Five UK Small Business Ideas For 2019

Whilst starting a business may seem like a great idea, it is important to note that you should be 100% sure in your decision before you decide to quit your job. However, if you choose to commit to opening a business, here are some ideas that might help you get started.

Food Businesses

The reason why the food empire is mentioned on our list first should be a no-brainer – people need food to survive. Not only that, but also the number of people who have specific diets is on the rise. For many reasons, more and more people are shifting to a vegan (or vegetarian) lifestyle. There reasons range from personal to environmental, but the fact is that people in the UK are eating less meat. However, there simply aren’t enough restaurants to cater to the people who are living a meat-free lifestyle. As a result, opening a food business that provides options for vegetarians or vegans might just be the thing that puts you above competition.

Online Flower Shop

While we might not need them for survival as we need food, opening your own online flower shop can still be a lucrative business. Flowers have always been very popular and the popularity doesn’t look like it’s going to fade any time soon. Likewise, buying and delivering flowers online is easier than ever. For example, the HandyFlowers online flower shop started as a small business, but grew rapidly and is now the leading site for flower delivery in London. Flowers are always going to be a classic, timeless gift, so opening your own flower business might be the best thing for you.

Eco-friendly Business

We’re all aware of the impact humans have made on Earth. Unfortunately, it’s not a very good one. Our oceans are filled with plastic, and climate change is more noticeable than ever before. Thankfully, many people became aware of this problem. In fact, we were introduced to the “Trash Tag Challenge” in 2019, where people would come together to clean up their communities. The green/eco-friendly trend is definitely on the rise. Many people are opting to use less plastic (or don’t use it at all), and switch to natural, recyclable materials. This could be the perfect opportunity to open an eco-friendly business. Creating reusable or recyclable products that can replace plastic and other toxic materials is not only great for the environment, but also for your wallet. If you want to do your part in saving the planet, this might be the way to go!

Coffee Shop

Let’s face it, everyone loves coffee. Whether people drink it for the taste or the quick pick-me-up is irrelevant. While coffee shops used to be for friendly hangouts or romantic dates, more and more people are visiting them for business meetings. On the same note, many freelancers who work from home like to change the scenery and go work in the local coffee shop. Opening your own coffee shop can be a very lucrative business in 2019. And yes, you can also serve tea. 

Online Clothing Store

Even though big brands retain the monopoly on clothing items, research shows that there is a steady increase in demand for online clothing stores. Essentially, there are two ways to go about this:

Low-priced, generic clothing – With inexpensive clothing, the goal is to reach the most people you can with fast fashion.

Designer clothing – For designer clothing, you can charge a higher price. However, if you are not an experienced designer, this might not be as good of an idea as it might sound. Simple and fast delivery, all from the comfort of the buyer’s home, makes online shopping a paradise compared to spending hours in overpriced stores in person.

Should You Open Your Own Business?

As previously mentioned, opening your own business is always going to be a risk. However, there are people who simply aren’t cut out for the 9-5 office job. In that case, starting a business is one of the best things you can do. Here are some signs that an office job might not be the optimal career path for you:

You Hate Being Told What to Do

If you get irritated when you are told to attend a meeting, or to work on a project you don’t like, this could be a warning sign. By “being your own boss”, you assign work to yourself, and you set your own priorities.

You Don’t Want to Live a Regimented Life

Maybe you’re a night owl, or you are chronically late to work – whatever the reason might be, some people simply don’t like going to (and leaving) work at the same time. Maybe it’s the routine that’s setting you off. In any case, if you don’t feel like you want to work the same hours every day for the rest of your life, it might be a good time to quit.

You Feel Trapped in the Office

Maybe the most important warning sign of all – you hate working in a cubicle. Some people simply need the space and freedom to do their own thing. Working in a small office can have a bad impact on your mental health and, if you need a breath of fresh air – literally and figuratively – you might want to get out of that job.

Starting the Business

Starting your own business can be scary, but it is also very exciting! Being your own boss comes with a lot of benefits and you will learn many new skills along the way. Whether you choose to open an online flower shop, a restaurant, or something completely different, you should always aim to pick a business idea you actually like. Find out what that is and everything should go smoothly afterward. Good luck!