4 Ideas for the Sharing Economy

by Matthew Stollak on Sunday, April 27, 2014



Wired magazine has a cover story this month on the rise of the Sharing Economy, where companies like AirBnB, Uber, and Lyft are getting Americans to trust one another by sharing car rides, spare rooms or apartments, etc.    The idea is that in this tough labor market, where wages are depressed, one can try to supplement one's income through market inefficiencies.  With that in mind, here are four ideas I'm ready to pitch to Mark Cuban in the Shark Tank:

  • "Gyym" - Have a treadmill, stationary bike, or elliptical machine currently serving as a hanger for clothes?  My app will connect you to unused workout machines in the area for a small fee.   Why spend significant dollars at a high-priced gym only to encounter some juiced-up monster glaring at you.  Workout in peace without the pressure.
  • "Musyc" - Have a piano gathering dust, or a guitar gathering dust in its case.  My app will connect you to unused musical instruments in the area for a small fee.  Why spend big money for an instrument for your child that will only go silent after only a few months?
  • "SylverWare" - Bought a huge amount of plastic ware, cups, and plates for a birthday party, dinner, or other event, only to have inventory left over?  With our app, we can match your unused good to those throwing a party in the future.
  • "Bulbz" - Heading off on vacation for two weeks, and shutting off all your lamps?  Shed some light on other people's darkness, by loaning out your light bulbs while they lay dormant.

One of these ideas has to be a winner!  "Share" your own idea in the comments below.

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