How to make money street trading. Seasonal business: is it worth it to open and how to survive in the off-season

Business ideas for summer period have a pronounced seasonality. It will not work to make money on them all year round, since the rest of the time the service or product will not be in demand among the population so much as to make a tangible profit.

Year-round work implies the presence of reporting periods. But a seasonal business has only a beginning and an end. It turns out that all subsequent time the entrepreneur needs to prepare for the new season, correct mistakes, develop new strategies.

Business ideas for the summer season will be successful only if the supply of goods, inventory, or something else that is necessary for full-fledged work is established. It will be important to calculate the level of demand in advance. Logistics will become an integral part of the business.

Summer business benefits

Summer business ideas with minimum investment capable of generating large profits in a short period of time. But this format is not suitable for every entrepreneur. He must be flexible, enterprising, and if necessary, a businessman must quickly change strategy.

An entrepreneur who wants to open his seasonal business in the summer should think here and now, and not set himself global goals. The advantages of this format include the following features:

  • high profit;
  • quick payback;
  • high level demand;
  • high profitability (can reach 100-200%);
  • low investment.

Many goods in the summer are sold with a large markup, so you can get a lot more for selling them. Consider the most relevant ideas for doing business in the summer with little investment.

This seasonal business format has been rightfully considered one of the most relevant ideas for a long time. People love ice cream, and in the summer, for many, it becomes a real salvation from the heat. The success of an ice cream business will depend on a number of factors:

  • the correct choice of outlet (you can locate in parks, shopping centers or even open your own ice cream parlor);
  • taste qualities(the greatest demand will not be the usual ice cream in the package, but something special, for example, it can be soft or Hawaiian ice cream);
  • originality of presentation or production (from this you can make a real show, attracting customers);
  • service (staff should be friendly and smiling).

The markup on ice cream is about 40%. Initially, investments will be required to rent a place, register, purchase a refrigerator and other equipment. The main disadvantage is the high level of competition, especially in summer time.

Sale of cooling drinks

In the heat, people are very thirsty. Not surprisingly, they are much more likely to look for somewhere to drink something cold. The most profitable will be the sale of the following drinks:

  • kvass;
  • juices;
  • milkshakes;
  • cold beer on tap (by the way, you don’t need a license to sell it);
  • fruit drink;
  • soda;
  • cold tea.

But working in this area of ​​business in the summer is not easy. It will be necessary to somehow rebuild from numerous competitors, to spend money on arranging a retail outlet. You can not do without collecting a number of permits.

As in the case of ice cream, the entrepreneur will need to carefully choose a place to trade. It can be a city center, an amusement park, a shopping center. It is not necessary to equip a stationary point. You can sell drinks in cans and bottles while moving around the park or even the whole city.

It is most advantageous to formalize entrepreneurship in the form of an individual entrepreneur and choose UTII as a taxation system.

Both formats are among the most highly profitable seasonal business ideas in the summer. They are also attractive because there is no need to look for an impressive start-up capital. Ideas can also be implemented together, as the goods can be considered related.

It is important to sell cotton candy and popcorn even in bad weather. But the higher the traffic of the selected outlet, the more profit you can get. It is better to be accommodated in large city parks, to negotiate joint work circuses, amusement parks.

It is not necessary to hire an employee and equip a point for selling popcorn. You can buy a vending machine - it will quickly pay for itself and begin to bring impressive profits. And in the cold season, it can be installed in mall, for example, and also make a profit.

Investments at right choice places will pay off in a few weeks or months.

Sale of seasonal fruits and vegetables

It is during the summer period that there is an increased demand from citizens for fruits and vegetables. But success will depend on whether the entrepreneur can find a good point for trading. It will not be possible to do without establishing links with suppliers - these can be private agricultural enterprises. The essence of the idea is to buy products in bulk and resell them. ordinary people retail at a premium.

The list of the most popular fruits and vegetables will depend on the region. Somewhere the main demand falls on apricots, peaches, and somewhere they prefer to buy more exotic fruits. Additionally, you should think about selling berries - strawberries, strawberries, currants, raspberries and others.

There is another format of such trade - independent cultivation of products and its subsequent sale to acquaintances, in the markets. Such a business on a small scale will not bring significant profits, but will become an additional source of income.

This summer business format is considered one of the most popular and break-even. To organize a business, you will need to find a place with high traffic - a square, a park. You will need to obtain permission from local authorities. They strictly check whether the entrepreneur has quality certificates for the equipment used, whether the organization is registered. On hand should be documents confirming that the entrepreneur complies with the standards and norms established at the legislative level.

If all the paperwork is completed, it remains to equip the site for attractions. You can buy cars and make a track with obstacles. Each such copy will cost no less than 10,000 rubles.

To attract the attention of visitors, you will need to make a large and colorful pavement sign at the entrance to the park or square. The presence of music and entertainment will be an additional plus that attracts customers.

Organizing a trampoline town

Children love trampolines. You can meet them on the street only in the summer. Therefore, the concentration of children who want to play in such a town increases greatly. There are other advantages to this format:

  • the business will be simple to organize;
  • no additional advertising required;
  • low operating costs;
  • high profitability;
  • big income.

But the matter can be complicated by the search for a truly “fishy” place. As a rule, all of them are already occupied by others. But if you are persistent and proactive, you can always find a way out. A small town can pay off in a couple of months, but a large complex will require larger investments.

In pursuit of high profits, we must not forget that trampolines are traumatic for children. Therefore, the employee must constantly monitor how the visitors play. There should not be many children on the site at once, this also increases the likelihood of injury.

Shooting range opening

Shooting gallery is a rather specific type of entertainment, but it is interesting big circle persons. Not only children love to shoot, but also adults, especially men. In hot weather, walking through the amusement park, few people can resist the temptation. And if you offer pleasant gifts for accuracy, then there will be no end to customers.

Already in the first month you can recoup the invested funds and start making a profit. Fortunately, the shooting gallery does not require serious investments - several special rifles and pistols. And you can make your own targets.

It is better for a novice entrepreneur to work with pneumatic weapons, since a license is not needed to use them. For 50,000 - 100,000 rubles, you can buy a ready-made shooting gallery with everything you need. They are of two types:

  • pavilion;
  • transformer.

The point can be mobile or stationary. In the second case, you will have to pay attention to the selection of a place, otherwise the business may turn out to be unprofitable.

Business in active sports

The essence of the idea is to provide inventory to people who like to spend their free time actively. It is better to specialize in one direction or that they are close. For example, you can rent bicycles and roller skates, jet skis and boats. The direction will also depend on the location. Water sports equipment is best rented near beaches, lakes or seas. For resort towns, this idea is especially relevant.

But it is better to rent bicycles and roller skates in the city center, near parks and other areas where there are equipped areas, paths for cyclists.

The main costs will be associated with the purchase of inventory. It will take at least 10-15 sets. It is not necessary to buy new equipment. You can also get used.

It is necessary to take care of the presence of protection - knee pads, helmets. It is likely that people who do not know how to ride a bicycle or roller skates will want to use the rental services.

Today, this idea is very interesting for Russians, since there are few places where you can find such an offer. The idea itself came from Western countries literally a few years ago. Work in this area is also attractive because there is no need to attract a large amount of savings. Difficulties in organizing a business should not arise either.

The entrepreneur will need to purchase water balloons and find a suitable place to open the attraction. If there is no reservoir there, then a pool will be needed, and this is an additional investment. You can not do without a special slide for lowering the ball.

Most often, such attractions are in demand among active youth and children, but sometimes already mature citizens are not averse to riding in a special ball on the water.

Installation of air conditioners

In the hot season, a person often leads to the conclusion that it is necessary to purchase an air conditioner in an apartment (conventional fans are now in less demand). But to install it, you need specialized knowledge. And if an entrepreneur has experience in this area, then he can offer his services to others.

Start-up costs will be associated with the purchase of specialized tools. But here you can even manage 20,000 - 40,000 rubles. You will have to invest in advertising as well - otherwise how will people find out about the company that installs air conditioners? For this format, it is most logical to use the following promotion methods:

  • leaflet posting;
  • print ads in local newspapers;
  • distribution of business cards;
  • holding shares;
  • advertising on local television.

Sale of souvenirs and magnets

This idea will be relevant for cities that receive a large flow of tourists in the summer. Why do they buy souvenirs and magnets? To leave yourself something memorable about your vacation or to give an unusual trinket to your friends, relatives and acquaintances.

You can manufacture products yourself or buy them in bulk. It is important to change the assortment in order to offer tourists something new and unusual every year. The margin on goods can reach 200-300%.

As is the case with all other types of seasonal business, you will have to take care of finding good place for trade.

Summing up

Summer seasonal business is a great opportunity earn without investing a lot of money. High profitability and quick payback make this format the most attractive for start-up entrepreneurs.

What people just do not invent to ensure a comfortable existence. Few people want to work all their lives for the state or for a private entrepreneur, because they really want to be free, independent of anyone, independently managing their lives.

The surest and easiest way to get rich is to open a seasonal business. Many immediately come to mind pasties with coffee in winter and ice cream with beer in summer. In fact, there are a lot of ideas, the easiest way is to earn extra money in the warm season, during this period, businessmen open endless possibilities. With the skillful organization of your activities, you can receive thousands of dollars, and this with a meager start-up capital.

Cold trade

For those who do not want to reinvent the wheel, the trade in soft drinks and ice cream is ideal. There are no innovations, but this type of service is in demand and brings tangible profits. Start-up capital is needed, but small. At first, you can limit yourself to equipping a trading place with electricity, a chest freezer, and a room for equipment. It is also necessary to find a supplier of goods and a seller, in case you do not want to stand behind the counter yourself.

Photo with a celebrity

Vacationers can take a picture against the background of some sight, but skillful businessmen will help to transform into James Bond, Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie or Cindy Crawford. This is a rather costly business, requiring about 40,000 rubles of investments, because it is necessary to buy good computer, photo printer, digital camera, clipart set. But on the other hand, there is no end to those who want to be photographed in an embrace with George Clooney or try on the body of some model. You can earn up to 300,000 rubles per season.

Make money on attractions

Summer is a carefree time of entertainment; skillful businessmen build a profitable and low-cost summer business on rest and fun of other people. Ideas for quick seasonal earnings are very easy to implement if a novice businessman lives in a resort town. You can replenish the budget by renting jet skis, water slides and skis. The cost of equipment with high demand will pay off in a few weeks.

Arrangement of street catering

Depending on the size start-up capital can be opened in public place an ordinary platform under umbrellas, a cafe-veranda or a cafe-pavilion. The cheapest is the first option, the most expensive is the last. This seasonal business involves filing an application with the district administration in advance. It is allowed to sell soft drinks, beer, nuts, chips, ice cream in open areas. At the cafe-verandas, visitors can order coffee or tea with cakes, and sometimes something stronger.

There are high requirements for barbecue or cafe pavilions, the owner will have to negotiate with public utilities, sanitary and epidemiological supervision, and architects. The costs here are significant, so such a business should be opened with long-term prospects. For a summer cafe, you need to purchase plastic furniture, a tent, a counter or bar counter, a bottling plant, and a refrigerator. In order not to overpay extra money for equipment, you can negotiate with suppliers of beer or soft drinks.

Shooting range opening

Opening a seasonal business in the summer is as easy as shelling pears, you just need a little desire and an entrepreneurial spirit. Children and adults enthusiastically perceive "manly" entertainment, the former want to seem independent and courageous, and the latter want to test their own abilities. You can open a mobile or stationary pneumatic shooting range.

To do this, you need to register as an entrepreneur, the type of activity is indicated as "providing sports and training services to the population." Land is leased for moving, and premises are rented for a hospital. After completing all the documents, a businessman can only purchase equipment, consumables in the form of bullets and start making a profit.

Earnings on the search for talent

From April to September, you can open karaoke near cafes, attractions or the beach. Our country is a singing country, and after a fun day and in good company in the evenings, many people gather to demonstrate their vocal abilities. Sometimes the ideas of a seasonal business amaze with the ease of implementation of the plan. An entrepreneur only needs to choose a crowded place, buy equipment and find a well-singing person who would draw attention to entertainment. Equipment can be purchased for 15,000 rubles; businessmen earn about 140,000 rubles per season.

Earnings on landscaping

Landscaping of personal plots is today a very profitable seasonal business, which, of course, requires not only certain costs, but also knowledge. Real professionals are paid good money for maintaining city squares, flowerbeds, beautiful and unusual design of territories near houses and offices in good condition. If you have knowledge of landscape design and desire, then you can safely get down to business.

A team of four people can plant an English lawn in a week, and the client pays up to $1,000 for the work alone. If we take into account that the planting material is bought by the owner, then the costs will be only the wages of workers and funds for the purchase of the simplest tools - choppers, wheelbarrows, shovels, hoes.

Vermicultivation

Types of seasonal business are sometimes striking in their diversity, there is work for everyone. For example, you can do vermicultivation - the cultivation of Californian worms. Such earnings are suitable for rural residents, since they require a land plot.

The worm brings three products on which you can earn - offspring, biohumus and extract. Business costs are minimal preparatory work practically none. The main thing is the presence of a warm and humid place for new settlers, the possibility of regular feeding of worms with vegetable peels, spoiled food, cereals, and the search for points of sale.

Pet hotel

Ideal seasonal business for veterinarians and animal lovers. Summer is the time for vacations, but what about the owners of cats, dogs, hamsters, parrots and other animals that have nowhere to attach? Here special nurseries or hotels for pets come to the rescue.

The owners give their four-legged friend into the hands of a professional, and they themselves go on vacation with peace of mind. A business can be organized in an ordinary apartment, but it is better to buy a house with a paddock and aviaries. The owners pay for the food, and the businessman receives a salary for the "nanny" services.

Earnings on the gifts of nature

It is not a problem to open a profitable business in the summer, lovers of outdoor activities and nature can also replenish their budget. In the countryside, in forests, plantings, steppes, beams, you can collect healing herbs, berries, mushrooms, in the spring in a birch grove it will not be difficult to organize the collection of birch sap.

Of course, it is necessary to understand the plants, to know the different nuances of their collection and storage. Basically, this is an export-oriented business, since abroad they pay more for such a product, and domestic industry not able to provide high-quality processing of raw materials.

Here are just 10 ideas for a seasonal business. As you can see, they are all different, they require certain knowledge, skills and desires. In fact, there are a huge number of ways to earn money, you just need to connect your imagination, really assess your strengths and capabilities.

So many successful people they started small, no one reacted to their ideas, but, as time shows, luck smiles on the patient, hardworking and resourceful. You just need to believe in yourself - and everything will work out.

Sell ​​what you already have.

  • Decide what is in demand in your city and what you yourself like. What is hard to get in your city? Do you have access to something that can be bought in bulk low and sold high?
  • Used books, newspapers and magazines are often sold on the street. You can buy something in second-hand bookshops, pick up from grandparents, but the easiest way is to empty your own cabinets. So you will not only get rid of unnecessary things, but also be able to earn.
  • You can also buy antiques and antiques at flea markets and then sell them. Did you get an antique porcelain doll from your relatives that you don't need? Sell ​​it to someone who needs it!
  • Toy swords or knives are often sold in packs of many. Consider selling them at the entrance to a themed festival or any other similar event.
  • In rural areas or in areas of dacha cooperatives, there is always a good trade in firewood and logs for stoves. If you have a supply of firewood you do not need - do not waste time!
  • Along the roads outside the city and in small towns, fruit and other products are often sold. If you have apple or cherry trees in your dacha, the fruits of which always go to birds, consider selling the harvest. In the villages, eggs, mushrooms, potatoes are also often put at the gates - this can be in a good way get rid of excess food that you and your family can't eat and make some money from it.
  • Sell ​​something that you can make yourself.

    • Do you have a creative hobby? Start selling the results of your work!
    • Ceramic products are usually sold at specialized fairs. Ceramics is good because it can be sold both together with products and as handicrafts next to artists. Sell ​​pots, cups, vases, figurines, whistles and anything else you can imagine.
    • In street markets or fairs, photographs and paintings are always striking. Create a bright expressive image, and the buyer will find you himself. Remember that it's important not to overcharge because people don't like to carry around a lot of cash, even if they've come to the fair specifically. Offer discounts for buying multiple items.
    • Jewelry is always a success, but this product becomes especially popular before the holidays - people buy them both for themselves and for their loved ones. Decorations will a good gift and on New Year, and birthday parties, so be prepared to sell them any time of the year.
    • Sculptures, leather and wood products are popular at thematic festivals and fairs (for example, historical ones).
    • Before entering the rock festival, T-shirts with the image of performing musicians are sold well. Printing a pattern on a T-shirt can be ordered at any specialized company, so prepare in advance and stock up on T-shirts of different sizes.
  • Sell ​​your own food.

    • Do you enjoy cooking? Share your cakes or pies with others.
    • Boiled corn with salt sells well in season. Often it is sold directly from bags on the go. Pack it in bags and foil to make it easier for your customers to eat.
    • Homemade lollipops are in high demand. If you manage to cook them so that they do not melt under the sun, you can quite well sell them to all the children passing by.
    • People can never get past the smell of mouth-watering meat pies or pasties. If you decide to cook them, you can be sure that they will not go unnoticed by passers-by. The only danger is that many question the quality of street meat.
    • Sell ​​lemonade, coffee or tea. These drinks will come in handy in any situation. Invent your own recipes, come up with an interesting design for glasses.
  • Sell ​​something intangible.

    • If you're a top-notch blues guitarist, put on a performance in the street and let people throw money in your hat - that's what the musicians of the 30s did.
    • Paint faces with special paint at events where many children gather. Your service will be very popular with parents of babies.
    • Draw cartoons. If you are a master at drawing caricatures, passers-by will be happy to pose for you, especially in the tourist areas of the city. Such a drawing can be a wonderful souvenir from your city.
    • Put on puppet shows. Such performances are popular at major outdoor festivals.
    • Working as a mime on the street might also be a good idea. People always watch memes with curiosity, especially if they manage to show something really non-trivial.
  • Many business areas are subject to seasonality, which affects the financial performance of the enterprise. Whether it is trade, production or the service sector, no one is immune from its influence.


    Along with the disadvantages, seasonality hides a huge potential and a lot of opportunities. Open for start-up entrepreneurs great prospects, allowing you to quickly and with minimal investment start your profitable business.

    Statistics show that the most best time For quick start is the summer season. Having properly organized a business at this time, you can not only quickly recoup the initial costs, but also make good money.

    Options available allow to develop not only experienced businessmen but also for start-up entrepreneurs.

    Features of seasonal projects

    In order not to make a mistake with the choice of "classes" for the summer it is worthwhile to characterize the concept of "summer" business in more detail.

    To date, there are more than 500 variations of such a business. The most popular are: the sale of goods and services in high demand.

    Successful examples include: the sale of soft (refreshing) drinks, the sale of clothing for the summer and the sale of ice cream.

    Let's take a look features of the business for the summer season, which will help us in choosing the direction of activity, they are as follows:

    • Assumes a quick start.
    • Only a small initial investment is required.
    • A short period of activity. Such a business can be effectively engaged only in the appropriate season.
    • A high markup on a product or a high fee for a service.
    • Maximum demand for goods during the season and high profitability of the business.

    Which direction to choose?

    Based on the above criteria, Several areas of activity have been selected and will be detailed below..

    Sale of soft ice cream

    Business has taken root in our country for a long time. Despite great competition, entrepreneurs make big profits from the sale of soft ice cream.

    To get started, an entrepreneur needs:

    • Buy chest freezer(can be used), where the products will be stored.
      If you manage to negotiate with the supplier, then you can get refrigeration equipment for free.
    • Rent a place(must have electricity).
      It is better to rent a site in places large cluster people.
    • Find a good supplier offering a varied but high quality product.

    The start-up capital required to start a business will be negligible. With a minimum sales of 2000 rubles per day and a net profit of 35% of the turnover (518 rubles).

    Per month from one point net profit will be 15,540 rubles.

    Sale of cooling drinks or cotton candy (popcorn)

    The soft ice cream business can be expanded with two other summer seasonal business ideas, which, as it is worth noting, are quite cost-effective and can be considered separately, regardless of each other.

    • Beverages
      The sale of cold drinks is an integral aspect of the summer business. You can sell kvass, juices, beer, mineral water and various cocktails.
      The business will be profitable, however profit from one point is very low.
      There are many different outlets selling drinks on the street. It can be concluded that there is already a lot of competition in this market and it is difficult for new entrepreneurs to decide to open their own business. However, the business is very lucrative as drinks are in high demand at this time of the year.
    • Cotton candy (popcorn)
      This is a highly profitable business idea that requires minimal investment to open. Unlike the next example, the cotton candy idea is less subject to seasonal factors.
      By starting sales in the spring, you will fully recoup your investment by the summer. Autumn will be the period of "collection" of maximum profit.

    How much can you earn per day selling cotton candy, see the video:

    More attractive would be the idea of ​​mass production and sale of cotton candy (popcorn) through existing points of sale of seasonal goods (ice cream or drinks).

    If you decide to start acting in this direction, then you should start from several points by organizing a mini implementation network.

    Summer attractions

    Among the many options for entertainment venues available today, it is very difficult to single out any particular one. In the summer, both stationary and portable attractions are very popular..

    We list the most common and “running” varieties on which you can earn your first capital.

    • Trampoline- a kind of stationary attraction.
      It is very popular with children and young couples. It is most profitable to place trampolines in parks and places for youth festivities.
    • water balls(zorbs), who came to us from Europe and America.
    • Tyr- one of the oldest, but nevertheless popular, form of entertainment.
    • Darts, which has become very common due to its mobility.
    • Game attractions(ATVs, horses, etc.).

    This line of business is based on satisfying the passion of youth and adults.

    The advantage of opening attractions is that costs will be required only at the stage of organizing a business.

    What seasonal projects to implement in the village?

    The vast majority of areas in the field Agriculture are seasonal. Subsistence farms for most of the year, they require high costs, and all the work invested in the enterprise pays off only during the sales season.

    However, even in the village there are several destinations for business ideas for the summer, which can give the maximum return during the season. At the same time, the start of such a project can be carried out in just a few weeks.

    Ecotourism

    An interesting line of business, very profitable and low-cost, gaining last years significant popularity. Most people try to escape from the shackles of the city in the summer. The village can become for them a haven of silence and solitude.

    There will also be expenses associated with the rental of village houses and summer cottages.

    Agritourism business can be conducted in the following areas:

    • Tour organization V countryside for the weekend.
      It is necessary to take care of the entertainment program, which will depend on the bounty of nature in the area you have chosen. The program may include: hunting, fishing, hiking in the forest for a themed walk, sauna, imitation village life And so on.
    • Camping organization in wildlife with hiking, picking mushrooms and berries.
    • Organization of sports tournaments in the village (knightly fights, paintball competitions, etc.)
    • Organization of farm tours.

    Picking berries and mushrooms

    If you have a lot of free time, then you can do organization of buying points in small towns countries.

    Buying the berries and mushrooms they collect from the population, you can subsequently resell the products to larger buyers or export them.

    The niche in this market has not yet been filled, and the competition is minimal.

    The number of existing points of purchase is not able to cover the proposals available in the summer in the regions. You can start implementing this business idea today with minimal investment and current costs - financial costs will be directed to the purchase of goods and transportation costs.

    In this article, we will show with financial calculations.

    How to keep a book of accounting for all income and expenses of an entrepreneur when common system taxation, we'll talk in the next . Types of reporting.

    Here we will discuss how to start writing a business plan and how to open a hostel with good profitability.

    How to minimize investments?

    The first, and often decisive, problem at the beginning own business is the need for an initial investment.

    Most entrepreneurs dream of activities that would generate large incomes, but would not require significant initial costs.

    We'll consider several business ideas for the summer without investments, with zero capital at the start.

    • Organization of events
      This direction will require organizational skills and communication skills. The essence of the business is to organize children's matinees, hikes, tourist excursions and conduct recreational activities. If you speak English (or another foreign language), you can provide the Tourist Guide service.
      All you need to do is arm yourself with a wealth of knowledge about sights and historical facts.

    • Cleaning and washing at home
      The idea is very banal, which can scare off a novice entrepreneur. However, with the increase in the standard of living of the population, many citizens began to resort to cleaning services. In this direction, you can also include the idea of ​​​​washing cars at home.
      The main emphasis should be placed on advertising and promotion of services through the Internet, announcements and forums.
    • Breeding worms and maggots with a view to their further sale to fishermen.
      This idea is suitable for suburban residents or small town. The cultivation technology is very primitive, therefore it is available to anyone.
      The product is very popular in summer and autumn season. You can promote products through fishing forums on the Internet, magazines for fishermen and near fishing places.

    Summary

    Whatever direction of summer business you choose, you must:

    • conduct a preliminary analysis of the idea,
    • determine the specifics
    • identify risks and mitigate them.

    Having collected all necessary information, you need to compose detailed business plan project and only after that proceed with the implementation of the plan.

    Thinking about starting a business, every entrepreneur wants his investment to quickly pay off and bring a stable income. However, in practice this combination is quite rare. Thus, a business with a steady demand for a product or service usually requires significant investment in initial stage and pays off for a long time, but then, as a rule, brings a stable income.

    While a business that has a pronounced seasonality, with proper planning, pays off quickly enough, which every entrepreneur would really like. However stable income it is not necessary to expect in this case, since there are 2 opposite phases here: "season" - period active sales, when the demand for a product is very high and the entrepreneur receives most of the annual profit in a few months, and the “off season” is a period of decline in sales or their complete absence, when the business incurs losses or, at best, works to zero.

    Which business to choose: one that pays off quickly, brings high profits during the season, but is unstable during the calendar year, or a business in which investments will pay off for a long time, but with a stable demand for a product or service all the time without sharp ups and downs?

    Entrepreneurs who nevertheless chose a seasonal business and a quick payback, even at the stage of business planning, they should ask themselves: what to do during a period of recession or a complete lack of sales? How to prepare for this and what measures to take in order to survive and stay afloat? After all, not every seasonal business can hold out for the rest of the year on the profits received during the season of active sales.

    So, in the store of swimwear and beach accessories in the summer, there is a high demand for goods. However, it is in such high demand only 2-3 months a year. Although in the cold season, many Russians began to go to the sea abroad, the demand for swimwear still remains at a fairly low level in autumn-winter period. How to distribute the profits received over the summer and hold out until the next season? Is it worth taking drastic measures - completely closing the store and laying off employees, refusing to rent an office and a warehouse in order to minimize all expenses during this period, and start all over again before the start of the next season? Or should we try to avoid such situations and make every effort to ensure that high-season sales allow the owner and his employees to feel confident throughout the year - introduce additional products, hold promotions and all kinds of sales?

    The BIBOSS portal found out how entrepreneurs who own a business with a pronounced seasonality get out of the situation.

    Ilya Konoplev

    Franchising Director of the World Gym network in Russia

    The fitness business is very subject to seasonal influence, these seasons are predictable and we understand that “long contracts” are practically not sold in the summer and people traditionally do not prioritize spending on fitness in their budget. club revenue in summer months 30-40% lower than in spring or autumn. To offset this, fitness clubs include “short” offers for the summer, which attract working capital at the expense of those clients who continue to train, and make much easier conditions for club membership than in the high autumn and spring seasons. In summer, if you wish, you can buy a card for two at the same price, etc.

    Traditionally, expenses are pressed down - group training schedules are cut - there are still few people in the clubs, sometimes you even have to turn on the super-saving mode, but the whole point of management is to be ready for the low season and, on the one hand, have a pillow, and on the other - a pool of services that generate revenue even in a low season in terms of club membership sales. For us, it's personal training.

    If there was an objective force majeure, and due to too early spring, we would, for example, begin to lose revenue due to the fact that people stop buying workouts, then clubs can include activities to attract a new audience, increase the entry of corporate clients, offering business corporate training with a significant discount. It does not last long, but it loads the staff and brings in revenue. That is, in fact, there are no miracles, and if it breaks somewhere, because it is thin, then you need to keep several directions in the assortment and focus on them.

    Ivan Ershov

    Head of franchising network educational centers Unium

    Perhaps, each type of business has its own seasonality, and this is especially felt in education. It is summer, in the educational business, that is a huge drawdown.

    In the summer season, we get out of the situation by introducing additional courses, arranging outreach programs, and organizing other educational events.

    Planning. We are always sensitive to budgeting and resource allocation throughout the year, therefore, initially, when drawing up and approving a budget with franchisees, we consider the low season to be zero, thus we reinsure ourselves as much as possible and avoid unpleasant surprises.

    Of course, this is not all that can be done in order to “survive” the low season, but it is competent planning and budgeting that allows us to be calm throughout the year.

    For a good entrepreneur, having a low season is more of a plus than a minus! It is during the low season that additional tools and ideas appear on how to improve the situation, energy suddenly appears that does not allow you to “relax”, and clear focuses on specific tasks. This is the power of a downturn in sales - it is he who helps entrepreneurs get out of their comfort zone and start doing a little more than in the days when customers themselves come to you. Only after that, we begin to apply all the tested cases in high season, as a result, we see a completely different business, playing with new colors! But without striking a finger, you should not wait for manna ... Business, whether it works on a franchise or it's your own business, requires involvement and certain labor costs.

    Almost every business has seasonal fluctuations. In some areas, these fluctuations are insignificant (about 20-30%), which can be corrected by various promotions, gifts for regular customers, or simply wait out this period.

    However, there are cases in which seasonality is pronounced, when a decline in sales or their complete absence forces business owners to take drastic measures.

    Anna Polyakova

    Head House Bikini

    We have been selling swimwear and beachwear via the Internet for 3 years. In our case, with the onset of autumn, the volume of sales and the number of applications fall by 5-6 times.
    The most important thing is to reduce the cost.
    At the end of August, we begin to cut costs: we close the store, we fire all employees. Now there are many companies that are ready to remotely take on part of the work and it will cost much less than keeping an employee on staff. For example, in autumn we use delivery services. Payment only on the fact. There are orders - you pay for delivery, no - you risk nothing. Similarly, you can transfer the processing of orders to outsourcing.
    A decline in sales is the time to work on the brand and company awareness. While the volume of orders is not so large, it is possible to engage in SEO-promotion of the site. Just during the seasonal drawdown, you can reach the top of the search for mid-frequency and wide-frequency queries. You can engage in the promotion of social. networks, hold contests among subscribers, increase activity in public, work with the media, etc. In addition, I recommend taking the time to educate yourself. It can be seminars or books, biographies of great businessmen. The work done will help prepare for the next season. The main thing is to be able to make a profit in the season and benefit "out of season".

    Nikita and Anastasia Kuimov

    Creators of "Enchanted Christmas Balls with Warm Wishes", seasonal and family business for the production and sale of balls self made with natural flowers, in Russia and the USA

    Our business is deeply seasonal and although we plant flowers for our balloons in April, sales do not start until September, and the main ones are from December 1 to December 31. The book says that corporate orders must be issued before the start of summer, in practice this is a rarity. We turned a minus into a benefit - we work remotely for 10 months a year. We do not need to pay rent for an apartment, ride in a stuffy subway - we travel the world and develop other projects. In general, it is not important how much you earn, but what you can afford with this money. Actively working 2 months a year and resting 10, we feel richer than people who work all year with 2 weeks off. On our travels we came up with board game Whistle, which we will sell in the summer, using winter developments.

    Roman Sabirzhanov

    Founder, Hotconsulting.ru - serial opening of hotels

    Hostels in the regions are an example of a seasonal business. Cities like Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Sergiev Posad, St. Petersburg are in demand among tourists in the spring and summer months. During the off-season, these hostels' profits drop to zero. Some hostels in St. Petersburg close during the low season to save on wages and room maintenance.

    The most correct way is to negotiate with the owners about a flexible rent. High season rents are higher than low season. Better yet, fix a percentage of the profits, as they do in Europe. But during the season, hostels in such cities make excellent profits. And those projects that were able to build the sale of additional services, such as the sale of coffee, pastries, breakfast, make a profit higher than that of competitors.

    Thus, we see that most companies prefer to significantly reduce costs during the sales downturn, lay off some employees and wait out this time, preparing for the new season. And all kinds of promotions and discounts can only be called a supportive measure that allows companies with seasonal business to stay afloat. But what to do if the profit received during the season is not enough to hold out the rest of the time? Or is the entrepreneur not satisfied with this “survival” and wants to make a profit throughout the year, while maintaining his seasonal business?

    How can a seasonal business survive?

    One of the most profitable options for an entrepreneur is the opening of another seasonal business, whose period of active sales begins when the first seasonal business has a decrease in purchasing activity. It is in this situation that the entrepreneur will always win with money, and for each season he will have a peak in sales in one of his businesses. These may be adjacent areas, or they may be areas that are completely unrelated to each other.

    For example, rental of bicycles and roller skates is in demand from mid-March to early October.- this is the season for this business and the period of maximum profit. At the same time, having opened a “winter” skate rental business, skiing and other equipment, the entrepreneur will receive the maximum profit from the second business, while in the first “summer” business it comes to naught. A similar pattern can be seen in the Yandex.Wordstat query history. The graph clearly shows how the demand for a product or service changes throughout the calendar year, thanks to which you can track trends and seasonality of requests that are of interest to the entrepreneur.


    The owner of the fur coats and fur products shop receives the main income in winter, luring buyers in the summer with big discounts and selling goods at low prices to somehow stay afloat. However, by opening a department with summer clothes and swimwear in parallel, you can make a profit even during the off-season of your main business, thereby creating a kind of safety cushion for your pocket.


    Take, for example, tire fitting, whose services are in demand in the middle of autumn and spring. It is at this time that you can see long queues of cars whose owners want to change summer tires to winter tires, and vice versa. Tire owners even have to hire additional workers during this period in order to withstand such an influx of customers. However, it is this time that is the so-called season for this area, and, accordingly, the period of maximum profit. But what to do the rest of the time, when there are no more people who want to change tires? You won’t last much on one tire repair and their pumping. You can earn additional profit during the year, for example, by providing rubber storage services. This will allow the business to raise additional money. In addition, customers who left the rubber for storage in this particular tire fitting can be offered a discount on the subsequent replacement of rubber. And then be sure that this client will not go to another tire shop, but will come to you (of course, subject to the quality of the services provided).



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