If you are thinking of starting a business of your own, it is best to do a background research on the best available opportunities. A successful business has to be profitable for now and for many years in future and even though the business is small, it should be stable even during the uncertain economical situations. A higher degree like a PhD or decades of experience is not a must to start up a business yet for some businesses it may require a university degree, some prior experience and passion for the industry.

Software Engineering and Development

This field basically covers creation of software’s, software development, test and maintenance from mainframes to mobile devices. With the vast development of technology and its application in many industries and fields, Software Engineering and Development has become one of the most demanding professional fields in the country. In this field, experience is a vital part of the demand. With experience you can increase your demand both on national and international job markets. Also, these types of jobs are ideal for employment on contract basis. Many software engineers and developers start off as paid employees but eventually become self- employed contractors.

Children’s Services

If you are a person who enjoy working with children this might be an interesting field for you. With instructional training and experience you can make this in to a profitable business. There are many verities of child services in the employment market including preschool education and day care centres, tutoring in critical skills such as reading, mathematics and English or fitness programmes like swimming, badminton or cricket.

Senior Care Services

Many senior citizens in Sri Lanka suffer from various types of health issues. Other than this, they also suffer from mobility issues and might need assistance in taking care of their household chores such as cleaning, cooking and landscaping. For someone with a background in nursing or in care giving, this will be a perfect platform. Other than nursing or doing house hold work, you can also provide your services in house sitting or pet sitting or even in property maintenance. Even if you are not experienced in the field, there are institutions and courses that will help you to get the necessary guidance and practise.

Home Renovations

Home renovation is a field with much profit if you are an expert and excellent in what you are doing. If you ask from anyone who needs repairs or renovations done in their house, their first response would be that remodelling contractors are hard to find and the good ones are always busy. If you are good at what you are doing home renovation is a business that always seems to do fine even during the times of uncertain economical situations. This could be an ideal type of business for someone who is interested in self- employment because this type of businesses is mostly contract basis and the start-up capital investment for tools and machinery is less than the capital required for new constructions.

Bike Sales, Service and Rentals

For someone who lives in an area of tourist attraction or in iconic places in Sri Lanka, this could be an ideal business idea. Given the health, environmental and economical benefits many tourists and even the local visitors tend to use bikes rather than cars or other vehicles for picnics, trips and even as a fun outdoor activity. You can also upgrade your pedal – only bikes to E- bikes. E-bikes have now become very popular among many as it can be pedalled without electricity power or can be use electric power as assist. For someone with the target of becoming an entrepreneur, this might be an ideal business opportunity.

Counselling and Therapy

Mental health is a field which Sri Lankans tend to focus less but something that is important as our physical health. While experience and professional qualifications can increase the demand for the service, there are number of areas to focus on including child development, marriage and family therapy and so on. Mental health counselling is something which is suitable for private practise. Many professionals in the field chose to start their own private businesses but this field requires a thorough study and an understanding on the subject matter.

Financial Advisor/Planner

This is another field with a highly demanded job market and with much room for growth and development. With the increasing number of development projects, industries and organisations, financial advisers have many opportunities in various fields. Becoming a financial adviser or planner normally requires a bachelor’s degree and additional training and experience but it is an ideal profitable business opportunity.

Thishana M. Rajanayake ([email protected])