HOT NICHES WHERE YOULL MAKE THE MOST MONEY IN 2008

1) Interior Decorators and/or Designers

The home renovation boom continues this year with one twist; fewer people want to do what it takes themselves. It won't hurt the big Do-It-Yourself retailers much, but it will provide lots of business opportunities for decorators and designers who can provide the advice (and legwork) consumers are looking for.

2) Bed and Bath Products

Consumers will continue to "feather the nest" this year - and they want those feathers to be as downy and luxurious as possible. That makes fine linens, bedding, window treatments, towels and accessories a best business opportunity, both retail or as an adjunct to a design consulting business.

3) "Practical" Tourism
Think about flu shots, gay marriages and prescription drugs. What do all these have in common? They're all practical reasons Americans have travelled to Canada over the past year. The trick to cashing in on Practical Tourism, as I've dubbed it, is to recognize the need and be able to move fast to arrange the trips visitors want, before the perceived need expires.

4) Residental Cleaning Services

Cleaning services are no longer viewed as just for businesses or just something to get done when you move; more people than ever before are willing to pay someone else to take the home cleaning chores off their hands. Both general housecleaning services, such as weekly or monthly cleaning, and specialty cleaning services, such as cleaning blinds, are a best business opportunity because this is such a growing market.

5) Land Use Consultants

If you have the skills, this is another industry that's growing exponentially. While we tend to think of land use experts being called in on big projects, there's a growing trend for small businesses and individuals to seek out these services, and this trend will only increase as the boomers leave the cities and start building on their "dream' properties.

6) Virtual Assistants
It's taken a while for businesses to appreciate the concept of virtual work, but most get it now, and the demand for reliable Virtual Assistants will only grow as small businesses start to realize how many different tasks Virtual Assistants are capable of and how Virtual Assistants can be potent, part-time staff.

7) Security Products

It's the business to business side of this industry that will provide the best business opportunity this year. While sales of camera surveillance and alarm systems will increase, there will also be a great increase in the sales of fingerprint and retinal ID security systems, as businesses (and governments) seek ever-more "foolproof" security.

8) Chocolate Anything

Perhaps in reaction to last year's endless diet, or perhaps just because it tastes really, really good and no one's ever been able to come up with a substitute that even comes close, chocolatiers are going to do a booming business this year.
Even if you're not one, you may be able to get in on this best business opportunity by adding something chocolate to your own product line.

9) Cat Products

Remember the Al Stewart album? Well this is it; The Year of the Cat. There are now more (pet) cats than dogs in North America, and you'd better believe those pet felines are pampered. Cat care products, cat beds, cat toys, mugs and calendars with cat pictures on them - cats are back. Another thought for cashing in on this best business opportunity; more and more pet owners are becoming convinced that "natural" foods are better for their pets.

10) Online Gambling

In terms of potential profit, perhaps I should have listed this best business opportunity first. But although there's a huge demand for it (any kind of gambling actually), this is a heavily regulated industry and only for those with lots of patience and deep pockets. (Investors take note: gambling casinos are incredibly popular, too.)

And one more best business opportunity: Construction Related Trades. The continued strength of the home renovation market coupled with the demand for new construction is going to make this yet another banner year for drywallers, electricians, plumbers, framers - whatever your trade, you're going to be in demand this year. so there are some great nivheideas to make the most money for your time in 2008.