Do you think boring businesses lack the element of excitement or calibre for success? Think again!
Especially with startups. You often tend to picture flashy tech companies or innovative apps. Contrary to the popular belief, boring businesses are making millionaires.
Oftentimes, most success stories emerge from industries that are generally considered "boring". These ventures may not dominate the headlines. However, their steady demand, low competition, and time-tested methods may just win major turnovers.
And that is exactly how they make quiet successes and build reliable cash flow.
Let's take a look at 5 such businesses that made their founders rich and explore practical tips to help you launch your own.
1. Waste Management and Junk Removal
The Story
Founded by Wilma Rodrigues, Bengaluru-based Saahas Zero Waste started as a non-profit and evolved into a profitable enterprise, successfully managing over 30 tons of waste every day.
The company offers services including e-waste collection and composting, with a major focus on growing residential apartment buildings and corporations.
Why It Works
- India's urban waste generation is rising dramatically.
- Government regulations and environmental awareness drive demand up.
- Steady revenue through long-term contracts with municipal corporations.
How You Can Start
- Begin locally and start with recycling and residential waste collection services.
- Partner up with local authorities for easier approvals and collaborations.
- Focus on eco-friendly and sustainable disposal and awareness campaigns to build trust.
2. Self-Storage Facilities
The Story
In cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, storage solutions is a rising business as the cities are growing in its urban population and space becomes limited with more and more residential occupation in apartments.
Storagions and SafeStorage offer storage solutions for individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises, thus tapping into the rise of remote work and urban relocation.
SafeStorage claims more than 100,000 customers and is growing every minute.
Why It Works
- Space becomes a luxury with the rising urban population in metropolitan cities.
- There is a constant demand for safe yet affordable storage.
- Once set up, the business requires minimal intervention and can be fully automated.
How You Can Start
- With privately owned space, offer pick-up/ drop services for ease and convenience.
- Rent out warehouse space and managed lockers if you don't own land.
- Build a tech layer on top of the buildings for easier booking and tracking.
3. Laundromats
The Story
Wassup Laundry, co-founded by Durga Das took its inception in Chennai and has successfully expanded across more than 7 cities in India.
With a blend of B2B and B2C, including hotels and hostels, the company has grown into a multi-crore franchise brand and managed to raise $3.2 million in investment.
Why It Works
- Laundromats are a successful business in urban areas, especially with rising student and corporate population in those cities.
- Bulk laundry deals generate extra income with pick-up and drop-offs.
How You Can Start
- Start with one location near hostels or IT parks.
- Use semi-automatic machines and offer detergent vending.
- Include app-based tracking and subscription deals for better retention.
4. Pest Control Services
The Story
Launched in Mumbai, HiCare provides pest control to over 1 million households. The company offers packages for both homes and commercial spaces and has built itself into a largely informal sector.
Post-Covid, they also offer sanitization and bird netting services.
Why It Works
- Pest control is an issue that needs resolved no matter the economy.
- Recession cannot faze the industry as customers do not tolerate bugs and are always in need of immediate solutions.
- In commercial and residential properties, regular contracts can generate recurring revenue.
How You Can Start
- Start with obtaining necessary pest control certifications through local health authorities.
- Target residential complexes, office buildings and food establishments in and around a city.
- Start on a smaller scale with safe and credible approach and build large.
5. Commercial and Residential Cleaning
The Story
An off-shoot of the global brand Jan-Pro, Jan-Pro India has established itself as a leading janitorial and cleaning service provider in India.
Largely catering to offices, schools, hospitals and houses, their success demonstrates how a straightforward service can scale impressively. Offering over 96 per cent of average attendance of janitors across Jan-Pro sites, the company is thriving in cities and urban areas.
Why It Works
- Most Indian cities are undergoing rapid urbanization causing a surge in demand for professional cleaning.
- Recurring contracts offer predictable revenue.
- With a comparatively lower initial investment required, it is easier to set up and build an operating base.
How You Can Start
- Start by offering cleaning services in your neighbourhood and nearby commercial spaces.
- Invest in training the staff for better reliability and high quality.
- Centralize bookings online and leverage social media and other digital platforms for customer management.
Profit Shakes Hand with Practicality
"Boring" has become the new brilliant. Although these businesses never made headlines, they generated impressive profit and won in the long run.
They knew that basic community and family demands include the basic amenities and that start at the basic level, including cleaning, sanitation, waste removal, storage and pest control.
Most flashy startups ignore these sectors, which leave a wider playing field for companies who do take them up.
Finally, many boring businesses are easy with low marketing and operating costs. This ensures easy cash-flow too.
Especially with Indian demography, where urbanization and migration have become the trend, the economy thrives in sustainable, affordable and accessible services.
All of these factors are ripe for reinvention, as long as you have the right mindset to leverage on the common man's problems.
Edited by Harshajit Sarmah
