how ordinary businesses make money

the whole table

78 so far, page 7 of 7

January 2026

A pair of steel hairdressing scissors, a black comb, a folded black cape, a steel hair clip and a till receipt on a soft pink paper board

Why your haircut price is about who can hold the scissors

A haircut's price can hang on a work permit.

A steel pipe wrench, a roll of white thread tape, a brass elbow fitting, a black rubber washer and a blank job sheet on a deep green paper board

How I'd choose a plumber before the ceiling starts dripping

Find one on a dry day. You'll ask better questions.

A plain black ring binder, a black pen, a shop key on a plain ring, a blank contract sheet with a paper clip and a blank invoice on a soft pink paper board

What a franchise fee really buys you

You're paying for a recipe, a sign and someone's permission.

A steel ladle, a plain white enamel plate, a steel wire mesh strainer, a small steel gas regulator with a blank dial and a blank order slip on a deep green paper board

What a hawker actually clears after the gas and the free chilli

The plate is cheap. The early start isn't on the bill.

A closed book with a plain unprinted grey cover, a black fountain pen, a wooden-handled rubber stamp with a blank face, two steel paper clips and a blank invoice on a soft pink paper board

How I'd choose a translator for something that matters

Fluent isn't the same as accepted by the office receiving it.

A plain white mug, a blank white access card, a coiled grey charging cable, a notebook open to a blank page and a blank monthly invoice on a deep green paper board

How a co-working space makes money on the desk you never use

The lease runs for years. Your commitment runs for a month.

got a business you're curious about? tell me