Crazy and innovative small business ideas in Calcutta

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
I have visited Calcutta twice. In my recent visit ( November 2014), I stayed at Emirates Hotel, which is located close to Park Street. And in the short visit in Calcutta, I didn’t have to go far to see the grim economic realities of this erstwhile cosmopolitan city.

Oh Calcutta!
What happened to this arty city? Where are the poets, writers, industrialists, economists and liberal thinkers?

From what I learnt from few colleagues – there’s a serious brain drain in Calcutta Some thing like in Kerala. Unlike in Kerala, where folks went to Middle East, Bongs took less risk. They settled in Indian cities like B’lore or Delhi, B’bay, etc

Bringing Back The Glory Days 

Most people say bongs in Calcutta are laid back. And they are not motivated to excel, achieve or succeed professionally in life. It may be true, but it can’t also be true!

I want to see a new Calcutta. Yes, seriously.

So, how can we reverse the fortune? What can people do to inspire the future generation to make “City of Joy” their home? How can we slowly rebuilt Calcutta to the old glory

So, here goes my baggage of small business ideas for Calcutta – Something similar to what I’ve written for Kerala, and similar cities like Bangalore.

Anyways, something are very peculiar to Calcutta, and here are few of my crazy business idea plans.

1) Start Bungee Jumping from Howrah Bridge

    It’s crazy but all standards. But, it could be something the government can initiate and generate some money to its coffers. Here’s my plan. Every Saturday, probably from 6 Am to 10 Am, they can start bungee jumping. For a start, get experts from New Zealand. Just imagine, people getting adrenalin rush from Howrah bridge. Funny! For instant publicity, get a politician or a cricket star to inaugurate it with a plunge from Howrah bridge!

2) Teach Bengali Cuisine 

    It’s known for a fact many foreigners visit Calcutta for various reasons. Some to do service in Missionaries of Charity, or some off beat travelers seeking to explore the Calcutta.

If you have the skill, passion for cooking, and have a pace in your house, then get it going. If you need inspiration, you can have a look at Menna’s Indian Cooking Classes in Bangalore Facebook Page. With proper online promotion, placement, you can easily attract people to start enquiries about your class. Give it a try if you’ve the love and passion of sharing Bengali Cuisine to interested folks.

3) Open a Calcutta Themed Memorabilia Store

    This idea goes to all cities in India. Start an exclusive store selling high-quality collectibles and memorabilia.  Some ideas could be cushion covers, model of Howrah Bridge, Vintage picture of Calcutta, Coasters with the insignia of Calcutta, quality jute products just likes the one’s sold at Jute Cottage, in Bangalore.

4) Story Telling and walking Tours

  I bet there are few fantastic walking tours in Calcutta. Well, there’s space for more players, such as individuals with an indepth knowledge of the history of Calcutta. If you are a person with a passion for story telling, then by all means share to people like me – I’m all ears. We can meet at Calcutta Coffee House, or just take me for a stroll around the landmark building and narrate an interesting past of this glorious city. Can you. If you need help to promote your biz online, then I can help you with this. So, what are you waiting for!

5) Open Spas ( Foot Spa and Body Spa_

    This is my suggestion to any city, any village or town. If you’ve an interest towards massage, or relaxation therapy ( aroma), then you should try opening a spa in Calcutta. Best part of this business – It’s a service, so, require minimal investment. Running cost is less, no big expenses. 

Don’t Cry for me Kerala

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
Don’t judge the post by the headline. I couldn’t think of a better one at this point of time. As for this post, I had been thinking of penning it down for quite sometime. And, again the same feeling resurfaced when I went to a courier company.

All I wanted was to send few cardboard boxes from Bangalore to Trivandrum. I went to two courier service and both them refused to send a consignment to Kerala. One fella sent that the check post problem. Another didn’t give any reason. Why is it becoming increasingly difficult to do business in Kerala? Who makes these policies and who is it benefiting?

Apart from sending courier to Kerala, even ecommerce sites are refusing to send things to Kerala. Again some tax problem? Why are they finicky about it? Why don’t the Government make things easier…maybe give some space for growth? Well, they might loose a bit on tax, but it will facilitate trade to flourish.

Again, the recent rule to close down bars… I still can’t comprehend the scenario. Why is Congress government hell bend on this rule? Are they myopic about their objective? Which era are they living?  What do they see for the future? Are they tackling drinking problem with these short sighted measures? Will it work? Are the public idiots?

oh…. I’m just rantling about it. Maybe, I’m more right winged fellas, with my ideals tilted towards free market and capitalism. Where business flourish and people have more options to live and earn in Kerala.

66 Crafty Business Ideas for Sunday Soul Sante

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
I’m a big fan of concepts like flea market, barter groups and second to none. If you’re in Bangalore, there’s one flea market which has no rivals – Sunday Soul Sante. When I first visited this community flea market at Palace Grounds, I was mesmerized by the spirit of business, especially the lady power.

Credit should go to the founders of this movement. I feel the same kind of concept should be taken to other cities like Trivandrum, Cochin, Hyderabad, Calcutta,etc.

The only complain I have about these events is the dearth of ideas. If you are a regular visitor to Sunday Soul Sante, then you’ll know it for real. Most the stalls are repetitive – T shirt design, Hand made jewellery, soups, organic stuffs, twisted glass bottles, colourful photo frames. There are only few new ideas in each event, rest it’s kind of repetitive or copied straight from Pinterest.

This got me thinking of adding new variations to the Soul Sante idea seekers. I thought of sharing what ever I come across on the Internet and some which comes to my jagged mind.

1) Designer Coat Hangers

Metal Coat Hanger

I saw this image while browsing for ideas to cut stress. This image got me thinking of some invention you can try for your next flea market stall. All it requires in cool designs made of different materials ( aluminium, steel, wood). Check out for more ideas on Pinterest.

2) Designer Umbrella 

I think this idea is already done. But there’s more room for innovation. Why don’t you have one person who will do instant paint based on the customer’s choice. Or let the visitors see how an artist paints on the umbrella. All this and more adds to the curiosity factor of your stall.

 
3) Unique Shaped Soaps

In one of the Sunday Soul Sante held at Whitefield I went to a stall selling handmade soups. The soap designs kept in the store was very predictable stuff. Some where car design and similar boring stuffs. I asked the guy manning the store for crazy or naughty designs. The shop keeper probably misunderstood or didn’t understand the scenario.

4) 

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.

Mobile Apps For Public Transport Corporations KSRTC

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
Mobile App for Booking the Journey

App to Track the Journey

Ola Cabs has it, Taxi For Sure, and Uber too.

I’m referring to the mobile apps used by city cabs in Bangalore.

Recently I was awed to see how a colleague used Ola App to locate cabs in Koramangala locality, and booked one. These mobile application uses GPS  to locate the cabs in the vicinity. It’s a wonderful tool which bypasses the manual process rep. ( More automation, minimum labor)

Mobile Apps for KSRTC for booking and tracking the bus

I was wondering if our transport corporations could use one. And, I wonder if any of our high profile Transport Ministers across India have any clue about this? Forget the political class, what about the high profile IAS folks who run the administration of these loss making corporations.

Suggestion to you!
If you happen to read this, and you know a bureaucrat or a Transport Minister’s or his or her son or daughter then you can pass this idea across.

If implemented, it will save my time, your time and increase the profits of these companies. For those who don’t have smart phone, they can use a digital screen place inside the bus stop to locate the bus. Well, such an app can do multiple roles. – book seats, find location of bus, find the fare, route map, file complaints, etc.

Start one Today
As a start, a pilot program can be introduced on Volvo buses or low-floor buses ( Trivandrum). Who is the current minister for Transport in Kerala? Let him or her lead the way? At least they can showcase it as a new activity done during their tenure. Again, it’s an opportunity to speak, propagate and talk big about their achievement in the office!!!

I hope someone from the Government department will wake up to implement this. If funds are limiting, then there are many IT companies who will sponsor this entire App development, deployment and training. For IT companies it’s a chance to built publicity.

Well, this idea is not new but I wonder which transport corporation ( BMTC, or Kerala State Transport Corporation) or Karnataka State Transport Corporation, State Express Transport Corporation, Thiruvalluvar Transport Corporation will initiate it. I bet Karnataka should be the first as they are early adopters to new ideas. Let’s see!

Probably, the most tech savvy and customer friendly transport company will raise their heads and put it into practice. Will Mr Chandababu Naidu or Mr Modi be interested to know this App?. Maybe, once they know, they will tell their cronies to go forward and develop App for public transport companies.

I’m waiting for that day!

Also, private IT companies like Infosys, TCS, Tech Mahindra, Wipro, or Google or Microsoft or any one of the IT companies can take this project and send a proposal to the state run transport companies.

Bye…

Suggestion to Indian Railways – Western Style Toilet

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
Indian Railway – Loo Experience

As a seasoned travel traveler, here are my observation and suggestion to railway folks.

Every time I travel by Kochu Veli Express from Bangalore to Trivandrum, one factor remains same – strong stench from the loo. It’s a battle of human senses – visual, sensory and olfactory.

Here’s my case diary – Most times people are careless on how they use the toilet. These commuters leave water splashed all over the commode and on the floor. The unever railway toilet floor compounds to this water problem. In other words, water stay as puddles on the uneven toilet floor.

There’s another problem with western toilet in railway bogey. I’ve found most commodes do not have toilet seat or it’s partially detached from the commode. So, what happens while you’re using the loo. The rocking and jerking movement of the train makes you slide from the commode seat.

Cleanliness Factor – Railway Loo
We have two problem in hand – one is the way loo is used by the commuter and second is the durability of the fitting used inside the loo. So, who is to be blamed? Is it the user or provider? (railway)?I bet it’s both.

On the part of railway authorities, they have to improve the sturdiness of bolts, nuts and use high-grade fittings to fit the Indian arse. Moreover, all fitting should be tested and retested or feedback should be taken.

Here are few questions to the staff, managers and testers working in the technical wing of Indian railway. 

  • Are you guys testing each gadget, each knob before it is fixed in a bogey?
  • Why are some sharp objects used?
  • What kind of testing is done? What is the standard that is followed? Can you share your research on a blog? We travelers and railway fans are curious to know the inside story. 
  • Do you compare the items used with similar product used in other trains across the world?
  • Have you taken spy shot of each railway coach across the world. Think you guys should dedicate one 1 TB of pics and videos taken from all the railway coaches across the world. I bet there would be lot of learning from this experiment. If there’s no one in railway department for this experiment, then sponsor me. I will be more than happy to go bag-packing and travelling on all the trains across the world.  What say, net savvy and proactive railway minister, Mr Prabhu? 🙂
  • How do you test the durability of each gadget?
  • Why is the loo floor always uneven? Often the water collects at the base of the commode. Just imagine the hygiene problem it can cause!

    Case of Broken Toilet Seat

In the case of broken toilet seats, the culprit is out in the open. It’s the thin metal fixture used to fix toilet the seat to the commode.

I wonder if they ever thought that this thin metal could withstand the big Indian arse!

7 Point Suggestions to Indian Railway
 1) Use high quality, sturdy piece of metal. Harness it using strong bolts and with rubber bushes.
2) Use good quality durable plastic seat cover.
3) Finally, test, test and test on many big Indian arse.
4) Appoint me or any other person to take pics of other railway coaches ( From Japan to Peru). Use these pics for leaning, training and copying
5) Start a blog to share the your story. I bet your organization have many to share. Form safety to opening new facilities ( create a digital marketing team)
6) Appoint an all-rounder person for each train. This person will be in charge of cleaning, tightening bots, to adjusting a/c or fixing a broken latch or even problem first-aid to travelers.
7) Fix automatic scent dispenser at least in 3A coaches

( Earlier post on Garib Rath fiasco) 
What do you say, the engineering department of Indian Railways? Can it be done?

If this item is procured from third-party vendors, then provide technical specification and standard to be followed. With a little care, quality check, you can give us a better travel experience.
     
From a die hard Indian Railway Fan!

Pin Wheel – Next Fun Idea

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
Do you get the idea?

Let me tell you the story of this fan. I purchased this while I was travelling from KR puram to Ulsoor.  Incidentally, a man selling these goodies was travelling in the same bus. And the deal is done.

I bought two such fans. One for my little nephew, and for my wife.

In not much time, my nephew thrashed, shredded this gift into twigs and paper. The other piece, I planted it on the terrace along with the geraniums.

Business idea from such fans

There’re nuts like me who like who are fascinated by wind energy. But, there is no shop selling such stuffs, from the 10Rs stuff to the thousand rupee stuff which can generate a bit of energy for a light or something.

If you’re fascinated or passionate in making such stuff, then you can kick-start as a hobby. Won’t it be great to have a colourful fan blowing in the wind, always lively!

Now, imagine an open terrace with hundreds of such fans, all the different shapes, colours, purpose… And there are enough nerds like me to buy it from me. What about this for a Sunday Soul Sante stall? Here’s a DIY link to how you can make Pin Wheel at home.

Will it sell?

Are ready to take a chance? Are you ready to fail? #sethgodin