Unusual business in a small town. What kind of business is profitable to open in a small town: analysis of the customer base

What kind of business is profitable to open: 6 features of business development in a small town + 5 specific business ideas.

Starting your own business in a small town seems to be a very difficult task.

An entrepreneur has many questions about choosing a business direction, determining the clientele and the market for products.

But this idea of small towns is quite one-sided.

Such an entrepreneurial environment has many advantages, especially for new businessmen.

What kind of business is profitable to open in a small town??

In order to answer this question, it is necessary to analyze many factors.

Starting from the client base to the location of the city.

In this article you will learn how to start your own business correctly, draw up a business plan for a project, and get maximum income.

Features of the business development environment in a small town

There are more than 90 cities in Russia with populations ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 people.

Running a business in conditions of low consumption of enterprise products is quite difficult.

Let's consider the main features of business in small and medium-sized cities:

Let's start with the obvious.

To open a business, you need to qualitatively study the population.

Knowing the basic needs of potential clients, you can correctly determine the direction of the future enterprise.

Taking into account competition in the market.

Opening two large factories in a small town is stupid - isn’t it?

Even if you have correctly analyzed your customer base, you need to take into account the competitiveness of the market.

There are no competitive advantages that could compensate for your losses in the wrong location for your business.

Enterprise size.

The definition of “small city” makes it clear that the size of production must correspond to consumption.

Only if a company exports goods does it make sense to organize large volumes of production.

Start from the sales market.

Relations with local authorities.

Every subject of our society strives for development.

The urban system is also part of the social order.

The authorities of small cities are ready to support business projects that will expand their budgets through taxes and increase employment.

Development of city infrastructure.

Considering the above factor, it is necessary to understand the importance of the enterprise within the city.

If the implementation of the business plan directly affects the improvement of infrastructure, you are guaranteed state support.

What conclusions can we draw?

The fundamental features of development are the need to take into account the preferences of the population, have your own sales market, and make every effort to choose the right direction of business.

What kind of business is profitable to open in a small town: analysis of the customer base

Any business is aimed at a single goal - to provide a product or service to the client, and to receive decent payment for it.

A high-quality marketing plan to increase the benefits of an enterprise cannot be implemented without specifying the customer base.

Marketing is focused on the customer.

Essentially, it represents many ways to make your service stand out from a million others.

The marketing concept requires a clear definition of the customer.

In the case of a small town, everything is quite simple.

You can identify a typical client among a small city population by taking into account a few simple rules:

Average age of the working population.

It is necessary to determine the age of the solvent population.

The direction of interests depends on this.

Information about the birth rate in the city.

The presence of an increased birth rate reflects the needs of young parents, thereby giving entrepreneurs business ideas.

Availability of large enterprises, analysis of employees.

Employees working in the same field have similar needs and living conditions, which in turn affects their outlook.

Location of the city.

Everything is quite simple: climatic conditions, peculiarities of cultural development are another significant factor that is taken into account when determining the “standard consumer”.

You should also take into account the specifics of the population in relation to business, i.e. Each project is designed for a specific type of client.

Standard Client Definition Table

Parameter	Definition
Floor	Indicate the gender of a typical consumer of a product or service.
Age	Age limits.
Region	If the product is manufactured for use in a certain area or its popularity is higher there, this factor plays a big role.
Type of activity	The place of work provides an opportunity to learn about the client’s horizons, to study interests and needs more closely.
Wage	Determinant of the solvency of potential buyers.
Education	Applicable for updating the client's level of awareness when drawing up a marketing plan.
Political and religious views	Advertising of any product should not offend potential customers. It is very important to understand individual beliefs, especially in our diverse country.

Summarizing the interim results, it should be noted that opening a business in a small town forces a better analysis of the market and customers.

5 business ideas for opening in a small town

The experience of organizing a business is the very encyclopedia from which every aspiring entrepreneur should take information.

1. Fast food restaurant

“Surround yourself only with those people who will lift you higher. It’s just that life is already full of those who want to drag you down.”
George Clooney

You may ask – why is it so banal?

The fact is that you can be completely confident only in some behavioral habits of the population of any locality.

The desire to eat is included in this list.

Small, popular in any city.

If you are a person with the proper imagination, raise the level of street food.

To implement this idea, you can use the experience of foreign colleagues who sell roasted chestnuts instead of a banal street poppy menu, or even cook roasts in the open air.

A restaurant that has gained popularity can be turned into an entire chain.

Based on the definition of “small town”, to obtain maximum benefits it is worth locating the establishment in crowded places.

This includes the main squares of the city, or educational institutions and office centers.

The payback period for the restaurant business is less than a year, given that you prepare delicious food and customers appreciate it properly.

2. Repair agency

Considering the specifics of small cities in the Russian Federation, it is safe to say that residents often face problems with the repair of residential buildings and apartments.

By opening a repair agency, you choose the “path of the warrior.”

Solving problems with the repair of Khrushchev buildings and other unreliable structures is quite dangerous work.

But this also has its own invaluable advantage - constant demand.

Renovating old buildings is simply necessary.

When opening such a business, you will have to compete with public utilities.

If you have modern construction equipment, utility companies will not be your competition.

Setting up a repair agency is quite difficult, but the potential is worth it.

If the company can take a leading position in the local market, it is possible to develop the business to the level of a construction company.

The prospect is excellent.

Moreover, the authorities welcome construction companies.

Any assistance to city infrastructure is highly appreciated.

3. Educational center

Every sane person has a desire to learn how to earn more, especially in a small town.

Haven't you made the connection yet?

A young man living in a small town strives to get a proper education in order to learn how to earn more.

But the problem is that 90% of serious coaching centers are located in big cities.

If you manage to organize high-quality trainings with the participation of eminent people, the chances of business success are very high.

The benefit for clients is obvious - they try to help him, this is captivating.

Placing a coaching center in a small locality is a know-how, but who said that innovation is bad?

4. Medical center

Medicine is necessary for absolutely everyone.

In Russia, a fairly small number of cities have high-quality medical institutions.

The state, which is unable to provide high-quality medical care in all regions of the country, comes to the aid of the entrepreneur’s commercial gain.

The registration process is very painstaking; you will have to collect a huge amount of documentation.

The most difficult stage will be the selection of personnel.

Knowledgeable specialists are the basis of any business related to the provision of services to people.

A specialized medical center can be organized taking into account the typical health problems of residents of the region where your institution will be located.

5. Club

Absolutely every person has a desire to relax.

Making money on vacation is simply the “highest level” of entrepreneurship.

Exclusivity is the main assistant of business.

The idea of implementing a standard cozy place for relaxation is not suitable.

You need a large hall, a pretentious atmosphere, recognizable DJs, delicious food.

A huge advantage of this type of business is the huge demand among young people.

The environment of the establishment leads people to spend money carefree.

Proper use of marketing activities will popularize it and make it special.

On the basis of the club, concert events can be held - another source of income for the owner.

The well-equipped hall can be rented out for performances by out-of-town artists.

The payback period for a business can range from one to two years.

Taking into account the correct development of the concept of the establishment, it becomes possible to reduce the payback period.

Another business idea for a small town is described in the video:

Conclusion about what kind of business is profitable to open?

Opening a business in a small town is not an easy task, requiring a creative approach and the proper level of responsibility from the entrepreneur.

The potential for development is very large.

A properly organized business plan, and most importantly, a great idea, works wonders.

A small town can be considered as a stable monolithic environment for business development.

Most people have similar interests, problems, and outlook.

This similarity is connected with the very concept of infrastructure development: there are a couple of main places of activity, for example, large factories with the same type of mechanized work.

The same type of work provokes the development of a similar behavior model.

What matters is not what kind of business is profitable to open in a small town, and which not, namely the implementation of two main points: an original idea + high-quality implementation.

The whole peculiarity of business activity in a small locality lies in the high-quality and detailed analysis of customer requests.

In a small town you can organize a profitable business just as well as in a big one. Many people think that it cannot be profitable in a small town. Anyone who thinks so is immediately setting themselves up for failure and does not consider the positive aspects of this issue.

Differences between small cities and large ones

There are many advantages of living in small towns. Here are some of them.

There life flows slowly and measuredly. The population is more conscious about the choice of goods and services.
People here are more conservative in their views and are not so influenced by fashion. They prefer to spend more time searching for the product they need at reasonable prices.
Everything is nearby, objects are not far from each other.
Much better environment.
Residents of tiny towns are less susceptible to stressful situations.
The population does not spend money on public transport, and this saves money significantly.
Small places have almost everything the same as big ones. If you need to go to a large city, you can go there by private car or public transport.
There is a big difference between mentality and lifestyle.
The population of small towns has its own established value system, which determines their way of life.
In small towns, the risk of crisis and globalization is reduced.
The degree of protection from the risk of ruin due to decreased demand is slightly higher than in a big city.

Business ideas in a small town

Residents of such settlements should not rush to choose the specifics of their future business. You need to carefully weigh all the pros and cons and only then make the only right decision. Only in this case will the work bring you a good profit. The ceiling on sales volume in small towns may be limited by the size of the population and its purchasing power.

From the very beginning, you must “soberly” assess the market of your locality. Find out what services or goods residents want, what they need and what they expect. Clarify the number of your future competitors, their strengths and weaknesses.

It would be great to start your own business using the system franchising. There are hundreds, or even thousands of items. In this case, the entrepreneur can count on a loan and comprehensive assistance from the franchisee. This can be a good way to get going. Working under a well-known brand is much easier.

For the little ones, organize a Leisure and Development Center, where they will study and explore the world.

A popular business in a small town is a private one with a range of services: haircut, hair coloring, holiday hairstyles, manicure, pedicure. This type of business will never fail. Women always strive to be beautiful and attractive.

Freight and taxi services. In small towns, people also sometimes prefer taxis to public transport. Recruit a few drivers with personal transport, and things will go according to the established pattern. Thanks to this direction, business in a small town in winter will become even more popular.

and selling them in big cities. To do this, you need to have a small plot of land and the desire to work on it. The population of megacities gladly buys such products.

Massage at the client's home. Many pensioners or people with disabilities cannot afford to get to the clinic and wait in long lines there. Several experienced masseuses - and your business will flourish.

Having a small room at your disposal, you can open studio for sewing clothes, bed linen or repairing leather goods, umbrellas or making keys.

A new, in-demand type of service not only in big cities, but also in small ones - the provision of assistance with garbage removal, old furniture and household appliances for disposal. In small towns, the problem of recycling household appliances is even more acute, since in megacities this issue is solved better.

Considering the unique location of your town, you can start making jewelry, which would be ideally suited to the original culture of the city.

Even in tiny towns there are people who will spare no expense for cleaning clothes, since not everything can be washed or cleaned at home. And you can provide this service to the population.

Opening a small branded sweets store, which will have several tables for tasting your products. A cup of tea or coffee will attract those who want to enjoy delicious products to the establishment.

Gifts and cards shop. If you try really hard, you can make an original boutique with beautifully designed gift sets and postcards with the appropriate theme. In this business, you need to take into account the following feature: customers need to be treated with respect and warmth. Need to don't just sellgifts, but also to be able to offer a product that is appropriate for this particular occasion. Calculate how much customers can leave in your store, and based on this, formulate your pricing policy.

Mini bakery. This type of business will provide your town with always fresh baked goods. The bread that is brought from a large city is not always soft. You can bake not only bread, but also: straws, buns with various fillings, and so on. Such a business has much more opportunities to flourish in small towns than in big cities.

In the conditions of life in a small town, there is an urgent need to open a business related to modern technologies: repair of mobile phones, sale and installation of satellite dishes and other related products.

Opening a private dental clinic. The population of our cities, both large and small, cannot boast of the good condition of their teeth. Therefore, treatment, removal, prosthetics may be precisely the type of activity where you can earn a lot of money.

Private driving school. You will be able to provide driving training services. In small towns, a car has long ceased to be a luxury and almost every family has a car.

Service " Husband for an hour" Having several men on staff who know how to do everything around the house, you can organize a good business. This includes minor repairs, connection and repair of equipment.

Private kindergarten or babysitting services. In small cities the problem is no less acute than in large ones. Sometimes parents have nowhere to put their children, especially during school holidays. In small towns, everyone knows each other, and finding good teachers or nannies is not difficult. It will be difficult for you to make a mistake about the staff and their work ethic.

Car repair and maintenance workshop,. You don't need a very large room for this. It is enough to equip it with the necessary equipment. A few competent car mechanics will be able to attract many clients to the workshop. Believe me, there are not many good specialists to whom people can trust their car. You can open it nearby.

If you live near a village, you can organize ethnotourism. Residents of big cities will be happy to come to you. Many people want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis and feel the village spirit for a few days, dig in the soil, and look after their pets.

An excellent way to earn capital can be opening sports or gym. Young people in small towns have long understood the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Opening computer store or a store selling mobile phones. Innovative technologies are not alien to residents far from large cities.

Workshop on furniture manufacturing and repair. Surely in your city there are several skilled craftsmen who have golden hands. Offer them cooperation with you, together you can achieve good success.

Can become a good income generator hotel business. If you have a premises that can be converted into a small hotel, motel or - this would be a good option. The rooms can also be rented out on a daily basis. With proper organization of work and advertising, success will not take long to arrive.

For residents of small towns, one of the best options may be Internet business. In this case there will be no restrictions or barriers. No one will “put a spoke in your wheels”; you will depend only on yourself.

Bureau of funeral servicesis also a profitable business in small towns. Unfortunately, people die everywhere, regardless of where they live. The moment comes when we are faced with the problem of burying loved ones. List of services that you can offer to clients:

hearse services (morgue – house – cemetery),
manual hole digging,
delivery of all necessary attributes,
making coffins,
provision of porters for burial,
making crosses and tombstones,
delivery of musicians or priests to funerals,
provision of necessary transport,
assistance in organizing a funeral dinner.

Is it profitable to open a business in a small town?

Whether a certain type of activity in a particular city is profitable or not depends on many components.
Before starting work, you need to thoroughly study the consumer market of your locality and assess possible competition. Then you need to select competent personnel whom you can trust. It will be necessary to treat product suppliers responsibly (if the specifics of the work require it). It will not be profitable for you to attract suppliers from big cities - look for them in nearby settlements.

How quickly the investment can pay off will depend on certain conditions. Residents of small towns do not have a lot of money, so you should not count on quick profits. It may take several years for the business to break even. Much will depend on the demand for the type of services that you offer to citizens.

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Do you live in a small provincial town and dream of running your own business in a metropolis? In order to become a successful businessman, it is not at all necessary to go to conquer the capital, because you can become the first where you live now. Take advantage of some of the ideas we offer for small town entrepreneurs and open your own business in your “small homeland”.

What are the differences between small businesses in a big and small city?

In a small city, compared to a large metropolis, the following features for doing business:

Limited sales market or the need to spend money on logistics and deliver products to the end consumer in other localities;
The absence of any barriers to starting a business and a minimum of competitors, but undeveloped market demand and low purchasing power of the population;
Cheap labor, but at the same time difficulties in finding highly qualified specialists without flaws;
Low costs for organizing production - lower rental rates, more available commercial space, more affordable repairs, less pathos and the need for extra costs;
Cheap local raw materials, but expensive imported resources due to transportation costs;
Availability of benefits for business development and support from various official authorities;
The high value of reputation - mistakes are not forgotten here and new clients are difficult to find.

If in a large district or regional center, in order to create your own business, significant start-up costs will be required (after all, space, advertising, and personnel are expensive), then in a city with a small population you can minimize this contribution required to open your own business.

Yes, in a small town there are fewer opportunities and not every idea is suitable for implementation in such a limited space, but the owner of the company will be able to easily manage all processes and not lose control over his enterprise. The scale here is not the same. You can handle all the responsibilities as a family contract and not hire outsiders.

What kind of business can you open in a small town?

Of course, you can open another store, as others do, but it is better to choose an idea that no one has used in your city before you. What is suitable for implementation within a small city:

You can choose many options and determine what kind of business you can open in your small town by looking at the experience of neighboring regions, for example, on the Avito website.

As an example, we can cite an entrepreneur from a small seaside town, who at the beginning of his activities purchased an inflatable slide and now - after 4 beach seasons - there are more than two dozen children's sea attractions and even a water slide for adults on the coast throughout the area. All of them are in demand and there is no end to vacationers in the summer months. The business is seasonal, but profitable. It is fortunate that this holiday destination is chosen not only by residents of a small town, but everyone comes here from large centers.

There is another example of success. A small private bakery began in a home kitchen with supplies to a nearby stall, three years have passed and it now supplies not only all the city’s retail outlets with fresh baked goods, but also supplies baked goods outside the area.

In the subsidized area, almost all loggers exported wood outside the region, and one of the sawmills decided not only to produce boards, but also to open a carpentry shop on its territory. Already in the first year of operation, the workshop was provided with orders for a long time - they make country and home furniture from natural wood, make souvenirs and make gazebos.

How to positively use the conditions of small towns for the development of small businesses

Business can be successfully developed in a small town. The main thing is to optimally use the existing advantages and avoid disadvantages. You need to choose those options for your own business that allow you to organize production and sales at minimal cost without special logistics costs.

What will help an entrepreneur in a small town?

First of all, we can note such a fact as the lack of competition and free niches in the market in many areas of activity. By becoming the first in the city in your chosen field, you can win over all consumers and not be afraid of the actions of competitors.
Minimum thresholds for entering the market - you don’t have to start an expensive advertising campaign, spend money on kickbacks, go to hell because of competitors, and in general, all the costs of starting a business in a small city are much lower.
And not only can you save money when creating an enterprise - you also won’t need to spend too much in the course of your business. In a small town, real estate, many materials and raw materials, especially local ones, are cheaper, and wages are incomparably lower than in a large settlement.
There are more opportunities to receive support from local authorities - in the provinces, every new enterprise becomes a plus for the entire city and region, so officials help the beginning entrepreneur in every possible way; there is no tough competition for grants and subsidies.

Whatever business you choose for a small town, it is important to organize your work correctly so that all residents of the city quickly learn about you from a positive side. “Word of mouth” in small settlements can be both an excellent help at the start and a hindrance to development.

The attitude of clients is only in your hands, so you will have to earn trust first, but this is easier to do in small towns.

It is reputation in such cases that is more important than profitability; remember this when opening your own business.

Video: interview - how I opened my own hairdressing salon

If you offer something that people need, your business will prosper. A hairdresser is a profitable business in a small town, as well as in a big one.

- 2.1. Some tips for successfully starting your business
- Business idea No. 1. Opening a beauty salon
- Business idea No. 2. Fast food on wheels
- Business idea No. 3. Flower and houseplant shop
- Business idea No. 4. Private kindergarten
- Business idea No. 5. A husband for an hour is an ideal option!
- Business idea No. 6. Production of keys
- Business idea No. 7. Internet business in a small town
- Other activities
5. Conclusion

Each of us at least once in our lives thought about starting our own business. For some it is an escape from the office and a reluctance to waste time and knowledge “on someone else”, for some it is the need for self-realization, and for others it is the opportunity to independently manage personal time. But the most important criterion for everyone who wants to create their own business in a small town or large metropolis is financial freedom and an increase in living standards. At the same time, those eager to set sail on their own mistakenly believe that it is easier to succeed in large cities and metropolises than in small ones.

In order to refute this myth, let’s look at the concept of “small city”. As a rule, these are cities with a population of less than 50 thousand. And as practice shows, organizing and developing a business in a small city is much easier than in a large one.

In this article we will cover the following questions:

What are the pros and cons of owning a business in a small town?
What is the best business to open in a small town?
What business ideas for a small city work in 2016 with minimal investment?
How to start your own business from scratch?

So, let's start to figure it out in order.

Selecting business ideas that can be implemented in a small town

1. Advantages of doing business in a small town

Pros ( + ) own business in a small town:

Small starting capital. In small towns, business costs such as renting premises, utility bills, personnel costs and advertising are significantly lower.
High efficiency of word of mouth. In small towns, the popularity of a product or service is largely due to acquaintances and personal reviews.
There are quite a lot of empty niches due to the limited presence of goods and services. Many innovations appear in small towns with a considerable delay, which, undoubtedly, can be taken advantage of by “bringing” a business idea from a large city in which it has already been tested.
Low competitive environment.

The main disadvantages ( - ) can be attributed to a limited potential audience (each client will be “worth its weight in gold”) and rather low purchasing power (in small towns, incomes are orders of magnitude lower than those of residents of large cities).

2. What new business can you open in a small town?

There is an opinion that a truly profitable business can only be opened in a big city, and there is no point in trying in a small city, but this is not so. Of course, the specifics of the business will differ from business in large cities, but the income will not be long in coming. Moreover, there are many more small towns in Russia than large ones, and it will be more profitable and easier to develop your business in such a city.

Tip 1. The first thing you will need to do is to carefully consider what type of business you will be involved in from a profit point of view.

The most important thing is to find out what services the population in your city needs.

There is no need to reinvent the wheel again; you need to know that a catering establishment or a hairdresser will always take root in the city center, and 24-hour stalls will be in demand on the outskirts.

Tip 2. When choosing the type of activity for your business, you should always take into account your inclinations and talents in a particular area. It is important that you like your business, otherwise you will not be able to achieve success.

It will be best if you start doing what you know how to do best.

So, if you know how to cook well, have a long-dusty diploma as a catering technologist or cook, or maybe you work in this profession, then, of course, you should connect your new business with your old one. Believe me, this will protect you from many difficulties associated with the subsequent opening and organization of the entire business. Knowing the basics and having skills in a certain area, in your case, should be assessed as a huge bonus that will help you out more than once in the future.

2.2. An interesting solution for starting your own business

It is worth considering what at first glance is a completely frivolous type of business, like tutoring. It is notable for the fact that it requires almost no investment, but the income appears immediately and you do not have to wait for years for the business to pay off.

Remember! Perhaps you are good at drawing, or play the guitar or piano, or maybe you know English well?

Now this kind of business is gaining more and more momentum, people are happy to send their children to study, or go to private teachers themselves for a lower fee than specialized clubs with professional teachers offer them. Moreover, this is a chance for you to minimize the risks that any beginning entrepreneur will inevitably face. Because such a business is much more mobile, does not represent technical complexity and quickly reaches the break-even point, taking into account the minimum initial investment.

If, nevertheless, you could not figure out what exactly is best for you to do, then proceed from the principle of which service areas are most in demand. A grocery store is always a win-win because people are always in need of food. But it is worth considering the location of your store in the city, because if there is a large, well-known grocery store nearby, the chance of making a good profit in this place will be significantly reduced.

Ideas for business in a small town: what kind of business to open

3. Business ideas for a small city: with and without investments

Organizing any business implies the presence or absence of initial investments. Small town business is no exception. Not every business requires investment.

Here's a list of some ideas that don't cost you anything.

3.1. Business ideas without investment in a small town

Tutoring. Are you well versed in a particular area? Do you have teaching experience in educational institutions? Are you fluent in a musical instrument? Then this type of activity is for you. Place advertisements and recruit students.
Cleaning services. Every housewife has cleaning products at hand. Tidying up the office, helping with cleaning after festive events - all this is a reason to offer your services and start earning money. If you wish, you can organize a whole group of such assistants and grow into a large cleaning company.
Fluent in a foreign language - make translations.
I have a sewing machine and experience working with it - sell mini-atelier and clothing repair services. This type of service is always in demand, especially in small towns where buying new clothes involves significant expenses.

And this is not a complete list. Here are more examples: accompanying children, walking pets, transporting in a personal car - it’s worth taking a fresh look at your talents and skills, and you’ll find something to your liking.

If you have small cash savings at your disposal, the scope of searching for your own business for a small city expands significantly.

3.2. Ideas for business in a small town with minimal investment

A “husband for an hour” service. The higher your qualifications, the wider your client base will be. Minor home repairs, restoration of damaged items, plumbing work and electrician services - all this requires qualifications and a small set of tools, which will become your first investment. Required amount at the start: from 1000 to 5000 rubles.
Haircuts, hairstyles, braiding– a very relevant type of service today. Investments include the cost of tools and styling products. This amount will not exceed three thousand rubles. If necessary, you can complete hairdressing courses. This is still 2000-3000 rubles.
Creation and sale of handmade goods: soap, jewelry, cards, invitations, hair jewelry, decor for festive events. Material costs will not exceed 2000-3000 rubles. Recipes and master classes can be found on thematic forums and websites.

Read also how you can earn money with minimal investment in.

3.3. Starting your own business from scratch for a small (small) city with investments

If you are ready to invest the amount in start-up capital from 100 000 rubles and higher, then the expected profit will be higher than with little or no costs. Below are business ideas suitable for a small town involving significant funds:

Produse store. A balanced assortment and low prices are the secret of success. No expensive exotics or exclusives. A neighborhood store with affordable, high-quality products will quickly become a local favorite. Costs for rent, equipment and personnel: from 100,000 rubles. (See How to open an online store from scratch - detailed instructions)
Salon. The beauty industry is always popular in any locality. Particular attention should be paid to personnel selection. It is the masters who will either make your business successful or “sink” it. Expenses: from 50,000 - 100,000 rubles.
Auto repair shop/tire shop. A few skillful hands and an influx of clients is guaranteed. In this type of business, geography of location also becomes a decisive factor. When choosing a location, focus on areas with high motorist traffic. Attachments: 50,000 – 100,000 rubles.
Bakery. Hot baked goods will make people line up for you every morning. And if you introduce new items into the assortment, such as: pies and cakes to order, European pastries (strudels, croissants, snacks, etc.), then the success of your business will be ensured. Naturally, for a business such as a bakery, the presence of a competent baker-technologist becomes an important nuance. Investments, taking into account all the requirements for food establishments, will be not less than 150,000 rubles.

We have provided a list of business ideas that can be implemented in a small town with minimal investment or without significant financial costs. Next, we will consider ideas that successfully work and were tested by many entrepreneurs in 2016 in a small town, in more detail.

3.4. Business idea: apartment building or hostel

An excellent way to make money in a small city can be the construction or arrangement of a small apartment building or hostel. All that is needed to implement such an idea is to apply for a loan from a bank, buy, rent or build an individual house of a large area and divide it into several apartments.

The simplest option from those listed is to rent a finished house with an area of 100-120 square meters using credit funds. meters, divide it into 3-5 apartments and rent out the property. This scheme can fully recoup all costs and achieve net profit in 2-3 months. You can also open a hostel in your home using this method; in small towns, the demand for hostels today is quite high. If you are interested in this earning scheme, we advise you to download our free course on how to buy an apartment building and earn from 100 to 300 thousand rubles per month.

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4. Profitable ideas for a small town

Business idea No. 1. Opening a beauty salon

Beauty will always be a successfully sold product. Girls who often visit such establishments and take good care of themselves, men who need a simple half-cut, a grandmother who is used to trimming her hair on the last Fridays of the month, and a child who needs his bangs cut will come to your hairdresser. In a word, these services will always sell well, especially if you guess the best location.

There are several business models. The first is an economical option. This is the best one to open in a small town where unsophisticated residents live. Services should be the most ordinary. There is a hairdresser here, a well-functioning nail service, and light cosmetic services (eyebrow plucking and tinting, etc.).

A beauty salon is a business that will always be in demand among the population of a small town

The second model is called business class. A makeup stylist, professional hairdressers, cosmetologists with medical education can already work here, who carry out procedures such as deep peelings, tattooing, and there is a solarium in the salon. To open a salon of this level, you will need to study the market of your city very well, because such a salon will “live” only where people have at least average income.

Don’t forget about the requirements and taxes that apply to all beauty salons, and if you keep cosmetology, it will be much more complicated, since cosmetic procedures must only be carried out by a doctor with a higher medical education specializing in “therapeutic cosmetology.” There are no such strict requirements for other personnel.

If you are planning to provide a massage service in your salon, then the conditions for maintaining staff here are more loyal. Massage can be performed by a specialist with specialized secondary specialized medical education. If you decide to provide such services in your salon, you will have to provide a list of documents to RosZdravNadzor. All preparations for opening a salon will take you at least a year. So if you want to start your own business from scratch in this area, you will have to be patient.

Business idea No. 2. Fast food on wheels

A mobile food outlet will bring good income, and the costs of opening such a business will be minimal. On the Russian market, a fast food van will cost you about $9,000. Previously, such vans could only be purchased abroad and for a large fee, but now several companies in Russia are engaged in their manufacture and the solution to this problem has been significantly simplified. The simplest van model offered by the Russian manufacturer Avtokholod costs approximately $5,000. This model is only suitable for cooking grilled chicken and shawarma and is not durable at all. The service life of the van is no more than 7 years.

Mobile food outlet-coffee shop - as a type of business that can always be opened in a small town

This business can be opened if you have a win-win point in mind where it would be possible to open a stall of this type. And don’t forget that placing such stalls in any places you like is prohibited. Each location will need to be agreed upon with the city administration; often you will be asked to move to another location. You also need to be prepared for this, including in a small city, where competition seems to be not as great as in megacities.

Business idea No. 3. Flower and houseplant shop

Flowers are not vital, but oddly enough, they are a very popular product in the country’s markets. Especially during the main holidays: March 8, September 1, New Year. Also, flowers are often needed on a weekday - on a date, as a thank you to someone for a service or to a teacher at the university.

To open such a business you will need about 10000 $ . Of course, you may be able to save money, but it’s still better to focus on just that amount. An area of 18-20 square meters is enough to open a small flower shop. The best store location will be near a large shopping center, if there is one in your city, or a large grocery store.

Photo of a flower shop

Also remember that a transparent display window well decorated with flowers, which attracts the eyes of passers-by, always outperforms the usual “Flower Shop” sign. The brighter the appearance of such a store, the more potential customers it will attract.

When everything has been decided with the paperwork, it’s time to rent a suitable room. Remember that traffic for a flower shop, as for any other type of business that involves sales, is critical. Think carefully about this aspect, and although renting a room near a large shopping center or store will be much more expensive than in a residential area, most likely the result will be much more effective.

It will be quite easy to negotiate with flower suppliers. Nowadays, there are many wholesale stores that specialize in flowers, and you can find out about them simply by using Internet resources. But don’t rush into cooperation with the first companies you come across; it is quite possible that after searching longer you will find a more profitable option for you, albeit less advertised.

At the beginning of your journey, you can hire two florists who would work in shifts. First buy only flowers that remain fresh for a long time. These are roses, gerberas, chrysanthemums. Indoor plants include phalaenopsis and anthurium orchids. It will be better if you understand at least a little about flowers and indoor plants, this will greatly facilitate your affairs and create understanding between you and your florists.

Business idea No. 4. Private kindergarten

In the current situation in Russia, the situation with government institutions, especially with kindergartens, leaves much to be desired. The costs of opening this business will not be small and you can’t expect it to pay off in the first year either. But there is good news: with persistence, patience and a good reputation, you have every chance of achieving excellent success in this area and existing for a very long time. Rumors about a good private kindergarten will spread throughout the city in an instant and you will not have a shortage of clients. But you need to remember that this type of business is very specific. Without proper love for children and your work in this field, you are unlikely to succeed.

Private kindergarten - as an example of a business for starting a business in a small town

Moreover, such establishments are always under the watchful eye of government agencies and are strictly checked by all possible authorities. Moreover, if you do not have the necessary pedagogical education, you will not be able to open such a business.

The premises of a private kindergarten must be at least 4 square meters per pupil. There are also separate rooms for sleeping, eating, and playing. A medical room is also considered mandatory. You will need special furniture and a separate entrance to the kindergarten. All personnel must have a pedagogical education. Work experience in this field and love for children should be the main arguments when hiring teachers and nannies.

To summarize, we can say that to open such an establishment you will need about 700,000 rubles. The amount is not small, but if you love children and are ready to dedicate your business to them, go for it, because the main argument is always your desire!

Business idea No. 5. A husband for an hour is an ideal option!

Probably the simplest and most inexpensive business would be “husband for an hour.” Of course, you will have to spend money on various tools and small spare parts, which you can then sell to your customers for a little more than what you bought them for. These will be switches, sockets, bolts, locks, possibly some parts of plumbing, light bulbs, etc. The range of your services will also be very diverse, so if you have gaps in any skills, they will need to be addressed as quickly as possible. Here is a list of services that you will definitely need to be able to do:

Elimination of breakdowns related to plumbing;
Repair of household appliances;
Furniture assembly;
Repair and replacement of sockets, switches;
Installation of satellite dishes, chandeliers, toilets, cisterns, etc.

And this is not the entire list that you will have to learn to do quickly and efficiently. The business plan will need to take into account that some tools will be more convenient to rent rather than buy, at least at first. Because it often happens that an expensive tool will be needed only a few times over the entire period of time and simply cannot pay for itself.

You should also take into account that carrying out this work without a vehicle will be very problematic, so it will be a huge plus if you already have a car. If not yet, then you should think about purchasing it.

Registering such a business will be very easy compared to many others. In this case, registration as an individual entrepreneur will be enough to open a business, with an income tax form UTII(Read the article on how to open an individual entrepreneur). All initial costs for such a business will be no more than 50,000 rubles(including uniform, protective gloves and other necessary parts).

And remember 90% The success of such a business depends on advertising. Do not spare money, use any possible means of advertising your business. This includes a running line, and advertising in newspapers and magazines in the city; you can post advertisements on houses and stands. There is another bonus of this business - in a short time you can attract regular customers, who will subsequently bring the main profit.

Business idea No. 6. Production of keys

Agree, each of us has resorted to a key making service. This service always remains and will remain in demand, even in a small town. You don’t have to be a master in this matter to start doing it.

Nowadays there are key making machines that do everything for you, and learning how to use one won’t be too difficult. Only, if you decide to get into this business, you need to be well aware of your competitors. After all, keys are not something that people buy every day. If there is already such a stall somewhere nearby, then it’s not worth taking on this business.

One domestically produced machine will cost you $1000. You can always find cheap spare parts for it and repairs will also not be expensive, and domestic machines are of high quality, so you will almost certainly choose it. You should not buy Chinese machines. Practice shows that their quality is much inferior to Russian ones, although the price is somewhat lower.

An ordinary stall is usually chosen for the premises, but you can also rent a small corner in a large store. Perhaps the latter option will be more profitable, since the stalls, as described above, are often subject to attacks from the city administration and perhaps at some point you will be asked to move it to another location, which will cause you to suffer significant losses.

Business idea No. 7. Internet business in a small town

Today, more and more successful entrepreneurs are organizing online businesses that generate stable income. There are many types of services and products being ordered online, so why not start making money from it?

There are a lot of options for organizing an Internet business. To choose the most optimal one for yourself, we recommend downloading and studying our free course on how to start your own business from scratch on the Internet.

Other activities

Here are a few other business ideas for a small town and the minimum investment required to open them:

Organization of holidays and events (from 10,000 rubles);
Website creation (etc.) (from 40,000 rubles);
Selling kvass (from 80,000 rubles);
Growing vegetables and other crops (from 50,000 rubles).

In conclusion, we note that in any business you need to follow several important rules, without which you will either fail or have serious problems.

Monitor your business's reputation! You can't even imagine how well word of mouth works in a small town. Every person, before deciding on any service, especially during a crisis, will think very carefully and perhaps ask his acquaintances and friends about the services of the organization he wants to contact. In this case, almost 100% of success depends on how your customers respond to you.
We recommend focusing on the quality and reasonable affordable price of the product you are selling. Having established yourself as a good specialist, you will see how soon your hard work and perseverance will begin to bear fruit.
Don't forget how important advertising is for business. Every month, and more often at the very beginning, devote some time to submitting advertisements to newspapers and ticker tape. Most often, advertising is the key to the success of a newly opened business.

We have looked at only a few examples of what kind of business to open in a small town, since the list is endless. Choose something that you like, you will never get tired of it and then you will succeed!

5. Conclusion

Let's summarize:

Study the niche and competitive environment in the city in which you plan to open your business.
You should not rely on expensive items and exclusivity.
Estimate the start-up costs, they should be reasonable.

There are no fewer opportunities for opening a profitable business in a small town than in a metropolis. There is an opinion that starting a business and making it profitable in a small town is almost impossible.

People don’t see the positive sides and believe that their idea will fail. Actually this is not true. Let's consider the most promising business ideas for a small town.

Promising business ideas for a small town

In the minds of many people, when they hear the word “business,” a stereotypical image of a middle-aged business man leaving the chic office of a large company involuntarily appears. At the same time, it seems like a metropolis with dozens of skyscrapers.

However, many businessmen conduct their business in small towns and do not necessarily wear a business suit. In a small city it is possible to open a business no less profitable than in the capital.

There is still no consensus on which cities are considered small and which are not. It is generally believed that the population of a small town should be no more than 50 thousand people. But for business people, these can also be cities with a population of half a million or more. However, we should not forget about some of the peculiarities of doing business in small towns.

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Differences between small cities and large ones

If you have business ideas for small towns, consider the following features:

life in a small town is not as fast paced as in a metropolis, so the population can take a long and conscious approach to the decision to purchase goods or services;
Fashion trends are not critical for people from small towns. The main thing is that this is a product at an affordable price that people are willing to spend a lot of time searching for;
short distances. Objects are next to each other;
the environmental situation here is much better than in big cities;
stress has a significantly lower impact on the population;
public transport is used less frequently, which indicates some cost savings;
Small towns have almost everything that a large city has. Generally, people can visit any place by private car or public transport if the need arises;
lifestyle differs significantly from mentality;
every small town has its own values that influence its way of life;
the crisis and globalization have much less impact on small cities compared to megacities;
provided that demand decreases, protection from bankruptcy is higher than in a large city.

Disadvantages of business in small towns

When exploring business ideas for a small town, pay attention to the disadvantages that exist in a small town. These include:

Small income.

You shouldn’t think about huge profits expressed in millions, because the incomes of people from your target audience are quite modest.

Opportunities for growth are limited.

If you have a great business idea, then there are much more opportunities for its implementation and development in a metropolis than in a small town. The number of clients of your company will grow and stop at a certain level. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the possibilities of expanding your activities. For example, this could be opening a branch in a suburban area or some related business. It happens that entrepreneurs find promising industries while working on an existing business. In this case, you can create something new, thereby increasing your range of possibilities. However, one should not always hope for an increase in the number of average checks, since residents of small towns, again, receive small incomes.

Narrow market.

Unusual small business ideas in small towns cannot always be realized. There may be low demand for them. Even a standard business idea won't always work. For example, if in megacities you can open your own pizzeria, despite the fact that there are already hundreds of them, and at the same time count on a good profit, then in a small town, perhaps no one will visit your establishment, preferring a long-familiar and favorite place.

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Advantages of small towns as sites for doing business

Easy entry to the market.

You need much less money to start your own business. much easier to implement. Renting real estate is cheaper than in big cities. Wages will also be lower. Thanks to these two conditions, your fixed costs will be significantly lower.

Low level of competition.

In a tiny city, small business is developing poorly, so you can count on a small number of competitors in your industry. It is possible to occupy a niche that is in demand, but is not occupied by anyone. This will be much easier to do than in a metropolis, since all trade points and companies can be visited by yourself.

Support programs.

This advantage is somewhat related to the above point. Due to the poor development of small businesses in small towns, the authorities are willing to accommodate them halfway. Entrepreneurs are offered various subsidies and grants. Your business ideas will not be left without government support.

In the case of business in small towns, there are also several controversial issues that can be turned either to the benefit of your business or to the detriment.

In small towns, the word of mouth effect works very well. This can be an excellent advertisement for you or, conversely, ruin your reputation, especially if significant shortcomings were identified at the beginning of doing business.

It is also worth paying attention to the fact that the number of your clients in a small city may be limited. However, here it will be much easier to study and create a portrait of your consumer.

33 profitable business ideas for a small town

Before you start implementing your business idea, consider the following points:

Study in detail the consumers in your locality. Pay attention to the level of competition.
Select competent employees with a responsible approach to work.
If your business involves working with suppliers, take them carefully and seriously.
Search for suppliers in your immediate area. If you attract them from large cities, it will be unprofitable for you.
Develop a business plan, find funds to open your own business, while first assessing your capabilities.

Whether your business will pay off or not depends on a number of conditions. However, you should not count on quick profits. It may take several years before your initial investment is recouped. This will largely depend on the demand for the goods or services offered.

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Profitable business ideas for beginners and experienced entrepreneurs in a small town:

№1. In small towns, it is logical to open stores with socially low prices. This way you can provide yourself with a stable profit, although it may be small. Those products that consumers use daily are always in demand.

№2. In the age of the Internet, you can open your own business online. Online stores sell goods from all over Russia and neighboring countries. Here you can trade whatever you want: children's clothing, auto parts, jewelry and much more.

№3. Opening a small cafe would be a good idea. Just choose a menu familiar to residents and pay attention to the number of similar establishments in the city (as a rule, there are few of them).

№4. A canteen with low prices or a mobile cafe will also be in demand.

№5. Entertainment services may also prove popular: organizing and holding weddings, corporate events, and children's parties.

№6. The audience will be interested in a club for people over 30 or a disco for young people. All you need is a room with a pleasant interior and lighting. If the city already has something similar, you can always open a nightclub and invite popular DJs there, which will be your competitive advantage.

№7. In a small city, many parents are looking for an opportunity to give their children an education that will be no worse than in a metropolis. They hire tutors and look for teachers. Opening language courses is a profitable business in a small town, to start which you can use ready-made ideas (buying a franchise, etc.).

№8. For children, you can create an educational and leisure center for the purpose of development and learning.

№9. All women want to be beautiful, so opening your own hair salon with standard services would be a good idea to start with.

№10. Residents of small towns do not always use public transport. Many people require the services of taxi drivers. This is especially true in winter. Find drivers with personal cars and you can safely start your own business.

№11. You can sell in large cities products that you grow yourself without the use of toxic fertilizers. Organic vegetables and fruits are always in demand among residents of megacities.

№12. A small room can be used to operate an atelier for repairing and sewing clothes or for other purposes (shoe repair, key making).

№13. Garbage disposal is a pressing issue for many small towns. You can create your own business that will solve this problem.

№14. Taking into account the traditions and life of the residents of your city, you can create decorations that correspond to the culture.

№15. In any locality there is always a demand for cleaning clothes that are difficult to wash at home. You can open an establishment providing such a service.

№16. You can open a branded sweet products store offering tastings. Many will not be able to pass by without trying the delicious products.

№17. Gift shop. You can stylishly and beautifully decorate a boutique in which you will sell gift sets and cards for all occasions. The main thing is to treat clients with respect and meet them halfway. You also need to always be able to offer the buyer a product for a specific event and for a specific person. Assess the financial capabilities of the residents of your city and, taking this factor into account, indicate the price of the product.

№18. When exploring business ideas for a small town, you should pay attention to the sale of essential goods. You can open a small bakery where you will always have fresh and tasty bread. This will be your advantage, since bread from the metropolis does not always meet these criteria. The assortment can be expanded with any types of baked goods: tubes, puff pastries, pies, and so on. This type of business has more prospects for development in a small town.

№19. Modern technologies are also popular in small towns. Businesses such as repairing mobile phones, computer equipment, selling satellite dishes and related equipment will be in demand.

№20. For residents of a small town, dental services are also relevant and necessary. By opening a dental clinic, you can earn a lot of money.

№21. Private driving courses for future motorists may be in demand.

№22. Minor repairs and work with equipment. All you need is to have a few men on your staff who know how to do all the necessary household work.

№23. A private kindergarten is more relevant in a small town, as in a big one. Nanny services are also always in demand. Many parents have no one to leave their children with during school holidays or weekends. You can easily select staff using reviews from the local population, since the city is small and everyone knows each other.

№24. Since almost every family in a small town has a car, opening a tire shop would be a good idea. You need to have a large room equipped with equipment. Find good locksmiths who will attract people by doing quality work. Nearby you can create a car wash and a small cafe.

№25. If your house is near a village, then you can receive tourists. Many residents of megacities miss the silence and want to relax in a real village, caring for their pets and garden.

№26. Sports complexes and gyms are becoming increasingly popular in both small and large cities. By opening such an establishment, you can earn good money.

№27. Stores with modern technology (computers, mobile phones, etc.).

№28. Opening of a furniture workshop. This may include the manufacture and repair of furniture. All you need is to find good craftsmen and invite them to work for you. This will bring considerable success.

№29. If you have premises that can be converted into a small hotel, this would be a good move. You can offer rooms at any time, working around the clock. If you take into account all the nuances and good advertising, you will quickly achieve success.

№30. “Husband for an hour” service. The better you do your work, the more clients you will have. The main task is to solve a household problem, be it a minor repair, connecting equipment, plumber or electrician services. All you need are tools and the ability to do any homework. To open a business you will need no more than 5 thousand rubles.

№31. Creation of handmade products and their subsequent sale. This could be jewelry, toys, soap, paintings and much more. Initial investments may not exceed 3 thousand rubles. Skills and abilities can be acquired for free by watching videos on websites and communicating on thematic forums.

№33. Translations. If you know a foreign language at an advanced level, carry out translations by placing ads on the Internet or in offline advertising channels.

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Expert opinion

Entrepreneurs in the regions should not be afraid to work ahead

Alexey Kanevsky,

President of the Interportfolio company, Moscow; PhD in Chemistry

My advice to entrepreneurs: be more attentive to the service and sales sectors. These industries in Russia seriously lag behind the world level in terms of quality and quantity of proposals.

Cafes and restaurants. Even in the capital, many catering establishments do not reach the European level.
Inexpensive and compact stores. There is a shortage of good stores located close to home and selling quality products.
Specialized workshops. Shoe repair shops are in particular demand. Due to the development of modern technologies, the repair and maintenance of electronic devices is becoming popular.

In provincial cities, small businesses are less developed than in the capital. However, after a while all Moscow tendencies come there. For this reason, entrepreneurs from the regions should pay attention to the capital’s new products and introduce trends before their competitors.

5 business ideas for women in a small town

You may have a talent that everyone admires. For example, you knit well, sew beautiful high-quality clothes, embroider beautiful paintings. Why not consider making money from your hobby?

It may happen that in the city there are many people already doing what you love. If so, advertise and sell your creations online.

You will need to create your website, add photos of your work and invite your target audience to purchase your products, which can be sent to customers by mail. You will be pleasantly surprised by the number of responses from residents of megacities who miss handicrafts.

All you need to start a business is the Internet and mail. You can create a simple website yourself or entrust it to a friend who knows the specifics of this issue. Here are some promising business ideas for beginners in a small town.

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Business idea 1. Hand-made products

These can be paintings, a sewn dress, handmade gifts for loved ones and much more. Using your skills, you can open your own business.

Business ideas for a woman in a small town:

beadwork and embroidery;
creating bouquets from both flowers and various sweets and other items;
making beautiful cards, posters or collages;
sewing bags, wallets;
making boxes.

Friends and acquaintances will eagerly purchase your crafts. In addition, you do not need to buy gifts in the store, since handmade items are more valuable than any purchase from the supermarket. The cost of making one creation, as a rule, is no more than 500 rubles.

If, for example, you purchase materials for making your fake for the amount of 300 rubles, then you can sell it for at least one thousand or even more. Business ideas for a small town from the handmade sector can be absolutely unique.

If you think that all the income can be associated only with the sale of your creations, then this is not so. You can also train others to do the same, thereby increasing your earnings.

Business idea 2. Creative studio for children.

Unfortunately, today parents spend little time on the development of their child. Usually they just take them to kindergarten in the morning and pick them up in the evening. However, in many such institutions, children are practically not taught real creativity.

You can open your own business in a small town by creating a wonderful creativity studio for children. Ideas for developing children's creativity can be very different. For example, you can teach children pottery or knitting or sewing. In general, everything that you own.

Business idea 3. Various courses for women.

This line of activity seems to be a continuation of the previous idea. You can organize some courses for women in the area in which you are well versed. This can be in several areas depending on your skills and experience.

Many women would like to learn how to sew and cook, and learn the psychology of raising children. Modern girls are interested in such a topic as relationships with the opposite sex. And if there is demand, then supply needs to be created. Take a closer look at the people around you and see what you can do for them. If you are considered an excellent employee at work, and you have leadership qualities and a strong desire, then most likely you can easily organize courses for women.

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Business idea 4. Clothing and underwear store for women.

Many small business ideas for girls in a small town are related to the sale of women's underwear and clothing. In the future, you will be able to sell other women's products in your store in addition to clothing. For example, this could be cosmetics and various accessories. This type of business requires the creator to have certain funds to start, time and experience in commerce.

Before starting a business, we advise you to do an analysis of existing stores for women. You can introduce yourself as a buyer at a retail outlet and find out which products are in highest demand and why. This way you will be more likely to achieve success in your store.

Women with small children are not recommended to take out a loan and open such a business, especially if they have no experience. It’s better to consider business ideas for a small town from scratch and choose a project in which you can gain experience in order to take on a more complex business in the future.

Business idea 5. Services from the field of “Beauty and Health”.

If you love to take care of yourself, don’t have bad habits and are ready to provide beauty services for other women, then this is the business for you.

Expert opinion

When can a hobby become a business?

Pavel Shubin,

General Director of the branch of the Belousov Group company, owner of the Azhur knitting production, Nizhny Novgorod

It so happened that until 2012 I was passionate about the field of information technology, but then I suddenly wanted to change something in my life. One day I was visiting my friend and noticed a very funny knitted doll. My friend said that the doll is interesting not only for children, but also for adults. At that moment, I decided to start making similar toys that would bring joy to people.

I have no knitting skills, so I had to turn to experts in this field. It turned out that such a doll is not easy to knit. For this reason, I rejected my first idea and concentrated on knitted New Year's toys (or rather, a wrapper for a New Year's ball). I managed to find a woman on a forum for knitting enthusiasts in Nizhny Novgorod. I explained my idea to her and she did the first job I liked. At that moment, I decided to order 70 balloons from her, made in the corporate style of the IT company where I worked. We gave the balloons to our clients and partners. People were delighted and said that they had never seen anything like it. Then I realized that this idea was worth developing.

Later I turned to other knitters, but they made much worse wrappers. I decided to offer the first craftswoman, for a certain amount, to make several options for a sample and write a description of their creation. Using the instructions, other knitters also began to produce beautiful products. Two months before the end of the calendar year, I had half a thousand of these balls. I gave away some of them, but sold most of them very easily. Those who managed to see photographs of the products contacted me with the question “Where can they be purchased?” I'm currently trying to automate the process by choosing a knitting machine. This is something like my hobby, I don’t take this topic as a serious matter, but I think my friends won’t have any questions about choosing New Year’s gifts for a long time.

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Ideas for a small business in a small city mostly involve minimal start-up costs and quick payback.

Tip 1. Find a field that is in demand and interesting to people. When you discover a need, think about how you can satisfy it.

Tip 2. Develop a detailed business plan and think about it carefully. Don’t throw all your resources into an area about which you know little or nothing.

Tip 3. Assess the level of income of the residents of your city. As a rule, in small towns there are few jobs, and most people work in one enterprise. Owners of city-forming enterprises take advantage of the situation and pay employees little money. For this reason, in tiny towns, residents very rarely have a good income.

Tip 4. Study the qualitative composition of the city. You can open a small business in a small town, aimed at tourists, if there are many interesting places there. You should not use extravagant ideas if your city is not popular with visitors.

Tip 5. Pay attention to the labor market. It is unlikely that you will be able to find a highly qualified specialist or employee in a small city. Therefore, you should not take risks and open a business, the development of which requires exclusive personnel.

Tip 6. Shortage of in-demand goods. For example, there is no store of a well-known inexpensive clothing brand, or in the entire city there is only one grocery supermarket with social prices. In this case, the idea of opening a store that will fill the existing deficit will be successful.

Tip 7. Consider the effect of word of mouth in a small community. Information spreads very quickly in a small town. If you sell a quality product, word of mouth will help you get by without advertising; if your business has significant flaws, then you risk losing all your customers.

Tip 8. Small businesses must use relatively new ideas for a small town. But at the same time, your case should be understandable to the majority. However, you shouldn’t adopt everything from someone else’s business.

Tip 9. Pay attention to the demand for the idea. In the best case scenario, your business should solve the problem of the majority of the city's residents. However, her character itself is not known. You will have to discover this for yourself.

Tip 10. If you manage to discover any need of city residents, then organize benchmark marketing. Evaluate the work of the best companies in your industry and use a successful example of their work in practice.

Tip 11. You can organize a small business by choosing ideas for a small city that are profitable to implement, since they involve the sale of goods that are in great demand. These can be food kiosks, construction shops, car shops, and so on. This also applies to services. In a small town, popular places can be tailor shops, dry cleaners, auto repair shops, etc.

Tip 12. Choose a legal form for registration and resolve all financial issues. Here you can register an individual entrepreneur or LLC. Each form has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you work without registration, you risk falling under the watchful eye of the tax office, since you are in a small city. What the tax system will be depends on the type of your business. If it is small, then you need to choose the option where you need to pay less taxes.

Tip 13. Initial investment. You cannot open your own business without any investment. Here either personal or borrowed funds are used. If you find an industry with low competition and high demand, you will quickly be able to make a profit and recoup your investment.

We conclude that it is not difficult to organize a profitable business in a small town if your ideas are promising and you have taken into account all the nuances.

6 product promotion ideas that won over customers

Information about the experts

Alexey Kanevsky Graduated from the Moscow Institute of Petrochemical and Gas Industry named after. THEM. Gubkin (now Russian State University of Oil and Gas named after I.M. Gubkin) and graduate school at this university. Since 1995 – commercial director of the Centaur group of companies. Since 1996, he has been developing and promoting exclusive brands of imported beer. Chairman of the Economics Committee of the Moscow city branch of the public organization "Support of Russia".

Pavel Shubin at the end of 2012, he headed the branch of the multidisciplinary company Belousov Group that opened in Nizhny Novgorod; before that he was the general director of the IT company NS Labs. In 2011 he founded his own knitting production “Azhur”, to which he devotes his free time from his main job.