Slowly and steadily, we’ve been moving towards a more progressive society - a society where women are as competent and successful as men. But for some reason, the growth of women entrepreneurs in India has been slow compared to other parts of the world. That said, women entrepreneurs in India have carved a niche for themselves and have helped boost the economy.
They are beginning to stride into every sector and industry by their entrepreneurial capabilities. From Fashion, Blogging, Jewellery to Interior Designing, they’re making a mark everywhere. So if you’re a woman, you can be successful on your terms and earn big in today’s climate.
Here are some profitable and viable small business ideas for women looking to start and grow their businesses.
Small Business Ideas For Indian Women
1. Image Consultant
Many women in India are looking to improve their personalities and bring their best side into the limelight. While some women have it easy, others do not. And here lies a business opportunity.
The role of an image consultant is to help people improve their physical appearance. Every woman has a unique body shape and personal style.
Your job would be to help each woman personally by educating them about the current trends.
This business requires an eye for fashion and awareness of the latest trends in the market. The best part is that you can start this business with minimal investment.
2. Selling Products Online
Gone are the days when sellers had to set up physical stores. Now you can do business within the comfort of your house. Thanks to technology, everything gets carried out via a smartphone or laptop. (And the internet, obviously)
Platforms like Amazon and Flipkart have further eased this process. They allow women to display their creativity and earn money for the same. From homemade artefacts, candles to soaps, everything sells on the internet.
You can also set up your Facebook or Instagram page. Instagram Shop helps tons of women sell stuff online.
Plus, we’re living in an era where people would even pay more for handmade items. And if you provide them with quality products, they’d keep coming back for more. Raw materials like craft supplies would be your only initial investment.
3. Fashion Designing
Do you have a passion for fashion? So why not cash in on it? A popular business amongst Indian women is clothes and jewellery. Not to forget that the fashion industry is booming currently.
You can open a boutique store with an investment of around 10 Lakhs. In addition to that, you’d have to bring in a tailor and buy sewing machines. You can also take help from your friends or neighbours.
Dressing them up and posting their pictures on social media can help you immensely. Before starting this business, do ample research on women who’ve been successful in this field.
4. Freelance Writing
Think you have impeccable writing and creative skills? Why not create a business out of it? We’re witnessing a boom in e-commerce businesses. That means more demand for content writers and creators.
Businesses are looking for writers who can bring out their brand’s essence and communicate the same to the audience. Women entering this business can be their own boss and start with zero investment.
It allows them to work from the comfort of their home and maintain a healthy work-life balance. However, this business also requires one to promote themselves online and persistently pitch to potential clients.
5. Daycare Centre
Another small business idea that’s slowly catching up in the market is daycare centres. If you’re a woman who can handle kids while entertaining and nurturing them, this would be a suitable venture for you.
With an investment of 10-15 Lakhs, you can effortlessly start a daycare centre. Plus, with an increase in the number of working mothers, there’s a lot of demand for such centres.
You can deck up the centre with books, toys, and games. Love for children and an eye for detail is vital in this business. You can take up a franchise of a famous daycare centre as well.
6. Bakery
With more individuals becoming aware of newer flavours and experimenting with them, there’s been a rise in the demand for bakery products. From cakes, quiche, tarts to bread, people are always on the lookout for quality products.
That is why you must exploit this opportunity. You can comfortably start a bakery from your house and, once the business picks up, open a small outlet. But baking is only half the job done.
You also need to promote yourself on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Get creative with features like Instagram stories and Facebook live. Over time, you can also build a website and invest in a good camera.
You’d initially have to invest in an oven, a superior camera holder, and other essential baking equipment.
7. Event Planning
One thing that is constant in India is events. We’re a country that loves celebrating both big and small occasions alike. So why not turn this demand into a business opportunity?
From birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, and corporate events, you can plan everything. If you’re a person who likes planning events for your family or friends, this is an ideal business for you.
But remember that having the right contacts and being resourceful is essential in this business. You’d have to ensure that everything gets managed in the budget provided by your client.
You can start by organising smaller events and go for bigger ones once you get the bandwidth and experience.
8. Hobby Classes
All of us have skills. So why not earn a few bucks using that? You can conduct classes on the expertise that you have. It could be painting, flower making, pottery, or even cake decoration. Every skill has an audience.
Apart from using word of mouth for marketing, you can also create a digital presence on Facebook and Instagram. The best part is that you can start this with minimal investment as students can bring their equipment and materials.
Some of the necessary skills include innovative teaching techniques, interpersonal skills, and a fun personality. There’s also a lot of demand for these classes amongst children, as most parents are employed.
Conclusion
These were some of the viable small business ideas for Indian women. Although these vary in skill set, most of them can be started with little to no investment. All you got to do is figure out your skills and talent and turn it into a business opportunity.
Setting up your business would provide you with financial security and freedom, independence, and personal satisfaction. So go ahead, pick any of these businesses, and live your dream.
Also Read:
1) Schemes Initiated by the Government to Help Women Entrepreneurs
2) Hiring and Managing People Wisely: HR Mantras For Small Businesses
3) 5 Manufacturing Business Ideas for Women Entrepreneurs
4) Are You A Single Mom? Here Are Some Business Ideas Just For You
5) OkCredit: All you need to know about OkCredit & how it works.
FAQs
Q. What is a good small business for women in small towns?
Ans. Clothing and retail shops are a great business idea for women in small towns as it’s excessively viable. With the rise of the internet, they can also start selling online.
Q. I’m a woman who’s starting a small business online. What advice would you give me?
Ans. Remember that your product or service wouldn’t sell on its own. Marketing techniques are just as important. So make sure that you tremendously market your product or service.
Q. What are some of the viable small business options for women?
Ans. Fashion designing, freelance writing, and hobby classes are some of the viable business options for women.
Q. Is there any business for girls with less investment?
Ans. Opening a fashion boutique, a bakery, or blogging are a few businesses that girls can do with less investment.