That is assuming I made enough to pay myself to right? I gotta live.

Yeah if I could make a living, I'd go for it. Not sure what type I'd start though.

Unfortunately I am presently doing that.

I sense a trap somewhere here. I shall play along though.
First, I don't think I would start off with a business with 20-50 folks. I would start something much smaller and see how it went. Every business would have to have some kind of sales in order to make money, right? I would probably start some kind of service business and push sales of the service, and I would definitely prefer to make money.

I'm with Magee on this one. I'd start a tad bit smaller. I think I would open some kind of shop that dealt with small animals. A shop to groom and sell small animals. Cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits, hamsters and etc.

no trap DDM...just for fun!

I don't know what I'd do either...something fun and beautiful. I wonder if that is an oxymoron, business being fun and beautiful?

lakerat - awesome, if I had the power I'd give you sainthood! :)

I have another idea. Something to do with elderly shut ins. They have few visitors and get lonesome. Like a companion.

that's a good one! I used to volunteer @ Pulaski Nursinghome...they can always use more love!

Yes they can. My Mom was in nursing home. Some folks take their relatives there and hardly ever go back. I would take my grandkids with me to visit her and all their faces would light up when they saw those kids.

I think some kind of lawn service/minor home repair. I would hire about 5-8 people to start off with and work from there. My business would be to provide lawn care/minor home repair at reasonable prices so that EVERYONE could enjoy a nice clean yard and our town/county would benefit from it. Some elderly folks are not able to take care of everyday needs/tasks around the house and could use an extra hand. Also, another idea is a personal food delivery business. This would be food from specified locations (within the city limits) that would be delivered within a 10 mile radius of city limits. How neat would it be to call up a service, tell 'em what you want and they deliver it? Of course the price would have to be right for gas. They actually have a service like this in Hilton Head.

according to most definitions including the IRS a business you engage in that is not for profit is classified as a hobby and losses are not deductible.

Walkie thinks the idea of a tourist resort in Jimps would do wonders. If it fails, it would become another section-8 housing resort like some of our hotels around here.

I'm doing just that now as well. I employ 8 people and it is definitely a struggle but rewarding as well.

Helping the elderly or shut ins is a great idea! As a local painting contractor in the boro for 20 years my greatest reward was the sincere thank you Id receive from an elderly person that couldnt get family to help and what they needed doing was too small to hire it out. Now Ive never been a handy man so to speak but if it wasnt major Id do it for them and would not charge them. Their gratitude was plenty for me.
The best part of painting was indeed the one on one relationship I developed with my customers and their families over the years.

I would like to open up a not-for-profit to council woman (young and old) on options other than abortion. I'd like to be able to provide homes for those who have been kicked out of their houses for getting pregnant, and medical care during their pregnancy and delivery. I'd like to be able to provide counseling during the pregnancy and after so that they are able to have productive lives. I'd like to do all of this from a Christian prospective so that they know that they are loved no matter what they decide to do. And I'd like to be able to facilitate private adoptions (that are affordable) so that those who choose to adopt their babies out can choose the parents for their baby.

What a noble gesture, Truth. And a much needed one. My Aunt became pregnant at a very young age way back in the 1930's. My Mom said they had to move away from their home because the family was disgraced so much by it. Things have come a long way, but still has a lot of improvements needed.

My business would not be a not for profit business. I may not make much, but it woulnd't be NFP. Is that what you meant ..deal? :)

Enough to pay bills and get something nice once in a while...

Truth, I did forget to tell you...thanks for your insight and your compassionate heart!! That is quite a noble thought as CB mentioned. I think someone like you is called "blessed" in several of the 8 beatitudes.

Truth, that's a wonderful idea. I've often thought that if I were lucky enough to win a lottery I'd dedicate my life to a worthy cause such as that.

Truth, I think there is a place behind 1st Baptist downtown that does that, maybe you can volunteer with them?

I try to do work prior to pregnancy, to avoid STDs too. There have been a lot of women telling me they are interested in this cause I wonder if we can unite and work together? I'll ask around and let you know.