Out-of-the-Box: Unconventional Small Business Innovation Examples

Out-of-the-Box: Unconventional Small Business Innovation Examples

In today’s ultra-competitive business landscape, small business innovation has become the key to sustainable growth and beating the competition. However, with so many businesses vying for the same customers, creating innovative products, services or solutions is not easy. Many small businesses struggle to come up with ideas that can differentiate them. Luckily, some companies have achieved considerable success by thinking outside the box. In this article, we explore some unconventional small business innovation examples and the lessons we can learn from them.

1. The Poo Plant Company
The Poo Plant Company, based in the UK, is an excellent example of innovation born out of sustainability and creative thinking. The company collects and processes dog feces into organic fertilizers that can be used to grow plants. By using waste materials that other companies would dispose of, the Poo Plant Company has created a niche in the market. Its products are environmentally friendly and cost-effective, making it a winner in both the sustainability and the price sectors.

2. ROAR for Good
ROAR for Good is a Philadelphia-based tech company that has created a non-lethal personal security device called Athena. The device is small enough to carry in your purse and can emit a loud noise to deter would-be attackers. It also sends alerts to emergency contacts and the police when triggered. ROAR for Good’s customer base comprises predominantly women, and the firm has created a business model of social innovation and philanthropy. With every Athena device sold, a portion of the profit is donated to non-profit organizations fighting violence against women.

3. Basecamp
Basecamp is a project management software company that has carved out a niche by offering a product that is user-friendly and focuses on simplicity. Unlike other project management software tools that tend to be complex and overwhelming, Basecamp ensures that its customers can ramp up quickly and begin working immediately, without much training. Basecamp has gained a considerable following among small businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurs, who appreciate the tool’s simplicity and ease of use.

4. Rachel’s Kitchen
Rachel’s Kitchen is a small independent cafe based in Las Vegas. The eatery has used social media to create a niche in the crowded fast-food industry. Rachel’s Kitchen’s Instagram account, with over 100,000 followers, showcases mouth-watering pictures of its menu items. The cafe’s founder, Rachel, has also used social media to share her story, the story of the business, and its values, creating a loyal following that extends beyond the cafe’s physical location. By using social media marketing to create a community around the brand, Rachel’s Kitchen has transformed its business from just another eatery to a flourishing local attraction.

5. Laughing Man Coffee Company
Laughing Man Coffee Company is a coffee business started by actor Hugh Jackman to provide farmers in developing countries with a fair price for their coffee. The enterprise has gained a significant following among coffee lovers who appreciate the company’s ethical stance. The firm has also created a unique and flavorsome blend of coffee, incorporating lesser-known varieties that are grown in specific regions that are often ignored by larger coffee brands.

In conclusion, small businesses can learn many valuable lessons about innovation from these five examples. Thinking outside the box, focusing on sustainability, creating socially responsible products, and taking advantage of new marketing channels are all ways that small businesses can innovate and thrive in an increasingly crowded market. Finally, by keeping things simple and creating a user-friendly product, as demonstrated by Basecamp, a small business can carve out a differentiated customer segment for itself.

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