The Most Overlooked Businesses Anyone Can Start (One Hit $800K)

Chris Koerner shares 11 businesses listeners started from ideas on his show, from mailbox repair to plant bingo and pickleball courts, arguing that cheap, direct first moves beat quitting your job or running ads.

Watch the episode 35 min · YouTube

The gist

  1. Andrew made about $800,000 in two years repairing brick mailboxes, starting with $2,000; Koerner says a Google Business Profile with 10 photos drives calls.
  2. Teacher David grew a Christmas light business from $21,000 gross to $75,000 in season two, marketing with bandit signs costing $1 to $3 each.

What they recommend · 3 picks

Google Business Profile Software & apps

"Of course you want a website, but what's going to get the phone to ring will be a Google Business Profile with at least 10 photos."

Chris Koerner ·3 creators recommend it·Chris's software & apps →
Bandit signs Productivity

"A bandit sign at the neighborhood entrance is golden and you just want it to say Christmas lights and then a phone number and maybe a QR code. That's it. No logo, nothing fancy."

Handwritten notes Productivity

"Cam used handwritten notes to find his first customers. What's stopping you from doing the same?"

Also mentioned

4:21 Nextdoor · "Then of course you'll watch Nextdoor for posts about, you know, anyone know a mason? You can't really count..."
5:34 Batch production · "He took his gross margin from 39% to 58% in 90 days because of a magical thing called batch production. In..."
7:16 Claude · "You can get plans for 10 bucks on Etsy, or have Claude or ChatGPT make plans for you. Just build one."
7:16 Etsy · "Build one shelf. You can get plans for 10 bucks on Etsy."
10:24 Eventbrite · "What tool do you need? Eventbrite or simply a Stripe payment link, a local nursery that will sell at..."
10:24 Stripe · "What tool do you need? Eventbrite or simply a Stripe payment link."

Ads in this episode

Bizee. They're paid, so we keep them out of the picks above.

See what Chris Koerner on The Koerner Office Podcast recommends without being paid →

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