Category: Uncategorized

Baking as a Business

~ bjcharles ~ 1 Comment
It’s 2013, Christmas. I’m back on my home turf (Trivandrum). All around, the sights and sounds are bit familiar. Most houses have stars outside, few people have Christmas tree and some have crib. Outside, there’s an air of glee.

All bakeries in my locality, ( Jayram bakery, Cookies and bites) are lined with cakes and more cakes. But the disappointing factor is the kind of cakes sold in these bakeries.in all most all popular bakeries in Trivandum.

I wonder why they only follow one or design template. Either it’s the usual plum cake or Black Forest cake. All these cakes lack novelty. Just a usual replica from a factory! SAD.

Baking Opportunity for Women in Trivandrum Kerala!

Why don’t you seize this opportunity? Here’s my suggestion:

  • Prepare for a plan for 2014, starting from today
  • Learn traditional recipe and other variation
  • Prepare cake mix well in advance ( rum and nuts)
  • Bake Christmas cake with raisins, nuts and fruits
  • Try different design ( Search Google for images)
  •  Package it different themes, designs
  • Also, package cookies in containers

 Ideal Business Ideas for Women

Just imagine you can make more than 30k during Christmas. No joke. How you can make yourself different and attract customers?

1) Cake should be special ( no ordinary taste or mix)
2) Bake different cakes ( Rich plum, Chocolate, Icing, etc)
3) Promote through online channels ( Facebook or blog)
4) Package the cake differently
( Not just in plastic containers, but make unique Xmas packs)

Xmas Wishes to All Budding Small Business Owners!

P.S: Mail or call me iff you need my inputs on any of these. I’ll glad to give my thoughts and I could also source packaging material from Bangalore.

You can also directly procure cake baking containers, liners, boxes from Bakers Nest, Bangalore. (wholesale Shop at Chickpet, Bangalore)

Start a Swimming Academy in Kerala

~ bjcharles ~ 1 Comment
I’m just back after my Calcutta trip. During the train journey from Calcutta to Bangalore, in Howrah Yesvantpur super fast train, I met this army guy from Kerala. And during the long conversation with him, he was telling about his his future plan to construct a 25 mtr swimming pool in his hometown. As a professional swimming coach, he is looking forward to take voluntary retirement from army and start something of his own.

As of now, one of his friend has agreed to join together in his venture. They are not scouting for a investor for supporting this venture.

So, what’s the small business plan here. Build a swimming pool. Only hitch is the investment. I think it would take around 20 to 45 lakhs to create a build a full fledged 25 meter swimming pool.

Additional monetizing through swimming pool:

  • Open the pool to public ( Certain hours of the day)
  • Specific time for ladies
  • Water based aerobic classes for ladies
  • Summer coaching camp for school kids
  • Attractive short-term packages for NRI’s
  • Body slimming packages 

In addition, you can start:

  1. A spa along with this facility
  2. Probably train a girls water aerobics 
  3. Shop selling swim wear, accessories, goggles, air bed, etc ( you can source from Decathlon shop)
  4. Additional shop selling tender coconut, juice, and healthy drinks
  5. ( after a swim people are terribly hungry) 

What you require to start:

  • Coaching knowledge on swimming, training, etc
  • Investor 
  • Proper infrastructure and safety measures

 And if you need further inspiration, read this well written post about a swimming facility in Pala, Kerala. Thoppan’s Swimming Academy, at Pala in Kottayam district, Kerala is a perfect example to emulate.

 

Meet a Stranger in Bangalore!

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
Shake Ka-la Hands

Photo by Nicola Corboy

Internet is a wonderful platform to scour ideas, share thoughts and connect. Out of it, I find blogging the most versatile platform to share my life’s story – ideas, things, places or anything that you care!

Why not Facebook? 
When I last counted, I’ve over 750 friends on Facebook. Whoa! But, numbers often lie. All the folks in my Facebook are old acquaintances or those who have drifted away, and rest are zombies like me.

Another way to meetup!
Considering the busy life we all lead, it dawned on me to use blog to tell my story, and use it to meet the right people. Concept is simple – random meets in Bangalore, enjoy sharing thoughts and understand the other.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s or Koshy’s Bangalore or Jimi’s Indira Nagar! 

The original concept of meetups is from a marketer from Europe. Whenever he travels to anew cite, he makes it a point to arrange a quick meetup with the locals. During the meetups, he shares his idea, market thoughts and start-ups plans, etc.

On the same lines, my plan is simple – If you’re looking for some spark, inspiration or business plan, or career or just bored, then take the step for a meetup in Bangalore.

Coffee Meetup in Bangalore – And why should we meet

I’m passionate about small business ideas. I’ve earlier written a small biz idea blog post. Please go through it to get traces of my passion towards small business. Moreover, there’s so much learning, sharing and flow of thoughts when two souls meet. In a typical meet, I’ll share these facets about me:

  • Few words about me. Then my passion for small business, travel or outdoor activities
  • Interest in online channels for learning or business 
  • Share about pastimes ( travel, photography, reading, music, antique collection, books, flea market exploration, etc)

Well, there’s no specific agenda for a meeting. It’s just a random meet at a cafe. All you need is a real interest to meet a stranger in Bangalore.

Who can meet me in Bangalore?

Anyone! From college kids to a busy bee professional who’s saturated with corporate life or someone who’s battling grief or just anyone who’s keen in a meetup.It could be a retired soldier or widower  or widow or a teacher or a clerk or a jobless person, or a person who was given a pink slip, or a college pass-out looking for career ideas.

If you think of giving it a try, then feel free to message, or Whatsapp, or email me. I’m available at 99.00.11.4982 or email me at bcc2charles@gmail.com. 

A bit about me…

I’m into my 40’s, married. Currently I work for an online marketing company. I’m put up at Domlur, Bangalore.

If you’re from this locality, then it’s easy for a meetup around Indira Nagar area. With hundreds of cafe’s and joints, it’s just a matter of mutual choice. If you’re from other part of the world, then Indian Coffee House at Church Street, or Koshy’s at M.G Road, etc could be a rendezvous point.

Meet me today, tomorrow, this weekend, or a month later or a year later. Let’s connect, spread ideas in an attention starved world!

Ohoy!

Charles

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

How to rekindle Local Libraries

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
After a voluminous gap of 15 years I took a library membership. Sree Chitra Thirunal, Grandasala at Vanchoor, Trivandrum 

During early 90’s one of my friend Mr Hari, introduced me to this library. I was attracted to this dim lit library by the good collection of English fiction books.

Years passed, my interest in Library too waned. I remember going to Trivandrum Public Library with my Dad’s card. Even that is long forgotten.

Now after a decade, I’m visiting these walls and memories. The walls inside the library appears more greyed, and on the wall hangs few picture. Even that has aged. I could only see old men reading newspapers with dedicated. And the absence of young generation shows of things to come.

After visiting this library, I feel compelled to write about this rustic place. Lack of growth, low energy and the absence of young people. Few old timers were sitting in the main hall reading news papers. But, where are the young people. Will this sustain this library? Is it not time for a revival of interest?

If I’m not wrong, similar fate awaits thousands of libraries in Kerala. What can you and me do about the decline of reading, borrowing books and increase visits to libraries. How can they compete in this Internet era, where Wikipedia has overtaken Britanica.

I feel library is just not about books, it’s should be more than that. So, what can it do in this era of mobile training, learning and reading.

I’m just waiting for ideas or comments. ..

Coconut Climber in Trivandrum

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
How many coconut climbers (thandan) do you know in your locality?
Do you have a regular fellow to pluck coconuts?
What is the going market rate for these workers?

There’s a big scarcity of coconut climbers in Trivandrum. I may not be wrong, it applies to other parts of Kerala. I keep hearing from my friends about the high rate for these people.

Why is supply very less while demand in high. While it’s not an easy profession, there’s a big opportunity for people to come to this arena. Of course, there are now tools available to help people climb trees safer and more easier.

Why not sponsor a training for local people in your locality?
 

Ride Enfield Bullet

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
Growing number of women are taking manly pastimes such as exploring outdoors, biking. Taking of bikers, there’s a growing tribe of women enthusiasts who are fascinated with Bullet bikes. So, herein lies the new business plan.

Earn Extra Money During Weekends – Attn: Women Bullet Drivers
Being a lady has extra frills. You get noticed, you’re the unique one. So, why not give other ladies a chance to ride the most manly bike in India – Royal Enfield. Keep some time to teach other ladies the thrill of riding a bullet. Imagine, you teach them ride, show the nitty gritties of maintaining bullet, other riding skills tips.

Marketing Your Service
Get publicity in Kerala circles through online free ads ( Yenta.com or Quikr, etc) and/or start a Facebook page. Post picture of you with the bullet. I’m sure it will be bit innovative, and if you’r a working girl, then you can earn extra money during weekends.

Here’s another link I like to share. It’s about following your passion. I hope you’ll like this read.

How to Find Your Purpose and Do What You Love

Cherio to Women Bikers!

Malls and Factory Stores!

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
 Sugamano?  Kannan ellalo
Hegiddeera ?

Translated to English, it means – How are you? Long time? 

I overheard a casual talk in  fish stall at Domlur. The shop guy asked casually asked the customer his whereabouts and where he has been for a long time. 

 This simple  act of remembering a customer keeps that customer relationship alive. Unfortunately, this kind of connection is absent in a shopping mall or a big store. When you walk in a big mall, the people around are just as anonymous as you’re. Al the big names like Nilgiris or Foodworld, or Reliance store are just robotic stores with no human feelings. It’s just pick, trolley and pay. What a sad way to spend money without any feeling?

This got me thinking of this:

  • Can big shops build personal connection with customers? 
  • Can super markets find a way to acknowledge a regular customer? CRM!
  • What’s the real role of a counter staff? Only billing, without even looking in our face?
  • How can the shop assistants trained to smile, talk, and shell out human behavior?

When, you start a franchisee, or start your own biz, always remember to know regulars who walk in and the best customers. It really pays!

Also, why should all shopping malls look alike? Does it have to be that way? Who will change it and why? 

Why I love Perverts like You

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
Are you my friend?

On a offbeat note, I often wonder what’s inside you. I never know, neither you know about me. We have a bunch of pervert ideas bottled inside us. After all we’re just humans with all the follies.

Are you what we appear outside? Polished, well mannered, smart and intelligent?
Is there something more sinister behind your glazing coat? If yes, don’t worry. You’re not alone.