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Rolling into success with mobile ventures on the rise! Mobile business is revolutionizing the marketplace and rain2shine ventures can help you cruise into your future.
This shouldn’t be a huge surprise unless you’ve been living under a rock. In a world where everything seems to be right at our fingertips, what consumer doesn't appreciate (or expect) a little convenience?
On the flip side, why wouldn’t YOU want to be mobile if it’s feasible for your business? With overhead costs, it’s a much more affordable option allowing you to go to your clientele at functions, events, and even homes which can result in an increase of sales. With less overhead and the ability to frequent your clientele, you are likely going to have much higher profit margins than renting a costly space and hoping your clientele visits your workplace.
Why wait for them to come to you when you can go to them?!
We’ve seen it for years with food trucks, mobile medical screenings, and more. Now, this has become a great option for hair stylists, dog groomers, tattoo artists and so many other trades. Whether you provide a service or sell products, you can do it from the road!
There are a variety of options when designing for mobile businesses. Some are strictly used commercially or for events while others have living quarters for the business owner. These can vary from a typical tiny home on wheels for a remote worker/travel nurse to a pop-up boutique owner who lives and travels in their shop.
At rain2shine ventures, we have the experience and expertise to transform your venture into a mobile reality. We design each space according to our client’s style, functionality, wants and needs. While it is fun to renovate an RV for recreational or full-time living/traveling, it’s also extremely rewarding for us to bring business dreams to fruition. Do you want to take your business on the road?
One thing to seriously consider is creating a “WOW” factor to set your mobile business up for success and apart from other mobile businesses. In today’s world, people want something unique and special. Providing an experience that can be shared with the world through photos and videos instantly elevates your value. You need to provide the perfect backdrop for those photos/videos, not only for your clientele but for the free marketing it provides when clients and customers share and tag your business on their social platforms. Word of mouth is still the best way to gain consumers and social media marketing is the easiest way to showcase your venue. This is an additional reason to consider hiring a professional who can create the perfect stage for your target audience.
From public to private events, there is no shortage of places to set up your mobile business to make that money!
Now…let’s talk about a few types of mobile businesses and what kind of income they can provide. *Disclaimer: income varies depending on your region.
[Note: If you offer a mobile service that caters to the wedding industry, you can be in very high demand. The wedding industry brings in a BILLION dollars a year and people are willing to splurge and spare no expense on their “big day.”]
HAIR STYLIST/BARBER:
As a mobile hair stylist or barber, you are literally a one-stop shop upon arrival to homes, weddings, photoshoots, etc.
Envision a space full of gorgeous lighting and modern mirrors with sleek lines and touches of decor to your liking. Or, are you more rustic? Whatever your style, we can create a space beyond your wildest dreams and one that will leave your clients in awe.
Just think about what you could offer in addition to those standard venues; a weekend music festival where people are camping and don’t have access to a blowout or a fade. That would be a huge perk to those that want to look good for the concert(s).
If you think outside of the box, there are so many events and functions where your services could be a huge success, such as school functions like homecoming and prom or a frat/sorority party. You could even host a “pre-game” for a girls/guys’ night out.
VENUES: weddings, festivals, events, photoshoots, clients’ homes, school functions, etc.
Average Annual Income: $80K
PHOTO BOOTH:
Can you picture it?
Having a form of passive income that has very few expenses and takes minimal effort and time.
Your primary expenses (after the custom-build) include the fuel to get to your destination and the printer and supplies. All you have to do is set up and leave your mobile photo booth at the destination, stand back and watch the money come in.
Mobile RV photo booths are staged for people to pose for photos in front of a camera. This can consist of a fluffy, white couch and a neon sign mounted above with a quote of your choosing or a simple bench with interchangeable backdrops. Staging can also be as simple as providing silly masks, eyewear, hats, champagne glasses for cheersing or whatever fun things you choose…your customers will love it!
Honestly, after researching the potential of mobile photo booths, this might be my next personal project.
VENUES: weddings, private parties, showers, festivals, events, etc.
Average flat rate: 5 hour rental $1,150
Average Annual Income (based on 2 bookings per weekend): $96K
MAKEUP ARTIST:
Mobile makeup is not a new concept. Makeup artists have been traveling to events for decades. However, having to haul and unpack all your tools and products at each destination is quite the headache. If you have your own makeup studio that you can (literally) bring to the party, affords you the opportunity to be flexible and even more convenient.
Imagine a light and airy space decorated with beautiful mirrors and soft lighting with plenty of storage and organization to keep all of your makeup and tools in tow. Having your own luxurious space will make your clients feel beyond pampered as you provide the makeover.
VENUES: weddings, festivals, events, photoshoots, clients’ homes, school functions, etc.
Average Annual Income: $90K
TATTOO ARTIST:
This is a new(er) concept with fewer in the mobile field…yet. So, it’s a great time to jump in the game and be one of the first to corner the market. Imagine having your very own private, rolling tattoo parlor with all of your equipment and ink…ready for your next victim. Or, do you want to travel with other tattoo artists? I’ve seen everything from a single chair in a sprinter van to a 550 square feet bus with 4 chairs and a lounge area.
Whether you’re tattooing in a client’s driveway or parked at a weekend music festival, you’re going to stay busy. I recently saw a camper tattoo parlor at a wedding so the potential to get your name out there and pull in more (returning) clientele by being mobile is a great option that eliminates the cost of rent and fees working for someone else. The opportunities for you and your clientele are truly endless when you’re free to roam.
VENUES: conventions, festivals, private parties, events, weddings, clients’ homes, etc.
Average Annual Income: $85K
BAR:
Mobile bars are definitely booming! We’ve seen them all over social media and oftentimes, they’ll even share their startup cost as well as what they earn month by month as they grow.
My favorite mobile bar, Proper Pour Events has been crushing the greater Greensboro (NC) area for years and continues to grow with more custom mobile vehicles to accommodate their growing popularity. Check them out for more inspiration!
DOG GROOMER:
Rain2shine completely rebuilt and renovated a Class C RV last year for an animal rescue group that has been featured in many publications across the country. Harvest Hosts included it in the Top 10 best RV renovations of 2023. Therefore, we know the possibilities of how cute and fun it can be to turn an RV into a mobile grooming station.
Check out our renovation of Woof Way on RV.com, the Class C turned dog rescue transport vehicle.
POP-UP BOUTIQUE:
Whether you sell clothing, jewelry, art or something else entirely, thinking about when and where to sell your merchandise is important. Having the power to decide what festivals or events to participate in that targets your ideal clientele is instrumental and limitless when considering success.
Additional Ideas For A Mobile Business:
Painting a picture of mobile businesses and the potential of your moving commercial space when styled to meet your needs/wants is the first step to visualizing your business dreams. The perk of profit margins being higher without pesky rent and overhead fees could be a selling point all on its own. While there are many types of mobile businesses (some I haven’t even dreamt of), I touch on a few additional possibilities below.
Estheticians / Aestheticians
Masseuse
Cafe / Bakery / Coffee Shop
Farmer's Market / Grocery Store
Commercial Photography / Film
Personal Training / Mobile Gym
Medical Clinics
COSTS:
Let’s talk about costs. Mobile business set ups vary greatly and can run $5K-$100K+. You can try to DIY in an effort to stay on the lower end of that spectrum. However, if this is going to be your livelihood (or even a legitimate side hustle), you want to make sure it’s done reliably and tastefully; the goal is to make a statement.
Additionally, when getting started, it’s important to ask yourself: Do I have the available time to DIY? Am I ready to hit the road tomorrow? Is my job keeping me from fulfilling my dreams? Can I envision my future? Am I ready to get started sooner rather than later??
Starting a business is going to cost some money and you’re the only one that can decide what you’re willing to put into it on the front end.
You need to invest in yourself to make your dreams come true.
BUT, it’s less overwhelming when you remember the lack of overhead costs in terms of rent, fees, etc. If you don’t have a big savings account, consider taking out a business loan. Also, don’t forget that your investment into your new business is a TAX WRITE OFF!
In the end, you decide how much of a hustler you want to be…time commitments, researching geographic gold mines for your products/services, etc. You decide your hours and availability AND how much you make.
KNOW YOUR WORTH
Only you can determine what your products or services are worth. I suggest researching others in your field, as well as in the area where you’ll be setting up to see what the competition charges. Keeping in mind that being mobile makes you worth more for the convenience. At the end of the day, don’t sell yourself short and make sure that it’s worth your time, while still knowing YOU’RE WORTH IT!
MAKE IT RAIN!!
Alice Zealy,
Owner of rain2shine ventures, RV Renovations
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