Video Summary

Businesses that Never Fail? 7 Businesses with Amazingly Low Failure Rates [Backed by Data]

RLT Finance

Main takeaways
01

Certain business models consistently show much lower failure rates than the average small business; pick models with structural advantages.

02

Laundromats have about a 95% five-year survival rate and are largely recession-resistant and semi-passive.

03

Rental property investing shows an ~85.3% success rate thanks to cash flow, mortgage paydown, appreciation, and leverage.

04

Self-storage businesses (≈92% success) avoid many tenant headaches and can operate unmanned with modern tech.

05

Vending machine routes (~90% success) and dump truck businesses benefit from low startup costs and predictable demand in key locations/sectors.

Key moments
Questions answered

Which business cited in the video has the highest five-year success rate?

Laundromats — cited as having about a 95% success/survival rate over five years (source: Laundrolux).

Why do rental properties tend to have high success rates?

They generate monthly cash flow from tenants, have mortgage paydown that builds equity, long-term appreciation potential, and can be leveraged with loans; management can be outsourced to make them passive.

What makes self-storage an attractive alternative to traditional rental properties?

Self-storage avoids tenant-related issues (trash, toilets), can be largely unmanned using phone-based booking and access tech, and reported a roughly 92% success rate.

Which low-cost, passive business does the video recommend for small startup capital?

Vending machine routes — they require relatively small initial investment, can be scaled from a single machine, and were noted to have about a 90% success rate.

Concerns about Business Failure Rates 00:00

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 20 percent of U.S. small businesses fail within the first year."

  • Many aspiring entrepreneurs worry about the high failure rates of new businesses.

  • Statistics reveal that after five years, almost 50 percent of small businesses no longer operate, and after ten years, two-thirds have failed.

  • Despite these sobering statistics, some types of businesses exhibit significantly lower failure rates, providing hope for new business ventures.

Understanding Risk and Business 00:34

"There's a well-known principle called the risk-return trade-off, which states that as the potential return rises, so does the risk."

  • In any business venture that offers serious money-making potential, risk is inherent.

  • Higher yielding investments, such as stocks and businesses, often carry substantial risks but can also yield significant returns.

  • This principle emphasizes the importance of finding the right balance between risk and potential reward when starting a business.

Importance of Choosing the Right Business 01:18

"It's crucial to pick a business that is likely to succeed."

  • Entrepreneurs invest considerable time, energy, and finances into launching their businesses, making it critical to choose a venture with a favorable success rate.

  • While some individuals may possess exceptional entrepreneurial skills to defy trends, having the odds in your favor is beneficial.

Laundromats: A Low-Failure Business Opportunity 01:46

"Laundromats enjoy a 95 percent success rate over a five-year period."

  • Laundromats are a recession-proof business that continues to thrive regardless of economic conditions, as people require basic laundry services.

  • The operations can be primarily passive, with machines doing most of the work while customers manage their laundry.

  • Although some maintenance and management tasks are necessary, these responsibilities can often be outsourced.

Rental Property Businesses: A Path to Financial Success 02:54

"Real estate investing enjoys an enviable 85.3 percent success rate."

  • Rental properties are favored for their consistent cash flow, mortgage paydown by tenants, and long-term appreciation.

  • The ability to leverage loans for purchasing properties enhances potential returns and allows for passive income through property management.

  • Real estate has been historically wealth-generating, with many millionaires accumulating wealth through property ownership.

Self Storage Facilities: A Resilient Business Model 04:10

"Self-storage facilities enjoy a remarkable 92 percent success rate."

  • For those interested in real estate but wanting to avoid tenant-related issues, self-storage facilities present a lucrative opportunity.

  • Technological advancements allow for unmanned self-storage operations, enabling customers to manage their rental units with ease and convenience.

Transportation Businesses: Opportunities in the Gig Economy 04:47

"Transportation businesses enjoy a good success rate of 76.4 percent."

  • The rise of e-commerce and gig economy platforms offers lucrative prospects for transportation businesses, which can cater to both goods and people.

  • The diversity of transportation business models, ranging from trucking companies to rideshare opportunities, results in varying levels of risk, but on average, they maintain a solid success rate.

Vending Machine Routes: A Low-Cost Startup Option 05:32

"The success rate for a vending machine business is a whopping 90 percent."

  • Vending machine routes require a relatively small initial investment and can generate passive income given the right location.

  • Starting with a single machine can pave the way for expanding into a larger vending business, potentially leading to significant monthly income.

Agriculture Businesses: Stable and Resilient 06:23

"Agriculture businesses enjoy an impressive 88 percent success rate."

  • These businesses encompass various operations, from traditional farming to related ventures.

  • The high resilience of agriculture businesses presents an appealing option for individuals with relevant interests and skills.

Dump Truck Businesses: Capitalizing on Demand 06:49

"The mining industry has the greatest survival rate among all sectors."

  • Although starting a mining company is complex, commencing a dump truck business can offer easier entry into this stable market.

  • With demand for dump trucks in mining and construction industries, launching this type of business can be less capital-intensive, as used dump trucks can be purchased affordably.