Under-the-Radar Hot Industries For Small Business Profits

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- It's often the least sexy, lack of brand-recognition businesses that present the best growth opportunity. Or in other words, today's entrepreneur looking for a new business venture or career shift might want to pass on the Dunkin' Donuts' franchise license and learn how to administer antibiotics to sheep and pigs, or use a microscope to test an R&D-phase consumer product for toxins.

Veterinarian health care, ambulance services and laboratory-based product testing are industries ripe for profitable returns.

The barriers to entry are high, but that shouldn't deter aspiring entrepreneurs.

"These are growing industries with favorable operating conditions that present opportunities. If entrepreneurs can overcome the high barriers to entry there is significant growth and profitable opportunity to offer specialized services in these industries," says Doug Kelly, an industry analyst at IBISWorld in a recent report on the growth opportunities.

Here is a brief rundown of opportunities in these select industries.