Small Business Tips
The word on everyone’s lips in the UK is Brexit. It’s meant uncertainty for business. But that hasn’t dented Brits’ enthusiasm for small-business ideas. Little wonder – since over 80% of self-employed people believe life is better that way.Have you been mulling over ditching the boss, improving your work-life balance and working from Costa? Here’s our guide to the best small-business ideas in the UK for 2019.
What are the best small business ideas for 2019?
If ‘best’ means most likely to succeed, ideas that target a huge gap in the market would seem a good place to start.
Inclusive children’s toys and books
Go on: name one children’s book that features a black, Asian or minority-ethnic (BAME) main character. Tricky, isn’t it?A recent report from the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education found that only one percent of children’s books published in the UK in 2017 had a BAME central character. The toy market has similar diversity issues.
The media are calling for change. So there could be huge market potential. After all, the UK toy industry is worth around £3.4bn a year, according to data analysts NPD. On top of that, you could be walking around with a well-deserved halo above your head.How about dolls with a range of body sizes or hair textures? Multi-ethnic books? Or playground equipment built for children with different needs?
Microblading
Microblading has nothing to do with skating. No, we’re talking eyebrows. Microblading is less permanent than eyebrow tattoos.Microblading lasts around two years, and it’s already doing well. It even comes with lucrative spin-offs in the shape of micro feathering and nanoblading.British women spend over £200 a year on their eyebrows, according to the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology. So expect microblading to be a huge business opportunity in the UK in 2019.
Just clear out that spare room and away you go.
American sport
Slightly left-field, but bear with us. American football is a great small-business idea for the UK. It has over four million ‘avid’ followers over here. And a few NFL (National Football League) games are set to be played in London this year, plus top-level baseball and basketball.
You could hit a home run by selling American sports gear from home. Or how about an American sports-themed bar? Or even a website for US sports geared around a British audience?
Remote expertise
You name it, you can probably deliver it online. The UK loves remote, on-demand services that once would have been delivered in person. Can you set up video links and live chat? You could hold court on just about anything from dancing lessons to divorce proceedings.
Surveys for cash
More of a top-up to your existing income, this one. It’s a solid low-risk online business opportunity that could help with UK university fees.These days, marketing is king. So companies are happy to pay for your opinions. Sign up with a site such as i-Say. When your survey alerts pop into your inbox, you can whiz through the questions. Cash will magically appear in your account.
Blogging
OK, so everyone’s a blogger these days. But not everyone’s good at it. Blog about a specialist subject or hobby and promote it to high heaven on social media. Then start working on your advertising and affiliate income.
Make stuff at home
Yes, we’re talking about crafts. If you’re at all handy, you can probably create things at home. Things like pots, jars, clothes, and ornaments. There’s no shortage of markets to target — try eBay, Amazon or Etsy.
Content writing
British business has an insatiable appetite for web content. Google loves it, too. Regular blogs prove that a website is alive and open for business. But business owners have better things to do than create web content.
That’s where you come in. With a moderate amount of writing ability and a ton of research, you could write about anything.
What are the most interesting online business opportunities in the UK?
Gin distillery
Home businesses don’t get much more fun than distilling your own alcohol. You’ll also never be short of Christmas presents for those awkward aunties.The market for craft alcohol has gone crazy over the last few years. So who could blame you for wanting a shot of the action?
If you want to create your own craft gin, you’ll need the right licences and some premises with bottle storage and room to grow. You’ll also need a still and some proven routes to market. Farmers’ markets and country fairs work well. Oh, and make sure you have an engaging back story so you stand out from the crowd.
There’s money to be made. Goosnargh Gin, for example, launched in October 2018 in Lancashire to rave reviews. “It’s going really well. In fact, we’d sold 300 bottles by Christmas,” said Director Richard Trenchard.
Selling car parts online
Niche is nearly always good, and an online parts business for obscure vehicles could be a winner. Focus on, say, 1960s Land Rovers, and you’ll have enthusiasts the world over bookmarking your site like crazy.
Sell through eBay, Amazon or on your own website. Best of all, you can do this from just about anywhere with a warehouse going spare. Dordogne or the Med, anyone?
Plant-based eating
You can be sure the trend for plant-based eating won’t stop at Veganuary. Foodies are becoming more aware of how meat is farmed and are opting for vegan diets.
Even Mintel, the world’s leading marketing-intelligence agency, has said that ‘evergreen consumption’ is a key food trend. Make no mistake, veganism is becoming mainstream.
What kind of small business could capitalise on the UK’s love for lentils, nuts and chickpeas? Well, how about a vegan restaurant, café or food truck? A subscription-box business? Maybe even an online vegan clothing store?
