Best Industries 2011: Beauty
It's time to get pretty: barbers, cosmetology schools, and even nail salons are unmistakably hot businesses. Read more
Buyer's Information by Industry
How We Created This Year’s List
The criteria and ranking method behind the 2011 Best Industries to Start and Grow a Business. Read more
Revving Up the Auto Industry
The director of Who Killed the Electric Car? and Revenge of the Electric Car talks about the changing face of car manufacturing and sales—and how Detroit can stay afloat by going green. Read more
Best Industries 2011: Technical and Trade Schools
With college costs soaring, learning technical skills is in style. Last year, the industry's profit margin grew by 10 percent. Read more
Best Industries 2011: Public Relations Firms
The proliferation of social-media is turning the tide for agencies and solo practitioners. Read more
Recent Buyer's Information by Industry Articles
Automobile Dealers
Consumers delayed major purchases for years—now pent-up demand is driving a lot of potential for automobiles and related industries. Read more
Physical Therapy
Although it's still bouncing back, the physical therapy industry is poised for huge growth. Thanks, Baby Boomers. Read more
Financial Planning, Advice, and Investment
Big banking's bounced back. Is there a way for the little guy to elbow into this lucrative field? Read more
Historical Sites
Staycations are so 2009. Families are visiting nearby landmarks, historical homes, and tourist sites—and you can cash in. Read more
Recreational Goods Rental
Hitting the outdoors is becoming more fashionable these days—in no small part due to technological advances in gear to make you comfortable staying there. Read more
Online Dating and Matchmaking
As the social stigma about online dating vanishes, industry-wide profits are soaring. Read more
Clothing Accessory Stores
The market for little luxuries is still growing as consumers grow more confident—and sick of their stagnant wardrobes. Read more
Employment and Recruiting Agencies
Let's admit it: The jobless rate is still high. So are profits for recruitment, staffing, and temp agencies. Read more
Environmental Consulting
A significant growth field for years, environmental consulting firms are expanding their reaches—so if you're going to try to break in, get a jump on. Read more
Location-Aware Apps
You might not be the next Foursquare, but this space is huge (196 million miles, to be precise). Read more
Language Schools
Globalization and an increasingly diverse U.S. population are driving growth at language schools. Read more
Real Estate Appraisal
The housing market hasn't bounced back, but the market for those who assign properties their values sure has. Read more
Green Toys
As parents begin to consider the sustainability and health impact of what their baby plays with, this niche industry is outperforming its own parent industry. Read more
Organic Snacks
Think your organic pretzels would sell in a snap? This growing natural foods niche might just prove you right. Read more
The Best Industries for Starting a Business Right Now
What niches are poised for growth? Our annual list this year features green toys, organic snacks, historical site tours, physical therapy, location-based app... View slideshow
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