Starting a small business in Maryland is an exciting prospect and more Maryland businesses are being formed every day. Our Top 5 Business Ideas in Maryland list represents the most popular small business ideas in Maryland.
Exploring your options? Check out additional small business ideas.
Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services
Best Maryland Business Ideas
One of the best things about starting a Maryland business is being your own boss. Whether you’re looking to build an empire or just earn a little money on the side, there’s a business idea that will allow you to achieve your goals as an entrepreneur.
Top 5 Business Ideas in Maryland:
- Assisted Living Facility
- Towing Company
- Ice Cream Truck Business
- Hookah Lounge
- Mobile Bartending Service
If you have a business idea picked out, check out our simple, step-by-step Form an LLC in Maryland guide to get your new small business started.
1. Assisted Living Facility
Assisted living centers play a vital role in caring for the elderly and the disabled. These facilities house senior citizens and others in need of help due to mental or physical problems. Assisted living facilities provide a communal environment for patients to live in and enjoy. In many instances, such patients are unable to take care of themselves at home so they choose to live in an assisted living facility where they can obtain assistance from professional caregivers around the clock.
Learn how to start an assisted living business.
Find a Web Domain for Your Maryland Business
Securing a web domain and creating a quality website is important for the overall success of an online business. You can search for an available domain below:
After you have your perfect business idea and secure a domain for your business, one of the best things you can do for your small business is create a website.
2. Towing Company
Vehicles break down, are left stranded and are illegally parked every day. A tow truck business transports these vehicles to repair shops, impound lots and other locations as directed. Some tow truck businesses also offer emergency roadside assistance.
Learn how to start a tow truck business.
3. Ice Cream Truck Business
An ice cream truck business is an excellent choice for entrepreneurs who enjoy working with children, don’t mind a lot of alone time, and have an affinity for frozen treats. This is also a very flexible business that can be run part-time, around your schedule. Having experience driving a truck and familiarity with the area you service are both vital to your success.
Startup costs can be quite high depending on the model of truck you buy, though your earning potential can also be around $5,000 per month. Generally speaking, these businesses are sustainable and have slow, but steady growth potential depending on the area they service. You also have the opportunity to branch out from your typical route and market your services to local businesses and clubs.
Learn how to start an ice cream truck business.
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4. Hookah Lounge
Also called a hookah café, a shisha bar, or a hookah den, a hookah lounge is a place where customers Link to smoke shisha. This flavored tobacco is smoked through a pipe, and it can be shared by multiple people. Hookah lounges can charge by time, by pipe, or by tobacco amount.
Normally, one hookah is shared between two and four people. Hookah lounges can either charge by the hour, or they can charge by the bowl’s size.
Learn how to start a hookah lounge.
5. Mobile Bartending Service
Anyone with bartending experience and a bit of business savvy may consider starting a mobile bartending business. Mobile bartenders will be doing more than just serving drinks and crafting cocktails. They will be building an atmosphere and creating a great experience for their customers. Someone with people skills and event planning experience will excel in this field.
The cost to start this type of business is small, especially if you already have a vehicle to transport your mobile bar. Beyond that, you will need bar tools, a website and business cards, some liability insurance, and a license to serve alcohol. You can choose to keep your business small, remaining a one-man operation, or expand into a fleet of mobile bartenders. Earning potential for this business is solid. Profits generally start slow, but with a few years of experience under their belts, some mobile bartending businesses are bringing in up to $76,000 per year.
Learn how to start a mobile bartending business.
Importance of SEO for Businesses
Once you’ve chosen the best business idea for you, determining a search engine optimization (SEO) strategy is essential for small business success. Good SEO allows Google (and your customers) to more easily find your business website and the services you offer.
Here are some of the benefits of SEO for your business:
- Increases traffic to your business website
- Improves user experience for your customers
- Strengthens brand awareness and recognition
You can learn more about the basics of SEO and how to implement a strategy by reading our Beginner’s Guide to SEO.
Other Important Services for Small Businesses:
- Use our Business Name Generator for help brainstorming your new venture’s name
- Learn how to form an LLC, one of the best business structures for Maryland businesses
- Use our free business plan generator to start planning your Maryland business today
- Get your unique logo with our free Logo Maker and start branding your business
- After finding your perfect idea, learn how to start a business