Mno

People do not have much choice in America. Playing safe means food and gas industry, everybody needs it, always. Hence it is the easiest. You might not become rich but the possibility of earning your investment is pretty high, also can be started with less capital. Other than that, you name a NEW idea, and I'll show you it already exists. Everything has been done, unless you want re-invent the wheel. But yes, there are success story of small ideas and start-up businesses. You hear it in the news, just like your links. Remember, news media focus on successful stories, positive and cheery ones. The stats on small business is very different in reality. It is said that more than 20% of small business fail within first year in the US, and more than 80% will not survive 5 years in a row. I'm not sure how accurate it is but I did read it in some business journal.

You cannot compete with big business in terms of price, budget, investment and newer IDEAS. People have become addicted to big chain and franchise for a long time. Even when you provide a better quality than the chain, people will still go to the chain for consistency, dependability and the brand name. Yes, there are exceptional stories. Joe's pizza is 10 times better than Pizza Hut a few blocks away, but yet Pizza Hut will make more money than Joe, and he is about to close his store. Why do you think it happens?

Now, we know in some other countries, if there is a vacancy of any new concept that already exists in the West, it will work. It's more like copying if I'd say. They're not inventing anything new, only making the best of the opportunity in their country. But hey, money is money. Concept of chain coffee shops, ice cream, book stores, online transaction system, online store, segway, custom bike shops, video game company, etc etc etc will all work in other countries if there is need for it. Those things are all done in the West. Unless you can start something like Google or Facebook, everything has been done for you. Google it, you'll find one.

My 2 cents.