Ideas for Small Business Opportunities
Over 550,000 businesses opened doors in 2009 for the first time, according to the Small Business Administration. Business ownership can be successful with proper planning and careful funding. Choosing a business that requires little start-up cash or overhead can mean the difference between success and failure. There are several ideas for small businesses that can be started on a shoestring.
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Dog Walker
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A dog-walking business costs little to start and can be run from your home. According to Entrepreneur.com, start-up costs are no more than $2,000. Dog owners hire dog walkers to walk their pets while the owners are at work or too busy to do it. To succeed as a dog walker, you should have a love of dogs, good communication skills, the ability to endure physical activity and the ability to organize your day. Planning your client services to walk several dogs at the same time will increase your income. Dog walkers in 2009 averaged $6 to $12 an hour per dog. You can obtain a business license at your local city hall. Print brochures advertising your services and leave them with area veterinarians and dog groomers to hand out.
Information Consultant
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For $2000 to $10,000, you can start an information consultant business. Information consultants are hired by companies and individuals to research and gather information pertaining to their current needs. Whether a company wants to research the marketability of a particular product, or an individual wants to locate a long-lost relative online, your services as an information consultant can do the job for them. You will use the Internet, magazines, books and public records to seek out information. Potential clients include medical researchers, attorneys and public relations/marketing firms. Information consultants generally charge by the hour, with a minimum fee for accepting the assignment. Equipment needed for this endeavor includes a computer, printer, telephone and vehicle. Up-to-date Internet access will make your job easier and allow you to get back to your clients as quickly as possible.
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Carpet Cleaning Service
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A carpet cleaning service can be run from home or an office. You will need to invest in carpet cleaning equipment. The business start-up costs will be $3,000 to $10,000 depending on how much equipment you purchase, whether you provide company vehicles or expect employees to drive themselves to the job sites, and whether you work out of your home or an office. Unless you have experience as a carpet cleaner, you should work for another company for a bit to learn to use the equipment, do the job and handle problems. Adding upholstery cleaning, wood floor cleaning and window cleaning will boost your revenue. Providing services to both commercial businesses and residential clients add depth to your potential client base.
Camping Instruction
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Teaching people to camp can lucrative. A camping business takes $2,000 to $10,000 to start. You will need to buy several different-sized tents, some camping cookware and some camp lights. Printing brochures and asking local sporting goods stores and outfitters to display them will start your client base. The classes should offer tips on how to safely camp both at established campsites and in the wild.
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References
- Photo Credit walking the dogs image by Kevin Chesson from Fotolia.com
