Lord Lionheart

Last week I went to get some new wheels on my car and in talking with the owner he told me his son started the business selling exotic car wheels in his bedroom and now has 17 employees.
Recently I have been thinking about starting a second income business, I have a full time job however my schedule is very flexible. I am lucky enough to work from home in between on-site & customer office meetings, in addition to brief visits to my office when needed.
To cut a long story short I have free time, though not completely open due to my full-time job. I have capitol and am looking for second business suggestions, anyone have any ideas for a buy and resale type business easy to operate from home?
Anyone have any stories they would like to share? Anyone sold on e-bay, vending machines, import-export?!?!?!
Lets see where this thread goes? Hopefully a few serious suggestions too.

Mallory

Remember you recommended the Tudor Room English tea room in Santa Monica. Well, I went there with a friend about 3 weeks ago (she is English too). She bought some slices of Christmas cake for us to take home and enjoy later that evening. It was the worst Christmas cake I've ever eaten, not a bit like my mum's cake. So, thought you might get your pinny on, and whip up a few decent cakes for the tea room. I hear Jumping Doris has got a good recipe. She needs work too, and could make a few cakes under the table.

Titchski

Wouldn't it be easier to make cakes on top of the table though?

Mate of mine was going to start exporting 2nd hand (oops sorry, "pre-owned") Harleys to the UK, apparently people were willing to pay almost double what one would go for here. He went back to the UK before getting it off the ground though. Next time I chat to him I'll ask if hes still got the research stuff he put together.

snowbunny

If you like motors....

Toon's cousin in Holland makes a killing by visiting US junkyards, buying up Vette parts, filling a container, shipping back to Holland. He's known throughout Europe.

Is there a similar market for parts for European cars, in LA? Seems like there might be.

Bob

prostitution?

Mallory

if you don't have a "work" visa, best to make cakes under table.

snowbunny

Oi Lionheart if you think of something let me know and we'll start an Austin division.

Seriously.

Lord Lionheart

Well since Christmas was 4 months ago they were probably stale. I recommend the rumballs, sausage rolls and tarts. Christmas cake in April, serves you right.

Cheers, see the Blues got promoted

Funnily enough when I was restoring my Jag I pulled some extra stuff off some junk Jags in the yard. Put them on e-bay and made $200 from a few hours at the junkyard. Problem is it's hot, dirty sweaty job pulling stuff off junkers in CA heat.

Lord Lionheart

Have you seen my photo in the photopost. I'll go broke

jumping doris

Will I get a green card and health ins. I also prefer to make my cakes in the cooker

jumping doris

I'm quite interested in some of the answers because when, and if, I do finally get a green card I don't know what to do. I want to save Walmart until I am old.

TouristTrap

Unfortunately, you'll be the filling in a sandwich.

snowbunny

Well, the trick is to do it in Europe where parts are more plentiful (and temperatures cooler) and then container ship the lot back to yourself. Resell.

franc11s

What talents do you have? What do you have passion for (other than the obvious)? I'd play around a little at some things (like Ebay) without buring any capital to buy "into" anything.

To thruth is, rarely does much "walk in the door" as a great business opportunity so I'd initially start by following what you want to do. this will tell you:-

How much time you really have?
What you like to do - for real (managing people, dealing with Joe Public, inventing, etc.,)
What you don't like to do - for real too!!

You'll be surprised, 3-6 months into this exercise, you might then BUMP into something more exciting or opt for a quiet life on the beach......

Jerseygirl

Christmas cake if stored correctly should keep several years.

Traditionally the top tier of a wedding cake is saved for the 1st baby's christening. Please note I mean UK traditions....no US sponge wedding cake would last that long.