Top Business Picks for 2011

As 2011 approaches, many are considering a low cost start up business that's also profitable. Small Business Opportunities magazine listed 20 money making businesses. The following list is my top five picks based on low start-up costs, ease of operation, profitability, and national trends.

1. Clean Out Foreclosed Property

Home Based Business

Facts: Nearly 2 million homes have been foreclosed on since 2008, most due to owners losing their jobs and not being able to make mortgage payments. The foreclosure trend is expected to continue through 2013. After individuals or families are forced to leave their homes, services are needed to clean out the dwelling and prepare it for re-sale.

Start up costs: less than $500

Equipment needed: Truck, cleaning supplies, lawn tools

Experience needed: General cleaning and home maintenance

Income potential: Varies depending on amount of debris - from $250-$12,000 per job

Part time or full time

This is a hot business as foreclosures continue

Who to contact for a list of potential customers: Government agencies, bankers, lenders and real estate agents

For more information: http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2008-12-29-foreclosetrash_N.htm

Related business: construction clean-up after new homes/apartments/businesses are built

2. Start a Child Safety Program in Your Community

Home Based Business

Facts: In 2009, more than one million children went missing each year, and in most instances, it is not due to kidnapping by a stranger. Pedophiles target parents for weeks, months and years in order to gain their trust before abducting their child or children. There are a total of five child abduction services. Two of them, Child Shield USA and Ident-A-Kid offer affiliate and franchise opportunities.

Why this is a good business opportunity: Statistics show that 40% of abducted children are killed within one hour, 75% within three hours. Most convicted child molesters will re-offend. For every registered child molester in a given neighborhood, there are five to eight who are not registered living in your community.

Becoming a trained child safety professional in your area fulfills one of the basic needs that every community wants: the safety of their children.

Start up Costs: $25,000 (cost varies from company to company)

Experience needed: Training provided

Equipment and supplies needed: None

Income potential: Up to 50%

Child Protection Programs offer both full time and part time opportunities

For more information: http://www.childshieldusa.com/service_home.asp

http://www.ident-a-kid.com/

3. Assist Clients in Becoming Environmentally Responsible

Home Based Business

Facts: Green environmentally friendly waste management is a $50 million industry. The drive to go green is taking hold in every industry. There is something we all can do to cut costs while protecting our environment. Businesses are interested in increasing revenues while cutting expenses. Waste disposal and recycling are the most overlooked ways of cutting expenses. Because of new incentives and initiatives, environmentally friendly waste disposal and recycling could turn out to be rewarding.

Start up costs: Cost varies up to $25,900

Equipment and supplies: Provided

Experience needed: Training provided

Income potential: From $8,000 up to $480,000 a month, including residual income

Part or full time

For information: www.environmental-waste.com

4. Start a Home Inventory Business

Home Based Business

Facts: Homeowners need a detailed accounting of their possessions for insurance purposes. Having a record of possessions is necessary in cases of theft and natural disasters. With today's busy schedules, families often don't have the time to devote to home inventory. A home inventory business can garner potential clients of business owners and collectors. The service is often recommended by insurance companies and financial planners. Home inventory offers the homeowner protection and peace of mind by providing a detailed record of personal property.

Start up costs: Under $500

Equipment needed: None. Step by step business start up kit available

Experience: Training provided

Income potential: Part time $40,000 a year, full time with staff $225,000

For more info: www.homejournalbusiness.com

5. Open an Organic Fast Food Restaurant
Restaurant Franchise

Facts: Fast casual restaurants offer the convenience of fast food while serving high quality foods in an upscale atmosphere that you'd expect at casual dining establishments. Organic fast food restaurants are only featured in seven states, and will be opening soon in three others. Organic fast food restaurants use beef from organically raised, grass-fed, free range cows in their sandwiches. They feature fresh cut organic French friends cooked in olive oil on the menu. Ingredients are as fresh as possible (they grind their own beef for hamburgers and buy local organic vegetables when possible). This is one of the top five picks for 2011 simply because consumers are becoming more and more concerned about the food they buy to serve at home. The trend for all natural, organic foods is growing in the grocery stores. It won't be long before the trend will spill over into the restaurants we choose to eat at. Eating places with healthier ingredients and delicious food will maintain a cutting edge over the rest. Newly constructed organic restaurants are certified under the U.S. Green Building Council. Be the first to bring an organic beef franchise burger chain to your area.

Start up costs: Must have $1 million net worth and $250,000 liquidity

Property needed: Real estate on which to build

Experience: Restaurant experience preferred, knowledge of trade area and real estate

Income potential: Unknown

For more information: www.elevationburger.com

Entrepreneurs should consider one or more of the business ideas mentioned by carefully researching it, starting by clicking on the website links at the end of each business pick.

Sources: Small Business Opportunities, Jan., 2011.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2008-12-29-foreclosetrash_N.htm
http://www.childshieldusa.com/service_home.asp
www.environmental-waste.com
www.homejournalbusiness.com
www.elevationburger.com

Disclaimer: The author of this article does not endorse any of the websites in this article. Nor does she guarantee the reader success in any business venture they may attempt based on information contained in this article.