The number of women entrepreneurs in India has witnessed a significant rise in recent decades, signaling a shift towards a more progressive culture. Today, women are increasingly recognized for their intelligence, competence, and career-oriented mindset. Among them, there are numerous women with unique ideas, perspectives, and skill sets.
However, even the most driven women often grapple with selecting the ideal business concept. While there is an array of business ideas tailored for women, the best ones are those that align with your financial resources, interests, abilities, and other personal characteristics.
Women are now successfully running businesses across various industries, including accountancy, wedding planning, fitness training, and more. The possibilities are vast, but what truly matters is pursuing what genuinely interests you.
Every woman has the potential to start a business; all it takes is a solid understanding of the chosen field and thorough research when embarking on the entrepreneurial journey. It’s essential to explore some of the best business ideas tailored for women entrepreneurs, as this can simplify the decision-making process.
Here we’ve listed some of the best business ideas for women that they can start online and offline that require very fewer investments:
Beauty Salons and Parlours Business
The beauty and wellness industry has witnessed remarkable growth over the past few decades, evolving into a thriving standalone sector. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to claim that the salon and spa industry represents one of the most lucrative business opportunities in today’s market.
India’s beauty sector has experienced rapid expansion in recent years, catering to both men and women across a wide range of age groups. This growth is driven by increasing incomes, urbanization, a growing working population, and advancements in technology. As a result, the industry offers substantial potential and promising economic prospects.
Before embarking on any business venture, careful planning is essential. A robust business plan should encompass all aspects, including funding, marketing strategies, market research, pricing and discounts, product offerings, and more. Key details such as available capital, monthly rent, interior design, product selection, target market, return on investment, and monthly revenue projections should all be included. Ideal locations for beauty parlors are often in bustling markets or high-traffic shopping areas. The spaces should be well-designed, and the staff should consist of highly skilled professionals.
Beauty salons and parlors can offer a wide range of services, including hair salons, hair braiding salons, nail salons, spa salons, barbershops, hybrid salons, and more. Hair braiding salons, for instance, specialize in hair braiding and hair extension installations, catering to a specific niche within the beauty industry.
Event Planning Business
Starting an event planning business is exciting. Begin by researching successful strategies and connecting with experienced professionals in the field who can mentor and collaborate with you.
The initial capital needed varies based on factors like working from home or renting office space, local living costs, and personal preferences. Attention to detail is crucial, as event planning involves numerous tasks, from theme creation to supplier bookings and financial management.
Success in event planning requires research, planning, networking, and a dedication to providing excellent service to clients.
Determining the startup capital required for your event planning firm is a common concern. It hinges on factors like your choice of working from home or renting office space, the local cost of living, and your personal preferences and lifestyle. While operating from home can reduce overhead costs, it’s challenging to launch anything beyond a very small event planning company on a tight budget.
In reality, event planning involves meticulous attention to detail. Every event requires thorough planning, with numerous tasks to address, from designing themes to booking suppliers and managing finances. Ensuring everything runs smoothly for the client and attendees means checking off countless boxes.
Launching a successful event planning business requires thoughtful financial planning and a commitment to delivering exceptional service, regardless of the initial budget constraints.
These positions might involve, but are not limited to:
- Creating a theme or visual identity for the occasion;
- The venue of the entertainment event;
- Planning the event;
- Selecting suppliers;
- Attendees get RSVP requests and marketing materials;
- Taking charge of your money;
- Participating in teamwork with employees and subcontractors;
- Organising the space and controlling the bar and catering staff;
- Keeping an eye on the action
Catering Business
The culinary world holds a special place in everyone’s life, as good food can truly elevate the day. In India, the food catering industry stands out as one of the most successful sectors.
Starting a catering business requires a relatively small initial investment. However, it’s worth noting that the industry can be quite competitive due to the multitude of players. In India, the catering sector is estimated to be worth between 15,000 and 20,000 crores, experiencing annual growth rates ranging from 25% to 30%. This presents a lucrative opportunity, particularly for aspiring entrepreneurs, including women, who can establish a catering business with lower initial capital requirements.
To succeed, it’s essential to have a well-structured business plan and to identify your specific niche within the catering market. Your business strategy should take into account factors such as your availability, space requirements (including rental space if needed), qualified staff, and storage needs. A thoughtful approach can set the stage for a successful catering venture.
It should cover all of your expenses, including investment-related charges, for the first several months. Before you start thinking about the same, you need first identify your potential clientele and research the market.
Focus on getting orders for 12 to 50 individuals if you want to launch a small catering company. To establish a large-scale business, on the other hand, all you need to do is manage your cash and create a clear strategy for how you’ll distribute it.
Bakery Business
If you have a passion for baking, there’s no better time to consider opening your own bakery.
In the past couple of years, there has been a consistent increase in the demand for baked goods. Many home bakers and chefs have ventured into the bakery industry, attracted by the convenience and cost-effectiveness that baked goods offer to customers. According to surveys, the Indian bakery industry is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.5% from 2021 to 2026. It’s expected to reach a value of USD 12.39 billion by that time, highlighting the immense profitability of the bakery business model.
Before embarking on your bakery business venture, drafting a comprehensive business plan is crucial. This plan will streamline your operations, help allocate your budget effectively, and outline the path for your bakery’s future growth.
The investment required for your bakery business will depend on various factors, including the physical store or outlet, equipment, sourcing raw materials, hiring staff, and selecting the location. The scale of your enterprise will significantly influence the overall investment.
Therefore, when choosing a location for your bakery, prioritize areas with high foot traffic. This strategic choice can significantly impact the success and visibility of your bakery, attracting more customers and increasing your chances of thriving in the competitive bakery industry.
Boutique Business
Many women aspire to achieve independence and fulfillment by starting their own boutique businesses in areas they are passionate about. Successful boutiques typically have a well-defined target market and operate within a specific niche.
Launching a boutique business involves setting up a small retail store where you can offer a range of products, including apparel, designer clothing, fabrics, accessories, and more, tailored to a specific target market segment. Starting a boutique is relatively simple and can be managed by just one or two individuals. It requires comparatively modest initial capital and relies heavily on the owner’s passion and creativity. More often than not, such boutique ventures result in prosperous and fulfilling lives for everyone involved.
Starting a boutique business is relatively low-cost and can be managed by a single person. Typically, an initial investment of two to five lakhs is sufficient to launch a boutique, depending on your chosen location and scale. To run your boutique effectively, you may also need to hire a store manager, an accountant, and one or two salesgirls, depending on the size and workload.
Additionally, banks and government initiatives often offer various facilities and support to entrepreneurs looking to improve their business prospects and skills in the boutique industry. This support can include financial assistance, training programs, and access to resources to help you succeed in your boutique venture.
Interior Designer Business
The interior design industry is on the rise, thanks to factors such as the expanding real estate sector, a growing population, rising income levels, and urbanization. Additionally, the demand for interior design services has been boosted by trends like smart homes, the influence of social media, and evolving living standards and lifestyles.
In 2020, the Indian interior design market generated $22,939.7 million in revenue, and it is expected to continue growing significantly throughout the forecast period (2021–2030). If you have aspirations to start an interior design company, now is a great time to pursue your ambition and capitalize on the expanding market opportunities in the interior design industry.
If you have the opportunity to collaborate with a well-established interior design company before starting your own business, seize that chance to build your portfolio and gain valuable experience.
The interior design industry encompasses various sub-sectors, including customized furniture, home furnishings, home improvement planning, artificial flower arrangements, basement remodeling, ceramic tile sales and installation, and more.
In addition to creative skills, successful interior designers need to be business-savvy and knowledgeable about market prices for various materials. Effective communication is also crucial as they frequently interact with clients, suppliers, and contractors.
Typically, interior designers and their businesses maintain a gross profit margin of around 35–40%. As a general guideline, aim for a net profit margin of 20–30% for all interior design services. Your budget should align with your business strategy and typically falls within the range of 3 to 12% of your gross sales revenue.
Daycare Services provider
The global market for child daycare services is substantial, reaching nearly $300 billion in 2019 and expected to exceed $400 billion by 2023. Running a daycare center can fulfill an entrepreneur’s dream in several ways. A daycare center provides a valuable service to families, working parents, and the children in your care, making it an ideal home-based business, especially for women.
If you have adequate space in your home, starting a childcare business from your residence is a practical option. Many daycare facilities are home-based, making it a convenient choice. You can easily launch a child care business from your home with just a few weeks of preparation and a modest startup investment.
Today, there is a significant demand for daycare services due to the prevalence of two-income households, where both men and women are employed. This trend underscores the opportunities in the daycare industry.
Online Retail Business
One of the most promising entrepreneurial ideas for women is venturing into the realm of online retail business. If you’ve always dreamed of running your own retail business but have been daunted by the prospect of managing a physical storefront, staff salaries, and associated expenses, there’s no need to worry anymore. Internet retail offers a practical and cost-effective alternative for ambitious business owners to sell their products online.
To succeed in the online retail space, having a well-designed website with eCommerce capabilities is crucial. Whether you plan to establish a wholesale or retail business or offer unique handmade or manufactured products, a strong online presence is essential. Additionally, you can consider partnering with established online retailers such as Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, and Myntra. This approach provides the advantage of accessing a substantial customer base right from the start.
In essence, online retail is a form of electronic commerce that enables customers to shop for products from their smartphones, tablets, computers, or other internet-connected devices, regardless of their location. It can be one of the most lucrative online business ideas for women looking to operate from the comfort of their homes.
Tiffin Service Business
With the significant increase in employment opportunities and the establishment of new educational institutions in large cities, the population has surged. Among the primary expenses faced by residents, food and rent stand out. If you can efficiently manage these two aspects, you can focus on pursuing your dreams. While it may be time-consuming and demanding, cooking can be a viable option. This is where tiffin services come into play, offering a promising business opportunity. There’s a substantial market for healthy food, making it a worthwhile venture if you’re considering starting a tiffin service company.
Tiffin services can be operated from a home kitchen and entail minimal overhead costs. Moreover, there is a growing demand for quick and nutritious food options everywhere. This presents a lucrative niche for entrepreneurs looking to provide wholesome meals to busy individuals in urban areas.
Starting a tiffin service business does require an initial investment in essential elements such as space, kitchenware, burners, and hiring helpers. Additionally, there are ongoing expenses to consider. One approach is to determine whether you’ll charge customers on a per-person or per-meal basis.
You have the option to assemble the tiffins and utilize a delivery service for distribution, or you can prepare the food yourself and personally deliver it to customers. There are various ways to kickstart an online tiffin service business, making it a potential side business idea for women seeking an additional income stream or side hustle.
Makeup Business
The beauty industry is continually evolving and expanding, offering ample business opportunities to entrepreneurs due to the emergence of new trends. Beauty has a unique allure that captivates people, and beauty treatments have always been popular. In today’s society, where self-consciousness is on the rise, the beauty sector continues to thrive.
Starting a makeup business is one of the small business ideas for women with low investment. To kickstart your journey, consider enrolling in a beauty course. These courses offer more than just the knowledge of making oneself look more attractive. While it falls under home-based business for women, beginning a successful beauty business from home is an excellent starting point, especially if you have a passion for providing the services your clients desire. Strive to deliver the best service possible to your customers and build strong relationships with them, as satisfied clients can become valuable advocates who recommend your services to others.
Indeed, a home beauty salon can be an excellent business opportunity for women who prefer to work from home. It doesn’t always require a substantial investment in equipment, and if you have confidence in your skills, you’re ready to get started. Operating a home beauty salon can fulfill a dream career or serve as an additional source of income for many individuals. You can initiate this venture with modest expenses for a room, room sets, and makeup equipment.
Furthermore, makeup artists can discover lucrative employment opportunities at various social gatherings, weddings, and fashion shows. Skilled makeup artists are in high demand on such occasions, making it a potentially rewarding career path.
Conclusion
Are you feeling prepared to embark on your new business venture? Have you identified a business idea from among the top business ideas for women entrepreneurs that resonates with you? You have the freedom to choose any concept that appeals to you, but it’s essential to consider your interests and skills when making your selection. Therefore, it’s advisable to select a business that aligns with your passions and that you will enjoy working in.
One of the most rewarding aspects of starting your own business is the ability to work at your own pace, make independent decisions, and become your own boss. Hence, this is the perfect time to take the plunge and launch your career.
