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60 Small Business Ideas for Anyone Who Wants to Run Their Own Business

Published: October 21, 2022

A good business idea may seem hard to come by, but with some planning and preparation, you can easily launch a small business to supplement your income — or become your own full-time boss.

Small business ideas symbolically showing the spirit of a small business with lightbulbs, piggy banks, and a person using a drill themselves

Maybe you already have an idea of the business you’d like to start. But while you might feel ready for a new venture and passionate about your idea, you might be looking for some direction.

Download Now: Business Startup Kit [Free Templates]

To help get you started, here's a list of small business ideas separated into a few sections:

Best Small Business Ideas

Best businesses to start with little money, home business ideas, easy businesses to start, how to start a small business at home.

The first step to becoming a successful entrepreneur is finding a business idea that works for you. In this article, you’ll find dozens of small business ideas you can start from home and scale up as your clientele grows. Let’s get started.

Free Business Startup Kit

Fill out this form to build your business plan today., what makes a good small business idea.

Not all small business ideas are made equal: Some require more effort and funding than others, while some can be launched with few resources — or resources you already have. As a potential small business owner, you’ll want to save as much money as possible on training, rent, supplies, and other necessities.

Let’s go over what makes a good business idea:

Airbnb Co-founder, Brian Chesky, said, "If we tried to think of a good idea, we wouldn’t have been able to think of a good idea. You just have to find the solution for a problem in your own life."

If you’re like Brian and you’ve already thought about a solution for a problem you encounter in your life — or you’re on the path to doing so — then starting a small business may be in your future. It may also be for you if you dream of clocking out of your nine-to-five job for the last time and becoming your own boss.

Below, we include the absolute best ideas for you to start your small business — with resources and examples to help you get started.

1. Handyman

Image Source

Are you always fixing things around the house? Often on-call when friends need small projects completed? Create a website , conduct a competitive analysis to determine what your time and expertise are worth, and turn to the friends you’ve helped before for referrals.

A handyman business is a good idea if you’ve already built a robust set of skills to help others fix up their homes. Consider specializing in what you feel well-prepared to do — for instance, if you know your way underneath a sink and water system, then you might provide sink fixing services to start, then expand your offerings once you earn more skills.

No certifications are needed to become a handyman, and there are no special education requirements. You might need, however, a license if you’re planning to undertake jobs worth more than a certain dollar amount. Some states might not require this license.

To start your handyman business, we recommend the following resources:

2. Woodworker

A woodworker small business is ideal if you already have a passion for woodworking, as well as the tools to begin fulfilling orders as they begin to come in. Since delivering a well-made product is key to keeping your customers happy, you don’t want to be “training” as you create a custom shelf or a custom storage box. It’s recommended to have at least one year of experience as a woodworking apprentice.

To start a woodworking business, there are no special education requirements, but there are a wide range of woodworking training certifications online, so we suggest starting with a certification. The Woodwork Institute , YesTomorrow , and The School of Fine Woodworking are potential places to start.

3. Online Dating Consultant

Dating consultants usually charge for their time. They help people create successful online dating profiles, source possible matches from outside the typical online channels, and offer a level of personalization that a site like Tinder can’t. Think you’ve got a knack for the match? This might be the business for you.

Online dating consultants need to have strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as heightened levels of empathy. The good news is that there are no special education or licensure requirements, though we recommend getting a certification such as IAP College’s relationship coach certification or Hart Academy’s online dating coach certificate .

To start an online dating consultant business, you’ll need a website that shares all about you and offers free dating resources your customers might benefit from. Once they download a resource, you can loop them in for a free consultation.

4. Sewing and Alteration Specialist

small business idea example: sewing and alterations

People will always need clothing hemmed and buttons mended — and you could be the person to do it. If you love sewing and have a sewing machine at home, start by offering simple services like those mentioned above and expand your repertoire to dressmaking and design as you build a customer base and demand.

You don’t need a special license or degree to begin a sewing and alterations business, but it’s essential to build your skills so you can take on more complicated projects. High-value clients will want to customize complicated items of clothing such as suits, pants, gowns, and dresses. That’s where you’ll see the highest potential for profits.

Altering these items require special skills, however. A few courses you might consider include:

You’ll also need to shop for sewing supplies of all colors to accommodate your clients.

5. Freelance Developer

From building websites for other small businesses to providing technical support for certain projects, quality web development is in high demand right now. As a web developer, you'll naturally have a technical skill set. Distill your knowledge and expertise so customers who don't have your experience are able to understand what it is you'll be helping them achieve.

To help with this, test your messaging on friends and family who don’t have a firm understanding of the work you do. If they’re able to summarize what you do, your messaging is likely effective among people outside of your industry. You can start finding your first freelance contracts by visiting different freelance websites .

Unlike a few other options in this list, a freelance developer does need some training to launch a successful business and start taking on projects, but if you’re a beginner, don’t worry. There are plenty of boot camps to get you up to speed with either full-stack or front-end web development. Some of these boot camps are even offered through accredited tech schools.

Some boot camps you might consider include:

These vary in price, so be sure to do extensive research to find one that fits you and your budget.

6. Personal Trainer

Offer in-home consultations, personalized nutrition and exercise regimens, and community boot camps to get the word out. Don’t forget to populate an Instagram feed with inspirational quotes, free exercise videos, and yummy snack ideas as well — it’s a common way for fitness gurus to build their brands in our digital world.

If you choose to go this route, it’s OK to start small at first, then scale up. For instance, MOURfit is a personal training business in Indianapolis that started in a shared gym, then grew to a private gym that offers group fitness, personal training, and nutrition services.

To start a personal training business, you’ll need a certification. If you already earned a degree in an unrelated discipline, we recommend starting with the NASM-CPT certification , which is nationally accredited and only requires a high school diploma or GED. You can also get a Bachelor’s degree in physical and exercise science — here’s one example from Emory & Henry College .

7. Freelance Graphic Designer

Set your own hours, choose your projects, and build a portfolio and business you’re proud of. From website design to blog graphics and more, many companies seek out experienced graphic designers for support on a variety of projects.

The good news? There are no special education requirements for becoming a freelance graphic designer, though we recommend seeking a credential (like SAIC’s graphic design certificate or RISD’s graphic design certificate ) or an Associate’s degree in design so you can confidently present your portfolio and complete your first few projects.

If you’re just starting out with graphic design, try these tips and tricks that are ideal for beginners. If you’re more experienced but need to build your portfolio to attract clients, these prompts will get your creativity flowing in no time. We also recommend reviewing other people’s work on portfolio websites to get a feel for what is “trendy” and receive feedback as you grow your small business.

Free Download: How to Hire and Work with Freelancers

8. Life/ Career Coach

If you have experience navigating career, personal, and social transitions successfully, put it to good use as a life or career coach. Many of us are looking for guidance in our careers — and finding someone with the time to mentor us can be tough.

Life/career coaches don’t come cheap, but they are able to offer clients the intense and hands-on training and advice they need to make serious moves in their personal and professional lives. After all, everyone needs some uplifting advice from time to time.

To start your life/career coaching business with confidence, you can look for a certification program (like the Life Coach School’s or Diane Hudson’s ), then apply your skills as you acquire new clients.

small business idea example: Career Coach Nariah Broadus

A resume writing business is economical, has few overhead costs, and has few educational requirements. We still recommend having an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree and a few resume samples on hand. If you still feel that you need to brush up on your resume writing skills, you can take a course like Coursera’s or LinkedIn Learning’s .

Once you’ve gotten resume writing down, you can expand your business to include cover letter writing, and even offer career coaching services in conjunction with these services.

10. Freelance Writer

If you have writing skills , there’s someone out there willing to pay you for them. Write blog posts, magazine articles, and website copy galore — just make sure you have a body of work built up to share with potential clients. Even if you create a few sample pieces to have on hand, they’ll help exhibit your work and attract new business.

To become a freelance writer, it’s essential to choose a specialty. For instance, you might choose to only write for publications in the healthcare industry (maybe because you were previously a healthcare worker), or focus on lifestyle publications. Whatever the case, specializing will help you find your niche market and gain confidence as a new freelancer writer.

There are no educational requirements to freelance writing, but you do need strong writing skills. It also helps to enjoy writing. While a certification may beneficial, getting practice and writing every day is more important. Try these writing prompts to start.

11. Landscaper

Mowing, tree-trimming, and seasonal decor are all neighborhood needs. If you have or can acquire the equipment, a landscaping business can be a lucrative affair. It’s also a great choice if you enjoy doing it for your own home and have a good eye for landscape design.

The good news is that you can start small. For instance, you could offer your neighbors seasonal planting services and start with a few perennial plants, or simply offer mulching services.

To grow your landscaping business, you should consider taking some formal training. The following organizations offer courses:

New York Botanical Gardens

After completing a course and getting enough experience, you can apply for a certificate from a landscaping organization. While a certificate isn’t necessary to work in the field, it can build your credentials and help you make industry connections to take your landscaping business to the next level. The Association of Professional Landscape Designers offers one potential certificate you could pursue.

Some states require licensure, especially if you’ll be using pesticides and fertilizers. Be sure to review the requirements for your state.

Learn some of the basics now with this video on landscape design from Lowe’s:

12. Videographer

Video production requires you to have invested in the equipment up front, which can be quite expensive. But that’s also what makes your services so valuable. Make sure you have a reel of your work to share or create a website with several selections of your work available for interested viewers.

There are no educational or licensure requirements for starting a video production business. As with writing and other creative arts, though, it pays to specialize. Real estate videos differ radically from wedding videos, and wedding videos differ radically from in-studio interviews and testimonials. By specializing, you target a highly specific customer who’ll benefit the most from your services, and you can also skill-up more effectively in one shooting style.

While you can find general classes on videography, you should consider taking a class in the type of videography you’d like to do. For instance, you could take The Complete Wedding Videography Course , if that’s the route you’d like to take.

Hot tip: If you’re interested in specializing in video marketing, check out The Ultimate Guide to Video Marketing and download our starter pack below.

→ Access Now: Video Marketing Starter Pack [Free Kit]

13. Photographer

Start by conducting photo shoots for your family and friends. As you build a body of work, ask for referrals and reviews. Photography businesses often grow by word of mouth, so create a Facebook page where you can tag recent clients. Photos where you tag those clients will show up in their friends’ newsfeeds, where they can view your work. You can also ask them to leave reviews on your Facebook business page.

Like with a video production small business, you’ll want to specialize. Will you do product shoots or portraits? How about wedding or fashion photo shoots? Once you specialize, you’ll be able to create a body of work that most accurately represents your strengths.

There are no educational or licensure requirements for starting a small photography business, but we recommend investing in a few photography courses, especially if you haven’t used your camera in a while. Some courses you might start with include:

From there, seek courses that help you build skills in your chosen specialty.

If you’re not sure where to start with freelance photography, take a look at Erica Clayton’s journey into the business below. Her advice? Give yourself a firm deadline to turn a profit.

14. Bed and Breakfast Owner

small business idea example: bed and breakfast

This is another business venture that will require you to research the correct licensure from your state, but it will be well worth it to see your dreams come true. Consider what guests will be traveling to your area and create special packages and themed stays that coincide with their interests in your locale.

To start a bed and breakfast business, you’ll need a physical business location and a small staff for maintenance, customer service, and upkeep. For that reason, we recommend it if you have startup funds to start your business. (Don’t have any? Here’s how to start crowdfunding to launch your new business .)

A successful bed and breakfast business will also need an SEO-optimized website with a hotel booking system. If you create your website on the WordPress platform, you can easily create a B&B website using a hotel booking plugin — so there’s no need to code the booking form from scratch.

With Airbnb and hotels stealing market share, the competition is tough in the bed and breakfast space, so we recommend providing a unique angle to the stay. As mentioned, the stays can be themed — maybe your B&B is a vintage home with all original furniture, or maybe you offer traditional fare from your homeland.

15. Clothing Boutique Owner

If you dream of building your own fashion empire, why not start with a local boutique? Build buzz with impressive clothing styles, inspiring social media accounts, and heavy community involvement. While you can open a physical store, you can easily start online — and if that proves profitable, you can open up a local shop.

There are a few ways you can start a clothing boutique. First, you can make the clothes yourself if you already have experience in fashion design or know how to sew, knit, and curate colors and patterns.

Alternatively, you can design certain aspects of the clothing — such as a graphic or a logo — then send it to be printed on-demand at a local print shop when orders come in.

Lastly, you can dropship the items from a warehouse you’ve partnered with. This method is less reliable because there’s less quality assurance for each item, especially if you never visit the warehouses yourself. Regardless of the method you choose, starting a clothing boutique is highly doable, and you don’t need to have a fashion degree (though it certainly helps).

Take some inspiration from Sleep Ova , a luxury loungewear boutique based in Los Angeles, CA.

16. Specialty Food Store Owner

small business idea example: specialty food store

Gourmet foods, cheeses, sake, wine — you name a food, there’s a specialty food store out there for it. Put your passion for exotic olive oils to good use and open a store like American Provisions where you offer the kind of expertise and selection your audience couldn’t dream of getting from their local grocer.

To start your specialty food store, you’ll want to curate and source the items from makers that you love and trust. Ask around your community to find local makers of the food you want to sell, and the makers will likely be open to a partnership, especially if they get a cut of the profits.

When it’s time to sell, you’ll want to find a physical location, but if that investment is too high, you can start by setting up stalls at food festivals and local markets. Or you can go the ecommerce route and sell the products through your website, taking care to carefully pack perishable items.

17. Food Truck Owner

Always dreamt of owning a restaurant but not quite ready to take the plunge? Test out your concepts with a food truck. It’s a great way to become familiar with food and restaurant licensing in your state, see what people like and don’t like, and build a ravenous following before ever opening or investing in a brick-and-mortar location.

Food trucks will require a larger investment, but thankfully, you can rent the truck itself — the Food Truck Group and Roaming Hunger are two potential leasers you could look at. The cost will be high, so we recommend renting one in preparation for an event such as a food festival or concert. There, you’ll get to test out the popularity of your cuisine and see if the food truck business is right for you.

Taco Nganas , a taco truck in Memphis, TN, started with one food truck and expanded to three, building a loyal customer base along the way.

18. Car-detailing Specialist

small business idea example: car detailing

The devil is in the details, and you can be too. Car-detailing services that travel to the client are convenient for busy people who can’t find the time to run through the car wash. With this business, your clients only have to pay and the service will be done for them before they know it. Just make sure you have the flexibility, transportation, and equipment to take your business on the road.

There are no educational requirements for car detailing, but you should still take a course such as Auto Finesse’s detailing training to learn core concepts and brush up on your skills.

To get your car detailing business off the ground, you’ll need an SEO-optimized website and a way for customers to book online with you. Before you take that step, however, consider listing your services on websites like Angi , Thumbtack , and even Nextdoor.com so you can get your first local clients.

Don’t have a lot of money to start your business? Check out the ideas below.

1. Translator

Speak a foreign language? Start a translation service. Consider specializing in a specific genre of translation, like medical or financial translation, as you might be able to fill a niche need in your community.

2. Garden Designer

Many people have the willingness to do the dirty work in their backyards, but few have the know-how to complete the first part of this process — designing and planning the backyard space. Draw up the designs for your clients’ outdoor spaces and let them do the actual digging.

3. Ecommerce Store Owner

Do you create, collect, or curate anything special? Consider starting an ecommerce store and turning your hobby into a full-time job. Whether you need somewhere to sell all that pottery you’ve been making, or an excuse to search for the sports memorabilia you love tracking down, an ecommerce store can make it financially viable for you to pursue your passion.

Download Now: Ecommerce Planning Templates + Kit

4. Travel Planner

The time of the travel agent might be passing, but people are still looking for those with a knack for more nontraditional travel coordination. If you always plan the perfect vacations complete with beautiful hotels, the ideal location, and a bevy of delicious restaurants lined up for every evening, consider advertising your services as a more modern approach to travel planning.

5. Home Inspector

Working as a home inspector requires certification and a great deal of expertise, but it can offer a flexible work schedule and stable income. Confirm the licensing requirements in your state before getting started with this type of small business. You’ll want to make sure you’re providing the best service to your clients by having all of your credentials in order.

6. House Cleaner

With a low barrier to entry, house cleaning can be a great way to start doing what you love — soon. Consider advertising to homes in your neighborhood and get more bang for your buck by earning a few small businesses as clients as well. They’ll usually bring in a higher paycheck for a similar amount of work.

Need some inspiration? This small business cleaning service grew virtually overnight on Instagram after their content went viral during the pandemic.

small business idea example: go clean co

7. Personal Chef

We all love to eat, but few of us have the time or energy to cook healthy, delicious meals. Advertise your services to local families and businesses alike. To save on start-up costs, consider scheduling certain groups of clients together — say, vegetarians — so you can cook larger quantities of the same dish.

small business idea example: personal chef

Chef Paul’s mouth-watering dishes are available to clients across the country. His clientele niche consists of athletes, corporate businesses, and local gyms.

8. Property Manager

Many people maintain properties they don’t live in — often based in different cities or states. As a property manager, you can help a property owner ensure their home is being well taken care of, handle small fixes as they arise, and serve as a liaison to renters.

9. Packing Services Facilitator

Moving is always a pain, and many people hire the entire packing process out. Want to have a steady stream of clients? Partner with a local moving service that will refer new clients to you.

10. Massage Therapist

Soothe aching muscles and promote peace for your clients as a massage therapist. Look into training and certification courses in your city and state and invest in a portable bed to take on client visits.

small business idea example: massage therapist

11. Crafter

Creating novelties by hand is a fun and unique way to start a small business. Whether you make jewelry, knitted comfort items, or even custom wigs , there’s probably a market for your products. Tap into your audience with creative marketing on social media and optimize your website for the search engine using keywords that describe the products you make.

12. Interior Designer

Need inspiration? Check out Sandra Cavallo’s interior design Instagram account.

small business idea example: interior designer

13. Nonprofit Owner

If you dream of devoting your life to a cause you believe in, it might be time to start a nonprofit. You’ll need to incorporate your business and file for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status — and then you’ll be required to meet ongoing standards of compliance, but the payoff is making a meaningful impact on a cause you believe in.

14. Tour Guide

Love the local history of your city or state? Consider becoming a tour guide. Sure, you’ll need to conduct plenty of research to be able to do the job well, but that’s half the fun. Set yourself apart by offering tours that speak to a specific niche of your community’s history.

Some tour guides, like the ones at Freedom Trail in Boston , offer historical walking tours of their town’s most haunted spots while others curate guided foodie tours for guests to get a true taste of the city.

Whether you’re a math whiz, piano master, or Shakespeare aficionado, there’s someone out there who needs a little help in your area of expertise and is willing to pay for it. Advertise your services through local schools, community colleges, community centers, and even social media to get the word out and build a customer base.

16. Consultant

If you have significant experience in or knowledge of a specific subject, consider becoming a consultant. Perhaps you’re an expert at hiring practices, have a knack for SEO , or have led multiple sales teams to six-figure success. Identify your expertise and market yourself as a consultant and charge the going rate.

Download Now: Free Consultant's Success Kit

17. Event Planner

You might choose to specialize in a specific type of event — like weddings or company meetings — or set yourself up as an event planner of all trades. If you’re highly organized, are detail-oriented, and have experience planning large events, it might be time others benefit from your skills.

18. Personal Assistant

Again, if you’re an organized, highly-detailed person, the life of a personal assistant might be for you. Don’t want to be tied to one office or person all day, every day? Consider becoming a virtual assistant, which allows you a more flexible work environment.

19. Consignment Shop Owner

If you have an eye for style but don’t want to invest in the inventory of a brand-new boutique, consider going consignment. It will allow you to curate a collection of clothing that matches your goals and aesthetic, without the overhead of a boutique selling entirely new garments.

20. Caterer

If that personal chef gig is too restrictive for your schedule, consider catering instead. Pick your projects, work on fewer but larger events, and hone in on your time management skills.

21. Gym Owner

Kickboxing gyms, yoga studios, CrossFit, oh my! Turn your passion for fitness into a community for others by creating your own gym — start one from the ground up, become an affiliate, or open a franchise location.

22. Boutique Agency Owner

What’s your specialty? Whether it’s marketing, social media, or PR, it might be time to start your own agency. Many other small businesses need this type of help but don’t have the resources or volume to necessitate a full-time position.

Consider building a small team and learn from other entrepreneurs who’ve successfully started their own agencies, like Duane Brown of Take Some Risk .

23. Coffee Shop Owner

Turn your caffeine addiction into something a little more lucrative. Opening a franchise or buying an existing shop are lower-risk entry points to the coffee game but they usually require a little more cash upfront. Starting a shop from scratch requires a little more planning and a lot more work — but it also maximizes your earning potential in the future.

24. Moving Company

A truck, moving equipment, manpower, and the correct permits and insurance are the building blocks of starting your own moving company . Before you buy your first fleet of trucks, however, start small with a moving van and keep your costs low.

Still sound like too much of an initial investment? Consider offering packing services only, which have a much lower financial barrier to entry.

You could even take a niche approach to the industry as Astro International has by offering international moving services.

small business idea example: moving company

25. Home Staging

If you have a flair for interior design, a staging service might serve as your creative outlet and professional calling. You can build a portfolio with little initial investment by staging homes using the owner’s existing furnishings and decor. Most stagers eventually build up an inventory of furniture as they become more established and network with area realtors.

26. Makeup Artist

Many people prefer to have a professional do their makeup because they may lack the proper products or just the skills. It may be for a special occasion, photoshoot, or video shoot, or another event. Being able to do a variety of different looks will make your business more attractive to more customers.

27. Professional Organizer

A lot of people struggle with clutter or disorganization in their homes and offices. It can be a large undertaking to create systems and habits that will create continuous organization. Grab a lot of storage bins and a label maker and get started!

Meg Golightly, founder at Gosimplified has made this small business idea into a successful career.

small business idea example: gosimplified

These home business ideas give you a few more business options that are either based at home or online.

Frontend, backend, and every type of code in between, this skill requires no in-person interaction with your clients. But one skill you’ll want to carry over from the in-person world for this type of business is active listening. It can be easy to zone out while building a product, but developing a connection with the client is just as important as developing the code for their website.

If you keep the client top of mind when you can’t be around physically, you can ensure that you’re meeting their development needs with your coding work.

2. Vending Machine Owner

Since 2015, the growth rate for vending machine businesses has increased 1.4%. Even as social distancing restrictions are still in place, this business can still be lucrative if you choose the right locations. High-traffic is key — places like hospitals, schools, and community centers are smart places to start placing your machines to generate enough revenue to cover cost and turn a profit.

small business idea example: vending machine owner

3. Social Media Manager

Do you have a knack for social media? As a social media manager, you can use your skills to manage the social media accounts for companies and even individual people. Influencer marketing has become more common and many influencers rely on marketing agencies or employees to help them run their social channels.

→ Free Download: Social Media Calendar Template [Access Now]

4. Data Entry Clerk

Many businesses seek data entry clerks to help them enter information into their computer systems and spreadsheets. If you have strong computer and typing skills, this might be the business for you.

5. Audio or Video Editor

As of March 2021, there are 1.75 million podcasts available to listeners. For this reason, brands are turning to audio and visual content to connect with consumers. The catch is that many don't have the time to invest in the production of this content, or they don't have the skills to do it. Audio and video editors are in demand when it comes to producing quality content for hungry audiences.

6. Voiceover Artist

Speaking of podcasts and videos, many content creators recognize the value and level of professionalism that great voice talent can bring to a project. There are gigs out there for podcast intros/outros, narration for explainer videos, or even voice work for audiobooks. Learn how to get started with no experience from Kat Theo below:

7. Dog Walker, Groomer, or Trainer

Licensing and insurance will be the two most important factors in opening a dog walking, grooming, or training business, but your canine colleagues will surely make up for the initial red tape. To test the waters before jumping in, consider walking dogs through companies like Rover. Ready to run your own show? Consider a franchise like Dogtopia .

8. Candy Seller

If you grew up in a close-knit, southern neighborhood, you're probably familiar with the " Candy Lady ". This home business can be started by anyone who's trustworthy in the community. Aside from selling the most popular snacks, a candy seller can provide the neighborhood with fresh fruit and produce that may be harder to find if you live in a food desert.

9. Online Class Instructor

Tutoring is often done in person and with one client at a time. Remotely teaching an online class offers more flexibility because you can teach multiple students from home. English is a common subject for online classes because of how many people want to learn it. But anything that you have a mastery over could be translated to a virtual class.

10. Small-Batch Goods Seller

Using organic, all-natural ingredients is more expensive, but worth it. There are many products you can learn how to make at home without any preservatives, chemicals, or toxins. Candles, soaps, shampoos, and moisturizers are some examples of goods you can create and tailor with custom scents. Try starting out making soap with this complete beginner’s guide to soapmaking:

Whether you’re looking to start your venture today or you simply don’t want to jump through the normal hoops of launching a small business, the below ideas are extremely easy to start — so easy, all you’ll need to do is sign up on a website or tell your friends about your services.

1. Vacation Host

Have you ever used a home-sharing service instead of a hotel? You could make a living by hosting visitors in your own home or renting out a room. Consider becoming a host with companies like Airbnb .

2. Pet Sitter

Do you have a passion for pets? Consider becoming a pet sitter. While the pet's owners are away on vacation, either host their pet at your home or make visits to their home. Join a pet sitting service like Wag to get started.

3. Daycare Owner

Childcare continues to be in high demand. While nannies and nanny shares are popular right now, a good daycare is hard to find. Fill a need in your neighborhood by opening your own. And, as always, make sure you’re complying with your city and state’s zoning, licensure, insurance, and inspection requirements.

If there’s a topic you have a heavy interest in, then there’s an audience out there with a heavy interest in it too. A blog can be used to build an online community whose engagement can be monetized. Affiliate marketing , sponsored content , and co-marketing are some ways to make money once your blog develops a following.

→ Download Now: 6 Free Blog Post Templates

5. Home-Baked Goods Seller

Warehouse-made, store-bought chocolate chip cookies will never compare to a batch made with love in someone’s home. Simple desserts can be easily baked and packaged to sell at local events or around your neighborhood. Use custom labels and watch the word spread about your goods!

Is your head buzzing with small business ideas yet? After all that brainstorming, you’ll need a practical plan to get started with your new small business.

1. Identify your small business idea.

Whether you choose an option from the list above or have another idea up your sleeve, it’s important to have the experience, training, or skills necessary to be successful. Want to run a daycare but have never even visited a successful daycare center? Spend time conducting research to learn whether this is really the right fit for your experience, interests, and target audience.

2. Start as a side business or hobby.

Can you get your business off the ground as something you do in the evenings or on the weekends (a.k.a. a side job)? This allows you to make some mistakes, test the market, and understand whether your idea has legs before you quit your nine-to-five job and lose your primary income.

3. Decide on your software.

You’ve got a lot of things on your plate when first starting up. But one step that’s critical (and often forgotten by first-time entrepreneurs) is deciding on the software that can help you be more efficient as your business grows.

Every business is different — but almost all companies can use software to help with analytics, project management, accounting, bookkeeping, email marketing, and other basic day-to-day tasks.

One of the most important software tools every small business should utilize is a free all-in-one CRM platform to keep track of important customer information in one central database. It will help align your team and make sure you stay organized as your business grows.

4. Create a business plan.

No business plan? No business. Particularly if your small business idea requires investors, you'll need to draft up a business plan to provide an overview of your market positioning, your financial projections, and your unique competitive advantages. You can download HubSpot's free business plan templates for free to get started.

Download Free Business Plan Templates

Your business plan should include the following elements:

5. Decide whether you’ll be an LLC or sole proprietorship.

Two common legal structures for small businesses are limited liability corporations (LLCs) and sole proprietorships.

An LLC is a more complex business structure than a sole proprietorship and can include individuals, corporations, and other LLCs as members. Additionally, LLCs are not subject to a separate level of tax and offer the business owner liability protection and tax advantages. LLCs are formed on a state-by-state basis.

Sole proprietorships are businesses owned and operated by one person and are not identified as a separate entity from the owner by the government. While a sole proprietorship is the simplest business structure, sole proprietors are personally liable for their business.

Besides an LLC or sole proprietorship, there are a few other options for you to consider.

Sean Flannigan, Sendle's Content Manager, says, "While many small businesses might be best served by choosing an LLC or sole proprietorship, there are a few other options."

"Partnerships are great for businesses operated by several individuals. It hews most closely to a sole proprietorship in that the individuals take on the business liability and pay taxes on a personal level."

He adds, "To completely avoid personal liability, small businesses might choose to incorporate as a corporation, S corporation, or B Corp. S corporations avoid corporate taxation whereas B Corps must meet a threshold for public benefit and accountability."

Additionally, Flannigan says, "There are tons of great reasons to become a B Corp beyond just doing good business. All that said, many small businesses that aren't aimed at super-fast growth choose to go with an LLC to keep things simple while shielding owners from too much liability."

Learn more about choosing the right structure for your business from the Small Business Administration.

6. Create a business bank account.

Once you have a legally formed business and have been issued an Employer Identification Number (EIN), open a bank account specifically for your business. Having a business bank account is essential for keeping your personal and business finances separate which can help you gain an accurate picture of your business’s cash flow and financial health.

Additionally, keeping your personal and business finances separate makes bookkeeping and tax preparation easier.

Many banks offer business checking and savings accounts. Business checking accounts typically do not have a limit on the number of transactions that can take place, and issue a debit card that can be used for making business purchases. However, these checking accounts do not accrue interest.

Business savings accounts typically earn interest over time but have a limited number of transactions that can occur each month. When you’re just starting out, look for a business bank account that does not have a minimum balance requirement so you are not penalized for having low funds as you work to build your business.

7. Determine if your business idea works well from home.

Ask yourself whether your business idea will work well from home. Some businesses simply aren’t suited to be based from home. If you want to run a dog boarding center but live in an apartment without a backyard, you might want to consider a dog walking business instead.

8. Set up an office.

If your business idea is well-suited for being run from home, it’s still important you have a designated workspace. While a home office might not be possible, consider setting aside a corner in your living room or putting a desk in your bedroom for a space that inspires you and creates the conditions for success.

Need a more professional space? If you conduct client-facing work requiring you to be on video calls, no one wants to see your rumpled sheets in the background. Check out local coworking spaces for memberships that earn you access to conference rooms, desk space, and more.

9. Get to work!

You’ve put in the hard work and I’ve got good news — it’s only going to get harder. But most entrepreneurs will agree that the payoff of being your own boss, making your own hours, and working on projects that you’re passionate about will pay dividends for the rest of your life.

Starting a Small Business: FAQ

What are the types of small businesses.

The types of small business structures are sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and corporations.

Which business type is best?

The best business type is a limited liability company (LLC). Operating as an LLC means that your personal assets are separate from your business assets. If your business goes bankrupt, your personal holdings won’t be affected. That said, it’s also one of the costlier types, requiring a fee paid to the state.

The easiest business type to start is a sole proprietorship. The main downside is that there’s no differentiation between you and your business.

How do I create a business idea?

To create a business idea, determine your skill set, work preferences, startup budget, and available resources. It’s important to strike the right balance between what you can feasibly offer and what you can feasibly afford in the short and long term.

We recommend starting with your skill set so that you can easily determine the niche in which you can effectively compete. For instance, if you have ample experience as a writer, you might consider starting a freelance writing business. But if you know you’d prefer to work with clients face-to-face, you might choose to start a ghostwriting business instead. That’s why it’s so important to take your work preferences into account, as well.

After that, take a look at your budget and determine the type of business you can start based on the resources at your disposal. For instance, you might not be able to afford a physical office or location, so a location-based business will likely not be a good fit. In that case, starting an online business is your best option.

What are some of the most successful small businesses?

Every small business has the potential to be successful and profitable, provided it’s backed by a strong product-market fit and a robust business plan . These two elements are essential. Maybe post-natal services are one of the most successful small businesses to launch, but if you live in an area with declining population or a large elderly population, then that small business idea won’t yield a high return on investment.

Think carefully about the market where you’re launching your business, and you’ll be more than likely to see lasting success.

What are the top growing small businesses?

top growing small businesses as reported by the bureau of labor statistics

The top growing industries are healthcare support, technology, personal care, food preparation, and community and social service. As such, launching a small business in any of these fields is bound to yield a high return on investment, but remember to take your target market into account.

Here are some small business ideas for each of those industries:

Healthcare Support

Personal Care

Food Preparation

Community and Social Services

Brainstorm Your Next Small Business Venture

Selecting a small business idea to work on is a personal decision. Money is important, but you’ll need more motivation than that to keep going. Bounce ideas off your friends and family until you reach the perfect idea that works for your schedule, fulfills your life’s passion, and makes financial sense. Don’t be afraid to ask for help throughout this process — and remember to have a little fun while you’re putting in the work.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in August 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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26 Great Business Ideas for Entrepreneurs

These great business ideas offer opportunities for entrepreneurs who are looking to start something new, whether you’ve run a business before or are looking to launch your first company.

If you are thinking about starting a business , you should be considering whether your idea fills a need in the way people live their lives and approach their work. If you can identify an unmet need and a target market, then you might just have a business idea with legs. But how can you come up with a good idea in the first place? This list of business ideas includes 26 great types of business to help you find success.

26 great small business ideas

This list of 26 great business ideas will help you get started on your entrepreneurial journey. Note that many of the ideas below only require you to have a credit card processing partner to get started, so you can keep upfront expenses relatively low.

Read on for some inspiration into the many types of businesses that could launch you to success.

1. Online reselling

If you’re interested in clothing and sales, you might consider starting an online reseller business . Although it takes time, dedication and an eye for fashion, you can start your business as a side hustle and turn it into a full-time resale business. You could start by using online store websites like Poshmark and Mercari to sell your unwanted clothing and items, then expand to your own resale website.

Consider shopping estate sales and flea markets for hidden finds at a low cost and then listing them for a profit online. You may be able to collect a substantial inventory of items that are in good shape for very little overhead if you’re diligent enough and search the right places.

2. Pet sitting

About 70% of U.S. families have a pet . When these families go away for extended periods, your pet-sitting small business can give them peace of mind. As a pet sitter, you’ll watch over your clients’ dogs, cats or other pets at their house. As part of the job, you’ll need to feed them, give them water, play with them, and (with dogs) walk them as needed. To help keep clients satisfied, you’ll need to regularly update them on how their pets are doing.

If you have other sources of income that require nothing more than an internet connection and a laptop, pet sitting may be an especially apt small-business idea. Almost all pet owners will be glad to let you work on your laptop while you spend time at their home with their pets, meaning that you can run two income streams simultaneously.

3. T-shirt printing

If you have a sense of fashion (or humor), you might enjoy launching a T-shirt printing business. You can also license someone else’s designs and screenprint them onto a blank tee. Either way, if you have space for a T-shirt printing setup, you can easily acquire the necessary tools to get started.

T-shirt printing can be a great e-commerce business. You can allow customers to place online orders and sell T-shirts in bulk. This way, you can sell to customers around the country and even the world.

4. Cleaning service

If you like to clean, you can easily turn that into a business. With a few staff members, a host of cleaning supplies and transportation, you can offer cleaning services to homeowners, apartment complexes and commercial properties. Most cleaning services charge $25 to $50 per hour. Cleaning services are straightforward businesses that require relatively little overhead; you simply need planning, dedication and marketing to attract customers.

If you’re looking to differentiate yourself from other cleaning services, consider adding premium options like floor waxing or exterior power-washing for an additional fee. These services could be the deciding factor between your new cleaning service and seasoned companies that maintain too large a client list to provide that level of cleaning.

5. Online teaching

The demand for online education has opened up possibilities for entrepreneurs. Since this is an online venture, you can choose any subject you know about and teach a course regardless of location. If you don’t have advanced knowledge in any particular subject, consider teaching English as a foreign language online to students overseas.

6. Online bookkeeping

As with education, technology allows many bookkeeping services to be performed online. If you are an accountant or bookkeeper who wants the freedom and autonomy of running your own business, take advantage of modern technology to start your own online bookkeeping service.

7. Consulting

If you are knowledgeable and passionate about a specific topic (like business, social media, marketing, human resources, leadership or communication), consulting can be a lucrative option. You can start a consulting business on your own, then grow your business and hire other consultants over time.

8. Medical courier service

If you have a reliable vehicle and good time management skills, consider creating your own courier service – more specifically, a medical courier service. As a driver, you would be responsible for transporting medical items like lab specimens, prescription drugs and equipment. You could start your courier business on your own or hire other drivers to work for you.

The healthcare industry is expanding , which is a good sign for medical courier service job stability. There’s a wide range of client groups your business can serve, including hospitals, nursing homes, labs and private practices.

9. App development

If you are knowledgeable and experienced in technology, you may want to consider a career in app development. Smartphones are an everyday accessory for many Americans that has increased the demand for mobile apps. Similarly, virtual reality software has become popular in recent years, so there is also a demand for VR app development.

10. Transcription service

If you have a good ear and can type quickly, a transcription service would allow you to work from home with a flexible schedule. Medical transcription services are especially needed as voice recognition technology proliferates for healthcare provider dictation.

You can accept as few or as many transcription jobs as you’d like. This flexibility can be especially beneficial if you’re not looking to start all at once or if you have a day job you would like to keep for now. To boost your business prospects and justify charging more, consider becoming a certified transcriptionist and delving into a few specialties.

Medical transcriptionists typically charge 6 to 14 cents per line of transcription, which adds up quickly. The typical turnaround time for transcription work is 24 hours, so it’s important to stay on top of the jobs you accept. However, the ability to accept only a few requests at first means you can scale up as you are ready. Best of all, there is very little startup cost and overhead. You only need a computer, the appropriate software and a secure messaging service.

While not required, a medical transcription license can increase your business’s competitive advantage while expanding your customer base to include larger companies. Some service providers prefer that their transcriptionists have training from a certified program.

11. Professional organizing

Looking for a business idea that can really spark joy? Professional organizers, like Marie Kondo, help people declutter and minimize for a living. In an age of materialism, many people are desperate to downsize and take control over their possessions. Minimalism is becoming extremely popular, but people often find it hard to part with things they’ve owned for a long time. Part of being a professional organizer is helping clients develop a system for downsizing.

If you’re a highly organized person who enjoys making spaces functional and comfortable, you might be good at coaching others to do the same. People will pay you to help them devise a method of minimizing their possessions and maintaining an organized space. To promote your business, ask if your clients will let you take before-and-after photos of the areas of their homes you’ve organized. If so, you can use those to create a portfolio that you can put on social media to attract more clients.

12. Freelance copywriting or content writing

If you’re a natural wordsmith with a bit of marketing knowledge, you can establish yourself as a freelance copywriter or content writer. Whether you write blogs, web content or press releases, plenty of companies will pay for your services. Increase your value by using SEO knowledge to help clients craft a strategy around specific keywords that their target audience is already using in their online searches.

Freelance copywriting is a great business to run because as long as you have an internet connection, you can work. It’s a business that you can operate from the comfort of your own home or even from the road if you travel. If you establish a large enough network and gain referrals from satisfied clients, you could even make freelance writing your full-time job .

13. Home care service

A background in care and hospitality can go a long way to support housebound seniors who require in-home care. It’s also a service for which demand is only going to grow. According to the Population Reference Bureau, between 2020 and 2060, the 85-and-over population is projected to triple from 6.7 million to 19 million. The global number of centenarians (those over age 100) has already reached nearly 600,000. Many will need care and assistance, often in their own homes.

Luckily, you don’t need a background in healthcare to help seniors and grow a successful business at the same time, although those skills will be in demand as well. Many seniors need help with all kinds of tasks, like errands or repairs around the house. With some experience, you could consider growing your business to help seniors transition from their homes to assisted living facilities, offering services such as packing, transporting, setting up, or storing their furniture and possessions.

Senior home care is a rapidly growing industry. As a senior care provider, you can tap into this market while offering seniors premium care and assisting them with everyday tasks.

14. Translation service

According to research from IBISWorld, the translation services industry saw a decline in 2020, as did many industries; however, IBISWorld forecasts a “major uptick” for the industry over the next five years. That projected growth isn’t surprising, as the internet has opened up entrepreneurs in other countries to English-speaking markets, and vice versa.

This trend has created an opening for multilingual speakers to offer specific services, such as document translation and the translation of website information into languages for use in other markets. If you’re fluent in multiple languages, you could be successful in carving out a niche in the translation services industry.

15. Digital marketing

The importance of the internet grows with every passing day, but it also becomes harder for businesses to cut through the online clutter and properly market themselves. Digital marketing services are always in demand. Yet, many small and midsize companies would rather outsource them than establish a costly in-house team. If you have chops in SEO, content marketing, pay-per-click advertising, web development or social media management, you could seize a business opportunity that allows you the freedom to work from home.

Digital marketing is an important part of any brand, so you’ll need to respond to developments in your clients’ marketing strategies. Social media management entails watching for comments and messages around the clock, not just scheduling posts with a set-it-and-forget-it mindset. If you enjoy strategizing and implementing marketing plans meticulously, digital marketing could be the right business for you. You may also consider becoming an affiliate marketer, which is another form of digital marketing.

16. Owning a food truck

Food trucks come in all shapes and sizes, serving up a wide range of snacks and cuisines. Take your favorite style of food on the road, and sell your culinary passions directly to hungry customers. Sure, you’ll be working, but you’ll be in a space you’re passionate about, with a chance to connect to people who have similar interests.

Starting a food truck might sound like a wild idea, but the industry is growing. The overhead and upkeep for a truck is significantly less than for a restaurant, and you have the added benefit of mobility. [Check out our recommendations for POS systems for your food truck.]

Starting a food truck business can be profitable. However, there are some startup costs to consider, such as purchasing a food truck and modifying it to meet local regulations. If you’re interested in serving up smiles with a food truck, get more information in our guide to starting a food truck business .

17. Lawn care service

If you grew up with a lawn, chances are your parents made you maintain it. For many, lawn care is bothersome, but for some it offers a sense of peace and serenity. Working outdoors with your hands to tame and beautify the natural landscape can be a rewarding experience, but since so many people find the work tedious, it can also be profitable.

Lawn care services require little more than some basic equipment, a trailer and perhaps some staff, depending on how many clients you have and how big the jobs are. You can grow a small lawn care service into a full landscaping company by offering premium services and establishing a reputation as a brand that does a thorough job with a smile. If you like working outdoors and creating elegant landscapes, this could be the business for you.

Some states require landscapers, especially those using pesticides, to have a license. Check your state’s requirements to help you determine if you need to obtain a license for your business’s services.

18. Rideshare driving

If starting your own business seems daunting or too much of a risk, you can always use your car to become a rideshare driver. The overhead and responsibility of running the company fall on the rideshare service, giving you the freedom to work as much or as little as you want. Rideshare applications such as Uber and Lyft allow people to start side hustles that pay well and require little more than a willingness to drive people to their destinations and make occasional friendly conversation.

Rideshare drivers have the independence of a small business owner without the heavy workload required to manage behind-the-scenes logistics. If any of the other business ideas seem to require too much effort or upfront capital, ridesharing might be the way to dip your toe into the world of entrepreneurship.

19. Real estate

For many people, navigating the housing market is overwhelming. As a real estate agent, you can help people find their dream home at a price that fits their budget. In many states, you only need to complete a few months of classes and pass an exam to qualify as a real estate agent. Keep in mind that even with a certification, you’ll need strong social skills, so if you’re not a people person, this might not be the route for you. [Read related article: How to Become a Real Estate Agent ]

20. Graphic design

Corporations, small businesses and sole proprietors all need eye-catching promotional materials, but not everybody has an eye for what looks good. If you have an artistic streak and know how to organize content into a visually pleasing format, start a graphic design business to provide flyers, digital ads, posters and other engaging visual materials. Graphic design requires few physical tools beyond a laptop and a desk.

21. Dropshipping

Not all companies that sell goods store them on-site. In drop-shipping, people who run e-commerce sites go to a third party to fulfill all orders. The third party is likely a wholesale retailer or other entity that runs a warehouse and shipping operation. The minimal inventory and tools needed for drop-shipping make it an especially great startup idea if you’re worried about overhead costs and physical space.

22. Personal training

If the gym is like your second home, you might want to share some of your expertise and help others reach their fitness goals. As a personal trainer, you can offer in-home training sessions that cater to each of your clients’ exercise capabilities. You can also help clients build customized nutrition and meal plans so their diets complement their physical goals.

Many personal trainers start their client acquisition process with social media pages that detail their experience in the gym along with some motivational quotes. While a certification can help expand your customer base, you aren’t legally required to have any specialized training to start this type of business.

23. Resume writing

People are always applying for jobs, whether they want to make a career shift, increase their pay or switch work environments. Of course, most job applications require candidates to submit resumes to detail their professional background. As a resume writer, you can help job applicants’ resumes stand out from their competition.

You’ll also help your clients create cover letters and portfolios that show off the best of their work. Plus, you don’t need any special schooling to be a resume writer – just some basic organizing and proofreading skills. If you know what makes resumes appear professional and ready for employers’ eyes, you’re already off to a great start.

24. Host a podcast

Podcasts have become extremely popular, with more than 100 million active podcast listeners in the U.S. alone. Best of all, you can start a podcast on any topic that interests you, from business to history to pop culture and more. Starting a podcast requires consistency and dedication, as well as a basic understanding of audio editing (and video editing if you want to start a companion YouTube channel for subscribers to follow).

Once your podcast has built up a substantial following, you can sell time to advertisers or establish partnerships with companies that generate revenue. As your brand expands further, you may even be able to charge to speak at events or moderate panels on topics your podcast focuses on. Of course, in order to get to that level, you need to come up with a unique idea that you’re passionate and knowledgeable about, and then make sure you can relate to your target audience .

25. Launch a newsletter

If podcasts aren’t your thing but you like the idea behind building a robust list of subscribers and then selling space to advertisers and partners, consider creating an email newsletter. More than 90% of Americans subscribe to email newsletters . This means if you can capture the attention of a particular audience, you could build a substantial following and monetize it.

To do so, come up with an umbrella topic you can write about at length, and then work to establish a brand voice and mission. Explore the best email marketing software that can help you manage your subscriber list and email sends, and then you’re ready to get started. Solicit feedback from your audience over time to give them more of what they want and less of what they don’t. After all, their continued engagement with your newsletter is what will help you build it into a successful business.

26. Event catering

Do you have a passion for the culinary arts? If so, event catering may be a great business idea for you. There’s no shortage of people who need delicious food to serve their guests, whether that’s at parties, weddings, fundraisers, or family reunions. If you have a knack for cooking or baking and love to serve hungry guests, event catering could be a fun and lucrative way to do just that.

To get started, you’ll need to set up a menu and price sheet, as well as obtain all necessary permits and licenses. Start small to get the word out about your catering service, but when your food speaks for itself don’t be surprised if your business grows by leaps and bounds through word of mouth alone.

What are the most successful small businesses?

Small businesses that involve website design, a subset of digital marketing, are among those that make the most sales and bring in the most profit. People learn about businesses on the internet more often than via other avenues, so finding clients and a steady income stream isn’t as difficult. Cleaning services and real estate businesses also have high success rates, which makes sense – all people need homes, and they prefer them to be clean.

Some of the most profitable business ideas are website design, cleaning services and real estate.

What would be a good small business to start?

If you want to maximize your profit while minimizing your workload, try any of the small business ideas that most frequently prove successful. However, if you’re more interested in pursuing your passions while earning enough money to live, start a small business that fulfills you, requires you to use your skills and offers you a good work-life balance . There are so many great business ideas – and you know better than anyone what small business ideas will bring you happiness, success and stability.

How can I start my own business with no money?

You don’t need money to become a small business owner. The first step in starting a business with no money is to keep your current job and launch your small business as a side pursuit at first. Then, develop your business plan and analyze your consumer base, market and potential challenges.

Near the final stages of planning, you’ll better understand how much money you need to make your business a full-time job. You can find this money through crowdfunding platforms and investors . Consider taking out a business loan only as a last resort.

You should also work with reliable professionals, including an attorney and an accountant. Most of the businesses on this list require particular permits or licenses, and legal counsel can help you make sure you do it all by the book. Meanwhile, an accountant is critical for managing finances properly, especially in the early days when you’re still establishing your revenue stream. While these professionals represent an upfront cost, they’re well worth it and can help you build a healthy business.

Choose a small business idea with low startup costs. If you still don’t have enough money, finance your business idea through crowdfunding or investors.

How do I start a small business from home?

Home-based businesses tend to be the most convenient and manageable ones. That said, not all great business ideas are suited for home offices, so make sure your business can be conducted from home – jobs with on-site needs and heavy in-person demands might not be suitable. In your business plan and budget, incorporate any office supplies and tools that make your online business ideas feasible, such as a separate business computer, a suitable desk, high-speed internet, filing cabinets and a business website.

What makes for a good work-from-home small business idea?

A good work-from-home small business idea boasts the following traits:

What is the step-by-step process for starting a business?

Starting a business takes work, but with the right tools and guidelines, your company will be up and running in no time. Although your specific business journey will be unique to you, we identified a few steps that entrepreneurs can take to start their businesses.

Tejas Vemparala also contributed to this article.

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26 Best Small Business Ideas To Start in 2023

Illustration of a woman tossing a coin into a basket ball net placed very low as a metaphor for a low investment business idea.

These 26 small business ideas make a great entry point for beginners, bootstrappers, or anyone with a busy schedule, and let you pick up a side business without having to drop everything else.

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Best small business ideas to start in 2023

Whatever your business type, you will need a good domain name (use our free domain name generator ) associated with an excellent brand name and a representative logo .

1. Start a dropshipping business

Buy stock, store it, pick it, pack it, ship it. Managing inventory is a big commitment when you’re running a business.

Dropshipping is an easy, low cost, business idea to start and the first of our good business ideas. Dropshipping is a fulfillment model where a third-party supplier stores and ships inventory to customers on your behalf. It’s one of the best businesses to start because it’s low overhead, hands-off, and scalable.

You don’t need to handle any products yourself—you just need to make the sales and pass orders on to your supplier. In fact, it’s one of the quickest and cheapest businesses to start.

You can curate products from one or more suppliers into your own online store under a theme that focuses on a specific niche, like gear for yoga enthusiasts or water bowls for dog owners. When a customer buys a product from you, the order is sent to your supplier, who fulfills it on your behalf. However, you are still responsible for your own marketing and customer service.

There are both local and overseas suppliers you can work with, as long as you can establish a relationship with them built on trust—an unreliable supplier will reflect poorly on your brand.

Dropshipping is a great way to test product-market fit and launch a business before you invest in your own original products. Just be sure to always order a sample for yourself to make sure your supplier is reliable and that the quality of the products is fit for selling to your customers.

Learn more:

Free Guide: How to Find a Profitable Product to Sell Online

Excited about starting a business, but not sure where to start? This free, comprehensive guide will teach you how to find great, newly trending products with high sales potential.

Get How To Find A Product To Sell Online: The Definitive Guide PDF delivered right to your inbox.

2. design and sell print-on-demand t-shirts.

Another dropshipping model, print on demand puts inventory, shipping, and fulfillment in the hands of a third-party supplier. But unlike the dropshipping business idea above, the focus here is on customizing products with your own designs to create something original.

T-shirts, hats, phone cases, hoodies, skirts, tote bags, and more become canvases for your creativity. You can think up witty slogans for developers or references that resonate with cat owners—if there’s passion and pride within a community, there’s a potential t-shirt business you can start.

Even if you’re not a designer, you can find one to work with using freelance sites like Fiverr , Upwork , Dribbble , or 99Designs .

With many print-on-demand services, you’re paying per product, so the base price per unit will be more expensive than if you were to order in bulk. But the advantage is that if a certain t-shirt design doesn’t sell, you haven’t actually paid for the item yet (only the design, if you outsourced it).

You can even use t-shirt mockup templates so you don’t need to spend extra money on a full photoshoot for every new design.

There are a variety of print-on-demand platforms you can work with, many of which can be integrated with your Shopify store for seamless order fulfillment. However, be sure to always order a sample of your product (often offered at a discount) to make sure your custom products look good.

Via Vapor95

How to Start an Online T-shirt Business: Everything You Need to Know

3. Launch your own book

A book is just another type of product when you think about it. As such, you can create one to serve a particular demand in the market.

Cookbooks, picture books, comic books, poetry books, photo books, coffee table books, and novels—if you’ve got the knowledge or creativity, there are a variety of original books you can bring to the market. The options are endless—that’s why it’s one of the best small business ideas to start.

🏁 How to start a business recommendations

Print-on-demand is a relatively safe way to test the waters and get started with self-publishing. It also gives you control over the quality and look of your book.

Lulu xPress and Blurb are popular platforms to create, order, and distribute your own books as physical and digital products. You could also sell it on third-party marketplaces like Amazon or Powell’s .

While you can order one book at a time, costs naturally go down when you buy in bulk. Consider pre-selling or crowdfunding your book idea to ensure there’s demand and guarantee a certain number of sales so you can feel confident making a bulk order.

Launching your own book can be a great way to monetize a blog if you have or are looking to start one.

4. Create digital products or online courses

Digital products like music, courses, podcasts , and templates are unique on this list of low-investment small-business ideas. Unlike the others, they’re not tangible. There aren’t recurring manufacturing or shipping costs to worry about, so your margins can remain high, making it another no-brainer for being one of the best businesses to start.

The trick is figuring out what makes for a good digital product. What is useful enough that people are willing to pay to download it?

The answers range from original instrumental beats to stock photos that can be licensed to other creators to information products and templates that help people level up their skill sets in a particular field.

If you’ve got a talent that can be turned into a digital product, think about packaging it into a new stream of income.

Shopify has a free Digital Downloads app that lets you offer digital products in your store as easily as physical products.

5. Sell print-on-demand posters, greeting cards, and prints

If you’re artistically inclined or know your way around a camera, you can dropship using a print-on-demand business model to let others physically own a piece of your work. Just be sure you have the rights to the content you want to print or are using public domain assets you can freely monetize.

If you’ve already got an engaged online following—say you’re a cartoonist or an urban photographer—you’re in an especially good position to give this small business idea a try.

Depending on the printer you work with, you can turn your work into products such as posters or framed wall art, even greeting cards. There are plenty of low-cost digital templates and mockup generators like Placeit you can use to showcase your products without having to print out each item and conduct your own photo shoots.

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Via Baltic Club

Learn more: How to Sell Art Online: The Ultimate Guide

Free Webinar:

How to quickly start a profitable print-on-demand store

In our free 40-minute video workshop, we’ll get you from product idea to setting up an online store to getting your first print-on-demand sale.

6. Start a charitable business

Starting a non-profit organization isn’t the only path you can take to help fund a better world.

Having a mission to go along with a business and setting aside some profit for a cause gives social entrepreneurs a unique way to position their company in the market while addressing the issues they care about most.

While many social enterprises offer their own original products, you can also take any of the low-cost small-business ideas above and partner with a non-profit or execute that social good with your own hands, as long as you’re transparent about how it works.

As part of your marketing, you can share the impact that your customers are having by supporting your business, such as a blog post covering your work in the community or a real-time impact calculator on your website.

The Give & Grow Shopify app makes it easy to partner with charitable organizations and incorporate your mission into your business. You can set it up to donate a specific amount or a percentage of sales, or ask your customers to add a donation at checkout.

give-and-grow-shopify-app-cart-example-via-blueland

7. Sell a service

Offering services isn’t passive, but it certainly can be a lucrative way to gain self-employment. With services-based small business ideas, “time” is your inventory and your biggest investment. You’ve only got a limited supply of hours in your day. However, that makes it easier to get up and running if you’ve got skills that are in demand.

Writers, graphic designers, virtual assistants, SEO practitioners, cleaning service providers, dog walkers, real estate professionals, and more can build a business around their skills. You could offer these skills as an ongoing service or start a consulting business that advises on projects.

It’s one of the best business opportunities because it can be expanded with any of the other ideas above to create additional revenue streams by “productizing” services through physical or digital goods.

A photographer, for example, can service a local event while selling prints online through their Instagram account. A freelance writer can sell a copywriting swipe file of high-converting sales copy. Coupling your service-based business with physical products can give you another source of income that isn’t tied directly to your time.

You can use the BookThatApp or Acerill Appointment Booking for Shopify to let customers easily schedule a session or consultation or buy tickets to a class with you through your store.

You can also offer your services through a freelance marketplace like Upwork to increase your chances of getting discovered by the people who need your skills.

8. Create an online fashion boutique

If you love fashion and sharing your sense of style online, you can consider creating your own online fashion boutique. You don’t need to become a fashion designer—you can simply curate items from other vendors into your own online store (using the dropshipping model we discussed earlier).

Dresses, shoes, swimwear, accessories, and more—you can build your own fashion brand using one of several product-sourcing apps , model them on your own with product photos and social media posts, and build an online following as a trendsetter. Apps like MyOnlineFashionStore let you import various styles into your Shopify store.

9. Sell handcrafted and homemade goods

If you’re a maker—whether you DIY soap, candles, sauces, or pottery—you’re in a unique position to find a small business idea, because product development and procurement are literally in your hands .

Unlike many of the other ideas on this list, you will need to consider shipping and inventory management , but you can start out simple on a per-order basis or with a small batch until you start generating consistent sales.

In fact, many makers on Shopify started out with a home business idea , selling on Etsy or eBay, or to friends and family through word of mouth , and grew into full-time small-business owners after establishing demand for their products.

Just be mindful of any regulations in your product category, especially for anything customers will eat, inhale, or put on their skin.

Brooklyn Candle Studio is one of many maker-owned businesses on Shopify that started on Etsy.

And Arounna Khounnoraj and John Booth are a couple who have been operating bookhou , an online and physical shop selling handmade goods and functional bags.

10. Build an audience you can monetize

In today’s connected world, the ability to capture and keep the attention of others is an asset. It’s one that many businesses are even willing to pay for and one that many creators are able to convert into a business with multiple revenue streams.

Whether you choose to grow your following on YouTube , Instagram, or a blog (ideally a combination of different channels), you have many avenues for monetizing your audience:

Taking an audience-first approach to your small business idea means you’re playing the long game (it might be months until you’ve figured it out). But you don’t need millions of followers to do it—Instagrammer Kat Gaskin, for example, pulled off a $10,000 product launch with only 3,000 followers for her brand, The Content Planner .

Learn more:

11. Start a pet business

The pet industry is ripe with opportunity for all kinds of small-business ideas. And it’s an industry worth more than $100 billion , so there’s plenty of demand. Your pet business could be product- or service-based—selling accessories, food, or toys, or offering grooming, walking, or training expertise.

Perkie Prints makes personalized printed pet products—everything from apparel to framed prints, plus fun projects in between.

On the service side of things, Let the Dog Out offers dog walking and “bathroom breaks” to its customers.

12. Create a membership program

Online memberships are ideal for entrepreneurs with an established active and engaged community . They work much like a subscription-based business—customers make recurring payments in exchange for a virtual product or service.

Memberships are great for managing members-only access to content on a website, and even for physical businesses that offer guided sessions online. Yoga studios, gyms, clubs, and art schools are a few examples of businesses that can easily take advantage of this business model.

Since this content is behind a gate that only paying subscribers can access, you can also host exclusive livestreams in addition to (or instead of) downloadable content.

Regardless of the route you take, be sure to record in a quiet space so the audio is clear and distraction free.

It’s also a good idea to use email marketing to keep your members informed of new content. Emails, video teasers, and customer testimonials are great ways to build excitement for new launches.

And it’s easy to start your membership-based business with Shopify. Set up a new product just like you would for a physical product, but create a name and description that tells people about your membership services.

Make sure to unselect “This is a physical product” to remove shipping options at checkout. (Note: Some of the setup required might change depending on which apps you choose to use later in the process.)

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If you want to offer different options for your memberships, create variants. You can set different prices for each option and limit the number of times available, if needed, by editing each option.

shopify-admin-screenshot-editing-product-options

13. Join an affiliate marketing program

Affiliate marketing refers to a performance-based marketing tactic where a business pays people, a.k.a. affiliates, to promote and sell products for them. Every time an affiliate brings in a new customer, they receive a commission from the business.

Affiliates can promote products on their blogs, social media accounts, or websites, or in communities. For many, affiliate marketing is a low-cost side hustle that turns into a profitable business over time.

To join an affiliate program, take the following steps:

Commission rates vary, depending on the company and offer. You could earn as low as 5% for each sale, while some commissions can be as high as 50% if you’re promoting a class or event. Some affiliate programs also offer a flat rate versus a percentage.

14. Become a virtual event planner

Virtual event planning is a profitable business idea if you enjoy organizing and connecting people. Growing at 23% per year , the significant rise in business events and adoption of virtual tools for conducting meetings will keep this market growth high. As a virtual event planner, you’ll be responsible for creating virtual conferences, networking opportunities, and educational sessions for companies around the world.

Facebook’s move into the metaverse will open up new opportunities for event planners in the near future. Party.Space , for example, has raised capital to scale up its metaverse-themed virtual events business. If you want job security for the future, virtual event planning is a good way to go.

15. Start a landscaping business

Got a love for nature and outdoor design? A landscaping business is a great option for you. Landscaping, also referred to as lawn care, means modifying and maintaining the visible features of an area of land. You’re responsible for creating beauty out of natural, living elements like flowers, grass, and trees.

The US landscaping market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5% until 2025 . There’s growing demand for residential outdoor landscape maintenance in younger households across the country. Competition in the market is moderate. You’ll face a few leading landscaping companies like TruGreen, as well as smaller local service providers.

16. Test app development

Creating a million-dollar app or your own business is not easy. In fact, 99.5% of consumer apps fail. Most apps don’t have product-market fit. They need a ton of marketing, and they’re expensive to create.

So, why bother putting this on our small-business ideas list? Because consumer app development isn’t the only path for entrepreneurs. New apps for the Shopify App Store crop up daily, with a market of motivated businesses eager to find the tools they need.

Sound interesting? Check out How to Build a Shopify App: The Complete Guide on our Partners blog to learn more.

17. Offer child care

There is a child care crisis happening right now. Coronavirus exposure, day care closings, and rising costs have left parents with no choice but to take care of their kids at home.

The rise in demand for child care services with a decreasing supply is a perfect mixture for starting a new business. President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill has pledged federal spending to help fix the child care market too. If you enjoy taking care of kids and can get the proper licenses, a new child care business could be a good business idea for you.

Explore: Top 24 Achievable Business Ideas for Kids

18. Start an online coffee shop

Selling coffee can be profitable with a strong brand and the right marketing plan. Sure, coffee has a lot of competition. But that shouldn’t scare you away from this multibillion-dollar industry . Selling a high-commodity product like coffee has many benefits:

Because coffee is so widely available, it’s easier to sell. People already want coffee, you just need to make them want your coffee.

Learn more: Sell Coffee from Home: What Does it Take to Launch an Online Café? .

19. Become a handyman

I grew up with a dad who was a handyman, always fixing things around the house: a plumbing issue, installing tile, cleaning out gutters, putting up a fence. He was always the guy friends and family would call on for odd jobs around the house. If only the internet has been popular in those days, he could have built his own business website and offered his services locally!

The home repair and improvement industry sits at around $500 billion in market value. Whether it’s fixing a boiler or building a patio deck, if you’re a handyman who likes to fix things, this could be a lucrative business for you.

20. Sell your photography

Got a passion for taking photos? Turn your hobby into a full-time photography business. Today, you don’t just have to sell services for weddings and corporate ad campaigns. You can easily set up a store and sell prints, posters, NFTs, and more. Or you can sell your photos on stock photography sites.

21. Become a social media management consultant

As of October 2022, there were over 4.74 billion active social media users around the world. That’s nearly 60% of the world’s population. Between YouTube, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, TikTok , and all the other social networks available⁠—brands need help managing their accounts.

A social media manager is responsible for creating and analyzing content for brands’ social accounts. Clients will pay you to create engaging content, write attractive bios, respond to comments, run ads, and more. You could charge by the hour or by project rate.

22. Start a beauty business

The beauty industry really pulled through the pandemic and the momentum continues to build. Our research shows that 55% of health and beauty business founders reported being satisfied with business performance throughout the pandemic and beyond. Businesses that sell online and offer different delivery services will continue to win.

Some product ideas with high demand are:

Learn more: How to Launch a Makeup Brand and Sell Online: The Ultimate Guide .

23. Housesitting and pet sitting

As travel increases, so does the need for home and pet care while people are away. And with the increase in remote work, long-term holidays are becoming more commonplace—so while you might be able to leave your home unoccupied for a weekend, a month-long trip may require some more care.

Housesitting and pet sitting are good business ideas to start if you feel comfortable caring for and staying in a stranger’s home, potentially with their pets.

You can create your own website on Shopify to market and sell your services, and there are also dedicated home and pet care websites and apps you can use. Here are some examples:

Note, some pet sitters offer on-site services while others care for pets in their own homes. You can even add a dog walking business element to appeal to a wider range of people. Regardless of your choice, it’s important to communicate this upfront.

If you want to try these successful business ideas, it’s always important to invest time into creating a great profile. Choose pictures that show you happy and smiling—ideally with animals (be sure to get permission from the pet owners first). Fill out every section of your profile so it’s complete. Be specific about your history caring for homes and pets, and remember to include any specific qualifications or certifications that may give you a leg up against another potential sitter.

Ultimately, the best plan of attack for these new business ideas is to use a combination of your own Shopify site and third-party platforms.

24. Phone accessories

Because so many people own mobile phones now, there’s a huge market for phone accessories. And there are many different ways you can go with these accessories—print on demand, handmade, niche by product type, dropshipping, and more.

Some ideas for phone accessories to sell include:

When listing your phone accessories for sale, remember to include which devices they’re compatible with. You don’t want to create a negative yet avoidable experience for customers who receive an item they can’t even use.

Learn more: How to Start a Phone Case Business From Home, Step by Step

25. Sell subscription boxes

If you’re not interested in creating your own products to sell, you can curate them. One of the best small-business ideas is to sell subscription boxes with curated products that follow a certain theme.

One of the great parts about subscription boxes is you can create them for pretty much every single niche out there. For example, featuring merchants and makers in your community is one of the best local business ideas for subscription boxes. You can also go for themes like yoga, beer brewing, or pets—the possibilities are pretty much limitless.

Like memberships, subscriptions are good business ideas to start because they create a recurring revenue stream. People have to proactively cancel their subscription if they don’t want to continue paying for it.

Subscriptions also lend themselves to collaboration. When you curate products from different merchants, you can get in front of their audiences—a whole group of potential new subscribers.

Learn more: How to Start a Subscription Business: A Brief Guide

26. Invest in vending machines

Here’s a unique business idea : vending machines. Yes, there’s money to be made with vending machines. Though the industry took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, projections indicate vending machines will bounce back.

Some of the reasons for decline include decreased foot traffic—fewer people shopping, traveling, and going to work—and hygiene-related hesitations around touching surfaces. So if you’re opting to go this route, you may want to take a forward-thinking approach and look for vending machines that offer touchless options.

The key to making this a successful business idea is to offer the right products at the right location. Do your research to find high-trafficked areas and understand exactly who is walking by and what they might need at that moment. With a strategic approach, vending machines can be a profitable business idea with small investment and an overall great business idea.

Three tips for choosing the best business idea

The small business ideas we’ve covered might be easier to run when it comes to logistics, but that doesn’t make them easy. There are at least three things you should keep in mind as you consider your options, no matter what business you decide to start.

1. Focusing on a niche makes marketing easier

As with any business, marketing is what unlocks your success. It’s not enough to know that there’s demand for your products—you need to figure out ways to reach the people that are most likely to buy them, i.e., figure out your target market. You need to get the right visitors to discover your products.

Luckily, marketing is a lot easier when you’re catering to a specific target audience or identity (e.g., vegans, board game lovers, photographers in your city). You can produce social media content that resonates with these people or run ads that target their interests. Taking this approach also helps you project a consistent brand because you’ll have a more specific idea of who exactly you’re talking to.

Think about how you can zero in on a specific audience for your products and how the business you build can serve them. If you already have a sizable audience (a blog, a YouTube channel, or an Instagram account), maybe you can even find a way to base your business off of that existing audience.

2. Pricing is about more than profit

Price your products too low and shoppers might assume they’re low quality. Price them too high and you risk scaring some customers off. In any case, you’ll need to find a sweet spot that also lets you factor in the cost to acquire customers and offer discounts, especially if you plan on paying for ads . Getting your pricing right is something most business owners struggle with.

With many of the small business ideas explored in this post, you may not be shipping your products, but you still need to cover the cost of shipping. Consider your shipping costs and how they will vary in the different countries you want to serve.

Many online sellers try to bake their shipping costs into their retail price so they can offer free shipping or at least a reasonable flat rate. Others focus on encouraging shoppers to add more items to their cart with conditional free shipping (e.g., free shipping on orders over $50) to maximize their profit.

At the end of the day, your prices can be tweaked and you can experiment with a variety of pricing strategies until you find one that works for you.

3. Test, learn, and grow as you go

The pursuit of perfection can be one of the biggest hurdles in getting a business up and running. Keep in mind that nothing is set in stone.

Products can be swapped in and out fairly easily (especially when you’re not stuck with stock). Your store can be redesigned. Your prices can be adjusted. You can switch to a better supplier. And you can validate all of these decisions based on the dozens of signals you have at your disposal (traffic, how much time people are spending on your site, reviews, abandoned carts, etc.).

If your idea just isn’t working out the way you planned, think about how you can pivot before you quit.

There are aspects of your own business you can always salvage if you try a different product or approach. The brand you invest time into creating and the followers you amass on social media or in your email list can be assets you repurpose for your next business idea.

How to start a small business

To start a business you need more than just a dream. To put the wheels in motion, you’ll need to:

Coming up with great business ideas

There are many ways to come up with good business ideas of your own. You or someone you know might have a poor personal experience with a company—and you know you can do better. Or maybe there’s a complete gap in the market: for example, demand for a specific product but no one meeting it. Other ideas come from everyday moments, in the shower or right before you fall asleep.

Brainstorming business ideas

If you’re feeling stuck on good business ideas or want to come up with more, there are a few ways to brainstorm even further. Write down all your ideas. Keep a brainstorming board, be it tactile or digital, and plaster your ideas there whenever they come to mind. Then revisit it with fresh eyes.

There’s power in numbers, too. Recruit help from colleagues or friends and family to brainstorm new ideas. Survey your existing customer base or audiences and get their ideas. Look at what people are saying on social media or searching online. Start with lots of ideas and then refine your list to the top ideas to explore further.

Protecting good small business ideas

Entrepreneurs have a few options when it comes to legal protection of their small business ideas, both now and in the future. The right one depends largely on the types of businesses you’re talking about.

Getting funding for a business idea

One of the toughest but most important parts of starting a business is finding the money to get your idea off the ground. There are a few ways to get funding for your business idea :

Now go start a business

Thanks to a combination of technology, third-party suppliers, and the ability to quickly test ideas online, it’s easier than ever to build a successful business and start making sales without getting caught up in sourcing products, renting space, and managing inventory.

With this approach, you can test ideas before you invest in them, or start making good money part-time without all the inventory-related commitments that might stand in your way.

The small-business ideas covered above can even be combined in a variety of ways to start a business that’s uniquely yours. If the idea of sourcing, storing, and shipping inventory kept you from starting a business before, begin with an inventory-free, low-cost business model and grow from there. Use this list of online business ideas to get the creative juices flowing.

The world of self-employment can be challenging, but with a little hard work and know-how, you can work towards building your own business.

Ready to create your first business? Start your free trial of Shopify—no credit card required.

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What are the top 10 businesses to start?

What is the easiest business to start?

The easiest businesses to start would be anything online: dropshipping stores, online courses, tutoring, fashion stores, or selling services. Online businesses require minimal startup costs and can easily scale, so you can earn more profit and do less work over time.

What business services are in high demand?

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30 Small Business Ideas to Make Money in 2022 (Low Investment Ideas)

With so many business ideas in 2023, it can be hard to figure out which are worth pursuing.

While jumping on a new trend can sometimes be risky — it can also be highly rewarding. You may notice that many of the ideas on this list have been growing in popularity recently. Others have been popular for a long time, making them more competitive but less risky. However, all the small business ideas below will help make you money.

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30 best business ideas of 2023

If you have been asking yourself what business to start, then this list is for you. According to small business statistics , one of the biggest motivations for opening your own business is being your own boss. Owning a business gives you the freedom to work when, where, or how you want.

Want to work at a beach or your grandma’s house? Go ahead, no one is going to stop or question you. This is the dream life many people hope to live one day, and thanks to some great business ideas, achieving that lifestyle is well within your reach.

Let’s take a look at the list of business ideas that’ll make you money in 2023:

1. Dropshipping

Are you looking to sell products online but don’t have the money to buy and store inventory? Consider dropshipping! Dropshipping is an ecommerce business model in which you don’t have to manage any physical products.

All you have to do is set up an online store and partner with suppliers who are ready to store, package, and ship orders to your customers. There’s no need to spend hours on product research, because you can use dropshipping apps like Automizely to find awesome products to sell .

Check out this dropshipping course from Shopify to learn more about selling online without inventory. If you’re searching for easy online business ideas to pursue, it would be hard to find something that tops dropshipping. It’s one of the simplest businesses to start if you have access to the right tools and resources.

The biggest reason people are often drawn to dropshipping is that you don’t have to hold inventory. However, if holding inventory isn’t an issue (maybe there’s enough room in that spare closet), you can consider sourcing products wholesale.

Online marketplaces like Handshake enable small business owners to find unique, high-quality products and build long-lasting relationships with suppliers. It’s worth checking out as a supplement to dropshipping if you already know what you want to sell.

2. Print on Demand

If you’re looking for proven business ideas to execute, try print on demand .

Print on demand (POD) is when you sell your own custom designs on items like phone cases, mugs, and t-shirts, but you don’t actually print the artwork. Instead, you collaborate with suppliers who print your design on the product—they even package and ship the item to your customer, so you don’t have to worry about logistics. Also, you only pay once you have sold the products. No sales equals no costs.

One of the quickest ways to get started is to create a Shopify store and install a POD app like Printify . In terms of marketing, partnering with Instagram influencers to promote your POD items is an effective way to reach audiences. To evaluate whether print on demand is the right option for you, watch our video where we get into a healthy debate with Wholesale Ted (a print-on-demand company ).

3. Translation

Multilingual people are always in demand, so if you can speak two or more languages, consider starting a small business where you can monetize those skills.

You can look for clients on Upwork and Flexjobs and slowly build your portfolio. As you work successfully with more and more companies, you can hire more translators who specialize in other languages to take things off your plate. It’s also a good idea to market your business on social media websites, as it can help you reach a wider audience.

Got only a few hours to spare each day? Translation is one of the best side business ideas to pursue, as it lets you schedule your clients based on when you are available to work.

4. Website Flipping

Website flipping is among the new business ideas that have gotten everyone from work-at-home parents to recent graduates excited. It involves buying an already running website, improving its design and content, and then selling it for a profit.

There are quite a few places where you can buy and sell websites to earn a profit. Shopify’s marketplace, Exchange , for example, allows you to buy ecommerce websites that you can further improve via content marketing, SEO, and other tactics. Once your site begins to generate more revenue than when you acquired it, you can list it for sale on the marketplace.

5. Home-based Catering

If you have a knack for cooking and see it as a creative outlet, you can make a decent income by opening a home-based catering business.

The initial investment depends on how big you want the setup to be. For example, if you start with smaller events that you can manage on your own, you should be able to start your business for less.

Most home-based caterers start by creating a website , experimenting with local food markets, or joining platforms that allow cooking experts to squeeze some profits from their culinary skills.

6. Dog walking

It can be difficult to keep up with a furry friend, particularly high-energy breeds with limited outdoor access. As a professional dog walker, you’ll be helping pet owners in the community keep their dogs happy, healthy, and well exercised.

Dog walking requires no initial investments other than marketing and business liability insurance . This will protect you in case of accidents, bites, or unexpected lawsuits. It’s a good idea to charge prices that reflect your insurance costs, with the average range between $30 to $60 an hour.

You can establish a presence for your dog walking business on a number of platforms, including Wag! , Rover , and Care.com . Offer promotions for new clients and build a positive reputation by requesting reviews from those you’ve worked with in the past.

7. Virtual assistance

One of the most successful business ideas is to offer virtual assistant services. Everyone from large enterprises to solopreneurs requires help with the day-to-day management of their business. You can use your excellent organizational skills to take some weight off their shoulders.

Of course, you’ll get paid for the time and effort you put into answering emails, scheduling meetings, and performing other administrative duties.

You can land your first few clients by responding to listings on platforms like FreeUp , PeoplePerHour , or Virtual Assistant Jobs . This is a proven business model, as people are always looking for efficient virtual assistants.

8. Personal shopping

Do you often get praised for your eye for fashion trends? Are you someone who friends and family come to for clothing advice? Personal shopping can be a business that builds on those skills.

Personal shoppers find clothing items for clients who don’t have time to shop for themselves. Duties involve evaluating your client’s wardrobe, visiting websites, and picking items that will suit them. There are all kinds of products on different online clothing boutiques, so you don’t necessarily have to shop offline to get this business started.

Plus, you don’t need to hold any special certification or degree to become a personal shopper. If your interests lie in business ideas with low investment, personal shopping might be the ideal route to consider.

9. Car detailing

The key to success in the car detailing business is marketing. You’ll need to spread the word about your services through a website or social media platform, and encourage regular reviews as well. Try to offer discounts for new clients or package deals for those who commit to multiple sessions.

All you need to get started are cleaning supplies and a driveway. You may consider getting certified through the IDA or taking a craftsmanship seminar to enhance your skills.

10. Online tutoring

If you’re an expert in art, math, or another subject, you can start the business of online tutoring. An essential prerequisite is having a bachelor’s degree in the subject you intend to teach.

You can find online tutoring clients on sites like Skooli and Tutor.com . For the best results, always teach subjects that relate to your area of expertise, because you’ll be able to share your skills and constructive knowledge to enhance your students’ own knowledge. You can deliver lectures and interact with your students over Zoom, making online tutoring one of the easiest online businesses you can start.

11. Greeting cards

Greeting cards are always in style, so if you have a good eye for design or just love showcasing your artwork on physical items, this is one of the best creative business ideas for you.

Before you can start looking for clients, you’ll need to have a handful of designs ready to go. Tools like Photoshop and Canva make it easy to create custom card designs. Additionally, you’ll need to stock up on supplies required to create greeting cards (ink, paper, etc.).

Pro tip: If you want to keep costs low, consider buying your supplies wholesale . Once you have the inventory, you can start generating revenue by marketing your business on Facebook, Etsy, and other similar platforms.

12. Content writing

Almost every company with a web presence needs help creating content for product pages, blogs , etc.

As such, starting a content writing or copywriting company could be one of the most profitable business ideas for you. Popular websites for finding those first few customers include Remote.co , Problogger , and BloggingPro .

You can also join content writing groups on Facebook to get more exposure for your business. To make a good impression on clients, consider offering keyword optimization or custom graphics as part of your services.

13. Homemade products

If you have a knack for molding soap bars, brewing drinks, or baking specialty products, a homemade crafts business may be a great fit for you. Not only does it serve as a wonderful creative outlet, but it can easily scale up as word of your business gets out.

Some of the most profitable homemade products include agricultural products, beauty solutions like cosmetics and soaps, and accessories such as jewelry. Ingredients and raw materials coupled with your labor should provide a sustainable return on investment.

You can start selling homemade products at your local farmers market , on a platform like Etsy , or with a storefront on iCraft . Try adding a unique twist to your products, such as dessert-themed bath bombs or pop-culture clothing items.

14. WordPress support

A lot of websites out there are hosted on WordPress, and almost every WordPress website owner requires support in some form. So, if you’re familiar with the ins and outs of this platform, you’ll have several opportunities to make money.

Clients may contact you to fix their CSS, find and address security holes, and more. While you can use platforms like PeoplePerHour and Upwork to get your first clients, we recommend creating a custom website and listing your services there. That way, you’ll be able to avoid high commissions and build high-quality relationships with your clients.

Hands down, offering WordPress support is one of the best business ideas to try in 2023.

15. Career coaching

With rising unemployment and a saturated job market, there’s no shortage of people needing help finding jobs. If you have a talent for helping your friends and family find suitable employment, you can probably help others too.

Consider starting a career coaching business where you help others figure out what the best career for them is, how to nail an interview, what traits define a good candidate, and more. You can look for clients in Facebook groups or on platforms like Coach.me .

The best thing about this business is that you can make money by conducting four to five hourly sessions a month. Plus, you can coach multiple clients in a single session. If you’re looking for good business ideas that won’t occupy too much of your time, career coaching may be the right option for you.

16. Email marketing

Are you good at writing emails? Have you cracked the code for crafting subject lines that people can’t help but click? If so, you can step into entrepreneurship and make money by launching an email marketing business.

You can find companies that need help with their email strategy on platforms like PeoplePerHour and Upwork , as well as via cold outreach. Once you demonstrate that skill of enticing recipients, clients will rush to get your services and even agree to the price you quote them (major brownie points if you can help grow their email list).

Startup costs include investing in email marketing tools , which will automate many of your tasks.

17. Contract cleaning

Not everyone has the time or skills to clean on a regular basis. Becoming a professional cleaner allows you to assist home and business owners with scrubbing, dusting, vacuuming, and more.

Startup costs for household cleaning businesses are extremely low. Cleaning supplies and materials cost less than $100, although you could also purchase specialty equipment like steam vacuums or carpet cleaners. It’s a good idea to set up a website or social media page to get the word out for cheap.

The fees you charge will depend on the needs of your clients. Most cleaners charge by the hour, although some have additional expenses associated with certain tasks (organization, deep cleaning, etc.). Use tools like Angi Leads to display your business and discover what other people are charging. Be sure to register as an LLC and complete all necessary paperwork.

18. Meals to go

There’s no end to the line of people who struggle to find time to cook nutritious and healthy meals. This has led to a rise in meals-to-go businesses, offering all kinds of cuisine options. You can capitalize on this trend by starting your own meals-to-go business in your city, state, or neighborhood.

19. Landscaping services

Have a passion for gardening and yard work? Starting a landscaping business may be the perfect way to turn your hobby into a profitable endeavor. Landscaping services include anything from mowing lawns to planting flowers and shrubs and may or may not be seasonable, depending on your climate.

Determine what you can do best in a yard and market your business to a specific audience. Keep a curated portfolio of your best work, including colorful photographs with detailed outcomes for customers. If you offer unique services (fertilizing, pest control, etc.), be sure to highlight that across your social media platforms.

You can find your first landscaping clients by going door-to-door in the neighborhood or hopping on platforms like TaskEasy . Websites like HomeAdvisor connect your landscape business with paying clients in your area. You can also get certified with the National Association of Landscape Professionals to boost your credibility.

20. Website testing

Did you know that brands with a digital footprint hire real people to give feedback on their websites? These opinions allow them to address issues that their developers may have failed to identify. You can hire a bunch of people on a freelance basis and create your own website testing company.

As you take on projects, your employees will receive a set of questions that they need to answer as they navigate a company’s website. Through video, they’ll communicate their initial thoughts on the current user experience and how the site could be improved.

You can find work through websites like UserTesting , Ferpection , and TryMyUI .

21. SEO

Do you have experience in generating backlinks and improving the search engine visibility of a website? If yes, then there’s an opportunity for you to cash in on your skill set.

Site owners worldwide require the services of SEO experts, so opening a business in this field could turn out to be one of your best decisions. When looking for clients, focus on a niche audience, learn from the experiences, and build your portfolio—showcase your success stories and you are bound to see an influx of clients if your SEO techniques are on point.

You can choose to target all sorts of companies or appeal to businesses in a particular niche, such as in the legal, health, or financial sector. With monthly retainers of $501 to $1,000, selling SEO services is one of the best business ideas to make money in 2023.

22. App development

App development is one of the best profitable small business ideas, since so many companies require an app. Not to mention, the cost of starting this venture has drastically gone down due to the growth of tools and affordable developers.

Today, you can use software like OmniGraffle or Sketch to create the wireframes and mockups before you decide to publish the app. Alternatively, you can hire a freelance app developer via AngelList and Upwork .

There’s also the opportunity to earn passive income by creating apps for the general audience. Of course, that requires you to develop a monetization strategy that generates recurring revenue. Profitable strategies include offering in-app purchases and charging for a premium version of your app.

23. Stock photography

If you have the ability to capture great candid moments or recently did a portrait shoot of a relative, you can become a stock photographer by registering a sole proprietorship under your name.

Companies like Shutterstock , Adobe Stock , and the like are always open for image submissions. You can start by listing a few of your existing photos on these platforms. Once you’ve submitted your photographs, wait for people to download them.

Most stock photography websites pay you a royalty for every download on their platform. Another option is to launch your own photography website and sell images directly to people, which is only viable if you have the resources to invest in marketing.

24. Virtual dance studio

The upsides to a virtual dance studio are pretty obvious: you don’t need to rent a big space, and it’s convenient to record, publish, and share the choreography at your own discretion. It’s even possible to give dance classes from home, making it one of the best home-based business ideas . Plus, there’s no limit to the number of students you can enroll in your class.

To start a virtual dance studio, you’ll need to invest in video conferencing software, such as Zoom . You’ll also need high-speed internet to ensure there are no lags or buffering during the livestream. Make sure to arrange enough classes per month so that your students learn their routines fast.

If you have a passion for creating your own unique choreography, you may also find opportunities to partner with dance schools to give their students access to your content on a membership basis.

25. Instagram consulting

If you know the secrets to Instagram engagement , consider becoming an Instagram consultant. Clients will pay you for creating engaging captions, responding to comments, creating attractive bios, and more.

You can monetize these services by charging a specific rate per hour or by project. This is the perfect business idea for digital nomads , as everything can be managed from a laptop or smartphone.

To become a sought-after Instagram consultant, master the skill of creating killer Instagram ads that get people to engage and buy from businesses. You can get your first clients by marketing your business on Upwork and other social media platforms.

26. Video production

According to video marketing statistics , 85% of internet users in the US watched an online video on their devices. With more and more videos being watched than ever before, there’s certainly a need for people who can record, edit, cut, and publish videos. Therefore, starting a video production company might turn out to be a lucrative business idea for you.

The initial investment in this business is a basic lighting set, wireless microphones, one to two cameras (and lenses), and editing software like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro . See if you can find second-hand varieties for some of this equipment in order to reduce startup costs.

You can offer to produce video content for companies’ YouTube channels, manage graduation and wedding videography, and more. While there’s no restriction to the types of projects you can do, specializing in a niche makes it easy to stand out in a busy marketplace.

27. Software education

Do you have acquaintances who lack proficiency in computer software? If so, you can set up your own software education business and enroll students on a monthly basis.

Pupils might include entrepreneurs looking to build on their IT skills, or other small business owners looking to master software like Excel and PowerPoint. If you have the expertise, you can lead from the front by teaching most classes.

As your business grows and more people sign up for your programs, you can hire freelance software experts to teach students based on their area of expertise. Although you can rent out space for classroom lectures, consider hosting virtual classes to keep costs low and expand your business to international markets.

28. College preparation

Helping high schoolers get accepted into college is a booming business. According to IBISWorld, the market size of the testing and educational support industry was $17.9 billion last year, so there’s a lot of money to be made if you can gain a foothold in the market.

To start, pick a certain area of college prep you’d like to run your business around. For instance, you can offer ACT tutoring, help students brush up on practice admission essays, etc. Once you’ve narrowed your focus, it’s time to register and introduce the business to students.

29. Niche staffing agency

Nearly every industry has open jobs, and employers are keen to hire the best people for their companies. Your task as a niche staffing agency is to match employees to employers in your sector of choice.

Figure out what type of roles you’ll be staffing (Junior? Mid-level? C-level?) so that you can identify the right candidates for the position. Additionally, consider the employment terms that your agency will share with potential candidates.

You can be a temporary, temporary-to-permanent, or long-term staffing agency based on the needs of the market.

30. Digital event planning

One of the best small business ideas is to open up a digital event planning company. In this business, you’ll plan, organize and report on digital events like webinars and online summits for different companies.

Money can be made by charging an hourly fee for your service, selling sponsorships, etc. If you ever dreamed of planning a wedding or exhibition, but never quite had the time to organize anything, you can still channel your inner facilitator by planning digital events for people and businesses.

There you have it, a list of 30 small business ideas that’ll make you money in 2023. To give yourself the best chance of success, focus on one idea at a time until you find one that aligns with your abilities.

Thousands of entrepreneurs have implemented these business ideas to make money, so you can be sure that you’re putting your time and effort into something viable and proven. Whether you’re a college student, a work-at-home parent, or anyone else looking to start a business , remember there are plenty of opportunities to earn a sizable income.

If you’re looking for even more business ideas, don’t forget to check out Shopify’s post on the 23 most profitable business ideas in 2023 .

30 Business Ideas to Try In 2023

Which of these business ideas are you looking to start in 2023? Share your answer in the comments below!

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50 Best Small-Business Ideas

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If you're trying to find the small business idea that's right for you, ask yourself the following questions:

What are your interests?

Where is there a need in the market, and how can your skills satisfy that need?

Who is your ideal client?

What is your ideal work environment?

If you have an answer to all those questions, then you may be ready to start a small business . But if you need a little inspiration, take a look at this list of the 50 best small business ideas.

How Much Do You Need?

These small business ideas suit soon-to-be entrepreneurs in a range of industries, and with a variety of interests. So, if you're qualified to start a small business in any of the following fields, you just might find some serious success by striking out on your own.

1. Accounting and bookkeeping

Are you a licensed CPA or a business accounting software wizard? Your less math-friendly entrepreneurs could use your help in keeping their personal and business finances in order.

As a bookkeeper, you'll process invoices and payroll, compile expense reports and more. If you have a CPA license, you can help business owners file taxes, generate balance sheets and other accounting documents and make your professional recommendations about your client’s bottom line.

If you have the skills to make your own accounting or bookkeeping service happen, then this is one of the best and most lucrative, small business ideas for you.

2. Business consulting

If you’ve been in the business world for a long time, folks might be clamoring for your knowledge and expertise within your industry. Why not turn all that know-how into a new career as an independent consultant? You can get paid to speak at industry conferences or events, serve on a board of advisors for a fledgling business or lend your expertise to shape the strategy of an existing business on a contract basis.

Whatever your field of expertise, starting a consulting business is a great way to make a sizable income while working on your own terms.

3. Marketing services

Most business owners have some idea of how they want to market their companies. Executing that plan, on the other hand, can be a whole other ballgame — especially for new business owners with little, or zero, marketing experience.

As an independent marketing professional, you can work with small businesses who don’t have the in-house bandwidth to execute their marketing plans. Write their blogs, firm up their SEO strategy, generate ad campaigns, deploy inbound marketing tactics and do whatever it takes to get their name in (proverbial) lights.

4. Real estate business

If property is your passion, there are several ways you can serve other businesses, or even individuals, with your real estate business. You could start your own real estate agency, working with businesses or private citizens to find the office space, house or apartment that's right for them.

Or, you could buy property of your own (if you have the business funding, of course) becoming a property manager or landlord, renting out the space to tenants, maintaining the property and serving as their point of contact for any potential issues. People are always going to need a place to live and likewise, businesses are going to need a place to set up shop — why not be the business to help them throughout their real estate journey?

5. Event planning

More and more individuals and companies are hiring freelance event planners to manage the design, logistics and coordination of pulling off major events. If you love every little detail of coordinating your kid's birthday or your dad’s retirement party, start offering your Type-A services to partiers in your community or within your personal network. You just need to pull off one great party, to start, and your event-planning business will take off with all those word-of-mouth recommendations.

6. Video production

Are you the person who brings your camera everywhere, or the kid who ran around with a video recorder, taping all of your family events and memories? If so, one of the best small business ideas for you might be video production. With the popularity of video on social media platforms and the internet as a whole, there is certainly a demand for those who can shoot video, cut video or both. Even if you don't have prior video experience, like graphic design, there are numerous courses online that can teach you how to cut and edit video using programs like Adobe or Final Cut Pro.

With the demand for video, this is another business idea that you can start at a very low cost, in your own home. Plus, once your videos are out in the world, you'll have automatic marketing for your production enterprise.

7. Podcasting

For those who have something to say or important stories to tell, you might consider starting a podcasting business. With the popularity of podcasts from newspapers and other media providers, private individuals have been able to jump on the trend—turning a hobby into a fully-fledged business. Podcasting will require an initial investment in some audio equipment and editing software, but once you get started, you'll be able to grow as fast as you can talk, produce, and of course market your podcast.

Moreover, if you're specifically interested in online business ideas , podcasting can be done from home, and completely online.

8. IT consulting

Do you have experience with computers and other types of technology? If so, use this knowledge to your advantage and consider starting an IT consulting business. With limited budgets and resources, many small businesses are apt to hire an outside consultant to help assist them with installing, managing, updating, and troubleshooting their technology. As an IT consultant, you'd more than likely be able to offer remote services as well as on-site assistance, giving you freedom and flexibility while working in a field that's in high demand.

9. Catering

If you're a professional chef but tired of the restaurant grind, starting a catering service is a great opportunity to strike out into the world of self-employment. You’ll need access to a commercial kitchen, a part-time staff of servers and a couple of assistant cooks to start. But, compared to opening your own restaurant, the overhead costs of starting and running a catering company are much more manageable.

10. Social media management

Social media marketing is a specific marketing specialty that most business owners know they need, but few are capable of doing well. If you’re glued to your phone, Instagram all your meals and carry out most of your conversations in 280 characters or fewer, consider cultivating a client base of business owners who need help managing their brand’s social media platforms.

11. Business planning service

If you're the serial business owner type — and have successfully launched and run a few businesses now — you've probably crafted a couple of business plans in your time. Writing a business plan is a crucial start to any business, but it's a process that not all entrepreneurs have down.

One of the best small business ideas for seasoned business owners ready for their next venture is a business planning service. If you know how to see the whole process of writing a business plan through — including business funding plans, market analysis, competitor research, and so on — clients will line up for your services.

12. Tax consulting

If you're a CPA or other enrolled agent, you might consider opening up a service specifically for business taxes. Filing and staying on top of business taxes can be one of the most complicated parts of running a business, so if you have experience in all things tax-related, business owners will be willing to hire you for your services. Plus, unlike individual taxes, many businesses are going to need a tax advisor to support them year-round, meaning your services will be in demand through tax season and beyond.

13. PR agency

Whether you have a background in public relations, or simply have an extensive network and knowledge in the business space, a PR agency might be the perfect business idea for you. Just like some of these other B2B examples, small businesses often hire outside PR agencies to assist with their public image and presence — including business marketing, events, press releases, outreach and more. If you have a network of contacts in a specific industry, your services will be even more attractive to businesses in that industry.

Plus, you can easily start your own PR business without too much initial time or investment and can bring on employees or rent office space as it grows.

14. Professional organizing

If you're incredibly organized, have a place for everything and an eye for color-coding, you might consider getting into the professional organizing business. Organizing professionals work with businesses and individuals alike to offer tips and strategies for organization based on their space, as well as get hands-on and help them sort through the clutter. With the time and effort it often takes to clean up a room, house or office, professional organizing has become a service that people are willing to pay for.

15. Photography

Professional photographers are in high demand for weddings, corporate events, family portraits and more. Plus, because you can build this business out of your home (with the right tools, of course), a freelance photography business has relatively low startup costs. Moreover, you're in charge of your client load and schedule, so professional photography is a great way to build a side hustle while working full time elsewhere.

16. Event space

Take a look at your local market: If there's a demand for weddings, birthdays, corporate events and fundraisers, but few venues to host those events, seize the opportunity and start an event space yourself. You could offer planning services along with the venue, or partner up with another local event-planning business to become the ultimate party-planning team.

17. Interior Decorating

Rather than redecorating your living room for the 14th time, apply your love of design to an interior decorating business . To start out, leverage your personal network to offer help decorating residential and commercial spaces. You can charge an hourly fee to clients for your work, partner with your favorite furniture stores or manufacturers to work on commission or a combination of the two.

18. Woodworking or furniture building

Do you love working with your hands to build beautiful, custom furniture? Take a page from Harp Design Co. in Waco, Texas (of "Fixer Upper" fame), and start your own custom woodworking business. You might start working weekends out of your garage, but as your business takes off, you’ll be well on your way to your own shop and a brand new, full-time career doing what you love.

19. Graphic design

If you have a background in design or art, then this business idea is a no-brainer. Even if you don't have a background in this field, consider taking a course in graphic design — it's relatively easy to pick up.

Plus, the tools to get this business started are pretty minimal. With just a few handy computer programs — think Adobe, Sketch or Canva — you could be operating this lucrative business out of your home in weeks. You do need to find clients though, so try networking with small businesses in your community. Everyone could use a well-designed website, online materials, email campaigns, physical print work and more.

20. Clothing boutique

For the fashion-forward entrepreneurs out there, consider opening your own clothing boutique. Although you'll need some startup funding for this business idea , it can be successful if you find the perfect inventory and right market. Competing against large clothing retailers can be challenging, but if you can find a specific niche, like starting a T-shirt business or locally based store, you can use your creativity to stand out amongst all of the other generic options out there.

21. Bed and breakfast

Do you live in an interesting tourist destination? Does your home have a guest house, mother-in-law suite or even just a spare bedroom? Do you love to cook and entertain guests? If so, one of the best small business ideas for you might be to turn your home into your own B&B. Sites like VRBO and AirBnB have made it easier than ever to market your home to travelers in need, and you may even make new friends along the way.

22. Food truck

Food trucks are hugely popular, often offering unique, specialty foods that often wouldn’t sell as easily in brick-and-mortar restaurants. Take your mom’s famous dumpling recipe or your off-the-wall dessert idea and hit the road to local events, farmer’s markets, your local town square, large corporate complexes at the lunchtime rush — wherever you’re likely to draw a crowd. Keep in mind that to run a food truck , you usually have to meet a special set of ordinances and safety compliance standards, so contact your local health department to determine what your mobile restaurant will require.

23. Restaurant or cafe

If you're truly culinarily (and entrepreneurially) ambitious, your ultimate dream might be to open your own deli, diner, cafe, or full-service restaurant. Although starting a restaurant is one of the most challenging, risky, and expensive business ideas on our list, the reward can be great for those willing to put in the work. If you’d like a safer bet than starting your own restaurant from scratch, consider opening a franchise of an established restaurant chain, and reap the benefits of an already-popular brand.

24. Craft brewery

Craft breweries, aka microbreweries, are booming in the United States—in fact, 98% of operating breweries in the U.S. are independently owned. So, if you've been tinkering with beer-brewing in your garage, calling it official and opening up a microbrewery can be a great way to monetize your hobby.

25. Ice cream shop

If you're not ready to invest in a full restaurant or cafe, or, on the other hand, simply have an enthusiasm for summer treats, you might consider opening your own ice cream shop. Ice cream shops are the perfect small town business idea — particularly successful throughout the summer. Although you will need some funding to get this kind of endeavor started, it will certainly be a lesser-lift than some other food-service businesses.

26. Personal chef

27. Landscape services

If you have a green thumb, an eye for design and a love for the sweet sound of lawnmowers, consider starting a landscaping business . You'll mow lawns, plant flowers and even design elaborate landscape plans for homes and office complexes. If you're uncertain about the administrative side of the landscape business, check out software options like Arborgold to help you out with the back-end management so that you can focus on your happy customers.

28. Pet grooming

Animal enthusiasts can probably think of nothing better than hanging out with pets all day. It might take some time to build up the funding to open up your own pet-grooming facility. So, keep overhead low in the beginning by offering a mobile service, and bring your grooming skills and tools directly to your clients' homes. You can also offer dog walking services to supplement your grooming business.

If you have a green thumb and eye for arrangements, a small business idea for you could be to open up your own floral shop. Flowers are one of those gifts that are always welcome — whether for birthdays, graduations, anniversaries or any other event. By starting your own florist business, you can service the gift-giving needs in your local area, creating beautiful arrangements that will continuously bring in new and recurring customers.

30. Massage therapist

There are so many healing modalities in the world, but massage therapy is one of the most tried-and-true (and enjoyable) practices out there. As an occupation, massage therapy is in high demand: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 26% growth in massage therapy jobs between 2016 and 2026, a much higher rate than average.

You’ll need special training and licensing to legally operate as a massage therapist, so check your state requirements to make sure you’re operating within local laws. But once you’ve jumped through the licensing hoops, you’ll be free to open an in-home studio, travel to your clients or eventually open your own facility.

31. Nutritionist

If you're a proudly gluten-free, vegan, whole foods health junkie, and you love sharing your clean-eating habits with others, consider starting your own business as a nutritionist and getting paid to help others achieve their health goals. But before you start prescribing those spinach-and-chia smoothies, do your research about licensing requirements. As is the case with every personal healthcare business idea on this list, you'll need training as a registered dietician to operate your practice.

32. Personal trainer or fitness instructor

If you're the first one in the gym every morning, or dream of taking over from your yoga instructor, the next step might be to take that physical energy and put it toward becoming a licensed trainer. As a licensed personal trainer, you can offer private training sessions in your own home or in clients’ homes, lead group sessions in local parks, become a certified instructor for a whole host of workouts (Zumba, anyone?) and, eventually, even open your own fitness studio or gym.

33. Beauty services

Whether you’ve graduated from cosmetology school, developed a following for your makeup tutorials on YouTube, or you’re your friends' go-to for hair and makeup recommendations, becoming a freelance hair or makeup artist is a logical next step. Before you set up a brick-and-mortar salon or carve out a space in your own home, get started by signing up as a professional stylist for an on-demand beauty app, so you and your tools will travel right to your clients' homes. Working on the weekends or evenings is the perfect way to slowly transition out of a 9-5 job and build up a loyal client base.

34. Life coach

If you have a passion for helping people reach their true potential, becoming a life coach might be the perfect small business idea for you. As a life coach, you'll work with clients to sort through problems or parts of their lives that they'd like to change and help them create plans to move forward and reach their goals. Although you don't necessarily need a certification to become a life coach, getting certified can help you as you start out looking for clients.

Once you've marketed your services, and your clients can attest to your skills, however, you'll be well on your way to a successful business.

Almost every kid needs access to tutoring at some point in their academic career. Plus, not only is tutoring a highly demanded occupation but on average you can earn up to $40 an hour as a private tutor. So, if you're fluent in a foreign language, or you excel in math, science or writing, set yourself up as a freelance tutor for students of all ages in your local community.

Better yet, grab your equally qualified, eager-to-teach friends and establish a full-service tutoring business. By offering a variety of subject areas to parents in your neighborhood, you’ll quickly build a client base eager to pay you for your help in achieving the best possible academic results.

36. Daycare provider

If you're a parent who wants to work from home or simply someone who loves working with toddlers, starting a daycare facility can be a great option for you. The process of becoming a licensed child care provider is relatively simple, but be aware that requirements vary by state. Cities, towns and municipalities occasionally have their own regulations, too.

37. Senior care provider

As the baby boomer population ages, more and more senior citizens are in need of at-home care. These needs range from medically specific requirements to simple companionship or help with cooking, tidying up or transportation to and from appointments. This is a great option for anyone with nursing experience who would like to move into working for themselves.

38. Interpreter or translator

If you can speak multiple languages, this is an easy and inexpensive way to start a small business where you can utilize those skills. If you become an interpreter or translator, you can work with individuals, businesses or even simply online clients — translating meetings, phone calls, articles and more. As you work successfully with more and more clients, they'll continue to turn to you when they're in need of these kinds of services — and you'll be continuing to grow your language abilities on top of it all.

39. Housecleaning

Everyone wants to keep a clean house. If you have a great work ethic and you’re willing to get your hands dirty, you could start a cleaning business on the cheap. Or, if you have dreams of a larger enterprise, hire a few employees or contractors and you can manage several cleaning teams. Overhead might include equipment, marketing costs and wages for personnel, but otherwise starting a cleaning service is a relatively low-cost enterprise.

40. Automotive repair

From oil changes and engine repairs, to tire services and bodywork, to interior and exterior deep-cleans, automotive repair businesses run the gamut of all things car-care. Alternatively, car repair businesses can focus on an automotive specialty, such as foreign cars, antique cars or specific brands. Whatever niche you choose for your car repair business, watch out for state licensing or insurance requirements to make sure your venture complies with local laws.

41. Handyman services

As a handyman, you have a couple of options: You can either complete odd repair jobs, or you can specialize in certain repairs, such as plumbing, electrical, locksmith, home security installment or HVAC work. It all depends on your skill set, and on whether you have, or are willing to earn, special licensing (your state might require a contractor's license to do certain repair work). But, once you've established a client base, you can hire a team of handymen with complementary skills to your own.

42. Dry cleaners

Every area needs a local dry cleaning business, so if you're an expert at doing laundry and can fill this market gap, dry cleaning might be the perfect small business idea for you. Starting a dry cleaner will certainly require a storefront, some startup funding and supplies, but can quickly become a go-to service in an area, especially with the right marketing and word-of-mouth recommendations.

43. Hardware store

Another local small business staple, if you want to extend your handyman services into a storefront, you should consider opening a hardware store . When residents are doing home projects or spring cleaning, they're always going to find themselves in need of certain tools or supplies — and probably won't want to wait for online delivery. Your hardware store can service your local area and all the better if you can offer advice and tips along with the physical products you sell.

44. Self-storage business

Starting a self-storage business can be a lucrative business, especially close to a city—where apartments are small and people are going to need access to space to store their extra belongings. You'll certainly need the capital and real estate to get started in the self-storage game, but once you've gotten set up, it can be relatively simple to maintain this kind of business, especially once you've started bringing in clients and filling up your space.

45. Freelance copywriting and content creation

Need to support yourself while you chip away at your magnum opus? Then starting a copywriting or content marketing creation service could be one of the best work from home small business ideas for you.

With more businesses trying to produce high-quality written resources — like blog posts, ebooks, white papers and newsletters — there's tons of room in the freelance market for a wordsmith like you.

46. Rideshare driver

Although this small business idea might not exactly be home-based, it's in higher demand than ever with the popularity of rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft. As a rideshare driver, you use your own car and mobile device and choose your own hours. If you don't mind driving, this can be a quick and easy way to make money—whether on the side or as a full-time gig. Plus, if you live in a smaller area with not much competition, you'll be everyone's go-to ride.

47. Website development and design

Every business needs at least a basic website to succeed, but many business owners don’t know how to set one up for themselves. So, if you're an IT and design wizard, you'll have endless opportunities to custom-build websites. Use a platform like Upwork or Envato to gain your first clients, then use your portfolio and word-of-mouth recommendations to grow your client base (and eventually boost your prices).

48. Sell clothes online

Thanks to online marketplaces like eBay, Amazon and Etsy, and apps like Depop, it's easier than ever to sell your items online. If you open up an ecommerce store, you won't need to handle the logistical and financial stress of leasing a space, finding financing and hiring labor that you would if you were to open up a brick-and-mortar store.

Plus, unlike a physical retail location, ecommerce stores are open 24/7, so you'll supercharge your earning capacity — making this one of the most potentially lucrative home-based small business ideas on this list.

49. SEO consultant

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving a website or webpage's rank for specific keywords in organic search engine results. An SEO agency is tasked with improving a client's organic search results to generate more inbound visitors and thus leads for top-of-funnel keywords by optimizing the client's website, building links to the website and/or optimizing the website technically.

To get started on launching this low-cost startup business idea for yourself, ensure you're trained in SEO or hire someone who is trained in SEO, and launch a website to advertise your services.

50. App development

Launching a successful app is no easy task — but there have never been more resources at your disposal to help you get started. Whether you want to develop apps for Android or iOS, there are large markets available for games, productivity tools, and much more. App development is an excellent small business idea because so many businesses want apps developed. Alternatively, you could develop apps for consumers.

This article originally appeared on JustBusiness, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.

Want to start a business?

NerdWallet has rounded up some of our best information on starting a business, including structuring and naming your company, creating a solid plan and much more. We’ll help you do your homework and get started on the right foot.

30 Unique Small Business Ideas to Try in 2023

Christopher Ike

Last updated on March 7, 2023 13 mins read

Have you been searching for the right unique small business ideas to try in 2023? You are in luck because we’ve compiled a detailed list of 30 small business ideas that are worth giving a try.

Starting a business comes with numerous perks. You own your time, you get a chance to do what you truly love, and most importantly, you get to make more money.

In this post, I will share 30 small business ideas worth trying. From cleaning services to selling your expertise and starting an eCommerce site selling what you’re passionate about ( be it trendy pearls , paper supplies or car accessories), there are lots of options out there.

Lucky for you, these businesses are easy to start, don’t require heavy financial investment upfront, and require very little technical expertise.

Let’s get started already.

Top 10 Startup and Small Business Ideas to Try in 2023

Are you looking for your next startup idea? Here are ten ideas worth giving a go in 2023.

1. Cleaning service

Consider starting a cleaning business if you don’t mind doing the dirty work others cannot do for themselves. The financial reward can be incredible.

Starting a cleaning business is fairly easy and you can start with very little capital. Sometimes, all you need is a scrub and cleaning soap.

That said, here are some cleaning businesses you can easily get into:

2. Freelance Writing Business

Freelance writing is readily one of the easiest online businesses to start in 2023. A computer and an internet connection are all you need.

You don’t even need to be a native English speaker to break into freelance writing.

If you have expertise or experience in a particular field – say crypto trading – you can make a business out of it by writing on that subject or shooting videos for your YouTube channel. You can help people understand what are cryptocurrencies, how to trade, which exchanges or crypto portfolio trackers to use. Moreover, you can also provide Blockchain PR services, since blockchain technology is the future and offer them on your Patreon account. Moreover, you can also provide Blockchain PR services, since blockchain technology is the future.

But if you don’t have any expertise, one good way to start is by hunting for re-writing gigs on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork .

3. Amazon Kindle Publishing

Can you possibly make money off your writing skill even while sleeping? You definitely can, thanks to Amazon Kindle Publishing .

It works like this: You write a book and upload it to Amazon Kindle Publishing . Amazon’s review team will review the book.

Once approved, it will be published on Amazon, and readers can purchase your book. Each time your book gets sold, Amazon will take a certain percentage and leave the rest to you.

If done correctly, Amazon KDP can be a source of passive income . Plus, it is scalable.

Are you great with kids? Why not help give busy parents a helping hand by starting a daycare business?

Starting a daycare business can be fulfilling and rewarding. On top of that, you don’t need so much upfront investment to get it off the ground. You could even start one from the comfort of your home.

Remember that you might need to get a permit to start your daycare, so look into that before starting one.

5. Pet Grooming

If you enjoy having pets around, and grooming them doesn’t seem like much work, consider starting a pet grooming business.

To stay flexible, consider offering home services. In this arrangement, you visit the homes of pet owners, groom their pets, and get paid for your services.

Creating a Google My Business Page for your business can help you reach more clients in your local area.

6. Aerial Photography

The demand for aerial photography has risen to unprecedented heights in the past decade. If you are good at flying a drone – or at least can learn one quickly – an aerial photography business won’t be a bad idea.

Luckily, a good drone isn’t expensive – with as little as $1,500, you can get a nice one for yourself from Amazon.

Who will your ideal clients be? Real estate developers, intending couples with an upcoming wedding event, movie and music producers, and more. In addition, photography makes a great hobby and can quickly turn into your favorite pastime activity.

7. Build and Sell Themes Online

If you’ve got good coding skills and are particularly good at front-end development , you can build a business out of your skills by creating and selling website themes online.

Depending on your skill set, you can build themes for WordPress and sell them on Themeforest.

However, if you have limited knowledge about WordPress, you can build your theme using Bootstrap, CSS, HTML, and Js and then publish it on GetBootstrap .

Consistency and persistence will go a long way in turning this small business idea into reality.

8. Blogging

Can you still make money today by blogging ? The short and simple answer is yes.

To succeed with blogging, you need to have good writing habits as well as find a niche with little competition and hit hard on it. Patience and diligence will undoubtedly help. If you’re planning to start a blog, it’s important to choose the right hosting solution . Hosting helps to ensure your content is secure and reliable when it reaches your customers

Blogging is a good business idea for college students, stay-at-home moms , etc.

9. Food Delivery Service

Starting a restaurant can be daunting and capital intensive. Too many details need to be taken into account starting from restaurant design plan to the color and pa.ttern choice of utensils If you have been looking at starting one but haven’t got the funds, look into starting a meal delivery service instead.

It works like this: you prepare quality, tasty meals at home and then deliver them to your customers either at work or in their homes.

Depending on the laws of the city you live in, you might need a permit and courier insurance to run this type of business.

10. Property Management

If you’ve worked in the real estate industry before, or you are just good at real estate management software development , you might find success as a property manager.

The thing is, there are lots of property owners who don’t have the time to manage their properties spread across town. They need someone they can trust to collect rents, fix broken stuff, and kick bad tenants out. If you’ve worked in the real estate industry before, or you are just good at management, you might find success as a property manager, especially with the right property management software .

So, if you are up to the challenge, by all means, give it your best shot.

Top 10 Most Successful Businesses to Start

Not all businesses succeed. In fact, some go belly up even before they get a chance to start.

You sure don’t want that to happen to you. What business can you start in 2023 that has a high probability of success?

Here are a few:

11. Virtual Assistant Service

Many small business owners and solopreneurs need helping hands to keep their business going, and wouldn’t mind paying to get one.

Why not cash in on this opportunity by offering virtual assistant services to these busy entrepreneurs? Global marketplaces and BPO’s like 1840 & Company can help you find clients

You can help them manage booking appointments , send and reply to emails, make calls to their clients, answer customer queries, and lots more.

The best part is that you can do all this without being physically present.

Crowdsourcing platforms like Upwork, Remote.co, and Indeed can help you find clients.

12. Social Media Management Service

Having a solid online presence is key to surviving and staying relevant in business in this digital age – little wonder why many companies are jostling to establish themselves on social sharing sites .

You can also make a business out of this by helping busy entrepreneurs handle their social media accounts .

13. Web Design Agency

In the early age of the web, you needed to know how to write long, intricate codes to build a website. But all that has changed now, thanks to no-code solutions like WordPress and Wix.

If you like to design stuff and don’t mind devoting time to learning how to use WordPress, consider starting a web design business. Automation web testing comes in the website development life-cycle. You can also offer web design as well as automated testing services. And can work as an automation testing company .

To acquire clients for your business, start by telling your friends and family what you do. You’d be amazed at how this simple networking strategy can bring you lots of clients. You don’t have to stop with web design. Branch out into other agency roles, such as SEO . This London-based SEO consultancy is a great example of how you can start. You could even work fully remotely. A solid online presence is a key to surviving and staying relevant in business in this digital age – little wonder why many companies are jostling to establish themselves on social sharing sites. Further, you can use social media scheduling tools to schedule posts promptly to boost reach.

How to acquire customers

14. Coffee Shop

Turn your love for coffee brewing into some serious cash-making venture by launching a coffee shop.

If you don’t have the time and dedication to build your coffee business from the ground up, franchising might be a better option. Alternatively, you can purchase an already established coffee shop and rebrand it.

Of course, you will some serious cash to pull that off.

15. Sell Online Courses

Got a skill you can also teach to others without thinking so much about it? Why not start making money out of it by creating and selling your courses online ?

And you can teach just about anything: DIY hacks, copywriting, how to fix broken stuff, gardening, etc.

You don’t need expensive filming gear to get started; your smartphone is enough.

Udemy, Skillshare , and other course building platforms are good places to start.

16. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is ideal for 9-5ers, stay-at-home moms and dads, and anyone looking for a passive side income.

How does it work?

You find a physical or digital product you would like to promote, drive traffic to that product, and hope to make a sale. Each time that product gets sold, you earn a commission.

For example, we run an affiliate program here at Adoric. Each time you refer visitors to us, and they sign up for any of our paid plans, you will earn a 20% commission. To run such a marketing campaign referral software is very useful to set up and automate the process.

To find profitable products to promote, check out platforms like Commission Junction or Clickbank.

17. Home Tutoring

Home tutoring is another unique small unique business idea worth giving a try in 2023.

The best part is that you can provide this type of service virtually online or physically. And you can teach just about anything: maths, economics, piano, swimming, etc.

Platforms like Tutorme can help connect you with clients looking for your services.

18. Video Editor

Did you know that YouTube is the second largest search engine just after Google?

This is a clear indication that video consumption is soaring and with the increase in the video popularity it is advised to make videos using creative slide templates to reach your audience.

Hence, if you are good at video editing , there are lots of people out there that will need your services. Besides, some video editing effects are available for free so it makes the job easier for you.

19. eCommerce

Thanks to the internet, selling is now easier than ever. You can sell products to people on the other side of the planet without stressing about it.

When done right, an eCommerce business can be extremely profitable. Offshore Protection has seen a dramatic rise in eCommerce businesses that have decided to start their business overseas.

Choosing the right eCommerce platform is vital for the success of your business. WooCommerce, Shopify, Oberlo, etc. are some that you can try.

Not sure which to go for? Also, choose your hosting provider carefully and consider deploying your online store on a managed VPS instead of using traditional shared hosting to guarantee yourself much better loading speeds, security, and scalability. Providers like ScalaHosting are among the top-rated companies in this segment, and with their SPanel, VPS management is no longer a challenge even for newbies.

Check out this detailed WooCommerce vs Shopify comparison guide

WooCommerce vs Shopify

20. Amazon FBA

Still talking about eCommerce, Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is one of the small-scale business ideas that you will likely find success with come 2023.

You find products you would like to sell, purchase them, and send them over to Amazon’s warehouses. If your products pass Amazon’s quality test, they will be uploaded online.

When customers place an order for your products, Amazon will package and deliver them. Payments and returns are handled out of the box for you.

Amazon FBA is more convenient than selling via Shopify or WooCommerce. Furthermore, you can use FBA tools like Helium 10 or Jungle Scout to increase sales on Amazon. If you want to import products from China, then you can get help from a sourcing agent like Sourcing Nova to find the best quality manufacturers.

How To Automate Small Business

Automating your processes can save you time and money if you own or manage a small business. There are many different ways to automate small business processes , and the best way to find out is to experiment.

Here are some tips on how to get started:

1. Create a process map. This will help you understand your current workflow and identify areas that could be automated.

2. Use software to help automate tasks. Programs like Automation Anywhere can streamline many common business processes, including email marketing, accounting, shipping, and customer service. You can also try Edi Consultant to automate your small business.

3. Use artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning algorithms to make decisions on your behalf. This can include things like automating billing or scheduling appointments.

4. Use big data analytics to improve decision-making and optimization of your processes. This will allow you to better understand customer needs and trends and optimize your operations accordingly.

Top 5 Business Ideas for Women

Are you a stay-at-home mom, single mom, or just a woman looking to take her destiny into her hand by starting a business ?

Here are 5 unique business ideas that you should try your hands on.

21. Personal Shopper

Turn your shopaholic craze into a profitable business venture by helping those who haven’t got the time to shop for themselves.

The coolest part is that you need virtually nothing to get started – just your passion for shopping will do.

To get started, talk to as many people as you can and let them know you can help them with their shopping needs. From there, you can begin to scale up by building a website to promote your business.

22. Handmade Crafts

If you are skilled at making mittens, beaded bags, shawls, or any other valuable craft, consider selling your handmade crafts in places like Etsy to shopify .

A lot of women have built for themselves a business empire via Etsy – so also can you.

23. Caregiver

A lot of families have aged and sick ones that need to be taken care of at home. So, if got some nursing experience, or you are just a people person, you can make a business out of this.

Keep in mind that you might need to get certified by a recognized body to provide personal care to invalids.

24. Teach English Online

The demand for English teachers around the world has been on the rise. If you speak English natively and have a good internet connection , you can build a business out of this demand by teaching English online.

You can use platforms like VIPKID can help you connect with potential clients around the world.

25. Blogging

If you naturally like to write, you might find a lot of success with blogging. A lot of stay-at-home moms are meeting their family needs from the blogging incomes.

What can you blog about?

Anything you have passion for. It could be about your new reality of being a mom. Or maybe helpful personal finance tips. But all that has changed now, thanks to no-code solutions like Appy Pie website builder , WordPress, and Wix.

To see substantial income from blogging, you need first to build sizable traffic to your website. This will require publishing content regularly.

You can then monetize that traffic using Google ads, Affiliate marketing, etc.

Top 5 Business Ideas for Teens

Who said your teenage son or daughter can’t start a business of their own. If your kid has got an entrepreneurial spirit, here are some business ideas you can encourage them to try their hands on:

26. Car Wash

Make your enterprising kids work for their weekly allowance by letting them wash your car. Once they start getting better at it, you can ask your neighbors and friends if they would like your kids to wash theirs too.

27. Errand-running

Helping others with errands like buying groceries, grooming pets, etc. can be a lucrative venture for teens.

It has a minimal entry barrier, easy to start, and doesn’t require any capital – a bicycle is enough to get started with.

28. Ice Cream Joint

Who doesn’t love a cold cup of ice cream in the heat of summer? Why not sell this business idea to your kid and see if they would run with it.

You can support them by purchasing a vending machine and renting a small space somewhere in your neighborhood.

29. Podcasting

Some people have a natural flair for creating audio content. If you’ve noticed this talent in your teen, encourage them to start a podcast .

And they don’t need to buy expensive gears to hit the ground running – their smartphone is enough.

30. Laundry

The laundry business, though old, still strives till today. This makes it an excellent business opportunity for teens and young persons looking to start their first entrepreneurial venture.

The NFT market has experienced explosive growth in the last 2 years, making it a goldmine for wannabe entrepreneurs looking for a business to start in 2023.

One easy way to get into NFT and make money from it is by creating pieces of art, such as paintings, music, drawings, etc. and converting them into NFT. You can then sell them via platforms such as Opensea, Rarible, etc.

If creating NFT pieces won’t work for you, consider flipping. This involves buying other people’s NFT pieces and selling them at a markup. That way, you wouldn’t have to mine the NFT yourself.

Starting a business and finding success with it can be demanding, but at the same time rewarding.

If you are stuck on ideas, try any of the 30 small business ideas shared in this post.

Already have a business going for you? Let Adoric help you win more customers and boost your sales.

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The possibilities of tweaking your content to execute a strong email strategy are near-limitless. Your strategy encompasses your entire marketing approach, from the segmentation of your audience and personalization of messages down to the minutest details of the tone of your copy and appropriate text formatting.

Are you looking to reach potential customers – including previous visitors to your website – and grow your sales via Facebook Retargeting? This guide is for you.

These eCommerce hacks will help you make more sales. Have a look today to know what you can do to improve website conversion.

1001 Small Business Ideas

Browse our small business ideas below !

Looking for small business ideas to start? Find more than 1,000 business ideas in our comprehensive list of suggestions for starting your own business. Start by reading the tips on what business to start. Then find a good business idea for you in the list that follows.

Launching your own business can be personally and financially rewarding. Technology has made becoming an entrepreneur easier than ever in the past. It’s also led to many new business ideas for startups that didn’t exist just a decade or two ago. Many in the list below are good ideas for home businesses and small towns.

What’s the best business to start?

That’s likely the top question on your mind. Others may include, “What’s an easy business to start?” or “What’s the best business idea to start at home ?” But the question you should be asking is, “What’s the best business for me to start?”

To answer that question, consider your skills, interests, and available cash. Here are criteria to consider when deciding what type of business to start:

As you look at the list of small business ideas below, keep those personal interests, skills and needs in mind.

Small Business Ideas List

We’ve grouped the business ideas into categories to make it easier to find concepts that match your interests and skills. To get to the businesses in any category, just click on the category name below. Alternately, you can just scroll through the entire list of business ideas to find one that stirs your interest.

Small Town Business Ideas

Online business ideas.

Business Ideas for Women

Business Ideas for Teens

Beauty business ideas, business and consumer services.

Computer & Internet

Consulting Business Ideas

Editorial, graphic arts, publishing, entertainment business ideas, fashion business startups, food small business ideas.

Startups for Men

Business ideas for college students, miscellaneous, mobile small business ideas, office services, planning and organizing, rental business.

Reselling Ideas

Retail and Commercial

Agricultural company ideas, small manufacturing businesses, business ideas for empty warehouses.

Let's Start Your Business

Some businesses on the list are one-person business ideas . Some require a significant amount of money and may require you to hire employees to make them successful. Others could be enjoyable but won’t produce enough income for your needs.

If you don’t have cash, you may want to consider ideas for businesses you can start with little or no money . Under some of the types of businesses (artists, for instance), we’ve mentioned products or services that might be offered either as the main business or as one of the business’s offerings.

Startup opportunities abound, so learn to find real business opportunities and avoid scams. Here are ways to evaluate business ideas by deciding what type of business to start.

A deeper look into finding new business ideas: More ways to find business ideas

Once you find a business idea you think you’d like to start, check out our how-to-start-a-business guide to find out how to get ready to launch the business.

Then follow this template to write a business plan . If you already know what business you want to start or want to protect yourself from being personally liable, you can create an LLC or a corporation now.

Every small town needs businesses to thrive. Great companies have been launched in rural areas – remember Walmart started in a small town!

Think about the basic human needs of food, clothing, and shelter as the building blocks of successful small-town businesses. Some examples are small or specialty grocery stores, clothing boutiques and local building contractors.

This list of small-town business ideas that will work in your rural area or village because every small town needs these types of goods and services. Some examples of small-town businesses are:

Small town service businesses to consider include:

These are just a few of the possible businesses suited for a local startup . Check this list of 66 small-town business ideas for more suggestions.

Home-Based Small Business Ideas

Many types of businesses can be started and run profitably from home as long as they don’t disturb you neighbors in any significant way.

Handmade products, for instance, have long been a cottage industry. The art of handcrafted products is becoming more and more appreciated and valued. Creative business ideas you could make and sell include craft items and other handmades such as:

Tutoring – Tutoring is still another example of a very easy-to-start business. Yet you can grow it as large as you want by hiring additional tutors and ramping up your marketing. The demand is huge. You can tutor almost anywhere. You can tutor online via video, such as on Zoom. You can go to your client’s homes or they can come to your home. Or you can meet in a coffee shop or a library.

But there are many other types of home businesses that may be more profitable to consider.

This list of home business ideas to start with little or no money includes estimates on the amount of money you might make in each one.

Do you want to be a digital entrepreneur? There are lots of interesting and unique ways to make money online. From blogging to voice over work, online business has never been hotter or more profitable. You can sell your own products or services online or be a reseller.

If you don’t want to deal with keeping an inventory, you can create e-products and e-training courses that you deliver online. You can also use drop-shippers and print-on-demand companies to allow you to promote and sell products online without having to buy and store inventory.

Learn more about how to find wholesale products to sell online .

Here are some trending online business ideas

Digital products and services

Here are some more examples of digital products and services you might sell:

Get more online business ideas and research

Specialize in a niche

Specialization, aiming at a smaller niche, focusing on a more precise target market, can make all the difference in getting your business going, getting it found, and producing revenue.

A great niche can help you:

Basically, defining a target market and niche that’s both “specific enough” AND currently underserve in the world will help you with everything… literally.

Examples of niche businesses

There are companies that have grown big selling things like casual shirts, comfortable underwear, and even beard oil. You can come up with niches you could serve if you think about what you sell and who might need it. Here are just a few business niche examples.

Business Ideas with under $100 Startup Costs

Want to start your business – but you have no money? No problem. Check out this big list of profitable small business idea s with low startup costs – some cost nothing. All are under $100!

Research further into ways to start and fund your business cheaply:

Freelancer and Gig Economy

The trend is towards a gig economy. Gigs are temporary positions with contract and independent workers for short-term engagements. It’s estimated that there are about 59 million gig workers in the United States. With a little creativity and smarts, entrepreneurs can build the business around this kind of self-service business.

People who want to start this type of activity and focus on the most popular services such as data entry, writing, computer programming spreadsheets like Excel and all kinds of website development tasks. Major sites such as Fiverr and Upwork list projects and gigs available all of which contain great new business ideas for you. I think this is a good place to start for business ideas for beginners.

Small Business Ideas for Women

Women-focused media is helping to reshape our society’s ideas about femininity, gender, and power. According to the SBA , women own 20 percent of all businesses and 42 percent of all businesses that don’t have employees.

While every woman is different, and there are no limitations on the types of businesses women can start, here are a few business ideas for types of businesses that women often start. Here are a few ideas, but don’t limit your search for business opportunities based on your gender, however. Women are increasingly starting traditionally male-owned companies and visa versa.

Trending Business Idea for Women

Women’s Health Specialist – Today’s evolved mindset is removing the social taboo of women’s health and bringing it to the forefront of business opportunities. Entrepreneurs who want to make a difference in women’s lives are well poised to profit with firms that offer services, resources, and products related to women’s health and well-being. Here are five health and fitness ideas to look into.

Those are just the tip of the iceberg .

There are still more male-owned businesses than woman-owned. Great. Certainly, every man is different and has particular interests and talents. Here are some industries in which males traditionally have excelled.

There are many other choices, of course. Here are 39 small business ideas for men.

It can be difficult to make much money when you are a teenager. During the school year, you may not have much time to work. And jobs you can get any time of the year are likely to pay minimum wage. If you think outside the box, you may be able to make more by starting your own business.

Teenagers are the next wave of entrepreneurs

Learn more about these business ideas for teenagers here .

If you are a college student, free time may feel like it is hard to come by. With class, extracurricular activities, study sessions, and social life, there is not even much time to sleep, let alone explore options as a student entrepreneur. However, starting a business while in college can be an exceptionally profitable enterprise for a couple of reasons.

Some cool new business ideas and jobs students can start pursuing while in the university include:

For more ideas ,

See this list of business ideas for college students to start .

Easy Business Ideas for Beginner Entrepreneurs

Beginner entrepreneurs can make money by performing services they know how to do. Some typical examples are tutoring, pet sitting, cleaning services and blogging. Depending on your background, some of the following ideas might be easy for you to start.

Art Business Ideas

Creative individuals make super entrepreneurs. In addition to creating your art, you need to know how to run a business. Here are some ways to use your creativity to make money in your own company.

If none of these ideas for artists are to your liking, get inspired by these additional art business ideas .

Automotive Business Ideas

Need more ideas?

Put your foot on the entrepreneurial pedal with these additional automotive business ideas .

The beauty industry can be pretty profitable (pun intended).

It is a huge industry at over $511 billion in revenue globally. If you want to capture your piece of the action, consider these beauty business ideas

Beauty business suggestions

Want more beauty business ideas? Read this full list of beauty business ideas.

Here’s how you can start your own delivery service business .

Handyman Business Resources

Here are several business models for a handyman business .

Get started in the Landscaping Business

Here’s how to get started in a landscaping business .

Fitness Business Resources Here’s how to start your own gym or fitness club .

Photography side hustle

You can also start your photography business as a side gig and grow it into

Computer and Internet

A consulting business can be very lucrative and rewarding. Good consulting niches include sales, logistics, human resources, executive coaching, small business coaching, international business customs, Facebook marketing, website strategies, email, accounting, logos, and more. This is a good business to start if you have been working in your field for many years and have in-depth experience.

The business-to-business market is strongest and is most open to hiring outside contractors Here are just a few examples.:

Consulting Resources

Get started by reading how to start your own consulting business .

Then check out this list of the best consulting businesses to start .

Want to express your creativity and make some money at the same time? How about a craft business ? Today the opportunities to sell your crafts are seemingly endless with the expansion of the Internet. You can sell your crafts on sites like Etsy.com, on your own website, through your own email list and on social media. Sell at local art and craft fairs. And you can also approach retail stores yourself. Or once you have a good product line put together, you may want to consider contracting a sales rep firm that focuses on the gift trade.

A sales rep firm will sell your products to retailers for you on a commission basis, usually 15% of the wholesale price. You can find these firms at the larger gift shows or you can approach them online.

Publish your book

Here’s how to get a book published .

Are you a showbiz type? An actor, singer, dancer, or musician? Great. Your talents can earn you good money. The entertainment industry is especially profitable and fun! Here are a few of the best entertainment business ideas to get you started:

Discover more business ideas in the entertainment field here

Use your love of clothing to start the business of your dreams. Today it’s easier than ever. You can contract out production and sell online. You can sell through platforms such as Amazon and eBay or your own website, or you can even sell to traditional retailers.

You can start your clothing line small and grow it at your own pace. Launch your clothing business with a very few, fabulous items. One concept: put together a collection of clothing that people want to be part of. In other words, something you can market as a lifestyle brand. Find a manufacturing source that will produce a quality product consistently. Even if you decide to use an existing platform such as Amazon or eBay to sell, it’s a good idea to build your own online presence including a website, an email list and social media – which is especially important for clothing. This will not only help attract new customers, but also build repeat business, and create positive word of mouth

Yes, the garment industry is very competitive, but so is every profitable business trade. Also, there are many entrepreneurial opportunities available beyond the obvious ones of the designer or model. Such as these stylish fashion business ideas:

Read the full list of fashion business ideas here

Attention foodies! There are many tasty (and profitable) food business ideas to make money from your love of food. A few examples:

Not satisfied with these food business ideas?

Fill your mind with dozens more from this menu of food business ideas .

With today’s busy schedules and digital lifestyles, mobile businesses are surging ahead of traditional retailers and service providers. Gone are the days when you had to travel to the salon, now it comes to you! Almost any type of business can go mobile. One of the most popular trends has been for restaurants to move into food trucks , parked at concerts and events.

Consider launching any of these mobile businesses:

Read dozens more ideas on this list of more mobile business ideas .

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Today people rent everything from power washers, to tuxedos and happy birthday signs lawn decorations. Equipment rentals are growing in the party and event industry and in the construction industry. The trend is fueled by current financial situations and the cost of ownership vs the cost of renting.

Some rental businesses to consider:

Here are more rental business ideas /rental-business-ideas/ .

Drop Shipping and Reseller Ideas

A fast, easy and relatively low-cost business startup idea is to buy merchandise and resell it. You can be a reseller of new merchandise, or you can set up a resale business selling used merchandise. If you are reselling new merchandis, you buy products at a wholesale price and resell them to your customers at a higher retail price – pocketing the difference as profit. If you resell used goods, you need to find used products to resell that are in good condition and priced low enough to allow you to make a profit.

There are plenty of products that you could resell. Here’s a list of 33 reseller business ideas

Love to farm? Enjoy animals? If so, then these agricultural business ideas are ideal for your entrepreneurial venture. In demand, crops include microgreens, specialty mushrooms, and specialty fruit. Agricultural tourism and farmers’ markets are lucrative business opportunities. Here are some popular ideas in this field.

Get more ideas for running an agricultural business here

Business Ideas for Vacant Land

If you own land you can make money in your own business. No you do not need to invest in development or build buildings to create cash flow.

There are many creative ways to profit even from empty lots such as farmers markets, wind farms, campground and storage yards.

Learn tons of new ways to make money from raw land on my list of business ideas for vacant land here

If you own an empty warehouse, you have two major options. You can sell it for an immediate profit, or you can use this empty warehouse space to make money.

If you consider yourself to be a bit of an entrepreneur, you’ll want to use this space as a source of continuous income. Here are some business ideas to get you started:

If those ideas don’t suit you, see this more extensive list of money-making business ideas for empty space s.

Green Small Business Ideas

Today’s focus on environmentally friendly products and sustainable companies opens opportunities for green-minded entrepreneurs. Here are some ideas for green small business startups.

Electronic Recycling Home and Office Pickup

The result of our huge almost insatiable desire for new electronic devices is mountains of old electronics and their toxic batteries that need to be properly recycled. These materials are extremely dangerous in standard trash dumps.

Many people do not know how or where to recycle these items. Start a new business that picks up this e-waste trash and take it to your nearest electronics recycling center. Your fees can be based on item weight and travel distance.

Lawn Care Service – Yes this is an evergreen business. Consumers continue to demand lawn care, maintenance, and landscaping services. A great part-time service that you can develop into a substantial firm with hard work and smart marketing.

If you love the outdoors and gardening this could be the ideal startup for you. Best way to start a lawn care business.

Here are dozens more ideas for green businesses to start .

Get inspired to start your manufacturing business. This list of manufacturing businesses has ideas for all industries including food, agricultural, woodworking, metal crafts, sewing, and technology. Becoming a manufacturer can be quite profitable. Your products can be sold locally, internationally or online greatly expanding your market share.

Business Ideas for Seniors

Starting a new business in retirement is an excellent idea. You can earn extra income, supplement your retirement savings, reduce your tax bill, improve your mental and physical health, pursue your dream of becoming an entrepreneur while passing on your skills and knowledge to the next generation.

Read these best business ideas for seniors

Learn about the Do and Don’ts of starting a business after retirement

Baby Business Ideas

Many baby business ideas are ideal for stay-at-home moms and many have low start-up costs, too. This list of profitable baby and kid business ideas includes baby stores, baby products, baby food lines, baby clothing, toys, services, and family entertainment small business startup ideas.

Trending Small Business Ideas

Apps for Children

Kids are tomorrow’s new customers, so selling products for them today and familiarizing them with your logo is an excellent idea. 75% of children under 8 years of age in America have access to a smartphone or tablet computer.

In the past, television was often called the electronic babysitter today it is more likely that a smartphone is an electronic nanny. Parents, who are probably technically addicted millennials, encourage their children to use software and apps, especially those that teach good health habits and are education oriented.

Focus on developing apps for children in this growing marketplace and on marketing the apps to parents.

To get started, read these suggestions for how to start an app business .

Business Ideas to Start in a Recession

Don’t let a recession or other business slowdown stop you from starting a business. Companies may outsource work to save money on labor costs during a recession. Furthermore, some industries are more recession-proof than others.

Here are some businesses that are particularly resilient during an economic downturn:

Read the full list of recession-proof business ideas here

Check the list of cost of business licenses by US States here

Learn how to sell your business idea to investors or to a company – step by step

All small businesses need legal services for their LLC formation, sales contracts, partnership agreements, and trademark registrations. Read this comparison of online legal service providers .

Don’t let lack of funds stall your entrepreneurial plans. See how you could be starting a small business with no money .

Now you have the list of new business ideas get going and make this your entrepreneurial year.

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Entrepreneurship

45 Awesome Business Startup Ideas to Consider

Joanna Zambas

Content Manager and Career Expert

Whether you want to leave the daily grind behind or start a side venture while you work your usual 9-to-5 job, the thought of becoming an entrepreneur is an attractive one to many people. You just need to have the determination, time and passion to invest in your project, as well as have a basic understanding of how to start a business .

That said, the basis of a profitable business relies on one thing: a good idea – a unique, in-demand and, of course, legal one! But if you’re stuck on a concept, don’t worry – we’ve compiled a list of the 45 best and most successful startup ideas.

So, go ahead and take your pick!

1. Tour Guiding

Do you know every little thing about your city or country? Why not share that knowledge of yours with the world by selling guided tours to tourists and visitors?

2. App Development

In today’s digital age, developers are in constant high demand. All you need is an ability to market yourself effectively and to create a personal brand – and you’ll be on your way to success in no time.

3. Recruiting

Although there are many well-known recruitment agencies around, you too can find your niche in the pool of big fish. All you need is a network of contact, the skill and a unique idea – and the best part is that you can begin this low-budget startup with just a phone and good salesmanship.

4. Bookkeeping

Many businesses fall behind on their bookkeeping and need help from an outside source – and this is exactly where you come in: you’ll help small businesses get their accounts in order, as well as create invoices and settle payments on their behalf.

5. Marketing

It can be difficult to start pitching your marketing services when you’re competing with big companies, but if you’re a skilled marketer with a creative flair, there’s nothing stopping you from helping small businesses build their marketing strategies.

6. Travel Agency

It’s a well-known fact that tourism will never die; people will always want to take holidays – and you can be the person who makes all the necessary travel arrangements for them.

7. Tutoring

If you’re an expert in a particular subject like maths, English or history, you could consider setting up a private tutoring business online or in person.

8. Building Maintenance

If you’re skilled in plumbing or electrical engineering, for example, you could consider setting up your own building maintenance business. You could even have other tradesmen work with you on an on-call basis.

9. Electronic Repairs

If family and friends always turn to you to fix their broken phones and laptops, the next obvious step would be to set up a small electronic repairs business.

10. Photography

Photographers are always in high demand, no matter what season. You could start by covering local events or specialising in one type of photography, like portraits, for example.

11. Blogging/Vlogging

If you’re passionate and knowledgeable in a certain area, you might want to consider starting a blog or YouTube vlog and making a fine penny or two in the process. That said, it’s not guaranteed you’ll become an overnight sensation, and it may take some time before you start racking up views, so don’t give up your day job just yet!

12. Airbnb Hosting

If you have a room or an entire property that you hardly use, why not list it on sites like Airbnb? You’ll need to make a sizeable investment for any required repairs, but it’s a great business to get up and running.

13. Social Media

Are you a social media whizz who knows how to monetise Instagram posts, tweets and Facebook likes? Then great! Different clients – from small businesses to large corporations – will pay you to handle their social media channels.

14. Résumé Writing

If you’re skilled at writing résumés and cover letters , you can set up your own résumé writing service and help professionals articulate their experience and skills to match the position they’re applying for.

15. Writing

Becoming a professional writer and writing a book isn’t the easiest of businesses, but if your lifelong dream is to write a compelling piece of literature, there are affordable solutions. For examples, you could self-publish an eBook on Amazon – this will effectively cut out all the publishing and printing fees that usually come with writing a book.

16. Domain Flipping

If you have a creative mind, you can buy domain names (containing specific keywords, for example) and then resell them to companies for a large profit.

17. Ticket Reselling

18. Dog Walking

If you’re a big dog lover , perhaps you should consider setting up our own dog walking business. All you’ll need is a few regular clients!

19. Car Washing

Most people have cars that need washing but never have the time or energy to do it themselves. This is where you come in! You can start your own car washing business with just a bucket, sponge and cleaning spray.

20. Wedding Planning

The wedding industry is always thriving, and bridezillas everywhere need someone to hold their hand and help them navigate the process of planning a wedding. If you’re highly organised and you like to throw a great party, this business idea is right up your alley!

21. Floristry

If you have a love for flowers and enjoy creating floral masterpieces for weddings and all sorts of special occasions, you could start your own home-based business in next to no time. And once you’ve made a name for yourself and you start making a decent profit, you could move your business to a brick-and-mortar location.

22. Gardening

Most people like having pretty gardens but don’t actually like gardening. So, if you’re known for your green fingers, you could set up your own consulting firm. You can even specialise in flowers, vegetables, trees, etc.

23. Beauty Therapy

If you’re a trained beautician , why not take the leap and start your own business? You could even build your own app and become a remote beautician who travels to clients’ homes and delivers personal services.

24. Laundry Services

The laundry business has been booming for years, and you could make an investment in a coin-operated launderette – while carrying on with your day job, if you wish!

25. Childcare

If you love children, you could open your own day care centre or even start a babysitting service. You won’t need any qualifications as the owner of a nursery, as long as you have certified teachers running the classes.

26. Sewing and Alterations

If you know how to handle a sewing machine, you could set up your own alterations business and make as much as $15–$20 (£10–£15) just for shortening a pair of trousers!

27. Car Dealing

Owning a car dealership is a business that many aspiring entrepreneurs go into. You’ll be responsible for buying second-hand cars and reselling them to new buyers.

28. Tattooing

If you’re the artistic type, you can set up your own studio or rent a chair in a tattoo parlour and be your own boss. Once you do a few good tattoos, you’ll get a lot more business through word of mouth.

29. Personal Styling/Shopping

If you have a passion for fashion and pairing different fabrics and accessories together, you can set up your own business and become a personal stylist helping clients develop their own style and showing them what will suit their body shape.

30. Product Development

People are always looking for easier ways to do things, and if you’re able to invent something that will solve their problems, you’re potentially sitting on a goldmine.

31. Jewellery Designing

If you enjoy creating beautiful jewellery designs in your spare time, you could potentially turn your hobby into a business . Start by pitching your like to a local jewellery shop or by selling it online on sites like Etsy and eBay.

32. Property Investment

If you have the resources to invest in property, your best bet is to rent it out. The money you earn from rent will help pay your mortgage repayments and, eventually, you’ll have a good source of income for doing minimal work.

33. Portaloo Services

Portaloos are high in demand throughout the year for events like concerts and festivals, and even construction sites. This means that investing in a few portable toilets, and renting them out, can make a high return.

34. Box Subscriptions

Box subscription services are the new trend, from snacks to beauty products and vape liquids. Find your own niche in the market and you’ll be on your way to success in no time.

35. Personal Training

If you’re a qualified personal trainer , consider offering your services to potential clients. It can be quite a successful business venture, and you can even open a gym or start your own merchandising line one day.

Are you the next Great British Baker? If so, why not start making cakes for all types of occasions (like birthdays and weddings)? You could set up an online shop or open a pop-up store!

37. Coffee Shops

If you’re a skilled barista and have a passion for coffee beans , why not consider opening your own coffee shop? They’ll never go out of fashion and are relatively cheap to run.

38. Food and Nutrition Services

If you’re a trained nutritionist, you could set up your own nutrition management business. You can even team up with local gyms and personal trainers to find new clients.

39. Healthy Vending Machines

We’re all used to vending machines, but why not create a healthy version with snacks like carrots and hummus, apples and peanut butter, and nuts and trail mix?

40. All-Day Breakfast Restaurants

Have you ever rocked up to a café looking forward to a full fry-up only to be told breakfast is over? If so, think about opening your own all-day breakfast restaurant!

41. Food Trucks

Do you enjoy cooking? Do you own a van? Why not combine the two into a food truck and make specialty food like burgers for customers in busy shopping areas or outside sporting and event venues?

42. Life Coaching

If you want to help people and advise them on things like personal issues, career development and building their self-confidence, perhaps you should consider becoming a qualified life coach .

43. Motivational Speaking

Do you have a lot of experience under your belt and great advice that you want to share with the world? You could change people’s lives as a motivational speaker , and through word of mouth, you’ll become in demand.

44. Career Counselling

If you like helping others, you could become a qualified career coach . Your duties will involve helping people discover what they want to do and helping them with writing their résumé, finding a job and preparing for an interview .

45. Business Training

If you’re a skilled professional who’s worked in management positions in the past, then you’re very likely to become a great corporate trainer – or even establish your own firm. You’ll typically be hired by large organisations who need training seminars in specific areas, such as customer service, marketing and compliance.

Hopefully, these ideas will inspire you to set up your own venture and build a profitable and prosperous business.

Which ideas take your fancy? Have you recently set up your own business? Join the conversation below and let us know!

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Green Entrepreneur

24 Business Ideas That Could Be Worth Millions

Focus on one of the many problems people have that you could help them solve.

By John Rampton • May 28, 2021 Originally published May 7, 2019

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

The advance of the internet has democratized admission to the world of entrepreneurship. From virtually anywhere in the world (provided internet access), makers can launch real, viable businesses capable of generating millions of dollars a year.

While technology has lowered the barrier to entry to starting a business, there's still an infinite supply of problems just waiting to be solved. With tons of ideas out there, the primary ingredient for building a startup -- besides time and a bit of luck -- is execution. You just have to get started. To get you started, here are 24 viable business ideas.

Gmail Extension Creator

Modern businesses rely on email to get their work done. There are dozens of opportunities to build Gmail extensions that automate parts of a professional's workflow to save time and money.

Drone Videographer

Improvement in aviation technology has made it easier than ever to get a drone up and flying over a beautiful landscape or building. The commercial and residential real estate industries are practically begging for more drone videographers to serve their agents and home developers.

FAQs Chatbot Builder

Companies waste dozens and dozens of hours a week answering support questions from their customers. Help them automate this process by using a simple chatbot.

Drop Shipping Business Owner

You can start an e-commerce business without holding any inventory. This practice, known as drop shipping , offers a lot of opportunity if you can dominate the right niche.

Online Course Creator

If you know an industry or task really well, you can easily create and sell an online course that teaches people a new skill. You'll just have to invest the resources upfront that are necessary to develop the class.

Social Media Manager

You can run social media accounts for a number of different companies if you market yourself well. Advertise your ability to drive sales and increase ROI by leveraging the reach of multiple social channels.

Online Influencer

It's a common dream nowadays to become an internet celebrity, and there's a reason: Building a wide audience on the internet can give you immense influence that can be monetized at scale.

Affiliate Marketing Partner

Affiliate marketing is a partnership that bloggers, content creators or marketers can have with an online retailer. The retailer pays a commission for every referral sale the partner sends their way.

Event Planner and Promoter

Restaurants, clubs and other physical venues often struggle to get customers in the door. Using your ability as a marketer, you can be compensated for directing traffic to these locations.

Real Estate Investor

In any market, there are opportunities for buying and selling real estate to make a profit. With a bit of capital, you can begin taking more risks on your assets and making long term investments in residential and commercial real estate. Just be sure to do your research before you get started.

Ghostwriter

You can turn your ability to write well and quickly into a serious business if you find the right clients. Try freelancer platforms like Upwork and Freelancer.com. As long as you provide consistent and quality content, over time, your business is bound to grow.

Content Translator

Being fluent in another language can be extremely valuable to people who need their websites translated. Put up a simple website, and you can start charging for “translation as a service” for websites, documents and presentations.

Website Flipper

Using Flippa or any other online business marketplace, you can buy and sell projects, domains and websites. With the right eye, you can find great deals on promising ideas and turn them for a profit with just a small investment in the right areas.

Newsletter Writer

Building a newsletter with an active following is an extremely lucrative business opportunity because advertisers will pay serious dollars to get their names in front of the right audience. Start with a small niche that you can really provide value to, and you'll likely see your subscriber list grow over time.

Freelance Designer

Learn how to use Photoshop or sketch, and you can start charging clients for your design work. As a freelancer , you'll be able to make your own hours and dictate your own progression as your business grows.

Personal Trainer

If you enjoy fitness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, then personal training could be a prime business for you. There's always a market for it through people who are looking to get in shape -- and looking for someone to push them in the right direction.

Craigslist Flipper

Craigslist can be a goldmine finding deals that you can flip for a profit. There are plenty of resources available online that can help you identify the good deals from the rest of the pack.

Farmers' Market Seller

If you know any farmers in your area, you can reach out to them and offer to sell their products at farmers' markets. Rather than paying upfront, you can mitigate your risk by partnering with the farmers in exchange for commission.

Paid Advertising Consultant

Most businesses rely on some sort of paid advertising to drive leads for their business. Become an expert at Google AdWords or Facebook ads, and you can start charging clients for managing their spend.

Whether it is for the ACT, SAT or just general schoolwork, many students could use support to do their best in different subjects. Become a resource that helps students succeed in the classroom, and many parents will likely be willing to pay you for the help.

Outsourced Assistant

Well-paid CEOs do not have the time or energy to worry about many of the administrative tasks that can come with the job. If you can give wealthy people their time back by acting as an outsourcd assistant, many will be more than happy to compensate you appropriately.

Believe it or not, you can turn a profit off of beinga "professional reviewer," or someone who reviews products by publishing thoughts about them online. It will take some time to gain some domain authority, but after a while, you could become a thougth leader in your space.

Becoming a life coach is as simple as determining which of your past experiences you can use to provide value to others. Whether it is providing actionable strategies or general advice, you can likely find a niche as a life coach or mentor.

Website Designer

There are plenty of companies and professionals out there who want a website to represent them online but don't have the skills to create it. Many are more than willing to pay for a quality website that will better display their brand image.

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135+ Best Small Business Ideas You Can Start in 2023 Proven Side Business Ideas (for New Entrepreneurs) to Make Money Outside a Full-Time Job

Let’s talk small business ideas . No matter how rewarding your full-time job may be, finding the best side business ideas and eventually becoming self-employed is even more meaningful than great pay and solid benefits.

In this guide, we’re breaking down 135+ of the best small business ideas for new entrepreneurs to start today. Choosing the path of entrepreneurship is no small move—and you need to pursue the right business idea if you hope to make your endeavor a success.

Once you’re reaping the lifestyle benefits of being your own boss it’ll be difficult to ever go back to working a full-time job again. And one of the best ways to build momentum with your new business, is to start it on the side of your day job that’s keeping the bills paid. So, let’s dive into the most relevant small business ideas for entrepreneurs in 2023.

And by now you probably already know… with some of the lowest startup costs, one of the most proven successful small business ideas you can start working on right now is launching a blog of your own. For that reason, I recently put together a free guide that breaks down how to start a blog and I share the exact strategies I’ve used to turn my blog into a more than $50,000/mo business.

Looking for Proven Small Business Ideas? Learn How to Start a Blog

Come read my ultimate guide about how to start a blog (that earns me $50,000+ every month), as featured on Forbes , Business Insider and Entrepreneur .

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission. Know that I only recommend tools and learning resources I’ve personally used and believe are genuinely helpful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to purchase them. Most of all, I would never advocate for buying something that you can’t afford or that you’re not yet ready to implement.

The question I’m asked most (by far) when I speak with fellow entrepreneurs is, “How do I know which business ideas are best for me?” This is always quickly followed by, “How do I start on this small business idea while I’m still working my full-time job?”

This makes perfect sense. With how many business ideas already exist out in the world, it can be difficult to come up with the right side business idea you should be spending your time on.

With that in mind, I put together this comprehensive list of the 135+ Best Small Business Ideas You Can Start While Working a Full-Time Job , to help give you inspiration with proven ideas that can be executed on while you still keep your primary source of income and healthcare coverage.

If I missed any good ones, please share your picks for the best side business ideas in the comments below! And be sure to use this clickable table of contents list to jump straight down to the business idea that excites you most.

135 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2023 (& Make Money) for New Entrepreneurs

If like many new entrepreneurs, you have a lot of questions—fear not. I’ve got answers! Here are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) I get from new, beginner & aspiring small business owners:

Do I need a business plan before starting a small business?

No, and I’ll explain why. Taking the time to develop a business plan before starting your small business can help ensure your chances of building a successful business. However, it’s far more important to invest your time getting to know your potential customers, learning how you can best solve their relevant problems (rather than making assumptions). The #1 goal of creating a business plan is to make sure your idea has an established market of potential customers, and give you reasonable confidence that your solution has a high likelihood of helping those customers solve the problem you’re hoping to alleviate. Beyond that, a business plan is only effective if it’s regularly updated based on real-world learnings you can only gather from actually helping people solve a problem & getting paid to do it. Instead of creating a business plan before starting your business, I always advise new entrepreneurs to focus instead on solving a real problem they’re motivated to tackle, for a few people (and get paid to do it) . Once you’ve validated your business idea by getting paid to solve someone’s problem, you have a real business—one that’s worthy of then creating a business plan & figuring out how to scale your solution to more people.

I have a great business idea, but I don't know how to get started. What do I do?

Simplify and take small steps forward. Rather than worrying about how you’ll get to making a million dollars or having your product on shelves in Target stores around the world, focus on the small things you can do right here, right now to get closer to your most important goal— helping real people solve real problems . Follow the simple steps in the next FAQ for beginners to get your business idea started the right way today.

How do I start a business? 5 simple steps to get started today

Starting a business isn’t actually that difficult. If you break a “business” down into its most simple form, it’s really just a vehicle for helping people (or other businesses) solve problems they’re facing. If you can solve a problem, you have the foundation of a successful business idea—any beginner entrepreneur can learn this process. Follow these 5 simple steps to start a small business (and make money) with any business idea this year:

If your primary motivation is making money (and not solving a legitimate problem for yourself or others), you’ll almost certainly lost momentum when the going gets tough… and starting a small business of your own will get challenging. Stay focused on simple steps forward, while solving real problems and you’ll be on the right track to learning whether your business idea has real potential, or if it’s a learning experience on your journey.

What if I choose the wrong small business idea & change my mind?

The beauty of being an entrepreneur (even if you still work a full-time job), is that you’re never committed to sticking with a small business idea that isn’t right for you. As you work your way through the process of building a successful business, you’ll learn a lot, experience a lot and feel a lot. Sometimes, you’ll come to a clear conclusion that the business you’re building isn’t right for you—and that’s ok! You can always sell your business, formally close it down, or pivot to working on a totally different problem that you’re more invested in solving.

Which mistakes do new small business owners need to avoid? 6 things I wish I knew

The biggest mistake I see most new small business owners make, is spending too much time in the brainstorming, planning & preparation stages. The most important thing you can do when starting your own business, is to connect with your potential customers and listen to them . Ask questions, learn what their biggest pain points are & work on providing real solutions to them. Other common mistakes to avoid when starting a small business include:

Want more feedback on your ideas? Head down and leave me a comment & I’ll reply.

If you want my feedback on any small business ideas you’re considering starting, leave a comment down below at the bottom of this guide and I’ll weigh in with my advice! Now, let’s get to the first—and in my opinion best small business idea on our list—starting a blog.

1. Start a Blog

This is one of the best low startup cost small business ideas you can start today..

Learn How to Start a Blog as a Business Idea (Computer Screenshot Image) with Ryan Robinson

Think blogging is no longer a viable source of income? Think again. Recent blogging statistics show that tens of thousands of bloggers (including yours truly) are creating profitable content on blog topics as diverse as scrapbooking, home cooking, travel, film, lifestyle, business, personal finance and more.

The best part with this small business idea? It doesn’t cost much to blog —about $65/year. And on average, bloggers make around $45,000—with most bloggers earning somewhere between $38,440 to $51,906 running this business out of their own home, setting their own hours. Even more people are growing their blogs into six-figure businesses thanks to a combination of email subscribers, affiliate marketing, blog sponsorships and other revenue streams. Your first step with starting a blog is quickly getting the technical side of things handled ( my free master course on blogging will show you how), and then both understanding what your audience craves and learning how to attract those readers online.

If you want to speed up the process of launching your blog, I recommend setting up quick, affordable and easy website hosting with a company like Bluehost or one of the other best web hosting plans for bloggers, working through the process of creating a blog business plan , coming up with the right blog name idea , choosing a simple WordPress theme and working on your first post—in order to set the precedent of prioritizing your time on creating content, connecting with (and building) your target audience . You’ll also need to employ the right blogging tools to grow your blog along the way. Use my free domain name generator to grab your blog’s domain:

Check if Your Dream Blog Name is Available:

Once you’ve gotten your blog off the ground and begin building a community around your site, you’ll want to invest in really understanding your readers—so that you can give them more of what they want.

I know first-hand that learning how to start a blog (let alone make money blogging ) can be a massive new undertaking.

So, I put together a free master course for you to take that spreads out all of the work involved in starting a blog, into a series of action-packed blogging lessons . My free course breaks the entire process of starting a blog down into an incredibly simple 7-day process for going from zero to generating creative blog post ideas , writing a blog post , optimizing and promoting your blog content in just 1 week. I can’t recommend it enough.

And if you want a deep dive tutorial on getting your blog up and running today, head over to my Ultimate Guide to Starting a Blog , come up with a smart blog strategy , set the right blogging goals and then browse my list of all the best blogging courses to take your learning to the next level.

Get my Free Guide: How to Start a Profitable Blog in 7 Days (for Beginners)

Come read my ultimate guide to blogging that’s been featured on Forbes , Business Insider and Entrepreneur .

2. Graphic Design

This small business idea is great for creative types that want to monetize their skills..

While having a formal background in graphic design is absolutely going to be helpful, it’s also relatively easy to learn the foundations of graphic design on your own. An increasingly easy-to-use Adobe Illustrator and even more easily accessible tools like Stencil and Visme are making it so that just about anyone with two opposable thumbs, a bit of creativity, and motivation can earn a side income doing things like designing (and selling) images like these motivational quotes that can be printed onto posters and sold on platforms like Etsy. Or you can find a local startup, small business owner, or photographer who could benefit from some extra help designing or altering images.

Learn Graphic Design to Sell Your Skills and Build a Business on the Side (Graphic)

But before you can graduate from side business and begin earning a full-time living as a graphic designer, you’ll need to build your skills—I recommend starting with reading the foundational book Graphic Design School and Steal Like an Artist , the incredible book by Austin Kleon about how to become more creative. To accelerate your education in becoming a graphic designer even quicker, check out the online courses Graphic Design Fundamentals and The Graphic Design Bootcamp —just beware how much AI is impacting the future of careers like logo design & graphic design. Then once you’re an expert at your craft, you can further your education and move up to offering more hands-on experiences like design sprints or more in-depth types of content you can create for higher-value clients around the world.

Recommended Courses:

3. Web Development

Most people in this business start by learning how to code..

Freelance Web Development as a Proven Business Idea (Graphic)

As a web developer, you’ll build incredibly valuable skills that are in extremely high demand. You can get up to speed on building websites in as little as a few months with inexpensive or free online education programs like Treehouse , the Web Developer Bootcamp on Udemy and CodeAcademy .

If you don’t find what you’re looking for there, here’s a list of the 45 best places you can learn to code for free. Once you command a knowledge of HTML, Ruby, Python, Javascript, or CSS, you can start freelancing as a side business idea to build your portfolio and pitch clients on designing a new blog layout for them all while you still hold onto your full-time job. Listen to my podcast interview with Laurence Bradford about her journey to become a freelance web developer , too. And over time, you’ll build more relationships, have more experience and eventually take these kinds of business ideas over to becoming a full-time source of income.

4. Web Design

This business idea is the perfect blend of creative and analytical..

Freelance Web Design as a Way to Make Money on the Side of Your Job

Web designers are incredibly valuable for technology companies—which is why becoming a freelance web designer is one of the best small business ideas today. Web design is all about mastering the art of creating a beautiful, value-driven experience for the people using a website or app. There are always new websites popping up in need of professional web design, and foundational books like HTML & CSS: Design and Build Websites by acclaimed web designer Jon Duckett and Don’t Make Me Think by user experience legend Steve Krug will get you started down the right path to quickly determining whether or not becoming a web designer is one of the most viable side business ideas for you.

Then you can move into more actionable online courses like Modern Web Design on CreativeLive and Learn Web Design and Profitable Freelancing on Udemy will teach you everything from foundational web design knowledge to earning your first freelance income as a web designer. On top of that, you can take even more immersive courses and learning experiences with access to direct instructor feedback and personal mentorship with platforms like Treehouse and General Assembly to get up-to-speed even quicker with this career path and listen to my podcast interview with Ian Paget about how to become a freelance designer as a side business idea. Once you have the skills, you can even build your own projects like ColorKit that can be monetized as websites of their own.

Recommended Courses:

5. Teaching Online Courses

One of the easiest online business ideas based on teaching from your expertise..

Selling Online Courses (Tutorial Graphic) as a Side Business to Start

Using your skills for profit is a common trend with all of the best small business ideas today. If you’re an expert at something, there’s likely an audience of people online who would be willing to pay to become an expert in your field—just like you. If you want to take your skills and turn them into an online course that teaches others how to get the same results you’ve achieved in your life, career, or business, start with How to Create an Awesome Online Course on Udemy, where instructor Miguel Hernandez covers how he makes over $90,000/yr teaching online. You’ll learn from more than 8 hours of video instruction.

If you want to find a profitable online course idea in the next 3 days , join my free online course Find a Profitable Business Idea today. It’ll walk you step-by-step through the process I’ve used to generate more than $15,000 in online course sales in a single week. Then once you’re ready to start teaching your own online course, I recommend using Teachable , the easiest and most affordable platform to use for creating, hosting and selling your online courses. They also have a ton of free educational resources about how to get started with creating an online course (yes, even as one of our top side business ideas) when you sign up right here .

Recommended Course:

Create Awesome Online Courses by Miguel Hernandez on Udemy

6. Writing eBooks

If you enjoy writing, selling ebooks can be a very fulfilling online business..

Selling eBooks Online as a Side Business (Tutorial)

Packaging your skills and knowledge into a downloadable eBook (like I’ve done with my best blogging books ) that delivers value to those seeking to learn a skill, advance in their careers, or start their own businesses, makes for a strong value proposition if you learn how to find your target market (which is why it makes for such sustainable business ideas for many authors). A class I took with Tara Gentile on CreativeLive will also show you how to use your existing body of work to learn how to write an eBook within the next week (even by starting with something as simple as a blog post outline to kick the process off) and turn an eBook into one of the smartest business ideas you can execute on if you have a knack for writing. Put in some serious work with your eBook, build an audience and you’ll have a platform to pitch traditional publishers on landing a book deal—then you can write one of the top business books and really build your personal brand.

7. Instagram Marketing

Marketers are always in high demand and do well as social media consultants..

How to Sel Your Marketing Skills as an Instagram Marketing Freelancer

Build up a following on your Instagram account and you could quickly be approached by major brands, gear companies, and other relevant businesses that sell products or services related to the type of content you share on Instagram—creating multiple potential side business ideas that’ll come to you. If you have the right marketing skills and hundreds of thousands of followers, you can easily charge anywhere between $500 to $5,000 per post (or more)—which makes for very profitable small business ideas. Once you get some traction, to cut down on the amount of time you spend uploading images, you can make your entire workflow more efficient by posting photos from your Mac or PC .

8. Online Coaching Business

Have a skill others want to learn this home-based business idea could be perfect to teach beginners in your field..

Online Coaching as a Great Way to Make Money From Home (Screenshot)

If you have something you’re skilled at and very passionate about, you can turn that winning combination into offering your services with one-on-one online coaching as one of the most dependable side business ideas that leverage your skills. Just be sure to implement your own opportunity management system so you don’t get caught up working with clients that you can’t measurably help. If you’ll be charging by the hour for your coaching services, be sure to use a robust time tracking tool like Teamwork to keep track of your billable hours while managing your client projects at the same time. Elmira Strange will give you a step-by-step plan for putting your skills and experience to work by developing an online coaching business—even as a side business idea in the time around your full-time job—so be sure to check out her course on Udemy for a jump start on this small business idea.

On top of just the skill and experience components to being a successful online coach, this small business idea is all about building a community around the help you’re offering and fostering trust with members. Plus, your community members will learn from each other along the way. Creating the space for that community can be as simple as setting up a private Facebook group or choosing a community-building platform like Slack that has more capabilities to use your own custom URL, have internal forums, customized designs and more.

9. Podcasting

The perfect business if you enjoy researching, chatting and telling stories..

Podcasting and How to Get Started as a Business Idea (Graphic)

If you can start a podcast and create a regular audience for it around a specific topic, this is a great way to get sponsors and fund this side business idea. My podcast, The Side Hustle Project is actually one of my current side business ideas I’ve been working on, and because I had an existing audience here on my blog at the time I launched the show, I was able to broker a $5,000 sponsorship from Freshbooks to place ads on the first ten episodes before I even got started. Side note: Here are my picks for the best podcast hosting platforms to get your show hosted here are my recommendations for the best cheap podcast microphones to start with today.

When I used to work at CreativeLive, I regularly paid $250-$500 (or even much more depending upon audience size) per episode for 90 seconds worth of advertisements on relevant podcasts like The Tim Ferriss Show, the #1 business podcast most of the time from the 4-Hour Workweek author, Tim Ferriss. The podcast has even helped Tim launch his latest New York Times bestseller, Tools of Titans to a wider readership.

Naturally, it helps if you already have an online audience you can tap for listening to your regular podcast (like I did), but that hasn’t stopped thousands of people from building successful small business ideas into lucrative podcasts—including Alex Blumberg, founder of Gimlet Media who teaches how to use storytelling and launch a podcast. You can also check out this class from podcaster and entrepreneur, Lewis Howes, about how to make money podcasting as a side business idea, which regularly broadcasts for free on CreativeLive.

10. Dropshipping & Amazon Reselling

If you can identify savvy product opportunities, this small business idea is for you..

Amazon Reselling as an At-Home Business to Sell Products Online

Dropshipping is accessible to anyone willing to sell goods on either their own online stores or more commonly on Amazon—provided you have the right products to sell (or buy low, then resell at a higher price point). Plus, you can dropship products out of your own home (or garage) and set your own hours. If you’re the type to hit all the local garage sales each weekend, there are all sorts of valuable things that can be resold online with this small business idea. If you want to step your dropshipping game up on Amazon, check out this detailed story about Amazon and eBay retail arbitrage featuring an interview with several successful drop-shippers who’ve grown this home business idea from side business into a lucrative money-maker during the pandemic. If you can learn how to write a headline that’ll draw readers into your blog posts ( hint: use my free blog title generator tool ), then you’ll be well on the way to monetizing a readership with selling them the products they want.

11. Local Business Consulting

Helping other local small business owners can be a lucrative enterprise..

How to Start a Local Consulting Business on the Side

If you’ve developed valuable skill sets or certifications within your industry over the years, consider putting your skills to use in your free time by offering your consulting services to local business owners as potentially lucrative side business ideas. Whether you’re an expert marketer, business strategist, or manufacturing aficionado, there’s likely a local business owner who’s willing to pay you to help them solve an issue with their company—if you can craft an effective cold email that convinces them to hire you. Start with this 18-step checklist to becoming a local business consultant as one of the best small business ideas, from Karyn Greenstreet. When you’re ready to get serious about becoming a consultant, check out all of my picks for the best online business courses to keep building your skills and learning how to land your first consulting clients. Personally, I think this is one of the best business ideas you can get started with today .

12. Phone Case Business

Cell phone accessories continue to be a very high-growth business idea..

Launching a Phone Case Business to Make Money on the Side

There’s a huge growing market for mobile phone accessories, and plenty of handmade sellers are raking in 6 and sometimes 7 figures from their phone case businesses. You can get your own phone case business up and running as a side business idea in a matter of days with turnkey solutions from Case Escape , my previous company (which had a partnership business structure with my friend), and you can now get ready-to-go kits that’ll give you everything you need to start a phone case business . Once you’re up and running, you can sell cases on Etsy and Amazon Handmade . During our first year of selling phone cases as one of our small business ideas on our Etsy store, we made around $60,000 in revenue from that selling channel alone—not to mention additional sales from fairs, trade shows, promotional products vendors, parties, events and other online marketplaces. From there, the sales only continued growing and we graduated from side business idea to full-time company that I ran with my best friend for multiple years.

13. Commission-Only Sales Business

If you have a knack for sales, this is a great side business idea to try..

Become a Commission-Only Sales Representative (Graphic)

If you have a knack for connecting with people and the willingness to take on some risk, a commission-based freelance sales role could be a great side business idea for you. Many startups seek part-time and commission-only salespeople, especially when they’re just getting started, which means you’ll often be able to make this a home based business idea. Develop your sales strategies , become an inside sales rep and perfect your cold emailing skills on the side in your free time for nothing but commission, negotiate a little equity and you could profit big time if you’re pitching a solid product and the startup succeeds. Start your sales education with the acclaimed books, Secrets of a Master Closer and To Sell is Human by famed bestselling author Daniel Pink and you’ll be well on your way to getting this small business idea off the ground.

Then you can move on to more immersive sales education through online courses like Sales Training and Prospecting on Udemy, The Guide to Pitching and Selling Clients on CreativeLive. Once you’re ready to put your selling skills to the test, check out Angel List and see if any sales position opportunities align with your interests—the last thing you want to do is get stuck selling products or services you’re not interested in. However, by starting out your sales career as a on the side of a full-time job, that gives you the flexibility to easily change courses if you ever need to.

14. Affiliate Sales and Marketing

Affiliate Sales and Marketing to Grow Your Side Income (Image)

If you already have a website that’s driving in targeted traffic , a great way to make passive income from the content you’re already creating with your easy small business idea, is through affiliate marketing (and joining the right affiliate programs ). ShareASale , Rakuten , Clickbank , and Skimlinks are a few of the best affiliate networks and tools that can help you make money from the content you already produce, thus amplifying your side business income. Check out how I’ve gone from starting a blog to now making money blogging (to the tune of often more than $50,000/mo) from affiliate marketing—to get some inspiration on how you can grow a blog from side business ideas to full-time company—and follow along as I grow my own side project affiliate blog, SmartWP: WordPress Tutorials and Advice .

15. Virtual Assistant

People that excel at this business are detail-oriented problem solvers..

Start a Business as a Virtual Assitant to Make Money From Home

Have a knack for staying organized? If you’re a jack of all trades, you should consider working as a virtual assistant as a side business idea. You can find great gigs on Flexjobs , Indeed , or Upwork. It can be an awesome way to rub shoulders with some very important people, build up your professional network, develop in-demand new skills (like blogging skills , creating GIFs and VR videos), grow your small business and you’ll have the added perk of being able to start this as a home based business idea. Becoming a virtual assistant can be a particularly great side business idea if you’re hoping to travel the world while making money online as a digital nomad.

16. Tax Preparation

If you have the credentials and love of numbers, this can be a zero-investment business idea..

Tax Preparation (Screenshot) as a Way to Earn Online

It’s not the sort of small business idea that’s covered in glory, but someone needs to make sure all the numbers add up at the end of the year. Every business and most individuals need someone with the domain expertise to help prepare tax returns, especially time or resource-strapped small business owners. Majo Jacinto in his Udemy course provides an in-depth foundational understanding of how to prepare tax returns (and stay current with ever-changing laws) that’ll certify you with tax prep skills in as little as a few hours of training and practice. Then once tax season rolls around you’ll be able to charge an average of $229 per return as a freelance tax preparer with these kinds of side business ideas, according to CNBC—and you could even grow your business more by teaching your advice online (like taxes for bloggers , influencers and remote employees).

17. Remote English Teacher/Tutor

Believe it or not, teaching english can be a very well-paid business idea..

Teach or Tutor English Remotely From Home as One of the Best Business Ideas From Home (Graphic)

Teaching and tutoring English as a second language is a great way to put your skills to work into business ideas with potential to earn, not to mention opening doors for you to travel the world if you’d like. While full ESL (English as a Second Language) accreditation is recommended, as long as you’re a native speaker, there are people in countries such as Hong Kong or the UAE who are willing to pay upwards of $25/hr for you to teach them English via Skype. Indeed , Learn4Good and Remote.co often have remote english tutoring jobs posted, check back frequently. Then once you land that remote job , you’ll need somewhere more professional than your dining room table to meet with students—check out this post about how to find places to work remotely and you’ll officially graduate this side business idea into a full-time endeavor for yourself.

18. SAT Test Tutor

If you did well on your standardized tests, this business idea is for you..

If you had a knack for standardized tests and had no trouble acing the SAT, ACT or other college exams, why not start tutoring high schoolers as a side business idea? Parents of all economic backgrounds are more than willing to shell out upwards of $100/hr to the right tutor, if it means their son or daughter will get admitted to the college or university of their choice. There are plenty of work from home jobs helping kids out with homework and turning it into profitable small business ideas that can stand the test of time.

19. Social Media Manager

People in this small business tend to be digital natives that love social media & community building..

Social Media Manager as a Side Business from Home

We’re all guilty of spending too much time on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest sometimes, so why not get paid to put your expertise to work as a side business idea? Lots of companies, especially startups or those in retail and travel—even influencers have heavy social media presences and are constantly in need of people to help build their brands online. You can find these types of opportunities on sites like Flexjobs , Career Builder and most employers on these websites are conditioned to working with people who operate these services as their small business idea. Over time as you grow in your ability to leverage various social channels, you can add more service offerings like running high-return Facebook Ad campaigns or hosting lucrative sweepstakes competitions for the brands you want to work with.

Build your own social following and create a personal brand for yourself like Matt Nelson, founder of WeRateDogs has done (thus growing his following to more than 2.8 Million people) on his social media accounts—and countless opportunities will come your way for turning these kinds of side business ideas into a full-time business.

20. Google Paid Ad Consultant

If you can optimize paid ad campaigns, this home business idea is perfect for you..

How to Become a Google Paid Ad Specialist as a Business

If you know a thing or two about paid internet marketing and are comfortable with Google, a great way to make some extra income as a side business idea is to sign a freelance contract to manage a company’s Google Ad Campaigns , and gradually start bringing on more clients as your consulting business grows. Just be sure to brush up on all the right business slang and industry jargon that’s pervasive in the online marketing world before you launch unprepared into this side business idea.

21. Presentation Design Consultant

It’s time to monetize those powerpoint skills with this very real business..

How to Become a Presentation Design Consultant as a Freelancer

Yes, even the PowerPoint presentation requires outside consulting every now and then—especially if it’s not your forte. I know I would happily outsource the visual layout of my presentation decks for work meetings, investor pitches and lectures. Tobias Schelle of 24Slides is living proof that you can turn your skills at slideshow presentation design into legit side business ideas—and potentially earn up to $20 a slide for your time and talents.

22. Travel Consultant

More perfect business ideas don’t exist for those that love to travel..

Start Travel Consulting to Earn Money From Home (Graphic)

If you love to travel and find yourself randomly searching for airfare sales or browsing Lonely Planet , why not carve out a niche for yourself as a private travel agent? Build travel consulting into one of your side business ideas by starting with word of mouth recommendations from friends who know they can count on you for the cheapest flights, create a Facebook or LinkedIn group to invite people who want to stay on top of the latest deals and eventually you could spin this business idea into a full-time consultancy—or even start a travel blog teaching people how to make their dream trips a reality. As an aside, I recently launched my own side blog called Hike with Ryan where I’m sharing my guides to hiking around the US and using social media to connect with other hikers in my area. Just be sure to avoid the most common blogging mistakes that can sink your site in the early days—like choosing a domain name that’s not right for your niche and not doing proper blogger outreach when seeking to build relationships in your space.

23. Landing Page Specialist

People in this business tend to enjoy writing and designing..

Become a Landing Page Specialist as a Side Business Idea

If you have a way with words, know how to do keyword research (with something like my free keyword research tool ) and craft beautifully designed landing pages that follow the best blog SEO strategies , why not charge other companies for your services to learn how to get traffic from search engines and turn this into money-making small business ideas? Even a short landing page is worth a couple hundred bucks in most cases, and so much more if you know how to pitch your prospects well. If you want to get started with your business idea of becoming a landing page specialist or freelance copywriter, check out Len Smith and Sean Kaye’s awesome course on Udemy, Copywriting Secrets: How to Write Copy That Sells .

24. Interior Design Consultant

This is a great side business for design-conscious people..

How to Be an Interior Design Consultant on the Side (Graphic)

Someone out there is remodeling their kitchen and needs to know which shade of granite will match best with mahogany flooring. That someone will often be happy to pay you for your advice, especially if you’re the kind of person that subscribes to websites like Contemporist and you have the motivation to turn these kinds of business ideas into a money-making enterprise.

25. Housesitter

While rarely a highly-paid side business, this is about as easy as it gets..

Housesitting as a Business Idea to Make Extra Money on the Side

It’s not exactly a way to make consistent great money, but housesitting—exactly what it sounds like—is a fantastically easy business idea that can fund your ability to live in exciting locales around the world (or your city) without paying a dime in rent. Did I mention it’s a way to travel and live rent free? Here’s a list of four great websites from the legendary Nomadic Matt, to start your housesitting side business idea search.

26. Babysitter

The perfect business for those that love children and want to be a sitter..

Babysitting as a Side Business (Explainer)

No, babysitting isn’t just for teenagers and college students. Quite on the contrary, if you call yourself an Au Pair instead, you can make some pretty good side money working nights and weekends as a sitter with these kinds of business ideas if you don’t mind the often odd hours (sadly you’ll rarely get to set your own hours with this one).

27. Property Manager

This is a great business idea for problem-solvers that like working with their hands..

How to Start a Property Management Side Business (Image)

Know someone who rents out property to others? Perhaps they could use a hand managing their property. If so, you can make a decent amount of money on this side business idea with relatively little work on your part (most of the time). It’ll take some hustling and the willingness to be flexible with your schedule, as you’ll be responsible for collecting rent checks, managing repairs and improvements, and simply being on call for emergencies. But, a property manager is essential for most real estate investors that have a large enough portfolio, so there’s definitely merit to this business idea.

28. Sell Handmade Products on Etsy

If you make handmade products, selling them on etsy is a no-brainer..

The Best Ways to Sell Products on Etsy as a Side Business

Have a talent for crafting or creating other handmade goods? From bracelets to phone cases, rings, furniture, and more, Etsy is one of the world’s largest independent marketplaces that’s perfect for anyone who is creative and willing to sell their handmade creations. As long as you have the space, this can make for one of the best home business ideas that can be started as a side hustle with a very limited investment. Consider these 5 steps to starting an Etsy store , from Handmadeology. Then, after you’re able to build your brand and grow your own audience, you can start an eCommerce site of your own and retain a larger portion of the revenue from your product sales with your own online store—making this a very lucrative potential business idea if you’re able to find an audience that loves your products and figure out how to best sell online to them.

29. Ebay Sales Business

Selling products on this large marketplace can be a very lucrative business..

eBay Selling as a Side Business to Grow on Nights and Weekends

30. Fiverr Gigs

If you have a skill that can be monetized, this business can help you earn quickly..

How to Get Fiverr Gigs and Grow a Freelance Business (Screenshot)

While there are plenty more higher-paying sites to land great blogging jobs out there, Fiverr can be a great place for first-time freelancers who might not have tons of experience and want to build up a portfolio of their work. You’ll be able to complete simple tasks ranging from logo design , to creating animations, or even drawing a company logo on your forehead . While this small business idea likely won’t be growing into a million dollar startup for you, it can still be a platform for funding one of your next big business ideas. Want to learn more about Fiverr’s history and how to get the most out of selling on the platform? Listen to my interview with Fiverr CEO Micha Kaufman .

31. College Admissions Essay Tutor and Editor

With this business idea, be sure you’re helping students (not doing work for them)..

Editing College Admissions Essays and Tutoring Students Can Make a Great Business Idea

If editing and advising college students on how to write compelling 500 word essays on topics such as “ You were just invited to speak at the White House. Write your speech ,” seems like one of the more compelling business ideas to allocate your free time towards, trust me—tons of parents will pay you to edit admissions essays and offer constructive feedback for their children. Be careful not to blur the ethical line of actually writing their essays, but serving as an editor to help them convey their message can become a great side business idea that has the potential to spread by word-of-mouth referral in your community.

32. Portrait Photographer

If you love being behind the camera, this business is always in demand..

Portrait Photographers Can Earn a Healthy Amount of Side Income Doing Regular Shoots

If you own a camera, starting a freelance portrait photography business could be a very natural way to turn your skills and passions into a profitable business idea. Start with doing free shoots for friends and family to build up a strong online portfolio, get familiar with your gear and the editing process, then you’ll be able to get paid for photographing professional head shots and celebratory family moments as your side business idea. Get started by checking out this men’s portrait photography class that regularly broadcasts for free on CreativeLive. Plus, once you have all the gear for your photography business , you can earn a little extra side income by renting it out when you’re not using it through online marketplaces like Fat Lama .

33. Wedding Photographer

As far as photography businesses go, this is one of the highest-paid..

How to Become a Wedding Photographer and Earn a Side Income with Your Skills

Wedding photographers command premium rates. After all, you are capturing one of a couple’s most important life moments, making it a very lucrative small business idea. Many professional wedding photographers charge between $2,500 – $10,000 ( or more ) to shoot a wedding, so it’s realistic that this side business idea could quickly blossom into becoming a full-time endeavor with the right happy clientele base that’s willing to refer you to their friends and family. Check out the Complete Wedding Photography Experience over on CreativeLive to get up to speed on everything you need to launch a successful wedding photography business.

34. Online Dating Consultant

If you fancy yourself a matchmaker, this business idea can be a lot of fun..

Become an Online Dating Consultant to Earn a Side Income (Graphic)

Believe it or not, some people have such a difficult time with dating, that they don’t even want to participate in the online (or app-based) component of it. If you’re a smooth talker, why not leverage that skill into becoming a paid match maker as a side business idea? People are paying .

35. Writing Erotic Fiction

People that excel in this business tend to write and pitch a lot of stories to publishers..

Writing Erotic Fiction as a Freelance Writer to Make Additional Income

Werewolves, step-brothers, and tentacles—the demand is high. As odd as it may sound, if you’ve got the imagination (and a clever pseudonym), you can make upwards of $5,000 a month writing erotic fiction in your free time as a side business idea.

36. Writing Greeting Cards

If you have a quick wit, this can be a great no-investment business idea..

How to Write Greeting Cards (and Sell Them) as a Side Business Idea Online

Fancy yourself a poet? You can earn $300 for every poem you write that this greeting card company publishes—not bad as far as side business ideas go, if you’ve got a way with words and aren’t afraid of rejection on poems that aren’t a good fit.

37. WordPress Website Consultant

You’ll definitely need the right technical skills to work on this business idea..

How to Become a WordPress Website Consultant on a Freelance Basis (Graphic)

Countless small businesses start out their web presence using a WordPress website (myself included) with one of the best web hosting plans to power it (consider even cheap hosting plans or free hosting if you’re on a budget), before needing to upgrade to other solutions for various reasons. Many of them will pay several hundreds of dollars for someone to get their business ideas set up online. If you have the patience to learn how to start a blog yourself, it’s an extremely valuable skill and can be turned into a very low startup cost small business idea even if you’re just starting with teaching clients how to install WordPress and setting them up with one of the best WordPress themes and customizing their sites—especially if you sign up for affiliate programs with companies like Kinsta , who offer high quality managed WordPress hosting plans that allow you to collect fees from the clients you refer their way. Consider an additional service offering to your clients by executing on a carefully curated digital marketing strategy that goes beyond just setting up their website, and into actually generating traffic to it. Plus, with the skills you pick up from this side business idea, you’ll be able to make money in other ways like landing WordPress developer jobs or working on other website ideas like my friend Andy’s been able to do with his site, AwesomeStuffToBuy . Just be sure to take my lessons learned about the things you should know before starting a blog .

38. Drive for Uber or Lyft

One of the easiest small businesses you can start today, just don’t expect massive earnings..

Is it Possible to Make Money and Drive for Uber or Lyft?

Driving for one of the two globally expanding app-centric taxi alternative services, Uber or Lyft can still be a fairly lucrative way to earn money as a side business idea on nights and weekends—working only when you want. But before you dive head first into this small business idea, do your homework and calculate the startup costs of extra gas, mileage, tires, wear & tear and usage on your vehicle—it’s not one of the best guaranteed business ideas that’ll turn a significant profit every weekend, though.

39. Rent Your Car on Turo

If you have a car (or multiple) that often sit in your garage, that’s earning potential..

Lean How to Rent Your Car on Turo as a Side Income Source

If you own a car but barely use it, you can make some easy cash as an effortless side business idea by renting it out on Turo . Before you freak out, know that there’s a $1 Million insurance policy on all cars, plus drivers are prescreened, so you can have peace of mind.

40. Art Collector

This business blurs the line between investing and gambling, but can be lucrative with the right eye..

Collecting Art Can Be a Risky But Lucrative Side Business (Graphic)

Not to be confused with hoarding, these kinds of business ideas take a lot of time, patience and passion. If you have an eye for good art, it’s easy to get in on the ground level by visiting the studio department at your local university—though don’t expect to get rich overnight with this small business idea. Many art students are more than happy to sell their work for a bargain, and in as little as a few years, there’s a chance that piece you bought for a couple hundred bucks may be worth well into the thousands. Beware though, this business idea will take a whole lot of patience (and storage space for all that art).

41. Catering Business

If you enjoy cooking and serving, this business idea is always in demand..

Starting a Catering Business as a Source of Side Income

EatWith is a great way to test the waters as a chef for your side business idea, and if you have enough rave reviews you might be able to turn your knife skills into a full-time endeavor where you’re leveraging your network to book catering events. This side business idea is built heavily upon getting happy referrals, so be sure to over-deliver for your first customers, and ask if they know anyone else who could be in need of your catering services. Plus, if you play your cards right and start to build a social media following over time, you could parlay your success as a caterer into starting a food blog that can open up additional revenue streams for your business.

42. App Development

If you want to solve a (digital) problem, app development can be a great low-investment business idea..

Learn How to Develop an App as a Side Business to Grow

Sometimes it seems like there’s an app for everything. Yet somehow, new ones keep popping up and selling for lots of money, all the time. If you spot a niche that hasn’t been filled to its potential just yet, and you can learn the coding skills to get into app development (or know someone who already has them), you could be on to something with this small business idea. Today, it’s even possible to build an app without any coding skills whatsoever. Just make sure you validate your app idea before jumping too far in. Even if your app business idea doesn’t pan out to be a best-seller, you’ll still pick up valuable skills and can now do app development on a freelance or full-time basis.

Listen to my interview with serial entrepreneur and investor, Michele Romanow about how she built an app that earned $500,000 in 3 months (as a side business idea outside of her day job) and how she eventually sold the company to Groupon. It’s seriously incredible. Want to find a profitable niche business idea this week? Join my free online course Find a Profitable Business Idea today.

43. Online News Correspondent

Most people that thrive in news are quick and confident writers..

Become an Online News Correspondent as a Way to Grow Your Online Income

You don’t need to have a degree in journalism to be a reporter these days (and pursue this business idea as a work from home job ). Plus, there are many news websites that can always use a bit of help on getting local coverage. Some of them, such as The Examiner or HuffPost , will compensate contributors based on ad revenue generated per article written—a great incentive to provide compelling content to news organizations as your side business idea.

44. Patent Something Useful

Being an inventor can pay off big time, but not every patent will be worth something..

How to Patent Something and Sell Licensing Rights as a Side Business

This side business idea isn’t for most, but consider Kia Silverbrock who has been granted over 4,665 US Patents in his lifetime (so far). You don’t have to invent the wheel to make good money from your patented concepts—just make sure that your idea can be produced affordably , or it will never stand up against a lawsuit in the future.

45. Buy and Sell Domain Names

This business idea involves a little speculation, but the right domain names can earn a lot..

How to Get Into Buying and Selling Domain Names (Graphic)

Domain name trading has been around for the last couple decades, and while most slam-dunk names have long been sold off ( Insure.com went for $16 Million in 2009 ) there’s still plenty of others that you can get your hands on for relatively cheap and broker as your side business idea. But beware: some experts doubt the long-term viability of this business idea, so you shouldn’t quit your day job just to put all your effort into this one without some successes already in the bag. If you know how to name a blog the right way, you could even use a smart domain name generator to find and buy a good name today, with an affordable monthly hosting plan —then sell it one day in the future as the right buyer comes along.

46. Start a Popup Shop

This is one of the lowest-cost mobile businesses you can get started with..

While the barriers to entry for a retail shop can be very high, one way to keep costs down and limit your time investment while you keep your full-time job, is to set up a weekend popup shop as a small business idea. More of whatever it is you’re selling—donuts, clothing, antique baseball cards, or anything else—will stay in your pockets instead of going to pay for operating expenses such as rent or utilities by choosing to pursue retail as a side business idea with a short-term rental. This guide from Shopify will give you a step-by-step process for getting your popup shop off the ground .

47. Brew Your Own Beer

It’ll take time to perfect your craft with this business, but most breweries start small..

Brew Your Own Beer to Validate a Brewing Business

Like drinking beer? Why not try making it yourself as your side business idea? With enough patience and skill you might end up brewing something that others are willing to pay to drink. Pick up an easy-to-use starter kit from Mr. Beer online, invest the time it’ll take to perfect your craft, make a unique brew and start shopping it around to friends & family to see what they think of this side business idea.

48. Freelance Proofreading and Editing

You’ll thrive with this business if you have an eye for detail..

How to Start Freelance Proofreading and Editing to Earn a Side Income

As long as there is still the written word, there will always be editors. Freelance editing and proofreading not only pays a decent hourly wage, it also gives you the chance to read about potentially interesting topics too. What’s more, pursuing freelance writing & editing as a business idea can afford you a lifestyle that lets you travel the world as a digital nomad. You can find lots of job postings from companies and individuals in need of writing, proofreading, and editing services on Contena , which makes this a high-demand side business idea.

49. Buy Used Electronics and Refurbish Them

There’s a huge online market for reselling electronics that others don’t think to repair..

Buy Used Electronics and Refurbish Them to Make Money on the Side

Many people give up on their faulty laptops, mobile phones, or cameras without even looking into the cause of their malfunctions. If you have the skills to fix them, consider pursuing this side business idea of refurbishing and reselling used electronics in your free time.

50. Data Analysis Consulting Business

Love numbers people in this line of business are great at pulling insights out of data..

Data Analysis as a Freelancer Can Be a Lucrative Income Source (Explainer)

Got a thing for numbers? Plenty of companies need to hire talented contractors who are good at data analysis, making this a potentially lucrative small business idea if you have the right credentials and experience. Platforms like Upwork and Digiserved are but a two of many websites that are great for freelancers with an analytical prowess, looking for extra work as a side business idea around their full-time jobs.

51. Acquire and Resell Parts from Electronic Stores

There’s a surprising market for reselling unused electronics parts online..

Learn to Aquire Parts from Electronics Stores and Resell Them Online

Believe it or not there’s a treasure trove of valuable items being thrown away by big box stores around the world. Electronics stores toss out everything from printer cartridges to tablets, and if you’ve got the stomach for rummaging around in dumpsters you can easily earn a bit (more than you ever thought possible) with this side business idea.

52. Freelance Writing & Copywriting

I got my start with this small business idea, and know first hand how lucrative it can be..

Freelance Writing and Copywriting as a Freelancer Can Earn a Sunstantial Income as a Business

Every website owner (including myself) hires copywriters to write content for things like about pages, FAQ’s, or blog posts. Hourly wages for novice copywriters are not very high, but with some experience and a growing portfolio, you can become a freelance writer today and soon be charging more than you make at your full-time job if you find the right clients and brand yourself as an expert with this small business idea. Check out one of my most talented friends, Jory Mackay, for an example of someone who’s doing a great job of positioning himself as a premium service-provider with his freelance writing side business idea. Then when you’re ready to start cold emailing potential clients, pick up my free downloadable freelance proposal template and get started today.

53. Licensed Product Distributor

If you have an eye for spotting promising foreign products, this business is for you..

Become a Licensed Product Distributer to Generate Some Online Income (Graphic)

It doesn’t happen overnight, but licensing a foreign product for sale domestically, can be one of the most lucrative business ideas that (at times) leads to a big payoff down the road. Invest intelligently, sell a product you believe in, and you can reap the rewards for years to come.

54. Fill Out Online Surveys

Keep your expectations relatively low for the earnings from this side business..

How to Fill Out Online Surveys and Get Paid (a Little) - Explainer Graphic

It’s not very engaging, or mentally stimulating, but taking online surveys through companies like Survey Junkie , User Interviews and InboxDollars do pay out (a little), believe it or not. Payouts come in the form of PayPal, check or sometimes Amazon gift cards, but if you’ve got the idle time—then sites like Survey Junkie , User Interviews and InboxDollars might be a good way to spend some of your down time. Just don’t expect to make bank with this side business idea—I recommend combining it with another source of side income from this list of my best business ideas, and turning to surveys in your downtime when you need a little extra income.

55. Airbnb Host

Whether it’s a second home or your own apartment, this can be a very dependable business..

If Your Have Property Become an AirBnb Host to Earn a Side Income

Not only is Airbnb a great way to make money by renting out your spare bedroom or living room couch as a legitimate home-based business idea, but you also have the benefit of meeting new people and making new friends if that’s your kind of thing. You can even rent out an entirely new apartment just to manage as an Airbnb small business idea. And if you have some money for a down payment, you might even consider investing in vacation rental property . Just don’t make the mistake of thinking this will be a passive source of income—you’re on call whenever you have a guest and you’ll always need to keep the place clean for incoming visitors. On top of just renting on Airbnb, you can take this business idea to the next level by offering your guests add-on and personalized experiences for an extra charge. Take Lauren Gheysens’ Airbnb-based side business, Royal Day Out in London, England for example—where she gives visiting tourists a local’s only tour of the city, complete with bespoke 18th century costumes.

56. Personal Fitness Trainer

Helping people get fit will always be one of the most reliable business ideas..

Personal Fitness Trainers as a Side Business (Graphic)

If you’re a fitness buff and have the right combination of charisma and business sense, working as a part-time personal trainer as a side business idea can be both physically and financially rewarding. Once you build up a reputation and client base for yourself, it could easily turn into a full-time endeavor for you. Check out these tips to a successful personal training business by the American Fitness Professionals and this interview with several fitness site owners who are making a living online, from MonetizePros. Finally, I’d recommend taking this business idea seriously and actually devising a go-to-market plan that can let you hit the ground running with clients from day one.

57. Yoga or Meditation Instructor

This one has quickly grown into a viable online business idea this year..

Become a Meditation Instructor as One of the Best Business Ideas to Help People Online (Graphic)

Yoga is getting ever more popular, which means yoga instructors are more in demand than ever—making this another of our most physically (and mentally) rewarding small business ideas. Link up with a local yoga studio to teach nightly classes or offer personalized yoga in-home at a higher rate to pursue this kind of emotional and physical balance with others, during your free time while helping your bank balance, too. This business used to require a physical storefront, but has since gone mainstream with online classes on platforms like Zoom where you can now reach students around the world and still have them book a class with an upfront payment through tools like Stripe or PayPal..

58. Start a YouTube Channel

Have a skill to teach turning on your camera can lead to a very promising business on youtube & tiktok..

How to Start a YouTube Channel and Make Money With It

Yes, spending time on YouTube can be a legitimate business idea if you take it seriously. If you can create value-driven, entertaining video content and grow your subscriber base to a few thousand subscribers, your videos can start generating pretty substantial income from all the ads being displayed on your videos. Many YouTube users make well into the millions each year, so there’s clear potential to take this from side business idea to eventual millionaire with the right combination of content, audience, skills, relationships and timing. If you’re considering starting a YouTube channel it’s important use best practices when making videos—and my advice is to evaluate blogging vs YouTube content creation. Read the YouTube playbook for tips which will result in faster growth of your channel. Additionally think about investing in a quality camera and microphone since the production quality of videos can often affect your viewership—and when you’re ready to expand to additional video platforms like TikTok, you’ll already have a process in place for growing your reach (and attracting clients that are willing to sponsor you with tasteful advertisements on your TikTok account ).

59. Online Translator

People in this business will need to speak multiple languages..

How to Make Money as a Translator (In-Person and Online) Infographic

If your mastery of another language is good enough to have the grammar and spelling down, translating is a great side business idea to set up for yourself and can even be done remotely. Flexjobs has literally hundreds of freelance, remote translator jobs available right now and if you’re looking to land more remote work on the side of your other pursuits, then browse through these remote jobs websites to find the right opportunities for you.

60. Local Tour Guide

If you know your area well, this business can pay very handsomely..

How to Become a Local Tour Guide as a Business Idea

Live in a destination where travelers frequently visit? If you love meeting new people from around the world and also love the city you live in, starting your own local tour company is arguably the best business idea that will give you both of those perks. Take a unique spin on your local tour business like Erik from Vantigo. He was starting his VW van tour business in San Francisco as just a side business idea while he was still working a full-time job, and grew it to being a sustainable source of full-time income before quitting—now he’s running a multiple van tour company on the back of what originally began as a crazy small business idea.

61. Music Instructor

This has become a very popular online business idea in recent years..

How to Become a Music Instructor and Earn a Side Income

Do you play a musical instrument well enough to teach it to others? How about taking your skills at producing music or sound design and teaching others as a service-based business idea based on your experience? Private music instructors in all disciplines charge upwards of $20-100/hr (or more depending upon skill and experience), and you don’t necessarily have to do them in person, either. This makes for a great side business idea that can channel your passion for music into profits.

62. Stock Photographer

People in this business have quality camera gear and an eye for a good shot..

Start a Stock Photography Freelance Business to Generate Side Income

If you have a fondness for taking pictures of smiling families or laughing children blowing bubbles, consider becoming a stock photographer and selling your images to a stock photo company like Unsplash , ShutterStock and iStockPhoto as a side business idea. You’ll get royalties every time someone licenses an image you’ve submitted. To really be successful, build your own photography website to be able to showcase your portfolio and start getting higher-paid private corporate work.

63. Ghostwriter

Only pursue this business if you love writing and don’t mind others taking credit for your work..

Become a Ghostwriter on a Freelance Basis to Make Extra Money (Screenshot)

Ghostwriting pays pretty well, and if you’re talented at researching and creating great content within a certain subject domain, you can quickly build a roster of high-paying clientele with these kinds of business ideas. Ghostwriters like Jeff Haden have created very lucrative careers for themselves by writing for business executives and CEO’s—and Jeff also started his ghostwriting career as a side business idea outside of his full-time job as a factory manager. Listen to his interview with me on The Side Hustle Project (podcast) right here . It’s a grind getting to a place where you can earn a full-time living from ghostwriting, but if you stick with it and bounce back from your defeats, you’ll make it. These free blog post templates should help get you started, too.

64. Online Subcontracting

This business idea is perfect if demand for your services is outpacing your own time..

Start Online Subcontracting to Grow Your Freelance Business Significantly

Once you’ve established yourself in any number of freelance verticals online, spending your time focusing just on doing inside sales (booking freelance contracts with high-value clients) and then subcontracting your work out to other freelancers can help significantly grow your client list, and revenue generating possibilities with this business idea.

If you have a love for making music, this small business is great for self-starters.

How to Start a DJ Business and Grow Your Side Income

Take the time to develop your skills at either making your own music, or becoming a pro at mixing, and your side business idea of dj-ing local events could turn into a much bigger endeavor . Though you’ll first need to command a solid knowledge of sound design, mixing and music production before expecting to land your first gig with this business idea, as developing an entirely new skill set is not for the faint of heart.

66. Clothing Alterations and Tailoring

People in these businesses thrive on working with their hands..

Doing Clothing Alterations and Tailoring as a Freelancer Can Earn Healthy side Income

Fashion, style, and grooming continue to be a lucrative small business idea lets you set your own hours outside of a full-time job, and you can even do it from your own home. If you know how to mend clothes, then you have a growing market of budget-conscious and/or personalization-obsessed customers. Many experienced entrepreneurs in this field say you need around two thousand dollars to start a decent side business in this niche, but there’s no harm in starting smaller and growing from there, as long as you can make magic with needle and thread.

67. Teach DIY Projects

If you’re creative and crafty, you’ll find an audience on pinterest for this business..

Teach Online DIY Workshops (Do It Yourself) and Sell Handmade Goods to Make Money

Nothing beats teaching more novice learners about your passion, hobby, or craft as a business idea (that’s a common theme here). Explore dozens of DIY portals (such as DIY.org , DIY Network , Instructables and Mahalo ) to get business ideas on how to earn a healthy side income just by showing others how to do the things you love. You can also sift through the countless ad-supported YouTube channels that teach just about anything from guitar strumming to 3D printing.

Love baking and feeding others? Look no further than this business idea.

How to Start a Side Business Baking and Selling Your Delicious Goods (Explainer)

It’s funny how much baking can translate into different types of business ideas that make money. Start bringing in some side income by kneading flour, mastering the oven, and appeasing everyone’s sweet tooth. While some experts have already turned baking into their sole “bread and butter,” you need not leave your day job to pursue this business idea just yet. Depending on your experience, you can start by doing something simple on the side like perfecting grandma’s nostalgic cookies before heading on to offer exquisite artisanal fare.

69. Being a Task Rabbit Handyman

This part-time side business idea is great for handy people with flexible schedules..

Being a Task Rabbit to Earn a Little Extra Doing Side Jobs

If you don’t mind doing other people’s chores and you consider yourself a handyman (or woman), then TaskRabbit may be the right small business idea for you. You can earn a little side money doing odd jobs like walking your neighbor’s dog, mowing Mr. Smith’s lawn, fixing a leaky sink and so much more. Running errands not your style? The top handyman workers on this site reportedly earn as much as $7000 a month , making this a full-time business idea for some entrepreneurs.

70. Freelance Content Marketing

Put your marketing and writing skills to work with this small business idea..

How to Start Freelance Content Marketing as a Side Business

From personal experience as a freelance content marketer , I can vouch for the profitability in this industry. I grew my side business into a $160,000/yr business before quitting my day job to pursue this small business idea full-time; all you need is the right skills and experience to back it up. With startups, established brands, and even notable influencers needing to build credibility and grow their brands, professionals who can serve up compelling content enjoy a huge demand for their services.

Since brands will always need high quality content to bring in new customers, your skills will always remain an asset to invest in—especially since the nature of creating a content marketing strategy is an ever-evolving one. Start by tapping into your existing network with this business idea and begin tracking down local small business owners who could benefit from your marketing tactics , do a bang up job, ask for referrals and grow from there to the point where you’re doing things like guest blogging and blogger outreach and spreading out to a wider market.

71. Freelance eBook Writing Business

Whether selling your own ebooks or writing for others, this business is for serious writers..

Freelance eBook Writing for Authors to Make Money on the Side

If you’ve always wanted to publish your own book as a small business idea, there never been a better time than now. That’s because access to self-publishing tools and marketplaces has never been easier and more affordable. One eBook writer I know currently earns up to a couple of thousand bucks each month from six ebooks she published; while you can reportedly demand around $1,000 per eBook project serving as a ghostwriter. My good friend, Caroline Beaton used freelance writing as her side business idea to eventually go from secretary to self-employed, while focusing on her own personal development and looking inward to discover what she’s truly passionate about.

72. Investing Your Money

This business idea takes at least a little money already, in order to earn some more..

How to Invest Your Money and Grow It in the Stock Market (Tutorial)

If you keep your money hidden in the attic or earning close to nothing in a savings account, you might want to consider putting it to better use through smarter stock investing as one of your side business ideas to keep slowly working on. Sure, there are plenty dangers to look out for, but most personal finance experts will advise you to start learning about the stock market if you want to grow your wealth, and to avoid jumping too heavily into trends like Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies without proper understanding.

73. Investing Others’ Money

Just be sure you’re compliant with any legal regulations before investing for others..

How to Earn a Side Income Investing Others People's Money

Incidentally, helping others grow their wealth is also a good way to grow your own financial worth as a small business idea. If you have stock market and finance credentials , then you can earn freelance commissions or consulting fees, advising clients on how to get the best returns for their investments as a lucrative side business idea if you can get results for those clients—otherwise this business idea can be the fast-track to alienating friends and family, so be careful.

74. Accounting and Bookkeeping

This business idea requires few pre-requisites aside from a proficiency with numbers..

Accounting and Bookkeeping as a Smart Freelance Side Hustle

Many small companies and startups now outsource jobs that aren’t part of their core business (such as HR, admin, and accounting), which makes this skill set a great opportunity for starting a side business idea that engages your number prowess. Because companies always need to track their cash flow, freelance accountants and bookkeepers can really benefit from the increasing demand for part-time help.

75. Building a Niche Website

People in these businesses often enjoy writing and designing websites..

How to Grow an Audience and Build a Niche Website to Make Money on the Side (Screenshot)

Find an audience for your passion or hobby and you’re all set to monetize something you love via learning how to make a website in a clever blog niche as a side business idea. That of course, is easier said than done, something not intended for the faint of heart. Prepare to invest a lot of your time in choosing from the best website builders and learning what a blog is , but if you can hurdle the steep challenges and positively answer a few key questions on whether the website business ideas you’re thinking about can make money , then you can begin building it.

Your niche website doesn’t even need to be built around an existing business of yours. For example, one of my newest side projects, Word Finder Pro , was built out of a desire to create the best possible Scrabble word finder tool (where not many good options currently exist), and we’ll worry about the greater business model later—once we have a steady flow of traffic coming into the website. But if you’re asking yourself, do people still read blogs? The answer is a resounding yes.

These days, I’m working on two side blogs in the food niche with the goal of eventually selling them for a profit—one with my girlfriend, Vegan Anj . Consider also that you may even want to buy a blog that already has a steady stream of traffic, work on growing that audience and later sell it for a profit. For more inspiration, check out these blog examples and see how successful niche sites are doing it today.

76. Car Washing and Detailing

If you enjoy working outside with your hands, this can be a great small business idea with growth potential..

Car Washing and Detailing to Make Money During Nights and Weekends

A lot of car owners simply don’t have time to personally care for their vehicles, much less make them sparkle. With simple equipment such as car shampoo, polishing wax, tire black, sponges, a pail and a sturdy hose, you can start earning a decent side income by making cars look fresh in your free time after work and on weekends. Not bad for an easy business idea that’ll keep you outdoors and moving your body on the weekends.

77. Caregiving Business

Make sure you have any applicable credential before starting this business..

Caregiving as a Side Business to Do and Make Extra Money

To be clear, providing care for the elderly often requires a broader set of credentials (as it should) so this business idea isn’t one most people can get started with this weekend. These credentials may include licenses, training certificates, business permits, and tax forms depending on which state you wish to operate, the level of care you intend to provide, and whether you plan on running a formal business or just hiring yourself out as an independent worker as a side business idea. If you’re already giving unpaid care to an elderly relative or friend, you may want to review Medicaid provisions for some compensation . In all cases, you need genuine affection for the elderly, a lot of common sense, and good knowledge of first aid, CPR, and elderly care basics to excel with this side business idea.

78. Carpet Cleaning

Believe it or not, steam cleaning carpets as a side business can generate serious income..

Carpets make your home warm and cozy. But they also tend to gather dust, grime, stains, allergens and bugs over time. You can tap into this opportunity by launching a carpet cleaning side business idea or serving as an independent contract cleaner in your free time. Either way, you’ll need to invest in proper equipment such as vacuum cleaners, carpet brushes, and cleaning chemicals in order to launch this business idea. Look into the possibility of renting equipment for a full weekend and lining up 5-10 clients to service, to offset your rental costs. If you turn a healthy profit, you’ll eventually be able to invest in owning your own equipment and increase your margins, thus going from side hustle to serious business.

79. House Cleaning

Cleaning homes (or offices) will always be a viable small business idea..

How to Start a House Cleaning Side Business (Instructional)

If you want to broaden your services and earn more, you can opt to make the entire house look neat and clean with this side business idea. House cleaning services cover carpets, floors, lawns, garages, windows, walls, and roofs, requiring a whole range of cleaning tools. You can hire maids and janitors to do the actual cleaning while you handle sales, administrative and customer service tasks. Or, you can start small by actually getting your hands dirty as a contractor, learning on the job before launching your own cleaning operations with the help of cleaning business management tools like Swept . Beyond that, I’d recommend checking out Cleaning Zoom if you plan on taking this business idea seriously—and be sure to have ready access to this checklist to ensure nothing flies under the radar on you cleaning appointments.

80. Child Care

With a flexible schedule, this small business can be great for those that love children..

How to Start a Child Care Business on the Side (Screenshot)

Many families with kids, including single-parents, have very limited time resources, creating a demand for part-time child care providers (and a business idea opportunity for you). If you love kids and have some spare time, you can earn plenty of side income by looking after children while their parents are away. Just be sure to identify the particular age group you’re comfortable caring for and you’re all set after any necessary certifications. Establishing a home-based daycare center capable of servicing six or more kids is also a lucrative way to really expand upon these kinds of business ideas if you have the right environment for it.

81. Computer Repair Business

People in this business will need to have the necessary technical skills..

How to Do Computer Repair on a Freelance Basis

Employed techies planning to earn some extra side income can leverage their software and hardware skills by offering home-based computer repair services as a business idea that engages their passion. If this rings a bell, you can start with a modest one-man tech team before envisioning a scaled-up operation as massive as Geek Squad . Remember, you can provide home service locally as a starting point to this business idea, as well as offer remote support through online messaging and video calling services before making your way into a retail setting. From the perspective of choosing to launch your own business around a specific skill set that’s in high demand, it doesn’t get much better than this.

82. Modeling

If you have the right look, there’s nothing wrong with this potentially lucrative business..

Modeling as a Freelancer to Earn a Side Income

If you’ve got the attitude (and look), there should be a product or service out there on the hunt for the right model to grow their brand (or promote your own blog ) as a standalone business idea. You can sign up with a large agency, find a freelance agent, or look for your own modeling gigs as an independent talent. Since modeling is a complex field , get all the advice you need before jumping right in and find a mentor who can guide you through some of the early challenges it’ll take to establish your brand. Depending on your preference, you can specialize in a single media format such as video or still images, to build a compelling portfolio and grow this into a business idea that has the potential to scale.

83. Computer Training and Lessons

How to Start a Computer Training Business to Teach Tech Skills Online (Tutorial)

Everyone (even kids and retirees) need to have some level of technical know-how to stay competitive and appreciate the marvels of the digital age. Just observe how learning sites like Codecademy and Treehouse and continue to grow and you’ll understand the urgency of getting computer training for our generation (thus making great business ideas to train others if you already have the skills). If you’re a techie, you can cash in on this need by offering lessons and tutorials within your neighborhood or across cyberspace through portals like YouTube or Udemy as a side business idea. You can even set up your own tutorial site with an interface for online payments.

84. Contract Customer Service

If you’re a people person that likes solving problems, this business idea is for you..

Contract Customer Service as a Freelancer to Earn an Online Income

Some firms outsource their customer service operations and many of these companies accept home-based contractors. You can start by signing up on freelancing sites such as Upwork to test the waters with this business idea first. If you’re already a CSR specialist with management skills, then you can form and lead a virtual team online and engage clients as a bona fide customer service company or provide customer service training to such teams as well as individuals.

85. Dog Walking Business

Walking dogs in your neighborhood (and beyond) is a surprisingly good business idea..

Dogs are amazing. But, owners aren’t always at home to take them for a walk. If you’re a canine fan like I hope you are, this great side business idea can net you a regular profit by just taking some adorable pups for a stroll around the park. With 70% of Americans having pets in their homes , dog walking services have become a thriving industry in some U.S. cities. In fact, there’s already an app called Wag that links up dog walkers who want to exercise this business idea with the pet owners who need a helping hand.

86. Real Estate Sales Consultant

With a flexible schedule, real estate sales can be the perfect side business..

Become a Real Estate Sales Consultant (Infographic)

The real estate market is on the rebound (for today) and people are buying and selling properties in many locations across the U.S. That means a lot of opportunities for professionals who know how to navigate the legal, financial, and commercial aspect of real estate to build up a stable of clients as a side business idea, especially if you begin to scale your sales organization and build a team of reps working with one of the best real estate CRMs to help you close more deals. If you consider yourself an expert in the subject, it won’t be a walk in the park (hehe), but you can earn significant additional side income as a home-based real estate consultant—especially if you employ one of the best CRMs for small business and know how to work magic over the phone.

87. Making Custom Furniture

Most people in this business are very crafty and can build furniture themselves..

Start Making Custom Furniture to Earn Some Extra Side Income

Turning your favorite craft or hobby into a revenue-generating business idea easily counts among the most fulfilling experiences anyone can have. With more and more people demanding a higher degree of personalization in just about anything they own or use, count yourself lucky if your craft happens to be the creation of custom furniture. Not only is the real estate sector regaining its footing, the number of style-conscious customers is also on the rise, creating plenty of room for growth into these kinds of handy business ideas.

88. Making Handmade Jewelry

Start this small business idea by selling your jewelry on etsy and growing from there..

How to Make and Sell Handmade Jewelry Online (Graphic)

There are at least three teenage entrepreneurs who’ve already earned astonishing amounts of money by launching hand-made jewelry business ideas: M3 Girl Designs’ Maddie Bradshaw , Bella Weems of Origami Owl , and the girl behind DesignedByLei. With the industry set to shine in the near term via a brisk annual growth rate of 5-6%, the market is ripe for new entrants to this business idea who can offer sparkling new takes on how to craft appealing handmade goods.

89. Being a Gigwalker

This ultra flexible, gig-style business is a great way to monetize your free time..

Does it Pay Being a Gigwalker? How to Make Money Doing Side Gigs

Earning money on GigWalk is similar to working on Task Rabbit—not a bad side business idea if you’ve got the free time. You get to choose from an amusingly diverse range of jobs from taking snapshots of restaurant menus to counting the items arrayed on supermarket racks. It won’t make you rich though, with payouts tending to congregate in the lower half of their $3-to-$100 range. But, if you’re looking for a steady little side business idea, it can’t hurt doing a strange but fun errand and getting a tip at the end. When you’re bored or a little short on cash, you can access GigWalk anytime, anywhere via their mobile app . Meanwhile, all the jobs specifically vetted for you will be within reach (ideally, just a brisk walk away).

90. Home Appraisal Business

Be sure to research the local credentials necessary for this business..

How to Start a Home Appraisal Business on the Side

A real estate appraisal business can be operated from home, on a part-time basis, making for a fun side business idea if you have the credentials to back it up. A perfect option if you want to keep your day job while earning a little extra on the side. You won’t need a college degree to start in on these kinds of business ideas either, but you’ll need bankable appraiser credentials (including relevant training and professional licenses), strong knowledge of the sector, and a growing network of industry players including mortgage brokers, real estate agents, banks, and fellow appraisers that’ll want to utilize your services.

91. Human Billboard

This is one of the more creative business ideas out there today..

How to Make Money as a Human Billboard on the Side

If you don’t mind parading yourself around in public places as a side business idea, and enjoy a little attention, then working as a human billboard can pay a surprising amount of dividends. Renting out your beard, for example can earn you as much as $5 a day while having a brand logo tattooed on your shaven head for five years could pay as much as $7,000—though this type of earning opportunity is admittedly rare. This business idea is definitely not for the faint of heart, and is a little extreme for me, but nonetheless it’s been done as a side hustle for many people, even some having done it to pay their college tuition fees . You can start by holding a placard or wearing a sandwich board. If you think this is a good side business idea, you can go all the way and turn it into a full on small business idea with enough hard work—plus you won’t have to deal with all the issues other more complex businesses have to constantly think about.

92. Purchasing an Existing Website

You’ll need at least a little capital up front, but this business can be very profitable..

Purchasing an Existing Website to Build Your Own Online Business

Websites aren’t too dissimilar to stocks. Many are junk, but some can generate value for you, making it a strong potential business idea if you have an eye for spotting the diamond in the rough. That’s why, like stocks, they are bought and sold all the time. You can buy a blog and then turn around, later selling the blog for more as a lucrative side business idea in the hope of generating future earnings based on their user traffic, current revenue intake, domain name, or some other factors that might be a hidden cash cow everyone else has overlooked. Interested? Check out marketplaces like Flippa and Empire Flippers to find websites currently for sale. Want to find a profitable niche business idea this week? Join my free online course Find a Profitable Business Idea today.

93. Mobile Laundry Service

Catering to busy professionals can always present good business opportunities..

How to Start a Mobile Laundry Service Side Business

We all wear clothes (at least some of the time). Which, of course, makes the business idea of cleaning soiled laundry an obvious hit. In fact, the self-service laundromat industry in the US is worth more than $3 billion, with many related businesses such as a mobile app laundry service , a real rolling mobile laundry service , and home laundry pickup & delivery services springing up each year. Cash in on this trend as a side business idea.

94. Junk Removal Service

People in this business aren’t afraid to get their hands a little dirty..

Launch a Junk Removal Service Company as a Side Project to Earn Extra Income

As the saying goes, one person’s trash is another’s treasure. Without people cleaning up everybody else’s junk, the world would be a lot messier than it already is. These kinds of business ideas might not be glamorous, but you get to make the world a cleaner place while earning extra side income . To start, you’ll likely need a sturdy second-hand truck and standard equipment like shovels, wheelbarrows, sledgehammers, rakes, and garbage cans to launch the foundation of this side business idea.

95. Becoming a Notary Public

With a relatively easy certification process, this side business idea is very flexible..

Becoming a Notary Public as a Source of Side Income

Public notaries primarily serve as validators of, and impartial witnesses in public legal documents, especially those related to affidavits, oaths, deeds, estates, special-powers-of-attorney, and business agreements. Depending on the state, a full-time notary public earns an average annual salary of $36,000 , which makes it a great business idea to do as a side hustle as you bring in money through other ways. If you want to get started with this business idea, here are the requirements and steps you need to consider in the US.

96. Wedding Planning Business

If you love details, then helping couples plan their special day can be a great business..

Start Wedding Planning as a Freelance Service Offering to Earn Extra Income

Like birthdays, marriages happen all the time. Which means you can treat weddings as a recurring fountain of business opportunities: wedding dresses and coats, jewelers, food caterers, venue providers, photographers and videographers, performers, flower shops, travel agencies, souvenir crafts, and a host of other business ventures. Now imagine if you can form a network of these service providers so you can offer engaged couples a range of hassle-free wedding packages as a turnkey business idea. The process is certainly fun (and time-consuming), but as a side business idea, the pay can be pretty great.

97. Event Planning and Party Planning

Any event (with the right client) can use a helping hand from a detail-oriented event planner..

Event and Party Planning Services are a Lucrative Side Business Idea

Being a wedding specialist works well for top-notch players, but being a generalist also has its benefits. Event planners and party planners leverage their network of service providers to cover not only weddings, but also seminars, corporate events, birthdays, baptisms, concerts, conferences, holiday parties, and other events, making it a relatively diverse business idea. Here are some tips if you want to run a part-time event planning business at home as one of our more fun side business ideas. And here’s a very honest look into the upside and downside of the trade . As a quick aside to this idea, if you want to build a digital business around event planning too, blogging can be a great start—grab my free blog planner bundle and get inspiration for your event planner business today.

98. Becoming a Personal Chef

Most people in this business will have some training or experience working in a kitchen..

Becoming a Personal Chef to Earn a Side Income During Nights and Weekends

Busy schedules can stress people out. It can also disrupt family life to the point that busy parents and homework-laden kids barely have time to prepare decent dinners and weekend meals. Hence, the surprising demand for part-time family chefs as a business idea. If cooking healthy and delicious meals is your thing, then this is one of the more lucrative side business ideas that can supplement your regular income by helping feed busy homes. Hear Gaby Dalkin’s story of going from side business idea to full-time food blogger while she was a part-time personal chef right here on my podcast .

99. Pet Sitting

For dog or cat people, a more exciting side business doesn’t exist..

Yes Dog Sitting Can Actually Pay for Relatively Low Effort

I mean come on, who wouldn’t be interested in business ideas that let you spend time with puppies? Getting paid to take care of a cute pup sounds like a dream. The prevalence of unattended pets is another side effect of busy life, creating job business ideas and opportunities for people with time, patience, and affection to spare. Just check out DogVacay and Rover to see what I mean. Would the payout be worth it if you try? One person in New York earns $3,300 a month just pet-sitting for busy animal lovers as his side business idea.

100. Pet Grooming Business

Many pet owners will pay handsomely to outsource keeping their animals clean..

How to Start Pet Grooming as a Side Project

If that isn’t enough, you can expand your services to include pet grooming as an extra side business idea. To do that, you’ll need to have relevant training, an operating license depending on your location, and pet grooming equipment. According to PayScale, pet groomers have an average salary range of $17,600 to $48,500. Not bad as a side business idea if you can find a way to get in most of your clients on the weekends.

101. Pool Cleaning

If you have the right tools and knowledge of pool chemicals, this can be a great side business..

Launch a Pool Cleaning Service to Earn Some Side Income Locally

Spending a leisurely afternoon in a swimming pool can be a lot of fun. But cleaning it can be a pain in the neck. Hence, most pool owners hire people to do the cleaning for them. If you need extra cash and don’t mind getting physical, then pool cleaning is a viable side business idea for you.

30+ More Profitable Small Business Ideas to Start Today

I’ve been getting so much feedback with great business ideas from my community and in the comments, so I frequently add to this list.

If you have any proven business ideas you’d like to share (or personal experience with a side business of your own), please add to them in the comments below !

102. Private Labeling and Selling Products on Amazon

People in this business tend to have a knack for spotting emerging lucrative products..

Private Labeling and Selling Products on Amazon (Explainer)

Counted amongst the most valuable tech giants , Amazon is also a massive global market where virtually anyone can try to get in on the rising tide of launching an eCommerce store if you have the right business idea. But, like everything else that involves money, you have to do quite a bit of work to earn it. In this case, you need to do tons of research (looking for generic products such as clocks, key chains and mugs to attach your brand to) as well as developing a sensible sales strategy that’ll help you generate profits from your private label side business idea. Check out this guide to selling on Amazon FBA for a super detailed breakdown of how to execute on this idea today.

Want to find profitable niche business ideas this week? Join my free online course Find a Profitable Business Idea today.

103. Officiating Recreational Sports Games

This small business idea is perfect if you like staying active in your community..

Officiating Recreational Sports Games to Earn a Side Income (Online)

Do you love sports? Officiating non-professional games held at community parks and college sport fields can be an exciting way to turn your love for outdoor activities into one of the most fun and physically rewarding profitable side business ideas you can engage in during your nights and weekends.

104. Selling on TeeSpring

Most people in this business have solid design skills..

Sell Shirts on Marketplace Websites Like TeeSpring to Generate Side Income

T-shirts can be a viable path toward creating an automated side business idea that makes money for you while you sleep. Even Bloomberg and Forbes feature stories from entrepreneurs who’ve done just that. Bring business ideas like this to life by setting up a simple store on TeeSpring , coming up with a few novel designs, creating some targeted t-shirt mockups and working hard to drive traffic to your store.

105. Build Custom Software for Freelance Clients

While not for those without the right skills, this business idea can be highly profitable..

How to Build Custom Software for Freelance Clients and Get Paid More

Software drives businesses today. This is a fact not lost on individuals and companies attempting to earn a profit, make a name for themselves, or simply get things done. As a result, the job outlook for software developers will be much sunnier than prospects for many other occupations—creating massive opportunities for these kinds of business ideas well into the future. In fact, it won’t take you long to find a good-paying software development project as a side business idea on sites like Upwork , Guru.com and Freelancer . LinkedIn also recently launched their brand new freelancing platform, ProFinder which has a dedicated section just for hiring talented software developers .

106. Coaching Sports Teams

There’s a lot of appeal to staying fit and teaching a sport to kids in your community..

How to Start Sports Coaching to Earn a Side Income

Nothing beats playing your favorite game. But getting paid for coaching a sports team and staying close to the action is the next best thing. Not only will you learn new skills, you’ll earn money getting your team into shape with this side business idea. The median pay for sports coaches clocks in at $30,400 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Expect to have only a slice of that if you’re signing up for part-time coaching as a side business idea only.

107. T-Shirt Printing Business

Be sure you’re in love with creating lots of designs if you start this business..

T-Shirt Printing as One of the Best Business Ideas to Start From Home

The T-shirt retailing business is worth millions of dollars. But what if you want to do the manufacturing side of things? It turns out that learning to sell t-shirts online can be translate into one of the more rewarding business ideas for those with an affinity for creating visually appealing designs, but can quickly consume much of your side business idea time if you’re not careful—so know what you’re getting into before diving in. This multi-billion dollar industry counts big corporate factories as well as home-based part-time entrepreneurs.

108. Vehicle Advertising

Believe it or not, advertising on your own car can be a decent side business..

How to Earn Side Income Doing Vehicle Advertising

Yes, you can turn your car into a money-maker by driving for Uber and Lyft, but there are other ways to convert mileage into money as a clever side business idea. One way is to do vehicle advertising, a potential side income source of anywhere between $100 to $600 per month. Whether you own a compact sedan or a full-sized bus, your vehicle’s exterior space is prime real estate for ads. Check Wrapify , carvertise , and similar sites for more details about getting started with this business idea and for being paired up with local advertisers.

109. Window Cleaning Services

Whether for homes or offices, many need professional window cleaning from time to time..

How to Sell Your Window Cleaning Services (Screenshot)

From the inside looking out, I want to see the world as clearly as possible. And so do a lot of homeowners and particularly office managers. Now that creates a demand for window cleaners to step into this business idea, especially if you can land a contract cleaning windows for an office building. If you want to try it out as a side business idea, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to start a window-washing business at home .

110. Working on Mechanical Turk

People in this business should expect to get small gigs that add up over time..

Working on Mechanical Turk as a Freelancer to Earn a Side Income

Mechanical Turk operates much like TaskRabbit and GigWalk: it’s a corner online where Amazon gathers tasks to be done, people willing to do them, and people willing to pay for them. On Mechanical Turk , you get to do the oddest jobs you can imagine as an online business idea, made possible by a parallel online universe that runs on hits, visits, surveys, reviews (like my compilation of honest Bluehost reviews ), pins, likes, CPCs, reads, and other metrics. But don’t get too ambitious. The small sums being paid out to human Mechanical Turk users rarely add up to anything seriously substantial, even if you invest most of your spare time into it. It’s a better opportunity for internationally-based people with internet access and lower costs of living than in the US. Here’s one person’s account of his former life as a Mechanical Turk talking through how he got started with this business idea and what the experience was really like.

111. Landscaping Business & Yard Work Services

This low-investment business idea requires only basic equipment and a knack for sales..

How to Start Selling Your Yard Work Services to Hustle on Weekends

A large proportion of homeowners and small businesses have lawns to tend to. Many turn to independent providers of yard work services to take care of their lawn care woes. To start and sustain a yard work services side business idea, you need training, equipment, and a growing network of customers. In the U.S., a full-time landscaping business owner and groundskeeping worker reportedly earns a median wage of around $25,000, while those working on this as a side business idea largely during evenings and weekends can expect to make substantially less.

112. Public Speaking

Inspiring others with your words is a true gift that can be a real business, too..

Become a Dynamic Public Speaker and Earn Some Side Income

If you have the gift of gab, public speaking is a worthwhile side business idea for you to pursue. Many authors, medical practitioners, scientists, artisans, politicians, and other subject matter experts earn extra income by delivering speeches, seminars, and presentations. Professional motivational speakers earn an average annual salary of around $90,000 with just that portion of their income, making this a very realistic side business idea while you continue practicing your craft.

113. College Counseling

People in this business have deep knowledge into the college admission process..

College Counseling to Help Students Get Accepted to University (Screenshot)

College counsellors come in all shapes and sizes. Their primary duty is to help guide students through an important period in their lives. Some counselors focus on admissions, career advice, financial aid, athletics, extracurricular activities, and other concerns. There are institutions looking out for part-time college counselors , making this a fantastic side business idea, or you can even start your own practice and charge anywhere from $25-$100+ per hour for your consultative services if you’re well-versed on the subject.

114. Making Seasonal Decorations

This seasonal side business can earn a lot in very short periods of time..

Seasonal Decorator as a Side Business Idea to Grow Your Income

Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Yuletide, Hanukkah, Valentine’s Day, Chinese New Year, 4th of July, Mother’s Day. There are a ton of traditional holidays that count as solid reasons to explore the side business idea of crafting and selling seasonal decorations. After all, people and businesses pay good money for them. In fact, total sales of Christmas trees in the U.S. alone amounted to a whopping $1.04 billion in 2014. And you still have holiday lights, nativity scenes, crafted hangings, baskets, wreaths, and other decorations to cover, making this a potentially year-round seasonal side business idea.

115. Snowplowing

The biggest barrier to entry with this business is the right equipment (and sometimes permits)..

Snowplowing to Earn Some Extra Money During the Winter

The holidays do bring cheer, but when winter comes, so does the snow. Thick, traffic-hindering piles of it. Snow can be fun for a while but somebody has to get rid of it for our lifestyles to continue onward. Make extra money with this side business idea from home by offering snow and ice removal services.

116. Selling Handmade Clothing and Garments

If you love making things with your hands, this can be a very fulfilling business idea..

How to Sell Handmade Clothing and Garments as a Side Business Online

With the rise of online craft marketplaces like Etsy, people with decent artisanal skills like sewing and woodworking have an always-open market to sell their products as a side business idea. If you’ve always wanted to design and make clothes by hand, then you can start turning those fashion ideas into real, hand-sewn garments and earn a little bit with this side business idea while you sleep and customers from around the world browse your Etsy & Amazon stores.

117. Antique Refurbishing

Breathing new life into antiques is a great business for crafty people..

Start Antique Refurbishing to Make Extra Money on the Side

The antique market is not as lively as it used to be. But there’s still money to be had from the industry if you love rare old stuff and possess the skill of restoring them to their former glory. To start an antique refurbishing business at home, you’ll likely need a few thousand dollars to build out a basic workshop and stock it with all of the right treatments and materials in order to truly excel with this side business idea. Start small by borrowing around what you can, and learning the basics of the trade as a side hustle before investing in a ton of equipment.

118. Dance Instructor

Whether self-taught or formally trained, teaching dance can be a great business..

How to Become a Dance Instructor and Make Side Income

Most people, even those many won’t admit it, love moving their bodies. It’s also a great workout. If at some point in your life, you had to hang your dancing shoes for a more sensible office job, there’s nothing stopping you from earning money with this side business idea as a passion project around your day job. Part-time dance instructors get a fraction of the pie that their full-time peers enjoy, but it can add up to hundreds each week if you’re consistent—making for a great side business idea to those with the skills and drive.

119. Part-Time Bicycle Delivery

People in this business tend to live in cities where bicycle delivery is most viable..

Part-Time Bicycle Delivery Can Be One of the Best Business Ideas for Getting in Shape

Believe it or not, this freelance bike messenger makes more money than some people glued to their office desks. You won’t rake in a whopping $50,000 as this guy does by just doing this in your free time as a side business idea only , but you’ll surely get a piece of the action. Even Uber is trying out a blueprint for a delivery service, and companies like WunWun and Amazon are stepping up their efforts to expand same-day delivery, increasing the demand for more to jump in on this business idea. If you have a decent bicycle, those pair of pedals might just earn you a healthy side hustle income.

120. Home-Based Makeup Services

Most people in this business tend to cater their services to events..

How to Offer Home-Based Makeup Services on a Freelance Basis (Infographic)

If you have a talent for helping people look their best, and know how to mesmerize with eyeliners and turn heads with lipsticks, consider using your beauty skills to pursue this easily profitable side business idea. For under $2000, you can start your own make-up artist business which can make for the foundation of a potentially lucrative side business idea that turns a profit largely by referrals and word-of-mouth from your happy customers.

121. Voice-Over Talent

With the right vocal range, this is one of the easiest online business ideas you can do from home..

Do You Have a Voice for Selling Your Services Doing Voice-Over Talent? Here's How to Make it a Business

If you speak like James Earl Jones or Scarlett Johansson, quite a number of digital publishers (including game developers, animated film-makers, and training video producers) pay good money for voice talent and the time investment isn’t too intensive—making this a great side business idea. You can find these publishers looking for voice-over artists on sites like PeoplePerHour , Freelancer and Upwork , as well as their calls for talent directly on their websites or through voiceover agents. If you do pursue this as a side business idea, be prepared to invest for the long-haul as it can be a very competitive industry.

122. Buying and Selling Cars

People who succeed at this business can identify opportunities for flipping cars at a profit..

Buying and Selling Cars to Earn a Profit

Car flipping can be a fun way to turn your love for cars into quick side business ideas if you have the capital and a stomach for the inherent risk. Buying and selling cars is similar to other “buy low, sell high” business models, but the profit potential per hour invested can be very high. The trick is to learn how to make car deals come to you, so you can minimize your time invested and maximize your profit on each flip with this side business idea.

123. Small Business Marketing Consultant

Helping local companies with their marketing will always be a solid business..

Small Business Marketing Consultant on a Freelance Basis (Explainer)

If you’ve got experience with marketing, experience in executing an effective SEO plan or a knack for getting people excited about the products and services you use on a regular basis, think about refining your skills and putting them to work as a small business marketing consultant in your region—especially if you can become a local SEO expert and can help local clients rank higher on Google search results as your side business idea. Businesses of all sizes are in constant need of bringing in more customers, which is where you come in with your business idea—just be sure to brush up on your on-page SEO strategies to make sure you can provide immediate value. Start by pitching a small business marketing idea and you’ll be sure to impress the first set of clients you begin working with in your area.

124. Professional Organizing

This business is best deployed in geographic areas with wealthy clients..

How to Start a Professional Organizing Business on the Side

If keeping your home organized comes naturally and you enjoy helping other people, consider becoming a professional organizer as a side business idea. As the need for baby boomers to start downsizing grows, you can use your organizing and decluttering skills to start making an industry standard $50-125 an hour with very low startup costs and expert advice from someone well-versed in the space (similar in a way to how I’ve built a business here by sharing blogging tips and advice for those looking to learn more about blogging). Believe it or not, pro organizers don’t just work with hoarders. More and more people are hiring professional organizers in order stop wasting time and money due to the stress of everyday disorganization. What’s even better, is that you can take this on as side business ideas during the nights and weekends when your clients will be at home.

125. Rent Out Your Space

If you have a home (or space) that’s perfect for events, this is a very flexible side business..

How to Make Extra Money by Renting Out Your Space

People are always searching for one-of-a-kind venues for meetings, parties and weddings. Why not earn some extra money off the space you already have by renting it out for events as a side business idea? If you own a unique venue, like a studio, warehouse or boat, UK-based company Tagvenue will connect you with clients looking for somewhere special to host their event. Not a bad low-effort side business idea.

126. Build a Chrome Extension

Most people chasing this business idea will have some coding skills already..

Learn to Build a Chrome Extension and Monetize it on the Side

With nearly 100,000 different custom extensions both free and paid available in Google Chrome’s marketplace, there’s a huge opportunity for creating a useful extension for people to use while browsing the web as a low effort business idea. One of my favorite Chrome extensions, Yet Another Mail Merge , which enables you to send bulk customized emails from within Gmail, gives you 50 free credits to send emails and gives you the chance to upgrade to a paid account to unlock more sending—a great upsell for the people who are getting value from the extension. Even free Chrome extensions have the potential to bring in new users and eventually drive revenue for the startup’s core business. This side business idea is particularly great because it also allows you to showcase your development skills—which can be put to work as an adjacent side business idea on a freelance basis (especially if you learn email marketing) alongside the Chrome extensions you launch.

127. Floral Design

If you love arranging flowers, this can be a very high-margin business idea..

Sell Your Services Doing Floral Design on the Side

Valentine’s day. Birthdays. Weddings. The list goes on and on—throughout the course of a year, there are dozens of occasions when people need to order flowers. What’s more is that once you’re up to speed with these kinds of business ideas, your low startup costs can remain there if you know where to source your flowers, and typical margins are in the neighborhood of 300% (or more) on cut flowers which makes this a particularly profitable side business idea in the right geographic area. Check out floral designer, Sara Tedford of Ladybird Poppy to learn about how her floral design company started out as a side business idea of doing weddings and events for her friends and family.

128. Recycling

Don’t expect this business to deliver massive profits, but it can be a good use of free time..

Earn a Side Income by Recycling and Collecting Small Amounts of Money

Though certainly not for everyone, recycling the containers from products left strewn around on the ground can become a surprisingly decent side business idea if you put in the time. Attending events like street fairs and outdoor concerts can be a great starting place. Put on a clean shirt, jeans, apply your sunscreen, grab a cheap pick-up tool, sturdy plastic bags, and you can sell them for upwards of $4.00/pound on eBay .

129. Litter Removal for Local Businesses

If you’re not afraid to get a little dirty, there’s a lot of money in cleaning up around businesses..

Litter Removal for Local Businesses as a Service (Explainer)

Like recycling, this side business idea requires the willingness to get your hands a little dirty. If you enjoy working outdoors, then you can make a pretty good side income cleaning up litter outside retail, office and industrial properties—especially for businesses that have large parking lots that need regular cleaning. Property management companies need their properties maintained litter free and you can do so with an on-foot service using inexpensive equipment like this cheap pick-up too and a broom. Charge for your time at $35 – $50 per hour and bill your clients the same contract price each month. For even more on how to get started with a litter removal side business idea, check out Cleanlots .

130. Brand Ambassador

People in this business tend to have a decent following on a social media platform..

It sounds too good to be true—getting paid to represent your favorite brands at events across the nation. But, if you have a friendly and outgoing personality (a growing social media following helps too), you can forge a potentially paid relationship as a brand ambassador with companies who want to reach other people within your community with this small business idea. As a Brand ambassador, you do anything from demoing the latest technology, to passing out free swag at music festivals, to going on nationwide tours, to pumping people up as a mascot, and more. Depending upon the gig, you can expect to earn anywhere from $18-$100/hr.

131. Career Coach

This can be a lucrative online business idea if you’re an expert in your field..

Become a Career Coach to Help People Land Their Dream Jobs

Have you cracked the code for landing higher paying jobs at the drop of a hat? If you have a knack for helping your friends or co-workers navigate the process of finding their dream job, nailing an interview, negotiating a better salary or getting a raise at their current day job, other people would be willing to pay for your help too—making this a great side business idea that doesn’t take too much time. Get started by sharing your advice on a personal blog and becoming a career coach on platforms like The Muse and Coach Me where there’s already an existing audience of people looking to make a move in their careers. From there, keep your focus on helping people get real results, building case studies to support this side business idea, and eventually charging for the results you’re delivering clients.

132. Selling Life Insurance

Be sure you enjoy sales and have a broad network if you start this small business..

Selling Life Insurance on the Side Can Earn You Extra Income

Are you an extrovert that loves meeting new people? Selling insurance products—particularly life insurance—may be a great way to bring in some extra cash and build residual income in your spare time. Selling life insurance on the side could quickly generate a consistent $1,000 – $2,000 per month depending on how much time you invest in this side business idea. To get started you’ll likely want to take an online course to brush up on the subject matter, and then pass a state licensing exam. The biggest challenge you’ll face as a new agent is generating sales beyond just helping out friends and family. Learn more about this side business idea with this getting started in life insurance guide from the team over at NoExam.

133. Writing and Editing Resumes

There will always be profits in helping people land their dream jobs..

How to Write and Edit Resumes as a Side Business to Earn Extra Income

Everybody knows that finding (and landing) your dream job can be tough—especially when you’ve had the same position for a while and your resume is looking a little rusty. Before jumping in and becoming an expert resume writer, you’ll have to learn how to write a resume on your own, and then practice by redoing resume’s for your friends and co-workers. Next, you’re ready to join a resume writers’ association, continue establishing your credibility and you can eventually make your way into more hands-on career coaching opportunities. If you need to brush up on your resume writing skills, check out this guide about how to make a resume today.

134. Being a Part-Time Mover

Most entrepreneurs pursuing this small business idea will have access to a truck and moving equipment..

Business Ideas You Can Start on the Side Moving Part-Time

Maybe you’re not very good with computers, or don’t want to sit behind a desk? Well, here’s a side business idea that has more of a physical component to it. If you also like working with others, then becoming an on-call mover will likely fit the bill. When someone’s moving, they always need a helping hand (or three). You can provide that service and make some cash with this side business idea. Whether it’s helping someone who’s moving apartments or linking up with a local mover who needs an extra set of hands, working as a mover can be a pretty good gig.

There’s also (of course) now an app for this side business idea. It’s called Bellhops , and you can quickly sign up to start working as a mover almost right away (after going through their application process). The best part about using Bellhops is that they already have customers booked and ready to schedule their moves, meaning you can pretty much get a steady stream of moving jobs depending upon your location, just by signing up and setting the hours that you’re available.

135. Start a Food Truck

The startup costs of this small business idea can be a bit higher, but are more manageable than launching a restaurant..

Starting a Food Truck Small Business Idea (Image of Food Truck and Customer)

While I’ve curated most of these small business ideas to be low-cost options, starting a food truck business is something that many food service-minded entrepreneurs should consider as a viable option. With startup costs that run around $28,276 on average (in the U.S.), that’s comparatively very low if you stack these costs up next to the massive investment of launching a physical restaurant location or coffee shop. Plus, your food truck business is mobile by design, which gives you the flexibility to drive where your customers are. You can cater events, appear at local farmer’s markets, find permitted spots to park near business hubs and find your lunch crowd during the days. Moreover, this small business idea comes with a lot of flexibility—if you keep your full-time job, you can still operate your food truck on your own hours during a couple of evenings in the workweek and on weekends.

136. Become a Life Coach

Life coaching is a very flexible type of business you can start from anywhere with a solid internet connection..

Life Coaching Business Idea (Coaching People)

A life coach helps people to reach their goals and find fulfillment in their lives. They’re there to offer encouragement and advice, and to provide a non-judgmental, supportive environment in which people can explore their thoughts and feelings, often in an on-demand capacity. They can help people to set realistic, achievable goals and to develop strategies and plans to help them reach those goals. Life coaches can also provide guidance and support in areas like career development, relationships, family dynamics, and personal growth. Ultimately, they’re there to help their clients become the best versions of themselves—which is a beautiful type of business to start.

Which Small Business Ideas for New Entrepreneurs Did I Miss?

Share in the comments if I’m missing any of your picks for the best side business ideas that you can start while working full-time! Bonus points if you’ve already gotten started on one of these business idea, and share the link to your website.

Now, if you’re trying to figure out ways you can fund your new business idea, consider these options:

At the end of the day, I’m a staunch advocate of working very hard and making financial sacrifices in order to bring your business to life without going into debt or needing to share your dream with other small business owners. If that means growing your business a little slower than you otherwise would, then in most cases I’d argue that’s a worthy cause—in order to retain ownership and not expose yourself to as much financial risk.

Hi I'm Ryan Robinson

Blogger, podcaster and recovering side project addict. Head of Content at Close. Join me here, on ryrob.com to learn how to start a blog , make money blogging and grow a profitable side business. I also write for publications like Fast Company, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc, Business Insider and more. Let’s chat on Twitter about our feelings (and blogging, I guess).

1,939 replies to “135 Small Business Ideas You Can Start in 2023 (& Make Money on the Side) for New Entrepreneurs”

I read your posts regularly, because you write such beautiful posts that I feel very encouraged to read. I hope to get such a beautiful post in the future. Go ahead, we the readers are with you

Ah, thank you Kiran! 🙏

great ideas.thank you

You’re welcome!

very helpful content sir mm👍

Does anyone can provide more information how create e bay account for selling products. Thank you in advance.

Hey Luca, I’d recommend some searching on Google to find in-depth guides by people who’ve started and operated eBay stores—they should be a good starting source for your research (try to find people who’ve actually done that type of business before and are talking about it) 🙂

Thanks for all the high value free information! You website/blog kicks ass man!

You’re welcome, Jeff! Thanks for the kind words 🙏

Thanks a lot for sharing this post as it comes with a lot of details that have been very helpful.

I just read your post and your recommendation for starting a handmade jewelry business caught my attention. It not only allows for creativity and personal expression but also has the potential to be a profitable venture. Thank you for sharing your insights and recommendations on small business ideas.

wonderful ideas

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