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Sold As Ice Profit from: shaved ice, jewelry, medical claims processing.

By Shara Lessley

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Sno Shack's shaved ice is smarter than the average snowcone. With 80 flavors, ranging from Tiger's Blood to Mai Tai,the company's ice treats sell at beaches, swap meets,concerts--almost anywhere people gather.

Sno Shack first appeared on the concession-stand scene in 1978after founder and president Cheryl Lewis saw a shaved ice businessoperating in an abandoned train ticket office. Convinced there wasa market for a mobile shaved-ice stand, Lewis opened her first SnoShack location. "We were so well- received that first summer,we were able to set up eight more [locations] by the following[season]," says Lewis. Sno Shack now has about 1,200 standsnationwide and distributors in seven countries.

Entrepreneurs who own ice cream or yogurt shops can add SnoShack's fat- and cholesterol-free shaved ice treats to theirproduct lines for $2,300, which includes a warranted shaver,exclusive flavors and other supplies.

Those interested in a larger investment can purchase SnoShack's turnkey business opportunity package for $13,500. Thisincludes Sno Shack's mobile steel building with itsself-contained water system, sinks, holding tanks, and indoor andoutdoor signs, as well as all other necessary supplies. Sno Shackowners receive training manuals, videos and technical support.

For more information, call (801) 466-1771.

The Chain Gang

Everyone knows diamonds are a girl's best friend. But mostgirls and guys are equally enthusiastic about sterlingsilver, gold or any precious stone they can slip around theirfingers, necks and earlobes.

Whether it be a Southwestern bracelet or a costume jewelrynecklace, Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Bosco Jewelers Inc. hasbeen providing customers with quality jewelry at close to 70percent below listed retail prices since 1979. As a Bosco Jewelersrepresentative, you use the company's catalogs as marketingtools to sell merchandise to people who then resell it at locationssuch as flea markets, fairs and workplaces. You can also sell toretail stores.

Many Bosco customers have been ordering consistently since the1980s. "We've been steadfast, provid-ing quality jewelryat reasonable prices," says company founder and presidentRobert Duck. "That's the way to develop repeatbusiness."

Detailed information about Bosco's manufacturing process isincluded in the company's literature, so becoming arepresentative requires no special background. The minimum initialorder ($25 worth of jewelry) needn't be purchased untilyou've secured a sale for that amount.

For more information and a free Bosco jewelry catalog, call(800) 967-0338.

Claims To Fame

"Illness doesn't discriminate," says John Travlos,president and CEO of Island Automated Medical Services Inc. (IAMS).Whenever people get sick, paperwork must be processed--and withtoday's complex health-care system, there's more paperworkto handle than ever before. IAMS packages specialized software,training, marketing and sales plans, along with a telephone andInternet support system, to create its $8,495 Platinum medicalclaims processing business opportunity.

Founded in 1990, IAMS has more than 3,000 centers across thecountry. IAMS' three-day seminars provide training in alltechnical aspects of medical claims processing, including procedurecode analysis (PCA), claims cost analysis, and sales and marketingtechniques.

The IAMS Platinum package includes medical and dental claimsprocessing software, PCA and claims mergers, and brochures,literature and videos to help you explain your services to clients.A $95 annual administration fee (waived the first year) buysunlimited telephone and Internet support, and IAMS softwareupdates.

For more information, call (800) 538-2205, ext. 720.

Contact Sources

Bosco Jewelers Inc., P.O. Box 8426, Albuquerque, NM87198

Island Automated Medical Services Inc., http://www.iams-inc.com

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