[Jim727]

wcc - it would be hard to miss your distaste for your cubicle. If you dislike it as much as it appears, then my thought is that you are wise to be looking for an out but need to be careful about idealizing any busiiness to make the escape happen. Currently you are starting with biz ideas/opportunities and, has been pointed out, whatever you start you will have to put heart, soul, and family into it. If there's no enthusiasm for the actual business activity it may turn out to be a cubicle of another stripe.

Perhaps try turning the thought process around a bit. Last night I had a conversation with a friend and his wife. She loves dogs and decided to bake her own dog biscuits. Just for fun, she created a couple of very unique dog biscuits. Her neighbor saw them and asked for some too. Neighbor took a couple to a pet store and now said friend has the wind at her back because her product is unique and appeals to like-minded enthusiasts. It became a business demanding to be born.

That doesn't happen to lots of people and it isn't something that can be forced, but I think Chuck and Shaun have accurately mapped out the course of events should you latch on to the type of businesses you described. There are opportunities, however, for creative enthusiasts. My own business evolved from personal talents and interests; it isn't huge, but it is satisfying, pays the bills, and probably affects everyone on this board.

Instead of starting with a list of businesses, consider starting with a list of your interests, product ideas, innovations, etc. Are there any that could be developed or tested within your resource limits? What niche can you carve out that would make customers want to find you? Are there any that would be fun enough to keep you compensated during the low income times? What would you do if you were choosing a career/business instead of trying to escape from a cubicle?