The internet has allowed more and more people to become entrepreneurs than ever before, and the sharing economy is something that has sprung up because of it. People can now make a profit on things that they would never have thought of before – a spare room, some storage space, their tools or clothes. With so many people trying to get involved in this highly competitive field, you need to be original and determined in order to make a success of it. Here are a few business concepts that you may be able to capitalise on.
Items for Rent
One business idea that you could try is renting out some particularly expensive items to people who only want them on a one-off basis. For example, you may already have an extensive collection of tools or designer clothing. There are already platforms out there that put you in touch with people who want use of these things, so they are your ideal starting point. After all, if these things would be sitting at the back of your closet doing nothing anyway, you may as well make a profit on them.
Education
Knowledge is a valuable commodity which the sharing economy has made easier to spread around to others. If you have anything to offer from cooking to learning a new language, there will undoubtedly be people who want to learn. You could teach classes entirely online or alternatively, you could use the internet to put you in touch with people who want to meet up to learn in person.
Errands, Housekeeping and Repairs
With people more stretched for time than ever before, you could run a business that takes the hassle away from them. This could include anything from household chores to more complicated projects. So, you could set up your own mini-construction business as long as you have the right skills, equipment like concrete admixture, and tools. Again, platforms already exist to put you in contact with people such as TaskRabbit.
B2B Businesses
No doubt, the sharing economy has transformed how consumers use goods and services. As well as this, it has also played a role in business to business relationships, and this is where you could operate. Companies are sharing all sorts of things like office space, furniture, phones and other equipment. You could even start a business that helps other startups get off the ground by offering these sort of items.
Rooms
Perhaps the most heavily reported of sharing economy businesses is the option to rent out rooms, apartments and homes. You can bring in a steady income doing this, particularly if you have property that is located in desirable areas such as big cities or tourist hotspots. You could even run a side business offering tours or a shuttle service to the airport.
If you are looking to get involved in the sharing economy, these are just a few of the ways that you could do. The best thing about sharing businesses is that they are generally easy to start, and you often have the equipment already.
