Do you know of a small business that can run without its owner in the shop?

can you tell me of any kind of small (retail?) business that can be run without its owner being physically in the shop at all time? (With carefully selected employees and a good inventory control system, of course).

I'm looking to start such a business in the Washington, DC area.

Laundromat. Other coin op places, don't need anybody.

Parking lot.

Umm... oh yeah, Walmart, Sears, Home Depot, etc. (I haven't seen the owners in the shops, ever.)

Why do you want this? Freeing up time to read the Koran?
Raising money for training jihadis?

Get a business with no employees at all... Self storage units are pretty brilliant.

Only small-businesses that can afford to get smaller!

look into sport clips haircuts
its a large franchise store that keeps growing

Free Enterprises.i cant tell you exactly what it is cuz you know that business is never dealt through public websites but e-mail me for more info.

A laundromat can run without the owner present.

run an online business-try this one:http://pauswee.mydollarshop.com/moneymak...

As soon as I read your question I envisioned a tanning salon. On the side the business sells bathing suits and sunglasses and other beach / sun items. You wouldn't have to have a big inventory (most of the money is made from monthly tanning contracts).