The Nobel Prize winning scientist and humanitarian Linus Pauling said, “The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas.”
After all, the more paths you have to get where you want to go, the better your odds of getting there.
In fact, in my two decades at Changing Course I’ve found that next to fear, the biggest thing keeping people trapped in job jail is lack of ideas.
And that’s a shame.
Because if your dream is to have a portable business so you can live and work from anywhere…
Or if you crave ditching the cubicle to work from home as I do…
Or if you want to find a way you to get paid for your creativity or your writing…
Or you otherwise want to be your own boss – then a great idea is your ticket to freedom.
For instance, last week I posted seven unique ways you – or someone – could cash in on the booming wedding industry.
I say “someone” because the fact is it’s always easier to come up with ideas for other people.
Which is actually very good news.
Because if you search only for cool business ideas for yourself, then you run the very real risk that opportunity will pass you by.
Let me explain…
Why You Need To Be An Idea Junkie
If you opted to skip the wedding article because you have zero interest in a wedding-themed business – then you are missing not only the point but you are also potentially missing the boat to freedom.
That’s because when you only look for ideas for yourself, then you’re far more apt to hit a wall.
Maybe it’s the “That will never work” wall…
Or, the “I can’t make enough money doing that” wall…
Or, the “But I don’t have any experience” wall…
Sound familiar?
But when you get in the habit of seeing money-making opportunities unrelated to your unique gifts or interests, you are fearless.
And because there are no walls, you’re more receptive to possibility.
Knowing that things are possible, you’ll also see how one great idea can lead to another!
And before long, you’ll find the perfect path for you.
Share the Wealth
Ideas are meant to be shared.
Thankfully, many of your fellow travelers on the road to right livelihood not only read the wedding article, but they know how fun it can be to brainstorm with others – if even virtually.
Five generous souls took up the Brainstorm Nation challenge and posted their own money-making ideas for all of us.
Handy with a sewing machine? Debra suggests you could make custom bridal headpieces, purses, garters, and ring bear pillows.
Lee Ann Vermeulen-Roberts from Holland by way of California took a different approach.
Being a singer, songwriter, musician, and creativity coach herself, Lee Ann naturally came up with performing live music (singing or instrumental) during the ceremony itself or being a DJ at reception.
Once you have a great idea, you need to know where to start.
So building on the helpful resources already in the article Debbie DiClaudio Orwat from Colorado posted:
If you want to be a wedding planner PlannersLounge.com has a lot of free information and articles on getting started.
Finally, for Denise Washington the wedding theme was personal – and timely!
If you have a knack for finding bargains, and you enjoy entertaining on the cheap, Denise shared a great idea for a profitable and FUN niche.
You see Denise is getting married on July 24th and wisely she is doing her wedding on a budget.
So she knows first-hand that some people can or choose to drop $50,000 to well over a million dollars on their wedding, for others there is a real need for budget wedding planners and coordinators who know how to put on an event for $15K or less that still looks nice.
And Debbie adds, there is also a need for wedding planners/coordinators who specialize in showing people how to do-it-yourself (DIY) regarding flowers, dresses, decorations, and the like.
But our bride-to-be didn’t stop there. Denise generously offered not one, not two, but NINE more income-generating ideas!
1. Wedding vows writer
2. Graphic designer for programs, invites, placeholders, etc.
3. Wedding toasts writer
4. Engagement and/or wedding scrapbook (digital or printed) creator
5. Wedding day video production
6. Engagement story video production
7. Silk flowers floral arrangements and bouquets
8. Specialty garter belts
9. Offbeat wedding coordinator (roller derby, superheroes, zombie)
You see there truly is no shortage of ways to make money doing what you love!
Tap A Tribe of Idea Generators
Still I know there are lots more ways to cash in on the booming wedding industry. And when it comes to brainstorming, more brains are always better than one!
And who better to tap than people who get paid to come up with neat business ideas?
So I headed over to the private Facebook page for graduates of the Profiting From Your Passions® coach training to get their thoughts.
Cathy Summers of Inspired 4 Life Coaching in the UK also had a musical idea. But instead of singing at the ceremony, she suggested organizing an entire chorus.
When I read Cathy’s pitch to the happy couple to “hire your own chorus of angels,” I thought hmmm, wouldn’t it be interesting to organize a children’s choir! You make money as the organizer and the kids learn the value of earning their own money too.
For planner types, Cathy also suggested hanging out your shingle as a travel planner to design and run local excursions and otherwise manage travel for out of town guests.
Someone who knows a lot about weddings is Tim Grover the Career Optioneer at Changing Life Bulbs. That’s because for 25 years prior to changing course, Tim owned his own DJ service.
Since leaving the business, he’s observed a few new trends other aspiring DJs could offer. Like playing music videos in the background, bringing in a live drummer (presumably to give more of a live feel to recorded music), and providing tambourines and cowbells for guests to get into the act.
Finally, building on Denise’s pre-wedding video ideas, LA-based Solo-Entrepreneurship coach Susan Baker of EscapeHatcher.com wrote:
…my hubby is an editor and I have a background as a producer so our wedding video was editing together and interspersed with in depth interviews with both of us as well as b-roll [background shots or video of the couple] – I suspect this would be a huge hit with other couples.
Turns out Dr. Pauling was right.
The best way to have a good idea truly IS to have lots of ideas – and a Tribe of idea generators in your corner doesn’t hurt either!
It’s why I chose as my company motto: Changing Course begins with a great idea.
Armed with an idea you then need the courage to act on it.
If fear is holding you back, you’re in luck!
Keep your eye out on Monday for a great article on courage by another graduate of the Profiting From Your Passions® program — Redesign Strategist Peggy Fall of RedesignYourLife.com.
And if you love coming up with small business ideas like Cathy, Tim, Susan, and Peggy, stay tuned!
Summer School for the Profiting From Your Passions® training program begins in July.
For more information on this first and only class for people who want to get paid to brainstorm sign up here now to get on the early notification list.
Join the Brainstorm Nation Family!
Do you have additional ideas for self-bossers who want to break into the wedding business?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this post!
Don’t use Facebook? Just scroll to the bottom of this page to post your ideas!
