Ideas for Small Businesses: Part 1 of 2
By James Pruitt, Senior Staff Writer
While every new enterprise is the brainchild of its founder, certain industries are especially amenable to smaller businesses. Many of us find ourselves stranded and find the best option to be our own boss and entrepreneur. Many of us have our own unique talents and skills that might allow us to hang out a shingle and open our own shop.
Some fields stand out as especially good fits for small Veteran Owned Businesses. For example, professional services such as accounting, medicine, and law allow a licensed individual to work with a high degree of independence. It is possible to earn revenues in the six digits and side income. Other suitable fields for an independent worker might include some of the following listed below.
Others may require just a special talent or set of experiences. Opportunities for small businesses are unlimited. However, these ideas especially may suit a variety of people, from college or even high school professionals to late-stage professionals.
1. Animal Caregiver
This kind of gig may not pay well but obviously may suit many people looking for a side gig. Dogs need walking, cats need their litter changed. Dog-walking and pet-sitting businesses can provide a fun supplement to the income of anyone with the time, training, and experience. Additionally, there are opportunities to pet sit when owners have to travel which can be lucrative. Animal lovers may jump on this in-demand opportunity for a low-stress way to make money.
2. Cleaning service
A cleaning service can focus on houses, businesses, or vehicles. This type of business could well suit an entrepreneur with especially good management skills or interpersonal connections.
3. Consultant
This option might suit a mid-career professional who chooses to go their own route. Consultants should have their own career paths mapped out so they can advise their colleagues in the same direction. They can reach the point where they are able to choose and be selective about the consulting projects they take on.
4. Craft making
Jewelry making especially could be a good side business for creative types. Other hobbies like pottery and knitting can translate into an effective side business. Many craft makers can earn good money through E-bay or Amazon simply through their own hobbies.
5. Editing and writing services
This job might be a good fit if you’re the quiet type. The world needs an endless supply of proofreaders, copy editors, copywriters, and content creators. Often, several of these job descriptions can be combined into the same practice.
6. Event planner
Whether at children’s parties, weddings, or business conventions, an independent worker with a flair for the festive can turn their magnetism into an enterprise all their own.
7. Home daycare
A private childcare business will need special licensure and must submit to routine visits. Given these caveats, a well-modified space in a private home can often provide a good space for a preschool/daycare center. Home daycares do require ongoing contact with licensing authorities, even when run from your own household. There is a real shortage of good childcare options for parents so your services may be in high demand.
8. Farm stand, landscaper, or local nursery
Anyone with a green thumb can sell their produce on the open market. You could even start with a roadside stand. In some cases, that stand may even grow into a little shop. In others, you may have a unique gardening “recipe” that could produce a vegetable or ornamental plant that could fill its own niche.
9. Food truck
You may have a perfect, unique recipe to feed members of your local business or community. Food trucks may be a challenge to maintain, but with the right niche can be a lucrative enterprise. Entrepreneurs should try to locate an underserved office park with hungry workers to market their creations. Sometimes, good cooks with especially unique ideas could even become famous. Use caution, however. Startup costs for food trucks may surprise you.
10. Beauty Industry
Working in the beauty industry may require special training or experience. The beauty field may be one field where licensure or certification may benefit you, even when not required. You can work the days and hours you wish.
Conclusion:
The next installment of this two-part series runs through the second part of the alphabet. Again, opportunities for small businesses are endless. For some, a small business could make a lifelong dream come true. For others, the right leads can help even those who even just need a side gig to keep the cash flow alive.
VAMBOA, the Veterans and Military Business Owners Association hope that this first article of this two-part series has not only been valuable but provided some unique perspective. We work hard to bring you important, positive, helpful, and timely information and are the “go to” online venue for Veteran and Military Business Owners. VAMBOA is a non-profit trade association. We do not charge members any dues or fees and members can also use our seal on their collateral and website. If you are not yet a member, you can register here:
https://vamboa.org/member-registration/
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