Month: February 2015

Mobile Application for Auto Drivers in India

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
Today I was on my way to meet a friend at Indira Nagar. One the way I passed a park near to Domlur BDA complex. It choose service road for its green cover, and peace. And like me there were other people who choose this quite side road. Few auto drivers had parked their auto and they were sleeping inside it.

Tired fellas – Probably they are taking a break from their hectic trips around the city. This got me thinking of an mobile app for auto guys. What do you say? Will they use such an application? Is it too early?

According to me, it can work as these guys are getting used to smart phones and many of them are used to OLA app.

So, what will this mobile app help them?

  1. Create bonding among auto drivers 
  2. Share information about localities 
  3. Provide a forum to share details of auto repair shops
  4. Raise funds or personal loan to overcome any emergency
  5. Start medical insurance scheme for auto drivers
  6. Share information about safe and peaceful localities where they can take rest during day or night
  7. Trade information on spare parts shop, upholstery shop, etc
  8. Sell or trade or exchange of spare parts, tires, etc
  9. Help auto drivers straddled in remote location due to repair or with an empty tank
  10. Give education fund for those willing to learn new vocational skills

56 Small Business Ideas for Indians Settled in Canada

~ bjcharles ~ 1 Comment
Why are Indians eager to settle in Canada? I bet it’s for better life, gain more opportunities, achieve financial freedom, improve the quality of life, etc. I know few acquaintances and relatives who have migrated to Canada. Few are in Ottawa and some in Vancouver.

Given a chance to migrate to Canada, I would say NO. Simple reason being, I’ll home sick fella, and I enjoy living in a place with tropical climate. But, majority of folks would be happy to settle in a place which offers so much more than India. Somehow, I try to discourage people from settling in other countries. Again, I’m biased to India. Also, I find more opportunities to excel in India.

As a small business evangelist ( A title I recently conferred on myself 🙂 ), I’m keen to understand, and know all about the small business opportunities for Indians settled in Canada. How can Indians start something of their own, instead of working in a typical 9 to 5 job.

So, here are few concepts I’ve been thinking recently.

1) Develop a mobile App exclusively for Indians working in Canada

    What will this application do, I’m not sure. But, if it can help Indians to connect, maybe transact commodities or Indian stuffs, or create a market place for Indians to sell or even date Indians ( Tinder).

2) Teach mehandi for Canadians or locals

   Open a small school teaching Indian craft like Mehandi. What about a place where people will come to get Mehandi done in their hands or legs. What about on their back? Summer time it could be a fun stuff when folks go for swimming and they sport a modern mehandi design?

3) Open a Hyderabadi Biryani Counter

   Find a location where there are many Indians. Either you can open a restaurant or do this cooking place from home. Make authentic Hyderabadi Biryani using Indian rice, and ingredients. Probably you can also teach biryani lovers the art and science of making Dum Biryani. Do you think this idea would work in Canada? I bet there are biryani fans in North America and if done well your hadda would a favourite joint for Indians

4) Teach Kamasurtra techniques

   I’ve shared the same idea earlier in one of the small business concepts in Kerala. In Kerala I doubt it can work, but in Canada it can work. Probably, people will be more receptive to this kind of learning. Along side this you can start a store which sells replica of Kajarau postures or Kamasutra sculptures.

5) Sell Indian Medicinal Plants

     Here  I’m not sure if the climate will allow you to grow tusli or curry leaves plant or Touch me Not in Canada. Probably you have to plant it in a controlled place. Also, you can sell auryedic powders, kashayams etc, if it’s approved by the local laws.

6) Online Store selling Indian Handicrafts

    It’s not a novel concept, but if you are a artisan, then you can start building your collection and sell it through an online store.

7) Teach Mural Painting
     
    If you are an artist, then you can convert your artistic talent into money’s worth. I bet there will be more takers and returns will be great. Teach and sell mural painting from home or using online channels.

8) Start an Ayurveda Massage Centre

Learn alternative therapies, esp Ayurveda. Next, open a Ayurvedic training and treatment centre. A good massage could be a booming business opportunity.

9) 

Small Business Mentoring

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
Off late, I’ve become a big fan of small businesses. Along, the way I started hating cubicle life.  Probably, I’m a misfit in the factory culture in any typical corporate world.

As a big supporter of small business, I love small business marketing and love to see how people with little leverage making an attempt to create something new.

Latest Grub Joint in Domlur
Recently, I noticed a small restaurant which has opened near Domlur. It’s called “The Grub Hub”. After seeing it for few days, I decided to give it a try their menu. The menu is a happy one – pork, beef and chicken items. The lady and the man who runs this shop appears to have done their homework – tasty food, small and clear space.

Small Business – Motivation from Government.

As we know, government in all states have departments and a bunch of staff to administer policies and initiates to support small business. From licences to financial support to quality checks, they are in charge of rolling out change.

But, as we know for sure, most policies and activities are restricted in some manual, tall promises. Only, a trickle reaches the small business owner. I’ve been thinking of ways they can step out and do some real work. What could it be?

My suggestions to small business or Industries department of state government:

1) Re-wamp existing website, which have unclear navigation, old and boring content. Get it done by a reputed webdesign company. The website should be responsive, should have a newsletter subscription space.

2) Create Facebook page for all the small business initiatives.

3) Politicians and bureaucrats should be allotted specific localities. They should visit the shops in various localities and offer help and support. At least, go and pat the back of a small business owner for contributing to the tax.

4) Offer, some gift for the highest tax payer in the locality.

Well, all these are just a pipe dream. I don’t thing the way our system works in India, our politicians and bureaucrats will do such proactive efforts. Well, If I was a politician, then I would have done it . Why because, it will indirectly make me popular, help me do my job, will help me understand the problems faced by the people, etc. In other words, it’s good for the community, and for the individual.