The rental industry has taken off in some countries especially where there is one of two scenarios. The first area would be in a setting where you have a very transient group of people (university town, military base, etc) and they would be looking to rent items for a short period of time. The second option would be to offer items that are not used on a regular basis but would be needed one time in 2 years. Whether you are renting tools, machinery, or camping gear, the rental business could be an option. This business requires a lot of a capital upfront, but depending on the life of the product, you could get a good return over time. For those of you looking for a smaller business, consider renting less expensive items for events (tables, chairs etc).