Business Idea #2: City Nap
The idea is to allow city people to take a nap in the middle of the day.
I came up with this idea when 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 York City people often has less sleep than necessary. Insufficient sleep causes fatigue, tiredness, hallucination, and increased chances of error at work.
My idea was to create a comfortable environment with nap stations where people can lie down and nap. The napping stations will have soft music and a gentle alarm. The soft music is to ease the person to sleep mode and the alarm wakes up the person gently.
Scenario:
John is very tired at work and did not get enough sleep last night. During his lunch break, he walks over to City Nap 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 nap. Fifteen minutes later, the alarm sounds gently and wakes him up. John feels refreshed 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 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).
February 27th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
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
February 28th, 2007 at 9:28 am
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. =)
March 4th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
At a startup, it’s called a ‘couch’.
March 7th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
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.
March 19th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
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!
March 20th, 2007 at 8:48 am
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.
September 18th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
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?