Business ideas for small towns in developing countries

What are developing countries? Developing countries are countries which are less developed industrially but is seeking to become more advanced economically and socially. Business in developing countries might be hard to flourish but once done successfully there is no going back. The business problems faced in developing countries are numerous. For example:

1. Unfavorable Government regulations
2. Poor implementation of regulations & laws
3. Unavailability of talented human resource.
4. Poor Communications & Technological infrastructure
5. Cultural issues dissuading individuals from entrepreneurship.
6. No social support from the government in case of failure
7. Poor linkages & in-availability of quality educational institutions.
8. Financial institutions not keen on supporting technology related ventures

And there are many more problems faced by entrepreneurs every day in a developing country. All these problems don’t have solutions but the problems never stop dedicated entrepreneurs from working hard to achieve their goals.

Developing countries such as Bangladesh, India and Pakistan have a different way of approaching business than developing countries such as Mauritius, Maldives and Nepal. Countries such as Mauritius, Maldives and Nepal focus on businesses which are dependent on tourism. Businesses in small developing towns provide a lot of development to the country. When planning a startup, entrepreneurs may be attracted by the innovative atmosphere of the urban landscapes. But plenty of opportunities for entrepreneurs exist in small towns too.

There are bunch challenges, trends and other factors for small town entrepreneurs to consider. But there are perks as well like lower costs and lower competition. Here are different business ideas that you can start in a small town.

Farmers’ Market Vendor

Farmers’ markets are popular in cities and towns of all sizes. But if you have enough space to grow food on your property, you can build a profitable business by selling those items at your own stand. Which cuts down a lot of property costs giving the entrepreneur a higher profit.

Grocery Store

Small towns usually don’t have chain grocery stores as bigger cities. So you can set up your own smaller store selling a variety of food products. Your store can contain unique products which will make your store stand out from the others which will give you a good profit.

Diner

Small towns usually don’t have fancy restaurants. If you come up with a fancy restaurant with a reasonable pricing in a small town. It would undoubtedly be a huge success because you are giving people living in a small town a literal taste of the big cities.

Specialty Restaurant

In addition, your small town might not have quite as much variety in the way of restaurants. So if you have a specialty, like making Indian food for instance, you could start your own restaurant.

Food Delivery Service

You could start attracting consumers by delivering food to their doorstep. Start your own delivery service to bring meals to the lazy people out there.

Roadside Food Stand

Or you could make food on your own and sell them on the streets providing the people passing buy a good and hygienic meal.

Flea Market Seller

Flea markets are a good initiative for small town entrepreneurs to sell their goods. You can make your own handmade items or even resell your unused products at your own flea market stand.

Handmade Artisan

You could also set up your own shop for handmade goods online. And living in a rural area or small town could potentially give you access to some really unique supplies. Your hidden talents might flourish unknowingly during this process of making handmade products.

Furniture Up cycler

Additionally, you can sometimes find great vintage furniture pieces in small towns and then give them new touch and sell them in a higher price. Giving the vintage furniture’s a new life.

T-shirt Designer

You can open a pathway for consumers to design their own t-shirt. More like providing them a way to create their dream t-shirts. You could open a store only providing customized t-shirts. This business will bring a lot of profit because all the items will be unique.

Clothing Alterations

If you have the magic power and patience to sew and alter clothing, you could start your own clothing alterations business and have people send or bring you their items for alteration.

Carpenter

If you’re a skilled woodworker, you could start to show your creativity to the world by creating unique pieces.

Freelance Writer

Since small towns often offer lower cost of living and peace they can be great places for independent freelancers. You could start writing for local clients or plying their trade online — to set up shop. So you could start freelancing by writing which would cut down some of your expenses.

Web Designer

You could also start your own web design business and offer your services remotely. Graphic Designer Or you could provide a variety of different graphic design services for clients, including logos, branding and other elements for the people living anywhere in the world. You could design it for them and deliver it to them online.

Mobile Retailer

If there aren’t a lot of shoppers in your area, it might not be a good idea to set up a full retail store. But you could potentially start your own mobile retail store in a small vehicle and then sell items at fairs or events in the area.

Bookshop

You can provide bookworms an opportunity to exchange their old books to buy new ones. You can also start bringing books from the cities and sell it in your bookshop to create more attraction from the readers. If wanted you can add a small café with your bookstore where readers can read and also take small bites at the same time. Both knowledge and weight will be gained at the same time.

Secondhand Store

Or you might open a store that sells a variety of different secondhand products. This might especially appeal to those in small towns with a lower standard of living who are willing to make most out of their assets.

Tour Guide

If your small town offers some beauty or history that could attract tourists, then you could start your own tour guide business to target those consumers. It is a great way to gain general knowledge and also improve your communication skills.

Auto Repair Shop

For the entrepreneurs who are skilled with automotive repairs and want to get their hands dirty, small towns can be great places to set up a repairing shops especially if there aren’t any other repair shops nearby. If by any chance your town is along the highway this is the best way to provide services and earn money.

Family Farm

For those who live in rural areas where homes come with lots of land, you could also start a working farm and run it as a business that provides food, tours or other products or services.

Florist

If you like growing flowers as a hobby you can easily take it as a business idea Sell your flowers in weddings and other events and make money out of it.

Landscaping Business

In rural areas you have a lot of land to yourself why not rent it and earn money. Your extra backyard can be someone’s dream wedding venue. So let their dreams come true and let your pocket become heavier.

Gardener

You could start providing gardening services to your society. It will keep the place clean and also help you make good amount of money.

Home Painter

If you have the wanted skills, you could also start a business where you offer house painting services to local homeowners.

Handyman

You could also start a more handyman business where you provide a variety of different home repair and maintenance services.

IT Support

As rural areas don’t have much IT support and you have the IT brain you could use it as your business. You can charge consumers to support their IT related needs.

Landscape Photographer

Small towns and rural areas offer a lot of great scenery that can lend itself to great landscape photography. You can take pictures of it and sell them if you have the majestic photographic skills or you could let other photographers rent your scenery for their shoots.

Event Planner

You could also offer your services to local clients as an event planner, especially if your small town has an active business community. You can plan small events such as birthdays to big weddings. You can arrange services for corporates set up their corporate retreats in your small town.

Beauty Salon

If you have beauty skills, you can set up a beauty salon. You can earn a living by making people look beautiful.