There's something that customers take into consideration that's not directly related to the products or services a company has to offer. It's how the company perceives social responsibility and how it behaves in regard to it. Corporate social responsibility has become extremely important in today's market and if a company doesn't do anything to create a better world for tomorrow, potential customers may turn to a company that does.
The most famous companies around the world have realized that being eco-friendly and donating to a good cause can and will bring in more customers. Hence, there are more charities now than ever before! Some are battling climate change, some famine, while some are investing in schools and education in the poorest parts of the world. The point is that people, markets, and priorities change. Even though the news covers only the biggest projects from the biggest companies, there are so many things you can do even though if you're one person or a one-person company!
If you're thinking about starting a company, profit should never be your only goal. Running a "green company" and being responsible when it comes to energy and gas emissions is something everyone should strive for. In light of that, we'll go through a few business ideas that don't require huge investments to make a difference.
Bicycle Courier Service
Even though this isn't something new and ground-breaking, running a bicycle courier service can be profitable as well as eco-friendly. There are almost no running costs when it comes to transportation and it's great exercise! Given how things are changing due to the COVID outbreak, the need for door-to-door courier services will continue to increase. Many businesses are going online and consumers use the internet to do their shopping. This allows you to create an eco-friendly business that will help other businesses and consumers get their products quickly!
When it comes to bicycle services, you can also run a bike repair shop. It requires very little investment in tools and a few spare parts that people usually change. Bicycle riding has become very trendy lately and it's a trend that is probably going to continue. Not only is it healthy, but it's usually faster to get around the city than taking the bus or car. Maintaining bicycles isn't the most profitable business idea, but it can easily be turned into a brand that can bring many more customers and consequently a higher profit. With a larger fan base, you can also influence a lot of your followers to switch to riding their bikes to work instead of taking public transport or drive.
Ink-Refill Business
Businesses all over the world are reducing the usage of paper and almost every corporate email includes a footer saying that you shouldn't print out the e-mail if you don't need to. Even though people are trying to reduce the use of printers as much as possible, there's still a need to print out some things regularly, no matter what kind of business you're running. The ink-refill business is a great idea not only because people are most likely going to continue to use printers, but because you'll help them save money and the environment as well. This business doesn't require a huge investment to start but can quickly grow into a profitable job!
Digital Marketing Agency
Although this doesn't sound like an eco-friendly business, it can do a lot more than you think when it comes to preserving the environment. Many companies still include print advertisements so a lot of materials are being used and thrown away that will need hundreds of years to dissolve. The great thing about digital marketing agencies is that there's absolutely nothing this type of business can do to create additional pollution because all the products and services are digital.
Digital marketing agencies can pick a specific niche or industry they want to work with. Because of this, they can promote sustainable businesses to a massive number of followers online and create a huge impact by doing so. The digital world gives so many opportunities that it's unimaginable what you can achieve if you put your mind to it!
Running A Business Has Its Own Risks
Many people dream of starting their business and only a small percentage decide to go through with it. The ones that do should be well-prepare to manage all the risks associated with running a business. You don't necessarily need to have insurance for every single thing you can think of, but finding a suitable business partner who can take care of things when you need them the most is something you should think about. Companies that deal with personal injury loans are often overlooked even though their services could make your life so much easier. Unfortunately, people get injured all the time, and sometimes, the smallest injury can force you to neglect your business until you recover. Also, injuries and medical expenses can be pretty high, so having a backup plan is always a good idea.
As we've seen in 2020, there are events no one can predict that can wipe out economies faster than anyone could imagine. That's why it's really important to know what steps to take in case something like a pandemic happens again and how to cope with it. People think about saving enough money so they can cover their basic expenses for a couple of months. However, what you should be thinking about is having a passive income stream so you'll always have enough to cover your basic living expenses until you get back on your feet.