Door to Door Flower selling

Here's an idea that I think is rather sweet. Lots of people these days get a weekly box of in-season fresh produce (fruit and/or veg). So why not have them receive a bunch of in season fresh flowers every week to brighten their life?

A bunch of florist delivered flowers can be expensive when they are specially delivered and of requested varieties, but I reckon the price could be made more affordable if you follow this idea; 

as you are cutting down on delivery costs, and choosing an in-season item.  

I'd go to an inner city area with accessible apartments and units and door knock/ distribute flyers to as many as possible within a close area. Then offer to deliver in-season flowers each week on a certain day at a fixed price, paid weekly (in advance to the bank account). 

Flowers should be bought at the flower market that supplies commercial florists, each city should have one (in Brisbane there is one at Rocklea). Floral arrangements can be made and offered in needed. 

I expect you'd need a refrigerated van and to do a course in floristry for this idea. 

You could also talk to some of those people selling those in-season fruit and veg boxes to see if you could offer flowers to be delivered/picked up weekly with those boxes. 

Of course, when first contact is made you might also ask if they have suitable vases; and sell them one if they don't. Or deliver the flowers in a vase each week (swap for last weeks), at an additional cost. 

Sell Flour and Water, and make some money

When I worked on market stalls I got to see lots of great ideas. And amongst the ideas that made good money there was a consistent theme: flour and water. 

My friend tried a stall selling Turkish Kofta burgers: a meat patty, salad, Turkish bread. At the end of the day when she hadn't sold enough there was a lot of unused product that had a limited life. While I was helping her I looked at what other people were doing. Spanish churros made good queues, and at $4 I expect reasonable profits. Likewise waffles, pancakes, donuts seem to produce good results. I once worked on a stall for organic donuts at a Green Eco Fair. These donuts sold for $4 each, fresh made on site, and I sold them as fast as the 2 owners could make them: at peak times (most of the day) we did 3/minute!

Later I worked regularly for a weekly market stall selling absolutely delicious chocolate brownies (www.dellomano.com.au). A nearby stall sold jams and spreads, business for them was okay but a little slow. One day the vendor made a basket of scones and brought them in. They sold, well, like hotcakes! The next week she brought 2 baskets, and week after week her business grew. She still had her base business of jams and spreads; but the scones complimented them. 

So, there are opportunities that don't cost a lot. Established on a market stall and made with products that keep well (most types of flour). Made on site, unused product will keep until next time. 

Pictured below is a product I saw being made in Bangkok. They called it Patongo. You can do an Internet search and you'll find recipes. These guys brought in the fried 'fritters' (others make them fresh onsite) and then grilled them, sliced them and served them with a sweet sauce with varying choices of flavour: chocolate, coconut, strawberry, orange. The sauces tasted like sweetened condensed milk with flavour added. They were served in a tray with about 12 bite sized pieces. The queue was big despite the competition. 

Another flour and water product starting to gain popularity is Funnel Cakes. You'll also find these products on the net. Perhaps you've seen something else?

I have an idea....

And I'm sharing it!

Anybody who knows me well, or has read my blog www.nomadali.blogspot.com.au, knows that I have made my main occupation in life to be travelling. Travelling doesn't leave me much time to devote my life to anything else, but it doesn't stop me dreaming about other things that could be done.

I have a funny little hobby... it's kind of "dreaming up business plans or models". I see so many great things as I travel and sometimes I think "somebody could do that successfully at home". But I don't stop there! No, I often dream up lots more.... where to find clients, how to package the product, a tricky slogan, where to find extra resources or information, how big or small the idea could be.

From a little sideline to earn some extra cash, to a bigger concern requiring staffing and premises, I keep finding inspiration as I travel the world. And now I am planning to share these ideas, in the hope that someone follows a dream and makes it theirs.

These ideas are for everyone.

Please leave comments.... whether you think the idea is crazy, wonderful, or done before. Maybe you have an idea to add to my ideas.
If you decide to have a go at one of these ideas, then please let me know how it goes, maybe gift me a little of your profit (assuming you get to profit), or at least shout me a meal.

Me, trying a "Thumbs Up" Cola in India.