Tag: ideas for a small business

Why Mobile-Based Small Businesses Are a Hot Trend

July 24, 2014 / Gail Oliver, Online Small Business Consultant

by Gail Oliver, Small Business Marketing Consultant

A lot of businesses struggle with bringing customers to their establishment, either a physical location or online, but have you ever thought about going to them?

mobile based businesses Mobile-based businesses are becoming a hot trend, and with the baby boomer generation getting older and less mobile (no pun intended), and the younger generation over taxed time-wise, we might see the return of former ways, such as the door to door salesman, doctors making house calls and the milk man.

One industry that has really proven to be successful as a mobile set-up is the hairdressing industry. Older ladies absolutely have to have their hair done once a week and getting to a salon may not be physically that easy. A hair salon on wheels provides a great alternative. How perfect would this be for the wedding and prom industries as well?

I recently spoke with a company called Ground FX Flooring, that brings their flooring showroom right to you in their mobile trailer. The benefit here is you can bring the samples right into your home to see if they work and you don’t have to drag them back to the store. Customers are more likely to make faster decisions with this type of service.

Even the online marketplace Etsy is jumping on the mobile bandwagon with a traveling airstream trailer touring this summer through various Canadian cities filled with items from local artisans.

Maybe your business don’t need to go to someone’s home, but rather an area, the way a food truck does. There are a lot of rural and remote neighborhoods that do not have access to certain types of goods and services. Going to them gives you a captive audience and no competition.

Mobile-Based Business Ideas

I’m going to throw out some of my own original ideas, so take them for what they are!

A mobile spa offering manicures, pedicures and massages at office parks
A mobile physiotherapist showing up at sports facilities
A mobile pharmacy showing up at retirement villages
A mobile beer store that shows up to campgrounds or trailer parks
A mobile butcher frequenting a local neighborhood in late afternoon
A mobile laptop and smart phone repair service making visits to college campuses

Now obviously there are certain restrictions and special licenses needed for mobile-based businesses, but it offsets the costs of paying rent.

How can you make your business mobile?

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Unique Small Business Idea – Wine & Canvas

March 17, 2014 / Gail Oliver, Online Small Business Consultant

by Gail Oliver, Small Business Marketing Consultant

I saw an interesting business on the news the other day and thought it might be inspiration for other small business owners out there.

Wine & Canvas Mobile Art Lessons

Wine & Canvas is a mobile business that hosts painting events at various local establishments, such as bars and restaurants, and it is packing them in!

People are looking for different forms of entertainment these days, as well as new social opportunities, and Wine & Canvas presents a great one. Customers get an art lesson alongside having a drink and socializing with friends and other painters (they also get to leave with their artwork).

It benefits the host restaurant as it provides an opportunity to bring in customers on their typically slower nights. As for Wine & Canvas, not only do they offer a unique event, but they also have minimal overhead costs as they do not have to pay for a hosting facility. Wine & Canvas makes money from the class fee, and the restaurant makes money selling food and drinks. It’s a win-win for both businesses.

How This Idea Can Inspire Your Business

If you are an artist of any kind, teaching is always a great way to have a second revenue stream, as well as introduce yourself to new potential customers.

If you are a store front, restaurant or other type of retail establishment, think of what types of complimentary businesses you can bring in for select events that will introduce your business to their customers and help you through those slower times.

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5 Ways to Find an Idea for Your Own Small Business

February 11, 2014 / Gail Oliver, Online Small Business Consultant

Want to know how to find a small business idea?

I am also an expert contributor at the #1 women’s lifestyle website, SheKnows.com, read by more than 40 million women each month, and here is my first article for them (plus you can read it below): 5 Ways to Find an Idea for Your Own Business.

Do What You Like to Do (And Are Good At)

Everyone will tell you to follow your passion, but I like to add to that; it also has to be something you’re good at. For example, a lot of people love to sing, but if they are not good at it they won’t earn a living doing it. So find what you love to do and are good at, then determine if there is a way to make money doing it.

Listen To Those Compliments

Sometimes the best way to find out what you are good at is to listen to what people compliment you on. Maybe it is your sense of style, your cooking or your photography skills. If they like it, chances are other people will too.

Look At Your Own Needs

Another great way to find an idea for a business is to look at your own recent needs for a product or service. Were you unable to find what you wanted? Maybe others are looking for the same things you are. Where there is demand, there is opportunity.

See What People Are Searching For

Go to one of the question and answer websites like Quora, and type in “where can I find x.” The results are fascinating, everything from “where can I buy a stylish bike helmet?” to “where can I find someone to practice Spanish with?” You can even narrow it down to the city you live in, for example, “where can I find x in Seattle?” It’s a great way to get an idea of people’s current wants and needs and see if you can build a business around it.

Read Product and Business Reviews

An interesting way to find an idea for a business is to read reviews of products and services on sites like Amazon and Yelp to see customer complaints about the ways these businesses are lacking. Capitalizing on a popular product or service’s weaknesses presents an opportunity for you.

If you have the entrepreneurial spirit, chances are there is a small business idea right for you; you just have to find it.

On my blog I focus on giving advice to help market and promote your small business. However, over at SheKnows.com I will be writing about topics related to starting and running a small business or becoming an entrepreneur, so I hope you will follow me over there!

Also read: 54 Small Business Ideas for 2022

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