Ready to start your own business? We crunched the data and compiled the statistics to find the most promising industries for start-ups in 2011.
Best Industries for Starting a Business in 2011
Have an itch to start something? Look to barber shops, online dating, public relations, and—surprise—the auto industry.
The King of the Barbershop Resurgence
Aidan Gill's old-school salon was named best new barbershop last year, and he's become an oracle in one of America's fastest-growing industries. Tim Donnelly traces the cultural resurgence of barbershops from New Orleans to Brooklyn, New York.
Founding the World's Simplest Dating Site
How about this: Propose a date; go on a date. No nonsense. Investors pounced, to the tune of $3.2 million. Inc.com caught up with the pair of childhood best friends who founded HowAboutWe.com.
Leading the Largest Online Language School
With 9 million members in nearly 200 nations, Seattle-based LiveMocha is transforming language education. CEO Michael Schutzler explains how his business is capitalizing on the estimated $50 billion market.
Chris Paine on Revving Up the Auto Industry
The director of Who Killed the Electric Car discusses the crash that struck Detroit, the changing perception of the auto industry, and how to break in to this broad and shifting arena.
Methodology: How We Created the List
The criteria and ranking method behind the 2011 Best Industries to Start and Grow a Business.
Last year's burgeoning industries include interactive technology (from mobile app design to tech-savvy translation), wellness (healthy beverages), and little luxuries, such as baked goods.
What industries grew most in 2009? The list highlights medical technology, home health care, and self-improvement services. We also predicted a boom in yoga studios, and fast-casual dining—before the food truck trend even took off.
