Every day entrepreneurs are looking for the next big idea to send them into early retirement. Good and profitable ideas are hard to come by, which can lead to frustration and a huge loss in motivation when nothing comes to mind. The secret to finding an idea is raking your brain and following your own interests, not simply following the biggest trends at the time. Get away from preconceptions about different markets and their respective values, go for what you want to do and the market will be there waiting for you.

The other key thing you need to do is formulate a logical path to the ultimate idea. This involves lots of jotting now, linking themes and then researching current market growth and size. But firstly you must look at yourself and write down your opinions on current ideas and your interests. It is important that you enjoy the venture you undertake as this will determine your level of motivation to perservier and succeed.

These are the 5 steps that will help you to realise which business market is best for you to follow. They focus on your interests, the size of the market and the level of competition. I should add that this may not lead to the next big idea, but is intended to help you formulate your thoughts and assess their potential in a logical manner.

Step 1
Write down five of your main interests.

Step 2
Head over to nichebot.com and search for each of your five interests, taking down the ‘ratio’ figure for each one. This gives you an idea of the competition and demand for the potential market category you’re looking at, sourced by online searching figures.

Rank the interests 1 to 5, from lowest (1) to highest (5).

Step 3
Now go to eBay Stores item search feature. Replace “INTEREST HERE” with each interest you’ve noted above. From the search results, take down the number of matching stores for each interest.
You could also search all the items on eBay to get a better picture of the market.

Rank the interests 1 to 5, from highest (5) to lowest (1).

Step 4
For each interest, add the two ranks you have formulated together to give a total figure between 2 and 10. Look at the interests with the lowest total rank, this should be the most attractive market to follow. Out of the five, it has the lowest (web based) competition and highest (web based) potential market.

Step 5
Head back to nichebot and search for the “winning” interest. Note the other keyphrases that appear on the page to give you an idea of further niche markets to exploit, keeping in mind the competition ratio.

Now that you have a clear focus in terms of a high potential market, to meet your interests, you can then start mind-mapping your ideas around the main interest. Nichebot can help with that. Also use Google to search related companies and websites already out there in order to get a better idea for the market and stitch together your own vision. As one of your main interests, you should pretty clued up about the market, however don’t stop learning (check it on wikipedia) and keep up to date with how the market develops.

This is all very speculative as interests can of course vary widely, so don’t forget to use common sense and some business nouse. However hopefully what I have said will help set a clear path in your mind to target your own ideas and maximize your success. You would be lucky to get your destined big idea from my 5 steps, that’s not really the purpose of this. The formula I have developed is just one example of how to use logic to get to the business that is profitable and suitable for you. Whatever happens, make sure you enjoy whatever you chose to follow!

More resources:
7 steps to business success
9 steps to business success
Evaluating your idea
Still craving the ideas of others?

[I ordered these really nice glasses last week. They are totally awesome and unlike any glasses I’ve seen on other people, which is why I got them. That, and because they’re ALMOST perfect. I’m still waiting for them to arrive, and when they do, I will post a picture that shows their awesomeness.]

Moving on to some recent undesirable news.

Today is definitely day one of my diet. I’ve been trying to get on the diet for like 4 failed weeks now, but it’s coming to the point where if I don’t do it, I’ll soon have to trade my Jeep for a bigger car. Possibly an airplane.

I exaggerate, I do. But in all honesty I do need the diet. Partially because yesterday was a bit of a wakeup call when I looked in the mirror and was like “GAH, this isn’t what I looked like 2 months ago.”

When I lookin the mirror, I position myself in different angles because then I get to see what I look like from every angle. In the bathroom, we have two mirrors. One mirror faces my front, the other faces my back. Therefore, when I move, I can see myself from every angle, depending on my position.

Normally, I can be content with myself when I look in the mirror because I just go, “Whoop! Can’t stand like THAT anymore…”.

See having these mirrors helps one actually be able to see where your bad angles are and such things, so that when stumble upon their discovery, you can immediately find how to hide it. Got it? Good. Yesterday, however, I was unsuccessful at hiding things. Unless I sit. Sitting makes you look thinner. Especially if you lean forward while sitting. Trust me. I can prove it:

With the discovery of my newest adquisition, the double chin, I am forced to diet. Being big isn’t a bad thing. It’s just that I used to be really fat when I was younger and then when I was 18 I lost alot of weight, so now I don’t want to have gone through that in vain lol. I want to keep the weight off, even though I was NEVER able to be thin. All that work will not be for naught! I refuse to be size 38 again.

I … refuse.

Similar to ebay’s Paypal online payment service, Google checkout allows merchants to conduct business online through embedded checkouts whilst consumers can purchase goods online just by logging into their Google account. It seems to be slightly cheaper than the dominant Paypal service, with a 2% transaction charge plus standard $.20 fee. For sellers using Adwords they can also benefit from a discount proportional to their advertising expenditure.

Google Checkout seems to only be out in the USA right now, hopefully it’ll hop over into the UK and Europe in the near future. For now, here’s a video tour:

Recently I’ve come across a few inspiring and effective advertising campaigns. Here are two of them, which are making their way around the internet right now.

This one, for “Papa Johns” pizzas is completely unique, but it did take me a while to figure out the connection between these two images! It never occured to me, well until a second look, that the image on the right is what is shown on the actual “advert”. The custom ad is stuck onto doors, in front of peep holes. When the house owner takes a look through the peep hole, they see what appears to be a delivery guy holding a pizza (as shown on the right). I wonder how this concept was born - very original.

This advert, titlted “Cemetary” was developed by Everest Brand Solutions, in Mumbai, India. It depicts the typical smoking room to be at the bottom of a grave with the non-smokers overlooking the grave in apparent sympathy for the naivity of the smokers. Despite your personal views on smoking, the advert conveys a strong message meeting its purpose as an anti-smoking campagin in India. It can be compared to the shock tactic TV commercials by the NHS in the UK, showing visualally the effects going on inside a smoker’s body, externally. For example, one showed fat dripping off the skin of a smoker as they puffed away.

Just thought I’d catch up on my life events, only quickly. I don’t keep a diary and in a year or something I’d like to look back on what I wrote about/was going on, because I have a bad memory. So yesterday I finally finished all my exams. My last one was an AEA (Advanced extension award (for clever people)) in Geography, because I thought it’d help with my Oxford application. But since I was rejected, and really do not want to go to an elitest institution anymore, I never pulled out of this 3 hour extension. It ran from 1.45-4.45pm. However I think it went quite well, considering I didn’t have a clue what it was and stuff. It was on the Asian tsunami (2004) and then I wrote for an hour about how global demand for freshwater is expected to exceed supply. Yeah. That was fun! I’m glad I went on that Water-Aid march, threw in a few facts I picked up from that :)

So yeah, anyhow. They’re all over. And so is school, forever! I have 14 months of complete freedom to look forward to now - involving loads of travelling and a business project here and there to keep me afloat. I’m really excited about what this year will be like! Going to Spain, to catch Jess, on the 15th July for ten days. Detroit and Georgia (USA) late August and then, of course, a trip of destiny to Puerto Rico.. just to see this kid called Reggles. Also hoping to trip up into Japan, Norway and a eurotrip at some point :)

Yo. It’s going be to cool.

Seeing as to how I’m not good-looking enough, nor talented enough to be a Hollywood actor, my dreams of being on tv are reduced to Reality Television. Ha! I joke. No, but seriously it seems most anyone can be on TV nowadays, just as long as you are a REALITY TELEVISION star.

Exhibit A: Flava Flave.

Flave used to be a rapper way back in the day. The 80s, I think. However, after VH1 resurrected him from burn-out obscurity on their show “The Surreal Life”, a monster was created. I think this picture speaks for itself. He’s absolutely grotesque. And he has golden teeth. That can be removed.

Exhibit B: Ana Nicole Smith

The definition of a lady, Ana Nicole Smith. She used to pose nude for Playboy and things of that nature. She has little to no grace, Ana Nicole lol. Also, a resurrection from obscurity, Ms. Smith won popularity again when E! gave Ana Nicole her own show, “The Ana Nicole Show”. Or something like that. By the show, she was quite heavy. Which brings us to her next and latest tv exploitation. The famous American gym, Balley’s, hired Ana Nicole as their spokesperson. And that’s when she got “hot” again.

Exhibit C: Adrienne Curry

After winning the million-dollar contract in the first cycle of America’s Next Top Model, it seemed like Adrienne was on her way to becoming the next Tyra Banks. Or so we thought. That is until we saw her fall in love with freakin’ Peter Brady on VH1’s “The Surreal Life”. And even though she IS a model and WORKS as one, I think all of America is pretty disturbed on a weekly basis when we see her on “My Fair Brady”. ALSO, VH1’s creation. It’s about how much Peter Brady (Cristopher Knight) and Adrienne love each other. It’s basically them fighting over wedding plans. And, of course, whether Peter Brady will have a vasectomy or not. On a side note, I think it’s pretty clear that Cristopher Knight needs therapy, as he makes poor Adrienne cry daily. Cristopher, if you’re reading this, please treat her right. She’s 21 and stupid, and is still completely oblivious to the fact that you treat her like crap. You old, old man.

I think we’re in dire need of some quality reality tv shows, here in the United States (with the exception of some wonderful shows. Like MTV’s “The Hills”). I, pesonally, am starting to believe that VH1 should relinquish it’s right to reality television shows, as they are not that great. MTV, however… that’s where it’s at. Which brings me to my next point.

Getting to know my very good friend Oz, has been really significant in my life. He’s one of the greatest guys I know, and I’m thrilled to have his friendship. Back when we started talking, I always thought of how awesome it would be if he and I had a show that documented our experiences as friends when we meet someday. Now that this idea has become a bit more tangible, I decided I would have nothing to lose by emailing MTV.

And here is the letter I sent. lol.

Why hello there… I’m well aware of the fact that you might be looking for people in New York, but let’s try something else. lol. May I share something with you? Thank you kindly.

Hi, My name is Regner :)

(Yes it’s a weird name, I’m aware. And yes, it’s a guy’s name lol.)

A few months ago I received an infamous Myspace Friend Request from a guy named Oz. We immediately hit it off and since then, have become hardcore friends. I’d do anything for my bud, and I’m sure he’d do the same for me. So here we are four months later after that first myspace message was sent, planning something really awesome, something really special. Something that will change everything, due to one tiiinnyy little reason.

Oz and I have never met.

Having a best friend that lives in England while you, yourself, live in Puerto Rico (in the Caribbean JUST IN CASE, holla what) can get quite tricky at times. See, it’s not only the PERSONAL differences, but also the cultural differences that make the friendship that much more interesting and that much more unique. We haven’t known each other for that long, but our friendship has grown so much that we have both decided we’re going to meet by the end of this summer.

Soooo, Oz will be visiting the island in September. It should be nothing short of amazing meeting my friend for the first time. I imagine our friendship will be so much more solid after this. When he arrives, I’ll be giving him the Puerto Rican experience, showing him the ropes, our cuisine, our culture, our spirit.

Then in winter, I shall be off to beautiful England to go roadtrip the United Kingdom with Oz. As part of our trip, we’ll be checking out the University of Manchester, where we both plan on going to school; Oz to pursue his bachelors, while I’ll be going after my postgraduate studies as a Master of Architecture. Bua ha ha, fancy no? lol. It sounds awesome, though.

This trip is going to be crucial! If all goes well and we find it right, I’ll be joining Oz at Uni of Manchester in Fall of 2008, going on my first year of Masters. By then, Oz will be going on his second year.

So… why me (or US, rather), you ask? Well… During the course of these past four months, Oz and I have found something really special in our friendship. What I share with him is unique and I find it hard putting it into words, as it is something you just feel! Our friendship is almost like a fusion of two completely different cultures and personalities that are just… connected.

We invite you, MTV, to document our experience. From the moments where we prepare for our trips, to the moment we step foot on each other’s countries. We invite you to capture the moment where two friends meet for the first time and see each other’s faces live and up front for the very first time. Come tour Puerto Rico and England with us, as Oz and I discover not only what our friendship is about, but also what WE’RE about.

x Regner

A pleasure sharing my story with you; although this isn’t what you guys are really looking for, I wanted to send the story just in case it interests you. There are no Casting Calls for something like this yet. And there should be lol.

So yes, I emailed MTV at various addresses. I also went to NBC, UPS, and some other stations to see if they had any Show Suggestions, but alas they didn’t. Oz doesn’t seem too fond on the idea of having a show, but you know what? It’s ok, because we’re not going to get picked anyway lol [and of course, I say this with hope in my heart that I may be oh-so wrong].

If any of you can make this happen, then e-mail me, sexies. Don’t let oz know, though. Also, if I see a tv show like the oz and regner show, and WE’RE not the people on camera, I will submit a NEW story line to MTV. It’s about this boy who embarks on a quest to find a thief and dump him in the sea for plagierizing his original show idea. Also reality television. lol. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to look at myself in the mirror and practice my smile.

So, I guess like most people you’d like to retire at the ripe young age of 30 after you have accumulated a few million dollars in your interest happy bank. Once you have read this “How to” perhaps the prospect of actually earning a million dollars, on the career path, isn’t so appealing. To acheive early retirement you need plenty, and plenty, and some more motivation and commitment to your one vision. You must sacrifice your soul, until you hit 30, as a slave to the high-flying but extremely punishing career. Alongside that, no kids, no partner and no luxuary items.

There seems to be a small major contrast in interests here. Spend over a third of your life slaving away to earn some money, then spent the rest of it doing nothing. I don’t think I could cope with that massive change in lifestyle. Nor could I have the self-discipline to live a ‘modest’ life. Go it on your own. Invest what money you have in a small business or capital stock and grow it from there yourself. It’s not a race to 30, take your time. Enjoy life. Maintain the easy vibe.

(edit: yes, read reggles’ post below, the funniest thing like ever!)

“If this is happening to you here, wait until you get to England, Regner.”

This is what my mother told me when I called her up this afternoon to tell her about all the trouble I was going through, trying to get myself something to eat. See, today I decided I was going to spend the whole day at our beach apartment (and no, I’m not rich people.). In the afternoon I got hungry, because poor little Regner hadn’t eaten all day, so after procrastinating for hours, I decided to go buy something because there is NOTHING to eat here. So I drive all the way to the nearest shopping center to buy myself some food. When I’m waiting in line something in my brain goes Ding.

Ding.

My wallet is inside my bookbag.

My bookbag is in the apartment.

I have no way to pay for food.

So I had to drive back to the apartment to get my wallet, right? I’m starving at this point, by the way. How I managed to survive is beyond me. As I arrive at the apartment, I wait for the elevator. Please allow me to talk a bit about this elevator.

The apartment complex has 6 stories. The elevator takes approximately seventeen years to get from floor to floor. It is the slowest elevator I have ever come across. So after waiting 102 years for this elevator to reach the ground floor, I’m forced to wait an additional 102 years for it to take me to the 6th floor. This makes me the first human to go without food for over 204 years. I’m quite special, scientists believe.

BACK to the story. I go inside the apartment and look for my bookbag, and after rumaging through all its contents I notice that my wallet isn’t inside. This meant it was in my car all along. It was under the seat. Insert stupid face HERE. Thank yaw. You know how sometimes you feel like you’re being so stupid, a mysterious force should release all its wrath upon you and kill you? That’s what it felt like this afternoon. If you haven’t had the pleasure of feeling this way, then lucky you. This just probably means you carry your wallet with you at all times, unlike some other people. Holla what.

So yes, I called my mother to tell her and she found it amusing to see me going through so much trouble finding food in my own island. I guess she’s right. If and when I move to the United Kingdom, these things are bound to happen with ever increasing frequency. The whole dollar/pound/euro thing is going to catch up with me eventually. What will happen when I only have quarters on me? I’m sure the Burger King people will not be too pleased, as they will want me to pay in pounds or euros. I will have to resort to the noble art of tap dancing on the street. It’s good pay for not that much effort. All I need are tap dancing lessons. That’s it, I’m making a list.

-Tap dancing lessons (so I impress people)
-Hat (so people can drop euros or pounds in)
-Tap dancing shoes (because Lord knows you can’t tap dance with colorful Pumas)
-A good fan base (that have my back and throw me money when Reggles is in need)

Be my fan?

=) xReggles

The company said more than a million chocolate bars and Easter eggs, weighing as much as 33 double-decker buses and equivalent to a third of Britain’s daily consumption, which were recalled from shop shelves and warehouses will be buried at landfill sites across Britain.

Cadbury’s warned children against embarking on a Charlie And The Chocolate Factory style hunt for the buried confectionery.

Screw that, I’m off to the dump.

So, Reggles has picked up on the weird relationship between American-English and Real-English in his last post (the context being his attention-seeking “sneakers”).

Firstly I am going to highlight a sample of spelling differences which has bred confusion in this globalised world:

British — American
centre — center
cheque — check
grey —– gray
kerb —– curb (wait who spells curb as kerb anyway?!)
pyjamas - pajamas
tyre —— tire

As a Brit, I myself get brainwashed by American-English which gets me in trouble when it comes to important exams. You know they assess your english writing and communication ability in every subject, which includes correct spelling. So if I was to write “some people prefer gray to lightbulbs” I may lose a mark… probably not but this is serious! Society is evolving such that American spelling is inflicting upon my life in a negative manner. As a webdesigner I must write center over the correct version, centre. The same goes for color. And pajamas - when I decide to write it - but that’s a weird word either way. That spelling should be pronounced pa-jam-as.. afterall that is how its spelt! But no… some old and dead English academics had to make it difficult.

I vote for an English language revolution.

Let’s spell things how they should be pronounced - isn’t that logical? Why spell trough, well as trough, when it’s pronounced troff not trow?! I think a time will come, soon, when American-English and British-English will be combined and under the UN a new Proper-English shall be founded. It’s not fair on non-english speakers trying to learn English, or on us English speakers! So it would be much better, for the harmony of the world, if one universal english language version was founded.

Perhaps there should be one universal language period. Think of the time wasted in schools teaching kids how to speak, write and read French, Spanish, Swahili and English when one language (English.. because its easier for me) would be much more efficient! So let’s do it.

Edit: It appears that attempts have already been made - the langauge of esperanto! No one seems to bothered by this though, so we can still work on ours :)

I’ll start the first word of our new 21st centuary language and everyone else can sort out the remainder of our dictionary:

Trainers: general purpose or sports shoes.

In fact it appears I have just defined into our language 5 or 6 words. See how easy it is! This’ll take no time.