Do you want to start a small business in 2021 but you’re worried about the high startup costs? Here is a list of the most profitable small businesses in 2021 with the lowest startup costs so anyone can become a financially successful SMB owner.
1. Start a Newsletter
The upside potential is huge in two ways. First, if you are able to build a blog that can produce profits of $1,000 per month, for example, then you’ve also built an asset that’s potentially worth upwards of $30K to $35,000 if you were to sell your blog, so, not only are you making passive recurring money, you’re also building your own small business that has sellable value. I’ve written about blog valuation here: How to Make a 600% Return on a Business Investment Inside 24-Months, and Compare Returns using IRR
2. Business Consulting:
Businesses of all sizes are willing to invest in consulting services, sometimes spending thousands, and even hundreds of thousands of dollars a year on consulting services. Perhaps you have a skill or were educated in a particular function, maybe even from a previous job. You can use those skills to offer consulting services to other businesses.
3. Courier Services:
Delivering packages is something that you can start on your own, and eventually build into a larger type of business. You, of course, need a website, and vehicle, some polished marketing, and you can pick up and deliver on your own, or even hire drivers to help. Should you decide to focus on a particular area of the city, let’s say the downtown core, you can even offer bicycle courier services.
4. Cleaning Services:
As families and households get busier, they look to outsource more of the responsibilities in order to free up their time. You can create some flyers, post them in your geographic area, and offer to clean homes for others. Cleaning is especially relevant now with people’s senses heightened because of viruses. You can open a business offering special COVID cleaning services, and even offer a “seal of approval”.
5. Personal Chef:
Similar to the home cleaning services listed above, families are stretched for a time after the end of a long workday. If you have some skills in the cooking area, you can offer to cook for other busy families, and presuming they live close to you, you could also cook meals for others.
6. Tutoring, both Online and In-person:
It’s homework time, and the kids need help with their math, English, or other studies. Many parents either don’t have the time to help their children, or, frankly, aren’t educated enough in grade 11 calculus, or Spanish, so, they hire a tutor, If you have skills in any particular area, you can start in person, or online tutoring. Once you establish a reputation in a particular area, you can subcontract others to help in additional subjects.
7. Logo and Design Services
Perhaps you have a skill in the arts? Or some experience using tools like Publisher, or Abobe Creative Suite. If so, then you can do a logo, and other graphic design services for other small businesses like Appy Pie Design.
8. Property Management:
If you live in a more populated area, then there will surely be apartment buildings around that you can manage. Many property owners don’t have the time, or inclination to manage their own properties and seek assistance from others to help them with the day to day management, record keeping, and rent collection.
9. Technology Consulting and Repair
Do you have a skill in computers? Perhaps you were a computer technician in a prior role? If so, then you can assist others who need assistance with doing computer installations, upgrades, bug repairs, virus scanning, network connections, and so on.
10. Marketing Services:
This is one that is near and dear to my heart. Marketing was at the core of the company that I started in 1991, and frankly, is at the core and success of most small businesses. If you have some skills in marketing, marketing automation, SEO, SEM, website design, and so on, then you can assist other small business owners who struggle in this area.
11. Personal Trainer:
I like to stay fit. I also go to the gym at least 4 to 5 times a week. While there, I often see others getting training from personal trainers with experience in weight lifting, cardio, and proper weight lifting form.
12. Have Van, Will Help:
From seniors to individuals in a rush, many need help with moving both small and large items from place to place. If you have a van and are willing to transport small and large items, then you can post on available search sites offering moving services for others.
13. Gardening and Grass Cutting:
The perennial (no pun intended) favorite for the high-school teen, gardening is something that every homeowner needs to be done, and since many won’t have the time to do this themselves, all you’re missing is a few tools, lawn signs, and voila, you’re in the gardening business.
14. Snow Clearing:
Winter happens upon us, like clockwork, from November to March every year, and invariably, people will need assistance cleaning their path walks and driveways of snow.
15. Real Estate Brokerage:
This one is somewhat trickier to get into, but, perhaps you have a skill or experience in real estate sales. If so, you can consider getting your brokerage license, and opening real estate brokerage service.
16. Mobile Hair Cutting:
Taking time out of a busy day is something that many just don’t have the time for, busy families especially. Imagine driving up to a family home, and doing the entire family of four inside of 90 minutes. It’s convenient for the family, and for the haircutter/barber as well.
17. Handyman/Handyperson
Here’s an area where I can definitely use some help. I can change lightbulbs, and do some basic plumbing, but, outside of that, and I need help, as do so many others. And it’s always difficult to find a reliable, and skilled individual who can assist with the day-to-day things that need to be fixed, or done around the home.
18. Food Truck:
Have truck, will serve food. I’ve been to two adult parties in the last year where the adults hosted the party at their home, but, the people hosting the party either didn’t have the time, or inclination to cook a meal for 30 to 40 people. If you have skills in coking, perhaps you can offer your services.
19. Social Media Consultant:
Many small businesses need an online social media presence, but, they either don’t have the time, knowledge, skills, or all of the above, to do this themselves. If you do, then you can offer these services to other small businesses, located anywhere really. You can set up your own website, and even advertise your services on Upwork, for example.
20. Tax Preparer:
It’s that time of year once again. Yes, just like winter arrives every year, so does tax time, and many have no idea where to even begin with regards to preparing their taxes.
21. Translator:
If you can speak multiple languages, then you might have a job offering translation services for other people or companies. Other than a website, you don’t need any capital to get started, and as long as you have an internet connection, you can work from anywhere.
22. Video production:
Have camera, will travel. OK, this was similar to the wording I use with the food truck, but, same holds true for video production as well. If you have skills in video production and editing, then you can offer to take videos for births, weddings, parties, or other occasions.
23. Travel Planning:
One of my favorite things to do is travel. I also happen to enjoy planning the trip, and doing the research, but, not all do. This job might also allow you to travel the works and visit other interesting destinations from around the world.
24. Telemarketing:
I can’t even begin to explain how many cold-calls I made over the years, and frankly, I didn’t much enjoy doing the job. BUT, it was a necessary part of the business. As the business grew, I hired an inside sales team to assist. If you have sales skills and know-how to source leads, then you can offer telemarketing services to other small businesses. The startup costs are fairly low, and you can work from anywhere.
25. Bicycle Repair
Granted, bicycle repair could be somewhat cyclical based on season, or geographic location, but, for many who count on their bikes to commute from point A to point B, this could be an excellent small business to open. Not only are the start-up costs quite low, but, with a few tools, an excellent website, some SEO, and you could be up and running in no time.
26. Boat Cleaning
Granted, this one, like the bike repair, is also quite seasonal, but, could also be potentially extremely lucrative, especially if you’re mechanically inclined. It also falls under the axiom … “have tools, will travel”, only this time, you’re traveling by boat, and hopefully spending time in the sun. And like many on this list, all you’ll need are a few tools, some know-how, an excellent website from a marketing perspective (and you can get a marketing plan example here), and you’re off to the races.
27. Ride-Sharing Driver
For this one, you’re going to need a car of course, unless you can pull someone along on your bicycle (I’m kidding of course). But, if you do have a car, and don’t mind driving, then you can buy yourself a job by driving people around with either Uber or Lyft. All it takes is a sign-up on their website, load an app to your phone, and before you know it, you’re in business! I must admit, this one isn’t my favorite because you’re selling your time for money, and it isn’t that scalable, but, it can be somewhat profitable, and is definitely easy to get going with.
Credit: Jeff Wiener
