Starting a small business in Tennessee is an exciting prospect and more Tennessee businesses are being formed every day. Our Top 5 Business Ideas in Tennessee list represents the most popular small business ideas in Tennessee.
Exploring your options? Check out additional small business ideas.
Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services.
Best Tennessee Business Ideas
One of the best things about starting a Tennessee 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 Tennessee:
- Clothing Boutique
- Inflatable Bounce House Business
- Campground
- Mobile Bartending Service
- Airbnb Business
If you have a business idea picked out, check out our simple, step-by-step Form an LLC in Tennessee guide to get your new small business started.
1. Clothing Boutique
A clothing boutique is generally much smaller than a regular clothing retailer, and it creates a more intimate environment. You attract customers who are looking for very specific styles and kinds of clothing with your boutique. Since many customers stick to their own styles, it is likely that satisfied customers will return to your business. It is important to form relationships with these regular customers, as their recommendations and satisfaction can contribute to your boutique’s success.
Learn how to start a clothing boutique.
Find a Web Domain for Your Tennessee 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. Inflatable Bounce House Business
Inflatable bounce house businesses are ideal for people who don’t mind working on the weekends, who can physically transport these heavy inflatables, and who love working with children. There is not a lot of skill required to start this kind of business, other than solid business sense and an understanding of the insurance policy you will need to purchase.
Startup costs can be minimal, depending on how many houses you wish to purchase, and your earning potential is moderate. This potential can be increased if you purchase additional units and hire staff to maximize the number of parties you can book in one weekend. The demand for inflatable bounce houses has increased quite a bit over the past 10 years and the business is expected to maintain good growth potential moving forward.
Learn how to start a bounce house business.
3. Campground
If you love the outdoors and some hard work, you could start a campground business. Whether you have land or are purchasing land, you could start enjoying the great outdoors and working for yourself as soon as you get everything set up. You’ll provide a place for people who are passing through on their way to another destination and for those who want to enjoy some time connecting with nature. Campers use all sorts of shelters from tents to fully contained RVs.
Before you start a campground business, you’ll need the knowledge and willingness it takes to do many things, including accounting, repairs, road maintenance, plumbing, electrical maintenance, and management. You may be able to farm some of these things out, but it is much more cost-effective to do these things yourself.
Learn how to start a campground business.
Start a Business in Your State
4. 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.
5. Airbnb Business
Running an Airbnb is a great way to earn some extra income. You can rent out extra space in your home on a regular basis or open your entire house or apartment when you’re out of town. Some people with an additional property have opted to go the Airbnb route rather creating a traditional rental property.
For those with properties in popular locations, this can be a very profitable venture. Generally speaking, though, the earning potential of an Airbnb varies considerably based on frequency of rental and geographic location.
Learn how to start an Airbnb 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 Tennessee businesses
- Use our free business plan generator to start planning your Tennessee 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