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Silicon Valley's Journey From Reality To Scripted TV

Ever since the award-winning film "Social Network" caused a stir about the digerati drawn to the Silicon Valley like moths to a flame, other would-be producers have tried to capture the zeitgeist of this lifestyle in various forms - books, movies and TV.

by Beth Graddon-Hodgson

It was only a matter of time, considering the internet has made the world's obsession with all things feline rise to new levels. Cat-themed businesses aren't a new trend, and perhaps that's why the latest business might make even the craziest of cat ladies shudder with dismay.

by Anya Dee

Outsourcing has a reputation for saving time and money, but is that accurate? Just because someone else can do your work, does that mean they should? Is it really beneficial to every busines owner? Here are a few tips to understanding outsourcing and making a qualified decision on whether or not to use it!

by Ellen Dudley

What if you want to know NOW what that scary lesion is on your arm, or how long you should wait before getting that mole removed from your shoulder? It could be months before you get an appointment with a specialist dermatologist. Why not try teledermatology - get a diagnose for just $39 in under 48 hours with GoDerma app for iPhone.

by Beth Graddon-Hodgson

It is a growing trend to for businesses that have nothing to do with sex, to use it to give them an edge in their market. They use provocative tricks to grow, which is of course controversial. Women are typically the ones putting themselves on display for the benefit of men in such businesses. The reverse business structure is marginally less common, not because there isn't a market, but because many women prefer to be more discreet when it comes to male ogling. At least, they did until Hollywood decided to make a movie about men shaking what their mommas gave them.

by Beth Graddon-Hodgson

There is a big business in scaring people, and it is a concept that doesn't just find people knocking down its haunted doors for Halloween. Many major tourist areas across North America feature haunted houses and mazes that have people lining up to pee their pants as people jump out of the shadows. While the more traditional scare providers are still successfully operating, there is a new type of terror in town competing in the market, and it creates a unique and scary experience that rivals some popular, nightmare inducing movies.

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The Street Store: Non-Profit Pop-Up Boutiques For The Homeless

by Beth Graddon-Hodgson

The best businesses don't always prove themselves by turning a profit. Some are simply out to make a difference in the world. I rarely feature non-profits, but a Cape Town, South Africa business is far too cool to overlook with its mission to help the homeless in a unique way.

by Beth Graddon-Hodgson

Coffee shops aren't what they used to be. Once upon a time, coffee shops were just an establishment to enjoy a delicious caffeinated beverage and perhaps even a sinful desert. Today, coffee shops are social meeting spots, office spaces (for those that work virtually), and even a place to hold corporate functions. How we use coffee shops has changed, but the way coffee shops serve us still remains in its traditional format. Which is why some innovators are taking a new approach to the coffee shop business.

by Beth Graddon-Hodgson

No matter what ails you, there's a solution. You just have to ask around, and every individual will have a different medicinal, holistic, or alternative cure to help a fever break. Often, it is a cocktail of different items that people swear provides the best cure potential. These days it isn't just your Grandma "prescribing" and dispensing these items either. Now there's a one-stop shop to cure what ails you.

by Must Love Gadgets

The ease of access to medical information has increased our health IQs greatly from pre-Internet days. But if doctors aren't exasperated with their know-it-all patients just yet, a Silicon Valley startup called Scanadu is about to change the practice of medicine altogether with smart gadgets that give you the tools to test and analyze your own vitals and body fluids. And you don't need a prescription, or a fortune, to buy them!

by Beth Graddon-Hodgson

Party buses are designed for fun and debauchery. They can be rented to help individuals celebrate virtually any event, but are especially popular for weddings and bachelor/bachelorette parties. With a party bus you get a designated driver, and a place to keep the party going without pause while en route to the next club or bar. The only problem with partying that hard is that you're going to feel it in the morning, so some smart individuals ran with the party bus concept, and made a party bus solution.

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Happy Pills Candy Store: 'Cuz A Little Bit Of Sugar Helps The Medicine Go Down

by Beth Graddon-Hodgson

You've heard the anti-sugar advocates refer to it as a drug , and there's no doubt that candy can fall under the addictive category if you are a sugar-lover. That's why one European business decided to take that notion and run - they've created a themed business that's sickly sweet.

by ModernMarketing

As you develop and build your business, you will find that you need certain types of software tools. At the initial start-up of your business, money can be tight, and many software programs offer a trial program. Once your business grows larger, you will be able to afford better software and full versions.

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5 Innovative Companies Changing The Course Of Education

Coursera co-founder Daphne Koller. Photo by Dawn Endico.

by Cindi Brown

Nelson Mandela once said, "Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world." From Coursera offering first-rate college courses free of charge, to OpenStudy bringing together study buddies across the world, to Irynsoft bringing school to the palm of your hand, here are some innovative companies seeking to change the world by equalizing educational access.

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Annie Oakley's: Colorado Marijuana Dispensary Granted First Recreational License

by Beth Graddon-Hodgson

The marijuana business is one that has been on the rise in states that have decriminalized the drug for some time. But up until now they've only been able to cater to an elite clientele - those with licenses to purchase medical marijuana. In Colorado where the drug has been legalized, that's all about to change.

Nap Cafe Corne: The Business Of Snoozing In Public (With Scones)

by Beth Graddon-Hodgson

Smart businesses focus on offering solutions to common problems and needs that everyone has - and there are a limited number of things that all people absolutely require. One of those basic primal needs is to sleep, and there are studies that have shown a nap during the day can greatly increase productivity. But where should you sleep when a nap just can't wait?

Fresh Moves Bus: A Farmer's Market On Wheels

by Beth Graddon-Hodgson

As a major advocate for purchasing and consuming local foods, and a produce-loving vegetarian, farmer's markets are among my favorite things in the world. The only problem is that farmer's markets aren't everywhere when you need them. While there's still a way to go before everyone has unlimited, easy access to locally grown produce, businesses like The Fresh Moves bus in Chicago aim to change that.

Innovative Israeli Company Seeks To Put A Freeze On Lung Cancer

by Sidney Bittman

One Israeli company has developed a revolutionary new way of eliminating tumors in breast cancer patients. But they didn't stop there, and have recently taken new steps towards creating an innovative new treatment that may change the world.

Expert Tips for Invention Prototypes - Part 6: Making Million Dollar Products

by Chris Hawker

I like to say," There's no such thing as a million-dollar idea, just million-dollar executions," by which I mean the quality of the final product is what drives its success. A new way to get a product to this "million-dollar execution" point is through prototyping.