Turtlesuds Retirement Plan

This is a comment on my blog, "Got a Progressive Idea?" http://progressiveu.org/blog/52027-got-progressive-idea

I just wanted to solicit it more effectively. So here are some of my ideas for starting a new venture in hopes that it will make me enough residual income that I don't have to work anymore. Of course they each require work, but it would be fun work, and I wouldn't have to answer to a time clock.

1. I have blogged a little about Zaideh's House, a group home for teen mothers. Why not just make it happen? Sure, I have work to do. I need to learn to write grants, or find someone who does know how to. I have a very basic business plan.

I can make this a community project. I can showcase it on the internet, so people can follow the progress. I can post interviews and stories of the girls, with proper legal consents for release of information, etc. Reality TV and such is huge now. Why not use it to inspire people to get up in their communities and start building?

See, i want to do something that's gonna help me retire in 5 years, but I also want it to be something that will have a positive impact.

2. I can start a local marketing site/ newsletter for local artists, including performing artists and musicians. I can make my own OC Weekly kind of a thing, but feature artists that are "undiscovered" as of yet. i have lots of friends in bands, who paint or build things. I have thought about applying the non-profit thing to this, and perhaps obtaining a dilapidated theater or showcase in Los Angeles along the artists strip where the city is pumping in money to restore Los Angeles. I could start the organization online first, and if it works, and I get money, then think about securing my own theater. I would recruit talent from local high schools and colleges. I have to admit, this idea is largely inspired by "Brave New Voices."

3. I can just start a website with my own blog about family issues of all kinds, whether it be children or teens who have questions, people who are trying to have children, or couples who are trying to stay together. Sort of my own "Self-help" e-zine. I can talk about psych issues there, and even act as a nurse consultant (of course there would some legal implications to look into). I can answer people's basic health questions about sexuality or psych issues. I could make a place for a sort of suicide hotline or something. i don't know, there are so many possibilities, it is hard for me to pin it down. I think the broader the subject the better, it gives more room for growth.

Anyway, I share these to partially try to get it out of my mind and into printed words, and partially to see if anyone else has any ideas, or would like to collaborate on any of these with me. There is always strength in numbers. Even if someone else takes my idea and replicates it in their own community, that would be great. We could compare notes, and provide prototype information for others who might be so inspired.