This BIG IDEA comes all the way from Courtney BC, submitted by Jonathan Anthony. Good luck on the $10,000 draw Jonathan, and thank you for submitting this BIG IDEA!

Idea Title:
Unsmudgeable Lenses and Screens

From:
Jonathan Anthony, Courtney BC

Idea Summary:
Tired of how quickly your glasses get smudged by your kids, your dogs, your tear ducts, or other mysterious smears that seem to magically appear?

Time to invent some smear proof lenses and while you’re at it it’s time to invent some smear proof screens for televisions, laptop screens, notebooks, netbooks, tablets, smartphones and all purpose LCD/LED screens.

Idea Description:
You may be careful to keep your glasses or your computer screen clean but your dog or your kids or your guests may not. If you’re outside doing some gardening chances are your glasses are going to inadvertently acquire a layer of dust and specks of dirt to obstruct your vision. The smaller smudges on your lenses may go unnoticed until you sit down with that cup of http://www.kidscoffeeandtea.ca/ but as soon as you’ve sat down to focus on the tv or computer or a good old fashioned book you’ll notice just how blurred your glasses are and either tolerate the blurr which causes eye strain or make a trip to the washroom to clean your glasses off.

Nothing more annoying than sitting down in the theatre and getting through the previews only to accidentally smear your glasses with your heavily buttered popcorn hand and have to trek out to the rest room to hose down your glasses so you can actually see the movie that you’re currently missing.

While we’re at it though, why not spread that technology to other computing appliances – especially touch screens. Whether it’s people being forgetful and touching your screen or you sneezing on it, forgetting to cover your mouth, your screen will get numerous smudges – particularly if you’re using a touch screen. Many people rarely take a moment to clean their displays and allow the dirt and grease smudges to strain their vision. Until then, we’ll just have to promote better computer hygiene for all.

If you’ve ever driven a car while you had a cold you might appreciate the same materials being used in your car windshield. The buildup from finger smudges and/or sneezing eventually becomes a major visual
obstruction when sun is directly hitting the windshield. I don’t imagine we can keep bugs from becoming a smear on our windshields but we could reduce other potential visual obstructions with smudge/smear proof glass.

Message:
Despite the improvements and price drops in laser eye surgery glasses
are here to stay for quite some time. Laser surgery isn’t the right
option for everyone who requires corrective lenses and even those
who’ve had laser surgery often still require reading glasses. So the
market for this won’t be disappearing anytime soon.

SPECIAL MESSAGE:
Do you have an idea that you think could make money? Submit your money-making ideas using the form located here. If any of the teams use your idea or if we publish your idea to our website we’ll give you credit, automatically send you a cool Race To A Million T-Shirt AND enter you for a chance to win your choice of either…

1. A Trip for 2 with all expenses paid to Kamloops, BC, Canada for the season finale; or
2. $10,000 … That’s ONE MILLION cents in exchange for your 2 cents … A great return on investment that makes cents … as well as sense! (Don’t worry we won’t pay out in pennies… we promise.)

Pete & Dean

Submitted: 24-05-2011

Here comes another BIG IDEA from Amanda Blyth for the Kamloops community and a way for us to stay connected. Thank-you Amanda for all of your involvement, support and submissions in this Big Idea’s contest!!! We’re putting in another entry for this idea, good luck!!

Idea Title:
Kamloops Webull (Web-Bulletin)

From:
Amanda Blyth, Kamloops BC

Idea Summary:
An online bulletin for Kamloopsians to post their free items and events!

Idea Description:
Kind of like a community bulletin in a small town everyone posts what they have free and what events are going on free for other kamloopsians to enjoy. Ie. My mom has an apple tree, if she were wanting to get rid of the access she could post stating anybody interested could come pick some up (limited amount) or if a friend’s band was having a free show they could post for people to attend. If FREE doesn’t work then the website should have everything at a max of a $10 fee-events and items included. The posting will all be dated so when they “expire” they will be deleted to clear the site for new posts. This would be great for those sitting at home one night, not much money looking for something to do!

SPECIAL MESSAGE:
Do you have an idea that you think could make money? Submit your money-making ideas using the form located here. If any of the teams use your idea or if we publish your idea to our website we’ll give you credit, automatically send you a cool Race To A Million T-Shirt AND enter you for a chance to win your choice of either…

1. A Trip for 2 with all expenses paid to Kamloops, BC, Canada for the season finale; or
2. $10,000 … That’s ONE MILLION cents in exchange for your 2 cents … A great return on investment that makes cents … as well as sense! (Don’t worry we won’t pay out in pennies… we promise.)

Pete & Dean

Submitted: 31-05-2011

Again coming from AMANDA BLYTH, our submitted idea contest star, is a submission on condensing government issued cards. A great solution to a fat wallet in your back pocket or a clutch so big you need a purse to carry it. Congratulations Amanda on thinking out of the box, we’ll have another balled put in the box for you!

Idea Title:
BC ID

From:
Amanda Blyth, Kamloops BC

Idea Summary:
A drivers license/care card sin card combo

Idea Description:
Recently I heard that for the number of people in BC there are double the number of registered care cards which opens up the posibility for identity theft.

What needs to be made is a bc I’d card that also works as your sin card and care card that you are given when you are young. When you hit driving age the card will then be upgraded to include your L, N and then class 5 licenses ( plus any other licensing after such as motorcycle). That way were not left with multiple card that can be very easy to lose but a system could be set up that will track the
card so if its lost, it can simply be cancelled so if it were ever used it could be flagged lost or stolen etc. The card could be the drivers license look on the front then have the care card and sin numbers on the back will a small space for the donar sticker. Aa start to cutting down the size of your wallet but help with keeping track of the important cards.

SPECIAL MESSAGE:
Do you have an idea that you think could make money? Submit your money-making ideas using the form located here. If any of the teams use your idea or if we publish your idea to our website we’ll give you credit, automatically send you a cool Race To A Million T-Shirt AND enter you for a chance to win your choice of either…

1. A Trip for 2 with all expenses paid to Kamloops, BC, Canada for the season finale; or
2. $10,000 … That’s ONE MILLION cents in exchange for your 2 cents … A great return on investment that makes cents … as well as sense! (Don’t worry we won’t pay out in pennies… we promise.)

Pete & Dean

Submitted: 18-05-2011

This big idea is comes from one of our very own, The CMDC Social Media and Marketing Director Kimberely Eibl!!!! Thanks Kim for your contribution and participation in our contest Kim, good luck on winning the $10,000 prize!!

Idea Title:
Rubber Sole

From:
Kimberely Eibl, Kamloops BC

Idea Summary:
You know the stuff that tool handles get dipped in … the rubber coating that makes the handles easier to grip? What if you could create a similar product for your feet?

Idea Description:
I was recently at an event were a running shoe manufacturer created a shoe that looked a lot like a foot – that is, it had toes in it – like toe socks – and virutally no support within the shoe itself. The idea was to work your feet naturally, build the muscels.

The next step along that line is to actually go barefoot – but for many reasons, that isn’t a great idea. Unless…. you could protect the soles of your feet (from hot/cold/germs, etc) with a rubber coating that could be peeled off at the end of the day. Paint on, peel off rubber soles. (Beatles reference intended).

SPECIAL MESSAGE:
Do you have an idea that you think could make money? Submit your money-making ideas using the form located here. If any of the teams use your idea or if we publish your idea to our website we’ll give you credit, automatically send you a cool Race To A Million T-Shirt AND enter you for a chance to win your choice of either…

1. A Trip for 2 with all expenses paid to Kamloops, BC, Canada for the season finale; or
2. $10,000 … That’s ONE MILLION cents in exchange for your 2 cents … A great return on investment that makes cents … as well as sense! (Don’t worry we won’t pay out in pennies… we promise.)

Pete & Dean

Submitted: 16-05-2011

Thanks to Carli Heinrichs for this Big Idea!! Not only is it money making but it’s environmentally friendly, educational, and innovative. Great idea Carli, thanks for your submission, a t-shirt is on it’s way along an entry into the BIG $10,000 dollar draw!!

Idea Title:
Retro-Natioin Workshops

From:
Carli Heinrichs, Telkwa BC

Idea Summary:
Reusing textiles that mostly find there way into a landfill would help our environment.

How? By reducing what goes into our landfill. Little is known about the impact that reusing fabric from clothing could do to help promote social awareness of the 3 R;s and more. Reconstruct textiles, wood, glass, broken dishes etc. Reclaim usable fabric to make all sorts of houeshold items from fabric you’ve already bought, that is right in your closet. You don’t even have to take them to a thrift store or a landfill. Rewrite our laws about what is acceptable to go into a landfill, staff reuse sites and repair items that need a little love to get productive again. I am a eco-instructor working to get the word out there to the quilters, sewers and stay at home folks who want to make a little money on the side or build a business. Most people don’t even think about it. I want to reach as many people as soon as possible. I don’t have grandchildren. But I see the little ones who are 5 months old and wonder what unbearable challenges are we creating for them. We’ll be dead and gone, but for them, they will look back at our wasteful ways and shake their heads. I don’t want to be included in that part of society that didn’t do the very things that I can do to help it. This can and will help find a solution for many who just don’t know how to do it. Its not all straight forward. You need to have some training to do effectively and forever.

Idea Description:
I teach workshops for communities who want to make a difference, but don’t know how? I have been making and using and selling quilts that are made from reclaimed fabric for 2 decades now. I always thought everyone did this, but its not true. Most of our society is burdened with guilt and stigma’s about used clothing. To some its considered uncool to where used clothing from someone else. More importantly, as a quilter, I am blown away with how many quilters are not getting it. So realized that I needed to get out there and teach these techniques that I’ve developed and this would improve the bottom life of our landfills. Why put things into our
landfill that still has life to live? Would we simply chuck bags of gold into the landfill? No, because we understand that gold is valuable. That is the key here, people in general don’t realize that used fibers are gold in textiles.

Message:
If this is a contest for who needs help getting this off the ground, I do. I’m just starting out as a “real business” with a name, registered and I’m getting assistance from Nadina Community Futures to get started.

I think that wtih $10,000 I could teach a full blown program for entrepreneurs to realize the potential marketplace of reusable fibers. Its not fancy, but totally functional, useful, good for the planet and the economy. Thanks for your time to read this.

SPECIAL MESSAGE:
Do you have an idea that you think could make money? Submit your money-making ideas using the form located here.  If any of the teams use your idea or if we publish your idea to our website we’ll give you credit, automatically send you a cool Race To A Million T-Shirt AND enter you for a chance to win your choice of either…

1. A Trip for 2 with all expenses paid to Kamloops, BC, Canada for the season finale;  or
2. $10,000 … That’s ONE MILLION cents in exchange for your 2 cents … A great return on investment that makes cents … as well as sense! (Don’t worry we won’t pay out in pennies… we promise.)

Pete & Dean

Submitted: 24-03-2011

The following in western style yoga has been slowly growing for the past few decades. However in the more recent years it has exploded into more of a modern trend as a way to purify your mind and body from the craze of modern day society. If you haven’t had a chance to try yoga yet it’s never too late, in fact Lynn Roberts has an idea on leveraging the yoga trend in Kamloops to hold a mass outdoor yoga class. Thank-you Lynn for submitting this great idea, good luck on winning the $10, 000!!!!! Your t-shirt is on its way!

Idea Title:
Outdoor Yoga Class

From:
Lynn Roberts, Kamloops BC

Idea Summary:
An outdoor yoga class in Kamloops that attracts hundreds of people, vendors, sponsors and more.

Idea Description:
My idea is to hold a very large outdoor yoga class, outside, perhaps in June when it’s warm enough. Everyone would bring their own yoga mat and the cost would be $20 to attend this class.

We would do a 90 minute yoga class. Approximately 5-6 different teachers would take turns teaching this class. Teachers would be up on a stage, using a microphone, so as to be heard. Portable bathrooms would be provided. Food and retail vendors could pay to be there and local sponsors could pay to have their banner displayed both at the event and on the website (we would get a website going for this event – maybe a student could make it for free?).

If we got even 200 people, that’s $2000. PLUS the money from the vendors and sponsors – this could end up being several thousand dollars.

In Vancouver every year, they have an event like this to raise money for charity, and about 1500 people attend each year. However, at this event, people are required to raise money for charity. We wouldn’t make people do this – they would just pay the cost to get into the class.

Message:
And I would be happy to help teach this class and get a team of teachers together to help me!

SPECIAL MESSAGE:
Do you have an idea that you think could make money? Submit your money-making ideas using the form located here.  If any of the teams use your idea or if we publish your idea to our website we’ll give you credit, automatically send you a cool Race To A Million T-Shirt AND enter you for a chance to win your choice of either…

1. A Trip for 2 with all expenses paid to Kamloops, BC, Canada for the season finale;  or
2. $10,000 … That’s ONE MILLION cents in exchange for your 2 cents … A great return on investment that makes cents … as well as sense! (Don’t worry we won’t pay out in pennies… we promise.)

Pete & Dean

Just like Tamara Vukusic, owner of Spark Story Starters,  says – other moms are having a really hard time keeping a bum in a seat at dinner time. Well Amanda it looks like you aren’t the only person seeing this problem. What’s her solution? This idea is based around a high chair, car seat hybrid. Thank- you Amanda for keeping your idea gears working keep it up!

Idea title:
A High-Chair attachment for infants

From:
Amanda Blyth, Kamloops BC

Idea Summary:
A high-chair attachment for infants.

Idea Description:
My boyfriend’s sister just had a baby and during dinner time he usually either lays on the couch or is in his car seat. An attachment needs to be made for high that infants can be put in during dinner that will hold them up and allow them to be part of dinner time.

These would be bought with the highchair, therefore once the child is too big for the infant seat, they can sit in the regular hight chair
seat. The attachment could also be as simple as somethere for the car seat to click in and then the car seat can double as the highchair for the first while.

This would be incredibly useful because it seems like the baby just wants to see what’s going on so if he were at the table with everyone he would see everybody as well as Mom or Dad could tend to him right there when the baby cries.

SPECIAL MESSAGE:
Do you have an idea that you think could make money? Submit your money-making ideas using the form located here.  If any of the teams use your idea or if we publish your idea to our website we’ll give you credit, automatically send you a cool Race To A Million T-Shirt AND enter you for a chance to win your choice of either…

1. A Trip for 2 with all expenses paid to Kamloops, BC, Canada for the season finale;  or
2. $10,000 … That’s ONE MILLION cents in exchange for your 2 cents … A great return on investment that makes cents … as well as sense! (Don’t worry we won’t pay out in pennies… we promise.)

Pete & Dean

Whenever you travel it’s always a bonus to have a person to show you around, take you to the best restaurants and help you get the most out of your travels. Whether it’s a family vacation, back packing through South America or just taking a trip, some local knowledge is always nice to have. Ruth Thorne came up with this idea to help when you’re traveling!!

Idea Title:
Digital Tourist Guide

From:
Ruth Thorne, Kamloops BC

Idea Summary:
A person would record a trip from say Vancouver to Calgary – going the speed limit so that if the traveler played the file in real time it would be like having a tour guide along with them in the vehicle.

Idea Description:
In the file (CD, MP3, etc) there would be “best places to stop for a washroom break”, historical points about the towns that you pass through, “famous people that were born here”, maybe even “sell” advertising for restaurants (places to take kids, places NOT to take kids, pet friendly places, best place for pie and a coffee, etc.)

Customers could purchase these files specific to their trip.

The files could be divided up into categories also such as Seniors with an RV, Families on Vacation (stop at go-carts, water slides, etc.), or the Cheapest Way to get from Vancouver to Toronto!

CMDC Comments:
Ruth, what a wonderful idea! After I read your submission I went online to search for some photo’s that could represent this idea. It was hard to find, however I came across the one which is posted above. As you can see it’s an application called mTrip Travel Guides, actually multiple applications I should say.

Each city is a different application or guide which costs $5.99 each. They have city listings in the Americas, Europe and Asia. It’s available for the Apple iOS platform as well as the Android operating system, unfortunately Blackberry was left in the dust. Below is the link to learn more about this application. It’s so useful and very similar to your idea, I had to share it, enjoy!

http://www.mtrip.com/

SPECIAL MESSAGE:
Do you have an idea that you think could make money? Submit your money-making ideas using the form located here.  If any of the teams use your idea or if we publish your idea to our website we’ll give you credit, automatically send you a cool Race To A Million T-Shirt AND enter you for a chance to win your choice of either…

1. A Trip for 2 with all expenses paid to Kamloops, BC, Canada for the season finale;  or
2. $10,000 … That’s ONE MILLION cents in exchange for your 2 cents … A great return on investment that makes cents … as well as sense! (Don’t worry we won’t pay out in pennies… we promise.)

Pete & Dean

Every new product needs to be tested for durability, functionality, and design; these are just a few things among many. Bernie Warren, a race participant on Team TRU, brought an idea on a new way to crowd test new mobile applications. Thanks for the submission Bernie, and of course we’ll be sending your t-shirt to you and entering you into the BIG DRAW at the end of the race in July, good luck Bernie!!!

Idea Title:
Meta-App to Crowd-Test Mobile Apps

From:
Bernie Warren, Kamloops BC

Idea Summary:
A Meta-App

A mobile application to test the usability and functionality of potential mobile apps.

One of the great difficulties in developing a mobile app is how are the various users going to use the app and how good is the user interface.

This meta-app would deliver the prototype application to a wide audience which could be delineated on demo or pysco graphics, depending on the need.

The meta-app envelope would track usage keystrokes, time spent etc. After a certain period of use a survey would initiated and the opinion of the user would be captured and emailed to the app developer.

Idea Description:
For using the meta app for a period of time and once the user answered the survey then the user would then be rewarded by owning the app permanently and perhaps have their name put in credits of the program.

This type of “crowd testing” could be very effective and could be even set up to provide ongoing feedback for optional upgrades etc.

Message:
An automated and more cost efficient Mob4Hire
http://www.mob4hire.com/

SPECIAL MESSAGE:
Do you have an idea that you think could make money? Submit your money-making ideas using the form located here.  If any of the teams use your idea or if we publish your idea to our website we’ll give you credit, automatically send you a cool Race To A Million T-Shirt AND enter you for a chance to win your choice of either…

1. A Trip for 2 with all expenses paid to Kamloops, BC, Canada for the season finale;  or
2. $10,000 … That’s ONE MILLION cents in exchange for your 2 cents … A great return on investment that makes cents … as well as sense! (Don’t worry we won’t pay out in pennies… we promise.)

Pete & Dean

Over the past decade organic food has become more and more popular. With the evolution of the world wide web and how easy it is to spread information, the general public is much more easily educated on problems like these. Alix Leon wants to educate the Canadian organic market even more. How? He calls it BC Carnival Week.

Idea Title:
BC Carnival Week

From:
Alix Leon, Coquitlam BC

Idea Summary:
Sponsor by organic stores, stimulating organic-local consumerism…

Carnaval can go from to local markers in the lowermainland.

Art- exhibition on how people are working in BC..

Workshops, conferences, see the famous (suzuki, etc)

Idea Description:
The idea is to promote more organic business movement in this economy…appreciate our life, identity as canadian, and create a sense of belonging.

SPECIAL MESSAGE:
Do you have an idea that you think could make money? Submit your money-making ideas using the form located here.  If any of the teams use your idea or if we publish your idea to our website we’ll give you credit, automatically send you a cool Race To A Million T-Shirt AND enter you for a chance to win your choice of either…

1. A Trip for 2 with all expenses paid to Kamloops, BC, Canada for the season finale;  or
2. $10,000 … That’s ONE MILLION cents in exchange for your 2 cents … A great return on investment that makes cents … as well as sense! (Don’t worry we won’t pay out in pennies… we promise.)

Pete & Dean

In the thick of this cold winter we are always looking for more HOT ideas! Eric Yeo submitted this one, however this type of hot idea is only appropriate for the summer heat. What is it??? Hot dogs!! Thank you for the submission Eric, your t-shirt is on its way!!!

Idea Title:
Dog for a Cause

From:
Eric Yeo, Kanloops BC

Idea Summary:
Downtown hot dog day – once it warms up and people are looking for an excuse to get outside for lunch break.

Idea Description:
Distribute flyers to local businesses and office buildings downtown about the day and then go to work. Do it by donation as businesses will be more likely to write a large cheque. Very little cost for this event. You can borrow bbq from your homes and be at different stations around the downtown. You can sell a sponsorship spot for the banner title of the event. (ex. “Kraft” dog for a Cause) Easy to make money a few different ways off this one event.

Message:
Get to work. It will hopefully be nice outside soon!

SPECIAL MESSAGE:
Do you have an idea that you think could make money? Submit your money-making ideas using the form located here.  If any of the teams use your idea or if we publish your idea to our website we’ll give you credit, automatically send you a cool Race To A Million T-Shirt AND enter you for a chance to win your choice of either…

1. A Trip for 2 with all expenses paid to Kamloops, BC, Canada for the season finale;  or
2. $10,000 … That’s ONE MILLION cents in exchange for your 2 cents … A great return on investment that makes cents … as well as sense! (Don’t worry we won’t pay out in pennies… we promise.)

Pete & Dean

Everyone likes to save big!!! When you’re shopping it’s all about the sales, it’s all about the savings, it’s all about the coupons!!! Here’s an idea about staying up to date on all the coupons, savings and sales right on your phone! Thank you Brittany for this submission and good luck on winning the BIG $10, 000 draw in July!!!

Idea Title:
Targeting Technology

From:
Brittany Strebchuk, Kamloops BC

Idea Summary:
Mobile phone coupons

Idea Description:
Step 1) Advertise on TV – have a commercial that tells views to use
their cell phone to text a designated number
Step 2) Once the viewer has texted the designated number, they will
receive a coupon code which can be used for the designated store.
Step 3) The viewer will continue to receive coupons and promotional
text messages each month.

Message:
Almost everyone has a cell phone now. Almost everyone is addicted to
texting. Most importantly everyone loves coupons!

SPECIAL MESSAGE:
Do you have an idea that you think could make money? Submit your money-making ideas using the form located here.  If any of the teams use your idea or if we publish your idea to our website we’ll give you credit, automatically send you a cool Race To A Million T-Shirt AND enter you for a chance to win your choice of either…

1. A Trip for 2 with all expenses paid to Kamloops, BC, Canada for the season finale;  or
2. $10,000 … That’s ONE MILLION cents in exchange for your 2 cents … A great return on investment that makes cents … as well as sense! (Don’t worry we won’t pay out in pennies… we promise.)

Pete & Dean

BRAIN TEASER TIME!!!! In their first year of business, how much money did Microsoft Make? The answer? Find it in episode 14′s Big Idea’s segment! No only that, Peter talks about a few of his favorite submitted ideas. If you have a good idea submit it to our website and you’ll be entered to win a grand prize of $10,000!!! Who know’s maybe it’ll end up on a Race to a Million episode!

Fast Tube by Casper

If you scroll down through our submitted ideas you will find one called the Umbrachippin, submitted by Bryan Wickham. We loved this convenient, genius, versatile invention so much we had to talk to the inventor!! What is the Umbrachippin? Watch the video and find out!!

Fast Tube by Casper

The way we sleep is incredibly important, you need proper support for your whole body. If you sleep with bad support or uncomfortable bedding it can result in sore muscles joints, back pain, neck pain, ect. Along with our high priced bedding comes high priced and high thread count, sheets, covers and cases. All bedding aside most importantly, to Amanda Blyth, are the sheets!!!

Idea Title:
Untangle-able Sheets

From:
Amanda Blyth in Kamloops BC

Idea Summary:
Sheets that don’t scrunch, tangle or get pushed to the end of the bed while you sleep!

Idea Description:
I don’t know about you but it’s annoying when you’re sleeping and throughout the night the sheet gets crumpled at the bottome of the bed or scrunched up behind you and after laying on it all night you wake up with a sore back.

Last night I though of a way that this could be fixed! Fitted sheets could be made specially to include the top sheet but have the top sheet attached. It would be like a very baggy sleeping bag. The reason you want it baggy is because some people don’t like having the sheet tucked at the end of the bed and so that you’re able to get in and out of it! I know, it seems like a lot of material but it’s no more than would be used regularily it’s just attached instead of seperate. Then when you make the bed (so that it’s not bunched up and filled with wrinkles. You pull the sheet flat on the bed, yes there will be bulk on the edges but again, no different then if you had a regular sheet!