The food industry is the latest targeted for “disruption.” With the rise of meal kit delivery services, venture capital firms have been in a frenzy the past three years to find a success story, and profits. However, when the economy turns south, who will be left to pay $10-12 per person per meal for gourmet food?

Matchmaking and online dating has become big business, with dating services estimated to be worth $2.5 billion in 2015 and forecast to grow 5.1% per year to $3.2 billion by 2020.

The dating industry consists of much more than just dating websites, although these get the bulk of the media attention and account for 70% of the industry’s revenues. America’s 124 million singles are using mobile apps more often, but traditional services like matchmakers and dating coaches are also doing well.

Health coaching has emerged as a $6 billion service market, with a strong growth outlook. There are an estimated 109,000 health coaches and health educators that advise and motivate clients to change bad lifestyle habits and to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes.

Personal and life coaching has become big business in America, as clients seek guidance for career transitions, starting a business, getting more organized, improving their sales or marketing skills, and a lot more.

As U.S. obesity rates climb and Americans age, more people are developing sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and other sleep disorders. Plus, stressors related to the volatile stock market, terrorism, mass shootings, health care, student debt, and protests against politicians are all resulting in more sleepless nights.

Obesity levels in American are a significant concern, as 70% of adults are overweight or obese, with no improvement in sight. Medical conditions such as diabetes, pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea are directly related to this obesity.

Although we still do not know the specific causes of autism, we do know one thing. The rate is increasing, and the market for treatment is growing.

Based on new government data, 1 in 45 children in the United States, aged 3-17, have autism. This is up from only 1 in 150 children back in 2000.

Obesity levels remain high in America, as 70% of adults are either obese or overweight, with no sign of an improvement in sight. More women are joining the size acceptance movement and are demanding fashionable clothes for “plus size” persons, and other services catering to them, including dating services, specialty beds, and medical equipment.

The $9.9 billion U.S. self-improvement or personal development industry is largely comprised of affluent Baby Boomers and female customers, especially for programs related to relationships, weight loss, exercise, spirituality, and Far Eastern topics. A substantial share of these customers is located on the two coasts of the United States.

American consumers will pay lots of money for self-improvement products and services. This is especially true at this time of the year. Each January, we set resolutions to lose weight, improve our relationships, make more money, mange stress better, become a better salesman, increase productivity, read faster, etc.