The Niche Beat
The Business of Humor
Many Niches in the Laughter Industry Whether it’s marketing comedy sketches via podcasts, manufacturing or retailing gag gifts, or writing novelty humor books, the industry has countless niches. For instance, some comedians use their standup skills beyond the world of entertainment. Consider Australian funnyman, Dave Flanagan, conducts Standup with Confidence workshops for groups of long-term […]
Voice Work for Beginners
Technology Changes Industry Voiceover acting is now a tech-driven home-based free-lance business, in many cases. Several years ago, you would travel to a studio to record your auditions, but today you’re expected to have quality home equipment in order to create audio auditions for potential clients. Some agents will not represent you if you don’t […]
Nathaniel Hawthorne: Fame but No Fortune
Today, The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables are familiar to many students assigned to read Nathaniel Hawthorne’s work. It was a different story during the author’s lifetime, in the 19th century. Although he was well-known, his books enjoyed only a measure of popularity at the time. Hawthorne’s works never sold as […]
Cereality
Breakfast on the Go Watching pedestrians during morning rush hour gave the founders of the Cereality Company the idea for a new concept, according to Jordan Levine, CEO. Mothers with children and executives all shared a common habit while rushing to their destinations: they were usually gobbling down dry cereal that they had grabbed on […]
Caribbean Craft
Rebuilding a Niche After Disaster Many people would probably not think of colorful paintings, exotic beads and intricate jewelry, or stylish papier-mâché giraffes, reindeer, rabbits, stylish bags or gift boxes, when they think of Haiti, but there is a thriving artistic community in the capital city of Port-au-Prince, and there always has been. For example, […]
Coffee & Tobacco
Controversial Products When English settlers set up colonies in North America, tobacco was a major herb for many Native Americans, but they used it differently than the Europeans. Indigenous people used tobacco as a medicinal aid in several ways. For instance, to disinfect cuts, relieve pain, and alleviate congested lungs and bronchial asthma. Smoking cigarettes […]
Turning a Hobby into a Business
The Nature Company, Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company, & Famous Amos Cookies are a few examples of early startup companies that were inspired by leisure time activities. Using a pastime as the basis of a business won’t work for everyone, but some budding entrepreneurs successfully turn their leisure time activities into profitable ventures. Important questions to think about […]
The Art of Ventriloquism
Speaking of Ventriloquism Anyone with a normal speaking voice can learn the skill of voice misdirection, and an outgoing personality and a quick wit doesn’t hurt, says industry guru Clinton Detweiler. Terry Fator’s recent win on America’s Got Talent put a spotlight on what some might have considered an old-fashioned field. The general public is […]
Food Industry Gossip: American Government Bans Canadian Bacon
Bacon lovers who favor the Peameal brand were hit last March with a distressing new policy from the USDA, which issued FSIS Directive 95008.8, which states that consumers interested in personal consumption of any “meat, poultry, shell eggs, or egg products can no longer import those items into the USA by Postal Service or courier.” […]
Tea for Nobody
Strange Business When the North American division of the Kraft Corporation bought out a small company, one of the divisions in the acquisition manufactured and sold a popular tea, with a profit of a million dollars annually. However, someone in upper management decided to close the tea company, despite protests. There is a popular brand […]