Looking for a Business to start during the holidays; here are five!

Image courtesy of www.fabcos.com

The Christmas season is as great a time as any to start a business.  After all, the need for money does not decrease plus it is such a busy time of year, that there is no shortage of ‘jobs’ around for an entrepreneurial mind to capitalize on.  Couple this with the requisite experience and qualifications, the start of your next business venture could just be a thought away.

Today, I am sharing with you some of the more popular business ideas on which Entrepreneurs may capitalize during the upcoming season:

1.       Cleaning service – With many persons working outside of the home, a cleaning service is a God-send especially with the holidays’ just around the corner.  Many persons want to spruce up their home but with tighter than usual schedules due to the demands of their own jobs, time will just not allow.  Start by putting together a competent and capable team.  With the anticipated influx of work, it may be useful to have more than one team so that multiple jobs can be done at once. Promote the business through flyer distribution and business cards but more importantly ask clients for referrals.  Target homes in and around your area as a first step.

2.       Gift Wrapping – No matter how tight the economy becomes or how expensive stuff gets, Christmas will always be a time for gift-giving and a gift wrapping service is a great solution particularly for businesses that provide gifts but have no gift wrapping service.  While it may be more worthwhile to secure ‘contracts’ for the service, go after individual jobs too.  Artisan fairs are a great target market for this type of service.  It may also be useful to approach some of the large supermarkets/shopping clubs and haberdasheries’ which also sell gift items in addition to groceries.  They do not provide gift wrapping services and may find your offering too good to refuse.

3.       Christmas Decorating – Many businesses use Christmas decorations to get their business in the mood for holidays.  Providing low-cost but creative and attractive décor services will give you an upper hand particularly with businesses that are in trading.  Corporate offices too sometimes join the fray particularly if they are the more visible, socially responsible, philanthropic type.  Engage potential clients early with image-based proposals.  Be flexible to the client’s needs and budget and get ready for the business to roll in.

4.       Disc Jockey – Christmas is also a great time for parties.  Many corporate offices host intimate ‘get-togethers’ for their staff to celebrate the season.  Cold calling companies to find out what their plans are and offering your service is a great start.  Follow up with an email, showing your catalogue and highlighting your experience.  If you get five out of 10 parties, you would have achieved a 50% success rate in your first attempt.

5.       Catering service – Great food, and lots of it, is a staple of the Christmas season.  At this time of year, business’s host Customer & Staff Appreciation events, more often than not, separately.  Clients and colleagues also get together for celebration and sharing; there is also the gathering of friends and family.  Inevitably, food will be a requirement for all these gatherings.  Your catering business which provides tasty, creative menus will come in handy.  Approach potential companies through links with family and friends working in specific organizations.  A personal recommendation is quite useful for this type of business.