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What Are the Top Businesses for Starters?

Kate Rogers reported the findings of the top five start-up businesses in 2011, a research completed by Sageworks, Inc, at FoxNews.com. They are:
  • Foodservice and catering rank the No. 1 on the list, with the average sales growth of 6.5%. While people cut spending in restaurants, food contractors in the workplaces “win” because they help people save money and time. 
  • Graphic, interior or industrial design firm gets the No. 2 spot with the growth rate of 6.2%. One contributing factor is that people made improvements on their properties before putting them on the market.  
  • No. 3 is website designing and consulting. Business understands that good websites attracts customers. Plus, I believe there is a growing emphasis on social media on websites.  
  • Bookkeeping and accounting. Controlling costs and cash flows is always very important. This area grew 4.9% in the last 12 months.  
  • Landscaping, janitorial or pest control services grew by 4.7% because “maintenance services never go out of style, despite cash being tight.”  
I am glad to find that many of these top businesses are from the service industry. In the past 12 months, have you used any of the services listed above? Looking forward, what businesses will become the best startups in 2012?

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