Profit from Niche MarketsSmaller markets don't have to mean small bottom lines. With niches, the sky's the limit.

There's big money to be made in niche markets. If you look in every corner, every possible angle of the market, you can find an untapped niche and start a business to serve its distinct customers. David Mandell found his niche with The Pink Spirits Company, which sells caffeinated vodka. After observing fellow bar-goers at the Skybar in Los Angeles enjoying Red Bull and vodka cocktails, the New York City entrepreneur and former attorney got the idea to directly infuse high-end vodka with caffeine and guarana. The result: alcohol that doesn't make you tired. "We realized we had something with tremendous potential," says Mandell, 34.

Still, having the epiphany wasn't enough--Mandell had to uncover potential competitors. He studied distribution and marketing in the spirits industry and formulated a plan of attack to get his Pink brand of vodka onto bar and retail shelves.