A new year has begun, and it is the perfect time to start a new business. One of the most important things when considering what is a good small business idea is whether or not it is feasible to start on a small business budget. While many business ideas are great ideas, they are not feasible for a small business startup. Some small business
ideas require little-to-no start up capital, while others may require investment of small amounts of money (perhaps what the business owner has in savings) or even may require a small business loan. The three things that make a great small business idea are: start up cost, knowledge/training requirements, and need for the business in the current business environment. Here is a list of the Top 10 Small Business Ideas for 2014:
1) Gluten-Free Restaurants and Bakeries
With the popularity of gluten-free diets and products, this is an up-and-coming niche that is perfect to start a new business in this year. Sales for gluten-free products (both food and beverages) grew grew 30% in less than 5 years. U.S. sales of gluten-free products is projected to reach $5.6 billion by the end of this year. Gluten-sensitivity, both from celiac disease and not, is estimated to effect nearly 20 million Americans. There are even apps to help you find gluten-free restaurants, like Find Me Gluten Free.
2) Home Care
With the first of the baby boomers already turning 65, and last of them to turn 65 by 2030, home care is a growing area. Seniors will soon make up 1/4 of the U.S. population. Between the current medical systems lack of ability to care for the senior population and the expectation that the baby boomer generation is expected to live longer with more years spent in sickness (obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases will contribute to this), the home care sector will be a great place to build a small business.
3) Day-Care and Nanny Services
Whether by choice or necessity, more and more mothers are needing child care services so they can work. Small, in-home day-cares or nanny services are often preferred to larger, less personal day-care centers, especially for smaller children. Both day in-home day care as well as services to match families with the prefect nanny are great small business ideas for 2014.
4) Mobile App Development
With the increase in the availability of smart phones, mobile app development is quickly growing business sector. Most smart phone users are looking for new an interesting games, but games are not the only option for app development. Smart phone users are also looking for anything that can make life easier or help them to be more productive. Mobile app development is a great place to make anywhere from some extra pocket money to making your fortune.
5) Social Media Consultant
Businesses everywhere are taking part in the social media phenomena. Many business, while they understand that social media is important, don’t understand how to utilize social media to their benefit. This leave an opening for Social Media Consultants to step in. A social media consultant needs to have in depth understanding of the social media available to businesses, and have the ability to create new profiles, manage these profiles, and best help businesses utilize their social media exposure.
6) Green Living Advisor
With the current trends of sustainable living seen not just in the US, but worldwide, green living advising is one of the great small business ideas for 2014. While everyone is trying to ‘go green’ now, it’s not always easy to do. Both individuals and businesses need help and ideas on the best way to ‘go green’. From reducing energy consumption, to creating sustainable and low water landscaping, to utilizing the new technology available for renewable energy, Green Living Advisors can help both individuals and businesses find the best way to reduce their carbon footprint by doing the research for them.
7) IT Consultant
Businesses are quickly moving towards digitalization. Records, receipts, sales, and more are much easier to manage in digital form. Many small businesses, while they would benefit from this change, are not capable of doing so by themselves. IT Consulting can fill the role that small businesses are not able to fill themselves by providing small businesses with the expertise they need without needing to employ someone full time within their own organization.
8) Virtual Assistan
Virtual Assistants fill the roll of Personal Assistant, without the need to commute to the office. Many businesses are utilizing the ability for their employees to work remotely, and a full time personal assistant in the office 40 (or more) hours per week are no longer needed. Couple the ability to work remotely with businesses constantly looking for ways to save money, and the outlook for Virtual Assistants becomes huge making this one of the great small business ideas for 2014.
9) Wedding Planning
Event planning is expected to increase at an abnormal fast rate in the next 6 years. Wedding planning is a huge opportunity for new small businesses. Everything from flowers to catering, transportation to rehearsals, to colors and seating, wedding planners are an integral part of planning that special day for many brides. A wedding planner has to have A+ organization and planning skills, has to be calm, cool, and collected, and has to have top-notch de escalation skills to ensure that each and every bride has her perfect day.
10) Personal Coach
While many people do not think that this is a legitimate business, it is, in fact, among the top small business ideas for 2014. America is looking at itself and doing it’s best to live better. Even though America wants to be healthier and happier, the average person does not always know how to go about doing this. There is a plethora of resources available to anyone wanting to become a personal coach – whether that is a personal coach, a professional coach, a life coach, a health coach, or any other niche that people need help with.
