Got an idea for a business (no, seriously...)

[AoTFan]

So, as many of your know I've been having trouble finding employment.  So, the other day an idea hit me.  Been doing a lot of photo restoration hoping to build my portfolio and get a job on Upwork, but then I thought, why not cut out the middle man?  So, I'm working on a flyer advertising "Mike's Photo Restoration" with a business email that I'll distribute around the area.  Basically, people can email me their photos and, for a nominal fee, I'll restore them.

Dunno how popular this will be, or whether it'll even work, but I figure I gotta try something.  And I like fixing Photos so, who knows? 

I don't know, what you guys think?  Not sure if there any legal stuff I need to know about (probably not unless I make over so much a year, but who knows.)  I know it'll cost a bit to make the initial copies of flyers and stuff (especially if I want to print them in color.)

Anyway, just thought I'd get some ideas/comments/support. 

[LilCerberus]

Still no takers, and i sound better than most...

KitSplit (Some of my sound gear, Prices Negotiable)
https://kitsplit.com/profile/lilcerberus/listings/

[clockworkcanary]

So, as many of your know I've been having trouble finding employment.  So, the other day an idea hit me.  Been doing a lot of photo restoration hoping to build my portfolio and get a job on Upwork, but then I thought, why not cut out the middle man?  So, I'm working on a flyer advertising "Mike's Photo Restoration" with a business email that I'll distribute around the area.  Basically, people can email me their photos and, for a nominal fee, I'll restore them.

Dunno how popular this will be, or whether it'll even work, but I figure I gotta try something.  And I like fixing Photos so, who knows? 

I don't know, what you guys think?  Not sure if there any legal stuff I need to know about (probably not unless I make over so much a year, but who knows.)  I know it'll cost a bit to make the initial copies of flyers and stuff (especially if I want to print them in color.)

Anyway, just thought I'd get some ideas/comments/support. 

Interesting. It's worth a shot, even just for your portfolio (no matter what else you get into, it'd be useful to have that experience). You may also consider offering to restore/digitize old photos. Like, for those older folks who have actual photo albums and would like them digitized/scanned and restored.

Another similar option that could branch from those is parts photography. For example, about a decade ago, I got hired by a company to take photos of all of their parts, cleaned up the images, and batch sized them so they could put them on their web site catalog. That experience (with Photoshop, batching, scanning blueprints sometimes, etc.) and portfolio content helped me land jobs later. Just some ideas!

Keep brainstorming. Try it all. Do some volunteer work (small scale) for a local church or something just to network some contacts. This is pretty much how my sister got her start with graphic design, which has lead to her designing (and getting paid for) all manner of local business graphic needs (images, flyers, menus, even t-shirts).

Good luck!

[clockworkcanary]

Off topic, but a business idea hit me last night.

Went to several Halloween/costume shops and noticed that both the big chain store and the ma and pop stores only seemed to carry costumes for small folks, when (let's just admit it) most people are much larger. I asked the folks working there about it and they didn't carry much in the line of plus sized.

Instantly my brain told me that these folks need to adjust their business model. Frankly, that appears to be an untapped market (although it's only seasonal). Supply and demand is what they always say. I thought to myself that if I were into that line of business, I'd just open a plus size costume store and tap that market.

[Alex]

Kristi suggested that you get in touch with some of the sites where they trace geneology and see about cleaning up photos for them. She uses that sort of thing a lot, so if you want some suggestions of places to try send her an email.

[AoTFan]

Kristi suggested that you get in touch with some of the sites where they trace geneology and see about cleaning up photos for them. She uses that sort of thing a lot, so if you want some suggestions of places to try send her an email.

That's a good idea!  Thanks.

[Flangepart]

Hope it works out, kiddo. When reality ignores ya, give it good shot in the nads.