Business Services & B2B Startup Ideas in Iowa

Many business owners find that B2Bs are among the most lucrative companies to invest in. While it’s true that B2Bs often show fewer sales and transactions than B2Cs, it’s important to note that these sales also tend to be much larger. B2B startups can also be very rewarding, as they offer the opportunity to provide gainful employment to your community while also supporting the existing local businesses within your community.

If you’re ready to explore your options, read on for ten ways you can break into the professional services industry with your own business. You can also keep these options at your fingertips with our free Small Business Startup app—available for both Apple and Android. Start with a quick quiz, and we will match you with the most popular opportunities in your region.

Recruiting

Best practices in the B2B recruitment industry are always changing, but one thing that doesn’t change is the fact that recruiters will always be needed. In a 2022 survey that asked HR departments what their biggest challenge was, a whopping 89% of them named recruiting as the number one problem. Especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses are in dire need of new hires, and they’re willing to pay money to a professional who can help find them.

Commercial Cleaning

From now until 2025, the commercial cleaning industry is expected to grow 5.4% each year. The average deal size from commercial cleaning contracts is $23,801, and that number is climbing annually. The global commercial cleaning market was valued at $55 billion in 2020. By 2030, it’s expected to grow to $111 billion.

Plumbing & Air Conditioning

In just five short years--from 2021 to 2026--the HVAC and plumbing sector is expected to grow from $197 billion to $271.5 billion. Plumbing, heating, and cooling services are necessary for homeowners, apartments, businesses, and more, so if you’re looking for a business that practically guarantees a full workload, this industry is a solid choice.

Marketing

In 2022, almost 25% of companies in the U.S. are business-to-business, and the marketing sector makes up a significant portion of them.

In 2020, businesses in the U.S. spent an incredible $22.14 billion on advertising. The next year, it grew by a staggering 16.5% to almost $26 billion. With businesses on schedule to spend more than $30 billion on marketing in the U.S. by 2023, now may be the time to consider launching your own agency.

IT Support

Did you know that 86% of B2B companies use their websites for communicating with leads and customers? That means there is a demand for IT experts across almost every industry. The global budget for IT support businesses will hit almost $4 trillion this year. IT is a broad industry with 33% of the global budget going to hardware, 29% to software, 22% to cloud-based services, and 15% to managed services.

Temporary Staffing

Temporary staffing represents a $177 billion industry, and it’s one of the largest and fastest-growing sectors in B2B services. The median year-over-year increase in revenues for this industry is between 18% and 22% In 2019, the market size was 151.8 billion; as you can see, the momentum behind this business service industry shows no signs of slowing anytime soon.

B2B Telecommunication

The B2B telecommunication industry continues to grow year after year with a compound annual growth rate of 14.8%. In 2020, this market was valued at a whopping $46.36 billion. Experts expect that number to reach an astounding $181.35 billion by 2030.

B2B Market Research and Analysis

The average reported global revenue of market research and analysis in 2021 was $76.4 billion, which has more than doubled since 2008. North America generates most of the market share for research revenue, with 54% of that total. Market research and analysis is a service that every prosperous company needs, and we suspect that’s why the outlook for B2B market research companies is more than promising.

Career Coaching

The need for professional career coaching is greater than ever with more than 99% of HR leaders considering career coaching as having a positive impact on businesses, employees, and even customers. There has been an increasing demand for career coaches since the Great Resignation, as many workers have reshaped their careers or reduced their working hours. This industry has enjoyed an average yearly growth rate of 6.7%.

Junk Removal & Moving

The average person in America moves 11.7 times during their lifetime with 15.3 million households moving every year. With that said, it’s easy to see why this business is in demand. In 2021, the moving services industry had a market size of $18.5 billion with household goods accounting for about 75% of all moved items.

Explore the B2B Industry Today

Starting your own business while supporting local entrepreneurs in your community is an exciting opportunity! Likely, you’re eager to launch your new B2B startup, but remember to take time to investigate what business owners in your region need most.

The above list is only the beginning. Painting, graphic design, and even vending machine services are more opportunities to explore. And, while you’ll always have the “opportunity” to start a small B2B business, sometimes, it makes more sense to invest in an opportunity that already exists and doesn’t require you to do all the heavy lifting alone. We’re referring to “Franchise Opportunities.” If you’re ready to explore your options, we’ve handpicked B2B franchises, below. And, remember to download the free Small Business Startup app to keep all these options at your fingertips—available for both Apple and Android.