Regular Jill Business Blog: October 2017

Friday, October 20, 2017

First Ride: the Haibike Xduro Allmtn 10.0

Over the past couple of years we’ve seen a spate of new electric bikes released, mostly designed with the commuter cyclist in mind. For the uninitiated, HAIBIKE XDURO use a battery-powered motor to assist in pedaling, allowing riders to maintain a constant speed with less effort, even while climbing hills. This has made them a popular mode of transportation in urban environments, where traffic and quick navigation can often be a concern.

For the most part, ebikes haven’t sparked much interest from the hardcore cycling crowd, most of which prefer to do their own pedaling rather than receive assistant from a motor. But, Haibike – one of the pioneers in the ebike industry – is hoping to change that with its line of electric mountain bikes, including the Xduro AllMtn RX a bike that offers solid off-road performance with a little extra kick.
POWERED BY BOSCH

Originally founded back in 1995, Haibike introduced its first electric mountain bike in 2010, just as the ebike industry was starting to really gain traction. Since then, the company has worked to refine its products, upgrading components and refining their designs over time. Today, its latest offerings seamlessly blend traditional bike components with technology designed to make riding easier and more accessible then ever before.

That drive system – powered by the battery of course – is what really sets the Xduro apart from a standard mountain bike. When engaged, the motor offers assisted pedaling in four different modes, including Eco, Tour, Sport, and Turbo. A large digital display mounted to the bike’s handlebars indicates which mode the bike is in at any given time, while also displaying speed, distance traveled, and current battery life as well.

Eco mode is by far the most energy efficient of the four options, but as you would expect offers the least amount of pedal-assist too. If the bike is ridden in Eco mode only it has a range of about 60 miles before the battery is completely depleted. Each successive drive mode increases the level of pedal assistance at the expense of battery life of course. So, for example, if ridden exclusively in Turbo mode, riders will find that they make short work out of hills and can maintain a high level of speed at all times, but the range of the bike is reduced to a mere 12 miles or so.

Four Home Business Ideas

Ecommerce - In the U.S., ecommerce spending totalled $97.3 billion in the second quarter of 2016 alone, an increase of 4.5 percent from the first quarter of 2016 (U.S. Census Bureau News). Online sales in the United States are expected to reach $523 billion in the next five years, up 56% from $335 billion in 2015, Forrester Research Inc. says. Canadian companies sold more than $136 billion in goods and services online in 2013, up from $122 billion a year earlier, according to Statistics Canada. Obviously more people than ever are shopping online. And it's an ideal home business opportunity, especially as ecommerce is so easy to get into now. One of the main barriers to operating a successful e-commerce business is finding the right product or products to sell; the other is providing the kind of online environment that will make people want to buy from you rather than competitors. 8 Rules for a Successful Ecommerce Website provides information on how to do this.
In-Home Beauty Services - This home-based business opportunity combines two trends; the insatiable demand for services that make people look and feel younger and better and the growing desire to have those services delivered. And why not? Having someone come to your home and cleanse and tone your skin and do your makeup is the height of luxury. And caring for and making up the face are only two beauty services you could offer to provide; manicures, pedicures, massages and acupuncture could also be provided to people in their homes — or in yours.
Sewing and Alteration Services - Sewing is on the way to becoming a lost art as more and more people find they have less and less time. But as not everyone is the regulation size, the demand for other people to provide these services will only increase. If you're really skilled, tailoring and alterations could be another potentially lucrative home-based business.And what about combining your seamstress skills with the inner fashion designer you've always wanted to release? Find and develop your niche, such as custom-designed wedding dresses, medieval clothing or Halloween costumes and loose your talent on the world!
Business/Life Coach Services - Coaching has been hot for a while now, but this is still a growth industry. Remember when everyone had or wanted a personal fitness trainer? Now everyone has or wants a personal coach. In the last ten years the coaching industry has exploded says MarketPlace; membership of the International Coach Federation has more than tripled. A report by the market research firm IBISWorld at the end of 2014 said coaching is a $1 billion industry in the U.S. alone. If you have the skills and training necessary, this is a great home-based business opportunity because it can be done remotely as well as in person. Here are the pros and cons of being a life coach. And remember, coaching people to be more successful business people or executives is not your only option; there are many different ways you could specialize. Tzabia Siegel, for instance, is a nutrition coach. Read her tips for startup success.