Do you want to start an absentee owner business but you want to go niche? If YES, here are 50 best absentee owner business ideas & opportunities.
If you are interested in owning a business and you know you don’t have the time to actively run the business due to other commitments, then you may want to start an absentee owner business.
An absentee business owner is one who does not personally manage the business but owns it or does not live in the community in which the business is operated.
In the United States, many business-owning military reservists have become absentee business owners during long tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. If you are interested in starting a business as an absentee business owner, here are some ideas you can choose from;
Best Absentee Owner Business ideas
One of the easy-to-start absentee businesses that can be started is a storage and warehouse facility leasing business. Self-storage units are mini storage spaces created for people to store their belongings for a short period of time, i.e. on a monthly basis and it is subject to renewal.
The storage space could be lockers, rooms, boxes, containers, or even an empty space in a secured environment. It is important to state that self-storage unit isn’t open for people to rent and live in it. It is strictly for storing personal belongings and goods.
Please note that the entry barriers for new operators in this industry can vary significantly by state and city. Overall, barriers are moderate but are increasing across the united states.
Another business that you can start as an absentee business owner is opening a Wi-Fi hotspot company. A hotspot is a physical location where people may obtain Internet access for free or at a fee, typically using Wi-Fi technology, via a wireless local area network (WLAN) using a router connected to an internet service provider.
Providers of such hotspots often associate the free access with a menu, membership, or purchase limit. Operators may also limit each user’s available bandwidth (upload and download speed) to ensure that everyone gets good quality service. Often this is done through service-level agreements.
An Uber driver business is yet another business that an absentee business owner can run from any location in the world.
Since the emergence of Uber and other e-hailing taxi services, loads of business opportunities have sprung up and one of such business opportunities is to run an independent business that manages drivers and fleet of cars under Uber. You can decide to just recruit drivers for Uber and make available cars for them to ride under Uber or you can serve as a middle-man between Uber and potential drivers.
Transitional housing is temporary housing for certain segments of the homeless population, including working homeless people who are earning too little money to afford long-term housing.
Transitional housing is set up to transition residents into permanent, housing. It is not in an emergency homeless shelter, but usually in a room or apartment in a residence with support services. You can actually start this type of business by being actively present in the business location.
A television station is yet another business that an investor can start without his or her active presence. Television stations operate studios and facilities that program and deliver audiovisual content to the public via over-the-air transmission.
The types of programming offered can be made by broadcasters or by affiliates that exist outside the industry. No doubt, the Television Station industry is in the mature phase of its life cycle, and lucky for the industry, the advent of digital media has provided an opportunity for the industry to explore and experience vibrant growth.
A taxi cab cum limousine service company provides comfortable and private transportation via automobiles for passengers. Taxi services are not operated on regular schedules or routes like the buses or cars that usually pick up passengers along the road.
So also, limousine services are rented or hired by a driver. Once you have reliable taxi drivers, you don’t have to be present to make the business work.
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Open a Student Hostel
The real estate industry is a very vast industry and there are loads of businesses opening up in the industry that an absentee business owner can successfully start and a student hotel is one of them.
This is one business with good turnover especially if you have your hostels located on a campus with fewer hostels and a large number of students. You can actually start with a block of hostels and recruit a reliable and competent caretaker to manage the hostel for you.
A stone quarry business is a business that involves the excavation of different dimensions of stones, rocks, ripraps, construction aggregates, slates, and gravels for the construction industry.
Players in this industry basically extract rocks from an open-pit mine and the rocks are crushed to produce construction aggregate, which is then screened into different size categories either for immediate use on construction sites, or taken for further processing.
Serviced office leasing (SOL) operators in this industry primarily rent or lease fully furnished office space to businesses on a part-time or as-needed basis to businesses, ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Serviced office leasing (SOL) operators also provide virtual office and conference room leasing options to their clients. Trust me, this is one business that doesn’t require the presence of the owner on a regular basis.
A security guard company is any company that provides both armed and unarmed security-related services at an agreed fee. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, a private security company engages in services like providing security guards (bodyguards, guard dogs, parking security, and security guard services) and patrol services et al.
As a matter of fact, the average private security outfit can go as far as providing advanced special operation services for special clients when they demand it.
A science and technology park is an organization managed by specialized professionals, whose main aim is to increase the wealth of its community by promoting the culture of innovation and the competitiveness of its associated businesses and knowledge-based institutions.
An ideal science and technology park is a space designed specifically to meet a range of needs, including office space, laboratories, storage, warehouse facilities, meeting rooms, and conference centers.
Another easy-to-start business that an absentee business owner should consider is the sandwich delivery business. For sure it may be challenging to start any business, but you can rest assured that starting a sandwich delivery services business comes with less stress.
A sandwich delivery service involves delivering different types of sandwiches to your clients; it could be retailers or end users (consumers).
Campground and RV parks primarily operate recreational vehicle (RV) parks and campgrounds, as well as recreational and vacation camps.
They can also offer trailer and caravan parks and wilderness camps. Players in this industry take care of outdoor enthusiasts and also provide access to facilities such as washrooms, laundry rooms, recreation halls and playgrounds et al. This type of business doesn’t need the active presence of the owner to function.
Starting an apartment rental company is yet another absentee owner business that an aspiring entrepreneur can start. Apartment Rental companies are companies that are into the rental of building structures.
Real estate wholesaling is a niche idea in the real estate industry that is indeed a money spinner. The truth is that whether you are an accredited investor or a real estate rookie, refining and mastering your real estate wholesaling business is a legitimate method of expanding your investment portfolio.
A real estate wholesale business purchases the property from a home seller, and then turns around and resells the property to a home buyer for a profit. Usually, a real estate wholesaler sells the home at a price that will cover both all the expenses incurred and provide enough profit to compensate for the time invested in the deal.
Opening a radio station is yet another absentee owner business that can be started in any part of the world. Please note that if you are looking towards starting your radio station in the United States of America, you would need a license and a permit from the FCC. It is illegal to run a radio station in the United States without following due process.
The Zoo & Aquarium industry generates revenue via donations and grants, admissions, membership services, tours, merchandise, and food and beverages among others.
Please note that the real deal in starting a private zoo business is securing a facility that is large enough to contain caging facilities for various animals, birds, sea creatures, and other fun-filled outdoor games for children, and maybe a restaurant.
A hostel whether private or public owned is a type of low-cost, short-term shared sociable lodging where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed in a hall of residence, with shared facilities such as a lounge, laundry, and sometimes a kitchen. It is indeed a profitable business.
For example, if you decide to build a private hostel in a college community or a tourist community, you are sure of making huge returns from your investment. This is so because there are loads of college students, campers, and travelers most especially bikers and cyclists who usually prefer lodging in hostel facilities to hotels because of the affordability.
Private ambulance services basically provide transportation alongside medical care for patients either by ground or air. These services most often than not are provided during a medical emergency, but they are not restricted to such instances; they are also used for non–emergency medical transportation.
The ambulances or vehicles as the case may be are usually equipped with lifesaving equipment operated by medically trained employees i.e. nurses and doctors et al.
Starting a party bus business requires that you secure the required license. In the US, most states, and even some local governments, require specific types of permits and licenses in order to operate a party bus business. You are expected to purchase an insurance policy to cover for your vehicles, business, and employees, purchase a standard party bus, hire employees and promote and advertise your business.
One good thing about the party bus business is that most often than not, your presence may not be needed as long as you have a competent team handling the business for you.
If you love creativity, arts, and socialization, as well as have a penchant for business, then you may want to tinker with starting your own paint and sip studio. Paint and sip studios offer painting lessons accompanied by wine or other beverages.
The publicity and patronage of this unique business are on the rise and perhaps this is the right time to open a paint and sip studio.
Starting a billboard and outdoor advertising agency is yet another absentee owner business that can be started in any location without the active presence of the owner.
The billboard & outdoor advertising industry is composed of companies that create and design advertising materials for public display, including printed, painted, or electronic displays. Billboard & outdoor advertising agencies may place the displays on billboards or panels as well as on or within transit vehicles, shopping malls, retail stores, and other display structures or sites.
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Open Oil Tank Farm
If you want to become a big player in the oil and gas industry as an absentee business owner, one of the businesses you can choose to start is an oil tank farm business; a business that stores and supplies motor gasoline, distillate fuel oil, hydrocarbon gas liquids, jet fuel, asphalt, and road oil and crude oil to dealers.
But you must be ready to compete for the market from 6,295 registered and licensed oil tank farms. The reality is that starting an oil tank farm business is profitable, it is a very easy business to start despite the fact that it is capital intensive.
Getting the right products that people want to buy and good networking and stock-keeping records are the secrets of running the business.
Starting a trucking service is yet another absentee owner business that can be started in any country of the world. Trucking companies are involved in transporting large quantities of raw materials, machines, equipment, dirt, rocks, building materials, and finished goods over land—typically from manufacturing plants to retail distribution centers and from warehouses to construction sites. As matter of fact, heavy-duty trucks are indispensable in the construction industry.
Another business that you can start without your active day-to-day presence is a tow truck business. A tow truck which is also known as a wrecker, a breakdown truck, a recovery vehicle, or a breakdown lorry is a truck that is used to move broken down, improperly parked, impounded, or otherwise indisposed motor vehicles away from the road so as to avoid obstruction of free flow of traffic.
Tents are rented for the purpose of hosting outdoor events such as weddings, parties, family reunions, church benefits, association fund-raisers, and any other outdoor event. One good thing about the tent rental business is that most often than not, your presence may not be needed as long as you have a competent team handling the business for you.
Besides, a good percentage of events such as wedding ceremonies, parties, and most social events et al, are done during weekends and if you are lucky not to be working during weekends, you can successfully run the business. The truth is that most of the basic skills needed to effectively run a tent rental business are some of the soft skills you are likely going to acquire at your workplace.
If you have an interest in the real estate industry as an absentee business owner and you are seriously thinking of starting a business in an industry that can guarantee you a steady income, then one of your options is to consider starting a property flipping or house flipping business.
House flipping is all about purchasing a property that is put up for sale, renovating, and then reselling the property with the sole aim of making profits. Usually, house flippers sell the home at a price that will cover both all the expenses incurred and provide enough profit to compensate for the time invested in the deal.
Another absentee owner business idea that an aspiring entrepreneur can successfully start is a network marketing company. Network marketing is very popular with people looking for part-time, and perhaps flexible means of earning additional income.
Some of the leading network marketing companies in the United States are Forever Living Products, Fuel Freedom International, Avon Products, Mary Kay Cosmetics, and Tupperware et al.
Mortgage Brokerage firms are established with the sole aim of providing a convenient platform in form of a long-term loan to those who want to buy their own property. With the loan you get from the bank via a mortgage brokerage firm, you can finance any property of your choice as long as you pass the screening and evaluation process.
The screening and evaluation are put in place so as to ensure that due process is followed before issuing a loan and that the person receiving the loan must be creditworthy.
Home staging is all about preparing and decorating a home or private residence so that it will look pretty good and appealing to potential buyers especially those who are not interested in renovating a property with their money after purchase.
The truth is that there are people who are willing to pay and pack in without any hassles or delay and they are willing to pay premium fees. Technically, home staging guarantees you to sell your property faster and of course, also make huge profits.
If you are a big-time investor looking for ways to expand your investment portfolio, then you should consider investing in a hedge fund firm.
A hedge fund can be simply defined as a regulated investment fund (a much wider range of investment and trading activity) that is open to a limited range of investors who pay a performance fee to the fund’s investment manager who invests the funds and bring returns.
The investment could either be a long or short-term investment. Hedge fund managers are known to invest in a broader range of assets, which includes equity, bonds, commodities, derivatives et al.
A non-bank foreign currency exchange company also known as a bureau de change is a business in competition with other financial-related businesses that make a profit from selling currency at a higher exchange rate than the rate at which it buys the same currency.
In setting its exchange rates, they ensure that they keep an eye on the rates quoted by competitors, and may be subject to government foreign exchange controls and other regulations as it relates to financial institutions in their country.
A dance studio is one of the businesses that can be started without the active presence of the owner. When we talk about a dance studio, we are talking about a space where dancers and aspiring dancers and choreographers learn or rehearse various dancing steps; dance studios are deliberately built and equipped to fit that purpose.
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Start a Dairy Farm
Dairy farms are thriving businesses because of the usefulness of beef and milk. People eat beef, drink their milk, and use their fur and skin. With cattle milk, cheese can be made, along with other dairy products. Dairy farms primarily raise cattle for milk.
Although this industry basically engages in the sale of raw milk and excludes the production of drinkable fluid milk and processed dairy products like butter, cheese, and powdered milk, some dairy farms can still go ahead to accommodate other related businesses within the industry as long as they have the capacity to do so.
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Open a Cooking Gas Station
Another business that does not require an active day-to-day presence is a cooking gas station. A cooking gas plant is a place where both individual and small businesses that also retail cooking gas go to refill their cooking gas cylinders. It is usually more organized and bigger than the average small-scale gas shops that you can find around street corners. In essence, businesses in this industry retail cooking gas to individuals and small businesses.
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Start a Concierge Services Firm
The concierge services business is yet another absentee owner business that can be started in the United States of America. Concierge services firms provide on-demand services for clients that range from business executives to employees and individuals.
They also offer a wide variety of services such as running errands, conducting grocery and personal shopping, making travel and restaurant reservations, and home management services et al. The services may be provided in person or remotely via telecommunications.
The first thing to consider before launching this business is the niche of the car rental business you intend to operate. You will have to know the niches available – contract hire and daily hire et al and decide which you want to go on. Contract hire is usually for business customers who hire the vehicles for a set period of time, while daily hire is for individual customers who hire the vehicles usually for a shorter period of time.
The next thing to consider before launching a car rental business is how to get your fleet of reliable cars. The options available are outright purchase or leasing; outright purchase is usually more expensive than leasing.
A call center is a centralized office facility that is used for the purpose of receiving or transmitting a large volume of requests by telephone; it could be an inbound call center, outbound call center, or both. A call center agency business is indeed a thriving business that has loads of players making huge profits from the industry.
One thing is certain, if a call center is well equipped and well positioned, it won’t be too long before corporate organizations from all over the world start outsourcing their customer care services or telemarketing services to such organizations.
A banquet hall rental business is indeed a capital-intensive absentee owner business idea, the reason being that the cost of securing or building a standard and well-equipped banquet hall is on the high side and it is not what an aspiring entrepreneur with low financial strength can venture into.
It is a business that investors with a huge cash base can easily start, not just in any part of the city, but in choice areas that can attract high-profile clients. Banquet halls are halls that are rented for the purpose of hosting events such as professional seminars, corporate award ceremonies, weddings, family reunions, church benefits, association fund-raisers, and others.
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Open a Yoga and Pilate Studio
Another absentee owners business idea is a Yoga and Pilate studio. Interestingly, Yoga and Pilates studio do not only rely on teaching Yoga to their students, they are also leveraging the increased health awareness to sell health-related supplements and merchandise to generate more income.
As a matter of fact, entrepreneurs coming into the industry will leverage on the health and fitness benefits to market their Yoga and Pilate studio.
When we talk about a photo booth which is popular in the United States of America, we are talking about a vending machine or contemporary kiosk that contains an automated, usually coin-operated, camera and film processor. A photo booth contains a seat or bench designed to seat the one or two clients being photographed.
The seat is usually surrounded by a curtain of some sort to allow for some privacy and help avoid outside interference during the photo session. Once the payment is made by the client, the photo booth will take a series of photographs, although most modern booths may only take a single photograph and print out a series of identical pictures.
If you are looking for an absentee owner business to establish as a sports enthusiast, you should think about building a golf course or golf resort. Building a golf resort in an area that has loads of golf lovers but fewer golf courses can be very lucrative.
Golf is a global sport and people who love the game will always look for ways to play the game much more than watching people play it.
Although opening a golf course & country club can be considered to be capital intensive, if you know how to manage the business, you are sure going to make huge returns on your investment especially if you have been an active golf player in your community and even your country at large.
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Open a Business Center/Photocopy Shop
Another absentee owner business idea is a business center or photocopy shop. A business center cum photocopy shop handles business-related services such as typing documents, printing documents, laminating documents, scanning documents, photocopying documents, fax and telephone services et al. It is a business that any serious-minded aspiring entrepreneur with little schooling can successfully handle.
If you are looking for an absentee owner business to establish as an entertainer or children-oriented business thinking person, you should think about starting a bounce house business. Opening a bounce house in an area with the right demographic composition; an area with loads of children but fewer open fields and recreational centers can be very lucrative.
The truth is that one of the easiest ways for parents to get their children active and happy during holidays or even at weekends is to take them to places such as bounce houses.
A movie theater is yet another owner business idea that should be considered by an investor. A movie theater which is also called a cinema is a venue, usually, a building, that contains an auditorium for viewing films/movies, for the purpose of entertainment or perhaps education. Almost all movie theaters are commercial operations open to the general public, who attend by purchasing a ticket.
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Start Medical Rental Business
Those that are engaged in medical equipment rental rent out different types of medical equipment especially surgery and clinical equipment to clients and hospitals who need them to carry out treatments or surgery et al.
Starting a medical equipment rental business could be a fun, profitable, and interesting business for someone who is a contractor and with business perseverance and smartness. With the right location, reliable medical equipment, and good marketing skills, you can attract loads of clients.
Another absentee owner business that an aspiring entrepreneur can start is opening a karaoke bar. Karaoke bars basically offer karaoke entertainment along with food and drinks.
Karaoke is a form of interactive entertainment or video game in which amateur singers can sing along with recorded music (or a music video) using a microphone. Businesses in this industry usually provide limited food and alcohol services to increase their revenue generation.
An escape room business is yet another absentee owner business idea worth starting. An Escape Room which can also be called an Exit Game, Escape Game, or Room Escape Game involves engaging a team of player(s) inside a closed space or room which they have to resolve by finding clues, solving puzzles, and taking part in some activities within a specific time, usually 60 minutes.
Notwithstanding the name, it is not cast in stone for the theme to be escape-based. As a matter of fact, participants may be called upon to solve a crime/murder or even save a fictional character or find something.
With the increase in the demand for co-working space, any investor that decides to start his or her own co-working space business is sure going to make good returns on his or her investment. But it is important to state that serious researching, planning, and creativity are a necessity if you truly want to start your own virtual office business; you would need the best software to effectively run this type of business.
Starting up a coworking space may not require pretty huge startup capital, but it needs significant investment capital, solid planning, and attention to detail in order to keep your business profitable.
A booth rental business is yet another absentee owner business idea that is worth considering. Booth rental salon is operated or owned by a person known as a booth renter, also referred to as “independent contractors,”. Their responsibility is to lease space from a large salon or a suite of small salons to hairstylists, barbers, and similar businesses who may not want to shoulder the responsibilities of owning a standard salon facility.
The booth rental method simplifies the financial aspect of owning a salon. All you need to do to run this business is to provide the space and charge each stylist a set amount for rent.