Can thinking up new and weird job titles spark some creativity inside you?
Year Of Creativity 2008 features images of 366 illustrated business cards which show 366 different, imaginative (sometimes wacky) professions. It’s a way to think really different by playing with new word combinations to spark ideas. [via PSFK]
We can't find a 'corruption-free polician' in the list. Now that would be something interesting.
On a recent trip to Joburg, we were killing a bit of time in Sandton City and noticed, what at first we thought was a safety deposit box for your cash [this is Joburg after all], but soon discovered the writing on the side...proudly declaring it to be a public cellphone charging booth.
Looking like a prop from one of those 'hidden camera' shows and with instructions that would be equally at home in an Adult World, it's not the best designed devise around, but an interesting vending idea for a mobile society.
Now if they had one that powered-up laptops, we would have been messing around taking pictures of things like this.
In May this year we posted a story about a retail store in NYC, which was expected to morph itself into a different store every three months.
At the time it was called Pong - and was a tiny garage-sized table tennis hall. Now it has finally transformed and has reinvented itself as a very small drive in.
What was formally a sporting arena, is a cinema fitted with a 1965 Ford Falcon convertible and widescreen. Starting with films from 1960 and progressing chronologically each night, DRV-IN speeds through four decades of cinematic achievement.
There's even a mandatory popcorn machine available for viewers.
Is that old go-kart track at Canal Walk still vacant?
More:
Grand Opening - Drv In - The Cool Hunter
At the Drive-In in NYC - PSFK
Previously: Cool business idea: Pong - Cherryflava
With summer on its way, it's safe to assume that every available plane seat destined for Cape Town has been booked and the usual ho-hum; Robben Island..feed the baboons at Cape Point...dodge the muggers on Long Street tours have already been snapped up.
But we absolutely love this idea of city running tours from the US.
City Running Tours offers guided running tours of New York City, Chicago, San Diego and Washington, DC.
Ideal for the business traveler who is tired of on the hotel treadmill, the marathon runner who is training for a race and is looking to continue or spice up their regular routine, or the recreational runner who wants to explore new and interesting routes, City Runners Tours offers both set tours as well as customized runs to accommodate any athletic ability, style, training regimen or specific landmarks.
Perfect for Cape Town? Indeed!
Loads of tourists [who are also runners and cyclist] head to the city every year to do the Argus and the Two Oceans, but why should they enjoy the world's most beautiful events just once a year? Guided running and cycling tours of Cape Town could be a big business perhaps supported by sponsorship or tryvertising from brands like Nike and Adidas and can offer safer recreational running than if foreigners had to venture out alone [we're thinking mountain biking tours in Deer Park here].
Good branding, a wicked experience and a good dose of local knowledge are all key, but an excellent business idea and way to see the city.
Website: City Tours
[via Springwise]
- The business of selling products made from duct tape is a booming one in the US. From wallets to iPod covers, could the local Builder's Warehouse hold the key to your own luxury yacht? [Read: You see duct tape - they see moneymaker - New York Times]
- ...oh yeah, to get you started big boy - here's a step-by-step on how to make a duct tape wallet. We'll have two. [Read: How to make a duct tape wallet]
- Typical! The world discovers social solace in Facebook and the marketers are hot on their heels. [Watch: Madison avenue stampedes onto Facebook - Adage]
- To promote the use of underwear amongst American youth - underwear making people decide to declare a national underwear day in the US. It seems like it may be back to the drawing board for the scant-peddling folk. [Read: Panties and 'Antis' - NYP]
Remember the old Lucky Strike parties - where you had to follow the weird, but intriging rabbit hole of stompies to pick up tickets to eventually see Cypress Hill rockin' in an old warehouse in the dregs of the city?
No advertising, all hush hush - and they were damn successful....parties we're cool too mind you.
Well - the spirit of secret parties is alive and bopping in the London club-land with the Buttoned Down Disco.
The idea behind Buttoned Down Disco is that it's an invite-only, secret location party held at various night club locations around the city of London.
Entry is free, but you have to be in possession of the all important secret invite, which is emailed out to the disco bunny teenie-boppers.
Whoa - we just had a flashback to that Massive Attack gig at the 3 Arts a few years back and fully appreciated the concept.
See: Buttoned Down Disco
Read: Interview with the founder - Londonist
Previously: Silent Disco - Cherryflava
GrandOpening in New York is a space and time manipulator.
They've got a cracking business concept which they play out every 3-months in their 400 square foot Manhatten retail space.
The idea, which will work damn well in a fickle entertainment market like Cape Town, is that every three months the space has another Grand Opening as something new.
Right now it's a table tennis club, but in three months it could be a bowling alley or a poker hall.
We love the concept. That space at Canal Walk where the Indoor Grand Prix circuit used to be would be perfect for this.
Website: Grand Opening
[via thecoolhunter]
Let's face it - the local @Home carries a very limited range of bed linen choice if you're a 15 - 25 year old, hormone-ravaged male sleeper.
Thankfully for all concerned, an American company is now printing photographs on bedding...calling it 'reality bedding'.
According to the website:
Reality Bedding is the perfect gift for: |
|
 Graduation |
Bachelor/Bachelorette |
|
Birthday |
Retirement |
|
Christmas |
Moving-in Gift |
|
Toga Party |
...and more |
Having a duvet featuring two young girls who are clearly good friends when you're at retirement age, may seem a little not right.
But hey, it beats daisies.
Customised and personalised bedding is however a cracking idea for a business.
There could be a massive opportunity looming in the Pretoria region if the Bulls win their little rugby game on Saturday.
Website: Reality Bedding
Getting a dog is a big step. Its like adopting a kid...a furry kid...that likes to lick stuff and poop in unusual places.
Yeah, pretty much like getting a kid.
If you're not into the long-term vibe, but you'd still like to run on the beach with a moving carpet - Flexpetz is a new business which specialises in 'flexible pet ownership'.
Its a bit like doggie timeshare.
The company offers consumers the option of having a dog for just a few hours or days a week.
The dogs come from breed rescue shelters, who take in specific breeds and help pick animals that are well-suited to life as Flexpetz. When they're not spending time with members, the dogs live in a cage-free facility. Membership is limited, and each dog generally spends time with a small group of people. Monthly membership costs USD 39.95 plus a daily fee, and members can reserve their pooch of choice online.
Perhaps something the SPCA could consider to make their service more financially viable.
Website: Flexpetz
[via Springwise]
Yesterday it was Go Cars, today...see the city via Segway.
Also found in San Fransisco, The San Francisco and Sausalito Electric Tour Companies offers tours of two of the world's most beautiful cities on the world's most unique transportation device: the Segway!
Groups see parts of the city with a tour guide which costs roughly $70 (R500) per person for the experience. They now also offer night trips to various spots which sounds like a plan for a pub crawl.
At $70 it sounds a bit pricey, but beats the hell out of walking. [Thanks Isobel]
Website: Electric tour company
