Tag: new business ideas

How COVID Hobbies are Turning Into Hot Business Ideas

March 6, 2022 / Gail Oliver, Online Small Business Consultant

People took up a lot of hobbies during COVID that they will likely continue, and they pose unique business opportunities.

For example, people who took up biking during COVID now want it as part of their travel and vacation plans. Might be a good opportunity to offer this in your city if no one else is, or at very least, bike rentals.

People who took up baking during COVID means maybe more bakery delivery services or bakery food carts, and/or demand for baking products or houses with kitchens that have baking stations.

The most popular hobbies among those who started one during the pandemic was reading (61%), followed by baking or cooking (36%), gardening (30%), meditation (29%) and writing (26%). See if you can find an opportunity for one of these now that we are almost back in the real world.


© 2022 Gail Oliver. All rights reserved.

Case Study – How One Successful Small Business Only Needs to Have a Storefront Two Months a Year

September 15, 2014 / Gail Oliver, Online Small Business Consultant

In the city where I live, every year, for just seven weekends from early October to mid November, a local couple hosts a major shopping event called The Third World Bazaar.

They reside on a few acres of farm land where they turn one of their large barns into a holiday retail space. The owners spend 5 months of the year travelling the globe buying products for the sale from artisans in countries such as Mexico, Indonesia, Thailand, Cuba and Vietnam. Everything from jewelry to furniture to textiles to home accessories to toys to Christmas ornaments to other unique finds. In the 10 years it has been operating, the bazaar has become incredibly popular and proves you don’t need to have a storefront year round, if fact, it might work better if you don’t.

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Why Does This Business Work?

The owners capitalize on the key holiday buying time of the year, October and November.
Buyers know that the bazaar is only open during these seven weekends (Friday to Sunday), so they make the effort to get there, and they BUY, because they know that they are not coming back again for another year.
As they own the property and the barn, there is no rent being paid on a retail space.
The bazaar barely has to advertise because of strong word of mouth and customer loyalty. People know when it is coming because it is always the same time every year.
They have food trucks on the site, and also sell pumpkins and apple cider, making this an all-day fall event.

As I’ve said before, when something is only being offered for a limited time, it forces people to act. If buyers know a store will be there tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, there is no urgency.

Ways to Have a Storefront for a Limited Time

Depending on what you sell, there are certain times of the year when it may benefit your online store to have a physical store presence. If you sell swimwear, maybe that is May/June. If you sell skis, that would be December. If you selling wedding goods, January is usually prime time. Or maybe you also want to take advantage of the holiday buying season. So what options do you have?

Approach a popular local store about the idea of them hosting a pop-up store of your products for just a few Saturdays during your prime selling season.
Consider taking out a shopping kiosk in a mall. Malls are hurting right now, so they may be open to the possibility of just a two month rental.
See if there is any retail space in your area that has been sitting empty for a long time. Approach the leasing agent about renting the space for just a one month period.
Ask your local church or community center if they would be willing to let you use their facilities in exchange for a donation.
A lot of hotels and resorts will host local vendors on their premises at certain times of the year.
Some business parks will also allow vendors to set up temporary one-day events on their premises, if it is something that will benefit their employees.
If you can’t afford some of these options, form an alliance with other local, but non competitive vendors, about going in together.

The goal is to maximize your key selling season with both a physical and online presence that will help carry you throughout the year.

Also to Read:

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.