Getting a business off the ground can be challenging. Despite the challenges that come with entrepreneurship, Americans are starting local businesses faster than ever before. In 2022, over 5 million people flexed their entrepreneurial muscles.
With increasing numbers of layoffs from large employers like Google and Meta and a greater desire for flexibility at work, more people are looking to become their own bosses. In fact, these days most American businesses are small businesses.
Keep reading to find (and get started on) your next great business idea.
8 Small Business Ideas to Start This Year
The world is truly your oyster when it comes to starting a small business: anything is possible! But it’s also important to pay attention to small business trends and create a solid business plan.
Choosing a successful business idea looks different for everybody. It’s worth thinking about why you want to start your own small business in the first place, what your strengths are, and what you want the final product (your business) to look like.
Most business owners have very different reasons for wanting to run their own small businesses. Maybe you like the idea of having total creative freedom at work. Maybe you’re obsessed with innovation and love the thought of creating the very best product or service possible in your small business. Maybe it’s really important to you to have total control over your working hours so you can prioritize other pursuits or time with family.
No matter your reasoning for starting a small business, choosing the right type of business model is crucial to survival. 1 in 5 small businesses fail in the first year; make sure you don’t become a statistic.
Service with a Smile: Service-based Business Ideas
If the idea of working remotely is your jam, consider starting an online business that’s based on providing personal services. A desk job doesn’t have to be torture when you get to choose your own hours and projects. The best part about this small business idea? Work in your pajamas—no one has to know.
Personal Concierge: Making Lives Easier, One Task at a Time
If you’re the type of person who knows how to make life run smoothly, working as a personal concierge may be one of your best business ideas.
People are busier than ever. With full lives and never-ending task lists, you’ll be working with a target market that’s more than ready to hand over work to you. Personal concierges take care of a variety of tasks, including booking travel, handling personal and business finances, coordinating house/office maintenance, and scheduling appointments.
Whether you like the idea of working with busy parents trying to keep their family life oriented or executives with no time to think about their personal lives, there’s plenty of demand in this area.