Every passing year is unfolding numerous business horizons for people. No matter how small an idea or how big of an enterprise, changing times are also changing the way businesses operate. Today, we see countless small businesses operating with very little capital but yielding great turnovers. So do you want to step into the bandwagon and start your own business? To give you a heads up, here are some cool small business ideas for 2018.
Small Business Ideas For 2018
1) Tutoring
This field no longer only caters to struggling children or those with learning disabilities — ultra-competitive parents are flocking to tutors to help their children get ahead and, ultimately, into the best colleges. The tutoring industry has also seen a boost from the No Child Left Behind Act, which requires government-funded schools that have fallen short of performance goals three years in a row to offer federally financed tutoring.
You can start by tutoring students in their homes, at schools, or at local YMCAs or other child-care organizations. Talk to your local school district officials and school principals to determine their needs. To have a successful tutoring service, you’ll need excellent credentials, competitive pricing, relevant experience, and glowing references. Once you’re on the right track, this small business idea will get you places in 2014!
You can also check these Teacher Interview tips, questions and answers.
2) Business Coaching
In a tough economy, businesses need all of the help they can get. As a business coach, you can empower individuals — often business owners and managers — to improve their work performance through personal change. The most successful business coaches have plenty of experience in the business world, along with specialized expertise (e.g., marketing, finance, or sales). Whatever your niche, you need to have the ability to help your clients set and achieve their goals. This might be a small business idea for 2014 but you can turn it around and make it a big one with your expertise.
Network with others in the business world, both business coaches and owners, to find out what clients want and how to market to them.
3) Consulting
Business consultants analyze businesses, identifying problems and implementing solutions. To be competitive, you’ll need to be an expert in a special subject. Think human resources, IT, inventory management — the possibilities are nearly endless. Many consultants have master degrees, and all have plenty of real-world business experience.
Once you’ve identified your niche, find out if there’s a market for your services and what the competition is like. To set yourself up asthe expert in your field, you’ll need to make yourself heard in the local community (via speaking engagements, business events, interviews) and online (via your website, blogs, and social media).
4) Web Design
In today’s tech-savvy world, more and more businesses and organizations are realizing that DIY websites or — gasp — no website at all just won’t cut it. And with mobile Internet taking over desktop usage, the do-it-yourselfers are going to have a hard time designing websites that are smartphone compatible. Many leading companies started off as design houses run by a 2 man army but if you’ve got the zing to make it big, this small business idea can be your ladder to success.
If you’ve got what it takes, Web design can make for a satisfying career. But the road isn’t easy: You’ll need to be able to market your skills effectively to stand out. Network as much as possible. You can start a blog, speak at local events, and learn from others in your field. You’ll also need to have the skills to complete complex projects and the personality to please demanding customers.
5) Photography
While royalty-free stock photo websites are taking a bite out of some photographers’ profits, assignment photography is still big business. If you’re skilled with a camera and have a mind for business, you can make money as a portrait, event, or wedding photographer.
Keep in mind that starting a photography business requires substantial capital for lighting, cameras, lenses, and photo-editing software, in addition to normal business expenses. Aside from skills and equipment, you’ll have to market your business (think a cutting-edge website, social networking, and mailers) and set your pricing. Find out what similar photography businesses in your area are charging and work from there.
7) Bakery
Americans’ love affair with desserts — the cuter and tinier, the better — seems to have kicked in to overdrive. If you’ve got a knack for making delectable desserts, consider starting a home-based bakery. You can offer your desserts for delivery or pickup, parties, and sell them from stores and online.
Before getting started, contact your local public health department to find out about the laws governing at-home food production. New cottage food laws passed and pending in many states are making it easier to start a food business at home without a commercial kitchen. Other considerations are drafting a solid business plan, packaging, marketing, and, of course, using your tastiest recipes to keep customers coming back!
8) Wedding Planner
If the rising number of guilty-pleasure wedding TV shows clogging cable channels is any indication, Americans’ obsession with tying the knot is on the rise. If your organizational skills are top notch, you thrive under pressure, and you have a flair for putting together beautiful events, think about becoming a wedding planner.
In addition to managing budgets, you’ll need to be able to build relationships with vendors. If you’re new to the field, you might take a certification course. You can find many online, including one from the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants. You can also gain experience by planning weddings and parties for friends and family.
9) Dog Walking
Another in-demand service in the pet industry is dog walking. Consider this opportunity if you enjoy working with dogs, know how to handle them, and are ready for an outdoor occupation.
As with many businesses, it’ll take some time to build a solid clientele and earn a steady income. Fortunately, dog walking requires little startup capital. Some of your biggest expenses will be legal advice and insurance. Also, find out if you need any special licensing. Think about offering extra services, such as dog running and daycare. Finally, provide stellar service, because word-of-mouth will be your best marketing tool.
10) Craft Business
Last but not the least in our list of small business ideas, is the Craft Business. In a world of mass-produced junk, shoppers feel good about buying handmade, one-of-a-kind items. Turn your creativity and talent into a business by selling jewelry, ceramics, unique décor, purses, metalwork — the sky’s the limit! You can sell your crafts on your own website or on sites such as Etsy, and at craft fairs and local events.
Some items sell better than others, so do your research. Look on eBay and crafters’ sites, and check out home shopping channels, such as HSN or QVC, to see what types of crafts are selling. Next, think about how much it will cost you to make each product, in time, materials, and other overhead. Make sure you charge a high enough price to make a profit.
Want to search more small business ideas? Try these 7 offline Work from Homes Ideas.