[lcarreau]

just wondering.

[Str8shootr]

A commercial Real Estate Appraiser told me a couple of years ago that the most lucrative private investor properties to own are coin operated car washes and trailer parks.

He said with the car washes, you have to empty the cash out of the machines everyday though just like a paper route.

He has looked at lots of properties/incomes over the years.

As for the trailer parks, you have to have a good-tough manager and lots of restrictions that you have to enforce. This keeps out the vermin.

[DBradD]

Does such a thing exist? I actually kinda doubt it. If it's a desirable low risk business, then adequate competition will exist to make it low margin.

I like Str8Shooter's ideas except I doubt most people would consider car washes to be low risk. Most people finance them to death because they cost so much to start. They can be derailed easily by road construction, newer one going in next door, etc. I think I'd consider opening one of these, but only if I could do it with cash.

DBD

[TurboRocket]

I believe self-storage places needs a very low occupancy rate to break-even. However, still a good amount of risk involved, similar to the car wash example already cited.

I personally like real estate. There are just so many ways to make money.

[G36.45]

A strip club fits your requirements nicely.

[DaleGribble]

I'll have to agree with the strip club idea. They're a guaranteed money maker if you have a little bit of common sense.

I would imagine that insurance costs are high though!

[podwich]

Government.

[amd4me]

Coffee
Storage.
Carwash.
Shooting Range.
Liquor store.

[Deanster]

Drive-through Latte stand, at least anywhere on the Left Coast...

[Bluestone]

Car washes, and storage places, are not easy businesses. Large investment, lots of problems. But all businesses are troublesome.

Try a service business: collection agency, accounting business, mfg. rep. for any product you like, sales (which is the highest paid business there is if you're willing to study it and learn.)

[tnoisaw]

Originally posted by Deanster
Drive-through Latte stand, at least anywhere on the Left Coast...

These are all over where I live in the Kalispell, Montana area.

[DriBak]

CarWash and Storage

[shooter_55]

Originally Posted by podwich

Government.

Sad, but true,

[mitchshrader]

running a string of call girls specializing in government officials.

criminy i had no IDEA they paid so much, it's SILLY to ignore opportunity like that..

and apparently it's covered under government health insurance too? i mean, a guy could start a franchise... Ma John's Escort Enterprise, Inc. I can think of several catchy phrases for slogans..

[Ghost Tracker]

If your city is growing in a particular direction...go beyond the pricey property and buy a likely piece of dirt. Set up a Golf Driving Range (low initial cost). All you want is the profit to cover the monthy payment, that's all. As the city gets closer, your dirt gets worth more money in a hurry. Then sell the property at the right margin & move the operation (you've already bought & paid for the equipment) further out along the same growth path. I have a pal in Houston who did it, the same thing, about seven times times and he's now my wealthy pal. I guess the same thing would work with a Gun Range, but the start-up costs & liability issues costs MUCH more. Good Luck!

[BullsEye10X]

I'd love to open a gun shop, but not sure if I could make it profitable enough right away to cover the overhead...

[Ghost Tracker]

A very wise (and experienced) Gunshop owner once told me...the way to end up with a small fortune in the retail gun business...is to start-out with a LARGE fortune.

[BullsEye10X]

How true! Most gun owners I know (myself included) are about the most market-wise group of folks around... Then again, I refuse to pay retail price for anything if I can help it

[Cody Jarrett]

For any computer nerd... digital forensics examiner.

Low overhead business... initial investment of about $10,000 in equipment, software and training. No office needed; work at client locations.
High income... $125-$175 per hour.
Market... Coporate crime, stalkers, harassers and sexual criminals. Most of the work comes from law firms.

[Broadside]

I thought about this for a little while and what comes to mind (to me) is a quality, hand-made custom product.

If you check with people who hand make wood grips and leather holsters, many of the top people have backlogs of several months or more.

It would not have to be a firearms related product. I'm sure there are other examples of people hand making products with similar backlogs.

The top gunsmiths don't seem to have any problem finding work. I would, however, be concerned with the risk. If you mess it up, you've bought it.

[Rinspeed]

Originally Posted by Broadside

If you check with people who hand make wood grips and leather holsters, many of the top people have backlogs of several months or more.

I went to order a Milt Sparks holster three weeks ago and they are so busy they are only taking so many orders a month. Once that number is reached you have to wait until the first of the following month to get your name in the queue.

[G-30Jet]

Niche markets are truely just that, a niche. If you want to succeed in such a market, you will have to offer a unique service. If you beleive that you will just get the stuff you like and sell that, well, no.

Diversification of products and knowledge. Insiders that can carry the word to the streets. Attention to markets and marketing. Patience. Hard learned work. Goals. Community participation. There are hundreds of details that will require your attention.

Be realistic when you write your business plan. Write a great one with in depth research. Find a mentor to aid you and bounce ideas off of. Prepare for poverty and fight for wealth.

Get a good lawyer and accountant. Join a community based club. Hire people with talent and overpay them. Learn tax law. Pay close attention daily to your cash flow. Build your corporate credit. Take real vacations, busy or not.

Find a hobby for your family while you stay late and work. Hire your family to help you to work. Dont hire your family thay may kill your business. Get a calander and plan your advertising ahead of time. Open your doors to the community for teaching classes and imput. Open your business earlier in the morning than anyone else in your business.

Do not guess, know. Travel for depth and knowledge in your chosen business. spend at least 10% of your profits on advertising. Hitch hike to work. Walk to work. Drive to work. Take a limo to work. Fly your corporate jet to work. Buy a vehichle especially for work, deduct the mileage and vehichle from your taxes. Dont buy a vehichle especially for work, save your money for a rainy quarter year.

Make a plan for three years down the road. Turn your company into a brand name. Learn how to get unsecured corporate credit, not business credit. Invest whenever possible. Open your business as an LLC. Conduct your business with forthright brutal honesty. By the fading light of day, count your money and smile... realize your just getting started. A famous quote: "A boxer has a plan until he is hit, how will you handle that hit".

Dont worry if the money comes, you will know. Plan for your long term future. Plan for the short term. Make impossible decisions and live with them. Hope that all of your customers can be kept forever, look for new customers anyway. Spoil your employees. Push your employees, but guide them with information and love.

Beleive in you advertising partners, but keep only what works. Dont try to do everything. Hire people who are smarter than you are, and listen to their ideas. Offer laid back relaxing time with your employees. Make your business plan to include a plan if somthing happens to you. Who will take control of your company. Purchase insurance that pays you if somthing happens to key employees.

Make provisions for employees and their families when they need help. Keep track of your competitors. Partner with other business on your street. Meet your customers at the door and help them passionately.

As you can see this is endless. Just be sure before you begin... there is no turning back. Remember; A man only has one reputation.

[PeterJasonMN]

Strip clubs are very location-dependent. Sure you have some out in the boonies, but how often do they attract the 10's or the porn star guest appearances as compared to 5's and 6's?

I'm agreeing with a few of the above, if you want to lessen your risk, and you HAVE the skills, then services would be the way to go.

Car washes have to deal with huge electric/water bills, damage to money changers, vandalism, and all the work to keep them up and running. Obviously there's money to be made there, but how much money for how much work?

[G19Tony]

I like the Driving Range idea.

My ball retriver would have smoke attached. When someone hits it, the smoke goes off, you win a free bucket.

[Priam]

"high margin low risk biz".. sounds like an oxymoron to me..