Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Are you a young man with entrepreneurial aspirations? You’re not alone. Many successful entrepreneurs started their journey at a young age — take Farrah Gray, who became a millionaire at 14. However, as Tony Robbins pointed out in the May/June 2024 issue of Success magazine, “not everyone is suited for entrepreneurship.” If you haven’t run a business before, consider testing the waters part-time while you have a job. This way, you can minimise your risk and gain valuable experience. There are so many small business ideas to choose from.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Choosing the right small business idea is crucial for success
- Copywriting is a valuable skill for any entrepreneur
- Start small and test your business idea part time
- Master business and marketing fundamentals
- Operate and market your business like a local business, even if you serve a global audience
Finding Your Perfect Small Business Idea
The key to success is choosing the right small business idea. Start by assessing your skills, interests, and experience. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? Do you have any specialised knowledge or training?
Consider the following small business ideas (or these online ideas) that are well-suited for young male entrepreneurs:
1. Copywriting
Copywriting is the art of writing persuasive content that motivates readers to take action, usually to buy or take the next step in the sales process. It’s a critical skill for any entrepreneur, especially in the online world where sales often hinge on the quality of your copy.
If you have a knack for writing and persuasion, copywriting could be the perfect small business idea for you. You can learn copywriting from organisations like AWAI (American Writers and Artists Institute), Copyhackers, and Copy Chief.
Joanna Wiebe, the founder of Copyhackers, has written a series of books for aspiring copywriters: Your First $1,000: 12 Actionable Techniques to Make Great Money in the Next 7 Days as a Part-Time Freelance Copywriter, Your First $5,000 Month: 15 Actionable Techniques to Turn Your Freelance Writing Side Gig Into a Full-Time Career, and The Six-Figure Freelance Copywriter: 21 High-Earning Freelancers Share Their Strategies to Make $100,000+ a Year. These books offer practical advice and entertaining anecdotes to help you launch your copywriting career.
2. Web Development
In today’s digital age, every business needs a website. If you have programming skills, web development could be a lucrative small business idea. Combine web development with copywriting and you’ll not only make websites that look pretty, but bring in new business for your clients. You can start by building websites for local businesses and gradually expand your client base.
To succeed in web development, stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends. Attend workshops, take online courses, and read industry blogs to continually improve your skills.
3. Social Media Management
Social media is a powerful marketing tool for businesses of all sizes. If you’re social media savvy, consider starting a social media management business. You can help businesses create and manage their social media profiles, develop content strategies, and engage with their followers. Again, being able to write copy is the foundational skill here.
To stand out in this competitive field, focus on a specific niche or industry. For example, you could specialise in helping restaurants or fitness studios with their social media marketing.
4. Landscaping
If you enjoy working outdoors, landscaping could be the perfect small business idea. You can start by offering basic services like lawn mowing and gradually expand to more complex projects like garden design and irrigation systems.
To succeed in landscaping, invest in high-quality equipment and develop a strong work ethic. Word-of-mouth referrals are crucial in this industry, so focus on providing exceptional service to every client.
5. Personal Training
Are you passionate about fitness? Consider starting a personal training business. You can work with clients one-on-one or in small groups, helping them achieve their fitness goals.
To become a personal trainer, you’ll need to get certification from a recognised organisation like the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) or the American Council on Exercise (ACE). You’ll also need liability insurance and a solid understanding of anatomy, physiology, and nutrition.
Marketing Your Small Business
No matter what small business idea you choose, marketing is essential for success. Marketing fundamentals involve learning how to spread the word about your business, generate leads, convert those leads into buyers, and keep those buyers as customers for as long as possible. A sound marketing strategy makes sure that each of these 4 areas is being addressed.
In No B.S. Grassroots Marketing: The Ultimate, No Holds Barred, Take No Prisoners Guide to Growing Sales and Profits of Local Small Businesses, authors Dan S. Kennedy and Jeff Slutsky advise you to operate and market your business as if it’s a local business, even if you serve customers globally.
Focus on building relationships with your customers and providing exceptional service. Attend local networking events, sponsor community organisations, and get involved in local charities. These grassroots marketing tactics can help you build a loyal customer base and generate word-of-mouth referrals.
Mastering Business Fundamentals
Whether you start a part-time or full-time business, you need to master the same business fundamentals. According to Brad Sugars in The Business Coach: A Parable of Small Business Breakthrough, these fundamentals include money mastery, delivery mastery, time mastery, optimization mastery, leverage, team-building, synergy, and results. You’ll also want to consider your business’ self-concept.
Take the time to educate yourself on these fundamentals. Read books, attend workshops, and seek mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs. The more you learn, the better equipped you’ll be to handle the challenges of running a small business.
Conclusion
Starting a small business as a young male entrepreneur can be an exciting and rewarding journey. By choosing the right business idea, mastering business fundamentals, and implementing effective marketing strategies, you can set yourself up for success.
Remember, entrepreneurship is not for everyone. It requires hard work, dedication, and perseverance. But if you have a passion for your business idea and a willingness to learn, you can achieve your entrepreneurial dreams.
Action Steps
1. Assess your skills, interests, and experience to identify potential small business ideas
2. Research your chosen business idea to ensure there is a market demand
3. Develop a business plan that outlines your goals, target market, and marketing strategies
4. Seek mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs in your industry
5. Continually educate yourself on business and marketing fundamentals
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A good small business idea is one that aligns with your skills, interests, and experience. It should also have a proven market demand and the potential for profitability.
Some good small business ideas include copywriting, web development, social media management, landscaping, and personal training. The key is to choose an idea that you’re passionate about and that has a viable market.
Small business ideas are concepts for starting and running a small-scale enterprise. These ideas can range from service-based businesses like consulting and freelancing to product-based businesses like e-commerce and manufacturing.
The most successful small business ideas are those that solve a specific problem or meet a unique need in the market. They also have a clear target audience and a compelling value proposition.
To come up with a small business idea, start by identifying your skills, interests, and experience. Look for gaps in the market or problems that need solving. Conduct market research to validate your idea and assess its potential for success.