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Big business can happen in a small town. Small towns offer unique opportunities for concentrated markets as well as the challenge of limited populations. Finding a small town business idea that will last means meeting current demand with a good product or service.
Small Business Ideas For Towns
To start a business in a small town, you need to research the local market as well as the specific geography of the physical location. In a small town, you depend more on a smaller group for business, so choosing the right location is very important to optimize store traffic. Even if your business plan is based on services, it’s still a good idea to understand how big your market is.
Start Small Business In Emerging Small Towns
Once you have an idea of the consumer market in your town, you can lay the groundwork for different small town business ideas, ultimately deciding on the one you think will work best. After learning about the available resources and other businesses in your area, you can talk to other business owners and assess the costs and requirements of starting a business in a small town. For inspiration, we’ve compiled this list of 35 small town business ideas that every community needs. You can use this list as a starting point for research or maybe find the right business idea for your small town.
Starting a business in a small town requires careful research and understanding of your community. Once you’ve gained insight into your area’s business and local demand (more on that below), you’re ready to decide which business is right for you – and the community.
Try to find an industry or service that benefits small businesses, the needs of the community, and your own interests. Here are some small town business ideas to consider:
Diner, fine dining or somewhere in between, a successful small town restaurant is about giving people what they want but don’t have yet. When opening a restaurant, it can be tempting to copy the city’s popular spots, but consider catering to needs — or wants — that residents can’t find nearby, and attractions worth traveling from next door.
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For example, a farm-to-table restaurant is a great business idea for a small town, but if it’s not in an agriculturally rich area or if it already exists in your town, consider alternatives. Think about what your family expects when they leave town. Maybe it’s an elegant dining experience, or maybe it’s a slice of New York-style pizza, but there’s a good chance there’s a market for a new restaurant. You just have to figure out what people want – and whether they’ll eat it.
Generate slower business traffic by serving your preferred beverage throughout the day. If coffee shops aren’t a “thing” in your town, serving coffee all day in a place where people go – like a bar – can slowly start to normalize the activity and encourage crossover business. A local bar in a small town may be your dream job, but a coffee shop can start bringing in money at dawn; there’s no need to compromise, as long as you’re creating an environment that works day and night.
Depending on county laws and state taxes, opening a liquor store can be one of the most profitable business ideas in a small town. Especially in areas where grocery stores are not allowed to sell alcohol, liquor stores control the alcohol market in small towns. Be sure to read up on how to open a liquor store, as securing the necessary documentation (such as a liquor license) can be difficult.
A good craftsman will always be in demand, even in a small town. If you often get calls from friends, family and neighbors to check on leaking pipes or wobbly slabs, you might be able to start a small town business that works.
Small Business Ideas For Small Towns In Developing Countries
Starting a contractor service will be relatively easy if you’ve done odd jobs and have an idea of who will hire you. If people in the area aren’t familiar with your work, try contacting general contractors who are willing to bid on small projects and hopefully get your name across to future clients. In a word-of-mouth business such as service, repair and construction, people you already know and who know your business are your most powerful sales force.
It’s almost a must to own a car if you live in the countryside or a small town, but the distance from a dealer can make regular servicing difficult. Auto repair services meet an obvious need for small towns and make life more comfortable for local residents, so consider whether there is an opportunity to open a shop in your town.
Likewise, cars break down everywhere, and most tow trucks charge per mile. So if your town is a significant distance from the big cities, you may be able to start towing cars – even if you don’t have a proper workshop.
Some people just don’t like to clean, and chances are some of them live in your town. Why not start a cleaning business for them? This is another service that uses a word-of-mouth referral system, and can even be paired with other services, like babysitting or yard work. Professional cleaning is a valuable skill, but it’s not one that requires you to spend loads of money on courses or certifications, so this is a great option if you’re looking for a low-overhead side hustle.
Small Business Ideas For Small Towns
All companies and individuals need technology support, wherever they are. No matter how big or small the city, there will be people using technology – and having trouble connecting to their WiFi.
This service requires more advertising to get the word out because it is less visible than a store opening business and less organized than services such as house cleaning. But if you’re not planning a major repair, it doesn’t require a lot of equipment, so you’ll also keep overhead costs down.
Opening a pet store in your town is one of the great business ideas for small towns if there are no local stores or big chains like PetSmart or PetCo. Depending on the number of pets in your area, there may be a demand for pet grooming and boarding services.
If you’re interested in opening a pet store or pet service in a small town, ask local pet owners where they currently get their food and grooming. Local pet store owners in your town can also be a good resource if you are interested in offering grooming, walking or boarding services.
Profitable Small Town Business Ideas • Northwoods Oasis
Chances are good that your town has at least one barber shop or salon, but this can help you if you want to open a successful hair salon. If one of the demographics isn’t being met – ie, there are only barbers that specialize in men – find out whose hair needs are currently not being addressed on Main Street.
If your city already has full-service hair salons and barbers, you might want to consider a more specialized hair care business, such as a blow-dry bar or a salon that offers makeup, lashes, and tanning in addition to hair services.
It may not be the most glamorous job, but gas stations are essential in communities where most people rely on cars and trucks for transportation. Small towns located on or near major highways can get a fair amount of traffic, and unlike most businesses, gas stations can really benefit from their remote locations between cities. Lottery and tobacco sales can also bring in significant income, especially if you are the only seller in the area.
When a town that could support a grocery store doesn’t have one, there’s probably a good reason: maybe most people commute to work every day and use other stores, or there isn’t enough population to support a large chain.
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If you intend to go the independent route (ie not open a franchise store), try to find ways to specialize your store so you don’t waste too much inventory. Use local products, trends and tastes to help make these decisions.
In agricultural areas, country market-style shops selling local produce and seasonal items are popular with locals and tourists alike. Cities that already have large chain grocery stores, but few organic, local, gluten-free, or vegan options available, are good candidates for specialty food stores.
A drug store or pharmacy requires more effort – from hiring a pharmacist to buying insurance, implementing safety precautions – but if your town doesn’t have a local pharmacy, it can be a great opportunity to open a permanent business in your community. .
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