I want to start a small business and start making money. I am open to
any business idea that I can feel comfortable and confident that I
will be successful at. Some info about me:

I am a 25 year old male living in San Diego, CA. I am a self taught
electronics engineer, currently employed doing freelance engineering
work designing prototypes for start up companies. I am very capable
when it comes to anything involving computers, electronics, or
building things.

I have 10,000 cash and access to another 10,000 on credit. 

I would be interested in just about any business from a hot dog stand
to licking envelopes if it has the potential to make 50k+ a year in
profits.

I would like you to suggest the business idea first, like "how about
hot dog stand?", and if I like the idea, I will ask you for detailed
information on startup costs, equipment, etc... Please
do not provide an answer without asking me if I like the business idea
first.

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Request for Question Clarification by politicalguru-ga on 16 Apr 2006 14:49 PDT

One of the ideas that jump to mind is repairment of hardware; selling
hardware parts; etc.

- Many people would just give you their old computers, monitors, etc.
- if you pick it up and advertise that you pick up old electric and
computing machines;
- You probably already have much of the tools that you need. 

***

Another idea has to do with a booming (if not *the* booming) industry
of the latest years: cellular (mobile) phones. Either repairing,
releasing the lock, and other lab services; selling stuff like calling
cards, used phones; or working at the software end (designing and
selling games and other downloads - which could be very profitable if
you succeed, but naturally is the riskiest).

---

Clarification of Question by acannell1234-ga on 16 Apr 2006 22:08 PDT

Thanks for your ideas political guru. I was in the computer repair
business for awhile and I have permanently retired from it and would
not want to be involved in computer repair of any sort. The mobile
phone repair and especially the unlocking idea is interesting. But I
would like to see what other ideas researchers on here suggest before
I decide to pay the $100 for the detailed info on the mobile phone
biz. Again thanks!

"I was in the computer repair business for awhile and I have
permanently retired from it and would not want to be involved in
computer repair of any sort."

This suggests to me that you might enjoy smashing and gringing them up
to recycle the raw materials.

Here is something to think about... Adaptive controll devices for
power wheelchairs. Many diseases restrict movement. Therefore, if a
patient is to ever be mobile again, what ever portion of their body
that can still move is then used (through special switching /
electronics) to function their wheelchair.

There are only a couple of manufacturers of these devices. They make
some truly amazing stuff. One device in particular - using proximity
switches, allows the user to simply not their head to move anywhere
they want.

Where I think the market exists is in the adaptation of computing
devices to the chairs, through the same sort of electonic interface.

The existing products are 'ok', but there is much room for improvement. 

Just a thought.

Anotherbrian, that would hit the spot. Do you actually think I could
make money doing this? I would love watching computers get obliterated
and then get a big bag of cash for it. I hate nothing more than old
mish-mash mutt pentium clones from 1996. Would you be able to do
research on this and figure out what I would need to do to get started
in San Diego, how much it would cost, etc...all the details? For the
price listed?

Crice-Ga, very interesting! It could be a very satisfying.
Interesting...but I think I am looking for something a little simpler.
Thanks though!

Looks like there's a vacuum in the Texas shaped waffle iron market...
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=720602

;)

- Hammer