In the late 1880s, P.T. Barnum and James Anthony Bailey teamed up with five Ringling brothers and launched what became known as “The Greatest show on Earth.” The ingenious businessmen ported portable tents from town-to-town throughout the Northeast with animal-drawn caravans.
Soon the traveling troupe grew into using trucks, trailers, and trains. It was clumsily called, “The Great Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan, and Hippodrome.”
By 1882, an enormous elephant named “Jumbo” was one of the most popular acts in the country and families flocked from throughout the Midwest to ride the spinning swings, eat the popcorn and cotton candy, and gawk at the fat lady and high-wire acts. By the turn of the century, with the new competition, the circus took its act west of the Rockies.
A century later, the portable business strategy is making a huge comeback. Today, savvy businesses are taking their show on the road. Why? The reason is because neighborhoods change. They don’t want to be be brick-and-mortar-victims of things they can’t control. Anchor tenants come, and anchor tenants go. As a result of the recession, millions of square feet of retail space sit vacant. It’s an ominous sign of the times.
On-the-go businesses are targeting customer where they are, and they’re doing it easily and economically, by packing up their products or services and rolling away.
One successful vehicle for branding a business is with a remodeled Airstream trailer. It’s eye-catching and says something unique about your business.
Here are seven portable businesses ideas that not only would work, they are working now:
1) Photography Studio – Here’s a clever mobile photo business from Cork City, Ireland that doesn’t just focus on traveling to crafts festivals and county fairs. Take your studio to schools, weddings, proms, little leagues, and pet shows. Services include video production, green screen (drop-in backgrounds), digital editing, and quick small-run printing of custom greeting cards and announcements.
2) Exquisite Restaurant – While visiting beautiful Bend, Oregon this past spring I attended an Earth Day Festival and enjoyed a delicious lunch served out of a 1962 Airstream Tradewind. The restaurant is called Spork Bend – it’s a mobile kitchen that is cranking out amazing green-conscious “street food” at excellent prices. And they can afford to spend more on quality food because they don’t have a $2/sq. ft. triple-net commercial lease. They’re also using locally-grown organic veggies and humanely-raised meats, served on compostable plates and serving-ware. They even use earth-friendly cleaning supplies. They’ve even got a cool tagline: “See you on the street!”
3) Children’s Exercise Gym – A unique mobile unit that offers hourly gymnastics and exercise programs for kids is called Fit Kids Tumblebus in Marlton, New Jersey. They offer scheduled appointments at day centers, schools and summer camps. The business can also handle special events such as block parties and church functions. This type of business would be perfect for a young family with their own kids.
4) Computer Repair – When a computer virus has assaulted a business’ computer system or their network is down they need it fixed yesterday. Mobile Computer Wizard is an example of a responsive small, BBB-accredited business serving all of San Diego County, California. And they service PC and Mac platforms. Mobile computer repair franchises are springing up across the country. These businesses are able to position themselves adjacent to high-traffic areas such as business parks, school campuses, hi-tech trade fairs, and green recycling sites on weekends. Services offered include: Data Recovery and Backup, Virus Removal, Wireless Networks, Security, Spam Filtering, Software support, Digital Cameras, Hardware Upgrades, Remote Help, Tuning and Optimization, as well as Tutoring and Training
5) Full-Service Salon and Spa –In San Diego, we have a proprietor called Salon Yvonne Mobile Hair and Spa that delivers luxury directly to you. As they say, “Enjoy the luxury of pampering from your home, your wedding venue or even work!” Complete salon services include cuts, color services, extensions, straightening and Keratin treatments. They’ll come to “princess” birthday and spa parties, ladies nights and wedding. Spa services include massage, manicure, and pedicures. And these ladies don’t neglect your tummy, providing light appetizers, dessert, wine, champagne other beverages.
6) Sunless Airbrush Tanning – I attended a pre-prom party last week and had no idea how hot the new UV-free full body tanning trend is with teenage girls. According to these SoCal coeds, sunless tanning is exploding. And have you seen what they charge for a 30-minute session? Can you spell c-a-s-h-f-l-o-w? Check out Divine Sunless Tanning of Seattle. Back in 2007, Divine’s owner was the first to offer onsite sunless tanning services to the pasty-skinned lovelies of the Pacific Northwest. Go from gloomy to glowing in the comfort of your home, office or hotel room.
7) Mobile Marketing Graphics – As much as I hate the idea of hiding the mirror silver shine of Airstream’s aluminum skin, some may elect to wrap their rolling business with marketing graphics. If so, then check out a company such as CAD Industries of Franksville, Wisconsin. They will transform any vehicle into an exhibit that takes your brand awareness to the next level in style. A business that looks like this would be perfect for providing instant onsite printing services such as custom graphics and vinyl lettering for posters, banners and signage. A high-capacity laser printer could also produce beautiful business cards, stationery, envelopes and labels.
