Looking for business ideas in Chennai? If yes, then this article is for you. Chennai with a population of 71 lakhs offers a great opportunity for the small and big entrepreneur. Chennai, also known as the capital of Tamil Nadu is the most favorite destination spot of foreigners. Also, it has one of the largest market potentials for the transportation business.
Most of the business ideas can be started with small capital investment but in some cases, a moderate investment may require. As a new entrepreneur, there are many small business ideas in Chennai that you can grab but make sure you follow your interest to get the best result.
Start with market research: Market research is very important for any business but I have seen that many small business entrepreneurs skip this part and have to face failures in the end. So like others don’t repeat failures and do strong market research beforehand.
Planning out: Secondly, once you found the right business idea you want to start considering having a properly written plan on paper. A properly written plan must include total budget, initial cost, marketing cost, raw material, location, hiring staff, etc.
Also Read: List of 110+ Small Business ideas in India
Capital requirements: Most people can’t start their business because of the lack of capital requirements for starting a business. Capital not only to start your business but also to run it for almost 1 to 3 years without any issue.
30+ Best Small Business Ideas in Chennai
Here are some important facts you should consider before investing in any business ideas in Chennai. Also, in Chennai, you will find that there are many other seasonal businesses too, So, keep that in mind too. Additionally, do your own market research and try to analyze how you can invest small and achieve big.
Here are some important factors you should keep in mind before investing in any business.
- Write a proper business plan
- Try to understand the market and act accordingly
- Having a strong marketing strategy is important
- Think about license and other legal matters
The business ideas in this article are highly practical and I have kept in mind that not everyone has good start-up capital so most of the business ideas are small and easy to start.
1. Maid Agency
In Chennai, most of the women also do jobs thus the demand for housemaids is very high in metropolitan cities like Chennai. Finding a good maid for housework is a difficult task and as a small entrepreneur, you should grab the opportunity and convert it into a business model.
2. Fast Food Center
If you want to be rich then opening a fast food center in Chennai is the best opportunity. Serving fast food at an affordable price with good hygiene is the plan. There are many types of fast foods that people of Chennai loves to eat.
Location is the first important thing in the success of any fast food center so choose a location with a running crowd. Apart from location, it’s necessary to care about cleaning & hygiene.
3. Hair Salon
Not only ladies but gents visit the salon very often to keep up their style with the latest trend. Starting a small gent’s salon in Chennai is highly profitable. With small capital investment, you can easily start this business. The initial capital investment would be like 1 to 2 lakhs including shop rent, equipment, decoration, and salary of the hairstylist.
Related Read: 30+ Business ideas & Opportunities in Bangladesh
4. Disposable Plates
The demand for disposable paper plate is increasing rapidly because of their availability in the market. These types of plates are mainly used to serve foods thus; the market potential for the disposable paper plate is wide. Starting your disposable paper plates manufacturing is a great business opportunity in Chennai.
5. Automobile Repairing
Automobile repairing is always on top. If you want to invest a handsome amount then I would advise you to consider starting an automobile repairing business.
6. Mobile Repairing
After jio, the user base of smartphones has been increased rapidly. More smartphones mean more customers for mobile repairing centers. Starting a mobile repairing business is very easy and cost-effective which means you can start it with 30,000-50,000 rupees which includes shop deposit, rent, requirements, etc.
Also Read: List of 35+ Business Ideas in Mumbai in 2020
7. Babysitting Agency
Babysitting agency is another hot business idea in Chennai. For working ladies, it’s very important to hire a babysitter to handle their babies while they are on work. Initialing a babysitting agency is an excellent business idea in Chennai. I would advise you to do proper market research to understand how much other maid agencies are charging and competition.
8. Tiffin Delivery Service
Tiffin delivery service is another hot business opportunity in a city like Chennai. People often leave early for office and don’t get enough time to pack their tiffin boxes. By starting a tiffin delivery service you can solve this problem also you can earn a handsome amount of money.
9. Security Agency
Security agency provides security guards to housing blocks, corporate structure, and individuals. Strong management and communication skills are required to acquire potential clients. Also, it’s advisable to register your company to legalize your business; also it will boost client trust in your company.
10. Travelling Agency
Chennai is the most visited city by foreigners so starting a traveling agency is highly profitable. If you have a tourism background or experience in traveling then you should consider opening a traveling agency in Chennai. Services that you can provide are; hotel booking, flight, train, cab booking, tour guide services, etc.
11. Grocery Shop
Whether it’s Chennai or any other city a grocery shop runs everywhere. If you want to go with a safe option then you should go with a grocery shop. Starting a grocery store is the least risky business opportunity.
12. Chicken & Mutton Shop
This business is not for everyone but if you think you are ok with it then you can start it. Starting a chicken and mutton shop is the most profitable business idea. For regular selling, it’s recommended to tie up with a hotel or restaurant.
13. Tea Stall
Don’t underestimate a tea stall. You will never know the profit until you start it. With the highest profit margin tea stall is one of the best small yet powerful business ideas. Everyone loves a “kadak chai” first in the morning. Along with tea, you can also start selling snacks to increase your income. One of the best business ideas that you can do in Chennai.
14. Book Shop
Even now when you can find almost everything on the internet there are many book lovers. Apart from those big entrepreneurs like Bill Gates, Warrant Buffet reads penalty of books and they know the importance of useful books.
Gradually with time, more people will understand the importance of books and within three to five years the demand for books will rise rapidly. If you want to start a book shop then the right time is now.
15. Transportation Service
Transport is considered the fastest growing business in Chennai. With medium to high capital investment, you can start the transportation business. There are many types of transport services and you have to select one of two niches in transport.
The transportation business is extremely expensive and risky business I would not recommend you to dive into the business without any prior experience. this is the highest profitability business compare to other business ideas in Chennai
16. Biryani Stall
Starting a biryani stall in Chennai is an extremely profitable business idea. Also, you can start this business with 5,000 to 10,000 rupees only. Initially, cook the biryani at your home and rent out a van/mobile food cart to sell your biryani. Once you start getting popular you can invest in the business to expand it.
17. Event Planner
An event planner is in the top position in the list of 25 business ideas in Chennai. For different types of events, you have to provide different types of services, for example for weddings; hall decoration, planning, and arranging of rituals, food arrangements (sometimes), etc. If you think you are good at planning things and can work under pressure then you should definitely try this.
18. Laundry Service
Laundry business is a cost-effective business idea in Chennai. Due to lack of time working people often prefer laundry service. Before initiating the business I would strongly recommend you to do market research to understand the demand and competition of the business in your area.
19. Beauty Parlor
A beauty parlor is definitely a profitable business idea in Chennai. Whether it’s men or women both are using beauty services. Of course, they have different beauty parlors but yeah they are using it. With moderate capital investment, you can start a beauty parlor.
20. Xerox and Typing Shop
With a small investment, you can start a shop that provides services like Xerox, print outs, form fillup, scanning and internet surfing. Choosing a location near school, college, or government office is highly recommended. But before investing your money in this business it’s very important to research the area to get knowledge about competition. This business is good only if the competition is low.
21. Breakfast Joint
Starting breakfast join in Chennai is definitely a profitable business idea. But it’s very important to understand the market. Analyzing what type of breakfast other shops are selling and what people actually want. If you can figure out the needs of people then your breakfast joint will surely hit.
22. Organic Food Shop
People are more health-conscious nowadays thus they always prefer fresh and organic foods even if it’s slightly high in price. Since many foreign visitors visit there you should consider starting a fresh & organic food shop for health-conscious people.
23. Small Hotel
Starting a small hotel near the IT sectors is another hot business idea in Chennai. There are many people that do not bring lunch with them and mostly eat in hotels. If you can offer tasty food at an affordable prince then there is no chance to fail. Since it’s near an IT sector you will get more customers for lunch.
24. Recruitment Firms
A good recruitment firm helps big companies to select a proper candidate without taking many interviews. Also, it saves time, energy, and money. Once your candidate gets a job you will automatically get handsome money from the company itself.
25. Mobile Food Cart
If you want to start a food-related business with low capital investment then you should definitely go with a mobile food cart. You can design your food vehicle in the budget to attract more customers. A mobile food cart is a cost-effective business model because it doesn’t require a steady place. I have seen many small mobile food carts that earn 50,000 per month. Among other business ideas in Chennai, you will find this business very easy to start.
26. Photography
This is considered the most profitable business idea for youngsters. If you love to capture natural beauty with your camera then why not start a photography business?
A small wedding photographer charges about 10,000 INR to 25,000 INR per shoot. Additionally, prewedding photo shootings is now a trend and the couples are crazy about it. Also, you can start clicking HD photos and sell them online in various sites like
27. Clothe Alteration
Another easy and affordable business opportunity for housewives and women. Starting this business is pretty simple, you just need a sewing machine and you can start it from anywhere you like. Initially, you have to work very hard to make a name in this industry and once you get the fame you can hire more people to expand your business. Additionally, you can lease a small shop as well.
28. Food Truck
A small moveable food truck is a highly profitable business model. If you are passionate about cooking and serving food and always wanted to start a restaurant then this could be a great alternative business model. In other words, its actually a cheaper restaurant that have no fixed location
Starting a food truck is easy not as cheaper as it may seem. It actually requires a medium range of investment because you have to purchase an old truck then spend on its modification, kitchen tools, and other necessary items as well.
29. Computer Repairing
If you are from an IT background and looking for business ideas in Chennai then you should consider starting a small computer repairing center. Initially, if your budget is not allowing you to lease a shop then you can actually start door to door servicing business.
As an IT guy, you already have the knowledge of computer repairing. Just purchase a small toolbox and start servicing. Once you get enough clients and enough savings you can invest in a small shop as well as hire a few more hands to help you in the business.
30. Stationery Store
Starting a small stationery store in a city like Chennai is highly profitable. Consider choosing an overpopulated area for your stationery store for more profit.
There is a huge demand for stationery items like pens, a notebook, cards, rubber, highlighter, etc. Thus starting a small stationery store in Chennai can be turn out to be a successful business model.
Conclusion
So, this is the list of 30+ small business ideas in Chennai. Before initiating any business it’s very important to write down a proper plan which must include budget, location, licenses, etc. A well-defined plan is always an advantage for any business. Apart from this, if you are interested to know about more business opportunities in Chennai let me know in the commend below.
