88. RESTAURANT DELIVERY SERVICEThis business idea is very new to India but already there are a few players in urban India. In this business, you do not make the food or resell the food. You just deliver it for a fee. This capitalizes on restaurants that do not have the capacity to take on delivery services or the reach in some areas. Typically, the business owner here will charge the customer a delivery fee for the same, and he will take orders online and on the phone as well.

Seed capital: Rs.50,000-Rs.2 lakh

Can be started from home? Yes

ROI period: 1 year

Resources: No specific training needed

Expected revenues: Rs.10 lakh (5 years); Rs.30 lakh (10 years)

Office requirements: One 10×10 room as office/stock space, laptop (with internet), phone, printer, fax, own stationery (visiting cards + letterheads), extra manpower for delivery and order-taking

Licensing and permissions: You will need a specific permission on running a commercial business out of your home from your local authority

87. QUICK SERVICE RESTAURANTThis is the fastest-growing format in the restaurant industry, the charge of which is being led by the franchises. Middle-class Indians, especially in big towns, do not have the time and patience for long, sit down and elaborate meals. Eating on the go is the norm for such professionals. What also helps is that many of these restaurants are from food franchises that have a bit of premium attached to them in India. For example, a Subway or a McDonald’s.

Seed capital: Rs.1 lakh-Rs.20 lakh (Depends on location or whether own brand or franchise)

Can be started from home? No

ROI period: 3 years

Resources: Hotel management schools are a good place to see how kitchens run. Schools like the Dadar Catering College in Mumbai run long courses, which have the restaurant bit taught within. Crucially, franchise\ors also give training

Expected revenues: Rs.30 lakh (5 years); Rs.50 lakh (10 years)

Office requirements: One 10×10 room as office/stock space, laptop (with internet), phone, printer, fax, own stationery (visiting cards + letterheads), extra manpower depending on operation, kitchen equipment etc

Licensing and permissions: From the local corporation, you will need your plan sanctioned, a restaurant license, and certification for sanitation and safety. From the local police, you will

need a license recognizing you as a restaurant. From the fire department, you will need a no objection certificate. You will need separate licenses for serving alcohol or playing music

25. REFURBISHED FURNITUREThis is a business idea for those who have the ability to find beauty in old things. As they say often now, the same kind of furniture is not made anymore in the country; not the same wood, not the same work. Interior decorators have a chance to set up a business here where they can hunt out old furniture, refurbish it and sell to it to customers keen on old, solid furniture.

Seed capital: Rs.20,000

Can be started from home? Yes

ROI period: Immediate

Resources: An eye for furniture trends as well as a penchant for places like Chor Bazaar in Mumbai and the timber markets in Delhi

Expected revenues: Rs.15 lakh (5 years); Rs.30 lakh (10 years)

Office requirements: One 10×10 room as office space, laptop (with internet), phone, printer, fax, own stationery (visiting cards + letterheads) and at least one assistant

Licensing and permissions: You will need a specific permission on running a commercial business out of your home from your local authority

18. RESTAURANT LOGISTICSRestaurants have logistic needs comparable to small armies. They need their groceries in time, as even a change of an hour means their costs change. They also need them delivered safely and in good, hygienic conditions. Alas, that sector in India is very disorganized and depends on local informal players. You can come into this high-cost business, with a bit of common sense and listening to restaurant owners, and offer them a way out of their tensions by letting you take care of their logistics

Seed capital: Rs.30 lakh (Assuming you will buy your vehicles)

Can be started from home? No

ROI period: 2 years

Resources: No specific training needed. Just common sense and an understanding of the transport logistics business in your area

Expected revenues: Rs.50 lakh (5 years); Rs.80 lakh (10 years)

Office requirements: One 10×10 room as office space, laptop (with internet), phone, printer, fax, own stationery (visiting cards + letterheads), at least 5 assistants

Licensing and permissions: In some states, your business will be categorized as goods carriage and hence will have to pay RTO tax appropriately

9. AUTO MODIFICATION SERVICENot everyone can afford a swanky imported car or motorcycle. But many of them can afford small modifications to their set of wheels. All thanks to movies like The Fast and The Furious, people are also more eager to get their wheels tuned for better performance. All this spells a business idea for all the design-leaning auto enthusiasts amongst our readers.

Seed capital: Rs.3 lakh (Assuming you have space)

Can be started from home? Yes

ROI period: 1 year

Resources: No specific training needed. Just an eye for design and the latest trends in the auto world

Expected revenues: Rs.20 lakh (5 years); Rs.40 lakh (10 years)

Office requirements: One 10×10 room as office space, laptop (with internet), phone, printer, fax, own stationery (visiting cards + letterheads), at least 1 assistant, garage equipment and modification kits

Licensing and permissions: You will need a specific permission on running a commercial business out of your home from your local authority