An app that inventories all your tools and checks them out when they are borrowed. SMS messages constantly nag your neighbor to return said tool(s) after a specific time interval. Sell with ads or go ad-free for $.99
Ask HN: What are 100K dollar ideas but not million dollar ideas?
81–90 of 208 posts
Re: Ask HN: What are 100K dollar ideas but not million dollar ideas?
#82You could try working in small walled gardens. Like, for example, extension stores for various shopping cart software. Lurk around the forums for something like opencart, shopify, etc, and you can usually find some niche that isn't covered. Like a module for a lesser known payment gateway. Or find a popular addon that's overpriced, buggy, etc, and release a competitor.
Re: Ask HN: What are 100K dollar ideas but not million dollar ideas?
#83I would say any itch you get during the day could be a 100k idea, but don't forget to search if there is a suitable solution. I think too many programmers want to code the wheel when something already exists. And if it's unwieldy to use, try to acquire the product and repackage it for a non-dev audience.
And look at https://tinyprojects.dev/projects, it has some 100k ideas (imho).
Re: Ask HN: What are 100K dollar ideas but not million dollar ideas?
#84An app that inventories all your tools and checks them out when they are borrowed. SMS messages constantly nag your neighbor to return said tool(s) after a specific time interval. Sell with ads or go ad-free for $.99
I have wanted something like this that is voice controlled, but laser focused on remembering where things are stored. I don't think it would slow anything down to say things like "im putting a 1tb micro sd card in cabinet 4, shelf 2" while physically doing it. Then months later saying "im looking for an sd card" and being told out loud where to check. It could use entirely pre-set commands, be always listening but with 100% local processing and storage, and simplicity of the interface would be it's strength. I would run it on some kind of simple dedicated hardware as part of the space it inventories, rather than on a phone.
Re: Ask HN: What are 100K dollar ideas but not million dollar ideas?
#85My favorite $100k idea to share is starting a landscaping business. The startup cost is small, you grow through hustle and good work, and the ability to expand to multiple employees/crews is there as you expand. I think it's something just about anyone can do as it doesn't require special training.
> the ability to expand to multiple employees/crews is there as you expand.
Finding reliable, motivated employees who will work for you and not themselves is the challenge that makes this type of business exceptionally hard to scale, from what I’ve been told.
Re: Ask HN: What are 100K dollar ideas but not million dollar ideas?
#86I have often thought someone could make solid income going around to storage facilities, garages, attics etc and scanning in old photos and memorabilia. My dad has his mothers’, grandparents, and maybe further back in storage. Doesn’t want to send it off but does want it digitized, but doesn’t have time or equipment to do himself (nor do I). Some of it could probably be sold on eBay. So it sits and collects dust and…
I'm just sorting out my late father's stuff. He was an avid photographer and so I've got hundreds - probably a couple of thousand - 35mm slides, along with a load of printed ephemera. I do have a slide scanner but it only works one at a time, so there's no way I'm going to do all those. There are a couple of places that will do it but prices are prohibitive, so I'd definitely consider a service like this.
Have you seen DigMyPics.com? I knew the owner in Phoenix, he built the whole pipeline custom. Very smart guy and cool business.
Re: Ask HN: What are 100K dollar ideas but not million dollar ideas?
#87There was one I looked into building to solve a problem, which was gasket printing. If you are having motorcycle or other engine repair done, waiting for a gasket can take a week or sometimes more depending on supplier location, and it's something printed from gasket paper. A website where you can print aftermarket gaskets on demand, and even do it with CAD files or derive them from edge detection in photos would mak…
Custom gaskets and orings seems like a great and relatively simple business. Have you tested the idea?
Re: Ask HN: What are 100K dollar ideas but not million dollar ideas?
#88in the UK most villages/small towns without a school have very old residents with no real village population replacement (people die of old age and the big old cold houses are bought by increasingly wealthy retirees leaving urban environments). The current residents need increasing amounts of care and infrastructure but there isn't anybody nearby of working age (compounded by the fact that NIMBY policies have driven…
Aka, increasing taxes and increasing pay to quality of life at work ratios for healthcare workers.
Re: Ask HN: What are 100K dollar ideas but not million dollar ideas?
#89So long as you can sell you just can just about turn any basic business process into a $100k idea.
Re: Ask HN: What are 100K dollar ideas but not million dollar ideas?
#90Earlier quoted context omitted.
No need to take it home with you. Consistent schedule This is not always guaranteed and you may not have a choice regarding this once you pass a certain stage in your career. It also depends on your industry and the part of the world you live and work in. Work life balance is notoriously non-existent for a vast portion of the world's IT workers.
What’s work life balance anyway? I don’t really want a job where I work for 8 hours (plus 1.5h getting up and ready for work, plus 1h break) and then have 4 hours of life in the evening. I once had such a job and it was horrible: I worked as an amazon warehouse associate, basically just receiving packages, sorting items, putting a barcode with asin on it, done. Loop this for 8 hours plus some additional pressure from…
Why not have both? Earlier in my career, I was very invested in my job as well and didn't mind working 12h+ as I was learning a lot. And I think this mindset really helps to progress quickly. But at some point, it just became unsustainable. I still love my job but also my personal life outside of work.