The most profitable business in a small town. Current business ideas for a small town Profitable business in a small town

Hello! Today we’ll talk about business in a small town and give you 28 profitable business ideas.

The article will be useful to those who are tired of working “for someone else”, and to those who are thinking about starting their own business due to the loss of another job. Also in the article I will give 28 business ideas for a small city that are the most profitable.

Business in the provinces has a lot of its own characteristics compared to business in large cities. If you take this specificity into account at the business planning stage, you can carve out quite a financial niche for yourself.

What to consider to open a business in a small town

The peculiarities of entrepreneurship in small towns are related to the specifics of their economic development.

Low purchasing power. Please note that your future clients and customers are residents of the province, where wages are low, the labor market is small, and there is simply nowhere to earn a lot. Agree that selling some exclusive expensive items is simply stupid. Examples of such a business include: a fashion boutique, a car dealership, a VIP-class beauty salon, and a purely vegetarian restaurant.

Such business ideas in a small town will not find their consumers - instead of profit, you risk receiving a loss.

Shortage of basic goods. Yes, this happens too. Analyze the availability of shops and pharmacies in your area. Is there a supermarket in your part of the city, or do you need to go to the other end of the city? Or maybe in your city there are no clothing stores representing popular chain brands, and all residents of the city either go to the local market to get dressed, or go to the shopping center of a neighboring city? Or maybe in your locality there is one pharmacy for everyone? Analyze the situation: what doesn’t exist in your city, but would really like to see in the future?

Plan to expand in the future. In a small town, business development may be limited. Why? Everything is simple here. At first, your business may attract a large number of customers, but then the increase in demand for your goods or services will begin to slow down and stop altogether - the city will run out of people willing to buy something from you. If you want to develop further, you should think about this in advance. Perhaps over time you will be able to expand, and the number of your clients will be replenished by residents of nearby locations.

Low barriers to entry into business. This can be considered one of the advantages of doing business in a small town. Indeed, the costs of renting premises, advertising, and paying employees in the provinces are significantly lower than similar costs in a large city.

Favorable competitive environment. In the provinces, it is easier for a novice businessman to obtain government support to start his own business. Small businesses are often encouraged, there are many support programs - this issue also needs to be studied. If you can take advantage of some privilege, you should do it! Some entrepreneurial niches may be completely empty in your year.

Advertising in the form of “word of mouth”. On the one hand, this is great. Since the news about your newly opened store will quickly spread throughout most of the city. But this phenomenon also has a minus: if you make a mistake even once, the whole city will also know about it.

What business to open in a small town

What exactly can a budding entrepreneur do in the province? What exactly to sell or what services to provide? How to make this difficult choice? Let's list a few points.

Take on what you are good at. This is an ideal option for your first experience in business. You have worked for several years in a company and feel like an expert in your field - you can work independently. The most typical example: an accountant. An experienced accountant can easily open his own business providing accounting and tax accounting services, preparation and submission of tax returns.

There will always be a demand for such services: it is easier for small organizations and individual entrepreneurs (and there are many of them in the province!) to turn to such an accountant than to hire a permanent employee. Accounting support in this case will cost less than the salary of a full-time accountant. In addition to such a business, you can also consider the option of organizing courses: if you are an expert in your field, you can pass on your knowledge to others. Other examples include notaries and lawyers, cosmetologists, photographers, and massage therapists.

Pay attention to those areas where there will always be demand. There are certain business niches where sales do not depend on economic crises or other factors. Food, personal care, health, inexpensive entertainment - all this is always in demand.

Organize a business that provides scarce services. For example, in provincial cities there are very few affordable inexpensive entertainment options - city residents, both adults and children, have nowhere to go in their free time. I see that now they are actively installing trampolines in well-travelled places, for example! Analyze possible “scarce” options. What if the city lacks just your implemented business ideas: don’t forget about the affordability of your services.

Explore the Internet. This advice can be taken in different ways. You can launch an online store, but in a small town this idea will not find its customers - the target audience is very small, although in some cities such stores can operate successfully. But creating an Internet cafe or organizing Internet courses (using the Internet, creating websites, the basics of copywriting) may well turn out to be successful ideas. A good option would be to work on a citywide website on which all city news, announcements and other interesting information will be posted.

Savings and more savings. Residents of the province will be attracted to those services that will allow them to save money. This includes all repair services for clothes and shoes, apartments and cars, hairdressers with affordable prices that offer the full range of basic services at affordable prices. And the complex “House of Life” may generally become the best option: low prices will be compensated by constant demand from local residents.

Business based on local products. What's the point? Buy in your locality, and sell in a large city. Local products in the form of berries, mushrooms, fresh vegetables, fish and farm products can be purchased at low prices. In a large metropolis, “eco-products” are now in fashion, which means that the resale margin can be quite significant. It’s even better if the products are not simply resold, but first processed: options include small canneries, smokehouses, bakeries and other similar enterprises.

Small-scale production has not been canceled. You can produce goods to sell to other cities or make do with your own small town. It could be anything: a bakery, furniture production, welding work, etc. The main thing is to think! Production costs will be cheaper in a small town.

We take someone else's idea as a basis. Business based on someone else's idea is called franchising, that is, you no longer have to create a business from scratch - from the very beginning you will represent a well-known brand. Franchises are now offered by many well-known brands. Which one to choose: clothes, cosmetics, fast food? Here you need to focus on the needs of city residents.

Let us briefly summarize our reasoning. Business in a small town can be very different; it can be organized in one of three areas:

  • Providing services to the population: tire service and car washes, hairdressers and beauty salons, minor repairs, services of specialist workers - plumbers, electricians, welders, tilers and others.
  • Trade in goods: grocery stores, pharmacies, stores of household chemicals, building materials, spare parts for cars - if there is an obvious shortage of them; selling handmade goods – it is better to combine sales through a retail store and an online store.
  • Own production: processing of local products for subsequent sale in a large city, mini-bakery if there is none in the city.

Don't forget about the children! Children's clothing, shoes, private kindergartens, development and additional education centers, and various entertainment for children will be in demand in any city.

Consulting has not been canceled. You may be in a small town, but advise people all over Russia and even all over the world. The main thing is to be a specialist in the area in which there is a demand for consultations. Legal, accounting, psychological, medical, financial, etc.

TOP 28 business ideas for a small town

Below we present a selection of 28 business ideas for a small city. This is just a small part that we can give you. Therefore, in addition to these ideas, read other articles with collections of business ideas on our website:

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We are also waiting for your ideas in the comments.

Business idea No. 1. Opening a private kindergarten

The amount of initial investment is 320,000 rubles.

The essence of such a project is the opening of a kindergarten that provides services for the development and education of a certain number of preschool children. The service is in demand due to the constant increase in the birth rate and the desire of successful parents to place their child in a good institution.

The implementation of the project begins with the preparation of all necessary documents, registration with funds and various authorities, and licensing. Most of the financial costs fall on the following items:

  • rent of a large comfortable premises;
  • purchase of furniture and equipment;
  • arrangement of a room for cooking;
  • staff salaries.

The average cost of one month for a child to visit such a private kindergarten is approximately 10,000 rubles. A group of 8 people brings in 80,000 rubles a month, and 30,000 rubles are needed for food and maintenance. Therefore, the minimum profit from working with one group can be 50,000 rubles. This is a dirty calculation, because there will also be expenses for utility bills.

Many kindergartens of this type practice new teaching methods and interesting programs, which significantly increase the cost of keeping a child in the institution. If you do not expect a quick return on the funds invested in the project, you can get a stable financial income over the next years.

Business idea No. 2. Tool sharpening services

Initial investment - 130,000 rubles.

A good business option that requires small financial investments does not depend on the season. The services of a master are constantly required by hairdressers, manicurists, restaurant staff, cafes and ordinary housewives. A specialist who constantly improves his skills and performs high-quality services will always be in demand among clients.

Organizing a tool sharpening workshop is considered an economically affordable activity, but getting started requires certain costs:

  • rent and arrangement of work premises;
  • payment for initial training courses and advanced training;
  • acquisition of equipment for organizing the process.

The average cost of sharpening nail scissors or clippers is 200 rubles. The cost of such work, taking into account depreciation of equipment, direct and overhead costs, is no more than 100 rubles per order. With a minimum number of 10 calls per shift, you can calculate the amount of income as 100 rubles. For more complex types of hairdressing or cooking tools, prices are set correspondingly higher.

To increase profits, you can provide advertising, personally pick up and deliver tools to customers.

Business idea No. 3. Organization of well drilling

The cost of the project is 180,000 rubles.

The essence of this project is to organize the complete process of drilling and equipping a well on private plots to provide water for irrigation and household use. The service is in constant demand from owners of country houses and households who need to provide themselves with water. This is relevant in villages and small towns where there are problems with central water supply.

Most of these projects do not provide for the purchase of building materials, suggesting that the customer do this. Therefore, the main expense item is the purchase of a drilling rig with a full set of additional hoses, drills, and pumps. The average cost, depending on the manufacturer, is from 150,000 rubles, which will quickly pay off with painstaking work.

The average cost of a well laid meter is 1,800 rubles, and the minimum length of any well is 21 meters. Therefore, for the client, the cost of the company’s services will be 37,800 rubles. The cost of laying includes wages, physical wear and tear of the drill, overhead and transportation costs for an approximate amount of 14,500 rubles. A simple mathematical calculation of the results shows an income of 22,500 rubles. By constructing just two wells per week, you can fully recoup the installation costs in the first month.

Business idea No. 4. Making shawarma (shawarma)

Initial investment - 170,000 rubles.

The idea of ​​this project is to open a retail outlet for the production and sale of a popular type of snack - shawarma. Cooking a Turkish national dish requires minimal knowledge of cooking and small investments. A tasty and satisfying way to satisfy your hunger on the go is very popular among many students and visitors to public recreation areas.

Such a point can be installed permanently in a special tent or you can purchase an inexpensive trailer like the domestic version “Kupava”. This will become the main part of expenses along with the following items:

  • purchase of equipment necessary for cooking;
  • salesperson's salary;
  • public utilities;
  • purchasing products and packaging materials.

Calculating the cost of one prepared shawarma with overhead and direct costs shows the amount of 40 rubles, depending on the number of components. If you offer a product for sale at a price of 70 rubles, you can make a profit of 30 rubles per client. Having sold 100 such portions during a shift, the entrepreneur will receive a stable income of 3,000 rubles daily. After deducting all expenses for taxes and wages, the owner has 40,000 rubles at his disposal.

Business idea No. 5. Opening a tailoring studio

Initial costs - 200,000 rubles.

The essence of this idea is to open a small sewing studio offering services for repairing, manufacturing and decorating clothes. Such necessary work is in demand and popular, does not depend on the season at all, and covers a large number of clients of different ages. There are more and more people who want to look stylish, have original things, and breathe new notes into old coats and dresses.

You can open an atelier at home, but the best option would be rented space in a well-known shopping center, hypermarket or busy part of a residential area. Most of the expenses in a business plan come from the following items:

  • purchase of sewing equipment;
  • purchase of special furniture, mannequins;
  • purchase of sewing accessories;
  • rent of space or utility costs.

A small sewing studio is a business that does not guarantee a quick return on investment. At first, the average order bill is 300 rubles, and the main amount is hemming of things, fitting to the figure. By completing 15 such orders per day, you can achieve a profit of 2,000 rubles minus the cost. Advertising and cooperation with ready-made clothing stores can be of great help.

Business idea No. 6. Opening a clothing store

Estimated costs - 250,000 rubles.

The essence of the idea is to purchase high-quality knitwear and some types of economy-class clothing from a manufacturer, and sell them to the consumer in a small store. This popular and widespread type of business activity can bring stable profits even in a competitive environment, if you choose a place of trade and select an assortment wisely.

To open a store you do not need a large premises. You can rent for a department or several square meters in a shopping center. A modern option would be to place the goods in an online store, with delivery to the buyer in his area of ​​residence.

Specializing in inexpensive practical items will bring returns faster than selling famous branded items and will require less investment. Additional costs include:

  • delivery of goods from the supplier;
  • payment to the hired seller;
  • acquisition of display cases, mannequins, racks.

Selling knitted clothing in a stationary store with a real markup of up to 40-50% will help you achieve a stable turnover of funds and receive a net profit after the first year of operation. Working with manufacturers directly will significantly reduce the purchase price and increase the income from the project.

Business idea No. 7. Opening a jewelry and accessories store

Preliminary costs - 100,000 rubles.

The essence of the project- search for suppliers of original accessories, jewelry, their sale in the store. The popularity of this business is due to the growing interest in handmade items, exclusive gifts and souvenirs. Such products are aimed at a female audience who are happy to purchase new jewelry.

You can purchase goods in this category:

  • in specialized warehouses for souvenir products;
  • from home-based craftsmen offering piece goods.

The latter willingly offer products for sale at a certain percentage of sales. They can be exhibited in a rented department of a large center, organized via the Internet, or participate in sales exhibitions. High traffic can be ensured by the proximity to women's clothing and cosmetics stores and a beauty salon. As additional income, such stores offer master classes on making accessories and jewelry.

The cost of the products offered depends on the trade margin. Small trade turnover is offset by high profitability and unlimited shelf life. Therefore, you should not expect a quick payback, focusing on the average period of 10 months.

Business idea No. 8. Opening a coffee shop

The initial investment amount is 180,000 rubles.

The essence of the business project is the opening of a small coffee shop with a certain assortment. It is an island or department in a free zone of the shopping center, where everyone can drink or take a cup of aromatic drink with them. Such a miniature establishment is aimed at high traffic, and the best location would be the presence of shops and higher educational institutions.

It is good to start a new business format using the franchising method, which consists of full support of each stage by the parent company. Certain dividends give you the right to work under a well-known brand and use their supplier base. Additional expense items:

  • payment for placement;
  • long-term rental of special coffee machines and other equipment;
  • arrangement of an island with places to accommodate clients;
  • purchase of high-quality coffee raw materials.

Every day the coffee shop sells from 50 to 150 cups of hot coffee at an average price of 70-100 rubles and a cost of 30 rubles. The calculation assumes receiving a daily profit of at least 2,000-10,000 rubles. Involving confectionery products and original coffee recipes can significantly increase income, fully recouping all investments in a few months. Business in such a small city will be profitable if the population is over 50,000 people.

Business idea No. 9. Flower business

The approximate investment is from 150,000 rubles.

The general essence of the proposed business idea is to organize the process of purchasing fresh flowers from distributors, packaging them, arranging them in designer bouquets and selling them through retail outlets or flower boutiques. The relevance is due to the stable high demand for flowers and the quick payback of this business.

To implement the project, it is necessary to find a wholesale supplier of the assortment of flowers, determine the method of implementation (a retail outlet in the transition, a boutique or an online store). To open you will need:

  • rent a room for selling and storing flowers;
  • install equipment to create temperature conditions;
  • hire distributors, train florists in courses if necessary.

An additional expense item will be staff maintenance, delivery of flowers to clients, and packaging materials.

The minimum payback period for a fresh flower store is 1 year. The markup that can be set on such a product is seasonal. During the pre-holiday period, an increase in cost of 150-200% is allowed. An increase in the price of fresh flowers in the range of 80-100% contributes to the emergence of regular customers.

The disadvantages of this project include a high percentage of competitors, a short shelf life and the creation of special conditions for live goods.

Business idea No. 10. Fruit stall

Initial financial investments - from 100,000 rubles.

The essence of the project is wholesale purchases of fresh fruits, their retail sale to the buyer in a special stationary stall. This type of small business is characterized by small initial investments, high competition, but constant profits with a reasonable approach to trade margins and compliance with trade standards. Fresh fruits are in demand in any season, but depend on changes in the assortment.

To open a stall, you should carefully study the competition and select places with good traffic: departments in markets, shopping malls, pavilions near transport stops, metro stations. To implement the project you will need:

  • stationary stall, open or closed tent;
  • concluding an agreement for the wholesale purchase of fruits;
  • purchase of weighing and refrigeration equipment.

The small size of the stall helps reduce costs for renting land, utilities, and taxes. Special attention should be paid to sanitary standards and quality of customer service.

The percentage of trade margin can range from 50 to 100% depending on the name of the product and its exotic nature. Therefore, the payback directly depends on the volume of trade turnover, and can range from three months.

Business idea No. 11. Opening a veterinary clinic

Approximate investment - from 150,000 rubles.

The general essence of the proposed business idea is to open a veterinary clinic offering a full range of therapeutic and preventive services for animals in a hospital setting or at the client’s home. The relevance is due to the high demand of the population for such services. Even in a highly competitive environment, a modern clinic with experienced staff and quality service can achieve recognition and stable profits.

To implement the project, it is necessary to obtain a license and special permission from the state veterinary authority to carry out work, as well as:

  • purchase medical equipment;
  • assemble a qualified team.

The main expenses are related to the acquisition and maintenance of equipment and remuneration of personnel.

The clinic's estimated profit is 150,000 rubles monthly. The minimum cost of admission is 250 rubles. There is a great demand for high-quality veterinary services; foster care and a hotel for animals are becoming popular. When receiving more than 25 people daily and carrying out specific operations, income can significantly exceed average figures.

The disadvantage of the business project is the high percentage of the cost of veterinarian services. It reaches 75% of the specified cost. Because of this, the investment pays off within 8 to 10 years of the clinic’s operation.

Business idea No. 12. Opening a car wash

The initial investment is 200,000 rubles.

For small entrepreneurs, the optimal business project could be opening a mobile car wash and dry cleaning service. A small compact complex fits in the back of a medium-duty truck and consists of a wide tent, a set of necessary equipment, and cleaning supplies. Particular demand for such mobile washing installations is noted among owners of large vehicle fleets and enterprises that hire them for comprehensive washing of cars and buses.

The total cost of a simple set starts from 200,000 rubles, and additional costs depending on the tasks assigned are:

  • registration of work permits and documentation;
  • payment of rent or sublease of the site;
  • payment of wages.

The correct choice of location for a car wash is directly proportional to the number of customers. Therefore, the best option may be a residential area, a well-known hypermarket, or a busy highway entering the city. With an average cost of one car wash of 600 rubles and an estimated cost of 300 rubles, the average profit for servicing 10 cars will be 3,000 rubles.

Providing additional services for body polishing and interior dry cleaning will help to significantly increase profitability. During the seasonal downturn, a good profit is guaranteed by a carpet washing service.

Business idea No. 13. Opening a cosmetics and perfumery store

Initial investments - up to 300,000 rubles.

The idea is to open a store, offering cosmetics and hygiene products, cleaning and laundry compositions, and perfumes. Such a product is in great demand at any time of the year, used in everyday life. Analysis of this segment of the consumer market indicates the possibility of achieving success even in high competition with the right choice of trading strategy, reasonable prices and savings.

It is better to open such a point in a residential area with high traffic through the store. A non-residential apartment in a multi-storey building, an area in a shopping center or hypermarket would be suitable. The main costs for such a project:

  • rental of a trading place;
  • purchase of racks, display cases;
  • purchase of wholesale quantities of goods;
  • purchase and registration of the necessary cash register.

After opening, with an average markup of 40%, payback occurs no earlier than a year later, which is often typical for this type of trade. Most of the expenses go towards wages and maintaining the outlet, so the owner can take on some responsibilities. To attract regular customers, you can recommend promotions and advertising.

Business idea No. 14. Opening a butcher shop

The approximate investment amount is 300,000 rubles.

General essence of the project- opening and maintaining a store offering high-quality and fresh meat products. Food products are always in demand, and this type of business will bring good income. Therefore, opening a store that offers farm products with minimal markups can be a profitable investment.

You can open such a business using franchising or purchasing directly from farms, monitoring quality and freshness at every stage. There are some costs required to start the workflow:

  • rental of retail space in the busy tiger center, on the market;
  • purchase of refrigerated display cases and equipment;
  • purchase of the first supplies of meat of various categories;
  • equipping with special clothing and hygiene products for appropriate conditions.

Selling meat products requires creating ideal sanitary conditions and separating the cutting and selling areas. The average markup on some types of products can reach 50%, so the question of the payback of such a business depends on turnover and breadth of assortment. You should carefully choose the location on which the store’s traffic depends.

Business idea No. 15. Opening a baby food store

Preliminary expenses - 300,000 rubles.

The essence of the implementation of such a project- purchase from trusted wholesale suppliers of all types of baby food, formula and complementary foods, for the purpose of sale in a specialized store. Opening such a business is relevant for a big city, where the demand for such a product is high among young parents. The work should be based on a serious attitude to quality and cooperation only with direct manufacturers.

Large costs for opening such a store are associated with renting premises in a high-traffic area. The best option: proximity to children's clinics, grocery supermarkets, good transport links acceptable to clients. To organize the trading process you will need:

  • special refrigerators for products;
  • retail store equipment;
  • furniture for displaying goods.

At the initial stage, it is worth looking for distributors of well-known brands in the region who, on a contractual basis, can provide refrigerated cabinets, free delivery and advertising. As an addition, you can offer the sale of goods through an online store website. Considering the high costs of setting up and starting work, you should expect the store to become self-sustaining no earlier than in 10-12 months.

Business idea No. 16. Opening a kebab shop

The minimum investment is 270,000 rubles.

General essence of the business project- organization of a stationary cafe with a small assortment of dishes. The main idea is to prepare shish kebab and serve it to customers to take away or in an establishment. The relevance is due to the high demand for such places of recreation, especially in the summer season, good trafficability near highways and park areas.

To organize such a project and implement the idea you need:

  • select and rent a plot of land;
  • purchase a tent or tent for comfortable conditions for staff and clients;
  • provide the establishment with the necessary equipment and furniture.

The emphasis should be on quality meat, products, cleanliness and a cozy environment. The main amount of expenses quickly pays off with a large flow of visitors, so creating a reputation works no less than paid advertising. The owner should pay special attention to compliance with sanitary standards by employees.

During a shift, you can sell 150-170 servings of shish kebab, each of which is accompanied by additional snacks and drinks. Taking into account the trade margin of 100%, the monthly turnover of such kebab shops reaches 900,000 rubles, and the profit for a year of continuous operation exceeds 2 million rubles.

Business idea No. 17. Opening a lingerie store

Estimated costs - from 200,000 rubles.

General essence of the idea- opening a department or store offering underwear for women and men, swimwear and home sets of different price categories. Such a product has no seasonal demand, remaining relevant and in demand among beautiful ladies. Market analysis shows a steady increase in interest in good quality sets and lingerie over recent years.

To implement the planned project, it is necessary to think through and select an assortment that is focused on different shapes, sizes and ages of clients. It is better to open such a point in reputable shopping centers with high traffic of the target audience. After choosing a room you need to:

  • purchase retail equipment, racks and mannequins;
  • find a competent seller;
  • develop an original design to create comfortable conditions.

The most popular are classic and unusual sets of good quality underwear, which are best purchased directly from a foreign supplier. The trade margin on individual products and sets ranges from 50% to 100%. Offering discount and gift cards and replenishing your product range can help quickly attract a certain number of regular customers.

Business idea No. 18. Opening a store selling draft beer

Minimum investment - 250,000 rubles.

The essence of the business idea- organizing and equipping a small store, searching for suppliers of fresh and live beer of several varieties, selling it to visitors in convenient containers. Such stationary points are always in demand among lovers of intoxicating drinks who prefer a high-quality and unpasteurized product. The relevance of the project is possible by combining a location with good traffic, quality customer service and the availability of a fresh product.

An excellent option would be to open a point in a residential area near metro stations, bus stops, grocery supermarkets or markets. To save costs and time, a good way would be to conclude an agreement with certain suppliers who will provide the equipment necessary for work for rent or lease (and sometimes free of charge), and ensure an uninterrupted supply of products.

The trade margin for the most popular varieties varies from 30 to 100%. Monthly income from one point in the warm months can reach 100,000 rubles. Considering the seasonality of the project, you can add soft drinks, kvass, packaged snacks for beer, and hot tea to go to the assortment.

Business idea No. 19. Renting electric cars for children

Initial costs - 100,000 rubles.

The basis of the project is the organization of leisure activities for children of different ages, based on the rental of modern models of electric vehicles and electric cars. This idea does not require special staff training, special working conditions and brings pleasure from working with small clients. Such sites with miniature cars are often located in parks, busy squares or near children's playgrounds.

Such a business project is suitable for implementation in small towns that do not have their own amusement park for children. The amount of expenses is distributed as follows:

  • purchase of several electric vehicles;
  • payment to the employee per shift;
  • territory rental;
  • transportation costs for transporting mini-cars.

The minimum cost of 10 minutes of rental on such a car is 100 rubles. On average it will work 30 minutes per hour or 300 minutes per day. This means that one machine can bring in 3,000 rubles per shift. The average cost of a new toy is 15,000 rubles, so we can talk about its payback in 5 days. Great savings come from working without the involvement of additional personnel and having your own truck for transporting such electric machines.

Business idea No. 20. Opening training courses

Initial investments - from 300,000 rubles.

The essence of the project– development of training programs, organization of the training process for clients of different ages. Short-term classes in aesthetic professions (hairdresser, makeup artist, nail service), the study of computer technology and driving lessons (driving school) are of great relevance. Language courses with different levels of preparation are no less in demand.

Implementation of the idea begins with developing a plan for training hours, obtaining a license and certification of training. The best option when looking for premises would be to rent classrooms by the hour at an institute or technical school. Main expenses:

  • educational materials;
  • necessary equipment, accessories;
  • remuneration for qualified teachers;
  • public utilities.

The profitability of such a business depends on the occupancy and number of students attending such courses. Providing monthly training for several groups with a total number of up to 100 people, the project can generate a turnover of 50 to 100 thousand rubles. Of particular importance is the advertising component, the constant introduction of new courses and in-demand professions.

Business idea No. 21. Opening a children's playroom

Initial investment - up to 300,000 rubles.

The essence of the business idea consists of organizing a stationary room for leisure of children of different ages, which does not require licensing. Such rooms first appeared in shopping centers and quickly gained popularity due to the lack of alternatives. Modern options offer a small range of entertainment, slot machines and sets of toys that can keep an active child occupied for several hours.

Such a business requires major financial costs when organizing, but quickly pays off with the right pricing policy and selection of responsible personnel. The main costs will be:

  • payment of rent for premises;
  • purchase of equipment, special furniture, labyrinths or trampolines;
  • employee salaries.

Income depends entirely on the choice of the optimal location: cinemas, shopping centers, residential areas in big cities. The average cost of an hour of stay in a child center depends on the time, day of the week, and ranges from 100 to 200 rubles. With average monthly expenses and turnover of 50,000 and 100,000 rubles, respectively, you can achieve a profitability of 50%. You should attract customers with themed holidays, discounts and unusual toys of good quality.

Business idea No. 22. Opening a solarium

Preliminary investments - 390,000 rubles.

The essence of the business idea in the purchase of equipment for solariums, provision of artificial tanning services to consumers. Such projects are widely in demand in cities with a temperate climate and a small number of sunny days per year. The relevance of this service is due to the desire of young people to look healthy and beautiful at any time of the year.

You can ensure a flow of clients by renting a small space in a well-known beauty salon, health or sports center. At the first stage, it is better to limit yourself to purchasing 2 devices: vertical and horizontal. To open a project:

  • re-equip the premises in accordance with safety standards;
  • provide comfortable conditions for clients;
  • arrange the administrator's workplace;
  • purchase the required minimum of cosmetics.

Analysis of such business ideas shows the optimal profit margin at 25-30%. For the idea to be profitable, it is necessary to ensure the number of clients is 10-15 people per shift. This will allow us to reach a monthly turnover of 130-135 thousand rubles, which will help recoup the business in six months. Do not neglect self-promotion of the solarium, providing cumulative discounts and interesting promotions to expand the circle of clients.

Business idea No. 23. Opening an optical store

Preliminary costs - 350,000 rubles.

The essence of the business idea- opening a stationary store with a large assortment of glasses and accessories, providing optics selection and repair services to everyone. Good glasses in the middle price segment are in stable demand, so such a project will generate income even in a competitive environment.

To implement the idea of ​​an optical store, you need to choose a place with good traffic and convenient transportation. Non-residential premises on the ground floor of a high-rise building, renting a department in a supermarket, next to a clinic or metro station are ideal. To get started you will need:

  • purchase of equipment for optics repair and vision diagnostics;
  • installation of special showcases;
  • equipping a doctor's office and a glasses repairman's workplace.

Making a profit depends entirely on creating a good reputation, advertising, a wide range of optics at affordable middle and economy class prices. You can increase your profit by selling models of sunglasses, lenses, and related products. Monthly income can be 200-300 thousand rubles, so the store will be able to fully recoup all costs within 7 months.

Business idea No. 24. Opening a gym

The minimum investment amount is 900,000 rubles.

The essence of the business idea– equipment of the hall with the necessary set of exercise equipment and accessories for sports. This service is consistently in demand among people who lead an inactive lifestyle and want to improve their health. Small gyms in the mid-price range are popular even if there are sports clubs in the same city.

Choosing premises for a future gym or fitness club is necessary after carefully studying the market and demand in a particular residential area. Non-residential space on the first floors of houses or small halls in palaces of culture are suitable for placement. For comfortable leisure and training, clients will need:

  • arrangement of locker rooms, showers and rest areas;
  • purchasing a variety of training equipment;
  • appropriate decoration of the hall;
  • attracting personnel with appropriate knowledge and education.

You can make a gym or a new fitness club popular and profitable by offering special family or children's programs, or inexpensive classes for older people. With an average subscription cost of 1500-3000 rubles per month and a minimum number of clients of 100 people, we can talk about full payback only after 1-1.5 years.

Business idea No. 25. Opening a beer bar

Minimum investment - from 1,000,000 rubles.

The essence of the business idea- equipment and opening of a small budget beer bar. A stylishly decorated establishment with an assortment of “live” beer can provide a stable income. Such cozy bars are highly valued among lovers of this drink. Stylish pubs that broadcast sports or offer simple snacks at affordable prices are very popular. The relevance of the project is due to the stable market growth of 17-18% annually.

To open such a beer bar, you should choose a work format (pub or restaurant), on which further work depends. A small establishment with 30 seats is considered optimal. It can fully pay for itself in a couple of years of stable work.

The main expense items when opening a beer bar are:

  • renting premises that are optimal for traffic;
  • original renovation and decoration;
  • purchase of necessary equipment and furniture;
  • purchase of the first batches of the product.

The trade markup in a beer bar can reach 1000% for certain types of products offered, and the average bill reaches 1500 rubles. This is a profitable project that requires the owner to constantly monitor all processes.

Business idea No. 26. Opening a car service and service station

Minimum investment – ​​over 1,000,000 rubles.

The essence of the business idea– opening a specialized car service center offering a wide range of repair services and car maintenance. The number of cars is growing steadily. Each of them needs specialized modifications, minor or major re-equipment. Therefore, a car service that offers high-quality and inexpensive work will always have a flow of orders from regular and new customers.

The main thing when opening a new service station is a good location and convenient transportation for customers. Before entering into a lease, it is best to conduct an analysis of the competition in the immediate area. For full work you will need:

  • specialized room with communications;
  • acquisition and installation of technical equipment;
  • qualified personnel.

For convenience and quick consolidation in the market, you can choose a separate niche for your service station: servicing only certain brands of cars or tuning without repair work. A car service with affordable prices and excellent quality of services will provide owners with a stable income and can pay for itself within the first year.

Business idea No. 27. Open a private bathhouse (sauna)

Minimum investment – ​​1,000,000 rubles.

The essence of the business idea– opening an equipped private bath or sauna in a small town to provide services to private clients. This offer is aimed at people of different ages who love an informal type of relaxation. In addition to traditional services, we can offer an infrared sauna, classic massage and a refreshing pool. An inexpensive and cozy bathhouse will be popular in large and medium-sized cities.

Organizing a business project will require significant financial costs at the first stage:

  • comprehensive redevelopment and renovation of the premises in accordance with technical standards;
  • purchase and installation of equipment necessary for operation;
  • equipping a relaxation area for clients and staff;
  • advertising services in different ways.

You can place a bathhouse in a private house after a complete refurbishment. The average cost of an hour of stay can range from 800 to 1500 rubles, depending on the time of day and additional services. With an average load of 55%, monthly income can be up to 250,000 rubles. At this pace of work, a business project with a private bath or sauna can be repaid in 12-14 months.

Business idea No. 28. Opening a beauty salon

Minimum investment – ​​500,000 rubles.

The essence of the business idea– design and opening of a salon providing hairdressing and cosmetology services to the population. Modern people are happy to take care of their appearance by turning to professionals. Therefore, the market for such services is popular and is developing rapidly. This leads to high competition and requires thorough study of any.

To open a profitable and successful beauty salon, you need premises located in an area with good traffic and transport links. You can consider renting in shopping complexes or busy areas with an abundance of shops for women. The owner will require financial investments:

  • acquisition of necessary equipment;
  • arrangement of work and rest areas;
  • decoration of premises;
  • advertising services.

Analysis of similar projects suggests the optimal markup size is 200 - 250%. It includes not only the costs of maintaining the salon, but also the constant training of staff and the development of new cosmetic services. The payback period can depend on many factors, usually ranging from four months to a year.

Where to start a business in a small town

Directly depends on the type of business. For a small business, one of the special modes is suitable: you need to choose the most optimal one, where the amount of tax payable is less.

Opening a business even in the smallest city without any investments is almost impossible: some investments still need to be made. Therefore, be puzzled by the question, or.

You can use your own or contact the bank for. If you manage to find a free niche and organize a profitable business, then all the invested funds will pay off fairly quickly.

What ideas do you have for starting a business in a small town? I'm waiting for answers in the comments!

Of course, determining the direction of the project will depend on how profitable the activity will be.

In this article you will see some tips and tricks for starting a business in a small city. But first, I recommend that you watch a very interesting video from Vladimir Dovgan:

In this video, Vladimir talks about how you can start your own business from ZERO. In addition, Dovgan’s story is very “motivating”, so to speak. In general, watch, ask questions and learn.

Advantages and disadvantages of business in a small city

What are the features of business in a small town?

  • It goes without saying that there will be fewer clients in such a city than in a metropolis, but opening your own business will be cheaper.
  • A problem may arise when recruiting workers, since there may not be highly qualified workers in a small town. Since the city is small, competition increases due to the large number of people wanting to open their own business. And, of course, everyone wants to get a worthy specialist. So you will have to fight for quality staff. But, of course, you can choose an activity in which there will be no competitors.
  • A very big advantage of doing business in a small town is cheaper rent of premises. Thanks to this, the dream of creating a profitable business becomes even more feasible.
  • When thinking about what kind of business to open, it is better to remember that it will not be possible to adopt the idea and strategy of another enterprise. It will be necessary to create something truly unique.
  • In a small town, any establishment that provides quality services instantly becomes popular. This is due to the fact that, as a rule, almost everyone knows each other and word spreads instantly.

How to choose a business activity in a small settlement?

What is the most profitable business in a small town? When opening a business in a small town, you must remember that you will have to work not in a metropolis, but in a small town.

If we assume that due to the population the number of clients will be limited, then we can confidently say that opening your business on the Internet will be a good idea.

It's not at all difficult to do. You just need to register a company and recruit staff.

But, if the idea of ​​working on the Internet does not suit you and you want to open a business in reality, then you need to think: what is it that you are missing in this small town? Are there many companies with this specific specialty open in this city? What kind of business to open now so that it is the most relevant and profitable? In each city, the answers may be completely different, so it will not be possible to advise anything specific in this situation.

By the way, here is an interesting video about how the guys opened an organization for the supply of environmentally friendly (natural) products:

This video clip briefly reflects the essence of the work of organizations. At the same time, as is clear from the interview, quite considerable investments were made by the shareholders. But the result is excellent! The markup of about 100% and profits of several million per month speak for themselves.

What not to do

You should never open a business if the topic of its activities is alien, if its specifics are far from the interests of the founder. Such a thing will never succeed. You won't be able to go far on sheer enthusiasm.

What types of business are in demand in any place and at any time?

There are some types of products that a person will need always and everywhere. These types of activities include providing the population with food. You can open such a business regardless of the city in which it will be conducted.

Products are the most important and essential part of every person’s life!

Products are something without which no person can exist normally. Therefore, a grocery store is almost always a profitable business. However, it is worth considering that if there is a store nearby that provides residents with quality products at cheap prices, then the chances of making a good profit are significantly reduced.

What kind of business should I open then? There is another option

You can focus on the preferences of people living in a given city. What is the favorite product of city dwellers? Confectionery? Then you can think about opening a store that will sell only one specific type of product, for example, baked goods. It is unlikely that anyone has already opened the same store, working according to a narrow specificity, in a given city, which means there will be much fewer problems with competition.

What other product-related business can you open?

In any, even the smallest locality, a cafe or restaurant will be in demand.

Providing services to city residents

Usually in small towns there is a problem with the number of kindergartens. There are constantly not enough of them, and existing kindergartens have queues for several years in advance.

If the founder has a love for children and a suitable education, then you can open your own kindergarten.

In addition to a kindergarten, opening a dry cleaner can be a profitable business. Today, many housewives want to use dry cleaning services to get clothes processed with professional equipment. In addition, some materials will be difficult to wash in a washing machine. Some items of clothing simply cannot be restored to their original appearance without seeking the services of specialists.

Beauty has always been, is and will be a sought-after product

What girl now doesn’t want to be the most beautiful and unforgettable? Almost all representatives of the fair sex experiment with a variety of diets and other beauty secrets, but each of them understands that hair styling or a mask made by professionals will have a much greater effect than the same manipulations done at home.

A beauty salon is always a profitable business. A beauty salon will never cease to be in demand, and now not only girls, but also young people use the services of qualified specialists.

If education does not meet the specifics, then you can take courses

Also, in every locality there will always be people who want to keep themselves in excellent physical shape. Therefore, opening your own fitness club would be a smart idea. Moreover, such a business project will most likely attract the attention of regional authorities, since sports are actively promoted in our country, which can save many young people from bad habits (smoking, alcoholism, etc.)

What other business can you open?

A flower or indoor plant store will always be in demand. Flowers are needed in many situations: on a date, at all kinds of holidays, the number of which is off the charts. A beautiful bouquet attracts many people, especially since the tradition of giving flowers in our country is very much observed.

To increase the effectiveness of the project, you can arrange bouquets and offer consulting assistance to buyers.

Holidays, by the way, will also never cease to exist in any city. Therefore, opening a gift shop or an agency for organizing holidays would be a profitable business.

Whatever business is opened, it is necessary to fulfill the main criterion for its success: to provide only high-quality products. And don’t forget to always draw up a sound business plan before investing.

How to choose an idea for a small town?

When you hear the word “business,” a certain image often comes to mind: a respectable man in a business suit leaving the office of an international corporation. Moreover, the office is certainly located somewhere in a skyscraper in the very center of the metropolis.

However, we all know that businessmen can look whatever they want, and business has a place not only in million-plus cities, but also in small cities. And you can run your business in the regional center no less successfully than in Moscow.

You just need to take into account some of the features of small towns. If you are just about to open your own business in one of these settlements and are looking for a business idea for it, this article is for you.

A little about small towns

When opening a business in a small town, it is important to take into account its features. As a rule, they are approximately the same, regardless of whether it is a resort town in the south or a small northern settlement.

There is no consensus on which city is considered small. As a rule, small cities are those where the population does not exceed 50 thousand people. But businessmen often call cities with a population of 500 thousand people small.

The main thing that allows us to classify cities as small is, after all, the state and characteristics of the economy. What are they?

The first thing you should pay attention to is the welfare of the residents. In small towns, as a rule, there is little work; often a large proportion of residents work at one city-forming enterprise. This allows business owners to set low wages. Therefore, the income of the population in such towns is often low. Although, of course, there are exceptions to this rule.

The second important factor is the mentality of the city residents.

Olga Kosets

President of the Interregional public organization for the protection and support of small and medium-sized businesses “Business People”

Take into account the specifics of the population, namely the qualitative composition: military, workers, people of science, as well as age categories.

Features of business in a small town

Perhaps it’s worth starting right away with what “pitfalls” a small city is fraught with for business. Let's talk about the cons:

Small income

Since your potential clients earn little and are ready to spend accordingly, you can hardly count on a million-dollar profit. Assess the situation soberly.

Limited growth opportunities

If in a metropolis you have practically no limits to the development of your business, provided that the idea for it is chosen correctly, then in a small city everything is different. The number of your customers will increase only up to a certain point, after which the growth in demand will stop. This point should be taken into account in advance and include opportunities for scaling in your business. When new buyers stop appearing, you should try to open your own branch in the suburbs or take up the development of some related business. You can also try investing in a completely new project if during the course of your work you see that there are more promising niches. But you shouldn’t always focus on increasing the average check. Remember: residents' incomes are often low.

Narrow market

In a small town there are not many opportunities to implement some extraordinary ideas. They may simply be unclaimed. At the same time, for standard establishments the market capacity is also limited. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, you can safely open another pizzeria, even if there are already a hundred exactly the same ones. In a small town there may not be any customers for the next establishment.

However, the peculiarities of small cities provide novice businessmen with some advantages:

Low barrier to entry into the market

Starting a business in a small town will cost you less than starting a business in a metropolis. Rental rates for commercial real estate in the province are lower than in million-plus cities, as are staff salaries. Thanks to these points, the regular expenses of your business will be lower.

Favorable competitive environment

Small businesses in small cities are usually poorly developed, and you will most likely have few competitors. In addition, many potentially in-demand business niches turn out to be completely empty. At the same time, it will not be difficult to find such niches, says Ivan Plastun, co-owner of an online cargo transportation service: “In a small city, this is much easier to do, because you can get around all the companies and retail outlets on your own.”

Support

This feature is somewhat related to the previous point. Since private business in small towns is poorly developed, the authorities are willing to make efforts to change the situation. There are support programs for entrepreneurs, for example, issuing grants for opening or providing subsidies, as well as special institutions that help start their own business - business incubators, business accelerators. True, the attitude towards them on the part of entrepreneurs is ambiguous.

Olga Kosets from the organization “Business People” advises studying support programs and getting to know the employees of relevant departments:

Olga Kosets from the organization “Business People” advises studying support programs and getting to know the employees of relevant departments: “Their direct responsibility is to guide you in the right direction.”

But Anatoly Churgel from the Russian National Committee for Black Sea Economic Cooperation warns: “You shouldn’t turn to local structures for advice - they’ll grab ideas on the fly.”

In his opinion, it is better to start not with a large-scale business project, but with something that requires small investments. Subsequently, they can be multiplied, and at the same time, gain business experience and look at the problems of entrepreneurs from the inside. You can also turn to the experience of your friends: which of them resorted to the help of local authorities when opening a business? What result did this lead to?

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.

How to choose a business idea for a small town?

Once you become familiar with the characteristics of small towns and entrepreneurship in them, it will be much easier to choose your own business idea. True, the criteria for choosing a business idea for a small city are absolutely the same as for a large one, insists Ivan Plastun, co-founder of the “Everyone is Lucky” service. In both cases, it must have a certain novelty. This doesn't mean that your business has to offer something that no one has ever heard of before. On the contrary, it must be understandable to consumers. But you shouldn’t completely copy other people’s business ideas.

If your competitor has already opened Tire fitting on Vishnevaya, do not open another one, advises Olga Kosets. It’s better to complement it with a “Sink” or a small cafe, or you can do both. It is likely that this format will subsequently grow, and in symbiosis you are more crisis-resistant, and you have a greater chance of survival and success.

Another criterion for a successful business idea for both small and large cities is its demand among a wide range of potential consumers. Ideally, your business should solve some kind of massive problem that plagues the majority of city residents.

But what this problem is will have to be solved individually in each case. There is no single universal answer for the average small town.

Before you start looking for a business idea, take a look around. Perhaps you will immediately see that your city lacks, for example, inexpensive entertainment venues.

Take a closer look at potential consumers. This should not be some narrow group of the population, but the overwhelming majority of the city's residents. Who are these people? What interests do they live by? What do they need?

If you notice some need of the population that you can make a business out of satisfying, conduct benchmarking*.

*Benchmarking is the search for the best companies in a certain industry and the implementation of the solutions they use in their practice.

Dmitry Kobets

business consultant at Group-inform

See how similar demand is met in other cities. If stories and examples are repeated frequently, you will likely identify a viable option.

In a small town, it makes sense to think about a business based on some consumer goods.

Victor Erofeev

technical director of CG Projects Group

The lion's share of successful small businesses around use products and needs that have not changed in any way for almost a century.

When looking for a business idea, try to start from the characteristics of the labor market. Are there few highly qualified lawyers or programmers? Give up the idea of ​​launching your own website or opening a legal services agency. Instead, try focusing on what people can do with their hands, such as fixing phones, computers, motorcycles or cars. If there are enough personnel with such competencies, open a service center or service station. Such a business may also be in demand in a small city.

Your business idea can be very simple or have some special features. For example, if you are thinking about opening a store selling farm products, try developing an online store and providing delivery. This will immediately set you apart from your competitors, and at the same time provide additional opportunities for scaling your business, which is so necessary in a small city.

If you decide to open a business in a small tourist town, this can also be used to your advantage. Look at the cozy private shops, workshops and family businesses of old Europe. You can open something similar in your city, making your small business a local landmark.

Another good move for a tourist place is to pay attention to local traditions and crafts. At the same time, it is not at all necessary to open another souvenir shop. Try organizing traditional entertainment, such as falconry or fishing tourism, advises Anatoly Churgel.

So, small cities have certain specifics that affect the conditions for doing business in them. Not every establishment can be opened in a small town. When choosing an idea for a business in a small town, take into account the economy, living conditions of the population and their mentality. You shouldn’t open a luxury clothing store in a mining village, or a raw food cafe in a military town. You simply won’t find buyers, and your establishment risks closing quickly.


Many people constantly need a product that tends to run out. No, the buyers themselves, of course, dream of extending the life of their purchase as long as possible.

But a perpetual motion machine has not yet been created, so when you run out of medicine/shampoo/product, etc., you have to buy a new one. And a budding entrepreneur should take advantage of this. Therefore, let’s look at some of the best options that best meet the requirement mentioned above.

People in Russia, no matter how bitter the truth may sound, have been sick, are sick and will continue to be sick. There is no other pill for all ailments, which is why there is such a rich assortment on pharmacy shelves. You can’t build happiness on someone else’s grief, but a pharmacy is a very profitable business with investments, and such a business is worth taking a closer look at.

You just need to take into account the location and basic needs of the population in the area.

For example, the demand will be huge in those places where the nearest medicine store is several kilometers away. And we ourselves know that sometimes a tablet of the same painkiller is needed immediately.

Accordingly, if a given area is predominantly inhabited by families with children, the proposal should be consistent with their requests. This includes baby formula, various bottles, and pacifiers with diapers. Keep in mind that the activities of pharmacies are subject to licensing, and the license is issued for a specific premises. And this is a business that is not afraid of a crisis.

Pharmacies have a big advantage - scalability. Having opened 1 small one today, in the future it will not be difficult to open 1,2,3 more in your city or a couple in the neighboring one.

You can open a pharmacy either on your own or, with the second option, the income will be less, but its implementation is much simpler, since the franchisor gives everything you need and teaches you the intricacies and nuances of the business.

2. Medical center

In order not to stray too far from the topic of medications, the second option is to consider opening a medical center. Difficult? Yes, this is not the easiest business idea to implement.

But remember government institutions: most visitors equate them to one of the branches of hell. Why not show those in need of medical care a new format of service? There are no queues, all doctors are extremely correct and professional.

Naturally, the key to success will be choosing a suitable location. Third in a row on the same street honey. the center will clearly be superfluous. But it’s not worth opening it even on the outskirts of the city. You will have to think about a convenient place in advance.

In particular, attention should be paid to transport and walking distance.

3. Funeral services

Even the best medical center does not guarantee immortality. And in the near future, until scientists find the secret of eternal youth, ritual services will be in demand.

The niche is very well developed and filled, but high quality and low prices will set your small business project apart from competitors. This is a promising business, as there are more and more people, and accordingly more people die. Death is usually not expected by anyone, so the funeral process itself can hit the budget.

Offer your customers installment plans, discounts, and then the profit will become constant and stable.

4. Car service

Moving away from the sad topic, let's remember about car owners. Many of them simply dote on their vehicles, choosing the best for their four-wheeled friend. It’s worth taking advantage of this and opening a car service center. You should attract customers not only with reasonable prices, but also with good quality and speed of work. A simple business worth starting for a beginner. To start, you need to rent 2 boxes and hire 2 car mechanics.

Important point: It’s better to pay them a percentage of the revenue, usually it’s 50-50, but you can negotiate 60% for yourself, 40 for the master.

5. Car wash

This point could be attributed to the previous good business, which can be opened in both a small and a large city, but we will consider it separately. Not everyone who wants to fix a car wants to wash it. And vice versa. It is worth noting that a car wash requires much less investment.


Therefore, if your starting capital does not allow you to immediately create something large-scale, but you definitely want to work with cars, take a closer look at the option.

It's consistently profitable small business with minimal investment. You can start it with only 200,000 - 300,000 rubles ($4,000), provided you rent a garage or box for this business.

6. Clothing store

All stores have one purpose: to sell goods. But in our case, we will consider several points of sale of different directions. So, what clothes are popular these days? One that has good quality and low price. By the way, you can open a clothing store with minimal expenses.

For example, it could be a store, stall, pavilion with only men's underwear.

It is desirable that the assortment be presented in both small and large sizes. Also, do not forget about creating several departments at once: for women, men, children. This is a good own business, where the markup on the wholesale price is usually about 300%. Organizing this business is not difficult and no special knowledge is needed.

7. Cosmetics and perfumery store

Cosmetics and perfumes for the fair sex are always a “sweet spot”. To succeed, you should care not only about quality, but also about different price ranges.

8. Grocery store

Yes, yes, we are once again considering the store as a business option. And the grocery point most fully corresponds to what was said at the very beginning: disposable goods are becoming more and more popular.

Choose the good, a suitable location (this is important), open a store, fill the shelves with affordable and excellent quality goods and you can expect a quick payback.

9. Meat and fish store

As in the case of a car wash/car service, we open a meat and fish store separately from the grocery store. Why? Because this way we can offer our customers the richest choice. The entire retail space is dedicated specifically to our meat and fish products. This will allow us to attract buyers and keep quality at the proper level. This is one that can be opened from scratch.

10. Homemade Food Store (Natural Products)

About 5 years ago there was not one in my city. Now there are already 6 of them. I live in a small town with a population of only 18,000 people. And none of them closed. My friends opened 1 such store 3 years ago. They are doing well and have no plans to close. Products they sell include homemade sour cream, milk, meat, cottage cheese, dumplings, cheese, etc. There is no point in listing the entire assortment, but I will say that it is impressive and the prices are quite high. And even with this picture, there are always clients.

For example. Sour cream for half a kilo costs 250 rubles; regular sour cream in the store is 4 times cheaper. But people buy and are happy.

Another similar store has a large assortment of homemade baked goods: eclairs, various cakes, including Napoleon, a huge number of different dishes and salads, already prepared. There is a demand, people buy because many are too lazy to cook after work.

It is difficult to single out the most profitable business from the above. After all, a lot depends, including on the scale. For example, undoubtedly a meat and fish store of 30 square meters will generate more profit than a pharmacy kiosk of 8 square meters. m. But we’ll try anyway. Based on our experience, the most profitable business today among those listed is pharmacy, medical. center, grocery and clothing store.

The most important choose the right place, 90% of success for this type of business depends on it.

Before starting your business activity, be sure to draw up a detailed business plan in which you describe everything down to the smallest detail (consider all issues thoroughly). We hope we have answered the question - what kind of business is profitable to do. Good luck to you, dear reader and aspiring businessman!

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:

  1. Small income.

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

  1. 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.

  1. 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

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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:

  1. Study in detail the consumers in your locality. Pay attention to the level of competition.
  2. Select competent employees with a responsible approach to work.
  3. If your business involves working with suppliers, take them carefully and seriously.
  4. Search for suppliers in your immediate area. If you attract them from large cities, it will be unprofitable for you.
  5. 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 big cities 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.

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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.