Business Idea of the Day

Nostalgia for the 1980s has never disappeared and Retrofitness , a 1980’s themed gym is riding the Spandex waves : How did you hit on this concept? I had owned two other licensed fitness centers, and I wasn’t happy with how they were operated. So I spent a couple of nights sitting in a rocking chair, jotting down notes. I felt there was a niche for a low-cost provider that gave a high-end experience. I did the raw math and figured I could be better and attract more customers at $19.99 a month than clubs charging $39 or $49 a month

“What does a grieving mother do after she loses a child?” asks The Taunton Gazette . Well, for Sharen Wendy Robertson relief came through the creation of a music CD. Roberton is the owner of The Story Train Literacy Center

Tim Westergren talks about Pandora’s place in the evolving worlds of music and technology in this report from CNNMoney . From Business Opportunities Weblog .

Heck with a better mousetrap. Jason Lucash, 26, is busy inventing compact products that help people listen to music. The Danville Express News reports that Rock-It, developed by Lucash, is a gadget that allows music fans to use any household object as a speaker – it’s the “first ever portable vibration speaker system,” explains Lucash. Hook it into an iPod, phone or anything with a 3-millimeter headphone jack, then stick the Rock-It to something to carry the sound, such as a cereal box, cup or even the dishwasher

Born Rich: As the luxury travel takes on to woo the elite travelers, British Airways has also introduced their new first class cabin being installed on a B777, which flies from London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare. The new cabin features a personal wardrobe, a 60 percent wider bed at the shoulders, leather-bound writing table, a 15-inch in-flight entertainment screen, USB port, RCA jack, noise-canceling headsets and personal electronic blinds along with mood lighting. To reach these in-flight luxuries for effortless travel, the design of the cabin is inspired by premium brands like Aston Martin and Jaguar

If you can find and do great, local stuff at home, why not do great local stuff that’s run by local people when you’re away too? Ooh.com is an online notice board and listings site where anyone in the world who offers trips, courses, classes and events can list their activities for free, and take direct bookings and payments through the site and directly from buyers. The site already has over 1000 activities listed

New Startups: Narwhal Company is the inspirational idea of an everyday person that was looking to move away from the 9-5 lifestyle and thrive in their entrepreneurial spirit. Thus, the idea to provide fashionable accessories from the re-use of neckties was born. Narwhal Co. is a unique and green product that hopes to be a catalyst for the funding of domestic and international humanitarian projects. Narwhal Co [New Startups]

“Puppy Tweets” dog’s collar allows dog owners to follow their dog on twitter. This plastic tag (introduced by Mattel), comes equipped with a sound and motion sensor, and with pre-recorded tweets. In accordance to the dog’s movements and behavior, it’ll post tweets to the dog’s Twitter account announcing it status. via: CNNMoney Related trends: Communicating with those who can’t Pets focused devices: * A collar tag from Boston-based SNIF Labs lets pet owners forge new connections with fellow dog-walkers, both online and off. * The Bowlingual Voice bark translator developed by Takara Tomy, a Japanese toy company, is a device that allegedly translates a dog’s bark or feelings into words people can understand.

Trend Friend is an online (and smartphone accessible) gift idea database that allows users to quickly find the trendiest gifts based on their search criteria. The site then lists which physical retailer carries the item allowing buyers to walk into a nearby store and walk out with their gift. The website is the first of its kind to offer consumers accessibility via the Internet and smartphone while linking each gift to a physical retailer. By entering “who” you are shopping for, the occasion and the price (range) you would like to spend, Trend Friend generates a list of the most-popular and trendy gifts from major retailers across North America that fit the selected criteria.

Inhabitat: Here’s a source for gift wrap paper that is as beautiful as it is eco-conscious. Known as The Local Paper , these couture coverings are based on unique themes that are inspired by the designers’ travel, nature, and life. Each elegant wrap comes in 24×36 inch sheets that are Forestry Stewardship Council certified, made with papers that are 30% recycled post-consumer fiber