how ordinary businesses make money

the whole table

78 so far, page 6 of 7

March 2026

A plain black ring binder, a plain steel padlock, a folded plain grey shop apron, a blank contract sheet with a paper clip and a blank invoice on a soft pink paper board

How I'd choose a franchise before handing over my savings

Ten days to read it. I'd use every one.

February 2026

The corner of a plain grey plastic laundry basket, a small cup of plain unmarked coins, a folded white towel, an empty clear plastic measuring cap and a till receipt on a deep green paper board

How a coin laundrette makes money with nobody behind the counter

The washers work nights and never ask for a raise.

A folded grey filter mesh, a soft grey cleaning brush, a plain white unmarked spray bottle, a small steel hex key and a blank job sheet on a soft pink paper board

How I'd choose someone to service my air-con

A chemical wash is the upsell. Ask why you need it.

A plain grey plastic squeegee, an offcut of plain white acrylic, a strip of unlit LED tape, a small steel spirit level and a blank quotation on a deep green paper board

What a shop signboard costs after the sign is up

The sign's paid off once. The council writes every year.

A thick plain white cup of black coffee, a long-spouted tin coffee pot, a cloth coffee strainer, a steel spoon and a till receipt on a soft pink paper board

Who's making the money at a kopitiam, the coffee or the rent?

Some coffee shops are landlords with a drinks counter.

A plain black desk microphone, a coil of black extension cable, a key on a plain ring, a roll of black gaffer tape and a blank quotation on a deep green paper board

How I'd choose an event venue without paying for the chairs twice

Minimum spend is a price wearing a nicer shirt.

A plain clipboard with a blank timeline sheet, a black two-way radio with a blank display, a roll of white gaffer tape, a folding wooden tape measure with plain tick marks and no numerals and a blank quotation on a soft pink paper board

What a wedding planner charges for if the hotel has a package

The hotel sells the ballroom. Someone still has to sell the calm.

Two closed hardback books with plain unprinted grey cloth covers, a plain wooden bookend, a flat blank white card bookmark and a till receipt on a deep green paper board

How a bookshop stays open selling something cheaper elsewhere

Same book, same edition. The small shop still has the rent.

A coiled plain grey nylon pet lead, a white syringe cap, a small steel pet nail clipper, a small steel bowl and a receipt on a soft pink paper board

How I'd choose a vet before I actually need one

The worst time to compare vets is at midnight.

A plain black torch, a bunch of keys on a plain ring, a black two-way radio with a blank display, a clipboard with a blank sheet and a blank invoice on a deep green paper board

Why your condo pays so much for a guard who earns so little

Between the fee and the pay packet sits a whole company.

January 2026

The corner of a folded grey quilted furniture blanket, a roll of brown parcel tape, a black ratchet strap, a box cutter and a blank quotation on a soft pink paper board

How I'd choose a moving company without a hostage sofa

The cheap quote is only cheap until the lorry's loaded.

A car key on a plain ring, a folded grey cotton rag, a plain tyre pressure gauge with a blank dial, a plain black ring binder and a blank sales invoice on a deep green paper board

What a used car dealer earns on a car it barely owned

Often the car isn't the only thing being sold.

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