Small Business Ideas

Looking for an idea for a small business?

Generally your small business ideas are not completely new or innovative, even if they do hit you like a lightening strike in the shower.

Rather, they tend to involve identifying a gap in the market, duplicating or extending an existing business idea or by creatively combining two concepts.

Spotting a gap in the market happens when you identify a group or 'market segment' of potential consumers that are not being adequately serviced by current offerings.

If you do not already know what kind of small business you intend to start, check out this list of small business ideas.

You never know, one might just jump off the page at you!

• Accountant
• Alterations (Sewing)
• Answering Service
• Aroma Therapist
• Art Supplies
• Artist
• Artist’s Agent
• Astrologer
• Author/Publisher
• Auto Detailer
• Babysitter
• Balloon Decorating
• Bed and Breakfast
• Billing Service
• Bookkeeping
• Building Inspector
• Business and Office Support Service
• Business Broker
• Business Coach
• Business Consultant
• Business Letter Writing
• Business Plan Writer
• Cake Baking and Decorating
• Candle Making
• Car Broker
• Career Counsellor
• Carpet Cleaning
• Catering
• Ceramics
• Children’s Entertainer
• Children’s Party Organizer
• Children’s Story Teller
• Children’s Story Writer
• Children’s Toy Manufacturer
• Chocolate Maker
• Christmas Tree Farm
• Clothing Retailer
• Clutter Consultant
• Colour Consultant
• Cleaning Service
• Companion
• Computer Consultant
• Computer Repairer
• Construction Clean Up Service
• Cooking Instructor
• Costume Design
• Craft Wholesaler
• Credit Consultant
• Curtain Making Service
• Custom Cabinet Maker
• Custom Knitting
• Custom Meal Service
• Custom Quilt Maker
• Custom Tailoring
• Customer Service Trainer
• Dance Instructor
• Dating Service
• Demolition Service
• Disc Jockey
• Dog Walker
• Dry Cleaner Delivery Service
• eBay Seller
• Eco-tour Guide
• Embroidery Service
• Envelope Stuffing Service
• Errand Service
• Expense Reduction Analyst
• Exterior House Painting
• Family Day Care Provider
• Fashion Designer
• Financial Advisor
• Financial Consultant
• Florist
• Flower Arranger
• Freelance Bartender
• Freelance Copy Writing
• Freelance Writing
• Furniture Repair Service
• Furniture Restoration Service
• Game Inventor
• Gardening Consultant
• Gardening Service
• Ghost Writer
• Gift Baskets
• Graffiti Removalist
• Greeting Card Service
• Gutter Cleaning
• Handyman Service
• Hardwood Floor Refinisher
• Home Business Consultant
• Home Maintenance Service
• Home Office Planner
• Home Security Service
• House Cleaning
• House Sitter
• Human Billboard
• Image Consultant
• Indoor Plant Maintenance Service
• In-home Health Care
• Interior Design Service
• Interior House Painting
• Inventory Control Service
• Ironing Service
• Jewellery Maker
• Kite Maker
• Language Instructor
• Laundry Service
• Lawn Mowing Service
• Life Coach
• Limousine Service
• Local Tour Guide
• Maid Service
• Mail Order
• Mailing List Service
• Make-up Artist
• Market Research Service
• Marketing Consultant
• Massage Therapist
• Mediator
• Meeting Planner
• Mobile Car Wash Service
• Mortgage Broker
• Motivation Coach
• Mover
• Music Teacher
• Mystery Shopper
• Nail Technician
• Newsletter Publisher
• Novelty Mailboxes
• Novelty Message Service
• Novelty T-Shirt Design
• Office Cleaning
• On-site Confidential Shredder Service
• Packing Service
• Party Planner
• Payroll Service
• Personal Assistant
• Personal Chef
• Personal Historian
• Personal Salon Service
• Personal Shopper
• Personal Trainer
• Pet Accessories
• Pet Grooming Service
• Pet Sitter
• Pet Store
• Pet Taxi Service
• Pet Trainer
• Photographer
• Photographer Tutor
• Pizza Store
• Pool Maintenance
• Pool Supplies
• Pottery
• Product Assembly Service
• Professional Fundraiser
• Professional Organizer
• Professional Reminder Service
• Property Management Service
• Public Relations Consultant
• Real Estate Investor
• Records Management Service
• Recycling Consultant
• Removalist
• Resume Writing
• Roof Repairer
• Rubbish Removal
• Sandwich Delivery Service
• Sandwich Shop
• Secretarial Service
• Self Defense Trainer
• Sewing Tutor
• Shopping Pick Up and Delivery Service
• Sign Writing
• Slate Floor Re-finisher
• Soap Making
• Swimming Instructor
• Tax Preparation Service
• Technical Writer
• Training Specialist
• Transcription Services
• Travel Planner
• Tutor
• Upholstery and Slipcover Design
• Vacation Care for Children
• Vacation Care for Pets
• Virtual Assistant
• Web Design
• Window Cleaning
• Winery Tour Guide

Of course, the list above is by no means comprehensive. It may be that the idea you finally select does not appear in my small business ideas.

Once you have identified which type of small business appeals to you the next step is to work out whether you are a good fit for the business. There is absolutely no point in deciding to start a small business designing houses if you don't have an architectural background!

The questions you need to ask yourself include:

• Do you have the necessary skills?
• Is there a demand for the product or service you want to provide?

• What do you need to do before you can open the doors?

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