5 min read
Now is the time to reduce marketing costs, save over 25% of your money to focus on solving the new decade problems like COVID 19 , by selling quality and relevant products which are so much needed by billions of people in Africa and globally.
Currently, there are thousands in quarantine and millions at home to prevent themselves from the Coronavirus Disease, and we do not know yet how many more contagious pandemics to expect.
Nevertheless, we know which products are in demand now and in the future to solve such a problem, in a timely and innovative manner. Are you thinking of how to start a business? As a side gig or the main gig… Here are some ideas of what we can do now and in the future:
Vegetables and Cereals
Malnutrition remains a big global health problem. Africa, for example, has high stunting rates (35%) and is currently experiencing a rise in low-immunity communicable and diet-related non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, cancers, blood pressure, kidney and liver complications that are attributed to the consumption of foods low in Fibre or Vitamins, and high in fats and sugars. There is high demand for continuous supply of vegetables and cereals. Producers are required to meet the health and safety guidelines, standardized for fresh food consumption.
Fruits
There are over 500 varieties of fruits and herbs to choose from. Fruits are sources of many essential nutrients that are under consumed, including potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folate (folic acid). These nutrients are necessary to maintain healthy blood pressure and boost immunity so that antibodies can fight pathogens, bacteria and viruses. People who consume more fruits and herbs are less susceptible to communicable diseases like the Coronavirus.
You can sell fresh fruits or add value to them, selling as bitings, juices, smoothies and salads!
Herbs and Spices
Tea is a good example of a herb. While there are over 100 varieties of herbs and spices including Coriander, Mint, Basil, Moringa, and more… You can produce and sell herbs for savory or aromatic properties, used for flavoring and garnishing food, medicinal purposes, or for fragrances. While you can produce spices from leaves of the herbs or from other parts of the plant, including seeds, bark, roots and fruits. They contain vitamins A, C, K nutrients which lower blood pressure and boost immunity. They also have antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-virus and antibiotics effects.
You can sell fresh leaves, dried or grounded herbs.
Soap and Detergents
The top preventive measure for communicable diseases like Coronavirus is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and enough water. At the same time, one is advised to maintain a social distance while ensuring that they make a change of clothes when they come into contact with an infected person.
Basic chemistry describes soap as a substance used for cleaning that is made when animal fats or vegetable oils are treated with an alkaline solution. And detergents are made from synthetic or man-made materials and can perform better than soap under acidic conditions.
They are in high demand. While you produce for sale, please consider the health, composition and safety guidelines for production.
Sanitizers
While we clean ourselves and our private homes or workplaces, authorities have a major task of disinfecting public facilities. We all need liquid, gels and foam sanitizers in large quantities to sustain cleanliness everywhere.
Sanitizer is a liquid, gel or foam generally used to decrease infectious agents on the hands. The most effective sanitizer should contain 60-95% alcohol, as they work best against a variety of microorganisms but not spores. But be careful because they are flammable. The World Health Organization’s lists Sanitizers as one of the Essential Medicines, the safest and most effective medicines needed in a health system. Please follow the guidelines while producing and selling this essential item.
Recycled bottles and containers
To package the soaps, detergents and sanitizers, you would need a green industry business that designs, produces and sells reusable plastic bottles. Explore using alternative materials such as metal or glass, bottles made from recycled plastic, or renewable plastics from materials like corn starch or sawdust. Some waste managers may not accept all types of recyclable containers, or thoroughly sort the collected recycling. Open an eco-friendly local recycling business to guarantee your community that their goods are recycled.
Board Games, Cards & Puzzles
According to OkDork, ‘Trekking The World’ did almost $100k in revenue in a week. There are benefits associated with games and puzzles. The consumer will have fun, improve mental health, increase time with family or friends, normalize blood pressure, boost the immune system, increase collaboration and improve critical thinking skills. Create as many as you can! Please ensure that you meet the safety guidelines on gaming.
Wines, Beers and Liquor
Good quality of all of these are in demand. However, it is advisable to focus your value on the added unique advantage. For example: producing wine from African fruits which is beneficial for digestive systems. Please advise the consumer to drink the beers and liquor in minimal quantities, only for the purposes of supporting the digestive system.
Snacks
Such would replace food when the supply is minimal. Assorted snacks include candy, confectionery, chocolate, potato chips, biscuits, corn, cookies, muffins, pizza, crackers, sandwich, pastries, tortilla, pancakes, baby food, and any light food with whole grain like breakfast cereal. Ensure that you meet the nutrition, health and safety guidelines for production and sale.
AI Sensors & UV Light
The Pandemic of COVID-19, for example, will impact how we take care of our homes, schools, worship centers, offices, hospitals, public facilities. Many dwellers will appreciate a tool which screens, senses, tracks and shares data on a person’s health and air quality analytics. Through artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT), we can solve this using a portable tool connected to mobile phones and other devices, organized and served by third-party rating databases. In addition, a UV lighting equipment which scans the presence of viruses and germs on a surface or person’s skin.
Health Care Beds & Trolleys
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.
Governments are preparing Isolation Centers and Quarantine Stations around the country. They will need to add and install new Centers with beds, trolleys, side cabinets and seats. As a furniture dealer, please ensure that they meet safety, mobility, and comfort guidelines.
Bedding, Bedding & more Bedding
As more beds are in demand, so are the bedding sets. They include: mattresses, flat or fitted mattress covers, mackintosh, flat top sheets, blankets, quilts, duvets, pillows, pillowcases, or pillow shams.
Beddings need to be fabricated for multiple use in hospitals, quarantine centers, training centers, prisons, and at homes.
A short-term idea would be to re-sell or donate extra bedding which you do not use.
Please ensure that your products meet the safety, comfort and clean quality guidelines.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
According to the CDC, there is a decrease in exports from select countries (e.g., China, India, Taiwan) and increases in demand due to the current outbreak. Manufacturers of select types of PPE are reporting increased volume of orders and challenges in meeting order demands. Plans to surge manufacturing globally are underway.
PPE include gowns, coveralls, respirators eg. N95 FFR, eye protection, gloves, facemasks, helmets, goggles, or other equipment to protect the wearer’s body from injury or infection. The hazards addressed by protective equipment include physical, electrical, heat, chemicals, biohazards, and airborne particulate matter. As a PPE and healthcare dealer, please ensure that you meet safety, mobility and comfort guidelines.
Ventilator Valves & Machines
Patients at home or in hospitals, who suffer severe respiratory problems would require a support system to move breathable air and oxygen in and out of the lungs. The breathing tube is the Valve which is attached to the ventilator and medical staff can adjust the rate. Modern ventilators are computerized machines, but patients can also be ventilated with a simple, hand-operated bag valve mask. The good news is that 3D printing technology is already a proven means for producing ventilator Valves using the snorkeling mask design. Isinnova is the first brilliant team from Italy and there is another brilliant team of biomedical engineering students from Kenyatta University who are succeeding in providing this innovative solution to the ICU units.
Gas Cylinders
To conserve energy from a lot of electrical power needed to operate Valves and switches, mechanical ventilators require gas pressure. Gas pressure drives inspiratory flow and supplies mechanical power to operate valves and switches (eg. “fluidic” valves). Manufacturers can produce and refill gas cylinders with oxygen.
Please ensure that they provide stable gas flow, are free from contamination, are economical, capable of high flow, portable and capable of continuous operation in the face of power failure.
Quote: “If anyone can think of how one cylinder can serve more than one ventilator (without cross contamination) that guy will be Kenya’s life saving hero.” a Kenyan Member of Parliament from Nairobi.
Laboratory Equipment
For example: thermometers and other testing or research kits. According to Cleveland Clinic, checking your body’s temperature with a thermometer is an easy way to see if a fever is present. A fever, which is a rise in the body’s temperature, is usually caused by an infection. Though fevers can be uncomfortable, they are a sign that the body is fighting off infection.
There are 3 main types of thermometers in demand now: digital (oral, axillary, rectal), tympanic, and temporal artery. Please note that smartphone and plastic strip thermometers are not clinically recommended.
‘Upcycled’ infrastructure
The economy will suffer depression in the coming months. It is an important time to think about how to put all the wasted material into use.
With pilings made from recycled plastic, old furniture, metal scraps, wood scraps rather than non-sustainable materials like steel and concrete, you can break down, reassemble and freshly decorate furniture, sinks, and public water points. It saves money, energy and the environment!
Natural Skincare Products
While most people are staying at home, they have more me-time, which includes resolutions for skin care. Skincare products would take from coping with dry body skin, dehydration, acne, wrinkles and pimples. Create an effective skin care routine which starts in the shower. Package and sell your products in the routine sets. Ensure your customers conveniently have those all-natural products at their fingertips, basically an online store. Please ensure that you meet all the healthy and safety guidelines while at it.
Gym Equipment
Most people are staying at home. They result in abnormal eating habits and longer time spent as couch potatoes binge watching all sorts of movie series available online or on paid TV. Rent out or produce gym equipment just to remind them the importance of working out. Which are to control body weight, reduce risks of heart diseases, blood sugar and insulin levels, and mental diseases. It also helps boost memory as one ages.
Clothing, Shoes and Accessories
It is that time of the year when fewer people see the need to purchase new attires. Nonetheless, a new season is approaching in the West and Northern hemisphere where people would be needing garments suited for the hot season. While in our motherland, the cold season would demand for extra covers like sweaters, socks, stockings and jackets. Even so, why not focus on the newborns or those who may have added an extra weight and would be needing an extra change of clothes, shoes and accessories.
Do it Yourself – DIY Kits
‘How to…’ is probably the most popular phrase on Google results. There is so much for the world to learn because everyone has a craving to learn something new at least every day! Pick your niche… children, adolescents, adults. The secret is to prepare a learning kit focusing on what you are best at, which is undoubtedly what you are most passionate of. Try teaching a language or a skill. Try anything you are good at.
Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality (VR) is a simulated experience which can be similar to or different from the real world. Technology is improving daily with the advent of 4G and 5G enabled internet speeds. You can apply VR on entertainment (games, movies, reality shows); education (for beyond the classroom experience); healthcare (medical, PPE); travel (tourism, events, business); household (through the internet of things and artificial intelligence). VR includes augmented reality, mixed reality and immersion.
Money, Crypto, Silver and Gold
While many call it a service. Investors may refer to it as a commodity sold in exchange for stakes, interests or royalties in a profitable business.
You may focus the extra wealth in form of money, bitcoin, dagcoin, gold, silver, and any other asset you have on supporting local businesses with an emphasis on sustainable, healthy, nutritious, environmentally friendly, educational, artistic or constructive products. Like agriculture or healthcare.
The return for your investment would be profits; social impact and financial gain.