John Chow’s blog offers some good reading in his post entitled “My Five Requirements For Investing In A New Business“.

A brief summary of his five points are:

• 1. low startup costs
• 2. exclusive rights
• 3. self managing
• 4. global
• 5. portable

Right now, I’m very much in favor of that, as the school I’m running is anything but #1, #3 or #4 or #5! In fact, it really isn’t such a smart business to run! It’s not so expensive to start up a small school, but it does require a lot of cash to start up a biggish one. While exclusivity isn’t so much of a problem, the competition is fierce, even though quality is lacking! Self-managing… hah! Global: we’re in the global business market, but we’re anything but! We’re very much a local business, in size, market and scope! And it is not portable! Too many licenses, laws and government departments make sure it is not portable! So an education business isn’t necessarily the smart thing to do, especially if you need teachers, classrooms and bodies on chairs! Mmm.

Bulk Candy Vending for Passive Income is a great article that introduces you to the simplest of business ideas. If you are looking for simple and effective business ideas, this article is really good. It explains how you can get started, how much you need, what you need to do, and how much you can make. It’s not easy! But it works. Thanks, GeniusTypes for another great article!

From Genius Types 

Bulk Candy Vending

Often the best ideas are right under our noses. How many times have you walked past a quarter candy machine in a restaurant lobby or break room? Did it ever occur to you that starting a bulk candy vending business could give you a source of income?

If you do it right and avoid the scams, bulk candy vending is an excellent way to take your first step toward entrepreneurship …

Well, I have been blogging on InvestorBlogger since nearly October last year, during that time, I’ve learned a lot of great things, I’m transitioning to becoming a writer (aka blogger), learning more about blogging, …

Since then, I’ve accumulated a bit of cash in one account! This is all, for me, found (perhaps even free) money. Money that I would not have otherwise had… So, I’m now wondering what to do with that new found wealth. I checked tonight and found that it is close US$1200 stashed away in two accounts. This represents links sold on the website, Payperpost earnings, and one or two other incomes.

So, now given the amount of money, I’m starting to wonder what to do with it. I do have a number of options:

• 1. keep in the regular account and earn 0.4% per annum;
• 2. stick into a CD in NT$ and earn 2.1% p.a.;
• 3. stick it into another currency (say US$) and earn nearly 5%;
• 4. invest it in an ETF or Dividend paying stock, and earn 5-8% (if I’m lucky);
• 5. or buy a stock like NCV or NCZ or similar, and earn a nice dividend at about 9%.

Of course, the return correlates with some risk, so some of GeniusTypes’ suggestions yesterday should help to mitigate your worries with strategies to protect your initial investment capital. He describes Cost Basis Recovery, 50/50 and Hands Off .

What would you do? Comment your answers! I’d love to hear from some good suggestions!