For more than a year now, the COVID-19 pandemic has been at the forefront of everyone’s mind. It has also been a dominating force in the business world that has led to the closure of countless businesses in some industries while others have thrived. In addition to non-essential businesses being forced to close in the first and second quarters of 2020, consumer behaviors have shifted drastically.
More and more people were turning to the Internet to do their shopping in the years leading up to 2020, but the outbreak of a global pandemic further bolstered eCommerce. Even those who continued to do most of their shopping in brick-and-mortar stores have largely embraced online shopping as a means of getting the things they need without venturing out into the world and risking illness.
As a result, businesses offering online shopping are much more likely to survive COVID-19 and thrive in the post-pandemic world than those that do not. There are several businesses unlikely to flatten out in 2021 – and beyond. You could even start one yourself. From customizing and reselling wholesale t-shirts to providing professional cleaning services, here are a few businesses that will survive COVID and remain profitable in 2021 and beyond.
1. Fashion
The fashion industry took a hard hit in the early months of the pandemic when clothing stores were deemed “non-essential” and forced to close in many areas. The industry posted record-low profits in 2020, but it is looking to make a comeback in 2021 and beyond.
Fashion executives are looking to further boost online sales. Many retail storefronts are likely to close over the coming years, as companies seek to optimize customers’ online experience and provide them with the garments they need. Because COVID-19 made many consumers and business owners alike realize “less is more,” fashion companies are working to reduce complexity and inventory levels by embracing a more demand-focused approach.
If you would like to start a business in the fashion industry, starting a garment customization business is one of the best ways to do so. Purchasing wholesale plain hoodies, t-shirts and other garments and then customizing them via screen printing, sublimation printing, heat transfer printing and other methods for resale is a tried-and-true business method.
Even amid a pandemic, it can be a profitable one, too. It is easy to get started on virtually any budget. Whether you are thinking about starting a small side hustle or launching a full-scale business, a garment customization business is a great way to jump into the fashion industry.
2. Cleaning Services
Professional cleaning services are always in demand. Since the start of the pandemic, though, they have become even more crucial than ever before. While deep cleaning in many settings previously occurred on an infrequent basis, it is now a daily concern – especially in public spaces visited by a lot of people.
Warehouses, offices, medical facilities, schools, stores, restaurants and other public spaces all need to be deep cleaned and sanitized frequently to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. And with many businesses not having enough internal employees to handle the extra cleaning, they turn to professional cleaning services.
With advanced sanitation protocols in place for most businesses with physical locations, professional cleaning services have thrived. More and more individuals are also enlisting the assistance of professional cleaners amid growing concerns about keeping their own homes clean.
If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, now could be a great time to cash in by starting a cleaning business. There are, of course, pros and cons, but starting this type of business during the time of COVID could be very lucrative.
3. Technology
Tech companies and startups have thrived during the pandemic. With more people working from home than ever before, people are relying on things like teleconferencing software, file-sharing services, virtual project management tools, communication apps, etc. every single day.
Consumers and businesses have also become increasingly dependent on computer hardware, GPS tracking systems, GIS systems … the list goes on and on. Technology has been a huge part of our lives for decades, but since we are doing a lot more from home and seeking ways to get things done with minimal contact, it’s more important now than ever before.
If you have ever considered launching a tech startup, now may be a great time to do it – especially if you have an idea that will solve a problem for remote workers or businesses struggling to survive in an increasingly digital world.
4. Telehealth
Telehealth combines the healthcare and technology industries and has seen rapid growth in the face of COVID-19. As stay-at-home orders and fears of being infected by the novel coronavirus swept the nation, patients needed ways to seek medical care without physically visiting a doctor’s office.
Telehealth had been in the works for some time before the pandemic, but it has not been fully implemented. In response to COVID, though, legislation was pushed through to make telehealth services a priority. Now, thanks to the pandemic, these services are more widely available and easily accessible than ever before.
The Bottom Line
While the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many businesses to close their doors for good, others have thrived amid the crisis. Whether you have lost your job and are looking to start over or are just looking for a way to earn some extra cash during this challenging time, starting your own business could be a great way to go. Now may not be the right time to open a restaurant or a concert venue, but there is certainly plenty of money to be made in any of the industries listed above!
