Hi,
Some good answers to your question are available at Entrepreneur.com's
site ( http://www.entrepreneur.com ). For several years, they've been
publishing lists of ten hottest small businesses. Take a look, for
example, at:
Top 10 Businesses For 1997
http://www.entrepreneur.com/Your_Business/YB_SegArticle/0,4621,267192-----,00.html
"Thinking of starting a new business this year? If so, don't miss our
review of the hottest small businesses to start in 1997!" (Includes
exporting, network marketing, adventure tourism, website design, kids'
transportation, computer consulting, 'of-the-month' clubs, herb
farming, medical transcription, restaurant delivery).
Hottest Business Ideas for 2002
http://www.entrepreneur.com/Your_Business/YB_SegArticle/0,4621,295970-317,00.html
Consulting Service, Tech Consulting, Financial Planning, Online Games,
Patriotic Products, Maternity Clothes, Referral Service, Online
Learning, Personal Trainer, Life Coach.
10 Hot Businesses to start for less than $10K
http://www.entrepreneur.com/Your_Business/YB_SegArticle/0,4621,277456,00.html
"1. High-Tech PR
2. Accessory Design
3. Web Site Consultant
4. Internet Radio Broadcaster
5. Image Consultant
6. Carts & Kiosks
7. Virtual HR
8. E-Zine Publisher
9. Parent & Kid Tech
10. Personal Concierge"
Top 101 Homebased Franchises for 2002
http://www.entrepreneur.com/Franchise_Zone/FZ_Special_Listing/1,4731,12-12---HO-,00.html
"101 Homebased Franchises Rankings
You'll see opportunities offering everything from maintenance services
to magazine publishing, from management training to science activities
for children."
"Top 10 Homebased Franchises for 2002
1. Jani-King
2. Snap-on Tools
3. ServiceMaster Clean
4. CleanNet USA Inc.
5. Jazzercise Inc.
6. Matco Tools
7. Chem-Dry Carpet Drapery & Upholstery Cleaning
8. Coverall North America Inc.
9. Servpro
10. Jan-Pro Franchising Int'l. Inc."
Entrepreneur.com's site also has many interesting articles on
successful small businesses, such as the following:
"Jackpot! Cleaning up"
http://www.entrepreneur.com/Your_Business/YB_SegArticle/0,4621,290233----3-,00.html
"Designed to relieve management headaches, Dallas-based Dental One
takes over dentists’ daily business matters, such as hiring employees
and negotiating leases. After starting the company in 1995, Huntsman
and his co-founders realized they had tapped into a huge market and,
more important, that their business model was working.
…
Dental One and ABN AMRO began negotiations in 1999, which led to $4
million in financing in March 2000. By year’s end, Dental One’s sales
were $45 million. Who’d have guessed pulling teeth could be so
lucrative?"
Search the site for "business model" to find similar articles.
Another fruitful strategy is searching for "small business awards".
There's a number of awards for small businesses around the world, e.g.
this one:
Australian Government's small business awards
http://www.telstra.com.au/smallbusawards/winners.htm
"2001 Commonwealth Government Micro Business Award (Business with
fewer than 5 employees) Southern Light Herbs
Renowned for its herbal excellence since 1978, Southern Light Herbs
produce and sell more than 80 herbal teas, gourmet mixes and medicinal
herbs. The company conducts workshops for many TAFE colleges and
universities around Victoria. Southern Light Herbs is certified by the
Biological Farmers of Australia and has a network of 60 growers around
the state. The company is renowned for its commitment to organic
farming."
Helpful links:
Google Directory: Small Business (lists Entrepreneur.com and similar
sites)
http://directory.google.com/Top/Business/Small_Business/Resources
http://directory.google.com/Top/Business/Small_Business/Resources/News_and_Information
Helpful Google searches:
site:www.entrepreneur.com hottest
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=site%3Awww.entrepreneur.com+hottest
site:www.entrepreneur.com "top 10"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=site%3Awww.entrepreneur.com+%22top+10%22
small business awards
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=small+business+awards&spell=1
small business rank OR ranking OR rankings
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=small+business+rank+OR+ranking+OR+rankings |
