EXCLUSIVELY PRE-MARKET DISCOUNT: Want to attract young buyers for your business? Consider beginning a Hipster-focused business. You will need some on-trend concepts and be able to sell those unique products or services. So, these are some business ideas you might want to consider if targeting hipsters.
Hipster Business Ideas — Our Approach [Output #8]
Our hipster business opportunity evaluation process involved using the following methodology.
Exclusively Niche Market (9/10)
Now, hipster-focused businesses are the rule, and there’s potential for them to succeed in the subcategory. We considered innovative products or experiences such as handmade crafts, used clothing shops, and niche cafes.
Authenticity and Experience Focus (8/10)
Attracts the hipster crowd with authenticity. Business ideas that center around real experiences, quality artistry, or a basic story (like Indie bookstores or Record shops — Showcasing local art).
I would rate this an 8/10 on sustainability and eco-friendliness.
Environmentally friendly business ideas thanks to the hipster community: This brings new thinking, such as zero-waste stores, sustainable fashion, or organic eateries.
Community Engagement and Heritage Connection (Score: 7/10)
Weirdo businesses provide so much more than just goods and services. In doing so, we intended to highlight ideas that could promote the cultivation of a community and cultural mutual feeling (local stages for live performances; local workshops or working spaces providing shared resources for artists).
Innovativeness & Artisanal Quality (7/10)
Creativity was a significant driver, particularly for artisanal quality and handmade products. We also looked for handcrafted goods, bespoke items, or new takes on traditional products.
Adept at creating digital presence and in the use of social media (7/10)
To cater to the hipstery market, a robust digital presence is critical. We then began going through business ideas that would best harness the power of social media and online marketing, like (online vintage stores or niche lifestyle blogs).
Rating: 7/10 Scalability and Lifestyle Alignment
Finally, we considered the scalability of the business ideas and to what extent they were consistent with a lifestyle-oriented method. This also includes questioning whether the business can expand while keeping its distinctiveness and whether it works with the lifestyles of target customers.
Hipster Business Ideas
Start a Coffee Shop
Coffee can serve a wide variety of consumers. If you want to start a hipster coffee shop, you could provide specialty flavors or blends that appeal to younger consumers, such as cold brew and drip. You could also do something with interior artwork—maybe a few unique pieces or allow local artists to have an open mic night or live bands. So, how about coffee shops that inspire from all around the globe?
Establish a Used Book Store
Amazon alone has driven a host of brick-and-mortar booksellers out of business. But, remember, some folks – particularly the hipster set — still enjoy shopping for books in real life. You can always use the approach of starting smaller to minimize the effort you must put into it. Let’s say you are learning new skills;- Start with a book on basic grammar or vocabulary for communication purposes instead of going to the advanced level. A used bookstore could be launched without spending much time and money, ask yourself how did Amazon started? Even today, business owners make such mistakes as they think spending more will mean earning sooner. Still, one should not waste anything- even their valuable time(logging many hours doing useless things). Being efficient is all-important, so due diligence is essential from the beginning!
Launch a Vintage Record Store
Opting for old-school record stores like Stormy Records has seen a bit of a swell-back, too recently helped on by younger consumers. If you love music and can build that collection of rare records to sell, opening a vintage record store would be well within reach.
Discovered a Traditional Paper Store
Securing a spot on the block selling handmade or designed goods to people directly? Hip consumers are embracing old-fashioned paper goods like cards or letterpress prints. This means you could start your shop to sell these items and showcase the talents of some incredible designers and artisans.
Create an Artisan Donut Shop
Everyone loves a good donut. Word of warning, though: If you are trying to attract the trendy hipster crowds, then those dessert choices likely will not cut it. Donuts are still famous. Even better, you could differentiate your shop by selling a few artisan flavors of donuts. Fortunately, there are many fab indie donut shops to steal ideas from.
Open a Tattoo Business
Tattoos are also somewhat prevalent in the hipster crowd. You will need some licenses and permits to start with. The good news is that if you can relax the ambiance and provide excellent services, you will have enough young customers to make your business work!
Operate a Second-Hand Shop
If you get a thrill out of scoring one-of-a-kind, quality vintage, and second-hand finds — working in the world of consignment might be your next calling. You can draw in a young, hip crowd running your shop by taking great care of it and filling it with unique items. Every item has a tale, and your store expired in history automates nostalgia with knowledge of generations past while simultaneously serving today. Finally, it can be everything if you find the right attitude for your second-hand shop that appeals to a hipster vibe while being relatable and individual.
Roll Out a Food Truck
A full-service restaurant is so overpriced, risky, and outdated. The answer: if you want to tap into the young, hip demographic of foodies that has blossomed of late in more established cities (e.g., New York City), then a natural place to begin is with such lucky creatures who come scooting up right next your shoe-shine setup or business suit when stationed by the train! You will still need some of the licenses and inspections a restaurant requires, but this can be done at a much lower cost.
Look Into a Foodie Franchise
But while opening a real-life restaurant may not entirely be the “trendy” move like starting a food business, some trends are worth noting. Anyone starting a restaurant can find the process even more accessible when they go the franchise route. And there is a baby boomer and hipster franchise to fit every bitten-apple lore.
Start a Vintage Sign Business
Businesses catering to hipsters and millennials might also need bespoke signage for their establishments. For the industry and consumers who want older-looking signs, repurposed vintage letters, where we meticulously insert LED lights into very old prefabricated or reclaimed metal designs, bring on a new era of 2017 signage.
This is tapping into a core element of what appeals to hip: authenticity, experiences that are off the beaten path and handcrafted goods with tradition. Be it reviving vintage icons, rolling out tasty morsels on wheels, or delving into franchising opportunities and reminiscing with some nostalgic sign making — you are going to be doing everything that speaks the same language as current times but, of course, tailor-suited towards an audience that knows all about being cool.
How to Create a Memorable Brand for Your Hipster Startup
To build a successful business for the hipster crowd, one must do more than have an original idea (this is just step 1), but rather construct something with quality and beauty that customers can identify with. This is how you create a brand that will be remembered if what your business does (or will do) attracts hipsters.
Show Them the Roots: If there is one thing Hipsters love, it’s authenticity- and they are always drawn to businesses that have a genuine story. Tell us about your journey, values, and what inspired you to start this business. Make people feel that they are part of something meaningful and genuine.
Minimalistic Design Is In Clean, minimalistic design has always been characteristic of hipster style. A simple yet attractive logo, box design, and tidy store layout are always a better option to justify! Lean toward earthy, muted colors and opt for sustainable materials whenever you can.
Shareable Socials: Use platforms like Instagram to share products, your process, and the lifestyle of that product/industry (essentially a fly-on-the-wall experience). Instead, interact with your social crowd using the hipster-friendly content style of visual attractiveness.
Work with Local Artists: Welcome local musicians, artists, and creators to collaborate so your business breathes originality and community. As a brand, you can collaborate on art projects, such as limited edition merchandise or custom packaging designed by local artists.
Hipsters: This audience segment values environmentally friendly choices, so highlight your company’s sustainability efforts. DID YOU KNOW: How sustainability and social causes are positioned can make consumers love or hate your brand? Choose natural, organic, and ethically sourced alternative resources. Nourish ethical practices. Share what you are doing to reduce your environmental footprint.
Build a Sense of Community—Hipsters love to belong. Set up events, workshops, or a meet-and-greet tied to your brand personality. Create the feel that your happy customers share their experiences, which all happy people do.
Provide a personalized shopping experience: offer something more than just transactions. Talk to your customers, suggest things they might like based on their preferences, and then tell them that the choice matters.
Product Stories: Every product on offer can tell a story. This could be anything from where the material or food comes from, how an item is made by hand, or what sparked a particular design to tell a story through your products and create more connections with who you wish to sell them.
Cultivate a Sense of Discovery: Hipsters love unearthing the undiscovered. Experiment with rotating product selections, hidden menu items, or special releases to cultivate a sense of discovery at your business. Promote customers to discover something different each time they visit.
Hipster trends are mutable and fickle. Know how to change with the tides of hipness. Keep up with cultural, aesthetic, and functional changes. Be prepared to evolve your brand and offer to remain relevant, but never lose sight of what you stand for.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Authenticity is Key | Share your genuine story, values, and business inspiration to resonate with hipsters’ appreciation for authenticity. |
| Embrace Minimalistic Design | Incorporate clean, eye-catching logos, packaging, and layouts in earthy tones for a hallmark hipster aesthetic. |
| Engaging Online Presence | Utilize social media to showcase products behind the behind-the-scenes and align visually appealing content with hipster style. |
| Collaborate with Local Artists | Infuse originality and community spirit by partnering with local creators for unique art projects and packaging. |
| Highlight Sustainability | Embrace eco-friendly practices and materials to appeal to hipsters’ value for environmental responsibility. |
| Cultivate a Sense of Community | Organize events and workshops that resonate with your brand, fostering a sense of belonging and connection. |
| Personalize Customer Experience | Engage in conversations, offer recommendations, and make customers feel valued beyond transactions. |
| Tell Stories through Products | Weave narratives into your products, sharing origin, craftsmanship, and inspiration for a deeper connection. |
| Foster a Sense of Discovery | Create an atmosphere of exploration with unique selections, encouraging customers to discover new offerings. |
| Adapt and Evolve | Stay attuned to trends and tastes, adapting your brand and offerings while remaining true to core values. |
Remember, building a brand is an ongoing journey. It’s about consistently delivering on your promises, fostering connections, and growing alongside your community of loyal customers. You can create a lasting impact and thrive in this dynamic market by crafting a brand that aligns with hipster values and aspirations.
How To Build A Memorable Hipster Brand: The Road to Long-Term Greatness
But becoming an entrepreneur to target the hipster crowd — what I hear as clever sounding concept more than anything else— is far less about a gimmick or pop-pop and much, much closer with how your brand snuggles up next to theirs and pairs their look like it’s utterly inescapable. Creating a brand that will be unforgettable to customers then requires a good balance of legitimacy, design, community, and sustainability. With these steps, you can find your way in the hipster business world and create a brand that stands out and forms strong relationships.
Authenticity is about sharing your business journey and values, meaning customers see themselves in an authentic narrative. Simple yet eye-catching aesthetics fall under the hipster culture spirit of minimal design. Your brand will appeal to hipsters if you have an interactive online presence, collaborate with local artists, and conduct sustainability efforts.
At the core of it all, community and customization reign supreme. In-person events and brand experiences that leave a mark on your users help to create loyalty and a sense of belonging. We can never truly connect with good because we do not know where it comes from, and revealing the meaning behind properties used by other people in their domain encourages the human love of exploration that hipsters are passionate about. Instayards is all about adaptability — meaning that your brand can move with the times while keeping to its ethos.
Remember that if you are inspired to build a hipster brand, it is not about making (transactional) but feeling and building a lifestyle people relate with. You can satisfy your brand’s hipster crowd while enhancing their lives. With such a vibrant, multifaceted market of opportunities, you can make an unforgettable dent in hipster-inspired entrepreneurship.
Take on the challenge, get inspired, and start creating your next time-enduring hipster brand.
Related reading: 50 Business B2B Ideas for 2024
