Business owner or Real Estate investor, which should I choose?

[Seth Wyatt]

I'm looking to start up a business/invest in real estate.  I have saved a pretty good sum of money, but I am still searching for ideas.  I live in a smaller town of 14k people surrounded by a few thriving steel mills.  Any ideas of what I should look into bringing into my town?  From restaurants, to bars, to consignment shops, any input will help.  Or should I pivot to real estate, and just purchase a couple of rent houses and go from there?  I have thought about the real estate part, but worried about having to renovated myself as well as paying someone to do it for me.  Thanks for any input!  I work a swing shift, 4 on 4 off, so I have a good deal of free time.  Thanks for any input in advance!