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Written by: David Lepeska
David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.
Updated on March 10, 2023
Houston, also known as Space City, is home to the Johnson Space Center, which operates flights for the US’ space program. It is also home to the World Series champion Houston Astros, the vast Texas Medical Center and countless thriving businesses.
If you’re looking to cash in on a rapidly expanding economy, then check out our list of business ideas in Houston and consider opening your own restaurant or hotel. Or you could offer translation, coaching, virtual assistant, or photography services. There are many possibilities. Our list likely includes an idea that will inspire you.
Demand for translation services is expected to grow as more companies seek to capture or increase their share of the global market. In the US, more than 10,000 new jobs for interpreters and translators are expected each year through 2030. They translate documents, localize websites, and interpret speech from one language to another, including sign language. If you’re thinking about starting a translation business, you’re not alone. But if you have the skills and the right talents and tools, you could edge out the competition.
In this internet age, finding translators who can work remotely across the globe has become easier. Promoting diversity among your staff could also be good for your business because you’ll be able to offer translation services for more languages. Do the paperwork to register your business, keep yourself updated with the latest technologies, promote your services, and you should be able to gain traction as soon as you start operating.
Not long ago, there were only a handful of coaching firms in the United States. Today there are more than 2,200 and the coaching industry is worth more than $11 billion and still seeing strong growth. Americans have learned to appreciate the value of good insight and planning, particularly when it comes to major business decisions.
If you have expertise in this area, you could start your own coaching business and help entrepreneurs and executives succeed while grabbing a slice of this fast-growing market. It’s easy to get started. You just need a reliable computer and a strong marketing campaign.
The challenge will be attracting and keeping clients, so you’ll need to find a way to stand out from the coaching crowd and prove your worth. A great website, and solid advice, will surely help.
If you think babysitting is just for teenage girls, think again. It’s a chance to make good money while making a real difference — helping out families in need and shaping and caring for young minds. Especially in Houston, it can also be a lot of fun! What could be better than that?
Childcare is a growing industry that offers a variety of opportunities for the entrepreneur. You could babysit in your free time to add another income stream, or you could go full-time and launch a babysitting business that offers all-day care and nannying. Your first step should be to register with your local government as a provider of childcare services, and once that’s done nail down your service offerings and prices and start your marketing.
You could reach out to friends, family, acquaintances and work colleagues, making clear your reliability and availability. Once you’ve gotten a client or two, jump on social media and start hyping your babysitting skills on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and beyond. You could soon have so many customers you’ll have to turn some away! That’s the best kind of business problem.
The job didn’t even exist 20 years ago, but now, thanks to new technologies and the sharp increase in remote work during the pandemic, the virtual assistant industry is booming. After years of strong growth, the market is expected to be worth more than $4 billion by 2025. That means now is a fantastic time to start your own virtual assistant business, even part-time.
To be clear, we’re talking about a human, not a digital or AI-powered, assistant, who provides administrative, technical, and creative services to clients remotely, via the internet. If you have a strong business skillset, you can get started with a minimal investment and run the company out of your own home while serving clients anywhere in the world. You could also add more skills over time, increasing your revenue streams and the rates you’re able to charge.
With hard work and a bit of luck, you’ll soon be helping businesses run more smoothly and efficiently while making good money for yourself.
More than 8,000 job openings for small engine mechanics are projected in the US each year through 2030. They work in auto repair shops, or do onsite repair calls. If you have mechanical experience, you could take advantage of this growth by starting a small engine repair business. Small engine repairs are constantly in demand because of the need to keep equipment operating efficiently. Without repairs, a damaged engine could malfunction, cause injuries or fire, or simply conk out.
One of the keys to a successful small engine repair business is to have the right tools and knowledge to fix simple problems. But first, do your research and look at the industry trends and the competition, figure out what kind of equipment you need, and how much it will cost. You should also know how to use tools like CAD, machine learning, and other technologies. It’s also important to create a business plan and marketing strategy. Finally, make sure you have the proper insurance and permits.
If you love working on your yard and spending time outdoors, you might consider starting your own landscaping business. Boosted by the recent real estate boom, landscaping and lawncare have seen steady growth in recent years. That expansion is expected to continue, so now’s an excellent time to get in on the action and ride this wave to success.
You could offer a wealth of services, from designing yards and gardens to tree planting, trimming, mowing and more, and you could focus on residential customers or businesses, or go for broke and aim for both! First, you’ll need to brush up on your landscape design and maintenance skills. Fortunately, the US government in 2019 partnered with the leading landscapers’ association to launch a national landscapers’ apprenticeship program to train more skilled workers.
You’ll also need to invest in quality equipment, as well as a reliable truck. After that, to attract clients you’ll want to build an appealing website and launch some strong marketing to get the word out. From there, you should start seeing the business roll in as you enjoy the scent of freshly cut grass.
Do you know any business that doesn’t have a website? That’s right — in today’s digital world, businesses need to have a decent website if they expect to be taken seriously. That’s why web design is a $40 billion industry that’s seeing steady growth as the number of new US businesses hits record highs. All those new companies will need websites, which means right now is a great time to start your own web design business and design a bright future.
First, if you’re not already an established graphic designer, you will need a bit of training. But there are many helpful options out there, including online educational platforms that offer subscriptions that allow you to take as many classes as you want. Alternatively, many universities offer affordable website design certification courses. Once that’s sorted, the next crucial step will be building your own website, which has to be fantastic or nobody will trust your skills.
With some quality social media marketing, you should be able to rope in a client or two. Impress them and you’ll be on the road to design success.
If you’re an entrepreneur, you know just how tricky hiring can be. You’ll think you’ve found the perfect new staffer, but within a few weeks he’s made every mistake in the book. That’s why recruiting services are so valuable, and why employee and executive recruitment is a growing multi-billion-dollar industry in the US. Few businesses have the time and resources needed to conduct a thorough search, do the proper vetting and narrow down the list of candidates. And that’s where you and your recruiting business come in.
Getting started is relatively simple. You’ll need to be good at understanding what people want and how they’ll respond in certain situations, and it helps if you have significant experience and a sizable rolodex in a certain field. But even without that, you can reach out to your own network and take a wide variety of recruiting classes online. With some serious study and determination, you could soon be recruiting executives for Fortune 500 companies.
Are you looking for an opportunity with low overhead? Consider appliance repair. The market suffered a decline because of the pandemic but recovered in 2021 and beyond. The market is expected to continue growing because of disruptions that make it difficult for consumers to get new appliances.
Before you get started, understand the market and know that an appliance repair business covers TVs, washing machines, dryers and refrigerators. You may also work on lawn mowers and slow-blowers, but automotive or computer repairs are not included. You will need to check out licensing and other regulations, prepare the basic tools that you need for repairs and maintenance, and advertise your business to find customers. You can start small and work by yourself, then hire an assistant as your customer base grows. With a little planning and preparation, you can have a successful appliance repair business.
Are you an amateur photographer who loves snapping great images? Photography in the US is an $11 billion industry expected to see steady growth in the coming years, so now would be a great time to stretch your creative wings and give it a shot. You could start your photography business from home and give the world beautiful photos while also making a good living.
A crucial step will be finding your photographic niche. There’s a wide array of subjects to choose from. You could focus on personal portraits, fashion and culture photography, news and celebrities, or travel, nature and wildlife. Assuming you already have a professional-level camera, you’ll just need some great editing software and to build a website showing your portfolio and prices and services. With a bit of talent and determination, you could be snapping your way to success in no time!
Americans love dining out, which is why opening a restaurant is almost always a good idea. It’s not easy, but it can be very lucrative. The US food service industry is bouncing back from the pandemic slump and set to generate $900 billion in 2022.
The pandemic has reshaped the industry and many restaurant operators believe it will take a year or two before business returns to normal. But if you’re keeping track of the trends, you could establish a digital presence and work on food delivery before opening your doors.
There are many other things to consider. First, it’s important to decide what type of restaurant you want to open. Do you want to serve classic American fare, or specialize in a certain cuisine? Do you want to do casual or fine dining? What about a family-style restaurant? Next, it’s a good idea to research the competition in your area and come up with a plan to set yourself apart. Starting a restaurant can be tough, but if you’re prepared for the challenges ahead, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience.
The US real estate market has been booming in recent years, and is now worth nearly $400 billion and expected to see further growth in the years ahead. As an entrepreneur, you’re probably always on the look-out for new opportunities. Right now, with sales totals and home prices at record highs, real estate ranks among the largest and most promising markets. And best of all, you’ll be helping families settle down and build communities.
Of course, starting a real estate business isn’t as easy as getting out of bed. You’ll need to educate yourself about the market and obtain a real estate agent’s license. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with all of the relevant online tools and information to keep you updated on market trends, and find a local broker to partner with. Finally, you’ll need to set up a website and successfully market your home buying and selling abilities in order to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
All that done, you’ll be ready to start building your real estate empire.
The hotel and lodgings market took a massive hit during the pandemic, but now as our economies are opening up and people are moving around again, it’s coming back strong! The industry is expecting double-digit growth in 2022 and beyond, so if you’re interested in hospitality and helping people enjoy their time away from home, now is the perfect time to ride this wave.
Opening a hotel can be a very rewarding experience, but it will require hard work and a considerable investment. The most crucial element, of course, will be the hotel itself. Assuming you do not plan to build a new hotel yourself, which would likely cost millions of dollars, you’ll need to either buy an established hotel or find a building that can be purchased and converted into a hotel relatively easily. Once that’s done, you’ll want to launch a strong marketing campaign to attract your first guests.
As long as you provide excellent service and a great stay, you’ll be on the path to success.
Everybody wants their home to be as welcoming and comfortable as possible. Especially in this pandemic era, it’s no surprise that the US $17 billion interior design industry is seeing strong and steady growth. Now is a great time to start your own interior design business and help people feel more at ease in their own home. It doesn’t require much investment and you can run your business from home, when you’re not off visiting clients, that is.
Of course, it won’t be as easy as snapping your fingers. It helps to have a degree if you want to become an interior designer, but it’s not absolutely required. What is needed is a strong sense of style and a feel for feng shui. Beyond that, you’ll need some good design software and a professional-looking website. You’ll also need a savvy marketing campaign — maybe focused on TikTok and Instagram? — to stand out in an increasingly competitive market.
If you’re able to entice just a few clients and do a fantastic job with their spaces, soon enough, everybody will be telling you, “Mi casa es su casa”.
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