The United States has become famous throughout the world for its highly developed and highly organized economy. This country has never experienced a shortage of business ideas, as a huge number of emigrants brought them with them. It is very profitable to develop and open your own business in this country, but not everything is so simple.
Americans are very strange people - they are ready to pay for the most seemingly ridiculous ideas, and even promote your business throughout the world. Take the same Jobs who made a phone without buttons - the iPhone is the most popular phone in the world. It would seem, who needs a phone with a small touch screen without a physical keyboard? However, it was the Americans who sold out the new phone in a couple of weeks.
Also, as an example, you can take the business of Larry Hall - he builds nuclear shelters for individuals. While only one shelter with 70 beds is being built, one bed costs $2 million. All 70 seats have already been sold out. In addition to these projects, dozens of even more original ones were successfully implemented.
Ideas for business in America
However, what if you do not have such ideas or their implementation requires huge capital. Today, small businesses in the United States are becoming increasingly popular. Here are the most popular destinations today:
- Gambling business in the USA. Residents of the States love to try their luck. In 2018, it is prohibited to open casinos in Russia, with the exception of certain territories. However, in the USA, anyone can open a casino if they have a special license and initial capital, thanks to which small provincial towns in America have their own casinos. You can make quite a fortune in the gambling business, since casinos in the USA will be popular for a very long time.
- Many Americans love to travel around their country. Enterprising residents of small towns and huge cities earn big money by developing the hotel business. If you have a large home or have money to buy/rent a certain premises, then you can open your own hotel. Almost every town has a small motel or hotel. This area is quite competitive today, but if you manage to attract guests, you will be provided with income for life.
- Catering business. Open a small cafe or restaurant in a small town. Residents really love to sit in some eatery, and if you are also a good conversationalist, then expect that you will have many regular customers.
- Tourist. Another way to make money from Americans’ love of traveling around their country is to open a small travel agency. In this case, you don't have to spend a lot of money. Your travel agency can provide various services, for example, assistance in obtaining a visa to Russia, assistance in choosing tourist routes, etc.
- Business on your own farm. Today, Americans are willing to pay three times more for organic, farm-raised food. Having bought a small plot for agricultural work, you will have to sow this area, and then take care of the future harvest throughout the whole season. At first you will spend a huge amount of capital, but after concluding a couple of contracts with supermarkets and restaurants, your expenses will pay off very quickly.
- An innovative type of business. This segment is just beginning to gain momentum around the world and has a very vague concept. You can repair or assemble computers in your garage, write various programs and sell them, install solar panels for private homes, and much more. The most successful companies in this business segment are Microsoft, Apple, Google, Adobe. Opening your own innovative business may require a very large initial capital, however, you have the opportunity to open it without having any capital at all.
In 2018, these will be the most popular types of businesses, and small business development in the USA will also be carried out in 2018. However, don't forget that The United States is a country of great opportunities and even the most ridiculous idea can make you a multimillionaire. Do not forget that in America the taxation system is very difficult for a Russian person to understand, so in order not to go into the red, you will have to carefully study this system.
What you need to start a business in the USA
Opening a business in the USA is not as simple a task as it might seem at first glance. Sometimes opening your own business in this country is more difficult than in Russia.
The complexity of the discovery is explained by the fact that American legislation is more complex than Russian legislation.
To successfully open your own business in the USA, you need to complete a number of steps.
Once you complete the registration of your company in the United States, you can begin to build your business by purchasing various equipment, hiring workers, etc.
What you need to know to run a successful business
It is not enough to just open your own business, you also need to be able to run it correctly, otherwise you will either go bankrupt or your enterprise will be closed due to failure to comply with basic US economic laws.
Failure to comply with certain rules, such as tax evasion, may call into question not only the existence of your company, but also your stay in this country.
Now let's look at the basic laws and aspects that you need to know so as not to run into trouble.
In addition to observing all these points, you must also take into account that the success of your business largely depends on you, no matter in which country you decide to establish it. For all types of activities that can be undertaken in the United States, it is impossible to choose a single strategy. However, if you follow some tips, you may be able to create a thriving business:
You should definitely buy all the necessary equipment, a certain area or room. Don't skimp on this, as your success in the future will depend on it. Medium and small businesses are developed according to this scheme, and some of the knowledge gained can be used to promote your business on the Internet.
The question of which business ideas of 2019 in the USA have real potential worries not only local entrepreneurs, but also businessmen from our country. The reason for such close attention has a very simple explanation: the states have held leading positions in many economic indicators for decades, and they are home to many successful commercial projects and know-how.
List of business ideas in 2019 from the USA
These factors are interconnected; a huge number of successful business ideas are the basis for the dynamic development of small and medium-sized enterprises, and therefore the entire economy of the country, including the following important components:
employment;
filling the state budget;
development of the social sphere;
positive growth dynamics in other sectors of the economy.
We observe all this in the USA, and, despite the constantly growing national debt, as well as the pessimistic forecasts of many economists, the well-being of the inhabitants of this country is at the highest level, which is the main reference point for the average person. Indeed, who will be happy about GDP growth if wages are not enough for the most basic things, and buying a toy for a child becomes a real problem? Perhaps some of the issues that will be discussed in this article will help some of the readers to successfully implement their commercial project and radically change their life for the better. And although business in America differs significantly from entrepreneurial activity in our country, practice shows that the basis of any promising idea can be successfully used, regardless of your location.
Ideas for small business
Let's consider commercial ideas that were created in the states, but are of practical interest for our entrepreneurs.
Disposal of old household appliances. Of course, this idea is of more interest to states where a substantial fee is charged for the removal of unnecessary equipment, but in our country such a business also has a chance of successful development. It’s hard to even imagine what’s in old Soviet televisions, radios, etc. You can find metals that cost a decent amount of money. By dismantling discarded household appliances, there is a chance to earn a stable income of at least an average level.
Training courses on the use of specialized computer programs. Today, the creation and development of software occurs at such a pace that the average user does not have time to learn even the basics of how these useful developments work. Therefore, courses in which you will be told how to use programs for processing photographs, audio information, creating designs and other highly specialized areas are guaranteed to provide you with a stable flow of clients, and therefore high profits. To implement such a commercial project, you do not need large investments; this business idea from America requires that you have a good understanding of this issue and be able to clearly explain the necessary information to visitors to your seminars. In addition, you will need a spacious room in which you will conduct classes. To save money (depending on the seminar schedule), you can rent a room for several hours a day. At the same time, it is recommended to organize courses on working with computers and various mobile devices for older people who do not want to lag behind progress, but cannot master modern technology without outside help. This will not significantly affect the size of fixed costs, and overall profits will increase by at least 30-50 percent.
Providing information about medical services in your city. We can say that some business ideas from America, at first glance, seem absolutely meaningless and even absurd to us, but if you think carefully, your opinion about them will most likely change completely. In this case, it is proposed to sell any information related to the provision of medical services: who is the best doctor in this area, who is better not to contact at all, where you can quickly and inexpensively undergo a general examination, how much it costs to do a blood test, etc. Such a service is in great demand in our country. No one will ever save money on health. Therefore, we can predict with a 100% guarantee that if a person needs to go to a medical institution, he will happily use your service so as not to waste effort, time and money, and also not to experiment with his own health by turning to an unknown specialist . To implement this commercial project, you do not need large financial investments. It will be necessary to create a complete database on this issue, and then continue to update it and find clients.
Development of mobile games for preschool and primary school children. We can confidently say that there is a fairly high level of demand for these products. Children love to play with modern mobile devices, quickly mastering even complex programs, so creating “toys”, both entertaining and educational, is a very promising business. To start, you will need smart, promising programmers who can be found on the freelance exchange, modern Internet marketing tools, as well as a desire to earn money. And if, to implement such a business idea in the USA, you first need to register a legal entity and then work in the chosen direction, then with us you can simultaneously work on creating a trial version of the game and organizational issues.
Providing large companies with services that include checking the use of mobile devices by employees. Perhaps someone plays their favorite game all day long, ignoring their work obligations, while another employee uses a mobile phone to transmit sensitive commercial information to competitors. The company's management will be very interested in learning about such facts, so they will not spare money to pay for these services. Without delving into the technical nuances of this business, we can say that large financial investments are not needed to start it, and the expected income allows us to claim great prospects for such activities. Although, unlike the USA, some of our people are confused by the moral aspect of such “control”.
Considering the high pace of development of international business, knowledge of foreign languages can become the foundation for a promising business of your own. Especially, recently the demand for translating information from the Internet has increased, as well as the creation of absolutely identical sites in different languages. This business also does not require huge capital investments, and the search for clientele is not limited to any one country. To work, you don’t even have to meet your customer in person. The completed translation can be sent by email, and the fee can be received using any payment system convenient for you.
Mobile cafes, hairdressers and beauty salons. Similar business ideas from America and Europe are designed for high-income countries, and no one has studied their prospects in the territory of the former union. Therefore, no guarantees can be given that these commercial projects will bring you real profit. Perhaps it makes sense to try to open a mobile cafe or hairdresser in some big city, and at first this idea, due to its originality, will generate good income. But to implement such a project, a fairly large start-up capital is required, as well as overcoming a huge number of bureaucratic obstacles that will certainly arise in the process of creating such cafes or hairdressers.
Repair of smartphones and other gadgets. The constantly growing number of modern equipment automatically increases the demand for repair services. Even the most reliable things from well-known manufacturers tend to break. Neither Chinese counterfeits nor original gadgets are immune from this. If you understand this issue, then it makes sense to turn your knowledge into a stable source of income. Moreover, to open a workshop, you do not need large financial investments and expensive licenses for the right to engage in such activities.
Constant crisis phenomena in the development of the world economy have led to the emergence of such a business idea from the United States as an independent foreman. This was preceded by the massive bankruptcy of small construction companies. And if finding workers to build a private house or store is not a difficult task, then take care of organizational issues, coordination of actions, purchasing materials, etc. only a professional can. It is for such situations that an independent foreman is needed, who will be responsible for the implementation of all construction work, as well as for their quality.
When considering foreign business ideas, one cannot ignore such activities as testing web resources. Today, almost every company has its own website, online store or other resource that performs a lot of functions aimed at promoting and advertising the company and its products. By providing website testing services, you provide its owner with complete information about the quality of the resource from the point of view of an ordinary user. Like most previous commercial projects, the presented activity does not require large financial costs. The main expense items are: company registration and advertising of the services provided.
One of the most promising business ideas this year, according to many authoritative analysts, is outsourcing. Constant crises and unsatisfactory trends in the development of the world economy have become the reason that even large companies began to transfer part of their production functions or certain processes to other companies specializing in these matters. For example, an organization, instead of maintaining a legal department, transfers all its issues, which were previously resolved by its lawyers, to another company, naturally, for a fee. Such promising ideas for business in the United States have been used for several years; they affect production processes, accounting, marketing research, advertising, and the IT sector. The prospects for the development of this type of activity in our country are difficult to calculate, given the fact that the salaries of domestic specialists are several times lower than those of their American colleagues, outsourcing is most likely not among the profitable and interesting commercial ideas.
If you have start-up capital, but absolutely no ideas for your own business, take advantage of ready-made offers: buy a franchise. This economic term implies the acquisition of a ready-made business scheme, trademark, name, etc. In other words, you are buying an established business in order to operate according to certain rules under someone else’s name. There are both positive and negative aspects to such commercial transactions. The first includes the fact that you do not need to invent anything, calculate, analyze, study competitors, establish business connections, etc., in fact, you get a completely ready-made business, the second - you are practically deprived of freedom of choice, every action must correspond terms of the contract, and their violation is fraught with serious financial sanctions.
Non-standard ideas for business
Continuing to consider interesting ideas for business from the USA, we have divided into a separate group proposals that are distinguished by their originality and were invented by people with unconventional thinking. It is difficult to judge their practicality and possibility of use in our country without a detailed economic analysis, but perhaps one of the readers will become interested and implement a commercial project they like.
Making keychains with electrical tape. This product will help you always have such an important little thing as electrical tape on hand. Of course, the idea has excellent prospects, both at home and in our country.
Stand for standing work. The presented invention is a real salvation for people who spend all their working time standing. The stand stimulates micro-movements and blood circulation, strengthens the leg muscles, and almost completely relieves all pain in the back and lower extremities. After spending the whole day on your feet, you will feel much more comfortable if you use this stand. In addition, the invention reduces the risk of diseases of the legs and back.
It should be noted that small businesses in the United States, ideas for which we are considering, operate much more dynamically than in our country. And if in our country, in order to launch the industrial production of coasters, you need to overcome a lot of bureaucratic obstacles and issue dozens of permits, then in the states all this is done much faster.
Production of women's jewelry intended for teething babies. In this case, combining the beautiful with the useful, we create something that can give a lot of positive emotions to both the baby and his mother. The idea may be of interest to investors in America, Europe and post-Soviet countries.
Some new business ideas that have every chance of success in the USA are unlikely to bring normal profits in our country. For example, a temporary store selling “advanced” and unique items and accessories for gadgets. The retail outlet is open only a few weeks a year so that potential buyers can get to know the product better and, as they say, “touch it with their hands.” Direct sales of products are carried out via the Internet. It is difficult to understand why this scheme attracts Americans so much, but similar commercial projects work and bring good profits to the owners.
Mini-farm for city residents. A wall-mounted rack, consisting of three shelves and special holes, will help residents of large cities not only grow their small crops, but also become more familiar with this process. All your actions are controlled by the computer, which eliminates the possibility of making any mistakes and significantly increases the chances of trying cucumbers or tomatoes grown by yourself. This new business was invented in America in 2015, judging by the demand for mini-farms, the author of the idea created an excellent commercial project. It is difficult to say whether our city residents will be interested in the prospect of growing radishes and tomatoes in their apartments. But it is possible to conduct marketing research that will show how promising this idea is in our country.
Jeans charging a mobile device. The idea is not bad, but only for Americans whose salaries allow them to spend several hundred dollars on purchasing such a “toy.” For residents of post-Soviet countries, this is a very expensive thing.
"Smart" trash can. This invention will not only warn you about the need to take out the trash through a special mobile application, but will also collect all the dust and crumbs located near it.
Many small business ideas in the United States are aimed not only at making a profit, but also at preserving the environment. Production of bricks from industrial waste is one of them. The developers of this technology claim that it is cheaper than the traditional production of building materials from baked clay, and this economic indicator guarantees great prospects for the project not only in America, but throughout the world.
Providing technical advice by telephone. It’s a little surprising that no one has come up with this service before. Using a modern mobile device, you can explain to your clients how to install the program, how to work with the electronic payment system, register an account, etc.
A tie that can be used to wipe the screen of your gadget. Original, cheap, practical and does not affect your appearance.
A blanket that will fit in your pocket. We can confidently say that there will always be a demand for this large item, both in America and here.
Production of edible cards. By sending such a postcard to a friend or relative, you are making a double gift: a heartfelt congratulation and a small delicious dessert for tea or coffee. This commercial project has great prospects, but they depend on the cost of producing such postcards.
Coffee at night. Many lovers of this wonderful drink cannot deny themselves the pleasure of drinking it late in the evening, despite possible sleep problems. The new coffee has a hypnotic effect, which does not in any way affect its taste. Now you can start and end your day enjoying the aroma of your favorite drink.
Concluding our consideration of business ideas from America, many of which can be implemented from scratch, that is, without a huge production base, special equipment and qualified specialists, it is necessary to mention an automatic water leak alarm. This device, in the event of a breakdown of water pipes or faucets, will help you not only preserve your property, but also protect your neighbors from floods. The principle of its operation is quite simple: if the movement of water through the pipes increases (this is what happens during accidents), a mechanism is triggered that shuts off the main ball valve, and you also receive a message on your phone about this unpleasant incident. As a result, the apartment is saved, the owner is warned, all that remains is to call a specialist to eliminate the accident.
Of course, it is physically impossible to consider and analyze all business ideas that can bring profit in 2019, both in the USA and in our country, within the framework of one article. But among the presented commercial projects there will definitely be an option that will be of interest to domestic entrepreneurs and investors.
Did you like the article? Share with friends on social media. networks:The United States of America is a country where small businesses thrive. Americans have this mentality - they know how to make money by implementing basic ideas that Russians could also use to improve their financial situation. Therefore, this article is devoted to options for a new business in America that does not exist in Russia. We are confident that each of the ideas we proposed could easily take root in Russian small businesses.
Principles of American Enterprise
To begin with, you should determine the features of doing business in America. Americans' views on entrepreneurship are completely different from Russians' views on this matter. This is what can primarily explain why people in the United States have such a high standard of living and a low one in the Russian Federation.
What are these differences:
- Any Russian person, when he begins to master and implement, first of all, wants to make a big profit as quickly as possible. American business is not based on instant income, but on an idea and perspective, as they believe that there will be profit in any case if a series of successful entrepreneurial actions are taken;
- New businesses in America are built only by people with an entrepreneurial mindset, who have excellent experience and a lot of knowledge about the business they are taking on. In our country, every person who has received at least a diploma of secondary education believes that he can easily find it, and makes unsuccessful attempts to do this, without having any experience;
- American business ideas are completely based on the Internet - people immediately create their own websites, work on social networks to attract customers, pay great attention to the advertising campaign, without saving money. In Russia, this trend has just begun to gain momentum.
That is, small businesses in America are constantly developing, expanding, opening new horizons, as successful entrepreneurs understand that success can only be achieved by doing what is now fashionable in America.
So let's discuss what's popular in America right now. But, before moving on to a detailed description of what is gaining popularity in America and is already in great demand, we note that many items from the following list of American business ideas may seem strange and outlandish to a Russian person:
Sport
As we all know, Americans are a nation plagued by obesity. People who work, for example, in offices, cannot afford to regularly visit sports and gyms to work out their figure. They simply don't have time for this. People who know how to come up with American business ideas saw a perspective in this and created a unique proposal for US companies and firms - to equip a small gym on the basis of their establishment, where employees could exercise during breaks. You don’t have to pay rent, you just need to install exercise equipment and find individual trainers for people.
Pet care
People who lead a public lifestyle simply do not have time to take care of their pets, but according to their status, they are entitled to make their pets look healthy, well-groomed and beautiful. A very popular business in America is built on this - a taxi that takes animals to veterinary hospitals, for example, for vaccination, or to a beauty salon for a haircut. Instead of a taxi, you can offer rich people a hotel for their pets while their owners are relaxing at the resort.
Websites for entrepreneurs and institutions
As we already mentioned, the Internet is exactly what is most popular in America. For this reason, all companies and businessmen who want as many people as possible to know about their services are sure to order original websites that describe in detail their essence of activity and other useful information. A person who has capital can open a company where every aspiring entrepreneur can order a website. To do this, you need to find a room and people with their own computers to work with. In the future, you will need to purchase your own equipment.Mobile hotels
When we arrive in a city that is foreign to us and are forced to spend the night there, we first of all look for a good place to stay. Observant and resourceful Americans decided to make money on this. This new business idea is popular in America. Many cities in the United States already have a service for ordering a van with all the amenities, which arrives at the location specified by the customer. You can spend the night inexpensively right on the spot with all the amenities. Convenient, isn't it?
Online stores
Any person in the United States who understands trade will tell you that there is no need to rent premises to sell your goods if you have the Internet. It will even be a waste of money. All people are on the World Wide Web around the clock; it is much easier for them, without leaving home, to order even food products through the website of an online store and pay by card.
These types of businesses from America are well received by the population in our country. Buyers and consumers of the above services can easily be found in most large Russian cities. We can say that there is even some competition among entrepreneurs who are engaged in such businesses.
If you are looking for a field of activity for yourself where competition cannot yet arise in our country, then we suggest that you consider as an option this business idea from Europe and America, which has not yet become too popular in Russia. Especially in small towns, you can easily fill this niche. This service will be used by pensioners, people with disabilities, mothers on maternity leave and simply busy people. It’s so convenient to have groceries and goods delivered directly to your home. The downside is that you have to work around the clock. After all, customers may need a product at any time.
They appear at the same speed as in America. In many ways they are identical, perhaps because Europeans are quickly adopting American innovations in private enterprise. What are these business ideas from America and Europe that Russian businessmen do not yet know about:
Public laundries
We have been running dry cleaners for a long time, where we take our clothes that we cannot clean ourselves due to difficult stains on them. We are assigned a day using a queue ticket when we need to come to pick up our order. But it should be noted that recently people have begun to use dry cleaning services less and less. As Western experience shows, it is much more profitable to open ordinary laundries with washing machines and dryers, which start washing automatically after loading laundry and banknotes, instead of such establishments. This service will be in wide demand, for example, among students living in dormitories. After all, the fee for washing is symbolic - you can wash it as many times as you like. Such a business is built not on the quality of washing, but on the number of people who will wash their clothes, and it will be endless if you choose the right place for the laundry location.
Self-service catering
This type of business is exactly what America has that Russia does not. In establishments of this type, people can take their own food and pour their own drinks. The waiters only approach them when they need to pay for the chosen food. People really like such catering establishments because they do not have to wait long to be served and can start eating as soon as they arrive at the restaurant.
Selling fresh flowers through vending machines
Of the different types of business that America has that Russia doesn’t, selling fresh flowers from vending machines can be called one of the most interesting ideas. A person can buy a bouquet of fresh and beautiful flowers at any time of the day using the services of flower machines. To open such a business, a Russian entrepreneur needs a starting capital of 500 thousand rubles. The largest investment must, of course, be made in the purchase of a special machine that will maintain the necessary microclimate for flowers. Its cost is about 300 thousand rubles. Considering the current prices for flowers and their constant demand among the population, you can return your investment in the shortest possible time. If you seriously think about such a project, then you can make it out of it.
3D exhibitions
This is absolutely. Now even people who are only interested in art and photo galleries, and are not involved in creating them professionally, can open small rooms for organizing 3D exhibitions. Paintings with three-dimensional images can be ordered via the Internet, or you can create them yourself using special computer programs.
Cafes or restaurants in complete darkness
Such eating establishments are something that is popular in America and is not in Russia. What is their essence - people in pitch darkness eat what the restaurant offers them. They dine blindfolded, which turns into a real entertaining process, especially if there is a great company nearby with whom they can have fun and have a good time.
Sale of packaged sweet ice
Ice production is a business that exists in America but not in Russia. It is enough to purchase freezers and prepare various sweet syrups that need to be added to the water for freezing. Such products will sell very well in cafes and bars, where ice is simply necessary to decorate dishes and drinks.
Sale of marzipan figurines for baking
We have been operating a system for making custom birthday cakes for a long time. You can contact the pastry chef via the Internet and discuss with him the filling and decoration for the main dessert for any celebration. However, the services of such people are most often turned to not because women themselves are bad bakers, but because they do not have time to create decorations from marzipan or mastic. But you can buy them if there is a special store. It is you who can become a pioneer. With a minimum investment, you can make the necessary figurines to order and sell them online at decent prices.
Luggage storage for things you don't need while traveling
When we go to a resort by car, we take everything we need for our vacation. But at the resort we not only lie on the beach, but also visit museums, exhibitions and other attractions. Sometimes it happens that during a vacation a lot of things accumulate in the car that no longer fit. A person can leave some of them in storage facilities along highways, as is done in America. In Russia, this could also turn out to be a good and profitable business in the future. For aspiring entrepreneurs who are looking for unusual ways to make money, we recommend that you think about implementing this new business idea from America and Europe in your city.
Despite the popular assertion that business ideas are in the air, for most of our compatriots the practice of borrowing fresh and atypical approaches to entrepreneurship from the West is much more common. This is not surprising, because most often they are distinguished by their freshness, creativity, originality of implementation, profitability and innovation. This phenomenon can be explained by the presence of many factors - this is the mentality and obsession of Americans to make money from absolutely everything that surrounds them, monetizing any activity and benefiting from unexpected areas of life.
However, the biggest role in the emergence of America as an “advanced” country for small and medium-sized businesses was played by a relatively prosperous period for its development and prosperity.
Aspiring entrepreneurs should always remember that business is not only their personal well-being, but also an opportunity to influence the whole world, bringing something new from themselves to it. However, we should not forget that progress in modern society moves so quickly that every day it becomes more and more difficult to surprise and satisfy the needs of your target audience. Therefore, in order to succeed in business you need to be able to offer something new. But when thinking about where to get this new thing, you should turn your attention to the question of what business ideas there might be from America.
First you need to understand that a good business idea must have several undeniable qualities:
- It must be relevant;
- suitable for adaptation to domestic consumers.
Current ideas
Another important component of success in business is understanding the trends and interests of modern people. Without a doubt, 2019 will be a new page in the development of technology, so new business projects related to this industry are already being actively developed in the United States. The following areas have great potential for development:
- Delivering products and customer service using drones and other robotics.
- development and production of smart devices for life and everyday life;
- vending machines operating autonomously;
- the sphere of services and entertainment provided through virtual reality.
All these areas are already beginning to actively develop in the States and it is quite possible that daredevils and innovators of domestic entrepreneurship are already trying to catch the rapidly arriving wave.
Business ideas
But for those who are not ready to plunge headlong into developments and nanotechnologies, there are other equally interesting areas of business that have not yet received widespread development in our country, but have already managed to conquer the American consumer.
- Order food through the app. A very convenient solution for those who are ready to hire a smart developer and establish partnerships with various catering establishments. The principle of operation can be any; in America, such services are quite popular in big cities. If you get hungry without leaving home, you can use the app to get information about the establishment, menu and price list of all cafes or restaurants that are nearby or that are interesting for the specialties of the cuisine offered. All you need to do is choose a suitable establishment, place an order, arrange delivery or pick it up in person.
Order food through the app
- Devices for charging phones directly on the street. Many of us have encountered the problem when we need to make an urgent call, but the battery in the phone is completely dead. It is for such people in the States that special street stands with sockets have been developed and are gradually being introduced. Perhaps the issue will not be pressing for a local resident, but such a useful idea will be a real salvation for some city guests.
- Selling snacks, hot dogs or drinks to those stuck in traffic for a long time. Everything ingenious is simple, of course, such an idea is not suitable for small cities, where traffic jams can only form due to repair work and other force majeure. But residents of megacities know firsthand how painful and unpleasant it is to while away entire hours with an empty stomach, without moving, on the way from work. In such situations, a seller of light snacks or water, deftly scurrying between cars stuck in traffic jams, will be a real salvation. So the demand for such an enterprise is certainly ensured, and large start-up investments will not be required.
Trading in a traffic jam
- Home slippers store. It seems like, where has it been seen before to open an entire store for slippers - that’s the beauty of this idea. The assortment of this type of footwear is huge, but there is nowhere to inspect it in its entirety, so it would be useful for any novice businessman to think about opening such an online store, even just to start with. Another undeniable advantage of this business is its relevance throughout the year.
- Hotel for plants or animals. Many housewives are accustomed to abundantly decorating their own window sills with a variety of flowers that need care and watering, and there is no need to talk about pets, they need constant care. What to do when you urgently need to leave for several days or weeks? Persuade neighbors or relatives to look after you, and then spend the entire vacation worrying about whether everything is okay. In this case, a special hotel where atypical guests can be provided with proper care and attention would be very useful.
- A gadget case with a compartment for a bank card. In America, such an accessory is currently very popular, a practical and convenient solution for those who, when leaving home for the store, do not want to take their entire wallet or bag with them. And there is nothing complicated in organizing such an enterprise; you can order supplies of the same covers directly from the USA or China, and you can sell them yourself via the Internet or sell them to stores or retail outlets.
- Making pizza according to the client's sketch. Americans' love for pizza is known throughout the world; for them this dish is both fast food and a full dinner; they eat pizza for breakfast and snack on it during working hours. Therefore, it is not surprising that some creative entrepreneurs decided to take a step further and refresh their business with a pleasant bonus for the client. The essence of this idea is to create a pizza according to the customer’s own drawing. The demand for such a dish is enormous, because for the client it is both a feeling of personal involvement in the cooking process and an opportunity to surprise guests. If we correlate this idea with our realities, then, of course, we should not stop only at this dish; involving your consumer in creating something original will give a 100% guaranteed positive result.
- Car rental instead of parking at the airport. This business idea is striking in its simplicity, because it lies in the fact that a person who arrives at the airport in his own car, instead of leaving it in a paid parking lot, can also earn extra money by renting out a car to arriving tourists. It is very simple to organize such a business with zero investments, and each party involved in the transaction benefits.
- Mobile beauty salon. The sphere of services for women is always in demand, but it is never too late to introduce something new. This is how US business ideas related to the provision of salon services on wheels are gaining popularity. An ordinary van, at first glance, houses all the accessories needed for a hairdresser, makeup artist or manicurist, and the vehicle runs throughout the city, attracting more and more new clients and promptly satisfying the needs of the customer in any part of the city. The advantage of this solution is that there are no costs for renting premises.
- Coffee subscription. This drink has more than enough fans and connoisseurs, but not everyone regularly manages to get hold of certain varieties and try something new. That is why a person who can provide a monthly set of several types of coffee will be very useful for every coffee lover. To organize such a business, it is enough to find coffee producers and order a tasting set, finding clients will not be difficult, and as a particular drink is in demand, you can create your own coffee menu, beautifully design the sets and become a supplier not only for individuals, but also for small establishments , coffee shops and restaurants.
American business ideas appear every day, all of them aimed at making life as simple as possible for themselves and their clients. The main feature of an American entrepreneur is decisive action and a willingness to turn a hobby into income.
This year we found some great small businesses in New York, Austin, New Orleans, Detroit, Seattle and Washington. Small businesses in many other American cities continue to innovate like never before.
These successes, such as a floating restaurant, a vegan strip club and a pirate supplies store, are radically reshaping the food and retail industries.
We present to you our review of the 50 most relevant small businesses in the United States at the beginning of 2014.
1. Bearded Bastard
Where: Online, office located in Austin, Texas
What it is: A new brand of mustache wax.
What's the kicker: The man known as Jeremy Newton, who also sports an impressive beard, founded Bearded Bastard to help soften the toughest beards and tame the unruliest mustaches.
Products include Woodsman Hair Wax, Woodsman Beard Oil, Natural Shaving Oil, and this new Austin company is also developing many new oils and tonics dictated by the needs of men.
New items will be available soon.
2. Big Gay Ice Cream
Where: New York, 125 E. 7th Street and 61 Grove Street
What it is: A gay ice cream parlor.
What's the kicker: Big Gay Ice Cream started out in 2009 as the Big Gay Ice Cream food truck, a concept that became so popular that the creators had to establish permanent locations in both the East and West Village.
BGIC, which is known for its soft serve ice cream and shakes, sculpts awesome and cool flavor combinations with ingredients like crushed vanilla wafer Nilla cookies, pumpkin jam, or key lime curd, but even cooler are the names they give to their wonder concoctions.
There's nothing more fun than ordering a Mexican AffoGEYTO with double cream.
Where: Texas, Houston, Westheimer Road, 1018
What it is: A nonconformist coffee shop.
What's Great: Blacksmith is a coffee shop with rock-star attitude. It pays homage to Queen, and there's a photo of the band's lead singer, Freddie Mercury, on the wall.
Every time a Queen song plays here, the first customer in line gets their drink free. As they say: “When Queen plays, Freddie pays!”
4. Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-in
Where: Florida, Miami, NW 29th Street, 70
What is it: a drive-in cinema right in the city center.
What's cool: Blue Starlite is not located on a giant field with space for 300 cars. It's located right in the middle of Miami, with 18 available spots per showing.
Despite the lack of space, he still provides a deeply personal, traditional drive-in experience, even converting an old '50s Ford pickup into a movie projector.
They also serve some really cool movie snacks, like scattered gelatin bears and cotton candy topped with Pop Rocks.
5. Booty's Street Food
Where: Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisa Street, 800
What it is: An international street food restaurant with a hidden art gallery.
What's Great: Co-owners Nick Vivion and Kevin Farrell bring to life the idea of food you love from a variety of countries. Inspired by their travels around the world, Vivion and Farrell developed a menu that includes classic food trucks like French fries from Belgium, banh mi sandwiches from Vietnam, and empanadas from Venezuela.
And as if that weren't enough, Booty's is home to a secret art gallery (spoiler alert: it's in the restroom!)
6. Brightside Boutique & Tattoo
Where: Maryland, Baltimore, South Charles Street, 1133
What it is: a fashion boutique and tattoo parlor.
What's cool: Passersby will recognize Brightside by its sunny yellow storefront, inspired by the opening song of "Good Morning Baltimore" from the musical "Hairspray."
Voted Best Boutique in Baltimore by Baltimore Magazine, Brightside sells trendy clothing, shoes and accessories. Partners Christy Griffiths and Kukui Castillo run the business together, with Griffiths focusing on fashion and Castillo focusing on tattoos.
7. Carousel Bar
Where: Louisiana, New Orleans, 214 Royal Street
What it is: A carousel-themed bar.
What's the kicker: Drinkers gather around the Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone, which is built around a real, working carousel. The Old Carousel is decorated in artsy French Quarter style, with 25 seats that give you an ever-changing view of historic Royal Street.
Not only is the concept itself incredibly cool, but so is the enormous cocktail menu of Carousel Bar, which is distinguished by its martinis.
8. Casa Diablo
Where: Oregon, Portland, NW St. 2839 Helens Road
What it is: America's first vegan strip club.
What's the kicker: At Casa Diablo, all the food served is vegan-friendly, and all the stripper outfits worn—and then removed—are made without any animal products at all (however, the strippers themselves don't have to be vegan).
The strip club was featured on the IFC TV show "Portlandia" because it is popular among vegans, celebrities, and even politicians.
9. City Bird
Where: Michigan, Detroit, 460 W. Canfield Street
What it is: A craft store dedicated to Detroit.
What's cool: This is not your average arts and crafts store. The two founders, siblings who pride themselves on being “seventh-generation Detroiters,” found a way to combine their love of the arts and Detroit by creating a store that doubles as a studio and gallery.
All of the products they sell—including housewares, accessories, and various paper products—celebrate Detroit and showcase the work of hundreds of American artists.
10. Crock Spot
Where: The van travels in Denver, Colorado
What it is: A food truck that serves made-to-order, slow-cooked food.
11. Echo Park Time Travel Mart
Where: California, Los Angeles, West Sunset Boulevard, 1714
What it is: A time travel store.
What's Great: Echo Park Time Travel Mart sells everything you'll need to survive the past or future.
Including: canned mammoth meat, barbaric insect repellent, and enough anti-cloning liquid that will last your entire life.
These all seem like things no one would ever need, but it's all in good fun, which makes this place quite popular - there's even a second location, the Mar Vista Time Travel Mart.
The store is a fundraising tool for writer Dave Eggers' nonprofit organization 826 National, a writing and education center for children.
12. Egg Slut
Where: Location in Los Angeles, California
What it is: A food truck with a focus on breakfast.
What's Cool: The provocative name "Egg Slut" is part of what makes this van awesome, the other part being the balls. As the name suggests, everything on the Egg Slut menu is made deliciously from eggs.
From simple bacon-wrapped eggs to Egg Slut's signature mac and cheese to tacos, Egg Slut proves that everything is better with eggs—and it's okay to go a little crazy about them.
13. Fojol Bros
Where: Somewhere in Washington
What is it: “a traveling culinary carnival”...
Here's the kicker: The Fojol brothers are more than food truck chefs. They are also carnival performers. The brothers serve Indian and Ethiopian street food classics with basmati rice and injera, respectively.
Dressed in colorful costumes, the brothers create quite a spectacle when they appear outside government buildings and law offices, but their food is also hailed as some of the best in Washington.
14. Forbes Island
Where: California, San Francisco, Sea Lion Harbor, Dock H between berths 39 and 41
What is it: a floating restaurant.
What's Great: Forbes Island is located in San Francisco's Sea Lion Harbor and has the best views of Alcatraz and sea lions soaking up the sun.
Forbes Island was originally built in 1975 by millionaire and houseboat designer Forbes Thor Kidu as a private houseboat, and while the houseboat plan fell through, the floating restaurant idea remained.
The menu is quite upscale and there are separate banquet menus for larger groups.
The restaurant had a fire in May, but the damage wasn't too bad, so they're back in business.
Where: Online, office located in Seattle, Washington
What it is: A social vacation planning site.
What's Great: Gatherball tracks what you want to do, where you want to go, and what you want to see. It also shares this information with anyone in your network who can advise you on your intended route.
It also has a personal expense recording feature, so if you're traveling with other people, you can easily find out who owes money at the end of the trip.
Where: Online, office located in San Francisco, California
What it is: An app that pays you for following your workout schedule.
What's the kicker: GymPact encourages people to go to the gym through positive reinforcement (paying you when you go) and negative reinforcement (fining you when you don't).
Users set the schedule they want to stick to and record their workout hours by checking in to their gyms in the GymPact app (locations are confirmed by a GPS tracker on their smartphone).
Those who don't meet their goal pay five dollars for each missed workout. The money is then collected by the GymPact app and paid out to those who meet or exceed their goals. You will never miss your gym again if you use this app.
Where: Ohio, Columbus, Easton Station Road, 4032 and Brickel Street, 17
What it is: A vintage-inspired sportswear store.
What's cool: Homage's interior looks like a boys' dorm room from the fifties.
T-shirts, hoodies, tank tops and other athletic apparel proudly display designs inspired by the past year's college sports, politics, music, and pop culture.
Homage is where Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Lee, Larry Bird and Ohio State take back their former stylish roots.
18. Honor & Folly
Where: Michigan, Detroit, Michigan Avenue, 2132
What it is: Vintage bed and breakfast.
What's Great: This unique accommodation is designed to evoke the inn of the early 1900s. In keeping with this tradition, the hotel has an antique feel, with furnishings that are in keeping with the era, such as handmade blankets, wooden tables and old suitcases as bedside tables.
The hotel also hosts cooking classes from renowned local chefs.
19. Hot Doug's
Where: Illinois, Chicago, N. California Avenue, 3324
What is it: an unusual “sausage superstore.”
What's Great: Chicago is famous for its hot dogs, and Hot Doug's is one of the best places to try one. They have more than a dozen signature and special varieties, including the jalapeño rattlesnake sausage, the beer-soaked bratwurst, and the meatless hot dog.
All hot dogs can be made even more unique with ten different dressings and a range of exciting sides, including duck fat fries.
20. Hotlips Pizza
Where: Several locations in Portland, Oregon
What is it: a green pizzeria.
What's Great: Hotlips is the proud owner of five pizzerias in Portland, but their most prized location is in the heart of the Pearl District, at the Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center, which has earned Gold in Energy and Environmental Design Leadership.
This super eco-pizzeria sources locally grown ingredients, uses waste heat from its ovens to heat water, and makes deliveries using electric vehicles. Crispy, gluten-free pizza and vegetarian pies are their specialty.
21.jm Curley
Where: Massachusetts, Boston, Temple Place, 21
What it is: A burger joint that offers themed menu additions every week.
What's Hot: Jm Curley, named Boston Magazine's 2013 Best Burger, now serves seven new themed items each week.
In October, for example, chef Samuel Monsour debuted a "Goodbye Breaking Bad" menu, featuring the Heisenburger, Los Pollos Hermanos fried chicken quesadilla, and a blueberry almond donut with "96 percent blue icing."
22. Kennedy School
Where: Oregon, Portland, NE 33rd Avenue, 5736
What it is: A boutique hotel and music venue in an old elementary school.
What's Great: Kennedy's has long been a beloved Portland institution, dating back to its opening in 1915.
And although it has ceased to function as a school for the last forty years, it has not lost its charm. The building now has 57 rooms, six bars and restaurants, a cinema, a brewery, and a large concert hall.
Guests can also enjoy the beautiful and luxurious pool area where the teachers' lounge was previously located.
23. Labobatory (Boba 7)
Where: California, Los Angeles, West 7th Street, 5180
What is it: a bar with alcoholic boba (bubble tea - tea drinks with tapioca balls).
What's the kicker: Boba 7, also known as Laboratory, is tucked away in the back of Thai restaurant Soi 7, and calls itself "the world's first boozy boba bar."
What's their signature? Of course, bubble tea mixed with Heineken, Baileys, tequila, or rum, in various combinations. They also make a really killer Bloody Mary with Sriracha sauce.
24. LTO (Limited Time Only)
Where: New York, 171 E. Broadway
What it is: A restaurant with a rotating menu and chefs.
What's Great: LTO gives chefs a chance to showcase their work and promotes opportunities to try different cuisines. The restaurant's name reflects the culture of pop-up restaurants with rotating chefs. LTO features both celebrity chefs and obscure culinary names who occupy the kitchen from one week to a month.
25. MakeItFor.Us
Where: Online, office located in Chicago, Illinois
Where can I get money to start my own business? This is exactly the problem that 95% of new entrepreneurs face! In the article, we revealed the most relevant ways to obtain start-up capital for an entrepreneur. We also recommend that you carefully study the results of our experiment in exchange earnings:
What it is: An online marketplace where you can ask for anything to be made by people who can do it.
Here's the kicker: Think of it as "an eBay for something that doesn't exist yet."
Creators can sign up and list things they can make for you, while applicants can request items promoted by the creator. And applicants should not at all limit themselves to the items presented on the site.
They can take anything they see on Facebook, Pinterest, or other sites and request that it be made by the creator at MakeItFor.Us.
26. Maximus/Minimus
Where: Seattle, Washington
What it is: A steampunk food truck.
What's Cool: One of the coolest things is the food truck itself, which serves some of the best pulled pork sandwiches in the Northwest from a food truck shaped like a giant metal pig.
Beecher's Handmade Cheese owner Kurt Beecher Dammeier ensures his commitment to food quality by donating one percent of sales to the Flagship Foundation, a non-profit organization that inspires children to make healthy food choices.
27. Imogene + Willie
Where: Tennessee, Nashville, 12th Avenue South, 2601
What is it: a jeans store housed in a renovated gas station.
Here's the kicker: Don't let its shabby appearance fool you. Vintage-inspired, custom-made Imogene + Willie jeans—sold locally—represent classic American craftsmanship and beauty.
The husband-and-wife team repairs jeans with normal wear and tear up to three times free of charge.
28. Miso & Ale
Where: Honolulu, Hawaii
What it is: Hawaiian pop-up gastronomic pub.
What's It Cool: Founded by Chris Okuhara, whose family owns the popular Likelike Drive Inn, Miso & Ale is a new pop-up eatery that sources fresh, local and seasonal ingredients to make its delicious creations.
Okuhara combines his Hawaiian upbringing with classical culinary training to make dishes like shrimp with white meat sausage, pork belly with green eggs and ham, and a sweet dish he calls "deconstructed Girl Scout cookies."
29. Mudville Flats Boutique Hotel
Where: California, San Diego, Tenth Avenue, 747
What it is: A baseball-focused boutique hotel in San Diego's Ballpark District.
What's the kicker: The Ballpark District is the home of the San Diego Padres, and what better place to stay than a hotel that honors the famous San Diego baseball team?
Hotel rooms are fully furnished apartments with kitchens, living rooms and private patios. Of course, proximity to the stadium is one of Mudville's amenities, as are the barbecues, ideal for cooking up hot dogs and hamburgers for the game.
30. My.Suit
Where: Several locations in New York
What it is: A custom suit store that allows men to select suits in person or online.
Here's the kicker: Wall Streeters, rejoice! My.Suit custom suits for men in New York.
Once you've measured, you can go to the store to create a suit from hundreds of fabrics and fits, or use an innovative online tool to customize it to your specifications. They take even more measurements than a regular tailor, making sure the suit is perfect and ready within two weeks.
31. OKRA Charity Saloon
Where: Texas, Houston, Congress Avenue, 924
What it is: A bar that donates its profits to charity.
What's the kicker: OKRA (Organized Collaboration on Restaurant Affairs) Charity Saloon is a bar that donates 100 percent of its profits - from food and drink sales - to a variety of social causes in Houston each month that are chosen by its customers.
Each time a patron purchases a drink, they receive one vote on which charity to designate as a beneficiary for the next month. OKRA also has a large food menu, including, as you might expect if you speak English, fried okra.
32. Pangea Pal
Where: Online, office located in San Diego, California
What it is: An online service that helps travelers find the best of a city by connecting them with the people who live there.
What's cool: on Pangea Pal you have the opportunity to find a buddy, become a buddy, or be in two roles at the same time. Travelers can write to friends on the site who live in the same place they plan to visit and schedule a time to meet up and explore the area like locals do.
As a traveler, this is a great way to meet people who really know the place well and get off the beaten path, especially if you are not fluent in a foreign language. As a Buddy, you'll get paid to show off the places you know and love, and you'll meet some of the cool kids to boot.
Where: Anywhere in Houston, Texas
What is it: a mobile photo booth.
What's the kicker: PhotoMoto is a mobile photo booth based on a restored 1978 Volkswagen bus.
People can book PhotoMoto for special events and parties, and husband-and-wife team Austin and Brittany Haviken will bring the bus right to the event.
34. Pizza Brain
Where: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Frankford Avenue, 2313.
What it is: America's first pizza museum and pizzeria.
What's the kicker: Pizza Brain was founded in September 2012 by Brian Dwyer, a pizza lover with a collection of pizza paraphernalia so large it filled an entire store—and is now America's first pizza museum.
Located in Philadelphia's Fishtown neighborhood, Pizza Brain has the largest collection of related memorabilia in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Pizza Brain is also a pizzeria and it's really good at it.
35. Restaurant Jezebel
Where: Texas, Austin, West 6th Street, 800
What it is: An elegant, upscale restaurant that epitomizes the pleasure of dining with made-to-order dishes.
What's Great: The waitstaff at Restaurant Jezebel will ask you about your dietary preferences and favorite dishes, and then create a personalized gourmet dinner menu just for you, served with wine, cigars, or both.
Owner and Chef Parind Vora originally opened the restaurant in Ruidoso, New Mexico in 2001, and now has locations in New York City, Augusta, Georgia, and most recently Austin.
36. Seattle Caviar Company
Where: Washington, Seattle, Eastlake Avenue East, 2922
What it is: An educational caviar store.
What's cool: Seattle Caviar Company makes caviar accessible to anyone who wants to learn more about this delicacy.
In addition to selling caviar, the company hosts tastings every Thursday evening at its retail store, where visitors can come and sample the caviar with a glass of champagne to learn about the products.
Where: Online, office located in Huntington, New York
What it is: An online store that sends you random items.
What's the kicker: SomethingStore operates on a "surprise" business model: customers pay ten dollars to get something in the mail, but they won't know what it is until it arrives. Recent items have included a floor piano (like the one in the movie Big), an Amazon Kindle, a fondue pot, and even a fedora.
While the concept seems strange and unsustainable, SomethingStore has been selling stuff since 2007, and even has its own Reddit thread dedicated to showcasing stuff received by people around the world.
38. Story
Where: New York, 10th Avenue, 144
What it is: A permanent retail store that changes completely every 4-6 weeks.
What's Great: Located in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, Story is a store that completely reinvents itself every 4-6 weeks, completely changing its surroundings, products and story.
Previous store displays have focused on 3D printers, unique artist works, and wellness-related items.
39. Sunday Dinner Company
Where: Michigan, Detroit, E. Jefferson Avenue, 6470
What it is: A restaurant turned community center.
What's special: This restaurant is not only focused on serving black cuisine, called "soul food" here. It also soothes the soul by acting as a community center whose goal is to make Detroit a better place.
They hire returning citizens who want a new start and hold events to raise money for community projects.
40. The Beer Dabbler Store
Where: Minnesota, St. Paul, 7th Street West, 1095
What is it: a beer-themed equipment and clothing store.
What's Great: The Beer Dabbler Store is the best place for beer lovers to go other than going to the bar. They sell cool, slightly kitschy beer glassware like glasses, beer-themed artwork, beer tap handles, and branded apparel from various breweries.
They also have an impressive collection of novelty items like beer bottle candles, beer soap, and beer gear for your pets.
41. The Best Fish Taco in Ensenada
Where: California, Los Angeles, North Hillhurst Avenue, 1650
What it is: Comedy show/taco buffet.
Here's the kicker: When the owner of this taco buffet called it "The Best Fish Taco in Ensenada," he wasn't trying to be arrogant. He was just being honest.
Joseph Cordova's goal was to sell the most amazing fish taco in Ensenada—and he really does—but the buffet is also home to frequent comedy nights, where such talented comedians as Patton Oswalt, Demitri Martin and Chelsea Peretti have appeared. The best thing about it is that the show costs the same as your fish taco.
42. Pirate Supply Store
Where: California, San Francisco, Valencia Street, 826
What it is: San Francisco's only independent pirate goods store.
Here's the kicker: When the nonprofit 826 Valencia bought a retail site for its writing training center in the heart of the Mission neighborhood, zoning policies required it to use the space for a store.
To disguise the training lab inside, she opened a pirate store that sells glass eyes, hooks, beard trims, treasure chests, mermaid bait, and even more villainous goods. Sales benefit the center.
43. The Big Board
Where: District of Columbia, Washington, 421 H Street NE
What it is: A bar with a unique pricing strategy.
What's cool: Big Board views beer as a commodity, with the price of beer fluctuating based on supply and demand, much like the stock market. Beers are listed on a big board, which gives the place its name, which displays prices in real time.
They also serve 100 percent natural burgers with their "liquid assets," including a signature cocktail list coming soon.
44. The Boring Store
Where: Illinois, Chicago, N. Milwaukee Avenue, 1331
What it is: A store that sells everything you could need to be a secret agent.
Here's the kicker: "We are a purveyor of only boring stuff... We are definitely NOT a secret agent supply store," the Boring Store says on its website.
Despite its name, The Boring Store, The Boring Store is everything but that. Along with fake mustaches and high-tech surveillance equipment, the Boring Store is the front organization for 826CHI, a non-profit writing and teaching center for local students.
45. The Coffee Trike
Where: Somewhere in Boston, Massachusetts
What it is: A full-service coffee bar on wheels.
What's the kicker: After competing in the US Barista Championship, Alessandro "San" Bellino felt the urge to open a cafe and joined the food truck trend. But he traded the van for a sleek, mahogany-colored tricycle equipped with a full espresso bar and refrigerator for cold drinks.
The high-quality menu includes roasted coffee from George Howell Coffee Company in Acton and milk from Mapleline Farm in Hadley, Massachusetts.
46. The Garment District
Where: Massachusetts, Cambridge, Broadway, 200
What it is: An alternative department store that sells clothes by weight.
What's the kicker: This hipster vintage store processes several million pounds of clothing a year. To lighten the load, every morning when he opens (except Fridays), he unties an 850-pound bale of men's, women's and children's clothing onto the floor. Customers wade through it all and pay $1.50 a pound.
Where: Online, office located in Fairfax, Virginia
What it is: An online retail store for geeks.
What's Great: Since 1999, ThinkGeek has served those passionate about technology, from programmers, engineers, students, open source enthusiasts, and the masses who help create internet culture.
Their best sellers include hidden camera pens, plush zombies, replicas of Doctor Who capes and Star Wars stormtrooper uniforms, Minecraft memorabilia, and even a horse head mask.
48. Tijon
Where: California, La Jolla, Herschel Avenue, 7853
What it is: handmade, custom-made perfumes.
What's special: Tijón sells handmade perfumes using its own recipes, but also gives customers the opportunity to create their own unique scent.
For aspiring perfumers, Tijón runs training courses, complete with a lab coat, where students learn to break down the different elements of fragrances and how to blend and isolate them to create unique combinations.
49. Unclaimed Baggage Center
Where: Alabama, Scottsboro, 509 West Willow Street
What it is: A store that sells items left in unclaimed airport baggage.
Here's the kicker: Of the 0.5 percent of checked bags on domestic U.S. airlines that don't arrive with passengers at their destination, a whopping 95 percent of those bags find their way home within five days.
The rest make their way to the unclaimed baggage center, which operates under an agreement with airlines and other transport companies. This one-of-a-kind retail store cleans and sells clothing, jewelry, merchandise and other abandoned treasures.
50. Zombie Apocalypse Store
Where: Nevada, Las Vegas, Spring Mountain Road, 3420
What it is: A store that sells everything you might need to survive the zombie apocalypse.
What's Cool: Like most things in Vegas, the Zombie Apocalypse Store is both kitschy and eye-catching roadside attraction.
Stocking ready-to-eat food in bulk, gas masks, machetes, and tire checking tools, this unique retailer will prepare you for natural disasters, government shutdowns, and supernatural attacks.
Based on materials from www.businessinsider.com