45 Best Small Business Opportunities

Whether you are starting a business or looking for new markets for your existing business, our big list of the "45 Best Small Business Opportunities" will inspire your imagination and point you toward new profit centers. This list is the result of trend tracking, business analysis, and speculation on emerging small business opportunities and trends.

Top 10 Home Business Opportunities

This top 10 best small business opportunities list provides something for everybody, from the hot poker craze to anti-aging spas and smart clothing.

Each small business opportunity presented covers the birth of new industries as well as businesses in the later stage of development. Finding a small business opportunity is only half of the equation to owning a successful company. It's equally important to know if the presented opportunity represents the best for you. Take some time to explore your entrepreneur personality type and match it up with your ideal business.

As an added bonus this year, we have added a poll. Proceed to the last page and vote for the top business opportunity you like best.

Small Business Opportunity: The Business Coaching Craze

Over the past ten years, coaching has gradually risen to a billion dollar industry while outpacing the growth of the consulting business. How does coaching differ from consulting? "Coaches motivate people to action. They help them prioritize their projects and goals. They help them plan their work and work their plan---but they don't necessarily give them the actual strategies to execute, steps to take, business or marketing plans to follow, nor do they give financial or legal advice," states Janet Switzer in "How Experts Build Empires: Developing and Selling Coaching Programs."

One individual to discover the coaching craze is Action International's founder Brad Sugars. Action International has grown to over 600 franchisees who typically target small businesses with $500,000 to $10 million in sales. Action International charges $1500/month on a one-year agreement per client for 1 to 1.5 hours of coaching a week. Training includes a 10 day boot camp and 12 week academy.

Driving Force: Why is business coaching hot? "Over 85% of small and medium-sized businesses fail in the first five years. There is a huge market to help these small businesses. Also, it is not just the tools; it's the accountability that makes coaching work. Most business owners are not accountable to anybody," says Action International U.S. Sales Manager, Richard Bernstein.

Risks: Although the coaching profession has experienced strong growth, coaches can run into the same problems that have crippled consulting businesses. The heavy spending days of corporate consulting has reduced engagements from long-term to short-term with CEO's demanding a better return on investments. Business coaches will have to prove their value to small business owners.
Small Business Opportunity: The World of Business Brokers

Business brokers are the matchmakers of the business world bringing together buyers and sellers of small and mid-sized companies. "The majority of business brokerage firms handle the sale of everything from the corner dry cleaner to the local quick print to the local liquor store – and every thing in between." says Tom West, founder and former president of The International Business Brokers Association (IBBA).

IBBA estimates there are approximately 3500 business brokerage firms in America with surveys indicating that 35 percent are sole practitioners. 

The field of business brokerage continues to match buyers and sellers each year. Sunbelt Business Advisors began franchising in 1993. Since 2000 the company has grown from 232 franchises throughout the United States and internationally to over 397 in 2004. VR Business Brokers of Ft. Lauderdale have also experienced rapid growth, adding 72 franchisees over 5 years.

According to Mr. West, earnings in the business broker field are "well above average and a six figure income is certainly attainable for many. Commissions range from 10 to 12 percent of the purchase price with firms charging a minimum fee of at least $10,000 to $15,000, for smaller businesses. The average price of a business that sells today goes for about $250,000 not including inventory or real estate."

Driving Force: Corporate downsizing and aging baby boomers wanting to cash out of their business for retirement provides optimism for the business broker industry.

Risks: Turning potential buyers into real buyers is the challenge of the business. Much like the real estate business, brokers need people skills and the ability to overcome rejection to be successful says Tom West.

Home is where the heart is and more frequently, the business is. The appeal of operating a home business is tantalizing to millions of cube workers who want more freedom and control over their lives.

Best Small Business Opportunities 

What's hot? According to About.com Small Business Information Guide, Darrell Zahorsky you can see plenty of booming businesses in anti-aging spas, smart clothes, medical transcription services, business brokering, garage organizer services, business coaching, college admissions consulting, and more. 

Best Small Business Trends

From long-term trends come plenty of business opportunities. Based on the longevity, market awareness and potential profitability, the following 4 trends are hot: green power, youth market, quality living, and the Internet. 

Top Small Business Opportunities

These new small business opportunities appeal to a wide range of people looking to get into business including pet care insurance, organic foods industry, hot rod accessories, data storage, foot care, and more.

Best Business Opportunities 

Many of the best small business opportunities of yesteryear are sizzling today including: information professionals, online gaming, search engine optimization, and contractor referral services.
Small Business Resource Center

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