Need some extra cash? Simple start-ups the market is begging for.
Amanda Dunklin
Oct 12
3 min read
Entrepreneurial minds know where there is a problem to solve or a goal to achieve, there is a business opportunity. Here are low-lift to start businesses the market is begging for.
Before anyone gets too excited about the prospect of being their own boss, I suggest you read, 'Is being your own boss a good idea?' first. If you're still keen to give it a go, here are some ideas to get you started:
Got wheels and decent at navigating FB Marketplace?
List to Liquidate: Preparing, photographing, listing and brokering the sales of goods people no longer want in their homes.
Social commerce continues to grow YoY. Made in CA's Author, Nicole Blair, outlines in her article here that 76.9% of Canadians with internet have a Facebook account, 47% of which have purchased goods from social media generating a whopping 924 million in average annual spending in Canada alone.
The market is there, now where is the problem to solve or goal to achieve is an entrepreneurs next question.
The problem to solve: Brokering sales on marketplace sssuuucckkksss.
'Is this available?' being asked 22 times to result to no second contact or, the predicable, 'I'll give you $150' on a $500 item. Most do not enjoy the marketplace game however share in the goal of making space in their homes and replacing it with cold hard cash.
Officemate Pet Care: Short visits scheduled during the workday, dog walks where suitable, holiday and vacation care of pets where desired.
The problem to solve: Thanks to heavy lobbying efforts of the biggest developers in Canada, return to office mandates are becoming the norm alongside a 20% increase in pet ownership since 2020. Know what sucks more than going needlessly to an office? Leaving your pet behind. People knowing they're getting their well deserved scratches and exercise will ease concerns greatly.
Canada's growing senior population provides ample opportunity:
As of 2024, 1 in 5 Canadians are seniors. National Association of Federal Retiree's CEO, Anthony Pizzino shared this on National Senior's Day, noting that ≈2 million seniors are living alone and announced their ongoing study to gain better insight to the needs of seniors. If you have a senior in your life, I suggest you send the survey details (linked here) along to them.
Ideas for folks interested in helping Canadian seniors while earning:
Consider It Done: Helping with seasonal preparations and turnovers, lifting and shifting, re-organizing and storing of all things with the occasional go-get.
The problem to solve: Our beautiful country asks a lot of us physically upon the seasons changing. This provides an opportunity for able bodies to reach out to their local senior communities to offer 'turnover' services.
Cup of Tea Cleaning: Cleaning service specializing in seniors that provides both the cleaning and the companionship.
The problem to solve: I scrolled upon a hiring post for 'a cleaner who could multi-task cleaning efficiently while chatting with their senior clientele', and thought - just include the chat in your services! With an additional hour planned per cleaning visit dedicated to hanging out with a cool senior who'd be thrilled to have a friend. People would pay for that.
Making sense of social media: Teaching seniors how to use social media and new devices.
The problem to solve: If your community Facebook page looks anything like mine, I don't need to outline the problem so instead I'll tell you what I'd do: Rent a community hall for a few hours once a month to help seniors set up new devices and understand the world at their fingertips. They'll come for the information, stay & return for the social.
A whole lot of Canadians are single
There is a steep rise in single people across Canada. As a single pringle myself, I am begging someone to pick this up. Here is some Made in CA data to get you started.
Profile Optimizer: Helping men select pictures, post them properly, remove the dead fish and say more than, 'just ask', in their bio.
The problem to solve: Consult the above. How I'd do it: I would create a profile on the dating apps with LF: men. Include pics that outline the service I'm providing and swipe right on the profiles that could use my help. If you match, hot lead and a chance to help the online dating scene suck a little bit less while helping some men find their match.
I have a couple dozen more top of mind I'll share another day.
Of course, PIVOT is primed and ready to support anyone seeking to launch, scale and optimize service businesses helping their communities solve problems and achieve goals.
