A Business Venture is Born?

I was recently approached by someone on campus to give publicity to his start up. I refused out of principle because I don't want to lend my name (or time or money) to a venture that I cannot fully understand. Sam Corcos has put it best: "Never buy or invest in anything you don't understand."

But here's a venture I can get behind. Admittedly, it doesn't scale without serious capitally intensive projects, but I thought it was interesting nevertheless. From the local newspaper:

James Jolicoeur wanted a $400 dulcimer - a stringed musical instrument - but had no way of justifying spending that much money on something that is not a necessity.

Around graduation time, Jolicoeur, a father of four, went to the Claremont Colleges and picked up lamps, minifridges and furniture abandoned by students leaving for home.

"They leave it by the Dumpster in a free box," he said. "We gathered all these things and had a yard sale. We made $900."

I'm not surprised. I made about $ 200 buying and then reselling mini-fridges last semester. If Mr. Jolicoeur is looking for a business partner next semester, he need look no further. I'd be much obliged to help him. The whole idea reminds me of what I witnessed on my first weekend on campus: half a dozen campus facilities people were picking cans out of the garbage can on 5:01. The image is indelible in my mind because that was after I had heard a speech from one of the economics faculty members about the importance of being "entrepreneurial" at CMC. I remember saying to myself, "wow, everyone really is entrepreneurial here."