We still might be a long way to go before the economy returns to its usual state but this doesn’t mean business ideas have to come to a halt. Profitable businesses don’t always need to have a hefty amount of investment to start with. In the long run, what we are looking for are stable, crisis-proof businesses. Interested? Here’s a list of small business ideas you might want to consider in the future—or perhaps sooner.
Meal planning
Your business can help people who want to eat healthily over a specific period. Planned schedules can minimize impulse eating and heavy snacking. You can also cater to the niche of athletes and bodybuilders by hiring a nutrition coach for your business.
Organic food shop
Groceries and supermarkets usually allocate a small section for organic food. But to have a dedicated store for organic food is more attractive to customers since this will make it easier for them to remember your business for their specific needs.
Food delivery
It’s the era of food deliveries and having it as a standalone business could pose a stable future for you. You can have your food delivery business specialize in certain cuisines, locations, and occasions. Build a connection with potential food partners who might want to offer their products for delivery, especially when people are always geared towards convenience.
Microbrewery
Craft beers have been part of the alcoholic beverage industry for a while already, but it’s definitely here to stay. If you’re passionate about beer, then you might want to channel that as a business opportunity. Start small and design how you’d like your brew to be, even from the comforts of your own home. You can even experiment on whatever is in your pantry such as fruits, herbs or spices.
Herb and spice farm
A pinch of any herb and spice can revamp a simple dish, no matter how staple the food may be on your table. One thing about herbs and spices is that you don’t need hectares of land to grow them—you can easily plant them in a few pots. While most varieties of herbs and spices usually sit in the cupboard for months or even years, you can attract your customers by offering it fresh. If you’re in the city and want to start an herb farm, the ways of indoor farming will teach you that you can grow anything, anywhere.
Ready-made meals
People want good but easy meals to keep up with their busy schedule. You can try the business of ready-made meals—but you have to up your game and really offer quality food because the market is saturated, especially when it comes to online or home-based businesses. You’ll never know, this might open an opportunity for you to start a restaurant in the future.
Bakery for pets
Have you ever seen pictures of pets on their birthday and wonder if the cake is really for them? Turns out pastries for pets are a good business venture. Not everyone can afford gourmet food for their pets, so if you want to start a bakery that will be a hit to pet lovers, simple treats in the form of cupcakes would suffice. Just think of all the people you know who would like to get their pets something special whether there’s an occasion or not.
Canning service
When you only have a limited time to go outside and get all the groceries that will last you a few weeks, you need to have a good stock of preserved food. Many people will be looking for ways to prolong their food such as fruits, vegetables, and meat. Having a canning service can be labor-intensive and seasonal, but this can be a year-round business depending on the demand.
Online cooking school
The internet has made it possible to learn from the comforts of your own home. If you have an established restaurant or are a professional cook (or simply someone who enjoys cooking), you can have a series of online cooking classes as a possible business idea. You’ll be able to accommodate multiple people at once or conduct a one-on-one class—all without having to use a commercial kitchen.
Artisan bakery
Artisan bakers usually have the capacity to show people what they’re missing in terms of bread. If you’ve been trained as a baker, then this will be an easier shift for you than starting without any knowledge of bread making. Baked goods will always keep a business going so an artisan bakery is worth trying.
Sauces and marinades
These restaurant staples are crucial in every menu. Even home cooks are specific about the type of marinades and sauces they use in their dishes. Someone who has made pasta sauce or special marinades knows how time-consuming the process is, which is why restaurateurs are on the lookout for brands that offer quality sauces and marinades. Creativity and innovation are important in this type of business so make sure you have loads of these up your sleeve.
Farmers’ market
Here’s a way to do business while reaching out to the farming community. Connect consumers with the main producers of food by running a farmers’ market. You can attract other sellers to set up stalls, making way for further opportunities for everyone in the food industry.
Honey processing
This is a good business idea where you can utilize all the resources you have. An honest-to-goodness product is something people look for when purchasing honey. Aside from honey, there’s a lot you can do with the beeswax left from its extraction, particularly a wide range of food and cosmetic products.
Cake decorating class
If you already have a cake shop, one of the easiest ways to generate more income is by offering cake decorating classes. People, especially those who are interested in pastry making, will definitely be looking for classes such as this.