I came up with this idea while I was walking to work one day. I was tired and half asleep, and I thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if I could just take a nap here?” Then I said, “Hey, may be if we have a place for people to take a nap in the middle of the day, it would be great!”
In some countries, companies have what they call a power nap. Employees can nap for around fifteen minutes during lunch break and the nap helps them refresh themselves. The nap time may be short but it is potent. Fifteen minutes can help go a long way.
In the city that never sleeps, New Yorkers are often derived of rest, which means people often has less sleep than necessary. Insufficient sleep causes fatigue, tiredness, hallucination, and increases chances of mistakes at work.
Business Model
My idea is to create a comfortable environment with nap stations where people can lie down and take a nap. The napping stations will have a variety of “sleep” music and a “smart” alarm to wake the person. The “sleep” music will help relax the person’s mind and body, help remove the stress and ease the person to a soft gentle rest, and when the sleep time is over, the “smart” alarm will wake the person with small vibrations or soft music.
Scenario
John is very tired at work and did not get enough sleep last night. During his lunch break, he walks over to City Naps and picks a Nap Station. He sets the alarm for fifteen minutes and lies down for a nap. The soft music helps him ease into his sleep. Fifteen minutes later, the alarm sounds gently and wakes him up. John feels recharged and returns back to work.
Business Implementation
This business would require a lot of retail space and equipment. The price for each Nap Station use has to be priced low enough to attract customers.
Update:
I did a search on Google and saw that someone else has already implemented this business idea. It’s called MetroNaps (http://www.metronaps.com).
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Hmm I bet you the bums would love that hehe. For me I dunno sleeping in a public place — even hotels — I mean lice and bed bugs and etc etc. I guess it’d be kind of like an express hotel. Bet you hookers would love that! lol
Juan
Juan,
There will be a charge for each use and the place has to be kept cleaned. Each sleeping station will be limited to only one person. =)
At a startup, it’s called a ‘couch’.
I read about MetroNaps a few months ago. I know of a lot of people who would love to take a nap near their work to recharge themselves. Maybe you can have different pricing plans for different sleep experiences? The more amenities you offer (noise-canceling headphones, music, better comfort of beds, etc.), the more expensive it is.
Hey, I think it’s a great idea! In fact, I have been teasing my employer for the last seven years that we need a ‘nurse’s office’ where we can go lie down for a brief time. Reason? I occasionally get really bad headaches. I can take some migraine aspirin and a 20-minute nap, and feel much better. BUT, as it is now I have to take a half-day off from work as PTO just for a 20-minute nap. If employer offered a couch, I could nap and be back at work. I’d even be willing to shorten a lunch hour to accommodate. No lost productivity, no lost PTO time!
Landon,
That’s a good idea. I have thought of that too.
Janet,
Bank of New York’s headquarter on Wall Street offers a lounge where employees can sleep. Perhaps you can pitch the same idea to your boss. I think taking a short nap helps you refresh.
Hi “Smarty”,
I have had the same idea months ago, and went ahead into a whole concept. While searching the Internet for existing projects, I have seen your post on this website. I would like to discuss it with you. Do you live in Europe?
This is a poor idea. I would abandon any attempt at this now.
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.