Find Your Dream Business: Ideas to Inspire You

starting a business takes, before anything else, a great idea.

Inspiration is everywhere, all around us just waiting to be articulated. Sometimes, that inspiration comes from looking at existing businesses and thinking about how they succeeded where others might have failed. New and aspiring entrepreneurs can learn a lot from other companies, especially those who saw a unique need and filled it with an innovative product or clever service.

If you need some serious inspiration for your business ideas, then check out these stories. They profile companies in industries from food and travel to art and music, and everything in between. You may even find some to be quite out of the box, exactly the way you need to think to create a truly successful company.

Gift-giving businesses
For when you're searching for holiday gifts for your clients and co-workers, shopping for the perfect birthday present for your boss, or just looking for business inspiration, here are five companies with unique business models that can help. From mobile gift cards to personalized sweet treats, these businesses put a whole new spin on gift giving. (Read more)

Food trucks
Now more than ever, the best food often comes from tiny carts, stands and trucks. These 10 food trucks from around the country are serving up so much more than just mobile meals — entrepreneurs can learn a lot from their creativity and innovation, too.

Businesses for kids
These companies don't just give children and young adults something fun to do after school or when school's out for the summer. They also help them learn valuable skills, develop their creativity, improve their health and further their education in other ways — keeping parents everywhere happy, too.

Cannabis businesses
The legal cannabis industry is rapidly growing as more states adopt both medicinal and recreational cannabis laws. An industry research group projects that cannabis will be worth more than $20 billion in less than 5 years, meaning now is the time to get in on the ground floor of this fledgling business.

Back-to-school businesses
Back-to-school season isn't always easy, but there are plenty of businesses out there that can help make starting a new school year a lot less stressful for students, parents and teachers.

Art businesses
From facilitating new ways to display art in your home or office, to giving artists new mediums to showcase and sell their work, these businesses put the "art" in "startup."
All-natural businesses
Whether you're looking for products or want to start a business that brings it back to basics, you need to check out these inspiring all-natural businesses.

Music businesses
Beyond record labels, major streaming services, equipment retailers and concert venues, there are a lot of ways business and music intersect, and these music businesses are really changing the game.

Sports businesses
From virtual-reality sports platforms and game-footage analysis to family-friendly youth sports programs, these six businesses put a whole new spin on sports, helping coaches, athletes and families do what they love. (Read more)

Vegan businesses
Fortunately for all you vegans out there, more and more stores and brands are dedicated to this animal- and eco-friendly lifestyle, covering everything from food and cosmetics to clothes and accessories.

Green businesses
While many organizations do their part by increasing recycling efforts, sourcing local materials and using energy-efficient equipment, some have taken their eco-friendly efforts to the next level by basing their entire business models on these principles. (Read more)

Travel businesses
Ready to use some of your hard-earned vacation time? Don't book your flight just yet. Check out these cool travel businesses first to make your next vacation even less stressful — and more memorable!

Death-related businesses
From afterlife preparations to unique burial methods and memorials, there are more businesses related to death than you might expect, including these seven totally killer businesses that will probably give you the heebie-jeebies.

"Disgusting" businesses
Successful businesses all have one thing in common: They solve a problem for their customers. But some problems are less pleasant than others, and some are downright disgusting.

Culinary businesses
From the weird (bacon-flavored envelopes) to the inspiring (a food truck that gives back to the community), here are seven unique food and beverage businesses you probably didn't know existed.

Breakup businesses
These breakup-inspired businesses know what it's like to get dumped and are taking advantage of it. But don't worry, unlike your ex, they're not really taking advantage of you.

Animal businesses
Whether they're making use of a critter's natural behaviors or pampering your pet to the fullest, these 10 companies have your four-legged friends in mind.

Halloween businesses
While most companies simply run Halloween-themed promotions during October, these eight startups have built their businesses entirely on the season of spirits.

Wedding businesses
Your wedding day should be flawless, and these services are here to help. To make sure your big day goes off without a hitch, take a look at these businesses that are dedicated to helping couples like you plan the best day ever. (Read more)

Yoga businesses
Staying fit and relaxing are rarely the same thing. One invokes images of pumping iron, the other of lying on the couch. But Yoga harnesses the best of fitness and relaxation to bring you a mind, body, and spirit experience that rejuvenates and strengthens. These businesses help support those goals.

3D printing businesses
What was once seemed like a high-tech, futuristic device is now reality; 3D printers are taking the world by storm and allowing users to create real, physical objects from nothing more than a computer representation. These companies have harnessed the power of the 3D printer to create truly amazing businesses.

Gaming businesses
Do you love gaming? These startups have their sights aimed at the top of the heap when it comes to video games. See what these six businesses are working on that could change the game, literally.

Socially repsonsible businesses
Are you passionate about social justice AND looking to start your own business? Here are some examples of socially responsible businesses that don't just turn a profit, but also give back to the communities around them. (Read more)

Nonprofit organizations
Most companies are for-profit endeavors, but there are a ton of much-needed services offered by non-profit organizations as well. Often, these seek to support a community or further social projects, but each is unique in its own way. Take a cue from these inspiring organizations.
Delivery businesses
Are you a proud couch potato? If you don't want to do any heavy lifting, you need to have these unique delivery services in your life. Don't fret, you'll only have to get up to answer the door!

Beauty businesses
If beauty and cosmetics are your thing, then look no further! These companies found creative ways to make beauty into booming business; you can too, with the right mix of inspiration, creativity and style.

Fitness businesses
If you're a health and fitness nut, then these businesses are just for you. These companies found innovative ways to approach fitness, spreading health and general well-being amongst their customers. How can you stay fit and proft? Let's find out.

Fashion businesses
If you've got fashion sense and a mind for innovation, you'll fit right in with these entrepreneurs. Let's take a look at some of the businesses that are disrupting the fashion industry and find out what it takes to launch a successful startup based on changing the game.

Still stuck for small business inspiration? Here are 14 superb ideas

If you’re keen to set up a home business, or if you’re looking for small online business ideas, then take a look at our top 14 small business inspiration starters below.

1. Bakery: If you’ve got some skills in the kitchen then you could set up a small baking business to sell your wares. Occasion cakes, cookies or party favours all go down a storm - especially if you’re offering something niche.
2. Childminding: You’ll need experience, training and licensing for this, plus you’ll need to be on top of all the safeguarding legislation.
3. Cleaning: Whether it’s for homes, cars or offices, if you have an eye for detail then there are plenty who need your skills.
4. Coaching: If you have solid experience in a particular field you might be able to coach others to become experts too.
5. Contract customer services: Some companies outsource their customer service operations to home-based contractors, which is handy for fitting around your lifestyle.
6. Crafting: If you’re a keen crafter, you could consider selling your creations at markets and fairs or on sites like Etsy and Big Cartel.
7. Data entry: Many companies outsource data entry work to home-based workers. This business idea has the added benefit of easily fitting around other daily demands like childcare.
8. Design: Perhaps you have design skills that you’ve yet to draw upon, or you’d like to apply them to an area like garden design. Basic training in your field will help you get started.
9. Freelancing: If you have a professional skill such as copywriting, editing, proofreading, bookkeeping or graphic design, the chances are you can set up as a freelancer.
10. Gardening: If you love the great outdoors, have some solid plant knowledge and are good at physical work then gardening could be for you.
11. Hairdressing: Obviously training is an important requirement but home hairdressing is becoming an increasingly popular way for people to fit their grooming around busy lives.
12. Pet sitting: If you’re an animal lover than you are indispensible to people who want close company for their pets when they are working or travelling.
13. Tutoring: If you have specialist knowledge then you can help others to benefit from it.
14. Upcycling: Marry your creative, practical and selling skills by enhancing once-loved items and selling them on.

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