Editor’s note: This article was first published in February 2018; the company details are as of February 2018 or earlier, including Nomad running since 2013, Blue Apron’s free delivery, GLAMSQUAD prices from $50 and the People’s Bootcamp model. Any of these businesses may have changed or closed.
We’re continuing our round-up of small business ideas that work in other parts of the world and could be profitable if we decided to import the model to other countries. This time we’re heading to the place in the United States where, according to Sinatra, anything was possible.
We’re talking about New York, and these are some of the small businesses with a touch of innovation, originality and distinction whose concept you could import from the United States to start a business in your own country.
See also: 10 small business ideas that started in Canada
6 business ideas you can import to your country
See also:
- 6 business ideas to import from the United States (part 1)
- 9 very cool businesses to import from New Orleans
1. Nomad, a clothing truck
We had already seen plenty of food truck options (cakes, burgers, hot dogs…), but the idea of a mobile clothing shop is quite original. This mobile clothing shop, inside a truck converted for the purpose, has been running successfully since 2013.
It focuses mainly on women’s fashion and locally made jewellery. On its website it publishes its route, so people know which day it will be near them. Advantages of this business model: lower costs when it comes to being in different cities. Disadvantages: you can be in different places, but not at the same time. The concept is certainly original.
2. Blue Apron
For lazy cooks, this company has come up with a good idea to make life easier. You can buy exactly the ingredients you need to make a meal, in the exact quantities. And what’s more, they deliver them to your door for free. They also offer a weekly subscription service. The company has been very well received, because it works like fast food, but with fresh ingredients cooked in our own home.
3. GLAMSQUAD, stylists who come to you
When we’re looking for a business that doesn’t need commercial premises, offering home services is ideal. With this company, you book an appointment and a stylist comes to your home or office with all the tools and products needed to do your nails, cut your hair, style it or do your make-up.
The company’s services start at $50, and it also sells books with make-up techniques and tutorials. The business was profitable from the very beginning, and it has stylists all over New York.
4. Hinge, a different kind of dating app
There are lots of dating websites and apps, but Hinge is the only one where you only match with someone who is a friend of one of your Facebook friends. In other words, you meet people within your circles of acquaintances. The app is free, and it didn’t take long to spread to practically the whole of the United States.
It sounds good in theory, but in practice, as we can imagine, almost everyone has some Facebook friend who is actually a stranger. But the idea is good.
5. A pay-what-you-can gym
The idea behind this business is that keeping fit shouldn’t be expensive, so they run fitness, aerobics and strength classes, and customers pay whatever they want (whatever they think is fair). Their message is that they’re more interested in building a community of people than in making money, although the money comes anyway, since the workouts are usually held outdoors. The message on their website is that you only use your own body weight: no weights, no equipment, no nonsense.
Of course, the founder of the idea also offers private training as a personal trainer, for which he does charge a fee, and his website also has an online shop selling sportswear. It’s a profitable business.
6. A florist specialising in living sculptures
Michelle started this idea out of pure passion and creativity. A plant lover, she began making crafts in all kinds of glass containers. With a little moss and some miniature figures, she can transform the look of a beer jug, a vinegar cruet, perfume bottles and so on.
She opened her own shop, where she displays her creations and takes orders to make pieces to customers’ tastes. This small business is in high demand. Michelle has no trouble selling her creations.
In New York we’d find other kinds of profitable businesses too, such as a craft beer bar with unusual flavours, where the beer’s ingredients change every week, with a touch of curry or horseradish.
See also: 10 personality traits you need to be an entrepreneur and succeed in business
Or a jewellery business that donates part of its profits to helping women entrepreneurs in developing countries, or restaurants with a different chef every week.
New York is also the birthplace of hybrid businesses, where a clothes shop is also a café, or of event spaces inside pubs and private clubs.
Anything that stands out from the ordinary can work in a city that rewards creativity and innovation.
Further reading
Featured image: Natalia Wilson, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr.
