Creative business in a small town. Business in a small town: development prospects and ideas. Profitable business with minimal investment

You will learn how to start your business from scratch in a small town and what to do to make it profitable. What business ideas with minimal investment make the most sense in the province?

A small town is not an obstacle for large, much less medium and small businesses. Entrepreneurial people are everywhere - if only there is a desire, but you can realize your potential even in a small locality.

Don’t rush to move to big cities - their smaller counterparts also need jobs and quality goods/services. In this article we have prepared an overview of business ideas for small towns. These ideas are easy to implement and do not require large investments.

Business in a small town - how justified is it?

To begin with, there is no clear definition of a “small” city. This concept is relative and largely subjective. For one businessman, these are places with a population of less than 50,000 inhabitants, a second feels comfortable in cities with a population of 100,000-300,000 people, and for a third, even half a million people will be small.

According to official data, out of 1,100 cities in Russia, only 37 have a population of more than 500 thousand. This means we have many platforms for building a small local business.

Most often, those who have lived there all their lives or have relatives there open their own businesses in such settlements. But modern technologies make it possible to set up a business almost anywhere and control it in the future remotely.

At the same time, minimal investments are required to open, since the cost of rent and the level of workers’ wages in the province are much lower.

Small towns tend to lack infrastructure. People lack a variety of products, entertainment, and services. If you live in such a town, you yourself can confidently say what you lack as a resident.

But what if you are not familiar with the locality closely enough to know about its problems? Any startup starts with analysis. First you need to study the city and its infrastructure and find out what its residents need.

We have selected several current trends that are taking root well in small towns.

Popular business areas in the province

Let's look at the most popular areas of business in small towns.

Choose in these areas - you won't go wrong.

Services sector

Services are always and everywhere in demand by the population. But what is included in this broad concept? Hairdressing services, legal services, shipping services, home training, etc. Within a small town, it is better to pay attention to the types of services that residents need regularly. Tire fitting, car service, shoe repair.

Whatever area you choose, you need to carefully study your potential competitors and, if possible, collect “news from the field” - find out what residents are not happy with in their work, what needs to be improved and added.

Selling goods

The most banal, but at the same time a win-win option is a grocery store. In provincial cities, stores do not offer residents a variety of assortments, and federal grocery chains have not yet reached many.

In addition to basic necessities, residents lack quality clothing and shoes, household goods and other things. Market research will allow you to identify which areas are not covered and choose the right niche.

Production

Most often, small towns are located near some kind of factory - a city-forming enterprise where most of the population works. Open your own production - not a factory, of course, but a small full-cycle enterprise. For example, a bakery - in many cities there are problems with quality bread. If you occupy this niche, there will be no end to buyers.

In addition, labor is cheap here and there will always be employees for a company that assembles shovels, for example, or produces paving slabs. But then it will be necessary to establish sales in other regions and regional centers.

You will not only earn money, but also create additional jobs, and in case of great success, a family business that you will pass on to your children.

What kind of business can you open in a small town - TOP 8 ideas that work

This is just an indicative list and you don’t have to limit yourself to it.

Flower business

I would like to voice an unusual but interesting option for making money on flowers.

Small towns are full of private houses where hardworking women compete in growing a wide variety of flowers. In the summer, organize the purchase of the most beautiful specimens for a small fee and put them together into successful compositions. And in winter, engage in the traditional supply of flowers for the holidays and provide decoration services for weddings and other celebrations.

Renting out premises

This profitable option is for those who have free money to purchase residential or commercial space. Pay attention to the towns at ski and traditional resorts - during the high season, daily rentals are in great demand. And in the low season you can rent out the premises to business travelers.

The advantage of this option is that you will not lose the money invested if it fails.

Commission shop

Since in most cases the level of wages and the purchasing power of the population are low, people often have to turn to Second Hand stores.

It won’t be difficult to arrange the supply of things; you just need to take into account the tastes of the population. If you want to expand your business, sell not only used clothes, but also other goods. A pawnshop becomes a logical continuation of such a business.

Repair of household appliances

In areas with a population of more than 20 thousand people, there are already federal chain stores that sell modern household appliances - all kinds of multicookers, coffee machines and hobs.

Not every man knows how to repair newfangled equipment. And well-worn microwaves and vacuum cleaners also require periodic maintenance. People here are more used to repairing things rather than throwing them away when they break. Therefore, a flow of clients to a good specialist is guaranteed.

Opening a private kindergarten or development center

If in large cities people pay 10 thousand or more for a private garden, then here be prepared for lower bills. However, private kindergartens are in great demand among the population against the backdrop of a reduction in preschool institutions. Of course, in this case it is necessary to carefully select personnel and control food.

Provincial cities lack a variety of entertainment and educational programs for children. Within the development center, you can offer several groups to choose from. The only question here is where to find competent personnel.

Nowadays there are a huge number of developmental programs for children that do not require special training - you just need to love children.

Finger painting, sand therapy, baby yoga and first steps in English will fit perfectly under one roof. And the traditional children's playroom will become a favorite place to spend time for mothers and babies.

Furniture repair

Low wages do not allow residents of the province to buy expensive modern furniture. However, everyone has a need for beautiful and high-quality things. If you have a friend in mind with golden hands, organize a tandem, where you will organize the business and attract clients, and your friend will repair and update outdated furniture.

You just need to purchase the necessary tools and materials, and send a friend to a course in upholstery of upholstered furniture. This is a very profitable option, despite its apparent simplicity.

Hairdressing services

It also happens that in small towns there are not enough beauty specialists. Hairdressing services will be in demand always and everywhere as long as people grow hair. But besides this, women love manicures, cosmetology, and makeup.

If you have a diploma as a hairdresser and are inclined to open your own office, take courses in makeup or aesthetic cosmetology. This way you will expand the list of your services, which means you will increase the number of clients.

“Everything for 50” format stores

This is a real money magnet, especially in small towns. The biggest difficulty in organizing the work of such a store is calculating the profitability of sales, since the purchase price of some goods is higher than the selling price.

This is compensated by a large markup on other groups of goods. You can start small by stocking your shelves with cheap and functional products. And in the future, after studying the needs of the population, we will expand the range. And promoting such a store is as easy as shelling pears - housewives and word of mouth will do it for you.

There are other options: buying a franchise of a popular catering establishment such as KFS, a dumpling shop or pizzeria, a karaoke bar, a bowling alley or a dry cleaner, where they will help you at the opening stage. But they are quite expensive and have their pitfalls, so we’ll leave them for another article.

Where to start - step-by-step instructions

The key to the success of any undertaking is a properly drawn up plan to achieve the goal.

Take advantage of expert insights.

Step 1. Choose a direction and analyze competitors

First, decide which direction will bring you more pleasure in your work. What can you do with enthusiasm?

After you find the answer to this question, answer the following: will this business be useful and in demand in the location you have chosen?

If yes, then move on to studying your competitors. The following indicators are important here: their location and distance from each other (it is better to visualize this on a map); level of service, price range and breadth of assortment.

It is better to summarize all these indicators in a comparative table, which will clearly show the pros and cons of your competitors. Take the time to visit their establishments yourself and personally evaluate the work.

Step 2. Draw up a business plan

In the business plan, you need to take into account all the costs and write down all the steps to implement your idea.

First, write down each task and the time it will take to complete it in as much detail as possible:

• searching for suitable premises;
• selection of employees;
• search and purchase of equipment;
• sign making;
• what repair work needs to be done in the premises;
• employee training;
• registration of a legal entity - for a small business, an individual entrepreneur is enough.

After that, start calculating costs.

Here are the main expense items:

1. Rent.
2. Internal and external design of the point.
3. Equipment costs: no need to buy if you can rent.
4. Salaries to employees.
5. Advertising costs: outdoor advertising and advertising on social networks, posting advertisements, making booklets (optional depending on the type of your business).

Step 3. Launch the project and look for clients

After you have completed all the points of your business plan, decide what you will do yourself and what it is better to entrust to contractors. Often, new entrepreneurs take on the entire burden of tasks to reduce costs and fail.

If you don’t know how to attract customers to your “Everything for 50” goods store, then trust in the hands of SMM specialists who will be able to show advertising of your store to residents of the town.

How to correctly analyze the market and competitors

Competitor analysis provides basic information for drawing up a business plan based on market needs. A competitor location map will help you choose the optimal location for your point.

Keep in mind that it is advantageous to locate next to related businesses. Thus, it is advisable to place a flower shop near a candy store or alcohol store; tire service - next to the car service; furniture repair - next to the furniture store.

A competitor comparison chart provides comprehensive information on what prices to charge and what products or services to add to your portfolio to outperform your competitors. To complete the picture, ask your friends or post a survey in the settlement group on social networks.

The more you know about your competitors, the higher your chances of beating them.

How to grow your business

Competition in the province is often small but fierce. How you establish yourself initially among locals will play a key role in the future of your business. Therefore, always try to provide the best possible service.

Large retail chains took an example from the West and were the first in the country to introduce service standards. These standards take a long time to reach provincial cities, and here people pay more attention to the politeness of the staff and the quality of service.

Teach your employees to smile and wish them a good day - and you will soon notice an increase in the number of regular customers.

Regularly conduct mystery shopper raids on your toughest competitors and use the information you receive to improve your business.

You shouldn’t spread rumors like “one client told me that he recently bought expired goods from Vasily” if you can’t back them up with anything. Word of mouth in villages works both ways, and in this way you will only ruin your reputation.

Loyalty programs work great in conditions of limited competition. Since there are not many clients, try to look for an individual approach to each one. Friendly attitude and individual privileges are the best engine of trade in such conditions.

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

And a few more fundamental success factors.

Remember them and don’t forget to put them into practice.

Product Availability

Keeping in mind the level of salaries and purchasing power of the population, try to keep prices always at the same level. And take this into account when developing a price line - in the difficult conditions of small cities, price stability is important to people.

And don’t forget that in a city that can be walked around in 30 minutes, it’s not at all difficult to go to a nearby store where prices are lower.

Close attention to competitors

A small number of competitors is one of the main advantages of entrepreneurship in small towns. Always stay up to date with your competitors and changes in their work. Any mistake by a competing company is a chance to improve its performance.

Consistently good reputation

The opening of a new store is a big event for the life of a provincial town, so be prepared for close attention from residents.

During this period, everything must be impeccable - the quality of service and goods, the level of service and promotions. If you manage to win the favor of buyers at this stage, then you are guaranteed a flow of regular customers.

A few more ideas in video format:

Conclusion

You don't have to live in a metropolis to open your own successful business. Quality and a serious approach to business are valued in any city. Technologies used in business today allow us to work from anywhere in the world.

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There is a widespread belief that big money is earned in megacities, while provincial businessmen in a small town earn much more modest incomes. This is partly true, because megacities have large populations, and therefore higher demand for certain goods and services. The purchasing power of the population is also higher here. However, this does not mean that the idea of ​​opening a business in a small town in itself is something meaningless.

Moreover, according to all economic forecasts, it is for small business future, therefore, even in a small provincial town there is every reason to expect success.

What is typical for business in a small town, what are its features?

Minimum competition and cheap start

The 2 main advantages of any business idea for a small city are a minimum of competition and small investments with which you can start a business in a small city.

On the other hand, the main disadvantage should be taken into account - the low purchasing power of the majority of the population. People in the regions do not have much money, and first of all they cover their basic needs - food, housing, cheap entertainment, clothes, and only then cafes and restaurants.

An important provincial factor is mentality

Well, and finally, another important provincial factor is mentality. In a small town, where half of the residents know each other, reputation sometimes plays a much more important role than in a large regional center. But it all depends on the city.

The main direction is trade

Be that as it may, 80% of business ideas in small towns are “tied” to trade, and there is a logical explanation for this. If you decide to “enter the same river,” perhaps it makes sense to acquire an existing business. In any case, finding an unfilled niche with good demand will not be easy at all. A little advice: be careful with a specific product. It can either make a splash or, due to weak purchasing power and conservative views of a certain part of the population, go unnoticed.

A new direction of business in small towns in 2019 - property of bankrupts and bailiff debtors

Recently, the number of bankruptcies has increased many times over, but few people know that debtors’ property is sold through public auction, where it can often be purchased for pennies.

It is especially interesting to purchase property in small towns, since few people there know about the offers and know how to work with auctions. See more details in Oleg Selifanov's free course

Rental business - rental of residential and commercial real estate

Main plus rental of residential real estate- people always need housing, especially when you consider that you can start a rental business even with an amount of 100 - 200 rubles; this idea works well in the regions.

To better understand how to make money on real estate and not make irreparable mistakes, go through free courses on real estate and earnings. They will help you decide in which direction you want to work and which one is right for you.

• How to get 35-70% per annum on real estate
• Business idea - Apartment building (video + business plan)

4 main advantages of business ideas with real estate in small towns

1. rental business requires minimal participation,
2. has excellent credit and you can start even with a small personal capital - 100-200 thousand rubles
3. scales well
4. brings rental income every month
5. A small number of employees is enough, sometimes even coming and working on a piece-rate basis with the simplest qualifications.

Opening a service business in small towns

The situation looks somewhat different. Here it is very important to correctly draw the line between essential services and benefits that are not essential. Naturally, in a small locality the first type will be in demand, and not the second.

For example, a profitable business is more likely to be hairdresser with affordable prices and a constant flow of clients, and not a SPA salon with a wide range of expensive cosmetic procedures. Along with this, it is not enough to be like everyone else, that is, in our example, like other hairdressing salons.

In order for a potential client to give preference to your salon in the future, offer him a little something, but a highlight. This could simply be high-quality service, when a person was not only given a haircut, but also met in a clean room, were friendly to him, and asked to wait his turn in a comfortable chair.

Repair service

Another niche that promises success in a small town is provision of repair services. There is a simple explanation for this. The income level in the province, as a rule, is average or below average, so no one here is in a hurry to throw broken household appliances, shoes or clothes into the trash.

In this regard, opening a repair shop with a convenient location and work schedule can potentially count on financial success. In general, there are simply a huge number of business ideas for the city, you just need to search.

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 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.

About 80% of the Russian population lives outside the capital and regional centers. Rumors that it is impossible to create a profitable business in the periphery are greatly exaggerated. The article provides five examples of quite successful businesses, and notes the characteristic features of provincial cities.

 

The answer to the question of what business to open in a small town cannot be unambiguous. In addition to the general characteristics inherent in small administrative centers, each of them has its own unique features. When counting on the success of an enterprise, it is necessary to take into account both groups of influencing factors as fully as possible. As life shows, the advantages in this regard are on the side of the local residents. In contrast to the “alien Varangians” who develop a new territory by trial and error.

Pros and cons of a small town

Two professors from the Higher School of Economics: Simon Kordonsky and Yuri Plyusnin, made 30 traveling expeditions in 2011-2014, studying provincial towns in the Russian hinterland. The results of the study were announced in June of this year as part of the round table “Russian Society Outside Big Cities.”

Hence the conclusion: there are prospects anywhere. The main thing: when choosing which business to open in a small town, all ideas need to be considered through the prism of specific local characteristics.

General specifics of small towns

• one, less often two city-forming enterprises;
• low-rise buildings, low population density;
• low incomes and solvency of residents;
• high level of administrative "press".

At first glance, all of the above limits the choice of business idea. But on the other hand, these same factors provide some advantages: low start-up capital investments, no large advertising costs and a relatively low level of competition.

As an example, we can cite federal retail chains: “Magnit”, “Seventh Continent” and others. Despite widespread development in large cities, in the periphery they, as a rule, do not receive the expected profit. In small towns, they lose their main advantage: the savings from population density, which reduces their costs, and displace small retail outlets within their small radius of influence. In addition, the average salary of residents of small towns is 5-7 times lower than even the regional level, which significantly reduces trade turnover from 1 sq. m. and the amount of the average bill. Lack of knowledge of the local market and consumer tastes also plays a role.

As a rule, socially oriented projects receive administrative support: educational, sports, cultural, and health projects. When developing a trading business, you need to take into account the interests of local producers. In general, the authorities are interested in developing those types of activities, the income from which goes to the local budget.

What business ideas to pay attention to

If you intend to open your own business in a small town or village, it would not be superfluous to ask what small and medium-sized enterprises in Russia do in general (Fig. 1).

Even at a quick glance, everything is obvious. About 40% of small and medium-sized enterprises are engaged in retail trade, catering, and household repairs. Under “others” are hidden: hotels, restaurants and cafes; housing and communal services, education; entertainment, tourism. How to assess the prospects of this or that idea, to understand which business is the most profitable in a small town?

The main feature of a business idea for a small city: it must take into account local specific factors, both positive and negative.

In most cases, the bet turns out to be successful:

• to local flavor, unique nature: organization of non-standard tours, including agritourism, which is gaining popularity; horse breeding; opening of a mini-hotel;
• on historically established habits: fishing and fish breeding, production of dairy products, potatoes - in agricultural areas; knitting production in areas where goats and sheep are raised.
• to meet the modern needs of the population: private kindergartens, cafes, paintball clubs, entertainment for children, development and sports centers.

The services offered must solve pressing, vital problems of city residents. Practicality and benefit are the main criteria for choosing a business idea for a small town, and not its pretentiousness or exclusivity.

A separate topic is services for business. Surprisingly, they are in demand! For accountants, economists, lawyers, experts in various industries, this is a poorly filled and very promising niche. This is shown by the results of a survey recently conducted by the Small Business Resource Center (Fig. 2). The project was implemented using the example of three cities: Suvorov (20,126 people), Buturlinovka (26,241 people) and Ostrogozhsk (32,310 people).

The biggest gap is in legal advice. There is no company providing such services in any of these cities.

Is successful business in the periphery a reality? Yes!

The examples below are taken from real life. This is a clear illustration of everything that was said above.

Private kindergarten "Umka"

City of Sibay, Bashkiria, 62 35 inhabitants.;

Ilmira Gatiyatova directly faced a problem when she was unable to go to work: there was no place in kindergarten for her 2.5-year-old daughter. 6 months passed from the birth of the idea to its implementation. 200,000 rubles of their own funds were invested in the organization, and 300,000 were received from the city budget under the program to support small and medium-sized businesses. The private kindergarten is the first and so far the only one in the city. There are 30 children attending it, and 50 parents have already signed up for the waiting list. In the video below, the entrepreneur talks about his experience.

The Ministry of Labor has prepared a bill that is under consideration. It will allow the use of maternity capital funds to pay for private kindergartens and individual entrepreneurs providing supervision and care for children. If the law is adopted, this type of business will receive an additional impetus for development.

Interesting franchise: Baby Way - an innovative technique for raising children.

Consulting in a small town?

Engineering group "Compass"

G. Glazov Udmurtia, 94,610 inhabitants.

In Europe and the USA, about 90% of small and more than 50% of medium-sized enterprises use the services of accounting firms. In Russia there is still much less, but the number of people interested is constantly growing. The Compass educational and methodological center grew out of a small company providing services in the field of law, accounting, and consulting on business issues. The organization was created in 2002, and now it is already a group of companies. Its partners and clients include the largest enterprises in the region. In 2008, the Expert RA rating agency assigned the company a V quality rating. Its director Andrey Anatolyevich Makarov was recognized as the best entrepreneur of the city in the “Services” category in 2010.

Uryupinsk: “Russia is a province - a hole”?

The town is located in the south of the Volgograd region, population - 39,171 people. Two years ago, he officially registered the brand “Capital of the Russian Province”. The following three examples of successful businesses show that enterprising people find business everywhere.

Let's replace Polish apples with Russian ones

In 2007, a young entrepreneur Nikolai Sayutin purchased one of the apple orchards abandoned in the 90s. The mild climate makes it possible to grow excellent apples here, and over the past years, the renovated orchards have entered a time of active fruiting. Taking into account the policy of import substitution, the entrepreneur hit the bull’s eye. A video from local Uryupinsk TV shows the whole process in detail.

The entrepreneur organized waste recycling

The enterprise, created by Ali Ibragimov in 2010, is thriving - there is plenty of garbage in the city. It makes a profit and employs 10 workers. There is a loader, two presses. Aluminum cans, waste paper, and plastic bottles are recycled. So far it is the only one in the city, but there are plans to expand services in the housing and communal services sector. In what areas is kept secret from future competitors. B.zYu

Knitting enterprise LLC "Uzory"

A small enterprise was organized by Raisa Kazimirova in 2000. It employs 10 homeworkers, 7 knitters, 3 spinners. Uryupinsk is the only place in Russia where goats with a fluff length of up to 13 cm are bred (the vaunted Orenburg ones, according to locals, have it shorter). Nowadays, Vyacheslav Zaitsev, Andrey Malakhov, and members of the Ryzhkov and Chubais families are wearing products from Uryupinsk. For his 55th birthday, Putin was given down underpants, a T-shirt with the inscription “I’ll give up everything, I’ll go to Uryupinsk” and socks. They were included in the rating of “The Best Gifts for the President” compiled by the Trud newspaper.

There are only 5 examples, and small and medium-sized cities in Russia make up more than 80% of the total number. There is a field for activity, if there is a desire.

An important condition for organizing a business in a small town is low initial costs. In a special section of the Moneymaker Factory, we have collected 45 projects with investment amounts starting from 15,000 thousand rubles. Here you will find real stories of aspiring and successful businessmen, examples of business plans and interesting ideas.