The small business landscape is changing and evolving and 2022 will bring even more changes. If like many people, you are starting a business of your own rather than returning to the workplace, the following ideas capture the upcoming needs of consumers and weigh them against the trends of the future. Some are online only. Some are brick-and-mortar. All are low-cost startups that can become stable and financially rewarding.
1. Graphic Design
If you have the creative and disciplinary skills to fill the demands of the graphic design industry on your own terms, starting a creative business can be just what you need. Find your graphic design specialty or niche area – black and white/retro/edgy, etc. Then, identify your target audience – agencies, small business owners, startups, etc. Once you know these two things, you can start marketing and branding your business, acquiring new clients, and getting your name out there.
2. Stock Photography
Have you ever used a stock photography site like Pexels or Getty Images? Who hasn’t right? These sites are in high demand as new websites, landing pages, and online and print ads continue to crop up. Grab your camera and venture into the world of stock photography. It’s a smart way to create or supplement residual income because you may shoot a photo once but get paid for its use for years.
3. Airbnb Host
People are ready to start travelling again after more than a year on full or partial lockdown. In fact, individual and leisure travel is increasing at a much higher rate than business travel. As an Airbnb host, you can earn money by opening your home to weary travellers. With whole families travelling together, larger properties with more space will be in even greater demand. Now is the time to update and refresh your Airbnb rental or to consider starting a new one. Consider short- and long-term vacation rentals, rentals for bridal parties, and rentals for Girl’s Night Out or Sporting Events.
4. Tutor
As schools are in the midst of a hybrid learning model, some students are struggling to learn in this changing environment. Tutoring businesses are thriving right now by helping students of all ages grasp difficult concepts.
Consider starting a one-subject or multi-subject tutoring business teaching the subjects you excel in. That can also include adult tutoring services like business accounting and business plan creation. You can even tutor people for one-time endeavours like standardized tests, professional licensing exams, and college entrance exams.
5. Content Creator
The Internet of Things (IoT) is never going away. It’s going to continue to govern how people do business, so being able to provide persuasive, online content that compels action and leads to sales is going to be a lucrative business.
As a professional content creator, your clients will contract with you for product descriptions, long-form content, website content, and more. If you’re a wordsmith with a laptop, this could be the ideal business model for you.
6. Transform Your Existing Business
Are you thinking of starting a new business because the pandemic took a toll on your existing one? Consider reinventing your business instead. If you owed a restaurant, can you convert it into a meal prep and delivery business? Can you turn your brick-and-mortar retail business into an ecommerce shop? Just like many taxi drivers became Uber and Lyft drivers, you can find a way to keep doing the job you love in a more up-to-date and profitable way.
7. Mobile Grooming
Think about starting a mobile grooming business that is not for your pets (although, the pet industry is extremely profitable). Instead, consider a mobile business that helps humans meet their own grooming needs. Can you start a business as a mobile makeup artist or hairstylist?
Brides, photographers, and fashionistas will appreciate your coming to them. Are you a fashionista? Consider starting a business as a personal shopper or fashion designer. You can also start a business as a mobile barber who travels with sports teams or bands.
8. Social Media Manager
Social media content has a new meaning for today’s business owners that is about so much more than a mere presence on social sites. Today’s consumers are more conscientious than ever about where they spend their money. They look for businesses with shared cultural and political philosophies and world views.
When everyone from celebrities to CEOs are being raked over the coals for past and present online comments and remarks, a social media manager can help you reach potential customers and manage your personal and professional reputation.
9. Fitness Pro
Many people are struggling to shed their pandemic weight gain. If you have the skills to help them shed weight and get fit, you can start a lucrative business as a personal trainer or yoga instructor. You can also start a healthy eating meal delivery service or food truck. You could consider doing each of these businesses as a mobile one where you go to individual clients’ homes instead of them traveling to you. People love this kind of convenience and will pay for it, as well.
10. No Specific Business At All
In other words, join the gig economy. Doing so can mean you work in one particular industry or dabble a little in a lot of industries. It means you can try your hand at several businesses until you land on the one you want to stick with.
It also means you can work in many different industries while earning a comfortable living. Joining the gig economy means you have the ultimate level of flexibility. You get to choose your clients, tasks, and income level, and customize them from week to week and month to month.
2022 is almost here. As you look for new and inventive business ideas, any one of these ideas can help you build a small business that will grow and thrive. It can also ensure you take the new norms of our world into consideration. Just remember to keep recent changes and upcoming hopes in mind as you market, brand, and run your business.