FOOD, PESTS AND DESIGN
KEYS TO A PROFITABLE START UP!

Renee Horne –London 31 August 2011

Looking for a new job to get away from your old company?  You may find yourself looking for quite some time with this current economic turmoil.   So, instead of brainstorming about the political or macroeconomic shifts that need to occur in order for hiring to return to pre-recession levels, perhaps the alternative is starting up a business.  Start-ups can be intimidating and risky with pundits citing lack of a cash cushion or the math just doesn’t add up or a declining market.  So while one does the planning and the number crunching of starting up a business, is it all about striking it lucky in the market or carefully researching the trends of the market?  There are some lucrative markets which are not so ostentatious but could make you a profit.  

Indeed being a pest controller or a food caterer or a landscaper may be more effort than sitting in an office however in the United States these are likely to be keys to surviving the recession shock.  Read more……

THE TOP FIVE BUSINESSES

According to Sageworks financial analysts, the top five businesses “can start with low capital and usually these small startups see growth and return a profit on investment".  In the US, Sageworks analysed of 11,918 small businesses with less than $5 million in sales. The results of the picks of the top five businesses indicated that in over the past year, the mobile food service has become more innovative than just your mere ice cream truck and hot dog stand.  Gourmet food trucks serve such diverse fare as Asian and Mexican specialties and baked goods, and their approach is working. Start- ups are raking in the cash providing services that are quick and inexpensive meals for workers on the go; hence food contractors have become more common in the workplace due to high demand.  The Number One top business warrants a combination of limited time and money, which has made this industry a success with an average revenue growth of 6.5% over the past 12 months. In the Number Two position is Graphic, Interior, or Industrial Design Firms. Due to the temperamental housing market, people want to make the best of what they have. According to Sageworks experts, "You have these design firms so you can compete with other homes on the market. This industry grew by 6.2% in the past 12 months”. In third place, are Computer Programming and Web site Design Consulting. Similar to the housing market businesses that want to present themselves as best they can, companies are always looking to various designers to reach consumers. This industry grew by 5% over the past year.   Bookkeeping and Account Services, stands at position four as companies are looking for businesses that can do the number crunching, spotting where the cash is being wasted so this can allow an entrepreneur to use that cash for something else.  Indeed this industry grew by 4.9% in just one year. Then there is the not so elaborate which requires more manual labor. Unfashionable it maybe but it still takes the number five slot. According to Sageworks, Landscaping, Janitorial or Pest Control Services, never goes out of style as there is high demand for maintenance services.  In just a year this industry grew by 4.7%.  

RECESSION SHOCK PROOF 

Obviously an entrepreneur should question the longevity of the top five businesses.  The unpredictable global market teaches one that an industry maybe trendy today but out of fashion tomorrow. Indeed one will need to look at the likely industries which are the top five recession shock proof businesses.  In fifth place, it’s online dating or relationship outlets which are a rapidly growing market with over £650 million sales to date in the US.  It can be said that regardless of your economic woes, everybody wants to love somebody sometime. Providing easy access to thousands of lonely singles is a service guaranteed to be in demand.  Freelance writing takes up the fourth position, there are no definite figures here as there are countless individuals that are writing for blogs, companies, eBooks, product reviews, comic selections, screen plays, video scripts, financial reports, news updates, business promotions, virtually what you think you are an expert in.  Beware though being an expert, requires a sound knowledge of your subject.  With freelancing one can work for yourself or through a company. Either way, you often set your own rules, hours and pay. The basic tools you will need are a laptop and the internet.  At number three, who would of thought purchasing old textbooks could be a money spinner? Indeed it is, as cash –strapped students are always looking for second hand textbooks.  This recession shock proof business requires limited capital and resources, all it takes is time to find as much textbooks as you can.  Also appearing on the top five businesses for 2011, as well as recession shock proof is the number two position, Web Design.  Marketing is a crucial element for a business to succeed as this makes it easier for potential customers to find them.  Consequently, businesses would need someone to design their business websites so there is a demand for the web design service. The number one spot is health and well -being. The need for health and well-being services does not stop due to the recession; there is always a demand for improved health.  So whether it is fitness training, medical transcription work which can be done from home or if it is being a highly-specialized doctor, the opportunities are almost limitless. Indeed while one ponders about start-up businesses surviving on sheer luck, it’s about researching the market, questioning the longevity of the business and deciding what will likely make your business recession shock proof!