Editor’s note: This article was first published in May 2013 as a 2013 snapshot of startups and markets, including the claim that shirt subscriptions had not yet reached Spain, Mexico or Argentina and that Shoes of Prey was a fast-growing young company. Shoes of Prey reportedly stopped trading around 2018–2019.
These are new business ideas we have gathered from different parts of the world, although most of them come from the US. The other day we concluded that the most profitable businesses at the moment were in clothing, food and technology, since that is where entrepreneurs seem to be finding the highest success rate.
1. Chat-and-dating restaurants, cafés and pubs
Until now, new technologies have been changing the way we communicate, making us ever more sociable on the internet and less sociable in real life. In some places, venues have appeared with exactly the opposite idea: capturing the essence of a chat room or an online dating site and recreating it in the real world. In other words, they are bars or restaurants where walking in feels like entering a chat room, but a real one. We are not hiding behind a computer screen. We are looking at the person.
That said, these venues do have an area with computers for shyer people who haven’t plucked up the courage yet. The business is profitable because it charges its customers a monthly fee, with drinks paid separately. They often organise special events such as round tables, and they usually give special gifts to the couples who get together there.
Although this idea might not appeal to people who increasingly seek anonymity, the truth is that these venues are working, because users value people who don’t mind showing their face, which takes more courage than a simple chat.
(See: Business ideas related to love)
2. A store whose product theme keeps changing
This business idea is quite original. It comes from New York. The store works like a mini trade fair whose theme keeps changing, and any business owner with original products or innovations the public doesn’t know about yet, or who simply wants to open up new markets, can set up an exhibition and spend that period explaining everything about the product to customers.
In February the theme was love, so the store filled up with provocative and very untraditional products, from new luxury shoes and lingerie to much spicier items. I don’t know exactly how this entrepreneur makes money; it could be by renting out the space or by taking a commission on each sale. Even so, the idea sounds very interesting. (See: 5 profitable business ideas from around the world)
3. A hybrid business: clothing and tattoos
In our previous article we mentioned some hybrid businesses, such as combining a tea room with tarot readings or a hairdresser’s with a suit shop. In this case, given that tattoos are one of the booming businesses (just look around you), Brightside Boutique & Tattoo started out as a tattoo studio and then added cutting-edge clothing, shoes and accessories. That way, many customers who come in for a tattoo end up buying clothes, and those who come in to buy clothes can become potential tattoo clients. Since they started selling online, business has been booming for these entrepreneurs.
4. Clothing by subscription
Hall & Madden is a leading name in selling shirts, and this kind of business has not yet reached Spain, Mexico or Argentina (as far as I know). It works through a website where, for a monthly, six-monthly or annual fee, you receive three high-quality shirts every month.
Mind you, this idea is aimed at executives, so the business is not built on low prices but on quality. Even so, because the subscription model guarantees them a steady flow of orders, customers get the shirts at good prices. Ideas like this really are profitable for both the customer and the entrepreneur.
5. Customers design their own shoes
Shoes of Prey offers a distinctive service that solves a problem for a very special customer: women. Have you ever bought a gorgeous pair of shoes, only to find the next day that your cousin, your neighbour and even the old lady on the fourth floor had already bought the same ones? This company, which already sells worldwide with free shipping, lets you design your own shoes in just a few minutes: the style, colour, fabric, heel height, colour combinations and so on. That way, your shoes will be completely original and unique. The company was founded by three Australian entrepreneurs and was extremely well received within just a few months.
More business ideas
- 11 profitable micro-business ideas for students, homemakers and the unemployed
- 9 business ideas you can run from home
- 6 business ideas with no investment
Featured image: Tamorlan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
