Startup ideas in the new normal
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New Normal
10 MIN READ

Startup ideas in the new normal

November 5, 2020
Kai Magsanoc

Pandemic or opportunity? You decide what you want to see and what to do about it.

Let’s begin this piece with the hard truth presented with hard facts:

  • Fact: Layoffs and shutdowns—and not reduced average hours—are driving in total hours worked.
  • Fact: The number of labor force participants not at work quadrupled from January to April.
  • Fact: The number of people not in the labor force who want a job spiked by 4.5 million in April and has remained elevated.
  • Fact: In 26 states, more than one in five households was behind on rent in July.
  • Fact: From 2018 to mid-2020, the rate of food insecurity doubled for households with children.

(Source: Ten Facts about COVID-19 and the U.S. Economy, written by Lauren Bauer, Kristen E. Broady, Wendy Edelberg, and Jimmy O’Donnell for Brookings.edu, published on September 17, 2020)
“COVID-19–related job losses wiped out 113 straight months of job growth,” write the authors of the report. Chances are, you know someone who lost their job due to the effects of COVID-19 on the US economy, or know someone whose loved one did.
And if you find yourself on BizScale, you are either looking to sign up as a freelancer or looking to sign a virtual assistant, bookkeeper, or other experts who can help you scale your startup or pivoting business. (Or maybe you need us to help you get leads on LinkedIn.)If you’re still soul-searching and wondering what you can do, here are startup business ideas you can begin right now as you sit at home, right after you read this.


Your Own Business During and Post-COVID

The silver lining amidst this crisis is that most of us have realized that having only one source of income just won’t cut it anymore. We need at least two (or more, if it is still manageable and you won’t sacrifice the quality of your work) to be sure that, if we lose one, we at least have a fallback.

The best course is starting your very own business, no matter how small.

1. How about becoming an online consultant?

What are you good at? What are you passionate about? What can you talk about and teach even with your eyes closed?

You can choose to teach, coach, or train from the comforts of your home. You can teach one-on-one or group classes. You can begin by publishing videos of you doing your thing, and then post your contact details in case people are interested to reach out for personal classes.

2. How about becoming an English language teacher?

Native English speakers have an advantage, since non-English-speaking students prefer to learn practical English that they can use in everyday life.

They have probably mastered theoretical English and yearn to practice and apply what they know in everyday conversations about subjects they are interested in. You can choose to teach children or adults, and the more students are happy with you, the more referrals and recommendations you will get.

3. How about becoming a social media manager?

If you love being online, keeping up with the latest in social networking, and interacting with different types of people, then many businesses need you.

A social media manager is anyone who can plan, create, and post social media content aligned with the objectives of the brand he/she is working with. Or you can venture into community management and acknowledge comments made publicly on posts, or customer engagement and address questions and concerns sent privately via direct messaging. It’s about being a people person on social media.

4. How about doing errands for others?

Many people who have underlying conditions have to stay home. This means they need help with getting groceries, medicines, and other supplies.

You won’t have to cast a wide net; you can begin in your very own neighborhood. Who needs groceries, medicines, and other essentials? Or maybe someone needs to have their pet taken to the vet? So long as you are taking care of yourself and follow COVID-19 safety protocols (face mask, face shield, distancing), you should be good to go. Sanitize like it’s a religion!

5. How about becoming a vlogger?

This may be a slow-burn option because you need your subscriber base and viewership to grow. But if you can afford to wait and are comfortable in front of the camera, then why not give it a try?

Many people have found financial gain and even celebrity status by being self-made social media celebrities through YouTube and TikTok. As long as you have the numbers and they are consistent, and are creative enough to keep your fans coming and winning new ones, then it shouldn’t be too long until you see advertisers and brands knocking on your door for paid collaborations.

READ: The Pros and Cons of Managing a Remote Team


Be Part of the Solution

If none of our suggestions resonate with you, why not look around in your community?

Try to figure out the answers to:

  1. What problems are people facing?
  2. What do they want now? What do they need now?
  3. How can you solve these for them?

Map this out and figure out how you can help yourself get out of the rut by helping others. Think long-term. Experts say we are at the “age of pandemics.”

So make your plan future-proof.

If you need the help of experts in any task, bookkeepers to help with your finances, or LinkedIn lead-generation pros, sign up with BizScale today. Tell us what you need, and we will support you with the solution you deserve.