Starting a business is a scary endeavor for anyone, but entrepreneurs in rural areas have the additional challenges of time, distance and population density to attended to. One of the best businesses that rural entrepreneurs should look at starting are what are service businesses.
What is a Service Business?
Simply, a service business is one that provides a service to its customers. Instead of selling a product, service businesses typically perform a task that their customer needs.
What Service Businesses Work Well in Small Towns and Rural Areas?
Rural Tourism Operator
Organizing rural tours showcasing local farms, historical sites, natural beauty, and other points of interest can be a great business. This could include anything from horseback riding tours to agricultural or culinary tours.
Livestock Breeding Services
Rural areas with large farming or equestrian communities could benefit from livestock breeding services. This could focus on horses, cattle, sheep, goats, or even more specialized animals like alpacas or honey bees.
Firewood Delivery
In rural areas, many homes still use wood-burning stoves or fireplaces. A firewood delivery service could provide a steady source of income, especially if you have access to your own timber.
Septic Tank Services
Rural homes often rely on septic systems instead of municipal sewer systems. A business that offers septic tank cleaning, repair, and installation could be in high demand.
Farm-to-Table Delivery Service
A service that delivers fresh produce, eggs, dairy, and meat from local farms directly to consumers’ doors can tap into the desire for fresh, local food. This could also include prepared meals or meal kits using local ingredients.
Animal Feed and Supply Store
A store that sells feed, equipment, and supplies for livestock and pets could be a necessary service in a rural area with a large farming or pet-owning population.
Fence Installation and Repair
Farms and rural properties often have extensive fencing needs. A business that specializes in fence installation and repair could find a lot of work in a rural area.
Farmers Market Organizer
Creating and managing a local farmer’s market or craft fair can help local vendors reach consumers directly. It can become a community hub and attract tourists as well.
Rural Event Planning
Organizing and planning events like weddings, family reunions, or festivals that leverage the natural beauty and charm of rural locations can be a lucrative business.
Green Energy Consultant
As renewable energy becomes more widespread, there will be a need for consultants to help homeowners and businesses transition to solar, wind, or other renewable energy sources.
Pest Control Services
In rural areas, pest control can be a major issue. A pest control business could manage everything from insects to larger pests like rodents.
Hunting and Fishing Guide Services
If your rural area has abundant wildlife, starting a hunting or fishing guide service could attract both locals and tourists.
Forest Management Services
In rural areas with significant woodland, a forest management service could help landowners manage their property for timber production, wildlife conservation, or recreational use.
Horse Riding School and Boarding
If equestrian activities are popular in your area, a horse riding school could attract locals and tourists. Offering boarding services for horse owners could provide an additional revenue stream.
Rural Courier and Delivery Services
In many rural areas, courier and delivery services are limited. A local courier business could fill a significant need, especially with the rise of online shopping.
Snow Removal Services
In areas with heavy snowfall, snow removal can be a major challenge for homes and businesses. A snow removal business could provide a necessary service in winter months.
Custom Farming Services
Many farmers have more land than they can manage or lack the necessary equipment for certain tasks. A custom farming business could provide services like seeding, plowing, or harvesting on a contract basis.
Rural Broadband Provider
Internet access can be limited or non-existent in some rural areas. Starting a rural broadband service could fill a major need and improve the quality of life for rural residents.
Wildlife Control Services
In rural areas, wildlife can often become a nuisance or even a danger to people and property. A wildlife control service can help manage everything from raccoons in the attic to deer in the garden.
Local Repair Services
This could include everything from car repair to home appliance repair. Since rural areas might not have many of these services available, there’s often a demand for skilled repair professionals.
Landscaping Services
With more land generally available in rural areas, there can be a need for landscaping services. This can include everything from lawn care to tree trimming, garden design, and maintenance services.
Home Health Care Services
As populations in rural areas can often be older, home health care services can be in high demand. This can include services for elderly care, disability support, or even temporary care for people recovering from surgery or illness.
Professional Cleaning Services
Professional cleaning services for homes, businesses, and vacation rentals can be a lucrative business. If your small town has rental properties or a bed and breakfast, this could be particularly valuable.
Personal Chef/Catering Services
For special events, or for individuals who don’t have the time or ability to cook, personal chef or catering services can be a good business. This could be particularly successful if you can source local ingredients or offer a unique local culinary style.
Local Transportation Services
In many rural areas, public transportation is limited or non-existent. A local transportation service, perhaps focusing on elderly or disabled individuals, could fill an important need.
IT and Computer Services
As more and more of life goes online, IT services like computer repair, software training, or home network setup can be increasingly in demand. Similarly, if high-speed internet services are limited in your area, setting up an internet service provider could be a very successful business.
Mobile Veterinary Services
For areas with lots of farms or where residents have to travel a long way to access animal care, a mobile veterinary service can be a valuable business.
Tutoring Services
A tutoring business could work well in a rural area, particularly if you can offer tutoring in a wide range of subjects. This can be particularly valuable if local schools are smaller and have fewer resources for individual student support.
Wellness Services
This could include a fitness center, yoga studio, or personal training services. Alternatively, it could include wellness services like massage therapy, acupuncture, or a small wellness retreat.
Agricultural Consulting
Many rural areas have large farming communities. An agricultural consulting business could provide farmers with advice on everything from crop rotation, pest control, to the latest farming technologies and practices.