I was visiting my girlfriend who lives in a larger city and she suggested we go for a 'foot massage' appointment - an interesting idea. The foot massage package included soaking our bare feet in large ceramic bowls of warm water. There were rose petals floating in the water and smooth stones at the bottom of the bowl. The assistant came by every now and then to add more hot water. We had the option of adding an essential oil mixed with sea salt and sweet oil (almond or olive). They sat us on cozy couches that were elevated on platforms so the assistant didn't have to bend over. They offered to serve tea or cider and cookies if we wished. Once the foot bath was over, they did a 'refreshing splash' of ice cold water - woohee! The assistant then did a foot and lower leg massage. It felt wonderful. I kept thinking what a great idea this was. There wasn't any need to get naked or hide away in a little room. All the couches were grouped together and a large group of women could get together and chat if they desired.

The other idea ...

I recently heard about a large florist that was offering a gravesite maintenance service. Of course, their service included delivering fresh flower arrangements to the gravesite on certain occassions. But the service also included cleaning the gravesite (removing debris, old flowers, etc). The attendant takes a digital picture before and after the cleaning service and sends that to the purchaser. Instead of a fresh cut flower arrangement, you can plant flowers (if allowed at the cemetary) or do silk flowers or other arrangement - like flags for Memorial Day. The service is geared toward people who have loved ones buried in cemetaries far from where they live - which makes marketing the business a little difficult. Still, I'm thinking if you live near a rural cemetary, you could put a small advertisement in the local newspaper with the thought that some people who grew up in the town still have a newspaper subscription. An 'in' with someone at the cemetery would probably help, too, because they might get that kind of request (ie: If a flower arrangement is sent to the cemetery, would a worker carry it out to the gravesite.) Since you'd be dealing with people who are far away, you'd want to be able to accept credit card transactions and, of course, have a way to send a digital picture.

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

Thank you for offering those ideas up. I'm ready for that foot massage right now. Let me know when someone's in business!!

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great ideas. I'm always thinking of small business ideas.

We jsut moved my mom up to assisted living from florida. I've spent the past few days making small trips bw Target, Hallmark, etc and the nursing home. to get things for her. The other residents have been excited to see what I have.

I was thinking that maybe I could do an errand service for them.

Kind of awkward with money though. I wouldnt want to be ripping them off for my time but I also dont want to be going on wild goose hunts all day. I'm still developing my idea.

Cookie - very interesting idea about the graveyard service. Do you know how much they charged?

There was a non-refundable first time visit charge which wasn't high - under $15. That was just a visit to find the gravesite and take a picture to make sure you verified where it was located (since that can be difficult in some cemeteries). After that the gravesite service was pretty hefty - over $50 to $100 - which included the cost of the floral display.

__________________
"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

There is a company called Grave Groomers, LLC that offers franchises of this concept. If you're interested in this type of business, you can check out their site to get a better feel of what can be charged, offered, etc.

-Sonia
Mom to two (soon to be three) and entrepreneur