Small Business & eCommerce

Volume IV No.3
Homer’s Hot Tip June 22, 2006


Kid: Homer, where in the heck have you been?

Homer: I've been on vacation.

Kid: Where?

Homer: Cape Cod but I got out of there before the tourists arrived. I like it in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. In the Summer, it is overrun with tourists and everything goes up. Not many businesses not doing well there. Hard for me to believe with all that prosperity they like liberal politicians so much. But, I did notice they like to complain a lot and that does go along with the lefties.

So what’s up Kid?

Kid: Well, first I’m one of those “lefties” but without you around here, I have not a clue what to do.

Homer: I know you are Kid and you have no one to complain to either. I don’t hold your politics against you. You’re too old to change anyway. Made any money?

Kid: Nope, not one dime since you’ve been gone.

Homer: Why am I not surprised?

Kid: Well, I did try a couple of things but I am going nowhere. I am thinking about pulling all my money out of the market and going exclusively into real estate.

Homer: Really?

Kid: Yep. I thought I would go out and flip a couple of condos in Florida or Vegas and laugh all the way to the bank.

Homer: Got news for you kid--

Kid: What’s that?

Homer: You’re too late. Most of the good stuff has been gobbled up and flipped several times. That leaves suckers like you with the crumbs and the last position to pony up to the bar.

Kid: What do you recommend? The choices are not all that hot.

Homer: What is the single most profitable thing you can do?

Kid: Invest in the stock market?

Homer: Nope. It's not the market, and certainly it’s not real estate.

Kid: Then what is it?

Homer: Small business.

Kid: Go on! I can’t believe that. How is it that owning a small business is ever going to make anyone rich?

Homer: I don’t know, perhaps I should ask Bill Gates or anyone of 7 million millionaires that made it in business.

Kid: Is that a lot?

Homer: About 89% of the number of millionaires we have in the good old USA.

Kid: Holy cow. How come nobody tells us this when we are looking for investments?

Homer: Because, those that do know, don’t want you to know. They still put their money in real estate and the stock market but they make their fortunes with small businesses – Then, if they have anything left over, they diversify into stocks, real estate, bonds, you name it.

Kid: What kind of business?

Homer: What do you like to do?

Kid: I would love to play on the computer all day and do eCommerce or eMarketing.

Homer: Well that’s interesting. Do you know how much online affiliate managers make over their traditional buddies who are affiliate managers for traditional suppliers?

Kid: How much?

Homer: Between $140,000 to $200,000 a year while their more normal counterparts earn between $40,000 and $60,000 a year. Big difference huh?

Kid: I’m overwhelmed.

Homer: And you should be. This market is right under your nose.

Kid: How do I get started?

Homer: Next time Kid.

Kid: What? What next time? For all I know you will be in Florida in a couple of months! And where does that leave me?

Homer: Waiting?