In 2026, Five Profitable Paths for Small and Niche Businesses

Many people believe that making money can only rely on large markets, but real opportunities often lie in niche, obscure "small and quirky" businesses. They may be unassuming, but their profits are astonishing.

1. Pet Services

The pet economy is growing rapidly. In Beijing, some pet farewell centers offer farewell services, memorial albums, and hair diamond jewelry, charging thousands per session; in Shanghai, fresh pet food stores generate stable income through daily repurchases. High willingness to pay and strong emotional needs enable specialized services in niche markets to command high prices and repeat business.

2. Adult Healing Spaces

Urban residents face high stress. Spaces for拼豆 (puzzle bean art), building blocks, and tailoring meet stress relief and social needs, with low costs and almost no competition. In Shanghai,拼豆 rooms generate monthly revenue of 580,000 yuan; in Beijing, weekly regular clients for building block therapy rooms exceed a hundred. Through unique experiences, these small and quirky businesses can achieve stable profitability.

3. Senior Interest Markets

The silver-haired demographic has strong purchasing power and pursues quality life. Hangzhou’s silver calligraphy clubs charge 300 yuan per month, with long-term repeat customers; Chengdu’s silver photography groups hold quarterly photo camps, generating over 30,000 yuan per session. Niche markets like these are precise, stable long-term, and highly profitable.

4. Lifestyle Nanny Services and Obscure Offerings

Professional companion doctors provide escort services for specialized hospital outpatient clinics, charging 800–2,000 yuan per session in Beijing, with over 30 orders per month; community plant caretakers handle watering, pruning, and fertilizing for dozens of plants, providing stable income. Low cost, professional, and steady returns, yet often overlooked by popular sectors.

5. Hobby Derivative Products

Personalized items like planners, creative stationery, and collectibles are highly customized, with consumables that can be repurchased repeatedly. In Shanghai, a planner studio sells dozens of custom planners monthly, each costing thousands; in Beijing, imported tape and stickers have high repurchase rates. Hobby + personalization + niche make profits substantial and sustainable.

The rule of small and quirky businesses is: Niche audience + Overlooked needs + Unique approach + Professionalization + Rebuy potential. The more obscure and segmented, the easier to achieve high profits, low competition, and long-term income.