How to open a small business in a small town. Big ideas for business in a small town

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 plants 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.

Many people who are planning to start their own business unfairly believe that they can only develop their business and make high profits in a big city. In fact, this is not true for several reasons, the main ones we will consider below.

First, let’s understand what business technologists mean by “small city.” This is considered a settlement that has up to 100 thousand inhabitants. It should be noted that in Russia there are only more than 83% of such cities, that is, business ideas for a small locality open up enormous prospects; opening your own business in a small city is much easier and more profitable.

Own business for a small town

Living in a small community, there are many business opportunities. This is due to lower costs than in a metropolis and lack of competition.

Why is it needed?

By opening his own business in a small town, a businessman first of all gains independence and the opportunity to earn quite large sums.

At the same time, a considerable part of the money is saved due to the fact that starting a business in the provinces incurs much lower costs than in cities with a population of one million.

In addition, you can be the first in the city to offer certain services, in which case the absence of competitors will allow you to quickly expand and strengthen your business.

Differences from large cities

There are quite a lot of differences, and almost all of them benefit those who decide to start their own business in a small town.

Let's take a closer look at some of them:

  • Residents of small towns tend to have low incomes. Therefore, it is not profitable to develop a large business in such populated areas (with the exception of opening large enterprises that require labor);
  • The demand in such cities is for ordinary, familiar goods and products that we use every day. This allows you to expand your business in several directions at the same time;
  • Not a high investment at the start (low rent for premises, low wages, low costs for advertising campaigns).

An important factor for successfully running a business in a small town is the reputation of a businessman. After all, residents often learn city news not from newspapers, but from neighbors and friends. Therefore, this aspect should be given special attention; measures to attract and retain customers are very important.

Best ideas 2014

Before deciding what business to open, let’s name a few of the most popular business ideas of this year.

Small business in the catering industry

A profitable business is opening a small cafe with affordable prices and familiar dishes. In small towns there are usually few such establishments, so they are very popular among residents.

This type of business is perhaps the most profitable. It will not require large expenses, and the self-sufficiency is quite high.

Mini cafe on wheels. Nowadays it is a fairly common type of business that is in demand. The assortment in such cafes is small; it is enough to offer several types of pancakes, hot dogs, and drinks. If the snacks are tasty and inexpensive, such a cafe will always be popular;

The canteen at the enterprise will be in demand - it does not always have its own catering station. By setting low prices and offering homemade dishes, there will always be customers in the dining room.

Entertaining

If one cafe seems not enough for you, try offering your clients to organize holidays, corporate events, weddings, setting a low price. In small cities there are unlikely to be many event agencies, so there is a chance of becoming a pioneer and a monopolist.

A club with a disco will be very popular among young people. To do this, you will need to rent a large room and equip it. Modest but tasteful is not your option; such an establishment most likely already exists in the city. But a real nightclub with performances by metropolitan DJs will attract the public. In such a club you can hold themed parties, games, and events. There you can also offer your clients training in various courses (music, singing, dancing, etc.)

During the daytime, you can arrange in the same club.

Services

The service sector will never lose relevance from the point of view of a business project: investments are minimal, the main thing is to have the necessary skills.

A manicure and pedicure salon is always held in high esteem. Even in a small town, the female population will be delighted with such a service and will come there again and again. Additionally, you can offer the services of a cosmetologist and massage therapist, make-up and holiday makeup services.

A taxi service may also be a good idea. Even in a small city, there will be people who want to get to the right place by car rather than by public transport. It is enough to have several drivers on staff with their own cars, make them business cards, which they will distribute to clients, and the business will certainly begin to generate income.

Another option for providing services is a tailoring studio. To open this type of business you will need a small premises, appropriate equipment and several employees. By offering low prices, such a business will flourish;

A company that provides services for garbage removal and demolition of old buildings is a new but popular type of service. In small towns there are enough buildings that are subject to demolition and houses are built in their place. You will need to purchase the appropriate equipment and find several employees with experience in such work.

Garbage removal is a popular service even in the smallest locality.

Car repair, tire fitting. In this option, it is enough to have a garage and minimal equipment. Almost every city resident has a car that periodically requires repairs and seasonal tire replacement. It is enough to hire 1-2 employees who understand car repairs. Such a business will be in demand.

Key making has been popular among the population since Soviet times. You will need a small room, a special machine for making keys and minimal advertising. To open your own business of this type, you need to have a starting capital of about 2 thousand dollars;

A private driving instructor can be an idea for extra income. Even in a small town, a car is no longer a luxury; almost every family has one. You can offer such a service on the client’s car, in which case the costs are minimal;

The Good Offices Bureau or the popular name today “Husband for an Hour” is a fairly popular type of business that will always be in demand. Having a set of tools, you can offer your customers minor repairs, installation and connection of household appliances at an affordable price. The costs are minimal.

Trade

Growing fruits and vegetables will be a profitable business. If you have even a small plot of land, your own business will soon flourish.

But you will have to look for sales of plant products in other, larger cities. In the periphery, every resident has an abundance of this product due to the availability of garden plots.

A grocery store is a banal but always relevant idea. The main success factor is the correct location and reasonable prices for the goods.

Other types of business that generate income in a small town

Today, throughout Russia, young parents are faced with the problem of kindergartens. Enterprising businesses are opening private development centers and mini-kindergartens for children in small towns.

This type of business will be in demand, especially among those parents who do not have the opportunity to leave their children with grandparents.

Of course, to open it you will need a qualified specialist who can be trusted with children. The costs are minimal; a mini-kindergarten can be set up even in your own apartment, if living space allows. In other cases, it is enough to rent a small room, make the appropriate repairs and obtain all the necessary permissions from the authorities (this often becomes the last stage, becoming an insurmountable obstacle for novice businessmen).

The delivery service for groceries, sushi and pizza is very popular. In small towns, such a service is rare, so you can become the first in the city to offer a service of this kind.

Opening a mini-bakery will require a small investment of money. Delicious bread is always in demand. If the products are of good quality and the price is affordable to the consumer, such a business will flourish even in the smallest town.

If you have real estate in a small town, daily or monthly rental of premises will be profitable. Not all small towns have a hotel, so this type of business, with proper advertising, can become quite successful and will not require special financial investments.

Internet: yes and no

The virtual space, which attracts an increasing number of people, both young and not so young, opens up many opportunities for earning money.

The easiest ideas to implement:

  • If a lot of young people live in the city, opening a computer salon will be profitable; such an establishment will quickly gain popularity. By setting low hourly wages, such a club will become a favorite place for young people to spend their leisure time.
  • Website content services can bring good income. Such a business does not require investment, but allows you to save significant money on renting premises and transportation costs.
  • Another type of earning money on the Internet is opening your own website. But here you will need certain skills and funds to open a business of this kind.
  • Some provide goods delivery services by opening an online store. For a small town, this could be household appliances and household items. Gone are the days when you had to go to the capital or another big city to buy large equipment; today it is possible to provide similar services in your city. This will save customers money and allow them to expand their business.

But you should remember that in a small town, not everyone has access to the Internet. In this case, one should build on the demand and capabilities of the population. A positive factor in favor of working on the Internet is little competition and little or no initial investment.

There is a fly in the ointment here too. Working from home, you will miss personal interaction. And opening clubs and an online store will require significant costs.

Where to begin?

Assessment of the situation

Before opening your own business, you need to study the market, find out what kind of services the city’s population needs. Having decided on the type of activity, it is necessary to select qualified personnel who will provide quality services and will help increase the client base.

Finding a good specialist is not easy; to do this, you can contact a recruiting agency.

The Internet will also help in searching. You can place a recruitment ad and a response will follow immediately. Considering that it is quite difficult to find work in small towns, this method is quite effective. Word of mouth will also be a good help, as it works better in small towns than any advertisement.

The second important step is to find product suppliers; this requires a lot of responsibility. Products must be of high quality and in demand among the population. First, you need to determine what type of service will be popular in a particular city.

Attracting suppliers from big cities is a thankless and unprofitable undertaking. Look for manufacturers (if you intend to trade) or sellers (if you need equipment and tools) in nearby cities.

The business must be in demand and be popular among the population, at least potentially.

Of course, you need to assess your strengths, what funds can be invested, and calculate how quickly the investment will pay off.

Finding funding

The most popular way to open your own business without investment is. You can choose which one is better by contacting several banks and comparing the conditions they offer.

It should be remembered that it is necessary to comply with some mandatory rules for a potential bank client, otherwise you will not receive a loan.

You will have to provide some documentation, you may need to present your business plans, based on the profitability of which the bank will decide to issue a loan.

Don't forget about government support for small businesses. Currently, there are special programs that are aimed at developing business in the regions, which allows you to receive certain benefits when lending, issuing subsidies and tax breaks. In order to competently use such a program, it is better to contact a qualified lawyer who will give detailed advice on this issue.

Selecting a location

For those who decide to start a business from scratch, the most profitable would be premises with a low rent. You may need to carry out minor repairs; to save money, you can do this yourself.

We must not forget that the appearance of the room is very important. It should be cozy and comfortable, the decor doesn’t necessarily need to be expensive and pretentious, but it should make you want to come back again. Residents of small towns are not sophisticated in rich interiors, but they should not be considered backward either. Bring everything into the proper form for a businessman. They greet you by their clothes.

The location of a business matters depending on its target audience. For example, it is better to open computer clubs in places where young people gather: near universities. Vocational schools, etc. Avoid schools, otherwise you will be tormented by listening to parents’ complaints that it is your direct fault that their child does not want to attend classes, but sits at the computer in your institution.

Catering and trade will naturally take root closer to the center. With the exception of a grocery store, which will be extremely welcome for residents of the outskirts, from where they have to travel far to buy bread.

Let's count?

Having even the smallest start-up capital, you can develop your business in a small city. Let's consider options for initial minimum investments for different types of business.

Minimum investment

As can be seen from the figures, starting your own business does not necessarily lead to large financial expenses. It’s enough to simply decide which type of business is closer, what your heart is most passionate about, and most importantly, what will be in demand in a particular city.

Expected profitability

You should not expect that a small business in a small locality will quickly pay for itself. Residents of such cities often do not have high incomes, so it will take several years before their own business begins to generate income. This also depends on the demand for services that will be offered to the consumer.

Seasonality also plays an important role.

For example, beauty salons, even in big cities, are practically empty in summer. On the contrary, the business of selling kvass in the summer will bring much more relevance than in the cold season.

What is the basis for a successful business in a small town?

In order for a business in a small town to be profitable and quickly pay for itself, you should remember several rules that will help bring a stable income and attract a large number of clients.

Basic aspects

  • The price for services of any kind should not be overpriced. The mentality of residents of small towns is such that people are not ready to overpay extra money. A low price and provision of discounts to regular customers will attract attention much faster than beautiful packaging or an expensive service.
  • If customers are satisfied with the service, they will definitely recommend you to their relatives, friends and neighbors. A bad reputation in a small town will kill any business much faster than in a metropolis. Even if your product is in demand and popular, you should not allow a negative opinion about yourself.
  • In a small town there is little competition, perhaps even its complete absence, so there is room for your imagination to run wild. By providing a high-quality and inexpensive service or product, your potential customers will become regular ones.

Watch also a video about business ideas in a small town:

Development methods

The key to success and prosperity of any business is constant development. Even the most profitable type involves improvement and the offering of new goods and services.

There are several ways to help expand and develop your business.

  1. First of all, this is competent advertising aimed at attracting new customers. This could be promotions, holding an event with a free presentation of products. These types of advertising are always relevant and popular with customers.
  2. It is also important to remember about marketing. Special offers with a limited validity period attract attention.
  3. The image of your business is equally important. Good reviews and new offers at low prices can increase the number of customers several times.
  4. An example of an unusual, but quite successful business is chinchilla breeding. In recent years, this animal has become very popular; it is raised not only to make expensive fur coats for women, but is also kept as a pet. A Moldovan businessman who started this type of business notes that the investments are minimal, but the income exceeded all his expectations.

    Some aspiring businessmen figure out what to do just on the fly. An original way to make money was founded by American fitness instructor Kristen Horler. She developed a training program for women who had recently become mothers, and the classes were held right in the park.

    This idea did not foretell large incomes, but quickly began to be in demand among city residents.

    The price per lesson was set significantly lower, so the client base expanded very quickly and brought in good income. Today, these are quite popular courses that are attended by a large number of young mothers. This type of earnings can also take place in small towns in Russia. Many young women will be carried away by the idea of ​​playing sports without leaving their children to relatives.

    Ethnic tourism is gaining increasing popularity. Today it is difficult to surprise with resorts on the sea coast; many businessmen prefer to relax in remote picturesque corners of Russia.

    For example, excursions to Lake Baikal are in great demand, where you can enjoy the nature and beauty of the region without fuss.

    Many people go on vacation to Kamchatka and Karelia. If your town has similar attractions, you can arrange excursions and even accommodation in tents.

    In conclusion, it is worth saying that business options even in a small town with a small population can be very diverse; you can become a successful businessman, an independent person with a good income. It is enough to have a great desire, not be afraid of changes in life and be confident. Many world-famous businessmen started from scratch and were able to achieve dizzying results thanks to hard work and perseverance.

Do you live in a small provincial town and dream of running your own business in a metropolis? In order to become a successful businessman, it is not at all necessary to go to conquer the capital, because you can become the first where you live now. Take advantage of some of the ideas we offer for small town entrepreneurs and open your own business in your “small homeland”.

What are the differences between small businesses in a big and small city?

In a small city, compared to a large metropolis, the following features for doing business:

  • Limited sales market or the need to spend money on logistics and deliver products to the end consumer in other localities;
  • The absence of any barriers to starting a business and a minimum of competitors, but undeveloped market demand and low purchasing power of the population;
  • Cheap labor, but at the same time difficulties in finding highly qualified specialists without flaws;
  • Low costs for organizing production - lower rental rates, more available commercial space, more affordable repairs, less pathos and the need for extra costs;
  • Cheap local raw materials, but expensive imported resources due to transportation costs;
  • Availability of benefits for business development and support from various official authorities;
  • The high value of reputation - mistakes are not forgotten here and new clients are difficult to find.

If in a large district or regional center, in order to create your own business, significant start-up costs will be required (after all, space, advertising, and personnel are expensive), then in a city with a small population you can minimize this contribution required to open your own business.

Yes, in a small town there are fewer opportunities and not every idea is suitable for implementation in such a limited space, but the owner of the company will be able to easily manage all processes and not lose control over his enterprise. The scale here is not the same. You can handle all the responsibilities as a family contract and not hire outsiders.

What kind of business can you open in a small town?

Of course, you can open another store, as others do, but it is better to choose an idea that no one has used in your city before you. What is suitable for implementation within a small city:

You can choose many options and determine what kind of business you can open in your small town by looking at the experience of neighboring regions, for example, on the Avito website.

As an example, we can cite an entrepreneur from a small seaside town, who at the beginning of his activities purchased an inflatable slide and now - after 4 beach seasons - there are more than two dozen children's sea attractions and even a water slide for adults on the coast throughout the area. All of them are in demand and there is no end to vacationers in the summer months. The business is seasonal, but profitable. It is fortunate that this holiday destination is chosen not only by residents of a small town, but everyone comes here from large centers.

There is another example of success. A small private bakery began in a home kitchen with supplies to a nearby stall, three years have passed and it now supplies not only all the city’s retail outlets with fresh baked goods, but also supplies baked goods outside the area.

In the subsidized area, almost all loggers exported wood outside the region, and one of the sawmills decided not only to produce boards, but also to open a carpentry shop on its territory. Already in the first year of operation, the workshop was provided with orders for a long time - they make country and home furniture from natural wood, make souvenirs and make gazebos.

How to positively use the conditions of small towns for the development of small businesses

Business can be successfully developed in a small town. The main thing is to optimally use the existing advantages and avoid disadvantages. You need to choose those options for your own business that allow you to organize production and sales at minimal cost without special logistics costs.

What will help an entrepreneur in a small town?

  • First of all, we can note such a fact as the lack of competition and free niches in the market in many areas of activity. By becoming the first in the city in your chosen field, you can win over all consumers and not be afraid of the actions of competitors.
  • Minimum thresholds for entering the market - you don’t have to start an expensive advertising campaign, spend money on kickbacks, go to hell because of competitors, and in general, all the costs of starting a business in a small city are much lower.
  • And not only can you save money when creating an enterprise - you also won’t need to spend too much in the course of your business. In a small town, real estate, many materials and raw materials, especially local ones, are cheaper, and wages are incomparably lower than in a large settlement.
  • There are more opportunities to receive support from local authorities - in the provinces, every new enterprise becomes a plus for the entire city and region, so officials help the beginning entrepreneur in every possible way; there is no tough competition for grants and subsidies.

Whatever business you choose for a small town, it is important to organize your work correctly so that all residents of the city quickly learn about you from a positive side. “Word of mouth” in small settlements can be both an excellent help at the start and a hindrance to development.

The attitude of clients is only in your hands, so you will have to earn trust first, but this is easier to do in small towns.

It is reputation in such cases that is more important than profitability; remember this when opening your own business.

Video: interview - how I opened my own hairdressing salon

If you offer something that people need, your business will prosper. A hairdresser is a profitable business in a small town, as well as in a big one.

There are no fewer opportunities for opening a profitable business in a small town than in a metropolis. There is an opinion that starting a business and making it profitable in a small town is almost impossible.

People don’t see the positive sides and believe that their idea will fail. Actually this is not true. Let's consider the most promising business ideas for a small town.

Promising business ideas for a small town

In the minds of many people, when they hear the word “business,” a stereotypical image of a middle-aged business man leaving the chic office of a large company involuntarily appears. At the same time, it seems like a metropolis with dozens of skyscrapers.

However, many businessmen conduct their business in small towns and do not necessarily wear a business suit. In a small city it is possible to open a business no less profitable than in the capital.

There is still no consensus on which cities are considered small and which are not. It is generally believed that the population of a small town should be no more than 50 thousand people. But for business people, these can also be cities with a population of half a million or more. However, we should not forget about some of the peculiarities of doing business in small towns.

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Differences between small cities and large ones

If you have business ideas for small towns, consider the following features:

  • life in a small town is not as fast paced as in a metropolis, so the population can take a long and conscious approach to the decision to purchase goods or services;
  • Fashion trends are not critical for people from small towns. The main thing is that this is a product at an affordable price that people are willing to spend a lot of time searching for;
  • short distances. Objects are next to each other;
  • the environmental situation here is much better than in big cities;
  • stress has a significantly lower impact on the population;
  • public transport is used less frequently, which indicates some cost savings;
  • Small towns have almost everything that a large city has. Generally, people can visit any place by private car or public transport if the need arises;
  • lifestyle differs significantly from mentality;
  • every small town has its own values ​​that influence its way of life;
  • the crisis and globalization have much less impact on small cities compared to megacities;
  • provided that demand decreases, protection from bankruptcy is higher than in a large city.

Disadvantages of business in small towns

When exploring business ideas for a small town, pay attention to the disadvantages that exist in a small town. These include:

  1. Small income.

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

  1. Opportunities for growth are limited.

If you have a great business idea, then there are much more opportunities for its implementation and development in a metropolis than in a small town. The number of clients of your company will grow and stop at a certain level. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the possibilities of expanding your activities. For example, this could be opening a branch in a suburban area or some related business. It happens that entrepreneurs find promising industries while working on an existing business. In this case, you can create something new, thereby increasing your range of possibilities. However, one should not always hope for an increase in the number of average checks, since residents of small towns, again, receive small incomes.

  1. Narrow market.

Unusual small business ideas in small towns cannot always be realized. There may be low demand for them. Even a standard business idea won't always work. For example, if in megacities you can open your own pizzeria, despite the fact that there are already hundreds of them, and at the same time count on a good profit, then in a small town, perhaps no one will visit your establishment, preferring a long-familiar and favorite place.

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Advantages of small towns as sites for doing business

  1. Easy entry to the market.

You need much less money to start your own business. much easier to implement. Renting real estate is cheaper than in big cities. Wages will also be lower. Thanks to these two conditions, your fixed costs will be significantly lower.

  1. Low level of competition.

In a tiny city, small business is developing poorly, so you can count on a small number of competitors in your industry. It is possible to occupy a niche that is in demand, but is not occupied by anyone. This will be much easier to do than in a metropolis, since all trade points and companies can be visited by yourself.

  1. Support programs.

This advantage is somewhat related to the above point. Due to the poor development of small businesses in small towns, the authorities are willing to accommodate them halfway. Entrepreneurs are offered various subsidies and grants. Your business ideas will not be left without government support.

In the case of business in small towns, there are also several controversial issues that can be turned either to the benefit of your business or to the detriment.

In small towns, the word of mouth effect works very well. This can be an excellent advertisement for you or, conversely, ruin your reputation, especially if significant shortcomings were identified at the beginning of doing business.

It is also worth paying attention to the fact that the number of your clients in a small city may be limited. However, here it will be much easier to study and create a portrait of your consumer.

33 profitable business ideas for a small town

Before you start implementing your business idea, consider the following points:

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

Whether your business will pay off or not depends on a number of conditions. However, you should not count on quick profits. It may take several years before your initial investment is recouped. This will largely depend on the demand for the goods or services offered.

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Profitable business ideas for beginners and experienced entrepreneurs in a small town:

№1. In small towns, it is logical to open stores with socially low prices. This way you can provide yourself with a stable profit, although it may be small. Those products that consumers use daily are always in demand.

№2. In the age of the Internet, you can open your own business online. Online stores sell goods from all over Russia and neighboring countries. Here you can trade whatever you want: children's clothing, auto parts, jewelry and much more.

№3. Opening a small cafe would be a good idea. Just choose a menu familiar to residents and pay attention to the number of similar establishments in the city (as a rule, there are few of them).

№4. A canteen with low prices or a mobile cafe will also be in demand.

№5. Entertainment services may also prove popular: organizing and holding weddings, corporate events, and children's parties.

№6. The audience will be interested in a club for people over 30 or a disco for young people. All you need is a room with a pleasant interior and lighting. If the city already has something similar, you can always open a nightclub and invite popular DJs there, which will be your competitive advantage.

№7. In a small city, many parents are looking for an opportunity to give their children an education that will be no worse than in a metropolis. They hire tutors and look for teachers. Opening language courses is a profitable business in a small town, to start which you can use ready-made ideas (buying a franchise, etc.).

№8. For children, you can create an educational and leisure center for the purpose of development and learning.

№9. All women want to be beautiful, so opening your own hair salon with standard services would be a good idea to start with.

№10. Residents of small towns do not always use public transport. Many people require the services of taxi drivers. This is especially true in winter. Find drivers with personal cars and you can safely start your own business.

№11. You can sell in large cities products that you grow yourself without the use of toxic fertilizers. Organic vegetables and fruits are always in demand among residents of megacities.

№12. A small room can be used to operate an atelier for repairing and sewing clothes or for other purposes (shoe repair, key making).

№13. Garbage disposal is a pressing issue for many small towns. You can create your own business that will solve this problem.

№14. Taking into account the traditions and life of the residents of your city, you can create decorations that correspond to the culture.

№15. In any locality there is always a demand for cleaning clothes that are difficult to wash at home. You can open an establishment providing such a service.

№16. You can open a branded sweet products store offering tastings. Many will not be able to pass by without trying the delicious products.

№17. Gift shop. You can stylishly and beautifully decorate a boutique in which you will sell gift sets and cards for all occasions. The main thing is to treat clients with respect and meet them halfway. You also need to always be able to offer the buyer a product for a specific event and for a specific person. Assess the financial capabilities of the residents of your city and, taking this factor into account, indicate the price of the product.

№18. When exploring business ideas for a small town, you should pay attention to the sale of essential goods. You can open a small bakery where you will always have fresh and tasty bread. This will be your advantage, since bread from the metropolis does not always meet these criteria. The assortment can be expanded with any types of baked goods: tubes, puff pastries, pies, and so on. This type of business has more prospects for development in a small town.

№19. Modern technologies are also popular in small towns. Businesses such as repairing mobile phones, computer equipment, selling satellite dishes and related equipment will be in demand.

№20. For residents of a small town, dental services are also relevant and necessary. By opening a dental clinic, you can earn a lot of money.

№21. Private driving courses for future motorists may be in demand.

№22. Minor repairs and work with equipment. All you need is to have a few men on your staff who know how to do all the necessary household work.

№23. A private kindergarten is more relevant in a small town, as in a big one. Nanny services are also always in demand. Many parents have no one to leave their children with during school holidays or weekends. You can easily select staff using reviews from the local population, since the city is small and everyone knows each other.

№24. Since almost every family in a small town has a car, opening a tire shop would be a good idea. You need to have a large room equipped with equipment. Find good locksmiths who will attract people by doing quality work. Nearby you can create a car wash and a small cafe.

№25. If your house is near a village, then you can receive tourists. Many residents of megacities miss the silence and want to relax in a real village, caring for their pets and garden.

№26. Sports complexes and gyms are becoming increasingly popular in both small and large cities. By opening such an establishment, you can earn good money.

№27. Stores with modern technology (computers, mobile phones, etc.).

№28. Opening of a furniture workshop. This may include the manufacture and repair of furniture. All you need is to find good craftsmen and invite them to work for you. This will bring considerable success.

№29. If you have premises that can be converted into a small hotel, this would be a good move. You can offer rooms at any time, working around the clock. If you take into account all the nuances and good advertising, you will quickly achieve success.

№30. “Husband for an hour” service. The better you do your work, the more clients you will have. The main task is to solve a household problem, be it a minor repair, connecting equipment, plumber or electrician services. All you need are tools and the ability to do any homework. To open a business you will need no more than 5 thousand rubles.

№31. Creation of handmade products and their subsequent sale. This could be jewelry, toys, soap, paintings and much more. Initial investments may not exceed 3 thousand rubles. Skills and abilities can be acquired for free by watching videos on websites and communicating on thematic forums.

№33. Translations. If you know a foreign language at an advanced level, carry out translations by placing ads on the Internet or in offline advertising channels.

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Expert opinion

Entrepreneurs in the regions should not be afraid to work ahead

Alexey Kanevsky,

President of the Interportfolio company, Moscow; PhD in Chemistry

My advice to entrepreneurs: be more attentive to the service and sales sectors. These industries in Russia seriously lag behind the world level in terms of quality and quantity of proposals.

  • Cafes and restaurants. Even in the capital, many catering establishments do not reach the European level.
  • Inexpensive and compact stores. There is a shortage of good stores located close to home and selling quality products.
  • Specialized workshops. Shoe repair shops are in particular demand. Due to the development of modern technologies, the repair and maintenance of electronic devices is becoming popular.

In provincial cities, small businesses are less developed than in the capital. However, after a while all Moscow tendencies come there. For this reason, entrepreneurs from the regions should pay attention to the capital’s new products and introduce trends before their competitors.

5 business ideas for women in a small town

You may have a talent that everyone admires. For example, you knit well, sew beautiful high-quality clothes, embroider beautiful paintings. Why not consider making money from your hobby?

It may happen that in the city there are many people already doing what you love. If so, advertise and sell your creations online.

You will need to create your website, add photos of your work and invite your target audience to purchase your products, which can be sent to customers by mail. You will be pleasantly surprised by the number of responses from residents of big cities who miss handicrafts.

All you need to start a business is the Internet and mail. You can create a simple website yourself or entrust it to a friend who knows the specifics of this issue. Here are some promising business ideas for beginners in a small town.

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Business idea 1. Hand-made products

These can be paintings, a sewn dress, handmade gifts for loved ones and much more. Using your skills, you can open your own business.

Business ideas for a woman in a small town:

  • beadwork and embroidery;
  • creating bouquets from both flowers and various sweets and other items;
  • making beautiful cards, posters or collages;
  • sewing bags, wallets;
  • making boxes.

Friends and acquaintances will eagerly purchase your crafts. In addition, you do not need to buy gifts in the store, since handmade items are more valuable than any purchase from the supermarket. The cost of making one creation, as a rule, is no more than 500 rubles.

If, for example, you purchase materials for making your fake for the amount of 300 rubles, then you can sell it for at least one thousand or even more. Business ideas for a small town from the handmade sector can be absolutely unique.

If you think that all the income can be associated only with the sale of your creations, then this is not so. You can also train others to do the same, thereby increasing your earnings.

Business idea 2. Creative studio for children.

Unfortunately, today parents spend little time on the development of their child. Usually they just take them to kindergarten in the morning and pick them up in the evening. However, in many such institutions, children are practically not taught real creativity.

You can open your own business in a small town by creating a wonderful creativity studio for children. Ideas for developing children's creativity can be very different. For example, you can teach children pottery or knitting or sewing. In general, everything that you own.

Business idea 3. Various courses for women.

This line of activity seems to be a continuation of the previous idea. You can organize some courses for women in the area in which you are well versed. This can be in several areas depending on your skills and experience.

Many women would like to learn how to sew and cook, and learn the psychology of raising children. Modern girls are interested in such a topic as relationships with the opposite sex. And if there is demand, then supply needs to be created. Take a closer look at the people around you and see what you can do for them. If you are considered an excellent employee at work, and you have leadership qualities and a strong desire, then most likely you can easily organize courses for women.

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Business idea 4. Clothing and underwear store for women.

Many small business ideas for girls in a small town are related to the sale of women's underwear and clothing. In the future, you will be able to sell other women's products in your store in addition to clothing. For example, this could be cosmetics and various accessories. This type of business requires the creator to have certain funds to start, time and experience in commerce.

Before starting a business, we advise you to do an analysis of existing stores for women. You can introduce yourself as a buyer at a retail outlet and find out which products are in highest demand and why. This way you will be more likely to achieve success in your store.

Women with small children are not recommended to take out a loan and open such a business, especially if they have no experience. It’s better to consider business ideas for a small town from scratch and choose a project in which you can gain experience in order to take on a more complex business in the future.

Business idea 5. Services from the field of “Beauty and Health”.

If you love to take care of yourself, don’t have bad habits and are ready to provide beauty services for other women, then this is the business for you.

Expert opinion

When can a hobby become a business?

Pavel Shubin,

General Director of the branch of the Belousov Group company, owner of the Azhur knitting production, Nizhny Novgorod

It so happened that until 2012 I was passionate about the field of information technology, but then I suddenly wanted to change something in my life. One day I was visiting my friend and noticed a very funny knitted doll. My friend said that the doll is interesting not only for children, but also for adults. At that moment, I decided to start making similar toys that would bring joy to people.

I have no knitting skills, so I had to turn to experts in this field. It turned out that such a doll is not easy to knit. For this reason, I rejected my first idea and concentrated on knitted New Year's toys (or rather, a wrapper for a New Year's ball). I managed to find a woman on a forum for knitting enthusiasts in Nizhny Novgorod. I explained my idea to her and she did the first job I liked. At that moment, I decided to order 70 balloons from her, made in the corporate style of the IT company where I worked. We gave the balloons to our clients and partners. People were delighted and said that they had never seen anything like it. Then I realized that this idea was worth developing.

Later I turned to other knitters, but they made much worse wrappers. I decided to offer the first craftswoman, for a certain amount, to make several options for a sample and write a description of their creation. Using the instructions, other knitters also began to produce beautiful products. Two months before the end of the calendar year, I had half a thousand of these balls. I gave away some of them, but sold most of them very easily. Those who managed to see photographs of the products contacted me with the question “Where can they be purchased?” I'm currently trying to automate the process by choosing a knitting machine. This is something like my hobby, I don’t take this topic as a serious matter, but I think my friends won’t have any questions about choosing New Year’s gifts for a long time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Information about the experts

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

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

What you can open in a small town: weighing the pros and cons + 3 tips for choosing your business + 40 business options in a small town.

Do you live in a small village or town and have a commercial background?

At the same time, you think what can you open in a small town?

Then the article is written for you.

Of course, there will be fewer potential buyers, but the costs of opening a project will also decrease (compared to a metropolis).

Competition in small towns and villages is usually low.

A small town is a populated area with a population of 50,000-100,000 people.

There are more than 80% of such towns, cities and villages in Russia.

Experts believe that opening a business in such towns is more profitable than in megacities.

What to open in a small town: taking into account the pros and cons

Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of the idea of ​​opening a business in a small town:

prosMinuses
Lower capital investments than in a metropolis: lower rental costs, lower advertising costs.Low purchasing power reduces profits.
Lower employee salaries.It is difficult to select qualified specialists.
Word of mouth will reduce advertising costs.Word of mouth can quickly destroy a reputation if it gets screwed up. A personal negative reputation can also affect a business.
Cheap local raw materials.Expensive imported raw materials.
There is less competition: it is easier to open something that is not yet available in the locality.There is higher competition for the main, traditional groups of goods.
When competition is low, the demand for goods and services is higher.Fewer buyers means less profit.
Starting a business has fewer obstacles than in a metropolis. There are preferential programs.A narrower choice of business ideas due to conservative tastes. It is better to refuse exotic ideas.

Let's analyze the table and try to decide on the choice of case:

    Are there not many entrepreneurs in the city selling basic consumer goods (food, clothing, shoes)?

    Choose this particular line of business.

    Basic goods should be understood as products that you cannot do without in everyday life.

    There is always a demand for it.

    Occupying this niche means ensuring your success.

    Let's say the niche of traditional goods and services is relatively occupied.

    Then you need to determine what there is demand for, but what competitors do not yet have.

    You can offer these products to your fellow countrymen, simultaneously expanding the range of consumer goods.

    The highest profits can come from organizing a small plant or production using local raw materials.

    But you should immediately take into account one very important point characteristic of.

    The main end consumer is not city residents.

    Such an undertaking will bring profit when producing large quantities of products aimed at delivery to regions.

    This is the most capital-intensive type of business in a small town.

Options for starting your own business in a small town


You are not the first to think about the question of what to open in a small town .

Let's look at various projects that have already been successfully implemented more than once in different localities of Russia.

Maybe one of these business options will appeal to you and will suit the area.

Its business in food and agriculture

“A man who is lucky is a man who has done what others were only about to do.”
Jules Renard

Therefore, selling food is an eternal business.

If you are located near a major city, you can arrange deliveries there.

Sell ​​the surplus products in your village.

What kind of business can you do?

    Prepare pickles, marinades, preserve vegetables, fruits and berries.

    They are sold to factories, cafes, and restaurants.

  • Engage in milk processing (cottage cheese, cheese, cream are in demand).
  • Open a small cheese making shop.

    A business in a small town can easily be positioned as an eco-economy.

    And this topic is popular now.

    Semi-finished products are also in demand today due to the total employment of people in large cities.

    Good quality minced meat, dumplings, pasties, pancakes, dumplings, meatballs, meatballs, cutlets, dough is the key to your income.

    Take up baking bread and baked goods.

    The service will definitely be in demand.

    Grandmothers now are not what they used to be: working and not in a hurry to burden themselves with grandchildren, knitting and staying at home.

    A young mother often has no one to entrust with looking after her child.

    Service station with driving school services.

    This endeavor can be combined with a store selling auto parts and car resale services.

    Photo salon.

    Business can be combined with organizing the design and holding of special events (video and photography, production of booklets, photo books, portraits, toastmaster for parties, corporate events);

    Sewing and clothing repair studio.

    Additionally, you can open paid training courses.

    Shoe workshop.


    An establishment that, in times of total price increases, only becomes more popular.

    Business can be combined with shoe making.

    Creative activities for children.

    Fitness, yoga for kids, foreign languages, drawing.

    "Green tourism".

    If a small town is located in a picturesque place.

    Internet cafe.

    With photocopying services, printing photos and texts.

    Additionally, you can open training on using a PC.

    Repair service for household appliances and appliances.

    Like a shoe workshop, the business will definitely be in demand.

    Workshop for reupholstery, repair and production of furniture.

    Household services service.

    An analogue of the “husband for an hour” business: chop wood for a client, dig a garden, hang a chandelier, fix a faucet, an electrical outlet.

    The demand will be not only from single women, but also from retirees and busy young people.

    Accounting.

    You can start such a business without any start-up investment at all.

    It is only important to have sufficient qualifications.

    Vet clinic.

    It also requires a specialized education.

    It’s a big plus if clients have the opportunity to contact us around the clock.

    After all, in small towns few people have such a competitive advantage.

How to open a business in a small town in the field of trade?


Trade is a simple and popular line of business.

Often in small towns and villages, one store offers different product segments at the same time.

In this business niche you can open:

    Flower shop.

    In addition to arranging bouquets, they organize the sale of indoor plants, seeds, household and garden chemicals, tools, and related literature.

    The organization of banquets and celebrations can be combined with the services of a toastmaster.

    Baby food and goods store.

    In especially small cities, it is better to present this product segment in a regular store.

    Classic store (groceries or clothing,).

    Online store.

    You can organize the delivery of large equipment and other goods, and the buyer will not need to go to another locality to pick them up.

Your own business in handicrafts

You can try to make money from your hobby or skill, teach your craft.

But here the final consumer of the product will definitely be in large populated areas.

You will have to participate in fairs and outdoor events.

This will incur shipping costs.

If you don't have any ideas for what to do, take a look at these ideas:

    Wicker weaving.

    There is a prospect of expansion into furniture production.

    Demand, however, cannot be called high.

    Pottery.

    You can present products not only at exhibitions and public events, but also in online stores.

    Blacksmith craft.

    A promising business that can be combined with welding work.

    At the moment, the trend is voluminous scarves - snoods.

    They are easy to produce and the demand for the product is high.

    Making soap and candles.


    It has become especially popular in recent years.

    Involves making original blankets, pillows, bags, and panels from scraps.

    Making jewelry and jewelry.

    They use cold porcelain techniques, quilling, soutache embroidery, wool felting, wood carving, beadwork, tatting, and a traditional set of jewelry made from beads and stones.

    Leather production.

    Such products (saddles, harnesses, belts) are sold only to special categories of buyers.

    Finding sales points is not so easy, and this needs to be understood.

What else to do in a small town and how to generate business ideas,

explained in the video:

An example of what you can open in a small town: your own apiary


Capital investments (30 hives): 130,000 rubles.
Payback period: from 1 year.

Let's look at how to open your own business using the example of an apiary (for central Russia and further south).

To begin with, you can purchase 10 hives and work without assistants.

Such an apiary will allow you to become familiar with the business, especially if you have never dealt with it.

You will pump out honey for yourself and sell the excess.

But in fact, such a volume of production is not a business yet, but only additional income.

An apiary of 20-30 hives is the minimum volume for self-employment status.

Such an enterprise can become the main source of your income.

As a rule, this is a family affair.

Apiary staff

We can talk about 50-100 hives.

Such a business cannot be opened without additional workers.

You will need at least 2 people for every 20-30 hives during the honey harvest season to look after them.

Duties need to be organized in shifts.

What tools will you need for your business?

  • overalls (gloves, suit, mask with mesh);
  • frames, wire;
  • foundation;
  • beekeeping chisel;
  • bee knife;
  • smoker;
  • fork;
  • drinking bowls, queen cells;
  • preparations for the treatment of bees;
  • honey extractor;
  • wax refiner;
  • hives.

From the second season, the apiary can generate an average of 20% to 150% net profit.