How to Make Money in the USA in the 21st Century

One of the most popular questions we've been receiving lately is – can we help purchase or create a new business in the USA?

The answer is quite ambiguous and depends on a multitude of factors: your education, work experience in business, leadership and analytical qualities. But the most important point is: are you ready to embrace new technologies and new directions in business? Why is this so important?

New technologies are rapidly changing the principles of modern business in the USA. What was in demand in the 20th century is irrelevant today. Moreover, businesses that were at the peak of popularity just 10 years ago are losing their positions and fading into obscurity.

Don't believe it? Let's consider some examples.

The Film Revolution by Netflix

20 years ago in the USA, there were two competing companies: the giant Blockbuster and the small, modest company Netflix. They were engaged in the same business – selling VHS tapes and DVDs, but Blockbuster had a huge network of stores for renting and selling tapes and DVDs, while Netflix mailed VHS tapes and DVDs. Of course, Netflix had its own audience, but it could not compare in sales volume or revenue with its competitors. It seemed that the outcome of this rivalry was obvious.

However, the decisive factor was the management behavior of both companies. While Blockbuster rested on its laurels and continued to operate in the traditional direction, constantly expanding the number of stores and sluggishly negotiating with the heads of leading Hollywood studios, the Netflix team actively tracked opportunities offered by new technologies. As a result, the advent of digital television and the internet caught Blockbuster off guard, while for Netflix, it became an opportunity to capture a new audience and grow into one of the largest media corporations in the world. Today, Netflix not only sells but also creates its own content: TV series, movies, and shows. And who remembers Blockbuster? In 2011, the remnants of the former giant (the last 5 stores and the largest warehouse of useless VHS tapes and DVDs) were absorbed by DISH Network, which was soon also absorbed by competitors.

This story is a great example of how "resting on one's laurels" can lead to the destruction of a successful, once-competitive business by simply ignoring the development of new technologies. And this is not a unique situation; there are many closer examples.

The Automotive Business: Rise, Crisis, and Recovery

Since the automobile transformed from a luxury to a necessity, auto repair shops began to open en masse in the USA. 20 years ago, they were literally around every corner. New cars worked flawlessly for an average of 3 years; after that, you either had to buy a replacement or find a reliable auto repair shop. Manufacturers did not support cars older than 3 years.

But in the early 2000s, a crisis hit, and large automotive companies began to suffer enormous losses because, due to the crisis, buyers simply could not afford to purchase a new car. Sales plummeted from 17 million new cars per year in 1999 to 3 million in 2000. To survive, automakers started working in a new direction, namely – selling and providing warranty repair for used cars, regardless of age or mileage. In other words, automotive giants began to take on the work that small shops had previously handled successfully.

This service immediately found demand among motorists, as collaboration with the manufacturer guaranteed that they would use original parts for repairs and would not create additional problems by replacing good parts with Chinese fakes.

In general, from 2007 to 2009, manufacturers ceased to certify workshops, leading to their mass closure. Moreover, cars became more reliable, so service maintenance is now required much less frequently. If anyone is still afloat, it’s thanks to loyal customers, random repairs, and possibly some unique features of their own.

Thus, in just 20 years, an entire segment of the automotive business simply disappeared, as automakers effectively took over all of this business.

The Collapse of Small Freight Companies

Another industry that suffered severe losses during the period from 2007 to 2010 is freight transportation. Of course, we are only talking about small firms with a fleet of up to five trucks.

In the USA, contracts with large clients are only held by large companies with at least 20 vehicles. Small and unprofitable orders were subcontracted by these companies to small carriers for a certain percentage. However, during the crisis, even large carriers began to take on any job, so small competitors were simply left without work. Up to 60% of small transport companies went bankrupt during this time.

But the format of work itself is changing. A profitable business is no longer freight transportation, but rather access to orders and the ability to connect clients with carriers. In other words, if you want to buy a business related to freight transportation, it's better to create a small dispatch company and use modern technologies to collect and transmit orders. A couple of computers, a good advertising campaign, and well-organized order processing and transmission work – all of this is much more profitable and promising in today's realities than purchasing, maintaining, and servicing trucks and other vehicles.

Taxi Services: Do They Have a Future?

In the 20th century, the taxi business flourished in America. Anyone willing could invest a certain amount to create their own taxi company by buying a few cars and organizing a small dispatch service. Everything was completely legal and strictly regulated by purchasing or renting taxi tokens and regular inspections of the taxi fleet. Another option was to rent limousines with drivers, which was also quite a lucrative business.

This type of business allowed for decent earnings and minimal risk of bankruptcy. Until the arrival of aggregators like Uber and Lyft. With their emergence, the conditions changed such that anyone could become a taxi driver. Drivers no longer needed to pay the city for a taxi token, buy and modify cars to meet standards, or report to taxi fleet owners. Now, it was enough to fill out a small application, show the car to a company representative, download a special app on their phone, and voilà – you’re a taxi. After that, the driver gains access to a massive customer database and chooses the most convenient orders. Even though the driver pays a commission to the service, there’s much less hassle and higher profits.

The taxi business has lost its meaning. In large cities, this has even led to declining car sales. Statistics show that maintaining a car (insurance, gas, parking, etc.) costs between $5,000 and $10,000 a year. Using Uber and similar services is less expensive, so many families are abandoning the traditional model of 2-3 cars per household.

The only car whose sales are growing every year is Tesla, but that’s another story.

Tesla – A Revolution in the Automotive World

We have established that the automotive business, as it existed until today, is slowly dying, and cars in their traditional form are losing relevance. Tesla has played a role in this.

In 2018, several states in the USA granted permits for testing Tesla's self-driving cars, and by 2020-2021, it is expected that there will be permission to introduce driverless cars on roads nationwide. In fact, the autopilot is already included in the basic configuration of every Tesla, but starting in 2021, after an update, the system will operate fully autonomously. All the company needs to do is activate the autonomous autopilots. This is essentially already working. There are plenty of videos online showing people commuting to and from work without touching the steering wheel at all. However, the driver still must be behind the wheel and take control in complicated situations. Although today, the autopilot handles most complex and critical situations far better than an average non-professional driver. This is evidenced by the phenomenal (compared to other cars) accident statistics of Tesla vehicles.

This opens up enormous possibilities. Just imagine:

• The sales of gasoline cars will decrease and eventually disappear, replaced by eco-friendly self-driving vehicles;
• Oil empires will be shaken, and gas stations will begin to close;
• The problem of finding parking will vanish: the car will simply drop you off at your destination and find a place to stop on its own;
• The car will be able to pick you and your loved ones up, drop you off, and bring you back at specified times and locations;
• While you work, your self-driving car can work as a taxi. An excellent alternative to owning a taxi fleet.

The charging issue, which worries Tesla owners, is also easily resolved. One charge lasts a Tesla for 400 km. This distance is physically impossible to cover in a city, but even if it happens, recharging the car for another 150 km can be done in just half an hour. Currently, a technology is actively being tested for roads that will charge the car while driving. Additionally, the first company in California has passed government testing and received permission to use wireless charging. This means that the car will connect to the power grid and recharge as needed (similar to how a mobile phone connects to various towers and network repeaters).

Mileage is another important issue, and it has also been addressed in Tesla's operations. Working in a normal routine (home, work, shopping, school), a car drives no more than 30,000 kilometers a year. Tests have shown that a Tesla can easily cover 1.6 million kilometers. An average person who doesn’t live on the road wouldn’t cover that distance in a lifetime. Considering that self-driving electric vehicles break down less often than gasoline cars and require less maintenance, it turns out that one Tesla can last a lifetime.

So, what is the conclusion? As soon as Tesla becomes an accessible vehicle for the public, the need for taxis, gas stations, auto repair shops, parts dealers, and other attributes of the classic automotive business will vanish.

This sounds fantastic and even a bit frightening, but it’s true. Moreover, this topic is actively discussed in various scientific communities, and Forbes magazine even published an article about it.

http://www.forbes.ru/tehnologii/368133-ozhivshiy-koshmar-kak-tesla-ubivaet-mirovoy-avtoprom

And one more point: currently, Tesla is working on a self-driving cargo vehicle, so this sector will also be radically transformed soon.

What’s Next?

Amazon has produced the largest revolution in sales in the history of commerce. Today, it has no competitors, and it's unlikely there will be any in the near future. The longtime leader of retail, Walmart, has reported losses exceeding a billion dollars for the first time. Essentially, Amazon has raised questions about Walmart's existence as a form of trade. Of course, Walmart's management was not prepared to operate under such conditions. In 2016, Walmart acquired the startup Jet and transformed it into Walmart's online division. However, Jet.com still cannot pose serious competition to Amazon in terms of product range, delivery speed, or sales volume...

This is because Amazon's management is constantly searching for new ideas, monitoring changes in technology, and actively responding to any customer needs.

For example, Amazon is currently developing a two-hour automated delivery system. In other words, you can order groceries while at work, and your package will already be at your home by the specified time. Now, after work, you won't have to stand in lines and carry heavy bags home. If desired, you can set up regular grocery deliveries, so your refrigerator will be replenished almost automatically.

To appreciate the scale of Amazon, it suffices to understand that the Amazon store "kills" thousands of Walmart stores that simply cannot withstand the competition. One Walmart can replace about fifty similar retail businesses.

Amazon is rapidly capturing the online market. Today, 52% of all online sales are attributed to Amazon, and it may seem like the end for small entrepreneurs, but if you look at it from another perspective, you can see a multitude of opportunities.

Let's take a closer look. Previously, to get products on store shelves, they had to undergo rigorous selection processes, various exhibitions, withstand competition, and create advertising campaigns for promotion. This required so much effort and money that sometimes it was easier to give up at the very beginning. Now, Amazon takes care of all this, and your only task is to provide quality and affordable products. That's it: Amazon's audience is already your potential customers.

Anyone who has experience "breaking through" to get their products into large retail chains knows what a challenge that was and how much time it consumed.

And the most interesting thing is that you can create a self-sufficient "closed system." For instance, in a department store like Walmart or Macy's, you find an interesting product, post an advertisement on Amazon, the service sells your product, and the order goes to the specified department store, which then sends the purchase to the indicated address. As a result, you don't even invest financially; the key is to establish the system.

So, is it worth buying a business in the 21st century?

Considering all of the above, the sad conclusion remains: almost all traditional businesses of the 20th and early 21st centuries have either outlived themselves or are on the verge of disappearing. Therefore, there is no point in buying them or investing in their development. But where can one go? How to find your niche?

To start, let's give another example that shows why it's important to look to the future rather than cling to the past.

In the 1950s in Kyiv, there was a blind seller of needles for old-style sewing machines. He sold them, unaware that these machines had long ceased to exist, and people were buying needles out of pity. Receiving profits, the blind man was confident that his business was in demand and thriving, but in reality, he was only living off human sympathy.

In today's world, one should not rely on the business existing solely on others' pity. As soon as a product or service becomes irrelevant, the demand for it will disappear, and the business will fail. Even if you are offered to buy something mega-successful, it's worth considering why a business that consistently generates profit is for sale. Perhaps these are the owner's last desperate attempts to stay afloat?

If you want a profitable business, learn to look ahead. If you can catch the moment when technology changes trends and manage to be in the right place at the right time, you will have a profitable business for the next decade, not counting future growth prospects.

So we have arrived at the answer: what can we advise under the current conditions?

• We recommend 21st-century businesses—forget about the fading enterprises of the last century; they will soon disappear.
• We advise working with the largest players operating on online platforms (Amazon, Shopify, and similar).
• We emphasize business that operates online—by providing services or products on online platforms, you gain limitless opportunities and a vast audience.
• Technology is the new oil. The most successful businesses are built on the latest technologies.

In 1900, there were hundreds of horse-drawn cabs and one car on Fifth Avenue in New York. By 1913, there were hundreds of cars and one horse-drawn cab on the same Fifth Avenue in New York. More than 100 years ago, in just 13 years, cars completely replaced horse-drawn carriages. Now, the pace of technological change is even faster.

Why? History and experience. Here's a simple example. In 1908, the Wright brothers took their first flight in an airplane, and 59 years later, the first manned spacecraft was sent to the moon. How fantastic such an event must have seemed to people who did not even believe that an airplane could take off? But events that seem impossible materialize much faster than one might imagine, especially in the USA. Computers, mobile phones, smartphones, the internet—all began their journey from here, and while other countries were just starting to observe these innovations, Americans were already fully utilizing them.

Japan is another country that prefers progress over stable pasts. In the 1980s, the first robotic automotive factories were opened here, and today no factory operates without production robots—such production is simply unprofitable.

In Chinese manufacturing, over 8 million robots were installed in 2018—2 million more than in 2017. We won't be mistaken. If we assume that this figure will double next time, as the cost of robots decreases with increased production, even small manufacturers can afford industrial robots now.

It must be acknowledged that robotics is not a new phenomenon; its progress has been observed for nearly half a century. However, today it has far more possibilities. Various robots are appearing in everyday life, factories use mechanisms to simplify and accelerate work, and analysts are turning to new generation computing machines. Robotics clubs exist in every school, and students study this science alongside languages and history.

Robotics is our future. The next decade belongs to it, and this is not a fantasy or a speculative assumption. This is a reality supported by facts.

What business can we offer today

There is a huge demand for robots in the world, and it makes sense to move in this direction. However, we do not offer to engage in technology development: it is too expensive, time-consuming, and resource-intensive, plus you will need a professional team, which is very difficult to assemble quickly.

Of course, we can offer help in the field of robot development. If you have a clearly defined task, a good business idea, and an understanding of the target audience's demand, we will help you find investors and navigate the bureaucratic machine. But keep in mind that this is work for the future and initially without serious financial support. Enthusiast teams without an original idea have no place here. There are too many examples of failed startups from those who created overly expensive and unnecessary robots.

Areas of robotics worth working in

We know that many robots have been created in the world, and many of them are indeed good. But they cannot be bought in stores. Why? Because, despite high demand and interest from consumers, developers can only provide the robot itself, but not the accompanying service. In other words, there are currently no established distribution networks in this area.

Developers and manufacturers create excellent machines, but buyers do not want to risk purchasing an expensive robot without the possibility of servicing it, as such equipment cannot be repaired at the nearest service center. Consequently, an incredibly wide field opens up before us: robot distribution.

Robot distribution companies represent a field that currently has virtually no competition. With the right assessment of one's strengths and capabilities, it is possible to establish sales, rental, and service for both one type of robot and a dozen. The key is to analyze the market and understand the needs of customers. For now, becoming a robot distributor can be done without significant costs and problems, but in just five years, this space will become crowded. So it is worth taking advantage of the opportunity while you still can.

Do you think we are exaggerating? Then remember how in the 40s and 50s people were amazed and laughed at the distributors of German cars like "Mercedes," "Audi," and "Porsche," and try to enter that business now. Believe me, it won't work.

And what about Japanese cars, which initially caused only skepticism and distrust? Today, those who were not afraid of mockery in the 70s and 80s and started working with Toyota, Nissan, Lexus, and Acura can laugh at their critics because today these brands are among the most sought after.

Tesla works directly with customers. They do not need intermediaries. But now many different brands of cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles are entering the market. This is your chance. Especially since only now can you receive colossal support from manufacturers to develop the American market.

Think about how many opportunities we miss by following public opinion? Maybe it’s time to be more far-sighted?

Robotized restaurants: spectacle as the main dish

The love of people for entertainment is indestructible, and this is exactly what a small restaurant that opened in San Francisco in 2018 played on. There is no exquisite cuisine here, and prices are higher than competitors, plus there are constant lines. But here, your burger is assembled by a real robot.

People come to this restaurant to see something unusual, a scientific achievement: a robot that sells you food. Meanwhile, cooking remains the domain of humans: human chefs fry patties, cut vegetables, bake buns, and mix sauces. But the final touch is still the robot's, for which people are willing to stand in line for half an hour and pay even more than at McDonald's for a fairly ordinary burger (by the way, it is worse than at McDonald's).

The fact is that this is the first and so far the only such restaurant in the world. And buying food there is an event to be told with pride and admiration. By the way, visitors do share their emotions on social media, making fantastic and absolutely free advertising for the establishment. This is a great example of how, in the modern world, a good idea can promote itself.

Fully robotized restaurants do not yet exist, where you are greeted by a robot concierge, served by a robot waiter, and the food is prepared by a robot chef. But everything is heading towards this, and initially, the demand will be fantastic. Meanwhile, one can use the idea of a robot chef to enter this business. The secret is not to blindly copy an already existing business but to modernize it and launch it in another city where such phenomena are still a novelty.

Security robots: working in any weather and at any time of day

The human factor is what most often leads to disasters, malfunctions, and various misunderstandings. Therefore, auxiliary devices have long been used in the security field: cameras, motion sensors, alarms, and others. But even they do not guarantee 100% protection, as in any situation, human intervention is still required. All these devices only record and document violations but do not counteract the violators and do not help the victims. Meanwhile, security personnel can be sleeping, hiding from the weather, or simply too far from the incident.

As a final answer to the problems listed, moving video surveillance systems with automatic charging and active alarm systems have emerged. They not only recognize violators and dangerous situations but also actively notify security and the police. These robots do not require sleep or rest, are always equally attentive, have systems for learning and analyzing situations, do not depend on weather conditions, and can operate anywhere – at an airport, in an amusement park, at a stadium, or even at a cemetery. The demand for security robots is growing so rapidly that they are simply not produced in the necessary quantities.

There is one more point: for regular equipment maintenance, the distributor must be physically present on the secured territory, meaning this is a local business. Therefore, it is necessary to consider what territory can be covered without harming clients and ensuring maximum effective operation.

Service robots

A potentially limitless business is the maintenance of equipment by robots. Any equipment, sooner or later, breaks down or malfunctions, and scheduled checks and maintenance have not been canceled.

Why are robots so important here? A simple example. In Los Angeles, there was an oil leak from a pipeline over a distance of 900 meters, resulting in losses of $35 million for the cleanup. And this is despite the fact that technicians and inspectors regularly check the equipment and immediately address malfunctions. But a human can check equipment once every 10 to 12 hours, while robots could check pipelines every 15 to 20 minutes.

Modern control systems are limited to sensors that depend on connectivity and power, which is lost during an emergency. If a system of robots with autonomous power could be established, detecting and addressing emergencies would be significantly easier and faster.

One prevented emergency could save tens of millions of dollars.

Scarecrow robots for bird control

A seemingly amusing problem, but birds are the main enemies of crops; they can destroy up to 50% of the harvest. In the USA, there is a law prohibiting the killing of birds; they can only be scared away. However, classic scarecrows no longer work, and modern scare tactics are not particularly effective. Sound and laser systems only drive away feathered pests for a short time but cannot provide maximum protection physically.

This is where scarecrow robots would come in handy, capable of covering several square miles of territory without interfering with the operation of other equipment. In California alone, there are thousands of enterprises that need such robots, not to mention other states with developed agricultural systems.

Robots for detecting hazardous gas leaks

Every year, hundreds of disasters occur due to gas leaks that were not detected in time. Natural gas is invisible and odorless, making it very dangerous, yet it is necessary for people. Careless handling or accidental malfunctions can lead to fires, explosions, and large-scale destruction. The consequences are terrifying to even think about. So robots capable of detecting leaks would be incredibly in demand, as this is not just about entertainment but about saving lives.

21st century business: the future is for robots

If you think about it, the list of businesses using robots can go on indefinitely. There is medicine, cosmetology, and service sectors – in every direction, there is room for modernization. And most importantly, many of these projects allow for obtaining an L-1A visa, a residence permit in the USA, green cards for investors, and ultimately US citizenship to legally and peacefully work in the desired field.

If you have decided to start a business in the USA and are focused on productive work in the field of robotics, if you have a great idea worth putting effort into implementing, if you are striving for the future and know how to assess prospects – welcome to our team. We will help find the best application for your talents, select a profitable business, and arrange all the necessary documents for your legal relocation to the USA. You will see for yourself that making money in the USA in the 21st century is possible if you approach the issue correctly and with reliable partners.