99 Businesses For RetireesPage 2 of 4If you have a tip, idea or article to share, please email us. Some of the links listed below will take you to our message forums where you can post your questions. 01 - SHUTTLE SERVICE. Use your van to pick up and deliver
commuters in cities. Save your customers the cost of a second
car or risk of leaving their vehicles untended in parking lots.
02 - COIN SEARCHING. Buy rolls of coins from banks (whatever
denomination you can afford). Search for coins worth over face
value. Keep these, replace with "regular" coins and trade in.
03 - SEED PACKETS. Collect and label packets of selected wild
flowers native to your area. Include picture, instructions and
folklore on each package. Advertise in garden magazines.
04 - CROSSWORD PUZZLES. Construct crossword puzzles for local
(then larger) markets; Offer variety of subjects, themes and
sizes and subjects in different degrees of difficulty.
05 - GENEALOGY.
Trace and document family archives. Provide full
records to descendants. Offer a package service based on routine
checks of information provided by clients.
06 - FLEA MARKET. Set up and manage a flea market at your (own
or rented) location. Charge for spaces and booths, sell drinks
and snacks. Advertise, provide parking and protection.
07 - GRAPHOANALYSIS. Upon completion of training, offer your
services as a handwriting analyst to individuals, law
enforcement agencies and attorneys from your office or by mail.
08 - LEATHER HARNESS REPAIR. Specialize in the repair of leather
harness and tack (in areas with horses). Go to shows and list
with tack stores and advertise in horse publications.
09 - SLIDE SHOWS. With your slides and equipment, offer a
selection of narrated presentations to interested groups (PTA,
church groups, clubs). Mail ads to prospective customer groups.
10 - MUSIC BOXES. Assemble, finish and install music works in
standard models and your own unique music box creations. Sell
through ads and displays and to local and catalog stores.
11 - SEMINAR PROMOTION. Conduct business or learning seminars in
your area of expertise or hire experts to cover virtually any
subject. Lease the hall, promote, sell tickets and snacks.
12 - UMPIRING.
Work as an umpire for little league, company or
institution teams (any non-professional sports). If necessary,
start as a volunteer for experience. Move up when qualified.
13 - ARROWHEADS. Collect and make (with deer horn and leather
glove) Indian arrowheads for hobbyists, displays and
demonstrations. Give lectures, presentations, hold classes.
14 - PET PHOTOGRAPHY. Specialize in pet portraits: in their
home, your studio or in a "natural" setting. Go to dog shows and
take pictures of all willing subjects (the losers too!).
15 - NATURE'S PRODUCTS. When in an area with wild products
(hickory nuts, maple syrup) that you can harvest, do so! Make
sure to clear with health regulations in your area first.
16 - FLEA MARKET BOOTH. Buy one or more categories of
merchandise from close-out suppliers and operate a flea market
booth. Keep stock safe in a van and drive to and from the
business.
17 - REAL PEOPLE DOLLS. Make and dress doll representations of
real people (heroes, historical, client/client's kids). Include
info card; present in attractive glass display boxes.
18 - GAZEBOS. Build, sell, deliver and install standard and
custom gazebos. Design some to sell as do-it-yourself kits,
which can either be picked up or delivered to the customer.
19 - ADULT DAY CARE CENTER. Operate a center to look after
elderly and/or handicapped people. Offer TLC, refreshments,
games activities and assistance, but not "health care".
20 - NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS. Compile, publish and distribute a
neighborhood newspaper with local news and opinions. Include
lots of names (balance required), sell copies and ads.
21 - DRIVING SERVICE. Drive other people's cars for them: drive
second car to their new home, be their vacation driver, deliver
car/truck/RV to them at the station and take the bus home.
22 - OPINION SAMPLING. Contract to conduct opinion polls in your
area - by phone, door-to-door, or on the street. Work with
businesses, media, list with an ad agency, or just place ads.
23 - BOOKBINDING. Set up a bookbinding and book repair service
in your shop. Advertise and list your service with libraries,
bookstores, printers, schools, literary clubs, collectors.
24 - WOOD NOVELTIES. In your wood shop, make whirl-i-birds,
small cabinets, and novelties to sell at flea markets, wholesale
to local stores and sales through mail order catalogs.
25 - GREETING CARD MAKING. Design and print (have printed)
standard and custom greeting and all occasion cards. Include
personalized, area, school and "company" oriented versions.
26 - CRAFTS INSTRUCTION. In your own craft shop (or the public
library), conduct do-it-yourself craft courses and projects for
pupils. Don't overlook special projects just for children.
27 - ELDERLY TRANSPORT. Provide scheduled "taxi" service for
elderly and/or handicapped. Run regular daily routes with side
trips and shopping "sprees" in between scheduled runs.
28 - PASTE CRAFT. Glue unusual fabrics onto hard surfaces
(trays, dishes) to sell in craft shops. Sell finished items and
also the materials. Teach the art and sell do-it-yourself kits.
29 - FIREWORKS. Put up a lockable stand and big sign in a
prominent (legal) area. Sell fireworks in season and lease the
booth and BACK of the sign between fireworks seasons.
30-APPRAISALS, HOME. Make official residential appraisals for
home owners who want to sell, insurance companies, lending
institutions and prospective buyers. Give written certificates.
31 - BALLOON STAND. Set up your booth or table with an air tank
(helium) and supply of balloons and accessories. Display and
sell them at parades, fairs, flea markets, wherever kids are!
32 - HOME HANDYMAN. Perform handyman services for those who
can't or don't have time. Make it clear what you do and get paid
for your time, not fixing things. Save customers money!
33- REPORTING, LOCAL. Gather information and write items about
your neighborhood, club or town for your home town paper. Make
your articles interesting to potential readers in the area. <<-Back | Next->> |
