
While incredibly fulfilling, starting a new business can be equally challenging. One of the most significant challenges is figuring out what industry to venture into. It requires in-depth research and due diligence to protect your investment. Choosing the best small business industry increases your margins of success by ensuring you have a ready market, minimizing startup and operational costs and optimizing profitability.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has recently shared valuable insights into some of the most profitable sectors. These industries are seeing impressive growth rates and notable consumer demand globally. Understanding the fastest-growing small business industries will help ensure a positive return on investment when you're ready to open a new enterprise or scale your current one.
1. Health and Wellness
Health care is among the fastest-growing industries worldwide. The rapid health and wellness small business growth rates result from the increased number of boomers — a generation living longer than previous ones. Nonetheless, they suffer from many lifestyle diseases that make good health care even more primal during their sunset years.
According to McKinsey and Company's 2024 report, the U.S. health care industry is expected to grow at a 7 compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to reach $819 billion in 2027.
At this rate, the industry will account for 6.26 of the global GDP by 2029. Consumers across different generations are willing to spend more on the industry to improve their health, fitness, appearance, overall wellness and quality of life.
This makes 2025 a great time to set up a business in the health care industry. Some examples of health and wellness businesses that will enjoy significant growth in the next decade include:
- Telehealth services.
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation facilities.
- Nutritional and holistic health counseling.
- Senior concierge and in-home caregiving services.
- Personal training and virtual fitness coaching.
2. E-commerce and Online Retailers
The convenience and purported sustainability of online shopping have led to a shift in consumer behavior and preferences. The e-commerce and online retail market grew at a rate of 8.4 in 2024, reaching an all-time high of $6.09 trillion or 20.1 of total retail sales. This speedy growth can be attributed to increasing technology adoption worldwide, internet penetration and favorable regulatory environments.
E-commerce small business industry trends favor brick-and-mortar and exclusively online retailers looking to break traditional retail boundaries. It appeals to many business owners due to the minimal startup costs and access to a global target market. The flexibility of an e-commerce business allows you to manage your new venture from anywhere and alongside a job or other businesses.
E-commerce businesses are especially scalable because of their ability to track key performance metrics and insights to improve your services and products. Some business ventures worth exploring in the e-commerce and online retail industry include:
- Shipping and delivery.
- Marketplace retailing.
- Dropshipping businesses.
- Affiliate marketing.
- Selling online courses and training.

3. Food and Restaurant
The global food market is growing. Experts anticipate it reaching $6.34 billion by 2032, growing at a 7.78 CAGR. The growth is driven by the increasing number of fast-food chain restaurants and higher consumer spending on fast food.
Other factors contributing to the growth in the food and restaurant industry include higher household incomes and the convenience of fast-food businesses. Business opportunities exist in the preparation, delivery, takeaway and on-premise consumption food service sectors.
Industry trends shaping the up-and-coming businesses in this sector include:
- Improving the dining experience through interactive and immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
- Personalizing restaurant experiences by leveraging data analytics to satisfy customer's tastes, behaviors and preferences.
- Embracing sustainability by adopting eco-friendly practices like replacing single-use plastics and implementing farm-to-table processes.
- Adopting health and wellness menu options that cater to different dietary preferences and requirements.
4. Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Technology and, more recently, AI are revolutionizing businesses in numerous ways, mainly by encouraging automation and eliminating repetition and redundancies. They're also instrumental in improving efficiency, boosting productivity and minimizing business operational costs. Investing your money in a small business in these industries will likely bring huge profits because other companies can benefit significantly from these innovations.
While rather new, the AI industry is expected to contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030. This rapid growth will drive the birth of many new businesses and millions of new jobs worldwide. Some popular and profitable AI business ideas include:
- AI cybersecurity.
- Predictive analytics.
- Smart home integration services.
- Smart agriculture solutions.
- Autonomous drone delivery services.
Upskilling is necessary to take on new jobs and ensure the efficient adoption of AI. You could take advantage of the growing need to understand and leverage AI tools to remain competitive in many sectors, teaching other organizations how to use these solutions effectively.
5. Construction and Contracting
The construction and contracting industries have experienced a recent boom, making it more favorable for new small business ventures. The boom can be attributed to three new legislations passed in 2021 and 2022 after a significant decline in 2020 construction industry expenditure and profits. These legislations implemented in the U.S. include the following:
- The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
- The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
- The Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act
Legislation has shifted the industry, and anyone exploring it must comply with contractor regulations to ensure efficiency and dependability. Other factors contributing to the success of businesses in the construction industry include economic growth, clean energy infrastructure, technological advancement and environmental consciousness.
While most construction sector businesses are profitable, some are expected to experience exponential growth in the next decade. These include residential and commercial construction, infrastructure building, real estate development and sustainable initiatives.

Boost Your Small Business With Business Consumer Alliance
Once you've determined which industry to explore in 2025, it's time to manage and grow your new business. At BCA, we provide business owners with services and resources to support their new enterprises. Regardless of the industry, signing up to our business membership program will give you an edge over your competitors.
Our business membership program offers numerous services that ensure you excel in your new industry. These include:
- Legal advice to help you review contracts and prepare business documents.
- Arbitration to quickly resolve contract disputes and other legal issues (California only).
- Unpaid invoice collection to help ensure consistent business cash flows.
- Customer feedback and review collection to support business growth.
- Guidance on human resource best practices and labor laws.
- Advertising and marketing opportunities available on the BCA-sponsored listing program.
Are you ready to learn more? Explore our business blog for more tips for running a successful small business, and contact us today for additional information on our BCA business membership program.