We seem to have stumbled on something of a profitable business idea recently. Here in Mongolia, where we’re wintering, there is absolutely no end of business opportunities. Mongolia is a gold rush country, and everyone here is looking to grab a slice of the pie. By the look of the Ferraris and Humvees cruising the streets of Ulaanbaatar it seems some people have helped themselves to a rather bigger slice than they maybe deserve.

Anyway… while I’m here my friends are always approaching me with business ideas. Let’s sell pollution masks. Let’s start a member only club. Let’s start an all-toast restaurant (seriously, that one was two nights ago after a few beers).
Problem is, I make my living online. I wouldn’t have the first clue how to start a real bricks and mortar business, especially in a foreign country. I’m a single task kinda guy (I can’t cook if there are more than two or maybe three ingredients involved), and the prospect of running a business terrifies me.
Anyway… I’ve always felt a little left out by the fact that I can’t form a real business. My online work is fun and interesting, but there’s no opportunity to make millions as is the case with real world Mongolia.
Recently, though, I got into talks with a local outdoor equipment supplier. They wanted someone to test their winter wear: parkas, hats, gloves and so on, and then write winter coat reviews on their website. The pay isn’t great, but the thing is I get to keep the samples I test.

That may not sound like much, but the thing is that a lot of these coats are in the $300+ price range, and I’ve tested 10 so far. Last week I headed down to the Gobi for a week of field testing (I was going there in any case, so this wasn’t an inconvenience), and for the trouble of writing a 500 word review on the site I got to keep a $185 Mountain Hardwear men’s Zonal jacket.
So, yeah… I may not be making a fortune like so many other westerners here, but it looks like I’ve found my niche