We live in a gig economy and more and more people are embarking on new business ventures for themselves. In 2016, nearly 34 percent of the workforce was made up of freelancers and that’s expected to rise to 43 percent by 2020.
Whether you’re looking to leave your full-time job behind or embark on a rewarding side hustle, it’s never too late to channel your entrepreneurial spirit. Because we live in such a technology-driven society with the internet allowing us to connect with customers around the globe, launching and maintaining a startup business is easier than ever.
Here’re 15 stellar startup business ideas for the burgeoning entrepreneur:
1. Online Coaching
If you know how to do something well and enjoy teaching others, launching an online coaching business can be one of the most rewarding business endeavors out there.
Whereas pre-internet, you would largely be limited to the people in the city you live in, a camera and internet connection is all that is needed to share your skills with the entire world.
Looking to get started?
- Write down three skills you’re really good at.
- Break them up into how-to steps.
- Begin putting lessons together.
Whether it’s offering dating advice, teaching music or yoga lessons, people are willing to pay for specialized coaching.
2. Social Media Management
If you haven’t noticed already, social media is everywhere and every business on the planet is looking to use it to expand their customer base. It’s how businesses attract new customers and keep existing ones informed about new products and services.
Creating social media posts for businesses and launching campaigns that truly go viral isn’t easy, but for those with a wild creative streak, it can be incredibly lucrative.
If you have experience in navigating the ever-changing social media landscape, the sky’s the limit for expanding your client base.
It should also go without saying that being an expert in social media strategy will prove incredibly useful in growing your own business.
3. Healthy Option Vending Machines
After years of unhealthy processed foods, we’re seeing a movement towards more health-conscious fare. It’s happening in the restaurant biz, and vending machines are likely next to ditch the empty calories.
Employers want their employees to stay healthy. It means fewer sick days and higher rates of productivity. It’s why so many businesses are looking to ditch the standard junk food vending machines and bring in healthier snacking options.
The healthy vending machine wave is already a strong $ 43 billion and growing industry and new entrepreneurs have the option of launching with a single machine or fleet of any size.
4. Flipping Websites
Flipping houses is so 2010. Plus, it’s incredibly hard labor and there’s no telling when the housing market is going to take another downward turn.
If you’re willing to do your research, flipping websites can equal some fast cash — though it does require some skill.
Through buying and selling domains on your own or using existing platforms like Flippa.com, this is a business with absolutely zero overhead. When you factor in that every new business is launching a website and a good domain name is everything, this online business will be around for quite some time.
5. Virtual Assistant
If it has the word “virtual” in the job title, then you can bet that it’s a growing industry. There are quite a few companies out there looking online for remote help and assistants are one of the leading roles they’re looking to fill.
As a virtual assistant, you’ll pick clients whom you enjoy working with and will manage their emails, schedule meetings, and complete other tasks that they need done in order to help their lives and businesses run a little smoother.
This startup industry should be especially appealing to somebody who is well organized and prides themselves on planning and helping others.
6. Crowdsourcing
It’s a term you’ll find littered throughout media outlets like Forbes and The Wall Street Journal, and for a good reason.
Renting is more popular than ever. People would much rather pay a few bucks to borrow X or have somebody do X task for them.
It’s precisely why mega crowdsourcing companies like Takl and Upwork are booming and long-established companies like Budweiser and Coca-Cola are embracing the trend.
Looking to launch your own crowdsourcing business?
- Build a platform where people can list their goods or services.
- Get it in front of your intended audience.
- Take a fair cut of each transaction.
Find the right niche and you just might have the next Airbnb on your hands.
7. Drone Photography
Few technologies have seen the boom in popular culture the way drones have and it’s estimated that some 600,000 are currently in the skies today.
Offering photo and video options that would have previously costed thousands of dollars and required the use of a helicopter, drone photography is a booming industry.
Resorts use them to capture the grandeur of their lodgings from above, farmers use them to monitor crops, and newlyweds use them to take wedding selfies.
With a higher-end drone and good camera, an operator can tackle any number of projects.
8. Property Management
From housesitting to managing a vacation rental, ensuring that one’s property is properly cared for is a service that will always be in demand. Property owners may not be around to handle things like managing repairs or tackling the needs of renting guests and will need reliable help.
It will take some willingness to be flexible in your schedule and knowing somebody who needs their home or property managed will help to help to establish early clients. With a large enough portfolio though, this can be a very profitable business.
9. Eldercare
There are more than 74 million baby boomers in the United States today and as they age they want to continue the lifestyle their accustomed to. Most of them want to continue to live at home, but as they grow older they’ll be in need of more at-home care.
Because of this, there is a wealth of opportunity for businesses that serve the various needs of senior citizens.
Whether it’s helping out with driving and delivery services, cleaning, landscaping, pet care, or medically-specific requirements, this market is a deep well of possibilities for anyone who enjoys serving others.
10. Monthly Box Services
Subscription box services are one of the fastest growing startup businesses today and the vertices for these services are nearly endless.
Seriously, they range monthly tie subscriptions like Spiffster to Cuban snack services like Abuela Mami.
The business model is so appealing because it allows you to zone in on offering a premium service to a particular niche with continuous recurring revenue.
As the business grows, you can branch out to other products that people may want monthly or bi-monthly. This is exactly how Dollar Shave Club grew from nothing into a company valued at over $ 600 million.
11. Website Consulting
Remember earlier when we pointed out how every business needs a website? Well, many of them have no idea how to build or maintain a website and turn to outside help in order to get their business on the web.
If you happen to be an IT wizard with an eye for design, then the opportunities to custom build websites are endless.
You’ll need the patience and know-how to deliver a stellar website that aligns with your client’s vision, but you’ll be able to charge several hundred dollars for getting their idea up and running online.
12. Plus Size Clothing
With all the technology focus on this list of stellar startup ideas, launching a clothing business kinda seems out of place.
Customers and retailers are looking for more diversity these days and want collections and products that appeal to every body type.
There’s a real need in the fashion industry for more startups dedicated to curvy bodies and with 25 percent of women browsing through the plus size section while shopping, opportunities abound for the right products.
13. Professional Organizing
Just like virtual assistant, property management and website consulting, there’s a large market out there for those who can make life and business a little easier for others.
If you can declutter an overwhelmed mom’s closet or help a business owner finally tackle the storage room that hasn’t been organized since the Clinton administration, your services will be put to use.
Obviously, this job is only for those who are highly organized and have an eye for making the most out of any sized space. As long as people are messy though, this job will need to be filled.
Bonus: Combine it with crowdsourcing and expand your business faster.
14. Gadget Repair
Cell phones and tablets are in the hands of everyone, yet most of us don’t know what to do past turning the device off and back on once there’s a problem.
People put their entire lives into these devices and can’t fathom the thought of going a day without them.
If you can repair a smartphone or tablet with a quick turnaround time, then you’ll always have customers.
Companies like iDropped smartphone repair are going national, but with the market for this service being anyone with a cell phone — so, everyone — this industry is going continue to grow.
15. SEO Management
As long as people continue to use their smartphones, tablets and laptops to find their next Chinese restaurant/ landscaping company/ personal trainer, this business will be around.
Businesses big and small want to do everything possible to ensure that customers can find them when a keyword is plugged into Google, and those who know how to work that internet magic are in high demand.
Knowing how to manage SEO really well isn’t something that one stumbles onto, there are hundreds of algorithm classification factors; but it offers a passive income route to earn serious online revenue.
Bonus Advice!
Our world is only becoming more digital with every passing day and those who can figure out how to combine the best aspects of existing businesses with new niches will pull ahead of the pack.
Several of the business ideas above offer the potential to be incorporated into each other and provide you with a greater chance for entrepreneurial success.
Good luck out there!
The Bottom Line
While the business world is constantly changing and trends come and go, there has never been a better time to be a burgeoning entrepreneur.
The internet has allowed us to reach a greater audience faster than ever before and with that comes not only new businesses, but new ways for old business ideas to find greater success.
All of the business ideas above are on the upward swing, but it’s up to you to find the one that fits best and make it your own.
