Coming up with a business idea that’s already popular is easy, but thinking of something unique requires courage and patience. To get started, think about innovations that could improve your life. Ask yourself what problems you or your loved ones face. Once you find a problem and create a solution, your idea could be valuable to a large audience, meet a real need, and lead to a successful business.
Unique business ideas often fill a gap or serve an overlooked niche. These 12 examples show that successful businesses can solve problems, inspire innovation, and be highly profitable. Use this list as a starting point to think about your own unique business idea.
Disaster and Emergency Kit Assembly and Delivery
With climate change and disasters becoming more frequent, a business that provides disaster and emergency kits can find a market. For example, Ready To Go Survival started after Hurricane Sandy and offers personalized kits for people preparing for disasters. The company also offers survival consulting, gear, educational resources, and disaster research.
Plant Consultant
If you love plants, you could help others care for their greenery. Nick Cutsumpas, known as Farmer Nick, provides plant consultations and offers services like in-person plant shopping in New York City. He also shares tips and advice through a newsletter, blog, and plant coaching.
Homemade Meal Kit Creation and Local Delivery
Many people are too busy to shop or prepare healthy meals. If you enjoy cooking, you could create homemade meal kits and deliver them locally. Brands like Blue Apron and HelloFresh offer similar services, but your personal touch could build connections within your community.
E-commerce with a Twist
I Do Now I Don’t is an e-commerce site that sells gently used jewelry. It started when its founder, after a failed engagement, tried selling a $10,000 ring and was only offered $3,500 from a jeweler. By cutting out the middleman, the business offers sellers more money and buyers better prices than traditional jewelry stores.
Party Cleanup Service
After a party, most people don’t want to deal with the mess. Hangover Helpers is a business that offers post-party cleanup along with breakfast. It’s a simple service, but one that’s in demand across different regions and groups.
Package-Free Shopping
More people are concerned about waste from packaging. Package Free Shop in New York City offers zero-waste products and ships them without using plastic. Since opening, the company estimates it has kept millions of plastic items out of landfills. This shows there’s a growing market for eco-friendly products and packaging.
Online Baking
If you love baking, an online bakery like Big Red Baking Company could be a great business idea. Running a bakery online lets you sell without renting commercial space. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok can help you showcase your creations and attract customers. Just make sure to follow local food laws and safety standards.
Flexible, Shareable Workspaces
Thanks to technology, people can work from almost anywhere. Companies like WeWork offer office spaces on a month-to-month basis, perfect for freelancers or teams needing a place to meet. This trend shows there’s a growing demand for flexible workspaces.
Online Education on Demand
Skillshare is a platform where experts can teach courses on topics they choose. Students can watch videos at their own pace and get feedback from the community. Teachers earn money from the site, and students can learn new skills affordably. For every membership sold, Skillshare also donates one to a student in need.
Travel-Size Food and Necessities
Minimus is an online company that sells over 2,500 individually packaged items, from travel-size toiletries to single servings of food. It started when the Shrater family noticed how much product they wasted during a trip. Now the business has two large warehouses in Los Angeles and sells ready-made kits for different needs, such as first-aid or family kits.
Fancy Portable Toilets for Rent
Sometimes regular portable toilets aren’t enough for an event. Ahead with Class by ElizaJ rents high-end, clean, and attractive portable restrooms for outdoor events. Each unit includes fresh flowers, designer soaps, and high-quality paper products. The company has also started franchising, allowing others to run their own portable restroom business.
Custom Board and Card Games
The Game Crafter allows people to design and publish their own board games or card games. The platform makes the process easy by providing templates and tools for game creation. Game designers can buy copies of their own games or even sell them through crowdfunding. This business shows that passion projects can lead to profitable ventures.
Developing Unique Business Ideas
Starting a business that fills a specific niche can seem difficult, but it can be incredibly rewarding. No matter the industry, there are always new opportunities to meet unmet needs. The potential for your idea is limitless if it brings innovation to the table.
