Almost everyone comes up with the idea of setting up their own business, at one or the other time in their lives. Every person is unique and thus it is natural that you are going to come up with the idea that is different from others. The success of your startup depends on how diligently you work to turn the plan into reality and the choice of the marketplace. However, you will also need startup funding to set up your business and put it on the right path.
Best Small Business Startup Ideas
Here are some of the best small business startup ideas that you can consider the different funding options.
Personal Trainer
There are many people who are excellent at motivating others because they have great oratory skills. You can combine your motivating skills with your passion or knowledge in a specific field to become a personal trainer. For example, if you have knowledge or experience in the field of fitness, you can provide personal training in the niche helping people achieve their fitness goals. Acquiring certifications can add credibility to your small business concept.
Life Coach
Life experiences can be the best inspiration that can be transformed into successful entrepreneurial concepts. There may be a lot that others can benefit from your life lessons. And when combined with the knack to help others reach their full potential and get the most out of their life, your life experiences can help you become a good life coach. Thus, a small business startup idea around life coaching may just be the perfect option for you if all the above-mentioned boxes tick right.
Fix Things
Does your current job involve fixing things – electrical, mechanical, plumbing or in other ways? If you are good at fixing something, you can consider starting your own small business working for your own clients. Depending on which field you specialize in, you can provide your services as a plumber, handyperson, or electrician. And getting a vocational certification shouldn’t be a challenge if you already have some experience in the field. Handymen are always in demand and any fluctuations in the economy shouldn’t affect your small business.
Bookkeeper
If you are good at number crunching and have some experience in bookkeeping, you can work as a freelancing bookkeeper. Companies, big or small, are always going to need accountants. And depending on the size of operations and the size and type of clients you cater to, you may also consider getting certified. Easy-to-use and free online tools further simplify your business model. The range of services you can offer include:
- Generating income statements
- Create balance sheets
- Creating annual and monthly financial reports
Social Media Consultant
The internet revolution has reached almost all industries. More business owners and managers understand the importance of being actively present on social media than ever before. This means there is an ever increasing demand for social media consultants. If you know how to use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and are good at content creation, you can start a small business as a social media consultant.
You may even find free and recognized professional certifications from Google and different social media sites. And it is not just essential that you will have to stick with your local marketplace. You can cater to the promotional needs of global clients too.
Website Designer & Developer
Today, more and more businesses realize the importance of having a website. Even when designing a website is simpler than ever, most business owners and managers prefer to get the help of a professional service instead of creating it themselves. With template-based web designing making this simpler, you don’t have to be a coder to set up your web designing service.
In fact, you can start designing websites after some practice. Learn how to create galleries, product pages, shopping carts, blogs, forms, and service pages.
App Development
Different types of organizations require different types of apps for promotion, selling, providing customer service, and for other purposes. If you have any experience in app development, you can start an app development service. Start by working on simple and small projects and work on more complex and larger apps as you gain more experience and exposure.
Graphics Designing
Graphic designing services are required regularly for different needs such as designing logos, branding purposes, designing print materials like fliers, and designing ads. If you can learn how to use Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel Draw, and other popular programs, you can start providing your designing services to local clients. The internet makes it easier for you to find online clients and take your services to the global marketplace. You can also design magazines, newsletters, and various types of formats based on your client needs.
Translation Services
If you are proficient in two or more languages, you can also consider starting your translation services. It is easy to start and you don’t need lots of funding to start with. Many clients need regular translation services, which means that you can build long-term business relationships as a translator.
Interior Designing
If you are good at organizing the living space, paint, and different décor elements, you can consider starting an interior designing service. Businesses and homeowners always need interior designers to turn their ideas into reality or to get professional help in coming up with design ideas.
You can also take your passion further and get a certification in interior designing. It is not essential to have a certification, but it will certainly help improve your understanding. You will be designing space based on who is going to use it, whether it needs to be pet-friendly, and what is the purpose of the space.
Personal Driver or Provide Taxi Services
You can work as a personal driver to women and businesspeople who prefer being driven to work, appointments, and meetings. You can promote your services online or even in local classifieds. If you have a car and a clean driving record, you may also join a branded taxi service company. At the most, these companies require a background check. Some of the main advantages of providing taxi services are that you can work as per your schedule and you can come across new people. You will also not have to report to any boss.
Photography
If you have the knack for identifying special moments that should be captured forever, you can also consider starting your photography business. You can be a general photographer or someone who specializes in a particular area. It is best to choose an area based on what interests you more. This can include wedding photography, family photography, and pet photography among others.
The latest DSLR cameras and equipment are powerful enough to be used for professional photography. So you can start your own business without the need to have a big investment. If you have the skills, you may also provide videography services.
Gardening Services
Gardening services are not limited to any specific time of the year. It is the perfect business idea for those who have a hobby in gardening. The range of services you can provide depend on what interests you. This can include:
- Gardening
- Lawn-mowing
- Raking
- Herb farming
You may also provide snow removal services to your clients. If you love to raise flowers and plants in your own garden, you have very high chances of making it big in this profession.
Catering Services
Are you good at cooking a wide range of dishes? Can you prepare food in different cuisines? You can consider opening a catering company that handles orders of different sizes. Since this business involves food, you will be required to apply for certain licenses. However, you can consider starting small by working from your home and gradually expand your operations when your revenues increase. Both residential and commercial clients are always in need of catering services for small and large events.
You may also put your cooking skills to use by working as a personal chef. Many high-net-worth individuals and families prefer having a personal chef who can prepare their meals. You can provide services to different clients to generate high revenues.
Massage Therapist
Not only there is the unprecedented increase in demand for massage therapists but it is also a business idea that is easy to start with. Learning massage therapy and certification is relatively simpler compared to other professions. You can start your own massage therapy center and gradually hire more people as your business grows. As the market continues to expand, a good marketing strategy can help you drive lots of leads.
Travel Planner
If you think that it is easier than ever for people to plan their holidays and business trips because of the internet revolution, you are wrong. It may seem simple that people can book their holidays online with just a few clicks. But with so many factors to compare, including different flights, hotel amenities and rates, car rentals, and activities that things can be overwhelming for travelers.
If you have good organizational skills and can find special rates for your clients, you can open your travel planning business. Most people don’t have the time to do all the research to find the best bargains and evaluate all the different factors. A travel planner who can help create complete packages including local activities can be the perfect service that people are looking for. You may start from your home or set up a small office. And you are not going to need a huge budget.
Event Planning
You can start an event planning business based on the field you are interested in and expand into others later. Whether it is a wedding, corporate events, or any other kind of event where you want to specialize in, it is best to start by creating a business plan. Some of the different steps involved include:
- Define event planning services
- Get insurance
- Create a network of suppliers
- Determine how you will charge your clients
- Secure funding
Just like event planning, most of the above-mentioned business ideas are going to need funding. Whether you want to start small or big, you are going to need funding.
Small Business Funding Options
There are different ways in which you can fund your small business. The options open to you depend on various factors. It can include personal savings, loans, line of credit, or seed capital.
Personal Savings
Most small business ideas are fueled by personal savings. If you have the required savings and if you don’t qualify for conventional bank financing, you can fund and start your business with your own money. When you use your own money, it puts you in a different perspective from using anyone else’s money. You are going to look at your business in a different way. You are going to put in the extra effort to reduce risks and make your business a success. What you make from your business will be yours and you will not have to repay anyone.
Loan from Friends & Family
If you can convince them, you can consider taking loans from friends or family. The key is to make them understand what your business is about and make them believe that it is going to succeed. In such a case, you should treat your investors the same way you invest professional angel investors. Update them about the progress of the business and always keep them in the loop of the positives and negatives. Treat them like a partner once you have accepted their investment.
Partners
You can also add partners who can fund your business idea. It depends whether the partners want to become employees of your company. You can also consider finding strategic partners that can mean that your resources can be aligned together. So if you are starting a property maintenance business, you can have a property management company as your strategic partner. This can not just mean that you may get initial funding, but the partner company can also help you get orders for driving your business.
SBA Loan
You can also consider getting a loan through the Small Business Administration (SBA). This government agency encourages lending to small businesses and requires that a part of the loan is guaranteed. Lenders can agree to fund your startup if it has been guaranteed by the SBA. But the success rate of the application depends on factors like good credit and experience. If you can deal with all the paperwork, you can consider this option for funding your idea.
Business Line of Credit
Another way to fund your small business is to apply for a business line of credit. The lender is going to approve a certain amount that you can draw from as and when required. You will be paying interest only on the funds drawn, which is similar to a credit card. When you repay the drawn amount, it will become available again.
Short-Term & Long-Term Loans
You can also apply for a short-term or long-term loan with banks. A short-term loan is provided for a term period ranging from 3 to 18 months. It may be the ideal option if need initial capital. These loans come with higher interest rates.
Long-term loans usually have flexible terms that depend on your business needs. These loans are slightly difficult to apply but come with lower interest rates.
Merchant Cash Advance
If you have a credit card, you can apply for cash advance from a lender. The provider is going to assess your credit card receipts to determine your repaying capability before offering the cash advance. This is however different from other loans. You will be required to sell a part of your credit card sales to your lender. This is an expensive way to fund your small business but the funding can be received faster than many other options.
Angel Investors
Angel investors are individuals and groups who are ready to invest in promising ventures. You can search for angel investors online or reach out to your chamber of commerce. The local chamber can help you find who is interested in funding startups in your area.
Crowdfunding
Another way to fund your business idea is to apply for crowdfunding. This system is powered by websites that allow you to share your business idea or project with tens of thousands of potential, individual investors. There are different models of investments including:
- Equity
- Debt
- Rewards
Hundreds of crowdfunding websites have emerged over the past few years. Make sure to do some research before choosing a platform that has the best prospects for your business model and niche.
Cloud Funding
Cloud funding is different from crowdfunding. It involves several groups that let you pitch your business ideas to investors. It allows different investors to fund your startup. There are certain limitations on how these investors can operate.
Venture Capital
If you have a business idea that requires significant amount of funding, you should consider seeking venture capital. This is different from other types of funding, not just regarding the amount of funding that can be procured, but also concerning the share that you will have to give to the investment company. The investment firm is going to ask for a significant share of your company. Depending on the funding, it is mostly a controlling interest.
So these are the different small business ideas and funding options that are available to you. Make sure to consider a startup idea that best matches your passion. If you take personal interest in a business, it is highly likely to succeed in the long term.