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Discovered! 505
Odd Enterprises

Hidden Dollars

How to Make
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Small Business
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You Can Own
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Enthused over the success of his first stand, his wife prevailed upon him to open a second shop. Finally, Henry found a small room on the second floor of an industrial building which was almost entirely devoted to the printing trade. 120 people were employed by just one typesetting company in the building, and a printing establishment using two stories had 600 workers. Immediate success met his efforts in this location. "The workers patronized us because we were convenient and gave them a satisfying sandwich." Often he had orders from errand boys and office boys for 15 and 20 hamburgers which they took back to their offices for those who did not wish to go out to lunch.

Henry found that he could get 30 per cent of the people in each building to patronize him and it wasn't long before he had his third hamburger shop established.

There were no tables in any of Henry's stands or shops. It was a cash-and-carry business, so to speak. Such a business could be established in other large cities. In addition to sandwiches, small pies and other specialties could be stocked. It will not be amiss to point out again that any business which is out of the ordinary has less competition to contend with.

TRAVELING STENO—2
Possessing a dictaphone, an ingenious typist called upon various business firms and loaned them his recording instrument for dictating business letters. He picked up the dictaphone and records later and transcribed the letters on the firms' stationery and collected his fee. He obtained all the work he could handle and the plan worked out well for his clients. The business men used their spare moments for dictating and the young typist did his transcriptions at home. For the white-collar worker (typist) who wants to be his own boss, this is an ideal home business.

RENT YOUR CRUTCHES—3
In a little sea-side town in California, a woman converted her modest bungalow into a paying, business establishment, and it is unlike anything ever seen anywhere else in these United States of America. She called it "Household Rental Shop." Newcomers who have taken partly-furnished houses for the vacation season often find that their household necessities shipped from the East have not arrived. No crib for the baby, no baby carriage, no electric iron, carpet sweeper, sewing-machine, or anyone of a dozen utensils urgently needed. Then again, someone in the family may have a sprained ankle and be in need of crutches. Worried, the new arrivals call up an acquaintance to tell of their plight, and are informed of the "Rental Shop" where they can rent most anything.

In the "Rental Shop" they will find about every article they need. To mention a few of them: Sewing machines, dress forms, typewriters, phonographs, radios, electric irons, vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, baby buggies, go-carts, high chairs, toys, extra wheels for the buggies, pianos, refrigerators, dresses, beds, cots, reading lamps, electric, gas and oil heaters, wheel chairs…and even crutches. This unusual business started with a couple of sewing machines. At first she rented only sewing machines but one day she said to a neighbor: "My baby is getting to be a big girl and has outgrown her crib." The neighbor lady then suggested: "Why don't you rent the crib to me? She did. Soon other neighbors who had babies wanted to rent cribs. So she started to buy cribs until she had sixteen of them. Before long she was stocking baby carriages and by this time a number of people had formed the habit of telephoning or coming to see her whenever they needed something extra in the home.

Whatever they called for she would buy if she didn't already have it. In a short time she was forced to add a large room to her house to accommodate her increasing stock and growing business. Most of the trade, however, came from the summer vacationists and transient residents, although a surprising number of permanent residents depended upon the "Rental Shop" in emergencies for house parties and the like. She also supplied china and silver ware for social affairs. Another popular, and profitable, service was provided in the use of her sewing machines at a cost of only 25¢ an hour to the customer. Thus this would meet the needs of those who might have too small a sewing job or too short a stay to bother with placing the things in their houses.

This fortunate woman maintained that she thoroughly enjoyed her business venture and that it enabled her to support her family well and make some investments, not to mention educating her two children. Her successful experience is "food for thought" for other women seeking new ways of supporting themselves or increasing the family income. This type of business should work out as well in other communities of the country. In larger cities, apartment house people would be excellent prospects for such a service.

THE "OLD WOMAN IN A SHOE"—4-12
Quaint as a Mother Goose Rhyme, a gargantuan shoe housing a roadside restaurant, in a small western city, attracts the attention of all travelers. The old woman who lived in the shoe would have been quite cozy in this stuccoed concrete building, with its two-inch rope laced across the top like a shoe string. The unusual effect is enhanced by the rustic window casements, crooked stove pipes and nursery rhyme figures.

The same novel type of stand to attract business is that of a roadside set-up head-lining ice cream—the structure itself resembling a tremendous ice cream freezer, with a real handle on it that turns by means of a motor. It takes motion to capture attention.

In some Southwestern states there are many stands erected in the form of big Indian wigwams or teepees. Another stand takes the shape of a large hot dog. In an Eastern city, a successful place selling ice cream, buttermilk, and other such dairy products, has been built in the form of a huge milk can. Others are formed to represent barrels in the sale of root beer or sweet cider, and have proven successful, while other nearby ordinary stands have been failures.

A highly specialized technique in selling tamales is the tamale-shaped cafe in Los Angeles, and a nearby barbecue stand serves its customers from the interior of a huge, cement-fashioned suckling pig. Then there is one place where a cute puppy shapes out the cafe selling hot dogs.

The type of stands mentioned herein seldom cost any more to construct than the ordinary kind, and they have a definite publicity value. Ordinary stands do not always attract motorists but the unusual—the different—are bound to get attention.

COME TO THE "STABLE" FOR A GALLOP AND DINNER—13
If you've had any experience with horses, here's a money-making idea of the first magnitude. What was once an old farm near Chicago was transformed into a successful riding academy, not the conventional type, however. The owner converted the farmhouse into an inn and the barns into stables and purchased a few riding or saddle horses. It is different from the rest of the rental stables in that farm-style, cooked dinners are provided at the Inn. Many young folks prefer this particular stable for a gallop and dinner. A similar enterprise should prove profitable and even more so if a "chain" of such riding academies were developed.

OUTDOOR "CAMERA RENTAL" STAND—14
A young man, fresh out of school, started a novel enterprise that proved successful. He set himself up at the entrance to a popular picnic grove with several cheap cameras which he had purchased, and rented them out. He charged a nominal fee for rental, and a deposit was required on each camera. His profits were increased by adding rolls of film to his stock. The overhead in such a business undertaking is very negligible, and such a service is really desired and appreciated by those served. In conducting a similar service, other items might be added to help the profits along. Perhaps you can recall the times when you wanted a camera at some particular resort or outing, to take outdoor shots of the scenery or the picnic gang. Regardless of where you live, there are plenty of parks to operate in, also picnic groves, canyons, etc.

BETTER TO RENT THAN BUY — SOMETIMES—15
The first luggage-rental-service started in the United States is credited to the foresight of a young Chicagoan who tired of his father's contracting business. Vacationists in Chicago were urged through folders he had distributed to them ("Rent Your Luggage") to ask travel agencies about the service. He made arrangements with all agencies to pay them a 25 per cent commission. This business idea came to the originator through observation. While browsing around a big Chicago department store he noticed that many people stopped to admire the expensive luggage displayed, but few bought. So it occurred to him that since luggage was used mostly during holidays, vacationers might want to rent smart luggage that they couldn't afford to purchase outright.

He wondered why no-one thought of renting it. He succeeded in convincing many travel agencies that if people could save money on luggage they would have that much more to spend on fares. So he stocked up on luggage, which was purchased wholesale. Renting it at from $1.25 up for two week periods, with the privilege of applying the rental charge to the purchase price, he served nearly a hundred customers the first month.

Keen observation and imagination brought success to this young man as we have seen. It is true that vacation trips for the average person are few and far between. However there comes a time in every person's life when that "special trip" materializes and it is then when good luggage and plenty of it is needed. With a little advertising a similar service might be developed in any community.

HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL WHILE IN THE "RED"—16
A hotel owner's restaurant trade needed expansion. He had to hire more waitresses for his increasing trade. He had, two and needed two more.

His newspaper advertisement brought thirty applicants. Six of the thirty girls happened to have red hair, just like the two waitresses already in his employ. A sudden idea came to him. Why not hire two more red-headed waitresses and capitalize on the idea with some valuable free publicity!

The four red tops soon became the talk of the town, just as the hotel owner predicted. But he went further than that. The inside of the restaurant was redecorated to match the girls' hair. People came to eat here who wouldn't have thought of coming here before.

The "red top" idea could be improved in your own city. Red and white dishes, red and white table cloths, red flowers, red sign outside advertising the place, even the store front could be painted red.

MOTHER'S HELPER—17
This idea proved a winner. Dolores, wife of a Minneapolis salesman, was irked over the difficulty of getting girls she could trust with her children, and to her friend, Marion, she suggested: "Let's open a school and train girls to be helpers to their mothers." Action followed the thought and they mapped out a course of instructions which revealed how to give baby a bath, how to prepare feeding formulas and so on. Ten applicants were selected for a month's training of three two-hour classes a week for $5. When the month ended the two instructors found jobs for all their graduates, taking 20 per cent of each first week's salary. Today, Mother's Helper is a recognized institution. It should be evident by this time to the reader that out-of-the-ordinary plans will work for women also if they will use their own originality, their own carefully-planned ideas, as did the two women who originated Mother's Helper service.

ROSE CANDY—18-19
Selling candy is nothing new, but when a standard confection like candy is "twisted" around a bit, then you don't have to be the proprietor of an established Sweet Shop to make money selling candy.

A woman named Rose made ordinary candy at home, until she thought of the idea of selling "candied roses". This unusual confection blossomed out into a product that was in great demand at banquets, anniversaries, birthday parties, etc.

Take any product, specialize it, and one has the distinction of being known as THE person from which to buy the particular specialty needed.

MAGAZINE READING ROOM—20
Newsstands seem to have much difficulty with people who regard them as public libraries. They stand there for interminable lengths of time looking through publications they have no intention of buying. Public libraries' magazine reading rooms are always well filled with patrons, but their supply of material is usually not complete. This situation opens the door of opportunity to a commercial enterprise that would provide magazine reading rooms, completely stocked, to the public. Such a place could be operated as follows:

(1) A store stocked with every available publication should be furnished with convenient and comfortable tables and chair, and good lighting for its patrons. (2) A change-maker and turnstile admitting customers for a dime would both admit the customers and keep a check on the numbers admitted, thus making chain management possible. For a charge of 10¢, or maybe 15¢, several dollars worth of material could be read. Due to this self-service, the cost of operation is comparatively negligible. A good sized magazine reading room in a well-populated neighborhood should give the local moving picture house quite a bit of competition.

$20 per day could be easily grossed even in a modest neighborhood. About 200 leading magazines, costing approximately $400 for yearly subscriptions, would be needed to stock this store. Think of the pulling power of such a place. One could read such expensive publications as Esquire and Fortune, and also Time, Life, Physical Culture, Readers' Digest, Pic and other such pictorials, the pulps, etc. all for just ten or fifteen cents. This idea is ripe for promotion and many will probably cash in on it.

$54 PROFIT ON A PAIR OF SWANS—21-22
An original investment of $65 for the first pair of swans started a business that brought $54 for a pair of swans to a man who at first thought he would use the beautiful birds for ornamental purposes. $30 was spent for fencing and the business was on its way to financial success.

The man was a farmer from Wisconsin who had sixty acres of land not suitable for farming. The land had a large pond at one end and a shallow creek running through it. This was an ideal set-up for swans.

All he had to do was read up on the swan's habits in a book he secured from the public library. He found them to be affectionate birds. Both stay close to "home," prefer to be by themselves, and lay in March, April and May.

This and more data brought a brook of seven baby swans, and by the end of summer he had 18 of them. He found they were easier to raise then chickens or turkeys, and brought higher prices. Eight pair of immature swans sold at $70 per pair. A total of 150 pairs of swan, sold at an average of $60 per pair, were raised by this man in only thirty months.

From swans he changed to raising peacocks. The latter brought higher prices than the swans. However, the peacock was a hardy bird. He refused to sleep in the coop and needed to be kept in by a high fence circling his living space. These birds like trees and other high places in which to roost. This man received $95 per pair of peacocks, and sold 76 pair at this price during one year.

Dogs and other small animals should be kept away from swans and peacocks as they frighten them and keep them from laying. As both of these birds mate for life, they should be chosen with care as to the proper mate. Birds thus mated should never be broken up. This Wisconsin farmer probably cleared $830 per month from the sale of both peacock and swan.

According to this man's figures the cost of raising a swan is about $3 and the peacock around $3.25, which is indeed an inexpensive price to pay for the high price they bring on the market.

There are many farms who may try this man's idea and meet with the same success he has. Peacocks and swans have a ready market at public and private institutions, universities and large estates. Other ornamental birds, such as Chinese Mandarin duck and Pearl Guinea fowl, may be raised along with the swans and peacocks.

FRESH OPPORTUNITIES IN MEXICO—23
Mexico looks to the American, insofar as progress is concerned. They value the American's ingenuity. So much that they are willing to offer lasting friendship and genuine hospitality to any business venture founded in Mexico by an American.

An American who loved to hunt in Mexico soon found that the neighboring country is a land of opportunity, ready to unlock its friendship and wealth to anyone who respects value and gives it out in return.

Thus was the start of a soda fountain in Mexico by an American sports enthusiast. Mexicans took to the soda fountain with enthusiastic fervor. Malts were their specialty. The American was on his way.

Today this man conducts a huge restaurant patronized by business men, diplomats, beautiful senoritas, etc. Many of the wealthy stop by to get a banana split at the huge soda fountain.

The first soda fountain was a small but paying affair, yet soon after the American turned the dilapidated House Of Tiles into the largest combination restaurant-drug store-fountain in Mexico. He used clever promotional tactics. Everyone coming to his restaurant would receive a white carnation. It was easy to see the many people who had dined in this restaurant. It was good advertising, too. "Meet me at Frank's" was the pass-word for a western hemispheric friendship club.

The restaurant, however, is no ordinary affair. A tiled, glass patio feeds as many as 3,700 people a day. At breakfast Frank serves his special blend of coffee, strawberries and, of course, the usual carnations. His drug department is noted as one of the best in all Mexico. Pharmacists customarily paid doctors 15 percent commission on prescriptions. Druggists were skimping on quality. Frank refused to pay commissions but guaranteed the quality of their drugs. He also inaugurated Mexico's first quick delivery service whereby many lives were saved.

This man is definitely set on the future of Mexico. He is firm in the belief that the people are glad to trade their wealth and friendship to any person who is sincere about the business he establishes in this country.

TAKE A CRUISE ON AN ICEBOAT—24
Few of the great population of the United States, and especially the younger generation, have enjoyed the wholesome recreation offered by sailboating and iceboating. The main reason has been due to the high cost of this sport. He would be a rare boy, among boys, who wouldn't eagerly pay for the privilege of taking a ride in a sailboat or iceboat.

It has been demonstrated by amusement parks and the carnival industry that the American public is enthusiastic over rides of all kinds. The operation of sailing ships for short pleasure cruises would intrigue the public, and this gives rise to the thought that fleets of small sailboats on an hourly rental basis (in the same manner as canoes and rowboats) would make the sailing sport available to all. In connection with this rental, sailing instructions might be offered.

During winter months, iceboats could be used in place of sailboats. In instances where a group of people—a party—didn't know anything about operating a boat, expert sailors could be employed as instructors. High school or college boys, for that matter, could be trained as instructors or navigators. Large sailboats accommodating fifty passengers could be rented in the same manner as the usual launch.

This idea suggests that there is a big, unexploited field that can be developed. Grade and high-school students are excellent prospects for these sports, as well as the not-too-old people. Painted differently, a fleet of ice-boats or sailboats should be outstanding attractions at resorts.

CHAIN TYPING STORE—25
Today we have chains of meat markets, grocery stores, dry cleaners, shoe stores, chain florists, chain this and chain that. You know all about these, but have you heard about "chain typing stores"? No, the idea isn't preposterous, because one enterprising young woman in Michigan made a go of a chain of 12 typing stores from which she received handsome profits. Moreover, she did not have to include the item of rent in her overhead. Here's how it started: She called on shopkeepers in her locality and asked them to give her enough window-space to insert cards with lettering to the effect that typing was done in that store. The lettering was large and attracted attention. All the work to be typed that was submitted to the shopkeeper was typed by her and she paid the merchant a 20 per cent commission for serving as her "agent." It was not difficult to find merchants willing to cooperate because in addition to bringing them an extra income, it allowed them to supply an extra service to their patrons. She had no difficulty in getting a dozen agencies in stores throughout the locality, and she also received work directly from persons in business and those residing in her neighborhood. Usual typing prices were charged. This extraordinary chain enterprise could doubtlessly be worked in other cities by acting as promoter and hiring a few girls to do the typing. This woman claimed that at times she grossed as much as $260 per month.

GOLD ORE FREE!—26
While browsing through this book, you might wonder about opportunities for those who live in isolated parts of the country, in small villages and hamlets, on farms, ranches, or mines far back in the mountains. Such a location is no barrier to making money. No-one who is able to send out and receive mail is isolated or cut off from the markets. Some of the stories appearing throughout this book show that there are opportunities for profitable home industries in about every locality, even the most remote, if the vision and imagination is there to discover and capitalize on them. This is further demonstrated by the following instance:

A miner, past 60, who had been following the hard-rock mining business all of his life was finding it difficult to make ends meet. He was unemployable because of his physical handicaps (sillicosis and the after-effects of a premature explosion). Old age pension wouldn't start until he was 65. He didn't want to accept charity until he was compelled to do so. In short, he was "up against it." He had lived high up in the mountains, away from civilization, all his life and was reluctant to make a change. He had a comfortable cabin there, and also a small mine in which he had put his life's savings. He kept up the assessment work and did what he could, always holding on to it and hoping that the next blast would uncover the rich mineral he was certain was there somewhere. He was a competent mineralogist.

One day the thought occurred to him that perhaps many thousands of people might be interested in collecting minerals as a hobby. He determined to find out by placing small advertisements in the classified sections of several small magazines devoted to hobbies and societies of collectors. He made up a small souvenir box containing six specimens of gold ore from different mines in his vicinity, together with a little leaflet of interesting information about gold discoveries in his state. These found a ready market to souvenir and gift shops, and sold from the small magazine advertisements. He sold them at 25¢ and 50¢ each and there was a waiting market for all he could produce.

Now he decided to expand a little by gathering a quantity of other minerals which would be of interest to collectors. As the district in which he lived was highly mineralized he was able to obtain nearly a hundred different kinds of minerals, some of them common, others rare and valuable. Due to his wide acquaintance and experience he was able to get hundred pound lots for very little more than the trouble of gathering the specimens.

One way he found of reaching prospective customers and collectors was to offer a small specimen of gold ore free to anyone who would write and enclose a 3¢ stamp. Inquiries came in an abundance, and he was able to break even, the 3¢ stamp paid for the advertising and the expense of sending out the small gold ore specimen and price list of other specimens and materials which were mailed on the 1 1-2¢ postage rate. Some customers purchased up to ten dollars worth of minerals, and his net income was around $50 to $75 a month which caused him to forget about old age pensions. According to last reports, he had new ideas for increasing his business and started to sell several small booklets of interest to mineral collectors, as well as subscriptions to hobby magazines of interest to mineral collectors.

Samples of gold ore could be given as a premium in many other business enterprises. Few things have greater appeal than gold. The little business of the miner mentioned herein probably could be worked as a sideline in the same way or in connection with another line of merchandise provided you had a fair knowledge of mineral collecting.

COFFEE BAR—27-28
In search of a better climate for his health, several years ago, a young man drove to a large city in Florida. It so happened that he was a connoisseur of good coffee and he knew how to make it. He went to all the restaurants, refreshment stands and hotels and the coffee simply didn't measure up to his idea of what really good coffee should be. It was then that he decided to open a Coffee Bar. His menu featured the best cup of coffee that money could buy, at only 5¢ per cup, and just two different varieties of sandwiches. He advertised his place as "the best cup of coffee in town." No cookies, cakes, pies or ham-and-eggs were sold—only coffee with the sandwiches carried as an accommodation only, and not advertised.

At first people were dubious, but the ones who did patronize him were soon back with friends to prove to them how good the coffee was. It became a happy custom to work on all newcomers, telling them they could find a place in this locality where they could get the very best cup of coffee they had ever tasted. The seating capacity of the Coffee Bar was only 12 and the owner would not add to it. He defended his position with: "I don't want a big place with a lot of overhead. The customers really like it this way because it is cozy and different from the average restaurant."

People did like it as it was. Often they stood four deep in line for his tasty beverage. Some would even eat their meals over at the hotels but come to his place for their coffee. Once his reputation was made, he kept right on serving up the same quality, using the same methods, and thus guaranteeing the same cup of coffee on which his reputation was based. His coffee was made from berries he personally bought, blended, and ground freshly for each brew. Immaculate cleanliness characterized both the surroundings and the employer and his assistant, both of them outfitted in white. Quiet service without the usual clatter of dishes, and cool, shaded comfort were added attractions. This man's attempt at serving up quality paid for a new car, doctors' bills, improvement of the Coffee Bar, equipment and also put money in the bank.

Do you think you could make the best coffee in your town, or find an assistant that could? If so, why not start a "Coffee Bar" and endeavor to duplicate this man's success.

Out on a western highway, there's an interesting cafe shaped like a coffee pot, spout and all. It is called the "Coffee Pot" and the owner lives in an apartment upstairs over the cafe. It advertises itself, and as you might imagine, does a fine business.

SHOE SWAPPING—29
There is a Shoe Swap Shop in a Georgia city that has real possibilities. Satisfactory trades in footwear have been made by some 6,000 patrons. The shoes were fumigated with the date of disinfection stamped on them. Government officials commended this plan. It has been estimated there are over 50 million outgrown but still wearable shoes which could be placed in circulation again. Such an odd shop could only sell used shoes, eliminating the swapping element; and use a plan of collecting all used shoes available at a nominal fee. The swap plan would appeal to those having outgrown their shoes but still desiring similar shoes of a larger size. Either plan, or a combination of both, possibly could be worked in large communities.

FRAMING A DOLL—30
Putting dolls in frames is the odd and profitable business of one woman. Backless figures from cardboard are covered with cotton batting, and the clothes are made from ribbons. Flesh-colored material is used for the hands, and a finished picture is quite attractive placed on the wall. A "framed doll" picture is a departure from the conventional type and being life-like and different commands attention hung in any room.

If you have any artistic ability in this direction, consider the enormous possibilities of founding such a service to supply the public's demand, and demand there will be once these kind of dolls are seen. With a little ingenuity, one could create different kinds of frames and different types of dolls to appeal to all classes of people.

SMALL FISH FROM BIG FISH SCALES—31
Of all things! Fish scale Jewelry! Yes, jewelry is actually fashioned from the scales of giant gar fish found in Louisiana bayous. A New Orleans chap originated this odd business. Watch charms, tie clasps and lapel ornaments for the personal use of men come from the ivory-like scales on the gar fish. Then there are necklaces, bracelets and hair clasps for the women. Other products are fashioned out of the scales which include mosaic serving trays and wall plaques.

Chemicals are used to bathe the hide which separates the scales as well as to bleach them; a motor grinder is used to carve ivory-like scales into miniature fish and the scales are colored through a power spray. In addition to the fish scale jewelry, he has increased his business through the sale of shell jewelry.

MINIATURE COWBOYS AND CACTUS—32
Within one year a Texan cultivated these prickly plants and produced 5,000,000 on his six acre farm. More than nine thousand stores throughout the nation bought them and sold them for household decorations. Employing a number of assistants, he cultivates old and new varieties. Fortunately the plants require but little care. By scattering a few shoots on the beds, more cactus grows as they seed themselves.

It is also on record that another Texan (a woman) several years ago developed an enormous business cultivating and selling cactus and as many as 300,000 were purchased by one firm in a single year. In addition, she sold many Resurrection plants. Her orders for cactus seeds alone would run as high as $1500 for one large order.

It seems there is no end to the possibilities in the cactus line, and someone with new ideas may yet make additional fortunes. Many of the cactus plants on the market today are too expensive, often too small, and not of sufficient variety. With showmanship methods, more plants could be sold, particularly when the public is convinced how effective they can be for decorative purposes. For instance, suppose the plants were placed in tiny "desert or western scenes." Suppose there were facsimile mountains, desert, rock formations, ranch houses, horses, cowboys and so on. With this form of showmanship, interest on the part of the public would be greatly enhanced. A bucking horse, a miniature cowboy sprawled out in a bed of cactus would make for more western atmosphere in such scenes. Mexican characters and burros also have a place here. Perhaps the potted scene could show a stubborn burro sitting down on his rear haunches refusing to move, and another tiny figure—a Mexican, sombrero and all—standing next to a branch of the cactus plant and cutting it off with his tiny knife. The impression given, of course, that he intended to use the prickly branch on the burro's rear quarters in no uncertain fashion!

There is no end to the combination of situations and items that might be worked out to lend variety to such scenes. The miniature cowboys, Mexicans, burros and other objects could be made by novelty firms. Those readers living in eastern states could buy these plants in wholesale quantities from western farms.

SWAPS FOR TOTS—33-34
There's a place in New York called the Stork Exchange which is virtually a swap shop for tots; something new in the baby business. In the Stork Exchange you'll find everything from baby bottles to electric trains. Here folks swap outgrown cribs for kiddie-cars, baby scales for toy soldiers, play pens for perambulators. Sometimes if the swap isn't even all around, there's a cash adjustment involved.

This service was originally started in a basement and at that time was a trading center for the proprietor's friends. The idea took and soon grew into a 3-room store where assistants were employed, The original stock was obtained from junk shops and auction sales.

On the west coast a similar enterprise was started by another person and was called The Used Baby Furniture Exchange. There mothers turn in a bassinet on the purchase of a crib or buggy, or what-have-you. Complete sets of reconditioned baby furniture are available. Within two years the owner of this business was grossing $15,000 a year and his initial investment was less than $100. This store also buys, reconditions and sells all types of baby equipment. When the names of new mothers appear in the newspapers, they receive from this store a card offering a free gift to them.

Stores like the Stork Exchange and The Used Baby Furniture. Exchange could be duplicated in other cities and there is room for the incorporation of new ideas to make such stores stand out and be patronized. In most communities there is a crying need for them.

Along the same lines, two Chicago women opened a Toy Exchange. Customers bring in outgrown playthings of children and exchange them for newer models but of course pay a small fee. In a word, they "salvage" the old by exchanging for the new.

A Baby Buggy Exchange might also offer possibilities. There are many old buggies parked away in cellars and attics. If these were reconditioned they could be sold, just as any other reconditioned products are sold. Many mothers in the lower income brackets would be eager to purchase them. The buggies would serve their purpose and at the same time save the purchasers money. Any business selling a product that will save the purchaser money has infinite possibilities.

3:00 A.M. SALES—35
Some firms spend thousands of dollars yearly in advertising their businesses, others merely let their businesses advertise themselves!

There's the shoe store that remained open all night! Ordinarily, shoe stores close around 5 or 6 P.M. The store may not have done a landslide business in the wee hours of the morning, but the fact of the matter stands that people remembered this shoe store and patronized it during the day. This is "advertising" at its best.

At intervals another store closed during the day and held all night sales. The bargains offered to nocturnal shoppers was the reason why many people for the first time in their lives shopped at 2 or 3 in the morning! Each hour special sales were offered. Coffee was served through the night. Capitalizing on this "night life" publicity, the store continued its nocturnal sale on through the next day. Second day's sales even surpassed those of the previous night.

Talking about shoe dealers, another one was remembered by people who needed shoes because his store was the only store that offered a "trade in" value for the customer's old shoes!

BRINGING BACK DAYS OF YORE—36
A group of people were talking about the good old days, the sleigh rides through the country with jingling sleigh bells and old Dobbs pulling for an he was worth…right to a good old-fashioned piping-hot country supper.

The remark, "Wish those old days could come back again…" started a lucrative business for a man who did bring them back!

He went to farmers and asked whether they would be willing to rent their old sleighs and horses. Another farm house agreed to provide a real old-fashioned country supper. That was the start he needed.

It was an easy matter to book social groups, churches and clubs for a sleigh-ride party and a hot supper after the ride. In the summer the sleighs were substituted by organized hayride parties.

A good promoter could be kept busy the year round promoting parties that brought back memories of yester year. Tickets could be sold at so much per couple. Prices could include the ride and supper. After everything was paid, the promoter would still have enough left to realize an excellent profit.

TINKERS' SHOP—37-38
Innumerable patents are obtained every year for new inventions, many of which are especially appealing to the public. The throngs appearing at "Inventors' Shows" are an indication of this interest in new and odd contraptions. It would appear that an opportunity exists to start shops carrying these new items to the exclusion of all others. This type of an enterprise would benefit both the inventor and the manufacturer in helping them to market their product, so it is logical that they would give their whole-hearted support to such a project. In this shop they would have an opportunity to test their inventions. The natural curiosity on the part of the public in oddities would provide an abundance of shoppers, a large number of which, if sufficiently impressed by the new and novel, would buy.

People love to surprise their friends by being the first to have the latest contraption. Therefore, novelty shops carrying odd goods have been highly patronized. The above type of store should find a real niche in the consciousness of the American people, famous for their progress. Being the first to acquire what may be tomorrow's coming thing has a tremendous sales appeal. It is most likely that over 50 per cent of one's stock could be on a consignment basis, making it unnecessary to put up much investment, as the promoter is usually overeager to test his new product, and twice as eager in such favorable circumstances. A Chicago businessman, with some 400 inventions to his credit, had made gadgets pay; his two hobbyists' stores being clearing houses, so to speak, for inventions. Tinkers buy a bewildering variety of gadgets from these stores to putter around with in their workshops, and find new applications for them. Obviously, he gets them coming and going. There are many other cities where similar shops can be started.

USED-CAR LOT REQUIRES NO INVESTMENT—39
Just browse over, in normal times, the classified "Used Car" section in the Sunday edition of any large newspaper, and the fact stands out that people are loath to sell their cars to dealers, but wish to deal with private individuals. However, there are many difficulties involved in selling privately. Prospective customers wish to have a number of cars from which to choose, and do not wish to drive all over the city to do so, whereas if they go to a dealer they see all the cars in one lot. As it is inconvenient and takes time to buy privately, one can readily understand why dealers do so well even though it is public opinion that it is better to buy from a private party-why is this? Because the public usually follows the path of least resistance.

Out of this situation there is an excellent opportunity to establish used-car markets for private car-owners desiring to dispose of their automobiles. Here is the "how" of it: At 10 per cent of the selling price, the owner of the lot would allow these car-owners to display their own cars, properly tagged as to price and any remarks. Everyone benefits through such an arrangement, and the plan is pregnant with real opportunity. The set-up would of course operate similarly to regular used-car dealer set-ups. The distinction is that the cars obtained for sale are not bought. In order to attract customers appealing deals could be advertised, and the promoter could pay for the ads. This would gain better prices for the car-owner, and the buyers could buy from private owners without the usual inconvenience of travelling to various homes in order to have some choice. Note that through this plan one can have all the benefits of being a used-car dealer without the tremendous investment necessary in the cars.

BUSINESS FROM PARKING VIOLATIONS—40
It has been reported that a 5 cent tip was responsible for starting a thirteen-year-old youngster in Pennsylvania in an enterprise for himself. The business is a service rendered to motorists who overstay their parking limit in metered zones. When he came across cars with the time-limit expired, he would put a nickel of his own in the slot. The appreciative car owner, saved from a traffic tag, would give the lad a nickel (reimbursement) and usually a tip as well.

A similar idea was employed by a tire store in a Texas city. The store would send out a scout to check on the parked cars, and finding one where the time limit was about up, he'd drop a nickel in the meter. A card was left in the car bearing this message: "Dear Motorist: Your parking time expired. To save you the trouble of appearing in police court, we have deposited a nickel in the meter. ABC Tire Store". Of course the street address of the store and its telephone number were on the card. The card was free of any form of advertising. You've guessed it — business increased for the store as they made a lot of friends through this courtesy. The store's scout would take license number of the cars and later the owners' names were added to the store's mailing list.

MAID PLATOON—41
A woman living in a middle-western city, whom we shall call Mrs. Patterson, for the sake of convenience, looked around at the people in her community. The thought occurred to her that there must be many apartment dwellers—working couples, business women and bachelors—who would like to have daily, hotel service for their homes if available at reasonable cost. The test or trial ad she put in the local newspaper vindicated her "hunch." Within a few weeks she had twenty-five regular customers and employed two maids. They washed the dishes, took care of the apartments daily, giving them a thorough cleaning once a week. It is believed she employed colored help, and at the beginning assisted each maid on two separate days. As the charge for this efficient "hotel" service was nominal, customers increased. This called for the use of more maids. Such a business-service idea provides worthwhile possibilities for others living in fairly large cities. While this would be suitable for a single woman or single man, it would be ideal for a married couple to operate from their office or home. By having a crew on hand 8 hours a day, six days a week, and by making use of every minute of their time a perfect service at a low fee per week could be rendered.

STARRING "THE FAMILY"—42-45
In a flower-decked, California suburb, there lived a married woman who had among her possessions a home movie camera. She had taken many pictures of her children. One day she got to wondering if she could earn a living photographing the big or important events in other children's lives. Action followed the thought and she advertised in newspapers, offering to go out evenings and exhibit movies she had taken. In due time she had commissions to film birthday parties, grandma's visit and other events. Frequently, hurry-up calls came in, such as "Junior is so cute in his new rompers, playing in the sandbox. Won't you please come out and make movies of him?" There were times when she was booked weeks in advance. Some families who ordered pictures didn't own movie apparatus and were willing to pay for having the reels shown in their homes. Those who did own projectors hired her to make the pictures which she did cleverly, introducing bits of "business" and mixing close-ups and long shots with a professional touch. Sufficient has been related about this idea, which proved so profitable to the Californian, to enable others to do likewise with even an extension of the plan; i.e. taking sound motion pictures of wedding ceremonies and after-events in and around the church. It would be a thrilling reel of film to treasure for years. All announced engagements would form the list of prospects who could be contacted by mail or in person.

A man in a different state appeals to the same market as the above mentioned woman did. He claims to be making around $5,000 a year with his plan. It's a simple plan and works in this manner: He sells the parents on the idea of photographing junior for one whole day. In other words this promoter calls on the parents in the morning and spends the whole day in their home and yard. Naturally he probably gets a meal or two thrown in with the generous payment for the work he performs. This is what he does. He makes up a set of pictures that show the child eating, washing, romping, walking or running, being "cute", playing, dressing, undressing, bathing, sleeping-indoors and outdoors. He gets from $25 to $50 for each portfolio of shots.

Getting back to the motion picture camera, one clever man visits golf courses through out his state, taking motion pictures of the proud customer's game! Evidently these sportsmen are easy marks for this sort of thing! His service is handled in much the same way as the woman in California worked it.

CUT-DOWN ORGANS—46
A man knew that old fashioned organs could be bought for a song in the rural sections of the country. They no longer enhanced the beauty of a home. He purchased several of them and cut them down to the console size. Now the Old Mother Hubbard trimmings were replaced with new cases of white pine and finished in red maple.

Smaller pianos and console size organs are the rage right now. The man easily nets himself $25 on each organ.

THE LUCKY ALARM—47
An enterprising grocer found a way to bring in plenty of new business to his store. He had a huge alarm clock in the center of the store with its face covered. The alarm clock was set for a certain hour. When it went off, the customers in the store at that time didn't have to pay for the groceries being purchased at the moment. Housewives soon took their business to the store with the lucky alarm clock. Curious and hopeful, they prolong their shopping! The idea isn't restricted to grocery stores alone.

TABLE D'HOTE MEALS FOR DOGS—48
Canine catering can be extremely popular in large cities and near the well-to-do residential sections, especially if the service is as splendid as the one conducted by a Philadelphia canine caterer.

This man started the idea when he was looking for the right food for his own dog. A veterinarian worked out a formula on which dogs throve. Soon after that, he offered a service of ready-to-eat meals for dogs to a few wealthy families. The idea met with great favor. Menu cards were printed. Included were vegetables, beverages, a kennel meal, two table d'hote meals, a la carte special meals, a veterinary meal, cod-liver oil, "limed" milk, and haliver oil.

On the table d'hote meals the dogs received lamb once a week, fish once a week, and beef the rest of the time. Meat was delivered either raw or cooked. Deliveries were made to the customer about three times a week. Dog hospitals soon became this man's best customers.

This type of business is as unique as it is new. Wealthy dog owners would be very eager to subscribe to this dog service. The Philadelphia operator boasted of six thousand animal customers. It is said that he started without capital and operated from his garage.