15 Successful Business Ideas for Small Towns

There will always be a market for creative professionals, especially photographers. People will always want professionals to photograph events, like weddings, engagements and graduations. Additionally, people may seek the service of a photographer for specific portraits or family studio shots. If your town doesn’t have a photography business, you might jump on this small-town business idea, especially if you have a creative background. Although photography equipment can be on the expensive side, you can keep costs low by sticking with the essentials and trying to capitalize on your local market as much as possible. School photos, especially for high school seniors, can be a surefire way to extend your services on an annual basis.

Even if your town has a grocery store, residents will probably need a more specialized place to go when they’re completing home upkeep or projects and need supplies, without having to wait for online delivery. With the versatility of items you can sell, starting a hardware store can meet many different needs for your town, from painting to gardening to pool maintenance. A hardware store is the perfect business idea for anyone who has an inclination for fixing or building things; plus, maintenance and repair are markets that will always be around.

As we’ve discussed with many of these small-town business ideas, people are always going to want to celebrate certain happenings, which means everything from small get-togethers to parties and events. To fill the celebratory inclination in your town, you might consider opening an event venue and planning business. An event venue can service all kinds of needs and encourage individuals, your town and other towns alike to take advantage of the space. Plus, if you can offer the added value of event planning with your space, you’ll be able to grow your customer base as well as expand even further by offering this service outside of the venue itself.

Every town has children who need to go to school, and if there are students who need additional help outside of school hours, a tutoring business can be helpful for children and parents alike. If you’re looking for one of the small-town business ideas that allows you to give back and grow your community, you might consider a tutoring business. You can start your tutoring business to cater to kids at any level — elementary, high school or college prep. Just think about a subject that you’re knowledgeable and passionate about, and you’ll easily connect to kids who need help. This small-town business idea is also a great option for parents who have a large network of other families in their town.

A good handyman will always be in demand, even in small towns. If you’re frequently getting calls from friends, family and neighbors to come and take a look at a leaky pipe or wobbly board, you might be well on your way to starting a small-town business that works. Starting a contractor service will be relatively straightforward if you already work odd jobs, and have an idea of who will hire you. If people in the area are unfamiliar with your work, try to get in touch with a general contractor who’s willing to offer a small project, and hopefully pass on your name to future clients. In a word-of-mouth business like service work, repairs and construction, the people you already know, and who know your work, are your strongest salespeople.

You’re pretty much required to have a car if you live in a rural area or a small town, but being far away from a dealership can make routine servicing a hassle. Auto repair services fill an obvious need for small towns and make life more convenient for locals, so you might consider whether there’s an opportunity in your town to open up shop. Likewise, cars break down everywhere, and most tow trucks charge per mile. So, if your town is a significant distance between major cities, there might be an opportunity for you to start towing cars — even if you don’t have a proper repair shop.

All businesses and individuals need technology support, wherever they’re located. No matter how big or small the town, there will always be folks using technology — and having trouble connecting their WiFi. This service will require slightly more advertising to get the word out since it’s less visible than a business with a storefront and less regular than a service like housecleaning or carpet cleaning. But if you don’t plan on doing major repairs, it won’t require much in the way of equipment, so you’ll keep overhead costs low too. For more info on how to succeed in this business check website.

Although a brewery or winery may require more research and investment than some of the other small-town business ideas on this list, either of these business options can be extremely successful. Breweries and wineries can serve as town gathering spots, not only for drinks but for events and simple get-togethers, especially in warm weather if you have outdoor space. It seems that the frequency and popularity of small-town breweries and wineries have grown in recent years, and even though these businesses might involve more initially, they’ll definitely leave opportunity for growth and development. Plus, all of this pent up demand means that you won’t have to worry as much about marketing. There’s a good chance that customers will be lining up to walk through your doors. So if you’ve been hesitant to follow your passion, let us just put this out there that this is the time to tap into a business industry that is perfect for a small town.

One of the primary amenities that small towns tend to lack is decent shopping. Often, those living in smaller towns and communities have to drive significant mileage just for basic clothing necessities. That’s why starting a clothing boutique will not only put you on the map but will make you a popular destination for most residents in the vicinity. You’ll pretty much be the mall substitute for all things teen-related. With clothes, you can consider a variety of different avenues, from a T-shirt business to items that are unique and locally made. Depending on the location of your town, a clothing boutique can not only service locals but any visitors or tourists from nearby cities as well. Just make sure to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and apparel POS technology.

Opening an ice cream shop in a small town is a business idea guaranteed to draw a crowd. Knowing your product, being familiar with the most popular ice cream flavors and having a willingness to work nights and weekends are all important factors to take into account. Depending on the weather and economic status of your area, you will need to consider whether it is better to invest in a storefront venue, an ice cream stand, or an ice cream truck. With the potential to generate a profit margin between 20%-50%+ location is critical. If you opt for a mobile venture, you can cater to community events such as local fairs, carnivals, and school socials. Utilize local products where possible to engage the locals and impress tourists. You could take it one step further and sell dairy products to your patrons which would eliminate the issue of potential product waste. that it is possible to achieve profits exceeding $50,000 in a 3-4 month season, making this a business startup worthy of consideration.

There’s nothing better than a small-town bakery — a place for residents to go for a good cookie, slice of cake or croissant. If you have a talent for baking or can work with someone who does, this could be the perfect small-town business idea for you. By starting a bakery, you can appeal to the sweet tooth of your small town, as well as service those looking for a quick pastry and cup of coffee in the morning before work. You also have the opportunity to make cakes, cupcakes or any kind of specialty dessert for events and parties. Starting a bakery is even better if your small town doesn’t currently have one, plus, it’s perhaps less involved than a full-service restaurant. With startup fees projected between $10,000-$70,000, you could ‘jump start’ a bakery for as little as $2000. A bakery can generate a monthly income from $2000-$5000. So, wake up the baker in you and be the master!

Regardless of the size of your town, you’ll always have visitors, whether family visiting from out of town for the holidays or tourists just passing through. This being said, offering visitors a place to stay, like a bed and breakfast, can be a great small-town business idea. A bed and breakfast can service a variety of clientele, operate all year round and doesn’t require too large of a space or staff. If your small town is close to a major highway or city, a quaint, affordable bed and breakfast can be even more appealing to visitors or even locals looking for a weekend away. Bed and breakfast owners also tend to live in the same homes they manage, often converting their larger homes into B&Bs. This is a great idea for those who have recently become empty nesters with too many rooms to fill. If you’re later in life and looking for business ideas for small towns, this concept is a great one to explore. With a gross profit margin over $30,000, owning a Bed and Breakfast is a profitable and sustainable business venture, as outlined in this publication. The investment costs range from $20,000-$50,000/room to fully optimize your home as Bed and Breakfast.

When a town that could sustain a grocery store doesn’t have one, there’s a probably good reason: Maybe most people commute every day and use other stores, or there isn’t a large enough population to support a big-box chain. If you want to go the independent route (i.e. not open a franchise store), try to find a way to specialize your store so that you don’t overspend on a huge inventory. Use local products, trends and tastes to help inform this decision. In agricultural areas, farmers market-style stores that carry local produce and seasonal goods are usually popular with both locals and tourists. A town that already has a major chain grocery store, but few available options for organic, local, gluten-free or vegan choices, is a great candidate for a specialty food store.

Diner, fine dining or somewhere in between, a successful small-town restaurant is all about providing people what they want, but don’t already have. When starting a restaurant, it might be tempting to copy a popular place in town, but consider catering to a need — or desire — that locals can’t find nearby, and an attraction worth traveling over from the next town. For example, a farm-to-table restaurant is a great small-town business idea, but if you’re not in an agriculturally rich area, or that already exists in your town, consider an alternative. Think about what your family looks forward to when leaving town. Maybe it’s the experience of an elegant meal, or maybe it’s a slice of New York-style pizza, but there’s a good chance there’s a market for a new restaurant. You just have to figure out what people want — and will eat.

Coffee shops are a popular place for a community to congregate, socialize, or enjoy a beverage on the go. Research your costs, analyze your specific target market, offer items exclusive to your area, and this can be a cost-effective enterprise. One major thing to keep in mind is to make sure that your coffee shop design appeals to both a mid-day and a post-work crowd. Nothing says small town charm like a simple, relaxed business layout. Opting for a design concept that is genuine and modest, along with a coffee shop POS that will make ordering feel like a breeze, will suit most customers and provide that small town ambiance patrons crave. You can open an independent coffee shop for as little as $5000 or invest as much as $350,000+.With projected earnings for shop owners estimated at $60,000-$160,000 per annum, there is the potential to achieve significant monetary success.

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