Today’s economy is one consisting of many opportunities, threats and risks. With the internet at our finger tips and a whole world of information readily available, marketing techniques and sales methods have had to diversify accordingly. With this happening, it seems to have been quite a quick transition out of the old, traditional marketing and sales methods which got it all started. All business’ now seem to focus around brand new app ideas and disruptive tech innovation to change the future, but the older more traditional markets are not only still hugely profitable, but they have a much lower start-up cost and are generally more open to everyone! Some of the few things you’ll need to purchase for these business’ are: A premises, mode of transport, legal licensing and patents/trade-marks if applicable.
Starting a business doesn’t always have to be finding a new niche with a new product or aiming to become to next Amazon or Apple. Owning your own business is a very viable route in any existing industry doing things that are already being done. All business’ and markets need competition, this makes them perform better and promotes more efficiency and a higher quality in products. Entering an already established market is definitely something that can bare huge success, it just need to be marketed appropriately and the product/service needs to be justified (higher quality/better value than existing entries).
Below, some examples of business’ to start today will be outlined:
Cleaning Company
This is widely regarded as one of the most straightforward businesses to make money from, and requires minimal effort and costs to get started. If you love the look and feel of a super clean and tidy home, general domestic cleaning services would be a great focus, and this could include more niche services like carpet cleaning, window cleaning or even pool cleaning. Targeting big business parks is another option, as many companies will outsource their office cleaning to small agencies. Your van will provide ample room for all your cleaning supplies and with some nice branding on the sides, could really help your business succeed.
Painter/Decorator
If you’ve got a knack for wallpapering and you’re constantly thinking of ways to update the walls of your own home, setting up your own painting and decorating company could be an enjoyable, fuss-free way of making money. Start by offering your new services to family and friends to build up some experience of working with different people and buildings, before taking to your van and extending your services further afield. It’ll be relatively low cost, too, and you can build up your inventory over time.
Gardening
Green-fingered Brits might only dream of being able to work outdoors for a living (even in rainy England), but by simply chucking your gardening kit into the back of your van and putting your passion and experience to the test, this could quite easily become a reality. Thousands of homeowners across the country are guilty of neglecting their gardens, which is where you could come in to save the day, and the great thing about gardening is the results speak for themselves. Simply start working for a neighbour and work your way up to an empire.
Photographer/Videographer
Nightclubs and weddings, office parties and events… the list of potential clients for photography and videography services is huge. If you already have a decent camera set-up plus an eye for a great photo, starting out as a freelance photographer could be the perfect business venture and your van will provide plenty of room for all your kit. Simply market yourself through social media and let your work speak for itself.
Van Man/Woman
Obviously, this list wouldn’t be complete without a nod to the ultimate van business – the good old man (or woman) with a van. Most people will move to a new house at least once in their lives which is where van men are worth their weight in gold. Otherwise, they can be handy for picking up large, bulky items or shipping unwanted belongings to the tip.
Delivery Service
Vans offer a lot more space than cars which means you can either transport a higher volume of items, or you can carry bigger and heavier objects (e.g. white goods or furniture). Focusing on the larger items that people won’t be able to get in their car will be the easiest way to get business for your van. One tactic you could try is offering a ‘same day delivery service’ outside retail stores such as Currys, IKEA or DFS. You don’t necessarily have to beat the store delivery price – being able to deliver items as soon as they’ve been purchased should be enough to generate interest in your service.
Courier Service
If you’re in good physical shape and are happy to do a lot of heavy lifting and manual labour, using your van for a removals business is a viable option. People are always moving house so there will never be a shortage of opportunities. However, what you have to consider is that you will need at least one other person to help you. Alternatively, you can brand your business as a stereotypical ‘man and van’ operation where you offer your van and an extra set of hands to help a customer shift things.