You have the drive, a blueprint for the necessary capital and perhaps even the location. You’re dying to put your energies into an up-and-coming business opportunity that might just answer a need that customers didn’t even know they had. Just be sure that you don’t neglect to obtain small business insurance to cover you in the event of theft, property damage, injury or errors and omissions. Read on to learn about five potential business types that are gaining momentum in 2016.
Box Subscriptions
Perhaps you have heard of them: The customer simply signs up and then receives a varying selection of items in a box each month, usually with a particular theme in mind. It might be snacks, dog treats, beauty products or anything else you might fancy. Whatever the niche product may be, it is the customizability that people truly enjoy. Add to that the allure of getting a surprise package each month, and you’re bound to succeed with this platform.
Food Trucks
If you’re looking for a slightly more grounded business, consider investing in a food truck. While you will still experience the long hours that a brick-and-mortar restaurant owner endures, food trucks are more economical, tend to have a higher success rate and, to state the obvious, can be moved if the location turns out to be unsuitable. Just think about how many time-conscious office workers would appreciate your unique and delicious recipes. So crack open your cookbooks and ride your food truck to foodie success.
Healthy Vending Machines
Another food-related opportunity that is trending this year has to do with vending machines that sell healthy foods and beverages. Increasingly, people want alternatives to the greasy snack foods and sugary soft drinks that have been the traditional fare in these machines. Now might just be the time to buy a vending machine franchise in order to tap into this evolving customer preference.
Freelancing and/or Contracting
If you have a skill that people want to tap into, you don’t necessarily need to work for a conventional company. Instead, join the ever-growing ranks of freelancers and contractors, who often run their small businesses from home or a co-rented space. Whether you are an electrician, a website designer or a writer, you can market your special skills to customers in your local area. Thanks to the skyrocketing popularity of social media, you can help to get the word out about your endeavor.
Technological Consulting Services
Finally, if you’re looking for a way to put your Internet and mobile phone skills to work for you, consider providing mobile consulting services to businesses. This can involve a range of activities, from testing businesses’ software or applications before they roll them out to helping companies in creating mobile-friendly websites. Since many busy entrepreneurs neither have the time nor the skill set to perform these tasks themselves, you can provide an invaluable service that will never go out of style.
Hopefully, one of these suggestions appeals to you and gets your creative juices flowing. However, we are just scratching the surface with these five business ideas. In this fast-moving, tech-centric environment, the sky is the limit.