6 Exotic Business Ideas For 2016
Do I still have to dabble into the numerous damnable prophetic and economic predictions for 2016? It has been said times without number that Nigerians must brace up to face economic and business hardships in 2016 (in the areas of job satisfaction, competitions, customer loyalty, business continuity, fuel scarcity/increased pump price, increase electricity charges, just to mention a few).
Amidst these challenges, some have realized the need to launch new businesses to meet up with the accompanying expenses in the coming year. On the other hand, some want to start a new business for the sake of flexibility, while some are just fed up with stiff competitions, copy-cats and the regulars.
All are potent reasons which can be tackled with the following less-competitive ideas in the coming year:
1. She-Taxi
Unlike countries like Egypt and India, a She-taxi service is practically strange in Nigeria. She Taxi is simply a fleet of taxicabs owned and operated by ladies ONLY, and for transporting women commuters EXCLUSIVELY.
You don’t need to worry about profitability or patronage. It is common knowledge that majority of taxi commuters in a city like Lagos are WOMEN. Now imagine an offering without the fear of RAPE, KIDNAP or ASSAULT?
2. Watershop Vendor
Times are hard, not everyone can afford bottled water, majority of homes in the towns/cities do not have dispensers. With well branded jerrycans, you can deliver safe DRINKING water to families. I personally won’t drink from the jerrycan the regular vendors sell with their rusty carts in Lagos, but I’ll surely pay extra to get a well branded and sealed jerrycan of potable water from a well-dressed & certified vendor.
This idea is practically different from a pure water factory.
3. Restauranteering (Updated)
I’m sure many have read and heard about APC agenda to feed school children. Now the question of whether the gesture would be extended to private school children is an issue many are yet to discuss.
I personally do not think all school children would be fed! Even if they try, it certainly won’t be sustainable.
As a private investor or entrepreneur, take a bold step and approach PRIVATE school owners in a street or more streets populated with private schools. Make them realize you can provide daily meals to their pupils at affordable costs. This can be done termly or yearly.
You can ask for an interactive session in PTA meetings. Get your survey and ask what parents would like their kids to eat. I always ‘pity’ my neighbour as she’s always trying to prepare either rice or indomie every morning before going to work just to see that her child does not beg friends in school for food. As little as N5,000-N10,000, I’m certain many parents would want to be relieved of the early morning stress.
On the one hand, this idea can relatively reduce stress and expenses parents undergo in the course of cooking, and on the other hand, put significant cash-flow on the table of an investor and of course the participating schools. It is a win-win approach for ALL.
NB: This is beyond a one-man business. No school will risk tarnishing its image because of food, so one has to be genuine, trustworthy, duly registered and established.
4. Freelance Home Cleaning
5. Anti-Corruption NGO/Crusader/Campaigner
6. Market Research Company (Updated)
6 is a bit technical and only those with specialised interest can delve into it.
Basically, organisations and investors need to gather certain information before launching new products or service into a marketplace. These sets of information, otherwise called customer information comprising customer segmentation, purchasing power, income, age, sex, occupation and other demographic characteristics help shed some light as to whether a product or service will be duly received in Oshodi or Surulere.
As a market researcher, the objective is to provide your clients a snapshot view of a particular market, thereby reducing the risk of financial waste. It can also help them come up with an acceptable pricing, a firm business plan, overview of customers, among others.
Post-product launch, a market research company can also help organisations conduct customer satisfaction surveys. These days when organisations are willing to outsource anything and everything, a market research company will certainly thrive.
Traditionally, market researchers mostly use questionnaires. For those who can afford Big Data Analytics, it will definitely make the job easier.
These are basically the statutory roles of Marketers (its a shame we’ve reduced these lots to road side sellers and hawkers in Nigeria).