Starting a business during a pandemic may sound like a foolish investment of your capital, time, and effort. At a time when thousands of businesses are folding and millions of consumers are cutting back on spending, does it really make sense to start a business? With these three timely and strategic business ideas, you'll be able to build a business that can weather the current economic storm brought on by COVID-19.

Pet Supplies/Services

One of the apparent trends that occurred right after the stay-at-home mandate was a surge in pet adoptions as the abrupt degree of isolation forced people to look for pet companionship. This increase in pet ownership is pushing the demand for pet products and services to unprecedented highs. Items, such as puzzle toys for dogs or homemade gourmet treats for cats are in great demand. And what's great is that most pet owners won't think twice to pay top dollar for products that their beloved companion will enjoy.

Commercial Cleaning Services

People are flocking to grocery stores and supermarkets for household cleaning supplies to minimize risk of infection. However, an underserved niche are businesses, including restaurants, office workplaces, and other public areas. Providing commercial cleaning services to these places means you don't need a lot of clients to turn a profit. A few big clients per week can net your business a decent return.

Virtual Classes

For those who are experts at a particular field of study, such as any of the STEM fields, and aren't camera-shy, creating virtual content can be a profitable business. The pandemic has forced educational institutions of all levels to resume classes online rather than in-person to minimize risk of infection. While most schools do offer their courses and classes free of charge to students enrolled in their institution, parents, teachers, and students themselves are looking for supplementary resources that can help them better understand the subject matter.

These are only a few of the many business ideas that thrive during the pandemic and can generate decent returns even post-pandemic. Personal care kits, home improvement supplies and services, and virtual escape room-type activities for remote groups are other ideas that you can explore. Whatever business you decide to open, make sure that it is aligned with your interests and expertise.