small business ideas in Isaan

[bodlivy]

Hello, for those in LOS living in Isaan. I am interested in understanding small business opportunities for 1-2 people in the area. Don't know anything about Isaan and have never been. It would be something that doesn't require specialized equipment and hopefully small initial investment, something along the lines of buy bulk/sell retail, food services, growing food, educational.  Any ideas are greatly appreciated, looking for some guidance and shared experiences from those of you who were both successful and not successful at it.

[CharlieH]

Better suited to isaaan forum, MOVED

[NanLaew]

Don't know anything and never been there but wanting advice on what sort of small business would work in Isaan?

 

What has she suggested?

[Denim]

I would start by doing a Google search on local demographics. 

 

Search for information on the specific amper and dtambon you plan to open your idea. This will tell you what your potential customer base is. From that number consider how many are elderly or children that might not use your service. If people in that area are simple farming folk they won't be very interested in wasting their money on non essentials like fancy restaurants etc.

If you try to do something that caters only to expats...very difficult as not enough potential customers. 

 

Over the years I have seen Thais and foreigners open businesses that were obviously doomed to failure right from day one. One muscular guy tried to open a small air con gym in the middle of town probably thinking that as the town didn't have one it would be a good idea. Lasted 6 months.

 

Our local store does a roaring trade especially in the morning selling precooked food and vegetables to the local villages. Very cheap and within their limited means.

 

Auto repair shops are always busy but that's another thing altogether.

 

Building supplies also do well but needs big investment and lots of space.

 

In the end though , almost all new business we see start up here fail.

 

So, what you are left with is doing one thing well and selling cheap. In the mornings a woman does well selling hot Thai donuts. Another sells only Pad Thai from a cart. In a rural area where the people are mostly poor, doing business is not easy.

 

My wife and I have our own little business selling online. Don't make much but bigger customer base so the profit pays all our bills.