9 Businesses That Are Guaranteed to Work in 2026

The best way to make a lot of money

or become a millionaire is to open a business

and have an entrepreneurial spirit.

You can make a ton of money getting a good job

and climbing the corporate ladder if you prefer a very long road.

Let’s talk numbers here: 88% of millionaires are entrepreneurs.

According to the Ramsey Solutions survey,

‘79% of millionaires did not receive any inheritance at all

from their parents or other family members,’

which means they are self-made.

The top five careers for millionaires include

engineer, accountant, teacher, manager, and attorney.

I am not the “Matrix” type of person who believes others

should abandon their work and dive 100% into business.

Start the business first and make it profitable.

When it is profitable enough to replace your monthly salary,

leave your job and scale the business.

Most businesses fail in the first year.

Here are 9 businesses that are guaranteed to work:

1. Open a Barber Shop in Front of a Car Wash Center

People always want to look good regardless of their age.

Car wash centers attract a steady flow of customers

who are already waiting 20–40 minutes for their cars to be cleaned.

A barber shop nearby turns waiting time into productive time.

Remember that most people who are getting their car washed

are either going to an event, work, a meeting, or a date.

Many people would rather get a haircut than sit idle.

This setup benefits from impulse decisions, repeat visits,

and convenience-driven behavior.

Make sure you hire a very good barber,

and you will have a successful business.

2. Open a Laundry Service in Front of a Corporate Office

From my experience dealing with many successful people,

I realized that successful people value their time the most.

They will never waste it doing something that they can outsource.

Corporate offices are filled with busy professionals

who value convenience more than price.

Placing a laundry service nearby allows employees

to drop off clothes before work and pick them up after.

Weekly routines, office dress codes,

and time scarcity make this a high-retention business.

With hybrid work still evolving in 2026, convenience-based services

around offices remain highly profitable.

You make their lives easier with your shop.

It is an excellent business model.

If you can find an empty spot near a big corporate office,

you’ve won the lottery.

Don’t hesitate to open that business.

3. Open a Car Wash Center in Front of a Shopping Mall

Shopping malls naturally generate long dwell times.

While people shop, eat, or watch movies, their cars sit idle.

Additionally, people who visit malls are already in spending mode.

They don’t mind throwing some cash to get their car cleaned.

A car wash directly outside a mall turns parked vehicles into revenue.

Customers experience zero inconvenience,

and malls benefit from enhanced services.

This type of strategic placement thrives on foot traffic, volume,

and habit-forming behavior.

4. Open a Toy Shop in Front of a Children’s Hospital

Be ethical here; you are not exploiting children’s weakness

or parents’ emotions—this is unacceptable.

You are serving a purpose.

Children’s hospitals are emotional spaces for both kids and parents.

A toy shop nearby serves multiple needs: rewards for bravery,

comfort during difficult moments, and gifts from visiting relatives.

Ethical positioning, thoughtful product selection,

and sensitivity can make this both a profitable and meaningful business.

Don’t focus on the business part; focus on the mission

and purpose you are serving.

5. Open an Egg Shop in Front of a Gym

Eggs are one of the most affordable

and popular protein sources for gym-goers.

I am a gym enthusiast, and I would thank the person

who opens an egg shop in front of my gym.

I am speaking from experience.

Fitness enthusiasts are constantly looking for clean,

reliable protein options.

An egg-focused shop

(raw eggs, boiled eggs, egg whites, or protein bundles)

placed near a gym taps directly into daily routines.

Additionally, you can open an energy cafe next to the gym

offering power juices.

This business idea is ideal and works well.

In 2026, micro-nutrition businesses targeting specific lifestyles

will continue to grow.

6. Open a Mini Golf Center in Front of a Car Wash

Car washes already have waiting customers—especially families.

A mini golf center nearby turns waiting time into entertainment.

Not everyone who has a car is rich,

but most car owners have money and love a lavish life.

Parents can keep children engaged, couples can have quick fun,

and groups can kill time productively.

Experience-based businesses paired with waiting-based services

create natural demand without heavy advertising.

The best scenario is if you also own the car wash.

If you don’t have enough cash to open both,

partner with a friend who is into entrepreneurship.

7. Open a Toy Store in Front of an Amusement Park

Amusement parks prime people emotionally—kids are excited,

parents are relaxed, and spending resistance is low.

A business in the entertainment niche rarely fails.

A toy store near the entrance or exit benefits from impulse buying,

souvenir shopping, and emotional momentum.

Parents often say “yes” after a fun day.

In 2026, emotion-driven retail will outperform logic-driven retail.

Open the store in holiday seasons or near a tourist attraction.

Just know that the business is seasonal,

so don’t expect good sales every month.

8. Open a Pharmacy in Front of a Hotel

Hotels host travelers who frequently need

medication, toiletries, vitamins, or emergency health items.

Tourists, business travelers, and families prefer nearby solutions

over unfamiliar locations.

Health is wealth to tourists, business travelers, and families.

A pharmacy near a hotel benefits from urgency-based purchases, trust,

and 24/7 demand.

Convenience and proximity make this

a recession-resistant business model.

You are solving a crucial problem,

and people will spend without hesitation.

9. Open a Donut Store in Front of a Police Department

Police officers work long shifts

and rely heavily on quick comfort food—especially early mornings

and late nights.

We have all seen the movies where it is always a policeman standing

by his car, eating a donut.

A donut store nearby becomes a daily habit, not a luxury.

Beyond the stereotype, this setup benefits from consistent

demand, strong community presence, and repeat customers.

Small food businesses anchored

to routine-driven professions thrive long-term.

I hope your business thrives in 2026 and you make it.

Sending you good luck.

Feel free to tell us which business resonates with you the most.