I am currently in a small repair service business in the NorthEast
U.S.  Ultimately I would like to live part of the year in the
SouthEast and part in the Northeast.  I would like help in exploring
small business ideas and resources that might allow for this mobility.
  Thanks

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Request for Question Clarification by czh-ga on 09 Jan 2006 17:02 PST

Hello jellygoose-ga,

I'm not sure what you're looking for. As I understand your question,
you are planning to spend part of the year North and part South in the
near future. It is not clear from your question whether you want to
keep pursuing your current "small repair service business" or if you
want to start something new. What proportion of the time will be spent
where?

What kind of repair service do you operate? Is there a need for it
both North and South? Do you want to continue in this business or do
you want to start something new? What are your skills and interests?
What "small business ideas and resources" have you considered already
and rejected? What kinds of businesses look interesting to you?

The more you can tell us about your situtation, the greater the
probability of someone being able to find you the information you
need.

I look forward to your clarification.

~ czh ~

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Clarification of Question by jellygoose-ga on 10 Jan 2006 15:11 PST

Thanks! I am in the process (on another question) of learning how to
do a more effective job of asking questions and attracting answers.  I
am sorry that I was not more clear and will strive to be so in
subsequent questions in the future.

First, I repair household appliances in a suburb of Manhattan.  I have
been walking into people's homes for over 25 years and serving them by
repairing both kitchen and laundry appliances.  What I do best is not
repair, rather it is communication with the customers.  I would like
to begin to find and then focus on new opportunities and am hopeful to
find some kind of business or opportunity that will allow for the
freedom to live in both South Florida and New York.

Besides repairing appliances, I have been playing with computers since
the Timex and Radio Shack TRS-80 days (the 70's).  I feel very
comfortable around technology.  I grew up in a small hotel business
and was partners in an audio store for a while.  I have designed a few
voice messaging systems (and enjoyed the process).  And I studied
computer animation via 3D Studio Max for a few years, but must admit
that I am very rusty and not so drawn to animation anymore.

I am a bit concerned that I may be looking for some illusive thing to
do and that my hopes for living freely from North to South just might
be unreasonable. I will still need to build to a fair income in order
to sustain this lifestyle. So...

As far as continuing repair work???? Yes, I would be willing to do so,
but will not be able to keep my customers who rely on me throughout
the year.  I would never expect them (no matter how loyal) to shift
back to my services, whenever I decide to come north.  They are in the
positions that they must have someone to rely on all year long and it
would be too hard to leave them with someone else.

Virtual anything sounds good, but can you make a living out of it. 
Boy oh boy would I love to work from wherever I am at any time.  Home
or otherwise.

I am very good at customer support on the telephone.  I understand
people and like them and want to help them.  Anything strike a bell?

I don't expect you to be a miracle worker, but I am looking to broaden
my understanding of what just might exist out there.

And  I don't expect a magic pill here.  Although it would be nice.  I
would like to have some direction toward resources that might list
virtual business ideas or opportunities.  Even a list of audio books
(I listen better than read) that might help to define an
entrepreneurial formula for virtual freedom from location.  I am a
creative type (working with both right and left brain) so a little bit
of information could possibly go a long long way for me.

THANKS
Jellygoose