In the continuing trend of Weird Niches, I'd like to discuss a much needed service that is now offered by a clever entrepreneur.

You know how it is when you go to a movie that you're really excited about? Then, you eat popcorn and drink a big ole soda to wash it down and start to think “Oh no! I have to PEE!”

You try to hold it for the rest of the movie so that you don't miss anything important, but…  as you start to sweat and do the potty dance, you realize there's no chance that'll happen.

What's a movie buff to do?

Well, a new niche website has been launched to save the day.

Just go to http://runpee.com before you go to the movie and find out exactly the best times to … run and pee during the movie you'll be watching. Coolness – they're working on an Iphone App in case you forget and need to check as you're buying that big soda at the theater. (Correction: iPhone app is under development right now and than other mobile versions will be out in the Fall which is as fast as the owner can get it done.)

I was fortunate to get the owner of RunPee.com to do a quick text interview with me. Here is some insight into the business side of things…

————  Begin Interview ————

1. Tell me about RunPee and how you came up with the idea.

Here are two pages that answer a lot of the questions about the site:
http://blog.runpee.com/about
http://blog.runpee.com/about-polygeek

2. How are you monetizing the site?

Right now I don't! So far I think I've made about $50 off the site and spent $500 on hosting – for the year. I'm a developer and not very knowledgeable about advertising but I'm working on it. I think if the site stays popular and people use it on a regular basis then I'll eventually find an effective means of monetizing it. I really need to get the iPhone app out there. It will sell for .99 so that should be a nice infusion of cash.

Nicole says: Yes, the Iphone app should be a good burst of income for the site, definitely.

3. I see you're getting a lot of interviews. What have you learned so far about scheduling and getting results from interviews.

Just say yes to everyone that wants an interview! The funny thing is that I've only contacted one person for an interview on their show and they never got back to me. Fortunately lots of requests have come to me.

4. Any questions you may like to ask me for help marketing/monetizing your business.

I think the model I'll follow is going to be similar to RottenTomatoes.com. Since the site is Flash based I can work in some really nifty themes for movies. Plus I'd like to have a section at the bottom where users can browse for previews and such. Eventually the site will grow into much more than it is now but it will always stay focused on the core asset which is to be able to quickly get in and get the RunPeeTimes for the movie you want to watch.

Nicole says: I can envision a whole line of cool tee's similar to Threadless.com Also, as the site grows in popularity and page rank, you should be able to sell text-links and banner ads, as well, for a decent price. Plus, the Iphone App will certainly take off, if you market it well. Your branding is good and memorable, for sure.  Readers, do you have suggestions?

5. Anything my readers can do for you?

Firstly I would say use it and tell all your friends about it. I hope that lots of people just make it a regular part of their movie going experience.

Second, if anyone has any suggestions please throw them out there. The site will evolve largely based on user input. And it would be nice if people bought T-shirts. I need the $$$.

6. Anything you'd do differently if you were to begin again?

I might have set up monitization better. The site has been out since last August. Since it didn't get any traffic I didn't bother working on finding ways to make money from it. And I should have added features to moderate the publicly submitted RunPeeTimes. Some of them have been of the “Go pee and don't return” variety which doesn't help anyone. I'm working on moderation today. And letting users vote on which RunPeeTimes they like the best. I have received lots of great suggestions from users which will make the site better and better.

————  End Interview ————

Great innovative thinking, RunPee. I like the way you think.

Problem –> Solution –> Opportunity for Profit.

Go get 'em guys. Find problems that YOU can solve for profit!

Warmly,
Nicole