5 Ideas for a One Person Business

One easy to start, single person business is a Lawn Care Business. All you really need to get started is a second hand lawnmower, a used weed-whacker, a phone,  and a way to transport your equipment. You can use the bed of a small pickup truck or a small utility trailer to haul your equipment and yard clippings. Before you get to work you need to investigate your competition and figure out where to set your prices to be competitive. When starting out, undercutting your competition may be the only way to get your foot in the door. Getting your first couple of clients will be the hardest part, you can walk through a neighborhood and knock on doors, you can distribute simple flyers, or even put up an ad on Craigslist. Once you get a few regular clients you can slowly start to expand. A simple website and business cards would go a long way in growing your business. Investing in more equipment would be a good idea as well The more diverse equipment you have, the more service you can offer. Liability insurance would also be a necessity as soon as you can afford it. 

If you are good at sales and have a knack for cost estimating, a General Contractor Business may be right for you. the biggest hurdle to starting this kind of business will be getting licensed and insured. A vehicle, a phone, and equipment for estimating costs may be the only equipment needed to start. Many general contractors only act as a supervisor and hire subcontractors to do all of their work for them. Another common idea in the industry is specialization. A lot of time contractors will have a specialty, some will build only home additions, fences, garages, sheds, or in-ground swimming pools. Being able to deliver promised results on time will be vital to succeeding in this field. Building up a network of trusted subcontractors is crucial. 

Another simple one person business idea is a small food vending cart. Your biggest expenses in getting started will be purchasing the cart, inventory, and getting licensed. Health code requirements vary by locality so do your research before you decide to go this route. Finding a good location will be vital to your success. On street corners in downtown urban areas and just outside the doors of busy home improvement stores are two successful locations that I have noticed. Another thing you have to decide on is what type of food to sell. some common ideas are Hotdogs and Sausages, Tacos and Burritos, and Pizza by the Slice. With a good product and a good location you should be successful.  

If you live in a warm climate, then swimming pool service may be a vary viable business idea. Startup costs aren't too bad. You will need a vehicle, the required chemicals, appropriate tools, and a couple of clients. This is another industry where positive word of mouth advertising will earn you a lot of business. You will need to do your research on how to service swimming pools before you start. Improper chemical use will lead to very unhappy clients and difficulty in finding new work in the same area. 

Many people would like to get their vehicles detailed but don't have the time to take them to the carwash. There is a growing niche for mobile detailers. All your really need to get started is a vehicle, detailing supplies, and a couple of clients. Doing a good job should gain you plenty of referrals by word of mouth. Business cards, a simple website, and craigslist ads would probably be a good idea as well. Before you start working, it would be wise to read up on how to detail a car properly and practice a lot. Your reputation will make or break your business.