 1. Good Looks
For every ten jobs available in this recession, there are at least 35 people vying for the positions. A job applicant need the edge, and looking good is part of it. Make-up, clothing, image consultants, resume writers, and even manners training are in demand. |
2. Self-Help
In a recession, consumer spending in the self-help niche goes up dramatically. Consumers are looking to buy hope. Write a book, start a website and/or give seminars revolving around your self-help expertise. |
3. Go Green
In a recession, consumers want to spend less and like the idea of green bragging rights. Launch a green business to help consumers spend less and feel environmentally conscious when the do. |
4. E-Bay The "Cheap Way"
People want cheap. Forget trying to go toe-to-toe with the established “cheap” players like Wal-Mart and Costco. But you can get a business going on E-Bay. Pick a niche, find a discount wholesaler selling discontinued name brand items, and start moving them on E-bay. This is a risky move, since you only make money when you move serious volume. |
5. E-Bay The "Quality Play"
The other things people buy in a recession are micro-luxuries. The things that make up for the emotional loss of skipping the vacation or forgoing the home renovation this year. Are you able to make niche products? Sell them on E-bay. |
 6. Sue 'Em
I am NOT suggesting you sue anybody, but perhaps you want to get into the business. Expert witnesses give testimony on any of a million fields of expertise. As the recession builds more people than ever are suing. Consider starting a business as an expert witness or a law firm. |
7. Import & Export
As the dollar weakens more stuff will ship out of the U.S., and lord knows tons of stuff is always being shipped in. Less stuff may be moving around now, but a competitive niche player may break out. |
8. Fast Food (Kinda)
Less people are going to traditional sit down restaurants and more people are picking up “semi-fast food.” Pizza, Chinese take-out and even Indian take-out are all on the increase. |
 9. Vices
More drinkers are drinking more. More smokers are smoking more. Vices are classic micro luxuries and always see an increase in consumption during a down economy. I not suggesting you start a moon shine business, well, kinda. |
10. Freelancing
I am NOT suggesting you become a freelancer, since that is simply a job with multiple bosses. What I am suggesting is you launch a business that brings freelancers to consumers. Start an association for freelancers, or pick a niche and bring in freelancers to fill the work while you sell it. Think freelancing from an entrepreneurs mind set. |
 11. Maintenance & Repair Services
In a recession, consumers will hold on to the things they already have longer. Auto repair, computer repair, and appliance maintenance are often sure bets. Avoid the stuff that people can do themselves (like carpet cleaning) or don’t feel the immediate “pain” if it is ignored (like chimney sweeping), instead pick maintenance of large ticket items that are depended on (like the refrigerator). |
12. Tax Preparation
Everyone wants to save every dollar they can when it comes to taxes. Observe the model used by H&R block – taking their fee out of the consumers “savings.” The consumer gets so of their money back and H&R makes lot’s of money – that is a no brainer for many consumers and a huge opportunity for you. |
13. Equipment Rentals
A lot more do-it-yourselfers come about in a recession than any other economic climate. If the toilet ain’t flushing, someone needs to fix it. If the decks is bowing, someone needs to sure it up. Rental businesses see an increase in mid-range and low-end do-it-yourself equipment. |
 14. Staging
Home staging, office organizing and outdoor improvements are all needed in a recession. When it comes to encouraging a prospective buyer or renter, looks are (almost) everything. Instead of expensive home rehabilitation's or landscape makeovers, consumers want to use what they already have – but just make it look better. Services that leverage the stuff that people already have are selling a lot more, than services that require new stuff. |
15. Consignment Sales
So by now, you probably have figured out that consumers want things on the cheap. But what about you, you need to provide inventory on the cheap. The answer is consignment. But don’t be a pawn shop, per se. Pick a category, a niche, and dominate it. That will give you a great reputation with both buyers and sellers! |
Subscribe to Toilet Paper Entrepreneur Blog! Just click on this, confirm you are a living human, and we'll email you every time we have a new post (but will NEVER spam you).
