Ready to start your own business? We’ve crunched the data and compiled statistics to find the most promising industries for start-ups in 2010. Industry Profiles Environmental Consulting Translation and Interpretation Services Home Health Care Mobile App Design Ferryboats Tea and Healthy Beverages Fun, Games, and Hobbies Test Preparation and Tutoring Bakeries and Baked Goods Self-Storage Leasing Selling Handmade and Vintage Goods Online Medicinal Marijuana Retailing Self-Publishing Video Games Blood, Plasma, and Sperm Banks Water Supply and Irrigation Systems Safety and Quality Testing The Best Industries for Starting a Business in 2010 This year’s burgeoning industries include interactive technology (from mobile app design to tech-savvy translation), wellness (healthy beverages), and little luxuries, such as games and baked goods. Is Your Industry Hot or Not? How bright are your business prospects? Conduct research online to find out but don’t forget to consult trade associations, industry experts, and consumers. Building a Cupcake Empire As consumers warm to splurging on little luxuries, bakeries are booming. Here’s how one law student spotted the trend and found the sweet smell of success. Ferryboat Industry Gaining Speed Sure, water transit is a growth industry, but how can an average entrepreneur finance a ferryboat and start a water transit company? The Year of the Venture Capital Bounceback? A slight resurgence in the IPO market and an upswing in M&A activity means venture capitalists have some hopes of exiting investments. How We Created This Year’s List The criteria and ranking method behind the 2010 Best Industries to Start and Grow a Business. Best Industries of 2009 Top 10 Industries of 2005 Businesses You Can Start From Home 2010 Six Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting a Business Business – Venture capital – Initial public offering – Technology – Small Business