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Best Business Ideas for Small Towns: 18 Niches to Choose From

Successful businesses don’t just exist in cities of millions — they can also thrive in small towns and rural areas. Small towns offer unique business opportunities for a concentrated market, as well as the challenge of a small community. Finding business ideas for small towns that will survive and become successful is based on meeting existing demand accompanied by a high-quality product or service.

In this post, we will provide the best small-town business ideas. So, read on to determine which niches are most viable for your local community!

18 Business Ideas for Small Towns

Once you’ve made up your mind on a niche, consider using financial tools and services that will help you to save time and energy when opening your business.

Finom is a provider of a wide range of financial tools and services, such as accounting software integration, business accounts, and invoicing. These services help novice sole proprietors manage their finances and keep them detailed and accurate.

Finom technologies are always available for business owners in a single mobile-first platform. Small businesses owners and freelancers can try out Finom's free Solo plan, which includes additional features like multi-banking and its own bank accounts with local IBAN.

To open a business in a small town, you should do careful research and come to an understanding of your area. Once you have an idea of the existing businesses in your community and local demand, you'll be ready to decide which business is right for you and your town. The first step to starting a profitable business is to choose an industry or service in which the residents’ needs and your own interests intersect.

The following ideas can all be great sources of profit within a local community. Keep reading to find a successful business venture: 

Coffee Shop and Bar

If you live in a small town and think of your neighborhood coffee shop and bar, you probably think of two different establishments. However, combining the two businesses might be a great idea to put into practice, especially if your clientele is sparse.

The concept of a coffee shop that serves alcohol is that coffee consumption starts to drop significantly in the afternoon hours. If you want to work late and need the money, then filling an additional need in your small community is a great business idea. Offering your place not only for business meetings and freelancers but also for happy hours and first dates will bring you extra profit.

Grocery Store

If a small town doesn't have a grocery store, there's probably a good reason: maybe most people work in another town and buy daily products in other stores, or the population isn't large enough to support a big chain.

If you want to go the independent route and avoid a franchise business, try to find a way to specialize your store, so you don’t overpay for huge inventory. Use local products, trends, and tastes to make your decision.

In agricultural areas, farmer's market-style stores that sell local produce and seasonal items are usually popular with locals and tourists alike. Rural areas that already have a major chain grocery store but few organic, local, gluten-free, or vegan options are great candidates for specialty grocery stores.

Clothing Boutique

Everyone needs clothes, and even though online stores are widespread, sometimes it's better to try on clothes in person. If you don't have a large clothing retailer in your town, you may want to consider opening a small boutique. In terms of clothing, you can consider many different avenues, from selling T-shirts to offering unique, locally made items. A clothing boutique could serve not only to locals but also to visitors from nearby cities.

Food Truck

Starting a food truck may not have been high on your list of business ideas for a small town. But depending on your town location, the seasonality of its residents, and the weather, opening a food truck business can be a good investment. Many small towns have vibrant communities and often host outdoor events like sporting activities, festivals, and markets. Being able to run your business in crowded places can lead to a great profit. One of the main benefits of food trucks is that they can be rented for special events. If a small town lacks a catering service, it’s an advantage to be able to hire a food truck for a local party.

Farmers’ Market

Farmers’ markets play an important role in local communities and rural areas, bridging the gap between farmers and consumers. Start-up costs for farmers’ markets are usually moderate, and business owners should know about sales, farming, and working in local bureaucracies. 

Flea Market

Entrepreneurs from small towns can consider opening a flea market to serve their local communities and neighboring towns. This lucrative idea can be a great business opportunity for people who have experience in flea markets and retail or craft fairs — and who don't mind working more during peak season.

Open flea markets can be started with minimal investment, while indoor facilities can cost much more. The earning potential for this small-town business idea is quite high, especially if you adjust the rent for vendors to match your operating costs. Your best chance for growth is to choose your location carefully, as markets in overcrowded areas will not be successful.

Car Wash

Regardless of where your small town is located, one thing is certain: people prefer shiny vehicles to dirty ones. If you don't already have a car wash in your town, or at least in a neighboring town, starting a car wash could be an ideal small-town business idea. The only thing to think about before you start: location.

Hair Salon

If there is at least one barbershop or salon in your town, it may help you to open a new hair salon. If one demographic is underserved — for example, if there is only a hair salon focused primarily on women — find out whose hair needs are not currently being met.

If your town already has a full-service hair salon, consider opening a more niche hair care business, such as a barbershop, blow-out bar, or beauty salon that offers makeup, eyelashes, and tanning in addition to hair care services.

Bed and Breakfast

If you've ever lived in a small town and hosted guests, you might have dreamed of having a B&B in your town. Although small towns with a developed tourist industry often have historical inns or at least a motel, most towns do not. That means there is no place for relatives or guests to stay during a family reunion or wedding. Starting a B&B can help fill a need in your area. If you're worried about not being able to keep your rooms booked, open a small inn. 

B&B owners also tend to live in the same homes they manage, often converting their large homes into bed and breakfasts. It’s a good idea for those who have recently become empty nesters and have too many rooms to fill. If you are in your later years and are looking for small-town business ideas, this concept is worth your attention.

If you open a small hotel, there is no need to have a complex accounting system; you only have to register your business with the tax system and pay your taxes.

 Bookstore

Given the popularity of big online sellers, you might think that opening a bookstore is ridiculous. However, in small towns, you may be able to capture a certain market of readers who will frequent their local bookstore. A bookstore can be a successful small town business idea in more than one way. In addition to selling books, a bookstore can serve as a town historical institution, host events such as readings with local authors, and even include movies in its offerings. If your town lacks a place for reflection, discussion, and reading, starting a bookstore could be an ideal business plan.

Brewery or Winery

While a brewery or winery may require more research and investment than some of the other small town business options on this list, any of these business ideas can be quite successful. Breweries and wineries can serve as a gathering place for townspeople to not only drink but also hold events or just get together — especially in warm weather if you have an outdoor area. Breweries and wineries seem to have increased in frequency and popularity in small towns in recent years, and while these types of businesses may require more upfront costs, there is definitely room for growth and development.

 Flower Shop

Opening a flower store is an inexpensive business idea, even for small towns. This is cheaper than a restaurant or a car wash. Opening a flower shop has relatively low costs compared to other types of retail businesses. The only thing you will have to deal with is the purchase of a cooler to keep your flowers fresh.

Although locals will be thrilled to have fresh flowers in their town, you will still have to compete with online delivery services. Remember, if you're the first florist the town's residents have ever seen, they're probably used to ordering flowers online. The best way to compete with the online flower sellers is with reasonable prices, attention to detail, excellent customer service, and a little creativity.

 Hardware Store

Residents always need a more specialized place to go when they're doing home repairs or projects, so they don’t wait for online delivery. With the variety of products you can sell, starting a hardware store can satisfy many different needs of residents, from painting to pool maintenance. It’s an ideal business option for those with a penchant for mending or building; besides, maintenance and repair are markets that will always exist.

 Cleaning Service

A cleaning service is also a good business idea for small towns. Although it's becoming more popular these days to deal with big companies or startups, often, these services either don't extend to rural areas or don't have contract workers willing to come to outlying towns. This can be frustrating for those who want a sparkling kitchen, but for you, it can mean great business opportunities. It's also one of the easiest types of businesses to start, as it has minimal overhead.

 Gardening and Landscaping

At least one thing most small towns have in common is lots of grass. Towns tend to be in rural areas, so residents are more likely to have lawns and gardens. This means that people will be looking for gardening and landscaping services. A few advantages of opening such a business in a small town are reliability, predictability, and scalability. 

Once you start finding customers, as long as you provide quality services at a reasonable price, you will likely have the same customers for years to come. You will also be able to predict which services customers will need. Not only does grass need to be mowed repeatedly, but lawns need to be fertilized and treated for weeds and bugs regularly. A landscaping business is also among the best businesses for a small town that scale well. You can start by providing a few services, such as lawn and shrub care, but you can later expand to snow removal services.

 Pet Store, Grooming, and Boarding

Opening a pet store is one of the best business ideas for a small town if it doesn't already have a local pet shop or a large chain. If pets are popular among residents in your area, pet grooming and boarding services will be in demand.

If you’re thinking about starting a pet store or pet service business in a small town, ask local pet owners where they get food and grooming. An existing pet store owner in your town may also be a good source of information if you want to offer grooming, walking, or boarding services.

 Tutoring Business

Every town has children who need to go to school, and if there are students who need extra help outside of school hours, a tutoring business can be beneficial to both children and parents. If you are looking for a small town business idea that allows you to provide help and grow your community, consider a tutoring business. You can start your own tutoring business for kids at any level — elementary, middle school, or college prep. Choose a subject you are knowledgeable and passionate about, and you can easily find common ground with kids who need help. 

 Bakery

There's nothing better than a small-town bakery, a place where residents can come for a good cookie, piece of cake, or croissant. If you are a talented baker or can work with someone who knows how to do it, this could be a great small-town business idea for you. By opening a bakery, you can cater to your small town's sweet tooth, as well as appeal to those who need a quick pastry and a cup of coffee in the morning. You also have the ability to make cakes or other signature desserts for events and parties. Opening a bakery is even better if your small town doesn't have one; besides, it's less of a hassle than starting a full-service restaurant.

Businesses for Small Towns: Takeaway

When opening a business in a small town, you should consider several things before you get started. Before diving into various business ideas, you need to conduct detailed research on the town and think about what type of business you are interested in, your budget, and how you intend to start your business.

To carefully choose the business that suits you and your town, you should take the time to understand how other local businesses currently operate, research demand, and talk to your town’s business owners. Basic goods and services such as grocery stores and a car wash are probably the safest choices for a business in a small town. However, with the right planning and in a local community setting, you can also succeed with more original business ideas.

Always look for partners that can ease your business path in advance. For instance, Finom helps its clients by providing an easy-to-use interface for invoicing. Moreover, it knows how difficult it can be to launch a new business. That's why it offers a free Solo plan with multi-banking and own bank accounts with local IBAN.

Article source: https://finom.co/en-de/blog/best-business-ideas-for-small-towns-18-niches-to-choose-from/

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The Best CRMs for Small Businesses: How to Find Your Perfect Software

When entrepreneurs launch a business, they think about business plans, products, funds, accounting, and much more. Still, a CRM system is almost the last thing that comes to their mind. Why is it so? Why do entrepreneurs need CRM software? What are the best CRMs for small businesses? We’ll address all these questions in this guide to CRMs. 

What Is CRM Software for Small Businesses?

CRM is an abbreviation of customer relationship management. CRM software includes various functions that help entrepreneurs manage communication with customers and develop the customer experience. 

Why You Should Use a CRM System

At the beginning of the article, we asked why many entrepreneurs ignore CRM software. It happens because a small business doesn’t deal with tons of information. When you start out, you don’t have many customers and contacts. That’s why it’s so easy to use one email address to communicate with customers and contractors, remember clients’ names and preferences, and keep all the information on one computer or even in a notebook. 

Nevertheless, when a small business develops, the number of customers grows, and several employees turn into a big team - it then becomes necessary to find software that can store the information and give access for numerous employees.

Does CRM Software Have Pitfalls? 

Everything has disadvantages, and the CRM system isn’t an exclusion. Firstly, CRM software can be expensive for a small business. And if you find an affordable option, you should be sure you can deal with hidden costs. Hidden costs can include expenses for maintenance and data backups, system administrators, and software developers. 

CRM, like any other program, can fail. In this case, all the records will be lost, and it will hurt your business. 

Additionally, CRM software for a small business should be user-friendly. Otherwise, you will spend lots of time training your employees. 

CRM Functions

CRM software combines many functions that ease a small business’s operations. Here is the list of the vital functions the best CRM for a small business should do:

Organize communication. In CRM, small business employees can send and receive emails. It’s possible to send emails via mail and social media bots. The more communication options a client has, the more loyal and satisfied they are. Imagine a customer doesn’t use Gmail and prefers WhatsApp for communication. If you offer the WhatsApp option rather than making them use Gmail, you gain their loyalty.

Systematize contact information. It’s vital to keep all the data about your customers in one place. First of all, when a client contacts you more than once, you should prevent them from repeating the basic information, including their name, phone number, email address, etc. Second, CRM software allows for keeping previous chats and seeing what the matter was and who spoke to the customer. In case of problems, this stored information helps to solve the issue faster. This function helps the most if you have a sales business. The stored information aligns the team, smoothing the sales process.

Set tasks. This function is vital, especially for a freelance business. CRM software allows you to assign tasks to your employees and see their progress on every duty. It makes the working process much easier when your employees work from different parts of the world. This feature can also help with sales reports. You can track how many emails were sent, calls were made, meetings were organized, and deals are already closed.

Arrange internal communication. It’s much easier to see how your teams communicate with each other using CRM software. It’s also possible to send emails within CRM to keep your customer chats and employee chats in one place.

Organize employee reports. A CRM platform allows you to track employee tasks and make financial reports. Being in a common system, you can see how many tasks your worker has, how successful they are, and how much money they earn.

Additional Functions:

Segment customers. This feature isn’t the most important, but it can help. You can segment the contacts by different parameters that can help in your small business.

Send template emails. CRM should provide an opportunity to create templates and send scheduled emails. It’s also possible to get notifications when the email is delivered and read.

Test customer strategies. CRM keeps all the customer data you need to define customer behavior. Through CRM, you can follow a customer’s activity and check their feedback. This information will allow you to determine strategies that will develop your business. It’s also possible to forecast sales.

Raise the company’s profitability. Of course, CRM can’t increase the profitability of your company on its own. However, all the functions listed above contribute to the effectiveness of your small business. Also, CRM allows for doing financial reports and following your revenues.

What Determines the Best CRM for Small Businesses?

We have defined what functions good CRM software has. Let’s consider additional parameters that determine a good CRM system that will bring different departments together to deliver high customer service.

User-friendly interface. If a CRM system is complicated and takes lots of time to explain to your employees how to use it, this system isn’t for you. CRM software will be used daily; that’s why it should be straightforward to use.

Cloud-based system. In the world of freelance, it should be possible to have access to data from anywhere. That’s why your perfect CRM should be cloud-based, so your employees have real-time information from any device anywhere in the world.

Fast implementation. If you have to spend hours adding customer details in a database, that CRM isn’t for you. It should be possible to add data from email with a single click or import lists.

Automatic update. When your business is small, you don’t have many clients and partners; you can update their information manually. But what if your business is big? Will you update the data of thousands of people?

Funnel management. It’s great if you can follow every step of your customer.

Price. Now, you may think we will say that good CRM software should be expensive, but that’s not the case. Firstly, before buying CRM software, you should try a free version if available. A trial version will allow you to understand whether the CRM matches your requirements. Also, CRM systems differ in price significantly, as they provide various functions. You should find the one that suits you the most and buy it only if it helps develop your small business.

Choosing a CRM System

We’ve gathered vital points you should follow in choosing the right CRM system for your business.  

Budget. Before you buy CRM software, you should know how much you are ready to spend. As we mentioned above, there are free CRM versions. Still, some of them cost up to $200. If you know the price you expect, you can narrow down the wide range of CRM options.

Features You Expect. Before choosing a CRM system, you should clearly understand what you expect from it. Make a list of features the CRM should have, and it will become much easier to choose the right option. When making a list, consider your requirements and gather feedback from the employees who will work with the CRM, as they may add or remove the features you thought about.

Ask other businesses. It's worth asking companies from the same industry for referrals, as they know the business's needs.

Record useful info. It's recommended to record features of CRM software that you consider; this prevents the loss of important information and helps make the comparison more manageable.

Check the current options. The market changes rapidly. As new technologies contribute to the development of CRM systems, it's worth checking reviews before buying CRM software. Check reviews on various websites that aren’t directly related to the software. Otherwise, there is a risk you will read an excellent review that doesn't reflect the real-life situation.

Use a trial period. Most CRMs offer a trial period. Choose several options that suit your business the most according to their description and examine whether the CRM fulfills all your requirements.

Top CRMs for a Small Business

It's impossible to gather all available CRM platforms. However, we did our best to make a list of the top CRM systems for small businesses. By comparing their features, you can choose the best option for you. 

    1. Keap

Keap is CRM software for business owners who don't have much time to set up and maintain a CRM system. If you have already used another CRM, Keap allows you to migrate data for free. Keap's plan provides coaching and educational materials, so you can set up the system easily and quickly. If you or your employees have questions, 24/7 live chat support will solve all the issues. 

Keap has different plans with varying features. Using an entry-level plan, you can access general CRM tools for small businesses, such as lead capture, client invoicing, and contact management tools. As your business grows, you can add more functions to make Keap CRM more suitable for your needs. It's possible to set automated email templates to message your clients at a certain time, view customizable dashboards, and access reporting tools that help evaluate team performance. 

A significant disadvantage is that Keap doesn't provide a free plan for testing its capabilities.

    2. Zoho CRM

This CRM software is perfect for emerging businesses with remote workers. It's possible to use the CRM on your phone without losing any desktop functions. The real-time data allow users to be up to date. 

It's even possible to edit data in the application without an internet connection. Using the mobile app, you can set reminders, send emails, add a new client's information, attach audio files and comments, initiate calls, and change the deal's status. 

Zoho CRM is not expensive but includes all the features a startup needs to provide high-quality services. At the same time, the free plan doesn't allow a user to test all CRM features. It's only possible to make predictions and use AI tools with top-tier plans. 

    3. HubSpot CRM 

This CRM solution is used for sales, content management, and inbound marketing. One of the leading advantages is that its free plan includes an unlimited number of users. It's crucial, as this CRM solution won't limit the company's growth. The free plan allows users to apply for CRM, sales, email marketing, and service tools. 

Moreover, the CRM has a unique plan, HubSpot for Startups. Under this plan, startups with up to $2 million in Series A funding can get a 90% discount in their first year, 50% in their second year, and 25% in their third year. If a small business has over $2 million in funding, discounts start at 50%.

Despite many pros, the CRM has disadvantages, such as the lack of support in the lower-tier plans.

    4. Bitrix24

This CRM solution can be called a comprehensive CRM for marketing and sales teams. It's possible to create an unlimited number of groups and centralized document storage. However, the free plan is limited to 12 users and 5 GB of storage. It's enough for small businesses, but you should consider either an advanced version or another CRM software when your company grows. The CRM has many plans, and it may be challenging to find the right one. The professional version isn't too expensive - $199, paying monthly. This plan allows the business to add an unlimited number of users. 

    5. SugarCRM

SugarCRM is a comprehensive tool for sales, marketing, and customer service purposes. This software allows you to automate business processes and set client messaging. There is customer support and a user community where you can communicate with other small businesses. 

Unlike other CRM systems that set limits on the maximum number of CRM users, this platform implies restrictions on the minimum number of users - there should be at least ten team members. The system may seem complicated, so it will take time to learn the CRM. 

The CRM provides a wide range of plans, and each of them has a free trial to check whether the platform suits your needs. 

    6. Pipedrive

Pipedrive is a suitable CRM platform for startups. It provides an opportunity to organize multiple sales pipelines with customizable parameters for products and services. It's also possible to customize data fields. 

The software creates reminders and notifications to get rid your head of unnecessary information. The platform is relatively easy to use. Thus, it doesn't take lots of time to implement it in your business processes. 

Among the disadvantages, we can list a lack of an internal emailing platform. It means you will have to apply the app's Mailchimp integration. 

The CRM offers various plans, from Essential to Enterprise. The pitfall is that the trial period is limited to 14 days. The free version isn't available for the Enterprise plan. 

Pro Tip

According to the list of CRM solutions for small businesses and their features, we recommend migrating from one CRM to another when your business grows, as most of the CRMs for small businesses are too expensive for an upgrade. It's cheaper to purchase a new system that will fulfill the requirements of a bigger company. 

Takeaway

CRM software is a vital part of any business. The platform should help team members solve internal working issues and set productive communication with the clients. As the CRMs vary regarding their features, problems they solve, and pricing, it's vital to define what your startup expects from the CRM. As soon as you determine its goals, you will be able to find the right platform for you. 

CRM is not the only platform that should be chosen when opening a new business. It's worth automating the accounting process too. For this aim, you can use the FINOM platform.  

FINOM provides a wide range of financial tools and services, such as a business account, invoicing, and accounting software integration. With this platform, novice entrepreneurs can easily manage their finances and keep them accurate and detailed. Try fintech technologies with FINOM; bring them to your business management processes to focus on your business growth, limiting time and money spent.

FINOM technologies are available for entrepreneurs in a single mobile-first platform. Small business owners and freelancers can try out FINOM's free Solo plan, which includes additional features such as multi-banking and its own bank accounts with local IBAN. If you are located in Germany, you can open a FINOM account while your company is in the process of registration. For accounting, FINOM offers full or limited secure accountant access and integration with Lexoffice, DATEV Online, sevDesk, FastBill, Sorted, and others (integrations for German residents only).

Source: https://finom.co/en-de/blog/best-crm-for-small-businesses/

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Nebenberuflich selbstständig werden

Viele Menschen mit Vollzeitbeschäftigung entscheiden sich, nebenberuflich selbstständig zu werden und bauen nebenbei einen Nebenjob oder ein Leidenschaftsprojekt auf, während sie ihren Hauptberuf fortsetzen. Neben all den Sorgen gibt es viele Gründe, warum es sich lohnt, über die Gründung im Nebenerwerb nachzudenken. Wenn Sie mit dem Gedanken spielen, Ihr eigener Chef zu sein, aber mögliche finanzielle Risiken Sie abschrecken, sollten Sie vielleicht darüber nachdenken, sich nebenberuflich selbstständig zu machen. Dies ist eine großartige Möglichkeit, sich über das Thema zu informieren und Ihr Unternehmen ohne die Angst aufzubauen, die mit einem selbstständigen Vollzeitberuf einhergeht.

Warum sollte ich mich nebenberuflich selbstständig machen?

Das Wichtigste zuerst: Ein Gewerbe nebenberuflich zu gründen, ist immer eine Überlegung wert – auch wenn Sie wissen, dass die ersten Monate ganz schön hart sein können und der Risikofaktor enorm hoch wirkt. Es ist mutig und kann sich immens lohnen – wenn Sie die Arbeit investieren und selbstmotiviert, diszipliniert und fleißig sind, können Sie wirklich den Lebens- und Karriereweg aufbauen, von dem Sie immer geträumt haben.

Wenn Sie jedoch zu den Personen gehören, die es vorziehen, ein minimales Risiko einzugehen, ist die nebenberufliche Selbstständigkeit möglicherweise die bessere Option. Es ist ein kleiner Kompromiss: Einerseits müssen Sie sich weiterhin um Ihren regulären Job kümmern (egal ob Teil- oder Vollzeit). Das wird viel Zeit in Anspruch nehmen, aber es zahlt auch Ihre Rechnungen. Auf der anderen Seite steht es Ihnen frei, das Leben in der Selbstständigkeit auszuprobieren und auf diese Weise auch noch Geld zu verdienen. Wenn Sie anfangs nur wenige Kunden haben, wird es Sie nicht so hart treffen, da Sie immer noch Ihren regulären Job haben, der Ihre Grundlagen abdeckt.

Selbstständigkeit im Nebenerwerb als Übergangsphase

Ihr eigener Chef in Teilzeit zu sein, kann Ihnen einen sanften Übergang in die Vollzeit-Selbstständigkeit ermöglichen. Betrachten Sie es als eine Testphase, in der Sie herausfinden können, ob Ihre Geschäftsidee gut ist oder angepasst werden muss. Es ermöglicht Ihnen auch, langsam einen Kundenstamm aufzubauen und zu beurteilen, ob Sie dies in Vollzeit tun könnten oder nicht. Bevor Sie Ihr Nebengewerbe anmelden, machen Sie zuerst Pläne und entwickeln Sie eine Idee, was Sie machen könnten.

Die Zahlen des deutschen KfW Gründungsmonitors belegen, dass rund 50 % aller Gründungswilligen in Deutschland ihre Idee zunächst erproben und sich für eine nebenberufliche Selbständigkeit entscheiden.

Wie wirkt sich eine nebenberufliche Selbstständigkeit auf meinen regulären Job aus?

Die Antwort ist einfach: sie sollte überhaupt keinen Einfluss darauf haben. Es gibt jedoch ein paar Dinge, auf die Sie achten sollten, damit Sie sich nicht in eine schwierige Lage bringen. Als Faustregel gilt: Informieren Sie Ihren Chef über Ihre Pläne – je nach Vertrag sind Sie dazu sogar gesetzlich verpflichtet. Sie sollten ihm/ihr versichern, dass Ihr regulärer Job dadurch nicht beeinträchtigt wird. Natürlich ist es strikt verboten, die Zeit im Unternehmen für Ihre eigenen Zwecke zu missbrauchen. Das bedeutet, dass eine klare Aufteilung Ihrer Zeit unerlässlich ist. Es sollte selbstverständlich sein, dass das Abwerben von Kunden während der Arbeitszeit Ihnen eine Menge Ärger bereiten kann und definitiv nicht der empfohlene Weg ist, um Ihre Karriere zu beschleunigen.

So teilen Sie Ihre Zeit richtig auf

Eine Warnung: Solange Sie Arbeitnehmer sind, sollte dieser Job zumindest während der wöchentlichen Arbeitszeit Ihre Priorität bleiben. In der Regel dürfen Sie in Deutschland bis zu 18 Stunden pro Woche nebenberuflich selbstständig arbeiten. Sie sollten sich auch darüber im Klaren sein, dass Sie niemanden einstellen können, da folglich Ihre nebenberufliche Selbstständigkeit sofort als hauptberufliche Selbstständigkeit eingestuft würde.

Muss ich meine nebenberufliche Selbstständigkeit anmelden?

Bürokratie lässt sich leider nicht vermeiden, auch wenn man nur nebenbei seinem Traum nachgeht. Das bedeutet, dass Sie Ihr Gewerbe je nach Tätigkeit entweder beim Gewerbeamt, beim Finanzamt, bei der Berufsgenossenschaft, beim Handelsregister oder bei der IHK anmelden müssen. Bei welcher Stelle Sie sich anmelden müssen, hängt von der Rechtsform ab, die Sie für Ihr Unternehmen gewählt haben.

Als Freiberufler (Journalist, Künstler, Akademiker etc.) brauchen Sie sich nur beim Finanzamt anzumelden, wodurch Sie eine Steuernummer und Steuer-ID erhalten, und schon kann es losgehen. Aber es gibt auch viele verschiedene Rechtsformen, die Sie für Ihr Unternehmen wählen können, und viele verschiedene Faktoren, die bestimmen, welche für Sie die richtige ist. Alle anderen melden sich beim Gewerbeamt und anschließend beim Finanzamt an.

Steuern

Unabhängig davon, ob Sie haupt- oder nebenberuflich selbstständig sind und ob Sie viel oder wenig verdienen, müssen Sie sich mit Steuern, Buchhaltung und Steuererklärungen auseinandersetzen.

Einkommensteuer

Wenn Sie in die Kategorie der Freiberufler fallen, müssen Sie Ihren Nebenerwerb nur dann beim Finanzamt anmelden und Lohnsteuer zahlen, wenn der Verdienst mehr als 9.408 EUR im Jahr beträgt.

Einkommensteuern sind progressiv; je höher das Einkommen, desto höher der Steuersatz. Der Ausgangspunkt liegt bei 14 %, er kann aber auf bis zu 45 % ansteigen.

Wer neben seinem Hauptberuf als Nebenjob (Mini-Job) in einem anderen Unternehmen arbeiten möchte, muss bei einem Verdienst von unter 450 Euro im Monat keine Einkommenssteuer zahlen. Arbeitslose dürfen nebenberuflich 165 Euro pro Monat verdienen, diese nebenberufliche Selbstständigkeit darf pro Woche nicht mehr als 15 Stunden ausgeführt werden.

Gewerbesteuer

Bei dem Gewinn aus einem Gewerbe muss zusätzlich Gewerbesteuer gezahlt werden, jedoch erst ab einem Jahresgewinn von 24.500 Euro.

Fällt Ihr Beruf unter die freien Berufe, brauchen Sie kein Gewerbe anzumelden und zahlen somit auch keine Gewerbesteuer. Darüber hinaus besteht keine Bilanzierungspflicht.

MwSt

Die Mehrwertsteuer ist die nächste Pflicht für kleine Unternehmen und freiberufliche Tätigkeit. Wenn Sie nicht mehr als 22.000 Euro Umsatz im Jahr machen, gilt für Sie die sogenannte Kleinunternehmerregelung. Das bedeutet, dass Sie nicht umsatzsteuerpflichtig sind und die Umsatzsteuer weder in Rechnung stellen noch vorab an das Finanzamt zahlen müssen. Das ist einerseits großartig – es bedeutet weniger Arbeit für Sie. Es bedeutet jedoch auch, dass Sie nicht berechtigt sind, die Mehrwertsteuer auf Geschäftsausgaben zu verrechnen. Einige argumentieren, dass die Mehrwertsteuer eine gute Sache ist, weil Kunden Ihr Geschäft wahrscheinlich ernster nehmen, wenn sie wissen, dass Sie mehr als 22.000 Euro pro Jahr verdienen.

Es ist ein großer Vorteil für Ihre Nebenbeschäftigung, die Kosten niedrig zu halten. Außerdem sparen Sie Zeit bei der Bürokratie, da Sie nicht jeden Monat oder jedes Quartal eine Umsatzsteuererklärung abgeben müssen.

Nach der Anmeldung beim Finanzamt erhalten Sie Ihre Steuernummer und Steuer-ID. Als Selbstständiger benötigen Sie diese für die Umsatzsteuererklärung (falls erforderlich) und für die Abrechnung. Weitere Informationen finden Sie im Artikel Selbstständigkeit anmelden.

Wie wirkt sich eine nebenberufliche Selbständigkeit auf meine Krankenversicherung aus?

Im Bereich der Krankenversicherung hat die Selbständigkeit in Teilzeit durchaus Vorteile. Außerdem müssen Sie keine zusätzlichen Beiträge zur Altersversorgung, Arbeitslosen- oder Rentenversicherung zahlen und sparen so viel Geld. 

Als nebenberuflicher Selbständiger benötigen Sie keine zusätzliche Krankenversicherung, es sei denn, die nebenberufliche Tätigkeit überwiegt wirtschaftlich den Hauptberuf und Sie arbeiten mehr als 18 Stunden pro Woche selbstständig. In diesem Fall ist eine zusätzliche private oder gesetzliche Versicherung erforderlich. Bei der privaten Krankenversicherung richten sich die Tarife nach Anbieter und Deckungsumfang, die gesetzliche Krankenkasse berechnet jedoch immer mindestens 14,9 % Ihres Bruttoeinkommens.

Sind Sie jedoch berufstätig und gesetzlich krankenversichert, wirkt sich Ihr Zuverdienst aus selbstständiger Tätigkeit nicht darauf aus. Diejenigen, die mehr als 65.350 Euro pro Jahr verdienen, müssen eine private Versicherung abschließen.

Wir wissen, dass es kompliziert ist, ein kleines Unternehmen zu führen. Ihre Finanzen sollten es nicht sein. Machen Sie Schluss mit dem Rätselraten bei der Buchhaltung und Rechnungserstellung und lassen Sie uns Ihnen helfen, Ihren Erfolgsplan zu erstellen. FINOM hat Erfahrung darin, kleinen Unternehmen und Solopreneurs wieder auf die Beine zu helfen. Ob Freiberufler, Unternehmen, gemeinnützige Organisation oder Selbstständiger – Sie sind nicht allein. Gemeinsam mit Ihnen gründen wir Ihre Firma und bereiten Ihre Gewerbeanmeldung vor. Danach können Sie ein Konto eröffnen und Ihre Träume wahr werden lassen.

Die Vor- und Nachteile der nebenberuflichen Selbstständigkeit

Für manche ist die Selbstständigkeit in Teilzeit die perfekte Mischung aus Sicherheit und Flexibilität: Sie gibt Ihnen die Freiheit, Ihr eigener Chef zu sein, ohne auf den monatlichen Gehaltsscheck verzichten zu müssen. Aber bevor Sie sich für diesen Karriereschritt entscheiden, werfen Sie einen Blick auf unsere Liste unten.

VORTEILE

Sie können testen, ob die Selbstständigkeit für Sie funktioniert, ohne ein großes Risiko einzugehen.

Sie haben weiterhin einen monatlichen Gehaltsscheck, der Ihre Kosten deckt und sicherstellt, dass Sie Ihren aktuellen Lebensstil beibehalten können.

Die nebenberufliche Selbständigkeit wirkt sich nicht auf Ihre Beiträge zur Kranken-, Pflege- und Rentenversicherung aus.

Sie können herausfinden, ob es etwas für Sie ist, Ihr eigener Chef zu sein, oder nicht.

Sie haben die Möglichkeit, sich in Vollzeit selbstständig zu machen, wann immer Sie möchten.

Sie können zusätzliches Geld verdienen und entscheiden, wie viel und wann Sie zusätzlich zu Ihrem Vollzeitjob arbeiten.

NACHTEILE

Es kann sein, dass Sie doppelt so viel Arbeit haben – wenn die Kollegen Feierabend machen, werden Sie wahrscheinlich Ihrem Nebenjob nachgehen.

Sie werden mit zusätzlichem Papierkram und Bürokratie konfrontiert. Beispielsweise müssen Sie sich um Ihre Buchhaltung kümmern.

Manche Kunden nehmen Sie vielleicht nicht ernst, wenn sie merken, dass Sie nur „nebenher“ arbeiten.

Ihr „normaler“ Job bedeutet, dass Sie Kunden nicht so schnell antworten oder zeitlich flexibel sein können, wie Sie es wären, wenn Sie hauptberuflich selbstständig wären.

Sie müssen sich weiterhin zu 100 % Ihrem „Job“ widmen und dürfen nicht nachlassen, auch wenn Sie Ihre Energie gerne auf andere Dinge konzentrieren möchten.

Als Faustregel gilt, dass Sie Ihren Arbeitgeber über Ihre Pläne zur Teilzeitselbstständigkeit informieren müssen. Im schlimmsten Fall erlaubt der es Ihnen nicht, nebenbei in Teilzeit zu arbeiten (vertragsabhängig).

[finomblog]

The 100 Best Cities for the Future of Business

B2B financial service platformFINOM.fr has released a study showing the best cities in the world for business innovation. As a company that is using new technologies to improve business and the life of entrepreneurs and professionals in Europe, FINOM decided to create the first FINOM Innovation in Business Index to see whether certain cities are hubs for business innovation. The study splits the innovation landscape into different areas, including research and development, startup activity and funding availability, in addition to looking at innovation on an individual industry level, for example in artificial intelligence, biotechnology and fintech. The resulting index gives insight into which global cities lead the way in having ecosystems that are fertile for business innovation, and reveals which cities are global leaders for innovation in each industry.

“Being a B2B financial platform, we are quite aware that business innovation rarely happens in isolation,” comments Yakov Novikov, CEO and co-founder of FINOM. “Throughout history successful innovative companies have initiated the development of a supporting ecosystem in their home town or city, for example Ferrari, which brought employment and manufacturing expertise to Modena in Italy almost a century ago. More car companies subsequently moved to the city, including Lamborghini and Maserati, attracted by its deep industry knowledge and skilled workforce. This process eventually led to the creation of the so-called “Motor Valley” in that part of Italy. The same trend continues to be seen today, with different cities leading the innovation landscape in different industries. The study shows that Boston is the leading city for biotechnology innovation, while San Francisco tops the list for green technologies innovation. These cities have significant industry know-how and a wealth of supplier companies that feed into the supply chain.”

How the study was conducted: 

FINOM began by creating a shortlist of 200 cities based on their size and significance in the business world, which they narrowed down to the best scoring 100. The cities were then analysed according to two broad categories. The first category, Innovation Areas, was made up of a number of subfactors which relate to different stages of the business innovation process. The second category, Industries, looks at which cities are leading business innovation on an industry by industry level.

For the first category, the research and development spending by companies, governmental organisations and universities in each city was assessed in recognition of the central role that R&D plays in innovation in business.

Next, the industrial ecosystem in each city was assessed to gauge the contribution of industry to the local area. In particular, it looked at the employment manufacturing and engineering companies bring to each city, and whether companies in these sectors are headquartered in the cities. The tech ecosystem was then analysed to measure the diversity and maturity of this sector in each city.

Following this, the number of startups founded since 2010 that have received funding since 2015 in each city were counted in order to acknowledge how innovation in business often comes from more nimble, disruptor companies. The total venture capital funding received by companies in each city since 2010 was also included as a measurement of the local support available for innovative businesses.

For the second category, the study analysed the size of the local business ecosystem devoted to different innovative sectors, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology and green technologies, in order to capture how much different cities are dominating the growth and development of certain industries.

The resulting index provides an overview of the best global cities for innovation in business, ranked by scores and divided by country.

READ the whole press release: https://finom.co/en-fr/press/the-100-best-cities-for-the-future-of-business-1/