You have decided to start a profitable business from scratch. Payback is an important factor in minimizing risks. Return on investment, repayment of costs and increase in the profitability of the project. The service industry meets the requirements of a quick return on investment. 90% of the resources spent by the company are the knowledge and time of employees. Or a self-employed professional working in a home or rented office.
A case based on services to the public or for legal entities requires a special approach in the fight against competition. Attracting new customers and saving advertising budget. Read the article to the end. We have prepared for you 40 profitable business ideas with minimal investment. Follow the links to related content. Get more information to start your own business tomorrow.
Who is the article for?
You can work for yourself, not for hire, at any age. By deciding to take a step towards change, you are using an enviable perspective. Reaching a new level as a self-employed specialist.
Business ideas for services are suitable:
- People with higher and secondary specialized education, seeking to apply the acquired skills on their own;
- Students who do not want to work for their "uncle", live on a scholarship and burden their relatives;
- Employed, as a part-time job with the prospect of replacement;
- Beginning entrepreneurs with a small start-up capital;
- People without education or inclined to work outside their specialty;
- Existing businessmen wishing to expand their business through new and related areas;
- Specialists who are ready to use knowledge and experience to develop their own business;
- Able-bodied retirees who have a craving for action and conquering new heights.
A university graduate expects to take a position with decent wages. In 2018-2019, there is an oversupply of applicants. Demand exceeds supply. Going into business turns a former student into an employer. The service sector allows you to work independently, to reduce cost items to a minimum. Serving the population and legal entities is distinguished by a low investment threshold and quick payback.
Profile education allows you to work in your profession. Apply the knowledge gained in practice. Among legal entities, accountants, financial consultants and lawyers are in enviable demand. The population needs craftsmen who provide household services.
Lack of education or a desire to realize oneself in other areas does not exclude the prospects for development in the service sector. Tutors, nannies, nurses, and other hourly-paid specialists will find grateful clients.
Popular destinations for profitable small businesses
According to statistics, 5 directions are in enviable demand in the areas of trade and services. Growth trends in 2018 promise continued interest in 2019.
- Mobile (mobile) enterprises - performers ready to come to the customer, are especially popular.
- Business for children - the budget of preschool institutions and schools continues to decline. Parents' expenses increase by 7-13% annually.
- Mediation - Benefit from the expertise of Uber, Avito, Vamdodoma and other successful companies. Create your own business based on saving time and automating routine processes.
- Online training - saving time and money on professional development, education and motivation of employees. The indicator of demand for services is characterized by enviable stability.
- B2B collaboration - independent contractors, outsourcing firms, freelancers. Companies and individuals help free up time and automate business processes at affordable prices.
How much money does it take to open from scratch?
The service sector provides an opportunity to make money without the injection of large investments. Spend intangible resources. Work at the customer's site, at home, in a cafe or office. The company's turnover, employment and the number of regular customers do not affect the choice of an entrepreneur.
To determine the level of start-up costs, we recommend drawing up a business plan. Write out the approximate items of expenditure on a piece of paper. Arrange the data according to the degree of significance. Consider scaling back before moving into action. Pay special attention to your advertising and promotion budget.
We recommend that you read the article on promoting services on the Internet. Using the resources of the world wide web will significantly reduce costs. 
Why should you open a service business without delay?
Time, an irreplaceable resource. It cannot be bought or stopped. Make up for losses from another source. Small businesses and small companies form the backbone of the country's domestic economy. According to official data, more than 73% of enterprises have up to 15 employees. A sparing form of taxation will be an advantage in the development of your own business. Make the years work for you, you deserve financial freedom and independence.
40 business ideas with minimal investment
The list includes areas of services for the population and for business. The latter is in the overwhelming majority. Serving legal entities guarantees stability. The contractor helps in optimizing routine processes. Saves management time and money. It is beneficial for companies to keep in touch with freelancers and partners.
B2B is a business based on the supply of goods and the provision of services to other companies. Individual entrepreneurs and legal entities. Differs in a steadily growing demand for offers from remote employees. The prerogative of cooperation is the obligation to conclude an Agreement.
Community outreach is unstable. In 90% of cases, the flow of clients requires the implementation of 1 task without continuing the relationship. Projects of regular customers are stretched over time. For example, premises renovation services are characterized by a recirculation point after 8 months or more. A legal entity is able to provide the contractor with orders for a year in advance.
Here are 40 service-based business ideas. We recommend that you write down several suitable directions for further study and start your own business without delay. Write your opinion, additions and questions in the comments under the article. We will definitely answer you.
Internet marketing company
Online marketing, a direction that requires time and knowledge of the performer. To start, you need a personal computer, smartphone or tablet. Analytical services and specialized software represent a major cost item. Learn the theoretical foundations of the profession. Try to work with the programs in demo mode. A free trial period will allow you to earn money on purchases at the expense of the first customers. 
Types of online marketing services businesses:
- search engine optimization (SEO);
- setting up advertising (native, contextual);
- (SMM);
- development of design solutions;
- analytics and strategy development;
- advertising campaign evaluation, consulting and coordination;
- writing unique texts (copywriting).
The marketer analyzes the market, evaluates competitors. Develops a strategy for promoting the Internet. Draws up a media plan. Determines the advertising budget.
Providing a comprehensive solution to the customer allows you to increase the profitability of your enterprise. Work in one or more areas is not excluded. Specialization in a specific task. Gathering a team of narrow-profile workers. The average cost of a large organization for online marketing services is 400 thousand rubles. The deadlines for the implementation of the tasks are 1-6 months.
Freelance or freelance work
Freelancers are self-employed professionals in areas that allow remote work. The direction includes content creation, tutoring and consulting, design and accounting. The amount of the start-up capital is calculated individually. For example, a content manager needs a computer with an office program and Adobe Photoshop. If you have them, you only need to pay for the Internet to start.
Additional costs include fees charged by portals to access customer projects. The percentage charged for transactions through a secure deal. We recommend that you pay attention to the freelance platform and the fl.ru remote work exchange, which occupy leading positions. Create a website or blog to reach your target audience for free.
Conducting research surveys
Customers are interested in getting accurate data. Maintaining a full-time analytical department is expensive. It is beneficial for individual entrepreneurs and legal entities to turn to outsourcing companies. The contractor searches for and compiles information used in creating a business plan. Performs calculations related to investments and time costs. Identifies and polls the target audience. 
The cost of 1 interview costs the company 200-800 rubles. Drawing up a detailed report, more than 15 thousand. Focus group work and competitor analysis starts at RUB 100,000. Do you have a craving for organizational activity and are not afraid of routine mathematical calculations? List the idea for a service business as a promising one. Consider the direction in detail after reading the article.
Cargo transportation services
Cargo transportation is necessary for individuals and organizations. The former use the service to transport things when moving or heavy household appliances. After recharging yourself with the support of a bulky goods store, provide yourself with an enviable number of orders. Legal entities need deliveries from warehouses, delivery of products to the client. For the implementation of the tasks, a truck of categories C, C1 or C1E is required. A D1 minibus or a car with a trailer is also suitable.
Branding agency
Brand positioning and development increase the sales level of an organization. They differ in the stability of demand indicators over time, after the end of the advertising campaign. A portrait of the client is created. We are working with the consumer. Developing positive emotions in relation to a specific product or company. 
The line of services for business includes:
- Development of a communication strategy;
- Formation of a brand portfolio;
- Expertise and consultation;
- Brand analysis and insights identification;
- Determination of the client's portrait;
- Product usability audit;
- Working with the target audience;
- Assortment formation;
- Naming and copywriting;
- Product implementation, phased testing.
An in-depth study of the target audience is carried out, including interviews with experts. Opinion leaders are connected. Persons who inspire the confidence of potential customers. Consumers are segmented by indicators. The work requires compulsory training.
You cannot count on mountains of gold without a portfolio and practical skills. Entering the market will take the time it takes to build a baseline. Testing theoretical foundations in the realities of the market. Ready to learn and grow 24/7? The average cost of branding services is 400-600 thousand rubles. The minimum package for a professional agency starts at 150,000.
Photo and video filming
Popular among individuals and organizations, the direction includes individual and subject photography. Creation of photo and video materials for advertising agencies and legal entities. Accompaniment of events of a personal and corporate nature.
At the start you need: a good camera, a computer, programs for processing the footage. Specialized resources for selling content will be a nice addition. Photos of models performing targeted actions are popular.
Consulting business
Specialized education and reliable qualifications allow you to open a consulting agency. Lead the client's startup from foundation to profit. Get rewarded at every stage of business formation and growth. 
The agency provides services for the development and implementation of investment projects. Conduct marketing research on their own or with third-party analysts. Help with planning, strategy, setting goals and objectives. Assist in obtaining state support in terms of co-financing and the establishment of benefits.
Computer maintenance and network administration
It is rare for an organization to agree to keep a sysadmin and technician on staff. The services are temporary. The need to maintain a computer network and equipment arises chaotically. Similar indicators of demand are seen among individuals.
Offer home networking wizard and debugger jobs. Enter into service contracts with legal entities. The client base meeting will take 3-5 months. The average salary of a self-employed computer technician is 60-80 thousand. The firm's earnings differ dramatically upward. 
Repair and maintenance of printers
Service of copiers, the idea for a business on services remains relevant. Printer cartridges have a durability that exceeds the fill volume. The average cost of an element is 3000 rubles. Refueling costs the customer 3 times cheaper. Offer repair and support to companies on a long-term basis. Build a customer base in 3-5 months. Offer repair of consumables and equipment. Connect on-site shipping and service.
Execution of orders
Saving a busy person's time is worth the money. Individuals, individual entrepreneurs and organizations spend resources on performing minor processes. From going to a cafe for a portion of aromatic coffee to transferring documents to the other end of the city. Build a business with the services of a personal assistant or assistant.
What do the executors of orders (private customers):
- going to the grocery store;
- walking pets;
- car repair and maintenance (driver);
- small household tasks;
- organization of an event (moving, dinner at a restaurant);
- delivery of gifts;
- other orders, with the minimum responsibility of the executor.
The woman goes on parental leave. The husband leaves for work early in the morning and returns late in the evening. A personal assistant will relieve the spouses during the shopping trip. Will take a forgotten phone to work. On the way back, he will bring the customer's car to the car wash. It will help you replace light bulbs in lamps or nail a shelf in the corridor.
Executors of orders for business perform tasks of varying degrees of responsibility. A trip to the stationery store burdens you with the safety of the funds issued for purchases. The transfer of documents to the customer's office or partner has serious consequences in the event of loss of materials. Disclosure of trade secrets. Large companies are hiring salaried assistants, officially. 
Tax consulting
Tax evasion is subject to administrative and criminal liability. The issue of state and municipal fees should be treated with caution. Keep records and make payments in accordance with the terms. According to the rates for certain types of activities. With a specialized education, a private specialist offers services in combination with accounting or separately. A consultant helps to reduce tax costs legally. Correct the mistakes made with minimal losses for clients.
Corporate training and consulting in the HR field
Training and motivation of employees is carried out within the competence of the trainer. In practice, the lecturer needs experience in implementing theoretical foundations in 32% of areas. The latter refers to technical and technological topics. HR specialists and psychologists are responsible for consulting on the selection and motivation of personnel.
Train staff in applied knowledge that you are well versed in. Come up with a unique morale program. Present the training via the Internet, personal website or social media. Offer courses to the end user personally.
Auditing firm
Are you a chartered accountant or lawyer? Audit firms help small organizations and large companies. Carry out verification of documentation and preparation of reports. A worthy example of services for business. Accounting outsourcing allows you to unload the customer's staff. Take over the implementation of routine processes. In addition to consulting duties, auditors offer transaction support. Representation in supervisory instances and protection of clients' interests in court. 
Delivery service
The duties of the courier include the delivery and transfer of material things of information, legal and monetary value. Letters, documents and cargo. The advantage of recruiting for service is economic and temporary. Couriers cooperate with express mail operators, enjoy discounts and first priority privileges. They have their own transport for the transfer of values within the territory. A personal manager communicates with a representative of the organization. Liability is insured and limited on the basis of the contract.
Sale and installation of software
Use a ready-made solution from a large developer or write your own program. The idea for a business comes in two flavors. Mediation and production. The first involves collaboration with market leaders. Integration of products of Russian and foreign developers in the fields of accounting and tax accounting. Implementation of sales and service. Information security assurance. 
Open the catalog of software companies, read the offer and terms of representation. Pay attention to the young representatives of the sphere. The right decision would be to join and support a promising startup.
Programming skills allow you to create your own software solution or write customized products for the end user. The average cost of software development is 400-450 thousand rubles.
Organization of exhibition events
Help entrepreneurs make new connections or generate super profits through the event. Exhibition of products, technological, innovative solutions. Carrying out an advertising campaign through a presentation in retail outlets, places where people gather.
With an interest in topics and organizational skills, you realize yourself in a profitable business. Find premises, gather and organize the work of staff. Form an event plan. Control the exhibition at every stage. The cost of services starts at 100,000 rubles. excluding expenses.
Installation and maintenance of air conditioners
Help private customers and legal entities with the selection of suitable equipment. Advise at the stage of purchase and commissioning. Install, conclude a contract for scheduled maintenance of the air conditioner. After the installation of the climate system, instructions are given. 
Business requires technical skills, prior training, and specialized training. It will be easier for you to start your own business after an internship in a representative office of a particular brand or work in a company of future competitors.
Security services for individual entrepreneurs and legal entities persons
The success of a service business depends on the connections you have. As well as information equipment. Acquired or acquaintance databases. Security assurance includes screening of personnel. Analysis of risks of cooperation with potential partners. Search for listening devices in the premises. It is permissible for individuals to offer a check of the history of the car or identification by documents. 9 out of 10 companies consist of former employees of ministries and departments.
In addition to the above, cooperation with software developers will become. Implementation of means of internal and external security. Installation of video surveillance cameras and burglar alarms. The range of services in this area is extensive. We recommend starting with 1 or more directions, gradually expanding the offer.
Waste management business
Garbage removal and disposal is relevant for the population and business representatives. Owners of private houses, medical institutions, shops and warehouses will become your clients. The complex of works includes cleaning of cesspools, construction pits, drainage. Cleaning of gutters and sewerage. Collection and removal of waste of 1-5 class of environmental hazard, depending on the received permits. Availability of appropriate equipment and maintenance of technology. 
The collected garbage is taken to special places, drainage stations and disposal fields. To implement a business on services, registration of an individual entrepreneur or LLC is required. Obtaining a license from the Department of the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources.
Rent of premises for seminars and trainings
Premises and equipment for training, presentation of products and services are rented on an hourly basis. You can buy a property with a mortgage. Transfer to a non-residential fund is desirable. The cost of the audience depends on the capacity, comfort and related materials.
The hall is rented for:
- conferences;
- trainings;
- webinars;
- presentations;
- seminars;
- master classes
- business negotiations.
In order to minimize the costs of starting a business, premises can be subleased. Owners of offices, real estate on the second and more floors of buildings will become your partners. Hotels and cafeterias. To expand the offer, we recommend that you include a choice of several options in the service package. 
Personnel recruitment consultation
The agency helps with the selection of personnel of low, medium and high qualifications. Supports the enterprise with auxiliary workers (migrants), organizes interviews with job seekers. Independently hires workers to perform tasks, controlling the process at every stage. You will need a database of applicants with a gradation by subject and level of training. We recommend that you prefer a package subscription to purchasing information on a local medium. Large job portals provide an opportunity to connect for individual entrepreneurs and legal entities. persons.
Service for business on call-center services
Make cold and hot calls to the target audience of the company. Conduct surveys of potential customers, fill out a questionnaire as part of the after-sales service. Call center specialists analyze the market, use a negotiation script, apply psychological triggers to improve efficiency.
The service package includes a sample by target audience, determination of clients' pains. Selection of a conversation scenario based on the received data and group behavior. The execution of work is accompanied by the collection of analytical data. Correction based on the fact of using the leverage of lead generation. The average cost of 1 call within Russia is 40 rubles. In the case of robotization of the process, when a record speaks to a potential client, the price is 5-10 times less. 
Business on legal aid services
Lawyers are entitled to support the population and legal entities. persons in terms of Civil, Family and Administrative law. Criminal cases and advice are available to lawyers. The list of services includes an interview on the client's questions. Drafting and verification of documentation, contracts, content of the public offer. Representation of interests and protection of legal rights in the courts. Drawing up claims and complaints. The most popular is the conduct of the bankruptcy process of individuals.
Volunteer organization
Build a base of volunteers to carry out socially significant work. Register as a non-profit organization. Act on the basis of grants and sponsorships. Young people and students will become your main volunteers. An important issue in the implementation of the case will be the benefit from your company. Clean up waterways, collect garbage in parks and forests, and organize events for disadvantaged children. Your actions will help make the world a better place and earn enough money to stay motivated.
Organization of sporting events
Another socially significant project and business providing services to the population. Organize activities to keep young people busy. Make agreements with municipal structures and private investors. For example, run a race under the flag of a sports mall. A proper fantasy and love of physical fitness will allow you to develop a solid platform. A successful competition will launch word of mouth. They will gather like-minded people and regular participants around your company. 
Museum opening
With a budget of 350,000 rubles or more, open your own museum. Collect a themed collection that is interesting to the general public. For example, the choice of a school-age audience will make it possible to conclude agreements with educational institutions of general education. It can be a museum of entertaining sciences or musical instruments. Exhibition of the history of video games. Dolls and toys of the 90s. Only fantasy can limit the options for starting a business.
Book club
Gather like-minded people, lovers of reading new books, discussion of what they read in a group. Participants make voluntary contributions to cover the costs of the club and pay for the services of the organizer. Formally, the same scheme can be followed when opening circles in other directions. Additional income is brought by inviting famous personalities from the world of books. Writers, editors, representatives of large publishing houses. Conducting trainings, lectures and seminars. Sale of books, including rare copies with the author's signature. 
Organization of holidays
The services of an organizer of entertainment events are in enviable demand. The idea is suitable for working with communities and companies. Birthdays, weddings, outdoor dances, corporate events and New Year's parties. Choose a specific niche or provide a comprehensive offer as an agency.
Tutoring
Help with the development of a school subject, preparation for the exam and university entrance exams. Build on education and complementary skills. In order to teach English to a child, it is not necessary to get a higher education. It is enough to take advanced courses. Another area is classes with preschool children. Preparation for grade 1. For this, the experience of a kindergarten worker or graduation from a specialized faculty at a pedagogical institute will be useful.
Lawn mowing
The seasonal service business starts in early spring and ends in late fall. Mowing the grass adds the responsibilities of preparing the area after winter. Cleaning of leaves and replanting of withered areas. Fertilization, manual weed removal. Work with homeowners, companies and municipalities. The cost depends on the height of the grass and is calculated by square meters or acres. The average rate is 15 rubles / m2. For additional profits outside the season, we recommend paying attention to snow removal services. 
Landscaping and landscaping
Landscape architecture includes the planning, design and implementation of a project. Landscaping is carried out as a package of services or separately. By sowing an area or laying a rolling lawn. It takes time and dedication to make decent money. Passage of training, obtaining skills in working with specialized programs for visualization. Gradually, you will develop a customer base ready to provide your business with orders within the season.
Interior decoration
Improvement of residential and commercial premises. Interior decoration according to the target orientation. The designer's work includes measuring the object, designing the project in specialized software. Drawing up drawings and sketches. Assistance in the procurement of materials, furniture and equipment. Maintenance of repairs, control and organization of the work of the foremen. To start your business, a higher architectural education is useful. The cost of work depends on the terms of reference and additional wishes of the customer. Varies from 50 thousand to several million.
Household services and husband's work for an hour
The direction includes a list of types of work and services for the population and business. A comfortable existence at home, in an office, in a warehouse or in a store is impossible without water and electricity. It is advisable to arrange things on the shelves, and not to throw them on the floor. The husband helps for an hour with minor repairs, cosmetic and practical tasks. Hang the cornice, change the mixer, install a new socket. Capital work should be trusted by a specialized specialist. 
Experience and training allows you to open a business with minimal investment. Work independently or assemble a team of specialists, distribute tasks and monitor implementation.
Delivery of goods from IKEA
A kind of highly specialized transport services. Create a website and connect an IKEA product catalog. Deliver orders to the point of issue or the customer's doorstep. Get 10% of the purchase amount. Successful implementation requires a truck, a willingness to do the work on its own or to organize staff. Building on the popular brand, supplement the offer with products from other retail chains and industries. Business is developing successfully in small towns.
Help for car owners
Build a profitable business to help car owners. Minor car repairs and diagnostics, mobile tire fitting. The selection of a car, ordering and delivery of spare parts at a service station are gaining popularity.
A private specialist or a group of craftsmen are ready to come to the address and fix a minor malfunction. Change oil, help with tire fitting. Connect the control unit and gearbox to the computer to search for errors. With rare restrictions, business has a right to exist. It is being actively implemented in Western countries. 
Mobile tire fitting services have been successfully operating in Russia for over 5 years. Only a few are engaged in the selection of a used car for individuals and the delivery of spare parts to the service station. Take a free niche.
Delivery of groceries and household goods to the villages
The current trend in the field of trade and services. Shop on wheels. Bring food and household goods to remote settlements. In addition to the necessary ones, it makes sense to grab popular sweets and advertised products. Toys for kids. In short, goods that are difficult to get without a long trip to the store.
Profitable business in Russia. Yes it is possible!
Skeptics argue that it is impossible to open a business in the country without attracting large investments. Western capital accumulates in large enterprises, and a sensible franchise is not available to small businesses. Statistics say the opposite.
According to SME data, there are over 6 million companies in Russia. Over 3 million are self-employed with fewer than 15 employees. 2 million consist of micro-companies of legal entities. 74% of enterprises have been on the market for 5 or more years. A profitable business in Russia consists of small companies and activists.
People who are accustomed to relying only on their own strength. Search and find new ways to make a profit. Generate fresh ideas that are implemented with an enviable share of demand and a shortage of supply. 
We have considered 40 areas worthy of your attention. Perhaps you will open one of them tomorrow. In the trends of 2018-2019, self-development, Internet technologies and automation of business processes. The sphere of trade and services is moving to a new level. Taxis are called through an application on a smartphone. Craftsmen and specialists order landing pages. Collect reviews and generate leads.
Before starting your own business with one of the lucrative business ideas, take the following steps. Study the market you are entering. Do your research based on the experience of future competitors. Calculate your budget.
The next step is strategy. Even a rough business plan is better than no business plan. In conclusion, it is worth thinking about attracting additional investment.
