Trends Point the Way

Can you guess what a futurist does? There are a lot of books available that talk about the future. Two interesting points of view are given by futurists David Foote and Faith Popcorn. They both have written books suggesting trends and opportunities for doing business in the future. They and other futurists look at what is happening in the world and they make predictions.

Some interesting predictions for the future include these trends:

Only four Western Countries had baby booms: Canada, the United States, New Zealand and Australia and Canada's was the largest boom. What will this mean to Canadians? Can you identify any opportunities?

• spending more time at home (cocooning)
• time-savers and convenience items
• aging population
• wellness
• concern for quality
• personal services
• maintaining tradition
• more customization
• affordability
• the move from an industrial society to an information society
• a shift in orientation from a national economy to a world economy

Do any of these trends suggest something to you?

Recognizing Opportunities

Most small business owners (including home business owners) choose their path to self-employment in one of three ways:

1. the job they are doing at the moment (for someone else)
2. their hobbies
3. observation (informal or a deliberate search)

What Kind of Businesses Can Be Run from Home?

• general contracting
• tailoring
• crafts
• furniture refinishing
• restoration
• picture framing
• wood or ceramic products
• accounting
• bookkeeping
• e-commerce
• hairstyling
• manicure
• computer programming
• herbalism
• disk jockey

• upholstery
• mail order
• decorating
• painting
• flower arrangement
• insurance
• real estate
• massage
• lessons
• tutoring
• personal sales
• physiotherapy
• editing
• writing
• plumbing

Can you think of other businesses to add here? What do you love to do? Can you make a business of it?