind of detergent do you use?’, ‘What did you have for dinner last night?’, ‘How often do you eat out?’) to qualify them for surveys. Companies then send us their surveys, rather than a middleman headhunter, and we are able to send it to specific demographics based on the data we have collected.
Users that complete the survey get a piece of the action as well – allowing us to put money back into the economy by giving any users of a mobile phone a method to earn extra income.
Using the GPS information, the digital camera, and web input fields – we can collect very rich data for our customers increasing the value while targeting users more accurately then headhunters typically can with the volume of unqualified referrals & volunteers they receive.
Our team is experienced in rapid software deployment (We have a team member from the RailsRumble 2008 winning team — which is a 48 hour micro-startup competition) and have developed enterprise applications for the BlackBerry, and actively work on the Android & iPhone platforms as consultants.
We would be willing to give upwards of 15% equity in the company.
Comment by Andrew — February 10, 2009 @ 11:15 am
Hey Mark- you should just buy Twitter.com. They are on the leading edge of the next media wave with user generated news. Just look at the last 3 world events (Denver plane crash, India terrorist attacks and the Hudson River landing) all broke on Twitter b/f CNN, Fox News, and all major news networks. There is something to be said for that. From there you can monetize it faster than they are and give back to the community through charity work like this http://twestival.com/.
Comment by James — February 10, 2009 @ 11:15 am
1. Buy Used Underpants.
2. ???
3. Profit
Or, since we’re looking at a 60 day window, Buy alot of cheap
pitchforks and torches, and sell them in kits with the addresses
of big bankers and CEOs that make billion dollar bonuses while
laying off countless employees.
Also, arrange bus tours to said houses.
Comment by Deadpan — February 10, 2009 @ 11:16 am
Point taken.
Comment by Eric Barbaric — February 10, 2009 @ 11:17 am
How about an actual business idea. I have a real job but I’ve been kicking this idea around for a few months.
First, let me say, given that I’m writing into a comment box on a blog, I hope it’s alright if I make a few mistakes and can be forgiven for the informalness.
I want to create a website builder builder. Yes, that’s two builders. Most niche businesses require a website and most of them overpay, by a wide margin, for terrible design and hosting. Then they pay some more every time they need to update their site (and quite often don’t, because of both the cost and the hassle).
Someone could carve out a nice business by creating a website builder for some particular niche. The owners of said small to medium businesses would go to the site, build their own website, be able to update their own content, etc. They’d get to build and edit their website for free, but they’d pay for hosting. You could even tack on things like email (zimbra, or gmail) and analytics.
There are general purpose website builders but I believe being laser-targeting a particular niche makes it infinitely easier to sell to them. Doctors need a page that shows what insurances they take and restaurants need a place to display their menu. The eventual goal would be to make an extensible and powerful templating system whereby a developer could sit down using the powerful system and create a dead-simple website builder for some particular niche, quickly. So the goal is to build a system for the business to easily and quickly build niche website builders. This would let you laser-target many niches but also bring the advantages of scale to the business.
Now, many of the niches already have similar website builders, but they are almost universally terrible, mostly because of a combination of incompetence and the small market size (which is by definition of a niche).
In the initial bootstrap phase of the business, you would have to pick a niche, focus on the builder (as opposed to the more general purpose scheme), go out and sell, sell, sell to your niche, and get enough revenue to work on the larger idea. Once you had good cashflow from that particular niche, you could start on the larger vision of generating a cross-niche website builder sytem. Later, you could even “franchise” the system into other niches, letting other people sell to their niche of choice, or do it yourself into a few niches.
The non-wages costs of this business would be next to nothing, at first. The websites of paying customers themselves could be initially hosted on virtual servers. This cuts down on alot of logistic problems. Considering you could easily fit a hundred small business websites on a single machine, you’d be generating several thousands of dollars per month for a machine that costs you 100$.
The business would be cash flow neutral (if we exclude wages of the founders) with one or two paying customers. Once it got going, however, it could employ many people from web developers, to designers, to sales and marketing folk.
The investment also wouldn’t need to be very large. In fact, I’m worried it’s a bit small potatos for what you are looking for. I assure you, you could be more aggressive, but I’ve tried to map out the plan of least risk. This is the epitome of seed funding because the primary capital needed is ramen-money for the founders up until they can pay for themselves. A good developer and designer (one person or two) could have a functioning builder in a month for some particular niche, and have a more general purpose builder-builder in three. I think it would take closer to 6 months to actually have enough paying customers to pay the founders market-value.
I do not know the first thing about the optimal ways to pay back the investment (I imagine it’s a legal and accounting quagmire), but the vast majority of the costs for such a business will be in salary, and so, like all software businesses, it scales extremely well. Once it was profitable, there’d probably be some type of dividend-style profit sharing or perhaps the company would buy back your equity from you for some fair price.
As for my qualifications, let me just let you know that your blog’s comment submit form doesn’t render properly on Firefox on the Mac. I had to use Firebug to reduce the columns of the form from 100 to 50 so I could use it. Convincing you that I know what I’m doing is pretty hard as an anonymous guy with a comment box, but hey, that’s a start.
From MC> 1. know about the bug, working with wordpress on it. 2. To get my interest, and its not a bad idea, you would need to start it on your own. Build up a history of charging customers $199 , proving the concept. Then i could get interested
Comment by ldb — February 10, 2009 @ 11:18 am
Congratulations:
You’ve just created the worst venture capital company in the world.
The people that invested $500K in our startup and spent 8 years in R&D would quite literally shoot me if I pusued this funding arrangement. Lets see:
1. Give away your idea to the world
2. Sign a crappy disclosure/funding agreement
3. Sign away control
As you look back in the history of technology or business I challange you to offer one example where this kind of approach was successful. Every founder who represented his initial investors by agreeing to terms like this is where he/she belongs … broke and nowhere.
Stong business ideas don’t need this kind of approach. First rule of business ethics is protect the business stength to maximize shareholder value, which you are compromizing right away before the company even lauches a scale play. You’re going to get a bunch of desperate crackpots who want to tie themselves to the Cuban name for notariety. Sorry, Mark, I have a great company in the making and there is no way I can approach anyone in our busdev team with this approach. They would laugh me out of the room.
Instead you should personally call Tim Geitner or Barack Obama and say that you want the government to set up a $10B entrepreneur fund to invest in new businesses, making $1M investments in each company after a confidential review process. You would make national news by contributing $10M to this fund (with matching government funds requested) and you should ask to be on the review board. The government should have a 10-20% stake in each company with full control by the original founders. It would be helpful if this effort also utilizes private investors locally at the same time to maximize the chances for success for each company.
This approach, to me, puts you into a better position to use your considerable resources and talent, in combo with the government reasources and talent, to begin a new and different approach to small business growth in the USA.
Please consider this approach instead.
Best
Chris
From MC> Actually, if I was someone that gave you a nickel, I would be pissed that you even had a second of time to be reading and responding to blogs rather than busting your ass and eating, sleeping and breathing your business with the single goal of making it profitable and paying me and other investors our money back. So , no , I wont reconsider
Comment by Chris Caffee — February 10, 2009 @ 11:20 am
Third Saturday Science: Learning projects for tweens at hardware stores.
Background:
Right now a lot of big stores offer some kind of free project for pre-school through about grade 3. The best is probably Home Depot, which has a project they give to any kid who comes in the first Saturday of a month. It’s free, but I’ve been more than a dozen times and always end up buying something and going there rather than the other hardware stores so I’m sure this is a net positive for Home Depot.
Not nearly as well-served are the kids from say 2nd through 6th grades. Parents want to do more with them, and parents are always worried about teaching them more science. And parents have errands to do on Saturdays. This project will solve all those problems.
Business: Start with a blog full of ideas of easy projects that can be done with stuff from a hardware store. Develop a community to help refine and select the very best ideas. Then (within 60 days!) have a downloadable kit for sale. Immediately begin negotiating with Home Depot and competitors to get one of them to begin offering a Third Saturday event with similar advantages to the first Saturday events they do now, and a built in audience with the blog. Sign an exclusive deal with one of those big box outfits (within 90 days!).
The advantage of this monthly event compared to the existing one is that no manufacturing is needed. Once we sign a deal, we will provide a PDF to them that they send out to the stores with detailed instructions, and then they just take product off the shelf to make each month’s project, and hand out the material that they printed in that store to each family. On that handout will be the aisle number of each of the products used if they want to buy more do it at home.
If Home Depot doesn’t bite, then Ace or Lowes might, and they might want to do it on the first Saturday to stop the drain on the stores they have now with people going to Home Depot.
The risk of posting this idea here is that one of the big stores will just go do it now. I don’t think that’s much of a risk — I’m sure they’ve had similar ideas before, and corporate sclerosis has kept it from becoming a reality.
The bigger danger is that one of your readers will just go start it. However they will be slimy dogs, and they will fail because they won’t be able to build an audience. A partner with you, however, with the kind of megaphone that you own, will be able to turn this into a money maker in 90 days.
It will create some jobs, AND help children learn science AND help families do stuff together AND make money. Win win win win.
OK, how does this match up with your 12 points:
1. Start up
2. There may be some advertising revenue, but it is not central to the biz plan.
3. As the expenses will be relatively low, it will be cash flow break even in 60 days.
4. If we can sign the deal with a big chain inside of 90 days, it will be profitable.
5. Funding needs are actually very low. I will work on this for 90 days for no pay, and I should be able to do just about everything other than a few bits of the technical side. Once we sign a deal we will have to staff up to do the research, etc., but this will not require a huge shop.
6. Costs less to make than to sell: see above, costs are very low.
7. No employees at all in the first 90 days, just me.
8. The business plan is right here, the whole thing.
9. Agreed, no ongoing funding. The plan is that we will not need it.
10. I understand you may not want to be involved in the project, but the megaphone you have will help launch this thing quickly, so some involvement from you will ensure the success. I’m thinking a blog post or two from you, and HDNet might want to do a story with lots of great visuals of kids blowing up stuff and learning about science at the same time.
11. You can put the money in whatever bank you want, it won’t be much, just enough to cover all the start-up hosting, designing and incidental costs for the first 90 days. If you have resources in-house to do all that and we can do it for zero out-of-pocket costs, that’s fine with me. Or if you want me to do it, you don’t even have to open a bank account; just open a credit card that I use and you get the bill and you can cancel it whenever you want.
12. Split: The business equity will be split 50-50.
That’s it. As of this writing I’m the first one, I think, to follow your rules, so I hope you see that I work fast and don’t fart around. I’m sure we can get this done.
And thanks for the opportunity. I agree: this is how we’ll get the economy moving again.
From MC> Why not just create the kit and go directly to the stores and license it ? It costs you nothing to put together your first kit PDF, its just time. You go to your local Home Depot or hardware store (are Ace franchisees still around) and ask them if they would pay to get these weekly or monthly during the school year and daily or weekly during the summer. A different program for different age groups. The answers you get will tell you whether you have a business or not. THen you wont need money from me. You just sit in front of your computer and use your imagination to create the kit. Your only expense might be a lawyer to put together an agreement. But you wouldnt do that until you knew whether or not you had customers
Comment by Scott Yates — February 10, 2009 @ 11:23 am
Mark,
You must have been reading my mind. I was laying awake last night thinking of what I believe would be a great business venture. I was running through scenarios of how it would be marketed, who would benefit and how and why it would work as a concept. My next thought process was what about funding? I thought to myself who out there would be willing to take a look at a solid business plan, someone who has been willing to do things others look upon as odd. Someone who has a background in a field that is similar to my business/invention. Your name popped into my head. I said to myself, I need to go write my business plan and do some research on Mark Cuban. So I came into the office today and Googled your name which produced your blog. This is a concept I’ve been thinking of for some time now, but the Presidential address last night really solidified the fact that this plan will work. My plan isn’t written yet, and there are areas, programming to be specific, that I have no idea about. That’s why I thought you would be a perfect person to run this by. I understand your open policy, because brainstorming ideas in group settings does produce better ideas and products. My question is, do you know of a place or company where I could get some of my questions answered without risk of not being the first to market.
Thanks,
David O
Comment by David O — February 10, 2009 @ 11:25 am
I noticed on those extreme coupon-cutter sites that some moms are
able to spend $10 on $200 of groceries, through double couponing,
combining seller and manufacturer coupons, accumulating rewards, and
2-for-1 deals. The difference in a good couponer and a great couponer
is thousands of dollars a year.
Of course, since so much of that requires buying in bulk, the more
consumers of the groceries in question the better.
So here’s the idea: a grocery delivery service which delivers for free,
and turns its profit through couponing. Use coupons to collect the
inventory, then deliver from the warehouse at regular or near-regular
price.
Comment by Ray — February 10, 2009 @ 11:25 am
Putting your gambling hedge fund into action has been a dream of mine for some time.
There are inefficient markets in the exotic pools at racetracks which can be taken advantage of.
One example is the 2nd Race @ Aqueduct from Feb. 8th.
The efficient market states the exacta combination that occurred had an 8% chance of occuring.
This would require a payout of $26.34 to break even. The actual exacta paid $32.20, for an ROI of 22%.
Using Kelly criterion wagering methodology, a 1% investment would be prudent.
Comment by Eddie — February 10, 2009 @ 11:27 am
I would like to start a site for Lions fans, there really are some out there, i’m not one of them, but hope to be someday. The idea would be to pool together and commit to providing funding, however little, and buy the lions in hopes that you would be the majority shareholder. This is completely ridiculous because I’m sure Ford would never sell, but regardless i’m sure you don’t have enough money to buy an NFL team on your own, and I’m sick of the lions being called out on Thanksgiving every year as being unworthy to step on the field. If you were at the helm, i’d expect the organization to be turned around within 5 years. We’ve got great crews running the pistons, wings, and tigers, but it seems everyone forgets about that. The lions seem to be the direct personification of the rest of the horrible things going on in Detroit and Michigan. I think a spot in the playoffs would show everyone here, and even the whole country, that anything is possible.
Thanks,
Fan of Detroit, not the Lions.
Comment by Ben — February 10, 2009 @ 11:28 am
The initial deal for a movie production would not require that
I advertise the movie itself. Would this then qualify? I’ll post my
Business Plan elsewhere, as required in any case. Thanks for the
opportunity.
Comment by Matches Malone — February 10, 2009 @ 11:31 am
Mark, I like the idea of open source funding. In fact, I
did a blog post a couple days ago suggesting something complimentary
to what you’re proposing for the new administration. Here’s the blog
post for anyone interested
http://emilecambry.wordpress.com/2009/01/30/stimulus-plan-my-two-cents-on-the-need-for-bottom-up-government-vc/
Somehow, I can’t help but feel that the entrepreneurs may get left
out of the process of attacking health care and education, with
too many dollars going to the guys that helped us get in this mess
Comment by emilecambry — February 10, 2009 @ 11:33 am
Sorry. Should be complementary. I wish I could edit a blog comment.
Comment by emilecambry — February 10, 2009 @ 11:36 am
It is important for any founder to be aware of current viewpoints which is why I read only your blog. I don’t need your money. Others do. My intent was to give you an alternate idea not to insult you. Best in the future.
Chris
Comment by Chris Caffee — February 10, 2009 @ 11:39 am
Hey Mark,
My proposition is simple. Join SendOut Cards. It is a multilevel marketing company but don’t let that deter you. I know you love technology and being on the cutting edge of new products. It is an internet website that allows you to send customized greeting cards in the postal mail just using your computer. You need to visit the website sendoutcards.com to fully appreciate it. If you haven’t heard about it already you will repeatedly in the next few years. If you do sign up please use me as your sponsor as it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Cory Sweeting
Arizona House of Representatives
Comment by Cory Sweeting — February 10, 2009 @ 11:43 am
So disappointed. Barring the federal legal issues, I feel that my plan, posted above (The first one to conform to your rules, Mark) is the only viable plan yet mentioned here. But it doesn’t warrant even so much as a “I won’t be party to illegal narcotics trafficking.”
Some senators are lobbying Obama this week to get him to call off DEA raids in California. If that comes through, the pot farm idea is really the only thing I see in these comments that has a better than 50 percent chance of meeting all of your goals, Mark.
It’s a growth industry. The places that sell pot out here in the Bay Area are overflowing with customers. One place in Berkeley frequently has lines out the door in the middle of the business day. They can’t keep up with demand. And they buy from just about anyone who shows up to sell. Some stores offer 20 to 30 varieties at any given time, and rotate varieties every week.
I’m telling you, Mark, the pot farm can be done legally, according to California law, and can be wildly profitable in a short amount of time.
Doesn’t that at least call for an email calling me a crook? Or a bolded comment saying that this isn’t a business you want to be involved with? Cause it’s the only one here remotely near your requirements.
Comment by VonGuard — February 10, 2009 @ 11:44 am
“From MC> If you would have asked me 4 years ago, I would have said yes. Today, you can buy a scanner for under 100 bucks and go to work. Or rent a higher end for the same. You dont need 150k and to try to start that big would be a mistake. Start small, build a customer base, get referrals and grow it slowly and it could work. make sure of course, to see what competition is out there and see how you can differentiate yourself”
Well isn’t this supposed to be a stimulus plan? One of the key concepts of Keynesian economics is that stimulus should be swift. If the answer is to start small and gradually grow then we’re not really stimulating the economy. By having the resources the establish in more than just one local neighborhood, We Scan Everything gets profitable faster and employs more reps faster. Couldn’t you say to anyone who is not manufacturing a product “grow it slowly and it could work”? For my idea, there is no national competition other than PaperlessSolutions.com but they have a different business model (everything is done by mail) which is more concerning for many people as the scanning is happening by strangers somewhere other than their home and the prices are far more expensive.
As for the amount of seed capital, yes it could be 1/2 or 1/3 the amount proposed however the proposal is designed to ensure that the company can both grow significantly without being starved for resources and will remain solvent long enough. To ask for only just barely enough money to make your product with no margin for error means that you are increasing the risk that you’ll burn through cash if the idea takes a week longer than expected and you may not survive.
Lastly, yes, scanners are cheap, but being able to scan efficiently, both sides of documents at 18 ppm means that a job of archiving the basic package in my proposal would take, perhaps 45 minutes whereas the individual doing that on a flatbed would spend the better part of a day or more. The clients can likely keep up with scanning their new files as they come in but it’s the process of taking care of the old files that we address.
Anyhow, I hear that it’s not for you but I offer it to anyone graduating from college and looking for a simple way to make money in their own community – it’s getting tough out there to find a job people!
Comment by Noah — February 10, 2009 @ 11:47 am
mark,
i want to help people earn a return on the assets they already have. think distributed zipcar. how many people own multiple cars or commute to work via subway, train? cars might be impractical but it can definitely work with other assets.
Comment by jeremy — February 10, 2009 @ 11:49 am
This won’t qualify for your open source funding but I figured I’d throw it out there to you, Mark, and fellow sports-loving entrepreneurs.
The idea is pretty complex but could transform sports radio. Imagine a social network that ties into the radio station’s phone system. Imagine if callers had online profiles. Imagine DJs rating callers from 1-10 each time they call. Imagine interns attaching internal notes to callers profiles for DJs to see. Imagine “Caller of the Month” contents. Imagine polls, contests, promotions online within the network. Imagine callers talking trash to each other all day while listening and “working.”
Callers love to feel like they are “buddies” with the DJs. Callers want to feel memorable. This could really engage everyone (callers and passive listeners) in a way that radio alone couldn’t. Radio stations would have lots more opportunity for advertisements, etc that it would make sense for them to pay a monthly fee for something like this.
Comment by Alex Mather — February 10, 2009 @ 11:53 am
MC,
Thanks for the feedback.
I actually have talked to a couple of people at the stores, but the problem is that they don’t allow a lot of flexibility at the store level, they just said I should talk to corporate. There’s more flexibility with the Ace franchisees, but those guys are all so strapped right now they don’t have the money to spend.
That’s why I think the route is to build a big pile of blog members first, then go direct to corporate and let them decide if they want our group coming in once a month, or if they want their competitor to invite our group in.
From MC> so talk to corporate and see what they say. Its an easy concept to understand. Your having a ton of members probably isnt going to change their perception. The other option is to give it for free for a couple months and document any success and then take that to corporate. I wouldnt invest in a website first approach
Comment by Scott Yates — February 10, 2009 @ 12:02 pm
In these trying economic times, where people can no longer afford seeing their shrinks as often a they would like… I see an emerging market for a product that will help fill those emotional voids. Sure, people can just get a dog or cat, but Alpo will dent the wallet (again, in these dark bailout-ridden times). How about “Airy”tm, an invisible pet made of air? It will come in a cool green-approved plastic container, with a secure nozzle so you can release him (or her) when you feeling a bit lonely. The cost is only the plastic container… the container can come in different shapes depending on what kind of airy you get (some are corpulent, others are thin) – the cost to produce will likely be .10-.20 cents and it can sell for $9.99 (can you say PROFIT MARGIN?!). I’d like to have that oxy-clean guy as my spokesperson. Mark, you can have 50% of the company…or 100% if you can get Darryl Dawkins out of retirement and start him at center (come on, you had Shawn Bradley there for a few seasons…cant be much worse).
Comment by ali — February 10, 2009 @ 12:15 pm
My idea involves collaboration with taxi services, probably starting locally here in the Metroplex. We would put together a program that folks could purchase “taxi passes” (think metrocard) – and because they are purchased in “bulk” up front, they are purchased at a discounted rate (probably a percentage). The more you purchase at once, the greater the discount. There would also be a capacity to “share” rides, whether with strangers or friends, allowing for a green aspect as well as a money saving aspect to the consumer, while a bump up to the drivers (http://wcbstv.com/local/taxis.share.a.2.917914.html). We <http://wcbstv.com/local/taxis.share.a.2.917914.html). We would also get support and involvement by encouraging AARP, MADD, the local government/schools/universities, “green” initiative programs, and small business owners (mainly bars/restaurants) to get involved, support and advertise for us (hopefully at no cost) especially for the reason of helping senior citizens and/or disabled persons retain independence, and also to encourage responsibility by combating drunk driving. In turn, I believe this would start to drive business for the cab companies (based on conversations with friends that would like to participate) and drive down the cost of taking a cab. The cost of cabs in Dallas is ridiculous in comparison with other cities, and I feel that if we were to increase the demand we could in turn drive down the costs and encourage greater use (and safety).
See examples:
http://www.dartfirststate.com/information/programs/scat/
http://www.discountcab.com/thediscountcard/giftcard.aspx
http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2008/12/29/2008-12-29_p_diddy_offers_15_cab_fare_for_revelers.html
As to your initial investment, what would be the most profitable is having your name behind it. Driving the organizations to become involved, promote the idea, etc. The only up front cost would be purchasing the actual cards that people would in turn purchase and implementing software capable of accepting the cards – which most taxis already have. So cost would be minimal, as the individuals would purchase the passes up front. Seeing as you are the investor, I’d give you 50% equity up front.
From MC> I dont think Dallas is the right place to do it. If its not already being done in NYC, its a VERY good idea. Google the concept, search Icerocket.com for blog references, see if there is anyone doing it. If not, call the taxi commission in a city, like NY where the number and dependency on repetitive taxi rides per person is high. Let me know what you find out
Comment by superkaty — February 10, 2009 @ 12:15 pm
Low-cost Portfolio Risk System
The institutional investment market place has varying needs and budgets to address the issue of risk management of their investment portfolios. The purpose of this product is to meet the demands and fiscal responsibilities of institutional investors with $100million-2billion under management. The target customer will have separate accounts (equity and fixed income), mutual funds, offshore funds and private equity investments. This will be an entry-level risk system that is inexpensive and easily implemented for firms with 1-10 people managing the investment portfolios. The general idea is to make a completely hands-off product that all of the data-entry and maintenance is handled by the product management, not by the customer.
To say that there is not competition in the risk management space would be foolish. There are several firms that have all-inclusive programs that are very robust and serve their purpose well. However, these products are tailored primarily to 2 groups; hedge funds and institutional investors that can afford to spend $300,000 or more (and have adequate staff power to support the inputs).
As there are several competitors in the risk management space, this product must have a niche. There are three discernable differences that this product will offer: no manual work on the user end, low cost, and standardized data retrieval. The product will not be underlying holdings based and it will not be simply returns based. It will be in the middle of the two. The output will be exposure based (i.e. net and gross exposures to; sector, country, industry, leverage, liquidity, etc.).
The mechanics of the data retrieval, entry and output are the key to maintaining a low-cost product that maintains a substantial profit margin. The process will work as follows:
1. We receive a list of all portfolio managers and their contact information from the institutional investor.
2. We automatically send each manager a link each month to input exposures on a secure website.
a. The input pages are customized based on the investment manager type (i.e. the hedge fund page has different inputs than the public equity page).
b. Some managers may be against online entry. Other options are available but not encouraged.
c. In the event that a manager does not want to complete the information, there are 2 options: exclude that manager as an exception or manually approximate the information from monthly/quarterly statements
3. The data is compiled in a SQL database and manipulated there.
4. Our website draws from the database and displays the exposures in several ways.
a. The first report type is simply graphical and can be used for reporting to trustees/investment committees.
b. Numeric and graphical output that the institutional investor can manipulate to change allocations and “model” the changing risk characteristics.
c. Hedge modeling techniques that use some general assumptions (at our cost level, it wouldn’t be possible to model waterfall hedges, etc.)
5. The cycle repeats each month and quarter.
All of the start-up work can be completed using indicative data and a couple of beta clients after the product is launched. The resources needed in the beginning would be:
1. SQL Server
2. Website host with security features
3. DBA
4. Marketing materials (website, logo, mailings)
Future opportunities are substantial. The product could be “white-labeled” by consultants or custody banks as an added service for their client base. The product could also grow into a tiered product that meets the demands of larger institutions or scaled back to meet the needs of slightly smaller family-offices/retail clients.
As an institutional investor responsible for managing a portfolio of approximately $750 million, I know there is demand for the product. I currently use something very similar to this, but have not automated it as I have not needed to support multiple users and/or clients.
Let me know if you would like further clarification on any points as the document is riddled with industry-specific language. This is a quick memo-type document that can be re-worked if you are interested in a more formal proposal. Thanks for reading.
Comment by J.S. — February 10, 2009 @ 12:18 pm
Great premise, but the devil is in the details:
A) Must be a “completely flat orginization, no emplyees”. I agree with the idea of everyone works, but this idea ensures a lack of accountability. Recipe for disaster. Is HD Net or other MC ventures flat?
B)MC is asking an individual to share an idea, without a contract in place? What’s more, the contract is “take it or leave it”? Anyone with enough intelligence and drive would never agree to these terms. Certainly not a “flat orginization” principal.
C)Sharing an idea with potential competitors, before that idea has an opportunity to succed is ridiculous; and it raises the probility of the individual putting in all the sweat and reaping none of the rewards. Might work in Cuba, but not here.
I applaud MC’s effort, but any person with ambition would be better off weathering the current economic storm, until they saved enough money or found a partner/investor truly committed to that
idea.
Long term, real ideas and individuals desrve better partners.
Comment by Fred — February 10, 2009 @ 12:18 pm
Mark,
I just love your heart!!
I also love our Mavs!
Brenda
Gainesville
Comment by Brenda — February 10, 2009 @ 12:25 pm
Mark,
Love the idea, here is my pitch.
Okay it goes like this America is a copy cat society. People like to jump on bandwagons and do what the masses are doing in order to fulfill their need to be in a group, popular or trendy so this is my business idea.
Obama t-shirts. Okay sounds funny right? Well look around you, Barry Obama is everywhere. He’s the “it” thing right now as far as making a statement. So I think you take some of his more popular sayings and twist it a bit for example.
-yes he did
-yes we did
-I made a difference November (whatever day voting was) what did you do?
-his initials
Obviously each shirt would have some sort of art design with featuring Obama’s. I would make one of each shirt, professionally photography them and set up adds on e-bay for each one. Additionally I would set up an e-commerce website to buy them directly with out paying the middleman (eBay). With the correct e-bay listings (photos, pay a little more to have your add on top feature) and a mass marketing campaign those shirts would be selling like hot cakes because the market targeted is eager to show their support externally. By only producing one of each shirt until orders are processed, we would save on overhead. The initial investment could be minimal, because there would be no need to get a third party t-shirt producer until we have the orders. Then we can play them off each other to get the lowest bid. Depending on volume of product ordered the idea would be to eventually purchase the equipment to do it ourselves. (This also would create jobs)
-You start by selling them at 10 0r 15 per shirt (buy now option) with shipping but they only cost a 1 or 2 to produce upfront (this number will drop due to economics of scale), and not much more to ship.
The best part of this is that the company when initially successful can launch into posters, patches, and move to other public figures, pop culture things and more. Therefore it will continue to create jobs. Think of how much JFK memorabilia is worth, and valued to consumers. This is that kind of opportunity, to make lots of money in a short period of time, and using that revenue to expand and grow.
Thanks for your time, hope to hear from you soon.
-William
Comment by William Putman — February 10, 2009 @ 12:30 pm
Hi Mark –
A veteran entertainment/new media exec and a A-list TV writer/Exec producer team up to create premium content for brands across all digital platforms. Our proposal is located here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/12087546/Venice-Media-Proposal.
Thanks!
Comment by cosimoto — February 10, 2009 @ 12:30 pm
[...] To make your dreams happen, leave a comment on Cuban’s post Mark Cuban’s Plan To Fix The Economy. [...]
Pingback by Sorry Sallie Mae, I’m still deferring my student loans – Tales From the Recently Laid Off — February 10, 2009 @ 12:31 pm
Here’s one that is a simple service that is scalable, does great things for the environment and is really is to manage.
1. The company picks up on a weekly basis from urban and high density neighborhoods, compost garbage or wet garbage.
2. The company sells the receptacle for X as well as the pick up service for Y. This receptacle could be a container that stays with the client or a biodegradable corn based pick up bag.
3. The company has an arrangement with an individual based on location to dump the waste and convert it into organic potting soils
4. The soil is branded and sold
I am using Vancouver as a model for this idea and am looking for financial assistance with this project.
i have the land deal for the compost, and I am in need for capital funding for the pick up vehicles, collection bags, and have begun discussions for distribution of the soil product through a growers direct supplier.
any takers?
dave
Comment by david geertz — February 10, 2009 @ 12:40 pm
I’m ok posting my idea to the public as my goal would be to find
someone or a goupd to help build this into a company…Transparency
in pricing has completely changed markets for almost everything in
the consumer world, primarily through the internet (airline tickets,
hotels, cars, etc.)
The big area that has yet to be infiltrated with pricing transparency is
business-to-business sales, starting with ERP and Software-as-a-Service
(SaaS) applications, management consulting and other corporate purchases.
My idea is to build an information portal, vendor review and pricing
exchange (online) that would allow procurement officers to view how
their vendors price software and other B2B products and services to
similar corporations.
Having years of experience at both software vendors and consulting
companies, I recognize the wide range of prices that corporations are
charged. Opening the door into how vendors price their products and
services will certainly drive down the costs for corporate clients,
which should be an attractive offering to any procurement officer.
Companies would pay a subscription fee for access as well as required
to anonymously provide pricing for their vendors (similar to the model
for salary.com). The more companies that join and share their data,
the more transparent the pricing will become. Transparency increases
the value for the information, which in turn could increase the cost
to join such as exchange.
Other revenue streams could include value-add consulting services around
vendor selection. There are many additional revenue opportunities for
such an exchange, so since this is open source, I would welcome additional
ideas. I would personally look to partner with someone on this,
specifically someone (or group) with direct procurement experience.
Comment by Matt — February 10, 2009 @ 12:40 pm
I’ll bite. Here’s my business plan so far. I’m not worried about competition by posting here, as I feel as though any relationships I’ve already built are far stronger than any competitors. I’ve never started a business before so I’m open to any polite critiques.
http://www.scribd.com/share/upload/8936739/1pgghmmjm453yicw3n2o
Comment by Carla — February 10, 2009 @ 12:45 pm
MC,
This is a fantastic concept in theory, thanks for putting it out there… although I believe an idea is just an idea and the way you laid it out you will undoubtedly continue to get interesting ideas that haven’t been flushed out enough to put any kind of investment into action. But I’m very interested in where this goes. If/when you find something interesting, I’m sure many of us would follow your participation in and funding of that concept.
My small team provides concept to launch services for Internet products and, as former IT consultants, we have been thinking about pushing forward a hybrid services model based on our already profitable services based business model.
The Core:
1. cost of building enterprise-grade web products has come down
2. new frameworks allow these to go from concept to launch quickly
3. small/medium sized business are increasingly becoming reliant on web products to “run” there businesses
4. you can easily build these products with flat organizations and lots of transparency
5. running and scaling web products has also become inexpensive
The Opportunity:
1. target specific industries (big markets) like legal or healthcare where there are a lot of small/medium sized US businesses that cannot afford traditional “enterprise” software
2. solve a specific problem with a simple web product
3. sell alongside traditional IT services (internally or partnered) as a hybrid product/service offering with a focus on product user experience
4. learn, rinse and repeat
5. launch 4-5 targeted web products per year (we have modeled what this type of thing might look like 5-10 years out)
The Risks:
1. differentiation in niche (but big) markets is key and lean operations are key, otherwise big web players can swoop into markets
2. really understanding the needs of the user/niche is key
3. although there is proof that companies pay money for these types of web products, there is the risk that they just won’t
As an example, our small team is able to go from concept to launch in less than 6 months typically, 3 months with additional cash… this includes flushed out prototypes that are tested with actual users, etc… so it would be feasible to target and launch this type of effort quickly within our already existing business model.
From MC> This is actually something that a 1 or 2 man shop could start up and get going quickly if you focused on helping small businesses (not necessarily in a specific vertical) cut their IT expenses considerably using off the shelf , preferably low cost general applications that are cloud hosted. I like the pitch of “Throw out your MS Office, Outlook and ….. and cut your IT costs to the bone”. Not so much the idea of having to develop anything.
THe key is being the integrator , using your software skills to customize the applications to the customer needs. Of course, you have to know what you are doing and deliver for your customers. For me to be interested, you would have to demonstrate that you could this by already securing a couple customers. You might go in and offer to do a free analysis of their IT costs and where you could get them and take a pct of what you save them after your annual support costs . If you get to this point, post again and we can discuss it further
Comment by Rod — February 10, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
Simple Idea: Mail Server Appliances for Small/Home Office.
Using Zimbra Collaboration Suite (Community Edition) on GNU/Linux, one can
build appliances that provide email, document and calendar sharing. All
the software required to build such an applicance can be acquired for free.
Target customers would be those who:
1) want avoid the expense of proprietary platforms, both in licensing
and admin costs
2) do not want their email or other information floating around in a hosted
3rd party cloud somewhere
Revenue streams:
a) one-time setup fee to cover purchase of server hardware and labor
b) service contracts for administration, maintenance and monitoring
of the appliance – billed monthly, renewable each year
c) tiered backup/recovery solutions: basic (DR only) and premium
(which would include point-in-time recovery of user data)
d) end-user training on use of ZCS platform
e) admin training re: administration, maintenance and monitoring
f) consultantcy fees for any current Zimbra deployment or for customers that
have decided to forgo the yearly maintenance contract but may need help with
specifc tasks
g) potential VAR arrangement with Zimbra parent company
The problems I see with most small IT companies, and those this model should
avoid:
a) “One-Stop-IT-Shop”: 0 opportunity to develop a focused product set that
you can knock out of the park. most time spent doing low-end work for hourly
fees, limiting profit potential and the ability to create a positive reputation
as a solution provider
b) incident-based pricing model: always associated with a failure of some sort
and customers can develop a level of distrust because they know they only
pay for things to be fixed, not to be done properly in the first place
What would be needed to get up and running:
a) 5 mid-range servers: 1 for appliance development and testing; 1 for
operations; the rest on hand to be able to roll out the first few deployments
quickly
b) 1/4 rack of colo space for ops server mentioned above for monitoring
software (Nagios and MRTG)
c) marketing materials: business cards, domain name registration, flyers
Comment by Erik in Austin, TX — February 10, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
Noah,
I think you should do it for people’s old photos. I have been looking online for a company that will scan all my old photos into a digital format (I am talking 1000+ photos – not simply take a couple photos to the local kinko’s). The only companies I have found require me mailing my photos to them. I don’t trust the mail system well enough to not lose my priceless photo album, but if I could take the photos into a store, I would pay top dollar. This may require inventing a specific scanner for photos (I have seen a cheap version in the inflight magazines). Good luck.
Comment by Mike — February 10, 2009 @ 12:59 pm
[...] the original post: The Mark Cuban Stimulus Plan – Open Source Funding « blog maverick Share and [...]
Pingback by The Mark Cuban Stimulus Plan - Open Source Funding « blog maverick | www.homefloorplans.ca — February 10, 2009 @ 12:59 pm
Hi Mark,
My business idea is a grassroots marketing businesses that helps local independent business owners (those on main street) effectively market their businesses within their respective communities via “in-store” events/parties. We help to launch the “in-store’ events such as grand openings, re-openings, VIP closed door events, trunk shows, fashion shows, etc. Services include the planning, the organizing, sending out invitations, getting the community involved, capturing leads information, follow-ups, and so forth. It will help boost the business owners revenues and bring back that sense of community the American people are longing for and seeking.
Staff would consist of savvy event planners/business consultants to go after the stores interested in planning an event for their store.
Thanks for your consideration!
Comment by topseekrit — February 10, 2009 @ 12:59 pm
Mark,
I give you DormBeds.com. A mattress business that partners with Colleges and Universities to sell bedding products to students. The business is already established with suppliers and product in place, and is cash flow positive. The beds are marked up 30%-40% over cost, including shipping. In addition this business could partner with college town real estate agencies to promote sales. For example: rent an apartment, and get a bed with it. The addition of a free bed would be incentive for people to sign a lease, and the cost of the bed would be paid out of the finder’s fee generated from the lease. Both real estate agent and Dorm Beds win with increased sales. There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the US, and housing turns over every year, so there is a substantial target market. Why different then Target or Bed Bath and Beyond where students shop? 1. Add value by delivering the bed to the student’s dorm or apartment before they arrive at school, saves them time and hassle especially for students without a car at school. 2. Products are drop shipped so there is no risk in holding inventory. The main expenses would be getting product delivered and into the dorms, which would require hiring a team (think students) for hourly work, and improving the website. When I set this up I hired someone off of Elance to build a quick website, the site simply needs to be updated, with some order processing, and functionality features added. I am willing to give up 10-20% equity. Let me know what you think. Thanks for the opportunity.
From MC> Email on its way. Good luck !
-Dan
Comment by Dan Dietz — February 10, 2009 @ 1:01 pm
Your best business is to show people how to achieve the life of their dreams, and the only way they can do that is to have true health! People spend billions on sick care each yea that could have been avoided. Our healthcare system today kills over 1 million people per year, because people base their health on how they look or how they feel. Wrong answer: #3 killer-Heart DZ #2 Killer Cancer #1 what you do when you do not feel good, take medications–Medical care and RX drug reaction deaths kill more than heart disease or cancer. If you wait until you feel cancer or heart disease. You are already gone! You can have all the $$ in the world, but when you lose your health, you will do anything, pay anything,and go anywhere to try to get it back,and unfortunately it is already too late.
I spend zero $$ on advertising , and all my efforts are upon teaching and educating you and every man, woman and child on what true health is. People die from lack of knowledge, but more from lack of action! Let’s give them the knowledge and the action steps to live a life not fearing cancer, and heart disease, not fearing crippling arthritis, no believing the “genetics” lie, and pursue health, happiness, and the abundant life they were created to have. Health is not guaranteed, it is earned.
I assure you the answer is not in a pill, potion, lotion, or magic food, it is going back to the principles and the laws that are in place to govern the body, working with its’ design not against it. This is not another fad diet, or exercises fad, this is truth, healthy living, maximizing the essentials to reach a solid quality 80-100 years of life. Saving billions of people and $$ lost through sickness! Taking the $$ back from the drug companies and back to the people. E-mail me.
http://www.maximizedlivingdrzaino.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/wwwabundantlifechiro
From MC> My 1st amendment, no multi level marketing programs
Comment by Dr. Zaino — February 10, 2009 @ 1:15 pm
write an openwrt module to read out usb data from smart power meters such as voltcraft. release as open source and offer consulting in adapting the module to various router platforms, offer the module to google.org and various “utilities and independent device manufacturers” on this blog.
Comment by openpower — February 10, 2009 @ 1:20 pm
All of those abandoned subdivisions that were built on spec are actually valuable assets that are just wasting away right now. I don’t know that it would break even or be profitable within your time line, but here’s my idea for these subdivisions:
Buy up an entire neighborhood from a bankrupt developer at a steep discount. Then convert the houses into biotech labs and lease them out (by the room, by the house, by the street, whatever) to biotech start-ups that need space but don’t have the capital to build for themselves. You could profit just on the leases, or you could arrange equity deals with the start-ups that lease the space (perhaps as a condition of lease, or in conjunction with additional funding arrangements).
It’s possible that you could reserve a few of the houses and lease them as living quarters for the budding entrepreneurs, but primarily this idea is about using the homes for research and testing space. Either way, if you get a lot of small start-ups working together in the same neighborhood like this, the opportunities for collaboration are limitless and progress is sure to be swift. You could even retrofit them with solar panels to reduce utility costs, and then lease those to companies doing low-power research (just growing lots of stuff in petri dishes, perhaps).
The idea can be replicated for energy start-ups, too. A lot of people are talking about how the next “big idea” in energy will come from someone’s garage. Well, this is an opportunity to provide people with the garages!
There are two obvious obstacles to your time line, though: first, it might take more than 60 days to retrofit these homes for laboratory use; second, it would definitely take more than 60 days to get them re-zoned for that purpose. Other than that, I think this project fits your criteria.
Comment by Richard Carlucci — February 10, 2009 @ 1:21 pm
Hi Mark (and everyone),
Walking through a local Best Buy a couple weeks ago, I noticed a man standing in front of rows and rows of external hard-drives. He was older, and looked a bit dumbfounded among the dozens of options. I was reminded of my grandfather, and moved on.
Then, about twenty minutes later, on my way out, I glanced over and he was still standing there. Hadn’t moved an inch. Same position, hand on chin. Other hand weighing the hard-drives, reading the packaging, placing them back on the shelf. One after the other.
I finally approached the man, gave him an honest smile and told him that he looked like he could use some help. He was relieved.
Then I realized, why does shopping for electronics have to be complicated and confusing for 99% of consumers? Most people just want technology to work for them. They don’t want to work for technology. Buying electronics shouldn’t cause headaches.
We find that so many of our friends spend days researching their next camera, TV, computer, or other gadget with little success. Or instead, they suck it up and visit a big box electronics store, often ending up overwhelmed with the selection and underwhelmed with the staff. Even product review sites and consumer report magazines leave most of us more confused than when we began shopping.
Let us do the heavy lifting; the research, comparing value and easy-of-use, and then ultimately choose one product in each category to sell. One camera. One wireless router. One home theater. The product that will be the best for the most people.
We aim to radically simplify the process of shopping for electronics for the majority of consumers.
There is opportunity at every level of sales: we have already seen success based on an affiliate system with Amazon.com. We believe cutting out this middle-man and working online, directly with manufacturers and wholesalers probably will make sense, after an amount of growth within the company. Eventually, there are likely even retail opportunities.
Let me know if you have any questions, please.
Best,
Jordan
From MC>99pct of the people use the internet to find that info. Most of the rest can find someone at Best Buy or wherever to help them. I dont see this as a business. Sorry
Comment by Jordan — February 10, 2009 @ 1:30 pm
“It MUST BE CASH FLOW BREAK EVEN within 60 days”
Ha! Ha! You have no idea what the economy is going to look like in 60days do you?
Any business that can break even in 60 days has already been started, which means comptition is high, and margins are low. Given the current economy, they are actually unprofitable now.
In any case, good luck! I hope you find one of those suckers that are born every minute.
Comment by Kyle Lahnakoski — February 10, 2009 @ 1:31 pm
I want to start a Papa Murphy’s Franchise in my area.
http://www.papamurphys.com/public/franchise_locations.cfm
There are currently now franchises in the state of Virginia, the concept of a “Take and Bake” pizza is largely unknown in the Northern Virginia area and based on the fast paced live of the people around here, getting a pizza that you can bake fresh at home for a fraction of the cost of a quality pizza from the local pie maker would be a big hit. I have seen the success of Papa Murphys in the Bay area when I lived out there, I know it would be a hit in the Northern Virginia area. I have experience with running retail stores and my partner was a former district manager for Starbucks.
The Royalty Fee is 5% of net sales per week. Additionally, there is an Advertising and Development Fee of 1% of net sales per week, your return would be at 3% of net sales.
What I need to get started:
* Minimum $350,000 to get started.
Comment by Take N Bake — February 10, 2009 @ 1:39 pm
I know i had some typing errors, I would be happy to explain further anything you might have questions on. The main feature of the shirts are large Obama face shots with different slogans. Sorry for any confusion.
Comment by William Putman — February 10, 2009 @ 1:40 pm
MC,
This idea is gold, GOLD, baby!
OK, maybe not, but it at least is generating some interest. I have a TV reporter who wants to do a story about this and wants to interview me by satellite. If there’s some reason I shouldn’t do it, contact me directly using the link on my site.
I think the fact that a blog comment has a major TV station interested is proof that this idea has real legs, and that you and I working together can actually create something of value.
If I don’t hear from you or “your people” I’ll do the interview and then come back here and post a link to it once it’s up.
Woo Hoo, we’re off to the races!
-Scott
Comment by Scott Yates — February 10, 2009 @ 1:45 pm
I propose to charge a subscription to your blog. I can agree to give you 20% of the profit.
Cheers,
Matt
Comment by Matt — February 10, 2009 @ 1:49 pm
Continuing my inexorably obnoxious “Fund the pot farm” rants, I’d just like to remind Mark and everyone here that the biggest growth industry during the great depression was also illegal when the whole thing began: Booze.
When prohibition ended, bootleggers quickly became wealthy, legitimate businessmen. Their distributors… not so much.
Anyway, I’ll shut up now.
Comment by VonGuard — February 10, 2009 @ 1:57 pm
The idea is one that has been floated before but I think we are approaching the point where it could now become the norm. Take the cable television model and start bundling online media properties and charging monthly for full access to those site. This has been floated before with micropayments and subscriptions but I think that by getting media properties to group together gives them strength.
The goal and challenge here would be to get every local newspaper and large media instition to join (since those who don’t would see a large spike in traffic even though they would still only be making money via cpm).
To make the idea more accepted by people who are used to getting content for free their can be a referral system where someone gets a credit everytime the sign up a friend helping to pay their(the user’s) cost for content.
Sign up would be driven by overlays on a site when a user tries to click anywhere inside the front page. Leave front page content up free of charge, everything else is charged. Also sign-up would be generated by people recommending articles, etc.
Example:
I would be interested in
The Buffalo News
New York Times
Techcrunch
Alley Insider
Espn.com
Smashing Magazine
At $2 a month per site I would be paying $12 a month for content.
The company’s take would have to be around $.25 giving the media company’s take somewhere around $1.75 per reader.
If you look at traffic figures for New York Times.com via (compete.com) The site has 16.5mm unique visitors a month assuming that drops a third when it is a pay service you would have 11.5mm users a month paying 2 bucks which would be 23 million a month. Around a 20 Million dollar take for the media company and almost 3 million for this entity. This is an example of a large scale site.
For a mid-size city site like the Buffalonews.com the numbers would be more like 480K users down to 347K X 2 making it $694k a month split to 607k a month and 87k a month. Still not a bad take when multiplied by the number of cities this size across the country.
This revenue is also in addition to any advertising revenue a media company leaves on their site.
The company would need a small staff 2-3 developers to build a secure system for handling payments and successfully tracking users since they are now paying for content. Also the entity would need 1-2 sales people to sell the idea to local entites and leverage larger media contacts. And a part-time PR person to handle publicity especially to gain placement in other B2B media publications.
Comment by nb3004 — February 10, 2009 @ 2:03 pm
Just realized that my comment above about the TV station didn’t have the proper reference in it: I’m talking about my idea for a special science day at a hardware store. They want to use that idea as an example of your stimulus plan. It’s a local station to you there in Texas.
Comment by Scott Yates — February 10, 2009 @ 2:13 pm
“From MC> How would it be better than many of the good desks that are out there ? How many others are building custom made desk and are you sure you can do it for $75. What market are you in ?”
I’ve been looking at all the desks in the same price range in the various office stores (Office Depot, Office Max, Staples, and even Ikea) none of them really get it right because they’re just thinking of a standard desk that you put a computer on. My desk is designed specifically for programming/IT. It’s nothing fancy or complicated just useful (the Baltic Birch makes it quite attractive too). Honestly, if you saw the design you’d probably just shrug but if you worked at my desk for a good length of time you’d notice the difference. Think of it like the difference a good office chair makes.
I haven’t built one yet but I am planning on making one for my home in a couple of weeks plus my employer wants a couple. I’ve priced out the materials and assumed it would take 1 hour with the right tools to build. I’m not 100% sure on how much labor it would take to pack and ship one but it couldn’t be that much, maybe 45 minutes?
I’m in DFW so i guess my market would be DFW but there’s no reason why it can’t go further with Internet sales.
My plan, doing it on my own, is to start really small and just do a dozen or so sales a month. I’m fully and happily employed so it would take a lot to convince me to leave my job given the current economic conditions.
From MC> I wrote software for more than 10 years. I know exactly what you are talking about. I was more about the chair than the desk. Build one and send me a picture. Maybe i will be your first customer
Comment by chasd00 — February 10, 2009 @ 2:15 pm
my idea – workforce of people to copy your cds and dvds to digital media. there’s a few sites out there that do this, but you have to pack it all up and ship it to them. why not start locally and provide a service that comes to you to do it? someone comes to your house, digitizes all your a/v media and gives you back a harddrive with it all on there. the ease of use factor would be the differentiating factor. the initial investment would be a van set up with a computer system to do the copying. there’s plenty of people, technical people, that are out of work. so getting people to do this kind of work wouldn’t be that tough.
just bouncing it around in my head. but too busy with the day job to ever get too serious about it. i just think with the way that digital media is taking over, would be a good service to offer.
Comment by travis — February 10, 2009 @ 2:18 pm
Jordan,
Re: your electronics idea. Whenever, I shop at the grocery store, I try to be a conscientious consumer, but the supermarkets do such a poor job of providing info on the environmentally friendly products. If I could look up info (think catalog similar to looking up spark plugs at the auto store) in regards to the effects certain paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning products, etc. have on the environment (from a trusted source), I would be more inclined to purchase the product.
If you are looking to make money on this, I recommend connecting with environmental groups or lobbyists for environmentally friendly companies to provide capital to offer environmental ratings on consumer goods found in the supermarket (if you own Albertson’s or Safeway and want me to spend more money, this idea will help you too).
Unlike electronics, people don’t generally research their toilet paper or kitty litter purchase online beforehand and grocery store clerks likely know little of the environmental impact of the products they sell.
Also, with ease of access, consumers are much more likely to allow trusted research to affect their purchasing decisions. Environmentally conscious companies should unite to take on this project, but if someone reading this blog wants to handle the hard work and sell to the companies, I think it would work.
Comment by Mike — February 10, 2009 @ 2:26 pm
Mark, if you want to invest in something really important to help the economy AND the world.. this is what you should be investing in and promoting…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alL-loQu7ow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfjOIoPwolg
http://www.villagevoice.com/1999-12-21/news/quantum-leap/1
Comment by charlie — February 10, 2009 @ 2:31 pm
Every year tons of college graduates major in CS can not find job. My idea is teaching them how to program in iPhone in real life and then collect 25% of the revenue for every app they created. Honestly, I think it takes about 2 weeks to charge a young guy to produce iphone apps.
Comment by Johnson — February 10, 2009 @ 2:43 pm
Mark,
First time commentor; faithful reader of your blog.
I work for an established (20+ years) small business that is encumbered by the incredibly tight credit market. We’re a small operation (7-8 employees) and what we do is simple: We buy non/under performing residential (exclusively) mortgage loan portfolios on the secondary market. First liens only. We service and manage them in-house. We are small enough that we can generally work with & modify individual loans to get them performing if it’s feasible. Our goal is generally a 20% return over 18 mos.
My guess is that you are quite familiar with this particular business and probably have lots of opportunity elsewhere if you so desired. I’d really just be interested in hearing your opinion of it, especially in the current market. We have a lot more opportunity than we do available credit!
Comment by Will — February 10, 2009 @ 2:53 pm
My idea is to start an advertising-run, open-source education system over the internet. The idea is to create an open source college on the internet. IMO schools have become like big business. They aren’t concerned with educating people. They are concerned with making money.
A big part of this would be to create a series of videos teaching high level mathematics. What I would like to do is make the Dr. Suess of mathematics for adults. A big reason our country has fallen behind is because people aren’t educated and can’t afford education. what I want to do is apply the technology and creativity that goes into big budget movies and video games and apply that to teaching mathematics and science in a package that entertained people as much as a star Wars movie or the best video games.
And we could do this for all types of different subjects. Open source free college.. run by advertising dollars. This would save the world.. not just the US.
Comment by charlie — February 10, 2009 @ 3:00 pm
Look, I don’t know what Mr. Cuban’s blog said as I don’t really read blogs in general. I will review Mr. Cuban’s latest one though as it appears from skimming it that lot of effort and great brilliant economic advice went into it. But I do know this though. Our national forthcoming “lets hope it’s minor” depression needs a little relief, a distraction as you might say, a turn-around in direction. A lift. A good old fashion pick me up. And the best way I think to get things started is to have the incredible Dallas Mavericks “WIN” the 2009 NBA Championship. Take no prisoners, smart, prompt, quick and final! A sweep!!! Later all – patrick
Comment by Patrickin SantaBarbara — February 10, 2009 @ 3:01 pm
To the cannabis guy: no need to antagonize Mark, obviously he doesn’t need the trouble of being a legal weed kingpin right now. It would take a fair amount of capital to do it at the warehouse level, but surely there are ways of doing it on a smaller scale with less capital and working your way up so you can be ready to really step things up once a national initiative passes during Obama’s second term.
Comment by Kevin — February 10, 2009 @ 3:06 pm
My full proposal trips some sort of filter or bug in your WordPress setup. I’ve truncated it as possible; let me know if you need more explanation, as I’ve plenty to spare:
Greenfield IT will be a open-source IT managed services provider (MSP)
for small businesses. A core administrative and customer support
staff will coordinate remote IT contractors, salesmen, and clients.
Open accounting and scrupulous support (internal & external) will
help build trust between all involved, which will draw (and keep
happy) the best talent and clients.
This solves several problems:
1) Open source hackers don’t like doing the client management or sales portions of independent contracting, but also chafe at traditional work-spaces and management.
2) Small businesses often can’t make the transition to open source with just their internal IT staff.
3) Current MSPs tend to mistreat or ignore small businessmen, treating them as unprofitable.
The starting focus will be basic internet presence (web development,
system administration, etc.) services. The mid-term goal is to
expand breadth of experience, to aid clients wherever they may want
help. Longer term goals include a robust apprenticeship system, and
in-house projects to capitalize on client commonalities. By adhering
closely to open-source philosophies, we keep our maintenance load
light, which gives us a flexibility more traditional IT companies
often lack.
Comment by Nathaniel Eliot — February 10, 2009 @ 3:09 pm
“From MC> I wrote software for more than 10 years. I know exactly what you are talking about. I was more about the chair than the desk. Build one and send me a picture. Maybe i will be your first customer”
will do. Send me a temp email address and i’ll forward pics once I get a prototype built.
Comment by chasd00 — February 10, 2009 @ 3:11 pm
Help me get an In-N-Out Burger franchise in Dallas! You can pay me in double-doubles!
Comment by Tim — February 10, 2009 @ 3:13 pm
One thing that unites all business pitches is that they require a set of financial projections. The problem is that producing a set of integrated financial projections requires significant time and expertise. I am developing a website that will simplify the financial projection creation process. I run a financial model consulting service: http://www.FinancialModel.net, have an MBA from Yale, and was Director of M&A at Interval International (formerly an IAC portfolio company). The website I am creating will offer the basic functionality of creating a set of integrated statements from scratch or from templates for free. We will make money by charging for premium models and services (see below). The website interface will have an expert mode and a novice mode depending on the expertise of the user.
Free Service:
• Set of integrated financial statements (Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow)
• Basic templates (e.g. restaurant, daycare center, etc.)
• Download PDF version of model that is ready to present to investors
Premium Service:
• Monthly Fees:
o Flexible formats (download XLS, PPT, DOC in addition to PDF)
o Advanced functionality (Sensitivity analysis, valuation, etc.)
• One-Time Fees:
o Consulting service packages
o Premium templates (e.g. bio-fuel plant, online retailer, etc.)
Target Market:
• Finance professionals
• Boot-strapping entrepreneurs
Quick Path to Profitability:
• Low fixed costs (hosting, communications, etc.)
• Most marketing will be via blogs, press, word-of-mouth
Development Stage:
• We have made significant progress on the backend model creation software (30 days from completion)
• Seeking funding for front-end development resources
Comment by David Greenbaum — February 10, 2009 @ 3:19 pm
Mark,
If you want to help entrepreneurs, invest in TheFunded.com. Besides the fact that the site meets all of your requirements (though we do not have a formal business plan), TheFunded has 10,510 Members, 95% of them are entrepreneurs and 78% have professional investors. The support that the site provides to these Members is invaluable, from (1) helping evaluate potential funding sources through a social rating system to (2) discussing highly sensitive operating decision with the protection of complete anonymity. CEO Members of the site have already recommended that you consider this investment, which is the reason that this is being posted:
http://www.thefunded.com/funds/item/5022
The entire site and all of the events are planned, built, designed, operated, and run by one full-time person, the Founding Member. However, the site is truly owned and operated by the Members, thousands of entrepreneurs fighting to build great companies. These Members have contributed in excess of 30,000 ratings, reviews, and comments that represent the single largest body of information on entrepreneurship contributed by true domain experts: the CEOs themselves.
Anyway, just a thought. You know where to reach me…
- The Founding Member
From MC> I would need to see numbers and more details. I have been to your site before, but as you know, the challenge is business model. Sell me on how I could get a return
Comment by Adeo Ressi — February 10, 2009 @ 3:20 pm
Think Threadless.com…. Custom T-shirts designed by the people for the people. Get designers to submit ideas, pick the best, reward them with cash, take rights for the design, put them on shirts and sell them. Designers win = they get their name and designs out their. Consumer wins = They want good design at an affordable price. Seller wins = $$$
Take Threadless and apply that to something else…
Coffee mugs. Plenty of people drink coffee/tea/something out of a mug. It’s a massive addiction. More so drinking coffee/tea… but loads of people use mugs.
Obviously people care about the way their shirts look more than the appearance of their coffee mug, but as a novelty item/gift idea/AND a cheap one at that (aim for a 5 dollar price point – can be tiered for effort of design, style of mug, etc.) Would be fun to have a couple at your office and you could also sell them in sets for the home and what not.
Clever sayings on mugs.
Great designs on mugs.
All modern. All now. Not silly coffee mugs of yesterday. Mugs of today.
Comment by ryan — February 10, 2009 @ 3:26 pm
Mark,
Here is one of my submissions. Let me know your thoughts.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dftkh6nc_0czxthdhq
Cheers,
Jacob
Comment by Jacob — February 10, 2009 @ 3:30 pm
Love this concept. When times get tough, it’s time to get going…in the right direction.
Invest in Human Intelligence. The day we die is the day we will know everything. Until then, each and every day is an opportunity to learn something.
Get up off your seat, on your feet and go get it. Take what you have and make it better. Learn how to train and market yourself, what you have, and with what you have. Tough times make us more Creative. Brain Power outweighs Dollar Power any day.
Stimulate that thought and you just might find the power within.
Comment by Tiffany Yelverton — February 10, 2009 @ 3:35 pm
http://www.CreativeApartmentMarketing.com
Comment by Tiffany Yelverton — February 10, 2009 @ 3:37 pm
Hi Mark,
I’m editor of a leading online women’s travel magazine…got here via a tweet. Our young company is called Galavanting Productions because we also do all kinds of travel media projects. I host a new web travel show called Galavanting that’s been optioned by a distributor as well.
Have had an idea that I think would really work, but no extra capital to fund its startup. A lot of travel guidebooks are fine, but only feature one destination at a time. They also become obsolete after the trip.
What we’d like to do is create customized travel books: The Galavanting Guidebooks.
There are a couple of sites doing something fairly similar, but they rely solely on content produced by WikiTravel. Yuk. Not sure about you, but I’d never pay $25 for a printed version of WikiTravel.
What I would pay for is aggregated information from quality travel bloggers, writers and content partners who put together comprehensive city & destination guides–and photos. I’d be thrilled to have a book for my next trip to three European destinations customized to my exact itinerary. I’d be ecstatic to then have journal pages to write on in that book, and places to put ticket stubs and photos. I’d have a place to write down my hotel confirmation numbers, etc., right in the pages of my city guide. My book will turn into a scrapbook of the trip and graces the bookshelf for years–and that sounds like a bargain to me. Because it’s become a trip diary, I’d never loan it out to a friend, but I’d recommend they get their own…
Content would come from placebloggers and travel bloggers; their writing will be edited and fact-checked by us. WikiTravel can suck it. This will be quality content from a trusted source.
Galavanting Productions recently launched TravelBlogExchange.com and within weeks have over 400 travel bloggers around the world as members. They’re active and engaged. They’d jump at the opportunity to write a city guide, get paid every time someone uses it, and be noted travel guidebook authors. Plus they’re quick. They’re bloggers. The content would be submitted and vetted in no time.
We could have this project up and running in the timeframe you specify. Which incidentally is just in time for travelers making summertime plans. Don’t think they’re still traveling? Yes, they are–just talked to PBS’ Rick Steves at the NY Times Travel Show on Saturday, and his tour company’s advanced-level and niche Europe tours are up this year from last. Students are still studying abroad, single professionals are still saving up. And our incoming Google searches prove they’re still planning trips.
Travelers all want to stretch their dollar though and buy wisely. What better than avoiding the purchase of four guidebooks for their itinerary, and using one that will become a keepsake?
We already have a following and would promote it with our recurring episodes of ‘Galavanting TV’ as well as on the e-zine. We’d also leverage the strong network we have within the travel industry to promote the guidebooks. The bloggers who write for us would also post them and have ad badges pointing people to buy them (since they’d profit from it, of course they will).
I’d need a project manager to help me, a web developer, copyeditor and graphics person. And don’t forget our fabulous interns. We’ll promote the hell out of it via social media, paid advertising and press outreach. We could get this sucker up profitable in 90 days for $20,000.
Books will be about $7.00 cost to print, and $1.50 to the blogger/author of each city guide used.
Price point depends on how many destination cities a user adds. One destination is a base price of $19.95 for the custom-printed Galavanting Guidebook, add $2.95 for each destination city + S&H.
They’ll buy it because each destination guidebook at Borders or Barnes & Noble will cost them at least $20 bucks, and 80% of that book would be useless to them since they’re likely not visiting the entire country. If they’re going to four countries & five cities, they’d pay $80 for conventional books.
They’d pay $34.75 for their Galavanting Guidebook — and not have to buy a journal or photo album. And hell, the subtitle of the book could be “Annie’s Great European Adventure”, or something. What’s not to love?
And we’d make a $20.25 profit from Annie’s Galavanting Guidebook.
This will appeal to younger travelers, but the novelty and economic sense it makes will draw in every demographic. Retirees have grandkids who’ll make them do this. But especially us chicks, we like this kind of thing…and women make 70% of all household travel decisions.
They’ll make awesome gifts too.
There’d be a cheaper e-version for Kindle/iPhone users.
We’d work our butts off and you’d get a 15% equity in the Galavanting Guidebooks.
At first I worried someone would steal this idea after seeing it here. Then I remembered they wouldn’t be able to pull it off because they don’t have the connections and street credit we have in travel. Plus–they probably sleep, and I don’t.
It’s the next big thing. Seriously. I look forward to hearing from you.
Kim
(@kimmance)
Comment by Kim@Galavanting — February 10, 2009 @ 3:57 pm
Mark, great idea. As much as i would like to be your partner in business, I am not here to submit a business plan for myself, but instead I would like to nominate a few companies. General Motors, Chrysler, Ford (sooner or later they will need it), all the banks, wall street and most states. The rules you spelled out should be the doctrine for any stimulus/bailout plan.
Comment by ryan lapointe — February 10, 2009 @ 3:58 pm
I get it. Don’t worry about having your idea stolen, put it out there and maybe someone will run with it, maybe you’ll even get funding. Either way, if it’s a good idea, everyone wins. The spirit of open source. Okay, here are ten off the top of my head (some of these won’t meet the criteria, I’m sure, but if it spurs someone with a better idea, then it’s all to the good):
1. Garbage Ninjas: A service to take your garbage cans to/from the curb on collection day. Employees work their local neighborhoods (giving the service a national reach) and get paid for 2-4 hours of work. Perfect 2nd job or something to keep you busy while you look for work since you put them out in the morning and return them in the evening. It’s the new paper route (since papers are going out of business).
2. Handwritten Note Service: Snail Mail is so yesterday. . .and classy. Next time you get invited to a nice party, instead of firing off a “thank you” email, type the same message into this web service and a handwritten version of your letter will be mailed out for about the cost of buying a Hallmark Card.
3. Digital Footprint Investigator: Someone close to you just passed away but all their online accounts are still active. Someone comes in and does an audit of that person’s online life and lets you know what needs to be turned off, who needs to be updated and what accounts are still pending. If there’s anything embarrassing, you don’t have to explain to your tech-savvy niece that her Aunt Harriet was into online plushie pr0n. Let a professional handle it.
4. Online Wine Vault: You like wine, you can even afford really expensive vintages for those special occasions. But you don’t have a wine cellar and don’t like keeping something that expensive and fragile around. So buy it from the online wine vault. Nothing but a confirmation is sent to you. The bottle remains in a vault under optimal conditions until you want it. When you are ready to party like Bacchus, have it overnighted.
5. Cardboard Toys: Kids like the boxes stuff comes in. So send a box. Cardboard Toys come with detailed instructions on how to make a castle, say, or a rocket ship. You also get all the boxes you need. All boxes are recycled, natch.
6. House Parties for Children’s Toys: Parents want their kids to have the best toys for their stage of development. A toy consultant comes in, meets with a group of families and discusses and demonstrates the best toys for each child’s developmental stage. The person could also consult with a specific family and their specific needs.
7. Camping Video Game: Did you ever find yourself just admiring the beauty of the water in Far Cry? So why not have a game that just has environments. From coastal to highland, from cloudless skies to stormy weather. Have it underwritten by clothing and camping gear companies. When you’re hanging out at the beach, your avatar can be wearing the latest Speedo. If you’re trekking up an ice wall, you can choose actual gear from Mountain Hardware. The “game” is not about points, it’s about viewing exotic locations and daydreaming about where you’d rather be.
8. Auto Reader: I’d like a talk radio station that only discusses issues I care about. So design a website where you enter your OPML files, and RSS feeds and the site reads the posts to you. Now you can work on whatever you’re doing and instead of having the radio, you can have your favorite blog going in the background.
9. Hobby Consultant: In any hobby, there’s a progression (Windows, Linux (different flavors), BSD, back to favorite Linux distro, back to Windows for games, settle on dual-boot). Some people just want to know the progression quickly and decide early on where to concentrate their focus. A Hobby Consultant gives you the lay of the land in your chosen hobby, identifies the leading websites and resources for your topic, gives the typical progression for most users and suggests where to focus based on your interest. All the info is out there in a distributed fashion, this just concentrates it in one place.
10. A blog where someone offers to fund ideas that can be profitable in 90 days and. . .oh, wait.
Comment by Seamus — February 10, 2009 @ 3:59 pm
All of my ideas take two months and one day to profit, so I’m out, but Mark – thanks for taking a proactive and positive approach to things, regardless of how successful any of these ventures are.
I’m glad there are people like you who think and act in the fashion you do.
Comment by Brian — February 10, 2009 @ 4:16 pm
Mark,
You would have a better idea than most on the demand for what i’m proposing. The idea is custom merchandising, mainly apparel, for sporting leauges such as the NBA and NFL. Direct-to-Garment printers can produce 40-50 uniquely designed shirts per minute with quality just as good as traditional screen printing.
The biggest hurdle is of course getting the proper licensing to make it happen. But imagine being able to sell t-shirts with a picture of Dirk pulling up for the game winning 3 and the wording “I Was There” just hours after it happens. The advantage is that you no longer need to forecast demand and aren’t stuck with overruns as each item is affordably created at the time of purchase.
In order to meet your criteria of being profitable in a short amount of time, it would be best to start off with only a few teams and a manageable number of designs. Once the venture is profitable, then the next step would be to branch out to more teams and build out the website to accommodate users that want to create their own designs, such as putting their drafted fantasy football players on the same shirt.
Here in Louisiana, we have an angel investor incentive that provides 50% of the initial funding (up to $10 million) in tax credits so the value is stretched even further. Here is a quick breakdown of the funding and cashflow:
T-Shirt price: $25 (going rate on NBA.com)
cost to produce: $7-8 (includes labor and materials)
licensing: TBD
Profit/item: $17-$18 minus licensing
Startup costs (machinery and initial inventory): $200K
conservatively assume a profit of $10/item then would need to sell 13,000 items to recoup initial investment(tax credits figured in) within 90 days ~ 140/day
I would think a 10-20% stake would be fair depending on your involvement of getting the licensing deals to go through.
Look forward to your comments and hope we have a few instapreneurs born from this project.
Comment by Jeffrey — February 10, 2009 @ 4:28 pm
I have a lot of ideas. Here is one of my favorites that I’m hoping to pursue this year (with your help, of course). Thanks for doing this–it’s quite inspirational.
WEDZIP.COM
Connecting vendors and consumers in the 50-100 billion dollar US wedding industry. Eventually expanding to the 250+ billion dollar global wedding industry.
WHAT IS WEDZIP.COM?
In short, wedzip.com aims to be the LendingTree.com for weddings. Brides (or wedding planners) submit their wedding information one time to the wedzip site. Wedding vendors who are available on that date submit a proposal/estimate for their services through the site. The bride can then view proposals online and choose to contact the vendor to book their services.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
(1) Bride submits her wedding details (including location and budget) to the WZ site. (2) Vendors in her area are alerted via email and text message. (3) Vendor signs in and views the details of the wedding. Vendors do not see the bride’s contact information. (4) If the vendor is available and interested, they submit a proposal/estimate for their services. (5) As proposals come in, the bride is alerted via email and text message. (6) The bride then chooses to contact and book the services of vendors. (7) A vendor may remove a proposal if they book a different wedding on that date. (8) Brides may also limit the number of proposals received (per vendor-type).
WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
Most wedding websites are simply glorified directories that make money by charging for listings or advertisements. What’s more, brides must still contact each vendor to check their availability. Wedzip.com sets itself apart with a better business model (below) and more convenience for both vendors and consumers.
Additionally, wedzip is an ideal business to launch in a down economy. Price-conscious brides will use the site to find vendors that fit their budget, while vendors only pay to bid on weddings that fit their schedule/price range (instead of paying several hundred dollars to simply be listed in a directory).
HOW WILL IT MAKE MONEY?
Wedzip.com will have 2 primary and 1 secondary source of revenue.
1. Proprosal fees. In order to submit a proposal/estimate, a vendor must pay wedzip a small fee (somewhere between $5 and $20). One option is to have a sliding scale based on the budget of the wedding (i.e. it costs more to submit a proposal for a high-budget wedding). This will be the primary source of revenue for wedzip.com. Because several vendors will be submitting proposals for each wedding, there should be decent revenue for every wedding submitted.
2. Processing fees. Vendors will have the option to use wedzip.com to accept payments (deposits and balances) from brides. When a bride selects vendors to use, they can submit payment to the vendor via credit/debit/ACH. Wedzip will process the transaction securely for the vendor, while taking a small transaction fee (5-10%).
3. Additional services. As a secondary source of revenue, wedzip could provide online services (specifically website sales/hosting) for wedding vendors. My current company provides such services (and is quite profitable) and I would adapt our CMS for wedding vendors.
WHY FUNDING?
Primarily, funding would be used for marketing. In order to gain traction with brides, I feel a decent marketing campaign in necessary. This would include print campaigns in major markets, online campaigns, and more.
A small amount of funding may go to development, but I can handle most of it internally.
CASH FLOW/PROFITABILIY
Revenue on wedzip.com would begin immediately (in the form of proposal fees). Our only major costs are a server (< $500/mo to begin with) and marketing costs (which will vary). Assuming we can gain traction/traffic with the proper marketing, the business would be break-even almost immediately and profitable within 30-60 days.
EQUITY
I’m willing to give up to 30% equity. More is negotiable depending on the terms.
—
Thanks again,
ED
Comment by Erik — February 10, 2009 @ 4:32 pm
My Business Plan
A franchise of bread bakeries. What seperates these bread bakeries from others?
1. The product line would be simple and cheap. Only one dough recipe from which a variety of breads can be produced.
2. The dough recipe would be all natural.
3. The stores would be simple, small neighborhood storefronts.
4. The cost of the bread would be set to compete with the large bread labels at the local grocery store. In other words, the cost of a loaf of bread would be $2 and less (I haven’t demonstrated this part yet, but believe it to be very possible).
5. Bread would be baked fresh twice a day. One batch in the early morning and one batch in the early afternoon.
Each store would only need a handful of employees. Bread baking itself is simple and can be taught to anyone willing to learn. I would steer clear from pasteries and trying to compete with the “local” family bakery…this is a neighborhood bread store where fresh baked, healthy bread is available during the day. The only equipment required would be a small refigerator for refigerated raw ingredients, a large mixing bowl, assorted baking pans, a good large capacity stove that vents well to the outside (nothing sells like the smell of baked bread), a cash register and some environmentally friendly bags.
So there ya go…I don’t normally do this stuff (business plans), but I’ve been to third world countries where they do this stuff everyday and I see a growing demand here in the US particularly for corn syrup free bread (try and find some a local walmart or target or any other grocery store).
Comment by kenyongerbrandt — February 10, 2009 @ 4:34 pm
Seamus has some creative ideas! I wouldn’t mind a Garbage Ninja.
Comment by Mike — February 10, 2009 @ 4:50 pm
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Pingback by Mark Cuban Stimulus Package « — February 10, 2009 @ 4:56 pm
A unique alternative to eBay.
Instead of simply providing a site where sellers list items and bidders bid on those items, we’ve developed a technology that brings the auctions to the bidders.
Think of it like Google’s adwords/adsense model, but we’re using interactive auctions (An entire auction in an ad box!) instead of static ads. The auctions are relevant to the content of the page, so it’s designed to draw users who are interested in that particular content. Imagine reading a blog post about a digital camera and looking at an ad on the side of the page showing an image of the exact same camera on sale and closing in 10 minutes for $50 with a big ‘BID NOW’ button beneath it.
A few days ago we “finished” our beta site so we’re just getting started. We’ve also started to do a few marketing tests to see which method would bring in the most users – so we’ve already begun to see some sellers listing items and site owners using our auctions on their sites.
We use a similar revenue model to eBay (Listings Fees and Sales Fees). We don’t generate any revenue from advertising although we do share revenue with website owners. When a website owner places one of our interactive ad banners on their site (by adding a few lines of code to a web page), they earn money when their readers bid in an auction.
At this point there are only two of us involved in the project. We’ve have the technology and website working on a shoe string budget but if we had access to funding I know we could scale up quickly, “BE CASH FLOW BREAK EVEN within 60 days” and “be profitable within 90 days”. It would be a challenge to move that fast but with the funds to market our site combined with struggling retailers trying to find ways to sell distressed merchandise I think we’d have a winning concept.
Oh and if you’re interested in seeing the concept in an early beta version you can find us at bidboxr.com
Comment by Troy Yohn — February 10, 2009 @ 4:57 pm
I’m not sure whether now is a prudent time for this idea, but it’s worth floating out there.
The idea would be a one-stop test driving facility for new car purchaser. Rather than going to individual dealerships to test drive new cars, they would come to a single location, where we’d have a fleet of cars that people could test drive in a single sitting.
Pricing options could be done a la carte or there would also be packages to test drive a particular class of car (sedans, minivans, etc). Partnerships could be set up with dealerships in order to push certain types of cars, referral fees, etc.
Comment by Chris — February 10, 2009 @ 5:05 pm
Genius. This is the best solution to help real people connect and create wealth.
Comment by Joseph Sherman — February 10, 2009 @ 5:07 pm
Mark,
We want to introduce you to ThermoAthletics.com the online athletics partner site of AVACore.com
Our technology which was developed by DARPA.mil helps to cool the body. What we’ve found is that when the body is “cooled” via the venus plexus of the hand and a vacuum is applied, it DRAMATICALLY improves endurance which in turn improves strength many fold. As an example, an individual who was tested performing a bout of pull exercises managed 180 pull ups. Over the course of 6 weeks while using the Thermo Glove to cool down his body his strength dramatically improved. At the end of 6 weeks he could do 600 pull ups during an exercise bout.
We have sold our “Thermo Glove” product units to the NFL, NBA and others. It was initially developed to help victims of heat stroke recover from injury and also supplied to US Special Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of vehicle mounted units on armored cars where heat stroke in high heat conditions was a frequent occurrence.
The units sell for $2500, due to medical grade pumps, and other high priced parts needed for manufacture etc…While a $200-500 dollar version is in the works, we lack the funding to mass produce the low cost version. Lance Armstrong has used it as well as other notable athletes. This is a paradigm shift in how we think of STRENGTH. The basic premise of the technology is that fatigue occurs not due to breakdown of muscle but to due to heat build up during exercise which reduces endurance / stamina. I’ve been using these units personally and I can now bench 225 lbs. 42 times non stop with no problem. I am not an NFL athelete.
I can demonstrate the unit at your offices. We are located in Dallas and this is our first attempt at introducing DARPA / Navy SEAL technology to the mass sports market as well as eventually maturing other applications and markets including health applications, and the military market. We are currently in talks with NASA since using the technology helps to make the brain function better and focuses the senses. In tests pilots were able to make less repetitive function mistakes after cooling down their core temperature using our device technology.
We have already broken even, we just need to bring awareness of the technology to the mass sports market and need funds for marketing and to readjust people’s perceptions of how the human body really works through live, evidence based scenarios via a robust marketing strategy.
Comment by Fareed — February 10, 2009 @ 5:13 pm
Mark,
My business plan is me. Below is my cover letter and the link to my resume.
I am currently exploring opportunities with organizations that are seeking experienced Senior Business Development Professionals. I am a highly talented and innovative professional with more than nine years of broad experience in business development, marketing, strategic planning, sales and marketing operation, and financial analysis. I have a proven history of success in outlining and maintaining highest standards of strategic business development and execution.
I am a creative self-starter with highly developed communication and interpersonal skills. A “breakthrough specialist” able to identify, negotiate and win new business, manage relationships and influence decision makers. I have a deep understanding of the sales/business development process and proven results in identifying and understanding client’s interest to drive actionable results and marketing strategies.
Highlights of my career include:
• Consistently exceeded all business objectives resulting in the successful co-founding and eventual sale of (4) four hospitality-marketing companies. All of which are profitable and survive to this day.
• Maintain broad and deep c-level contacts in numerous Fortune 500 companies. I brought a consultative approach to selling where increasing overall performance, maximizing human potential, and helping realize greater ROI has been an integral part of my business development and strategy for years.
I have maintained a proven record of accomplishments as a results-orientated team player and business development expert focused on exceeding sales objectives. I have an extensive financial and sales/marketing background combined with the ability to make presentations and influence multiple decision makers in highly competitive environments. My educational background includes a BBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of San Diego and Post-Graduate studies in Marketing from Cornell University.
Here is the link to my resume (http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dftkh6nc_1gpvhp2dn) which further details my qualifications, background, and experience.
With much respect,
Jacob
Comment by Jacob — February 10, 2009 @ 5:18 pm
Hey Mark,
Okay my idea is for interactive virtual sporting events. I wonder what it would be like to have a first person view from Santonio Holmes when he caught the game winning SB pass. Or sitting in the drivers seat of your favorite Nascar driver. Or seeing your favorite big leaguer hit a 450 foot shot from his point of view. Or for that matter from the refs POV. Or from the 50 yards line if that’s what you want. How about being a pit crew member? I think that I could develop a product that would encompass all these things with the help of transmitters and software by a developer such as EA sports. Live and streaming into your living room via the internet.
I think the first sport would probably involve nascar because that would be the easiest to develop and at the same time also has a very large fan base. These transmitters would transmit a real time location of each car in relation to the track and with the help of software, present a real-time event for the end-user. The subscriber could the move to any location on the track including drivers seat, pit-stops, grandstand, and practicaly any location you could think of. The user would then have control of where they wanted to view or pick the view of the person they have selected (driver or pit crew, for instance).
The end-user would pay a fee to access whatever event they choose on a monthly term. These transmitter and receivers are already out there thus shortening R&D time. I believe this could be profitable in 90 days after testing and negotiations with Nascar. The last number I heard there were 20 million Nascar fans out there, if we signed up just 1% of those fans for this service and charged them 5 bucks a month, that would generate 1 million dollars a month. Not only that, many teams could use this a training tool for future races. There is more revenue there as well.
I would be willing to make you half owner or 50-50.
Tell me what you think,
Geoff
Comment by Geoff — February 10, 2009 @ 5:19 pm
Mr. Cuban
We would love to present our business plan to you but not over a public domain. Please check out our website http://www.truebrew.com. If you are interested in hearing more about our company and how we fit your criteria please contact me.
Comment by Shelli Kranz — February 10, 2009 @ 5:20 pm
I have a great idea. I would like to start a company that brings doctor’s offices to the 21st century. A large source of revenue will be from the digitization of medical records. This is a market that is going to explode, especially if the Government forces doctors and hospitals to go digital. Most of this will entail simply scanning old records and converting them to pdf. Since this part is so easy I would only need money to hire about 4-5 high school graduates (or less) to perform this task. For the first month I would need about $1,000 per employee or $5,000 total. I would also need some equipment which would come out to a one time cost of about $1,000. This would include a few scanners and external hard drives.
Now this part of the business is profitable, we earn money by the project (charge approximately 20% more than expected labor cost) but this is also only a temporary field. Eventually all records will be digital and we will need to evolve to survive. That is why I would also like to start another service which is medical office management software and support. I would like to hire one college graduates with an IT background to perform this side of the business. From scheduling, client billing, and insurance claim filing there is a great deal that can be done here. With simple spreadsheets, not costly software that currently dominates the market, we can show doctors and office managers how to run their business efficiently. Why pay for expensive software that requires support from the guy ho sold it to you when it acts up when you can use excel…a program most anyone can use. I would only need about $3,000 for the first month to pay this employee and I could do a lot of the same work as they do. My main job will be finding clients, I would be like a drug rep going to medical offices and offering my services. Some initial marketing capital would help to get us out there such as putting our business in the yellow pages and internet advertising. I have already started on a website (http://www.wireddoctor.com/Home) so there is no need to hire someone for that. As an additional service we could do traditional IT work like setting up office networks (that are secure and meet with HIPPA compliance standards) remote storage of secure medical records (in case of disaster and a mistrust for Google) and just about anything IT related.
Grand total I would need about $13,000 to get going and would expect to be at a break even in 3 months or less (I am assuming that every project will take 3 weeks and bring in around $10,000 –this will be highly variable depending on clinic size) and after that I would only need about 2 additional clients a month to maintain a company this size in this field and still turn a profit of approximately $5,000 monthly.
Comment by Nicholas Creel — February 10, 2009 @ 5:21 pm
Great idea Mark! Also like the Wickler–plenty of opportunity for data crunching there to pull out unknown revenue opportunities. I also wonder why Galavanting would choose to print a tangible travel guide when there are so many electronic distribution methods–kindle, mobile phones, PND’s that would cut costs big time. But anyway, here’s what I would do.
Start off with an e-book, “Productivity Tips and Hacks For People With Mood Disorders”. Probably wouldn’t go with that title, but you get the idea. People are obsessed with lifehacks and “getting things done”. People with depression or bipolar disorders have a different “feature set” if you will that can be utilized and molding to function in a productive way. An afflicted person just needs the personal insight to know how.
An e-book would cost nothing to write other than time. I would distribute it through electronic means such as the Kindle, via productivity websites (would have to find a suitable profit share), and then build a community around it. Whether than be a Ning social network, blog that monetized through premium content or tangible goods, iPhone application, or any other means of effective distribution.
I am sure that this would be a sellout with the productivity obsessed, mood disorder suffering or not. The investment wouldn’t be required until the product was ready–and it wouldn’t need be much–and it’s so low cost, profitability is almost guaranteed. The real profitability is the business built around the initial idea, but should it flop no one loses!
Justin
Comment by Justin Davey — February 10, 2009 @ 5:23 pm
Here’s that link again.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dftkh6nc_1gpvhp2dn
-Jacob
Comment by Jacob — February 10, 2009 @ 5:26 pm
My idea is to sell personalized sporting equipment with a person’s name or whatever they want written on a basketball or football in permanent ink in the font of their choosing through the internet. How many times have you been at a gym or playground and wanted to make sure you got your ball back? If it says CUBAN in big letters you know exactly what ball is yours and it will discourage theft since its permanent and if your name isn’t Cuban you probably dont want a ball with that on it.
You can already buy stuff like Basketball Tattoo online to do it yourself but if you buy NBA balls and permanent ink “tatooing” kits in bulk you drive the cost down. Buy everything in bulk and buyers just have to pay for shipping and a nominal fee to put the tattoo on. Can sell to virtually everywhere in the world but would focus on internet sales in US.
1. It can be an existing business or a start up.
–Start up
2. It can not be a business that generates any revenue from advertising. Why ? Because I want this to be a business where you sell something and get paid for it. Thats the only way to get and stay profitable in such a short period of time.
–Selling a physical product and can be up and running in a week or so.
3. It MUST BE CASH FLOW BREAK EVEN within 60 days
—can be profitable very quickly, see how sales are going and buy supplies in bigger quantities as orders come in, easy to advertize through blogs, etc.
4. It must be profitable within 90 days.
–Can be done much faster.
5. Funding will be on a monthly basis. If you dont make your numbers, the funding stops.
–Fine with me and the reative investment for you will be relatively small.
6. You must demonstrate as part of your plan that you sell your product or service for more than what it costs you to produce, fully encumbered.
–Wanted to get this to you quickly. If you are interested, just email me and I’ll run the numbers and get you a full report tonight.
7. Everyone must work. The organization is completely flat. There are no employees reporting to managers. There is the founder/owners and everyone else.
–You and I as owners. Can hire many workers pretty easily and quickly. Could literally have high school students do most of the labor for this. You must post your business plan here, or you can post it on slideshare.com , scribd.com or google docs, all completely public for anyone to see and/or download
9. I make no promises that if your business is profitable, that I will invest more money. Once you get the initial funding you are on your own.
–fine with me.
10. I will make no promises that I will be available to offer help. If I want to , I will. If not, I wont.
–I hope you do.
11. If you do get money, it goes into a bank that I specify, and I have the ability to watch the funds flow and the opportunity to require that I cosign any outflows.
–Fine with me.
12. In your business plan , make sure to specify how much equity I will receive or how I will get a return on my money.
–Willing to split 50/50 with you all the profits we do not reinvest to grow.
13. No mult-level marketing programs (added 2/10/09 1pm)
–Done.
Hope you like this idea, I can see a big market for this not only for people buying for themselves but parents buying for their kids, etc. Nothing like getting a fresh new NBA ball with your name on it for xmas when you’re young.
Thanks for the opportunity,
Anthony
Comment by Anthony — February 10, 2009 @ 5:26 pm
Feature Film Movie Challenge
* $107 to enter your team–you can have more than one team.
* Each month there is a new subject and genre, such as romantic comedy involving the recession.
* Team has one month to make the movie
* All the movies are posted online for viewers to vote on what they like most
* The ten movies with the most votes are viewed by a panel who then decided on with the winning movie
* Winning prize is X dollars — a % of entrant fee and any sponsorship and a trophy
* Movies can also be shown in a local theater in a film festival style
Revenue stream includes: number of movies.
Potential revenue stream includes: ticket sales from film festival
Costs include: server space, programming of movies, incorporation costs, et cetera
An off-shoot: once the company proves profitable and reputable a bracket style tournament where the movie makers must make multiple movies over a six month period.
Comment by W.Parillo — February 10, 2009 @ 5:30 pm
I think I have discovered the answer to our economic woes. Unfortunately my credentials are too weak to get the respect that’s probably needed to be taken seriously. My only accomplishment is that I have been in business for nearly 38 years. I do understand how business in America works. I do understand that the way to compete to be most successful has lead to the recession that we are in today. I also understand how to explain my thoughts by using facts and a few assumptions that can be understood by most. Open your mind America because you are about to hear a refreshing, new idea that makes sense and is easy to understand and follow. Here goes:
I am a laundry service contractor. I supply and service coin/card operated washers and dryers to apartments and condominiums. I get my business by competing with my competitors. Our customers are primarily made up of apartment owners, management companies and government procurement officers. We’ll start with how the government bidding process works. Each prospective bidder is sent a long list of set minimum guidelines which must be met by all. Some where among the many pages of set standards is one blank space to fill in by all bidders. The majority of the time, the company that fills in that one blank space with the best price, wins the bidding war. Next we’ll look at how most apartment bidding goes. The management company will invite a few companies to bid their job. Most will invite companies that have a reputation that has given them enough credibility to receive an invitation. Again, price is usually the determining factor to winning the bidding war. Everything I have just reported is fact; it’s openly known that price usually determines selection. Now we need a little common sense to understand what it takes to be most successful. The company that is best at meeting the minimum standards and the best at saving costs is the company that can best afford to be most competitive with their price. Our system makes it necessary to place priorities on minimums to be most successful. It is easy to understand what has happened to our country using a system where it rewards those who do the least the best. Cutting costs means cutting jobs. I believe I have just put my finger on the pulse of America’s problems. I have explained by using facts and a few simple to understand assumptions what is wrong with our system. I believe this is the root of the problem which needed to be identified before we could begin to take the necessary steps to fixing the problem.
Are you ready for the solution? Sit back, take a deep breath and get ready for what seems too simple to be the answer. Simply reverse the selection process by filling in the price for all to meet. Make it a necessity to do the most the best to be most competitive. Reward those who hire for need, not fire for need. Let’s follow thru what would now occur. Bidding an apartment complex today is relatively competitive. One company might offer to pay $1,200 a month to the owner for the contract while the others might be $1,000 to $1,100. It’s not usually a big range. With this new bidding system, the owner will let all perspective bidders know that the monthly commission will be $1,200. Based on the known price for all, the winning bid will awarded to the company that bids the best service, machines, timeliness of commissions and any other factors that might give them a more competitive edge. For example, Saturday service might make the difference in the award. Suddenly, to be most competitive all companies must place their priorities on doing more. Suddenly, hiring people becomes a necessity to be most competitive.
Now look America, I am not a Harvard grad nor an economist so the idea might need some work, but the start is here. We need to understand how our system has worked in reverse for many years. It has created a monster that needed to be pointed out and understood before a solution could be found. I don’t know if I have the answer, but I do know that this is a fresh approach that has been explained by using facts and a few simple assumptions. We all sure know what hasn’t worked, so isn’t it about time we moved on?
Comment by Michael Scheffres — February 10, 2009 @ 5:31 pm
Mark,
“Fresh fruit juice store chain”
I have always wondered why we do not have good ‘fruit juice’ stores in US as a chain where I can go for a break. The Idea will be to provide natural juice – no preservatives freshly crushed.
We will have to build the sourcing and store design etc. Infact I am a programmer with some entrepreuneurial blood but havent really made a business plan till date.
I am pretty sure its sales will be season dependent (spiking in summer) but we can develope a dedicated clientele.
It is one thing I really miss here, fresh fruit juice and various milk shakes made fresh. We could have exotic fruits etc. I would try and price it at $3 and make profit from volumes. I would use mirrors in the stores and display all the fresh fruits to entice customers including the exotics.
We could then build customer loyalty programs , health conscious drives etc.
A starbucks like concept, but on a pure natural fruit scale and not as sophisticated a store. More open to the public where anyone can feel like walking in on the spur of the moment.
If you or anyone out there likes the idea, I hope you get in touch with me to get it running and I can work on a profit %.
I would start it smallscale but enough stores and publicity to garner attention. The theme would be freshly squeezed, no preservatives, fruits and shakes available with sugar/splenda et all.
Ash
Comment by Ashok Madhavan — February 10, 2009 @ 5:32 pm
Mark,
My business proposal is as simple as the product. Bottled water, but not the same stuff packaged by countless manufacturers today, but water that is enhanced with electrolytes, b vitamins, and all natural energy supplements. Though the marketplace currently offers items such as Smart Water and Vitamin Water I believe this product fills a niche currently not occupied. Energy drinks are a rapidly growing beverage and by supplying a tasteless, healthy source of energy would lead to instant sales. I have constructed a marketing/business plan for an Operations Management course at college, and if you have the slightest interest in this product I will post the proposal.
-Jason
From MC> Was looking more for ideas that werent replications of businesses dominated by global brands.
Comment by Jason — February 10, 2009 @ 5:33 pm
You sir are a jackass.
Comment by Hasib Katis — February 10, 2009 @ 5:35 pm
[...] owner/gadfly-serial entrepreneur, has blogged about his plan to save the economy, The Mark Cuban Stimulus Plan. He’s going to fund companies based on advice from those who visit his blog. He’s calling this open [...]
Pingback by Big Think mobile edition — February 10, 2009 @ 5:36 pm
@charlie Your idea for an open source college is out there. http://academicearth.org and done by MIT already thru their OpenCourse site. http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/home/index.htm Both are free and provide great lectures by some of the top schools / profs around.
@KimGalavanting. Your idea has merit and is a good one. Doesn’t sound like start up costs would be to much. I say make it happen and start going even if Mark doesn’t get involved. Take out a small business loan and get running.
All in all. Some ideas I have seen are good, others bad, but congrats to all for at least submitting something. One pattern I have noticed is a few of ideas don’t need the input of Mark, rather hard work and dedication aka sweat equity from the founder to make them work. Mark got everyone thinking here, now its time for all of us to be doers, and make these ideas happen, whether or not Mark invests.
Comment by M — February 10, 2009 @ 5:41 pm
MC,
Thanks for the opportunity!
How about a company to design/build custom web browser toolbars for Firefox. The toolbars can be customized from everything from sports, to Nascar, to churches, to businesses to anything. Since you are the owner of the Mavericks – how about start with basketball teams – charge each of the 30 teams $1,500.00 to develop their customized toolbar, then move on to the NFL, PGA and so on. The toolbars are then FREE for all users/fans of these sports teams, members of churches and so on to download and use so that can always be in constant view of their teams, as well as in constant view of buying tickets for games, buying gear from their teams and so on.
Comment by James — February 10, 2009 @ 5:43 pm
Followup: this is an example of the types of self kits that are on the market now. Essentially it replaces writing with your own marker except that it sinks in and doesn’t fade. So your name is always there.
http://www.jumpusa.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=J&Product_Code=BALLTATTOO&Category_Code=BKTACCESSORIES
Comment by Anthony — February 10, 2009 @ 5:44 pm
Mark, here is my concept:
Used Music CD’s Can Save the Record Industry.
Everyone has piles and piles of old CD’s lying around their house collecting dust now that they have either converted them to mp3 or have been too lazy and just bought the same music on ITunes, Amazon, etc.
The Consumer Wins:
We will buy up all used CD’s from the American public. We will tell them that for every CD(from a relevant artist) that is in working condition with the jewel case, booklet, etc. we will give them a $1 credit towards the purchase of used CD’s at ITunes, Amazon, or Wallmart.com – the three largest online music retailers to my knowledge. If Joe consumer is smart, they will have already ripped the music off to their PC(which is completely legal to do) so essentially they are getting something for nothing. Plus, we now have a website where the general public can purchase great music for a fraction of the cost of buying “new” digital music. Plus, what about all of those hard to find artist and music that has just never been converted to digital. Now, people have an outlet to find those types of titles.
The Record Labels and Artists Win:
Now, we all know that the record labels are getting killed. Their model in the new “music economy” is dying and/or almost completely dead. However, the labels still control about 99% of the popular music ever recorded in this country and abroad. They either own the masters, the publishing or a combination of both. What they just haven’t figured out is how to get back control of the distribution piece and/or make any money with it. And whether artists like it or not, they sold their souls to these people the 2nd they signed a record deal. I think you will see a completely different paradigm in the future, but almost all music recorded even today is still controlled by the label that first distributed it.
Now, back to the idea. We tell the labels that we will receive and catalog all of these used CD’s. We will then build a giant used CD website where all of this music will then be for resale. Right now if you go to Waterloo(I live in Austin) you can buy Used CD’s. When Waterloo sells a CD I’m fairly confident they are not paying any royalties back to the labels. With this idea, we go to the labels and tell them we will pay them a decent royalty for every CD sold back to the public. Now they get a shot in the arm by realizing revenue on a piece of music that might have just sat collecting dust in someone’s CD case. Plus, and this is the biggest thing in my opinion – that “old music” is now being put back in circulation. For example, for me personally, I might not have ever bought a Beatles CD for $15 at a store or $10 online because frankly, they were before my time and I just don’t get it. But you know what? If I can get it for $2, I might finally see what the fuss is all about with those guys. And here is the best part – if I don’t like the CD, I rip it to my pc and then sell it back to the “used CD store” and at least I get $1 credit. Then it goes back to the “store” where it can be resold and the circle starts all over again.
What about ITunes? Won’t they be upset?
The short answer is maybe. To me, the idea about the $1 ITunes “gift certificate” will be a tremendous jolt of free business for them. Say I got a $10 gift certificate. Chances are I’m going to buy $15 worth of stuff while I’m shopping. That is just the nature of how that works. Obviously, these “coupons” would have to be specialty coded so that they would know not to comp the labels on those sales. One thing they might not like is all of the extra bandwidth issues, but not sure about that piece. Plus, we are completely limited by our inventory. We are selling a physical product and can only sell what we have. They sell ease of use and convenience by buying online. We are competing solely based on cost, which in my opinion, is the most important piece of this entire equation and why I think this idea might work.
Now, my disclaimer: I realize this idea has a lot of moving parts including some pretty extensive legal and infrastructure issues. I basically typed this on the fly today as I love your website and wanted to contribute something just for fun. I’m kind of an idea junkie and this is just 1 of about 10 music related ideas I have. Feel free to email me if you’d like to hear more. Thanks for reading.
Comment by Brian — February 10, 2009 @ 5:46 pm
So basically you want to get equity for a bond-like investment (business immediately profitable, cash flow generative, no bumps along the road). Who are you trying to help here?
Comment by Guest — February 10, 2009 @ 5:53 pm
@James…https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/browse/type:2/cat:26?sort=name
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/9897
All available for free as is.
Comment by M — February 10, 2009 @ 5:55 pm
Hamburger Earmuffs!
(still working on the pickle matrix)
I hope to post something more serious shortly.
Comment by Ed H — February 10, 2009 @ 5:55 pm
to the cannabis guy: I’ll be your first customer. I sense great synergy between our ideas (I proposed the Airy, pet air). Your product would give mine so much more life. Let’s get Mark on board.
Comment by ali — February 10, 2009 @ 6:04 pm
(This format is getting hard to follow, I didn’t see that you’d replied to my reply. )
To sum up for people finding this first, I suggested a new science project day at a hardware chain store. I recommended building a web audience first, then taking it to the hardware chain stores. Mark replied that we should just try one or two first at some local stores. I replied that I’d asked, but the local managers suggested I just contact corporate. Here is Mark’s reply to that:
“From MC> so talk to corporate and see what they say. Its an easy concept to understand. Your having a ton of members probably isnt going to change their perception. The other option is to give it for free for a couple months and document any success and then take that to corporate. I wouldnt invest in a website first approach”
Mark, here’s my reply to that: Me, an unemployed guy in Denver calling on Home Depot, Ace or Lowes: not much chance of success. Possible, but way below average.
On the other hand: Someone from Mark Cuban’s office calling those three leads to a HUGE chance of success.
If someone reading this blog works at Home Depot, Lowes, or Ace, or knows of how to get in touch with the right people, feel free to contact me through the link on my name below.
Mark, I’ll let you know if someone contacts me, but I think just attaching your name to this will help a lot. Indeed it already has! Watch Channel 8 tonight at 6 p.m. in Dallas for proof!
Comment by Scott Yates — February 10, 2009 @ 6:06 pm
“”"@charlie Your idea for an open source college is out there. http://academicearth.org and done by MIT already thru their OpenCourse site. http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/home/index.htm Both are free and provide great lectures by some of the top schools / profs around.”"”
Thanks for the info M.. but my idea is much different than this.. much more interactive. Much more user friendly. Think of it like the YouuTube of learning. Much more interactive, user friendly and graphic orientated.
And besides.. just because there is the MIT open course ware doesn’t mean there isn’t room for others. The key difference is that what I envision would make learning much more fun.. just like what Dr. Seuss did for teaching kids to read. I feel I have the creativity to do this and the vision. But I would need money and Cuban’s entertainment connetions wouldn’t hurt either.
Comment by charlie — February 10, 2009 @ 6:08 pm
Mr. Cuban,
With the economy the way it is, and the way that it is heading the ideas that will be profitable are scarce. One however is almost a guarantee, gold. As the economy worsens, or as the american dollar becomes worth less and less gold is a commodity that will 1) Never lose its value and 2) Only greaten its value the worse the economy gets and with it heading there will soon be worth amounts never seend before. Today an ounce of gold is selling for over a thousand dollars an ounce. That has raised significantly and will continue to raise. My idea is to start an online sight that buys and sells gold. Invested in now gold can make you alot of money, if your patient and wait even a little longer then soon it will be worth even more. With your support of a website like this, my plan is to have it be one of the most well known providers of gold and to be profitable for time to come. It is simple and even if it fails the product you are buying is not like clothes, or automobiles or any thing along those lines. It has worth anywhere to anyone. making it very safe. it is a simple thing to do i would just need your support and help in funding it. i am what you would consider young and inexpierienced but i am business minded and full of energy, ready to make money. as far as your money being returned it would be as the profits started rolling in. and with equity, i would let you decide what was fair. i feel like you would know more than me what a fair amount would be on something like this. i hope to hear from you soon to discuss details. thanks for your time and GO MAVS!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Nic — February 10, 2009 @ 6:27 pm
I am a senior in college and have recently started looking for a job. I am using website like careerbuilder.com and monster.com to post my resume. After dealing with both of these sites it seems clear to me that they are mostly inadequate. I LOVE the idea, and I truly believe that if they were done correctly then that site could change the way companies recruit and connect with potential employees.
My idea is for an online job site that does not SUCK. One that actually creates value for both employer and potential employee.
Here are some specific things I think could change the dynamic of the industry:
(1) Fix the poor design problem. The two sites I listed above are just plain annoying to navigate. Why not strip away all the useless bullshit on these sites so a user can actually navigate without loosing his mind? I would suggest the most basic layout possible for increased user understanding.
(2) Fix Navigation and key word problems that arise from search. I can’t understand why these two websites REFUSE to separate job postings into entry-level, management, professional, etc. This would DRAMATICALLY decrease search time and would allow both parties to get down to business. Additionally, there must be a better search algorithm then what they currently use. I feel like I am using yahoo circa 1999. I suggest that it would be essential to create an algorithm that could do more than just match a few key words.
(3) When these companies post jobs (on the two traditional sites) they generally do it the most traditional and boring way. Why not actually make it sound exciting? Make it sound like more than something that will pay the bills. At least stray away from the traditional scripted bullshit. Try to show employees that they will actually make a difference. That they won’t get lost in the crowd. The goal should be to broadcast how this position will be fulfilling to you. To actually relate to someone in a human way is foreign it appears. The ultimate goal of the blurb should be to show that your work will mean something and that you will be truly happy with what you produce.
(4) I constantly get automated emails from careerbuilder and monster that say nothing. This distracts users and DESTROYS value. My general rule of thumb is that if you are not saying something that creates value and you are not offering anything then don’t send it. Believe me there is no quicker way to lose a customer then to fill their inbox with meaningless bullshit. Why not move past automated emails and try to make an actual connection with someone? Maybe have a person who is the company’s “connector.” This person would be in charge of sending personalized emails to their customers monthly. This would establish a REAL conversation and would allow the company to gather huge amounts of useful information about their users.
(5) When you register to one of these sites you are asked a few questions (to create your profile), and then you post your resume and/or cover letter. Then, the site attempts to connect you with companies that have answered similar questions the same. How superficial is this? This is not real. I KNOW THERE IS SOMETHING BETTER. The way I see it all this does is prove to the website that you are not, in fact, a machine. Do four key words (finance, banking, sales, marketing-for example) and your resume really describe you as a person? Do these things show your work ethic, dedication, and passion. After all are these not the important things? How does a resume SHOW what you have accomplished. It doesn’t. It simply TELLS things that you might or might not have done. But where is the section in the resume about passion? Where is the section that says that you work hard and you will do whatever it takes? It is not there. You know why? Because you can’t TELL about passion. Passion is SHOWN through blood, sweat, and tears. Passion is getting up every day and doing what you were put on this earth to do. Not because you simply want to, but because you need to: You were put on the earth for this purpose, you were born for this and if you believe this and put it into action you will change the world.
Sure resumes can be personalized to an extent, BUT, the important aspect missing is SHOWING what you have done. SHOWING that you work hard, are persistent, and will do whatever it takes to get a job done. After all, that is what I would want in an employee. So why don’t these sites, or any company for that matter, have a reasonable way of evaluating this if it seems to be so important? Who knows. BUT, herein lies the opportunity to truly change the world. You don’t even need to come up with this one on your own. The Internet and the free distribution of content and ideas is already here. Waiting for you. The possibilities are endless. Right now I have my Internet browser open to three of my favorite websites. I consider these three people to be some of the most inspiring individuals on the Internet. AND, more importantly, all three can be contacted IN REAL TIME with the click of a mouse. I can connect with ANYONE I WANT these days. I can ask Mark Cuban business related questions (assuming I have something to offer). I can talk to Jeff Jarvis about the future of news. I can email Tucker Max and learn about strategy, business, and not letting others define your life. Connect with these people and you can change the world. What do you have to lose? You can establish and ongoing conversation with two of the most influential Internet entrepreneurs for free or you can pay 100,000 dollars to attend business school to learn about business models that are becoming obsolete.
THE POINT OF ALL THIS is that it is now possible to use the Internet to SHOW the world what you have done. Start a blog, or an online business for minimal cost and a resume becomes obsolete. No one will care about you TELLING them what you have done when you can easily SHOW them. Show them that you worked hard, that you got up every day and dedicated you time to something worthwhile. So why don’t careerbulider or monster allow you to do this? I would suggest having that same “connector” from above administer a REAL interview (via email or whatever) before allowing someone to post anything on their site. This would allow companies to truly understand the real emotions and type of people they are looking to hire. Ask these people the questions that matter. Questions that actually relate to actual human feelings. Questions that SHOW these companies that these are actual people. This would be WAY more efficient. Think of how many hiring mismatches occur because of mis-judgements. What if there was a way to vastly eliminate this? Companies could run must smoother and their employees would be happier. How much money and time would this save? So much that it is very unclear why it has not already been adopted.
(6) I would suggest that it would be HUGELY beneficial for these employment sites to create a real and meaningful community. Let others learn from people who were once in their shoes. Create a message board and various blogs that start a conversation. Create a loyal following that will help to spread the word. Why don’t these sites do this? Why do they not tap into their most valuable assets? It will never be known. What is known is that it is possible to do this. It is possible to actually learn from your customers and to provide for them what they want.
Those are just some basics ( I can think of more but they will mostly be addressed in the next section)—
So how is this all going to make money?
(1) These two websites charge you an up front cost of around 500 or so dollars just to put up the ad. I suggest that you do not charge the employer anything until after they have found someone to hire. This would increase job postings and give the job seeker more options to choose from. I would suggest collecting a small amount after the person is hired. Much smaller than 500 dollars. Pricing could even be democratized (similar to how radio head allowed fans to choose how much to pay for their cds).
I believe this idea is highly scalable and would not cost too much to run. I could start out emailing companies and offering this as an alternative. It is free until they find someone to hire so there is no risk in them posting their jobs. I strongly believe In the power of personal connections.
It would cost hardly anything to run and maintain. I am not even sure if would need that large of an investment. Basically, all I would need assistance with is setting up the website, hosting it, etc. I do know you can do this through web.org or similar programs. This only cost around 30 dollars a month.(plus an initial 300 dollars set-up cost) I could obviously handle that. Hiring employees might be an issue. However, I don’t think it would take too many to run this site. Definatly not the 2500 that are employed by careerbuilder.
If you were to invest I would give you an equity interest in the company. As the site grows so will your interest.
Thanks a lot for the opportunity.
Comment by Lee Musser — February 10, 2009 @ 6:32 pm
Hello all,
I have developed a business plan for a next-gen bank. The plan has been praised by analysts at Microsoft, Amazon.com and top venture capital firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson. The plan draws on canonical work by growth economist Paul Romer, innovation scholar Clayton Christensen, Google’s Director of Research Peter Norvig, and many other world-class specialists. Put differently, while developing the plan I restricted myself to thinking originally only as a last resort
.
An adaptation of the plan is online at LandofOpportuniTV.com.
An excerpt from the site:
We the undersigned urge President Obama and members of Congress to consider creating and funding a venture capital (VC) firm that invests in American companies that:
i. introduce online markets that provide new and improved ways to customize education [1], and to showcase and earn money from expertise [2] (For details, click on the ‘1′ and the ‘2′. [1.4] contains excerpts from reviews of the business plan.)
ii. introduce a loan program for consumers of customized education ASAP [3]
iii. make the popularity of the company’s markets and loan program mutually reinforcing, so a borrower who performs well in the markets — thereby demonstrating her ability to earn a high and/or fast-rising return on her expertise — is rewarded with a lower interest rate [4]
iv. take advantage of new government regulations to become a bank, as a means of increasing the amount of money the company can lend [5]
v. introduce other loan programs and financial services that complement the markets [6]
The VC firm can be similar in form to In-Q-Tel [7], a VC firm that is funded solely by America’s Central Intelligence Agency.
———————
I hope you will consider signing the petition, and introducing it to others.
Of course, email me if you have any questions, etc.
Mark, thanks much for your blog. I’m a longtime reader, and I’ve learned a lot from it.
Viva the rebels!
Comment by Frank Ruscica — February 10, 2009 @ 6:33 pm
I have though of this for a while. Take one of the struggling new home subdivisions that are not fully completed,builders aren’t getting lots sold for build jobs. Get citiy councils to agree to let new homes be built with solar power on homes, and wind turbines for power for the subdivision, and where possible its own water wells for the subdivisions. I was on the Planning and Zoning commission for Colleyville and know something of how to get these things approved. The wind turbines can be bought and constructed for the subdivisions, allowing excess power to be bought back by the city or county of the subdivision.
Comment by mary taylor — February 10, 2009 @ 6:34 pm
Dallas has a huge pet market! But being one of the hundreds of thousands of people that have dogs I find the places you can bring your dogs is actually very limited. So my idea…A dog Café! A Café for the dog owner and the dog. Not like other cafés where you’re allowed to bring your dog on the porch but a café that fully integrates the owner and their dog into the environment. A social environment where pet owners can meet other pet owners. Now we don’t have to leave him at home every time we leave! There will be an “indoor park” where dogs can play… large dogs enter left, small enter right!! Oh and a few Simple rules, you sign a waiver your first visit, no doggies in heat, please dispose of your dogs poo, and leave the aggressive ones at home! Carabineer post at every table where you can hook your dog up if hanging out tableside. Certified organic coffee and treats like any café but there will also be treats made for your pooch! Locations will be positioned in high foot-traffic, urban settings, near parks, and/or near national pet stores such as PETSMART and PETCO.
Comment by Amberle Pope — February 10, 2009 @ 6:37 pm
Mark,
Very simple proposal that is guaranteed to get plenty of business all over the country.
The company is called “Lawn-gerie”
It is a lawn mowing/ landscaping company with a catch. All the employees are good looking women (at least in shape women) who do all the lawn work in lingerie. There are already tons of people who pay for lawn work done, but this would multiply the conusmers 100x! Can even charge more for the enjoyment of watching them work the lawn. Sex appeal sells! This is a simple but genious idea that could easily be spread to all 50 states and Puerto Rico (just imagine those Puerto Rican girls mowing). I am taking something as simple as paying to have your lawn mowed and making it a true entertainment experience. The only crowd this wouldn’t appeal to is the homosexual men, but they already have the normal lawn crews. Let me know if you have any other suggestions for me to build on.
Comment by Rob — February 10, 2009 @ 6:49 pm
it’s a “Jump to Conclusions” mat. You see, it would be this mat that you would put on the floor… and would have different CONCLUSIONS written on it that you could JUMP TO.
Comment by Tom Smykowski — February 10, 2009 @ 6:59 pm
[...] The Mark Cuban Stimulus Plan – Open Source Funding Its easy to write about what the government or other people should do with our/their money. It’s harder to come [...] [...]
Pingback by Top Posts « WordPress.com — February 10, 2009 @ 7:03 pm
Hello Mark,
I have an idea that would save people from recieving tickets from speeding,but when people have no idea that they’re speeding.
I was interested in developing a mobile application that would give you the speed limit in that area.
I realized that on my way to Houston that I didn’t see a speed limit sign for miles,and nobody wants to drive twenty miles below the limit when they are oblivious to what the limit is.
Please eMail me if you are interested. Please contact me at jamesdiscipline@gmail.com.
Thank you,
-James
Comment by James Fanelli — February 10, 2009 @ 7:10 pm
Hi Mark..
I have a product idea but I’m hesitant to post it on the net since it’s not patented or protected in any way as yet. It’s a product idea I had 20′ish years ago but haven’t made the time to follow through. Not an excuse, just reality, work, big family, life, all of it takes time. It’s a see-a-need fill-a-need idea and this is the right time of year for it. If you’d like to know more about it, shoot me an email and I’ll be happy to speak with you about it.
Comment by Sean Willeford — February 10, 2009 @ 7:13 pm
Locking Hinge
As crime continues to spike in Dallas we are all looking for ways to be more safe in our own homes.
Deadbolts and door locks are only as good as the wood into which they are installed. Most can be kicked in with little effort or picked with as little as a credit card – in many instances.
Enter the locking hinge. With the flip of a tab the door hinge is rendered useless – the door can not be opened regardless of whether locks are engaged.
Financing would be used for technical drawings and training machinists. All hinges would be made here in Dallas at existing machine shops and would be shipped nationwide direct to consumers.
Advertising would be grass roots with effort spent to gain publicity from newspapers, etc as well as attempts to present on home shopping channels.
From MC> is there anything else out there that does this ? And before you say no. Tell me what research you have done to confirm there isnt
Comment by David Farris — February 10, 2009 @ 7:13 pm
This is a good one.
The basic business plan is to wholesale western saddles and tack for the equine industry. The western saddle will always belong to America it’s something that can’t be made over seas. Our business has been family owned and operated and profitable for over 40 years. We wholesale merchandise to various tack stores and dealers across the nation. We sell by setting up a trailer full of tack and saddles at various horse and livestock auctions all over the state. We also sell to the general public by setting up saddle & tack auctions in neighboring states. We sell items on ebay, have an established account with a good reputation active since 1999. We have lots of existing customers at both the retail and wholesale level. The problem is that in order to keep a decent inventory most of our capital if not all of it is tied up in the inventory we have on hand and it’s still not enough to satisfy our customers. Furthermore with the economy the way it is our own suppliers have cut down on the credit they give us. This business has been going for 40+ years but we are basically doing everything ourselves on paper with no employees and adding machines. It works, but it has potential for so much more. With a cash infusion we could go digital in everything inventory, accounting, advertising which would mean our sales would jump through the roof. With the added business we would need employees, warehouse space, advertising expenses…etc. Exactly the kind of business that would add to the economy the way you want it to. Furthermore your investment would be secure in the form of actual inventory, goods made of leather that are as tangible as you can get. The second we have increased sales we would be profitable and able to begin repaying your investment in full with interest.
Comment by Travis Teskey — February 10, 2009 @ 7:14 pm
Hello Mark,
Just curious how long this offer is available? As a young entrepreneur I want to make sure and do my homework before embarking upon cut throat glory.
To give you a little head ups. I am a writer engaged to a man that has traveled around the world with music greats as Paul McCartney among others. I want a chance to write his stories, as well as my own memoirs.
Comment by Elizabeth — February 10, 2009 @ 7:19 pm
Mr. Cuban,
I am writing a documentary with historical value. I am seeking funding for this project. Stated below are the details. Currently the Dallas County Community College District is considering supporting my project, of which I will be the guest lecturer at the Mountian View Campus on Next week Tuesday. I hiope that you would consider my project a worth while investment.
The Negro Spirituals Project
Dr. Leela Pearl Honeysucker-Miller presented a PowerPoint lecture on Negro spirituals at the 2008 African American National Biography seminar at Harvard University. After discussing her research on the origins, meanings, and historical values of the Negro Spirituals, host Dr. Henry Louis “Skip” Gates Jr. compelled her to share the knowledge by enriching the 45-minute presentation into a documentary series.
The uniquely African-American legacy will be explored in a two-part, 4 hour series of interviews and anecdotes with Black scholars and celebrities, archival footage, and performances by notable artists. These performers will present their craft in their own manner, throughout the entire documentary; as topic of focus, there will be constant singing of the Negro Spirituals.
Public’s awareness and understanding of the body of Negro Spirituals and its history. Focus will be on the origins, its evolution, how it relates to present day music, and how it affects the Black Church music ministry.
The series will increase The Negro Spiritual Project aims to:
Educate about composers, writers, and the unknown Black slaves who created them, their meanings and other contributors.
Develop and disseminate educational publications, including website, book, and study guide.
Create public forums, radio programs, and workshops.
Hip hop and gospel music have dominated or taken control of Black church music. As the African-American community seeks to restore the dignity, values and pride of our fore fathers, it is important for the churches and the community to preserve the rich heritage explored in The Negro Spirituals Project. With the goal of bridging the generational gap and cultural void created by ignorance of this significant music form, The Negro Spirituals project will also illuminate the correlation between the spiritual and contemporary African-American music.
(Proposed) INTERVIEWEES & PERFORMERS and Participants:
Scholars:
Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. – Author and Harvard University Professor
Dr. Cornel West – Author and Princeton University Professor
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson – Author and Georgetown University Professor
Dr. Sam Edwards-Professor of History, Stanford University; San Francisco, California
Dr. John Hope Franklin-Author and Duke University Professor and Historian, Durham, North Carolina
Mrs. Levoita Pointer – Executive Director of the Noel Pointer Foundation Inc. New York, New York
Mr. Calvin Earl, Noted Negro Spiritual Researcher, Williamsburg, Virginia
Celebrities:
Mr. Tom Joyner, Radio Personality
Dr. Bill Cosby, Actor
Ms. Dorothy Heights, Activist
Rev. Della Reese. Actress
Ms. Debbie Allen, Actress and Director
Ms. Cicely Tyson, Actress
Mr. Wynton Marsalis, Musician, Composer
Mr. Danny Glover – Actor, Producer
Mr. Spike Lee – Director, Producer, Writer
Mr. Tavis Smiley – PBS Talk Show Host
Dr. Maya Angelou – World Renowned Poet, Author
Mr. Magic Johnson – Former NBA Superstar, Entrepreneur
Mr. Quincy Jones – Composer, Music Producer
Mr. Bobby McFerrin – Composer, Performer
Mr. David Robinson – Former NBA Superstar, Concert Pianist, Educator
Religious Leaders:
Rev. Dr. Floyd Flake- Pastor of The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York
Bishop T. D. Jakes – Founder, Pastor, Potters House; Dallas, Texas
Rev. Al Sharpton, New York, New York
Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Operation Push, Chicago, IL
Rev. Clay Evans, Recording Gospel Artist, Chicago, IL
Bishop Arthur Brazier, Apostolic Church of God, Chicago, IL
Bishop Dr. Horace Smith, Chicago, IL.
Pastor Paula White – World Renown Ministries
Bishop Kenneth W. Carter – Presiding Prelate, 10th Episcopal District, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Fort Worth, Texas
Rev. Dr. Freddie Haynes-Pastor of Friendship West Baptist Church; Dallas, Texas
Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham – Presiding Prelate of the 8th Episcopal District of The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; Dallas, Texas
Performers:
Three Mo Tenors: Cook, Dixon and Young
Ms. Melba Moore – Recording Artist
Dr. Bobby Jones – Bobby Jones Gospel
Mr. Fred Hammond -Gospel Recording Artist
Mr. Harry Bellefonte, Recording Artist, Actor
Ms. Phyllicia Rashad, Actress and Vocalist
Mr. Darrius Brooks – Gospel Recording Artist
Rev. Richard Smallwood and Vision – Gospel Recording Artist
Dr. Roland Carter – Composer and Choral Conductor
Dr. Clyde Owen Jackson-Texas Southern University Choral Director, Houston
Ms. Karen Krieger, Soprano, Metropolitan Opera Company
Mr. Robert E. Honeysucker, Baritone, Boston Pops Performer
Dr. Gene Townsel Choral Workshop Conductor, Tenor
Mr. Rolland Carter, Composer and Choral Conductor
Rev. Dr. Kathy Flemming, Organist and Soloist
Rev. Dr. Jimmy Allen Thomas, Minister of Church Music
Rev. Nolan Williams – Minister of Music, Composer
Ms. Gladys Knight, Recording Artist
Pastor Donnie McCurklian – composer, singer
Ms. Aretha Franklin – Grammy-Award Queen of Soul
Sweet Honey in the Rock – Acclaimed Folk Singers
Ms. Shirley Caesar – Grammy-Award Winning Gospel Performer
Ms. Patti LaBelle – Grammy-Award Winning R&B Performer
Ms. Yolanda Adams – Grammy-Award Winning Gospel Performer
Ms. Tina Turner – Grammy-Award Winning Rock Performer
Sounds of Blackness – Grammy-Award Winning Gospel Group
Ms. Judith Jamison – Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey Dance
Concert Choirs:
Fisk Jubilee Singers – Dr. Paul Kwami, Conductor
Texas Southern University – Dr. Clyde Owen Jackson, Conductor
TIMETABLE:
1 year
2 months development and research
January – February 2009
1 months pre-production
March 2009
6 months production
April – September 2009
3 months post-production
October – December 2009
LOCATIONS:
The Negro Spiritual Project will travel around the country to illustrate the breadth of this music and uncover the regional influences, as well as to access many of the featured interviewees and performers. Preliminary locations include:
Dallas, Texas
New York City, New York
Atlanta, Georgia
Nashville, Tennessee
Jackson, Mississippi
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Chicago, Illinois
Durham, North Carolina
STRUCTURE:
Episode 1:
The Origins — history of slavery
Plantation Life — comfort and freedom from bondage
Underground Rail Road — coded messages
Episode 2:
After the Civil War — Black schools and intellectual emancipation
The Composers & Performers — keeping the Negro Spirituals alive
Contemporary Spirituals — today’s Black music ministry
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
How do the Negro Spirituals relate to today’s Black Church?
Why have the Negro Spirituals been replaced by radical music within their congregations?
What are the other boilerplate questions?
Interview Questions for the Negro Spiritual Project
1. As you reflect on the Negro Spirituals, and their origins, what comes to your mind?
2. Why do you think that the Negro Spirituals are being under utilized or in most cases, NO longer being used in our Churches?
3. What is that saying to you about preserving the Black Heritage?
4. Besides during the Month of February, How can these emotions, these thoughts be injected into the minds and the hearts of today’s youth?
5. Seeing that hip hop and radical gospel music have pretty much dominated or have taken control, could a possible reason for Churches today not incorporating the Negro Spirituals into their regular Sunday Morning service be that it does not attract young people, thus not growing the congregation?
*********************************************
PRODUCER NOTES:
QUESTIONS:
Among the names given for interviews and performances, WHO IS COMMITTED?
Do you have a video of your lecture or the PowerPoint as a reference?
Do you have a resume/CV for the proposal?
Why did you first pursue this subject?
How do you propose raising funds for the project?
Do you have a preliminary budget?
Why each celebrity? Why were they selected to be included?
What is the influence of the spiritual in other forms of music [blues, jazz, rock & roll, folk, etc.]?
What are the African origins of the spiritual?
Where else do spirituals live in the African Diaspora? [Africa? Brazil? Latin America? Europe?]
What do most people know/think about Negro Spirituals?
Define what is meant by ‘radical’ music.
OTHER NOTES:
3-hour episodes is too long. 2 episodes, 2 hours each
Dallas and Hip-Hop are not important enough to this topic to be a focal point. Distraction.
Proposal needs streamlining and proofing.
Need to consider and discuss producer and director credits, deal memo.
Comment by Leela — February 10, 2009 @ 7:19 pm
Atlanta-based enterprise committed to improving athletic safety through
research-based technology, today announced it is working closely with Schutt
Sports to develop a commercially viable heat-sensing helmet insert, which can
detect potential heat stroke in a player in real-time. News of their joint
development activities was officially announced at the American Football
Coaches Association Annual Convention hosted by the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090111/CLSU014 )
“From the moment we began researching a way to prevent non-fatal and fatal
injuries due to heatstroke, it has been our hope that the technology would
find mass distribution through a relationship like this,” said HotHead CEO Jay
Buckalew. “Placement of the Heat Observation Technology (H.O.T.)(TM) System in
Schutt helmets will have a significant impact on the lives of these athletes.”
Developers at HotHead have spent years perfecting a dime-sized sensor that
is expected to be implanted in the forehead pad of new and refurbished Schutt
football helmets beginning this fall. The sensor will track the temperature
trends of players on the field and send that data to a PDA (Personal Digital
Assistant) on the sidelines where it can be monitored in real-time. In the
event a player’s temperature rises above normal, an audible alert is set off
to warn a coach or certified athletic trainer that the player should be
evaluated and cooled down.
While concussions and head injuries remain the most highly publicized
injuries for football players, heat stroke and other heat-related problems are
a very real threat to athletes and can be even more serious than other
injuries.
“Yesterday’s helmets were designed to simply protect players from head
injuries,” said Schutt CEO Robert Erb. “Our association with HotHead Sports is
part of our long-range effort to build “smart” helmets which protect the
player as a whole. Thanks to the ground-breaking H.O.T.(TM) System, we hope to
help coaches and athletic trainers take the guesswork out of whether or not a
player is overheating.”
According to USA Football, more than 21 million Americans — from pee wee
to the NFL — will play football this year. Overheating, especially among
programs in the South, is an area of long-time concern for coaches, parents,
certified athletic trainers and administration. Until now, they have never
been able to accurately monitor the true temperature of an athlete on the
field.
About HotHead Sports
HotHead Sports, a division of HotHead Technologies, Inc., is an
Atlanta-based company offering a patent-pending and proprietary monitoring
solution termed the Heat Observation Technology (H.O.T.)(TM) system. The
system is designed as an aid in the prevention of heat-related illness in
athletes. Within the coming years, HotHead Technologies will target additional
segments that have a need for biosensor technologies such as public safety,
military, industrial, and other markets. “HotHead “, “HotHead Sports”, Heat
Observation Technology (H.O.T) and the HotHead Sports logo are trademarks of
HotHead Technologies, Inc..
HotHead is a registered trademark of HotHead Technologies, Inc.
About Schutt Sports
Schutt Sports is the world’s #1 maker of football helmets and faceguards
and is the first helmet maker to move its technology beyond traditional foam
padding. SKYDEX2(R) TPU Cushioning is available in the ION4D, AiR XP and DNA
Pro+ lines, absorbing as much as 55% more force from impact in game-like
conditions. Nearly 60% of the helmets and 80% of the faceguards around the
world, from the pros to the pee wees, are made by Schutt Sports. Schutt Sports
is also the Official Base Supplier to Major League Baseball(R). The USA
Olympic Softball Team has won three gold medals and one silver medal wearing
batter’s helmets from Schutt Sports.
SOURCE HotHead Technologies, Inc.
Don Yaeger for HotHead Technologies, Inc., +1-850-412-0300, don@team180.com
Comment by Jay Buckalew — February 10, 2009 @ 7:20 pm
HEY MARK,
THIS ONE BASICALLY STARTS WITH ONE OF THOSE OLD 1 HOUR VIDEO HUTS, OR A LITTLE SPOT IN THE MIDDLE OF A PARKING LOT. MAYBE BRAND NEW WOULD HELP, SO PEOPLE KNOW ITS CLEAN.
MY IDEA IS TO JUST SERVE 1 MEAT A DAY WITH ALL THE VEGIES. FER INSTANCE JUS COOK (1) ONE BRISKET, AND THATS IT.WHEN ITS GONE ITS GONE. LET THE CUSTOMERS CHOOSE HOW MUCH I SHOULD COOK. IF THEY COME EVERYNIGHT MAYBE AFTER AWHILE WE WOULD BE UP TO 6 BRISKETS, OR 10 CHICKENS OR WHATEVER. WOULD BE EASY TO DO THE VEGIES CAUSDE YOU ONLY GET SO MANY SERVINGS PER BRISKET, CHICKEN, SAUSAGE ETC. ETC.
MAYBE EVEN A MOBILE STYLE RETRAUNT?!!! WAS THINKING OF NAMIN IT CUBANS, BUT PEOPLE MIGHT THINK ITS CUBAN FOOD LOL JK :p
Comment by Mrs. Teri Stanski — February 10, 2009 @ 7:22 pm
I think I made contact but it said September. I don’t know wht I did wrong. I have just gone in to debt to start the Black label pet Designers Showroom at the World Trade Center. i would like to license Dallas maverick pet wear to sell to upscale retailers who visit the showroom. No one in the world has ever done a venue like this. This is the luxury end of the pet industry marketing to the ready to wear industry.
Comment by Janice Ford Grimes — February 10, 2009 @ 7:24 pm
Hello Mr. Cuban
I am thinking you can do great things with your resources.Of course i always wanted to win the lottery, not so much for me but to rid the homeless.My plan was to go where i could buy less enexpensive land and proced to grow crops with the homeless people that would be invited to live there. This problem has magnafied because of people losing there jog. SO COUNTIES EVERYWHERE BEGIN TO GROW THERE COMMODITES THAT IS PART OF THERE ENVIROMENT, THE KEY IS THE GOVERMENT IS RUNNING IT. THE FEILD WORKERS, TRUCK DRIVERS, CROPDUSTERS, HARVESTERS, PROCESSING FACILITY ect. Now why dont the goverment buy some resteraunts, buy there commodities from the goverment ran crop producers, make the goverment a co-op. With the recognition of the goverment ran facility it would be understood that these products created jobs.I belive the support will be there. Mr. Cuban you are a man of great vision. But i can see this is more long turm. So contruction projects usally put a lot of people to work but should mostly be founded by private sector. Oh well GO MAVERICKS
Comment by randy roberts — February 10, 2009 @ 7:24 pm
use your celebrity to get word out to everyone about the opportunity to join the Mark Cuban club.
membership costs 10 dollars. membership entails absolutely nothing except a guarantee of 5 dollars for every new member one recruits.
20,000 people join, you get 200,000 dollars. each person gets 3 friends to join, you get 300,000 dollars (600,000 from new members minus the 300,000 pledged to recruiters). they all get 3 friends to join, you get 9,000,000 dollars.
granted this isn’t a business plan in any sense, is probably illegal, involves me in no way, and would only attract people with three stupid friends that also had three stupid friends, but whatever. let me know how it goes.
Comment by Bernard — February 10, 2009 @ 7:25 pm
Mark, tremendous opportunity you are giving the “Average Joe”. But it is “G.I. Joe” that I would like to focus on.
My plan circumvents many of your rules, ignores others. Still I think you may be intrigued….
BACKGROUND: I am a former soldier in the U.S. Army. My wife has been involved in child-development organizations for over five years now. I work for a major Aerospace company. We live near a military base.
We see a HUGE need for military members to be able to have a reliable place for their children to spend time – perhaps daily during the week, or even perhaps even overnight (if both parents are deployed) for extended amounts of time. We would work with military base to be included into Family Action Plans for deployed soldiers.
This is NOT a typcial “daycare”. Our plan is to establish a Child Development Academy, catering specifically to the needs of military families. Once mature in our hometown, we may look to replicate the concept in other military towns.
Initially, we would charge a weekly fee to the parents to make this happen, but would like it to grown into a “Scholarship-based” arrangement, where businesses in the community could truly support their military families. Perhaps even a teaming-arrangement with the Fallen Patriot Fund.
Initial Funding: We have seen a property in our area that is out of reach for us financially, but would be ideal for our use, as it has a home and a building very close to the home that would be used for child development purposes, and also has a basketball court on the property. Should you select our business investment, I would even agree to re-paint the colors to match that of the Dallas Mavericks (despite the fact that we live in the area of a rival team).
Recurring Costs: Would be self-supported on fees, then scholarships.
Comment by pat — February 10, 2009 @ 7:27 pm
Here is my idea, there are places like auntie annes and cinnabon where you have to pay a lot of money to open a franchise. Why not start up something and sell something that everyone likes.
My idea is to open up a food kiosk or store in a mall and sell carnival foods like funnel cakes, cotton candy, corn dogs, bloomin onions snow cones. I know these places do good if you go to a carnival or a city festival there is always a line for these products. But you can hardly ever find these items unless you are at a carnival or festival.
Auntie annes and cinnabon average over 120000 profits a year after paying all bills, this should do roughly the same. Start up wouldn’t be all that expensive rent, fryer, 3 compartment sink and cotton candy maker and a hood for the fryer. I you did this in a kiosk shoud be able to be done for under 10,000 and if you where bringing anything near what the other companies like this bring in then you could bay back all investment and pay all bills within the first 6 months.
Comment by kyle hensley — February 10, 2009 @ 7:27 pm
Great Idea but to summerize so that this isn’t a 34ft long blog. All the facts and technical data is available for the retrofitting the engines on the MD-80 series aircraft in order to compete against the more economical and fuel effeiceint Air Bus that is having difficulty providing the orders from the demand. There are litterlaly hundereds of 80 series aircraft that are still low time aircraft that could be retrofitted with new engines at a cost one tenth of the cost of purchasing an Air Bus.The US carriers alone would save billions of dollars by keeping the 80 series aircraft and retrofitting the engines and save easily 16% on fuel consumption over their competirors. Tona of technicasl data exsists showing the retrofit is viable abd has been pitched to a few major airlines that at my dismay could not see the 10 year savings in thmarket as worth the investment. I interested email to me and you can show me how to post the large summary of the business plan on this blog.
Comment by Brian Perryman — February 10, 2009 @ 7:28 pm
Mark,
My idea would be to open up a sports bar in Allen where all the new shops & mall are opening up in Allen on 75. With everything going in I dont see any bars going in. Hooters is the only place to really go to up here and its packed on game nights.
Thanks Jason
Comment by jason — February 10, 2009 @ 7:30 pm
Mr. Cuban,
I am writing to you because of a great business Idea. This idea is dealing with education industry. I have put together a demo teaching kids how to speak in English and Spanish with the style of Hip Hop. The reasoning for this idea is that a lot of kids listen on the radio and can learn all of the negative music. Why not do it the same way. You may say there is something out there like that. Well it’s not one dealing with the current style of music. The cool thing is I have studio access and producer and Bilingual artist. The artist can be branded into a character which this project can become an interactive CD/DVD with a work book. The vision is real big all I need is for you to at least listen to the demo it will sell its self I promise.
Thanks in advance,
Vernon Robinson
Comment by Vernon Robinson — February 10, 2009 @ 7:30 pm
Does anyone here make websites? Or work in video production or game development? If anyone is interested in working with me on the open source eductional system please let me know here. If we get enough people interested Cuban could follow suit.
The idea is to make highly creative and interactive learning resources and to make a environment online conducive to people working together and helping each other learn.
Think of it as the Youtube of learning. We could have contests where people compete to make the most effective learning videos and the winners receive awards for the best video. And I would hope Cuban makes an exception for this service being ad driven because it is educational.
Comment by charlie — February 10, 2009 @ 7:32 pm
It’s funny that I saw what you were doing on WFAA news because I was thinking today about a great business venture in the county I live in. Just recently the City of Greenville has aloud the sell of alcohol in stores, and with that has been an increase in the number of DWI stops. I alone have had 2 friends lose their clean records due to some overly aggressive rookie cops. My idea for a town peeking over 25,000 is to start a taxi service for the nightly crowd in Hunt County and surrounding areas as needed. Unlike Dallas their is no public transportation for the occasionally party goers. I feel that my idea would be a great benefit not only for public safety but for all those that have lost careers over making poor decision in a drunken stupor and did not have any other choices but to get behind the wheel and drive.
Comment by Nance' — February 10, 2009 @ 7:36 pm
My idea of a great business is to help the people that are in foreclosures, help save there home. We do not charge untill the home is saved. Don’t charge $1,000.00’s to do the work, make us work to save the home and get paid. If the property cant be saved they will need that money that they did not pay to relocate is how i see it. Charging $200.00 to $500.00, after the home has been saved from going into foreclosure and being foreclosed on, is the best way i can see work.
Comment by Juan — February 10, 2009 @ 7:40 pm
Even in tough times, there are few things that people cannot do without. Two of these things are food and gasoline. So why not combine the two? But not in the traditional way. We need a gas station where we can pump our gas and order our food all at the same time. So add touch screen ordering menus to the pump and allow for payment at the pump also. Then take the receipt in to the convienence store to pick the food up, and I mean real food. (Hoagies, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, etc…) Competitively priced gasoline would bring people into the store and the high volume of food sales would create a good profit. This plan also has the potential to work anywhere in the US, and the US can support hundreds if not thousands of these stores across the country. (which could allow for a large employment opportunity) Also on a final note you are not trying to sell anything new to the population you are just repackaging it in a different way so people should be very receptive.
Comment by Zack — February 10, 2009 @ 7:41 pm
My idea is called “THE TAP TABLE”.Basically it is a self serving refrigerated keg holder for sports bars all across the nation to watch the Mavs on a big screen.The table could be exclusives with major beer companies across the country and world for that matter.We could even sign deals with sports team that have affiliations with these types of companies.(Example-Dallas Cowboys/Miller Brewing Company,Liverpool FC/Carlsberg beer)Sports bars,chains could have exclusive brand specific tables.These tables would be available for reservation for specific sporting events 2-4 hrs.,deposit required,valid drivers identification to prove age,bar coded with DPS for authenticity and verification,a Martin Meter-t-similar to a gas pump to show dollars spent and levels of product.16 seats per table-perfect for group of friends,business assoc.,parties,etc…to have their very own TAP TABLE…..No more waiting in line at concession stand for stale beer and sitting in crammed seats at the stadium and you don’t need to spend alot of money for game tickets and parking.Spend that money on enjoyment watching the NBA FINALS @ your favorite sports bar with your friends in a great spirited atmosphere.Mark,you make your money at the arena night end and night out.Now we can bring an extension to sports bars that already have a loyal following and what better a person than you,Mark Cuban,to bring this product to your fans and your customers-the businesses who purchase these unique tap tables.Racetracks,stadium clubs,personal boxes for game watching parties,sports bars,resorts,hotels sports bars etc….. Let’s build the one and only TAP TABLES for sports fans who don’t want to fight the traffic.Being at the game is one thing,but hosting your very own party to watch the Mavs crush the Spurs and showing off your tap table that your friends can enjoy is another way to reach your fans.Our customer base is large as all of these potential customers will have to have 4-6 at least for their establishments.We build a prototype that will not cost more than $2000.00,We will sell them for around $5999.00.The customer eventually pay for there tables and keep them for 100% profit.They will be hot!!!!YOU CAN MAKE THIS PRODUCT A REALITY AND TAKE ALL OF THE CREDIT AND PROFIT AND COPYRIGHT.ALL I ASK IS A SALARY THAT YOU SEE FIT.WE CAN DO THIS.The only catch is the legality in sports bars.Can paying customers dispense for own beer or does a server have to do that.If you see it in any way to make money get in touch with me.Have a great day.God bless Kevin MARTIN
Comment by kevin martin — February 10, 2009 @ 7:42 pm
I have a couple of great ideas that can make us both money.My first dea is to open a cajun restaurant on the west coast. When i visited Seattle , Washington last year there wasn’t i place to eat crawfish like the way we eat here in Texas. bring a little southern cooking to the west coast. i think its a good idea and can makes us money because everyone like to and needs to eats.
my other idea i have it come up with an anti- energy drink.
This drink we help people relax them from a long day at work and
contains all natural and vitamins.They have recently came out with the first anti-energy drink. You have Coke vs. Pepsi
Red bull vs Monster and now Drank vs our drink. my last idea for us to make money is to come up with video phone for the cell phone. Since everyone in todays time have a cell phone now we can introduce the video phone for cell phone we people can see each other while on the cell phone. Here are some of my ideas. i have many more great ideas
Comment by bich ngo — February 10, 2009 @ 7:43 pm
Mark,
Love Basketball? Love Hantis.
New table sport has already been played in 5 countries (US, Spain, Germany, Peru, France). We are looking for funding in Table & Ball Design/Manufacturing and Advertising.
From basketball’s humble beginnings through creator James Naismith he was able to see his sport grow and become an Olympic tradition. That is what Hantis will be, a sport for generations to come.
Beneficial to YOU, MC:
Getting on the ground floor of a sport that will echo through human history.
Lucrative sports equipment, from the tables required for play and the balls yet to be manufactured.
The Hantis Creators:
We started playing in highschool, 4 years ago. Since then, developed a website, provisional patent, logos, and videos. We have minimal funding; what we could scrape from our parents and part-time jobs to fund what we have created already.
Why we need You:
Your fame. Your money.
What WE (myself and 3 friends – the creators)
WILL DO:
Invest money FOR new ball design/manufacturing (made specifically for hand-to-hand play)
Invest money FOR new table creation – PORTABLE, STABLE, SLEAK; and economical to not break the banks of schools/organizations willing to buy and promote the sport.
Interested? http://www.hantis.net
Thank You!
Comment by Ben Fatherree — February 10, 2009 @ 7:48 pm
sorry i didnt add but I would do 10-20 equity always negotiable. i actually have most stuff lined out except kiosk so it would cost way less for me to get started.
Comment by kyle hensley — February 10, 2009 @ 7:54 pm
Mr. Cuban.
I will be brief. I have a concept that will increase the number of interpreters working in real time, how many deaf clients can be served efficiently, and more importantly, free up the time that is spent by emergency responders (police, fire, emt) waiting for interpreters to arrive in an emergency situation.
I am an interpreter. I know the costs involved with serving the public when these kinds of situations happen. I have plans for a portable laptop/tablet kind of device that has a direct connection through emergency vehicle broadband to video relay services of some kind. I think this device should not be tied to one company to provide the interpreting, and there are some legislative issues concerning how soome interpreting can be billed. (technical jargon like VRS compared to VRI) Now is the most opportune time to make this a reality, since we now have mobile broadband capabilities and small adequate electronics that can run real time video with little or no lag.
This can and will eventually be done, but if we can fund a small device about 12 inches or so, it can be stowed in emergency vehicles, and be ready to use in a matter of minutes. Compared to 45 min or more waiting for a person to show up to do the same job.
This product can be sold to every police, fire, emt crew that thinks they will run into the deaf population. Take a minimal profit, and reap all the goodwill for providing a truly great service.
I live in Tacoma, WA. I could meet in seattle to discuss or set up some kind of video conference.
Thanks for your time, and please let me know what you think.
Comment by Jason — February 10, 2009 @ 7:56 pm
Mark, please review our company as we have a shovel ready project in Uvalde, TX 70 miles southwest of San Antonio. We are a 21st Century Agriculture firm with state of the art greenhouse designs that are powered by biomass combustion system,solar energy that is self sustaining and produces medicinal quality fruits & vegetables without using any petro-chemicals. Will generate 200 jobs within the first 45 days & with help can return initial funds within 60 days. Check us out at: http://www.slideshare.net/alwmsjr/saladacresuvalde3
Comment by Al Williams Jr — February 10, 2009 @ 7:57 pm
Mark,
Everyone’s been to the state fair right?! And who doesn’t love fried food!? Why not partner with a national distributor of candies/sweets etc to buy their line of products to fry. Considering most of these fried foods sell for the equivalent of $5 a pop, it would seem easier to partner with a “brand name” in order to sell more. Factor in a line of products and you add variety.
Also, this type of seasonal business usually employs unskilled and low income wage earners. Start with one State fair and expand to all 50 due to your licensing agreement.
Comment by Tom — February 10, 2009 @ 7:57 pm
Hi Mr. Cuban,
I’m very excited at the opportunity you have extended to the masses. There are millions of great ideas out there to be explored. I, fortunately, have an idea that is already a reality and is ready for mass consumption. My group has created a hydrogen-on-demand system as an aftermarket item for the automotive industry. This product has been third party tested and is in current use on a variety of vehicles. For example, we have had 2001 Ford F350 with over 150,000 miles that is averaging 39 miles to the gallon, 90% cleaner emissions, 10% increase in horsepower, and 8% increase in torque. All of this from a unit that can be installed in a few hours and has the installation complexity of putting in a high end stereo in a car. All of these details can be seen at our site at Hydrorunner.com
We have had great success in making contacts and developing relationships with all of the many trucking companies such as FedEx, Ups and the USPS to name a few. We have a full business plan, performa and financials that can be viewed immediately. Our goal with this funding would be to start the production process. Units are priced according to engine size. We currenty have a big rig version available now for $5,500 that is getting 14-16miles to the gallon. A 100% increase in fuel mileage. We also have 4, 6, 8 cylinder and small diesel version as well.
The unit pays for itself in a matter of weeks just from the fuel mileage increase alone. If that were not enough, there are current government tax credits for these products in excess of $8,000 dollars for those who purchase “green” products. This technology can essentially pay for itself.
This product is the future for the automotive world and beyond. It is not theory. It is a reality, and we have it. Please view our website at Hydrorunner.com. Thank You.
P.S. A unit is available for a test drive in Dallas upon request.
Comment by Jim Matthews — February 10, 2009 @ 7:59 pm
Hey Mark
This is a great idea, I was mortgage broker that was devastated by subprime mortgage collapse and lost thousands. Now a real estate broker, I want to offer discount realty services flat fee MLS $299 for listing and selling homes and 50% rebates cash back for buyers wanting to purchase. in other words the Wal Mart of real estate companys. Cheap and efficient and lots of volume…check out my philosphy on my website and seller and buyer tabs..if your not interested maybe some one reading would be ….good luck..this is a great business model . cause all employee’s are commission only and no overhead pure profit once concept gets out to public and will change the way national RE companies do business..no more traditional real estate..
Comment by JOE — February 10, 2009 @ 8:00 pm
OK Mark, this is what I have. I have long been known with friends and family as a great BBQ’r, plus I slow smoke the best jerky you have ever had. My ribs and chicken just fall off the bone. For years people have told me I needed to sell these products, but I had steady employment and never looked into it. I have been unemployed since last October and when I heard about what you were doing here it seemed like something I should look into. I would propose using your investment to buy a bigger smoker than what I have so that I could really crank out the meats. I see Blockbusters,flea markets and convienince stores as my main outlet for the jerky. I would also develope a website to sell all my products online. I have already secured a web address that I think is perfect.
Comment by Scott — February 10, 2009 @ 8:01 pm
Hi Mark, I have an idea that I have been working on for the past year plus. It’s in a $ 54 Billion dollar a year and growing industry with over 945,000 monthly customer and thats just in this country and it has five markets, this is just one market, it currently has no one marketing to them, with this idea, and it is needed. It costs .007 to package. Each case would sell for $85.00 a case with 4000 ps. We need about $ 30 Million to get it off the ground and We have already identified all the customers. we are looking for a partner or however you are willing to invest. I can give you the full details if you contact me. PS We currently have an investor willing to invest 25% of the $ 30 Million, but if it’s possible we would like one investor to come in with the full amount. Thanks for the opportunity Frank Haro
Comment by Frank Haro — February 10, 2009 @ 8:01 pm
Great Idea. I bet many people will give a shot.
Thank Cuban and good luck with mavs.
Comment by David Kuol Anyieth — February 10, 2009 @ 8:01 pm
American Idol, a hit show in its eighth season continues to be a force among television shows. My proposal is a website which people or contestants can upload videos of themselves singing in which we then place them in a tournament style bracket which fans can then vote on to see who would move on to the next round. A deal would have to be made with a recording label but profits would come from small entry fees. Start up costs would go to a company who could create this website. You will get a return on your investments hopefully through the 1000s of contestants you have to pay to enter the contest.
Comment by Daniel Pak — February 10, 2009 @ 8:02 pm
Mark,
My plan is to open a retail sales lot for mobile home. I have 20 years of experience as a manager. I have handled all aspects for sales and finance, ordering homes from factory and display of homes. I am a workaholic, I can’t get enough of this business. The initial loan would be $50,000 investment, profit on double wide $10,000.00, single wide $5000.00. Company would pay all the taxes and we would split the profit each month.
Comment by Zack Gray — February 10, 2009 @ 8:04 pm
Business Plan in PDF format here: http://www.higherdefinitionmedia.com/businessplan.pdf
More documents available upon request.
Thank you for your time.
Andrew
Comment by Andrew Waite — February 10, 2009 @ 8:05 pm
Business Plan for a Wright’s Season Tickets Holdings “The Right Tickets, For The Right Fans”
OWNERS
Wrights Season Ticket Holdings “The Right Tickets, For The Right Fans”
9337 Bayard St
Keller, TX 76248
682-432-4759
wrightseasonticket@gmail.com
I. Table of Contents
I. Table of Contents 4
II. Executive Summary 5
III. General Company Description 6
IV. Products and Services 7
V. Marketing Plan 8
VI. Operational Plan 19
VII. Management and Organization 24
VIII. Personal Financial Statement 24
IX. Startup Expenses and Capitalization 26
X. Financial Plan 27
XI. Appendices 30
XII. Refining the Plan 31
II. Executive Summary
Write this section last.
We suggest that you make it two pages or fewer.
Include everything that you would cover in a five-minute interview.
Explain the fundamentals of the proposed business: What will your product be? Who will your customers be? Who are the owners? What do you think the future holds for your business and your industry?
Make it enthusiastic, professional, complete, and concise.
If applying for a loan, state clearly how much you want, precisely how you are going to use it, and how the money will make your business more profitable, thereby ensuring repayment.
III. General Company Description
Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings buys and sells season ticket seats from Professional Sport Teams such as the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB, for resell to the public for profits.
Mission Statement: Wright’s Season Ticket Holding mission is to buy, sell, and hold rights to the largest collection of Season Tickets and Personal Seat Licenses in every Professional Sport Teams in the US.
Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings Goals and Objectives: Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings goals are to be the number one collection of Season Tickets/Seats in the United States. With that collection of Season Tickets/Seats we hope to provide a diverse array of seats opt for the general public to purchase. Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings objectives are to purchase Season Tickets/Seats and Licenses from Professional Sport Teams such as the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB at a discounted price with the intention to solely reseller those seats and licenses back to the public at a higher price for a profit.
Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings Business Philosophy: To provide the best selection and collection of season seats location in every Professional Sport market in US, at a competitive pricing.
Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings will market our tickets/seats to the growing number of Professional Sports fans and Business customers.
Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings is looking to be a major player in a new and growing Secondary Ticket Market. Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings fore see in the Secondary Ticket Market for the long term are more Professional Sports Teams becoming big investors in the industry. In the short term, Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings see Professional Sports Teams and Primary Ticket Company like Ticketmaster buying up Secondary Ticket Markets companies like Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings to increasing their presents in the secondary market and control the market. Wright’s Season Ticket Holding will be in the prime position to take advantage of the upward trend in the Secondary Ticket Market by increasing its current holdings and being prepare for future holdings opportunity with the use of PSL licenses and discounted season tickets. {PLS Licenses gives a Season Ticket Holder the rights of ownership to the same seat for a set number of years, for a set time and at a set price. PSL Licenses is one of the tools use to finance most new Professional Sports Teams Arenas and Stadiums}
One of Wrights Season Ticket Holdings most important company strengths is our ability to discount our holdings/seats in a growing market. Wrights Season Ticket Holdings drive to acquirer and obtain discounted Season Tickets/Seats in and out season. Wrights Season Ticket Holdings major competitive strengths will be in finding the deals that make sense and money. Mr. Wright’s desire to be the best in whatever he puts his hand on and background as Personal Bank and Broker trainee for Fortune 500 companies for the last 8 years, has given him the drive, will, and the passion to create this entrepreneurs opportunity for himself and his family. Mr. Wright’s is a people person and sale man. Who will only believes and stands behind whatever he believes in. Mr. Wrights believes in opportunity. Mr. Wright’s believes in dreaming. Mr. Wright believes in creating ideas that feel good and make good sense. Mr. Wright felt limited in his passed jobs, so he created Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings. Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings is about taking advantage of opportunities in today current Secondary Ticket Market and becoming a part of the Secondary Ticket market share.
Wright Season Ticket Holdings is a Sole proprietor. Wrights Season Ticket Holdings selected this form of ownership base on type of product/seats in which we are selling and buying. Plus, it gives Wrights Season Ticket Holding greater control over the vision in which we see for the business.
Products and Services
Wrights Season Ticket Holdings products are seats in Pro Sports arenas and stadium thru out the US.
The factors that will give Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings a competitive advantages is being Season Ticket Holder with as many Pro Sport Teams we can purchase in the NBA, NHL, NFL, and MLB.
The prices structures would be base on the price the season ticket was purchases at, the Pro Sports Teams, the demand for the seat location, and Teams opponent that season.
IV. Marketing Plan
Market research – Why?
No matter how good your product and your service, the venture cannot succeed without effective marketing. And this begins with careful, systematic research. It is very dangerous to assume that you already know about your intended market. You need to do market research to make sure you’re on track. Use the business planning process as your opportunity to uncover data and to question your marketing efforts. Your time will be well spent.
Market research – How?
There are two kinds of market research: primary and secondary.
Secondary research means using published information such as industry profiles, trade journals, newspapers, magazines, census data, and demographic profiles. This type of information is available in public libraries, industry associations, chambers of commerce, from vendors who sell to your industry, and from government agencies.
Start with your local library. Most librarians are pleased to guide you through their business data collection. You will be amazed at what is there. There are more online sources than you could possibly use. Your chamber of commerce has good information on the local area. Trade associations and trade publications often have excellent industry-specific data.
Primary research means gathering your own data. For example, you could do your own traffic count at a proposed location, use the yellow pages to identify competitors, and do surveys or focus-group interviews to learn about consumer preferences. Professional market research can be very costly, but there are many books that show small business owners how to do effective research themselves.
In your marketing plan, be as specific as possible; give statistics, numbers, and sources. The marketing plan will be the basis, later on, of the all-important sales projection.
Economics
Facts about your industry:
• The Secondary Ticket Market is worth an estimated $30 billion in 2005 and the movie ticket market hit nearly $9 billion, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. The market in 2005 for all tickets purchased online hit $4.1 billion: it is expected to grow 24.4%-mirroring e-retailing’s 25% growth rate-to $5.1 billion in 2006, according to The State of Retailing Online 2006, a Shop.org study conducted by Forrester Research Inc. In 2005 event ticket sales reached $3.4 billion, and they’re expected to jump 27% in 2006 to $4.3 billion, the study reports. Event ticket sales accounted for 82.9% of all online ticket sales.
• With the right kind of financing Wright’s Season Ticket Holding is looking to get 15% of the local market.
• When it comes to who is spending these millions on the web, 22% of men and 16% of women purchased tickets to events and/or movies in the six months prior to September, according to the September 2006 Online Ticket Market Study by J.C. Williams Group. 19.2% of all individuals were 18 to 24 years of age, 21.9% were 25 to 34, 24.3% were 35 to 44, 7% were 45 to 54, and 10.3% were 55 or older. Many industry observers see a wholesale move to online ticket selling as virtually inevitable. One contributing factor is the newfound ease, thanks to advances in e-commerce technology and services, with which venues themselves can launch e-commerce sites for the events they host.
• The Secondary Ticket Sales are expected to figured to rise from $2.5 billion 2007 to $4.5 billion in 2012 at a rate of 12% annual in 5 years, accordingly to Forester Research Company. Forester also states that 1 in ever 10 online shopper say that they have bought a ticket from a reseller while some have bought tickets from the Box Office of an event.
• The growth potential and opportunity for Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings is great for a business my size. As a sole proprietor.
• There are no barriers for Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings in the market. Pro Sport Teams are always looking for new Season Ticket holder each year.
• How could the following affect your company?
o Change in technology has no impact on the business.
o Change in government regulations has no impact on the business.
o Change in the economy has no real impact on the Secondary Ticket Market business base off 2008 declining economy.
o Change in the Ticket industry has no impact on the business.
Product
In the Products and Services section, you described your products and services as you see them. Now describe them from your customers’ point of view.
Features and Benefits
List all of your major products or services.
For each product or service:
• What’s special about Wright’s Season seats are our location and venue.
• The benefits are variety of pricing opt base on the game and teams. Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings are looking to give ours customer the best possible price for the most popular events.
The after-sale services we will provide for our clients are the opportunity to purchase the same location for future events.
Customers
Identify your targeted customers, their characteristics, and their geographic locations, otherwise known as their demographics.
The DFW Metroplex has one of the most impressive track records in the U.S. when measuring affluence, growth and economic output.
• DFW is the 4th largest MSA in the U.S.- 6,100,000 population
• May 2006- May 2007 job growth in DFW of 90,100, #1 in the U.S.
• Fort Worth is the 18th largest city in the U.S.
• 18-70 Years Olds
• Any Gender
• USA
• Median HH income $74,889
• HH > $75,000 23,558
• HH >$100,000 13,808
• Population 220,430 (2007 est)
• Population growth of 112% from 2000 to 2007
• 18.9% Annual Growth Rate
• All Social class and occupation
• All Education
• Pro Sport Fans
• Family
For business customers, the demographic factors might be:
• Any Industry (or portion of an industry)
• USA
• Any Size of firm
Competition
Wright’s Season Ticket Holding does not have any competitors in his current local area.
Wrights Season Ticket Holdings competitive advantages is that we are the only private own company who is in the business of buying and selling Season Tickets in the local area.
Nich
Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings niche is our collection of Season Ticket Seats and our access to Secondary Ticket Market inventory any where in the US. With that niche Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings hope to becoming one of the largest holder of Season Ticket in every Professional Sports Team in the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL.
Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings believes that with those holdings and the access to the Secondary Ticket Market, it will allows for us to buy tickets at below box office value prices and sell at premium on every current and up coming events. In addition, Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings has an opportunity to become a very important source of additional revenue and ticket sales to Professional Sport Teams in the industry.
Strategy
Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings strategy is to buy Season Ticket at a discounted price (by being Season Ticket Holder) in the Primary Ticket Market and resells those seats back to the public in the Secondary Ticket Market for a profit. Which would allow our company the buying power to reinvest those profits but into the Primary Ticket Market to take advantage of the opportunity to add more asset/seats to our inventory for future selling opportunities.
Promotion
Wright’s Season Ticket Holding is looking to teams up with the American Airlines Centers in an effort to help promote what we have to offer the Professional Sport buying fans in the DFW area for the following reasons:
Since opening in July 2001, the American Airlines Center has set new standard for sports and entertainment facilities. From its traditional architecture to hi-tech innovation, the American Airlines Center has become a premier sports and entertainment venue in the United States. Located in the heart of Dallas’ new and underway urban development, Victory Park, American Airlines Center serves as its crown jewel.
Inside, the facility offers the finest in amenities with fives concourses, 142 luxury suites, 2 large party boxes and room for 20,200 basketball or 18,500 hockey fans. The retractable seating brings the bowl in closer to the action, allowing fans a more intimate experience and exceptional sight lines.
In the their first 7 years over 100 musical artists have performed, including performances: The Eagles, Cher, Prince, Billy Joel and Elton John, Shakira, Simon and Garfunkel, Fleetwood Mac, George Strait, Bruce Springsteen, Usher, Green Day, Destiny’s Child, U2, Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, and Cold Play to name a few. American Airlines Center has also hosted family shows such as Disney on Ice, Stars on Ice, Champions on Ice, Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus, The Harlem Globetrotters, World Wresting Entertainment and more.
The American Airlines Center has also been no stranger to major sporting events in addition to being home of the NHL Dallas Stars, NBA Dallas Mavericks and Arena Football League’s Dallas Desperados. The 2002 and 2006 NCAA Men’s Basketball 1st and 2nd Round Tournament, Phillips 66 2003, 2004, and 2006 Men’s Big 12 Basketball Tournament have also been held in Dallas at American Airlines Center. In 2007, American Airlines Center and the Dallas Stars hosted the 2007 NHL All-Star Game and accompanying events.
Annual Attendance
• 2001-2002 – 180 Events = 2.7 million attendees
• 2002-2003 – 190 Events = 2.9 million attendees
• 2003-2004 – 178 Events = 2.6 million attendees
• 2004-2005 – 135 Events = 1.9 million attendees
• 2005-2006 – 198 Events = 2.9 million attendees
• 2007-2008 – 192 Events = 2.73 million attendees
• 2008-2009 – 200 Events = 3 million attendees
• 2007 Year End Worldwide Ticket Sales Top 100 Worldwide Arena venues American Airlines Rank #9 at 539,030 sold.
Breakdown of Attendance for 2007-2008 Total Attendance was 2,734,662
• Mavs games draw 35% of total attendance
• Stars games draw 35% of total attendance
• 3rd party events draw 30% of the total attendance
Dallas Mavericks Fan Demographics
• Income – 43% have HH income of $100,00 +
• Gender – 59% are male and 41% are female
• Age – 70% are in the 25-54 age group
Varied
• Mavericks ranked #1 in terms of home team loyalty
• Mavericks ranked #2 in overall game experience which includes: obtaining tickets, Buying merchandise, Food/Drink, Parking, and Security/Ushers
• 64% of fans would definitely return to another Mavs game.
• 70% of fans would recommend a Mavs game to someone else.
• 58% of fans attending Mavs game attended with family/friends.
Dallas Stars Fan Demographics
• Income – 48% have HH Income of $100,000+
• Gender – 52% are male and 48% are female
• Age – 70% are in the 25-54 age group
Varied
• 26% of attendees use tickets acquired by a company
• 50% of Dallas Stars Season Ticket holders share the purchase of their seats w/ someone else
• More than 250,000 different people attend at least one game during the season.
Dallas Desperados Fan Demographics
• Income – 40% have HH Income of $50,000+
• Gender – 65% are male and 35% are female
• Age – 67% of AFL fans are in the 18-54 age group
Varied
• AFL fans are likely to try a sponsor’s products approximately 30% of the time.
• AFL fans are likely to switch to a sponsor’s product over 20% of the time.
• AFL fans are loyal to a sponsor’s product over 30% of the time.
American Airlines Center Exclusive Sponsors
• American Airlines, AT&T, Bachendorf’s/ Breitling USA, Anheuser-Bush, Miller Brewing Company, Heineken USA, Coca-Cola & Dr. Pepper, Deja Blue, Ford, Guaranty Bank, Pizza Hut, Red Bull, MetroPCS, and TXU Energy.
Branding
Concourse Signage
• Offers framed signage panels throughout the Plaza and Terrace Levels of American Airlines Center. This static and front lit signage measures 3’ x 4’. $10,000 in the plaza level; $5,000 on the Terrance level.
Men’s & Women’s Restroom Signage
• Throughout American Airlines Center offer recognition in the form of interior wall signage. Located in all single-sex restrooms throughout the plaza and terrace levels of the building, 16 in total. Signage measures approximately 22’ x 28’ and strategically placed. 4 Plaza Level Men’s Restrooms, 4 Plaza level Women’s Restroom, 4 Terrace level Men’s Restroom, and 4 Women’s level Restroom. Men’s $2,500 per sign.
Vent Stack Signage
• Vent Stacks are located on the building’s perimeter walkways and present a four-sided backlit signage opportunity with exposure to both pedestrians and vehicles for daily traffic flow and all events. Vent stacks are located at the NE, NW, SW, and SE corners of the facility near high traffic American Airlines Center destination like the north box office and platinum parking garage (NE), north fan shop (NW), south box office (SW), and Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Club (SE). Vent Stacks- $20,000; this is one stack, which includes four (4) signs seen by commuters and patrons.
Upper Vomitory Signage
• Terrace level vomitory portals are located in the upper seating bowl and offer an opportunity for overhead signage at each. Eight total locations available, 4 on each side of terrace level. This new and size TBD signage will be backlit. Vomitory Signage- $30,000 per pair; $50,000 for four that can be seen by TV cameras.
Interior Media
• American Airlinescenter.com offers the opportunity for internet exposure on the official website of American Airlines Center. Branded recognition offered at sponsor-relevant locations throughout the site, which is the primary source of ticketing and event information for all guest. AAC website- $15,000 for one year with links to Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings website.
Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings to promote our objective and company goals to Professional Sports Teams Account Rep who we buy tickets from.
In addition to promotion, Wright’s Season Ticket Holding has plans for graphic image supports for RM Communications Group, Incorporated. Also, RM Communications Group has created items like a logo design, cards and letterhead, brochures, signage, and interior design and web design for Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings.
Promotional Budget
How much will you spend on the items listed above?
Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings estimate that our promotional budget before startup will be $20,000 before startup.
Wright’s Season Tickets estimate that our ongoing operating budget will be $15,000.
Pricing
The methods used for setting seat prices are base on the games and teams. When we have a high in demand for Pro Sport Teams like the L.A. Laker, our prices will increase. When we have a low demand Pro team like the Miami Heat, then we lower our prices to get the sold but depending on how the Season is progressing thru out the year will give Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings the indicator which strategy to use. So, it is very important for Wright’s Season Ticket Holding to stay abreast on “the going on” in the Pro Sport industry during the Season.
Proposed Location
Alliance Town Center is part of the AllianceTexas 17,000-acre master-planned community consisting of industrial aviation (Fort Worth Alliance Airport), industrial (over 7,000 acres), office (800 acres of corporate campuses) and residential (2,700 acres of single family homes, and 5,000 multi-family units).
• AllianceTexas – Over 24,000 employees and over 140 major corporations
• Fort Worth Alliance Airport, which offers direct taxiway access to nearby corporate residents in Alliance Center.
• Special Events – Texas Motor Speedway, which draws 1.25 million visitors for NASCAR and IRL events, Fort Worth Alliance Annual Air Show, and more.
• Residential Communities – 5 residential communities ranging in price from $110,000 to $500,000 +, offering parks, playgrounds, trails, etc. with over 6,000 homes already built.
• Cabela’s, the 230,000 s.f. outdoor mega-retailer, picked Alliance for it first DFW store. This store, their second largest, draws 4 million visitors per year.
Alliance Town Center is perfectly positioned to service the existing market of Fort Worth-Plus-the fast-growing communities of Keller, North Richland Hills, Watauga, Southlake, and points north and west.
• Easy access with a full diamond interchange at I-35W & Heritage Trace Pkwy
• Linked to four major thoroughfares (I-35W, Golden Triangle Blvd., Heritage Trace Parkway and North Tarrant Parkway) with ½ mile of !-35W frontage
• I-35W visibility – Highest point on I-35W for over 10 miles
• Highly visibility to the 71,000 cars per day on I-35W
• Number of Businesses: 3,133
• Daytime Population: 49,633
• 60+ Companies on Fortune 500, Global 500 0r Forbes’ Top List of Private Companies
The current location for Wright’s Season Ticket Holding is at 9337 Bayard St, Keller, TX 76248, my home offices. We are currently looking at a space in Meridian Business Center at 9500 Ray White; Suite 200 Fort Worth, Texas 76248 to help the business expand.
Distribution Channels
Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings is currently selling our seats on Ticketmaster secondary ticket seller’s website and StubHub secondary ticket seller’s websites.
Soon, Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings will go into a partnership TicketNetwork, the leading-edge technology provider in the secondary ticketing industry. They provide the best and most efficient solutions for ticket buyers and ticket sellers. Ticket buyers can purchase event tickets to a wide range of concert, sporting, and theatre events through their vast network of Web sites, with 5,578,951 tickets to 90,507 events worth $1.01 billion.
Wright’s Season Tickets believe that TicketNetwork will provide a comprehensive, highly intelligent, cost-effective set of Web tools and software solutions for secondary-market ticket customers.
Sales Forecast
Now that you have described your products, services, customers, markets, and marketing plans in detail, it’s time to attach some numbers to your plan. Use a sales forecast spreadsheet to prepare a month-by-month projection. The forecast should be based on your historical sales, the marketing strategies that you have just described, your market research, and industry data, if available.
You may want to do two forecasts: 1) a “best guess”, which is what you really expect, and 2) a “worst case” low estimate that you are confident you can reach no matter what happens.
Remember to keep notes on your research and your assumptions as you build this sales forecast and all subsequent spreadsheets in the plan. This is critical if you are going to present it to funding sources.
V. Operational Plan
Explain the daily operation of the business, its location, equipment, people, processes, and surrounding environment.
Location
What qualities do you need in a location? Describe the type of location you’ll have.
Physical requirements:
• 500sf to 1500sf of Private Executive Office space
• Stand along
• Residential zoning or Commercial zoning
• Digital Telephone Set, Ultra High-Speed Internet Access, Dedicated FAX Line, and other utilities
• Parking
• Janitorial Services
• Parking
• Mailing address
• High-Speed Digital Photocopiers
• Color Laser Printers
• Wireless Internet
• Satellite Television Access
• Multi-Sheet Feed Scanners
• Email
• Mobile and Remote Access
• Web Hosting
• Toll-free Phone numbers
• Voice Mail with 24 hour remote access
Access:
Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings is currently proximity to freeway, airports, railroads, and shipping centers.
All-Inclusive Executive Offices and including Furnished Offices = $1250.00/Per. Mo.
Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings Offices hours will be 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m (Depending On games schedule in local area. Also, 24/7 on the Web)
Legal Environment
Describe the following:
• No State or Local Cities Licensing or bonding requirements
• Permits:
• No Health, workplace, or environmental regulations
• No Special regulations covering your industry or profession
• No Zoning or building code requirements
• No Insurance coverage required but will carry Homeowner Insurance
• Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings is in the process of copyrighting all related items to the business.
Personnel
• No employees at this time.
• Professional labor type.
Inventory
• The kind of inventory Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings would be actual holding are actual Season Tickets to various Professional Sports Teams and database access to other brokers in the U.S. inventory; including concert, theater, and soccer tickets throughout TicketNetwork vast network of Web sites.
• Average value in seat in currently at $25,000.00.
Suppliers
Identify key suppliers:
• Ticket Network at 135 Bolton Road Vernon, CT 06066. Phone:860-870-3400 Fax: 860-870-5183
• Sport, Concerts, and Theater Tickets. With no Ticket inventory furnished.
• TicketNetwork Point-of-Sale™ Version 8.0 software provides a complete office interface to the online exchange and the Web. Buy and sell tickets, manage your inventory and customers, process credit-card transactions, create shipping labels and track FedEx shipments, generate customized management reports, and integrate your sales accounting – all in one, easy-to-use application. Several features of the Point-of-Sale are:
• Generate customized Invoices and Purchase Orders
• Website and TicketNetwork Direct orders flow into the system with no data entry
• Integrated Credit Card processing threw PC Charge
• Marketing Manager to categorize and remarket to your customers
• Full accounting package to track payments and accounts receivable with a full reporting package and QuickBooks Integration
• Create, print, email, and track FedEx shipments
• 35% FedEx shipping discount
• TicketNetwork Direct rebate discount program
• TicketNetwork Web Services™ provides customized e-commerce websites in both plug-in and hosted formats, created quickly so that you can build market share in a matter of days – and without the high cost of Web development.
Web control panel allows optimum on-the-fly customization of events, top ten lists, headlines, graphics, META tags and more.
• Flexible ticket filtering that lets you exclude other brokers, customize pricing, highlight any brokers inventory, and show “fresh” tickets
• Integration with pay-per-click advertising, coupon management, shopping cart customization, and multiple website control
• Full integration with TicketNetwork Point-of-Sale Software. Web sales flow into the POS for point and click processing.
• View an example of a TicketNetwork plug-in at http://www.completetickets.com and a hosted site at http://www.ticketfirm.com.
Pricing for TicketNetwork Point-of-Sale™ Software Suite
• Includes installation, training, ongoing updates and Help Desk support
• Annual software licensing fee of $2,900/Year or $2,400/Year without Dell Server(paid annually)
• TicketNetwork hosted broker website or website plug-in:
• Dell server computer (Dell Precision T3400 Convertible Mini Tower Processor E6850, 3.0 GHz, 2GB RAM, 80GB hard drive, CD drive, keyboard, mouse, Dell service)
• No monitor
Should you have more than one supplier for critical items (as a backup)? No.
Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings does not expect any shortages or short-term delivery problems.
Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings supply costs fluctuate. Base on the fluctuation of cost on some events Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings will bases it cost on an event by event basis.
Credit Policies
• Do you plan to sell on credit? No.
• Do you really need to sell on credit? Is it customary in your industry and expected by your clientele? No.
• How will you check the creditworthiness of new applicants? N/A
Total Current 30 Days 60 Days 90 Days Over 90 Days
Accounts Receivable Aging
.
Total Current 30 Days 60 Days 90 Days Over 90 Days
Accounts Payable Aging
VI. Management and Organization
Who will manage the business on a day-to-day basis? Mr. Leonard L. Wright will run the day-to-day operation.
What experience does that person bring to the business? Mr. Wright brings with himself the vision, the experiences and knowledge of Secondary Ticket market and the entrepreneurial sprit that will see Wright’s Season Ticker Holdings thru.
What special or distinctive competencies? The distinctive competencies that Mr. Wright brings to table are his vision/creation of Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings, planning and execution of his working Business plan for the company.
Is there a plan for continuation of the business if this person is lost or incapacitated? There is a working plan that if for whatever reason Mr. Wright is lost or incapacitated that his long term business partner Michael L. Houston would oversee the day to day operation of Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings.
Professional and Advisory Support
List the following:
• No Board of directors
• No Management advisory board
• Attorney “working on it”
• Accountant “working on it”
• Insurance agent “working on it”
• No particular Banker but Wright’s Season Ticket Holdings currently has Business Checking and Savings accounts with BOA.
• No Consultant or consultants
• Mentors and key advisor
• Personal Financial Statement
Include personal financial statements for each owner and major stockholder, showing assets and liabilities held outside the business and personal net worth. Owners will often have to draw on personal assets to finance the business, and these statements will show what is available. Bankers and investors usually want this information as well.
VII. Startup Expenses and Capitalization
You will have many startup expenses before you even begin operating your business. It’s important to estimate these expenses accurately and then to plan where you will get sufficient capital. This is a research project, and the more thorough your research efforts, the less chance that you will leave out important expenses or underestimate them.
Even with the best of research, however, opening a new business has a way of costing more than you anticipate. There are two ways to make allowances for surprise expenses. The first is to add a little “padding” to each item in the budget. The problem with that approach, however, is that it destroys the accuracy of your carefully wrought plan. The second approach is to add a separate line item, called contingencies, to account for the unforeseeable. This is the approach we recommend.
Talk to others who have started similar businesses to get a good idea of how much to allow for contingencies. If you cannot get good information, we recommend a rule of thumb that contingencies should equal at least 20 percent of the total of all other start-up expenses.
Explain your research and how you arrived at your forecasts of expenses. Give sources, amounts, and terms of proposed loans. Also explain in detail how much will be contributed by each investor and what percent ownership each will have.
VIII. Financial Plan
The financial plan consists of a 12-month profit and loss projection, a four-year profit and loss projection (optional), a cash-flow projection, a projected balance sheet, and a break-even calculation. Together they constitute a reasonable estimate of your company’s financial future. More important, the process of thinking through the financial plan will improve your insight into the inner financial workings of your company.
12-Month Profit and Loss Projection
Many business owners think of the 12-month profit and loss projection as the centerpiece of their plan. This is where you put it all together in numbers and get an idea of what it will take to make a profit and be successful.
Your sales projections will come from a sales forecast in which you forecast sales, cost of goods sold, expenses, and profit month-by-month for one year.
Profit projections should be accompanied by a narrative explaining the major assumptions used to estimate company income and expenses.
Research Notes: Keep careful notes on your research and assumptions, so that you can explain them later if necessary, and also so that you can go back to your sources when it’s time to revise your plan.
Four-Year Profit Projection (Optional)
The 12-month projection is the heart of your financial plan. The Four-Year Profit projection is for those who want to carry their forecasts beyond the first year.
Of course, keep notes of your key assumptions, especially about things that you expect will change dramatically after the first year.
Projected Cash Flow
If the profit projection is the heart of your business plan, cash flow is the blood. Businesses fail because they cannot pay their bills. Every part of your business plan is important, but none of it means a thing if you run out of cash.
The point of this worksheet is to plan how much you need before startup, for preliminary expenses, operating expenses, and reserves. You should keep updating it and using it afterward. It will enable you to foresee shortages in time to do something about them—perhaps cut expenses, or perhaps negotiate a loan. But foremost, you shouldn’t be taken by surprise.
There is no great trick to preparing it: The cash-flow projection is just a forward look at your checking account.
For each item, determine when you actually expect to receive cash (for sales) or when you will actually have to write a check (for expense items).
You should track essential operating data, which is not necessarily part of cash flow but allows you to track items that have a heavy impact on cash flow, such as sales and inventory purchases.
You should also track cash outlays prior to opening in a pre-startup column. You should have already researched those for your startup expenses plan.
Your cash flow will show you whether your working capital is adequate. Clearly, if your projected cash balance ever goes negative, you will need more start-up capital. This plan will also predict just when and how much you will need to borrow.
Explain your major assumptions, especially those that make the cash flow differ from the Profit and Loss Projection. For example, if you make a sale in month one, when do you actually collect the cash? When you buy inventory or materials, do you pay in advance, upon delivery, or much later? How will this affect cash flow?
Are some expenses payable in advance? When?
Are there irregular expenses, such as quarterly tax payments, maintenance and repairs, or seasonal inventory buildup, that should be budgeted?
Loan payments, equipment purchases, and owner’s draws usually do not show on profit and loss statements but definitely do take cash out. Be sure to include them.
And of course, depreciation does not appear in the cash flow at all because you never write a check for it.
Opening Day Balance Sheet
A balance sheet is one of the fundamental financial reports that any business needs for reporting and financial management. A balance sheet shows what items of value are held by the company (assets), and what its debts are (liabilities). When liabilities are subtracted from assets, the remainder is owners’ equity.
Use a startup expenses and capitalization spreadsheet as a guide to preparing a balance sheet as of opening day. Then detail how you calculated the account balances on your opening day balance sheet.
Optional: Some people want to add a projected balance sheet showing the estimated financial position of the company at the end of the first year. This is especially useful when selling your proposal to investors.
Break-Even Analysis
A break-even analysis predicts the sales volume, at a given price, required to recover total costs. In other words, it’s the sales level that is the dividing line between operating at a loss and operating at a profit.
Expressed as a formula, break-even is:
Break-Even Sales = Fixed Costs
1- Variable Costs
(Where fixed costs are expressed in dollars, but variable costs are expressed as a percent of total sales.)
Include all assumptions upon which your break-even calculation is based.
IX. Appendices
Include details and studies used in your business plan; for example:
• Brochures and advertising materials
• Industry studies
• Blueprints and plans
• Maps and photos of location
• Magazine or other articles
• Detailed lists of equipment owned or to be purchased
• Copies of leases and contracts
• Letters of support from future customers
• Any other materials needed to support the assumptions in this plan
• Market research studies
• List of assets available as collateral for a loan
X. Refining the Plan
The generic business plan presented above should be modified to suit your specific type of business and the audience for which the plan is written.
For Raising Capital
For Bankers
• Bankers want assurance of orderly repayment. If you intend using this plan to present to lenders, include:
o Amount of loan
o How the funds will be used
o What this will accomplish—how will it make the business stronger?
o Requested repayment terms (number of years to repay). You will probably not have much negotiating room on interest rate but may be able to negotiate a longer repayment term, which will help cash flow.
o Collateral offered, and a list of all existing liens against collateral
For Investors
• Investors have a different perspective. They are looking for dramatic growth, and they expect to share in the rewards:
o Funds needed short-term
o Funds needed in two to five years
o How the company will use the funds, and what this will accomplish for growth.
o Estimated return on investment
o Exit strategy for investors (buyback, sale, or IPO)
o Percent of ownership that you will give up to investors
o Milestones or conditions that you will accept
o Financial reporting to be provided
o Involvement of investors on the board or in management
For Type of Business
Manufacturing
• Planned production levels
• Anticipated levels of direct production costs and indirect (overhead) costs—how do these compare to industry averages (if available)?
• Prices per product line
• Gross profit margin, overall and for each product line
• Production/capacity limits of planned physical plant
• Production/capacity limits of equipment
• Purchasing and inventory management procedures
• New products under development or anticipated to come online after startup
Service Businesses
• Service businesses sell intangible products. They are usually more flexible than other types of businesses, but they also have higher labor costs and generally very little in fixed assets.
• What are the key competitive factors in this industry?
• Your prices
• Methods used to set prices
• System of production management
• Quality control procedures. Standard or accepted industry quality standards.
• How will you measure labor productivity?
• Percent of work subcontracted to other firms. Will you make a profit on subcontracting?
• Credit, payment, and collections policies and procedures
• Strategy for keeping client base
High Technology Companies
• Economic outlook for the industry
• Will the company have information systems in place to manage rapidly changing prices, costs, and markets?
• Will you be on the cutting edge with your products and services?
• What is the status of research and development? And what is required to:
o Bring product/service to market?
o Keep the company competitive?
• How does the company:
o Protect intellectual property?
o Avoid technological obsolescence?
o Supply necessary capital?
o Retain key personnel?
High-tech companies sometimes have to operate for a long time without profits and sometimes even without sales. If this fits your situation, a banker probably will not want to lend to you. Venture capitalists may invest, but your story must be very good. You must do longer-term financial forecasts to show when profit take-off is expected to occur. And your assumptions must be well documented and well argued.
Retail Business
• Company image
• Pricing:
o Explain markup policies.
o Prices should be profitable, competitive, and in accordance with company image.
• Inventory:
o Selection and price should be consistent with company image.
o Inventory level: Find industry average numbers for annual inventory turnover rate (available in RMA book). Multiply your initial inventory investment by the average turnover rate. The result should be at least equal to your projected first year’s cost of goods sold. If it is not, you may not have enough budgeted for startup inventory.
• Customer service policies: These should be competitive and in accord with company image.
• Location: Does it give the exposure that you need? Is it convenient for customers? Is it consistent with company image?
• Promotion: Methods used, cost. Does it project a consistent company image?
• Credit: Do you extend credit to customers? If yes, do you really need to, and do you factor the cost into prices?
Comment by Leonard L.Wright — February 10, 2009 @ 8:06 pm
MC,
A very rough idea, but here it is.
Create a automobile battery that has a spare or an extra cell. This cell will be charged by the current alternator and will be a reserve cell only used when the battery has been run dead by leaving the lights on.
This will allow you to jump start your car without cables, jumper packs, calling a friend to help, or calling a tow company.
You accidentally leave your lights on, you come out and your battery is dead. You flip a switch or push a button and your vehicle reverts to using the reserve cell, and your car starts.
1)You have it designed and marketed and patented.
2)At that point, the idea can be sold or licensed by current battery companies or can be mass produced and marketed to retail stores for consumer purchase.
As I said, it is a rough idea, but I think the idea could really fly as it definitely has a need.
Let me know what you think.
Comment by Steve — February 10, 2009 @ 8:07 pm
Seems to me that people with plans that are genuinely good enough to get to cash flow break even in 60 days are unlikely to seek funding by posting details about them for all the world to see (and steal, as you point out) in a public forum…
Comment by Alex Bugeja — February 10, 2009 @ 8:08 pm
Build efficiency housing (green) small, small backyards, kind of like public storage places, but very small for 1-4 people only. Rental units and/or for sale, good products with-in the house, insulation; applicances, one and two bedroom only, small lots, with activity centers outside like community pool … etc. Collect rents and/or for sale (profit margin based on cost to build small, eco friendly small residential communities.
Thanks for listening. Let me hear from you!
Marilyn
Comment by Marilyn Bower Pegues — February 10, 2009 @ 8:11 pm
I want to build an electrified rail line starting in central america and traveling through mexico, arizona, utah, nevada, oregon, washington, british columbia, alaska, over the bering strait and into asia. It will connect russia, china, and japan with the united states, canada, mexico, and eventually south america.
The infrastructure will bring many benefits, not the least of which is cultivating industry along its path. It will connect with regional light rail lines to allow transcontinental travel and shipment of goods. To implement my plan I will have to hire a minumum of 50,000 construction workers (not at one time and not in one place), thousands of engineers to oversee each leg of the project, and an unspecified amount of support workers (GIS specialists, IT specialists, security personnel, etc.)
The project will require several million tons of steel, providing a big boost to the ailing steel belt of the US. It will also be a boon to GM and other failing auto companies whose machine-tool capacity will be tapped before, during, and after the project is completed.
I’m sure at this point you are screaming “show me the money” at your undoubtedly enormous monitor. That will come soon after construction begins, from contracts with the usual distribution-shipping-travel companies. As a major financier to this project you will get a percentage of all profits for an agreed upon period of time, a major sector of the rail line named after you, and free use of the commuter line for life or up to 30 years.
To keep in the spirit of your initiative, all engineering plans will be made open source and there will be a commenting period before construction begins to hear any concerns, make any adjustments et c. Progress on the project will be tweeted, documented daily with photos and video, and overlays for google maps and periodic satellite images will be made available.
Comment by bvac — February 10, 2009 @ 8:11 pm
Many of you are looking a gift horse in the mouth. Mark Cuban is offering you funding, and capabilities, to start a business. He’s not a charity. He’s not your family. He’s just looking to see if he can create some profitable businesses.
If you’re business idea is strong, unique, and has significant first mover advantages, then look for a different source of funding.
If you’re willing to do some hard work, based on a SIMPLE idea, then this is something that you could benefit you.
You want to sell lemonade, ice cream, goods, services that are easily duplicated, but can prove to Mark that you can do it more profitably (stealing the supplies, using store brand), if not better than anybody else.
If you’re recreating an idea (MSFT, google) look elsewhere. Nobody, including Mark, would expect you to put your Broadcast.com business ideas here anyways. So please, stop the indignation.
Thanks Mark!
Comment by ernest — February 10, 2009 @ 8:11 pm
Alice Stephenson
Recycle Momma of Dallas
Inventor of Pixiku Poetry
Business idea is: state-of-the art with coffee shop (and online sales)
TEAM You, Me, WE Thrift Stores
because life is a team effort
Join the team with you, me, WE recycling
Being good stewards of the earth and one another
In Dallas, and across USA everyone begin
improving earth and children’s fate:
conserve, recycle and donate.
I challenge Mark Cuban to himself begin TEAM You, Me WE thrift stores to benefit a charitable foundation of his choice “or” for profit as some thrift stores are for profit or both for profit with a portion to charity. *Just please credit me with the idea whoever uses even if my idea built on.
Example: In Dallas you will see on City Curb Side pickup EVERY WEEK usable and recyclable items set curbside from new Ralph Lauren jeans, to vintage jewelry to valuable historic items, i.e., Civil War photos and coins. Most times left overs from persons moving or garage, yard et al sales.
State-of-the-art thrift stores that double as recycle centers to reuse packaging for mailings of ONLINE sales on Ebay. Recycle metal selling as scrap metal. Training persons how to recognize valuable historical items otherwise ending up in landfills.
These state-of-the-art TEAM You, Me WE thrift stores could have coffee shops inside with recycled books for sale nearby where persons getting coffee could simultaneously see “and” donate items of their own. Since often surplus donations are trashed YES TRASHED there could be a website to alert persons when there are openings to bring items in to donate and could be a shared website of all charities. Also, charities could alert online of surplus no room to store to share among charity thrift stores.
* SEARS sent me a thank you letter for my idea they sponsor a home renovation series, 2/7/02 that I shared on question #46 of my Extreme Makeover application that my dream beyond a makeover was to see series idea come to fruition. I got zero credit and no extreme makeover makeover. The next thing I know there’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition using SEARS as sponsor that thanked me for idea SEARS sponsor a home renovation series. Still hurts a bit since I chose SEARS since use to ship by rail Honor Bilt Home kits by rail from 1908 – 1940. I thought of idea since, as I told SEARS, the best way to invest in America is to invest in Americans and you can quote me.
Mark Cuban The Recycling Man
Could have the Mark Cuban Moped Recycling Brigade to pass out cards to persons holding garage et al sales to not trash and instead donate to Mark Cuban’s TEAM You, me WE Thrift Stores or the charity of their choice. Some thrift stores will sell items not sold for 2 to 3 cents a pound each week. Thrift stores could alert of surplus on TEAM You, Me, WE Thrift Store website.
A nice commercial to advertise these new state-of-the-art TEAM You, me WE Thrift Stores would be. People of all ages tossing in bin or labeled box (like making basketball shots) recyclable items into City of Dallas blue recycle bins. And tossing into clearly labeled donation boxes items that could be donated to hip hop music:
RECYCLE MOMMA OF DALLAS HIP HOP SONG
COME ON EVERYBODY
SHAPE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT UP
PUT YOUR TRASH CAN ON A DIET
COME ON NOW JUST TRY IT
Comment by Alice Stephenson — February 10, 2009 @ 8:15 pm
Hey Mark,
My idea attached is to develop a database to improve monitoring and oversight of state chartered banking institutions. I am currently a bank regulator for a state banking department and it lacks a sufficient and user friendly database to properly oversee bank and non-bank entities (i.e. mortgage companies, title lenders, etc). It needs to be functional and flexible to adapt over time and regulations change. State banking departments can license the software and pay for annual tech support. I have the knowledge and understanding of state bank regulation to incorporate the right things to have in the program but I have no idea on how to create or fund such a product. Let me know if you are interested.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=d8d34wv_0fwwgjdgm
From MC> Makes sense. How would the economics work ? how would you make money
Comment by Justin — February 10, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
HotHead Technologies Working with Schutt Sports to Develop ‘Smart’ Helmet
Founder Jay Buckalew holding the HotHead sensor and a helmet equipped with the H.O.T. System. (PRNewsFoto/HotHead Technologies, Inc.)
NASHVILLE, TN USA
Schutt Sports, the world’s leading provider of football helmets and faceguards, is taking safety to the next level through their association with one of the most innovative sports technology companies in America.
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ — HotHead Technologies, Inc., an Atlanta-based enterprise committed to improving athletic safety through research-based technology, today announced it is working closely with Schutt Sports to develop a commercially viable heat-sensing helmet insert, which can detect potential heat stroke in a player in real-time. News of their joint development activities was officially announced at the American Football Coaches Association Annual Convention hosted by the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090111/CLSU014 )
“From the moment we began researching a way to prevent non-fatal and fatal injuries due to heatstroke, it has been our hope that the technology would find mass distribution through a relationship like this,” said HotHead CEO Jay Buckalew. “Placement of the Heat Observation Technology (H.O.T.)(TM) System in Schutt helmets will have a significant impact on the lives of these athletes.”
Developers at HotHead have spent years perfecting a dime-sized sensor that is expected to be implanted in the forehead pad of new and refurbished Schutt football helmets beginning this fall. The sensor will track the temperature trends of players on the field and send that data to a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) on the sidelines where it can be monitored in real-time. In the event a player’s temperature rises above normal, an audible alert is set off to warn a coach or certified athletic trainer that the player should be evaluated and cooled down.
While concussions and head injuries remain the most highly publicized injuries for football players, heat stroke and other heat-related problems are a very real threat to athletes and can be even more serious than other injuries.
“Yesterday’s helmets were designed to simply protect players from head injuries,” said Schutt CEO Robert Erb. “Our association with HotHead Sports is part of our long-range effort to build “smart” helmets which protect the player as a whole. Thanks to the ground-breaking H.O.T.(TM) System, we hope to help coaches and athletic trainers take the guesswork out of whether or not a player is overheating.”
According to USA Football, more than 21 million Americans — from pee wee to the NFL — will play football this year. Overheating, especially among programs in the South, is an area of long-time concern for coaches, parents, certified athletic trainers and administration. Until now, they have never been able to accurately monitor the true temperature of an athlete on the field.
About HotHead Sports
HotHead Sports, a division of HotHead Technologies, Inc., is an Atlanta-based company offering a patent-pending and proprietary monitoring solution termed the Heat Observation Technology (H.O.T.)(TM) system. The system is designed as an aid in the prevention of heat-related illness in athletes. Within the coming years, HotHead Technologies will target additional segments that have a need for biosensor technologies such as public safety, military, industrial, and other markets. “HotHead “, “HotHead Sports”, Heat Observation Technology (H.O.T) and the HotHead Sports logo are trademarks of HotHead Technologies, Inc..
HotHead is a registered trademark of HotHead Technologies, Inc.
About Schutt Sports
Schutt Sports is the world’s #1 maker of football helmets and faceguards and is the first helmet maker to move its technology beyond traditional foam padding. SKYDEX2(R) TPU Cushioning is available in the ION4D, AiR XP and DNA Pro+ lines, absorbing as much as 55% more force from impact in game-like conditions. Nearly 60% of the helmets and 80% of the faceguards around the world, from the pros to the pee wees, are made by Schutt Sports. Schutt Sports is also the Official Base Supplier to Major League Baseball(R). The USA Olympic Softball Team has won three gold medals and one silver medal wearing batter’s helmets from Schutt Sports.
SOURCE HotHead Technologies, Inc.
Comment by Jay Buckalew — February 10, 2009 @ 8:25 pm
I agree with everybody else: awesome!
It really made my day.
Thank you.
Comment by kellyamareta — February 10, 2009 @ 8:32 pm
I have an idea and if someone else picks it up….that would be great. I would love to start a business helping older people and people that have lost loved ones. The idea comes from me living in another state and my Mother not being able to get flowers to my brother and sister’s gravesites. It was difficult for her to pick up the flowers at the florist…take them to the cemetery…take the others off and store them. She never had time to visit with my brother and sister. She was always tired after delivery the flowers. So they didn’t get changed as much as we would have liked.
My idea is “Remember Our Loved Ones” this idea comes from visiting tanning beds where they charge $ 19.99 a month for a year’s time which is $ 239.88 per year. If you charge $ 19.99 a month or $ 24.99 a month and change the flowers 6 times a year (the family decides which ones and what kind of flowers….always artifical). Loved ones then have time to visit and spend time with there loved ones instead of trying to get someone to change the flowers and storing the old ones.
You can then create jobs for people that will create the arrangemens, people to deliver the arrangements and someone to keep the records.
I believe that this could be done in every state. I realize that some florists make do this for certain customers, but this is a great idea and it would be helping people and creating jobs for a little amount of money.
I have done research and the cost to start this is miminal, but the rewards and profits are wonderful.
This has been my dream for a very long time and I believe in it…just need help to get it started all over the United States.
Comment by Frances — February 10, 2009 @ 8:34 pm
Someone forwarded the link to me – nice concept!
Our offshore outsourcing company has been financing early stage development for quite a while in exchange for equity in those companies and it has been successful for either parties involved.
If someone has a perfect idea for a web service/company and Mark is not interested – try dropping us a line!
Comment by Peter — February 10, 2009 @ 8:35 pm
Mark-
The story of Southwest Airlines hedging fuel costs and turning a profit while its competitors struggled to survive is well known. So why don’t businesses with a fleet of trucks or cab drivers or even normal people that have a long commute every morning have the ability to hedge the cost of gas?
Well actually they can really easily. There are a few ETFs out there that track the price movement of oil and gasoline in the US. The only problem is that people don’t know they this exists or don’t know how to do it. We can work with businesses and individuals to help them come up with a hedge that is right for them based on how much they drive and how much exposure to gas prices they want. We can then buy them the securities that suit their needs and take a normal mutual fund fee off the top.
From MC> I think its a great idea, but i need to see a business plan and capital requirements
Comment by Ian — February 10, 2009 @ 8:35 pm
Mark-
The story of Southwest Airlines hedging fuel costs and turning a profit while its competitors struggled to survive is well known. So why don’t businesses with a fleet of trucks or cab drivers or even normal people that have a long commute every morning have the ability to hedge the cost of gas?
Well actually they can really easily. There are a few ETFs out there that track the price movement of oil and gasoline in the US. The only problem is that people don’t know they this exists or don’t know how to do it. We can work with businesses and individuals to help them come up with a hedge that is right for them based on how much they drive and how much exposure to gas prices they want. We can then buy them the securities that suit their needs and take a normal mutual fund fee off the top.
Comment by Ian — February 10, 2009 @ 8:36 pm
this is stupid, with your requirements about 60 day break even and a 90 day profitable you will not attract ideas that will take lead time to develop.
you just want simple ideas
Comment by sean — February 10, 2009 @ 8:36 pm
http://www.scribd.com/doc/12120568/Russell-Mims-Energy?secret_password=19hkz6vgbzohe9sk5alb
Comment by Russell Mims — February 10, 2009 @ 8:42 pm
Hi Mark,
Online education: selling online recorded lessons/tutorials in segments where students (and parents) have demonstrated a high willingness to pay (e.g., SAT prep courses). This idea is based on the business model of Megastudy, the online education leader in Korea (see businessweek article: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_50/b4013056.htm). Megastudy does 200m of revenue at +35% operating margins…
The key to the model is that you share the revenues with the teachers. In Korea, the teacher’s receive 20-25% of the revenue from their courses. The top teachers make 7 digits! How awesome is that?!?!
This business model has a network effect and is highly scalable. If you can attract the best teachers, you can attract more students, which makes the site more attractive for the best teachers (because they’re getting paid a commission on their courses).
Easy to start: 1) build a online distribution platform; 2)recruit some teachers and record their courses; 3) Mark Cuban gives a shout-out…
This is not the ideal business to post on a forum like this. Because it has a strong network effect, the first mover has a big advantage. (Although, ultimately, I like to think that the best content wins out.) However, I just love the business model and if I can’t be the one to get this idea off the ground, maybe someone else can.
Comment by Michael Lin — February 10, 2009 @ 8:43 pm
I think this is a fantastic idea! Thanks for offering it!
My proposal is for a company which would produce high quality, reasonably priced, digital fabric for use in clothing lines (both in house and external). I have a background in digital design and have worked with producing designs for and printing digitally on silks. I also have designers, fabricators, and sales people in mind for a team that would be very capable of working on this project and making it successful.
The first month would be used to produce the initial line of fabric designs, print lengths of silks, linens and cottons for sale raw, and produce simple products such as silk scarves and ties for sale. Creating a website to sell the product line online. Going to local and regional shops to sell the product line.
The second month would include taking in and producing custom orders. Digitally printing fabric allows for manipulation and creation of complex patterns over large areas. Custom orders would be more expensive, but the customer would receive something unique only to them. The company would also add products to the line such as skirts, shirts, etc. during the second month to expand the offerings and increase income.
The third month would continue to expand the product line, add more retail outlets, expand the in-house digital designs, etc.
People still want to look and feel good during a down economy. These fabrics and products could be produced at a reasonable price for something that is not completely mass produced. It would not be competing with the WalMart and Target lines of clothes, but would be sold at moderately priced boutiques where working class people and college students shop.
This would create jobs for up-and-coming designers looking for their first job out of school, or those hit by the failing economy. Return on investment would be paid back through %of profits and %ownership in the company. Austin is a very style friendly area with many fashionable boutique shops around town that would support a local operation such as this. The company should be able to at least break even during the first month and turn a profit thereafter.
Thank you.
Comment by Brandon — February 10, 2009 @ 8:49 pm
MC
With summer right around the corner how about pool rafts & noodles with team logos on them. All the pool rafts ive seen for sale are plain with 1 color. Also Oakleys that have team logos.
Thanks Mr. Cuban
P.S. I dare you to touch Mr. Carters hat lol
Comment by jason — February 10, 2009 @ 8:54 pm
I have been thinking about this idea for a long time; How much energy do we waste when we lift things? When you go to the gym you spend tons of energy just to get your body in shape and at the same time spending money. On top of that we, as a country, spend money to provide power. I have a buisness that will address all these points.
If a gym just used equipment that, instead of lifting lead weights, turned turbines these turbines would then collect energy into energy cells that we could then sell to the local power companies for money. This would be where we get our profit. The gym itself we be free to the public. The more people who use the gym, the more money we earn.
The energy would be clean and efficient. We could save the public money, spend less on fossil fuels, and make money hand over fist due to the fact that, other than the start up cost, there is relativly no upkeep costs.
Comment by camaeron smith — February 10, 2009 @ 8:56 pm
I have an idea that can revolutionize the golf industry. We have all seen the sky caddy and other golf yardage measuring devices. I have created a virtual yardage book. I have the blueprints and business plan I can send on further request, but here is the most basic premise.
The device looks like a touch-screen blackberry. It provides all information for the course based on GPS that is already in place by the sky caddy. When you hit a shot on the course, you press the club you used, which can be illustrated further on the blueprint, and the GPS records that position. You do this at the next shot as well. The device measures every single shot you have ever hit and can be recalled at a touch of a button. Need to remember what club you hit on that par 3 last tournament? How far is it over that water? You can zoom in at any point of the course through the touch screen. It will replace all pen and paper yardage books because you can use it for every single course you ever play. All it takes to download the course blueprint is through a USB device at each proshop. The best part is it is completely USGA legal for tournament play because it gives no other information than yardage. There may be options to hook it up to the internet later and have Golf Digest or someone give tips based on your performance during the round. However, this feature can be disabled during play to remain legal. There is much more, but this is the general idea.
So imagine every pro golfer, every junior player, having one device that can record every shot they have ever hit in their entire lives at every single course in one device that is legal for tournament play. That is my virtual yardage book.
My plan and your investment are as follows. You help me patent the device. We use the infrastructure already in place at sky caddy and sell them the idea. We split the royalties 50/50. You get your money back and get paid for a new standard in golf tournament play for as long as golf is played. It will replace pen and paper yardage books with the ability to expand worldwide. Email me if you are interested in more. PLEASE DON’T STEAL IT.
Comment by Travis Gatza — February 10, 2009 @ 9:06 pm
[...] Mark Cuban the billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks, HDNet and a bunch of other stuff has his own plan to stimulate the economy. I actually think this is a better idea than President Obama’s [...]
Pingback by Mark Cuban wants to Invest in your Business « CaseyTrowbridge.com — February 10, 2009 @ 9:08 pm
Mark -
The Treasury and the Federal Reserve have the right idea but their startegy needs to be revisited.
Here is my idea: Fund a “start-up” bank. Don’t laugh as you need to hear the concept. You provide the seed capital in the amount of say $10-25 million minimum to capitalize a start-up bank which gets it’s inital start by acquiring a failed bank from the FDIC at low or no premium for the underlying deposits – minimum of say $250 million in low cost deposits (the bank could repudiate deposits that are higher cost). The bank would then cherry pick the loans that come with the transaction – perhaps only taking on 10% of the loans. To fully deploy the capital, the bank then acquires high quality loans on the secondary market to fund out the rest of the balance sheet – yes they exist and yes they have a fat spread. With such an “instant balance sheet” the new bank could be profitable within 90 days of initial acqisition from FDIC … and because the assets would be rock solid by cherry picking from the ashes of a failed bank, the bank would be able to continue to bring in new deposits and lend out money. Asking existing banks to lend money when they are encumbered by the mistakes of their past is optimistic at best … a new bank could become the poster child for what the Fed wants banks to do – lend to consumers and small businesses, employee folks, etc. Having been in banking for nearly 20 years, I believe this is perhaps the best time in the last two decades to form a new bank – one that is well capitalized and managed by a strong management team. You get paid vis-a-via an equity stake in the entity. I believe the rest of your requirements could be easily addressed.
Look forward to your response!
Comment by John — February 10, 2009 @ 9:09 pm
My dream business is a utility supply company that is internet-based, and spans more than one regional market.
Working in the utility supply industry as both the Sales Manager and the Purchasing Manager of a small business (27 employees), it constantly amazes me how low-tech it is. In my region, the company I currently work for is the sole supplier to many of the largest utilities (public and private) in the country, and yet the ordering process, warehousing process, and purchasing process is still in the stone age. All of our customers have access to computers and the internet, and yet neither us, nor our competitors allow them to place orders without speaking to a CSR. I believe that a streamlined, online ordering process, coupled with a footprint larger than the small regional ones that are the norm in my industry (which is immediately provided by a strong internet presence), would result in a business that would thrive.
If I had the funding, I would use my extensive knowledge of the business side of the utility supply industry to set up an online marketplace. With a functioning website online, I would then use my relationships with regional sales reps to bring the best pricing in the industry to my customers. With almost no overhead to speak of (every manufacturer that I know of that serves the utility industry dropships with no extra charges, and they all have stock on hand), I would easily be able to out-price any competition, which would result is higher sales volume. This is because the utility industry is massively over-prices, and must remain so as all of the retailers that I know of deal with large overhead costs.
Advertising the business enough to make it profitable is almost a non-issue. Not only am I on a first-name basis with most of the head purchasers and tool room managers of the biggest utilities in the Northwest, but there is such a small internet presence for the industry online that even the most rudimentary of Google Adwords campaigns (or something similar) would land a well-built page in the top five within a few months.
Once again, this idea is new because the business does not have a retail location (IE: it is entirely internet based). In my industry, there is no reason to have a storefront, and yet every utility supply retailer I know of is purely storefront or delivery based. There are a few exceptions (IE: Altec Direct and Tallman Equipment), but neither has a nationwide presence, and both prefer to deal through their regional representatives.
The RFQ (request for quote) culture that is imbedded in the utility industry is a huge roadblock. If customers could log in to a website, see their price right away (complete with quantity discounts and shipping charges), and buy their product all at the same time, a lot more business would be done. I have the knowledge of the industry and the contacts to make such a business work, I just don’t have the money to invest in the infrastructure.
Comment by Nick — February 10, 2009 @ 9:12 pm
Mr. Cuban,
I believe there is a huge market for people to have easy access to healthy drinks/snacks regardless of where they are. I propose to have vending machines placed strategically throughout our metropolitan area; Mainly targeting schools and health clubs. These vending machines will offer an extremely wide variety of protein drinks and meal replacement bars. Clearly, we are the most obese country – by a large margin – on the face of the earth. Our goal is to help provide the public with access to these healthy choices no matter where they are. By putting these vending machines in schools, airports, movie theaters, and health clubs (among other places) we are going to be providing people with a choice. Anyone who is health conscious already uses these products on a daily basis. I’m an avid gym goer and I workout 4-5 days a week at my local gym (Lifetime Fitness) and school (UTD). A major problem that I, and thousands alike are experiencing, is the simple fact we don’t have a convenient access to these health drinks after a certain time or at all. Anyone who has ever been to the gym after 9PM knows you can’t get a protein drink from the health club’s café because they have already closed. What a shame, because after you workout, your body has a thirty minute window in which its cells are extremely receptive to protein synthesis. If these vending machines were in place, gym goers will have the opportunity to seize that 30 minute window of opportunity to feed their muscles. I also believe these machines would be a great alternative in schools in addition to soft drinks and junk food. My mission statement is as follows: Replenish. Refuel. Recover.
Comment by Justin Potash — February 10, 2009 @ 9:12 pm
Mark, I am a mortgage and real estate professional located in Dallas, TX. I was a Regional Manager/Vice President for the recently closed wholesale mortgage division of GMAC. I am searching for capital to start up a portfolio investment company that will be in a position to take advantage of the current liquidity crunch in the US real estate market. Texas has its share of foreclosures but has a strong economy, a low unemployment rate, and even in the current real estate environment continues to see a steady increase in property values.
A great opportunity exists to purchase properties at a substantially discounted rate and be in a position to resale and/or finance the acquired properties. There are numerous properties available and an even larger number of qualified borrowers needing financing. A company that owns the property and is in a position to sell outright, or finance the property short term can maximize the profitability of each transaction with minimal financial exposure. Because the opportunity exists to resale properties immediately we could turn a profit of approximately 30% on each transaction. If we choose to finance a portion of the properties the time of return is greater but profit is also greater. Terms are negotiable and all monies will be secured by the real estate purchased.
This proposal services the needs of both troubled lenders and Texas residents needing to purchase a home. We may not solve the mortgage crisis of the entire country but we could sure make some real progress in the state of Texas.
I have a detailed business plan that I would like to share with you if this sounds like an opportunity that you may be interested in.
Comment by Kevin — February 10, 2009 @ 9:14 pm
Business Plan: Sell personal injury, medical malpractice, mesothelioma/asbestos, and mass tort (pharmeceutical & products) based leads derived from affiliate web based marketing to attorneys throughout the USA. The way we will make our money will be two-fold:
1. We will mark the lead cost up on each sale. For example, say a Mesothelioma lead which matches up with our qualifications costs us $175 per lead for us to get on the front end. We will then mark the leads up to $350 or higher (Asbestos attorneys will pay this all day long for Mesothelioma leads). We can snap these deals in increments of $25k-$100k.
2. We will also be working with a National law firm on a Co-Counsel basis, therefore we will make the lions share of our money by sharing in the back end fees on a Co-Counsel basis with the firm we sell the deal to. We will get 20% of the attorney fees upon successful conclusion of each case we generate. Majority of Mesothelioma cases are $1m+,so 20% on the back end gets us $200k, etc. The Mass Tort cases are even higher, in much more volume, and easy to get from Affiliate web based marketing.
Needs: Standard office equipment, IP phones, telephone service, and Internet. I have everything else needed computer equipment wise.
The rest is sales skills and covering the expenses of 1-2 guys to pound the phones & set up appointments with attorneys that specialize in the areas of litigation we generate the leads for.
Although this plan does involve marketing which I know you said in #2 it cannot, however this is a different twist to it in the sense that we are getting the client (attorneys) we sell to cover ALL of the hard marketing costs, making a profit on each sale to cover overhead, and then we’re making the real money on the back end fees which can get exciting. We are not relying on marketing our company/brand to make ANY money whatsoever or to survive for that matter. If we don’t sell anything then nobody makes any money. It’s all sweat equity and sales skills.
Let me know if you are interested & I will go into much more detail.
BPM
Comment by Murph — February 10, 2009 @ 9:16 pm
Interested at all Mr Cuban in SAVING a family business that has been operating since 2000, and is about to succumb to the economy in the next week or so, mainly because several of our clients filed chapter 11 last year, and we incurred more bad debt than we could handle in the past 12 months? My sales team went on a tear in 2008 and if it were not for the bad debt and the recession on the horizon, we feel we have the momentum to make serious headway over the next quarter. Our overhead which was $90,000/month can be slashed to about $60,000 and our monthly profit is currently floating in the mid $70,000 range, with many new customers coming on board! Unfortunately, it appears based on a meeting this past weekend, and another this afternoon, that we will not make it to see the fruit of our labors!
As the Director of Sales and Marketing, I know that I will be fine, as my skills are being sought at this time, so I know myself and my family will land on our feet. It’s the dozen staff members that I truly wish you could help!
What do you say Mr Cuban…Oh and for the record, Andrea Bargnani IS the next Dirk Nowitzki!!
From MC>You need to provide more info if you want me to consider it
Signed a Canadian Entrepreneur (Jeff W)
Comment by Jeff — February 10, 2009 @ 9:16 pm
OK, then how about a HD store. I specialize in home media servers, and that along with network media tank and ripping stations and extenders. Not offered anywhere else in a brick and mortar ( people do like to see HD streamers ). Put one here, then everywhere.
People do like HD, and great audio.
Ben
Comment by Ben Ogilvie — February 10, 2009 @ 9:17 pm
Dear Mark,
I’d like to join you as a potential funder of new businesses under the same terms and conditions that you have spelled out.
Peter
Comment by peter a bobley — February 10, 2009 @ 9:18 pm
Here is my business plan. Never done one but I think i have all the parameters you ask for.
Business Plan
Mikes Eco-Rain Barrel Co.
Mission Statement: To provide a dynamic and eco-friendly way of collecting and storing rainwater for lawn and garden watering which is good for home/business owners who want to save money and help the environment. The Eco-Plex Rain Barrel is the Metroplex’s lawn and garden Green watering alternative in times of long dry spells which the Metroplex experiences all too often. More than one Eco-Plex Rain Barrel can be joined together for larger lawns or the needs of a homeowner.
Business conception date: February 10, 2009
Founder: Michael +*+*+*+; owner and installer
Employees: 2, but will need more as business explodes.
Location: Dallas Texas
Products: 55 Gallon Barrel or 30 Gallon Barrel. Downspout diverter. Shut-off valve. Overflow port. Downspout adapter. Downspout debris filter. Owners manual.
Hard cost is $167 for the 55 gallon kit, and $110 for the 30 gallon kit.
The retail/consumer cost is $200 for 30 gallon barrel kit plus installation. $240 for 55 gallon barrel kit plus installation. Cost of owners manual.
A net profit of $73 dollars for the 55 gallon, and $90 net profit for the 30 gallon kit.
Total seed money investment is $35,000.
Twenty 55 gallon kits at $167: $3340
Twenty 30 gallon kits at $110: $2200
Logo design and owners manual: $1500
Employee salary at $17 an hour with a 40 hour work week: $680.00 weekly. x2=$1360.00 weekly. $5440 monthly. 90 day salary of $16,320.
The rest of the investment money of $11,640 is to be used for ancillary products like business cards, gasoline, purchase of work truck (used) bought through Craigslist, and vehicle maintenance and upkeep, as well as employee uniforms (silk screened polo shirts with vendor bids for least expensive) and Dickies work pants.
Any profitability per Mark Cuban will be his initial investment of $35K plus 10% of net business profit.
Since there is no available advertising budget, word of mouth and cold calling to companies and homeowners will be the marketing budget.
Mark Cuban reserves the right to stop funding or continue funding at his discretion.
There you go. Had this idea in my head for some time and never had the resources to make it happen. Hope you think it is a viable company.
Mike
Comment by Michael — February 10, 2009 @ 9:21 pm
Hi Mark, great idea you have going here. As a web publisher, I completely agree with your “no advertising” rule – we should stick to tangible consumer goods. Here’s my stimulus for circulating cash within the US economy, as inspired by my special lady’s small business.
***Fashion Items, handmade by Americans for Americans***
- No sweatshops here, just fair wages for documented citizens to earn from a skill trade (sewing, etc). Community-style, wellness-driven work environment.
- Handmade items, USA-only suppliers
- Handbags and clothing using popular designer print fabrics (think Amy Butler)
- Price points to satisfy middle-class consumption, yet high enough to create a fair margin.
- I’m not too keen on managing to public stock prices, small # of investors, employee and customer ownership culture (REI-style co-op, perhaps?
- Made-to-order, mass customization (mix and match your own fabric choices within various styles)
- Special product lines (think RED) where proceeds are donated to US causes that ease some taxpayer burdens (Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans, for example)
- Distribution can be online immediately (Etsy.com, FreeCraftFair.com)
Your post ignited these thoughts, so formal biz plan is still ‘in-progress’, and will be posted here within a day or two. Feel free to drop a line if interested.
Cheers,
John
Comment by John — February 10, 2009 @ 9:21 pm
Hello, my name is Justin Crum. I am a 3 year experienced ISSA certified personal trainer and business manager. I have been starting gyms for other business owners and now I think by starting my own I can not only help people to be healthier, but help the country as a whole. I believe it all starts with fitness- by giving more people confidence and motivation to better themselves and others around them. Not only that, but I would be putting a lot of people to work. For instance: contactors to build the gyms, people to run the gyms, and personal trainers. There are very small start up cost, and I have been trying to find more people to invest in me because this is something I have done already and know it can work.
So far, within the first 60 days at any location that I’ve worked at, I can sell 200 or more 1 year paid in full memberships. This would cover most of the initial costs, and possibly show a return investment. The initial costs include: renting the building for the gym (which I all ready have quite a few in mind near where I live), and cover building costs. The other few cost are the building permit from the city, building insurance, and the initial advertisements, which I can put in detail if needed. I do the initial pre-sales, training of employees, and advertising. Advertising is as simple as direct mailers and cross promotions with other local businesses, this way I can help out the entire community by promoting other businesses while they promote mine. I would train employees on how to run the gym, how to sell memberships, and manage equipment so that I can move on and open other gyms in other locations to build more revenue.
My initial investment cost would be a flat $100,000 witch I can give to you in complete detail if you are interested. Please respond and email me with any questions.
Thank you,
Justin Crum
Comment by Justin Crum — February 10, 2009 @ 9:23 pm
I have written a few theatrical stage plays which were very successful, in attendance and financially. I am currently in the mode of shooting a short film that I wrote, directed, and produced. I am looking for a production company that can help support the production. If interested, I would most gladly present to you a professional business plan. The proposed movie does have a targeted audience and plan for success. Please visit my website at http://www.marvinmatthew.com and if interested I can be reached via e-mail at (214) 395.0293
Comment by Marvin Walker Jr. — February 10, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
[...] Mark Cuban Stimulus Plan – Open Source Funding [...]
Pingback by Boston Startups :: Evening Reading for Boston Startups — February 10, 2009 @ 9:28 pm
I second the In-N-Out idea. We need one in Dallas. I hate going all the way to California for those burgers.
Comment by Emilio — February 10, 2009 @ 9:28 pm
I have written a few theatrical stage plays which were very successful, in attendance and financially. I am currently in the mode of shooting a short film that I wrote, directed, and produced. I am looking for a production company that can help support the production. If interested, I would most gladly present to you a professional business plan. The proposed movie does have a targeted audience and plan for success. Please visit my website at http://www.marvinmatthew.com and if interested I can be reached via e-mail at marvinwalkerjr@yahoo.com (PLEASE DISREGARD ABOVE WRONG TELEPHONE NUMBER)
Comment by Marvin Walker Jr. — February 10, 2009 @ 9:29 pm
I’m not sure if this business qualifies for the blog or not, but my wife sent me an email link to this blog, so I figured I would post this…
1. It is an existing business that I have been working on for years, but recently incorporated as a Texas corp this year
2. The business is selling a skin care product
3,4,5: Since I have already made all the initial investments, it is already cash flow positive. Small profitability is already there and large profitability will probably be there in several years but can potentially be faster with a larger investment
6. Currently the product costs X, sells for Y and is resold for Z. Y=500% of X. Z = 200% of Y.
7. There is one owner myself, one consultant and I have been talking to other people as potential help.
8. I can post a general business plan without details, but I’m not sure if that would be helpful. The devil is ALWAYS in the details.
9. More important than funding is finding the right people. I think most creditworthy people can get an SBA loan for about 1.5 million which is probably good enough for most small businesses.
I think you could add value to any business wishing to grow by having you as a board member and advisor.
10 and 11: works for me.
12. This seems like a negotiable point.
13. The business is not a multi-level marketing plan.
Comment by Anonymous Doc — February 10, 2009 @ 9:30 pm
Mark,
I hope to offer you a ten percent equity… dedicating my future to creating your next big idea.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcj2z8rm_21ckrxvtpz
Thanks!
Adam
Comment by Adam F — February 10, 2009 @ 9:30 pm
Mr. Cuban,
Here is an idea I have been working that is an internet business that involves and interactive design community. The name is Art of the Masses. Here is the short synopsis from a longer business plan that I have written. Let me know what you think. Thanks!
Art of the Masses is many things, but in its entirety it is a community. It is a community where designers can come together to create something bigger than themselves. These designers can express themselves in a way like never before, and at the same time show their creativity by using one person’s idea and turning it completely on it’s head.
This business will succeed because it is providing its users their need to be seen. Unlike any other site where the majority rules, Art of the Masses allows anyone who is interested to participate in the creative process. We are allowing designers to be individuals and at the same time co-exist and work together. We have determined the need our market has to be in an interactive community where they work together in small communities. We believe that the service we provide will go above and beyond at meeting this need. We also believe that all designers will be inclined to participate in this community because of its interactive nature.
Our success will depend on several factors. First will be our ability to meet our users’ primary desire to express themselves. Once that is accomplished we will allow them to have tangible evidence of their work in the form of products. Any user who works on a design will feel ownership on it and thus be more inclined to purchase something with their work on it. We believe we will be highly successful because of this provision.
Art of the Masses is providing two things, a service and a product. We are providing a service in that we are giving our target market, graphic designers, an outlet to express themselves while at the same time collaborating together. This is unique in the fact that many do not get a chance to build off of one another’s ideas and thus create something that is bigger than themselves. For this reason Art of the Masses will meet our market’s needs to have an interactive community where small groups can work together to create a larger project.
We are also providing a product. Once this service is in place and the projects are completed, Art of the Masses is allowing all of its users to purchase this piece of art on several different items. The users can buy t-shirts, desktop wallpaper, posters, or canvases with their multi-designer work of art on it. This will be very effective because all who participated in the project will feel ownership over it and want to have a tangible product of their design. Likewise, with the over commercialization that is being experienced every day, we believe that many will flock to Art of the Masses because it lets the user choose what they want to say. Everyone is looking for something that is unique and one of a kind, and the projects done at Art of the Masses will all be one of a kind.
Comment by Thomas Kennedy — February 10, 2009 @ 9:31 pm
I like the idea have a businees plan will to send to you now. hoe company will make money from day one for investor i am posting the plan on slideshre.com my Companies name in Chosen 1 Inc.please read the plan the investment return is guaranteed by a swiss bank.
Comment by Todd — February 10, 2009 @ 9:34 pm
i am a college senior, and thought that dormbeds.com was a great idea. i think..why stop at just beds? why not put together a website that supplies all the necessities a college freshman will need when going off to school? simple items, such as dry erase boards, sandals for the bathroom, an emergency sick kit etc. could be packaged together and mailed to save the future college student endless shopping trips! its a one stop shop. what do you think?
Laura
Comment by Laura — February 10, 2009 @ 9:40 pm
Sorry for the double post, but I left something out.
It may seem like my idea would not create jobs, but instead eliminate them. However, that isn’t the case in my industry. That is because the DTO (Direct Turn Over) aspect of the businesses that currently serve the utility industry only employee one or two employees.
The businesses that serve as the retail storefronts for all of the utilities that I know of are not primarily retail businesses. They are tool repair business, certification and calibration businesses, and consulting businesses. They dabble in retail sales because there’s no other businesses in the region that sells the product that they repair or certify.
In actuality, if the retail aspect of the utility industry was streamlined, it would eliminate very few jobs. In fact, the three or four jobs that it would impact in my region would be made up in my business, as I would require help as the business grows. This would lead to a much higher level of customer service, as any questions would be answered by someone who is focused on retail, instead of a mechanic answering pricing and lead-time questions (which is often the case now).
Comment by Nick — February 10, 2009 @ 9:44 pm
Hi Mark – Good to see the Mark Cuban of old has resurfaced. Doings such as this is why I tried to pitch the B-System Identity Management System to you in April 06. B-System does not qualify the opportunity that you are offering. However, if you sincerely decide to find the “next big thing” please google “Ray Beasley Inventor.” Be sure and read the report:
Cyber Security: Latest Trend in Economic Development
Actually, with UT-Dallas proposing to perform the needed engineering and having the endorsement of Mr. Tom Hill (Senior Fellow EDS), if I had a working model today B-Systems provided to global societies is the stimulus plan that President Obama and Congress are in need of (if they really desire to create jobs).
Take care. Keep being a blessing to others. That’s why you are so cool.
Ray
Comment by Ray Beasley — February 10, 2009 @ 9:50 pm
Mr. Cuban
I have a few ideas but one that I think will work is sending song dedications via the WEB and Phone – charging the sender a .99 cent fee for every dedication. There wouldn’t be much overhead except for the WEB design, functionality, support & possibly teaming up with one of the big music giants to pay the royalties on the songs. I’ve already purchased a domain name for this idea but don’t have the money to move forward with the idea nor do I know even where to begin or who to contact. This to me could be the next biggest thing as you could send song dedications to your loved ones, distant family, troops overseas, etc. just to let them know that you are thinking about and love them. The dedication sent via email or phone could be personalized with a message and then the song played for their enjoyment. All the music could be hosted in one place and the dedication website would just be the pass-through. Once the word got out this could be huge and possibly a large revenue generator that’s similar to that of how Netflix works. We could all make money doing this but would just need to work out all the details.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to post my idea, hope to hear back from you soon.
Comment by Jason — February 10, 2009 @ 9:51 pm
my idea and fix is to the underlying problem to the economy that is the poor customer service that everyone gets at almost every buisness large and small.the idea is to evaluate solve and make all employees from a cashier to a manager,understand what they need to do to have people want to not only spend money but to keep coming back to thier establishments.
Comment by seth — February 10, 2009 @ 9:52 pm
Covers for outside plants. When it freezes in the south. All shapes and sizes. Disposable and/or re-useable. Could possibly go for orchards to instead of heating just use the covers to cover groves (so many trees at a time). Use for bushes, plants and flowers with either draw strings or pop-out covers. Sell at WalMart, etc. nurseries and orchard growers in the South. Use material that keeps frost off plants and they can breath and remove after frost has gone. Beats lugging our plants in and out of the garage, etc.
Need to fund proto-type and sell to manufacturers and out to retail.
Assisted Living: 2 bedrooms on each side with full bath and patio. Central living area with LCD TV. Pool. Upstairs full house; 3 bedroom, living, kitchen,den, laudry room for couple assisting with meals, activities, Van for trips and doctor appts. Less per unit charge like 2000 or less per unit … Competition, but allows elderly who are not ready for real assisted living or nursing homes to experience a “home” environment. Own property, collect rent, tax deductions?, etc. Land and homes good investments for down the road.
Comment by Marilyn Bower — February 10, 2009 @ 9:52 pm
Hello Mark,
I am a former USPTA tennis teaching pro with a degree in Business Sports Management
I have always been told to pursue something you are passionate about. My dream has always been to open my own Tennis and Swim Club with indoor tennis courts here in Collin County. My vision would be to open this between- Plano, Frisco, Allen and McKinney on Highway 121.
Currently there are ZERO indoor tennis courts in Collin County and only 3 facilities in all of Dallas (in which are private).
Plano, Tx is home to one of the largest public tennis centers in the Unites States and is considered a large tennis community.
My vision would be to make this a semi-private club that opens its doors to all and does not exclude only those whom can afford a country club membership!
My business plan includes a facility that includes a club house, outdoor pool, weight room, locker rooms, 12 indoor tennis courts, 6 clay courts 18 out door lighted hard courts. An example of my vision would be T Bar M in Dallas, how ever with a more upscale club house!
The ideal location would be next to a hotel so we could host tennis tournaments, tennis camps and mental toughness seminars.
My first estimates/ research tells me that I would need $5 million to start up. However, I don’t think I would be able to break even in 60 days or turn a profit in 90 days.
This is more of a long term investment..
I would love to hear your thoughts!
Go Mavs!
Brian
Comment by Brian — February 10, 2009 @ 9:55 pm
Here is a quick synopsis of a business that is a sure fire winner. My goal is to make you and I a reasonable amount money while employing many people in a mid-size manufacturing business with a “Proudly Made in America” mantra.
Consider this: How many baseball and golf style caps do you think are sold in the US on a per annum basis? Second: multiply that by the number of caps made and sold on behalf of Professional Sports, Colleges, High Schools, Corporate Logos, etc – you get the picture.
Problem: Most of these caps never fit or look right on your head – the dome of the hat is either flat on top, flat in the back, flat on the sides or just flat out doesn’t conform to your head the way you’d like it to.
Solution: Introducing the “Topper-Popper”. This lightweight, meshed (ventilation purposes) plastic dome fits inside the cap – giving your cap a perfect round dome shape that’s stylish and suitable to the likes of all cap wielding wearers.
Immediate Needs: 1. Engineer to design the product. 2. CNC Machine Company to make the plastic injection mold. 3. Purchase of the first Plastic Injection Molding Processing Machine. 4. Lease 8,000 ft commercial space (Mercantile Row – Dallas). OPTION – outsource all manufacturing and only have final assembly and packaging done by our workers in less commercial space.
Product Pricing: Packaged in 2’s – the Topper Popper package would wholesale for $1.50 with an MSRP of $4.95. Minimum floor plan per store would include 35 packages.
Sales and Distribution: Stage 1 (first 90 days) – Introduction of the Topper Popper will be in the Southwestern states. A combination of a direct employ sales rep (me to start) as well as a group of commission only independent sporting goods manufacturer’s reps will spearhead the selling effort among retail sporting goods stores, golf stores, etc. Stage 2 (second 90 days) – Hire a national network of independent sporting goods manufacturer’s reps as well as develop online e-commerce relationships.
Equity: You will receive a 35% ownership position or 15% return on your invested money with a payback in 12 months.
Let’s roll Mark – heck we can even sell them at the Mav’s games. Remember the “Topsy Tail” by Tamera Monosoff – if you don’t your wife will.
Comment by Brad White — February 10, 2009 @ 9:56 pm
Mr. Cuban,
The business plan I propose to obtain open source funding from you is as follows:
Product:
A team hat that has an interchangeable Velcro logo.
Target Consumer:
Primarily females with ability to expand to all gender and age demographics.
Objective of Product:
Many people who attend sporting events are really just mediocre fans, perhaps they attend 1-2 sporting events a year in their home market, they aren’t necessarily die-hard fans to the point where they want to buy separate hats/gear for each team, but they do like to support the team. An interchangeable logo would allow them to purchase one hat and change the front logo via a replaceable Velcro logo when they are attending a different teams sporting event.
Why the concept will work?
Affordability meets Flexibility – The economy is a tough place right now, for the average family it is not prudent to buy a new piece of apparel for every game or to support every hometown team. This would give people the option of buying one hat at a regular price and swapping out the team logo at a much more affordable price to fit the event they are attending.
Women & Accessories – Many women love to attend sporting events and look their best doing so. In addition these type of women love accessories, this type of product will allow women flexibility and provide them with away to accessorize prior to the game. (Think about it they can buy one pink hat and then purchase a Mavericks and Cowboys logo, perhaps somebody creates a diamond studded interchangeable logo for the women, essentially there is opitionallity with what you can do with the interchangeable logo).
Kids and Collections – When I was a kid I think I had 200 hundred hats, I loved collecting them, now a kid can buy a hat and turn it into three hats (xyz’s city’s football, baseball, and basketball teams).
Why the concept is right for your proposal?
This concept is right for your proposal because it can get off the ground and go to market fast if not immediately. In fact this would be an idea that I think would be prudent to launch prior to MLB opening day and in time for both the NBA Playoffs and NHL Stanley Cup. A partnership with you would give the idea immediate access to suppliers, licensing agreements, and most importantly the end consumer.
Primary Questions/Concerns regarding the idea?
1) Why would people want to buy just one hat? Not everybody wants to buy just one hat, however, there consumers that I believe will look at this as a novelty item and purchase this item. In addition for the casual fan that does not want to own three or four hats this gives them the option to purchase one hat that will be a staple in their sports wardrobe to support all of their favorite teams.
2) What about color schemes, how can one hat meet the concept of all color schemes? The first part of this answer is addressed by the concept that the hat is geared towards the female fan; as such, the hat can be pink. All sports teams have pink apparel for their female fans, this would address the first problem with color. In terms of the male audience, a neutral color scheme would most likely have to be used, such as black/white and silver/gray.
Other Key idea component (Charity)**:
In addition to the information above you could also address this idea from a charity prospective as well. For example you could design a pink hat, red hat, and alterative color scheme (black/grey/white, etc.) a portion of all proceeds from the purchase of pink hats could be donated towards breast cancer, a portion of all proceeds for the red hat could be donated towards aids or an alternative cancer research, and a portion of all proceeds from the alternate color scheme could be donated to the charity of the team’s/owners choice, such as catastrophe funding.
** Obviously I am not thinking of running a charity here, but a small portion of proceeds guaranteed to go to charity could be a huge incentive for fans to buy these hats. You could mark the hats up a bit at games and run a promotion for all fans to by them around a specific charity.
Partnership:
I would view this as a partnership as I would need to lean on your resources to get this project off the ground. For example if we initially launched this product at Maverick games I would be willing to do a 60/40 split of net income (60 to me/40 to you), in addition I would be willing to initially give you a 49% stake in the management company. Both of these terms would be subject to renegotiation as agreed upon targets are hit an new markets are introduced.
Obviously these terms are open to negotiation. Keep in mind that this product could be easily tested and brought to market at Maverick games to determine potential and profitability. If this product tests well and proves to be profitable there would definitely be a creation of jobs through the following; manufactures (foreign or US, I don’t particularly care, if we want to be profitable than I say China, if we truly want to support the U.S. then lets take this to a U.S. manufacture and stick an American Flag on the back of the hat as well), shippers (fed ex, ups, etc.) stadium vendors, retail stores, mall kiosks, e-commerce based businesses, charity foundations, team marketing personnel creating promotions around hat, etc.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts if this idea even warrants a comment.
Comment by Shiphouse — February 10, 2009 @ 9:57 pm
TAKE MY IDEA PLEASE….anyone & everyone…but remember let the business “EVOLVE” or you will fail…just remember 8 out of 10 restaurants never see their first year anniversary!!
THEY FORGOT PASSION FOR THEIR BUSINESS, KNOWING THEIR BUSINESS & KEEPING REALISTIC GOALS.
I stumbled on a very curious site. There I was in this relatively small town, maybe 35000 people, and I look over and see a Blockbuster video its parking lot was barren. Across the street was a mom & pop video store, packed to the hilt. How?? I thought is this possible. I pulled over and went in, the answer was obvious as I entered. The aroma of pizza hung heavy in the air, not a great pizza, but very good. Pizza & movies…brilliant!! Could this be a stable business??? Had this little hybrid gone far enough….after my research no was the answer.
Here is my hybrid,
DINNER & MOVIE “DELIVERED” aka Culture Shock
Our goal is to offer movies, video games (used & new), and food…all delivered*!
Our movie offerings…all the current movies at $2.00 and $1.00 late fees
we specialize in kids movies, anime, and the largest horror film library.
and yes they are delivered*!
We offer all our video games for rent for $1.00 day….you pick your package 5, 10, 15 days.
and remember we deliver*. Want to trade in your games no problem, you can even trade for credit on your rental account!!
Food, we have an incredible selection of pizza, pasta, salads, soups, egg rolls, and cheese steaks.
But there’s more we have three separate video lounges hosting all Xbox live games as well as tournaments….(All of this with surround sound and comfortable seating) This adds up to hosting up to 12 players on-line at the same time. We have weekly tournaments and all headed to the yearly final.
the cost per month for tournaments is $5.00 entry fee as well as 1600 Microsoft points….remember there is a weekly iron man tournament….the grand prize is all the Microsoft points currently in our war chest!!!
Eat, drink, watch, heck get involved and pick up some tips, or just play!!
We also have an in house video game workshop…ever wanted to make your own video games??? Or asked yourself how do I get involved…well with Microsoft’s XNA studio we have monthly projects where we all work together to make our own games…these can be ported straight to Xbox 360.
Ever had to wait in line for your new game on release date??? Why??? When we deliver all newly released games to our pre-order customers at midnight!!!
All deliveries require an $8.00 minimum purchase*
“The movies will be eventually eliminated but the real jewel in the business is video game project, the customers make the games, we own and sell them. They get a real working knowledge and a portfolio as well. The games are straight to 360 ports”
Last year they had a contest 4 teams had to make games in 4 days…and yes they all succeeded!!
These games sell…a good example is Maw or Portal…Portal was made by duh duh duh…you guessed it “kids!”
Gamestop earns 1.38 million each year average per store (customer appreciation zero)
Blockbuster earns $683,000 a year average per store (customer appreciation zero)
now add food sales of $49,000 per month you do the math
Need $112,000 to get started
many thanks
Denton
Comment by Denton — February 10, 2009 @ 9:57 pm
Hey Mark,
Think about this:
A site that helps and motivates people to stay in shape. With the help of trainers, simple regimens will be put together for those who are training to lose weight, gain weight/build muscle, gain endurance, etc.. People can join the site, put in their stats, their goals, receive a training regimen from the site, and update their profile on their site after every workout session. The site will compile this data and chart their progress onto graphs, and show them somewhat anonymous profiles of others who are roughly the same size with the same goals, and perhaps throw a competitive flair in there.
It would educate those who want to get in shape but don’t really have any idea how and it will provide motivation by showing others’ progress and also charting the individual’s progress.
Let me know what you think,
Eye.
Comment by Eye Enn — February 10, 2009 @ 9:59 pm
Great concept. Motivated me to get our biz plan done.
Here’s a fairly simple plan to develop personal finance curriculum for high schools, delivered over the web. A lot has been said about the average American’s lack of knowledge in basic financial conepts, especially as of late. This plan takes advantage of that (fair) criticism and addresses it in a way schools can act on quickly.
Start-up capital for equity.
http://www.slideshare.net/chris_88/classroom-cash-management
Comment by Chris — February 10, 2009 @ 10:01 pm
Hello Mr. Cuban,
I admire and applaud you for your attempt to stimulate the economy. Maybe closing down Wall Street is the answer (smile). Anyways, after reading all the submitted ideas posted here on your site, I noticed that so many of them are either (1) nothing more than an attempt to make more profits for their own company, or (2) a copy / modification of an existing business, or (3) just a ridiculus, un-educated stab at a REAL problem, or (4) just using your site as a place to advertise. I also want to say that too many of the ideas do absolutely nothing towards stimulating the local economies…..and nothing about giving common people a real opportunity to perform work and get a paycheck. I really do not believe that Mark Cuban can help stimulate the millions of suffering Americans by “funding some kind of lame INTERNET business”!!! People need immediate finacial help…..and they are willing to work hard for that help. Giving funding to yet another “get rich quick” e-business provider is not the answer. How about funding a real business….that performs real work, and provides real jobs…..building real products!!!! Mark, I have a couple of ideas that are based on the good old-fashion mertits from the times of our parents. My ideas will help people in need, who are healthy and willing to work, find their own way out of this MESS using hard work and their own abilities. My ideas are simple…..and easy to start. I, myself, am currently nearing the start of opening one of these businesses, and I know it works. Yes, I am in need of start-up funding; however, I cannot risk giving out my plans and ideas for fear of cutting my own throat getting into this business. Please understand, the fear comes from giving out “a good idea and plan” to other people who DO HAVE THE FUNDING to beat me to the punch. So, Mark, if you are at all interested…..please let me know, and then I will be happy to open up with all the details. I have been researching this idea for two years, performing in-depth hands-on investigations of every aspect …… and it does prove out to be both profitable, and easy for others to duplicate the success. Hope you will consider me. Thank You
Comment by John — February 10, 2009 @ 10:10 pm
This bussiness proposal i got will defintely make you millions and its something thats orginal and no one has ever thought of. It also helps the needy. Not that much money is needed to start it off and it will make you and me Millions. Please contact me back for i can tell you all the details in Private. This is a bussiness oppurtunity of a lifetime
Thank You
ROBBIE PHILLIPS
Comment by Robbie Phillips — February 10, 2009 @ 10:11 pm
i was thinking more along the lines of a fishery of sorts. With all types of fish being “grown” and sold to the open market producing food cutting back on the amount of fish we take out of the oceans lakes rivers and etc.
Comment by Pierre Dangerfield — February 10, 2009 @ 10:15 pm
Hey Mark, will there be a way to see what ideas you choose to invest in? I also believe it would be beneficial for other entrepreneurs to see the more specific questions you ask the businesses you choose to invest in. Thanks
Comment by Wayne — February 10, 2009 @ 10:27 pm
I’m not thinking brainiac, just thinking of useful, smart, downright good idea. Right now people are searching for ways to economize, save money and not really lose anything that they have. Can’t always have everything that you want, right? I believe that beginning with a small shop that only builds clothesline poles and sells them to retailers such as Tractor Supply, hardware stores or even WalMart (blech) would be a viable small business. It would not only support however many welders as it took to keep up with the request for supply, it would benefit the end user. We wouldn’t be using so much electricity by drying loads of clothes. In this time of trying to be “green” and being forced to watch ou money this is one way to save. Isn’t that the way it begins? One step at a time? I believe it would take a shop; or my garage, equipped with 2 welding machines, a cutting torch, drill press, 2 people adept at welding, one person out selling them to businesses and doubling as a backup in the shop. Starting small here, but isn’t that how most things begin? Minimal start up, enough front money to pay wages to unemployed welders, wage for salesman, overhead; i.e. materials to build poles, electricity, rods, misc. Wouldn’t take much to start and depending on whether or not we were able to get a retailer to pick up orders I believe we would still be able to sell to people by word of mouth. I have been thinking about this and I think it could be expanded to also selling the clothespins, the bags to hang on the line that hold the pins and not to mention the line and turnbuckles that are used to complete the clothesline. This could be a whole line. Right now I’m just thinking that it is a good idea to get the poles built and out there where people have the option of buying them. The average person does not have the ability to manufacture these but I am sure they would use them if they were available. I would want to be able to pay you back as quickly as possible, any income after wages are paid to the original three co-employees and overhead has been met would go directly back to you with a specific target date paying you back in full. Depending on demand and the opportunity to get into places like Tractor Supply, Feed Stores and other retailers and, hopefully, online, hopefully we would be able to add more welders and eventually build a shop to meet demand. After the purchase of at least one welding machine and the other shop items necessary the other start up cost would include the poles used. Poles, welding rods, labor, that is about it. Crazy huh? No internet genius here, just a hard worker who is out of work and trying to find a way to stay out of the poor house and support myself and others. Thank you for your time. Hope you have much success with this endeavor of yours. What a good idea. Good luck.
Comment by Cindy Usery — February 10, 2009 @ 10:27 pm
Mark –
I am an avid golfer who unfortunatly lives in the upper midwest where due to crappy weather I might get to golf half the year. My business would be to open a virual gold club using high quality golf simualtors. This company would be highly profitable during the cold winter months when all outdoor courses are closed and would hopefully cover expenses during the summer months through “rain day specials”. The initial start up would be around 150K for multiple simulators & securing a location inside of our projected market. For the initial start up cost you would recieve 25% equity in the company.
Comment by Charlie — February 10, 2009 @ 10:35 pm
Mark, you’re on. Thank-you very much for the opportunity. AGORACOM is generating 7 digit revenues and very healthy profits – all from providing small-cap public companies with online shareholder communities and search engine marketing. No stock promotions, just legitimate online marketing and communications.
Not 1 penny of revenue is derived from advertising. Over 250 public companies have used our service and we currently have approximately 65 companies under annual contract.
All we’re looking to do now is multiply our business model via more marketing (search, conferences, Biz TV ads). I am hell bent on building a business that provides clients with an unbelievable experience and ROI. I don’t think about exits. Just build a great business and the rest will take care of itself.
We’re launching a chinese small-cap community on Monday and will be in California for the week, so I hope it’s OK if we get the updated biz plan to you in 2 weeks?
Regards,
George
From MC> Post it here and I will read it
Comment by AGORACOM - George — February 10, 2009 @ 10:37 pm
Hey Mark,
I heard about what you were proposing and to be honest, I wasn’t sure what i thought about it. I mean, in one hand i have an opportunity to be funded by Mark Cuban. One of my ideas; one of my children, have the possibility to be birthed from my cranial uterus, seeded by the stable financial backing of Mark Cuban himself. In the other hand, I will be relinquishing one of the most powerful ideas ever to be conjured, manifested with such loving care and intelligent precision and that it makes Einstein’s theory of relativity look like Forest Gump’s outlook on life. A dangerous proposition when released onto the open market. But in the name of capitalism, here it goes. So, here is how this is going to go: Introduction (above), Idea, Profitability, Overall Impact, Close.
IDEA
Before we dive off this billion dollar precipice, I need to propose a question to you. What are the 5 things you need most in life? Like the old adage says, “great minds think alike,” so I am sure that our lists are quite similar. My list goes: Water, Food, Chicks, Fake Vintage T-Shirts and MC Hammer Pants. Now i know what you are thinking, “Oh my God, mass producing MC Hammer pants again! We will make millions!” Well, frankly, that’s true. Mass producing MC Hammer pants again would be worth millions. But why make millions; when you can make zillions? Three words, mark. One of them is hyphenated: Vintage T-shirts. But not just vintage T-shirts, but FAKE vintage T-shirts. And here is the kicker Mark, not just fake vintage t-shirts, but fake vintage t-shirts that depict fake band names and fake corporations. All the sudden these old bands that nobody gave a crap about became popular again through just wearing the T-shirts. Why? Because no one has ever heard of them. Do you know how much I can get for an old Enron shirt on a college campus? Around 30 cases of beer, or in normal people terms around one hundred billion dollars. Why not mass produce these with the look and feel of a real vintage t shirt, and simply sell them to simple minded simpletons from simpletown and make a killing?
PROFITABILITY:
The rules overhead stated “profitable in 90 days?” How is this for some math, Cube. Take 6 billion people on the planet. If everyone in the world bought 1 shirt (under estimate) for 10 dollars… I’m not a rocket surgeon but I think that equates to around 100 Gazillion dollars. Profit. You know what I would do with that kind of money? I would buy a diamond encrusted gremlin. And a satellite that turns people into chickens. And anytime someone tried to steal one of the diamonds off my gremlin? They would be turned into a chicken. Hell, the profitability from the resulting chicken farm alone would make it profitable within 30 days. In fact, Diamond Encrusted Gremlin at the Chicken Farm is our first fake band name T-shirt, Mark. Kids would go nuts.
OVERALL IMPACT:
Now, there are a few reasons to put together this entrepreneurial wet dream. One of them, of course, is profitability. But job creation and customer satisfaction are important variables as well. How many screen printers will we be putting to work to make the massive amount of garments we will be selling? How many teen-aged retail workers will be hailed as sales Gods because of how they fly off the shelves at the Dollar Store and Neiman Marcus.
The sheer amount of self esteem raised because off these shirts will cut down on drug use and underage alcoholism. What’s the point in partaking substance abuse to be cool when your shirt makes you as hip as a teen-aged Morgan Freeman. Let’s do the world a service Mark. Better yet, let’s just do the world. An interplanetary threesome Mark, just you, me and Mother Earth. The biggest MILF of them all.
CLOSE:
I know I just threw more stuff at you than a stuff throwing machine would throw if it was working overtime at a stuff throwing convention. But the idea remains relatively simple. There is a need for this. Vintage clothing stores are selling more dirty clothing for higher prices than ever. Vintage T-shirts are “cool”, “hip”, “vintage”, and “T-shirty.” Old corporations are so utterly trendy it would take six Iphones to make someone as equally trendy. Old bands are insanely popular right now, but not for their music. But only because nobody has ever heard of these people so they must be, “like so utterly awesome, and I like, totally want to show off that i know this band and other people don’t.” So here we stand, at the edge of an abyss of opportunity. A lot like Ed Harris in “The Abyss.” But at the bottom of this abyss there aren’t aliens that have an affinity for manipulating water, but are customers to have an affinity for vintage t shirts. So let’s get down there and diffuse this nuclear bomb that is their lives and show them what fake band name and corporation t-shirts are all about.
P.S. you will receive 15 percent of all profits. I also have partners in this business that create the hive mind of genius that originally thought of this idea. Zack B., DK., and Myself. Oh yeah, and me. I don’t know why Myself’s parents named him that, it gets confusing; but hes a really nice guy.
Comment by Blaine Smith — February 10, 2009 @ 10:40 pm
Mr. Cuban,
As a fellow Hoosier I come to you with this proposal.
The company is an upscale clothing line targeted at males and females between the ages of 18 and 35. The clothing line will parallel with a campaign that will help fight global poverty amongst children (15% of profits will be donated to this charity). The company plans to strengthen its partnership with retailers by developing brand awareness through celebrities supporting the same cause. The company intends to market its line as an alternative to existing clothing lines, and differentiate itself by marketing strategies, exclusiveness, and high brand awareness.
The key message associated with the company line is exclusive, upscale clothing while also maintaining a charitable identity. The company’s promotional plan is diverse and includes a range of marketing strategies.
Comment by Danny — February 10, 2009 @ 10:42 pm
Business: Project Workshop located near Lowes/Home Depot/etc.
There’s a fairly large building located in front of one of our local Lowes stores that’s been for sale for awhile. I always thought it would be a great idea to open what would essentially be a workshop-for-rent.
Unless you’re a hardcore woodworker/project guy, you probably don’t own more that the handtools that most homeowners have on hand for basic repairs. Or maybe you’re an apartment dweller with no room for more than a hammer and screwdriver.
So you want to take on a woodworking project. Buy your materials at Lowes and come across the street to your friendly Project Workshop. There will be a woodworking expert on hand and a fully furnished workshop with every tool you could possibly need – table saws, planers, drill presses, the works. You’ll have everything you need to complete your project.
Or if you need advice on what to buy to complete a home repair and how to proceed with the repair, the Project Workshop would also have experts to help you.
The experts would most likely be retirees with knowledge of woodworking and home repair. Or with plants shutting down left and right, there’s plenty of knowledgable maintenance people available, looking for extra income.
The employees of Lowes and Home Depot, while occasionly helpful, aren’t tasked with seeing the customers’ projects to completion. Their job is to sell products. The Project Workshop would fill a need – imagine all of your favorite magazines like This Old House coming to life in a place you could go to get hands-on advice and access to the tools you can’t afford.
In a down economy, people turn toward their homes. Instead of traveling and vacations, they take on home projects and improvements. And they try to save money by taking on the projects themselves, instead of hiring contractors.
The Project Workshop can charge by the project via a rental fee for use of the workshop, or by a subscription fee for those that take on a lot of projects.
One con would be liability insurance – that could be a potential problem, though I’m sure waivers would be involved.
Anyway, I thought this would be neat idea – just throwing it out there.
Comment by Chris — February 10, 2009 @ 10:44 pm
This would be part of an existng business. Funding would simply be used to expand and help this business grow faster.
We currently have a business importing RC Toys from China and selling them here in the U.S. With the economy the way it is, sales have slowed down we started to venture into other markets.
One we found that can be profitable right away, and have positive cash flow, is the cellphone accessories market. We already imported a trial run of products and have sold the products on eBay at break even or positive cash flow (depending on the product). We now have a pretty good grasp of what sells and what doesn’t.
We also currently have a couple companies locally who we have become a supplier for. We see potential in this part of the business and have started contacting more local businesses to see if we can beat their suppliers prices. So far we’ve been able to offer competitive prices, and we’re little fish in a big pond.
The advantage we have is that we have an experienced guy in the accessories market in China working for us. He gets us prices that not even the huge companies are getting, and we’re ordering very little quantities. Imagine the deals we can get if we can afford to purchase a few 40′ container worth of products. I think with funding we can quickly grow and be a big player in his industry.
I wasn’t going to post up my idea, but as I was reading your rules I found that this business actually follows your requirements pretty closely. Especially #7 with everyone in the company working and having a flat organization. We basically have a 3 man team and all contribute to the company evenly.
Oh and last but not least the equity/repayment. It’s negotiable but we prefer to retain equity and prefer a loan type of agreement. We’ll need anywhere from $50,000-$5,000,000. Whatever you’re comfortable with…We’ll make the most out of whatever amount you decide to loan.
Thanks Mark.
Comment by Andy — February 10, 2009 @ 10:48 pm
At this time I have a published web site in operation, but still in final construction phase. The site is somewhat of a social networking place, but mainly provides a means to broadcast live via the Internet using the media software that I have developed. The software includes a stand alone media player, a Broadcaster Control Panel (encoder), and a streaming audio server. They work together similar to Microsoft, Winamp, RealPlayer, etc. Except: The design drastically reduces the amount of bandwidth usage. Therefore, making it more available to the average person to broadcast live via the Internet.
1. This is start up business
2. It does not need to generate revenue from advertisors, but could be a great platform for advertising. It generates revenue from the services provides. The cost of providing the service is substantially less than the cost of purchasing the service, which was basically the inital intent.
3. Getting the service is web based and has been completely automated. A customer can obtain the service within 5 minutes sitting in front of their computer. The service charge can range between $20 -$100 per month on a recurring basis.
4. The business can be profitable within 30 days.
5. The cost to provide the service to 1000 individual customers is $1000/month and the gross revenue would be $ 20,000/month.
6. This company could involve the following positions if it grew: Webmasters, MYSQL Database manager – PHP programmer, VB.NET programmer, Systems Admin, Code editor/ documentation manager, Customer and Technical services and Sales reps. At this time I am the one performing these jobs.
Basically, anyone can Host their own live talk show on the Internet for $ 20.00 per month to hundreds of concurrent listeners. It can also be used by schools to broadcast their sports. It includes listerner interaction tools like chatrooms, fast blast instant messages, discussion forums, live phone calls, etc.
Comment by Phil — February 10, 2009 @ 10:49 pm
Idea Synopsis
* Chain of Euro-game retail carts throughout the nation
* Euro-games are also known as German-style board games or Designer board games
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German-style_board_game
Problems Being Solved
* Current retail channels are comic/game stores and the web
* Most comic/game stores represent a barrier-to-entry for families and casual gamers as they are often a bit counter-culture in terms of their patrons and typical locations
* These games are more easily taught than learned by purchasing and reading instructions
* These games are not yet part of Americana and passed down from generation to generation (I want to change that)
Conditions Favorable for Success
* In a down economy, board game sales increase as it is more economical for a family to spend $50 on a game they will enjoy multiple times versus a movie
* My personal experience of having everyone I introduce these games to subsequently go out and buy them
* The idea “makes meaning” (Guy Kawasaki – The Art of the Start) in that it encourages family activities (family fun, no batteries)
Where’s the stimulus?
* Retail cart manufactures will get large orders for their goods (our point-of-sale device)
* Game manufactures will also get large orders for their goods (our inventory)
* Radio stations and outdoor advertising vendors will get business (our advertising)
* Retail space landlords will get business (our rent)
* We will create jobs in communities to staff carts as well as likely some regional management jobs
Mark Cuban Specifics
* Recruit others to participate and own-their-zip-code (Open Source)
* Equity negotiated as reasonable percentage of all sales
* Increased margins by doing it “big” (nationwide versus 1 zip code)
Other
* Retail carts are a $10 billion dollar industry (http://www.cart-king.com/cart-articles)
* Retail carts are cheaper than other retail space
* Carts can easily be put into family friendly places like malls, local food court plazas, and hotel lobbies
* Leverage “European-appeal” of Americans
Comment by Tom — February 10, 2009 @ 10:51 pm
Just thought interesting analogy for my Project Workshop idea – think of a gym with power tools instead of workout equipment, home experts instead of trainers.
Comment by Chris — February 10, 2009 @ 10:51 pm
Jordan,
I think you are on to something with your simplified electronic shopping idea, and I have to disagree with Mark. 99% of us guys will research to no end for a new product but my mother in law wouldn’t know where to start. Even if she did, she would not gain anything by searching Google, or even Amazon, for “television.”
Imagine a store that didn’t carry an entire aisle of digital cameras that were essentially the same. Instead, they do the research and offered one or two options that will fit most people who just want a good, easy-to-use camera. Same applies to television, computer, etc. Saves headaches, confusion, possibly even buyer’s remorse for customer.
I think stores offer too many options and get too expansive to manage. Look what happened to Circuit City. Maybe staying small is the solution.
Good luck,
Robert
Comment by Robert — February 10, 2009 @ 11:07 pm
I have a business plan to start a vineyard in Western Michigan, growing European Pinot Noir grapes. The growing conditions in that area are identical to the Burgandy region of France, where they grow the best Pinot Noir. Of course return on your money wouldn’t happen in 60 days, but the only thing holding me back is funding. Email me for the business plan.
Eric
Comment by Eric — February 10, 2009 @ 11:09 pm
I have something you would want BUT, I cannot Publish it here. For Your Eyes Only. Then you can share after if you want. This is not a “Pitch Mark” idea but as others have said i dont want people stealing interlectual property. We have been working on this For 8 years. we’re former IBM scientist recently free of all non-compete obligation with IBM
send me your Private or A private email address,
Thanks,
Kerwin
Comment by Kerwin Rigaud — February 10, 2009 @ 11:12 pm
I think this is a GREAT idea!!! I’m ready to send my dedication.
Comment by Crystal — February 10, 2009 @ 11:14 pm
[...] THIS: http://blogmaverick.com/2009/02/09/the-mark-cuban-stimulus-plan-open-source-funding/. [...]
Pingback by This man wants your Ideas! And your love! « You Can Never Be Happy… — February 10, 2009 @ 11:16 pm
Two words Chew College. Think about it. I’ll get back to you.
Comment by Steve Darnell — February 10, 2009 @ 11:17 pm
The importing and add sub titles of visual novels/h-game.
1. Get the rights to sell the game in the usa
2. edit all Japaneses text to English, also add sub titles to cut scene.
3. sell online also at anime/game cons
Comment by Jeff — February 10, 2009 @ 11:18 pm
I read one good idea. Unfortunately, my strengths lie in selling other people’s ideas, not in developing my own. But I think that there’s an interesting take on this at http://youcanneverbehappy.wordpress.com/
Comment by Dibs — February 10, 2009 @ 11:21 pm
An open-source, socially-beneficial, for-profit medical device company
Here’s the problem:
The measurement of lung function is essential to the diagnosis and management of respiratory disease. However, current spirometers are not affordable for the majority of health care providers in many low and lower-middle income countries, and are not widely used despite a massive and increasing burden of chronic lung disease. A low cost alternative to current commercial products could radically improve the quality of care for the 300 million people worldwide who have chronic respiratory disease.
Here’s our solution:
Last month I started a project here in Madison, WI to develop an open-source, very low cost, and clinically-functional spirometer (http://openspirometry.org). A team of four undergraduate and two graduate engineering students have joined me and we are making great progress. Currently, with no outside help and no funding, we expect to have a basic field-testable prototype ready in 2-3 months. Our initial research suggests we can develop a spirometer that can be manufactured for approximately $60. Current commercial models cost between $600-$1500.
The business model:
There are tens of thousands of physicians in places like India who run small, private, fee-for-service clinics who want and need basic medical technology that is presently unaffordable. Having spent two years doing respiratory research in clinics in India, I can tell you that one physician after another complained about the very high cost of spirometers, if he or she could even get one at all.
These physicians realize that they could better treat their patients if they had spirometers (and that better outcomes would help them compete in the marketplace). But since there’s no way the physicians can ever recoup their investment, they don’t purchase one. Instead they fly blind, making important decisions about the diagnosis and treatment of asthma or smoking-related lung diseases without very basic, essential information.
We plan to manufacture our spirometer and sell it to physicians and non-profits in developing countries for a small but adequate profit, all for a fraction of the cost of current commercial models. We also expect to generate revenue through several paid services to accompany the technology, including: remote interpretations of measurements, and physician training in spirometry. With your investment, we would hire a full-time engineer to speed things along, and could deliver an initial market-ready model within 4-6 weeks of your initial funding. As a result, we can meet your timetables for profitability and cash flow.
Why it’s a smart stimulus:
The business will put to work a handful of promising young engineering students committed to sharpening their skills by building something that, while profitable, has direct social benefit. Moreover, it will demonstrate the value of open innovation in the medical device and healthcare sector; in particular, that there are valuable opportunities in addressing present inequities – where the market has failed to deliver necessary technology at a widely affordable price.
In addition, since this is an open-source project all of our development notes, drawings, background research, code, schematics, and everything else we generate is being shared online and can be picked up by others, improved, and carried on. Already we’ve received support and encouragement from around the world, but we intend to grow an online community for the project, and to interact with other interested designers, engineers, respiratory physicians, and scientists around the world to make this as strong a product and business as it can be.
It’s a challenging and exciting undertaking, and we’d seriously enjoy making you money by creating something that would improve the health of a lot of people around the world. Thanks for the opportunity to interest you.
Comment by David — February 10, 2009 @ 11:21 pm
MC: Amazing the timing on this concept! I’ll throw out this concept, embryonic as it is…no business plan yet, but just a concept. “Burger Mania” could be the new Howard Schultz-style concept, everything having to do with burgers, including branded gift items, all variations on burgers to go or cook at home, eat-in, take out, even developing a line of branded clothing! Burgers are fun, timeless, convenient comfort food, regardless of demographics. The concept pivots off that perception with fun, value-added, branded, extended product lines. The footprint would be national. It’s all about the quality, variety and convenience in an environment that caters to a community type destination and home-like setting, much like Starbks does. Thanks for the opportunity…I’m a “Mavs Nation” guy and appreciate your many contributions to a creative, passionate business culture in our area. Best regards. Bill Hoke
Comment by Hoke — February 10, 2009 @ 11:22 pm
Group of disabled veterans (veterans advocates) compromised of professionals from the field of marketing, graphic illustration, public relations, and promotion have come together to create Charlie Foxtrot Coffee. Our mission objective is to bring America together one cup at a time. While paying tribute to America’s warriors and continuing our mission to assist our cohorts who will returning home past, present and future. A percentage of sales from Charlie Foxtrot Coffee will benefit organizations who support the military, military family readiness groups, and veterans service organizations.
Trademark for the logo has been approved by the USPTO. Also, Charlie Foxtrot Group has an agreement with a preferred, and reputable roaster who provides and roast our special blend of coffee. The roaster has notable national accounts.
Business plan can be found at
http://www.slideshare.net/Charlie_Foxtrot/charliefoxtrotcoffee-oporder
ROI: 25%
Wounded Warrior Project: 5%
$20,000
a. revised website (armed forces veteran)
b. Advertising (on-line) Veterans Service and Armed Forces pubs
c. Product (on-line and direct sales)
http://www.charliefoxtrotcoffee.com
http://www.coffee4vets.com
http://www.charliefoxtrotgroup.com
http://www.welcomehomewarrior.org
BTW, Mark thank you for your leadership, patriotism, and support of those who answered America’s call to duty.
Hooah!
Al Burzynski
10th Mountain Division
Climb to Glory, Never Fail!
Comment by Al Burzynski — February 10, 2009 @ 11:23 pm
What an arrogant PRICK. Keep your stinking money. You must think you are God’s gift to the world. You are spoiled brat that got extremely lucky with an idea. You are not a cool as you think you are. money is not everything!
Comment by Bill — February 10, 2009 @ 11:33 pm
Mark,
I am a 22 year old college student, a HUGE Mavs fan and I live here in Texas. I’m not going to lie, I don’t have a wonderful idea yet to start a company. Of course, other than starting a sports bar/restaurant in town which I think would be very profitable. How about you give this poor college kid, whose in debt, a skinny 6 foot 6 white male a chance to work for you! Literally doing anything, whether it be interning for a genius billionaire like yourself or simply working for the Mavs in Dallas or even the towel boy! Please give me a shot, I always dream of my big break!
Comment by Michael Kelleher — February 10, 2009 @ 11:45 pm
Hi Mark -
Awesome idea.
Our entry: Online Golf Lessons
Read more about it here: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ackqb8gcs68r_5xpjqj8cj
- Mike
Comment by Mike — February 10, 2009 @ 11:46 pm
and another thing……….I am certian that your investors did not hold you to the same standards. What a shame that you forgot where you came from. You are a sorry excuse for a human being…. I feel sorry for you.
Comment by Bill — February 10, 2009 @ 11:48 pm
Mark Cuban
First off, love what you do!! keep helping our mavericks rise to the top!!!
i have a great idea for a business. This is would require a call center to open up, so this is exactly what your looking for. Many jobs will be created with this.
my idea is to create a credit reporting agency that works for the people and not the companies. Because they work for these companies we the people are not in there best interest.
Identity theft is the new big crime in this new day of age, and there is not much being done to help the people.I believe that there can be a better system. Not only would this help create jobs, it will help the economy in another way, Preventing identity theft. As of 2006 a value of 56.6 billion is in result to identity theft. I believe that a credit reporting agency that works for the people could help cut this number way down.
I myself have been a victim of identity theft, and it is horrible!! these companies do not care one bit, everything is automated and speaking to a person is impossible. i believe that by charging a very low price Americans would not hesitate to use my service. I could offer them a website for instant updates on any purchases they have made, credit cards applied for etc… So that the customer has some control over what is being said about there credit. More so i would have Specialist on the phones waiting to answer any questions or give any updates to there credit score. there is much more to this idea, but it is all just to much to write. I’m guessing if you really are interested you’ll email me. Help me help the country. Lets cut down crime, lower the millions lost in identity theft, and give the people some control over what is being said about there spending habits!!!! Thank you!!!
Roland
i know that if i were to charge a very low rate the number of customers would be massive. Even better would be push
Comment by Rolando Trejo — February 10, 2009 @ 11:52 pm
[...] For now, I want to introduce the Mark Cuban blog. For those of you who don’t know who he is, suite simply he is a computer/business genius and owner of the NBA team, the Dallas Mavericks. He has a very good blog that you can check out HERE. [...]
Pingback by Hello Again… Introducing Mark Cuban Business Funding Opportunity « Ballin in Japan — February 10, 2009 @ 11:55 pm
Dear Mark Cuban.
A Real Time stock pick website would be very profitable. Every day I would make bull and bear picks of stocks on the Nasdaq, Dow and TSE. The website would consist of a chat blog and charts of the major indices.
For a monthly fee members will get access to these stock picks. A free 3 week trial would be given to entice clients on the fence.
This would take some networking and proof I am a successful trader, which I have been. I can show my trades in Real time.
I have been stock trading for 10 years. When I am trading daily I am a consistent winner. I have twice doubled my account.
I have made 35% profit in my account in the last 4 months of daytrading by following the charts and following the rules.
Preserving my capital is very important and having a stop loss strategy in place.
Some of the best stock guru’s out there do not make 10% for their clients in a year. Some of these people won’t even show their client’s account and transactions. I will show all trades to you.
What would I need?
Three monitors I would be using when I am watchin 60 min/ 30 min/ and 10 min charts of the indices and the different stocks. I do not want anything extravagant no thrills. I am here to make money in the markets and reinvest the gains. Not waste profits on frivolous expenditures.
I need nothing but a chance and opportunity to make you money. No huge start up fees or advertising.
I look at over 200 charts a day to find certain successful patterns in these charts. The stock markets are my Passion so it’s not work to me.
One of the best trades I made was buying PDL- North American Palladium at 1.20 on the TSE. It has already doubled. PDL is a small cap trade but I prefer trading the DOW where there is more liquidity and volume.
I need nothing, but a chance to make you money. No Overhead costs. No huge start up fees. “I am dedicated to making significant gains.”
Mark Farwell
Comment by Mark Farwell — February 10, 2009 @ 11:57 pm
MC,
I started my company just over a year ago. We specialize in assembling properties. We have found a neighborhood that is dated and due for new development. Most of the homes we assemble are built from early 1940’s to late 1950’s. We assemble as many homes in a single block as possible. We go door to door and meet with each home owner personally, once they agree to let us represent them we move on to the next home. The goal is to get as many consecutive home owners in a city block to sell at the same time. By having numerous lots assembled in close proximity we feel that a developer or home builder would be more likely to envision a more profitable development.
In 2008, we successfully assembled over 100 homes divided by only four blocks. With home prices going for less than 150K, we were on our way to success with great attention from many home builders looking for lots. However, with the current real estate crisis the homebuilders are unable to go through with the project because they are unable to unload their overpriced inventory. Our main purpose is to create value by offering bulk properties to a developer; an added value is the location. The neighborhood we have assembled is tucked away near Highland Park.
Since we have already built strong relationships with the people in the community, our goal is to move forward with the development. We feel the ultimate stimulus begins with the low income homeowner. By purchasing their property at a fair price they are able purchase some of the homes in the market. Your capital will mainly be used to get motivated young homebuilders building again. Instead of these homebuilders going to the bank for a loan, they will use your capital to purchase the assembled blocks, but only by leveraging their unsold properties at a substantial discount. This will allow for a relatively quick return on investment. My company gets a small percentage of the sale price as our fee for assembling the properties.
In summary:
We assemble properties (in one city block.)
Home builders use your capital for purchase.
To qualify they must leverage unsold properties for a discount.
Homebuilders create a new development.
Stimulus:
Low income families get an opportunity to purchase a better home.
Homebuilders can remove unsold properties from their books.
New construction can begin, creating new jobs and opportunity.
My company creates a new and valuable service.
Your Profit:
The acquisition of the leveraged property at a discount, will be sold for a return of investment and potential profit.
Thank you. For more on Me and my company please visit my website.
Comment by Jr — February 11, 2009 @ 12:00 am
Hi Mark,
Great idea. My idea is this… To make a documentary of this process! I am a documentary filmmaker and I think this idea with your involvement would make a truly fascinating doc. Getting into the lives of the people you’re touching and finding the American Dream in the midst of these tough times is truly innovative and inspiring. You’re helping people keep faith in themselves and their dreams and that should be shouted from the highest mountain or at least HDNet!! I’m inspired at this idea of you investing in the lives of these people and I think people would find that compelling.
I say we pick a number of these people and follow their ideas and show the American Dream at work. The good, the bad and the ugly. Some will succeed and some will fail and we’ll find encouragement in the process. I think this idea kicks ass. Heck I’m fired up just thinking about all the different ideas and the different people that this process will touch.
I hope you find merit in this idea. I realize that it is a little outside of the included rules but that should not preclude this idea. This documentary will inspire more than just the readers of this blog. This project and the people who’s stories are told could be a great symbol of hope in a time of angst.
Peace,
Bryan
Comment by Bryan Edwards — February 11, 2009 @ 12:26 am
Mark, I’m not one to usually respond to offers such as yours…but this one got my attention for some reason. Money is what is needed to get the startup company that I represent out of the ‘valley of technology’ death. I’ve made my pitch to government bureacrats (Interior-Reclamation in Denver) and Colorado Senator Wayne Allard’s staff in DC. They agree that it has merit but they aren’t technically adept….so I persist. The company is Ocean Motion International llc. (OMI), the technology is Wave Energy Conversion System which OMI has a patented seawater wave pump that drives its Combined Energy System (CES). The products are RO filtered drinking water, electricity and hydrogen. The OMI CES is utility system that is designed for coastal communities that uses no external power or fuel and operates from an offshore platform, barge or pier.
The technology “valley of death” is where this startup is with a couple million of the proprietor’s personal funds invested to build a working model wavepump that has been tested at Oregon State’s Hindsdale Wave Lab and some promotional material like the website <>. They’ve done this without any sponsorship that would have the resources to take it to the prototype / demonstration scale project. They need 6-8 million for this next step and several potential opportunities have run aground because of the substantial costs. Right now, they are discussing a project for a south pacific island that is in desparate need of water and power (great op to initiate a hydrogen fueled community) and again, its money that the VC group is deliberating on. If you can imagine, the ROI is phenominal (investment payback w/i 5 years w/ water alone) and I consider the technical risks low. More info is on the website which I cobbled together as a pro-bono endeavor (no money for a real webmaster). This doesn’t fit a couple of the criterion (namely the timelines set for tracking performance) but the OMI CES is innovative, revolutionary and fills a desperate need. My strongest interest is with southern CA where they are being driven to conventional desalination (enormously expensive) because of no other options. If this makes any sense or strikes your interest, pls let me know. Thankyou for your time to read this. gary
Comment by Gary Schuetz — February 11, 2009 @ 12:26 am
Mr. Cuban,
This little business venture may not be exactly 100% what you are looking for, but here it goes.
Myself and my roommate, Brad live in College Station, attend Texas A&M University, and are devout Aggie fans, we are originally from Dallas. Coming from Dallas and moving to a town like College Station, that is much smaller and certainly much more isolated, Brad and I miss many of the luxuries of bigger cities, including several of the restaraunts and businesses in Dallas(such as Braums).
Brad and I have a simple, but large business venture that we know would make money and turn a quick and substantial profit in College Station. Rather than starting our own business, Brad and I would like to franchise a Dave and Busters in College Station or Bryan. An establishment like Dave and Busters would have the market cornered down here. There is one arcade in town, and it leaves much to be desired. There are two or three sports bars down here, but for the most part they are populated by people in their late 50s and older. Also, there are not too many establishments down here in which families as a whole can spend time together. For the most part restaraunts, the arcade, and frankly the bars are geared towards the 65,000 college students in town, largely ignoring the vast amount of kids in elementary school through high school and their respective families.
In essence, what Brad and I propose is for you to help us franchise a Dave and Busters in either Bryan or College Station. Because we are both college students, neither one of us could possibly do this on our own or together, so we would need outside help. Building a Dave and Busters down here would certainly create a quick profit. Because, like I mentioned the market would be in essence cornered in terms of family establishments, arcades, and sports bars, people from miles around would flock to eat, play, and meet at Dave and Busters(the next closest is at least an hour and fifteen minutes away in Houston). If you then factor in the start of baseball season, or possibly football season if this is actually built later this year, Dave and Busters would see even more business down here with people coming to see sports games of all types. Also, a place like this would create at least 60-70 jobs in town, something that like every town across the country needs. Like your requirements stated, every person would need to work to keep the business running.
In terms of your potential profit, if you were to support this idea, you could take a large percentage of the profits, and the greatest thing is that because this establishment would certainly be around for a long while, you would continue generating income for years to come.
I hope this interests you in some way, if you have any questions or would like more details, please email me.
Thank you,
John Ringhauser
Comment by John Ringhauser — February 11, 2009 @ 12:28 am
I AM VERY INTERESTED IN BUYING HOUSES AT A DISCOUNTED RATE AND FIX THEM UP FOR BIG PROFITS. AS YOU MAY KNOW REALESTATE IS THE NUMBER ONE BUSINESS IN THE WORLD. THE RICHEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD ARE IN REALESTATE. I KNOW HOW MR MARK CUBAN MADE HIS FORTUNE AND I ADMIRE HIM FOR THAT. I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE A HOUSE WELL BELOW MARKET VALUE TO RESALE FOR GREAT PROFITS. THIS WILL PROVIDE JOBS AND HOUSING THATS AFFORDABLE. BANKS CANT HANDLE THE UPKEEP ON THESES HOUSES. THATS WERE WE COME IN.
Comment by BILLY TURNER — February 11, 2009 @ 12:34 am
Buying single- and multi-family real estate that is distressed or in the foreclosure process, and turning them into rental/income property. Profitability in 60/90 days? Check. Try a month to cash-flow positive. Meets all your other requirements too.
Macro trends are favorable. Stricter lending standards, etc. mean more people will rent rather than buy. My market is one of the few in the country that hasn’t seen real estate prices crater over the last couple years, but there are still huge bargains.
I’ve read every book on the subject and scrupiously scoped out properties in my market (both listed and at auctions) for the last 9 months. I know this inside and out, and I’m a serious, credentialed person that you would hire and give substantial responsibility. Bought my house with cash at a foeclosure auction at 60 cents on the dollar, so I’ve put my money where my mouth is. Plenty of other opportunities are just waiting to be purchased, but I’m cash poor (I could buy a couple quads, or a small apartment complex, but not enough to generate enough income to do it full time yet). I’ll continue on that path, but I believe that the time is ripe this year. Banks have their nuts sucked up in their stomach when it comes to income properties, and lots of RE investors have need to cash out at favorable prices. A measly million from an angel investor could go a long, long ways.
Comment by Dan — February 11, 2009 @ 12:35 am
Hello,
So here are a few biz plan ideas:
Business idea #1 (currently up and running)
There is a very famous cleansing diet which you can buy the book at any book store and/or whole foods market that tells you to buy the ingredients, make it yourself, follow the protocol and reap the benefits from it. E.G.(purified blood, kidneys, liver etc) Problem with this is people are very lazy to make it and end up not experiencing the benefits, not to mention the savings from going out to eat or getting your coffee in the morning as this is considerate a juice fast.
My business actually creates this product and sells by direct marketing as of now. This business creates repeat customers as the product is to be used 1 or 2 times a year. The goal is to have distribution centers across the nation to keep shipping costs to a minimum and to reach the majority of the American market as i only make this from CA. This type of product would benefit the health and pockets of the American people.
The profit margin on this product is very high considering what goes in it and especially the suppliers of where i buy at a great price from.
Business plan #2 (have a professional business plan created)
This is a mobile go-kart racing/concession enterprise. The idea is to secure a nice sized parking lot/warehouse/commercial building and throw an event. With businesses closing down there are plenty of the types of facilities available on a nationwide level.
The idea here is to have multiple events going on at the same time in different parts of the city/county/state. A website would be built with a calender announcing the next up and coming event with a theme in mind to keep it interesting. E.G.(concert, charity event with BIG sponsorship, etc)
This company once it reaches profitibility and has a tight business system in play, can find and sponsor potential racing talent and possibly create a Race team with major sponsors.
I consider myself a visionary and can create a business opportunity in almost any field of course with the help of generous loose cash!
Let me know!
Regards
Comment by Brian Cerroni — February 11, 2009 @ 12:41 am
Business Model: Co-Op Consultancy
Short Pitch: The financial/economic crisis has everyone re-assessing globalization. Particularly, people are reconsidering where their food comes from. The mainstream media has picked up on this shift. Entrepreneurs skilled in business development can capitalize on this trend by applying models developed in the “local food” movement (think farmers’ markets, etc.). I’m a lawyer in California. Float me one month’s overhead for me and a half-dozen greenies to establish community dinner events, produce co-ops, and the like. Then we go viral, hitting farmers markets across the country: “do one, teach one.” There are 100 different little models, but the people who know how to produce them HATE paperwork and don’t know how to set up a business. Lawyers know paperwork, but can’t cook and don’t know the eco scene. Bridge the gap, make it legit, and take your cut. Underwrite a farmers market. Fund a community dinner event. Finance a farmer redirecting his crops to local buyers. All of this is legitimate business, all of it generates local tax revenue. We will recruit an army of lawyers and CPAs across the country to “unwind” or “deleverage” the globalization of our domestic agricultural sector.
Investors will make money just like any other event promoter: a cut of revenue per event. You’re paying a one-time fee to establish a revenue stream based on a new model of food distribution. Empower local business people to take the produce section out of conglomerated supermarkets.
Why it will work: Someone needs to bridge the gap between food activists and the legitimate business community. Go to any farmers market and you’ll find the most loyal clientele this side of the drug trade. They don’t compete on price, and they’re not brand loyal: these customers can be had. But, people who work in the dirt don’t work in the office. You’ve got surplus supply in the white collar labor market. Bridge the gap, get people to commit to 6 or 12 month local programs that are easily scalable to the task, and you’re cash-flow positive after your first farmers market, produce distribution, community/organic/granola dinner event.
Interesting possibilities with social networking, etc. also.
What do we need: One month’s burn for your average business affairs associate to handle all the llc registrations, operating agreement drafting, etc. ($7-10k), a numbers person for all the banking and auditing ($4-5K), 2-3 farmer/food activist types ($2k or 150% of their current unemployment check), IT budget (iphones and macbooks, of course).
What do we do: Develop a cookie-cutter plan to blitz any farmers market in the country, find the ringleader, and set up 10-20 new businesses, all initially underwritten by Cuban, Inc.
You’re basically funding a business affairs outsourcing scheme for the local food movement.
This is the bar napkin pitch. I’m sure you want to see numbers and projections. Ask and you shall receive.
Comment by Andrew P — February 11, 2009 @ 12:41 am
I dont think this idea would really break even in 90 days because it would take significant r & d to make a mixed drink machine. It seems like a lot of lost revenue for packed bars when the owner can only hire two bartenders and there is a line of angry clientele waiting for a drink. I know this is crazy but why not do a self service drink machine kind of like the ones at the local Tom Thumb. The customers could mix any drink of their choice and waaa laa the drink is made. Of course there would not be that special touch of a bartender that hooks you up with extra alcholic content but just thought it would help drive up revenue in a bar during the recession. However the drink machine itself make cost millions and that is why i prefaced it by saying it probably wont break even in 90 days. What do you think?
Comment by PR — February 11, 2009 @ 12:51 am
Oh forgot to add for legal reasons…the drink machine would do a breathilizer test before dispensing alchohol.
Comment by PR — February 11, 2009 @ 12:53 am
info@resumemycareer.com, justinmelia@gmail.com
http://www.resumemycareer.com (double word-play on resuming one’s career, and “resumes” which list peoples professional work experience)
WHY: Millions of Americans are unemployed, “underemployed”, or looking for new opportunities. These numbers will inevitably increase until the economic scope of our country changes. This is a tangible service that nearly everyone in America (and MILLIONS globally) could use – either they are seeking employment or want to position themselves for the future or new opportunities. Many individuals are unemployed for the FIRST time in years and are seeking advice and help in their job development. Here we can establish a profitable company with LITTLE overhead which helps those in need and also can provide NUMEROUS jobs as well. As demand increases, so can the workforce for the company. Demand is at an ALL-TIME high for resumes and related job services. These millions of people will need to be reintegrated into the work force and there resumes and other similar services will be crucial in obtaining employment. In the short term, those subscribing to the site and its products and services will be at an advantage to their peers, which is extremely important in a time when available jobs are scarce.
WHAT:
http://WWW.RESUMEMYCAREER.COM
- Providing resume, cover letters, interview & job searching techniques/tips. Customized creation or templates for self-creation/guidance.
-Center for employers and prospective employees to network via job databases etc for those looking for talent
-Entrepeneurial coaching etc.
PRACTICALITY:
I have embarked on this privately through grassroots advertising (craiglist etc) and have been successful. The demand now can be levied into substantial, yet reasonable, profits for the company. Aside from the creation of the site (I just bought the domain recently), there is little overhead expenses. My experience in writing resumes/cover letters etc has yielded me handsome profits for little time committments, and the demand now is higher than ever. Hiring likeminded individuals with proven HR experience and literary backgrounds shoudl not be difficult given the fact that there is a job pool, consisting of millions of people to choose from.
I am confident that with adequate funds, this site can be very successful.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my idea with you. Any feedback would be much appreciated!
-Justin
info@resumemycareer.com
justinmelia@gmail.com
Comment by Justin — February 11, 2009 @ 1:02 am
Cube
Many days have passed (2002) since you and I talked about HD TV and HDNET in the locker room at Premier HC. For the last two years I have been working 365 non stop, with out pay on getting the bugs out of our software / OS platform,,,,(I love what I do, no complaints here)…..Introduced our OS platform last week to Texas Public School Superintendents with a tremendous response…….www.c-comsolutions.com…….did a demo today with a 4A school district locally, tomorrow with a 2A district in NE Texas, have a request for a demo for a big 5A in West Texas in two weeks, doing a demo next week for a college and a university with four satellite campuses………..business plan is simple yet direct in Licensing and Sub-licensing for sales distributors and sales dealers, putting out of work folks into a opportunity of owning their own business for as little as $5K, selling something that their school and community needs. Flat org., Five owners, will be Four, (One is grandmother who wants to be a Grandmother), all of us live, breath and eat what we do….operate out of my house currently…….current plan is in a 12 month time frame of being fully funded of $5MM, to return net $1.5 to 2MM……….in the next 12 months with out any additional funding to have net $7MM, and year three net over $21MM, at this time we will have blown the market away with http://www.mobile-marketingsolutions.com and a non-profit “The HUB”, a bricks to mortar elearning surpassing Mobile Web 2.0 and being a mainstream 3.0, for helping kids capture real people skills and working skills while getting HS credits and not being a potential drop out…The Hub Internship Program will provide Students,
Participants with an exciting opportunity to build a Bricks-and-Clicks real business from scratch (A to Z) and published on YouTube, Facebook, MySpace … to enable over 1,000,000 Students, Participants to be part of The Hub. Its’ Retail – Expo
Center includes Webcams, Cisco Systems – WebEx Technologies for collaborating on products, marketing research … In addition to hands-on Text Message / Mobile Web Marketing Campaigns income-earning opportunities combined with learning real-world business skills to help jump-start our American Economy. The Hub Internship Program Students, Participants, Guests, Customers can also stop-by to enjoy its entertainment venues, food pavilion, retail and service businesses small-footprints geared for social networking and fun-learning.
The WIKINOMICS Think Tank of successful Entrepreneurs, Educators … fueling The Hub key-deliverables are: 1) Provide business-skills training, eLearning opportunities for over 5,000 Students, Participants per month within 180 days after Go-live. 2) Develop best practices to reduce the High School Dropout Rate in
North Texas by over 15% within 24 months. 3) Publish a Free “The Hub: Best Practices” and “The Hub: A-Z Video Library” for others to build upon for enriching education across America……..yu’ll see more in depth in our BP if you like……….we would take this into every NBA city, giving every NBA owner a chance to be part of this “The HUB” and then taking it to the CBA cities, and world wide with FIFA….we would have the perfect trifecta Sports/Technology/Food world wide………on board is http://www.vsag.com….contact is Dan Simon….Dan loves the idea and is taking our idea’s and Mobile Marketing Solutions to his clientele………..Martin Woodall would love this project……….more to talk about if you would like…………by the way a great project for your kids to be involved with…………we are a woman owned company…….Talk to you soon.
Comment by Mid Court Billy — February 11, 2009 @ 1:14 am
Mark,
Basicly my idea is to cut the costs of small businesses by integrating cloud hosted applications and services together for Website,Database,email, office and productivity applications. Included in this integration package for the small business would be oncall knowledgable experts available 24 hrs a day. To cut the cost of each business we would pool all the expert resources to utilize them across many small businesses which need support on a part time basis. Employing people to manage these functions would be cost prohibitive. We would go into each small business and do an IT audit and determine how much money could be saved by moving their IT infrastructure to low cost hardware and cloud hosted services. The company would make money taking a percentage of the costs that we save the customer. We would also provide annual support through a monthly fee that the small business would pay to have access to 24 hr emergency support for email, database applications and hardware and even voip phone systems. This would save small businesses a large percentage of money and allow them to focus on their core strengths knowing that their software and hardware will just work and is monitored and supported for pennies on the dollar and allow these companies to compete with corporations many times their size. The key is to integrate everything in their office together seemlessly and free them from high cost hardware and software and utilize low cost cloud hosted services.
This could refined quickly with only a few people and pitching this to small business as a cost savings would allow a quick route to customers.
Comment by Andy — February 11, 2009 @ 1:22 am
CO OP SHOP . COM
Cooperative shopping website that buys in bulk and passes on the low cost.
Helps group people in the same local together to purchase like items at wholesale discount. Mostly electronics like flatscreen tvs, laptops, ipods that have an extreme mark up.
Cuts out the middleman , saves money, and gives people a community feeling.
50-50
1-2 programmers needed.
Comment by Brian — February 11, 2009 @ 1:25 am
My biz would combine my love of bicycles and fitness, my overwhelming desire to free people from oil, and manufacturing with the goal of employing unemployed. Electric bikes, electric generators fueled by propane and other clean fuels would be the products we assemble, educate the locals on their green alternatives.
Basically the start up would be a small retail space that would be a peoples bike shop. Teaching cycling safety and ebike use would be how the biz would start. With the profits the biz would morph into making green cities that support themselves with there hard work.
Comment by Roger Coles — February 11, 2009 @ 1:25 am
Hi Mark
Existing web app, existing customers…
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dg547sdq_31cj5thght
From MC> I would need to see more details
Comment by MJA — February 11, 2009 @ 2:09 am
INDOOOR INFLATABLE FUN CENTER
The plan is to start an inflatable indoor party center. This will provide fun and enjoyment to groups of all ages. The high demand for party venues in my area has consumers paying $300.00 for two hours at regular exercise gym with small playrooms.
We would provide the food at an extra cost. Other services would include set up and clean up so that party goers can enjoy themselves. The business will cater to toddlers, teens and young adults. Active fun is good and helps everyone take their mind off the hardship of this economy.
TARGET MARKET
Toddlers, teens and young adults who needs to have birthday parties, pre-schools that need to give their students a special day out.
Various other group events.
Women with children who are planning a party or other fun packed events.
MAIN COMPETITORS
Chuck E Cheese
Athletic gyms with playrooms
PRICES
$250.00 for a two hour party for 20 guest, each additional guest $10.00.
Food at an extra cost. 50% deposit for reservation which is non-refundable.
Pre-school Events – $5.00 per child
START UP COST
Inflatable items – $3000.00
Lease 1st month plus deposit – $4000.00
Business Licenses and Permits – $1000.00
Insurance for the first three months $1500
Decorative Wall Paint – $1500
Utility Installations and Setup – 450.00
ESTIMATED REVENUE
Main operating days are Friday, Saturday and Sundays – Estimated 30 events for those three days.
Other events such as pre-school outings, during the week by appointment. At least an extra 10 events. Catering charges and other extras not included in the estimate below.
Sales estimated on the low end with only 30 events = $7500
MONTHLY COSTS
a. Marketing – $250.00
b. Lease – $2000.00
c. Mr. Cuban’s Interest = 5% of the Monthly Sales (negotiable) = $375.00
d. Party Attendant – $1120
e. Utilities – $500.00
f. Insurance – $500.00
Total = $4745.00
ABOUT THE OWNER
I have been in retail business for over 3 years now and I have discovered that providing a service with low overhead, minimum staff and low startup and operating cost is the way to go. I am very competitive and do not like to fail at anything, if given this opportunity I will eat, breathe, sleep and dream this business. I have a Bachelor of Science with two minor Business and IT. I use this education to create my own flyers, marketing brochure and also my website. I have experience in using QuickBooks so I do my own accounting.
Comment by S.B. — February 11, 2009 @ 2:20 am
Mark, I’m really high on your idea. Now for mine. Millions of Americans were beaten up by high gasoline and stock market declines so I have designed a plan to profit together between you and I but also to help thousands of average familes invest with us in a new oil company!
I know people here in Oklahoma that work in the oil industry and own oil companies of varied sizes. But the problem with their companies are most all suffer from a giant bloated load of debt which ruin profits and they have to resort to risk hedging to gamble their way to profits. However these chickens are coming home to roost and many oil companies like Semgroup will be forced to sell some lucrative assets such as pipelines and storage facilities. I think oil transport and storage is an infallible venture when financed correctly with low debt structure. I propose we microfund an entire network of pipelines and storage facilities with kitchen table investors. I like small investors because they need the help more than the fat cats who caused all the problems on Wall Street……no offense…this stuff has been going on long before we were born and small investors were always left out.
I predict by mid summer several major oil companies will sell major assets at discount to offset debt. I would like you to consider buying pipelines and oil/gasoline storage facilities here with me in the near future “on the cheap” and resell by leasing in 5′ increments to regular “joe and jane investor” for a period of 3 years. But here’s the best part…we would get your money back in 60 days and be profitable on the first barrel of oil or cubic foot of gas!
The average cost to build a pipeline is known to be $1million per mile which equates to $190 per foot. We could buy them cheaper second hand but let’s keep the $1mil figure for this example. I propose we appeal to the average investor who has lost thousands of bucks in their 401K by offering a piece of the action of our transporting oil and natural gas for them on their behalf! Here’s how it works; we divide the pipeline into 5′ units and lease away the cost of the entire acquisition! A 5′ section of pipeline will be leased to investors for a refundable $1000 contract entry price then you and I get a fee to transport petroleum or gas products from producers which we share with our lease owners on an override basis after costs are paid to operate the pipeline, tanks etc.
Benefits:
1. Average investors can afford to be a percentage owner of a pipeline and finally play with the big dogs.
2. Investors can keep or sell their interest along with the $1000 refundable contract fee as a security much like a maturing bond.
3. You and I own the facilities and pipelines on day one.
4. We lease the pipeline and recoup our investment immediately.
5. We operate the pipeline for profit…keeping most and giving overrides to the lease holders.
6. By having low to zero debt we can offer unmatched affordable pricing structure to producers thereby securing deep market penetration and extending breadth.
7. With zero debt we operate the pipeline and storage facilities and accumulate retained earnings to offset buying off expired leases.
8. After 3 years we give the lease owners their $1000 back when their leases expire and you and I own everything either to keep or sell so either of us can exit.
Proformas and financials can be mutually developed between us but for now this is a nutshell idea I came up with after paying almost $4.00 gasoline last summer. I thought somehow average people should be able to recoup more than the cost of their gasoline by having a tangible investment in the energy sector. I didn’t know how to start until I heard about your stimulus plan so it’s a hell of a bargain that I would like to partner with you.
K. Steven Adib
Comment by Kaveh Adib — February 11, 2009 @ 2:27 am
Mark:
RASA Foods Inc. is a wholesale frozen food service company that I founded in December of 2008 with the purpose of leveraging a unique tropical fusion concept by branding and marketing it to the retail frozen food market.
In the first three months of inception, I was able to build a foundation of over 75 retail outlets carrying RASA’s products across California and Nevada. This includes the flagship accounts, Whole Foods and Costco Wholesale. Total orders in the first 90 days exceeded $112k on production costs of $90k. Gross margin exceeded 22% on the opening orders for Costco and Whole Foods.
In order to fund manufacturing AGAINST firm, written PO’s, I need $500k to one million to support the growth of this wholesale food business. Thanks to a family co-signer, I was able to get a $100k line of credit with IDB of NY., but that won’t cut it to produce product in volume and ramp the business AND create jobs and new opportunities to stimulate the economy in the short term.
I am in product development with over 20 new products that will come online in the next 90 days. I can go out and sell them and get firm PO’s but I can’t produce product and fund the business on $100k. Can you help me?
RL
Comment by RL — February 11, 2009 @ 2:30 am
http://sassyfitbusinessplan.blogspot.com/
Comment by Kelly Singer — February 11, 2009 @ 3:01 am
Mark,
I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while. Never left a comment before. Decided now was the time.
First of all, let’s be clear about one thing. I don’t want your money. Won’t take it if you offer it just on principle of being entirely candid. Now that that’s out of the way.
I’m not sure I understand your impetus for putting this “offer” out there? Trying to figure out if it is a publicity stunt, a VC pitch in disguise, an “off the top of your head” idea, or what? But I fail to see how asking all of these people to pitch an idea in the open and asking them to “open source” the project adds value?
You are asking people, in essence, to forego first mover advantage on any sort of good idea. You are asking them to forego the ability to get patent protection, copyright, or any other sort of valuable intellectual property. This will only serve to weaken fledgling businesses – not help them get launched.
In addition to that, you’ve placed restrictions on cash flow and profitability that will have the exact opposite effect on employment as you purport to be seeking. Anyone looking to hire employees can barely get them up to speed in 60 days much less have the business break even. This means you are pretty much limiting the opportunities to one man shows in fields that have extremely low barriers to entry.
I would suggest that if you wish you really help fund businesses and put people to work you should change your parameters.
- Allow 6 months to reach break even, 9 to turn a profit.
- Ensure that the plan requires the business to actually hire a minimum number of employees (like 3-4).
- Remove the restriction on generating “any” ad revenue in lieu of ad revenue being only a secondary source (if a business can be profitable without ads, why not allow ads as a bonus?)
- Ease up on the cash flow and banking restrictions. You can’t tell people that you won’t be available, but that you have to approve of monetary decisions. You’ll stifle the business.
- And for God’s sake, don’t require them to publish the entire plan in the open and encourage stealing of the idea!
I know that you said that you are “trying not to be a VC”, but frankly these “terms” are worse than any VC terms I’ve ever seen. They are unrealistic when it comes to creating real employment, they are more restrictive than necessary, and they just aren’t going to work.
How about doing something completely different? Why don’t you buy a small building which can be partitioned into “open source office space” and give small businesses a free place to actually get together, work and share ideas. Augment this by inviting successful business people to come in and help with brainstorming sessions, etc. And perhaps organize a group of Angel investors to listen to real business plans. (I’d help, and even consider Angel investing if you did this.)
In short, I’m a fan of the Open Source model. But I think the way you’ve gone about open sourcing this particular concept is a bit off.
Cheers, and good luck!
John P.
From MC> if you have a better approach, dont let me stop you from doing this yourself
Comment by John Pozadzides — February 11, 2009 @ 3:04 am
[...] Cuban pitched an idea over on his blog in which he offers to fund business plans for people, but only [...]
Pingback by I Take Issue with Mark Cuban’s Open Source Funding Plan - One Man’s Blog — February 11, 2009 @ 3:34 am
Thank you for the opportunity!
http://www.slideshare.net/dchena/buy-my-tee-for-mark
Doug
From MC> There are already a lot of companies that do this well
Comment by Doug — February 11, 2009 @ 3:45 am
This is my business plan for the WISP, Velocity TechNet. Thanks for your consideration Mark and I’m amazed that you are taking a proactive approach to helping with the financial crisis.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgbst47n_11c7bnxrv7
From MC> Dont see how you could do this profitably in 90 days. There is a need for rural ISPs, but its an area that is already attracting a lot of attention and competition. Plus 200 bucks startup is going to be expensive for too many people.Keep the ideas coming
Comment by James Stevens — February 11, 2009 @ 3:57 am
Greetings there.
am a uganda fisheries graduate looking for ways of starting my own fish farm. can someone help me catch the right truck to the resources am looking for to start my own fish project. i managed to buy the piece of the wetland which is about 113 hectares in the east of the capital kampala. am looking for support for that kind of project to be put in to consideration.am looking forward to hearing from you/
God bless you.
Comment by ken — February 11, 2009 @ 4:08 am
Financial institutions are having a hard time because of all the non-performing assets (i.e. foreclosures). Unfortunately, these mortgage companies are not at all efficient in unloading these properties. I have seen several in my town that have been foreclosed on for months, are listed on the MLS, but don’t even have for sale signs in the yard. Also, most of the houses that don’t sell right away, even when priced decently, don’t sell because the banks refuse to put any money into even very minor repairs.
My proposal: negotiate with the mortgage companies to purchase their foreclosed properties at no more than 50% of the current appraised value. Optionally, I would need another 10% of the current value to put into the property for at least minor repairs, cleaning, painting, etc. This work would take no more than 30 days. Then I would aggressively market the property to have it sold off within the next 30 to 45 days (either to end buyers or real estate investors). I would start out with 1 house at a time as proof of concept, building up to more as I prove this is a viable process. The house would be sold using the 5-day sale method developed by Bill Effros (author of “how to sell your house in 5 days”) giving the purchaser up to 30 days to complete financing (with only 7 days to provide a pre-approval letter from their mortgage company). Depending on how long it takes to get a bank approval on an offer, I should initially be able to process 2 house every other month, increasing in volume as the profits accumulate.
Initial investment: no more than $150,000, or $300,000 if you would be willing to allow me to take on 2 houses as a time.
Return to you: You would get 90% of the net profit of each deal. Net profit consists of Selling price – (purchase price (including all fees) + appraisal cost + fix-up costs). Estimated profit per house: $30,000 to $50,000. This would all be done through an LLC that you would have 90% ownership in. I would use 10% as operating costs as well as salary.
Risk to you: None. With having put only 60% of the value into the property, the market can’t possibly fluctuate enough within 2 months to not be able to sell for at least that much. The biggest fluctuation of the market, even at the worst of times, was maybe 1-2% per month. With at least 40% equity, the worst possible case scenario is that you get your money back within 6 months (it would take no longer than that to sell at such a low price).
What’s in it for me: I get the option of buying 1 house per year at cost with a 90 day same-as-cash option.
Comment by Keith — February 11, 2009 @ 4:27 am
“Im sure I will come up with more rules as I see what comes along, if anything.”
So you wanna change the rules during the game??
From MC> Yep. They call it smart business. Proactively anticipate all you can, but pay close attention to see if you can do a better job for all those involved. Kind of like listening to your customers and doing what you can to make them happy.
Comment by Jeff — February 11, 2009 @ 4:37 am
[...] 11, 2009 in Uncategorized | by timclague Mark Cuban has an offer to help businesses. Here are his ‘dragon’ [...]
Pingback by Get your idea funded today! « The Learning Journey — February 11, 2009 @ 4:45 am
Mark,
Let me give you some prospective from a small business right now that’s facing this economy. It’s a bit to read but I think I can offer you real insight on how many people feel and that are in the same position.
The most difficult obstacle my fiancé and I face right now is the fear of going into a bank to ask for money. We run a two person chiropractic business in the DFW area and although it’s cash flow positive (about 2x the cost of our overhead and growing) it’s not enough yet to cover her soon to come out of forbearance student loans. Banks REALLY don’t care right now about people (especially when she has to call them and beg for forbearance). We try not to look too far into the future and just pray things pick up enough before that time but it’s difficult not to worry. The sad part is if she defaults on these loans she could lose her license to practice which affects her ability to pay! The cost of her student loans to go to Parker Chiropractic College were astronomical and makes me wonder if the end game of these schools is more about money than it is education….anyways that’s another conversation…
Our two person company started in May08 at the beginning of what seems to be one of the worst recessions so far in both of both of our lives. Banks won’t lend to businesses until you’re two years old (after incorporation), at least that’s what we were told a year ago…now who knows what the criteria is?
Why do we need money?
1) For emergencies and expanding the business. We can’t even begin to afford any advertising beyond Yahoo! and Google search advertising (which is on a strict budget although they perform well!). We haven’t been able to utilize traditional marketing as it’s extremely expensive (especially in our area) but haven’t really needed to so far. My fiancé is a wonderful doctor and God and good word of mouth have blessed us. We could move cities/areas but then we start back at 0 and at this point we believe the business will be successful and that we just need more time. It’s also difficult to deal with the well established practices in the area that have a lot more cash flow for things like marketing (luckily they’re not too smart on the Yahoo!/Google adword side of things).
2) For cushion room – We need to be able to show our property management company we can afford to stay where we are even if the business went south. They’re an enormous property management company that deals with the Starbucks/Gaps/Apples/Victoria Secrets etc of the world (the other tenants in our space). You know…well established companies that sign extremely long leases and that mostly will still be here after the recession. Currently we have ~six months of rent in our savings and we’re applying for a short term (2year) lease on our current space. Our use of the savings money has dramatically slowed since the holidays ended and we shouldn’t even need to use it next month. Unfortunately for us we have to fill out personal financial statements when applying for the space. My fiancé’s student loans and very low level of income from the business that just basically pays her car/insurance doesn’t help so she wont even be on it. So that means we’re relying *ALL* on my credit for our financial statement which is my personal credit. We’ve subleased in this building for about a year, paid all our bills and never have problems or been late. You’d think this would be enough but we still feel that won’t be enough to make them think we’re a good candidate for the space.
My credit is great (beyond holding a few high balances but I’m working on that). I feel they’ll see us as extremely risky because they see us from far away (they’re not even based here in DFW).
It’s sad really, It’s stressful…it keeps both of us up at night. One person in an office in Chicago controls whether or not we get to continue our business…(moving at this point wouldn’t be cost effective and would force us to close our doors for a number of years, possibly forever).
So I could take out a personal loan (possibly?) with what savings we have left but who knows if I’ll qualify (even though I’ve got good credit)…but then I’ve got more loans out which just makes my credit/loan balances look bad when they run a credit check on me for the space. Sure the banks will give us a ‘line of credit’ so they can gouge you for 20% interest after you have the card/account for two months like Citibank and Bank of America has done to both my credit cards(even when I’m paying on time and amounts well above minimum). If you opt-out of the change of APR you no longer get access to the credit line and at the end of paying it off your account is closed. I’m not going to lie and say I have been the best credit user in the past but I’ve learned a lot lately about what’s important in life.
So Mark, I ask you…where is the ’stimulus package’ for the small business owners like ours? They talk about the Auto industry, US Steel, etc. who had chance after chance after chance, what do the little guys get? All politicians talk about how small business is the bread and butter of the US economy but when it comes down to it both parties are full of it. She’s a doctor and I’m working two jobs (as her everything assistant (office worker, webmaster, search engine/adword/display ad marketing master etc.) and working another 60+ hour a week job)to support her and myself.
I have no faith whatsoever that this ’stimulus’ package will do anything for us or do anything but tie up more taxpayer money. We’ve already done too much drunken spending to pull ourselves out of it; it’s time to go in detox.
So, I don’t need your money, Mark, I need you to guarantee some office space so we can just keep the space we already have! If I’m able to take out the loan from a bank I could give you two years of rent up front (and you could make the interest!) for your company to be the guarantor/cosigner for the space. It’s not a lot of money but in this economy getting your money back with interest and helping someone probably doesn’t look so bad. If you’re serious about wanting to help people drop me an email at the email address I provided.
Comment by freaked_out_small_business — February 11, 2009 @ 4:57 am
Mark, I much appreciate this opportunity. I have a socially-conscientious sustainable business in the Secondary Language Acquisition industry that I offer to you for consideration.
BACKGROUND: The transition from a heterogeneous to homogeneous global society will prove to be the most dramatic change the world undergoes this century. As the internet shrinks the world and the inter-dependence of neighboring countries increases, the need for people of disparate cultures to effectively communicate will grow exponentially. Language sits at the epicenter of this global transformation, It is the fabric that connects all ideas, thought and human understanding. The demand for language learning material is exploding.
THE PROBLEM: Traditional self-study language learning material created by academically-minded teachers is outdated, out of touch, doesn’t take advantage of new technologies and fails to address the specific needs of students; from what they want to learn to when they have time to learn.
THE SOLUTION: Community-Generated Language Learning Lessons. Create a platform that allows students to purchase and consume high-quality rich-media language learning lessons while giving teachers the ability to easily create and publish the lessons, and earn a percentage of the revenue their lessons generate. The platform would include tools allowing student to track and monitor their progress, guide them along a path to success, rate teachers, suggest new lessons, connect with teachers and other students, etc..
WHY US?: Phrasebase.com is an existing language learning community with over 100,000 registered members from over 240 countries speaking 80 different languages, all eager to teach and learn language from one another. We have a team of language professionals able to quickly and easily create an initial set of language learning lessons. With an established web presence, strong brand name, a dedicated team, 100,000+ members and over 4,000 unique visitors a day, Phrasebase.com has tremendous traction and can start generating sales immediately once the lessons are published.
5-STEP PLAN FOR EXECUTION:
1) A new streamlined release of Phrasebase is already in the works and to be deployed soon. This new version will be faster, more streamlined, intuitive and focused more on being a platform that offers tools for media-rich lessons to be created and consumed.
2) The product we sell will be 7-10 minute long immersive rich-media language learning lessons including a randomly generated quiz at the end. They will sell anywhere from $2 to $7 each depending on how it’s bundled and rated by the students, with an average retail price of $4. The first set of these lessons will be developed internally by our team. We will create a comprehensive series of 50 lessons in 50 languages… that’s 2500 lessons total available for purchase.
3) We will continue development of the platform and tools, work out bugs and make refinements. Once the system is stable enough, and the e-commerce functionality solid, then we will open the door to our 100,000+ members to become language lessons developers also.
4) We are seeking funding to make an exceptional platform, and the tools to allow for the creation and consumption of lessons. Funding is also needed to develop the initial set of language learning lessons using our internal team. Once off the ground, the business will be fully self-contained and viable.
5) Phrasebase will retain 60% of the sale from each lesson, for providing the platform and tools allowing the teachers to create and host them, the structure and framework of each, and for handling all e-commerce transactions. The teacher will earn 40% for their work in creating the lesson, each time the lesson is sold.
BENCHMARKS:
60 DAY MARK: With 2500 lessons created and owned internally, and traffic of 4,000 daily uniques, we estimate a run-rate conversion of 2% with an average of 10 lessons sold per customer at an average price of $4 usd per lesson. 80 customers x $40 worth of lessons each = $3200 USD per day.
90 DAY MARK: We allow all members to create their own lessons which will double or total offerings to 5,000 lessons for sale. Furthermore, each of these lesson creators, since they earn money for the sale of their lessons, will be embedding their lessons into their personal blogs and assisting in the marketing and promotion of the website. With increased awareness in the website and repeat customers, we estimate 8,000 unique visitors per day. 160 customers x $40 = $6400 USD daily revenue. Of course, now we will need to pay out the 40% commission to the content producers.
FUTURE: We already have a facebook application, but it needs to be updated to our new focused model. We will also develop LinkedIn, Myspace and Hi5 apps, allowing the users some initial basic lessons for free. And will build the tools and services allowing the lesson creators to more easily market and promote their lessons through non-Phrasebase.com sources.
Thank you for your kind consideration in this venture.
Warmest Regards,
Jeff Hock
COUNTRIES OUR MEMBERS COME FROM:
http://www.phrasebase.com/forum/members-countries-stats.php
LANGUAGES OUR MEMBERS SPEAK:
http://www.phrasebase.com/forum/members-languages-stats.php
THE PHRASEBASE TEAM:
http://www.phrasebase.com/english/phrases/?action=aboutusall
THE COMPLETE PHRASEBASE BUSINESS PLAN:
http://www.jeffhock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/phrasebase-business-plan-v21.pdf
Comment by Jeff — February 11, 2009 @ 5:02 am
Hi
Reading your blog and the discussion I would like to quickly provide a comment.
I am first by education an economist graduated from Brussels’ ULB university in 1974 and then in 1988 I did start computer sciences at UCLA in Los Angeles and was graduated in 1992.
From then I did 3D animation and industrial photography in a studio I had in Marina del Rey.
I am following closely the crisis since 2006. I have stopped operations in Los Angeles and moved to France where I am now in December 2008. The main reason was that business had gone from $385.000 in 2005 to $78.000 in 2007 and the reservations for 2008 where just $38.000 for some advertising and packaging. But my clients had already put the breaks on investments since 2006/2007.
I know quite a lot of people who are, or where, in the billion of assets and not from gambling on the Wall Street, but working hard, 12 hrs a day, to keep their business afloat.
We know what caused the financial crisis. This is not an economic crisis, it is caused by, as has been said in the media and dinners, because greed, incompetance and egos.
So how to fix it?
In short but I can develop the technical parts if needed:
Have the International Monetary Fund buying the assets at negotiated values with each banks, in the world, who owns them.
Have Europe and US and all countries planing to throw away bailout money, to fund the IMF as investors to provide the IMF aith the cash needed to do the purchase.
Then the IMF will be the holding body for these assets until they mature or default.
The probleme of the valorization of the assets is the layers of fees, commissions and absurde over valuation that has been added to the original transactions. That will have to be resorbed in part by the buy back and the other part by the loss on the value at end of period, which will be anyway around 20 to 30 years if no refinancing occures in the mean time.
The point is the the IMF can be a global fund pooling and as such it can solve much cheaper the bailout anywhere and out of political pressures.
Regards
Yves Bodson
Comment by Yves Bodson — February 11, 2009 @ 5:03 am
The locking hinge guy has a great idea now rendered into the public domain and NOT patentable. Any investment, if it has not been done before will now have many competitors. Too bad for him.
The tumbleweed guy should get a movie deal from Magnolia Pictures. His idea and story sounded like a hilarious movie script where I was falling out of my chair laughing as I read it.
“Death to Tumbleweeds!”
Chris
Comment by Chris Caffee — February 11, 2009 @ 5:09 am
[...] The Mark Cuban Stimulus Plan – Open Source Funding « blog maverick Tell Your Friends: [...]
Pingback by Congress Hammering out Stimulus Plan | THE WEEKLY POINT — February 11, 2009 @ 5:18 am
Mr. Cuban,
I have worked in the Hospitality Industry for the past 9 years managing different Marriott Hotels and for a short period of time in Property Management for Apartment Communities.
One of the biggest struggles that a hotel can have in operations is maintaining and managing the cleanliness of the property. We have all stayed at a Hotel and have found things wrong and dirty. The reason why is in ALL of the hotels that I have worked for, that the process of inspecting these rooms are done by hand and items marked down as things are seen.
My idea would be to construct and market a device that a Housekeeping Inspector could easily identify items that needed to be corrected with a push of a button and could be printed out in some fashion to ensure the room was 100% inspected and problems noted/fixed. The hand held device would have a checklist of every item to be checked and marked off as checked.
I know this device exist in some fashion because we are audited twice a year from an outside company that does that exact thing on a smaller scale.
The one thing that drives our business and repeat business is the ability to provide a good/clean room consistently. Often the case this does not happen.
Unfortunately, I would not know where to begin putting this into action but I can tell you first hand that there would be a HUGE demand if done right.
Managers could track the trends from particular Housekeepers down to what problems they are consistently having and be able to fix with accurate knowledge.
I just try to think how valuable a tool like that would be for my property I manage.
Please let me know your thougts.
Thanks,
Bryan
Comment by Bryan Holloman — February 11, 2009 @ 6:25 am
[...] the Stars given our host’s history with the show but it’s not open call.) Monday night, Cuban posted an open-source funding offer with a few strings attached—a dozen, to be exact, although he later added an amendment. (Full [...]
Pingback by Paid Content : Ready, Set, Go: Mark Cuban's New Open-Source Funding Reality Show — February 11, 2009 @ 6:49 am
My idea: DrunkBunk.com
This works best for affluent younger clientele (and stupid athletes that don’t know they can afford a full time driver rather than driving drunk…)
You and your party are out on the town enjoying yourselves – to the point that you are not really able to drive home sober even though you drove to the event that night. You know you can’t drive without driving drunk, so you decide that it’s best to call 800-Dunk-bunk (made up number) and the helpful operator sets you up with a walk in the door, pick up your key and go to your room hotel offer so you don’t drive home drunk.
The new company’s focus is on advertising the opportunity and booking unused hotel space at a price higher than hotels average revenue per available room – keeping hotels happy and drunkards off the street.
How do the cabs fit into it? Perhaps you pay off the cabbies so they are enticed to drop of clients at a local hotel.
Comment by Darin — February 11, 2009 @ 6:54 am
Hello Mark
I currently own and run a sign business and i have traveled around the world and experienced a lot and learn t a lot. Through this i have also made a lot of connections , in business you need supplier and a buyer and the middlemen (us the businessmen). i like your idea to build our economy up , and from what i see USA supporting the world meaning money going out of USA to other countries, money not coming in,hence cash deficit.We import a lot but hardly export.
My idea is we export Cars our pride and im not talking about brand new cars , i m talking about auctioned cars , those insurance auctioned cars which have minimum damage and export them to middle eastern countries , i have buyers ready to buy cars for example if a Lexus we buy in USA for $5000.00 we can sell this same car for $20000.00 which shipping cost duty and everything you make $5000.00 easy a 100% profit , this is just a basic idea, the reason for selling auctioned used car is that if we sell used cars the countries in middle east dont put high duty on them just few percentage so we can make money there and we don’t fix the cars here we get the cars fixed in middle east as cheap labor and parts are cheap too.
saying this i got buyers and suppliers ready we can be the middlemen , and i follow all your 12 points , you get a 50% profit share until your investment if paid for and after that we can negotiate a sleeping partner share, remember i believe in no interest receiving or giving policy all cash sales to make a business profitable, today the economy is down is because of taking and giving interest . if you are a true businessmen you would understand that interest kills businesses anyways i have more ideas through my traveling experience i speak 7 languages so i can do business with anyone in the world and can relate to there understanding. One more idea i can give is im working on right now to import tanzanite a rare diamond like stone only found in Tanzania which has a high price profit selling in the USA , if you meet me i can explain my couple of ideas and we can move forward
ill wont make a business plan for the car export as cars differ in value also but the cost would be minimum and profit would be higher and you don’t have to fund upfront with time and amount of good cars available we can make good money
thank you for your time.
Comment by Huzefa Amiji — February 11, 2009 @ 6:54 am
[...] iPhone apps is becoming a new business fad that people make fun of. It’s adopting a role of clown that an ad based model of free web services has held for a [...]
Pingback by Dirty Aura » Is selling mobile applications a new business fad? — February 11, 2009 @ 6:56 am
Mark, I manufacture two electronic music devices. One is a synthesizer, the other is a MIDI controller (a device that controls other electronic instruments. Both are designed into a compact wedge shape base and are played with your feet. They are typically used by guitarists or bassists to augment their playing (think Geddy Lee in Rush). They are smaller and much less expensive that the typical “organ pedalboard” design, which sells for over twice the price. Currently, my costs are about 60% of what I sell them for including my labor time. I do most of my business on eBay, where they sell fairly well, though in much smaller quantities than would sustain a full time business.
If I had the capital, I would love to expand this so that I could wholesale these to music stores. By purchasing components in larger quantities, I could significantly reduce my costs. I would hire one or two interns from the local technical college to take over the circuit board assembly, paying them piecemeal for each board successfully built. This would allow me to focus on marketing issues (I’m currently a full time computer programmer). I have already contacted companies to manufacture the packaging, as well as accessories, such as a padded carrying case. If you’re interested, Mark, I’d be happy to send you one of the pedalboards to evaluate.
Comment by Brian Levine — February 11, 2009 @ 6:58 am
Mr. Mark Cuban,
If you even chose to read my business plan, i am honored, and i hope you like it. I hope splashing around in a multibillion dollar industry sounds good.
First, a little info about me, Paul Tarulli. I’m a 23 year old living in New Jersey, looking for an oppurtunity much like this one. College was not my thing, gambling was however.
My business venture is no secret to anyone. Online Gambling (new ideas however). It is projected to be a $25 BILLION industry in 2010. Now if that is not a market you want to get involved with, maybe I should have started with my porn ideas (also another multibillion dollar industry). But that was a small joke, as i know nothing about the porn business. I am though, very familiar with online gambling and gambling in general.
Currently, the internet is filled with online casinos, online sportsbooks and racebooks and online poker rooms. Here is a small breakdown of what each of these is about and how they profit. Pay attention most to the Online poker, as my buisness would use its format for profit.
ONLINE CASINOS- offer user accounts and downloadable games such as Black Jack, roulette, 3 card poker, various slots,baccarat and any other game found in a casino.The player makes a credit card deposit or various other methods to fund their account and plays with real money. The online site acts as the house or casino that you wager money against in the fore mentioned games. There is no selling, just the profit from the houses edge built into the games, which as we all know, always ends up winning in the long run.The profit is guaranteed due to these house advantages.However there runs the risk of a player winning and having to pay them. The games are worked out with mathematical formulas and in large samples of data will be profitable.
ONLINE SPORTSBOOKS AND RACEBOOKS- act as online bookies.They offer user accounts and offer open wagering on most sporting events (with odds and spreads) and horse races. Much like the online casinos, you make a credit card deposit into your account, then begin wagering as you wish. The spreads and odds of a game or race are used to even the edge one team or horse may have over another. This allows for the book to break even on the wagers and profit from the commission or “juice” of the wagers. This is no risk all profit in the long run as well. However, for an individual game or race the site may win or lose, depending on how many people wagered for that specific game and how much. As said earlier , with the spreads and odds adjusted to make take any edge away, the bets are looked at as 50/50 advantage, with the income being the juice.
*example-(TEAM A vs TEAM B)SPREAD TEAM A by 6 points
PLAYER 1 wagers $110 to win $100 on TEAM A with site. PLAYER 2 wagers $110 to win $100 with site =$20 profit for site, no matter what team wins.
ONLINE POKER ROOMS- offer user accounts and offer free downloadable poker software to users. Just like the other 2, a credit card or bank account is used to fund your account. The site is a network that allows players from all over the world play against each other in most poker games, cash games or tournaments (cash games are where your money acts as the chips you use in the game at face value, whereas a tournament is a set buying and a set starting amount of chips) You search the home lobby, find the game you are interested in and either sit down at a cash cash game or “ring game”, or even register for a tournament. There are hundreds of different game varying from very low limits to very high limits. Profiting in Online poker is also a guarantee with no risk.
In a ring game, each hand is charged a rake(usually between $1-$4) from the pot, as long as the hand qualifies to be raked(2 players continue hand after initial bets, if not, no rake is charged). The site does not care who wins or loses the pot, as it is not a player wagering vs the site. It is person to person wagering. This is done every hand dealt.
example-
6 players sitting at a ring game table of $1/$2 No Limit Hold’em. Min. buyin is $60 max is $300.
At this table it varies with an average of $100 a person. One player raises to $10, two people call the pot is now $30. The house now takes the rake directly from the pot. This now makes the pot $26 and the hand proceeds without any other further rake. The winner of the hand is thought of as paying the rake for that hand, because he is in fact just being “taxed” by the site on his winning hand.
This is an easy break down of profit capabilities for ring games.
Profit= amount hands raked X rake X amount of tables
Now for the tournament aspect of poker. This is where players all register into a predetermined tournament with a predetermined buy-in and rules of the game. This can vary from low buy-ins to very high buy-ins and can vary from 1 on 1 tournaments to a tournament with no ceiling of amount of players(as long as they register on time). Each player starts with the same amount of chips and the game progresses to 1 overall winner with many places paid (usually top 10% or 20% of entrants are paid with each place paid a corresponding percent for that finishing result). The profit from a tournament is also 100% no risk all profit. The site charges a tournament entry fee to each member registered(usually 10% of buy-in).This is on top of the money he is risking in the tournament. The money collected is used as the prizes and the site keeps the entry fee.Here is the example.
example-
$100 buy-in + $10(entry fee)=($110 total) TOURNAMENT AT 7pm.
This particular tournament draws 50 people.It will pay the top 5 finishers. So, $100X50(players)= a prize pool of $5,000.
prizes-
total=$5000
1st place(40%)-$2000
2nd place(25%)-$1250
3rd place(15%)-$750
4th and 5th place(10%)-$500 each
POKER SITE PROFITS for this tournament= 50(players)X $10(entry fee)=$500 in just 1 tournament
Profit capabilities-(will vary depending on buy-in amount/entry fee and how often you have different tournaments running)
PROFIT= Amount of entrants in each tournament X entry fee
I THINK IT IS CLEAR WHY THIS IS A MULTI BILLION DOLLAR AND GROWING INDUSTRY.
***The owner of Bodog.com, started the site with $10k. He NOW makes over 1Million a DAY!!
However, Mr. Cuban, this has all been done before. There are hundreds of competing Online casinos, dozens of Sportsbooks and racebooks and maybe between 10-20 quality poker rooms.
One thing I know they do not have on the internet is a site that uses the Online Poker formula for profit with ANY game. Poker is sort of unique with cash/ring games, but the tournament format using entry fees and prize pools has not been used at it’s full potential. So here is my plan.
Open a website that brings together all people looking to gamble on almost ANYTHING. Sure we could and should have our normal casino section, and our very own sportsbook and racebook, and even have our own poker software allowing for play. But lets think beyond that.Lets’s be UNIQUE.
ANY game that has a winner or loser can be gambled on using 1 on 1 format,multiplayer, series or a tournament bracket. Of course charging buy-ins + entry fees to each entrant and using their buy-ins to fund the prize pool. Some games will be fun and need luck to win(war) , some games will need actual skill(chess).
Say you always played the card game war with your friend, such as I have. We used to take a $20 bill each and make a $40 pot and whoevever won, got the $40.It gave the game a reason to finish and play your hardest. There is no where online that allows players to play head to head war for money. HENCE THIS BEAUTIFUL IDEA
heres just a small example of other games we can use :
Chess,checkers, backgammon, uno, 500 rummy, Pot black jack, 31…ect..basically any game you can think of, like previously stated that has a clear cut winner and loser, with no advantage to any player at the beginning of the game. Im sure there is a market to gamble on ANYTHING involving competition.
Over the years i have come across dozens of head to head card games and other games that can be played with 1-8 people. They can all be wagered on in a series format, 1 on 1, multiplayer or even tournaments. I will not go through each game on this post(steal my plan.. go ahead-you wont get my games).But i will show you the formats in which they should be played and paid.
series games 1 on 1-Best of 3, 5 or 7 series
multiplayer wins game-first to 3 wins, 4 wins etc.(predetermined)wins the whole pot
of course all games would have a buy in and a entry fee and a prize pool…
I will use Pot Black Jack for this example. I will show you how this would work all ways (1 on 1 and multi-player series and tournament)
Pot blackjack has no dealer to play against. You are playing your opponent. all players are dealt 2 starting cards 1 up one down, with an oppurtunity to hit or stand rotating who goes 1st.
**1 on 1 series-
Best of 5 -Pot Blackjack series:$10 (buy-in)+$1 (entry fee)=$11 (total buy-in)EACH
2 players X $10=$20 prize pool
2 players X $1=$2 for the site
**Multiplayer wins match-
3 wins – 4 Player Pot Blackjack-$10(buy in) +$1(entry fee)=$11 (total buyin) EACH
4 players X $10=$40 prize pool
4 players X $1 =$4 for the site
** Tournaments-
tournaments are done using 1 on 1 series game play with brackets.
Best of 5 -Pot Blackjack tournament:$10 (buy-in)+$1 (entry fee)=$11 (total buy-in)EACH
say 128 people signed up
128 people X $10 (Buy-in) =$1280 prize pool
128 people X $1 (entry fee)= $128 for the site
TOP 8 places pay=
1st place=$512
2nd place=$256
3rd+4thpace=$128 each
5th, 6th,7th, 8th=$64 each
THE GAME MAY CHANGE BUT THE STRUCTURE DOESN’T HAVE TO.
*Certain games may have different series totals or win totals for the same game.There will be different options for players to fine tune exactly what they want to play, for how much and how many wins or the type or series it is.
Now to talk the start up numbers and maintenence and some leagality issues that may be involved with costs. Like i said Mark, im only 23 and haven’s exactly had the money or time to do all the complete research ( i know you said in the rules you MAY help or MAY not, but i would plan on figuring everything out if this gets your approval)
Software & Game development-Depending on what company we use and how many different games we need developed and how many sections we decide to use(head 2 head games,casino,poker,sportsbook,) this could be any price.We would need a mathemetician to figure out all the numbers involved with the gameplay (shuffle,house edges,formulas) In the research I have done, if you want to own the software and not pay any royalties it may be in the millions. There are also 2 other ways i have found. Maybe this link can explain it better of the basics of starting up.
http://startonlinecasino.com/
Marketing- Also can be found on that link. The traffic is key. Advertising would help. Maybe offer a $5 no risk bonus to the 1st 200,000 people who sign up. That would be another million dollars plus the other costs of advertising, depending on what we decide to do.If only 1/4 of that 200,00 people ever end up depositing themselves, we would only need to make $20 in rake each to make that 1Mil back. Also, many people will advertise on our behalf by becoming affiliates. We would give them percentages for link clicks and sign ups. This would allow us to track the traffic and where to go further with advertising.
Licenses-Depending on what we need. We may need none, it isn’t exactly clear to me yet how much this would cost, but im sure we need something.
Legal- We would need to pay a lawyer to figure out the terms and conditions and all the legal information. Someone to deal with the licenses and online casino commission. Many online gambling sites do not allow for USA players, as it is illegal to use a bank to deposit for online gambling in USA. There are loopholes however, and a good lawyer always helps the cause.
Out of USA location- as stated previously it isn’t exactly legal in USA. We most likely would have to use offshore banks and locations where the main headquarters would be. EVERY site does this. Renting out an office building in South America couldn’t cost too much.
So in estimation, I would say this plan would need between $3-6 Million, depending what the real numbers come to for software and licenses. Lets use the average of my estimations and say $5Million for everything. Now keep in mind Mark (if you are still reading and thanks if you are) that initial investment would take care of basically everything. It is like building a machine that will generate money with minimal costs to operate or maintain. Keeping the lawyer around would be helpful, rent for office, any marketing , updates and upgrades with the website and/or software which lets say is ….well start high with 20k a month…
So $5 Million and $20k a month. you would like you initial $5,040,000 back in 60 days. That is 84k a day in rake, which may sound like alot but KEEP IN MIND.. AT THAT PRICE WE HAVE A FULLY OPERATING SITE WITH 200,000 signups…with advertising still going strong. That would really only break down to $840,000 being wagered a day…we rake the 10%…there is our 84k a day to break even in 60 days…with profit starting in 61 days…not even 90…
lets see that a little more clean cut..
$5,000,000 investment
$40,000 2 month maintainence
$5,040,000 in 60 days
$840,000 a day in wagers needed
$84,000 a day in rake needed
=60 day break even
say we retain only 10% of the initial 200,000 people we spent $1million on as everyday users. So thats 20,000 people.
$840,000 a day in wagers by 20,000 people is $42 wagered EACH TO REACH OUR BREAK EVEN IN 2 months.
Now lets get back to the bodog.com story. He invested $10k about 10 years ago and is now making over 1MILLION a day , owning a site with heavy competition(it has casino,bookie and poker all in one)..OUR SITE WOULD BE UNIQUE WITH ALL THE OLD STUFF TOO..WITH THE WHOLE NEW IDEA OF person to person gambling.
Now for my idea for ownership. You initially invest 5 Million and we hit our break even in 2 months…YOU GET BACK THE FULL 5 Million before i ever see a dime. In return I want to own 70% of everything leaving you the other 30%.We will pay maintenence and any other fees or on that same scale (70/30)..
I look forward to answering any questions you may have and explaining this any further if you need me too.
PS
MARK MY HEART AND SOUL WILL GO INTO THIS BUISNESS…THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING AND CONSIDERING. IVE ALWAYS NEEDED A BREAK LIKE THIS, THIS IS SUCH A GREAT OPPURTUNITY. AND GOOD LUCK TO ANYONE YOU DO PICK TO DO THIS WITH..AND EVEN IF YOU DON’T PICK ME..CAN YOU FIND ME A DECENT JOB LOL…
i saw this offer on espn.com, at 1:30 am east time..started typing at 1:45am…im now done at 7:05 am…had to jump on this asap…GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MAVVVVVS…josh howard is the man on my fantasy basketball team
Comment by Paul Tarulli — February 11, 2009 @ 7:07 am
@ Denton
That is one pretty brilliant idea.
Being the friend of those in their 30’s, but being the only one without children… ALL of my friends would patronize your business.
Why?
The children AND parents need entertainment, but most often, my friends (the parents)… do not wish to go out. They are usually too tired (while their kids have an abundance of energy because… well… they are kids… LOL)!
My only concern on Mark’s thought would be that restaurant’s usually take a while to break even let alone turn a profit.
I am not in the restaurant business… but the thing that my great-grandparents (who were very successful business people) taught me is that as long as you provide a service that people want or need…
You will be a success.
Well my online amigo…
You just may have a multi-million dollar idea on your hands.
Good luck to you!
“I pulled over and went in, the answer was obvious as I entered.”
This truly blew me away – that you actually did this.
Most would have wondered… and simply kept on driving.
Good work. And again, good luck.
Comment by SW — February 11, 2009 @ 7:39 am
PLAN: Trade leveraged CME Mini Stock Index Futures trading, utilizing both inter and intraday data, utilizing proprietary genetic algorithm.** 100% quantitative.
3-5 yr plan, build into next Renaissance Technologies.
PERSONNEL: 26 yr old male, BBA Finance, UMIAMI & MS Finance, Washington University in St. Louis; others to be hired [optional].
CURRENT LOCATION: St. Louis, MO [loft apt], anticipate move to Chicago.
EXISTING EQUIPMENT: PC; and two workstations w/data feeds.
PLANNED EQUIPMENT: Additional redundant workstations & data feeds.
SOFTWARE: Proprietary; MATLAB, others.
MIN. INVESTMENT: $5 million, notional, to be leveraged; can be exclusive.
BROKER DEALER/CUSTODIAN: Interactive Brokers [tentative]; all trades information available real-time including end of day equity statements.
FEE STRUCTURE: 25/75 net profit split, payable monthly/quarterly.
RECENT R&D: Through 1/5/09, stock index futures [S&P 500, S&P 400 Mid Cap, NASDAQ 100] combined portfolio genetic algorithm R&D breakthrough, 5 yr. out-of-sample acid test walk forward data window through 01/5/2009: 86% winning trades; 14,618% cumulative ROI [not a misprint]; 25.07% worst one time equity drawdown. This is just the continuing R&D, but it breaks new ground. Still interday, entries assumed on the opening print, exit on trailing stops, database OHLC, normal mkt trading hrs, not today’s available 24 hrs; using the continuous Mini futures contracts for all stock index futures R&D, typically has a near 1.0 beta coefficient execution to the real nearest contracts so it’s not apples vs. oranges. For confirmation, R&D data reports available.
Yes, we know the results strain all credibility, but this is not algorithmic research as usual. Right now it remains under 24/7 encryption, pending continuous development/refinement. Can dumb down the drawdown if willing to accept a reduced ROI.
Additional quant R&D, on a more orthodox basis, includes NYSE & NASDAQ equities, non-leveraged, w/trade signals issued since 4/10/2006.
**Genetic algorithms use a competitive technique to resolve a problem (trading profits) using a population of potential solutions (here patterns). This technique is ideal when it is not easy, not to say impossible to model a function in mathematical terms.
One first needs an optimization target or a benchmark, which is translated into a mathematical function, that will be usually called the “Fitness” function. The best individuals in that population adapt well to or “fit” the environment i.e. the fitness function. Optimizing that function is in most cases identical to maximizing that target, for instance trade profits. The “effect” side of the equation is now set.
Now begins the tricky part. One needs to translate the “causes,” i.e. the patterns that could lead to such results, into a mathematical form. Our own software makes this task fairly easy. One only has to describe all potential patterns by way of genetic traits or chromosomes of the data. For instance, as the pattern will include occurrences of quotations, a chromosome will carry the characteristic “quote,” with the possible values, e.g., Open, High, Low, Close, Volume. Another chromosome will carry the information “bars back” (trading periods back, e.g., minutes, hours, days), depending on how far back you want the software to search for optimal patterns. The total search space is here designed.
Once one has created a whole potential pattern that way, one has one potential solution for the fitness function, i.e. a pattern, and how profitable that using that pattern can be. That solution, or pattern may be far from ideally suited to solve our optimization problem. Our software allows us now to create potentially suitable solutions, called “individuals” into a population. The optimization process called “Evolution” now consists in testing whether these many, many individuals can contribute in solving the problem. The general principle used now is the “survival of the fittest”. Generations [tens of millions] of individuals are created, then mate, mutate, evolve until such time where one individual becomes the obvious optimal answer to the problem. It will have survived all genetic alterations to become the “fittest” individual.
The fittest individual is then converted back into an understandable form, i.e. a pattern. When recognized within a data set, e.g., equity or futures prices of a walk forward out of sample set including all trading of one’s account into the future, then buy, sell, and applicable exit from trade is executed. Hence, the results are the expected profits. With periodicity, e.g., weekly, monthly & quarterly, the R&D process starts over again with the additional added calendar data in order to find if an even “fitter” individual can be placed within our trading ammunition bunker.
DISCLAIMER:
This report is for information purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation for funding.
Hypothetical performance results presented herein do not necessarily indicate future performance; Investment in equity strategies involves substantial risk and has the potential for partial or complete loss of funds invested.
None of the stock information, data and company information presented herein constitute a recommendation or a solicitation of any new offer to buy or sell any securities.
Information presented is general information that does not take into account an investor’s individual circumstances, financial situation, or needs, nor does it present a personalized recommendation to any investor.
Although information has been obtained from and is based upon sources believed to be reliable, the author does not guarantee its accuracy and the information may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions and estimates constitute the author’s judgment as of the date of this report and are subject to change without notice.
The information herein has been carefully compiled from sources believed to be reliable, but the accuracy of the information is not guaranteed. Use it at your own risk. No representation can be made that future performance of any trading method or system will bear any relation to past performance. All reviews express only the opinions of the author.
HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE MANY INHERENT LIMITATIONS, SOME OF WHICH ARE DESCRIBED BELOW. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCQUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFITS OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN. IN FACT, THERE ARE FREQUENTLY SHARP DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS AND THE ACTUAL RESULTS SUBSEQUENTLY ACHIEVED BY ANY PARTICULAR TRADING PROGRAM. ONE OF THE LIMITATIONS OF HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS IS THAT THEY ARE GENERALLY PREPARED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. IN ADDITION, HYPOTHETICAL TRADING DOES NOT INVOLVE FINANCIAL RISK, AND NO HYPOTHETICAL TRADING RECORD CAN COMPLETELY ACCOUNT FOR THE IMPACT OF FINANCIAL RISK IN ACTUAL TRADING. FOR EXAMPLE, THE ABILITY TO WITHSTAND LOSSES OR TO ADHERE TO A PARTICULAR TRADING PROGRAM IN SPITE OF TRADING LOSSES ARE MATERIAL POINTS WHICH CAN ALSO ADVERSELY AFFECT ACTUAL TRADING RESULTS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER FACTORS RELATED TO THE MARKETS IN GENERAL OR TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY SPECIFIC TRADING PROGRAM WHICH CANNOT BE FULLY ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE PREPARATION OF HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS AND ALL OF WHICH CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT ACTUAL TRADING RESULTS. THE RISK OF LOSS IN TRADING COMMODITY CONTRACTS CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL.
Comment by SJ — February 11, 2009 @ 8:02 am
I currently have a patent pending for a gym towel that will allow you to keep all personal belongings with you. I have produced several and have given them to friends (men and women) who work out daily and the feedback has been great. I even had people stop me when I workout and ask where I got mine. You are able to keep your phone, keys, membership card, ipod, magazine, water bottles and several other items on you at all times. It also satisfied the sanatation issue with not having to set anything down on the floor or the gym equipment. It is not ugly and provides you with a usable towel during your workout. So far I have invested about $7,000 into the product. I have a towel manufacturer providing me with the finished flat pieces which are of highend cotton terry cloth, however, I need to be able to negotiate a contract to assemble the towel. This would need approximately $250,000.00 to produce enough for companies like Sports Authority or CVN to be able to place an order. I would also like to approach workout clubs to offer this as a promotional item. I have images and further information available on this product. This towel would sell for approximately $19.99 and I already have people asking me for more than one. However, I cannot keep sewing them in my home. It works and it makes your workout easier, safer and sanitary.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks
YMA
Houston, Tx
From MC> 250k ? Why wouldnt you do a small run, see how people respond to them and grow according to the demand ? Im sure there are quite a few independent gyms that would work with you to offer your product. What does it cost to make 100 or 500 or 1k towels ? And you might want topost a picture to get feedback
Comment by YMA — February 11, 2009 @ 8:05 am
This is typical of what America has come to expect from ‘leadership’ today.
Make a lot of rules and expect others to figure out a solution, get nothing in return but give up your idea, give the rule makers equity, and absorb all the risk.
Here’s my idea:
1. Rebuild all the nations high security prisons along the Mexican border: If anyone escapes they either end up in Mexico or in the scorching hot desert; the prisons/watch towers will double as immigration enforcement – this is in line with 0bama’s infrastructure spending plans – no extra outlay needed; the expenses saved by not having to care for, feed, chase, prosecute illegal immigrants spent in America on American’s
2. Tear down the vacant high security prisons and build parks, hospitals, or higher education institutions – again already in 0bama’s spending boondoggle.
3. By the time the politicians, ACLU, La Raza and others are done haggling over why this is racist and won’t help, 0bama will have completed 1, possibly 2 terms, and the economy will have righted itself by letting failed leadership fail and disappear or get locked up along the border.
Comment by creeping — February 11, 2009 @ 8:35 am
My business idea is simple (not original but simple)
Step 1: Sell 200 raffle tickets at $1 each, promising a mystery prize that is cute & cuddly. Raffle will be held in 60 days to maximise ticket sale. Take advantage of the curiosity tendency in humans & the scarcity principle to maximise sales. Also cost will be very low. If necessary, i can target to a specific audience eg. farmers, kids, etc Revenue = $200
Step 2: Buy/hunt recently deceased squirrel or donkey. Cost = $0-$50
Step 3: Have raffle and provide dead squirrel/donkey to winner. If winner doesn’t want it, then i will pay back their raffle amount.
Assuming cost of $50, my P&L per raffle will be $99-100 (depending on whether i have to reimburse the winner for the winning ticket)
There will only be me working and i have another job
I can replicate this raffle in all towns and can increase the # of tickets sold if you were to invest so i can undertake advertising to maximise raffle volume.
Comment by Fletch — February 11, 2009 @ 8:42 am
Video Billboards places large screen monitors in local hotspots and offers surrounding local businesses, charities and cities a new way of reaching these local markets through television at a fraction of the cost.
For around $1000, we shoot, edit, produce and provide 1 year airtime to almost any local business, which makes it an incredible value and powerful tool.
Startup costs are minimal and basically provide equipment for a larger scale and quickly establish distribution points through the larger chains . Salaries are entirely commissioned based. My background includes successfully training and maintaining a sales and production staff.
Test markets have done very well and the community has been incredibly supportive as we offer local charities, city and other worthy causes free production and airtime. Local businesses have been lining up as it offers inexpensive targeting marketing they desperately need.
Maybe the good outweighs the bad for #2?
I had planned on expanding in late summer but obviously this was tempting.
Either way, I’ve always admired Mark’s spirit and business savvy.
Comment by AjS — February 11, 2009 @ 8:49 am
I`m the owner of an existing business. We suffered from Hurricane Ike but the business is back on track and ready to develop. http://www.anewbraininabox.com.
This is an immersion center where you can learn a new language in recreating a foreign country environment. We offer “gym” like membership. Our members can come anytime during business hours. It works really well.
We need to rearrange the inside with classrooms and a different entrance for a dual immersion private school.
Thank you
Comment by Julie Lesage — February 11, 2009 @ 9:02 am
[...] Cuban is asking for business plans on his blog. Post your business plan and he’ll fund you. Seriously. This guy is a [...]
Pingback by — That Jeremy Guy — February 11, 2009 @ 9:09 am
O.K. Here I go I own a Rhino Linings shop in North Ft Worth all of my competition is out of business. That is a good thing but the problem is been that the set the prices so low on our product that it was hard to make a profit ( but we have just not much). In the 3 years I have learned to do more than just Rhino Linings, we have branched out to do truck accessory. Some of the problems we are having is to grow with the market wide open in my area it takes money and all the banks have dried up. I even did something really stupid and took out one of thosecredit card loans ( they loan you money against your future credit card sells ) don’t ever do it they will bleed you dry. I payed them off, so now I need help. Here is my plan. I need to start advertising in the local paper’s radio or something like that, we have started to sell custom and replacement wheels and tire’s. We need to buy a tire mounting machine and balancer and carry a good inventory also. This shop is in a area that is still growing with no one else selling the products I am. We were on a 30% growth rate the last 3 years until July of 08 when gas hit $4.00, the phone stop ringing for three months. It is just time for my shop to step up and me. I have morethat I could say about my plans and dreams but I think run to long already.
Comment by Joe — February 11, 2009 @ 9:09 am
Mr. Cuban,
Dallas has a huge pet market! But being one of the hundreds of thousands of people that have dogs I find the places you can bring your dogs is actually very limited. So my idea…A dog Café! A Café for the dog owner and the dog. Not like other cafés where you’re allowed to bring your dog on the porch but a café that fully integrates the owner and their dog into the environment. A social environment where pet owners can meet other pet owners. Now we don’t have to leave him at home every time we leave! There will be an “indoor park” where dogs can play… large dogs enter left, small enter right!! Oh and a few Simple rules, you sign a waiver your first visit, no doggies in heat, please dispose of your dogs poo, and leave the aggressive ones at home! Carabineer post at every table where you can hook your dog up if hanging out tableside. Certified organic coffee and treats like any café but there will also be treats made for your pooch! Locations will be positioned in high foot-traffic, urban settings, near parks, and/or near national pet stores such as PETSMART and PETCO.
From MC> Im not a pet guy, but it seems like an idea that could work. I would encourage you to put together a business plan and post it. I would guess you might get some feedback and ideas on how to pursue this and of course I will review it to see if I would invest
Comment by Amberle — February 11, 2009 @ 9:14 am
Mr. Cuban,
My idea for a business would be a gaming console repair shop. With the popularity of the Xbox 360 gaming console and the poor original design the failures of this console are legendary.
In this day and age people suffer from a lack of patience. What kid wants to wait a month to play his/her video games? More importantly what parent wants to listen to said child whine and complain while waiting for said console to be returned? In this day and age many of us are willing to pay for convenience. Since I am an experienced computer technician I have toyed around with repair of these devices. Microsoft charges more than $60 to repair machines that are out of warranty. The overhead costs on these repairs is so low its ridiculous. The hardware required to achieve these repairs costs around $3-4 dollars. If advertised properly this service could provide a high profit margin at a low cost.
Ads could be placed where the business says, “We buy your broken consoles.” and repair them and resell to the public. Since it is a used product you can offer a 30 day money back warranty and most people should accept that.
This is a business that could easily be run from a garage or in home but a store front would make it seem more professional and could add to the volume of the business itself.
Since this would be a high profit margin business I think turning a profit in 90 days would be attainable. To check the demand for such a service all you would have to do is check the amount of forums posts that are out on there on how to fix this problem and how microsoft made so many mistakes in cutting corners on producing this console to get it out the door before the Sony Playstation 3.
There is a reliable fix that is out there now that repairs the console and can keep it repaired. All it requires is a little more elbow grease and “screwdriver time.” Many of the consoles that are repaired by microsoft are done in the same shoddy way they have always been done and fail again after a few months. I feel that providing a quality service that is at high demand and is at a higher quality than the original equipment manufacturer can only lead to profitablity. Gamers know Microsoft dropped the ball on this and are tired of jumping through thier hoops, and Parents are just as tired of hearing about as well.
In summary we would providing a service that is at a high demand for convinence of customers that can be provided for a low overhead cost.
Profitablity obviously would be based on volume and in the sense of a true business partnership would be split 50/50.
From MC> You need to do the homework to determine if its a viable business. Whether there is any competition. I dont see why it couldnt work, but I dont know if someone is already doing it, and what the repair and warranty issues are with consoles
Comment by David — February 11, 2009 @ 9:30 am
Looking forward to hearing from you.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ddn73zcj_113d7g4shh5
Michael
Comment by Michael Plater II — February 11, 2009 @ 9:33 am
Mark, I’m the VP of a non-profit youth and family camp, located near Plymouth, Wisconsin. Although we are a 501 (c)(3), we have been operationally profitable for more than 20 years. In spite of our long history of economic success, the parent organization that previously owned the camp, decided to sell it, because they needed to pay down debt incurred by their other program areas (this camp annually sent about $100K/year back to the parent organization).
In 2005, we formed a new non-profit and purchased the camp for $5.5 million, with an initial bank loan for $3 million, a loan from a private foundation for $2 million and financing from the parent organization for the remaining $500K. We have been steadily paying down principal (more than $500K so far) ever since, while re-financing our loans whenever possible.
The rate for our current bank loan (2.5M) is 6.25% and the loan from our foundation has been increasing each year of the five-year term (amortized at 20 years) and is currently at 6.5% for FY2009 and scheduled to go to 7% in the final year. We also have a $500K revolving credit note with the bank that we were taking advantage of, due to it’s much lower rate of LIBOR plus 2.25%. The bank has recently decided to implement floors on this line, reducing it’s benefit for us.
I am requesting primary financing from you on the remaining balance of our bank and foundation loan (the former parent organization loan has already agreed to a subordinate position on their remaining $200K position) at a rate of 5%, with a three-year term and 20-year amortization.
The camp operates throughout the year, although the bulk of our business comes during our nine weeks of traditional youth summer camp. We sold out six of our nine summer weeks in 2007 and had a waiting list of 200 campers. We expanded our capacity for 2008 by 360 campers and in spite of the tough economic times, once again sold out six of our nine weeks last year.
There is no secret to our organization’s success. Our staff works extremely hard to offer a superior experience at a price that is often a fraction of what “elite” camps charge.
I appreciate your consideration in this matter. Please feel free to visit our web site- anokijig.com and our Camp blog- anokijig.blogspot.com for more information and don’t hesitate to contact me if you’d like to see audited financial statements.
Jim
Comment by Jim McIlvaine — February 11, 2009 @ 10:02 am
My idea is a publishing/information company, starting with computer books since computer training is what I do, but with a more focused type of product. I find in my teaching, especially of beginners, they want to know how to do specific tasks, for example, upgrading the memory on a PC, or creating a PDF document.
This business could be expanded to other areas easily (5 easy stretches for runners, Coaching zone defence in basketball). I believe people would pay $10 to learn how to do exactly what they want, rather than $30+ for a bunch of information they don’t need.
It could be even further expanded to have an “on-call” expert, using a pay-per-call system where you could ask the expert a computer question. Add pay-per-access videos for further revenue.
Thanks
Scott.
Comment by Scott — February 11, 2009 @ 10:03 am
What happened? I submitted my plan at 2 am this morning. It is not here. I received an email from wordpress regarding the comment notification so thought it was posted.
are you still accepting proposals?
From MC> means i want to spend some time looking at it and see if i have any comments
Comment by ts — February 11, 2009 @ 10:05 am
Hi Mark,
I own a company called http://www.Menuwave.com. Essentially we are a online concierge for restaurants. I also am a fine dining restaurant owner in Miami Beach called OLA Restaurant. So I know the ins and outs of the business. The way we plan on menuwave to work is we track all the confirmed reservations that menuwave makes and invoice the restaurants quarterly a small fee. currently we are only in dade, palm beach, and broward county and we are getting about 3 reservations a day with no advertising. just the site being searched on the web. 3 counties. We have the database to go national and want to do so. beyond this feature menuwave.com has many other features you can see map, reviews, description, pictures.
In addition I would like to become the new youthfull version of the ZAGAT Guide. User generated instead of the local stuffy food critic.
I believe if this idea is funded properly it could snowball into a huge thing.
please let me know your comments.
Brian
Comment by Brian — February 11, 2009 @ 10:06 am
Hi Mark – In late 07, my sister and I started MobileTek Labs a mobile dental laboratory in the NYC area centered around CAD/CAM technology (specifically, Sirona’s CEREC system). The CEREC machine can fabricate all porcelain dental crowns in about an hour – the standard process for making a crown involves an offsite lab and the turnaround time is approx two weeks including pickup&delivery via mail or courier. Thus, the patient must return to the office a second time once the crown is delivered to the dentist.
The CEREC machine is available for purchase by dentist’s offices, but is about $120K and has a steep learning curve. Our mobile lab model is sort of like an ASP for the CEREC machine – we bring our lab to a different dentist’s office every day and work with them to make ‘Same Visit’ crowns for their patients – the added bonus is that our little ‘tooth factory’ can always be running so we can offer more ‘traditional’ pickup and delivery service for dentists that aren’t yet ready to shift to ’same visit’ service.
From our experience so far, the concept is sound, we have dozens of clients and we are doing nicely – had we launched in another economic climate, we would likely be very profitable by now, but dentistry is not quite as ‘recession proof’ as everyone thinks – dentists charge $1000-$1500 for crowns and even patients with good insurance have to pay a few hundred dollars out of pocket. Would rather not divulge too much publicly about financials, but gross margins are high and there are nice competitive advantages built into our model.
I recently completed my Master’s degree at Columbia (in Executvie Technology Management) and I am excited to take this business as far as it can go (I previously helped build http://www.ERE.net – an online community and events company in the HR industry). I have not been pursuing investors directly, but I saw your post and had to see if I could pique your interest. Any new capital would go towards speeding up our expansion plans (more vans in more territories, more salespeople, etc)
Comment by David Birnbaum — February 11, 2009 @ 10:07 am
I have an idea. I reload ammunition and I accidentally mixed things up and ended up with a large amount of pink brass. I went ahead and reloaded some and the women went crazy. They paid double the normal ammunition prices just because it was pink. With the number of women that own guns now and the amount of guns purchased since the election, the price of everything has gone up.
With enough capital to buy large quantities and pay a good chemist to help keep the brass pink for longer than a week, this would be a business idea that would work. I’ve also figured out how to make camoflague looking ammunition. We have been using the same boring brass for a hundred years. Imagine custom color ammo. It is really cheap to make. People would buy it just because it looks different. I’m not sure if it is a billion dollar idea but it would be very profitable.
From MC> Tell me more. Pink Copper could be interesting for a lot of different products
Comment by Jeff Reed — February 11, 2009 @ 10:09 am
Thanks for the opportunity Mr. Cuban! This is exactly what America needs, for the haves to allow the have nots the chance to do something different. I will be back with my plan.
Comment by Darrell G — February 11, 2009 @ 10:10 am
Congratulations, Mark!
You have finally made a blogpost that attracted several hundred comments!
As for you plan …
Geez Looeeze!
3. It MUST BE CASH FLOW BREAK EVEN within 60 days
4. It must be profitable within 90 days.
5. Funding will be on a monthly basis. If you dont make your numbers, the funding stops
Who in his right mind and with even a modicum of savvy (SAYKHEL, as we would say in NYC) would even bother to respond as you ask? Why would he need to ask YOU for funding?
I’ve got a hundred bucks that says you won’t get a single sensible response from anyone who really needs your money. This is my “surefire” business plan.
From MC> you can send the 100 dollars to the Mavs Foundation
Comment by Norman Rogers — February 11, 2009 @ 10:18 am
FEB 10 2009
OffGrid Construction Project
I wish to build self-sustaining super eco houses/communities, and I hope everyone else will also. I can help anyone who needs it, and this is how.
I have had a contracting business for years, but just started up my OffGrid Construction business. I have the skills and the tools to complete this project just not the funds. In conversation with Government they’re waiting until April to see about the new budget and funding expectations.
I have an excellent credit rating, own two houses, lots of tools and equipment, but I can not come up with enough money to start this project.
I’m Mark Moritz; I have designed a most Energy Efficient and possibly the most Greenest House ever. This house is made entirely from concrete with no lumber.
I’ve listed below information and details of this project.
The exterior or shell of house has been Armour protected with a new unique coating which is indestructible. These houses can be built every quickly.
I’m a professional carpenter/builder, that through years of construction and research has come up with a house design which is built with a combination of new and very old construction techniques. I have technical data/specs on everything and also cost comparisons if/when required.
I’m hopeful this project will have media coverage from HGTV show “Worlds Most Greenest homes”. The David Suzuki Foundation has also expressed an interest in my project. They are very excited and intrigued with my design. It also looks like there is a possibility that I will be receiving funding from the Government for this project.
This dwelling will be hurricane resistance of up to 280 mile hour winds perhaps more, allergy, fire and sound resistant. It will last for generations, with very little maintenance thanks to the Coating. The house is designed and runs under a Passive House principles. A European design perfected over the last 20 years.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/27/world/europe/27house.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all
I’m using the same principles, I have just enhanced the procedure by utilizing new and improved materials, combinations of(ie: ICFs wall system and the SCIPS 3-D panels for the roof or walls).
Features of house are:
ICFs and or SCIPs (insulated concrete forms/3D-panels) would build the walls. Roofing system would be a similar construction with a mesh/re-bar Styrofoam ICSs (3D insulated concrete panels) with spray on concrete (shotcrete) giving this house a seal and thermal break second to none.
The Icing on the Cake is the shell of this house. The shell will be made with this new spray-on environmentally friendly product. This product is similar to the protective truck bed-liner spray. This product is being used by the military as an Armor coating on vehicles and ships. “It is understood to be the world’s premier, all purpose spray on coating, combining flexibility, flame retardation, light weight ultra-high strength properties and most affordable for value due to extremely long life expectancy. It is also oil, salt & chemical resistant, waterproof, antibacterial, antistatic, low heat conductivity and environmentally friendly. I have used this product before; it is very impressive with endless uses. This is truly an Armor coating on the house, which comes in every color.”
I will be implementing the use of Geothermal Chambers under the house, with revolutionary ventilation techniques and heat distribution through positive and negative air flow system.
Radiant floor heating would be tied into solar panels in addition to an external fire boiler system and a propane fire place with a heat exchanger as backup for the floor system.
Another unique design of this house is it will be equipped with a exclusive one of a kind 12 volt LED mirror lighting system, illuminating the entire house using very little energy.
Furthermore the strategic placement of windows for passive solar radiant walls is very important. We will be incorporating “Living Walls” for air purification and quality. There will be rain water storage cisterns underground, greatly reducing the need for water form our natural resources.
Kochel Offen (old European fireplace) utilizing all the heat energy generated from a fire.
Power will be achieved by wind and solar using electrical grid as a storage device.
I am willing to do what ever it takes….to get this technology out there, and to do my part to educate the public and preserve the environment.
My goal is to build communities with these self sustaining houses. Imagine if you will, the impact on the environment and surrounding communities, contributing little carbon foot, No trees used in the construction of these dwellings. There is no reason why all future homes shouldn’t be built like this.
This will be one of the worlds Greenest Extremist home ever built.
I drive to show people that they can live in a healthy modern environment that is self-sustaining and affordable, while leaving a very little carbon footprint.
The demand for such living is great and always growing. A house that will last for generations, has little maintenance, and little or no utilities. This is quite the opportunity for everyone who gets involved in this project. Everyone WINS!
This is not new technology. It has been around and proven now for many years.
I am improving the technique by implementing the most modern and efficient building materials available today. I am a professional carpenter/contractor/junior builder, which wishes to put all green technologies together.
Furthermore, for my LED mirrored lighting system, that I will take credit for and give myself a big pat on the back. One light lighting all of the main living space. Kitchen/living room, dinning room, hallways, lobbies etc.
Building such a house in the northern environment has always been a challenge, Now, the technology is out there, it’s just that not many people are aware of it or know how to used it. The cost of such a dwelling is approximately 20% more than the cost of a conventional stick framed house. However, the 20% is not much when realized the payback this house will give you down the road. No utilities, no maintenance, these houses can be built extremely fast due to the fact of the ICF’s and ICP’s. They are literally a lego block system. An experienced crew can build this house within one week. This house leaves very little carbon footprint, and it will even generate an income with the excess energy it produces.
I hope this explains about my company and where it stands right now.
Capital needs: At this point the cost of building this dwelling is somewhat undetermined, due to fact there are so many altering factors. If this was a capacitor or widget costs would be simple to determine. This is a project with many variables (ie; land/location, size of dwelling, scheduling of construction/contractors/trades, also final architectural/engineered drawings. The best I can provide you is an estimated cost projection of a 2000 square foot dwelling, with basic finishes, on 2 acres of land.
Projected construction costs are approximately $400,000 – $475,000 CDN. to complete
Being in construction I have made some real-estate contacts over the years and what I have been told is “the sky is the limit” with the sale of such a house. I believe this house would sell for double the cost of construction, even in these uncertain economic times. Why, because there is no home in comparison on the market at present. Future models would even become cheaper to build because of the systems (ICFs) and (ICS) being used. As of yet there are only a few (ICS) contractors out there. Once these two different type of contractors learn how to work together utilizing this technique, the construction costs will drop considerably.
With this being a prototype and having media coverage, I was hoping to upgrade this project with top of the line finishes (i.e. kitchens and baths). I believe that with the media coverage this project will make me and my company a house hold word. We will get flooded with demands to build many more of these types of buildings.
Its time for this type of construction here in North America and around the world. Please except my apologies for any grammar mistakes. Preparing documents or drafting letters are not my forte. I also don’t have anyone available at this time to proof read this letter. I’m much better with my hands at building and supervising construction projects.
Mark allot of money to be made satisfying the huge demand for Green self-sustainable
dwellings. Just no one makes them.
Why use Trees to Build.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely Mark Moritz
offgridcon@yahoo.com
905 476-0345 or
Cell 905 251-0290
Comment by Mark Moritz — February 11, 2009 @ 10:21 am
Hello Mr. Cuban, my mouth is still dropped to the floor at this awesome opportunity that you are offering!!! I saw your story on Beyond the Glory a few years back and I have admired you and your rise to the top ever since. I am a single mother who started a home-based business with my two year anniversary coming this June, 2009. I am the owner of ‘Tami’s Tots’. It is a day-care and I currently have six kids full-time. I have hoped to increase my clientele for quite some time now. I live in Hutto, Texas which is a rapidly expanding small town outside of Austin Texas. The demand for child care is increasing with the growth and I already have a waiting list! Per State regulations, the amount of children you can have in care is based not only according to the age of the kids but also the square footage of your home. I have found a home right up the street from me where the layout is absolutely perfect for a daycare and would also give me the space to be allowed six more children. Having additional children would enable me to hire a much needed “assistant” for when I need to be free to attend to my own child. I do not advertise and have received all of my students through word of mouth. Being a father I know you can understand the importance and value of excellent child care and my parents are crazy about me and would be more than willing to give me outstanding recommendations. I’m not 100% sure about this but I’m almost positive you would be able to maybe write off your contribution, and if need be I would be more than happy to change the name to MARK’S MUNCHKINS, CUBAN’S CUTIES or anything else you want to call them!! I hope and pray that you consider me and I want to Thank You for the chance of a lifetime! Take care and God bless!
Comment by Tamara Culberson — February 11, 2009 @ 10:21 am
Renexo Motors (GREEN/ENERGY/ELECTRIC) is engaged in the Automobile Manufacturing in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for sales and distribution to retail and commercial auto dealers. Renexo is seeking to be the fourth largest automotive manufacturer in the US, and markets its automotive branding through a network of more than 165 key auto dealers and 25 regional sales offices across the United States. The Manufacturing plant (CURRENT lAND UNDER CONTRACT IS 85AC)will have an aggregate production capacity of approximately 195,000 vehicles per month to start. We will have 400 people to start and up to 10,000 in Five years.
We recently signed agreements with two new large Chinese Manufacturing Companies, the first of which is XXXXXX Sales Group and division of XXX XXXXXX, one of the largest automotive manufacturer in China, and the second is to be announced. We will be buying parts at first to have the Cars Manufactured here in the States and soon will Manufacture parts in the US.
NDA”s keep me from posting anymore,
D.G.
Comment by David Gooding — February 11, 2009 @ 10:25 am
I think the gov or mr. Cuban should fix our health care. Pay for students to become Dr. and nurses and in return they sign a contract saying that they have to offer services at a cheaper rate for people who don’t have health care
Comment by bob everett — February 11, 2009 @ 10:26 am
[...] man. With that minor bit of disclosure out of the way, let’s look at the real Cuban’s latest, the Mark Cuban Stimulus Plan. He calls it open source funding, but that’s a bit like calling American Idol open source [...]
Pingback by Open Source mobile edition — February 11, 2009 @ 10:33 am
Tommy, tommyhotpockets, can you please send me a message?
jasonavery@rock.com
Thx
Comment by Matthew Lann — February 11, 2009 @ 10:33 am
I am in process of putting together a business plan, and will post it. But I wanted to see if you had thoughts while I do this. I want to open a golf driving range. The difference is I would place several exotic targets to aim at. Brainstored examples are: pyramids of glass bottles, large lego constructions, panes of glass, manequines wearing different sports jerseys (I live in Chicago, so would have Cubs, Sox, Brett Favre….), old broken down cars, I also want to buy a foam suit and run around for people to aim at me.
I really think this would help keep kids interested in the game of golf. I know when I was growing up I hated going to the driving range. If kids have fun items to aim at it will keep their interest. This would take the mundaneness out of going to the range. Not to mention help your target practice.
There is a growing area in Belevidere, IL, that doesn’t have a driving range within 15 miles or so. And is right next to a mjor highway (I-90).
Comment by Dave Adams — February 11, 2009 @ 10:34 am
Dear Mr. Cuban,
I am a born Entrepreneaur. I came up with the Iphone back in early 2000 and came up with the ignition in the Jaguar.
I am also a gamer and have used stores and sites like gamefly and gamestop but back in Sept 2006 I came up with Game Trialz. Game Trialz was created because Gamestop took to much when trading, and Gamefly banned me because the post office took to much and blammed me because of their policy.
At first I was going to open a store where you try the games on a 60″ Plasma ($5 for 30min); but the Small Business Admin said that the start up cost was too much. For 1 1/2 years I tried to get funding; to no luck.
It it now Jan 08 and my grandmother got a new car (Camry because the other car died) and I make the payments to build credit. That is when I got a credit card; Game Trialz is still a company that will come alive and I decided to go online. The swapping sites like Sayswap etc are garbage; they litterly take more money from you then you think with there points/tokens and the sites are terrible.
That is when I seeked out a company to build my site; I contacted
70 local companies (most was not for websites); 10 contacted back; I met with 3 and that was when I met John from 21CDigital.
He is the best and he made the site what it is today and what it will be. He started work in May and got done in Sept.
Game Trialz “Revolutionized the Experience” by taking away points, adding rate a member, adding Gamer Tag Challeneg forums, news, reviews, and more all in a site that you can use. I would like to offer a better way of rentals like “MyTop10Q”; rent 10 games at once with tracking and insurance”. With Game Trialz you have several options to get your game (trade, rent, or buy). I charge $60/year. The funds will go to run and build my company so I can offer rentals and more. I dont have ads because most sites; ads ruins the experience.
However; I do not have any funds to advertise and the cheapest way is an ad in the Playstation, Xbox and Nintendo magazine; thats $25,000 (and it will be in the June issue). You stated that it must be profitable within 90 days; so that only leaves 2 options…
1. Online Advertising: $120,000 a month To be dominate on 1 of
the major sites it is expensive. (I got the media kits)
2. A G4TV special on AOTS/Xplay: $300,000 This is much better because it not only reaches more people; it is a demo and gets
more credit since it is on the show for gamers and will be talked about after and not some ad.
I look forward to working with you in the near future. You can call me too if you want. (727)-688-1245.
Thank You,
Respectfully Submitted,
Rhett Mikols
Comment by Rhett Mikols — February 11, 2009 @ 10:36 am
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfd5z474_7ggqkxvd7
Summary for EduCasters, Inc.
Supplemental Education content creator. Delivering content to students, via “The Cloud”.
Comment by Patrick Hefner — February 11, 2009 @ 10:36 am
Mobile Car wash
Mission Statement: To provide the customer with a car wash at no hassle to them.
How it works: The customer will be able to order a car wash easily online by inputting their car information and location. They will then be able to choose what type of car wash they want and any extras that they would like to add to their order such as tire shine, wax, etc. Our car washing team will then drive to the location and hand wash the customer’s car at the specified time.
Process: After the customer places an order, we will dispatch our mobile car washing van to the location at the specified time. All payments will be made in advance through the website and tips may be added as well during this time. The van will be equipped with a power hose, and all necessary car washing supplies. The van will also have waterproof tarps that will separate the car that is being washed from any other cars parked on the street so that we don’t spray other cars with the hose. Once the car wash is complete an email will be sent to the customer stating that the car wash is finished.
Pros:
•If our service can average 1 car every 30 minutes at $25.00 per car, then that comes out to about $800 to $600 per day per car wash vehicle (This is a range of 32-24 cars per day just to throw some numbers out there, take this number and the yearly income per car wash vehicle is around $235,000)-of course one vehicle would never bring in the much, so think more around the possibility of $100,000-$150,000
•Would not have to hire expensive help, could be just over minimum wage workers.
•Ability to organize all of the transactions/car locations online.
•Once it is set up there would be very little upkeep cost besides soap, and water.
•Could create a partnership with Mr. Clean, or ArmorAll, etc. To cut costs and at the same time it would be a great way for these partners to rake in advertising and exposure. (We could put their logos all over our vans etc..)
•Would not have to necessarily hand dry the cars, once again tie in Mr. Clean products: Mr. Clean autoDry
•Great possibility to expand to other major cities
Cons:
•Would need to be based in a major city to cut the time to drive from customer to customer.
•Check out local laws on washing cars on public streets
•On city streets, double parking might be difficult on some streets. Would have to think about this one
Comment by Todd Rose — February 11, 2009 @ 10:37 am
USB Throat/Neck Microphone
Ever since I started using a microphone/headset while playing games online I feel that something has been missing. To be able to communicate effectively in many video games online you have to use the microphone/headset combination. But this was a problem for me because I could no longer use my high quality component stereo system that I have hooked up to my computer. So, I decided to purchase a microphone that was stand alone with no headphones attached. This created an unseen problem. Whenever I would talk into the microphone it would become garbled and inaudible because of the fact that my stereo system was blasting in the background.
So the idea would be to use the concept of a throat/neck microphone that picks up the vibrations of your vocal cords without picking up the noise in the background created by external speakers. This technology had first been developed for military use, and I have not been able to find any version of this technology put into a simple USB device. It could really be the next big peripheral for computer gaming. The target audience could be computer gamers, but at the same time I do think this technology would have a broad appeal to people that use VoIP for everyday communication as well.
Comment by Todd Rose — February 11, 2009 @ 10:39 am
Mark,
If it can be an established business, does it have to be a new idea business or can it be a Business that’s on the verge of growing dramatically? Also, is three employees OK? No Owner, President, Big Cheese or anything like that. Just three people working everyday…
Thanks,
tjames
From MC>Absolutely can be an existing business
Comment by tjames — February 11, 2009 @ 10:40 am
Hello,
My husband has been working very hard to get our Motorsports business off the ground for the last 5 years and he travels all over the country doing Trade Shows for 6 months out of the year and the other 6 months he is going to race tracks helping other drivers with parts and set up and then it starts all over again. This is his dream to have a successful business and we have poured all our money into it and we are on the edge of it really growing. We just had catalogs completed for this past Trade Shows and we have had some sales coming in and also our internet site is now working for people to purchase from it as well. He has done all of this with very little help and we have one person helping us, due to we don’t have the money to pay any more to help, but it is needed in order to grow. We are at the point of needing some help in the money area, but my husband says he does not want to get a lot of loans and have a lot of debt behind us either, but I really want this to work for him since he spends 6 months on the road and it is without his family. We have 2 boys and they help when they can and we would like to leave this business for them, when our time comes to leave this world. Our family loves racing and the motorsports industry and this has been our dream. Thank you for your time and concern for others.
Mary Lynn Moseley
Comment by Mary Lynn Moseley — February 11, 2009 @ 10:45 am
My business proposal is to develop and market an end-user friendly electronic health record system that allows interrelated medical information to be generated at the physician/patient interface and expanded to the hospital system business level. It would correlate CPOE (computerized physician order entry) and e-prescription writing with hospital electronic medical record keeping (including data that would be used for establishing a [portable] personal health record, ensure proper CPT coding and billing), meet CMS and JCAHO quality control metrics (with obvious administrative benefits), and establish a loyalty-generating interface between patient, physician, and hospital. There is a current need in healthcare for improved implementation of electronic health records, and a government mandate (with, potentially, secondary funding) to establish nationwide EHR by 2016, or face economic sanctions.
Comment by David M. O'Dell, MD, JD, MBA, MHSM — February 11, 2009 @ 10:57 am
Mark
I have started an education organization company that will put people to work for a great cause. We need 10K to do our first printing and !0K for distribution. As this is sanctioned as a 501( c )3 you will not lose anything but will gain in heart. We would love to have you as our sponsor and mentor. Please check out our web site at Americanangelsorgandonors.org
If you are interested I will provide you with a detailed business plan for national distribution creating jobs for people in every state.
Thank you for your Patriotism and your hear for the American people.
Sincerely
CEO
Organ Donors United
Frank Edward Phillips
Comment by Frank Edward Phillips — February 11, 2009 @ 11:00 am
Mr. Cuban,
I have an established business that meets all of your criteria.
We started in 2007 with a solid business plan, less than $9,000.00 in cash, a credit card and a lot of sweat equity. Our first year (without getting to specific) we did over $200,000.00, our second year we grew more than 50% over $350,000.00.
This business can be duplicated anyplace in the United States. The business doesn’t rely on the current economic status in other words “recession resistant”. There is no need for a store front or manufacturer space. It can be run from home with a phone line, computer and a vehicle.
We are going to expand into every major city across the US. The expansion can be done by someone investing in their own business and us training them in what we know to be successful or us opening another State/City with an employee type relationship.
The business we are in is the Crime Scene Cleanup Industry. We clean up after tragic circumstances, a labor intensive business with low overhead and start up cost.
I know you asked for people to post a business plan but I haven’t seen one yet and ours would take up pages, I am confident we have what you are looking for.
Sincerely,
DM
From MC> If things are going so well, why would you want to take in additional capital and give up equity ?
Comment by Dm — February 11, 2009 @ 11:01 am
So what ideas have been considered so far? There are a lot of responses on here, wondering if any are really good and are possibly going to be funded?
Comment by Mike — February 11, 2009 @ 11:02 am
Mark,
I have not 1 but 10 businesses. The first one was started in 1998 and is internet related. The business I am most pleased with and that is making me the most money, (generating revenue since 2005) and it started with a domain name and absolutely no advertising and to date, still does not advertise.
This venture qualifies for 1-12 as Mark requested:
My goal has always been to have businesses that were automated and didn’t require my time 24-7. In other words, they make money when I sleep, eat and/or vacation. Why get paid only when you work? Why not get paid all the time?
In 2006, our sales were $151,000- 2007 sales $330,000.00 -2008 sales exceeded $1.2 million.
January sales were 300% higher than 2008 and 2009 looks like another banner year.
What business are we in? Food! We all eat it and we all need it, at least for the foreseeable future.
All this with zero advertising and one person. In every city and small town in America, there are opportunities for people to be in this business through us and they can supply the food needs of their families, friends and dwellers in those towns.
It could be expanded to have more employees and create many jobs. After all, in keeping with Mark’s wishes, it must sell something and you must get paid for it. We’ve been interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, Associated Press (AP), The Indy Star and the Philly Enquirer.
Why? Because food is big business but the reason we were interviewed was, according to the reporters I asked, “Being number one in the search engines.” They equated that with expertise. Fortunately, they were right. I do know the business very well and listen to the people who call panicked when they cannot find a food supplier. Fortunately, we are there to fill the gap.
I might add that I spent zero dollars to be number one. No SEO was attempted or even necessary for the site to make it to number one. It did take a year for it to make number one without spending or SEO but once it made it, the phones and emails never stopped coming.
At a time when the major companies are seeking bailouts, filing Chapter 11 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy or downsizing operations; entrepreneurs all over the USA are making a difference. Mark is right on target. It really is amazing to hear the big companies panhandling and moaning about how far down they are, when our numbers are way up.
The Government bailouts may fail but the entrepreneur is destined for success if he or she remembers stay debt free, work hard and above all, find a need a fill it. So many people have good intentions but wishing won’t cut it. If you are serious, you’ll find a way to get what you need and get started. If Mark doesn’t assist us on this, we will simply kick into plan B which was plan A before he posted this opportunity on his blog.
Make sure you do more than one thing well, you never know when one aspect of the business slows and you’ll need that extra income. Be the very best you can be, whether you are a Billionaire or Busboy. My business started with one idea and spring-boarded into many new business ventures. With the power of perseverance and the internet, the sky is the limit. The internet is perhaps the best business tool available. To whom much has been given, much will be required.
As a serial entrepreneur, I don’t just run one business; I like variety and I operate several and have 7 more in development for immediate implementation. My new starts include a film festival, a barter agency, a national magazine subscription business, salsa and Dip Company. Each of these businesses are viable, national in scope and will require little or no money on the part of the people who chose to represent or start them. Perhaps the only drawback for some will be that they must go through our company to make them work. Some of you may simply be inspired to start any of these and that’s fine, get going! I would like to tie them all together Mark and bring something substantive to the table in the form of viable businesses, revenues, experience etc. I’m not just looking for a handout or vulture capital.
My newest upstart (pizza operations) in the DFW area. What makes the Pizza operation unique is that it operates with 2 locations covering the entire Metroplex versus 10-15 or more locations like some of the pizza franchises. It will have employees and contractors but not just any old pizza employee will do. This will operate like a well oiled machine that the even the military would be proud of. It will also help our nation’s veterans to get back on their feet and pay their medical bills etc. (see HealthCare Alternative below)
I currently have a golf company, grocery firm, and a movie production company with highly recognized long-time actors, and a few other minor holdings.
Some might say that is too much for one person and they might be right, however, I have delayed my expansion of most of the businesses until I was ready with funding, the right people (staff), contractors, employees etc..It’s all about planning and operations as well as capital. Timing is crucial! I wanted to start the pizza last summer but with oil at almost $150.00 a barrel, pizza delivery was a tough game and delaying allowed a few pizza competitors to head to the pizza graveyard. If there are any pizza operations which would like to convert to our system, (which has some unbelievable benefits that even the major franchises don’t offer) by all means get in touch.
My other project-The Healthcare Alternative start up will change the way America handles their healthcare. People are going without coverage and/or paying hundreds or thousands of dollars monthly for coverage. Our program is for everyone, sick or well and is unlike anything most have ever encountered. It also rewards wellness! It discourages being a Doctor’s Office live in (a perpetual patient in need). I am in such a program now and don’t pay $1,000 or more monthly for coverage.
In all the excitement, I almost forgot–Here’s what you came for: The business model for the Food.
This business is very unique: – I try to build each business I am involved in this exact same manner.
I’ve seen many business models but have not found one yet that could exceed this one:
1. Flexibility to operate anywhere in the USA.
2. This is not a franchise.
3. Laptop or desktop computer, phone, fax plus email are all you need.
4. Food is crucial to the survival of everyone, nationwide and worldwide.
5. Business is increasing exponentially each year.- AN OVER 400+% INCREASE IN 2008
6. Monday through Friday operations but you may operate 7 days a week if you choose.
7. No Nights, weekends or Holidays -unless you choose to open. The customers do call and email even then.
8. Short hours of operation: 9am EDT to 5 or 6pm EDT.
9. You may choose to answer all your own calls or hire your own receptionist or answering service.
10. Only talk to real buyers interested in your goods and services.
11. Make from $1,000-$2,000 per phone call of 5 minutes to sometimes an hour in duration.
12. No accounts receivable-OUR CUSTOMERS PAY IN ADVANCE and that equals no bad debt.
13. 99% of our customers use bank wire- 100% safe and secure payments.
14. No trade payables.
15. No Employees unless you choose to have them.
16. Business is expandable and has plenty of upside.
17. Profits are at an all time high and look brighter in the days ahead, irrespective the economy.
18. With summer of 2008 oil prices at $140.00 + dollars a barrel, the business actually increased.
19. The lower prices of oil from 3rd Qtr of 2008 lowered freight costs and increased profits.
20. Company has a niche market that cannot be duplicated unless we make it possible.
21. New customers, new calls and new inquiries daily.
22. No money has ever been spent on marketing our goods or services except $10.00 for mailing in NY and MO. recently as a test. 2 replies out of 25 mailings- an 8% response ratio on a blind but somewhat targeted mailing.
23. We are ranked # 1, 2 or 3 in most every major search engine including Google® and Yahoo®.
24. Customers call and email us with specific needs.
25. 95% of our customers purchase by the truckload.
26. Our average order is over $17,000
27. We have little overhead.
28. Our website has a proven history of selling the product before the customer calls.
29. Our customers wire us in advance for product and services.
30. 99.8% of the time, we never see our customers. We just talk to them on the phone or through email.
31. Our systems are automated and require no special training.
32. We’ve even figured out how to lower the cost of owner or employee healthcare benefits. (my next start up)
33. Our system is so efficient; our bank does a lot of the work for us at little or no cost. You may not want to switch financial institutions. Ours loves doing what they do and our propriety system actually improves their profitability and ours.
34. Accounting is a snap and inexpensive with Quick Books® and our system of doing business.
35. Our competition cannot re-engineer our business model but come to us to do business.
36. We have been widely interviewed in the Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press (AP) and a host of other newspapers across the USA.
37. The cost of obtaining as many new customers as you could ever use is barely 1 penny on the dollar. The internet brings them in at absolutely no cost to you other than hosting and maintaining the website.
38. Strategic alignments could put your business into the $5mm + a year category.
39. Diversified customer base – no one customer accounts for more than 10% of sales.
40. The Business is not reliant on the owner’s presence.
41. The Business is not dependent on the owner’s personal relationships with customers.
42. Business can be run from the golf course, your boat, your bedroom, the beach, or pool side.
43. Strong demand, limited liability and consumer acceptance.
44. It is Established
45. Low, low overhead. ALMOST NONE!
46. Automated pricing and markups. Know how much you make before you write the order.
47. Location demographics are market tested & proven.
48. Established Market presence.
49. Policies and procedures are in place and highly effective.
50. Pricing and competition are already known quantities.
51. Immediate Growth Potential.
52. An established web site presence. Building a new web site is not enough. Customers still need to find it. This long established web site is a real asset, something that a new startup will not have without guidance.
53. An established customer base means immediate cash flow! The company has excellent, steady cash flow.
54. Projections for a startup are nothing more than an educated guess. This business is solid and real!
55. The business outperforms its competition that rarely returns calls, let alone answers their phones or emails.
56. What distinguishes the business from our competitors is service and knowledge. We care and it shows!
57. We offer unique products and services that none of our competitors offer.
58. Future growth includes increased market share due to industry consolidation and lack of service by competition.
59. Distinguish yourself from the competition.
60. What make the company’s customer service superior are not just the people but the foundation we are built upon.
61. Company is debt free, doesn’t need to borrow money and can be operated on this basis continually.
If only the government felt the same way.
The number of jobs this package will collectively create is upwards of 200 or more in the DFW area and nationwide, upwards of 1000 or more jobs or opportunities will expand steadily. My goal in the past has been to make all my companies automated operations with no employees. That was then, this is now. Mark and I both realize that America needs a wake-up call and our politicians may not have the answers. I realize that it is not just about me but that I can do a greater good by creating positions for people who know their stuff and be blessed at the same time. I have several domains that involve job creation.
The Pizza business will break ground in DFW this year and is expandable to other parts of the USA in the future through franchising or taking existing mom and pop pizza operations and absorbing them into our companies. The independent operator benefits in various ways. I have too many details to post those in this forum due to the number of businesses and details involved. It is one of the most unique concepts that combines the best of several concepts but really focuses on delivery and catering while making sure the quality and taste is number one and the price is affordable.
Domain names for all these are already secured and we’ll share those in the next segment. (Assuming Mark likes the ideas.) Otherwise, I will fade into the sunset, ideas and all, and keep the secrets of the business private.
The basket of companies( below)will take less than $250,000 in funding but the food company, garden seeds company (which I didn’t mention), and film festival are already fully funded. Therefore, PIZZA, FILMS, DIP AND SALSA, NEWSWIRE AND GOLF COMPANY WILL utilize the start up funds collectively.
Each company has its own unique business plan and those plans are every bit as dynamic and functional as the food business plan.
*GOLF- $30,000.00 – For expansion- Revenues of well over $500,000 since inception. Our newest promotion will turn the industry on its end and make the big golf companies scream. There is no way they will be able to compete with this promo.
*PIZZA- $90,000.00 (2 operations) servicing the entire DFW Metroplex
*FILMS- $80,000.00 (4 films with very recognizable Hollywood actors with over 300 films to their credit)
Not your average films, not your average actors. Low budget films but high budget actors will produce a great ROI.
*Newswire- $5,000.00- The newswire will be subscription based and cover the economy, sports and other subjects of interest to the subscribers.
*Healthcare Alternative- $20,000.00 –generates 2.8 million gross monthly per 1000 subscribers to plan
There are over 55 million+ uninsured in the USA and many under-insured.
Barter Company-$5,000.00-A full service barter company with domain names and you can rest assured that barter will figure significantly in the days to come whether the economy comes back or tanks.
Total: $235,000.00
*The funding is for infrastructure, start up or expansion of the above companies. Not for cars or other items unrelated to the business. I will even plan on installing a real time accounting system Mr. Cuban can tap, night or day for all operations and see exactly what is going on and cameras will be in all pizza operations that he can view.
Do I need the money to continue on? No! My motivation is far more in depth. I can always delay my plans until I can save up the money and have no partner but it is in my best interest to take on an exceptional one in the case of Mr. Cuban.
Would I like to be able to have a strong association with someone like Mark Cuban? Absolutely, who wouldn’t! Sure, he has money but much more valuable than his money is his business knowledge and wisdom. He’s been there and done it.
In case you are interested Mark, I would approach it from an equity basis or rate of return. We could discuss that but minimum return could be up to 25% annually (negotiable) or if we did a basket of the companies, I would consider a combination equity and annual rate of return.
Mark, whether you get on board or not, it was fun writing the piece and I hope it inspires those like-minded entrepreneurial types to kick it into high gear and be part of the solution, not contributing to the unemployment stats. Many years ago, in 1982 in an economy exactly like this one (perhaps not quite as dire), I went from being someone who needed a job to someone who created them instead and have never looked back. With the economy like it is now, I urge everyone to find a need a fill it and then go for it!
This is not an offering for securities and should not be construed as such. A securities offering can only be made by prospectus. However, since Mark is an accredited investor, no worries there. I believe he solicited us.
Best Regards-Doc
Comment by DOC — February 11, 2009 @ 11:06 am
Mr. Cuban,
I want to help people around the world doing mission work. I have been on 5 mission trips. Three of those trips were to West Africa. You can invest in the Kingdom of God and receive more than what money can give you. I would like to start a mission related business. I have several ideas of how to do that. This is a gift that keeps on giving and will change lives around the world. 1 Timothy 6:17-18 (New Living Translation)-”Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them.”
Comment by Yvette Luttrell — February 11, 2009 @ 11:07 am
Hi Mark,
My business plan is to start a thrift store. I will resale donated quality items. I would need the funding for this but I have already found the location and I have a business name and my products are donated so that is inventory that is free that I will be able to make a profit from. I believe I can make your money back and profit within the 90 days given.
I also have my own lawn service business that is small that I would also like to grow and employ people for it as well. I just need the money to start.
I don’t have a website yet, but I have a beautiful idea that is waiting on you to help me with.
Thank you for the possible opportunity.
Comment by Sherry — February 11, 2009 @ 11:08 am
Mr. Cuban,
I am the Operations Manager at a small IT Services firm in the Washington, DC area. We are a soon-to-be GSA Scheduled company, and have done many projects with Federal outfits.
Our Business Plan:
We take pride in the work we do for our clients. Our internal QA process assures us that we deliver on time and that we deliver with quality. In today’s IT world, we need serious people that are committed to their working environment and clients.
JTSi’s internal QA process is committed to keeping our contractual requirements on track by maximizing the working hours towards effective and productive time. We want our employees to effectively use their working hours by making it productive, so they have quality time with their families and friends outside their offices.
Not only are we looking for people to do business with, we desire to expand our network and pursue new opportunities.
Comment by Michael Arienti — February 11, 2009 @ 11:15 am
Mark,
How about a business where you run a small business incubator. Basicly it revolves around aquiring office space and setting up everything small businesses need to get off the ground. Anyone running or starting a small business that wanted to utilize the office space would pay a monthly fee to have access to office space, phone systems, computer equipment, AV equipment, meeting space and internet access. The small businesses would be able to feed off of each other for problem solving and idea creation to get their businesses off the ground.
Comment by Andy — February 11, 2009 @ 11:23 am
Mr. Cuban,
Great concept. I have a couple of business ideas and intend to submit one of them to you soon. In regards to the business plan financials are you looking for 3yrs or 3 to 6 months to cover the repayment period? I look forward to your response.
Comment by Professor Allen — February 11, 2009 @ 11:30 am
Here’s the pitch: “It’s Caller ID for the Website”
You’ve got it for your phone…why not for your website ?
The solution enables B2B companies to reveal who is on the website — before they fill out a form, and then triggers instant sales alerts to the appropriate reps based on custom criteria.
The key to getting out of this recession is in SELLING something. For B2B-focused companies, this economy no longer supports dumb advertising spends, cold calling, and long sales cycles.
98% of website visitors are anonymous.
Only 1-2% fill out a form.
Companies are blowing irrational money on search and other marketing channels to drive interested but anonymous prospects to the website. Reveal just ONE hidden opportunity each day, and with enough businesses doing this, we’ll be out of the recession in no time.
Forget bailing out failing models — give small and large businesses the ability to reveal their interested prospects early in the sales cycle so they can shape the buying criteria and shorten sales cycles.
The early bird always gets the worm !
I can comply with all your points except #8 – for now.
At just $79 per user we are selling “Pipeline Builder” subscriptions at a good clip, but with your endorsement under this program, the PR alone would generate much better ROI than taking funds from an investor.
Do you agree we have a win-win-win here ?
(the 3rd win is for the small (smart) businesses not getting bailout funds)
Comment by Jeff Kostermans — February 11, 2009 @ 11:31 am
Hello my business plan will allow me to help folks to get back to work and it will also bring in alot of money per month. My dream business would be to remake a shopping center here in Oak Cliff, The one an only shopping center we did have went out of business when the ower died. There are alot of single parents in my neborhood that has 2 to 3 kids they do not own a car. We have to pay someone to take us to the store etc. My idea would be just what we need. My dream consist of opening up a shopping center with a grocery store, clothing store,shoe store,gameroom, book store,Laundrymat,Beauty and Barba Shop, Also we will even deliver to the customer that is Elderly, or sick ( for a small fee). This would be a wonderful thing to come to Oak Cliff it will not only help me, it will be a blessing to our commuity. It will be in walking distance, plus the bus will drop us off right in front of the shopping center. Alot of us have to walk right over the train tracks(waiting until the train pass) with our kids to get to the other stores with alot of traffic, plus it is to far to walk with our kids. This would be a dream come true to Oak Cliff. I would also hire Police Officers to Patrol the shopping center to keep it safe. Thanks Mr. Cuban for giving me a chance to share my dream with you. If you would give me a chance I promise I will not let you or myself down. Thanks Mary
Comment by Mary A Bell — February 11, 2009 @ 11:34 am
MY PITCH
CRAIGSLIST in 3D
Mark,
My idea is simple, like millions of other Americans I use craigslist on a daily basis, for everything from tickets to electronics, for buying and selling. There many problems with purchashing through this medium. The two biggest are actually arranging a time and a place to make the exchange, and trusting the other party. I want to open a few low rent store fronts in high population area where people can drop items they have posted on craigslist, my job would be simply to hold the merchandise untill sold and charge a small fee.
Initially I would like to focus on Wireless Devices and cellphones, as consignment stores seem to get piled up with junk, I would be very selective in what I took on consignment. In addition I have also found that in these times people are getting rid of unnecessary items through craigslist, I have found an item on Craigslist sells for about 25-40 percent more on Craigslist. In addition to offering a place for Craiglisters to meet I would also like to offer cash for other things to resale on Ebay.
I know this sounds like a pawn shop but I will not offer loans, and will only accept an item once the “eBay value” is determined and I can make a profit.
There is lots to be worked out but I know this can be a viable business.
Regards
Gary
Comment by Gary Frederick — February 11, 2009 @ 11:35 am
Marc,
Have you ever found yourself driving in your car and been startled by an oncoming emergency repsonse vehicle ? I know this has happened to myself and drivers alike everyday. My idea is simple as sliced bread, what I propose is that we build a program that alarms you in your car when emergency vehicles are approaching. This would increase repsonse times with EMR vehicles and create less panic with drivers therefore creating safer roads.
This product would sell itself as I am sure that automakers would be throwing themselves to be first in line for this technology.
Regards.
Comment by Alex Scherer — February 11, 2009 @ 11:38 am
Hey Mark great idea. Tell JET to get well, I love him because he has the best heart. If anything else would love to meet him. LOL… Well here is my idea I think you will love from being a computer and HDNET guy. Also this would have worked good back in the days when you were in your dorm trying to see the Hoosiers. I watch a lot of TV and a lot of shows. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this category. I would like to revolutionize the way we watch TV. Everybody has the DVR boxes where you can pause, record live TV etc. I would like to make a box or write the program to be able when you’re watching TV you can pull up a screen and go into a mail center type of thing. I can vision an e-mail center where you can type friends about upcoming or previous shows. Have an Instant Message type of thing as your watching live TV shows. Then the best thing you could do would be able to e-mail a buddy a show, “Hey Mark good buddy have you seen this show yet check it out”. Well hope this sounds good. I will work hard for it; currently I just started going back to college where it will take me about one year to finish a Business Information’s Systems Bach degree. I’m hungry to work and learn……..GO MAVS…maybe one day we could instant message while the Mavs are on, “you see that shot that JET is so bolla”.
Take Care…..Kirk
Comment by Kirk Shadowens — February 11, 2009 @ 11:40 am
Mark,
reading all the posts can be tiring so I’ll spare the flattery and shoot you with my craziest idea.
Picture that,
you’re downtown and the inevitable strikes, you want to take a shit, but why spare a holly pleasure in a dirty place and in haste.
Picture 2,
you ‘re still downtown you have a meeting/date afterwork/for work you wanna look fresh, how about a refreshing hot shower?
So the idea is public luxurious, comfortable toilets and showers.
The good thing: it probably need very little cash, since it can get sponsorship from companies involved(toilet tubs, sinks, hair dryers etc) to use their equipment. This doesn’t break rule 2 since you don’t get money.
Potential customers:
salesman, taxidrivers, etc who are all day on the road
Shoppers who hit downtown for shopping
employees who wanna save time and dont get back home for a shower and then go out again.
Almost anyone who has less appealing WC or shower at his home
The secret income:
The toilet is probably the place where s.one open to any external stimulus since he ll do the dirty job without thinking. Brochures and advertisement in the toilet assures you that s.one has the time and will spend the time to read about it since he has nothing else to do plus this is the place where important decisions are made!
The above breaks rule 2 but is promising
For full business plan contact
P.S you don’t need to be a for teller to say how i got the idea or where I wrote this comment!!!
Comment by Ch. Psomiadis — February 11, 2009 @ 11:40 am
Mark,
My brother and I have a business plan for a company that is already beginning a revenue flow. We want to utilize the funds to setup a corporation which would be used as an umbrella for a few DBA’s all working in different businesses. Our first company is a clothing company. We have preorders for some of our shirts, and have people lined up to model the apparel ( an olympian, a well known actor, and a maxim model). Another one of our companies is a motorcycle and atv repair facility, which again has already been profiting. We need just a very small amount of cash for basic needs of a business, i.e. insurance, equipment, we are operating on very outdated machines, the possibilities are endless with updated technology, and possibly a dedicated workspace. Let us know what you think. With those tools, we would take an already working idea, and flourish
Jason Torres
Comment by Jason Torres — February 11, 2009 @ 11:41 am
Mark,
http://www.slideshare.net/collegemusclemovers/college-muscle-movers
Best,
Jerad
From MC> Why would you need more capital if things are going as well as you say
Comment by Jerad Poling — February 11, 2009 @ 11:42 am
My idea is to create an all encompassing teacher oriented web site. With No Child Left Behind and the emphasis placed upon the TEKS and TAKS test, we are left with a group of teachers that are no longer given the freedom to teach their own ideas and are left to struggle with ways to incorporate TEKS into general knowledge and skills. My web site would include a TAKS based lesson plan site. As a teacher, you would be able to check your subject/grade area then the TEK number that is needed to be taught. The web site would then generate a list of 6E oriented lesson plans. You would be able to read a general synopsis of the lesson plan. Once you choose your lesson plan, the web site would generate a list of TEK related worksheets and accompanying resources for the chosen lesson plan. At that point, you may choose to print your lesson plan and worksheets or move on to the next step of “Special Education”. In this day and age, inclusion is the norm in the school system and most general education teachers do not have the training or knowledge to accommodate those students. This step in the process would allow teachers to click through the typical accommodations and that would then generate the lesson plan and worksheets with adaptations needed for the students.
This web site would allow teachers to ability to review the lesson plans similar to the Amazon site, with ratings etc. It would also allow teachers to upload their own 6E lessons for others to use. The higher the ratings, the higher up the lessons would be on the list to choose from.
Another part of the web site, I would like to include is similar to the craigslist site. There are several schools that do not have the money to purchase needed supplies for lessons. I would like to have a teachers link available on this web site to allow teachers to post request for supplies or post extra supplies they are willing to sell, give away, etc. I know to the average person, a paper towel tube is not a needed item, but to someone who wants to teach their kids how to make rain sticks, it is.
My goal is to make money through memberships, either individual memberships or school site based memberships. I hope I have not made this too complicated.
Comment by Emily Sauceda — February 11, 2009 @ 11:45 am
The simple answer is being able to grow fast enough to capitalize on a relatively new industry. 1984 was the first founded business of this nature and this industry fly’s under the mainstream so a lot of people have never heard of this type of business before.
If we could open up 47 states with the success of our first year, that would equal roughly $10,340,000.00 in yearly revenue. We simply don’t have the resources right now to open up 47 states. Our process would be much slower losing market share as time goes by and new companies start up.
Comment by Dm — February 11, 2009 @ 11:45 am
[...] The Mark Cuban Stimulus Plan – Open Source Funding [...]
Pingback by Has Mark Cuban Caught the Commons Fever??? « Brad Lichtenstein’s blog — February 11, 2009 @ 11:45 am
I realize I may have left out a couple of the stipulations. so here they are. On, a loan of $15,000 you could expect to see that returned in its full amount, plus 12% interest. our cost for our shirts is under $12 with our price tag being $30. we are targeting smaller boutiques for volume purchases at a cost of $20 per shirt. at $30 dollars a shirt to the consumer per 100 shirts I can look to make almost $2000 profit.
Comment by Jason Torres — February 11, 2009 @ 11:47 am
Here is the most basic business plan. Obviously it can be expanded upon.
I have been trying to come up with the funding to take this business to the next level. Credit is tight and so I have been stuck in neutral. I need money to take this existing business to a higher level of production. If I had the capacity for more production and thus the possibility for more sales, things would really fall in line. As it stands, the product sells well even though the lack of production capacity is crippling the business’ potential.
The product?
A plastic, curved, looping object stimulates a woman’s vaginal walls and brings her to g-spot orgasm.
The pitch?
Guaranteed g-spot orgasm for women. This is a timeless product, although it might be more popular these days what with the stressful economic climate and a cost-cutting public looking for low-cost entertainment at home. I am being serious.
The problem?
No money to make this product on an industrial scale to satisfy the needs of women from sea to shining sea, and the world in general.
To date, the business has sold over 2000 units. The demand is there however because of a lack of funding, the business has no scalability. As I said, the business can’t get out of neutral, even though the demand for the product is solid even in its current “cottage-industry” mode.
Beyond scalability, the ability to provide on-time delivery in the current manifestation is impossible without funding for large-scale production and warehousing. Beyond that, everything is easy because the demand exists.
The cost?
Based on parts and labour, the estimated cost of contracting an existing factory to put out a run of 1000 units is about $7500 dollars. I have already spoken to manufacturers in North America and that is the price for an initial run. It is worth noting that existing clients have commented that they are more secure having the product made in North America as opposed to places in Asia due to the current insecurities regarding health standards in Asian markets (googling anything to do with health scares in children’s toys coming from Asia is but one example).
Revamping the website and putting together a well-run online store is necessary, as is creating an effective online sales strategy. As it stands, the product sells well through word-of-mouth. Big picture, this product could become a phenomenon.
The profit?
On a small-scale, the product sells well for $49.95. The product costs approximately $7.50 dollars to manufacture. That’s good math.
Warm Regards.
Mr. G
Comment by Gzilla — February 11, 2009 @ 11:48 am
Mark, great stuff. Hopefully this will really help some people out and create jobs. Way too much money is spent on “keeping” jobs even when they are clearly not profitable. Nice to see someone trying to “create” jobs instead.
I have a great business plan that has already been implemented quite successfully in the past. Unfortunately the “owners” of the plan where more interested in trying to increase their percentage of return instead of increasing the overall return through funding. Seriously, if you are getting an 80% return on your investment, and it is clear that you can get 80% return on additional investment, why would you focus on trying to get 82% return on your initial investment and not increase funding which would allow more personal to duplicate the existing returns? Crazy stuff to me. Anyway, I had to break away and unfortunately have 12 months left on a non-compete. But plans are in place to begin getting a return month one next February. Maybe you will still be looking to invest then.
Nothing magical in the business plan. Just solid products with great value in a specific marketplace that has a huge need for technology solutions. I already have a great name in the marketplace through sweat and tears and have developed industry leading solutions with unmatched support. Return on initial investment was quick (not quite 60 days though
) and will be much quicker the second time around since name recognition (mine) and proven track record will eliminate the early hurdles of marketing.
Love what you are doing. Would love to work hard for an investor like you that understands business and industry, especially in the tech markets.
PS – I love the open business plan idea. If your business plan requires you to be secretive and first then your business will not survive long term competition. You must be the best and willing to work harder then anyone else. If someone can do it better then you they will, and eventually your business will fail…No matter how big a head start you get. I thrive on the competition. If no one is competing with me it is more difficult to show how much better my company is.
Best of luck with your investments Mark. Your out-of-the-box thinking is very refreshing.
Comment by Shorty — February 11, 2009 @ 11:49 am
Mark, I much appreciate this opportunity. I have a socially-conscientious sustainable business in the Secondary Language Acquisition industry that I offer to you for consideration.
BACKGROUND: The transition from a heterogeneous to homogeneous global society will prove to be the most dramatic change the world undergoes this century. As the internet shrinks the world and the inter-dependence of neighboring countries increases, the need for people of disparate cultures to effectively communicate will grow exponentially. Language sits at the epicenter of this global transformation, It is the fabric that connects all ideas, thought and human understanding. The demand for language learning material is exploding.
THE PROBLEM: Traditional self-study language learning material created by academically-minded teachers is outdated, out of touch, doesn’t take advantage of new technologies and fails to address the specific needs of students; from what they want to learn to when they have time to learn.
THE SOLUTION: Community-Generated Language Learning Lessons. Create a platform that allows students to purchase and consume high-quality rich-media language learning lessons while giving teachers the ability to easily create and publish the lessons, and earn a percentage of the revenue their lessons generate. The platform would include tools allowing student to track and monitor their progress, guide them along a path to success, rate teachers, suggest new lessons, connect with teachers and other students, etc..
WHY US?: Phrasebase.com is an existing language learning community with over 100,000 registered members from over 240 countries speaking 80 different languages, all eager to teach and learn language from one another. We have a team of language professionals able to quickly and easily create an initial set of language learning lessons. With an established web presence, strong brand name, a dedicated team, 100,000+ members and over 4,000 unique visitors a day, Phrasebase.com has tremendous traction and can start generating sales immediately once the lessons are published.
5-STEP PLAN FOR EXECUTION:
1) A new streamlined release of Phrasebase is already in the works and to be deployed soon. This new version will be faster, more streamlined, intuitive and focused more on being a platform that offers tools for media-rich lessons to be created and consumed.
2) The product we sell will be 7-10 minute long immersive rich-media language learning lessons including a randomly generated quiz at the end. They will sell anywhere from $2 to $7 each depending on how it’s bundled and rated by the students, with an average retail price of $4. The first set of these lessons will be developed internally by our team. We will create a comprehensive series of 50 lessons in 50 languages… that’s 2500 lessons total available for purchase.
3) We will continue development of the platform and tools, work out bugs and make refinements. Once the system is stable enough, and the e-commerce functionality solid, then we will open the door to our 100,000+ members to become language lessons developers also.
4) We are seeking funding to make an exceptional platform, and the tools to allow for the creation and consumption of lessons. Funding is also needed to develop the initial set of language learning lessons using our internal team. Once off the ground, the business will be fully self-contained and viable.
5) Phrasebase will retain 60% of the sale from each lesson, for providing the platform and tools allowing the teachers to create and host them, the structure and framework of each, and for handling all e-commerce transactions. The teacher will earn 40% for their work in creating the lesson, each time the lesson is sold.
BENCHMARKS:
60 DAY MARK: With 2500 lessons created and owned internally, and traffic of 4,000 daily uniques, we estimate a run-rate conversion of 2% with an average of 10 lessons sold per customer at an average price of $4 usd per lesson. 80 customers x $40 worth of lessons each = $3200 USD per day.
90 DAY MARK: We allow all members to create their own lessons which will double or total offerings to 5,000 lessons for sale. Furthermore, each of these lesson creators, since they earn money for the sale of their lessons, will be embedding their lessons into their personal blogs and assisting in the marketing and promotion of the website. With increased awareness in the website and repeat customers, we estimate 8,000 unique visitors per day. 160 customers x $40 = $6400 USD daily revenue. Of course, now we will need to pay out the 40% commission to the content producers.
FUTURE: We already have a facebook application, but it needs to be updated to our new focused model. We will also develop LinkedIn, Myspace and Hi5 apps, allowing the users some initial basic lessons for free. And will build the tools and services allowing the lesson creators to more easily market and promote their lessons through non-Phrasebase.com sources.
Thank you for your kind consideration in this venture.
Warmest Regards,
Jeff Hock
COUNTRIES OUR MEMBERS COME FROM:
http://www.phrasebase.com/forum/members-countries-stats.php
LANGUAGES OUR MEMBERS SPEAK:
http://www.phrasebase.com/forum/members-languages-stats.php
THE PHRASEBASE TEAM:
http://www.phrasebase.com/english/phrases/?action=aboutusall
THE COMPLETE PHRASEBASE BUSINESS PLAN:
http://www.jeffhock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/phrasebase-business-plan-v21.pdf
From MC> I like the concept, but it doesnt meet the criteria I set forward
Comment by Jeff — February 11, 2009 @ 11:51 am
Confidence in banks will decline in this recession/depression.
Start a bank. Provide private insurance for all deposits. Create services similar to those provided by foreign banks. Be very conservative and have a low profit margin. Entice people with money to move foreign deposits back to USA. Provide depositors an option that gives them comfort. The organization can be flat if the bank caters only to the wealthy. However, this is not best for the USA in this enviornment. The bank can have a limited structure, accomplish your goals, and serve all people.
When the economy gets better the government will either be co-owners of banks or it will be looking for clean banks to help pick up the pieces. Clean banks are preferrable. Virtually all existing banks have substantial baggage.
Capitalization will depend on location.
The main roadblock will be bank regulators. Banks are expected to invest deposits by making loans in the community. This creates the availability of credit for people and businesses. The first goal of this bank is establishing a comfort level between depositors and the bank. In this enviornment, depositors do not want to place all their deposits in a bank doing business as usual. They want more sophisticated options until they can get a better long term prognosis of the economy.
In terms of the economy, the best case scenario is that faith in our banks does not deteriorate and this bank evolves into a more normal bank. Normal banks provide jobs and make money. However, in our economic situation, we must hope for the best and plan for the worst. If the economy gets worse, this could be a vital part of any recovery (and still provide jobs and make money).
Comment by BD — February 11, 2009 @ 11:51 am
NOVA Business Technologies is a IT Solution Provider serving the small/medium business market in the Chicago area. Established in 1994, we are a small firm and we provide quality services and products to our customer base. To be honest, the state of the economy has yet to impact our operations but I expect it will eventually.
We currently employee a team a sales consultants responsible for securring and maintaining new and existing business. We also employ certified technicians to provide IT support to these businesses who are either too small to maintain their own IT staff or some larger customers who do not possess an expertise in one area or another or they may have a time sensitive project that requires outsourcing.
We feel our current business plan and strategic thrust is solid but we lack the funds to grow.
Each sales consultant requires two certified technicians to support the business they procure. With access to funding, we would employ two sales consultants and increase our technical staff accordingly.
Our plan is simple, grow our business and create new jobs.
Our experience tells us, when the economy suffers, many companies, decide to cut IT staff and began to outsource on an as needed basis. This puts us in a favorable position of opportunity.
Comment by AJ Grace — February 11, 2009 @ 11:52 am
As a developer I have no idea how to go about “pitching” a idea but It occurred to me recently that the Health Care industry is about to get a influx of money to update their IT infrastructure and there has got to be an opportunity or two there. For example: Creation of a database that would hold the medical history of patients and could be accessed by any hospital/clinic that is in the network. The customers would pay a fee for access to the database. While storing customer data in a central location is certainly not a new idea, I have never understood why it does not exist for the Health Care industry.
If anyone would like to run with this, I could build it.
I’m going back to coding now.
Trevor
If anyone would like to run with this, I could build it.
I’m going back to coding now.
Comment by Trevor — February 11, 2009 @ 11:58 am
[...] The Mark Cuban Stimulus Plan – Open Source Funding « blog maverick Rather than trying to be a Venture Capitalist, I was looking for an idea that hopefully could inspire people to create businesses that could quickly become self funding. Businesses that just needed a jump start to get the ball rolling and create jobs. Im a big believer that entrepreneurs will lead us out of this mess. I just needed a way to help. via blogmaverick.com [...]
Pingback by The Mark Cuban Stimulus Plan - Open Source Funding « blog maverick | Srcasm — February 11, 2009 @ 12:02 pm
We want to create a small ($2-$5 month)subscription based website to make grocery shopping more efficient. This would include collaboration on shopping list by family/roommates may eventually include recipes that will auto populate the list. The list will them be organized by the isles and shelves in a selected stores. The initial data gathering would take some time. The stores that sign on could get huge amounts of data what people are looking for and manufactures could sign on to do suggestive product placement for example when someone puts they need chicken noodle soup Campbell’s could add a coupon to the list. The idea came to us after hating grocery shopping due to not finding the products on the list. One idea to gather the locations of the food is use a device similar to the Google street view camera in a shopping cart.
We have much more
thanks
Comment by charlesb — February 11, 2009 @ 12:02 pm
CRAIGSLIST IN 3D,
I am offering 15% equity in the business, ***correction****
I have found an item on Craigslist sells for about 25-40 percent more on EBAY.
Comment by Gary Frederick — February 11, 2009 @ 12:07 pm
Mr. Cuban,
I had a successful plumbing business several years ago. Unfortunately, my wife passed away. Afterward, I obtained my texas state plumbing inspector license and have been an inspector for 5 years. I would like assistance to do one of the following:
1. Start a repair business which helps people who are not wealthy. It could be similar to Aaron’s (people get credit when they are not credit worthy but have to make payments which in the long run are more than they would have originally because they did not have to pay upfront.The customers would have to be members to be able to use the service. There could be a $100 membership annually. If a thousand people became members this would generate $100,000 in capital.
2. Start a publishing company that would be based in DFW. This company would seek out “new” authors. It would use colleges, contests, and high schools to recruit talent. In order to be elligibe for consideration, authors would have to be members. This would be a small fee annually, ie. $50-$100 dollars. Potentially alone this could provide revenues of up to 1000 times what the fee might be.
The company would offer self publishing with a chance to have an author’s book, poem, or script published for free if the work is warrented. Otherwise, authors would have to pay a fee to get their work published. I have written a book which I tried to get published for 6 years. Currently it is in the process.
I am attending Ashford University and have a 4.0 GPA. I am telling you this to show I am a hard worker and intelligent.
I have a master plumbing license.
Please consider my ideas.
Jay
Comment by Jay — February 11, 2009 @ 12:09 pm
We are about to launch a comprehensive coalition program directly into the wellness/ fitness market. Attached is a quick look at a new technology solution we are about to bring to market. It is a business model, which at its core is an incentive stack, focused on motivating individuals to get and stay fit.
It connects to the marketplace via distinct channels i.e. Corporate Wellness, (productivity and decreased health costs), (fitness operators (loyalty and retention) active lifestyle brands and services (marketing and business development, and individuals interested in health benefits, weight loss, active living, competitive sports.
The technology stack is called “Sweat Equity Network” a web based platform which captures, converts and monetizes all biometric activities, healthy behaviors, real and virtual activities and smart healthy choices. ( the single common denominator all wellness enterprises share is the art of engagement of the individual whose behavior we intend to alter, in all case adoption increase dramatically when incentive exceed $250.00 per year, our solution doubles that number, bring into play a powerful lifestyle brand marketing coalition)
As a B2B enterprise solution it is a coalition model, for wellness providers it is an engagement and retention tool, for advertisers it is a deep segmentation platform, which aligns brands directly to key audiences, and for the consumer it is free, fun, entertaining and they get paid for doing the things they love or know they should do.
We are seeking $250,000 bridge, at 15% 20% discount on series A round.
Best,
Lee
Comment by Lee E. — February 11, 2009 @ 12:10 pm
You should invest in a consumer friendly unknown musician. Pay for a couple of appereances and a concert or two and you may have found the next big star. This is all assuming of course that the person is marketable and would sell enough tickets/merchandise to cover costs and turn a profit.
Comment by Ronald — February 11, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
You may want to warn people not to post ideas they wish to patent – (1) will take too long and thus not something you would be interested in anyway (2) public disclosure starts a timetable which they must apply for a patent or else lose it.
Comment by Bill — February 11, 2009 @ 12:16 pm
Mr. Cuban,
I have many ideas for the aerospace industry. One in particular is demonstrated in a video located at Slideshare of a single prototype tool that converts to several types of tools. I have also developed this tool to be completely submergible for use in the swimming pool and yacht industry.
I appreciate the opportunity!
Sincerely.
Dan Pena
Comment by Dan Pena — February 11, 2009 @ 12:21 pm
I neglected to include compensation in my plan entered earlier. In addition to recouping fixed costs for each item sold, you would be entitled to 30% of net income generated.
Comment by Brian Levine — February 11, 2009 @ 12:21 pm
Well, here’s my BP. Not really, but it’s an idea I hope can help us all. Create a Financial Instrument, a Bond…(Through Bank of Cuban) with the Fortune 500 company assets. Base the bond amount to cover 3 years of Fortune 500 (20 Trillion?)company operating expenses. These years should be from 5,4,3 years ago (not the year before last or last year). Most of these companies are public and cannot dupe the auditors. They also have assets to back the bonds. Offer a coupon of 8% backed by the government for 20-30 years. This is also backed by the Fortune 500 companies after a stated period of time. In order to participate the Fortune 500 companies must hire back laid off workers over the past 2 years and hold off on foreclosures. Give the money to the Fortune 500 to ramp the companies back up creating jobs and stimulating the economy.
I believe Private Investors, Sovereign Funds, and other International and Domestic companies would invest in the “Mutual Bond” or possibly “The Cuban Bond”,
as a safe long term investment. Sorry no Golden Parachutes or other shenanigans here Executives.
Some helpful thoughts:
1. Stop requiring College for employment positions. Lots of experienced, non degreed workers are looking for work.
2. ALL shorts sales must be cleared on the Fortune 500 stocks. (Sorry Mr. Cuban) There are about 1 billion shares shorted on the companies that have received our money from the Government.
3. Sales tax at the point of sale. So money not flowing through the normal banking system can be taxed.
4. Hire Me!
Thanks for your time Mr. Cuban and others. Tear it up!
Comment by Mike Alexander — February 11, 2009 @ 12:24 pm
Hi MC,
I know you’ve seen A LOT of ideas by now. We hope you’re not too burnt out to look at one more. This one’s kinda different.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgn25vbz_31gzbpqhgx
Comment by Dwight — February 11, 2009 @ 12:25 pm
I have a plan for a key that will open your house door. Its like a car key. You press a button and it unlocks, locks the door. So if you have a armful of groceries or something you can just press the button and its unlocked. email if you want the full plan
Comment by sam morris — February 11, 2009 @ 12:26 pm
So – I started an internet radio station that focuses on local talent getting exposure and it is gaining listeners at an alarming rate but, the whole point is to provide free radio. We need to generate revenue to keep technology updated and pay licensing fees but, I dont want to put ads on the stream because ads are annoying. Would this meet your criteria?
Comment by Garrett Gross — February 11, 2009 @ 12:28 pm
Hi Mark,
We met @TC50 this year. Congrats for this idea of Stimulus Plan;
Wixi (www.wixi.com) is an online media-sharing service with unlimited storage & unlimited streaming for $5/month.
Our presentation: http://www.slideshare.net/wixi/wixi-feb09
Thanks
Arthur
Comment by Arthur Madrid — February 11, 2009 @ 12:38 pm
As an addition – we have thought of making swag (shirts, stickers, etc). What college student (especially UNT alums) wouldnt want a “KUNT” shirt?
Comment by Garrett Gross — February 11, 2009 @ 12:41 pm
I like the open-source commons approach, but wonder what is in the long form contract.
Comment by heardscreek — February 11, 2009 @ 12:42 pm
Mark,
While I applaud you for thinking outside of the box, I believe that this is one of the silliest ideas I have heard in a long time. Why would a great mind share his business proposal with the world? So that someone who has the funds (and does not need yours) picks it up which creates immediate competition for a venture you may fund at the same time?
Comment by awm — February 11, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
Mark- I know you said to post ideas publicly, but upon completing my business plan I’m just not OK with sharing it with the world. When I started thinking of ideas I had no clue I’d come up with my best idea ever. The company is simply too easy to start and too profitable not to steal if it were made public.
I’ve been an entrepreneur for about a year and a half now and currently have two companies fully operational. The problem is that both of them are more long term investments (festival production being one) so my capital is tied up in contracts with bands, amphitheatres, etc) and I won’t see the return until this summer.
I really don’t expect you to respond personally, but if you are at all intrigued by someone who has experience starting a business and has a really great idea just shoot me an email and I’ll be glad to let you in.
If it helps at all- I’m from New Orleans and I lived in Dallas during Katrina (often attending Mavs games). I’m an avid sports fan and couldn’t be happier that there are owners like you in sports. Through this idea I hope to be able to buy a minority (or majority) stake of the Hornets. Thats how profitable I think this could be.
As my girlfriend said about my idea- “It doesn’t even seem brilliant, it just seems like common sense.”
Comment by Joe — February 11, 2009 @ 12:55 pm
[...] billionaire, HD television entrepreneur, and owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. He has proposed to invest his own money into private-sector ideas that need funding to get them over the hump and begin making [...]
Pingback by #012 — The Mark Cuban Stimulus Package | MyMoneyMinute.com — February 11, 2009 @ 1:00 pm
My idea is fairly simple. I would like to purchase a wave pool and open a surf spot in Myrtle Beach, SC. It is a huge destination spot for teenagers and families in the south. I feel like a surfing attraction could really bring a lot of attention and revenue. I would like to call it Point Break. It would offer surf training, hourly pool rentals, and equipment rentals. I would also like to offer t-shirts, boards, and board care products for sale. I am very dedicated to the idea and would put in the time and energy I’m sure you will expect from an investee. It would be a fairly small start-up, but eventually I would like the venture to become a familiar site on the coastline. I would like to offer you a return with 10% interest on your investment.
Comment by Andrea Jenkins — February 11, 2009 @ 1:01 pm
Mark,
My idea is simple, like millions of other Americans I use craigslist on a daily basis, for everything from tickets to electronics, for buying and selling. There many problems with purchashing through this medium. The two biggest are actually arranging a time and a place to make the exchange, and trusting the other party. I want to open a few low rent store fronts in high population area where people can drop items they have posted on craigslist, my job would be simply to hold the merchandise untill sold and charge a small fee.
Initially I would like to focus on Wireless Devices and cellphones, as consignment stores seem to get piled up with junk, I would be very selective in what I took on consignment. In addition I have also found that in these times people are getting rid of unnecessary items through craigslist, I have found an item on Craigslist sells for about 25-40 percent more on Ebay. In addition to offering a place for Craiglisters to meet I would also like to offer cash for other things to resale on Ebay.
I know this sounds like a pawn shop but I will not offer loans, and will only accept an item once the “eBay value” is determined and I can make a profit.
There is lots to be worked out but I know this can be a viable business.
Regards
Gary
Comment by Gary Frederick — February 11, 2009 @ 1:02 pm
This awesome. Good spin, Cuban.
I might submit bettii.com – even though we don’t support the NBA quite yet.
Comment by Morten E. Wulff — February 11, 2009 @ 1:03 pm
Mark,
I am a 37 year old country boy from Canton, Texas. I will start by saying that Canton has been said to be the next Branson. The only thing bad thing about Canton becoming the next Branson is that no one has steped up to the plate to get it started.
My idea will start with rodeo. Rodeo (PBR) is said to be the next NASCAR. One of the fast growing sports in the U.S. I’m sure you know that with being involved at the AAC and having the PBR in every year. With the up rising in rodeo I would like to build an arena in Canton, Texas that would house rodeo events and other type of horse events though out the year.
Canton, Texas is home to only about 5,600 people for 27 days a week but once a month we have over 300,000 people visit our city through the first Monday Trades day. So word of mouth wll get around to cities all over the state about the new entertainment that Canton has.
I beleive that there are enough events we could host to fill out almost an entire year. A lot of the events would include kid so that way we are giving to the future of Texas and the Western life style that a lot of still live. Also with the government closing down the horse packing plants there are a lot of horses out there that need a good home to someone wo would use them. With the oping of an arena where kids can come and ride, take leasons, show or just watch the thing that can be done with horses I think would be good for horses, kis and Texas.
Thanks,
Scott
Comment by Scott — February 11, 2009 @ 1:05 pm
Mark- I know a guy who has been married 20 years and has four kids. He has a daughter who is a freshman at TCU, a son who is a
freshman in high school and 4 year old twin boys that they adopted
four years ago from the Dallas Child Protective Services Agency. He has coached little league sports for 9 years. He left college his senior year to pursue a quirky door to door trash pickup service for people who lived in apartments that could not carry their trash to a dumpster. He picked up trash and ran the company
for 8 years as the company grew to 158 Properties. Then a little friendly competition set in and the company dwindled down to 96
properties so he sold his dream business out of necessity and boredum. Ten years have passed and he has an idea that might be what your looking for. He is in the funding stage of his business
plan and its looks like your timing is good . What he wants to do is start a FEED AMERICA LUNCH PROGRAM on a PAY IT FORWARD (PIF)
basis. His plan is to set up Old Fashion Hot Dog stands across America offering HOT DOGS, BBQ, MEATBALL SUBS, CHIPS, DRINKS
& MORE. If you can’t afford lunch then take a free dog ..if you
can afford lunch then buy your favorite meal and remember your purchase will help FEED AMERICA LUNCH. Everyone loves hotdogs with
with mustard,ketchup,relish,onion and chili. 450 hotdogs are eaten
every second of everyday of every year. Chicago’s O’hare airport
sells two million dogs a year. Last year a NY city hot dog vender
paid 360,000 to rent a street corner. Dogs are profitable. The
actual cost of a Hot Dog and Bun is 35 cents. The cost of a meatball sub is 46 cents ,a BBQ Sandwich is 75 cents , chips 20 cents , and a drink 18 cents. This is a 500% profit business that
is fun and easy to do. There are Monday-Friday locations that
have the great foot traffic and Saturday events such as carnivals,
churches,school functions,retail stores,car dealers & flea markets
that maximize profits. He has a program were Monday-Friday locations are free rent. There will be a lease cost for a central distribution and storage point. Home Depot has a national program that sells up to 650 dogs daily per store . Hopefully some free
dog customers will buy a chip and a drink but if not maybe the
next time they will. There is a small fee for a yearly permit that
is set by each individual city and there are some requirements
that each cart must meet per health code which creates moderate
start up cost. He also has a plan for possible corporate sponsorship and maybe a kids eat free day .If this sounds like
something that might be of interest please e-mail. Your expected
ROI is 100% in 60 days as well as part ownership. I am He.
HOT DOG FACT: OSCAR MAYER ROLLED OUT ITS FIRST WEINER MOBILE
IN 1936 THAT WAS KNOWN AS “LITTLE OSCAR”.
Comment by Bill V - Arlington,Tx. — February 11, 2009 @ 1:05 pm
I’m not really sure how far you are trying to take this open-source funding idea. I assume that depends on how it works out. However, I was thinking of some ideas and decided to throw them up here. First and foremost I think that the whole concept can be a business itself. It would definately need it’s own website. Also, I know you believe that entrepenuers are going to help us get out of this current mess. So why not open-source the whole thing? Allow others to invest and be part of the conversation as well.
The investments could be in small amounts, that, looked at aggregately could lead to a meaningful chuck of money. Also, I think you should make it a requirement for anyone you invest in to start and maintain a blog. This would provide a wealth of information for students and professionals.
I can’t really find a website that does what I am laying out. However, combining these two sites would be a good start. (1) http://openbusiness.cc/about AND (2) http://www.donorschoose.org/homepage/main.html?zone=321
Obviously, the second site is a charity website. However, I think the concept could work very well in VC endeavors. If you’re looking for someone to help you get this off the ground I would proudly work for free.
Comment by Lee Musser — February 11, 2009 @ 1:10 pm
Mr. Cuban,
I work in entertainment consulting for a talent agency in Beverly Hills and was recently given a lecture about the new ‘all-in’ ticket pricing for live events…and it made me hate this industry even more. With the new LN/TM merger, amidst the economy falling apart, I think there’s an opportunity here to exploit secondary ticketing businesses through aggregation of its core business – online ticket brokering.
I propose creating a website that aggregates the Stubhub and TicketsNow’s of the world to a “kayak” format that allows the consumer to decide where to buy tickets for said event based not solely on price, but also which distributor they want to work with. Revenues will not only be made through advertising/partnership deals with the secondary distributors (which will, in time, help to eliminate the absurd mark-ups these companies put on tickets), but will also be collected through a set click-through fee that these companies will pay as part of their partnership. This click-through will be charged to the partner regardless of purchase, and will be compounded based on consumers simply clicking on said companies’ link, giving them the exposure they’re ultimately looking for. We provide the canvas, they paint the picture.
The leverage this company would have to entice these secondary distributors to become partners would essentially be the additional exposure this site will give them via search engine marketing and partnerships/secondary investments from the Googles of the world. With your backing and the relationships I have in the new media world, leveraging this company against existing social and new media platforms (MySpace, Facebook, Google, Yahoo, etc), and catering to the younger, affluent-yet-economically-conscious consumer, this website would break the clutter of the online ticketing market to become the forefront in getting that hard to find ticket and the right price.
Start-up costs would cover:
- staffing (web development/maintenance, business development, ad sales and b2b partnership sales, finance, legal, marketing);
- overhead for travel/expenses
- office space and equipment
I couldn’t see the initial seeding excede $150-200k, and the return – once a specific click-through rate was agreed upon and the model was put into play – could easily be recouped within a 60 day period, with profits coming in 90.
This business has already been developed through fansnap.com, but given the cluttered secondary ticket market there is definitely room for competition within this type of aggregation. Like MySpace and Facebook, Amazon and eBay, Shopbob and Bluefly…there always needs to be competition in the e-commerce business.
Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Comment by Mike — February 11, 2009 @ 1:15 pm
One Gaming Machine To Play Them All
The company is to build gaming machines on mac, linux, PC, arcades and even console(PS3, xbox, handheld) platforms. This company will build the hardware and design the software so that consumers can play any game that they want. Instead of installing emulators and torrenting games, the company’s website should be able to provide download-able games for all platforms. If there is a game on the market, the consumer should be able to purchase it, install it, and play it on their own machine. The consumer should also be able to buy and play any game from the past.
The products the company would sell would be video cards, motherboards, sound cards, RAM, monitors, keyboards, mice, etc that would be compatible to run any operating system. The gaming machine could potentially to run a mac os, windows, and linux all in one. Right now, a mac can’t run the newest nvidia or ati video cards. The purpose is to feed that mac gamer or linux gamer.
The website could also host tournaments. It should be able to track and rank the stats of each player or team. There should be a season of play and at the end of the season, there are playoffs to determine the champion. There is a fee to enter the season. After the playoffs when a champion is decided, they will receive the grand prize check and the loser will get their money back.
This would be my kind of company. I don’t know how much it would cost. I’m just a tech support guy
Comment by phil — February 11, 2009 @ 1:15 pm
Mark,
Several have mentioned the concern for ideas being “stolen”. One of my ideas I’ll share in hopes that you or someone else may fund it or at the very least “steal” it and make the product as I feel it could be of benefit globally.
The only way to meet your 60/90 demands would be in the form of acquired contracts (read-Purchase Orders)
What I’ve got is basically a people pod. Almost like the moving pods you’ve seen.
The design is kind of truck camper-ish in away.
I’ll put this as simple as possible.
You have a box roughly 10′ length, 6 1/2′ height, 8′ width. Made from Nida-Core for excellent insulation around an Aluminum frame.
The box has a Universal mounting system on the bottom. You can mount to any 1 ton or larger truck frame in place of the truck bed. You can also mount it to a trailer type axle assembly so if need be you can transport 2 of these units to your location. From there they have a lifting mechanism to unload and stabilize the “pod”.
What will you do with these pods? They can be outfitted for a variety of uses. Base camp for firefighters, National Guard living quarters while deployed in the event of an emergency, University’s could use them for field research programs, BLM and forest rangers can use them as living quarters, Oil Field workers can use them as office/living quarters, recreational use for hunters and campers etc.. The list goes on and on.
One unit can serve as an office, another as living quarters, libratory, mess hall, bathroom etc.
And think outside of the pod also. In my design, there is a tent structure that deploys off the sides of the pod to expand the usable more than triple. One pod could provide sleeping accommodations for 10-12 people.
I would also put a lot of emphasis on self contained and “green” if you will. Use solar/battery power, efficient diesel oven, fridge and heat. Large water capacity and built in water treatment systems.
As you can see, these can be sold as empty shells or turnkey for the customers’ needs. Lots of options.
I am a mechanical engineer by trade and have created some 3d models of the idea. I’d rather not post them here but if you’d like to see let me know.
Thanks and good luck with this project and the remainder of your season.
Jason
Comment by Jason — February 11, 2009 @ 1:20 pm
Retrofitting homes with geothermal heat pumps would be a green business, using existing technology, and there are already federal tax credits in place as well as support from many other sources.
Start with single family homes in the DFW area of Texas. Early adopters would need sufficient resources to not require financing, be asked to provide the last/first year of gas/electirc bills, and would have the option to invest in the business.
All work would be contracted including: 30 foot deep shaft at existing location of cooling tower, 30 foot cooling tower replacement (this would initially have to be custom), and heat pump HVAC system installation using existing system selected by home owner.
Comment by David Hall — February 11, 2009 @ 1:21 pm
I’d also like to add that these pods can be used by teams around the world to bring medical and dental aide to thrid world countries. One pod is basically a detal office, one an examination room etc.
I don’t have many skills that would be of benefit to reach out and help people that are in need. I can however design equipment to those with such training be more efficient at what they do and make thier hand reach furthur.
Thaks again.
Jason
Comment by Jason — February 11, 2009 @ 1:25 pm
Project: Ground Attack TM
YUCK!!! There are grounds in my coffee!
Coffee is a global industry employing more than 20 million people. This commodity ranks second only to petroleum in terms of dollars traded worldwide. With over 400 billion cups consumed every year, coffee is the world’s most popular beverage. In Brazil alone, over 5 million people are employed in the cultivation and harvesting of over 3 billion coffee plants.
The Problem: Paper filters collapse during the brewing process thereby allowing coffee grounds to flow into the carafe.
Who hasn’t had the awful experience of tasting coffee grounds in the bottom of their cup? YUCK!!! And how embarrassing to serve a less than perfect brew to your guests and have them spit out yucky grounds. Some would even say that grounds in the cup is grounds for divorce.
Never before has there been a foolproof way to brew a perfect pot of coffee. Now there is! And it’s such a simple method. People everywhere will be slapping their foreheads saying, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
The Solution: A plastic band or ring that keeps the paper filter ridged against the sides of the brew basket.
In 1908, Melitta Bentz, a housewife from Dresden, Germany cut a round piece of blotting paper and put it in a metal cup. Then she put the grounds into the paper and poured hot water through the grounds letting the coffee drip into a pot below. In 1975, Mr. Coffee began making paper coffee filters and is the world’s largest seller of filters.
Yet, the problem of proper filtration is still a major headache acknowledged by the industry giants. Even those fancy gold filters are cautioned against. Metal coffee filters pass all the fats and acids that paper filters hold back. Therefore, paper filters are the answer . . . until they leak.
This is Mr. Coffee’s solution to the problem, straight from their website:
What can I do about my Coffee Filter Collapsing and causing an overflow?
When using a paper filter, there might be times that the filter will collapse and may cause an overflow. . . . Wet the sides of the filter before adding the coffee and sticking them to the sides of the filter basket.
As it turns out, all paper filter makers and brew machine manufactures rely upon the paper filter alone to keep the grounds in the filter. The only other solution is a permanent ridged metal filter in which to place the grounds. As noted, this is not a viable solution and cleaning it after every use is very difficult.
The Solution: An insertable rigid filter guard, which prevents the paper filter from collapsing when saturated with steaming hot water.
Factors to consider when using Ground Attack TM:
Cost: Very cheep. Actual manufacturing cost would be less than 3¢ ea. when produced in massive quantities.
Materials: Dishwasher safe thin plastic.
Ease of use: It only takes 2 seconds to place Ground AttackTM in the center of the filter just before putting both into the brew basket.
Durability: Can be used 100’s of times before replacement.
Sanitary: Can easily be rinsed off along with the basket after each use. Clean in dishwasher at end of day.
Perfection: Can guarantee a perfect cup of coffee every time. Grounds will never escape from the filter into the carafe.
Where will it be used?
Homes
Offices
Restaurants
Hotels
Anywhere coffee is brewed using a disposable paper filter.
Very elegant and simple design:
The Ground Attack TM is simply a ring of plastic about 1mm thick. Its outer diameter is equal to the inner diameter of the paper filter corrugated sides. Its height is 2mm shorter than the height of the paper filter corrugated side.
There is a small ‘handle’ at the top of the ring guard for the user to hold it with. The handle is 2mm thick plastic. It protrudes about 2.5 cm from the inner wall and is about 2.5 cm tall and is rounded off in a semicircle.
I’ve been using my prototype Ground AttackTM for over a year and have never experienced a failure. When placed inside the filter, it holds the paper sides up firmly against the inner wall of the basket thereby making it impossible to collapse.
Marketing:
With the economy as it is, folks can’t afford to spend $5 on a cup of Joe. Home and office brews will be the most economical way to get caffeinated. Manufactured at pennies each and packaged for placement in Wal-Mart or Target next to the filters, they would be a bargain at a $1/ea.
Initial investment of $15K, share return 50/50.
Ground Attack TM is an original creation of and is the sole possession of Michael R. Choate and holds all rights to intellectual or material property pertaining to the Ground Attack TM. By reading this proposal, you claim no rights or privileges to the Ground Attack TM.
Comment by Michael Choate — February 11, 2009 @ 1:26 pm
when i first read the title of the blog post, i initially read it to mean that it would be focused on creating businesses out of open source software development projects. developing web applications is somewhat difficult, and it requires a lot of focus and time (typically looking at a niche) and then finding a way to bill customers for a service or good that is delivered. counter-intuitively, a lot of the large scale web applications and popular sites are not developed this way, but instead in a more exploratory and by ‘accident’ if you want to call it that.
i realize the need for making the stipulation #2, but in my view that is just to prune away the many potential flops that don’t have much of a chance in the first place. adsense could be a good starting point for an online web app, but it’s agreed that it is not the optimal method of monetizing traffic.
one thing that i am sure about is that you want to have ideas that are not capital intensive to start. if the idea does not work out, you don’t want to be liable for a lot of startup costs. there seems to be a proliferation of internet application incubators, companies like ycombinator that come out and give a developer a few thousand dollars and see if the web application can get up and run, with their in-house support, and guidance for example.
building web applications is quite different than building a house. with a house, you need to have a specific blueprint and know exactly how, what, why, where. with internet applications, it’s often a process rather than a destination, and requires a lot of testing and analysis. feedback is given by users and traffic, functions are built around users. viral marketing is accomplished through the construct of creating users that create users.
something like a plentyoffish.com is an example of an experiment on the internet that uses adsense as a primary business model. the investment would be made in the individual Markus Frind. The investment would be made in the ability to analyze and process information. The Process, the approach, the methodology, is the success, not the business model, per se.
i enjoy winning. i enjoy working with smart people. i like when things just ‘work’, and there are little religious debates, and arguments. i like finding the ‘path of least resistance’ and discovering things, testing things, analyzing data, analyzing statistics, being flexible, adapting, trying new things out, working with open source projects, finding brilliant minds on irc.freenode, talking with people, cloning databases, thinking about horizontal scale issues, creating brands, buying domains, testing new platforms and projects.
i see the value that you can add as being an advisor to a web incubator project with many projects running simultaneously. with encouragement from a maverick who has done it before. it brings a sense of legitimacy and open-ness to the project. the question is why? simple, it creates synergies. it’s a leadership project, not a simple 2 dimensional ROI proposition.
there is no capital you have to put up, only intellectual capital. developers will put up their own money, and work together with each other to create tests. as long as intellectual capital is being expanded, money should not really be the focus.
Comment by john — February 11, 2009 @ 1:29 pm
To Mark Cuban
From Joe Rivas
What might happen if Mark Cuban helped a single man with a severe disability with a high education?
It might create more jobs for others while making the disabled man become a working taxpayer that gets off of social service programs.
“Brick of Faith”
The story Behind the Autobiography of Joe Rivas
The story behind “Brick of Faith” is about the life of Joe Rivas, a person with severe cerebral palsy. The autobiography chronicles the circumstances and events that affected me as I grew up with a severe disability. The title “Brick of Faith” is a combination of two significant words that identifies me as a person with a unique personality. The first word “Brick” comes from the album “The Wall” by Pink Floyd. I chose to use this term because the word symbolizes a solid object. It is an object that can with stand almost any form of natural force. My desires, dreams, and goals are similar to a brick because they are solid in their ability to drive me towards achievements. For example, I am often faced with adversity by society to give up in my goals. These are the natural forces that try to destroy my desires, dreams, and goals, but like all bricks, I am determined to with stand any force that threatens my goals. The second term “Faith” comes from my religious affiliation with Catholicism. I chose this word because it symbolizes strength in my beliefs. The word gives me strength in the realization that I have the ability to determine my own destiny by using God as the source of my convictions. It is my ability to believe in myself, others, and God (or my religion) that determines my fate. It is the knowing that I can determine an outcome for an event by simply believing in my abilities to overcome challenges by shear determination.
The autobiography is not a book about religion, nor a book about the super strength of a person with a severe disability, but more of a story that enables the readers to understand my mind and heart as a human male with severe cerebral palsy. I, like all persons, must endure the challenges of every day life. I must endure the physical limits of my body, the struggles of my inner thoughts and feelings, the perceptions of others towards me, and the consequences of my external world. The book is an examination of my thoughts and feelings about events and the consequences of behaviors that resulted in good or bad outcomes. I use my recollections of events to explain the behaviors that resulted in personal challenges. I present these challenges as opportunities to rise up from adversity and thrive into new achievements. I do not use excuses as factors to explain bad behaviors. I offer an explanation as to why my bad behaviors occurred within the confines of certain situations. I try to give the readers an understanding as to recognizing the consequences of my behaviors as results of failed opportunities due to my condition. It is like trying to paint a picture for the audience, while showing the readers why a paint stroke occurred, and how these strokes create an over all picture.
I also use my Catholic faith as an opportunity to explain how my spiritual beliefs contributed to self empowerment. With lit candles and Rosary beads in my hands, I use prayers as coping mechanisms to improve my perception about given situations. I believe in the power of faith, and this is what motivated throughout life. My book is not to convert the readers to the Catholic faith. It is to give the readers an understanding about my inner faith, and how this belief system contributed to my determination throughout life. The book does not endorse Catholicism, but it does explain my personal beliefs about how this religion produced self empowerment. I also do not imply a continuous practice of my faith, but a more human realistic perception about the struggles I endured with myself and my religion. As with all humans, I do admit to the loss of faith. I have from time to time loss faith in myself, religion, and others. During these times, I have been humbled by my limits as a human with a disability. I do not claim to be a testament to the Catholic Faith, but a model to self empowerment as my faith as it relates to Catholicism.
My autobiography will be filled with personal experiences that involve the need to overcome challenges in the face of adversity. Many of these challenges have limited my ability to succeed in a world of community integration. In the book, I give examples on how society’s perception about my disability has motivated me to strive towards succession. For example, many counselors have viewed me as a person with limited physical abilities. This perception about me has caused me to strive to get my college education to be a Rehabilitation Counselor. I have also experienced many personal challenges within my inner world. I have struggled to develop intimate relationships with women. These struggles have caused me to have low self-esteem and poor images about myself. Because of the low perception within myself, I have chosen to share my sexual experiences with others. My hope in sharing these private experiences with others is that it will produce a level of understanding between my readers and me. On a personal level, I would not endorse many of these behaviors among other persons with severe disabilities. My personal experiences are an illustration of the inner battles between the angels of the heart and the demons of the mind. It is the battles between good and evil as I endure several momentary lapse of reason within my own inner self, and the struggles to defeat the madness, and to triumph into greatness. The autobiography is sorrowful, courageous, inspiring but a humorous portrayal of my life. It is quite simply a “Brick of Faith”. It is a solid belief in myself, and my ability to achieve success with the assistance of God (or my Catholic faith) and the wonderful people within my world. My autobiography may be ready for publication by 2010 or 2011.
Comment by Joe Rivas — February 11, 2009 @ 1:30 pm
You could give me a job, I would fly or drive if local to video and interview.
Comment by Kelly — February 11, 2009 @ 1:34 pm
sorry, hit button. Interview your potential open source candidates.
Comment by Kelly — February 11, 2009 @ 1:35 pm
MC,
The concept I am considering is a reflection of the times and hopefully will help people get back to work by showcasing their skills. I would like to offer a service for people to brand themselves online – a resume that vastly differentiates the candidate.
Basically, I would work with a developer/designer to create a WordPress template that includes different sections such as work experience, accomplishments, sample work, education, etc. Potential employers could readily clickthrough to past employers, view success stories, read recommendations, or print the resume from the site.
For the web savvy, the proposed company would simply sell the template ($30-50). For the vast majority, the company would provide a service of setting up the online resume. For example, purchasing http://www.firstnamelastname.com, hosting the site, and transferring a Word resume into WordPress. The company could charge a small monthly fee (~$10/month) for hosting the site (since limited traffic could host many resumes on same server).
The company could also charge for add-ons (such as widgets or picture galleries), updates, or further personalization of the resume.
Start-up costs would be approx. $1k (sample online resume + website). Initial marketing would be word of mouth (for example, set up all my friends with online resumes for $15 and include a link to the company site on the bottom of the resumes).
I researched “online resume templates for WordPress” and only found a few. And, I am not talking about a Monster-style or HotJob-style resume, I am talking about something much more extensive (more along the lines of branding a person). I also own a business in Vegas where I receive hundreds of resumes a year and have never once seen an online resume of the caliber I am talking about.
I don’t need the money to get this business going (will do regardless), but I think your input is invaluable (and so I don’t have an issue sharing profits for that input).
Business is a startup, and should be profitable within 90 days. Will use contractors for web development and word of mouth marketing for advertising efforts.
Thoughts?
Comment by Mike — February 11, 2009 @ 1:36 pm
Wixi is Online Media Center.
Wixi was launched in September 2008 with 300,000 private beta testers and 1,5 Millions files uploaded.
Wixi membership is $4.99/month.
Wixi will be cash flow breakeven within 60 days.
Wixi will be profitable within 90 days.
Wixi needs $20,000/month to invest in CPA campaign.
On each subscription, Wixi earn $3/member/month.
Ten Wixians working all together
Valuation: Get 1% of equity every month with a 6 months commitment.
Full presentation here: http://www.slideshare.net/wixi/wixi-feb09
Comment by Arthur Madrid — February 11, 2009 @ 1:38 pm
Elevator pitch
Create a web based auction portal for lenders to sell individual loans to small investors.
We are going to provide a clearinghouse of these loans, charging 1% of loan amount. On $ 1billion of loans, we gross $10million. Our costs are setting up a web portal that gives investors the details of each loan, and let them bid on the loans.
The real asset may not be the loan, but the collateral behind it. Many of the larger servicers do not have the manpower necessary to give individual attention to each loan, or to maximize the sale price of the house after foreclosure. If an individual has only one or two loans, he can provide the attention to detail that is needed to make sure EACH loan can perform best. Also, the individual investor should have the local knowledge to maximize the sale price of the house
If the lender has already written off 20% of the value, they should be willing to sell for 80% of the face value, $800m.
If the loans sell for more than $800m, the excess is split between us and the lender. Servicing rights can either be retained by the lender, or transferred to the individual investor.
We can create another subscription based portal to help the individual investors with the servicing of the loans.
There are many more ways to monetize the relationship with the investor after the purchase, creating a long term residual income.
1. It can be an existing business or a start up.
START UP
2. It can not be a business that generates any revenue from advertising. Why ? Because I want this to be a business where you sell something and get paid for it. Thats the only way to get and stay profitable in such a short period of time.
NO ADVERTISING
3. It MUST BE CASH FLOW BREAK EVEN within 60 days
IF WE SET AUCTION FOR 30 DAYS, CASH FLOW WILL BE IMMEDIATE
4. It must be profitable within 90 days.
PROFIT IS ALMOST IMMEDIATE
5. Funding will be on a monthly basis. If you dont make your numbers, the funding stops
FUNDING FOR WEB PORTAL CREATION IS THE ONLY MAJOR COST
6. You must demonstrate as part of your plan that you sell your product or service for more than what it costs you to produce, fully encumbered
COST TO PRODUCE IS THE COST TO GET LENDERS INTERESTED
7. Everyone must work. The organization is completely flat. There are no employees reporting to managers. There is the founder/owners and everyone else
FOUNDERS/OWNERS FIND LENDERS WILLING TO DO THIS, EVERYONE ELSE RUNS THE WEBSITE
8. You must post your business plan here, or you can post it on slideshare.com , scribd.com or google docs, all completely public for anyone to see and/or download
HERE YOU GO
9. I make no promises that if your business is profitable, that I will invest more money. Once you get the initial funding you are on your own
AFTER FORST SET OF AUCTIONS, BUSINESES WHOULD BE SELF PERPETUATING
10. I will make no promises that I will be available to offer help. If I want to , I will. If not, I wont.
GOT IT
11. If you do get money, it goes into a bank that I specify, and I have the ability to watch the funds flow and the opportunity to require that I cosign any outflows.
BETTER TO KEEP EVERYONE HONEST
12. In your business plan , make sure to specify how much equity I will receive or how I will get a return on my money.
YOU WILL RECEIVE 50% EQUITY
13. No mult-level marketing programs (added 2/10/09 1pm)
OF COURSE
Comment by Tony De Santis — February 11, 2009 @ 1:39 pm
As a parent of 3 little ones, I have often found it difficult at times to keep up with the needs of all 3 while shopping and running errands like doctor appointments, which usually results in cutting short the time out and leaving errands undone for another day. My idea is to open almost like a part-time daycare facility in malls or plazas that would allow parents to drop off their children for a maximum of 4 hours per visit and no more than twice a week. These facilities would be staffed at all times by only certified child care personnel and would operate during the hours of the mall or plaza where the business is located.
Comment by R.C. — February 11, 2009 @ 1:40 pm
Mark,
I’m the COO of Angelsoft.net, and we have the best tool on the market to help someone like you take in a bunch of business ideas over the net and quickly evaluate them. If you’re serious about this, you just won’t be able to evaluate the garbage business plans you will receive quickly enough. Our toolset is free for private investors like you. If you’d like an account, just let me know and we can have the application link live on your site and your own deal processing software up in 5 minutes.
Cordially,
Ryan
Comment by Ryan Janssen — February 11, 2009 @ 1:43 pm
Ok, here’s an idea, and it applies to me, which is why i’m posting it. Young couples struggle for the first few years they’re together after engagement and marriage. a lot of these couples create false hopes in the relationship and begin to break down after just a few months of being together due to money issues. ok, here’s the pitch… what if you did a Mark Cuban organization that helped young couples who are just starting out get started on the right path? what if you had a simple questionaire that sorted out the liars from the ones who truly wanted to be together, and in doing so helped them further their education(college), and bills and such? this helps them come together without worrying about what they can and can’t afford, this gives them the opportunities they wouldn’t have origionally, and it would all be dedicated to you. The Mark Cuban Young Hopefuls fund, or whatever… i mean think about it, how many people struggle after marriage? they fall for each other, the world is all rainbows and happiness, then “oh crap, i didn’t realize rent would be this much, we can’t afford insurance, etc.” Just a thought
Comment by Tyler Wagener — February 11, 2009 @ 1:44 pm
You can count me in too. On the same conditions stated by Mark.
And if your start-up can be profitable in 1 week, you’re top of my list. lol
Comment by Peter — February 11, 2009 @ 1:45 pm
Hello,
I had recently made a post but to see that i’m serious and not just lazy i took the time to create a business plan on my lemonade cleanse diet product!
Here it is for all to view, provide feedback for improvement and/or the vision to see it unfold with the decision to take action with me on this!
Google docs: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcpn8j4d_0csnnxsg3
Thanks,
Comment by Brian Cerroni — February 11, 2009 @ 1:46 pm
Are you looking for a full business plan? How about a executive summary with some kind of financial projections? It could take up to 60 days to write a full-fledged business plan.
Comment by Suken S. — February 11, 2009 @ 1:48 pm
Here is my plan: I need $10,000 of startup capital to trade options through a vertical spread technique via optionsxpress.com. Based on the market volatility I will trade, once each month, either a call or put (one is above the current market value and the other below). I will trade the Russell 2000 index fund (RUT symbol). You will be a 50% parter in my endeaver and we will share the 45-65% yearly returns (3.5 to 5% monthly profit). Each one thousand dollars profit can be reinvested to generate another 3.5 to 5% that following month. You can take money out at the end of every month or put more money in. This is completely scalable to the millions of dollars or can be done with as little as $1,000. There will be no overhead costs as the only employee will be me and i’ll share in the profits 50/50 (and will also evenly share the losses). More details available upon request.
Comment by JVick — February 11, 2009 @ 1:53 pm
My buiness requires the construction of a small plant. Please clarify that the 60/90 day requirements for cash flow and profitability would be once the plant is constructed and operational. It will likely take 120 days to get all required permits and complete construction. If so, I will submit business plan. Thanks.
Comment by Bruce — February 11, 2009 @ 1:53 pm
Mr. Cuban,
We have recently started an E-Publishing investment website. This site is geared towards helping people reach their financial goals while giving them the real scoop and trading ideas without the bias that the financial industry has used on investors for so many years. Our goals, similar to yours are to help people better their way of life. We have invested over 200k in our product up to this point and have been in business for six month and the product may be viewed at optionchronicle.com. Our track record is now available on the site and if we were eligible we would probably be ranked as one of the top Investment News Letter in the industry, based off performance with a 325% return since inception. This performance is verifiable and is public on our website.
We need to raise capital to get our name out there. We have a marketing plan/business plan in place that will require a $1 million infusion to reach out to the people that will benefit from our services. The company’s business plan was initially drawn up to turn cash flow positive in the first nine months, but things could be tweaked and realigned to where we could generate that very closely to your time line.
We are offering a 30% stake ownership in our company that would generate lofty profits for years to come. If you were to prefer a loan structure, we are open to ideas. Our business plan is 43 pages long so instead of pasting the entire plan on this blog I have copied the executive summary and projected returns based off of the ownership I previously mentioned.
We also have a link available with a video presentation that will talk more about the company at. http://optionchronicle.com/index.php/PrivatePlacement. Below is the start of the Executive Summary.
These 43 pages summarize a timely and relevant e-business, with significant upside profit potential on relatively low risk and low infrastructure requirements. It is a scalable business, heavily based upon a well-established, existing model for customer acquisition and upselling. All customer touch points within the business were developed from comprehensive and long-term target market analysis, as well as thorough competitive analysis. There is nothing in this plan that is entirely unique or completely different from what has already been proven to work in our space; our innovation is grounded in intelligently blending a lot of “best of” elements in a way to outperform established competitors.
We forecast the following top-line performance on an initial investment of less than US $1 million:
Financial Summary
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
(1st 14 months) (12 months) (12 months)
Est. Revenues $4.475 Million $11.562 Million $20.956 Million
Total Costs* $3.780 Million $7.809 Million $11.532 Million
Profit/Loss $688K $3.753 Million $9.225 Million
*Note: Cost numbers do not include debt repayment to VC or any owner profit sharing.
Our cash flows would almost entirely be fed with recurring revenue via subscription sales of products aimed at helping individual investors take care of their own nest egg growth, allowing them to cut the cord with the classic establishment (Wall Street, financial planners & analysts, full-service brokers and similar) at a time when individual investors feel the least trust of that establishment. Per a Prince & Associates survey in September, 2008, 70% of investors say they want to fire their brokers, up from 38% in a similar survey conducted in July.
For tens of millions of investors who must continue to invest more aggressively (because they can’t reach their retirement goals in the time they have prior to retiring if they park that nest egg in a bank account or low-interest vehicles like CDs), we offer a viable, tangible alternative that obviously mitigates the very elements that makes the establishment work against individuals:
We won’t manage money, so there won’t be any hidden fees that scalp profit off of individual investor accounts, whether those individuals make money or not
Unlike most financial planners, we won’t have commissions motivating us to push services or products on people, even if we don’t believe those products are the right fit for a customer
We earn no commissions on trading volume. So unlike brokers, we have no conflict of interest pushing us to recommend high volumes of trades whether we believe in the potential of those trades or not
We have no perpetual bias for a bull market as most of Wall Street has to be (to justify the heavily-weighted stance of “buy” vs. “sell,” a stance that always persists even in harshest bear markets)
Instead of all of these kinds of anti-investor establishment motivators, we will sell our products on subscription, with a customer-friendly, overwhelming motivation to deliver an experience that will win very profitable renewals for many years to come. Our products are designed to help subscribers profit in bull or bear markets, freeing us to offer investors our genuine views of the markets, with quality recommendations that can yield strong profits whether stocks are rising or falling.
The fundamental brilliance in this alternative to Wall Street is that it perfectly
aligns our interests with the interests of the individual investors- a win:win.
What We Already Have In Place
We’ve already made the investment to develop a customer-centered web presence- OptionChronicle.com – the principle focal point in our relations with our customers. The site is cleverly designed to entice new visitors to visit often, register and/or become a paid subscriber, while also serving existing customers as our distribution vehicle. This makes it an ideal source for both acquisition marketing and cross-sell/upsell efforts.
We’ve already got an initial, ideal mix of customer-driven products with designs that make them stand out from all competitors. Through thorough competitive analysis, we’ve incorporated all “best of” features to minimize the chances that some competitor can entice a prospect away in any head-to-head comparison with our offerings.
We’ve already lined up an outsource marketing team with deep experience selling these kinds of products to the ideal target market in the space. This will help us maximize our success while minimizing the waste that can come from trying to enter a new market or business and find the way on our own.
We already have our target market very well defined, and know the most cost-effective methods to pitch our services to that market. The marketing model we will use is risk averse, heavily relying on statistical sampling to maximize our ROIs while minimizing the potential to fail.
We pair that marketing expertise with a focused commitment and established trading expertise to deliver product performance results that will be superior to any competitor product- a key strategic advantage in an industry that has somewhat lost this same focus. We are confident that superior performance will help us take significant share from even the largest competitors. And, based upon entrenched industry mindsets, in spite of losing share, they are very likely to be slow to adapt, giving us even more time to take additional share.
In summary, we are ready to offer and fulfill our proposition now. Products are already being sold. The website is already growing a subscriber database. Product performance is already running far superior to our competitors. Our singular need is a cash infusion to fuel an industry-proven marketing model aimed at significantly growing our subscription sales in the short-term. More simply, we’re completely ready to immediately go to market in a big way.
We expect to be self-sufficient within the first 14 months, with a max drawdown ($785K) on the cash reserve occurring approx. mid-way through this period. The vast majority of that drawdown is associated with the execution of a first large direct mail campaign- one of the lowest risk, most dependable ROI tactics used by successful players in the financial publishing space. Based on testing grounded in statistical analysis, we expect to swing that drawdown back into positive territory within 2 months following that mailing.
Our plan lays out the details to back up our realistic expectations of being able to create a >$20 million high-margin, recurring revenue e-business in just 3 years, building the success off of only a $1 million investment. Our infrastructural needs are minor, so the majority of the stake will be allocated to fueling the marketing. Our objective is to quickly build up a large subscriber base to become self-sufficient in the shortest possible time frame. Our financial forecasts would make it possible to pay back your investment with a solid return during the 2nd year of operations.
Yielding hundreds of millions of dollars per year, the established “kings” of the space have the same business model we intend to execute… so our upside is well beyond the numbers shown in our financial projections. Our financials held up against their financials show no “pie in the sky” anomalies; indeed we have applied conservative adjustments to core objections reflecting the very real expectation that it will take us a few years to fully optimize our own marketing model. In spite of that conservative bent, we still show the capability to grow to $20 million in 3 years from a $1 million stake.
We hope our plan moves you to want to be a part of an e-business with the legs to run a long, lucrative race. With Wall Street establishment trust at an all-time low, and the baby boomer demographic rapidly approaching retirement, the timing for a superior solution for individual investors could not be any better. We expect the current market gyrations to create the biggest single opportunity the financial publishing industry has ever experienced, and we’ve positioned ourselves with the customer-centered, best of features to ride that wave better than even the most entrenched competitors.
Projected Return On A Per Unit Basis
Net Revenue Distribution Return IRR
Year One $688,000.00 $206,400.00 18.00% 18.75%
Year Two $3,753,000.00 $1,125,900.00 102% 121.02%
Year Three $9,225,000.00 $2,767,500.00 251.00% 372.40%
Year Four $9,225,000.00 $2,767,500.00 251.00% 623.78%
Year five $9,225,000.00 $2,767,500.00 251.00% 875.16%
Our business plan was developed with projections for three years, so not to get over zealous we are using the same numbers for years four and five.
Thank You for your consideration.
Tony
Comment by Tony Hall — February 11, 2009 @ 1:54 pm
Hey Mark,
One of the biggest technology sellers this Christmas season was digital photo frames. The reason is that the feature set and reliability went up as the price points went from novelty to no-brainer, with a wide range of vendors and styles saturating the marketplace.
A big problem recipients of these gifts are having is easily getting their photos onto these frames. For example, many frames will accept 5 and 10 megapixel photos, but take several seconds to resize them for what are typically 1/3 megapixel or less. Some use algorithms that leave the resized photos grainy and jaggy. Resizing photos to fit the screens before copying from your computer to your flash drive solves that problem, but can be tedious.
Mac users (who spend money buying software beyond their market proportion) encounter an added problem. The Finder copies garbage invisible files to flash drives, which most frames interpret as unreadable pictures. Cleaning up this mess is tedious, and typically involves a side trip to a Windows box or Parallels to identify and remove these files before plugging the flash drive into the photo frame.
A solution is software we have developed. It resizes and copies photos to your flash drive as you drop the photos onto the software’s main window. It adds borders (solid, rotated gradient, radial gradient, another image) to the photos so that they fit exactly onto the frame while preserving aspect ratio. It remembers which flash drives go with which photo frames and what pixel size the frame is. It can backup, erase, and randomize the photos on your photo frame’s flash drive.
Our plan is to sell the software using a “freemium” model. We will actually give away copies of the fully functional software from our website. The “catch” is that the free version will stick a small watermark on all photos it produces. This will prove acceptable to perhaps 80% of users, who will essentially give us free advertising by using their photo frames. The other 20% will want to pay the “pro” purchase of $19.95. The product development phase is already paid for. We have used freemium models in the past for software products ranging from a $20 photo editor to super simple screen sharing software (that your Mom could set up and use) to $500 site licenses of picture book creation software sold to schools. Freemium is our bread and butter, our mortgage payments. We’d like to turn it into our gold watches.
Mark, if you were interested, we would ask you to invest in the product, not our business… yet. We would ask for $15K/month for up to 4 months. Each month you invest gets you 10% of the product’s gross earnings in subsequent months. If we create an offshoot company just to handle this product, you get your percentage in equity. Or heck, you’ve probably got way more experience in structuring these things, and we’ll defer to you so long as you’re in proportion.
We would also ask you get on the phone and push this product into a Staples, Costco, Office Depot, etc. We would ask that you pimp it on your blog. We would ask that you take it to photo frame and flash drive manufacturers and help us get an OEM deal. If Mark Cuban is excited about this product, there is no Dilbert product acquisition manager in any of those companies that wouldn’t be.
We have the cashflow now to bring this product to market as downloadable software and as a DVD package in the next few weeks. The software is currently functional and needs obligatory artwork and beta testing. With your investment, we would focus on making the DVD package store friendly and on producing a series of videos showing real people using the product. Grandmothers, parents, kids, teachers, business people, etc. We have a contractor available to handle the video side who has been a producer for a prominent network news personality, and now works on a side project with a major television star. Many digital photo frames can play video, so these videos could also be appealing to OEM customers. If we get a prominent physical channel, though, most of the investment will be used to fill an initial order.
Mark, we’re gonna do this whether you invest or not. But if you invest, it’s gonna be easier for us to pull off.
Comment by BoscoH — February 11, 2009 @ 1:56 pm
Hello,
I had recently made a post but to see that i’m serious and not just lazy i took the time to create a business plan on my lemonade cleanse diet product! This plan does adhere to the 13 things to do and not to do.
Here it is for all to view, provide feedback for improvement and/or the vision to see it unfold with the decision to take action with me on this!
Google docs: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcpn8j4d_0csnnxsg3
Thanks,
Comment by dollardiscipline — February 11, 2009 @ 1:57 pm
Hello Mr. Cuban,
My name is Ryan Weist and I will be graduating university in April with a B.Sc. in kinesiology. At this point, I am very unsure of my future career plans. This is partly due to the fact that I am not attracted to the “standard” career paths that have been laid out for someone with my background.
I am very interested in business as well as high performance sports. However, jobs pertaining to high performance sports are nonexistent in Canada (i.e. that is why we perform so poorly at the Olympics). Additionally, with the current strain on the economy, what little opportunity there was before (i.e. internships in major league sports) has been cutback.
Therefore, my proposition is that you invest in me. All I am looking for is an opportunity to learn by means of an internship or other entry-level position. In accordance with the demands of your blog, I am willing to forfeit all or a portion of my salary to you.
Thank you,
Ryan
*Additionally, you may be interested in correactology.ca
I believe this may be a viable option that would help reduce the number of injuries or recovery time of your players.
Comment by Ryan Weist — February 11, 2009 @ 1:58 pm
My device sticks on the garage door opener button and turns green when pressed to close and stays green until the button is pressed to open. Now you don’t have to drive back to see if you closed the garage door, the colored button will let you know. My problem is that it’s so inexpensive to produce. How can I make money with such a cheap product.
Thanks, Lu
Comment by LWG — February 11, 2009 @ 1:59 pm
You’re a successful guy, Mark, but only a fool or sycophant would post a full-blown business plan on your blog.
Comment by Tom — February 11, 2009 @ 2:06 pm
Mark,
Over the last year I’ve joined a gym and have had a lot of time think while peddling my Life Cycle. My idea was to install generator’s to create electicty to put back into the grid. Track the user’s output with a card reader.
Thanks,
Wilson
Comment by Wilson — February 11, 2009 @ 2:08 pm
Imagine you are holding a VISA Platinum credit card in your hand. It has the VISA logo with a
North Carolina Panthers helmet and the issuing bank’s logo. It is a normal looking credit card
used everyday by thousands of people. One catch. Your “VISA” is fake! It only looks real.
Now, place that card in your wallet and wait. You’re waiting for your wallet or card numbers to
be stolen. It’s at that time your card goes to work. The thieves have just presented your
”Sentry” card to purchase a 42” Plasma TV, but the card is declined. At the time your ”VISA”
was read by the merchants card reader it CANCELLED all the other cards in your wallet and
RE-ORDERED them for you. This is due to the fact that all your legitimate cards have been
registered to this fake ”Sentry” card. In addition, when your “Sentry” card was read by
the card reader it also in real-time noti ed the credit reporting companies that your cards have
been compromised and put a “Red Flag” on your account for identity theft prevention. Your
card also could have noti ed store security personal, turned on surveillance equipment or
requested a thumb scan or some other type of biometric info for prosecution purposes.
As the owner of this “VISA”, you have the choice to pick whatever card might work best for you.
In your case, it was a “VISA”. Someone else might choose an American Express, Discover or
Master Card. It could even be a gas card such as Shell. Some consumers may choose to have
one bank AND one gas card as a Sentry card. Thieves often use a gas card in an eff ort to
determine if the other cards are still viable and haven’t yet been discovered as being compromised.
This in a nut shell is the “Sentry Card” concept in action. It is a fairly simple idea that will have
signi cant impact on credit card fraud on several levels. Those levels include but are not
limited to:
• Significantly reduced monetary losses
• Greatly reduced number of stolen cards
• Fewer merchant chargebacks
• Enhanced public relations with card holders and merchants
• Reduced time for card cancelling and re-ordering by consumers
This concept has an issued US patent along with a continuation patent, and has been filed in 28 other countries. If this concept sounds intriguing to you I would be happy to discuss the various levels impacted in greater detail. Let’s talk.
It may be difficult meeting rules #2 & 3. But I have found money grease can do magic.
Comment by Mark - Dallas, TX — February 11, 2009 @ 2:08 pm
[...] [...]
Pingback by Independent Street : Mark Cuban's Stimulus Plan: Fund Businesses That Hit Profitability Fast — February 11, 2009 @ 2:10 pm
Basic Plan. People who have lost their home or apartment no longer qualify when trying to rent a new property so we form a company that rents apartments and houses and then sublets them to people with bad credit who have the money for an extra deposit but because they owe money to another apartment complex or as a kid they damaged one or were kicked out and were put on a list and can’t rent from any apartment complex without paying back the old complex sometimes several thousand dollars. We would leverage our Money to negotiate discounted rates with Apt’s. Lets say we have 100 people who need a place we could rent 80 place from an Apt. complex and rent those out on a week to week basis at a 20% profit to our clients our clients would not be on the lease (lots of corporations lease apartments for employees who come in for a month at a time so this is not unusual) but instead they would be weekly renters that would have to renew each week so if they did not pay on time they would have to move out immediately and we would move in client number 81 into our apartment. We could get 50 clients to signup and give us there deposits before we lease any apartments. Each of our clients would put up a 2 month deposit that would cover any damage that they might do to the apartment. The start up cost would be advertising to attract clients. We could start a website and use Google adware’s with a $100.00 weekly budget for the Dallas Ft Worth area, this would probably work even better in other markets. We have 100 clients who put up average $2000 deposit = $200,000 we rent out 80 places average cost $800 per month we rent for $250.00 per week * 4.2 weeks per month =$1050 per month $250 per month profit * 100 = $25,000 per month profit – advertising cost. We always keep clients on a waiting list so we have people to fill empty apt’s . This will also work with homes and in any town were people with bad credit need a place to stay.
Comment by Matt — February 11, 2009 @ 2:12 pm
PatientCast: Personalized ePatient relationships and conversations with physicians, practices, providers and payers. Helping providers meeting admission, pay mix and utilization marketing objectives.
PatientCast (working name, could get the domain cheap) is a self-funded startup that has created an open source (Drupal), white label, cloud-based-pay-as used (AWS) online service designed to accelerate ePatient collaboration and conversations with physicians, practices, providers and payers in a non-regulatory context. PatientCast drives and simplifies ePatient use (vs. clinician/organization use) of complex healthcare information technology (EHR/PHR) that saves lives and reduces healthcare costs by facilitating patient behavior change (e.g. diet/obesity) through patient education and adherence to medical advice/medication instructions.
PatientCast makes money through traditional year-to-year open source support, integration and customization service contracts (not license fees) paid by practices, providers and payers. (Affiliate store or advertising options are supported in the PatientCast content mgmt. system to provide incremental revenue options for subscribing practices, providers and payers but ad/affiliate revenues are *not* part of the PatientCast business plan/cash flow model.) PatientCast is based on Drupal, the world’s second largest open source community.
PatientCast delivers value to healthcare organizations by aggregating and redirecting the fast growing ePatient healthcare search traffic to provider branded, personalized ePatient web pages without requiring new infrastructure or resources. PatientCast is a competitive answer for healthcare providers who are losing the healthcare search traffic battle to entrenched, well funded search engine optimization and search marketing campaigns of generic healthcare information/ad driven services like WebMD. PatientCast is a logical ePatient add-on for providers that are planning to implement, implementing or have implemented complex and expensive EHR systems (typically $50K per physician in one-time costs) that are designed to meet government mandated standards, interoperability, privacy, security and certification standards. PatientCast is an affordable patient-centric jump-start ePatient relationship, referral and elective care marketing option for healthcare providers. PatientCast costs less for a year than a typical healthcare provider spends on one print, radio or television advertisment.
One Subscriber Full Year Biz Model – EBITDA & CF Positive
Price: $24K/year prepaid or quarterly (hosting fees billed direct)
COGs: 4K/year – CSS services/Support/Training/3rd pty support
Margin: 20K/year
R&D: 6K – Create/Customize Subcriber PatientCasts (my partner)
S&M: 6K – Sell/Sign/Renew Subscribers (me)
G&A: 3K – Home offices,svcs,travel,legal/acctg
EBITDA: 5K
ITDA: .5K – What we cannot expense
CapEx: .5K – Multiple monitors, anything that accelerates growth
NetCF: 4K
3/6 month and 1/2/3 year Scenarios
+3 months: 3 Subscribers/$36K revenue annualized/
+6 months: 6 Subscribers/$72K revenue annualized/+12K CF/$120K valuation @ 10x
+1 year: 12 Subscribers/$288K revenue annualized/+$45K CF/$450K valuation
+2 year: 25 Subscribers/$600K revenue annualized/+100K CF/$1M valuation
+3 years:50 Subscribers $1.2M revenue annualized/+$200K CF/$2M valuation
Sources/Uses/Ownership
Sources
Capital: $105K – equity or convertible debt if priced ~20% ownership based on + Year 1 forward valuation, $15K working cap, balance disbursed over 6 months as milestones met
Uses:
COGs: $3K/month – $18K/total
R&D: $5K/month – $30K/total
S&M: $5K/month – $30K/total
G&A: $2K/month – $12K/total
Wkg Cap: $15K/total
Month 1
Start Cash: $15K – Working capital
Cash Sources:
-Investor: +$15K – Disbursed against milestones
-Revenue: 0K
Cash Uses:
-Startup: -$15K
End Cash: $15K
Month 2
Start Cash: $15K
Cash Sources:
-Investor: +$15K – Disbursed against milestones
-Revenue: $24K (first customer has to prepay 1 year)
Cash Uses:
-Startup: -$15K Make demo rock solid/expand testing/marketing
-Ops/COG: -$ 8K Pay third party for premium 24/7 Drupal support
End Cash: $31K
Month 3
Start Cash: $31K
Cash Sources:
-Investor: +$15K Disbursed against milestones
-Revenue: $24K (second customer has to prepay 1 year)
Cash Uses:
-Startup: -$15K Expand promotion/marketing
-COG/Ops: -$20K
End Cash: +$35K
Month 4 to 12:
Start Cash: $35K
Cash Sources:
-Investor: +$45K
-Revenue: +170K (10 new customers,5 prepay)
Cash Uses:
-Startup: -$0K
-COG/Ops: -$171K
End Cash: $76K
Your Term Sheet
13. No MLM.
12. Your equity? ~20% based on Year 1 annualized NCF @ 10x, return of investment via owner distributions (old fashioned cash on cash), new investor cash, sale/merger
11. Your bank. Sure – but clear written milestones for disbursements, not open-ended.
10. Help/advice at your sole discretion. We think you probably have solid ePatient perspectives from your orthopedic procedure and your support for returning warriors and families with unique healthcare needs.
9. No follow-on round. Dandy.
8. Business Plan. Above. If you want more words, slides, spreadsheets, ask. We’ve already prototyped PatientCast. We’re not waiting to hear from you.
7. We do all the work. That is the way we roll. I do product marketing, sales, biz dev. My partner does the technical stuff. We use trusted consultants sparingly for stuff that we don’t do well like design, CSS. We plan on signing a 24/7 support agreement with the for-profit company that supports Drupal, partly as a marketing/confidence builder, partly so that we can focus on what we do best and let them deal with Drupal bug fixes/workarounds.
6.,5.,4.,3. – See above. Positive margin, monthly funding, profitable (EBITDA positive), cash flow positive.
2. No ads in our biz model but given successful use of ads by leaders like Mayo to drive traffic to their commercial site, logical to have ad/affiliate features available for subscribers to use/benefit (but not part of our business model.)
1. We are a startup that has already started up. Assume if you are interested, you’ll create an account/login or contact me and we’ll setup an account for you.
Comment by Tom — February 11, 2009 @ 2:12 pm
Hi Mark
Whenever there’s a gold rush, someone has to sell the shovel.
I will like to build a website to host all the Open Source Funding applicants. It will provide some order to all the business plans and allow the public to register for free to vote on each business plan. The site can be a part of blogmaverick.com
The site will be organized into 5 basic category
New Business Plans
Popular Business Plans (Based on Public Votes)
Mark’s Favorites (Your top picks regardless of public votes)
Hot Ideas (Business plans gaining ground among popular opinion)
Accepted Plans (Business plans that are accepted and are under negotiations)
The website will charge $20-$100 for entrepreneurs to post their business plans. The site will be free to voters.
Charging $20 will mean more business plans but perhaps less quality.
Charging $100 will mean less business plans but perhaps more quality.
Keyword here is perhaps, there are no guarantees charging will provide less or more quality results.
However every entrepreneurs knows you to spend something of value to make money, either time or money. $20-$100 is less the cost of traveling to meet Mark or any other ceo to deliver a pitch. Besides the site will cost money.
The site will cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000 a month depending on traffic and the number of registered voters. (Not including setup fee)
The site will only need 100 business plans submitted a month to cover cost and even be profitable. Profits can be pocketed or use to invest in the submitted business plans.
Comment by David O. — February 11, 2009 @ 2:13 pm
2nd idea: Aging/disabled home retrofit: We would target retired/aging people and/or disabled families to offer them an opportunity to retrofit their current home at no cost to them. We would partner with reverse mortgage companies to pay the cost out of their existing home equity and utilize parts distributors to contract the work to be done. General areas would include: safe gaurding bathrooms, adjusting kitchen/bathtub/toiler heights, removing stairs/adding ramps or elevators, replacing unreadable phones/keyboards/clocks/remotes, etc. The margins would be in the 50% range as most of these items can facilitate a 2 or 3X markup plus labor. We would be the prime contractor and outsource all work to day laborers and small firms. The overhead for the company, plus marketing for 3 months of burn would be about $50K and you would own 50% of the company. The average retrofit would be about $10K with $5K in profit and should take one week. One contractor can run 3 to 4 retrofits per week allowing for $80K in gross profit per month(16x$5000) less $10K per contractor and $5K in marketing fees netting before taxes around $65K per contractor.
The market for this would be highly fragmented, so the marketing cost and hands on labor efforts may drive costs up, but there appears to enough margin to cover a large increase in general and admin expenses as well as COGS.
Comment by JVick — February 11, 2009 @ 2:13 pm
Mark,
A Solution for FDA, FAA and other Regulated Businesses
We are launching a software product that eliminates errors in business processes! The system eliminates omissions and mistakes by forcing adherence to business rules and requirements. It melds Business Process Management (BPM), Activity Based Management (ABM) and a real-time asynchronous Execution System to assure compliance to existing business rules, specifications, regulations, and requirements. The key benefit is cost savings associated with making sure everything is done right, the first time every time, by locking down the work process and using real-time decision-rules to eliminate the possibility of doing something wrong.
This system is wisdom based, real-time mistake-proofing solution deployed at the point of activity. Error free products and services can be built and completed as designed and defined. It is ideal for complex work, heavily-regulated industries and high liability businesses. It can be deployed through any interface that can see the Internet. It lowers the training barrier for workers to become productive, monitors supply chain execution, and eliminates costly inspection/audits and the use of corrective action programs. Companies can achieve customer satisfaction by delivering traceable error free products and services. This system is an enterprise application deployed with the latest technology (.Net application, Windows Services and Oracle/Microsoft SQL Databases).
Investment of $350K for 15% and your participation.
Comment by Spencer — February 11, 2009 @ 2:18 pm
3rd idea: boutique ethanol plants built in small communities with high quantities of dairy farmers or other confined animal operations. I have access to a franchise for a ~2M gallon per year ethanol plant that derives ethanol from animal waste. The cost to build the plant and run it for one year is $1M including the site, plant, feedstock, and salaries for 2 employees. The cost per gallon of ethanol to produce through this methodology is ~$.75 and ethanol is being sold currently for around $1.75 leaving $1 per gallon of gross profit. With $2M gallons per year, the distribution (which is paid for by the purchaser) and advertising (grocery stores and gas station chains sign long term contracts) are low risk and the potential issue with competition is low as these boutique distilleries are small enough to not effect the big players or drive the price of ethanol down. I’m offering 50% ownership in a business that is scalable to tens or hundreds of units, has “green” and “ecology” written all over it, and allows for a great ROI of ~25% a year per plant.
Comment by JVick — February 11, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
Thanks, Mark. Look for it to be posted around the end of Feb. I’ll send e-mail to ping you when it goes up.
Regards,
George
Comment by AGORACOM - George — February 11, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
Mark: Rules 3 & 4 are the questionable rules I wanted to mention in the above concept. Not 2 & 3 as stated. Sorry for any confusion I may have caused.
Comment by Mark - Dallas, TX — February 11, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
On a side note: i’ve got access to hundreds of high tech startups through my day job as a seed/early stage vc in Texas. Please contact me if you any interest in engaging with companies my fund has invested in or looked it.
Comment by JVick — February 11, 2009 @ 2:24 pm
4th and final idea (probably): High tech incubator in Dallas area: There is a distinct need in the seed stage venture market (especially Dallas) for a location and services for tech startups to grow organically. Right now, real estate is leasable for pennies on the dollar and a few thousand sqaure feet of space would offer the basics. The differentiator is the people involved. Having a small, seed fund (~$1-10M) that invests more like an angel and utilizes high net worth individuals for follow on investment is key. The process after funding of hand’s on mentoring, strategy development, networking, and follow on fundraising is what will enable these fledgling companies to become successful. With startup capital of $100K, I could round up the proper space, engage angels to seed deals, and line up the first 5 or 10 startups for space. If things progress smoothly, a second tranche of funds to use for investing in the deals would be required. Otherwise, the incubator would just be a real estate play with office space and little more value add.
Comment by JVick — February 11, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
Used Van rental, rent used cargo vans, mini vans and 15 passenger vans. There is huge need for cargo vans for small business’s whose vehicles brake down. If you rent from the normal chanels it can cost $60 per day plus mileage for a cargo van and most of the time you have to be careful not to scratch the vehicle. Used vans can be bought at auctions for around $4,000 and rented out for $39.99 per day unlimited mileage. You can get more for a used cargo van then you can for a new car. If you take cash deposits you will attarct a lot of renters who do not have credit cards and cannot rent from most rental agencies so you will get a lot of the fringe society who will rent on a weekly or monthly basis of course keeping track of these vehicles can be a problem. In peak seasons 15 passenger vans are impossible to find so there would also be a market for these. The key is to also connect this business with a car repair shop so that you can keep all of your vehicles in top shape and sell your vehicles earlier rather than later. Buy at the right price rent for 6 months and sell for original cost. Break even or repair shop and car sells buy 50 vehicles at $5000 = $250,000 Rent an exsisting repair shop and start advertising internet and Yellow pages. You can get rental insurance that will pay for itself with people buying the insurance on the vans. if you average 35 vans a day * $40 = $1400 * 30 days = $42,000 per month with the expenses location paid for by repair shop.
Comment by Matt — February 11, 2009 @ 2:35 pm
Healthcare is a huge market and it is needed by every walk of life. My team of .net programmers has developed an Internet application that connects people to quality healthcare on an “as needed” basis. It is astounding how many people are without health insurance! Why pay for premiums that are unnecessary and unused? Healthcare is provided at the reduced cost rather than the inflated “insurance covered” cost. The business proposition is a call center that connects people to healthcare and improves the quality of care to the consumer at the expense of member physicians and hospitals. The service referral is paid for by the physicians and hospitals on a membership basis because this connects new patients to their facility and improves their federally regulated customer service scores… this in turn, drives more federal $$ to their facilities. The call center employs trained individuals in their home utilizing VoIP technology, the Internet application, and their own computer…thus, creates jobs for unemployed. Initial due diligence determined a $900 mil market potential. Realization of positive cash flow in the first 30 days. If interested, will post business plan.
Comment by Robert — February 11, 2009 @ 2:39 pm
Todd Rose, I had the EXACT same idea about a throat mic. I thought it was a perfect idea for cell phones too. I think you might even be able to talk without people around you being able to understand you.. or dictate using voice recognition software.
I envisioned a great system to use with this.. imagine you have a tablet PC or Iphone. And you have a stylus type pen… you talk into th throat mic so softly no one can hear you.. the Iphone or tablet PC using voice recognition software to dictate.. but as we know voice recognition is inaccurate.. so while you are dictating there are the most common alternate words listed beneath each word that is dictated.. you use the stylus to chose which word you actually meant. I think this would be a HUGE improvement over texting or straight voice recognition dictation or handwriting recognition.
I am an amateur inventor myself and have tons of ideas I am working on. Many of them I cannot share here because they are too valuable. Cuban, please contact me so we can get these ideas off the ground. I would love to work with Todd Rose, yourself and others to get these types of projects started.
One Idea I have I think could truly save the world and end wars. I’m not kidding. I truly believe it is that big.
Comment by charlie — February 11, 2009 @ 2:41 pm
Your Grandma–My Grandma-
There are a lot of seniors ” grandma’s and grandpa’s”, that are not doing financially well at all, and lonely.. I would like to start a company that sold maybe, cooking herbs or candels or both.they are both fairly simple. Where the seniors,” who quailify for assistance” could come and contribute time. To help grow their product, put labels on, put soil in pots, or water. Maybe get a free meal. and sell it on the internet, and they got a portion put into their account. I believe if my idea was fine tuned it could be advantageous for lots and lots of grandma’s, and a few others
Comment by Lisa — February 11, 2009 @ 2:41 pm
Rubbernecker.com There are hundreds of accidents everyday and every time you see a bad one people slow down to look and see what happened. This website would provide a place were people could find out about the accident that they saw and place comments or details that might help people who were involved in the accident. If you lost a loved one in an accident it would be a place where family and friends could leave comments and blogs. People could send on pictures and help people who are having a dispute about who caused an accident. Insurance companies and lawyers could advertise on this site and it would also have traffic information. I am not sure how to build this site but if you build it I will check it out.
Comment by Matt — February 11, 2009 @ 2:45 pm
Mission Real Estate Group
Discount Realty Services- Flat Fee Real Estate
Sumary
Philosophy:
I believe that superior service for Buying or Selling a real estate does not require the seller paying 6% commissions. The average real estate agent will try to convince the seller and or buyer that the amount of effort that they expend trying to find a buyer or selling a home requires 3% more or less.BUT IT DOES NOT!
Target Market: Metro areas of Texas, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Houston for commercial and residental full services Real Estate and Mortgage Brokerage.
Customers: Residential Home Buyers and Sellers(core business), Commercial Real Estate Buyers and Sellers, Residenal Mortgage Applicants, and Real Estate Agents.
Services: Flat Fee MLS Listings-Sellers, Cash Rebates-Buyers, and Mortgages, Flat Fee Rates, and Broker Support(leads, in-house mortgage) for Agents.
Advertising: Internet Banner Ads, Billboards, Signs, Email Blast, Radio and TV.
Projected Revenues:
Flat Fee $250 per agent on sales
250 agents hired = 1% of market share of agents.(25,000 agents in TX total)if 50% of of agents(125) produce 1 transaction per month:
125 X $250 = $31,250monthly gross. = $375,000 per year.
—————————————————————————————so out of the 125 transaction if got 40% of them to mortgage referral that would be 50 loans.
125 transactions X 40% of mortgage referrals
50 mortgage loans per month at $2,500.00 each:
12 X $2,500 = 30,000 monthly gross. = $360,000 per year
—————————————————————————————–
Flat fee MLS Listing = 30 per month each major market
90 X $299.00 = $26,910 monthly gross. = $322,920 per year
——————————————————————————————
Buyer Leads provided @ 70/30 split. if 50 of the 250 agents(20%) produce only 1 transaction monthly
50 X $1,350 = $67,500 monthly gross. = $810,000 per year
——————————————————————————————-
Total $1,867,920 gross revenues yearly
– 298,800 expenses yearly
$ 1,569,120 profit yearly and creates 250 jobs for texas, then go national then multiply this by 50X
Expenses: monthly
office: $4,000
phone $ 1,000
advertising: $15,000
copiers: $ 500.00
MLS: $500
insurance: $400
office mgr: $ 2500
misc expenses: $1,000
TOTAL $24,900 per monthly or $298,800 yearly expenses
would need $50,000 to get it started and would be profitable immediately
Comment by joe — February 11, 2009 @ 2:45 pm
Mark:
As I am sure you are aware, the state of the U.S. Health Care System is tragically laughable. We neither guarantee access nor treatment. But what I believe to be our greatest failure is our inability to stimulate competition and incorporate business into health.
We do not need to socialize our health care but rather Americanize it. What I propose is that we bring the world of health under one roof including maintenance (gyms and weight rooms) and treatment (rehabilitation facilities), as well as pharmacies, food stores, and education. Now the correlation between these aspects of health is right in front of our eyes.
Membership will include access to all fitness equipment, expert consultation, prescriptions (rehab included), a food distributor (perhaps Whole Foods), and even health classes to further educate people on lifestyle choices.
It will be more costly to join than typical gym memberships, particularly to get started. However, as individuals progress, their monthly bills will be directly proportional to their personal level of commitment. With rates reflecting action, we will cap the amount of discounts given out. This will create competition amongst members vying for the lowest rates. Utilizing an online database, we can give the consumer a tangible interaction with our business. Health will naturally become a priority in our lives.
This is the future of America’s Health Care.
Comment by Jon Passage — February 11, 2009 @ 2:45 pm
Open source funding
Mark my idea is starting a small business that basically contracts to various government agencies for short term and long term needs. For example I was part of a contract to one agency that called for 200 people for a call center for 4 to 6 months. The prime could not provide these people so there were three subcontractors on the contract. I was part of one of them. We staffed over 75 percent of the people. The government usually pays 30 to 90 days after the invoice but it depends on which agency. You figure the startup fees and administrative fees would not be more than 50,000 but it depends on what type of services. Technology Services such as IT Help Desk/Call Centers and System Admins pay from government contracts to companies can range from 25 a hour 125.00 a hour.
For example if paying for Call Center reps the government may pay 35 dollars a hour and the contracting company may pay the employee 20 dollars a hour. Thats a 15 dollar profit per employee. Per hour. If you have 20 employees working 80 hours that is at least 20,000 every other week. Not only does this give people out of work jobs but it also stimulates the economy. The money you invest would be payed within 6 months and there would be a profit after the first thirty days. The one reason this didn’t work out 6 months ago is because my partner and I could not receive the funding from any bank because we were just starting out and that was when all the banks and WallStreet was crumbling. Still is actually. I hope you take my idea into consideration.
P.S. If you ever need a cheap GM let me know I have a idea to get Amarie from Phoenix and you could still keep Derek. He can play Center cause really only true center in the West or league is Yao and Howard.
Comment by GCP — February 11, 2009 @ 2:55 pm
Mr. Mark Cuban,
(ERROR CORRECTION)
I have emarked on a new journey to start my own buisness which consists of 3 phases. My buisness is called Home Base Surveillance (L.L.C).
Buisness Model:
Scope: To create a buisness that will floursish during a struggling economy and create a safer enviroment for families.
*I’ve also made side notes for people to help them out on starting a buisness.
Buisness Plan:
Phase 1: (complete, with exception of item #4)
1)Secure a domain name. (godaddy.com – $15 for 2 years)
2)Register with IRS online. (irs.gov – it’s free people)
3)Register as a product distributor to purchase products wholesale. (depends on what product are selling but try to keep at least a 35% margin)
4)Launch HomeBaseSurveillance.com on March 1st ‘09 (sitecube.com – $25 a month)
Phase 2: (not started)($10K)
1) Hire people to install sold equipment. (like DirecTV does)
2) Offer end customer various packages. (10 options)
Phase 3: (not started)(&100-200K)
1) Create a propriraty home surveillance equipment.(HomeBase Surveillance equipment)
*This is an optional phase, however, I am Hardware and Software developer so if I had the front money I could develop just about anythng you can think of. It would be nice to monitor your kid(s),nanny,pet(s),house(s), etc. from the palm of your hand (via PC and smart phones. Hey, you could even put hidden cams (ex:necklace) on your kid why they are at at daycare to make sure they are being treated well.
Bottom Line:
10K for Phase 2
100K to 200K for Phase 3
Your time is very appreciated,
Clint
Comment by Clinton Tumey — February 11, 2009 @ 2:55 pm
Mark,
I have an extraordinarily simple, but potentially hugely profitable business idea, Here goes..
Food delivery (Jimmy Johns, Domino’s, Chinese, etc.) is hugely successful because of the convenience factor that is offered. However, it seems that the only product you can get delivered on demand is food.
I propose a business that would deliver ANYTHING (with some exceptions.. alcohol, tobacco, etc.) at any time. Many people either don’t have the time or access to transportation to make runs to Wal-Mart, the mall, or the drug store at a moments notice. The business would being extremely inexpensive to start and would create revenue by adding a surcharge to each order (either a percentage of the purchase, or a flat fee depending on the distance travelled and convenience of the product(s)).
Consider this, a single working mother gets off work at five, goes to pick up her child from the daycare, and immediately goes home to cook dinner and spend some quality time with her children. The ability to skip the small inconvenient shopping trips would be well worth the fee to have her order delivered to her.
Orders over “x” amount may be collateralized with a credit card as a guarantee against “prank calls”. The overhead largely be limited to employee pay, fuel expenses, daily purchasing capital, and whatever would be spent on marketing.
I graduated from Purdue University last December and still live in West Lafayette. I know that between the college students who lack the vehicle get to the mall or wal-mart and the adults in the surrounding area who don’t have the time, the demand for such a business exists.
Initially, I could run the entire business alone if need-be, but I would certainly like to hire-on at least one or two more drivers. Everyone works, everyone contributes. One person coordinates orders and deliveries, everyone drives. Drivers make an hourly wage subsidized by tips, just like other delivery personel.
Certainly there are more details to be ironed out, but this is the general idea. If properly managed, this would be a very lucrative business with very low start-up costs.
Even if you decide not to take part in such a venture, I would really appreciate a quick, “Yeah, I think that might work.” Or a “You might as well be selling Milli-Vanilli voice lessons.”
Thanks for all you do,
Daniel
Comment by Daniel H — February 11, 2009 @ 2:59 pm
Mark Cuban replies to my $100 bet that he won’t get a single sensible reply from ANYONE who really needs his money: From MC> you can send the 100 dollars to the Mavs Foundation
Mark, I’ll gladly pay the bet (and thanks for accepting it) — IFF (that’s If and Only If — my education was in the hard sciences) you in fact receive such a proposal. So, please tell us (or me, privately — you can reach me via the email address accompanying my posts)which proposal meets these criteria.
Who in h**l is there out there who has a surefire business plan that will break even in two months and be profitable in three — WHO REALLY NEEDS YOUR MONEY (with your strings attached) TO MAKE IT HAPPEN???
When you concede, I’ll send you payment instructions.
Comment by Norman Rogers — February 11, 2009 @ 3:02 pm
What I’m looking to do is to team up with Google to develop a refined search tool for real estate agents to find or be found based on detailed search criteria that is crucial when needing a realtor. I’m a Texas realtor and have been involve with the development of this project for about 5 years now and have input from current and former CEO & COO’s of realestate firms like Keller Williams and from hundreds of realestate agents. I know the wants and needs and I know the current market conditions and current competitive sites that do a similar function but don’t quite get it done or are not user friendly or really just don’t function the way this should. The core function of this site will be to take information and format it into a functional and user friendly system for multiple users. I’ve developed a full business plan for this entire idea from start to finish with the help of Darren Bien who has worked for Dell, Keller Williams, Jupiter Media Metrix, and a number major rolls as a top executive. I’d like to open up the entire plan and idea in person to Google and see where we could take this. I know that there is no one better when it comes to searching and taking information to create end value. When you talk about realestate, marketing, searching, your talking about a huge growing web market and this idea takes a refined portion of that markets information and outputs a valued result in a number of ways without saturating it with unusable information. I have no problem with having my team and myself fly out to you to present this to you in person. I also believe this could easily integrate into google earth and add even more value to that great tool. I’ve presented this to some major real estate firms and to the largest real estate association in the world and all where highly interested but did not have either the time, resources, or it was not in their core interest. So the industry leaders had a chance to harness and capitalize this tool but choose to pass on it. Honestly Google is the best medium to carry this out and would experience exponential annual growth with very little overhead. If this sounds like something of interest to Google’s strategic partnership then please lets share some open dialog and see what we can accomplish. Thanks for your time and efforts.
Sincerely Eric J. Dupre’
Comment by eric dupre — February 11, 2009 @ 3:02 pm
For your consideration.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhgk8rmb_0dqwnhtxv
Thanks,
Greg
Comment by Greg — February 11, 2009 @ 3:03 pm
Business Synopsis:
A startup company focused on the manufacturing and repair of grounding and jumper cables for the utility and electrical construction industries.
Emergent Need:
There is a huge need for custom built grounding cables for the utility and electrical construction industries. Currently there are only pre-made grounds and jumpers available in most regions, sold by national manufacturers that have average lead-times of 3-4 weeks (often much more).
With my knowledge of the industry and ground cable manufacturing processes, along the contacts I have, I could easily put together an initial team of 4-6 experienced people who could build and repair custom grounds and jumpers. With products priced comparably to those of the national manufacturers, but with specifications that fit individual job sites and usages, our cables would be much more attractive to the purchasers and end users in our target industry. Couple that with lead-times of 2-3 days, instead of 3-4 weeks (which is the norm), profitability within a few months is all but guaranteed.
For initial advertisement, a simple email or flyer using my contact list would net 30-40 good customers within the first month. An online advertising campaign would bring in business from outside the region, while our delivery driver could also function as an outside salesman.
I’ve had this business model planned for over a year, but have nowhere near the capital required for start-up. Obviously, I’m interested in receiving aid from Mark, but if anyone else is interested in funding this business, I would be willing to discuss terms. Please email me at evergreencables@gmail.com.
New jobs created:
Shipping / Receiving / Inventory Control (1 position)
Purchasing / Customer Service / Human Resources / Management (1-2 positions)
Material Handler / Builder / Tester (1-2 positions)
Delivery Driver (1 position)
Accounting / AP / AR (1 position)
Requirements:
1000 square feet of manufacturing space
500 square feet for shipping / receiving / inventory storage
500 square feet for offices / miscellaneous storage
Small covered parking area
Estimated Total – $1200.00 per month + utilities
$50,000 for initial inventory (itemized below)
- 500’ roll of #2 Clear-Jacketed Ground Cable (appx. $1.90 per foot, landed cost)
- 1000’ roll of 1/0 Clear-Jacketed Ground Cable (appx. $2.30 per foot, landed cost)
- 1000’ roll of 2/0 Clear-Jacketed Ground Cable (appx. $2.60 per foot, landed cost)
- 1000’ roll of 4/0 Clear-Jacketed Ground Cable (appx. $3.40 per foot, landed cost)
- 500’ roll of 1/0 Yellow-Jacketed Ground Cable (appx. 2.30 per foot, landed cost)
- 500’ roll of #2 15kV Insulated Jumper Cable (appx. 5.50 per foot, landed cost)
- 500’ roll of 1/0 15kV Insulated Jumper Cable (appx. $6.50 per foot, landed cost)
- 500’ roll of 2/0 15kV Insulated Jumper Cable (appx. $8.00 per foot, landed cost)
- 500’ roll of 4/0 15kV Insulated Jumper Cable (appx. $13.50 per foot, landed cost)
- Qty 50 #2 Threaded Ferrules (appx. $12.00 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 100 1/0 Threaded Ferrules (appx. $12.25 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 100 2/0 Threaded Ferrules (appx. $12.25 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 100 4/0 Threaded Ferrules (appx. $13.50 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 25 #2 Pin Ferrules (appx. $12.00 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 50 1/0 Pin Ferrules (appx. $12.25 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 50 2/0 Pin Ferrules (appx. $12.25 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 50 4/0 Pin Ferrules (appx. $13.50 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 25 1/0 Elbow Ferrules (appx. $12.25 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 25 2/0 Elbow Ferrules (appx. $12.25 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 50 C6001733 or equivalent Large C-Clamp (appx. $70.00 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 50 C6000197 or equivalent Large Duckbill Clamp (appx. $75.00 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 50 G36221 or equivalent Medium Duckbill Clamp (appx. $55.00 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 50 21067 or equivalent Medium C-Clamp (appx. $65.00 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 50 21277 or equivalent Ball Stud Clamp (appx. $60.00 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 50 C6002102 or equivalent Ball Stud (appx. $17.50 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 25 G33633SJ or equivalent Flat-Face Clamp (appx. $60.00 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 25 C6003097 or equivalent 15kV Elbow (appx. $85.00 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 10 Rolls of 1.1” Clear Heat Shrink (appx. $60.00 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 5 Rolls of 1.3” Clear Heat Shrink (appx. $60.00 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 15 67241 or equivalent Grounding Cluster (appx. $45.00 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 24 2190 or equivalent Ground Cable Bags (appx. $75.00 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 24 Bottles of Penetrox or equivalent (appx. $18.00 ea, landed cost)
- Qty 10 50lb Bags of AC Glass Bead (appx. $30.00 ea, landed cost)
$20,000 for Manufacturing Equipment (Itemized below):
- Qty 1-2 Hydraulic Crimping Tools (appx. $3500.00 ea)
- Qty 1 Sets of U and W Dies (appx. $1500.00 ea)
- Qty 1 Voltage / Continuity Tester (appx. $2000.00 ea)
- Qty 1 Hydraulic Cable Cutter (appx. $3000.00 ea)
- Qty 1-2 Heat Guns (appx. $150.00 ea)
- Qty 1 Inspection Bench, complete with magnification (appx. $1000.00 ea)
- Qty 1 Manual Cutting Tool (appx. $100.00 ea)
- Qty 1-2 Jacket Stripping Tools (appx. $350.00 ea)
- Qty 1 Electrical Cable Length measuring Tool (appx. $500.00 ea)
- Qty 1 Cable Spool w/ Length measurements (appx. $500.00 ea)
- Qty 1 Glass Beading Machine (appx. $2000.00 ea)
- Qty 1 Manufacturing Bench, 12’ long x 6’ wide (appx. $500.00 ea)
- Qty 2 Shop Benches (appx. $100.00 ea)
$15,000.00 for Office Equipment / Supplies (Itemized below):
- Qty 1 Server (appx. $1200.00)
- Qty 3 Personal Computers w/ software, monitors and peripherals (appx. $850.00 ea)
- Qty 1 Copy / Fax / Scanning Machine (appx. $750.00 ea)
- Qty 3 Office Desks (appx. $300.00 ea)
- Qty 3 Office Chairs (appx. $150.00 ea)
- Qty 1 Large Paper Shredder (appx. $200.00 ea)
- Qty 2 Business Calculators (appx. $80.00 ea)
- Qty 3 Quickbooks or equivalent AP / AR / Inventory Software User Licenses (appx. $750.00)
- Qty 2 Large Lockable Filing Cabinets (appx. $500.00 ea)
- Qty 2 Small Personal Filing Cabinets (appx. $300.00 ea)
- Qty 1 Refrigerator – Used (appx. $300.00 ea)
- Qty 1 Microwave – Used (appx. $75.00 ea)
- Qty 2 Large Bookshelves – (appx. $300.00 ea)
- Qty 1 Small Conference Table – (appx. $600.00 ea)
- Qty 4 Conference Table Chairs – (appx. $120.00 ea)
Delivery Van:
$6500.00 for Used Extra-Long Delivery Van
$200.00 per month for maintenance
$500.00 per month for gas / ferry / tolls
$200.00 per month for van insurance
Miscellaneous Other Requirements:
$14,280.00 per month in Gross Wages
$5000.00 for interactive website creation (complete with build-your-own ground utility)
$1000.00 per month for initial advertising (web advertisement and fliers)
$300.00 per month for miscellaneous office supplies (paper / staples etc.)
$1000.00 per month Insurance
Comment by Nick — February 11, 2009 @ 3:04 pm
I would like to add. The most current figures provided by the FTC states that over $16.8 BILLION was lost in the U.S. in ‘07 due to lost or stolen cards. I have no way of knowing wht the world figures are. But you can see it is a big issue that is only going to get worse in a declining economy. BIG PIE!!!
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Mark S.
Comment by Mark - Dallas, TX — February 11, 2009 @ 3:07 pm
Kudos to you Mark. It is too bad most of the really good ideas will not show up here. If you had a really great idea for a new business, improving an existing business or product, or a new product…You would not post it for everyone to see and maybe implement faster and better than you could. So, why do you ask others to do what you wouldn’t do yourself? I am an aerospace engineer (plastics & composites applications) who was laid off and spent my time developing an alectric car that has almost unlimited mileage and the lowest carbon footprint of any vehicle on this earth. However, since the plans use existing technology and off-the-shelf components, when the idea is seen, it will be in a hundred manufacturing plants by the end of the month. It also takes some deep pockets to take on the world wide vehicle market and turn it upside down before it can copy or improve on the idea. The rewards would be a legacy that changed the world in a single action in affecting the global warming problems, the world’s transportation market, and the oil & gas/energy industry, just to start. I doubt you are rebel enough or have deep enough pockets for the project, but I just wanted to show you that there are projects out there that would never be seen here, that have merit and would be worth checking into without the public forum until the right time.
Comment by Jack — February 11, 2009 @ 3:07 pm
I won’t publish my business plan on a blog; but, if you really want to invest in a company that has huge profit potential, check out FossaTec Business Systems.
In short we have a new enterprise software product which will help save medium – large businesses, government agencies, and similar organizations a significant portion of their operating costs. We’ve started the patent process, and are looking for investors now to help get into the market.
Give me a call,
Steve Johnson
President, FossaTec Business Systems, Inc.
Comment by Steve Johnson — February 11, 2009 @ 3:09 pm
Mark,
As an aspiring entrepreneur, I would like to start a small business that is not that original but has a proven track record when done directionally correct. I would like to open a sports bar in my town which was recently voted wet in November. Although the town has restaurants and a couple of other bars there are no strictly sports bar with flat screen TVs and good music (except the local Karaoke bar, not!!!). The town has a large influx of people during the work day with a large defense contractor as the major employer. This town is moving to less of an old fashion bible belt town and towards a respectable hot spot for local communities, it doesn’t hurt that one of the largest highways in the state goes directly through the city.
Start up costs can range from 25,000 to $500,000 depending on capital expenditures but I would like to start a small operation that has a cozy feel. Although this business wouldn’t cure our nations tumultuous economic situation, it would help the local growing community enjoy their time in a place that is different from the norm. Depending on the size of the operation it could help employ 5 to 20 people, including myself, and I believe that if I don’t make the first move someone else will.
Sincerely,
Sick of working for the man!! Russell
Comment by Russell — February 11, 2009 @ 3:21 pm
Mark,
Hello from a fellow Pittsburgher, though you did attend my rival high school-Upper St. Clair Panthers for life!
Hah, all joking aside I’m currently a college student at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles planning on majoring in Entrepreneurship and Business Economics. I have an idea for a business that actually is similar to what you are doing here but on a consumer level, but with the current economic state (and being a younger entrepreneur) it is extremely difficult to secure funding. I am actually not comfortable posting details here but would be extremely excited to work with you on building and putting the idea into action.
The general idea for the business is to allow smaller scale investors to invest in business startups, essentially giving anyone the opportunity to be a venture capitalist. The company would involve little to no overhead, a relatively small startup cost (only in getting the name out there, which would be a non issue with some business connections), and consequently would have the opportunity to be cashflow even in an extraordinarily short amount of time. Think of something like an online trading platform but instead of buying stocks, bonds and commodities you are buying a share in someone’s startup business.
Again, I am afraid to reveal too many details in such a public forum but please contact me and hopefully we can make this happen!
Comment by Matt — February 11, 2009 @ 3:21 pm
Hi Mark,
My partner, Ben, and I are pleased to present our concept for an Collaborative Workspace in Dallas. The concept encourages job creation by providing entrepreneurs with a collaborative work environment. It is cheaper than an executive suite, offers the same business tools, and again, creates that environment that helps entrepreneurs collaborate and develop their ideas with the input of others.
Please view our business plan as outlined at the link below:
http://www.slideshare.net/guesta9f365c/mark-cubans-stimulus-plan
Job creation enjoys a multiplier effect with our model. We are entrepreneurs and would personally enjoy this kind of workspace as an alternative to an executive suite or our uptown apartments.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Blaine Iler
Benjamin Hurt
Comment by Blaine Iler — February 11, 2009 @ 3:21 pm
So everyone has at least a couple small plastic swipecards (with bar codes on the back) on their key chains for the gym, grocery store, library, etc. So instead of cluttering up your keys, put all that information on an HID key chain and and the key fob gets swiped to earn/redeem the points or value that has been earned.
Comment by Timothy Junglas — February 11, 2009 @ 3:23 pm
The majority of the Untied States under ground infrastructure is in horrible shape and getting worse each. Larger cities with larger tax base and EPA help are starting to be proactive in rehabbing their aging systems. If the infrastructure goes so do we and we all pay taxes to fix these problems but since they are out of sight out of mind they only get fixed when they become a major problem and end up costing tax payers 10 fold. I have developed trenchless methods of rehab that cost about 1/6 of traditional construction methods. About half the major cities in the U.S. utilize this newer technology and almost 90% of small and mid size cites know about these advanced trenchless rehab methods. Everyone needs water and sanitary service. Having a large enough sales team to cover all these cities across America is the biggest hurdle but all have tax money allocated to pay for this they just need to be shown how to be cost effective with these new methods and be proactive prior to a major emergency repair that will cost them half of a project budget. We have a full blow presentation that walks you through all your systems problems and shows you that this type of proactive maintenance has a recapture rate after 9 months meaning that money saved by stopping other associated costs from these current infrastructure problems breaks even at 9 months and you starting earning lost revenue. It pays for itself quickly and allows you grow you cities budget for more repair work or new work. You can take this format into any City in the world that has a sewer system and uses tax dollars to maintain the system. There are billions of dollars annually allocated just for these services and will only grow as the population grows.
Comment by eric dupre — February 11, 2009 @ 3:24 pm
“Existing web app, existing customers…
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dg547sdq_31cj5thght
From MC> I would need to see more details”
Mark, can I email you financials and other more private information, or does it all have to be on this forum?
Comment by MJA — February 11, 2009 @ 3:24 pm
Mark Cuban,
Please bro you got to reply to this idea. It would have a massive positive impact for our hurting economy. two or three call centers, eventually as we grow, would employ thousands. Lets shove these credit reporting agencies to the ground, and create one that has compassion for the citizens of our country. I know this is very possible. A low price, just like a low tax rate, would attract customers. Also i know that we could get all business to report to us by offering them a very small contribution for them reporting to us. Thats better then having to pay those other companies so of course they would join us. Think about how much better of a system this would be for our company. If the Federal government won’t do it. Lets me and YOu do it, and go down in the history books!think about it. This could be big!! i know it would work because you can help get the news out there. you hitting all the media sources would get the national attention needed to profit from this idea. i REALLY hope to hear from you, even it’s just to hear your thoughts on this. Take Care!!!
Rolando
Comment by Rolando Trejo — February 11, 2009 @ 3:35 pm
THE SOUP & TALENT COMMODITIES BAR
A soup kitchen that features a live streaming Talent Show.
The soup is a green soup recipe that is simple and medicinal. In fact, this soup is a healing remedy that is like mother’s milk for adults! I am a grandmother with a son that is 6′7″ (a top volleyball athlete with the University of Hawaii) and I raised my three children eating from our garden, my eldest daughter is a doctor of Chinese Medicine and my youngest was on America’s Next Top Model. I believe one big reason (aside from genetics) all three of my children excelled is because of green food – which most Americans seriously need.
This soup is a meal in a cup that costs about the same as a fu fu drink at Starbucks, and the soup is addictive, like coffee can be. People will have no need for fast food, or pick-me-up drinks (or the doctors that are necessary to heal the problems that come from that lifestyle) if they make green soup a part of their diet. This, in and of itself, will free people up financially and give them more time to part of an ongoing Talent Show.
The Talent Show will be a live streaming show for the world to see. Winners will get to share in the profits of the winning show by receiving royalties from cd’s sold of this as well as be the featured artist for one month. This gives the winner some very good perks that I won’t take time to list here. Along with this daily talent show that has a monthly competition that is sold as a dvd, there will be a Dessert competition where the winner will have his/her dessert entry featured as the dessert of the month.
The featured drinks will be local fruit juices or tea from around the world. this one aspect could be unique for each locale that features a Soup & Talent Commodities Bar. The commodities aspect of these bars will be a weekly free press that features penny stocks for new United States Green Companies.
My ultimate goal (not necessarily as part of your challenge – which I’m up to) is to buy historical homes across the US, restore and retrofit them as self-standing, self-sufficient hubs for the green soup commodities bar. In this, architectural treasures will be saved and turned into models for the green products that the weekly commodities press will be featuring. I also have a superior business plan for helping workers to be co-owners.
Been fantasizing about this for years Mr. Cuban…so, I have un-bridled enthusiasm for giving this idea away. I love my country and want to soothe their rattled nerves with Tutu’s Green Soup.
Aloha from Maui,
Lori Dante
Comment by Lori — February 11, 2009 @ 3:37 pm
Vacant big boxes (Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc.) are ruining suburban America. Yet, instead of looking inward, Developers want to continue with what they are comfortable with and continue the trend of building newer, bigger, and further out.
Suburban America is now starting to realize that its neighborhood grocery store has been replaced with the Super Wal-Marts; its neighborhood café has been replaced by the string of chain restaurants; its barbershop replaced by the Pro Cuts, etc. It has been overcome by the monotony of convenience.
I live next to a vacant big box. Along with others in the community, we have developed a plan to buy and tear down the building and replace it with a small walkable “neighborhood town center.” The town hub would have a mix of residential, retail, and office. Independently owned stores and restaurants would be encouraged (Buying local increases sense of community). Neighborhood friendly tenants have been contacted (ice cream shop, small pub, etc.). The “strip mall” concept would be disregarded.
The business idea will:
a) help reverse the trend of “suburban sprawl”
b) provide other communities a blueprint of how to redevelopment these infill sites
c) provide more jobs within the immediate surrounding areas
d) provide neighbors with a “third place” – away from home and work – to mingle and socialize
The recession has been a blessing and a curse. We are getting the property for a very good price, but have lost investors along the way. We have a signed letter-of-intent, but need more investors. After working for over 2 years on the project, we are now facing an expedited timetable from the owner. The quick return on your investment would come from the sale of the residential lots to a builder and, if desired, long-term residual income from the retail side of things. Too many developers build something and move onto the next project. With a community focused development, however, I will continue managing the project (bringing in a weekly farmer’s market, art shows, etc.) to ensure long-term success both financially and for the surrounding community.
Thanks for your time. Please let me know what other information I can provide.
Comment by Think Outside the Big Box — February 11, 2009 @ 3:40 pm
My company that I work for is Creative Arts Theatre & School. We are a children’s theatre and a theatre school. We have been in business for 30 years. Our building needs help, and we need investors like you. We have several things we would like to upgrade. The front of the building, the theatre space, classroom space, etc. This year we have 400 students. Each month were put on a production with 3200 visitors each month. How’s this sound?, “The Mark Cuban Theatre” I would love to talk with you and have you come visit with us, our kids, and watch a production. I can send you some DVDs of past productions.
Dawn Giammarco
817-861-2287 X-205
Comment by Dawn — February 11, 2009 @ 3:42 pm
Hi Mark,
I am the president of company that is getting ready to be sold. I feel I can an existing portfolio of business for fraction of the value. I will not be able to salvage all jobs of the company but I can salvage some. My window of opportunity is closing rapidly (48 or less). If you are interested, please contact me ASAP and I will show you a model that has immediate cash flow, and pays back the loan within 12 months. Thanks
Jason
Comment by Jason — February 11, 2009 @ 3:45 pm
Mark,
I’ve got about 100 more business venture idea detailed out or in progress that with the right seed money and assistance would get off the ground. So if you needed someone with real world experience coupled with business strategies and knowhow feel free to contact me.
More affordable specialized educational institutions across the US with licenses or certifications to help Americans help America. I can go all day with stuff that is needed, wanted, functional and feasible. Its a shame that our paid government officials who have agencies for this type of stuff are such failures. The only thing keeping America from joining Mexico is the fact that we are free to do whatever we want individually. Sink or swim and most of us still choose to swim.
Comment by eric dupre — February 11, 2009 @ 3:46 pm
I will gladly comply with all requirements. I am an architect specializing in residential construction in the Atlanta area. Seeing the change in trends from large scale house renovations to smaller scale renovations or single room renovations I am trying to diversify my company for this market. We would go after smaller renovations or single rooms, such as adding panelling and shelves to create a library feel to an existing room. My kitchen designer, who also designs all sorts of specialty millwork and I have a lot of experience in projects of this size and scope and think it would be a great way to keep projects coming in. At this point, being a start up and cash strapped I can’t invest a ton of money in a website….which would be great to have or also a professional photographer to shoot some of the work that we have done. I generally do this myself. My architectural business has a track record of success and I feel that this second design group will as well. So, if you feel that a grant or investment is worthwhile in my company please contact me at the email above.
Comment by Linda MacArthur — February 11, 2009 @ 3:48 pm
Hello Mark,
I have just recently laid off and now looking to start my own business. I have a great idea on opening a new sports bar and grill. I know you have heard ideas like these all day, but mine has a twist to it. I would reveal this info to you if you would like to hear my business plan. I believe that I woke up in time on 2-11-09 just to hear about your blog. Its funny this is the same day that I filed for my first unemployment check ever. Thanks for your time.
Comment by Rodrigo — February 11, 2009 @ 3:49 pm
i think a print-on-demand publishing company that’s a little nicer than what’s already out there could be huge. books, ads, anything printable that typically has to be purchased in bulk. company sends us the design, we print. it would require a printer, mailing equipment, and some smart and fairly meticulous staff.
also, if you’re looking for a cool project that is not original (i.e. mine), lulu.com is brilliant.
Comment by jen — February 11, 2009 @ 3:53 pm
Hey Cuban,
This is not a stimulus plan. This is Mark Cuban cynically using the economic downturn as a marketing tool for a VC enterprise. If this were a stimulus, you wouldn’t be looking for equity or concerned with getting your money back. There’s nothing wrong with Mark Cuban wanting to play VC, just as there’s nothing wrong with Mark Cuban wanting to play Big Sports Franchise Owner. But let’s call a spade a spade. Be honest here.
Comment by Will — February 11, 2009 @ 3:53 pm
Mark, I just wanted to add a little something about my last post this morning. The idea wouldnt need that much money to get started with a small investment either to start an online gaming site. I was just using high end numbers and to hit the ground running full force to deal with the competittion, it maybe the smartest. I took the time to read some of the other posts, and relized many people weren’t asking for anything close to what i was. But the numbers can very well be minimized to start small . I apologize, I think VERY big sometimes.
Comment by Paul Tarulli — February 11, 2009 @ 3:57 pm
Good day Mr. Cuban.
I am a single working mom that resides in the Dallas area with my 5 year old daughter. I think anyone who has children can agree that it can be very challenging to get your child to do just about anything.
As I’m sure there are so many boys and girls out there just like my child, my daughter is definately into the latest characters that the entertainment industry has introduced.
My idea is a call center that could profit millions if people knew about it. In fact I don’t see how it wouldn’t be successful.
A call center where parents could call ask to speak to their child’s favorite or influential character, whoever that would be, and put the call thru to the child. Whether you just want your child to have the opportunity to talk to his/her favorite character or whether you want the character to talk to your child because he/she had a bad day, good report card, birthdays, holidays, etc.
I struggle so much to get my child to clean her room, eat her vegetables, go to bed, etc. And how easy would it be to have their most idolized character call them over the phone and ask them to do it. I know that kids should listen to their parents but sometimes they zone us out just like we do them. Its unfortunate but true that kids would listen to a character because to them, the character could say or do no wrong.
I have thought about the plan very well and have a lot of ideas and this idea could go a million different ways. The business could be through phone, email, text messages. Parents could either call, email, or text when they would like a phone call and by which character and could even be more specific and ask that we talk to the child about certain things, like how important it is to eat your food, or clean your room, or share with others, or more specific issues like how nice it is to get along with your sister.
These make believe characters are very influential to our children.
In the past, I have made friends or family call my daughter and pretend she is Cinderella or Ariel, even Elmo, to get her to eat her veges or clean up her room. And the smile on my daughter is priceless. She surely doesn’t want to disappoint her friend.
I have mentioned to so many parents, in our t-ball league, even soccer moms, just friends and family in general about my idea and they all say the same thing. That the idea sounds wonderful and what a relief it would be to so many that the pressure is not always on them! Everyone says they would definately use that as an outsource to get their kids to do what they need them to do. So many parents have said, “I will pay whatever, because I know it would work.”
People could pay via credit card, make appointments by phone or text or email. This idea could go even further and parents could pay to have a letter be mailed by their character with specifics.
For someone to be interested in an idea or a business or to buy a product, you have to reach them on a personal level and how it would benefit them individually. I think my idea would be a huge relief on so many.
I went to disneyland last summer and they didn’t have anything available like this. And every parent I asked, all said the same thing. How wonderful it would be and exciting for the kids if they felt like they really could communicate with the characters they were into. As of today, I have still not seen anyone develop any business such as this.
I know after reading alot of the business proposals that have already been submitted, this would be something in a totally different direction. However, I appreciate the opportunity to discuss my business proposal with you.
Gloria P.
From MC> Its actually a good idea. The challenge is that you would have to go the copyright holders of the characters and work out a licensing deal. That wouldnt be easy, but if you used a licensingcompany it could be done. Then you could create a website with pre recorded messages that inserts the name of the child, and then makes the phone call. There is a business there Gloria. I wish I had time to help. Hopefully someone here can work with you and get it running or offer more ideas
Comment by Gloria P. — February 11, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
What about an online service that sells you a box and subcription to the service where the box automatically connects to you DVR and cuts the commercials out. You can easily have someone manually record the times to the second that commercials are put on networks shows and sports, etc and the service connects to your box and the box automatically cuts the commercials out and puts them back(edited) on your DVR.
Comment by Anthony — February 11, 2009 @ 4:04 pm
Hey Mark,
My plan follows the simple model employed by a friend of mine, who established the website barackswatch.com to sell the distinctive Secret Service watch worn by President Obama. He contacted the manufacturer, requested that the watches be emblazoned with a special symbol, and purchased 100 of them for $100 each. On the first day he posted the watches on the site for $300 each, he received 40 orders totaling $12,000 – in other words, within 24 hours he had generated a $1600 profit (including the cost of the product and setting up the website), with 60 more watches available whose sales would constitute pure profit.
If we were to utilize the same strategy with a product that you have extensive access to – NBA basketballs – we could minimize overhead and maximize profits. The official Spaulding game basketball is available for just under $100 on NBA.com, and I’m confident that as a franchise owner, you receive them at a fraction of that price. We acquire twenty extra balls per game to use exclusively for player warmups; we brand each of them with a tiny Mavericks logo; perhaps we employ a photographer to capture photos of the players shooting around with them (logo and photograph ideas could be tweaked if licensing issues arise). Then we sell the basketballs online at a price that constitutes three to four times the cost of production. 20 balls for each of 41 home games means that there would be a substantial supply of product but not an oversaturation. The investment is minimal – we start out with 20 units at your already-discounted rate. The upside is high – not only the opportunity for continued production throughout the year, but the possibility of selling the idea to other teams and other sports, both professional and collegiate.
Please contact me with any questions or concerns. Thanks!
John Burr
From MC> by the time you added the nba license fee it would be tough to make any money. Plus there are companies already doing this with game used merch. Finding unique opportunities, ala the Secret Service link has promise. But its obviously harder to pick the right things
Comment by John Burr — February 11, 2009 @ 4:08 pm
Mark,
I’m starting an energy company from the ground up. GEL, or “Green Energy Leasing” intalls and maintains solar panels, wind-mills, etc to corportate offices and residental homes. Customers would lease the equipment from GEL, and choose to forgoe their local energy company. GEL would also earn extra revenue from selling the excess enery back to the “grid”. Start up costs and initiial investment will be high, but tax breaks will be frequent. Lets go Green! I’d be willing to consider forfeiting all profit in place of becoming Dirks pet monkey. I play some mad ping-pong and can do various monkey tricks. -Ryan MFFL
Comment by Ryan — February 11, 2009 @ 4:09 pm
Mr. Cuban,
Well, as a non-profit organization we don’t qualify for your stimulus plan. If you are willing, I’d love to “pick your brain” for some ideas to expand our donor base. I have recently been charged with finding funding to accomplish our mission. Our organization trains young men to serve communities affected by disasters or other crisis situations. We also provide training to be able to continue serving communities as a public servant (firefigher, law enforcement, paramedic, etc.) Thank you for what you are doing for America. You are a true patriot!
Comment by Randy — February 11, 2009 @ 4:11 pm
Hello Mark,
Being among the ranks of the recently unemployed (corporate trainer/job elimination), I have done a great deal of soul-searching about my career options. I’ve come to the conclusion that I want to work for myself and become successful at doing something I love. I believe my business idea/plan represents the spirit of your business stimulus offer: get the economy moving by giving people hope and a “boost up” in creating viable businesses. I’ve made a career out of working for others, but now I want to take care of myself and my family on my terms.
My business would be a startup in the realm of custom manufacturing. I have been a musician all my life (guitarist) and I know from experience that customized products sell. There are two in particular that reside in an under-represented market niche: pedalboards (for guitar accessories) and dedicated stage monitor amplification– strictly for guitarists.
Musicians want to be unique. With this in mind, my products will be custom-built to musicians’ preferences. Currently, products are available but with limited size and finish options…a consumer typically only has the choice of a couple sizes and one finish (usually an unattractive speaker carpeting or nylon bag).
Here’s the concept: Provide five size options and 10 different tolex finishes (tolex is like a naugahyde vinyl, currently used in covering amplifiers and guitar cases). These options could be ordered “mix & match” from drop-down menus on the website. Tolex options would be cool because you could match the color of your pedalboard with you amp. Just say the words “blonde tolex” to a vintage guitar buff and watch their eyes go starry! Since I live in Texas, I would also create the “gunslinger special” complete with western style tolex, conchos (those little thingy’s on western belts) and a .45 cartridge holder on the side. The possibilities are endless and I know the demand is there.
Guitar cabinets shaped like stage monitors are VERY hard to come by. I would manufacture 2 sizes (10 and 12 inch), available in any of the custom tolex finishes. I believe there is an untapped market for guitar monitors. Usually, a guitarist plays through an amp set behind them (typically at volumes that make the singer and sound man wince). Most amps have an external speaker “out” jack that can be used to power the monitor. Now, the guitarist has all the glory of their amp directly in their face. With my products, they also will have the ability to have matching amp, monitor and pedalboard!
I would manufacture the products out of my garage until the business takes off. Right now, I have the ability to create a custom pedal board in just a few hours at a cost of around $86. Average retail would be $199 for the smallest board and up to $299 for larger models. I would also offer custom features (like 9V pedal power units)that could be added at additional charge. I will have the ability to “flex up” with labor when the products take off. I know several friends and relatives who will be “on call” when the demand is there.
I would also offer “as is” models as well — limited to two particular finishes and sizes. This would give me the ability to pre-manufacture products in advance of order. This way, I could sell from inventory as well as custom manufacture.
Start up cost would be around $5000. For: incorporation as a business, website design, supplies (wood, glue, hardware and tolex),upgraded table saw, and demo models to give to “boutique” guitar stores and musicians (I think could get pedalboards in the hands of great Texas guitarists Doyle Bramhall II and Charlie Sexton).
As far as marketing goes, I have an excellent reputation as a seller on ebay so I would open a store there and post Craigslist ads. I would do some print publication (Guitar Player and Guitar World magazines) and talk to the editors about being featured in gear review. Otherwise, mostly homegrown grassroots sort of stuff…word of mouth, network with other businesses and guitar shops. I also have a great idea for a domain name.
I’m sure I will be able to meet your criteria as far as financial metrics go. As far as your return, I am fairly certain I could deliver a 10 to 12% ROIC. Possibly more if I get some wholesale agreements lined up with supply vendors.
Thanks for your consideration,
Erik P.
Comment by Erik P. — February 11, 2009 @ 4:11 pm
I left out one important factor. This could create a lot of jobs if we could establish call centers in major cities once the business is making itself known.
Comment by Gloria P. — February 11, 2009 @ 4:21 pm
Mr. Cuban
I am laura ceballos the owner of two Child Day Care(Blue Sky Group Family Day Care I) each one has the capacity for 14 children. I would like to have a investor or financial helper is because I would like to renew both day care with furniture that help us to carry out a better work. At present time we offer educational curriculum, craft activity, developmente skills according to each child. I have many expenses and commitments that have limited a little the best development of both centers. For my services all the time I am in full capacity and i would like to expand the services for 24 hours and open another one. If you would like my idea I can send it my business plan for the new one and all details about how i will be used the money? and how you can received back?
I would like you know that the money we can used for:
1-offer sponsorship for child attendance to day care.
2-For new educational equipment(computer,tv,listen center reading,table,chair,etc)
3-renew(paint,remodelation the kitchen, office,expand the area bigger)
4-to keep the cash flow
5-to invest for educational trip(storybookland, crayola factory, chocolate factory,museam,etc)
6-Anything for any educational equipment that can help children of our society become successful, individual in the future.
I have a degree in marketin administration and all my employee are degree and early childhood development. We are a professional team working for our comunity to try to grow up third center and to combine all three to created a early childhood development.
For additional information you could be contac me at 347-284-5023 or 347-257-0068
Sincerely,
Laura
blueskydaycare@gmail.com
Comment by Laura — February 11, 2009 @ 4:22 pm
I would like to open a 99 cent store, i have all information about how i can do it and the company could be help me. If you like this idea I can send it my business plan and all information that i have.
This is a great opportinity, if you like my idea…
Julio Ceballos
julioc1728@hotmail.com
Comment by Julio Ceballos — February 11, 2009 @ 4:27 pm
Ideas are great but execution is better… We’re a Dallas based bootstrapping start-up that designs and builds mobile applications. We have one product prototyped and others well on their way. If you’re interested, check us out http://www.froogloid.com
Profitable in 90 days?! Shaaa, how about 60 instead
Comment by froogloid — February 11, 2009 @ 4:33 pm
Hi Mark,
Here is my entry for The Mark Cuban Stimulus Plan. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcg4gqm5_4c2qtspf8
All the best,
Michelle
Comment by Michelle DuQuesnay — February 11, 2009 @ 4:36 pm
Video games are a big business and with the advent of easier to use technologies and better methods for distribution, indy development teams are flourishing. No doubt you’ve heard of all the money being made developing iPhone applications. Microsoft is also offering a service they call XNA Community Games were you can develop a video game for play on Xbox and distribution via Xbox Live. I can do all the programming and I know people that can do artwork and music for minimul costs. I’m hoping to release my first XBox game in the next month or two, which you can see here: http://nasty.krissteele.net
While there aren’t Xbox sales numbers available just yet, iPhone numbers are well. Given your name, any app that is associated with you will surely get a good look from many people amidst a sea of other applications.
If you wish to discuss serious numbers of what this would cost, let me know. They would hardly be a drop in the bucket for you.
Comment by Kris — February 11, 2009 @ 4:36 pm
Anyone out there that wants to help out aspiring entrepreneurs in Texas should check out http://www.pep.org. Participants in this program are currently incarcerated in Texas prisons. Former drug dealers and gang leaders may not have much, if any, formal business education, but you can bet they know about supply-chain management and organizational leadership.
While in PEP, the participants go to business school “boot-camp” for 13-weeks to create business plans for a start-up they will create once they have completed their prison sentence. Most of these small businesses won’t change the world, but it will change the lives of the founder/owner and their families forever.
Comment by Todd — February 11, 2009 @ 4:37 pm
Dear Mark Cuban: Mr. Pickens in Texas is looking for investors for
his wind farm. Imagine making so much electricity that prices
come down 50% of more for all business and families for the whole
state of TX.
Now imagine setting up other wind farms like in other states
the data for maximum wind performance is already compiled.
The easiest thing about this project a readily eager market awaits for the cheaper price product.
Also keep in mind from your economics text book the term
investments- it mentions first to invest receives the greatest percentage of return on investment.
Second, the cash flow should be great for many years,
and decades down the road, cash flow should still be coming in..
Comment by Ray Gonzalez — February 11, 2009 @ 4:37 pm
Good afternoon Mr. Cuban,
I would like to thank you for opening your checkbook up to a select few with the right ideals. I believe your plan is what the country needs to turn around. The closed polices of the government will only prolong the inevitable.
New business that can grow is what we need. Not to contribute to the life support of Chrysler, G.M., Chase Etc. I do understand these companies’s employee at lot of people.
For how long, new business/technology will create long term jobs. It is time the country gets back to basics, Infrastructure, Education and investing in Americans. Thank you again.
Comment by Anthony A. Gundersen — February 11, 2009 @ 4:38 pm
Mr. Cuban,
Warm Greetings to You. My Name is Bless Simmons Owner of Baskets and Quilts By Bless. My Store is Located at 2218 A South Bowen Rd. Arlington, TX 76013. This is My Second Year in this Location. When I Heard about your Stimulus Plan I got So Excited, Hopefully My Business will be one of those Business That You Help.
We Hand Quilt Everything. We have Baby Quilts with Different Designs and Something that You don’t See in the Stores. We also Make Custom Orders. Our Most Popular Product so far is our T-SHIRT QUILT WE MAKE THEM WITH YOUR OWN T-SHIRTS. This is Great for Graduation Presents and Sports Fans Like You to Name a Few. We have made the Irving Fire Department a Twin Bed Cover with their Logo all of them was Impress on the Quality and the work that We put in their Quilt. We have Made the Logo for the State Fair of Texas and Fun Central in Arlington as Well. I’m Inviting You To Visit Me at The Store So I can Show Our Products.
Mr. Cuban I have a lot more Ideas for My Store the Only Thing that Stopping it is My lack of Capital and The Inventory that the Store Needs.My Plan with this Business is to have a Store in All The 50 States.
Thank You for Your Time and I’m Praying that My Business will Benefit with Your Stimulus Plan.
Sincerely,
Bless Simmons
Comment by Bless Simmons — February 11, 2009 @ 4:40 pm
Dear Mr. Cuban:
Forgot to leave my email address. Wind mill farm promoter.
ray5530@sbcglobal.net
Sincerely,
Ray Gonzalez
Comment by Ray Gonzalez — February 11, 2009 @ 4:41 pm
Dear Mark,i do believe in entrepreneurs as i am one of them.I curently operate a dental laboratory in California, that needs funding.I am in the procces of attracting business from dentists i work with through direct mail and telemarketing.I’m setting up a small offshore office to do the marketing part since the overhead is to expensive here.But the manufacturing of the finished products will be done in the USA creating jobs through production.A lot of manufacturing work is done offshore but through line production i’d like to keep the most in here.As an immigrant to this country i’d like to suport it to get back in shape financialy for the future of my childrens.I am also copying an idea i have seen at a large company i used to work.I’m in the process of setting up 2 other companies that will compete with my existing one but since they will be providing same products at different prices will atract different type of clients(dentists).They will have different names, adresses and phone nr. but will be run from same location for start.We manufacture the products(dental restorations),sell to dentists and get paid net 30.The largest competitor operates 6 such companies employing 2500 people with a gross revenue of approx.$200 mil.Last time i invested $3000-$5000 in direct marketing over 3 months it brought $100,000.00 back in new work in the next 6 months.I’m interested in a short term loan with interest 10% to 12%, also a long term investment.Also since i need money for the cash flow along with the interest ownership in the companies is available.I’m very open to discutions.Maybe 15% to 30% ownership along with a lower interest on the loan or othher type of arrangements.I personaly hope that the stimulus plan passed by congress will work but since i saw how the bulk of the last stimulus was spent i’m scheptical this will bring the economy back.Since the banks are reluctant to lend,more people like you should come forward to help small business take off.Too many people are colecting unimployment today and i think many more will follow.Maybe this is a wake up call for a lot of us in this country, to start doing something on our own and not waiting for the pink slip to come from the employer.A new era of entrepreneurs could be born these days.After all this is how America was built.Hopefuly more people like you will be coming forward to find wich idea deserves a chance for funding and sponsorship.Hope to hear from you.Good luck.
Comment by Adrian Berari — February 11, 2009 @ 4:43 pm
Alternative Energy Stimulus
Cost $13k-20k for at least 5kwh windmill to get off the grid
Return: I will pay back the utility payments into “the approved bank acct” until break even point which includes interest and put a clause if the house is sold to keep up the agreement. After break even the equivalent bill will be split 50%/50% between us subtracting maintenance 50%/50%.
Doh! Break even not 60 days but not a bad alternative energy model if Mark wants to spur the green movement and put his money to work with interest.
PS The windmill must be insured on the homeowners insurance. Not risking mark’s money to theft, fire, and other calamities.
Comment by Brian Echard — February 11, 2009 @ 4:44 pm
MONETIZING WEB 2.0
Mark,
I have been cultivating this idea for a while. Would love your help to make it a reality. Thanks for the opportunity.
Problem
Social Networking Sites have a difficult time monetizing their product other than through Advertising.
Why? – The focus is on gaining members (users) and then figuring out how to make money after the fact. Basically, build it, get users then somehow figure out how to monetize it. While the numbers are impressive, when compared to the revenues they disappoint.
Solution:
A social networking site that:
-Influencers want to be a part of and are incentivized to do so.
-Allows (paying) companies & organizations to reach & interact with “influencers” directly.
- Provides incredibly valuable data and market research for companies and/or their representatives.
Product:
Grass Roots Millennials – A social networking site that is by invitation only for Millennials (High School level). Additionally, the site is focused on the “influencers” within this group.
How we will do it?
Gaining Users:
-Identify Top High Schools in a particular market (Purchasing Power being a top consideration)
- Isolate the top 50-100 individuals – through online survey advertised in school paper and subsequent focus group.
- Influencers are identified and invited to the site/program with the incentive of free products & merchandise, compensation & networking access to like individuals across the country.
-Users earn points for filling out quick questioners (IE– Are these shoes “hot or not), surveys and product trials. Accumulated points are earned and then can be traded in on goods and services or possibly college tuition.
Generating Revenue:
-Company will directly market its services to advertising agencies, marketing research companies and vendors of products & services.
-The sale of limited partnership interests based on geographic territories. Parent company receives 50% of the revenue from sales efforts of the LP. The Limited partner receives their 50% much like a commission for generating the revenue. The limited partner’s percentage interest in the Company is based on a formula with the amount of users (ie millenials) they generate for the site as a whole.
How we Scale it.
Viral – New members can be admitted when invited by 3 existing members. For example, each School will have a candidate board, where members can nominate, second and ulitmately offer membership to candidates.
- Franchise / Partnerships – Geographic Markets are sold as a Franchise or limited partnership interest. These Limited Partners perform their own direct recruiting.
Funding Basics:
1,200,000 Early Stage Funding
40% Equity Share with Preferred return.
2 Board Seats at your discretion, 2 at mine, and 1 mutually agreed.
Comment by Jon V — February 11, 2009 @ 4:45 pm
Mark- I spoke with some guys I know in that industry and they feel that i won’t be able to come up with the proper capitalization without a private lender. I was optimistic I could raise the capital on my own, but it appears to be a little out of my comfort zone. It doesn’t mention it in the plan, but I would be willing to put down between 50k and 100k to help capitalize and show you we mean business if you deem it neccessary.
Here’s the plan. It’s brief, but I can expand upon the details upon your request.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df8xsrrg_5c2xc45dk
Comment by Joe — February 11, 2009 @ 4:47 pm
The Idea….With most people living from paycheck to paycheck or on credit with the latter not being available to alot of folks these days and computers almost being a necessity, I would like to open a Laptop/Desktop computer rental. Someone can run this business as a home-based business with virtually no overhead. My recommmendation would to rent an office suite where customers can pick up the computers and also make their payments. All of your business is gonna come from ads in publications such as The Greensheet, Thrifty Nickel, referrals and free advertising on sites such as craigslist. The advertising expense would be minimal.
Buy good used refurbished computers in the price range of no more than $300 each. Rent them out on a 52 week contract with weekly payments. This allows people to manage their cash better. You would require folks to have a verifiable job and residence. 3 references would be also be required.
The Cost to Open the Business….
cost to aquire starting inventory –
50 laptop/desktops at $300 ea. = $15,000
Rental of Office Suite –
$250 a month
Advertising in print media –
$300 a month
Phone -
$50 a month
The Inner Workings of the Business….
Rent by the week at $18.95 per week
Business is open 6 days a week for approx. 25 days per month
if you sold one contract per day at the end of the month your revenue would be $473.75 per week
Month 1 – 25 contracts X $18.95 = $473.75 per week
$473.75 X 4 (weeks per month) = $1895
Month 2 – 25 contracts X $18.95 = $473.75 per week
$1895 (month 1 sales) + $1895 (month 2 sales)= $3790/Mo
$3790 divided by 4 weeks = $947.50 per week
This business would be profitable almost from week one depending on how one operated the business (home-based).You would be cash flow positive by the end of your first month. The business is very easy to duplicate.It can be small or large if you were to advertise on a nationwide basis. Overhead is minimal…from one man operation to multiple locations.
Cons –
As with any other business you will encounter some losses in this case it may be some unpaid and unreturned laptops/desktops. One way to limit losses it to have all computers loaded with LoJack for laptops. This may increase the cost but not by much. Software costs approx. $30 per year or .58 cents per week per laptop.
Pros –
Very profitable business, easy to operate, easy to duplicate, very scalable. Ability to generate additional revenue. Most people will use their laptop/desktop to get on the internet, so you may also become an isp reseller and sell them internet access. This in turn will generate more money for the operator.
Tell me your thoughts.
Comment by Ed — February 11, 2009 @ 4:48 pm
We are creating a new destination club (i.e. high-end fractional) in Telluride – with plans to roll out the business model to 10 different, high end resort locations over the next 10 years.
The mission of LuxWest Private Hotels will be to provide its members with memorable experiences in the most desirable destinations. The level of service and personal attention will be a blend of the great boutique hotels of the world and a beloved hometown golf club. Buyers of our Club memberships will not need financing and we will have the lowest priced high quality product in the area.
The product of 19 years of experience in the shared ownership industry, LuxWest has developed the most flexible form of resort destination ownership in the market today. The first LuxWest Private Hotel will be in Telluride, Colorado. The targeted property is an operating hotel, with positive cash flow, will be converted from 22 rooms to 13 spacious suites averaging over 750 square feet complete with flat panel HDTV’s, king beds, comfortable living rooms, and private decks. We will sell 65 exclusive memberships into the Telluride Club and those sales provide very strong returns (+15% IRR over 60 months).
Over the past year, we have built the business model, and gained approx $3.5m of equity support. All of our investors agree that while this economic downturn might be an interesting time to buy a retail stock, it is a great time to buy great, quality assets, with an active cash flow stream. Our targeted property, in Telluride, CO is a great asset, at a great price, with great terms.
We are using this tough time to seek aggressive terms from the Seller. We have reduced the purchase price to $8m, a substantial drop from the listing price. The Sellers will carry all required debt over 60 months, at 3.5% with no non-recourse to the investors. Subcontractor and commodity prices have decreased allowing for more flexibility in our construction budget.
Tom LaTour, ex Chairman of Kimpton Hotels, has agreed to join our team. He has already agreed to be involved in the operations and participate financially. http://www.latoursignaturegroup.com/press.php?pg=press050401. Our head of sales has just returned from Dubai where he was a consultant to a Fairmont shared ownership project; he has sales experience in Telluride, and is enthusiastic about our plan
The equity capital will be used to enable the creation, development, and launch of the first LuxWest Private Hotel in Telluride, Colorado. The capital will be used as equity for the acquisition of the property, secure debt financing (with no recourse to its investors), marketing programs, and to fund operations, design development and the renovation.
LuxWest Private Hotels is creating a $4,875,000 equity fund. We are currently seeking investments of $650,000 to $1,300,000 from equity partners. Your ownership percentage would be a percentage of your investment commitment over the total equity raised.
$3,575 million has already been committed by individual investors and an additional $325,000 has been committed by the principals.
The Proforma has been modeled to include a Preferred Return of 8% on invested capital and a traditional waterfall of post debt proceeds and profits.
The Club projects to return invested capital in 2 1/2 years and projects pre-tax and pre-distribution profits of over $3m. This yields an Internal Rate of Return of +15% and an Investor Return of approx. 90% on invested capital
We would love your involvement.
Comment by Kevin Jones — February 11, 2009 @ 4:52 pm
Mark,
I posted this earlier but for some reason, it’s not showing up here?
Several have mentioned the concern for ideas being “stolen”. One of my ideas I’ll share in hopes that you or someone else may fund it or at the very least “steal” it and make the product as I feel it could be of benefit globally.
The only way to meet your 60/90 demands would be in the form of acquired contracts (read-Purchase Orders)
What I’ve got is basically a people pod. Almost like the moving pods you’ve seen.
The design is kind of truck camper-ish in away.
I’ll put this as simple as possible.
You have a box roughly 10′ length, 6 1/2′ height, 8′ width. Made from Nida-Core for excellent insulation around an Aluminum frame.
The box has a Universal mounting system on the bottom. You can mount to any 1 ton or larger truck frame in place of the truck bed. You can also mount it to a trailer type axle assembly so if need be you can transport 2 of these units to your location. From there they have a lifting mechanism to unload and stabilize the “pod”.
What will you do with these pods? They can be outfitted for a variety of uses. Base camp for firefighters, National Guard living quarters while deployed in the event of an emergency, University’s could use them for field research programs, BLM and forest rangers can use them as living quarters, Oil Field workers can use them as office/living quarters, recreational use for hunters and campers etc.. The list goes on and on.
One unit can serve as an office, another as living quarters, libratory, mess hall, bathroom etc.
And think outside of the pod also. In my design, there is a tent structure that deploys off the sides of the pod to expand the usable more than triple. One pod could provide sleeping accommodations for 10-12 people.
I would also put a lot of emphasis on self contained and “green” if you will. Use solar/battery power, efficient diesel oven, fridge and heat. Large water capacity and built in water treatment systems.
As you can see, these can be sold as empty shells or turnkey for the customers’ needs. Lots of options.
I am a mechanical engineer by trade and have created some 3d models of the idea. I’d rather not post them here but if you’d like to see let me know.
Thanks and good luck with this project and the remainder of your season.
Jason
P.S. I’d also like to add that these pods can be used by teams around the world to bring medical and dental aide to thrid world countries. One pod is basically a dental office, one an examination room etc.
I don’t have many skills that would be of benefit to reach out and help people that are in need. I can however design equipment to those with such training be more efficient at what they do and make thier hand reach furthur.
Comment by Jason — February 11, 2009 @ 4:53 pm
Mark, support a family fun educational game company!
Five page BUSINESS PLAN synopsis
(For consideration we would be happy to send you an investor package with samples of the products.)
THE COMPANY
McNeill Designs for Brighter Minds began as an idea on December 29th 2004 and was launched in May 2005. The idea was to turn language into a fun, playable game and make it a hit. Presently we sell four board/card games that appeal to young and old alike and have a significant educational attraction with teachers.
The Company’s products are in approximately 2,000 stores nation-wide, including Barnes and Noble, Borders and Books A Million. They have sold over 80,000 units to-date and 2007 sales were approximately $520,000. The products have won eight major awards and have been mentioned on the Tonight Show, the Today Show and in USA Today. In 2008, sale of the flagship product, You’ve been Sentenced! increased 18% over 2007 to over 32,000 units sold, both in the USA and abroad.
The Company was organized as an LLC in March 2005 under the laws of the State of Delaware. The offices of the Company are currently located at 1729 Marsh Road, Wilmington, DE 19810. Upon completion of the minimum threshold of $250,000 invested in our PPM the company will convert to a “C” corp. and issue both preferred and common shares of stock.
PHYSICAL PRODUCTS
1.) You’ve been Sentenced!(Patent Pending) is a unique, 7X award winning game which utilizes a word deck of pentagon-shaped cards containing conjugations of funny words, famous names, and familiar places with a mix of prepositions, articles, conjunctions and Wild Cards. Players use these cards to build sentences, challenging their ingenuity in a hilarious, competitive environment. They then have to justify their sentences to the rest of the players who assume the roles as “Members of the Jury,” voting on the grammar and sensibility of the other players’ often outrageous sentences and justification. The word deck contains over 2,500 individual words plus Wild Cards. The game is ideal for 3 to10 players, ages 8 and up, but can be used in a classroom with up to 30 students at a time. A new junior version will be coming out soon for kids 5 to 8 years old. Over 80,000 units have been sold to-date. For the first time ever language is now a patent pending, fun, playable game.
2.) Separately sold Add-On Decks to You”ve been Sentenced! They are; Reader’s Digest Word Power, Sports, Sci-fi / Fantasy, Gourmet Cuisine and Pop Culture. They are available at Barnes and Noble and hundreds of independent stores and they “make the game your own” by adding verbiage from your favorite categories.
3.) Twisted Fish™ is a challenging card game that requires strategy, memorization, deception, and bluffing skills. It is a complex twist on the old card game of Go Fish. This game is ideal for 3 to 6 players, ages 8 and up. It was launched in February 2006 and has sold over 30,000 units and is Creative Child magazines Game of the Year 2007.
The Company has a signed Space Act Agreement with NASA and needs funds to launch FASTAD (Fiftieth Anniversary Space Terminology Add-On Deck) to show at the International Toy Fair in Dallas in October 2009. The NASA product is expected to further strengthen our foothold in the educational market and build brand awareness.
The Company plans to capitalize on the overwhelming demand from its fans for a “Make your Own” Add-on Deck. The system will be a customized way to turn your words into a YOU deck, printed just for you. This would also be introduced at Toy Fair in October in Dallas.
The Company currently has over 90 more documented game and toy ideas up for review that have been contributed by members of the team and outside designers. We receive several submissions a month from outside designers for review due in part to our presence at trade shows and our success in retail. We are actively pursuing many license agreements for You’ve been Sentenced! and Twisted Fish games as they continue to grow in popularity.
Digital Strategy
Complimenting our physical products is the partnership with Arizona State University ASU, that has just been established. The virtual products developed will be the foundation of our educational and virtual value proposition (http://skysong.asu.edu/mcneill). Paul Skiera is the main liaison to the development of the virtual products based on the intellectual property that is the patent pending games system of You’ve been Sentenced! Having seen the potential for a web based flash game ASU is developing three unique facets of our value proposition.
• They will take the game mechanics and develop a teaching aid specifically designed for the rapidly emerging interactive white boards for classrooms. Often called SMART™ boards, SMART is actually the brand name of the leader in these interactive boards that essentially project a computer’s desktop image onto a board at the front of the classroom that greatly enhances the learning experience for today’s students. ASU is a leader in this type of application development. The revenues from bundling this software will be a revenue stream paid back to McNeill Designs from ASU.
• They will third party test the use of our game to prove its educational value. This is essential for the expansion of our product into core curricula of school systems across the nation.
• They will develop the fun “game only” online presence for use on: the web, in social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, as well as for; iPhone, Mobi and console play.
MARKET
The Game Manufacturers Association, a trade group, estimates that sales of non-electronic “hobby games,” which do not include mass-market stalwarts like Monopoly® and Scrabble®, have more than tripled since 1994, from $720 million to roughly $2.6 billion.
Board Game Industry Market Data – U.S. Figures
1) U.S. total population (POP) 282,909,885
2 Total number of U.S. households………………………………….…….108,419,506
3) Total number of U.S. family households……………………………..……73,057,960
4) Percentage of U.S. adult pop. that participated in a board game in the last 12 months………………………………… 16.4%
5) Percentage that participate 2 to 3 times a month………….…… 2.9%
6) Est. households that participate in board games per year
(.164 x 108,419,506)…………………………………………17,780,799
7) Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) estimated U.S. annual sales
of non-electronic games excluding mass market games
(Monopoly®, Scrabble® )………………………………………………..… $2.6 billion
COMPETITION
The toy and game industry is divided into three very distinct categories. First, there are the two industry giants Hasbro® and Mattel®. Combined, these two companies represent about 29 percent of the $21 billion toy market, according to the October 20, 2005 issue of CNN Money. And for many years, both Hasbro® and Mattel® have made a habit of purchasing small, successful toy and game firms once the firms or their toys have become “household names.” Examples of acquisitions include Wizards of the Coast, Parker Brothers, Milton Bradley, and Ideal.
Second, there are dozens of smaller, independent toy and game development companies. Typically these companies offer between 5 – 50 original games or toys. Examples include Eagle Games, Hangman Games and Rio Grand Games. Company sales vary widely from firm to firm.
Third, there are dozens of small, educational toy and game companies that specialize in toys and games for the burgeoning educational industry. These companies are generally much smaller than others, offer far fewer products, and specialize narrowly, targeting educational “supply houses” such as The Report Card or The Learning Station.
Capital Formation to Date
The Company embarked on the design and implementation of a Private Placement Memorandum under the instruction of board member Rick Finkbeiner. Rick’s resume includes: Senior Vice President, CFO Treasurer & Secretary at Poore Brothers, Senior VP & CFO at Concord Camera Corp., Senior VP & CFO at LeapFrog, and Corporate VP & CFO at Menasha Corporation. The equity offering has a pre-money valuation for the company of $7,000,000 and is seeking up to $5,000,000 for the equity raise. Thus $5,000,000 represents a 41.66% ownership in the company.
The Company has raised, and has escrowed, $158,000 as of 2-11-2009 of the financing it is seeking. The company continues to present its equity offering to the “Angel” investment market in both the private and institutional investment markets. In addition, the company, in growing its educational side, has also “shopped” the equity at educational institutional events. As recently as December, 8, 2008 won the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), which is the principal trade association for the software and digital content industry, “Most likely to Succeed” Award.
On 12-28-08 the Company signed a license agreement with Arizona State University to fully develop the on-line version of You’ve been Sentenced! In addition, the contract allows ASU to develop a fully educational version of the game for Interactive Whiteboards (often called SMART© boards) in the classroom. ASU will pay the Company 15% of all revenues generated from the sale of these software packages to educational institutions.
The company needs to support the continued momentum of the educational developments in it’s digital strategy while continuing operations of the physical products.
Use of Funds
(Mark, as per your requirements we would need the investment in June and you would see substantial progress before Christmas.)
The product is validated at market place. It just needs marketing to accelerate the rate of sale. Games, unlike toys, do not have an immediate emotional response from the consumer that a toy does. They are largely sold by the grassroots effort of one person in a circle of friends or family playing or recommending playing to another. The two ways people decide to buy a game then are: “I played a game with Joe and it was so much fun I want a copy for myself” or, “I heard “so and so” rave about how much they loved playing this game, so I am going to buy it.” To this end we will, depending on amount of funds raised, engage in these marketing/production efforts:
Recommendation /Testimonial from a major national radio talk show host. In 2004, Apples to Apples employed this strategy with Glen Beck and it proved to be the tipping point for them. After they accelerate their sales to 1 million units a year through this push they were bought by Mattel in August of 2007 for $25.1 Million. (http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6511062.html) We are already approved for Sean Hannity. We do not believe TV is effective for non-electronic games we believe they are sold more like a book.
Q4 2009 Price range: $650K – $1.25M
Considering that the majority of national radio talk show hosts have a political right leaning we would supplement the radio campaign with a print media campaign target to more left leaning readership, social commentary, Educational trade and life style magazines.
Q3 & Q4 Price range: $150k – $250K
Production, as always, we will source our production to the company that offers the best value and quality. We started with American production, but after the first 10,000 the company would not add in a plastic tray we were willing to have brought in from China. We always try to source in America first.
Q3 & Q4 Price range: $1.2M – 2.2M
Hire existing unpaid partner to run digital operation, with an option to hire more for paid subscription from both our educational digital product and our entertainment site.
Q2 – Annual $90K
EXIT STRATEGY
In the board game category, two very successful products are presently selling well, Cranium and Apples to Apples, see link above. Cranium entered the market in 1998 and Apples to Apples in 1999. Cranium quickly grew by word-of-mouth, primarily because they teamed up with Starbucks and had them in virtually every Starbucks store. Cranium sold its millionth game in about 4 years and has sold at least 1 million games each year thereafter. Cranium created 13 other games and had sales in 30 countries. Hasbro bought Cranium in early 2008 for approximately $77 million. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22508558/ )
Apples to Apples was launched by Out of The Box Publishing and has now hit sales of over a million copies a year for the past three years. They were sold to Mattel in 2007 for approximately $25 million.
These two acquisitions were added just a few weeks ago by Mattel (http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6630325.html?nid=3589 ) although the price remains private.
One factor is abundantly clear; Hasbro and Mattel both have a 30+ year history of buying external success in the non-electronic game arena. Games are seen as a portfolio stabilizer to offset the highly volatile toy market. The average age of a hot toy on a shelf today is less than 3 years, the average age of a game in the same store is 17 years. Many stalwarts have been on the shelf for over 50 years.
APPEDIX: DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Donald W. McNeill, Chairman and CEO, is the creator of the initial concept of the game You’ve been Sentenced!Ô and founder of McNeill Designs. Don is a former top producer in commercial printing sales in the Northeast for over 20 years. A graduate of West Virginia University (Political Science ’86). He is the chief motivator, playmaker and visionary for the McNeill Designs for Brighter Minds Team.
Martin Uniacke, President, is a toy and game industry sales professional for over 20 years and the #1 rep for TY Inc. during the Beanie Baby craze, bringing specialized knowledge of the toy, game, and gift industries. He assesses and develops the market strategies, structure, pricing, sales and distribution plans for new product rollouts. Martin oversees all sales and financial operations. A graduate of the University of Delaware, (BS: Business Administration/Marketing ’87.)
Rick Finkbeiner, Board of Directors, has over 30 years of general and financial management experience, the last 23 years in senior executive positions with several very high growth companies. Rick spent his first 12 years at Hallmark Cards. Since then he has held senior executive positions, primarily as CFO, for such high growth companies as Fox Photo, NordicTrack, Creative Computers and LeapFrog. He helped startup and grow uBid.com from pre-sales to a company that has sold over $1 billion in merchandise. He has an MS degree in applied mathematics from Michigan State University, an MBA from the University of Missouri and is a CPA.
Alan Levin, Board of Directors, is a pharmacy industry veteran and was formerly Chairman, President and CEO of Happy Harry’s, a leading regional drugstore chain of 76 stores with 2,700 employees. He previously served in the Delaware Department of Justice as a Deputy Attorney General and as Executive Assistant and counsel to United States Senator William V. Roth, Jr. Alan is a graduate of Tulane University and the Delaware Law School of Widener University.
Brian Maggio, Board of Directors, has 16 years of experience in consumer product sales and marketing, including being Director of Sales (Americas) for Cranium. Presently, he is a Principal at Revenew Sales and Market Development. Brian received his degree from Notre Dame University.
Sanford Sorkin, Board of Directors, is an expert in the computer software industry and is presently an instructor at Temple University where he is also the Chair of Computer Information Systems School Advisory Board. Sandy received his degree from the University of Pennsylvania – The Wharton School.
Lee Uniacke, Board of Directors, and brother to Martin Uniacke, has extensive experience in interactive media sales and online advertising. He is presently CRO and General Manager at Kongregate.com. He was formerly Vice President of Ad Sales for MTV Networks, Atom Entertainment. Prior to that held positions with Ziff Davis. Lee received his B.S. degree from the University of Delaware and his MBA from Temple University.
Comment by Donald McNeill — February 11, 2009 @ 4:53 pm
Mr. Cuban,
for quite sometime now I’ve had a dream of being a McDonald’s owner/operator and owning a McDonald’s franchise. I’d have job security for my family and myself, and create and few jobs for other people at the same time. Mcdonald’s has a simple cookie cutter business plan anyone can follow as long as they work at it. some of their franchising infromation can be found at: http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/mcdonalds/282570-0.html
or :
http://www.mcdonalds.com/corp/franchise/franchisinghome.html
thank you for considering my idea.
Comment by Butch — February 11, 2009 @ 4:57 pm
Mark,
Here’s another great working idea that would break even from day one. It’s not an original idea but its not done by any major nation wide company. There are thousands if not millions of aged wood fences that look bad but are structurally sound. Most Americans are mainly worried about the cosmetics. So rehabbing old wood fences Nation Wide is a huge business.
-You have the volume
-You have the want and need
-You have the money
-Lost overhead high returns annually
Many home owners, sellers, HOA, apartments, community fences, want it to look new but rather spend $3.50 a LF rather than $16.50 for a new. You can get free leads from fence companies or team up with them.
Avg. yard in Houston TX 300 LF times $3.50 a LF one side and most of the time the neighbor will also want theirs done so you charge them as well. 300×3.50=$1050.00 prep fence, stain it, and seal it.
Houston alone would yield at least 5,000 houses a year times $1050.00=$5,250,000 annual revenue minus overhead
The higher the volume the lower the overhead % the larger the profits. Currently there is no leader in the market you have a bunch of random home repair guys and handyman guys doing this.
The client can have a beautiful fence on their side while the cheap neighbor who won’t split to cost of a new fence gets to look at his/her gray old fence.
Brand new cedar fences gray in about 5-6 months. But you also have the option to have a brand new fence stained and sealed which will increase the original color as well as make it last longer.
Now if you we’re real smart once you got some real capital you’d make you own stain and sealer materials and never pay retail and sell your own product line and make even more money. Decks, fences, arbors, all and any wood structures outdoors.
There is not major leader in this industry State or nation wide. There are some that are small but it you took this to a larger scale you could have a franchise in every city and have one source with super rates that no one could beat.
When you dive around today look at fences that could use this at these affordable rates and then tell me there’s no market for this. There’s a very detailed process to doing this correctly to make it last so don;t just everyone run out today and thick this is super easy. It can be easy if you know proper installation otherwise your stain will be hold very long and you’ll have pissed off clients that will spread bad news about you ten fold and you’ll never get referrals or repeat which is key for growth in this market.
This should meet all your criteria I’ve got a more detailed B-Plan that has detailed numbers figures marketing who what when where and why. This has big time exponential growth potential with little OH and has a major sustainable market for years to come and further more could employee many Americans nation wide that don’t have higher educations which is the majority of Americans. So in my opinion its a win-win business solution.
Comment by Eric Dupre' — February 11, 2009 @ 4:58 pm
Mark,
I haven’t put together a business plan, and this definately doesnt fit within the parameters of your competition, but if this idea of open source funding really hits home with you, then I would suggest the following:
Given the number of great ideas that have popped up from this single post, it may be a good long term idea to establish a firm whose sole purpose is to identify and execute great business ideas. With the help of investors and existing and alternate streams of income, the firm would be able to fund the R&D and execution of great business ideas. By hiring the best minds in the world and soliciting the ideas of the public, a firm of this nature just might be a good idea. There are several companies who engage in activity like this now, but it isnt their core business.
Let me know what your thoughts are. Thanks for your time.
Comment by George E. — February 11, 2009 @ 5:05 pm
Here is my pitch which likely wouldn’t be a profitable business, but it would be low cost and high impact and could potentially change politics as we know it. Its impact on society would be much greater than any new small business you could fund. I think making a seperate blog to brainstorm the idea would be a good idea.
The idea is to create the most comprehensive website about important political issues and important politicians (I would start with congressmen). It would have a section on key issues (ie economic stimulus, financial bailout, etc) where qualified experts could post and it would link to expert opinions from other sites, etc. If you wanted to see every expert opinion on the stimulus, this would be the place to go. It would potentially place a particular emphasis on explaining the long-term impacts of various policy decisions, as one of the biggest problems our political system faces is that politicians are very short-term oriented. I believe we need a way to get experts to explain the long-term ramifications of issues and make this information more accessible to the average citizen.
More importantly, it would have a profile of every congressman, including how they voted, quotes, video of appearances, etc. It would also provide seperate sections for qualified experts and regular website users to discuss each politician’s positions, quotes, etc.
I am not sure how possible this is, but the best scenario would be for congress to require congressmen to post to this (or another website) why they voted a particualar way on every major bill, including comments on key parts of majors bills. I believe having this information tracked over a politicians career will result in them considering the long-term implications of their decisions a little more than they do now and merely forcing them to justify their positons will greatly enhance transparency.
Comment by Marc — February 11, 2009 @ 5:08 pm
Mark,
I think what your doing is great. I started my own cleaning business in 2005 and in 2007 I was able to quit my other job. It is nice being my own boss. I like this whole concept. Some poeple need a little help.
I lived in OK for most of my life and did not here of the mavs, but when we moved here I started watching them then you bought the team. I have always thought they were great. One of the places I lived was a place with a funny name Hominy Oklahoma.
Thanks for helping
Brenda White (Knox)
Comment by Brenda white maiden (Knox) — February 11, 2009 @ 5:10 pm
Mr. Cuban,
I have an idea that could help the economy recover and create a tool that we can use to stabilize the economy in the future. The American people do not understand that government spending truly cannot save the economy. It can only help begin the recovery process. The only people that can save the economy from the downward spiral are the middle income population and the industry that started the problem. Creating a non-profit that assists middle income families or individuals through mortgage payments and teaches financial responsibility to the masses can solve a significant part of our economic problem.
This idea can help many people while at the same time helping the banks shore up their balance sheets. It also creates a situation in which the middle class cumulatively pitches in to help one another. Not every person can be helped but if we can start by helping small percentages at a time then, little by little, we can overcome this economic crisis. Also by creating a system based on mortgage payments, we are effectively stimulating that particular family or individual because their mortgage payment should be based on their individualized debt-income ratio. This should give the beneficiary a stimulus package that truly works. Also since we would pay the mortgage directly to the lender, the banks would benefit. If the beneficiary chooses not to pay his or her payment that month we would ask if they could pay some other sort of debt they may have. Of course there are two other scenarios which are also beneficial to the economy. One would be that the beneficiary would save the money and/or the beneficiary would spend the money; either method helps the economy recover.
The last benefit of this non-profit would be that since we are filing to be a 501 (c)(3) the banks who contribute to the program would receive tax breaks. Finally the best thing to come out of this is that we would start a system that could be completely independent of government aid in the future and we can use as a tool later to avoid such a crisis, but I need help getting this started. I am a high school math teacher with very few connections and a good idea. Anything you can do to help the idea would greatly be appreciated and hopefully help the recovery process.
Sincerely,
Manuel Eric Herrera
Founder/President
Wepayurmortgage.com
Comment by manuel eric herrera — February 11, 2009 @ 5:12 pm
The basic idea of the company is to design equipment that will integrate into bridges and highway overpasses which automatically operate based on relative temperate. Essentially, when the system detects that the wind chill drops below 32 degrees, it will engage a heat source (in-laid coils, wiring, etc) that is laid within the entire bridge of overpass, and it will raise the temperature of the structure itself to a non-freezing temperature. This would prevent them from developing or accumulating ice, thus reducing traffic accidents and allowing for sand/salt trucks to focus on streets that need more assistance. One of the twists of this idea is to make the system entirely solar powered with a backup solar generator to provide more than enough power to operate the system for several days without sun.
The technology is out there already for solar power and related generators. The difficulty is the temperature system that will activate and deactivate the heat source. With the proper engineering team, a prototype could be developed and functional within 30 days. It could be test-marketed in DFW, even when the temperatures are not freezing. If all goes well and this system is implemented into all overpasses and bridges over time, other cities will want to take advantage of this equipment.
It is a green-focused measure in that it uses a solar energy and does not require the fuel that sand/salt trucks use. Fewer emissions, less fuel consumption, better utilization of those resources to assist other streets…it is a potentially life-saving system.
Comment by Nathan — February 11, 2009 @ 5:12 pm
Hello Mr. Cuban, my old friend…
Remember the good old AVSforum days?
Anyway here is my business plan, based on taking advantage of the world famous King of Prussia mall:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dd4grzs6_0gz7dzmdn
Comment by Shashank Anumula — February 11, 2009 @ 5:14 pm
[...] are here. Among the rules are that the business plan will be public, and you have to work [...]
Pingback by A real stimulus plan « Arkansas Property News — February 11, 2009 @ 5:18 pm
Mark,
In regards to my prior comment I realized that I forgot to include my email address-please contact me at mmoretti@usc.edu if you are interested in hearing more about the idea-I have a whole slew of plans that I think we could make work.
Matt
Comment by Matt — February 11, 2009 @ 5:22 pm
(posted earlier on firefox browser, but never showed up on the blog. this is a repost)
Mark,
My name is Sam Clymer, and I believe that our concept, which is already in existence, would be something of great interest to you. We might even be one of the only businesses you will find on your blog that is designed to THRIVE in today’s economy. Here goes…
With things in the condition they are in today, the everyday citizen can no longer justify the spending of their hard-earned money on optional products, services or entertainment. This is even more the case when it comes to new parents. There are just so many needs that a new child has that cannot be sacrificed, placing even greater stress on the family.
One of the most frustrating expenses that will occur with every new child is that of clothing. This is simply because of the rate at which a young child grows, especially in the first couple of years. So often, parents are forced into buying items that will only be worn for a short period of time, only to become useless and, at best, be of little value at your local garage sale. Many new families combat this expense by attempting to shop at discount retailers (Wal-Mart/Target), as well as at their local children’s consignment stores. Unfortunately, discount retailers provide clothing that most parents will tell you is of poor craftsmanship, and consignment stores are only able to offer a limited selection of heavily worn items. Either way, the joy of shopping is sacrificed for the good of the family budget.
This is where my father and I came up with our idea. It’s called The Kidz Outlet, and its first store is currently up and active in Lexington, Kentucky. Please don’t let our name fool you, as we are much more than just an “outlet-styled” store. First and foremost, we are very much like a mini “Marshall’s/TJ MAXX” for kids. Everything in our store comes in brand new, and are comprised of the same high-quality, name-brand merchandise that you would find at your local “big-name” department stores. Every single item in our store is priced at 50-80% off retail, everyday of the year. This already makes us an affordable option for parents, any day of the year. But we wanted to go further, and we found a way with “The Kidz Closet Club”. Let me explain…
“The Kidz Closet Club” is an innovative program we designed to separate us from the competition. We also designed it to give back to the community. It allows us to provide UNLIMITED, high-quality clothing to parents at pricing well below what they would spend in a consignment store! The formula we us is based on the same system “Netflix” uses, which as you may already know, is the very popular mail-order DVD company. Our “club” is a non-contract, month-to-month membership program that members can modify (upgrade/downgrade) or cancel at anytime, making it pressure free. How it works is pretty simple. Members don’t own the clothing…they simply borrow what they want/need, and exchange these items for newer/different ones whenever they want. And just like “Netflix”, they can keep items as long as they wish with no late fees, but can also exchange them as often as they want as well. All they have to remember is to have their membership fees paid on time every month, and that’s it. Parents have their choice from four available membership plans, each having a threshold that limits the parents as to how much they can have checked out of our store at any one time. Our lowest plan, the “Basic” is for only $19.95/mo, and lets the parent/member have up to $150.00-worth of clothing checked out at any one time. What’s amazing is that if they swapped their clothing items often enough, they could easily exceed $1000.00-worth of clothing in one month, all without spending anything more than their original $19.95! When the items are returned to the store by the member, they are actually placed back on the floor, barring that they are in good condition. These previously used items now have a specially-designed sales tag (red-colored) alerting all members as well as our everyday shoppers that the item they are looking at has had previous usage. The item though, is still available for re-rental or for sale, but now at a CONSIGNMENT-level price. This helps us unload the lightly used items to replace them with newer ones.
Now, you obviously would want to know how this makes profit. It is all in how we purchase. We have standing contracts with major players in the retail industry that allow us access to seasonal changes from department stores that we all have shopped at in our local malls. We usually purchase our product at a price of around 10-15% of the items original retail values (we usually sell most items for 50% off original retail, just so you see the numbers here…). This allows us to price our clothing/toys in such a way that we can cut products to the bone and still make great profits. Using the club program, a member (based on what I have witnessed so far) keeps the items on average for about 2 months. This means, while these items are out, I am not only receiving membership dues on items they don’t own, I also get these items back to sell at a market-consignment price of about 20-30% of the item’s original retail value. So in perfect theory, we continue to make the same amount we would have on the items if they had sold at our usual 50%-off prices, but are now able to provide so much more to the customer than before.
Let us not forget to mention that we also have a specially customized Point-Of-Sale system that you more than likely will not find at your local “Best Buy” store! This took many months to design, since it requires a lot of customization to manage each person’s account and to track what items they have out, etc… Too much to explain on your blog without losing your attention, but would be happy to explain it in further detail to you any time.
In closing, we feel that this not only answers your request for creating jobs for people, but also helps provide some relief for the everyday family that has no other reasonable choice with their children. This gives EVERY family of EVERY income the chance to clothe their child in new, high-quality clothing for less than they would spend anywhere else!
Our request to you is this: We know that with our first store (4000 SQ/good traffic area), we can without a doubt meet your 60/90-day expectations. This is because we are not only already up and running, but have a great start in owned inventory, etc… What we need is a boost to aggressively improve our marketing (which to this day we have only spent a total of a few thousand dollars on…), maintain the proper amount of staff (we, the owners, work 7 days a week right now…), and to maintain payments on our warehouse facility, where our merchandise is prepared.
We also feel that this would be best designed as a two step program with you, should you decide to help us. We want to first focus on finishing proving out our concept for 90 days with a smaller investment ($150,000/10% equity to you), then reconviene with you at the end of the 3 months to discuss a possible expansion to a much larger level, with an equity level and other terms to be negotiated.
This is a win/win for so many people. We hope you feel the same. Thanks for your time Mark.
Comment by Sam Clymer — February 11, 2009 @ 5:23 pm
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