The most successful small businesses offer the right product or service at the right time. As we move into fall, what businesses are more likely to do well? The end of the fiscal year is right around the corner and so are the holidays. Plus, trends like artificial intelligence are on the rise.
Businesses that capitalize on both seasonal and current business trends will have a leg up in the market. Most ideas on this list are low cost. If you need funding, consider applying for one of the top business credit cards or a small business loan.
Here are four business ideas likely to do well in October 2024.
1. Remote or on-site IT security services
Between 2021 and 2023, there was a 73% increase in data breaches, which means online security is top of mind for many businesses. Small businesses, in particular, often need access to security solutions and are less likely to have in-house IT management staff. October is at the beginning of the fourth quarter, when many businesses are reviewing their current security practices and making plans for next year.
If you have the skills to offer remote or on-site IT security services, October is an ideal time to get your business off the ground. You have several months to pitch businesses and get them on retainer for 2025 or help them solve pressing issues before the end-of-the-year rush.
2. Seasonal home decorating and organizational services
Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s celebrations are all right around the corner. Now is the perfect time to offer services to help homeowners decorate and organize their homes for upcoming holidays and family gatherings. Services like closet organization, hanging lights, and decorating homes will be in high demand. I’m already seeing social media posts from Halloween decorating companies putting up 10-foot-tall skeletons and moving displays.
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Starting your business in October will give you a few weeks to establish your business before the holiday season kicks off. Plus, any customers you get for Halloween or Thanksgiving are likely to hire you for Christmas — and maybe recommend you to their friends and neighbors. Consider asking happy customers if you can put up a sign advertising your business next to their display for the first week or leave them with business cards to pass out.
3. AI-consulting services
A McKinsey survey found that 65% of organizations are using AI regularly, nearly double the rate reported in its survey just 10 months earlier. As more organizations adopt AI, there’s a business opportunity for those with the knowledge to help them navigate this new tech.
If you have skills with tools like CRMs, data analytics, or customer service tools that leverage AI, you can help companies implement new solutions, train their staff, or code solutions to match their needs. Some AI tools offer APIs (application programming interfaces), which need to be configured. Offering these services at the end of the year can help you land clients who are making decisions on how to spend their 2025 budget.
4. Mobile car detailing
The global mobile car washing market is currently valued at $5.84 billion and is expected to grow 10.5% between 2023 and 2030. The fall is a perfect time to start a mobile car detailing service, as car owners look to protect their vehicles from the harsh weather.
Beginning in October allows you to tap into the seasonal demand for car detailing in the fall and winter. Plus, if you offer gift certificates, you can tap into the holiday gift-giving market as well.
Starting a small business this fall is a great way to set yourself up for financial success in 2025.