Choosing the Right Business to Start

There are many types of businesses. It can be confusing especially to those that are just new to the field of entrepreneurship. However, knowing the many kinds of business models can help simplify that task.

You’ll be surprised at how simple they really are once you know about these business models.

Starting a business can sound so grandiose to most people. When most people hear that a friend is starting a business, they would probably think that he’s on his way to becoming rich or improving his life greatly. While that for the most part is true, starting a business is never easy. You have to go through some pitfalls and rocky roads before you get to the light at the end of your tunnel.

Starting a business involves many steps. What makes it so difficult is that there are so many businesses available. Aspiring businessmen, without proper research and guidance, would probably fall for the classic mistake: making an investment in the wrong type of business. The right to do, actually, is to choose a business model that’s appropriate to your interests and even your personality.

The Different Kinds of Business Models

Like mentioned earlier, you have a lot of choices to select from when you set your sights on starting a business. Each business model has its own distinct structure and way of being conducted. They also cater to different personalities and preferences, as well having their own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most commonly chosen models and a brief overview of each:

  • Brick-and-mortar
    The brick-and-mortar is the classic business setup that we are all used to. This is also the most expensive to start up. You would need a separate space to conduct your business like say, a shop, boutique or a plant depending on what you are going to sell for a living.
  • Home-based
    These are businesses that are run from a small office space in your own home. Home-based businesses include arts and crafts, cake baking services, and even private investigation businesses are run from home. Most entrepreneurs prefer this business model because it gives them the flexibility they need to shuttle back and forth between business and personal life.
  • E-commerce
    Although they are home-based businesses at heart, these types of ventures are so diverse that they deserve to be put in a class of their own. Like the home-based business, e-commerce ventures offer flexibility. Through the far-reaching abilities of the Internet, you can tap into a wider base of customers compared to the home-based and the classic brick-and-mortar business model.
  • Franchising and Licensing
    Franchising and licensing is yet another home-based model, which can also fall under the e-commerce definition. Franchising involves acquiring a license from a large and well-known business and selling their products on their behalf. You, as a seller, earn percentages or commissions from every sale you make. This is good for those who are good at marketing since they have better chances of earning huge amounts of commissions.
  • Multi-level marketing
    Although similar to franchising, MLM involves selling and building up a network. Although this has good potential for earning, it is only possible if you are high up in the network triangle. The more people you have under your own network, the more money you earn as time goes by.

68 Comments

  • Tilak said on April 25, 2009
    I am a non US citizen and looking for a small business investment opportunity in the USA. Please advise me.
  • Krystal said on May 19, 2009
    I was thinking about a Temporary Staffing agency.
  • Natalie said on June 16, 2009
    Krystal, If you, or anyone interested in purchasing your own Temporary Staffing Agency, please contact: Brian Moussalli-Director Of Franchising for the Companies of DES. (515)288-2300 X-219. or his E-mail address: bmoussalli@descompanies.com. He can give you information on the opportunities available to successfully own your own Temporary Staffing Agency!
  • portia knowles said on September 4, 2009
    I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE FRANCHISING LIKE FRAGRANCE OR OFFICE PRODUCTS. HOW MUCH WILL THAT RUN ME IN TO.
  • Tonya Nunnally said on September 17, 2009
    I have 4 ponds and 30 acres of Land. Please help me with some ideas of what I can Do? My husband died and I need help.
  • arnie kujala said on November 1, 2009
    I am considering running a small grocery store in an area that does not have one. I would like advice on inventory and fixtures.
  • Satish Bhat said on January 9, 2010
    Hi, I have an industrial area of 12000sqft out of that built-up area is 5000sqft at Kolhapur(MH) 5 star MIDC, I want to start a job processing unit there, I don't want to manufacture a complete end product because I don't have manpower rather don't want to do sales & marketing. Kindly provide your guidance for selecting business opportunity, I can invest upto15-20 Lacs. Thanks, Satish Bhat, Ph. 9223331731
  • James expert adviser said on January 9, 2010
    @Satish, days are gone when you never had to market a business but these days you have to do it, no matter with your size, investment, location. By marketing people found they got more business so they are doing it. Almost every business will need human resource so if you dont have then you gonna hire. (Job processing / Recruiting agency) will have more challenges for you. Coin laundromat needs less employees, will have less challenges and it might fit your budget as well. Think about it.

    Jestin James
    Startup Biz Hub - Senior Advisor (Staff)

  • ranjit singh said on January 17, 2010
    my name ranjit live in mohali, punjab. i am starting my own business, which type of business to start, please suggest to me, i am 37 year old.
  • RAMA CHANDRA PATTNAIK said on January 22, 2010
    I want to start a service franchise center particularly on electronics and appliances item, or in mobile sector. Kindly let me know the details for the above.
  • ndifelani mudogwa said on February 4, 2010
    i hold a Bsc degree with biochemistry and physiology as major subject. i have been employed for 5 years as a lab technician and i would like to venture into business that i can apply my qualification. what kind of businesses am i likely to succeed with this background? cell no 0742015628
  • praneeth said on February 19, 2010
    i am looking for a new business can u give which type of business earn easy method i am from india could help me out of this problem give me ideas about 10 type of business method
  • Md.Jahanger Alam said on February 23, 2010
    I am a computer engineering. But I want to do business but i can't find what business is fit me. so i want to a better suggestion. pls. give me a better suggestion.
  • Rahul singh said on March 6, 2010
    satna, madhyapradesh, india like to setup a beneficial business with a small investment up to 5 to 10,00,000 rs. let me know some good business. THANKS
  • Ravi Kumar said on March 11, 2010
    Hello i'm 20 years old and i can invest upto rs.300000 for any business. Can u suggest me something. I live in visakhapatnam, andhra pradesh, india.
  • DIBYENDU ROY & BIJOY KRISHNA ROY said on March 11, 2010
    I have more than 06 years exp. in Commercial Vehicle Finance in Guwahati & want to start new business involving my family members. Exp: 06 years in vehicle Finance, Guwahati, Assam, India.
  • Rahul Herwade said on April 15, 2010
    Respected Sir/Mam I am studying M.sc. I wanted to start my own business so sir please help me about what type business and for that business how can I acquire financial support for the business. My address is 'Sangam Corner', A/P Dudhgaon, Sangli Maharashtra, India
  • KSandhu said on May 1, 2010
    I have a small shop in fully developed market (128 sq ft area/ Vacant)at Mohali, in Punjab. Also having 9000 sq ft of covered space(RCC/2 floors/Independent Shed) in an industrial area near Quark City at Mohali in Punjab. I have further capacity to invest about 1.5 crore. My age is 34 yrs. I am interested to start some business. Will appreciate if some one could come up with an advice & suggestions.
  • Rajesh Singh said on May 3, 2010
    hello, I want to start a new business in Guwahati but i have no idea what i should start, i want a business which will new in Guwahati, kindly suggest
  • fatima Karimi said on May 4, 2010
    hi, my is fatima, i'm 24 years old and i wanna start a business, to get my self and my family busy...i was thinking of opening an AFGHAN Restaurant at AUBURN/NSW/SYD/Australia......but i need some ideas.......
  • ramesh said on May 12, 2010
    i want a idea to start the business in chennai. Give the best business for me.
  • pssrivatsan said on May 26, 2010
    I would like to start business which is suitable for me kindly let me know what type of business should i start in chennai now. let me now the status about it.
  • rajesh yadav said on August 10, 2010
    Hello I am rajesh, I want to start a business in lalganesh, guwahati, assam with investment from 5lac 10lac. so, plz suggest some ideas.
  • ismailkhan said on August 19, 2010
    i have completed diploma in automobile engg. i am from kolhapur maharashtra. i want to start some vehicle and its parts dealership in kolhapur. plz tell me how to start it and how to get particular dealership. if possible tell me new ideas. your idea will really help me. Plz rpl. as early as possible.
  • vamsi said on July 28, 2012
    i am vamsi from visakhaptnam i want to start a small business with investment of 10,00,000rs can you please suggest me which business is profitable in visakhapatnam
  • Mirza said on August 31, 2012
    I am a commerce grad. I am interested in starting a business. I do not have any money, would like to opt for loans if any available to start a new business. The reason why I am thinking such is because I think self employment is the best way of employment and prosperous too. Awaiting your suggestions in this regard. What should be the business I should do and what should be the steps I should follow. How to approach any banks for loans. I am from Ranga Reddy, Hyderabad.
  • Prashant said on October 8, 2012
    hi guys, myself Prashant Recently I have started an equal partnership e-commerce business in equal partnership with the world's leading e commerce company with a turnover of 2.2 billion $ on a global platform in over 180 countries having collaboration with F1, FIFA, Microsoft, etc. Now m looking forward to expand my business in different cities of India for which I need partners on equal basis with an estimated return of approx 4 crores in next 3 years if we work hard as a team. Partners will be chosen if qualified on the basis of their profile. Contact at 09582433233 or mailprashant_chandra@rediffmail.com
  • Sajid Golandaz said on December 10, 2012
    I want to start small biz in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India. which is profitable biz.
  • Pankaj Tripathi said on December 14, 2012
    i belongs to Deoria, UP, india. i want to start my own business. I am able to invest just rs. 500000 only. pls give me suggestion for business. i don't want to make big profit sudden but growth is must there.
  • santhosh said on December 19, 2012
    i want to start a small business in my city visakhapatnam. Please suggest what business is best to start.
  • Rajeev Kunwar said on December 19, 2012
    I want to start a small business in Guwahati, Assam. I am graduate and have 5 years of working experience in BPO/KPO as Research and Quality Analyst. Please suggest me the right kind of business opportunities in Guwahati.. Thanks
  • chandrashekhar patil said on January 24, 2013
    i hold B.E electrical want to start business but right now i have no money & land but i want to start business in vendor ship for company (electrical & mechanical) can anybody suggest me for this business my mobile:08623823294 pl. email me on my email ID. i live in Nashik Maharashtra india
  • glen said on April 3, 2013
    Hi everybody i am in the process (end April) of launching an Airline and airport procedure training institute in Dwarka New Delhi. We are on the look out for sales representative all over India (Investment factors reasonable )please contact in detail if interested.
  • g m rao said on April 13, 2013
    I WANT GOOD PROFIT TRADING business in my area
  • AB Izaz said on April 13, 2013
    Hi , i m 24 yr old. . Doing mba . Bt i wants to start a business in guwahati. . But ya i dont have any market information. Nd evn i know i cant start it alone .so plz give me some idea how and with business i can start in ghy .cl me 9435845898
  • deepak maloo said on April 16, 2013
    hello, I am 26 years old, education graduate, want to do business in guwahati. interested in doing trading and cnf of any new product in northeast..kindly suggest me .. call ---7399010000..
  • Raju said on April 27, 2013
    Hi... I'm Raju i would like to open super market in madhurawada, visakhapatnam & doolapalli, hyderabad area so i request you all to suggest me how much capital required for supermarket? and please suggest me which business will be better these days.
  • john said on May 9, 2013
    fly air aviation academy requires franchisee partners all over India in all major cities, Interested with people sound financials, infrastructure and passion to do business in aviation industry, Minimum investment 40 lakhs and assured ROI, contact us : 09884289120 / 9884342539
  • Abhinav Jaiswal said on May 27, 2013
    I need to start a business with the capital of rs.500000 in small town of uttarpradesh, india, please advise. mobile-9044838711
  • shivam patil said on May 31, 2013
    hi. i am 19 years old and i want to start biz but i need right guidance. and i don't English i know only Hindi. i live at Indore m.p. kindly suggest me call 8889169565. thanks....
  • sarasuja said on June 3, 2013
    Hello Masters, i would like to start a new business in visakhapatnam with capital of 4-6 lakhs, what would be the better option ,in which field capital security will be there with minimum returns at 15-20% for current generation, what things are more demanded in the market, please help me in this regard by mailing to sarasu999999@gmail.com
  • Jagadish said on June 26, 2013
    Advice me what type of business i will better start
  • ABHISHEK SRIVASTAVA said on August 12, 2013
    hi, i am abhishek i want start small business and i can spend approx 500000 lakh Rs
  • rajesh said on August 27, 2013
    hello, I want to start a new business in chennai but i have no idea what i should start, i want a business which will new in chennai, kindly suggest
  • keshab chandra sarkar said on October 16, 2013
    i am a chemical engineer. now i want to start business chemical related. if anyone can suggest me i will thankful. my ph no 8238368703
  • Naresh said on November 12, 2013
    I want to start a business in visakhapatnam which should be profitable and i feel better if it is useful to the society. is anybody can suggest me to my id -bolemnaresh@gmail.com
  • muthu said on December 9, 2013
    HI I have a business idea which i like to do in chennai between Avadi to Tiruninaravur (MTH Road). But i need a vacant land around 2500 sq.ft or more than this area. Whereas I do not have money to buy land. SO let me know if anybody has land and interested in leasing it or invest part money and be a business working partner. Interested person contact me 81909-21029. Email: iyyamuthu987@gmail.com
  • swagat kashyap said on December 30, 2013
    hi i am swagat. I am running my domestic bpo in guwahati, assam since 2004. i need help how to grow my venture. I am also interested in different kind of business in the domestic market. Plz suggest me some ideas. swagat.kashyap@gmail.com
  • M.Gandhi said on January 14, 2014
    i am an Engineer. i want to start clothes business in visakhapatnam. is any body can suggest me to buy the clothes which place is better. i am thinking either surat or ahmedabad. my id:matcha_gandhi@yahoo.com and contact me:09866257389
  • Ashok Kumar Bairwa said on January 28, 2014
    I am an Indian and i have 5 lacks Indian Rupees, so i want to make any business... please help me. home based work, abairwa19@yahoo.com 09829236909
  • Deepak Gabale said on February 12, 2014
    Sir, I want to start small business in kolhapur maharashtra,(India) kindly suggest me which business i would like to start? or suggest me any franchises.
  • Syed Riyaz Pasha said on April 11, 2014
    hi friends myself Riyaz and am a mechanical engineer. I've a budget of around 2 crore and i wanna start a business which yield a huge income so please suggest me some ideas. 9986394837 9964790717 they are my numbers so who have any brilliant ideas can contact me.
  • Ananya Biswasi Dutta said on June 6, 2014
    Hi, I want to start a small business in Guwahati, india. To get success what kind of business should I choose.
  • Abhishek Mall said on June 26, 2014
    hi, i am abhishek from india i am of 18 yr age i want to make 10 crore in 5 year plz help me out
  • vishwanath chanbasayya Swami said on July 2, 2014
    Location:SANGLI( M.S.),R/Sir, I am having sum of Rs.500000/_ & I am interested to obtain main dealership in starting the liquor business. So pls give me guidance enabling to contact the proper personal/manufacturer in this respect. Thanking you & awaiting ur early reply in this respect pls.
  • Ainur Rajjak said on August 12, 2014
    my name is a rajjak in guwahati assam india i am starting my own business which type of business to start I am not interested in marketing business please suggest me i am 38 years old education graduate i can spend approx 5lakhs rs I have own land more than 2katha in guwahati
  • Chandu said on September 8, 2014
    I want to start a new business with 2,00,000 rupees so plz tell me what kind of business start in ratangarh rajasthan plz tell me my contact number... 09782174190
  • Avijeet Sen said on September 22, 2014
    Hi All, I want to start a battery manufacturing business in Assam but don't know from where & how to proceed. Please suggest me an idea. Thanks
  • hariprasad said on December 11, 2014
    i am hari my qualification is MBA(FIN). i am interested to start a new business. so pls suggest me which business is suitable. my investment is 500000 lakhs
  • kumar said on December 11, 2014
    my native is chittoor. I am interested to start a new business. My initial investment is 300000 lakhs. my qualification is MBA. so please suggest me which business is suitable.
  • Jeevan bharadwaj said on December 12, 2014
    My Native Is Assam. Now I am doing a mlm business namely securelife. I have full confidence of about this company and have full trust at company. I have also a nice team about 70 member. Although we don't do well business at Assam. No one trust us and at our company. But our company is 14yrs old at India. Thousands of people achieved big from that company. Now what are we doing to do well business in Assam please guide us.
  • Prasad said on January 22, 2015
    Hi, I am 22 years old. I started business from ahmednagar with rs.300000 pls.suggest me..
  • Deepak said on March 4, 2015
    hi everyone i m deepak from assam to start any type of business across d country you may contact me 09706000244 .. For call center , mineral water , juice factory , cold drink , distill water , tea garden , courier etc...
  • Nilesh Patil said on October 7, 2015
    Done MBA and looking forward to take distributorship of electrical components. Place: Sangli Maharashtra India.Email ID nilpatil.6536@gmail.com,Kindly suggest me some companies which would offer me their distributorship.
  • MANASH BHATTACHARJEE said on December 2, 2015
    Hi I am MANASH BHATTACHARJEE from guwahati assam, I have 12 years exp in mechanical maintenance in steel industries & I want to start my won business within rupees of 5 lac, so kindly help me.
  • m.dushankumar said on June 19, 2016
    hi, sir i am dushan from colombo {srilanka}. i have 500000/-Rs. i whant to start a business. what is the good business in this time. please kindly help me. thank you sir.
  • Harunur Rashid Ahmed said on August 16, 2016
    I'm from india(assam)want to do business at where I able to invest 10 lakhs further there is huge unemployed youth without skill. Give me advice. Further it is a rural area
  • niloutpal saharia said on January 12, 2017
    sir i want to start a farming of citronella so i want a financer who can invest 2 to 5 lac in assam

    Comment

    (All the above fields are required.)