Profitable business from scratch in a small town. Business in a small town: development prospects and ideas

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.

• Business in crisis: rescue plan from Dmitry Bratsun

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.

• Business in Italy: how to make money in Milan from Russian tourists

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.

• Healthy food business: benefits for buyers, benefits for sellers

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.

• Three business books about perseverance, crisis and super-important little things

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.

• Commercial proposal for a holiday: two examples from practice

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.

• 5 films about women who have something to teach men

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.

• Sales increase ideas that will increase revenue by at least 30%

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• 6 product promotion ideas that won over customers

Information about the experts

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

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

Many aspiring entrepreneurs, having decided to start their own business, are looking for projects that can be implemented in large populated areas. This is partly true, since it is possible to develop an enterprise to a huge scale with millions in profits only in a metropolis. But don’t underestimate those ideas that are profitable to open in small towns. Such startups are quite possible in the current state of the economy, and can bring consistently high income over time. There are quite profitable business ideas for a small town, easy to implement and low-cost, which are simply doomed to success. Despite the fact that we will consider business options for a regional plan, an entrepreneur should not forget about the importance of planning. A business plan will help you estimate capital investments and calculate possible profits, and also give an idea of ​​​​the further development of the organization. So what kind of business can you start in a small town? And what a beginner who decides to implement a project will have to take into account.

Why is business in a small town profitable?

It is not for nothing that small businesses in small towns have become so popular among budding entrepreneurs today. It's all about the economic situation in the country - prices are rising, wages are falling. Therefore, the population is interested in receiving cheap products and services. And only small private companies can provide them. It is on this basis that many experts now predict the growth of small businesses in small settlements.

For a small settlement we take a city with a population of 20,000-150,000 people.

Opening a business from scratch in a small town can be profitable for several reasons:

• Renting premises will cost the entrepreneur much less.
• The salary level is slightly lower.
• There are a large number of interesting ideas that can be implemented - in every locality you can find a popular business that will generate income.
• A small business in an “average” regional town can easily expand by entering new markets.

But speaking about organizing your own business in a small town, one cannot fail to mention its disadvantages, the main one of which is that many current ideas for a small business have probably already been implemented here, and there is a lot of competition in this niche, due to the low purchasing power, a beginner the entrepreneur clearly “can’t pull it off” - it’s unprofitable. But if you analyze the consumer market, you can start an interesting business here too.

What kind of business can be profitable in a small town?

When deciding what business to start in a small town, it is important to take into account all the features of a particular locality. It is unlikely that in a village where wages are low, it is worth starting a production of luxury furniture - no one will be interested in it. Therefore, it is impossible to do without analyzing demand and purchasing power. It is important to choose a direction that will interest the local population with its novelty and relevance. And there are definitely such niches in this segment.

An entrepreneur should remember that people from small towns often resist everything new with all their might. Therefore, when launching a “creative” business, it is better to be prepared for the fact that things will not go right away - the audience needs to be given time for everyone to “get used to it” and accept the idea.

The next important nuance when choosing a promising niche is your own skills and abilities. The fact is that in small towns there is almost always a shortage of highly qualified personnel. And this can significantly complicate the task of implementing the planned project. It’s much easier to rely only on yourself - it’s great if an entrepreneur starts such a small business in a small town where his own labor is used. And in such areas, the most important advantage can be noted - minimal investment in the business.

It will be very difficult to identify the most profitable business with minimal investment in a small town. It is possible to identify many factors that will influence the profitability of an enterprise - demand for products, output volumes, pricing policy in the region. But no matter what business idea is chosen for implementation, the entrepreneur will have to work hard to get high income.

So, what kind of business is profitable in a small town? It is better to open your own business in one of the following areas:

• Trade.
• Provision of services.
• Farming.

Opening a retail outlet is a win-win option, since even in small towns and villages people go shopping. But it is very important to choose the “right” niche, because you can sell anything, but it is not a fact that the population will need this product. In order not to make a mistake, you should bet on a grocery store or pavilion - products are always in demand. Selling inexpensive clothing, toys, textiles - all this is a relevant business for sparsely populated cities. And here the same law applies as in megacities - a store in a public place will bring more profit.

You should be especially careful when exploring the niche of selling mobile, household and electronic equipment. With a high probability, a mini-business of such a plan will burn out if there is already a similar retail outlet in the city. Low incomes of the population will not allow them to recoup all the costs of organizing the business - due to the lack of buyers, the goods will remain on the shelves.

When considering small business ideas applicable to small cities, let's not forget about entertainment - for example, catering. Of course, in small settlements it is completely unprofitable to open expensive restaurants with “overseas” dishes - the local audience clearly cannot bear such expenses. But small bars and cafes with affordable dishes will come in handy here. In this case, capital investments will be required somewhat more than when opening a retail outlet. But in order to minimize costs, you can think about opening a mini-cafe on wheels - this is a business with small investments.

There should not be any problems with the supply of products necessary for cooking. On the contrary, they can be bought at a lower price, since there is probably at least one operating farm in the area that supplies vegetables and meat to the local market.

There are business ideas with minimal investment in a small town in the service sector. Let's say more - there is real scope for imagination, since many promising projects in small settlements have not yet been implemented. Analysis of the consumer market plays a fundamental role here, because not all services can be in demand by the population.

So what kind of business can you open in a small town in the service sector? The following projects are easy to implement and low-cost:

• budget hairdresser,
• car service,
• organization of holidays,
• private medical office (dentistry, gynecology, diagnostics),
• repair shop,
• garbage removal,
• construction and finishing services,
• production of custom furniture,
• atelier for sewing and repairing clothes.

The service sector will never lose its relevance. And the main advantage of many areas is the almost complete absence of capital investment. By choosing a niche where there is no competition yet, you can make good money.

When thinking about how to start a business from scratch in a small town, you should not forget about the ban on the import of European products (vegetables, cheeses) into Russia. And this provides excellent prospects for the development of domestic agriculture. Where else if not in a small locality to open farms? Some ideas will require certain costs:

• milk processing mini-plant,
• barnyard,
• pig farm.

But there are also projects whose implementation will require minimal costs:

• commercial fish farming (,),
• poultry breeding (ducks, chickens),
• growing vegetables and fruits.

Having your own plot of land, you can organize your own farm at minimal cost. Natural products will be in demand both on the local and regional markets.

How to start a profitable business?

Having chosen a suitable niche for generating high income, you can begin to implement your business plan. And the “algorithm” of actions here differs little from the opening of organizations in large cities. So where to start a profitable business?

The stages are:

• Registration of activities.
• Finding a suitable premises.
• Purchase of equipment required for conducting activities.
• Purchase of raw materials and components.
• Hiring.
• Development of an advertising campaign.

This is just a rough plan. In some cases, individual items will be missing. For example, you won’t need to hire staff if you plan to do all the work yourself in the future.

Knowing how to open your own business, you can recoup all investments in the shortest possible time.

A few words should be said about investments. Where can a new entrepreneur look for finance? There are several options here - either take a loan from a bank or cooperate with private investors. In the second case, you will not have to overpay interest, but the business will most likely have to be shared with the investor. The state can also provide some assistance - some projects in agriculture today are subsidized by the authorities. Well, a business without investments will not require a long search for third-party investment.

It is important for a young enterprise to think about marketing policy, since even the most profitable business in a small town will require advertising. But fortunately, no big expenses are expected here; all that is required is simply to let the population know about you. In addition, in small towns the fame of quality products or services will spread very quickly.

Word of mouth can also have a negative impact on business development. Having received something that is not what he wanted, a person will tell the whole neighborhood about the “evil” entrepreneur. Therefore, we rely on the quality of products or services.

It will not be possible to indicate specific profitability figures here - each idea is characterized by its own profitability. But as practice shows, many businessmen who have already launched their own business in a small town are quite satisfied with the profits they receive. What is especially pleasing is that significantly less capital investment is spent than it would be in a large populated area.

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-traveled 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:

• Section about;

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!

Do you live in a small town and want to create your own business, but don’t know where to start? In fact, everything is not as scary as many people are used to thinking. It is important to know some of the features of provincial cities and take them into account when choosing your business.

Small towns often have shortages of basic goods and services. For example, an inexpensive cafe with delicious food will be popular among locals. But the turnover in an unusual boutique with handmade designer clothes is unlikely to be high. Therefore, we advise you to initially focus on the needs of future buyers.

🎓 Features of small cities for opening a small business

• Geographical position. For example, a 24-hour tent selling beach slippers is unlikely to be popular in a northern city. And in the southern resort there is a salon of elite fur products
• Solvency of the population. It is unlikely that people with an average salary of 15,000 rubles will be happy to open a restaurant with an average bill of 2,000 rubles
• Availability of the necessary personnel. If you are opening, for example, a complex production facility, you should understand that the local population may not have the necessary specialized specialists
• Needs for specific goods and services. In a metropolis you can open your thirtieth eatery, but in a small town there may simply not be any visitors
• Limited growth. When a business reaches a certain “ceiling”, it will have to be developed not by increasing the average check, but by opening branches or developing a related area

⚖ Advantages of starting a business in a small town

There are many positive aspects for business development in the provinces that may not exist in a large city.

• Opportunity to occupy a vacant niche. You can become the first in your industry or identify the weaknesses of competitors and profitably build from them.
• Savings on basic expenses. In small towns, rent for premises or land is much lower than in a metropolis. Salaries for staff can also be calculated according to local tariff schedules.
• Support for private businesses. Small towns often have various loyalty programs for new businesses, grants and preferential subsidies are issued.
• Easy understanding of customer needs. When all clients are literally in sight, understanding their requests is not too difficult

🏆 The best business in a small town: ideas that will work

You don’t have to come up with a mega-unique idea that no one has ever implemented before. But differentiate yourself from competitors in the service. For example, free delivery or a cumulative bonus system.

We need to focus on the needs of the majority of the city's population. In this case, you will not work at a loss.

It might be worth taking a closer look at a complementary business. For example, there is an excellent butcher shop in the area, but there is a shortage of farm-grown dairy products. In this case, you will easily occupy your niche.

And we offer you a large catalog of business ideas for small towns! More than 150 options for developing your business. Learn, apply and discover what you love!

People planning to open their own business often mistakenly believe that they can earn high incomes and develop only in a big city. In fact, it is easier to run a business in a small city, and if you approach the issue wisely, you can provide yourself with constant high profits.
First of all, you should clarify which city is considered small. From the point of view of the business community, this includes settlements whose population does not exceed 100 thousand inhabitants. Most cities in the Russian Federation fall into this category, so it is obvious that the potential of business ideas for them is huge, and it is easier and cheaper to put into practice.

A person who lives in a small town has a lot of opportunities to create his own business. Financial costs are much lower than in a large center. Some types of business can be started with virtually no investment. Thanks to low competition, there is always something to do, even if it seems that the city already has everything.

Why open your own business at all?

By going into business, a person has the right moment to gain complete independence from other people, as well as the chance to earn significantly larger amounts of money than as a full-time employee.

From the very beginning, build your business so that in the future it can operate without your constant participation. This is the only path to financial independence.

Differences from big cities

Considering the situation from the point of view of the differences between large and small cities, we should dwell in more detail on their characteristics.

• Citizens in small towns earn much less. For this reason, large business is not profitable, not taking into account the construction of factories and factories, which require labor.
• The main demand is for traditional goods and services that people use every day. This allows you to expand your business activities into several areas at once.
• Low level of financial investments in the initial development process. This is explained by the lower rental cost of premises, low staff salaries, and low promotion and advertising costs.
• And of course, the smaller the city, the faster rumors spread. Accordingly, the reputation of a businessman plays an important role. People will not make a profit if friends or relatives tell about deception or inadequacy, and no amount of advertising will save them. This aspect is key.

Business ideas in the food sector

Opening a small cafe with reasonable prices and classic dishes is a profitable business. Because there are few such places in small towns, they will definitely be popular. Profitability is high due to low investments and high level of self-sufficiency.

Food trucks. This term refers to small mobile cafes. Presented in the form of vans with the necessary equipment for cooking directly inside. They are able to move to any place, for example, during a festival they go directly there and provide food for participants. The assortment is small, the chefs prepare each dish quickly and well, thanks to a lot of practice.

Inexpensive canteen on the territory of a factory or educational institution. Low cost and large portions of inexpensive dishes allow us to receive a large flow of customers.

Food delivery services (especially sushi and pizza) demonstrate popularity and good profitability. Delivery is organized at our own cafe, and a special courier service is opened that works with catering outlets in the city. Services of this type are common in large cities, but in small cities you can easily capture the market.

Some open mini-bakeries. This is relevant in areas where people pass through. For business efficiency, you should prepare products from the freshest ingredients that customers like. The room required is small, and special equipment is also required.

Retail

Of course, when talking about small business, it is impossible to ignore trade. Opening your own store is the most common way to start your own business.

In this matter, the main thing is to correctly assess the demand. What is missing in your city? What products could you offer to the local population?

Opening a grocery store is traditionally popular. The basis for success is the correct location and price level adequate for the average salary in the region.

To start a small non-food store you will need a minimum investment if you order goods from China, for example on Aliexpress. There you can find a huge number of interesting things at a very low price (for example, accessories for mobile phones, jewelry, clothing).

Business ideas in the entertainment sector

In the event that a traditional cafe does not bring the necessary profit, you can provide clients with various holidays. These include corporate events of private companies and government agencies, weddings and banquets.

Stylishly decorated nightclubs will be popular with young clients.

To organize it you need:

• Rent a large premises;
• Purchase the necessary equipment. Moreover, both for the kitchen, where snacks and drinks will be prepared, and for the dance floor.
• Popular DJs and dancers from big cities are also invited to perform there and attract the attention of young people. Such events improve the authority of the establishment.
• It is possible to organize themed parties in honor of popular holidays. And during the day it functions as a regular cafe.

Business ideas in the service sector

The service sector is very popular. Minimum level of financial investments, high level of self-sufficiency.

A salon for women and men, providing hairdressing, manicure and pedicure services with separate booths for VIP clients, will be popular. Specialists in massage and cosmetology are also involved. The level of profitability of such a project will be high, given the proper level of craftsmen.

Organization of taxi transportation. Several professional drivers with their own cars and a dispatch service, at reasonable prices, will provide residents with comfortable transport. This type of business is promoted through advertising and word of mouth. The profitability is high, due to the fact that in small cities there are no aggregators like Yandex taxi or Gett.

It is promising to create your own fashion tailoring studio. A small room, special equipment and professional seamstresses are required. Sewing dresses for proms and weddings, clothing repairs and other services at reasonable prices will lead to high profitability of the business.

The business of garbage removal and destruction of old buildings and structures is gaining momentum. Instead of dilapidated abandoned houses, large residential complexes are being built. And to make room, they need to be demolished. Labor and equipment costs are negligible. At the same time, waste is removed from spontaneously formed landfills and special bins.

Some unconventional ideas

The problem in the Russian Federation is the lack of kindergartens. This stimulates the development of private institutions and mini-kindergartens. Financially wealthy parents who cannot leave their children with anyone are the target audience.

To do this business, we need competent employees who have experience working with children. It is also required to rent the premises and obtain official permission from government authorities. The last stage is the most difficult and time-consuming.

Business by . You can read more here. In short, this is an opportunity to open your own business using a ready-made model. For a certain amount of money or a percentage of sales, you will receive constant information and advertising support, technology and a ready-made business model.

People who lead an active lifestyle can organize ethnotourism. Standard resorts won’t surprise anyone, so rich people prefer to travel to picturesque places and hard-to-reach places.

For example, excursions to Lake Baikal are in great demand, where you can enjoy the nature and beauty of the region without fuss. But this is not the only interesting natural place in our huge country.

According to travel agencies, thousands of tourists go on vacation to Kamchatka and Karelia. If a town has similar attractions, the excursion business has great potential.

Organizing hunting and fishing trips for wealthy clients from large cities is very popular today.

Real estate

If there is excess real estate, you can organize. There are two options: monthly, daily.

In the first case, an apartment or house is rented to permanent residents, who are students and young families. Income will be stable.

It may be much more profitable to rent out daily if there are tourist flows in the city. Popular when there is a lack of hotels in resort towns. You need to publish your ads on airbnb.com and booking.com to attract regular travelers from all over the world.

If you don’t have your own property, you can make money on someone else’s. Open a real estate agency. The initial investment in such a business is quite low, but the prospects are excellent, since small towns are not yet accustomed to renting out housing and commercial premises via the Internet.

Internet business

Until recently, you could earn a lot by opening a computer club. A room is rented, gaming computers are purchased, whose performance is sufficient for modern games, and a low price per hour is set. Young people spent days in such places. However, with the progress of progress, computers appeared in every family, and the Internet made it possible to play group games at a remote distance. As a result, this type of business simply disappeared.

Your own Internet resources bring good profits. First of all, you need an idea and a thorough analysis of the niche. The main thing is that the topic of your site is interesting to you, otherwise your enthusiasm can evaporate quite quickly. You also need to have the necessary skills and tools to run such a business, and the ability to promote your website.

The most popular option for organizing a business is an online store. The goods can range from various small household items to large household appliances. The development of progress has made this accessible to residents of any locality. Goods are delivered both by courier service and through Russian Post. You can read the characteristics in advance and choose the right product without wasting time getting to the store.

If resources are available, we open our own web studio. A few professional programmers are enough for this. The cost of one Internet resource ranges from 10-20 thousand to several million. Clients are searched for remotely or through the “cold calling” method.

Enterprising modern girls develop businesses through social networks, for example, Instagram. Fitness instructors train daily, post photos online, attract subscribers and sell advertising. Or they create individual training plans for a fee. The cost of advertising posts reaches several tens of thousands of rubles.

If you have some expert knowledge, then you can start running your own educational channel on YouTube (youtube.com) and make money from advertising. Foreign languages, cooking, car repair and maintenance, computer topics, etc. are in demand. The advantage of an educational channel over an entertainment channel will be a constant and stable level of views, and therefore income.

You can start an online business with virtually no initial capital. This is its main advantage, but there will be corresponding competition.

Market and competitor analysis

To start opening your own business, you need to conduct a comprehensive market analysis, find out what specific services or goods are required for city residents. Having found out this, you need to select competent personnel who can work effectively and attract more clients. To do this, it is often necessary to contact a special recruiting agency.

It is important to pay attention to potential competitors. What are their advantages and disadvantages? Does it make sense to open nearby or is it better to look for another place.

Many problems can be solved without leaving home. An advertisement seeking employees is posted on the Internet through special resources. In a small town, you must definitely take advantage of word of mouth, which often spreads information faster than the Internet and newspaper advertisements.

It is worth noting that goods from suppliers from large cities or simply large firms will cost significantly more than products from small manufacturers. You should definitely consider the possibility of supplying goods from China. Today it is not as difficult as it might seem.

It is important that the planned business must have prospects and be in demand. Opening a fashionable gourmet restaurant in a city where the average salary does not exceed 15 thousand rubles will be unprofitable. Same with a 5 star hotel. Another thing is to invest in a street point selling shawarma near a university or vocational school. It is also promising to open an inexpensive pizzeria there.

You should competently assess your own strengths and capabilities, and determine when the investment will pay off and begin to generate net profit. Without an effective strategy, a business will fail.

Where to get money to start

The most commonly used way to start a business without having the required amount of your own money is a bank loan. Explore all options from different lending institutions.

To receive borrowed funds, you must provide the bank with all documentation related to the planned business. There are government support programs (be sure to check with your local administration about this). These include preferential taxation systems, subsidies of various levels, and reduced loan rates. To get a loan, you need help from a competent lawyer who will provide all the necessary information and advice.

Be sure to find out about the availability of specialized business incubators in your city. There they can help you with any legal issues that may arise, as well as assist you in obtaining a loan and drawing up a business plan.

If you have reliable friends or relatives, you can try to start your own business together, refusing borrowed funds.

Search for a place

When it comes to finding a suitable location for your business, it is important to highlight two aspects:

1. Rent price.
2. Availability of potential clients nearby. Good maneuverability.

Sometimes, a room is rented and subsequently renovated on its own, which allows you to save money.

Depending on the concept of the business, the appearance of the office plays a big role. If you plan to receive clients, the interior furnishings must be of high quality and stylish. As a rule, residents of small towns react strongly to this and prefer to trust what looks expensive and of high quality.

It is also important to consider the trafficability of the target audience of a particular business. Inexpensive fast food outlets are opening near educational institutions, shopping malls, and markets. It is students and people going shopping who are the main clients of such places.

At the same time, it is better to locate food outlets close to residential buildings. People will not go far for bread and milk if there is a good store nearby.

Planned level of profitability

It is worth understanding that a business in a small town does not pay off quickly, unlike a large settlement. Residents cannot afford to spend a lot of money due to low salaries. The degree of demand also influences. The time of year plays a significant role.

For example, outlets that sell kvass or ice cream in the summer, especially in the southern regions, have huge profitability. Moreover, in winter, there are simply no such points. But beauty salons are gaining popularity; in the summer, on the contrary, they are empty.

Most importantly, make sure that your income is always enough to pay off your loans if you decide to finance your business this way.

The basis of a successful business in the province

For any business in a provincial city to be successful, quickly pay for itself and generate good income, you must follow several key rules. Their practical use allows you to earn money and attract new clients.

The cost of goods and services should not exceed a certain value. The mentality and level of income of provincial residents does not allow them to spend extra money just like that. They are looking for an opportunity to save money. Therefore, they resort to a mechanism of discounts and incentives for regular customers.

The quality of service is above average. If a person likes it, he will recommend this place to friends, acquaintances, and relatives. At the same time, a bad reputation will have a negative impact on business activity. Negative reviews need to be prevented in the bud. There have been cases when a cafe, after a decline in the quality of service, lost customers and went bankrupt. A bad reputation for an establishment in a small town can be a curse, but a good one can become the main driver of sales.

Promising ways of development

It is important to note that the basis for any business is constant movement forward, development, evolution. What is profitable now, in a year, when marking time, becomes the cause of ruin. There are many options for improving your own business.

A good method is advertising. Advertising attracts new customers. Popular moves include promotions, discounts, and presentations of new products. Marketing moves are of great importance. The special features are the duration of the promotion and the profitability of the offer.

The image of a business plays a big role. Positive reviews and gratitude from clients allow you to increase the number of clients.

Another step is to open branches in neighboring cities and regions. Over time, such costs will pay off. Brand awareness will increase.

To start a small business, it is enough to register as an individual entrepreneur. This will allow you to save on accounting and taxes.

In conclusion, it is worth saying that a business even in a small town with a small population can generate income. A provincial city is a good place to create and develop your own business, and an enterprising person will definitely achieve success.