Virtual Entrepreneur

Forbes: The unemployment rate may be north of 10%, but pet-product makers are booming. According to the National Pet Owners Survey, about 71 million U.S. households, or 62%, owned at least one pet in 2008, up from just 56% in 1988, the first year the survey was conducted. Money lavished on pets has... More

Iconoculture: This may be taking the dog days of summer a bit too literally. Pouncing off pet-sharing programs like Flexpetz, the hospitality industry is offering guests a rather unique amenity: pet leasing. At select Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, guests can “rent” dogs for several hours. At... More

Business: Dog Training Canine Dimensions In-Home Dog Training is an exceptional opportunity to start and sustain a lasting dog-training business that addresses the needs of busy people who don’t want to have to give up their unruly dogs. Unlike many work from home trainers, Canine Dimensions franchisees... More

The Plain Dealer: Aromas of cinnamon, carob and honey fill the tiny kitchen in Corrie Hanton’s Lakewood apartment. After pulling a large apple cinnamon muffin in a bone-shaped cake pan from the oven, she explains that the healthy treat is designed for a special occasion — like a doggie birthday... More

Entrepreneur: Business and personal coaches start by getting professional coach training, says Karen Kimsey-House, co-author of Co-Active Coaching. Find International Coach Federation-accredited training programs at coachfederation.com. Determine your niche by examining your background, your strengths... More

By Gary Barzel – FastUpFront: Want to make it big as an entrepreneur? Check out these recent odd and quirky business ideas. P.S. These ideas could not have been too ‘dumb’ as they have all made millions of dollars for the entrepreneurs who started them. For your pooch: * Looking for... More

Cool Business Ideas: TMC Pet Vending Solutions has been studying the self serve dog wash market since 2005. One of its invention is the K9000 machine. This coin-operated self serve dog wash equipment is simple and easy to use. Dogs easily step up into wash area with a hair free non slip floor. It has... More

BusinessWeek: At a time when employers are scaling back on costly health benefits, pet insurance is gaining popularity as an employee benefit. Veterinary Pet Insurance, the nation’s largest pet insurer, saw its corporate accounts balloon from 15 to 1,600 in the past 6 years. About 15% of Veterinary... More

Franchise Business Opportunities: At a facility tucked into a Carmel shopping center, pet owners find urns to store their deceased animals’ ashes and a chapel to say their last goodbyes. They’re offered hugs and condolences and the chance to memorialize their pets by screen-printing their... More

Entrepreneur: Pooper-Scooper Service Believe it or not, you can make a very comfortable living by starting and operating a dog pooper-scooper service in your community. This is an easy business to start; it requires little investment, no special skills, and minimal equipment to operate. Basically, if... More