Entrepreneurial Times:
What's Your "Crazy" Business Idea?

We live in entrepreneurial times! I read a business profile in our local newspaper this week about a 30-year-old who has carved out a niche creating very scary haunted houses and making a great living doing it. The article described how this young "hauntrepreneur" began following his passion in junior and senior high school creating backyard haunted houses to scare the neighbor kids at Halloween. He took his passion to the next level in college and started a profitable business doing haunted houses catering to the more than 25,000 students at the University of Nebraska. Now, his company, Fright Dome Productions, has partnered with the largest casino empire in Nevada (MGM Mirage), and he recently signed an agreement with a major motion picture producer to use their characters in his haunted houses. Not bad for a "crazy" business idea.

And it happened in the face of opposition from his parents ("You can't make a living doing haunted houses!"), who urged him to be sensible in college and get a law degree, and in spite of the economic meltdown of the past couple of years.

So what's your crazy business idea? You know the one: you've run over it a thousand times in your mind. Maybe it's not even an original idea but you've thought about starting a home-based or small business with an existing company and know you could make a go of it...but...stay with me here because you know I'm talking to you...you're "waiting" until the economy improves, or until you get enough money in the bank or until the 12th of never!

I really began thinking about entrepreneurial passion last week when my friend Deanne and I co-hosted a group of women for a "fall networking salon." It was a casual gathering of women, some of whom already have businesses and some who "only" had the dream. As we left that evening all of us felt a new sense of commitment, passion and encouragement about our businesses and our dreams. And those who were in the dreaming phase have shifted to action and are taking small steps to bring their dreams to reality.

Let me share a couple examples of those ideas that were unveiled and discussed at our networking salon:

• Deanne Rymarowicz is a practicing attorney, full-time legal counsel for the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors. But she is also a creative decorating maven, who has finally taken the wraps off of her creative genius and launched a side business, By Dsign Omnimedia. Her first product is a set of e-books designed for the "creatively challenged" to help us decorate and celebrate holidays with a maximum of flair and a minimum of cash outlay. You can check out her brilliant holiday website at www.holidaysbydsign.com. She shared with me that a recent conversation with someone convinced her that there was room for more than Martha Stewart in the design, entertaining and decorating marketplace. I couldn't agree more and think she has an idea that will take her to undreamed of success.


• Lucy Trotter used to work for attorneys. But about a year ago, circumstances lined up to allow her to leave full-time employment and pursue a "crazy business idea" she was passionate about: the environment. She created the Las Vegas Green List, www.lasvegasgreenlist.com. Her website lists all things "green" from a green directory filled with companies that are either developing and marketing green products, to those that have added green initiatives to their operating practices. She offers tips and resources on everything from where and how to recycle to which cosmetics contain harmful chemicals, like lead. She dreams of adding a "green store", having green sponsors and becoming a voice for the environment, not only in Las Vegas but the southwest. At another time this might have been a 'crazy business idea.' Now it's an idea whose time has come.


• Stacy Wedding has taken her gifts as a public relations professional and married them to her love for philanthropy to start a successful company helping individuals and companies find creative ways to "invest" in the community. Her company, Professionals in Philanthropy, www.profinphil.com is fast becoming the go-to resource for both non-profits and those with time, energy, money and other resources to provide. A crazy business idea that is making dreams real for many in the Las Vegas community.


• We also heard from a passionate young woman whose dream is to become a make-up artist. She has since taken steps in that direction and within days had made a significant connection in that industry. Another one has a creative idea for a wonderful pet product she's passionate about. In my Toastmasters group a dynamic man named Keith Ahrens is creating a business coaching and inspiring others on their health journeys. He has firsthand experience since he has lost more than 190 pounds and written a book titled "Outrunning My Shadow."

Dreams Are Whispers from the Soul

That dream you have may be closer than you think. Watch the following inspirational video from Simple Truths and then take a step forward in faith.

"Be who you are...do what you can do...choose your greatness over your fear!"
Betty Mahalik, Professional Certified Coach Dynamic Solutions Coaching & Training bettym@dynamic-coaching.com www.dynamic-coaching.com www.mylifecompass.com/bmahalik	Dynamic Solutions 5240 Mustang St. Las Vegas, NV 89130 tel: 702 658-4425 fax: 702 658-5802 mobile: 702 443-0175
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