When you think of main street businesses, you likely picture stores, restaurants and other businesses that cater to consumers. But there are actually a lot of opportunities for B2B businesses to make their mark on Main Street as well. Here are 50 B2B Main Street small business ideas you could start.
Our Methodology: Mainstreet Business Ideas
Here’s the methodology we used to evaluate potential Main Street small business ideas:
Community Appeal and Local Market Demand (Rating: 9/10)
Understanding the needs and interests of the local community is paramount. We evaluated business ideas based on their appeal to local residents and visitors. Concepts like unique retail shops, local cafes, or community-oriented service businesses were considered.
Foot Traffic and Visibility (Rating: 8/10)
Main Street businesses benefit significantly from foot traffic. We assessed ideas that are likely to attract passersby and can capitalize on the visibility and accessibility that a Main Street location provides.
Contribution to Local Economy and Culture (Rating: 8/10)
It’s important for Main Street businesses to contribute positively to the local economy and culture. We favored ideas that can become a part of the community fabric, such as bookstores, art galleries, or locally-sourced restaurants.
Scalability and Growth Potential (Rating: 7/10)
While starting small is typical for Main Street businesses, we considered the potential for future growth. This includes expanding product lines, adding locations, or scaling services to meet growing demand.
Investment and Operational Costs (Rating: 7/10)
We evaluated the startup and ongoing operational costs. Main Street business ideas should be feasible within the entrepreneur’s budget and offer a sustainable financial model.
Niche Market and Uniqueness (Rating: 8/10)
Offering unique products or services that differentiate the business from others is crucial. We looked at ideas that fill a niche or offer something not readily available in the area, like specialty boutiques or artisanal food shops.
Alignment with Entrepreneur’s Skills and Interests (Rating: 8/10)
Aligning the business with the entrepreneur’s skills, experience, and interests ensures greater passion and dedication. Personal interests that can translate into business ideas, like a hobby shop or a specialty bakery, were considered.
Main Street Small Business Ideas
Office Cleaning Service
All the different office buildings and other businesses in your community are likely to need someone to occasionally come in and clean up. You can offer that service in your business district specifically for local offices.
Dry Cleaners
You can also offer dry cleaning services for businesses that have uniforms, linens or other items that need to be dry cleaned.
Computer Repair Service
For tech savvy entrepreneurs, you can set up a computer repair service that caters to local offices and businesses that need tech assistance.
Coffee Counter
Many of the professionals in your local community are likely to appreciate a strong dose of caffeine throughout the day. So you can start your own coffee counter that caters to local businesses, or even bring a coffee cart around to different offices throughout the day.
Lunch Counter
Likewise, you can open a small lunch counter that caters to local professionals who are taking their lunch breaks nearby.
Web Design Business
To help businesses in your area start an effective online presence, you can offer web design services specifically aimed at local businesses.
Graphic Designer
You can also offer graphic design services for businesses that need anything from a new logo to flyers for specific events.
Social Media Marketing Service
Or you could offer social media marketing services for local businesses that don’t have the time to dedicate to those platforms.
Mobile Marketing Business
Mobile marketing is also becoming more prominent for local businesses. So you can offer marketing or consulting services in that area to other nearby businesses.
Photographer
Lots of different businesses need photography services every now and then. So you could set up your own photography studio and offer to take product photos, promotional photos and more.
Videographer
Likewise, you can offer videography services for local businesses that want to create video ads or online marketing videos.
Food Delivery Service
For those offices that don’t want to go out and buy food for their team, you could offer a delivery service that picks up food from local restaurants and brings it to nearby office buildings.
Caterer
Or you could start your very own catering service that provides food for local offices or business events.
Embroidery Service
For businesses that want custom shirts or other items with their logo or business name on them, you can start a custom embroidery service.
Screen Printer
You could also start a screen printing service where you provide custom t-shirts, bags and other items for local businesses.
Sign Maker
Or you could offer a service where you design and create professional signage for local businesses.
Printing Service
You could also offer a wider variety of printing services for local businesses, from colorful signs to direct mail items.
Copy Shop
Or you could start a copy shop where local professionals can come in to make copies for their presentations and other important documents.
Shipping Business
If you want to cater to businesses that ship out products, you could start a shipping or fulfillment service where you handle things like packaging and delivery.
WiFi Café
You could also start a simple local café where you cater to local professionals who want a quiet place to work on their own projects.
Interior Designer
For design savvy entrepreneurs, you can start an interior design business that specifically caters to professional offices in your area.
Office Painter
Or you could focus on painting local office spaces and other commercial buildings.
Retail Store Designer
You might even consider a specific focus on designing retail spaces. Then you can help local stores arrange their furniture and products in a way that’s likely to help them make the most of their space.
Supplier of Restaurant Equipment
If there are a lot of restaurants in your community, you could start a business that supplies them with food service equipment and other essential items.
Bookkeeper
Local businesses often don’t have the resources to do their own accounting in-house. So you can provide bookkeeping services for a variety of different businesses in your area.
Event Planner
You might also consider starting an events planning businesses that specifically works with business clients that want to organize promotional events.
Recycling Service
It’s not always easy for businesses to do their own recycling. So you could start a service where you go to all the different businesses in your area and pick up recyclables.
Energy Consultant
Or if you want to help the environment while offering a different type of service to local businesses, you could offer your services as an energy consultant who comes in and offers tips for each business on how to reduce energy usage.
Business Plan Service
For seasoned entrepreneurs, you can help other businesses in your area make the most of their talents by offering business planning services.
Custom Illustrator
Some businesses might also need illustrations for signage, online content or other marketing materials from time to time. So you could offer your services as a custom illustrator for businesses.
Technology Rentals
If you have the means to acquire a large supply of tech items like computers, tablets, projectors and more, you could start a service where you rent out those items to businesses who might only need them for a short period of time.
Furniture/Décor Rentals
Likewise, you could start a business where you rent out furniture and similar items for businesses that host events or just have a limited need for certain items.
Commercial Real Estate Agent
If you want to help businesses find their ideal locations, you can offer your services as a real estate agent that specializes in commercial properties.
Coworking Space
Coworking spaces are properties that small businesses and entrepreneurs can rent space from in order to run their businesses. If you have a lot of entrepreneurs and independent professionals in your community, you might consider starting your very own coworking space.
Commercial Insurance Agency
There are many different types of insurance that businesses might need. So you could start your own insurance agency that helps businesses determine the options that are best for them.
Travel Agency
For businesses that organize large outings or business professionals who travel a lot, you can offer your services as a travel agent that caters specifically to business clients.
Small Business Lender
To help small businesses in your community secure the funding they need, you could start your very own fund that lends specifically to local businesses.
Financial Consultant
Or you could offer financial consulting services that cater to local business clients.
Advertising Agency
For entrepreneurs who have advertising experience, you could start a company that provides advertising services to the businesses in your community.
Copywriter
You could also provide various copywriting services to nearby businesses that don’t have the time or expertise to create their own copy.
Local Trade Publication
If you want to put together your own publication, you could start a magazine or even a specialty website that covers issues important to members of the local business community.
Commercial Law Firm
Law professionals, you could open your own law firm that works mainly with local business clients.
Business Coach
Those with prior business experience might also consider starting a coaching business where you help other business owners get off the ground.
Business Researcher
You could also provide researching services for businesses who need help gathering information about a variety of different topics and issues.
Recruiter
Or you could help local businesses find the best team members by starting a recruiting business.
Press Release Service
If you want to share your public relations expertise with other local businesses, you could start a press release service where you work to get press coverage for business clients.
Secret Shopper Service
You could also start a secret shopper business that businesses can work with to make sure their employees are providing a positive customer service experience.
Commercial Transportation Rentals
Businesses in your area might occasionally need transportation services or delivery vehicles. So you could start your own renting or leasing service that caters to those needs.
Ecommerce Service
Or you could provide delivery, listing and more for local stores that want to set up their own ecommerce sites but need some assistance.
IT Service
For businesses that don’t have their own IT departments, you could also provide a tech support service where local businesses could call or hire a professional to solve specific IT problems.
Transforming Main Street: Enabling B2B Growth and Innovation
While Main Street businesses often conjure images of consumer-focused shops, the realm of B2B enterprises is equally ripe with opportunities to thrive and innovate. Here’s a fresh perspective on how B2B businesses can play a pivotal role on Main Street:
- Tailored Office Solutions: Provide specialized services like office cleaning, computer repair, and tech support to local businesses, enhancing their operational efficiency.
- Mobile Cafés: Set up mobile coffee or lunch counters to cater to professionals, offering convenience right on Main Street.
- Creative Services Hub: Establish a hub for creative services like graphic design, web design, and social media marketing to empower local businesses’ online presence.
- Localized Deliveries: Launch a delivery service that brings food, office supplies, or even rental items to nearby businesses, optimizing their operations.
- Business Consulting Network: Create a network of business coaches, consultants, and professionals who offer expertise and guidance to local entrepreneurs.
| Transformation Focus | Description |
|---|---|
| Tailored Office Solutions | Specialized services like office cleaning, computer repair, and tech support offered to local businesses for enhanced efficiency. |
| Mobile Cafés | Mobile coffee or lunch counters established on Main Street, providing convenient services to professionals. |
| Creative Services Hub | Hub for creative services such as graphic design, web design, and social media marketing, boosting local businesses’ online presence. |
| Localized Deliveries | Delivery service introduced, delivering food, office supplies, or rental items to nearby businesses, optimizing operations. |
| Business Consulting Network | Network of business coaches, consultants, and professionals formed to provide expertise and guidance to local entrepreneurs. |
By embracing these innovative B2B concepts, Main Street can evolve into a dynamic ecosystem that supports local businesses while fostering growth and collaboration.
Conclusion
As we envision Main Street businesses, the images of consumer-centric establishments often dominate our thoughts – shops, restaurants, and more. However, the world of B2B ventures holds immense potential to redefine Main Street as a hub of innovation and growth. Beyond catering to consumers, B2B enterprises have the power to transform the landscape, and the possibilities are limitless. This journey of transformation unveils a remarkable range of B2B opportunities that can reshape Main Street into a dynamic ecosystem. From specialized office solutions to mobile cafes, creative service hubs, localized deliveries, and expansive business consulting networks, the path to success is paved with innovation.
Embracing these transformative ideas paints a new portrait of Main Street, where local businesses thrive by tapping into the expertise of fellow entrepreneurs. As the realm of B2B enterprises takes center stage, Main Street evolves into a thriving community of collaboration, support, and boundless potential. This journey is an invitation for entrepreneurs to embark on a transformative mission, driving B2B growth and innovation that redefines the very essence of Main Street.
Image: Depositphotos.com
This article, “50 B2B Small Business Ideas for Main Street” was first published on Small Business Trends
