10 Worst Business Opportunities for 2010

The Ten Worst Business Opportunities of 2010 (…or maybe of all time)
By Steve Goodman

There can be no doubt that the first decade of the 21st century has brought with it a new age of entrepreneurialism. Despite a global economic downturn, small business start-ups are still at an all time high and home-based businesses abound. In fact according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Small Business Characteristic Report there are over 900,000 home-based businesses in Australia, making up some 70 percent of all small businesses in the country.

With the year drawing to a close, chances are you have thought about starting your own business at least once within the last year. At the very least you may have actually considered looking further into one of the countless “business opportunities” in your e-mail, on billboards, or late-night TV ads that have been thrust upon you over the past 12 months. So we here at Business Matters figured it was a good time to offer you, with our tongue thrust firmly in cheek, our list of 10 Worst Business Opportunities. The list appears in no particular order – some are real, and others are just really bad ideas. We will let you decide which is which.  

The Human Billboard   Just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be any place left to sell advertising space, one Andrew Fischer has taken to selling ad space on his oversized forehead. And people are buying. According to his website HumanAdspace.com he has earned over $5000.00 with, “this space for hire” between his brows and impressive widow’s peak.  
 
Used Pet Toys   Tired of paying full price for a brand-new doggie bone for Fifi, or catnip mouse for Kitty? Usedpettoys.com has been pitched as a cross between Pets.com and eBay – where people can log on and bid on, “quality pre-owned pet toys and pet products.” Perhaps these would-be entrepreneurs need to be reminded that the actual Pets.com went belly up and the ubiquitous “sock puppet” has been seen on the unemployment lines.

Guided Tour Business At Chernobyl For a fee, tourists can be given a behind-the-scenes guided tour of the still radio-active site of the world’s worst known nuclear disaster. The tour comes complete with your own HAZMAT suit, respirator, and radiation detection gauge.

The Mel Gibson Diversity and Anger Management Center  Probably the worst idea for a franchise to come down the pike in recent years, unless of course you consider the Lindsey Lohan/Paris Hilton Driving School.  

Kangaroo Poo   The True Roo Poo Company sells jars of this truly unique Australian product that according to the company’s website, comes direct from the source, is untouched by human hands, and is, “100 percent unleaded, organic, recycled and biodegradable. No additives and no preservatives just pure essence of kangaroo.”

Toys “R” Dangerous   Just in time for the holiday season an exclusive toy retailer that imports 100 percent of its toys from China.

No Show Thong   In 2004 an Aussie entrepreneur invented the “backless G-string.” Tired of her sexy undies poking out of her pants, she came up with the idea of the “no see” G-string that replaces the back with two bra-style straps that go under each “cheek” that is guaranteed to stay in place for a look that is “barely there.”   

Doggie Drizabones   The “Drizabone” is the traditional “long rider” style oilskin coat worn by Australian stockmen and is part of Australia’s proud history. It was adopted by the early Australian settlers from the wet weather gear worn by sailors – and now your doggie can wear one too!

Roadkill Collection Service  It’s a dirty job but someone’s got to do it – but do you really want it to be you?  Roadkill collectors not only have the exciting job of scraping and peeling the decaying remains of dead creatures off the road, they also get to do it while dodging 18–wheelers.
And finally… any “business opportunity” that promises you will:
Make money in your sleep, make over $10,000.00 your first month working only two hours a day; or begs you to “act now,” before it’s too late.

Let’s get serious for a moment. If you are considering starting a business, you should be looking at a genuine problem faced by large numbers of businesses or individuals that needs solving. You should be thinking about something that serves a significant and genuine need in the market that you have discovered by meticulous and thoughtful research. Your approach, skills, or capabilities should allow you to serve this need better than anyone else. If you mention your idea to others and they immediately seem intrigued and say, “you are on to something,” – you very well may be.    

If on the other hand, when you discuss your idea with folks from the target market for your product or service, and you are treated to an embarrassing silence or they are politely direct and tell you, “that is the worst business idea I have ever heard,” you might just end up on next year’s list.

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