A new year is a popular time to think about starting your own
business or to actually take the first steps toward getting
started. Some people naturally gravitate to what they've been
doing as an employee, whether it's accounting or landscaping.
They like it enough to keep doing it, but want to start doing it as
their own boss.
Other people want to try something new. Sometimes they know just
what type of business they want to start because it's based on
a skill or interest they remember from childhood, like sewing or
making soap. Still others are looking to do something with growth
potential they can grow into. If you've been thinking lately
that you want to strike out on your own, here are six of the most
promising businesses for 2004.
1. eBay sales keep growing, and as they do, new
opportunities emerge. For example, people who want to resell items
but don't want to take the time to post them on eBay or deal
with the hassles of shipping are opening consignment stores. If you
don't want to start from scratch, there are consignment store
franchises to look into-but you don't need one to launch a
successful business. Keep up with new online auction developments
online with resources like those on www.auction-sellers-resource.com and get a free
newsletter there, too.
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2. Eldercare and geriatric care services are growing and
will continue to do so as the number of aging baby boomers
continues to mushroom. Because 85 percent of seniors want to
continue living in their own homes, they need a variety of services
to maintain their independence-from help in paying bills to meal
delivery to medication management. Learn more about these
opportunities at the National Family Caregivers Association's site.
3. Fitness training was already growing before Dr.
Phil's initiated his war on obesity. As a trainer, you can work
with clients in gyms, at their homes or have them come to you. If
this sounds like something that's right up your alley,
investigate getting certified by organizations such as the Aerobics and Fitness
Association of America.
4. One of the offshoots of 24/7 lifestyles is busy people who
love to have meals fixed for them in their own homes. So ranks of
personal chefs are growing wildly. Specialty menus-from
organic to low carb-are developing to suit people's dietary
needs and tastes. Learn more at the United States Personal Chef Association
site.
5. We continue to be nuts about our pets. Based on the sheer
numbers, pets are apparently even more popular than children, and
pampering them opens lots of business opportunities. You can pet
sit, groom them, train them, and counsel their grieving owners when
they'e gone. To learn more about pet sitting, check out
Pet Sitters
International.
6. Like never before, security is top of mind in the business
world. Thus there are opportunities for private
investigators or security consultants to provide
technical surveillance, combat economic and industrial espionage,
ferret out counterfeit goods, and lots more. Don't be put off
if you lack a law enforcement background-Dakota Michaels of the
Spy
Academy finds that cops don't always make the best
PI's.
Paul and Sarah Edwards are the authors of a new edition
of Finding Your Perfect Workand coach on the
subject.