business ideas for upcoming entrepreneurs

26 Great Business Ideas for Entrepreneurs

Table of contents.

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 small business idea in the first place? This list of business ideas includes 26 great types of business to help you find success.

Starting a business is a lot of work, but we’re here to help! Check out our useful resources for everything you need to successfully build your business from the ground up.

• How To Start A Business: Step By Step
• 11 Things To Do Before Starting A Business
• Tax and Business Forms You’ll Need To Start A Business
• Startup Costs: How Much Cash Will You Need?
• 20 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting A Business

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 small 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 is a great small business idea for entrepreneurs with a taste for the culinary. 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 small business 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:

• Minimal inventory and supplies: Presumably, your home isn’t a mansion (yet), and you have only so much space in which to store inventory and supplies. That means lawn care service is probably a no-go if you’re looking to work from home. The same might be true for T-shirt printing if you don’t have space to store your prints. Copywriting and graphic design, on the other hand, require little more than a laptop and a working internet connection, and you probably already have those.
• Low startup costs : A viable work-from-home business shouldn’t cost much to launch. With minimal storage space, it’s not like you can pile up raw materials and inventory. You might need to buy some software or obtain licensure for certain small business ideas, but your financial obstacles should be few and far between.
• Computer-based, online work: Many of the above small business ideas require the use of a computer with an internet connection. Drop-shipping, digital marketing and translation are all great examples. An exception to the rule is pet- sitting if you watch over pets at your house rather than the owner’s home. Then, all you need is a pair of watchful eyes and open ears. You can even do computer-based work while watching the pets.
• Flexible schedule: Traditional office jobs often demand a rigid 9-to-5 schedule from employees. This schedule can feel less important to adhere to if you’re working from home , especially when you’re your own boss. As such, the best work-from-home small business ideas allow for a flexible schedule. If you do your best app development work at 3 a.m., who’s to stop you?
• Modest collaboration needs: Although remote team collaboration is easy to achieve, working from home goes more smoothly when you’re almost fully independent. A small business in which you answer to just a handful of clients and one or two colleagues (if any) leads to greater independence. Then you can truly work on your own terms and see your small business idea through to full fruition.

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.

• Choose a business idea and find your niche
• Analyze the current market
• Create a business plan
• Assess your finances and raise money as needed
• Determine your legal business structure
• Register your business with the government and IRS
• Choose the appropriate business insurance policies
• Hire employees and build your team
• Choose your vendors
• Market and advertise your business

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

Published: July 31, 2023

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.

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.

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

9 templates to help you brainstorm a business name, develop your business plan, and pitch your idea to investors.

• Business Name Brainstorming Workbook
• Business Plan Template
• Business Startup Cost Calculator

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

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:

• Requires little to no training . A good small business idea will ideally leverage your existing field of expertise and require little to no training. That will not only shorten your time-to-launch, but also lessen your expenses, since training courses can cost a significant amount of money. Plus, you’ll be more confident offering services that you feel prepared to deliver.
• Requires low setup costs. Your business should be cheap to start. Maybe you only need to purchase a website domain or buy a desk for your garage.
• Requires little hands-on inventory or supply management . A great business idea needs few supplies and little inventory management. If you want to sell physical goods, you can either try drop-shipping and manually make goods in small batches.
• Is based online . The best small business ideas are based online and can be carried out from your personal computer. This will automatically lower your commuting costs and give you greater flexibility over your personal and work life.
• Can sustainably be managed by few people . As a small business owner, you won’t have the funds to hire other people to help you run your business — at least not at first. A good business idea should give you the ability to run your business on your own.

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

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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:

• Handyman License Requirements by State
• The Most Requested Handyman Services
• Association of Certified Handyman Professionals

2. Woodworker

Similarly, if you have a passion for crafting beautiful furniture or other home goods out of wood, that could be a small business niche for you. Get started by listing a few of your pieces on sites like Etsy . Once you build a following, consider starting a website, accepting custom orders, or expanding to refinishing work and upholstery.

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

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:

• International Open Academy's Tailoring Course for Beginners
• Jackson Sewing Academy’s Basic Alterations Course
• American Bespoke Tailoring Academy’s Programs

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:

• Coding Dojo
• Fullstack Academy
• Georgia Institute of Technology Coding Boot Camp

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.

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.

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.

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:

• Cornell’s Digital Photography Certificate Program
• New York Institute of Photography’s Course

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

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

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

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.

To become a translator, you should have a rock-solid grasp of two languages — ideally, you’ll be near native level for both. You don’t need special credentials to become a translator, but a certification (such as from the American Translators Association ) will legitimize your business and help you get clients.

Prior to gaining a certification, you can also pursue an online certificate, which will teach you the basics of translation. Some providers include:

• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• The University of Arizona
• University of Georgia

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.

But you can also offer installation services, or hire your own contractors to fulfill the design.

To become a garden designer, you should seek at least one credential so you’re well-versed in the basics and prevent damage to a client’s landscape. The American Academy of Garden Design offers courses and certificates that start at $450. A cheaper option is New Skills Academy’s Garden Design Certification ($120).

Remember, the goal is to start a business for cheap, and a certification can have a high ROI after you book your first few clients for garden design.

3. 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.

You don’t have to only plan trips for individuals, either. If you’re experienced enough, you can even start a group travel company, like Art N Soul Escapes .

You can become a travel planner by first volunteering to plan a few trips for your family and friends. Try it and see if you like it. Once you feel like you’ve gotten a good taste, attend a travel planner program and get certified. Some options include:

• The Travel Institute Training & Certification Program
• Penn Foster Travel and Tourism Specialist Diploma

You can also seek employment at a travel agency first, then strike out on your own once you’ve learned the basics.

4. Home Inspector

A home inspector examines a house’s drywall, electrical wiring, energy efficiency, and structural integrity to find potential issues on behalf of a home buyer. Home inspectors work in the field. They visit homes in person and provide a written inspection report. Alternatively, some home inspectors offer virtual inspections, which may be a good fit if you’d prefer to work from home.

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.

To become a home inspector, you should invest in a certification program, such as:

• International Association of Certified Home Inspectors
• ATI Home Inspector Academy

Be sure to check local authorities and universities for a course.

5. 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.

You can also begin by selling food in batches at local farmer’s markets or via a food truck. Once you’ve generated some awareness, you can begin taking on clients. Alternatively, you can start a delivery meal prep service by cooking 5-7 days’ worth of meals for clients.

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

6. 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 well taken care of, handle small fixes as they arise, and serve as a liaison to renters. It’s helpful if you have a background in real estate.

This option is a great fit if you have stupendous organizational, administrative, and customer service skills. As a property manager, you’ll be handling everything from screening potential tenants to collecting rent.

To become a property manager, you must first complete coursework in your desired state. We recommend working at an existing property management company to get your foot in the door. Once you’ve learned the basics, you can then start your own property management business.

7. Massage Therapist

Soothe aching muscles and promote peace for your clients as a massage therapist. As a massage therapist, you’ll offer targeted, personalized care that’s an edge above in-shop or mall massage services. To start this small business, you should invest in customer service courses, as well as a massage therapy certification.

Be sure to look into training and certification courses in your city and state, and to invest in a portable bed to take on client visits.

8. Interior Designer

Similar to landscape design — there are many people who have the ability to buy the furniture and home decor they need to fill their rooms, but few who know where to start. It might take some time to build a portfolio, but documenting your projects and sharing them online can build a fanbase beyond your wildest dreams.

To start an interior design business, we first recommend trying your hand at decorating your friends’ homes and working with their vision and specifications. One big aspect of interior design is providing fantastic customer service and knowing how to fulfill a client’s design vision while employing your interior design expertise.

You can then take an interior design course to round out your knowledge, such as the one offered by The New York Institute of Art and Design .

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

9. 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.

The best thing is that you can begin a nonprofit easily from your home, even before filing for 501(c)(3) status. First, create a non-profit website (ideally with a .org top-level-domain). Define your mission and goals, and figure out how you’ll execute your non-profit activities. For instance, if you’re raising money to buy books for local schools, who will deliver them? Which retailer will you use? Start small, then expand.

Thereafter, apply for exempt status so that you’re not taxed like a regular business. The profit margins may be smaller, but the job is endlessly rewarding.

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.

To start a tutoring business, you should first gain experience educating others by either volunteering or even teaching friends and family. But you can begin straight away by listing your services locally and online and launching a tutoring website.

Be sure to define your niche. Will you be tutoring students in their homes? Or opening a local tutoring location? Which subject will you teach? Create handouts, use textbooks, and know which online resources will be best for your tutee’s learning style.

11. 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.

Some consulting industries are more competitive than others, so be sure to complete your research prior to starting a small consulting business. One way to find out how competitive a consulting niche is by doing keyword search . If your target niche is highly searched or already is dominated by big companies, you may have a harder time breaking in. You can use keyword research tools to uncover keyword volume and local demand.

12. Event Planner

An event planning business is an excellent choice if you have great organizational and interpersonal skills, and it’s relatively cheap to start. 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.

The good news is that event planners are always in demand. It’s not a job that can be easily automated, so this small business idea is set to thrive regardless of the digital landscape. To start, you’ll want to look for a platform that will easily allow you to advertise your availability, such as event planner directories like Eventective and WeddingWire .

If you’re highly organized, are detail-oriented, and have experience planning large events, it might be time for others to benefit from your skills.

13. Personal Assistant

Personal assistants help business owners and executives take care of administrative tasks. To launch a freelance personal assistant business, you should leverage networking opportunities on LinkedIn and attend small business events at local chambers of commerce. Most local business owners might not even know they need a personal assistant until you market your services to them.

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.

To become an assistant, choose a niche — will you be helping women business owners specifically? Do you have a specific field of expertise, like bookkeeping? A website can also go a long way, and be sure to print business cards for you to hand out during networking events.

14. 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 starting a consignment shop. 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.

The beauty of a small consignment business is that you can now start one online. You can sign up on a platform such as Poshmark , Depop , and even Etsy , then easily start selling your own used fashion from home.

Once you’ve defined your niche — such as vintage clothing, unique locally made art, or colorful shoes — you can begin sourcing new products from your local stores and thrift shops.

15. Caterer

If the 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.

Becoming a caterer is a natural step for those who are used to cooking for large events — for instance, you may have already catered your friend’s wedding, or brought a 20-person meal to a potluck (that counts, too!).

It’s essential that you have enough temperature-regulated storage for the meals prior to each event, and that you arrange for reliable, temperature-controlled transportation to and from your home kitchen. Alternatively, you can lower your costs by inviting customers to pick up their order at your home.

16. 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.

Available franchise opportunities include Anytime Fitness, Orangetheory Fitness, Pure Barre, Planet Fitness, Crunch Fitness, and more. Be prepared to take out a loan to finance your franchise — most agreements start with fees upward of $20,000. But the payoff can be tremendous due to brand recognition. You’ll have no trouble recruiting new members as long as you use local marketing strategies .

Alternatively, you can create a local studio, but ideally, it should be for a specific activity instead of general fitness. Yoga, pilates, bootcamp-style gyms, and martial arts perform well as independent fitness studios.

17. 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.

To start an agency, you would ideally have worked in your specialty for a number of years. You should also be prepared to interface directly with clients, fulfill their requirements, and temper their expectations (if they want results in an unreasonably short amount of time).

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

18. 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 more planning and work — but it also maximizes your earning potential in the future.

A coffee shop is an excellent fit if you already have a full-time remote job and wish to supplement your income with a small business. You can manage the coffee shop as you work at one of the tables, but be sure to have the budget to hire an experienced barista who can pick up the slack.

If you would like to open a coffee shop and run it full-time on your own, you’ll need to undertake barista training, understand worldwide coffee sources, and have excellent customer service skills.

19. 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 can partner with moving companies and offer to do their packing, or have them refer clients to you.

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

20. 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.

To get your first home staging clients, you should first rely exclusively on networking. Find your local realtors’ association and attend their events with business cards handy. Once you’ve gotten your first clients and built your portfolio, you can begin posting your designs on your home staging website.

If you don’t yet have enough experience, be sure to pursue an interior design course before opening this small business.

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.

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.

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.

Online Business Ideas

If you want a business idea that you can run entirely online, check out the ones below. These ideas are ideal for those looking for a passive income stream. In other words, you shouldn’t need to do too much manual work to launch these businesses from your home or preferred business location.

1. Become an online reseller.

To become an online reseller, all you need is some business savvy and some funds to invest in product stock from manufacturers — or, of course,the willingness to sell your own used items. Generally, this is a low-touch but high-performance way of creating a passive income online business.

Online resellers usually use a platform, such as Facebook Marketplace or Amazon Sellers, to sell either their own or manufacturers’ stock. The benefit of using Facebook Marketplace is that you can begin today with your own Facebook account, and simply list items that you already own.

Interested buyers typically drive directly to your home for pick-up — but if you’re not interested in human interaction, you can leave it outside and have the buyer pay via an online platform.

Amazon Sellers requires a little more up-front investment, but the yield is usually higher and you can turn your Amazon reselling business into a more passive income stream. Amazon allows you to buy stock from various manufacturers, which they then keep in their warehouses. When an Amazon user buys from you, Amazon will fulfill that order and then give you a substantial cut.

2. Try affiliate marketing.

An affiliate marketing business is a great fit if you already own a website or a blog you wish to monetize. We’ve already shared how blogging is a great business to start — if you’ve already bought a domain name and begun writing content, then using it to start your affiliate marketing business is a great option.

Affiliate marketers create blog posts and content that contain affiliate links. When a user clicks on that link, a cookie is added to their browser that tracks their activity for a specified period of time. If they make a purchase at the affiliate website, then you get a commission — usually recurring, if you’re selling subscription products.

There are countless affiliate marketing programs for you to start your online business. These programs come with many benefits, such as pre-made advertisements and lazy copy for you to use.

To create a viable affiliate marketing online business, you should choose the right blog niche , such as technology, household decor and organization, or fitness, and then find affiliate marketing programs that offer products your readership would be genuinely interested in.

3. Become a content creator or influencer.

Instagrammers, YouTubers, podcasters, and TikTokkers with more than ten thousand followers can eventually turn their accounts into a small online business that generates passive income.

As a content creator or influencer on social media, you can not only earn money from sponsored partnerships, but you can monetize your audience in other ways, such as creating Subscriptions on Instagram , allowing companies to advertise on your YouTube channel, or creating a paid-only newsletter.

Becoming an influencer or content creator takes hard work, but it can be a fun way to create a small online business, assuming you’re posting content that you enjoy creating. First, you should choose a niche, such as thrifted fashion, work-from-home hacks, or even industry tips. Then, you should learn how to become a social media influencer and digital creator , then create a social media content calendar .

Most importantly, have fun with this online business idea as you give it a try. The good news is that it has little overhead — all you need is a willingness to spend time on social media content creation.

4. Open a dropshipping store.

We’ve mentioned dropshipping a few times already, but this is such a great online business idea that it’s absolutely worth mentioning again. Dropshipping businesses don’t manufacture what they sell, or even buy stock from manufacturers in advance. Instead, wholesalers fulfill the order directly after a buyer places an order through your website.

Opening an ecommerce store can be forbidding for those who don’t want to deal with inventory management or supply chain logistics . Dropshipping is the best alternative.

The only thing you need is the willingness to invest in an ecommerce website builder and the ability to manage relationships with local or international manufacturers. From there, you need to only publish your site and advertise your brand via ecommerce marketing .

Learn how to start a dropshipping business here , with examples.

5. Sell print-on-demand products.

Print-on-demand (POD) is another way to start a dropshipping business, except it’s a little more frictionless because most POD services allow you to create a storefront right on their website, instead of you needing to look for a separate ecommerce site builder.

With a POD online business, you design unique artwork. The print-on-demand provider will allow you to place that design on t-shirts, hats, tote bags, phone cases, and more. You do not keep any inventory; instead, the POD provider will print it only after a buyer makes an order, then ships it directly to them.

The only thing you need to start this small online business is a penchant for design and the budget to pay for a print-on-demand subscription (although most providers are free, and they simply take a cut of the sale). Get acquainted with design principles and color theory , and you can get started with this business in no time.

6. Become an independent author.

Think becoming an author is only for those who are extremely lucky? Think again. Whether you write historical epics or self-help guides, chances are that there’s a market to read your work, and you can now easily publish it online .

We recommend editing and proofreading your book, or hiring someone to do it, before self-publishing it. Then, it’s as simple as signing up on a self-publishing platform such as Kindle Direct Publishing or Barnes & Noble Press , uploading your file and cover, and pushing it live. You’ll enjoy benefits such as large royalties (up to 70%) and the ability to unpublish the book at any time, in case you find a typo or another change you’d like to make.

To get this online business idea off to a strong start, invest in an author website , spend some time doing social media marketing , and learn the basics of book marketing .

7. Sell downloadable digital products.

Downloadable journals, templates, art prints, designs… Some people would simply prefer to print these at home, instead of paying for the full price of the paper and the design. Downloadable digital products can be a profitable small business idea for those who are already design-savvy or who are willing to learn how to use an online design tool .

But if you’re not too crafty, you don’t need to create full-on journals or beautiful art prints, either; you can create templates for marketplaces such as Canva’s . There, people are able to customize a base design to their specifications, so you don’t have to worry too much about creating something specially beautiful — it’s more about functionality and customizability.

If you plan to create digital products that buyers can print at home, think about printing specifications, such as recommended paper size, paper weight, PPI (pixels per inch; a higher PPI results in better print quality), and so on. It’s essential to create a positive customer experience, even if users are ultimately responsible for what the final result looks like.

8. Publish a subscription-based newsletter.

We’ve already discussed becoming an independent author, but if long-form writing, such as novels, seems out of reach, you can always go for something much shorter and simpler: Newsletters. And the best part about paid newsletters is that you typically don’t need to have a separate website and blog; instead, you can sign up on a platform and begin publishing right away.

A website can, of course, benefit you, but the core of your revenue will come from the newsletter itself.

With newsletter monetization platforms such as Substack or even Patreon , you can publish shorter content that features your opinion, experience, and expertise. We recommend pairing this small business idea with a robust social media marketing strategy , where your followers can learn more about you and be swayed to subscribe to a gated newsletter.

Choose a niche you’re passionate about, and this online business idea can feel less like work and more like a profitable hobby.

9. Create an online course.

If you want to monetize your expertise a little further for your online business, then creating an online course is the best choice.

To create a course, you’ll need to sign up on an online course platform such as WordPress or Teachable , sketch out a curriculum, film your lectures, and create worksheets and guides. You can be as hands-on or as hands-off as you’d like, but to make this online business as passive as possible, you’d ideally record all your lectures at once and allow users to access them by paying a premium fee.

If you’d like to try your hand at it first, you can try publishing a course on a platform such as Udemy and see if it feels viable to you. To become an online course teacher, you don’t need a specific level of education, but you should have a strong grasp on the material you’re teaching and a strong set of customer service skills to handle inquiries or course refunds.

10. Transcript videos, shows, and podcasts.

A freelance transcription business is an excellent idea for those who speak only one language and are passionate about improving communication. Transcribers listen to speech, write it out — usually verbatim — and deliver it to the original publisher in an organized document.

This small online business is a good fit for those who are looking for a part-time side business. You should be able to type quickly and have a good listening ear. Indeed has listed the top transcription companies where you can get your foot in the door.

Once you understand how the industry works, you can consider opening your own small transcription business and offering services on freelancer marketplaces such as Fiverr or Upwork .

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 .

To become a vacation host, you don’t need any special skills except friendliness, courteousness, and agility (in case of guest emergencies or language barriers). A customer service course will prepare you to welcome guests and give them a pleasant stay.

You’ll need to invest in supplies and toiletries, such as new bedding and one-time soaps and toothbrushes, but the overhead is relatively small, and you can stop at any time.

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.

If you start a pet sitting business, be sure to have some experience with dogs, cats, and other household pets. You should also choose a niche based on timing. For instance, do you prefer long-term arrangements? You can market yourself as an excellent vacation pet sitter. Do you only do single afternoons, or only on weekends? You can pull in clients by telling them you’ll take care of their pets during their dates or weekend trips.

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.

Home daycares are especially a good fit if you’re an experienced parent and have all supplies ready at home. But be warned that you’ll also need to buy more supplies to accommodate the additional children you’ll need to take care of.

We recommend getting a soft start with this business by advertising it first to your friends, families, and close neighbors. That way, you can better gauge whether it’s a good fit for you and whether you want to make the full investment.

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.

Blogging is one of the most accessible small businesses to start, and there are countless niches to choose from. That said, because there are many blogs online, you’ll need to learn blog SEO and keyword research to ensure your audience finds you. That way, you actually make money out of your blogging efforts.

The great news is that a small blogging business has a ridiculously low overhead. All you need is a custom domain and your time for writing blog posts.

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!

You can begin a baked goods business easily by opening a Facebook and Instagram profile. Facebook and Instagram are both excellent platforms to market your goods, show pictures of your previous baked products, and even showcase happy clients.

Build a loyal following slowly, and save on costs by asking clients to drive to your home to pick up their order. Choosing a niche can be helpful here, or baking in a specific style that can’t be found at grocery store bakeries. The overhead can be especially low if you already have most essential baking supplies.

6. 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.

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Starting an ecommerce store is simple and easy. You can set up a shop using an ecommerce website builder , all of which start at a minimal monthly subscription (some even start at free). Be sure to take good photos of your products and write descriptive product pages .

If you don’t have inventory, you can always own an ecommerce store by using dropshipping . Instead of creating and shipping your products yourself, you’ll instead partner with a dropshipping website and have them mail out the orders directly to your client.

7. 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.

To become a house cleaner, you should be prepared to invest in cleaning supplies and accessories, or be willing to use your own. If you plan to serve small businesses, you should buy industrial janitorial supplies so you can get work done more effectively.

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

8. Packing Services Facilitator

Moving is always a pain, and many people hire the entire packing process out. As a packing services facilitator, you’ll be going to people’s homes and packing up their smaller items into organized boxes. To start this business, you must be comfortable with face-to-face contact and with manual labor.

You can begin this business by advertising in your own neighborhood. Once you’re ready to expand, consider partnering with a local moving service that will refer new clients to you. That way, you’ll have a steady stream of clients, and you won’t have to invest in a moving truck (the moving service will take care of that for you).

Business Ideas for Students

1. etsy shop owner.

Creating novelties by hand is a fun and unique way to start a small business, and you can easily sell them via Etsy . Whether you make jewelry, knitted comfort items, or even custom wigs , there’s probably a market for your products and an Etsy buyer who’s ready to purchase.

This idea is excellent if you’re already an expert in the craft you aim to sell. That way, you don’t need to pursue additional education or certification courses. Once you set up your Etsy store, which is free, tap into your audience with creative marketing on social media and optimize your website using keywords that describe the products you make.

2. 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.

You can start a tour guide business easily. First, decide what your specialty will be. 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.

Maybe you love the outdoors and are an experienced backpacker — you can then offer hiking tours. To begin, use a platform such as TripAdvisor or Airbnb, where you can sign up as a tour guide provider. Remember to launch a website, and to file for sole proprietorship status .

3. 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.

4. 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:

5. 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.

To run a successful makeup artist business, you’ll need to be social media savvy . Instagram in particular is an excellent platform to advertise your services and get new clients.

You should also consider honing in on a specific niche. For instance, you might do wedding makeup exclusively.

6. Professional Organizer

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

To become an organizer, you’ll first need to have the chops: Is your own home organized? Do you enjoy making order out of chaos? Then, launch a website to market your services locally. Be sure to create local listings to ensure people find your business, including listings on Angi, Houzz, and Thumbtack.

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

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.

• Identify your small business idea.
• Start as a side business or hobby.
• Decide on your software.
• Create a business plan.
• Decide whether you'll be an LLC or sole proprietorship.
• Create a business bank account.
• Determine if your business idea works well from home.
• Set up an office.
• Get to work!

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:

• Executive summary — A high-level overview of your company and market placement.
• Business model — Outline what your business does, who your business serves, and how your business is structured. You should include a description of what products and services you offer, and how they meet the needs of your customers.
• Market condition — A summary of pertinent competitor information. Determine the strengths and weaknesses of your closest competitors.
• Products and services — Use this section to describe your products and services in detail, and outline what differentiates your product from others in the market.
• Operations and management — Outline your business’ organizational structure, key roles, and responsibilities.
• Marketing and sales strategy — This section should describe how you will market and sell your product. Include information on your ideal customer, how you plan to position your offering, and your sales strategy.
• Financial plan — Create a detailed outline of your business financials. Include your start-up costs, your initial financial productions, and how you anticipate generating funding.
• Appendix — Once the above pieces are complete, end the document with an appendix summarizing your business plan.

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.

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?

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

• In-home care assistant
• In-home elderly care provider
• Psychological care provider
• Pre-natal and post-natal support specialist
• Freelance programmer or web developer
• Freelance IT support specialist
• Freelance cybersecurity expert

Personal Care

• Hair stylist
• Nail technician

Food Preparation

• Personal chef
• Food truck owner
• Food delivery

Community and Social Services

• Non-profit owner
• Education specialist

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.

Don't forget to share this post!

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55 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2023 We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2023.

By The Staff of Entrepreneur Media, Inc. • Sep 13, 2023 Originally published Jan 9, 2020

Many Americans dream of starting their own businesses. Indeed, running your own enterprise from your home, your garage, or from an office means you've achieved total control over your professional destiny. It's no wonder lots of people save up cash and spend their days dreaming about new businesses to build.

But what if you have the ambition to start a lucrative business but don't know what type of business to run? If you need profitable business ideas, you've come to the right place. Below, you'll find a detailed breakdown of 55 small business ideas you can start right now.

Some of these business opportunities take more experience or credentials than others, of course. For instance, it takes less money to be an influencer than it does to become a pro pet grooming expert.

How to determine the best small business idea for you

Considering your current skill set and credentials..

For instance, if you already have an accounting degree or your CPA license, venturing out as a freelance accountant or starting your own accounting business (as detailed below) could be just the ticket!

If you don't have a degree, you can get one, or you can pursue a different business idea that doesn't require a college degree in the first place. If you have an education in healthcare or a background in dropshipping, consider leaning into these strengths when you begin.

Deciding what you want to spend your professional life doing.

Some business ideas require you to love the work to do a great job. If you love seeing houses sparkling clean, for instance, starting a new small business cleaning service could be right up your alley.

Determining how many people you want to work with.

Some successful small business ideas can be pursued and fulfilled with just one person: you! Others require you to immediately or eventually hire a small workforce, whether it's just a few employees or dozens.

If you don't want to focus so much on management, take a small business idea that doesn't require hiring a lot of extra labor. Since the pandemic, online work has grown more popular. If you're a people person but not an in-person person, consider starting a business as a virtual assistant or life coach that you can run online.

Considering finances.

Indeed, some small business ideas are more likely to turn a big profit than others. If you're looking to get rich from your small business, you need to pick a small business idea that has great profit potential rather than something more suitable as a side hustle or as a business to keep you occupied in your retirement years.

Now that you know what to consider, let's take a look at 55 great business ideas you can pursue starting today.

1. ACCOUNTANT

Experience, training or licensing may be needed

Create a flier outlining your services. Before you do that, you need to know what those services will be. Do you want to simply do bookkeeping for a small business? A more involved level of accounting would be to work up balance sheets, income statements, and other financial reports on a monthly, quarterly, and/or annual basis, depending on the needs of the business. Other specializations can include tax accounting, a huge area of potential work.

2. BICYCLE REPAIR

Some experience needed

In many parts of the country, this business tends to be seasonal, but you can find ways around that. Rent a storage unit and offer to store people's bicycles over the winter after you do a tune-up and any needed repairs on them. If you want to cater to the Lance Armstrong wannabes, you can have business all year round. These road race riders are training through snow, sleet and dark of night. Some of them work on their own bicycles, but many of them don't, so you can get their business all year. And if you keep Saturday shop hours, you can be sure you will have a group of enthusiasts coming by to talk all things cycling.

3. BOAT CLEANING

Boats that are hauled out of the water for the winter or even just for mid-season repairs will need the hull cleaned. And depending on the type of boat, it is a good time to give a major cleaning everything else too--the decks, the sleeping quarters, the head, and the holds. Start by approaching homes that have a boat sitting in the yard. Or you could market your services to the marina to contract you to do the boat cleaning it offers to customers.

4. BUSINESS PLAN SERVICE

Has expansion possibilities

Offer a soup-to-nuts business plan, including market research, the business plan narrative and the financial statements. Plan your fee around the main one that the client will want and offer the others as add-on services. You can give clients an electronic file and allow them to take it from there, or you can keep the business plan on file and offer the service of tweaking it whenever necessary. Have business plan samples to show clients--and make sure to include your own!

Read This: Write Your Business Plan by The Staff at Entrepreneur Media | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

5. RIDE-SHARING DRIVER

Driving experience needed

Getting paid to drive during your free time is a great way to make extra money. It won't likely replace a full-time paycheck but can be a lucrative extra revenue stream or side hustle. According to Nerd Wallet , here is a break down of the income you can expect: "To make an annual income of $50,000, the average Uber driver needs to provide 60.21 rides each week, while those working for Lyft need to give 83.76 rides a week, and Sidecar drivers would have had to provide 72.03 rides in a week."

6. CLEANING SERVICE

No experience needed

There are many directions you can take this small business idea. If you want to work during hours when no one else does, you can focus your cleaning business on office clients. You can focus on retail businesses and keep your customers clumped into one or two blocks. Restaurants are in great need of daily thorough cleaning and can be a great source of steady clients. Perhaps you would be more interested in house cleaning. Many times with cleaning services you don't have to spend lots of money on advertising or marketing because your customers will come by word of mouth.

Read This: Start Your Own Cleaning Service by Entrepreneur Press and Jacquelyn Lynn | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

7. CHILDREN'S PARTY PLANNER

The children's birthday party business is a multiple-million dollar industry , with the average American spending $500 per party . The book Start Your Own Kid-Focused Business tells you everything you need to know to get your own kid biz off the ground: from insurance costs to food and beverage selection to arranging unforgettable entertainment that gets lots of smiles and lots of referrals from happy customers.

8. CONSULTANT

To be a consultant, you need to have expertise in something so you can market yourself as an advisor to others looking to work in that area. Perhaps you managed several large warehouses in your career with a drugstore company, you did all the marketing for many years for a large shoe manufacturer or you set up a chain of beauty supply shops or take-out restaurants. You can use this experience to help others do similar things without making the same mistakes that you made along the way. A good calendar app will likely come in handy as time tracking is crucial to accurate billing.

Read This: Start Your Own Consulting Business by Entrepreneur Press and Eileen F. Sandlin | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

9. DOG WALKING

Experience, training, or licensing may be needed

Dog walkers take pooches out for their daily constitutional one or more times a day, either individually or in small groups. In some cities across the United States, like New York, dog walking alone can be a booming business. But it's actually more common for dog walkers to offer additional services, including playing with and feeding pets, bringing in newspapers and mail, and turning lights on and off. You could even have fun with the marketing of your business on social media.

Read This: Start Your Own Pet Business and More by Entrepreneur Press and Eileen F. Sandlin | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

10. EBAY ASSISTANT

Do you have items lurking around your household that you could sell on eBay? Here's a relatively straightforward online business idea: figure out your asking price and decide whether to auction it or put it in your eBay store. Then decide if you want a minimum bid and how long you want the auction to last. You will want to establish a PayPal account to use for transactions. The eBay website provides all the information you need to know to get up and running with an eBay eCommerce business. Chatbots are offering creative new ways to help businesses with these functions. Another option worth considering is Etsy, or other online stores and marketplaces to host your merchandise, whether you're selling t-shirts or matcha bowls.

Read This: eBay Business All-in-One For Dummies by Marsha Collier | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

From Editorial Services to Household Organizer

11. editorial services.

Here are some of the freelance writing and editorial services you can provide from the quiet of your own home:

• Copyediting. This is where fact checking takes place, and where grammatical, stylistic and typographical errors are caught.
• Proofreading . This is the last stop for a "finished" piece. The proofreader makes sure the copyediting changes have been properly made and no new errors are created in the process. For digital marketing strategies, SEO (search engine optimization), app development, social media management, and more, proofreading copy is a vital service.
• Indexing. There are indexing courses available and you can get indexing software.
• Developmental editing. A developmental editor works with a manuscript on big-picture things like organization and content issues.
• Book doctoring. This is an editorial service provided for manuscripts written by experts. They create a manuscript as best they can and then a book doctor puts it into publishable shape.
• Ghostwriting. As a ghost writer, you actually do the research and write the book and someone else's name is attached as the author.
• Copywriting. Also known as business writing, this is writing that promotes a product or a service.
• Book writing. Do you have expertise in something professional, such as accounting or interior decorating? Or personally, like knitting? Why not write a book about it?
• Magazine article writing. Magazines and newspapers are a great way to get your writing published before tackling the daunting task of writing a whole book.
• Web page content provider. Providing content for a web site is a good way to make some money writing.

Read This: Start Your Own Freelance Writing Business and More by Entrepreneur Press and George Sheldon | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

12. ELECTRONICS REPAIR

This business is similar to the computer repair business, but you will take on all sorts of electronic equipment besides just computers. With smaller electronics, you will need to be prepared to have customers bring their repair projects to you, as you would have difficulty recovering the cost of driving around picking up broken equipment and returning it. You may also want to encourage people to give you their old electronics so you can use them for parts.

13. EVENT PLANNING

One of the first things you need to do is visit every potential event location with which you plan to work. Work with the marketing manager to tour each site and learn what is available at each location. Start a database that will allow you to sort venues by varying features, such as the number of people each site holds, AV equipment available on site, if you will need to arrange for rental chairs, etc. Then when you are beginning to plan an event with a client, you can find out what the key parameters are for the event and easily pull up the three or four sites that meet the basic criteria. and engagement parties, etc.

Read This: Start Your Own Event Planning Business by The Staff at Entrepreneur Media and Cheryl Kimball | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

14. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICE

One way to make money in this field is by being an expert witness yourself. If you have expertise that could be useful in legal cases, you can market yourself to attorneys to act as an expert witness. Another way to be active in the expert witness field is to play a sort of matchmaker, matching attorneys up with expert witnesses for their cases--either for the defense or for the prosecution. Expert witnesses for big money cases can be expected to fly anywhere to testify. There's no reason your database of witnesses can't be from all parts of the country.

15. FINANCIAL PLANNER

To start, you should go through the certification process so that you can label yourself a CFP (Certified Financial Planner). Your certificate shows that you have expertise and credibility, and this differentiation will help people choose you as their financial planner.

16. FLEA MARKET

People love to spend weekends rummaging through tables full of other people's unwanted items, looking for treasures. Make sure to change your layout and put new stuff out for sale often. You want people to come back time and again to see what's new. You don't even have to have that much new stuff to make things look new. Just moving an item from a table to the top of a bookshelf might get it noticed, even though the item has been in your inventory since you first started having sales.

Read This: Flea Market America: The Complete Guide to Flea Enterprise by Cree McCree | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

17. GOLF COACH

Let the local public courses know about your coaching business. Cultivate relationships with the staff and encourage them to recommend you as a coach. Another place to look for potential customers is in the corporate world. Golfing is a game that business people use to develop relationships outside the office. You do need to be a better than average golfer to develop a reputation as a golf coach. You also need to be a good teacher, know how to be motivational and be willing to work with many different types of people.

18. HOME ENERGY AUDITOR

All homeowners are always on the lookout for ways to save on their utility bills. You can come to their aid by providing them with an audit of their house and giving them a breakdown of how they could accomplish real savings in heating, cooling and electrical use. You can go one step further and do the implementation and installation of some of your suggestions in their home yourself. Do a complete appliance audit, with efficiency ratings and calculations based on the age of the appliance. And don't forget the water heater!

Read This: Toward a Zero Energy Home: A Complete Guide to Energy Self-Sufficiency at Home by David Johnston and Scott Gibson | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

19. HOME INSPECTION

In order to be a successful business owner in this field, you will want to establish contacts with real estate agents who can recommend your services to customers. The home inspection field is one where you will need to do constant updating of your education and knowledge. New products are constantly coming out on the market--if you only know about decks made of wood, you will not know how to inspect and assess the new materials on the market, such as composites that are made to look like real wood. Also keep apprised of all safety updates of materials and issues with things like off-gassing, carbon monoxide production, and other chemical precautions.

Read This: Start Your Own Home Inspection Service by Entrepreneur Press | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

20. HOUSEHOLD ORGANIZER

You can choose either to do the organizing work or consult on the things that the homeowner could do to better organize themselves. Have a portfolio of different organizational scenarios in different rooms in the home and talk with the homeowner about the style he or she likes. Create checklists and questionnaires to understand how the family uses the home. Are the kids wildly busy with after-school activities? Or are they usually home after school and want access to their toys? Do they share rooms? All of these things will help you tailor an organizing plan and become a hero to potential customers and families.

From Import/Export to Solar Energy

21. import/export specialist.

If you don't already have work experience with importing and/or exporting, you will have a longer learning curve. You can start by learning the basics and hosting educational sessions to teach others what they need to know to get started in import/export. That alone would probably gain you your first couple of clients. If you keep going with educational seminars and expand your reach to outside your immediate region, you could probably develop a sufficient and ongoing customer base very quickly, but be careful not to outpace your learning curve.

Read This: Start Your Own Import/Export Business by Entrepreneur Press and Krista Turner | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

22. INTERIOR DECORATOR

Market your talents to building contractors. People purchasing new homes can often be overwhelmed with the choices and possibilities in home decorating. Design some questionnaires for each major element and each major room in the house. Find out how the homeowner will use the home--are there children? Pets? Does the woman of the house wear high heels? Do the home's residents neglect to remove shoes? How will each room be used? Where might task lighting and ambient lighting be most appropriate?

23. JEWELRY MAKING

There are many different ways of getting into the jewelry business and different types of materials with which you can work. Working in metal will probably require the most in the way of specific tools. You need to be able to heat the metal to manipulate it, and you need metalworking tools to cut and engrave it. But there are many other materials that you can work with to make jewelry--glass, plastic, beads, feathers, even wood, to name just a few.

Read This: Start Your Own Fashion Accessories Business by Entrepreneur Press and Eileen F. Sandlin | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

24. MARKETING COPYWRITER

If you can write copy that gets people excited about purchasing what your client has to sell, you can make good money in this business. Unless you are highly experienced from working in the copywriting field, take a course. There are online courses or classes at community colleges and universities that can give you a leg up in getting savvy at writing copy for brochures, catalogs, advertising and, of course, marketing copy for the web.

25. NOTARY PUBLIC/JUSTICE OF THE PEACE

In most states in the U.S., a notary public is a state officer who is authorized to witness and attest to the legalities of certain documents by signature and stamping a seal. Most states require that you pass an exam and a background check. It costs very little to become a notary and your income from notary work is negligible. A justice of the peace typically performs wedding ceremonies. States have varying rules and procedures for becoming a JP and performing services. Becoming a JP and/or notary public does not cost much money. And it is not a big moneymaking venture! Many states set the fees you can charge for JP services. JPs can add additional fees, and often do, including travel and hourly rates for additional meetings such as rehearsals, other prep time and any special requests.

26. PERSONAL CONCIERGE

This small business idea is for someone who is supremely efficient and has the ability to make things happen. People who hire you will expect things when they want them and you need to be able to come through with not only what they want, but with a personal touch and a smile on your face. The most likely clients for a personal concierge service are top executives who find themselves at the office by 7 a.m. and are there most nights until 9 p.m., leaving them very little time to do all those things that often need to be done during those very hours.

Read This: Start Your Own Personal Concierge Service by Entrepreneur Press and Ciree Linsenman | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

27. PERSONAL TRAINER

Advertise your fitness skill and training services in places where everyone goes, like restaurants and grocery stores. Having a website and social media presence is a good idea--people want some privacy in their decision-making when it comes to getting fit. They can go to your website and determine if your approach to personal training is an approach that would work for them. It is important to emphasize the safety aspect of using a personal trainer. You can help clients get fit and avoid injury.

Read This: Start Your Own Personal Training Business by The Staff of Entrepreneur Media and Cheryl Kimball | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

28. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Your job, in the case of rental units, will be to make sure the property is running smoothly. For seasonal properties, you will most likely spend your management time making sure the property is ready for seasonal visits and well-maintained when no one is around. If the owners go away for six weeks in the winter, the property manager makes regular checks on the property. You will be the contact number if the security system operator needs to contact someone about a breach in security.

29. SMALL ENGINE REPAIR

Most community colleges offer some level of engine-repair courses. Another way to learn would be to take a part-time position at a repair shop or a rental facility where you could learn on the job, although you will want to be open about your plans. You should be prepared to work on push-behind lawn mowers, riding lawn mowers, generators, garden tools such as rototillers and edgers, chainsaws, wood chippers and snowblowers. You need to decide whether you'll want to take on bigger jobs, such as tractors, snowmobiles and ATVs; space may be your decision-maker.

30. SOLAR ENERGY CONSULTANT

As a solar consultant, you can basically conduct a home inspection and give clients a report on their solar options for their particular home and site. This can range from full-fledged general solar installations that generate electricity to simple solar walkway lighting. You might want to start by working in a solar products company to become knowledgeable in the solar energy field. However, to be a consultant, it is often best not to be affiliated with any one company or product and be able to recommend products and options across the field of solar energy.

Read This: Solar Energy: Technologies and Project Delivery for Buildings by Andy Walker | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

From Tax Preparer to Graphic Design

31. tax preparer.

Most tax preparation franchises offer courses, seminars, and training to get you ready to work for them. You will learn a lot about tax preparation while working for them before going out on your own. There is a lot of educational support out there to learn tax preparation and all its complexities. And there are lots of individuals and businesses willing to spend a few hundred dollars a year to have someone else prepare their taxes and keep watch for tax breaks or tax burdens on their behalf.

32. MUSIC LESSONS

Turn down the volume and listen up: your music skills are in high demand and could earn you between $50-$75 an hour. There are a few ways to approach running your own music business: you can be mobile and teach in your clients' homes, or you can run it out of your own space (a separate building or designated area of your home.) To get started, try to connect with local music schools for part-time gigs, which will allow you to see if you really like it, and also help you build a reputation with potential clients.

Related: 10 Essential Tips For a Long and Lucrative Music Career

33. UPHOLSTERING

If you have a knack for sewing, upholstery repair might be a perfect business idea for you. One of the best ways to learn how to upholster is to get some discarded upholstered furniture and start tearing it apart. Many books and some videos are available to help you learn this trade. Often furniture ready for upholstering will also need repairs. Have a list available of furniture repair people you can recommend to your customers. Or you can take the piece in, have repair people you work with do this work for you, and add it to the overall cost. You can also learn to do this work, especially minor repairs, yourself.

Read This: Spruce: A Step-by-Step Guide to Upholstery and Design by Amanda Brown | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

34. USED BOOK SALES

Almost everyone has a few boxes of books stashed away in the house somewhere. Why not make a business out of them? In order to gain customers--especially repeat customers--you will need to have some regular shop hours. Make your shop known for something-a specific category (or two) of books, having some first editions for sale, all paperbacks a dollar and all hardcovers two bucks, and/or a swap program. Maps, illustrations, postcards, greeting cards and magazines are good sidelines to include in your shop.

35. WEDDING PLANNER

You will need to be up-to-date on wedding trends and fads, dress styles, color trends--almost everything under the sun! Offer your customers an ala carte menu of services, from helping pick flowers, the wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses to picking the venue and hiring the caterer. Before you open your business, shop at all the wedding shops, and even pretend you are a bride-to-be to see what kinds of services the wedding gown shop provides and how they treat potential customers. Event planners need to know every detail of the business to give the accurate impression that you are the go-to person for anyone planning a wedding.

Read This: Start Your Own Event Planning Business by The Staff of Entrepreneur Media and Cheryl Kimball | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

$1,500 to 3,000 to start up

36. appliance repair.

Every household has a number of appliances, large and small, so appliance repair is one of the best business ideas for any area. You can work as a handyman or handywoman on your own, or on contract with appliance stores to cover their warranty service calls--or, best of all, you can do some of each. Plan to start slow and build your customer base on recommendations and referrals based on work well done. Consider developing relationships with contractors to be the go-to person to install appliances in newly constructed houses.

37. COMPUTER TRAINING

If you are proficient in both Macintosh and PC, you should offer training in both types of computers. You could probably make a living helping seniors learn how to use the internet and e-mail to keep in touch with their loved ones, who are now commonly spread around the country. Err on the side of caution in this business. People do not want to know all the details about what makes a computer work. If you overload them with information from the beginning by explaining bits, bytes, and megapixels, they will stick to their paper and pencil forever.

38. DESKTOP PUBLISHER

You can use desktop publishing software to create newsletters, magazines, books or even marketing materials. You can create the content for your desktop publications, or you can pay a writer to create the content for you. Alternatively, you can advertise your desktop publishing services to design and create newsletters and books for others with their content.You can publish from the comfort of your own home or a coffee shop, making this a great pick.

39. FENCE INSTALLATIONS

Fences are everywhere. And they don't last forever, so they need to be repaired and replaced with a certain amount of frequency. The most common fence material is wood. However, vinyl has become a popular fence choice due to its longevity and relative freedom from maintenance. Wrought iron is another common fencing, especially in urban environments. You can have fun shopping for vintage wrought iron fencing at salvage yards.

40. FREELANCE GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Despite the proliferation of the internet, print media is here to stay for the foreseeable future! Fliers, newsletters, magazines, information sheets, letters and advertisements are just a few of the types of print media that business hire freelancers to create for them. Websites and online advertising need graphic design services as well. Even if your expertise is only in design, offer the works for potential clients, including the editorial creation and the printing and even mailing of the final piece. You can line up regular freelancers for those parts of the job you can't do.

Read This: Start Your Own Graphic Design Business by Entrepreneur Press and George Sheldon | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

From Gift Baskets to Rug Cleaning

41. gift basket service.

Finding a niche is the best way to start out in the gift basket business. Are you a dog lover, horse enthusiast, or exercise guru who could put together baskets that hold the things that people with this interest would like? Do you already create a product that a gift basket could be built around? Have you made your own soaps for the past 10 years? A gift basket that included one or two of your soaps, hand lotion, a scrub brush and manicure kit could be a lovely basket to receive.

Read This: Start Your Own Gift Basket Service by Entrepreneur Press and Cheryl Kimball | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

42. GRAFFITI REMOVAL

Create an arsenal of cleaning products that can clean almost every kind of product (paint, chalk, markers) from every kind of surface (cement, wood, pavement). The best way to conduct a graffiti service is to offer a subscription-like arrangement. Once a month or whatever interval makes sense for your clients, go around to their property and clean off the graffiti. Charge them a monthly or quarterly fee and make it simple for everyone--they don't have to think about graffiti, and you just do your job.

43. HAIRSTYLIST

Hairstyling is a popular business idea that can be quite lucrative with the right skill and marketing. Generally a home based hairstylist business is likely to be started by someone who has already has a cosmetology career and wants a change. If you already have your cosmetology training and license, and loads of experience under your belt working in a hairstyling salon, you probably have a following that will follow you right home without any hesitation.

Read This: Start Your Own Hair Salon and Day Spa by Entrepreneur Press and Eileen F. Sandlin | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

4. HERBAL FARM STAND

As a budding entrepreneur, you'll need to decide whether you will sell your herbs as live plants, picked or cut in bunches and packed, or dried. If you plan to market to cooks instead of gardeners, you will want to sell your herbs either fresh cut and packed in sealed bags, or dried and sold in baggies. You can also consider a "pick-your-own" arrangement; however, be aware that herbs are more delicate than most P.Y.O. products. You may save your garden a lot of strife and your plants a lot of wear and tear if you do the picking.

45. LANDSCAPER

If you have a knack for this type of work, a degree won't be necessary. Most people want their yards tidied up in the spring, their lawns mowed in the summer, their leaves removed in the fall, and their shrubs and driveways ready for winter snow. You will also want to offer garden work such as spring planting of annuals and perennials; vegetable garden preparation, planting and fall cleanup; pest control and watering. You can offer tree care service. There is plenty to do in the yard that has nothing to do with plants: stone wall restoration, fencing, irrigation system installation.

Read This: Start Your Own Lawn Care or Landscaping Business by The Staff of Entrepreneur Media and Cheryl Kimball | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

46. MASSAGE THERAPIST

You will want to become certified in massage therapy to be able to effectively market your services. Courses that lead to certification include not only information on human anatomy and physiology and the effects that massage has on both, but also on how to make a business out of the field of massage. You could do either a certification program or an associate's degree and stay within the $5,000 scope of this book.

Read This: Start Your Own Day Spa and More by Entrepreneur Press and Preethi Burkholder | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

47. MOVING SERVICE

Lots of people who are moving want to hire someone to do the heavy lifting for them. You can leave the large-scale, long-distance moving to the big moving companies. Your work can be the local, moving-across-town or to the town-next-door jobs. These are the ones that people start off thinking perhaps they could do themselves, and it will be your job to convince them otherwise. Your signs around town will tempt them to let you take care of that part of the move, while they are busy taking care of those other 500 items on their list.

48. FRANCHISE OWNER

Some business experience needed

The benefits of owning a franchise are many: you have a proven business model, a built-in brand and corporate support. And the good news, not every franchise will cost you millions of dollars to start. There are many you can start for less than $10,000, in fact, including: Dream Vacations , Cruise Planners and Jazzercise Inc.

49. PHOTOGRAPHER

Making money as a photographer can be done in a number of different ways. You can specialize in one area, the most common being weddings. There are niches you can explore for photography: portraits of people and their pets, families, and homes; photographs of holiday events, birthday parties or Christmas cards; the possibilities are endless.

Read This: Start Your Own Photography Business by Entrepreneur Press and Charlene Davis | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

50. RUG CLEANING

You will need to learn how to work with all kinds of carpet fabrics, from synthetic to wool carpets. Decide whether you will take on valuable antique carpets and family heirlooms; if so, you will want to get specialized training in how to handle these carpets and the specialized ways of cleaning them. Learn how to get tough stains and odors out of carpets--such as dog and cat odors--and your services will be in great demand.

From Websites to Pet Sitting

51. website developer.

Many courses exist (many of which, logically, are offered online) where you can learn the language of website creation and can learn about the details, like how to set up shopping cart systems, security concerns, etc. You will, of course, need to learn about each company you design for. What is the atmosphere of the company that you need to reflect in the website design--is it wild and contemporary, meaning brilliant colors and fun graphics? Or will more classic colors like black, navy blue and maroon be more appropriate?

52. BED AND BREAKFAST

Some hosting experience needed

Do you have a room that has its own bathroom and is private from the rest of the living space? Are you near attractions such as a tourist area, sports stadium or venue for a large annual event? Or is your home in the country with spring peepers, summer crickets and crisp fall nights that could give a city-dweller a weekend of peaceful living? Say you can rent the room for $150 a night for Friday and Saturday nights 48 weeks a year--that's $14,400 in revenue! Utilize what you have and create a unique experience.

Read This: Start Your Own Bed and Breakfast by Entrepreneur Press and Cheryl Kimball | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

53. CHRISTMAS TREE SALES

If you want to start a Christmas tree farm, you need to plan ahead. It takes approximately seven years for a Balsam fir--perhaps the most traditional Christmas tree--to grow from a small sapling to a 5- to 6-foot tree. Selling your trees yourself is the best option. Consumers come to the property, pick the one they want, and you harvest it for them. The other option is to buy your trees from a wholesaler and sell them either in your yard or in a vacant lot that you rent from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

54. DAYCARE

Perhaps you love children, or you have children of your own and the idea of taking care of a few more for part of the day appeals to you. Childcare needs continue to soar in the United States. Many people prefer the option of their child being cared for in a home environment while they are at work, as opposed to a more institutional-like setting. These things mean that a home-based childcare business can get off and running immediately.

Read This: Start Your Own Child-Care Service by The Staff of Entrepreneur Media and Jacquelyn Lynn | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

55. PET SITTING

Starting a pet sitting service requires almost nothing in startup costs. You do need some general credentials that will cost little or nothing to acquire. Your list of credentials should probably include personal pet ownership--if not currently, at least in the past--as well as other pet-related experience, including working at a pet food store, an animal hospital or other animal-related business. You will need to spend a little to become "bonded." This is known as "honesty insurance," and ensures pet owners that you won't get their house keys and make off with their valuables (or that they'll get their money back if you do).

Pet sitting has incredibly low startup costs, and while you don't set your own hours, you are your own boss. If you run a good business, you may be able to branch out and start a grooming business for pets as well.

Read This: Start Your Own Pet Sitting Business and More by Entrepreneur Press and Cheryl Kimball | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble

Looking to delve deeper into the world of entrepreneurship? Visit our newly relaunched Entrepreneur Bookstore .

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• Project Management
• Starting a business

REVIEWED BY: Janice Fitzpatrick

Get the latest business news, 30 best business ideas for 2024: profitable businesses to start.

In today’s ever-changing business landscape, staying ahead of the curve and identifying the most promising business opportunities is crucial. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or a budding startup enthusiast, finding the right business idea can make all the difference in your success.

To help you navigate the market, we have compiled a list of the 30 best business ideas for 2024. These ideas have been carefully selected based on their growth potential, low investment requirements, and alignment with upcoming trends.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the exciting world of entrepreneurship and explore these profitable business opportunities.  

#1 Online Publisher

Estimated Startup Costs: Low Earning Potential: Medium-High

One of the most promising business ideas for 2024 is becoming an online publisher. With global internet use growing by 82% since 2012, a massive audience is hungry for digital content. Creating your first blog page can be a lucrative business opportunity, as demonstrated by the success of popular blogs like NerdWallet.

Many bloggers hire ghostwriters, editors, and social media experts to scale their businesses. As your blog grows, you can expand into PR consulting, email marketing, and course sales. Starting with a specific niche and becoming an industry expert is the key to success in competitive blogging.

 >>Recommended Reading: How To Register a Business in the US in 6 Steps <<

#2 content agency.

Estimated Startup Costs: Low-Medium Earning Potential: Medium

In the digital age, businesses need quality content to attract customers and boost their online presence. Starting a content agency can be profitable, as there is an increasing demand for content marketing services.

By leading a team of creators, you can offer clients content production, editing, and promotion services. Specializing in niche areas like TikTok or repurposing existing content can help you stand out in a crowded market. As your agency grows, you can expand into consulting, email marketing, and social media management.

#3 Digital Marketing Firm

With the increasing reliance on digital marketing, starting a digital marketing firm can be a lucrative business opportunity. Businesses spend hugely on online advertising, SEO, social media, and digital marketing strategies.

By offering services like sales funnels, content marketing, SEO, email marketing, and digital advertising, you can enable businesses to make their online presence more prominent and drive revenue. Specializing in a specific area, like social media management, can provide recurring revenue and expansion opportunities.

#4 Bookkeeping

Estimated Startup Costs: Low Earning Potential: Medium

Accounting and bookkeeping services consistently rank among the most profitable businesses to start. As more individuals and companies create their ventures, the demand for bookkeeping services rises.

Freelance bookkeepers help businesses monitor and account for their revenue and expenses, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on growing their businesses. You can start a bookkeeping business with minimal investment with some recommended training and the right software.

#5 E-Commerce Company

Estimated Startup Costs: Medium Earning Potential: High

E-commerce continues to proliferate, with online sales increasing by 25% annually. Starting an e-commerce company can be a profitable business idea for 2024. Platforms like Amazon allow third-party sellers to reach a large customer base without needing a physical retail store.

You can sell products via Amazon, eBay, Etsy, or your online store. Dropshipping, where you sell items without keeping inventory, is another option. White-labeling, which involves purchasing items in bulk and branding them with your name, can lead to higher profit margins.

#6 Web Design and App Development

Estimated Startup Costs: Medium-Low Earning Potential: Medium-High

With the increasing demand for websites and mobile applications, starting a web design and app development business can be lucrative. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 23% more demand for web designers between 2019 and 2029.

Offering services like website development, app creation, and graphic design can command high rates, especially for custom projects. Learning web design and graphic design skills can be an excellent first step toward establishing a successful web design agency.

#7 Sell Hand-Crafted Items on Etsy

Estimated Startup Costs: Medium-Low Earning Potential: Medium

Etsy, the online marketplace for unique, hand-crafted items, continues to grow in popularity. Starting an Etsy store can be profitable if you are skilled in crafting handmade products. Etsy provides a platform with a built-in audience of shoppers looking for one-of-a-kind items.

Whether you specialize in jewelry, home decor, or personalized gifts, you can leverage Etsy’s network effects to grow your business. Managing your own product listings, customer service, and shipping allows you to maintain control over your brand and profit margins.

#8 Become a Reseller

Estimated Startup Costs: Medium-Low Earning Potential: Medium-Low

Reselling involves buying assets and selling them at a higher price. From designer clothes to vintage items, reselling can be profitable. You can sell items on eBay, Poshmark, or even your website.

The key to success in reselling is having an information advantage and understanding the market better than the person selling the item. Starting small with things you already have and scaling up by purchasing inventory from wholesale markets can lead to increased profitability.

#9 Service-Based Agency/Consulting Business

Starting a service-based agency or consulting business can be lucrative, especially in high-demand areas like automation, data analytics, and mobile applications. You can provide clients with valuable expertise and support by offering specialized services or finding reliable contractors to do the work.

As you gain experience in freelancing, you can transition into running an agency specializing in a specific service. Hiring offshore virtual assistants for repeatable tasks can help you scale your business at a lower cost.

#10 Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Food and Beverage Company

Estimated Startup Costs: Medium-High Earning Potential: High

The direct-to-consumer (DTC) food and beverage industry has been experiencing remarkable growth. DTC companies bypass traditional grocery stores and offer unique products by shipping high-quality fresh food directly to customers.

DTC companies can thrive with the proper branding and targeting of specific demographics, such as paleo or vegan diets. Building relationships with suppliers and ensuring high-quality products are essential for success in this industry.

#11 Airbnb Host

Estimated Startup Costs: High Earning Potential: Medium

Becoming an Airbnb host can be a profitable business opportunity, especially with the growing popularity of alternative accommodations. By listing your space on Airbnb, you can earn money by providing short-term accommodations to travelers.

From a spare room to an entire home, the possibilities are endless. Setting your rates and controlling the booking process allows you to maximize your earnings. Offering unique experiences and personalized recommendations can set you apart from other hosts.

#12 Dog Walking, Pet Grooming, and Other Pet-Related Businesses

Estimated Startup Costs: Low Earning Potential: Medium-Low

Starting a pet-related business can be profitable, with Americans spending over $100 billion annually on pets. Dog walking, pet grooming, and other services catered to pet owners are in high demand. Platforms like Rover offer pet enthusiasts opportunities to provide services and earn money.

As you build a clientele, you can expand your services to include training, boarding, and even creating online courses for pet owners.

#13 Wedding Planner/Event Planner

Estimated Startup Costs: Medium-Low / Earning Potential: Medium-Low

With couples increasingly hiring wedding planners, starting a wedding or event planning business can be rewarding. Wedding planners help couples navigate the complexities of wedding preparations, from vendor selection to coordination on the big day.

Building relationships with vendors and providing exceptional customer service are crucial to success in this industry. As you increase your experience and bolster your reputation, you can add various other services to different events.

#14 Green Energy Solutions

Estimated Startup Costs: Medium-Low / Earning Potential: Low-High

As the world becomes more environmentally aware, businesses that offer green energy solutions are in high demand. This environmental conscientiousness includes a growing need for renewable energy installation, energy-efficient products, and sustainable consulting services.

By providing solutions that help businesses and individuals reduce their carbon footprint, you can contribute to an environmentally sustainable future while building a profitable business.

#15 Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Services

 Estimated Startup Costs: High / Earning Potential: High

With the growing popularity of virtual and augmented reality technologies, starting a business offering VR and AR services can be a lucrative opportunity.

You may consider developing VR/AR applications, offering consulting services, and providing immersive experiences for various industries, such as gaming, education, and real estate.

#16 Personal Wellness Coaching

Estimated Startup Costs: Low – Medium / Earning Potential: Medium-High  

As people become more health-conscious, the demand for personal wellness coaching continues to rise. Starting a business as a wellness coach allows you to help individuals improve their physical and mental well-being.

Personal wellness coaching may include fitness training, nutrition counseling, stress management, and mindfulness coaching.

#17 Online Fitness Training

Estimated Startup Costs: Low-Medium Earning Potential: Medium-High

With the rise of online platforms and the increasing popularity of at-home workouts, starting an online fitness training business can be profitable.

By offering virtual fitness classes, personalized workout plans, and remote coaching, you can reach a broad audience and help individuals achieve their fitness goals from the comfort of their homes.

#18 Digital Health Monitoring

Estimated Startup Costs: Medium-High / Earning Potential: High 

The digital health monitoring industry has been rapidly growing, thanks to technological advancements and the increasing focus on preventive healthcare.

Starting a business that offers digital health monitoring solutions, such as wearable devices and remote patient monitoring systems, allows you to contribute to the future of healthcare while building a profitable business.

#19 Elderly Care Services

Estimated Startup Costs: Low-Medium / Earning Potential: Medium 

With the aging population, there is more need for elderly care services. Starting a business offering home care, assisted living facilities, or specialized services for seniors can be rewarding and profitable. Providing personalized care, companionship, and support to seniors can impact their and their families’ lives.

#20 Mobile App Development

The mobile app industry thrives, with billions of smartphone users worldwide. Launching a mobile app development business allows you to tap into this growing market.

Whether you develop apps for businesses, gaming, or productivity, offering high-quality and user-friendly mobile apps can lead to success in this industry.

#21 Subscription Box Services

Estimated Startup Costs: Medium-High / Earning Potential: High

Subscription box services have become popular recently, offering curated products and experiences delivered directly to customers’ doors. Starting a business that offers subscription boxes in niche markets, such as beauty, wellness, or gourmet food, allows you to provide customers with unique and personalized experiences repeatedly.

#22 Sustainable Products and Services

Estimated Startup Costs: Medium-High / Earning Potential: Medium-High

As sustainability becomes a top priority for individuals and businesses, starting a business offering sustainable products and services can be profitable.

Sustainable products and services can include eco-friendly products, recycling services, sustainable packaging solutions, and consulting services to help businesses reduce their environmental impact.

#23 Remote Work Tools and Services

Estimated Startup Costs: High / Earning Potential: High

With more people working remotely, there is a growing need for tools and services that support remote teams and individuals. Starting a business that offers remote work tools, such as project management software, communication platforms, or coworking spaces, allows you to cater to the needs of the remote workforce and contribute to the future of work.

#24 Food Delivery and Meal Prep Services

 Estimated Startup Costs: Medium / Earning Potential: Medium-High

With the growing need for convenient, healthy eating, starting a business offering food delivery and meal prep services can be profitable.

Whether you focus on delivering prepared meals, meal kits, or specialized diets, providing convenient and nutritious options to busy individuals and families can lead to success in the food industry.

#25 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Solutions

Estimated Startup Costs: High / Earning Potential: High 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming various industries, from healthcare to finance to retail. Starting a business that offers AI solutions, such as chatbots, predictive analytics, or automation tools, allows you to help companies harness the power of AI and optimize their operations.

#26 Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Services

With the increasing spread of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and the growing adoption of blockchain technology, starting a business that offers cryptocurrency and blockchain services can be a lucrative opportunity.

These services can include cryptocurrency exchange platforms, blockchain consulting services, or developing blockchain-based applications.

#27 Online Education and E-Learning Platforms

Estimated Startup Costs: Low-Medium / Earning Potential: Medium 

The online education industry has experienced unprecedented growth, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting a business that offers online education and e-learning platforms allows you to provide individuals and organizations with accessible and flexible learning opportunities. Consider offering courses, tutoring services, or creating online learning management systems.

#28 Social Media Management and Marketing

Estimated Startup Costs: Low / Earning Potential: Medium- High 

Social media has become integral to businesses’ marketing strategies, creating a demand for social media management and marketing services.

Starting a company that offers social media management, advertising campaigns, or influencer marketing allows you to help businesses establish an online presence and engage with their target audience effectively.

#29 Smart Home Technology

With the popularity of smart home devices and the Internet of Things (IoT), starting a business that offers smart home technology solutions can be profitable. Smart Home Technology can include home security systems, home automation devices, or consulting services to help individuals and businesses embrace smart home technology.

#30 Virtual Events and Experiences

Estimated Startup Costs: Medium- High / Earning Potential: Medium- High 

With the shift towards virtual events and experiences, launching a business that provides virtual event planning, live streaming services, or virtual reality experiences can be a lucrative opportunity.

Providing innovative and immersive virtual experiences allows people and enterprises to connect with their audience and create memorable events.

Frequently Asked Questions

These business ideas have been selected based on their growth potential, low investment requirements, and alignment with upcoming trends. They reflect diverse industries and meet evolving consumer needs and business requirements in the current market.

Starting a business in these industries offers several advantages, including high growth potential, low barriers to entry, and the ability to tap into emerging trends. Additionally, many of these industries provide opportunities for recurring revenue, scalability, and the ability to impact society positively.

The profitability of these business ideas can have varying success depending on several factors, such as market demand, competition, and execution. However, many of these industries offer the potential for high-profit margins, significantly if you can differentiate yourself from competitors and provide exceptional products or services.

Numerous resources and support are available for aspiring entrepreneurs in these industries. Online communities, industry-specific forums, and mentorship programs can provide valuable guidance and networking opportunities. Additionally, government organizations and business development centers often offer startup resources and assistance.

>>Recommended Reading: An Entrepreneur Shares His New Business Ideas <<

Bottom line: 30 of the best businesses to start in 2024 .

The business world is ever-changing, and staying ahead of the curve is essential for entrepreneurial success. These 30 best business ideas for 2024 offer multiple opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Whether you’re interested in online publishing, e-commerce, or emerging technologies, there is a business idea that aligns with your passion and goals.

By leveraging the right resources, staying adaptable, and providing exceptional products or services, you can build a profitable business in the ever-changing marketplace 2024.

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100 business ideas you can start today

Discover the right business to start with our list of the best ideas you can quickly turn into profitable businesses with little to no money.

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Starting a business  is tough, it’s a long hard slog, and statistically, you’re destined to fail. But getting a business off the ground is only a problem you’ll face if you can come up with a business idea, to begin with. I ran my own company for about two years, but it took us three weeks and a lot of ‘meetings’ at pubs to eventually come up with something we wanted to do.

15 startup ideas that can change your life

Top 100 ways you can make money online.

Whether you want to make some money on the side , run something when the kids are at school or create the next Facebook, here’s a humongous list of business ideas broken up into four key areas:

Home business ideas

Best small business ideas.

• Self-employment ideas
• New business ideas

To make things a little easier to get going, for each entry I’ve covered the business idea/model, what you’ll need to start and where you should focus to market/grow your new business.

1. Blogging

Blogging is one of the first business models to arise from the invention of the internet. Blogs are online magazines in a niche that people read for advice, information and resources. Examples of popular blogs include Techcrunch which started as a hobby and turned into a business that was acquired for around $25m; Buzzfeed for trending millennial news/topics and Entrepreneur Handbook for advice on starting, managing and running a business in the UK (we couldn’t resist).

Over 4.4 million blog posts are published every day, and this is growing, due to an increase in amateur bloggers and the entire publishing industry shifting towards a purely online model. Given this, the blogging space is extremely competitive, but there is still room for new entries.

To get started blogging, you’ll need to decide on what niche you’re going to cover (popular areas include business, beauty, lifestyle and finance, although there are many more). You’ll also need to have a good understanding of search engine marketing, design, content marketing, writing, editing and use of most major digital marketing mechanisms (social, email and notifications).

Next, you’ll need to purchase your domain name, set up hosting and create a blog style website using a website builder or WordPress (you can also use platforms like YouTube or Vimeo if your video blogging). Make sure your website is mobile-friendly (responsive design); over 50% of your readership will view your blog using mobile devices. Then set up Google Analytics to view readership statistic and make sure your GDPR compliant (blogs by default have massive exposure when it comes to processing and storing personal data).

Now, you’ll need to +put together a content plan (use keyword planner for basic keyword research). Developing a strong content plan will be key to your success and take at least 2 to 3 weeks. Now its time to create your social profiles, newsletter templates /captures and put together an ongoing marketing plan to grow and retain your audience through these channels.

Blogs are still primarily monetised through display advertising, the simplest way to get started with this is to apply to join Adsense (pays per click and per thousand visitor impressions) and place relevant ads in best performing positions on your blog (in content, header, footer and sidebar). Blogs that focus on a field or niche where the content aligns with specific products/services are also able to effectively monetise through affiliate marketing (marketing a sperate companies’ product and taking a commission of any sales). For blogs relevant to B2B, you can also explore lead generation (collecting details/interest from readers to buy a particular product/service, then selling that lead to a direct supplier or third-party provider).

Blogging as we’ve mentioned is an extremely competitive game, but new blogs are started every day that end up becoming successful and profitable, it’s not a quick way to make money online, but it’s relatively low cost to start and grow business. To make blogging more efficient, use tools to reduce repetitive typing. These can save you time so that you can focus on big-picture tasks, get the right entrepreneurial education  and get more pieces written.

2. Buy and sell on eBay

eBay is a marketplace auction where you can buy and sell virtually any new or second hands goods you could think of. Many fortunes have been made and continue to be made by savvy buyers and sellers on eBay (check out the Red Paperclip story it’s amazing).

Buying and selling on eBay is an art form, there are many bargains and undervalued items you can find, correctly re-list on the platform and make a profit. You can also buy from other platforms (i.e. Alibaba ) and resell on eBay to make a killing. Alternatively, if you lack the funds needed to buy inventory upfront, dropshipping on eBay could be the better solution as you won’t need to purchase or hold stock.

To get started on eBay you’ll need to set up an eBay business account and PayPal business account (you’ll need to go through verification which can take time). Then you need to define what niche of products you’re going to buy and sell through your eBay shop. At this point, it’s all about hunting for deals on and off the platform to then resell for a profit. The market can quickly change so you’ll need to constantly adjust for most niches what your buying and selling to stay profitable.

When it comes to selling, presentation of eBay listings is critical to sale volume and price. Make sure to have high-quality photos and provide a clear item description (condition, delivery times, and so forth). In many cases, the correct presentation can increase the final auction price by up to 20%. You also need to make sure your items are categorised correctly and have the right title, so buyers can find your item through eBay and be incentivised to click through to your product listing. Start small, buy products then repackage them or enhance them and sell them for profit. eBay is crowded with sellers and becoming a successful eBay merchant can be a long hard slog. Statistically like most businesses your destined to fail but there’s also the potential of going on to build an extremely profitable business, if you can persevere and make smart decisions.

3. Freelancer

A third of workers in the UK now work on a freelance or contractual basis, meaning they work on an hourly or project fee basis providing their services (time and expertise) to other businesses in exchange for a fee.

Becoming a freelancer requires you to have a specialist skill that is in demand and monetizable. Examples of skills in demand that command high fees include web development, graphic design, copywriting, software development, business development and virtual assistance (you can do pretty much anything from logo design to writing press releases).

From there you register on UpWork and PeoplePerHour, then take on as many freelance gigs as you can get your hands on. To establish your profile and get work you should get a strong portfolio in place and acquire a decent number of positive reviews (you can price yourself cheaply on quick pre-set jobs to get this in place).

4. Become a YouTube star/vlogger

Popular YouTube stars make a ridiculous amount of money in advertising revenue. One viral video can lead to YouTubers becoming overnight stars and racking up huge amounts of revenue (YouTube averages pay-outs of £1,750 per 1 million views).

To get started, you’ll need to decide on the type of video content you’re going to produce, some of the most popular niches include health, lifestyle, fashion and beauty. Next, you’ll need to create your YouTube account and get to grips with understanding the platform (how to write titles, what contents popular and how you can grow).

It’s important to note that although some YouTubers become stars overnight, for the majority it takes years of hard work creating and publishing innovative content to build a serious subscriber base that brings in consistent advertising revenue.

Many brands have also started paying YouTube stars (influencers) directly for promoting products/services, and this is another revenue source you can grow once you have a large enough subscriber base (reach).

5. Dropshipping

The process of dropshipping is where you list supplier products on your online store or selling platform without purchasing the stock upfront. With this supplier you have an agreement that when you a customer orders you will purchase the product from the supplier and the supplier agrees to deliver the product to the customer (also usually deal with any returns). Similar to affiliate but the user can stay on your website. You’re still selling products without the inventory requirements but you control the buying process.

This method of eCommerce, means you don’t have any storage or warehouse needs and your cash isn’t tied up in stock sitting around (which is typically a big cause of cashflow problems for retail businesses). Dropshipping works at a lower profit margin than buying stock upfront, 20-30% profit margin being normal, whereas with buying stock from a wholesaler a margin of 60-70% would be common (the margin is lower but the risk is much less).

Starting a successful drop shopping business is all about selecting the right products at the right margin from reliable suppliers , focus on a specific niche or look for trends you can capitalize on to make a profit (i.e. Fidget spinners would be a good example of this). From here you’ll need to setup an online store and open accounts of the relevant selling platforms (i.e. Ebay ).

In terms of marketing you can reach customers through the standard digital marketing (social media marketing, email marketing, paid search marketing…). If your using a platform like Ebay, for marketing make sure your listing stands out with professional photos, good descriptions and good reviews.

On a final note finding the right drop shipping supplier/s is critical, you need to make sure there reliable and that the delivery times are within reason, you don’t want customers cancelling orders before they arrive (many drop shippers are based in China, the lead time to produce and ship a product can mean it can take several months to reach a customer in some cases).

6. Make and flip apps

If you’re a great app developer, you can churn them out and stick them on  AppTopia  to sell. Many companies and individuals want to start an app-based business or create a new application for their existing business, in these cases it’s easier for them to just to buy a readymade application close to or exactly the app they were looking to develop (rather than develop it themselves or outsource/manage the application build).

Popular apps for sale span areas including games, productivity and business management (a notepad app made close to £1,000,000 in one week in the early days of the App Store ). To get going, you’ll need to be an expert developer able to create robust code, also be comfortable with IOS and Android development languages. You’ll also need relevant development software (i.e. Sublime), an ergonomic high-powered computer setup (to mitigate the health risk from the long hours you’ll be working) and an email address.

In terms of marketing, you can use SellMyApp and Fliptopia to list your applications for sale, make sure to assess what’s popular/pricing before building an application to make sure you make a healthy return.

7. Sell stock photography & video

Most websites use stock images, essentially photos they buy online from platforms such as Shutterstock , Adobe Stock Photos and others to use on their websites and in marketing material. There are also many free stock photo websites out there, but they often lack the range of quality of photos on the paid stock photo sites (which is why businesses generally opt for paid stock photos for marketing material/websites).

Becoming a stock photographer is relatively simple to start; you’ll a decent DSLR camera and experience in photography. From there it’s all about identifying popular photos themes (finance, productivity, work from home…) and taking/editing high-quality photos, then creating and uploading them to selling accounts on the platforms mentioned. You’ll get paid royalties for licensing or for one-off purchases depending on the platform (they will charge a commission).

If stuck for what to start photographing, there is a big demand for stock photos and images of people performing various actions (I.e. young professional typing on a computer). You can get access to local models through platforms like bidvine (or through direct contact on Instagram, which is usually cheaper/quicker) and then take hundreds of photos of models performing different actions. Additionally, you can also create video content, drone flyover shots of major cities are popular for many companies to use in the background on their landing pages.

Overall being a successful stock image photographer comes down to creating in-demand professional photos at volume.

8. eBook writer

Fancy yourself the next Emily Bronte? Why not write and publish a novel or non-fiction book (in an area you have specialist knowledge in).

It’s never been easier to write, publish and distribute your writings, eBooks allow you to access a large potential audience through platforms such as Kindle (without the need for a traditional publisher and printing costs).

As with any book to start you need to decide on the premise of what your writing, structure the proposed text, edit and then publish (always good to get a second opinion before publishing or use a professional editor). To distribute your eBook, you can use your own website and list your eBook for sale on platforms such as Lulu , Kindle , Smashwords , Kobo and many more.

In terms of marketing, if you list on eBook on the platforms above, it’s important to get as many positive reviews as possible to get up the rankings in your particular book field to maximise sales (and convince people to purchase your eBook). You can do this initially by asking your friends and family to buy and review your book.

Next focus on reaching out to online publications offering free copies of your book for them to review and provide much-needed content marketing to drive in their audience (you can also offer to write features and link to the book). Writing and publishing an eBook is relatively easy, the key is to write a great book and put significant efforts into marketing, once you have traction from marketing, the popularity and sales of your eBook will snowball.

9. Make and sell stuff

Handcrafted goods have become extremely popular in the last few years (from customised dog coats to engraved rings and beyond) and the demand for bespoke handmade goods shows no signs of slowing down.

Starting a handcrafted goods business is all about skill and choosing a trendy/in demand range of products you can produce (you’ll need to carefully workout product cost, hours and materials). If you already have a handcrafting skill or know how to make a particular product you can get started straight away. If you don’t there are plenty of skills, you can learn enabling you to make crafted products. For instance; you could learn jewellery making, book making or leatherworking to create a range of different handmade products.

Selling handcrafted products has never been easier, you can use platforms like Etsy or NOT ON THE HIGH STREET to reach consumers (each platform charges commission on goods sold, worth noting that the Etsy is the lowest). You can also setup you’re an online store using software like Magento or if you’re not technically minded Shopify .

The handcrafted market is competitive, to stand out you’ll need to create a really attractive brand and ensure that your product images and descriptions are excellent. From there in terms of customer acquisition on the crafting platforms it’s all about getting positive reviews to get boosted up the rankings for particular searches. For your own store social media is a great place to promote and specifically these types of products do very well of visual platforms (i.e. Pinterest , Instagram …).

If you’re looking to expand your revenue beyond products, you can also sell workshops teaching people one to one or in groups how to make different products or particular hand crafting skill. Many handcrafting specialists are making £200-300 a day running such courses, for workshop customers list yourself on craftcourses.com .

10. Ticket reseller

Sell tickets for shows and concerts, either directly for the venue as a reseller or buy them yourself and sell them at a premium nearer the time. It’s important to know it is illegal to resell tickets for sporting events unless you have express permission from the said sporting club/organisation to do so. However, it is perfectly legal to resell tickets for other events such as concerts and gigs, utilizing pin badges with your brand can be a good way to increase profile, if pursuing this tactic.

The days of street touts selling tickets have largely gone as resale has mostly moved online. To get started you’ll need to create accounts on Viagogo , Biletto and other secondary ticket market sites. To make this business work will require buying many tickets, meaning you’ll need a fair amount of capital available to buy and hold tickets until it comes time to resell at a mark-up. Secondary ticket sellers can make anything from 30% to 500% profit margin if an event is popular/sold-out (particularly festival tickets sell close to the event opening time for a high return).

From here it’s a matter of manually buying tickets for events manually or using software to do so (many sites crash due to certain demand for tickets, so being quick to buy is critical). To succeed in this business, you need to have a good understanding of what events to buy tickets for and when to sell, to make sure you make a return.

11. Webinars

Webinars are live video sessions where a specific topic is covered by expert/s, and the audience can interact/ask questions. Effectively they are a form of online training, webinars have boomed in popularity in recent years particularly in the technology, marketing and finance areas (complex subjects and products). Webinars are an excellent way to market products and services.

To start building a webinar business, you’ll need to decide on the webinar software you’re going to use. You’ll also need expertise in a particular area that is popular, prepare course/programme materials and have enough reach via paid advertising or existing marketing channels to get participants to sign up to your webinar.

Typically, webinars are used to establish you as a thought leader in a particular field and then monetised through selling your services directly (educational courses, consulting) or through affiliate products. For example; promoting a relevant accounting software package alongside a webinar on small business accounts.

12. Buy and sell domains

A domain name is a website name (i.e. entrepreneurhandbook.co.uk). Since the early days of the internet, clever domain buyers have bought up common term top-level domains (.com, .net, org are a few examples) and made a fortune by reselling them at a later point (i.e. cars.com). It’s important to note you can also specialise in popular country-level domains where there is demand (.co.uk, .US, .IO are all popular).

Many new top-level domain names have been released in recent years (.inc, .dev and .is are a few), meaning there is now a new opportunity to purchase popular common term domains and sell them for a profit.

There is no setup cost with this business; you just require access to a computer and plenty of time to research, find and purchase domains. To get started, you’ll need to set up multiple accounts at domain name registrars and auction sites ( Namecheap , SEDO , Godaddy …), these platforms allow you to find domains and purchase them. From there it’s about searching for new domains that have yet to purchased or domain names that are about to expire, and you believe it can be sold at a profit (you’d be surprised how many domains are lost due to people forgetting to renew a domain). You can also use auctions to buy domains at a reasonable price and then sell on if you believe a profit can be made.

Next, it’s time to find buyers for your domains. For instance; if you bought the domain name creative.com, you could create a list of potential buyers in the digital creative industry and reach out them to sell the domain directly or notify them of auction dates/details.

Be aware that even if available buying up a domain name that is a trademark company name, product or service, might mean you can be forced to sell that domain at low or no cost to the trademark owner if they desire (depending on the legal jurisdiction).

Variations of trademark terms/names can also be forced sold in this way/are sometimes illegal to purchase. These domains are generally bought with the idea being that these domains will capture traffic from popular domain name misspellings in most cases or misrepresent a different company as the same brand. Spotting a big domain and snapping it up for a small price can be the route to big money – good luck domain hunting!

13. Virtual assistant

The days of hiring a PA are in the past; virtual assistants are all the rave. Virtual assistants operate remotely and carry out all manner of digital tasks for their busy clients. This could include everything from carrying out online research, processing data, ordering equipment to much more.

If you’re passionate about being organised and are an experienced administrator, this is a great home-based business idea. To get started, you can list yourself on platforms such as Upwork for small projects, to find clients you can work with over the long term (these are the most profitable). Getting business through these platforms and increasing pricing needs positive reviews, so start offering your services below market rate to build up reviews and a great portfolio.

As you expand, you might also consider creating a virtual assistant agency, managing other assistants who can work with clients on your behalf. This business is highly scalable as it relies largely on labour and by its very nature, your team would likely be remote (reducing equipment and office space costs to almost nothing).

14. Affiliate marketer

Why sell your own products, when you can sell someone else’s (eliminating the hassle/risk of stock, delivery and payment). This is where affiliate marketing comes in; Affiliate marketing is the process of marketing another companies product/service and taking a cut if they sell a product/s based to a customer you’ve referred through marketing activity.

To get started is relatively simple, create a basic eCommerce website for a particular niche (i.e. health and tennis) find interesting products with affiliate schemes (either by directly approaching the supplier or through third party affiliate platforms ), then list these products on your store. Then link all the ‘Buy’ buttons through to supplier website (using tracking links). Every time somebody buys, you get paid a commission of the sale. To get started quickly you can work with Amazon Affiliates who offer a huge range of products (there is little to no upfront cost, as you don’t need to purchase the product, you only handle sales).

Generating affiliate sales is all about marketing to the right audience, driving relevant traffic to the landing/product pages you have set up to sell. Also; If you’re running an online blog or another type of media site and you’ve managed to create a community of dedicated followers setting up paid access features is another great way to monetise, many online publishers and magazines are now pursuing this type of monetisation as advertising and affiliate revenues decline. You can even launch a paid access feature using website builders like  NING , that offers you a platform to build your community and launch a paid access easily.

15. Copywriting

Copywriter use to mean someone who created content for advertising material. In recent years the meaning has largely changed to mean anyone who produces or writes content. Lots of blogs, websites and businesses need content written, there is a growing demand for experienced copywriters who can write engaging landing pages, long-form articles and much more.

To get started as a copywriter you’ll need good education (formal or not) in how to write in business English, have word processing/editing software (such Grammarly ) and be one hell of a writer – able to focus for hours on end to produce engaging content for your clients. Also don’t forget to use a plagiarism checker once the content has been written, to make sure you are writing unique copy for clients (not paraphrased from the web or your own work).

The demand is so great for copywriters that in terms of marketing all you need to do is list your services for hire on platforms like UpWork (offer a lower market price to start getting work and reviews).

Once your reputation as a brilliant copywriter is established, business should flow in. Longer-term you can also reach out to marketing departments at small and large companies offering your copywriting services.

16. Transcription service

Transcription is where you take audio files, listen and convert them into written content. Businesses regularly use transcription services to convert audio and video to written content (for media businesses this is typically audio interviews).

You’ll need good hearing, access to decent headphones and the ability to touch type or type accurately at speed. To get started, you can find transcription jobs on platforms like Mechanical Turk  by Amazon. Just listen to some audio and write every word down. There’s also a higher-priced market if you can translate foreign languages from audio to English.

As your business grows, you may choose to create a brand /website and launch your own transcription service, to market going forward you’ll need to invest in digital marketing particularly search orientated.

17. User testing

When you launch a new software/web product or service, it takes a shed load of time to iron out all the bugs and errors. To mitigate this problem and speed up the error/bug fixing process, companies spend a lot of money on user testing.

User testing is where you test software, websites or applications for bugs through general use or by carrying out specific actions (testing plan). A company commissioning user testing will generally give you access to and use of software to record/spot bugs/errors. User testing varies greatly in terms of complexity and the fee paid.

To get started, you can sign up as a tester for many third-party user testing platforms ( UserTesting.com ), set yourself up on the usual freelancer platforms or set up your own website promoting your user testing services. As you expand, it may be worth approaching businesses directly offering testing services.

18. Antique dealer

Antiques dealing is the process of buying and selling antique items (of value/age). Given the rich and ancient history of the UK, antiques are abundant throughout the country. Many fortunes are made and continue to be made by using specialist knowledge to buy bargain antiques at markets, auctions and shops, then selling on bought antiques at a much higher price through the same channels.

Starting an antique dealing business requires you have a good general knowledge of history/antiques and specialist knowledge of pricing, conditions and resale value in the items you plan to deal in (i.e. sterling silver jewellery, art deco lamps, Edwardian furniture…).

Initially, you can create a space in your home for storage/work. Then start scouting and purchasing antiques through online auctions and from boot sales. You can resell these items by putting them into the appropriate auctions, sell them to other antiques stores/dealers or sell direct via your eCommerce platform.

This is one business where you can start small and scale to a serious size. There’s also big international demand in UK auctions driving up pricing on many antique items significantly.

19. Market stall

Did you know you can rent a market stall at the world-famous Camden Market for as little as £15 a day? Upwards of 500,000, Londoners and tourists visit the market every week, that’s a lot of potential customers.

To open a market stall you need to decide on the types of products you’re going to sell, decide on the right market to start selling at (depending on our potential customer profile/size) and nail your F2F selling/presentation skills , things like boxes and labels can significantly increase sale price and volume also making you stand out against other market stalls).

Once you’ve got one market stall successful running, you can start hiring part-time workers to run a stall during the weekend and start expanding to multiple stalls or markets depending on demand. To retain customers, you might also consider investing in a building a brand and an eCommerce website (this is common for jewellery brands).

20. Equipment rental

Many times, businesses or individuals require equipment for one-off use or a limited period, in these cases, it’s almost always cheaper and more resource-efficient to rent equipment than purchase it outright. For example; To rent commercial carpet cleaning equipment would cost you approximately £25 for the day, whereas purchasing the equipment and chemicals outright would cost several hundred pounds. An example from the business perspective would be a company needing additional processing equipment to cater for a single large one-off order.

To start an equipment rental business, you’ll need to decide if you want to provide general equipment for individuals or cater for businesses/people in a specific niche, i.e. construction tools, cleaning equipment… You’ll need to establish a physical location where customers can collect and drop off equipment, as well as a website and appropriate payment systems. The outlay in most cases is not small for this business idea.

The beauty of this business is you can charge relatively high rental costs versus the cost to purchase the equipment, so the return of investment per piece of equipment should be high and payback relatively short (barring large specialised construction and other complex equipment). To market yourself, you can list your equipment rental business on local listing sites such as FridayAd , Gumtree, Yelp and Google.

The marketing for this type of business is all based on networking, you’ll need to build relationships with mid to high-level net worth individuals. A good place to start this networking would be to attend local events with your Chamber of Commerce or local business networking group . If you need it to get started, here’s a business launch checklist to help you get your business up and running.

21. Franchisee

Franchising is where you pay an upfront fee and an ongoing fee to use the trademark, systems and model of an existing successful business. In essence, it means if you’re stuck for a business idea or want an already successful brand/business model, you can buy it.

Popular franchises include McDonald’s, Pizza hut, Green thumb and many more. Smaller franchise examples include Greenthumb a lawn care and treatment business, who have franchises in different areas across the country.

To begin to explore franchising, you should take a look at the franchises available, then carry out market research to establish whether a particular franchise brand/business model would do well in your area. Make sure to check for existing versions of any franchise in your area; franchisees are unlikely to allow multiple franchises in the same market/location.

Once you’ve decided on the potential franchises you’d like to buy into ; it’s now time to contact the companies and find out about the terms they offer alongside initial investment cost (paying particular attention to the ongoing fees). When you’ve chosen the franchise, you’d like to open it’s all about pouring money and resources into setting up (location, staff, equipment), this is the opposite of a low-cost business idea in most cases!

The beauty of franchising is that you are buying into an already successful brand/business model with a clear plan to scale. This said to be wary of businesses offering franchises where they have not proven the model to be successful themselves; there are cowboys in this market.

22. Catering

If you love cooking and can handle catering for the masses, a catering company is an excellent small business idea for you. You can work from home and start providing catering in the form of pre-defined buffets (with sandwiches and the such), then progress to more complex catering services (such as hog roasts and formal dinners).

If you start with simple catering options for clients, the upfront equipment costs are relatively low as you’ll have the majority of what you need at home. You may however need to hire help for events and acquire portable tables/buffet items.

As a food-based business make sure you have all the required licenses (like a hygiene certificate for your cooking premises) and the proper catering insurance (food poisoning is a real potential threat with this type of business).

23. Business development

If your comfortable cold calling or emailing businesses to sell products/services and feel comfortable closing sales with a reasonable amount of product knowledge, then working as a freelance developer might just be the perfect business for you.

The majority of small businesses suffer from poor sales due to lack of understanding of the sales and marketing process, being such a critical part of any healthy business there is a constant demand for anyone who can generate and close new clients/sales.

To get going you’ll need a decent phone contract (ideally a commercial number), email account and have a good understanding sales methodology (it’s worth checking out Straight Line Persuasion ). You’ll also need to be comfortable using a CRM and marketing automation tools needed. The majority of business developers will charge based on a success fee (percentage of any sales), this means if you’re a good salesman with a great product/service, the sky is the limit in terms of what you can earn (remember to learn your product/service through and through).

To reach clients you literally have to do what your selling and reach out to local businesses via phone or email to setup meetings and sell them in. Typically, when you’re working on purely commission this is a very straight forward sell, as you only get paid if you deliver results for the client. In terms of inbound marketing to kick things off, you can list yourself on platforms like  PeoplePerHour  to get quick well-paid work.

24. Snack/coffee stall

Not many people go without a daily coffee or snack. With this business, you can buy a coffee stand for a few hundred pounds and set up in a local hotspot, they’re all over the major cities, and the mark-up on a cup of coffee is typically over 60%, not bad!

To get started, you’ll need the basic equipment and Barista training (coffee machine, filters, wholesale coffee, wholesale snacks, vehicle). This business can initially be very mobile. You can transport around a stand or even build out a coffee stall from the back of a van. In either instance, you’ll also need to get the relevant hygiene ratings, catering licenses and insurance (hot coffee burns are no joke).

There’s little to no upfront marketing cost on this business as its completely reliant on foot traffic, so you’ll want to scout and use several locations at different times throughout the week to pitch at and maximise sales (i.e. city centres, business parks, industrial estates…). Remember to focus on providing great coffee, tasty snacks and excellent customer service, to grow you’ll be very reliant on repeat customers (in London there are snack, and coffee stalls that have long queues at lunchtime and others do not work for a reason).

25. Car wash

A vehicle is one of the biggest purchases an individual or business will make, both those groups tend to care greatly about the presentation of those vehicles, and thus car washing services are always in sought out.

This type of business can be set up quickly and easily by agreeing with a local supermarket/ petrol station, to operate a car washing service on their forecourt or car park. You only need access to water, labour and some cleaning supplies (you’ll need to decide whether your cleaning interiors, exteriors or both). A basic car wash is a relatively low cost with cleaning fees per car varying between £5-15 on average; thus, this business lends itself to volume.

The key to success in the car wash business is time efficiency, in essence, how quickly can you wash a car and get onto the next customer (as labour/time is your primary cost). In terms of marketing, car washes are all about location – you need to make sure you’re located in a high trafficked area where vehicles stop.

If you are successful and are looking to scale while decreasing the cost, you can invest in an automated drive-through car wash (this will greatly reduce your labour needs).

26. Start an agency

If you’ve established yourself as a competent freelancer with a large customer base, it may be time to start thinking about building an agency.

An agency is a business entity with more than one person that can provide a range of services to clients. Typically agencies specialise in public relations, recruitment, design, SEO , paid search or web/app development.

To start an agency, you require a business space to operate from/meet clients (unless your team is remote), a team, a formal business structure such as a limited company , a clear brand and values, website and management structures/systems.

An agency business model allows you to scale from a single freelancer to a whole team who can service a much larger array of clients in a range of industries. Competition among agencies for business is fierce in most areas, you can use traditional freelancer platforms to source work, but the real money is in long term recurring clients/contracts (small and large businesses). To reach these customers, you’ll need to invest in targeted direct marketing, including e-mail marketing and have a convincing sales proposition and robust pipeline/CRM in place (to gain and manage clients effectively).

27. Debt collector

Average Household debt in the UK stands at over £59,000 with small business debt on average at over £30,000. A good proportion of these debts are serviced (meaning interest and repayments are made as agreed), a sizable number of debtors fail to meet repayment terms. At this point, if the debtor is unreachable or unsuccessful in resolving payment of the debt, the lender will typically apply to send in the debt collectors.

The role of debt collectors is to recover the amount owed to the lender from the debtor. The ideal result of this is the debtor will then pay the debt collectors in full, sometimes this may also mean agreeing and enforcing a payment plan if the debtor is unable to make full payment upfront. If the debtor is unable to pay in some cases, assets may be sized providing the debt collectors have the relevant paperwork (such as a county court judgement).

Debt collectors are typically paid via fixed service fee or from a % of the debt recovered (sometimes a mix of both payment types). To start a debt collecting agency, you need some basic understanding of the law and excellent interpersonal/communication skills (also some safety gear is advisable). Debt collecting businesses are also a popular franchise option (if you’re looking to take an already successful agencies business model, brand and systems).

Debt collection can be a very lucrative small business idea, but there is an element of safety/danger to consider, it’s common for debt collectors to receive verbal and physical threats from debtors who are unable to pay or don’t want to pay (it’s not for the faint of heart).

28. Bed and breakfast

If you have a family home and the kids have moved out, why not turn it into a B&B? With the explosion of platforms like Airbnb, it’s never been simpler to set up a room/s in your private home for use and cater for breakfast.

To start building your bed and breakfast empire, by default, you’ll need you’re a property. You’ll also need to get the appropriate insurance and list your property on third party platform such as Airbnb, Booking.com… (giving you exposure and taking care of initial marketing).

When listing your property make sure to pay special attention to the photos of your listing ensuring there professional, light and airy (some platforms will do this for you), also make sure to be friendly and as descriptive as possible of the accommodation your renting. You’ll want to have in place a welcome pack with all the appropriate information a guest will need (i.e. WIFI codes, fire exits…) and set clear expectations on the check-in and check-out times.

Next, you’ll need to decide what you’re going to charge, to do this you should look at other similar accommodations for rent in your area, find out the average and charge the lowest of the average initially (this is to drive people to stay at your place so that you can build positive reviews). Once you have enough positive reviews, you can start to increase pricing to or beyond the market average.

Third-party platforms do charge fees for their services in most cases; if you’d prefer not to pay this, you can also rent your room/s via your website (with this option customers might find it difficult to find you without some significant upfront marketing investment).

29. Chauffeur/driver

With fewer people owning cars (primarily due to the cost and hassle), the need for chauffer’s who can drive persons to and from there destinations has grown. This has been coupled with the explosion of taxi and ride apps including Uber and Lyft, meaning the demand for chauffeurs/drivers has never been more.

To start your chauffeur/driver service, you’ll need at least one very efficient vehicle (to minimise maintenance, depreciation and petrol/diesel/electric costs, i.e. Toyota Prius) and be an experienced driver. From here you can register as a contractor for a company such as Uber (working for yourself, with Uber taking a cut) or register as a local taxi firm (you’ll need a taxi license).

With apps such as Uber, the customer acquisition element they take care of in exchange for a fee, for a taxi firm you’ll need to drive around looking for customers (stations, business parks…), list in local directories (developing good reviews) and provide a phone line for people to book through. Overall to build a successful local taxi driving business, you’ll need to provide a great customer experience drive safely and be at a competitive price point.

30. Lemonade company

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade and  sell them to supermarkets ! I’m not joking, a friend of mine runs WeMadeDrinks, a drinks company which started as a lemonade company at university. The demand for soft drinks continues to rise, as companies like Coca-Cola make a killing (low sugar healthy soft drinks are a current trend you could tap into).

To get started you’ll need lemons, also a production facility, bottling equipment ( asset finance is an option if you want to spread the cost) and much more alongside the relevant licenses whether you’re using a home or commercial premises to produce the lemonade/alternate soft drink.

You also need to build an attractive brand, website and marketing materials. You can sell directly into supermarkets (though the margins may be low and its time consuming to get such contracts) or you can start simply with a mobile lemonade stand you can take to festivals, community events and high traffic locations (Innocent tested their first smoothies at a festival).

31. Pet grooming

The amount British consumers will spend on their pets is mind boggling. Particularly when it comes to pampering in the form of grooming, there has been a surge in the amount of people who want to get their pets groomed, particularly dogs.

Grooming an animal generally involves cutting their hair, providing a professional wash, cutting nails and providing a massage. You will need a commercial premise from the start with this business, with facilities on site (dog baths, hoses and other equipment).

To market yourself you can rely on passing trade (make sure to pick a good foot traffic location), you can also advertise yourself on Gumtree and other directories where there are categories for these types of services.

32. Removals company

Moving to a new house or office is one of the most stressful and laborious tasks anyone can undertake, in many cases due to the sheer volume of things to pack and move, the majority of people/businesses will hire professional movers.

To start a removals company, you’ll need a decent-sized truck or van and a clean driving license, and professional driving experience will also help (from a safety perspective given the amount you’ll be driving). Fuel will be a big part of your costs; you should consider investing in an electric van or truck, which although expensive upfront cost a fraction of what it costs to run a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle. You’ll also need access to packing supplies and at least one other person to help you move large quantities of goods or heavy objects.

Given that businesses and individuals only move on average every seven years, this business in the short term is very much about constantly acquiring new customers. To market your removal business, you can list yourself in local directories and partner with estate agents to offer your services to their clients.

33. Holiday rentals

If you have a spare room or are going away on holiday, you can rent out your entire property/ a single room as a short-term rental. You can rent this space on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com to instantly access a large market of short term renters (holidaymakers and business people) and its relatively easy to set up an account (they’ll even insure your property for up to $1m in damages).

To get started, you need to create an account and list your property/room for rental and the periods it’s available. You’ll need to provide a detailed subscription, photos and set pricing (look at other properties similar in the local area to get an average price).

Getting bookings on short-term rental platforms is all about photos and reviews. So, make sure you have professional photos of your property (some platforms will do this for you) and set your price at the lower end of average to get bookings/ those all-important positive reviews (you can increase the pricing later on to market average or beyond based on occupancy).

Bear in mind short term rental platforms do charge commission, if you don’t want to pay these fees, you can also set up a website and booking system (using WordPress or another CMS ), a little bit more complex but no booking fee. In terms of marketing for your booking website, you’ll want to focus on gaining relevant search ranking through content or using PPC to target searches, for terms relevant (i.e. London holidays homes).

34. Flyering agency

Despite the explosion of online marketing, flyering and many other methods of offline marketing are still just as effective if not more effective than the digital alternatives (both in terms of cost and ROI). Flyering in particularly is a great way for businesses to reach large quantities of potential customers quickly, whether by having people handing out flyers on the high street or by targeting residential locations (this is quite common in the food delivery business).

To start a flyering agency you’ll need an economic and high-quality printer, printing supplies (paper, card, ink…) and a basic to good skill level in graphic design for creating flyers, you’ll also need contractors to deliver large quantities of flyers (students are a good bet this kind of work as they generally need flexible hours). You can run this business from your home and market yourself by flyering local businesses to start (as a demonstration of how effective it can be).

Companies always need people to flyer in public places or via letterbox drops. A lot of professional flyering agencies charge massive amounts from this simple to execute marketing method, undercut them and you’ll win lots of business (it comes a lot down to price in the flyering game).

35. Printing

Printing via home/standard business printers is often expensive, lacks quality and is slow when it comes to large volumes of printed materials (business cards, leaflets, posters…). This is why commercial printers exist, allowing individuals and businesses to order high quality, efficient and low-cost printing at quantity.

To start a printing business, you’re going to need to have a space for printing and know how to operate a commercial printer. If your delivering printing directly to clients you can run this business from home, however, if you want a place where you can meet clients – you’re going to need a shop or office with a receptionist.

To market this business, its best to target local small businesses as they tend to have ongoing commercial printing needs throughout the year. If you want to expand and target the larger UK market, you’re going to need a decent eCommerce platform, order management system and payment gateways setup.

A printing business apart from the initial outlay is very cheap to run, cost coming down to the longevity of the machines, the ink you use and other printing material costs.

36. Design agency

One of the hardest things in the world of business is finding high-quality designers. We burnt through about five design teams at my old startup before we found somebody awesome. If you have a knack for web or marketing design, then get yourself a  Behance  profile and start raving about how awesome you are, soon enough you’ll get requests.

To start a design agency, you’ll need a decent portfolio in place (and you’ll probably want to incorporate). You’ll also want a fantastically designed website and to specialise in a particular discipline of design (unless you want to be a full-service design agency, covering UX, UI, app design, web design, marketing materials, branded stationary…). You’ll also need to build a sales pipeline management system and create a pitch, briefs and standardised reports.

To market this business initially you can directly reach out via phone, post or telephone to local businesses offering your services (there’s a great demand for design work as most small to medium businesses don’t have in-house design team). You can also employ local PPC and should list your business on Bing, Google and all the major listing sites.

37. Furniture refinishing

Many people are reluctant to give up on old furniture even when it’s wearing especially if its an expensive armchair or sofa. Furniture refinishers solve this problem by replacing fabrics, fixing broken legs and generally giving furniture a new lease of life.

To start a furniture refinishing business, you’ll need experience in carpentry, fabrics, interior design and access to a workshop with a large range of tools. It’s worth investing in a website from the get-go with this business, as the primary way furniture refinishers are found is through search and directory listings.

To market this business, you’ll want to focus on local search advertising and content marketing to ensure your ranking for relevant keywords (i.e. furniture refinishing London).

38. Training company

If you have in-depth knowledge of a particular subject, you can provide offline and online training to companies whose staff require training or development. Each year businesses in the UK invest nearly £3 billion into training. This is because training is critical to creating productive employees and retaining them.

To get started with a training company you’ll need to decide a training niche (i.e. sales, marketing, or finance), develop a brand, website and set default training programmes (that be adapted to client needs) you can provide to businesses. You’ll also need to create learning material to accompany programmes, and if you want to create a digital course, you’ll need to structure this and create video versions of your programmes (Linda an online training provider sold to Linked for over £1 billion).

A training business comes down to your level of expertise and ability to sell in clients (this business idea effectively requires HR mixed in with business development). To market, you should identify out to companies who need your training services (i.e. a telecoms company that needs sales training to increase revenue), then identify decision-makers (HR and other Directors) in these businesses to approach and offer your training programmes.

For growth, long term training companies rely heavily on repeat business/recurring clients, so make sure the training value you offer exceeds expectations. To diversify your revenue and scale further, you could also develop your own learning platform and sell subscriptions to your training programmes.

39. Childcare

If your passionate about looking after children, then you should consider starting a childcare business looking after other people’s children while they’re at work. With more and more families having two working parents there’s a booming demand for childcare.

This is the perfect business for stay at home parents, as you can run it from your own home (with some minor adjustments for child safety and proper hygiene) or you can work from people’s homes if preferred (though this will limit you to one or a few clients).

To get started you’ll need to be or become a registered childminder and have an up to date DBS check (formerly CRB). You’ll also need to create a schedule, series of activities and provision of catering (be careful of food allergies). In terms of marketing your childcare business, you should outreach to local pre and primary schools to advertise your services to parents and you can also partner with local nurseries to deal with their overflow.

To expand your childcare services once established, you may also consider opening up a day nursery for children of different ages. You’ll be expected to provide a basic educational programme, refreshments and fun activities in most cases (there’s also a trend for outdoor nurseries that run activities with children in the countryside or woods).

40. Chocolate/cake/baking retailer

Are you the sort of person that watched the Great British Bake Off and thought “I could win this”? If yes, get on it, and create a storefront to sell your awesome creations.

At a basic level, you’ll need to be talented at a specific type of cooking (i.e. baking, chocolatier or cake making) and have all the kitchen equipment needed to produce at commercial scale (i.e. mixers, ovens…). You can start out of your kitchen at home (you’ll need to have a certified and hygiene rated kitchen) and sell your creations at local farmers markets, online and at fates.

Marketing this business initially is mostly about footfall at markets, from there you’ll want to invest in a shop in a good location (worth noting that custom wedding cakes fetch and premium).

41. Laundry service

Ever get tired of doing your laundry? You’re not alone, and this leads to many people choosing to have their laundry done by professionals (either because they lack the time to do it themselves or simply don’t want to).

To start a laundry service, you need is to buy or get access to a low cost and large capacity laundry machine, learn the basics about detergents and how to correctly wash clothes without damaging them.

To market your laundry business, start by creating and posting flyers to residential properties. Ideally you should initially target flats, as many flat blocks in built areas don’t have washing machines themselves, you could also partner with laundrettes to offer their existing customer base a ‘delivery option’, simple! You can also take out advertising in the in the local newspaper.

42. Security firm

In the entertainment and property industries, security is a necessity to protect assets, people and make sure business continues without interruption. Beyond electronic and digital security systems, there is still a need for security personnel who can respond to dynamic situations and provide a level of security machines cannot.

For example; doormen for nightclubs and other venues are a necessity to provide safety for the venue, customers and staff (you’d be amazed how much money a contractor can make from working a nightclub door for a single night.)

To start building your security empire, you’ll need to some experience in physical security (self-defence, security routines…). To cover multiple shift patterns and businesses you’ll also need several team members, uniforms and equipment such as flashlights (the cost of setup is mainly labour).

To start getting clients, you can directly approach local bars, clubs and vacant property owners offering your security services. You can also list your security services on local directories and national ones such as Yelp .

Self-employment business ideas

43. business consultant.

Consultants are in demand across all aspects of business. Consultants typically work on a project by project basis providing expert advice to their clients on particular subjects they specialise in. The most common types of business consultants include marketing, finance and management (with further specializations in these areas such as business intelligence or search engine optimisation). Most consultants charge an hourly or day rate (day rates can range from £100 -2000 a day depending on the area and the demand/amount of expertise a consultant has).

The beauty of consultancy is you can work from your own home or onsite for clients where needed. To get started you’ll need to be an authority in a particular subject matter where there is a demand for outside advice.

Consultants are almost entirely reliant on networking or directory listings for business, in many cases beyond the marketing it comes down to how well you can sell yourself to potential client (how much perceived value you can offer in return for your fee).

44. Market research service

Starting a business is tough, especially in established markets. Businesses often struggle to understand their customers, market, and how their company, products and services are viewed. This is where market research becomes critical allowing businesses to make key decisions off verified customer/market data.

Market research firms research on behalf of other businesses, this can involve quantitative and qualitative market research techniques such as carrying out surveys, reviewing competitors, market analysis and much more.

To get started as a market research firm, you’ll need to have a background in market research itself or business intelligence, understand the core different types of research and have prepared formats to carry out said research for different clients and their objectives (you’ll also need to understand how to write reports summarising the finding from market to present a client).

This type of business can be started from home, and as its all serviced based, there is little to no startup cost beyond software, data collection and analysis tools. To market this business, you can reach out to local businesses to offer your services and list your market research services on freelancer sites.

45. IT support

As the world becomes more technology focused, many people have struggled to keep up, this is a problem as information technology (IT) equipment consistently breaks down and needs fixing.

Thus, there is a constant demand from private individuals and businesses for IT saavy professionals who can fix broken computers, repair networking issues, replace damaged hardware, advise on IT procurement and generally get things working again. IT support businesses are largely knowledge-based endeavours that will require you to have a good understanding of different operating systems, security systems (including anti-virus) and hardware (computers and laptops).

The majority of IT problems in the home and business environments are the result of software issues or errors (due to accidental damage or attack by a virus or third party). This software focus means you’ll only need a small amount of specialist equipment to get going. Most local IT support contractors operate out of their own homes and in the case of software/virus issues go to a client’s property to fix the problem.

To expand an IT support business, you can also offer training packages to people who want to feel more comfortable using their computers or software (or companies who require employees to learn certain computing skills i.e. network maintenance, database management…).

Despite being information technology based, this business can be built entirely on traditional local marketing (flyers, networking…). Growth is reliant on repeat customers in this area, so make sure your provide an excellent level of customer service that keeps customers coming back to you.

46. Fundraiser (Introducer)

Get paid a cut to help companies raise finance from a  business angel  or  venture capital fund . Services like AIN make a killing on this. There’s a massive market for it and the contacts you’d build will be literally worth their weight in gold. Many fundraisers specialise in specific verticals such as MarTech, Fintech and GeoTech.

Fundraising comes down to contacts and networking. You’ll need access to key decision makers in investment funds and private investors, coupled with access to a regular source of deal flow (startups) you can refer to investors. The key to this business is identifying and referring the right startups/investment opportunities to the right investors.

If you’re not FCA regulated , you’ll need to very clear you are only making an introduction and not promoting an investment. You’ll also need to get in place clear agreements with any startup your fundraising for to make sure you get paid. Typically commission rates for introducing an investment that completes tends to be between 3% and 5%, depending on deal size.

To start building your network you’ll need to attend investment/startup events (conferences are the richest for both) and begin reaching out/networking with both investors and startups (you can use AngelList , Linkedin and Crunchbase to identify and connect).

47. PR (public relations) services

PR is a relationships game, if you’re good at PR you’re likely chummy with journalists in all sorts of publications. For example; if you’re friends with someone at the Financial Times, you can introduce them to your clients to get  featured in the newspaper .

A huge proportion of UK PR’s operate as freelancers either working directly with clients or on behalf of larger PR agencies . Fees are usually paid on a project or success basis, with larger PR firms this tends to work on a monthly retainer.

Starting as a freelance PR requires very little beyond access to businesses and journalists, alongside some understanding of how to present businesses/pitch journalists.

48. House sitting

House sitting is where you live in and look after a property for the owners when they are away on holiday, for work or the property is owned but not in use (i.e. in-between tenants). The primary reasons for house sitting are that the property will be protected from a security perspective (from thieves and squatters) and is maintained to a high standard.

The house-sitting business model has boomed in the UK in recent years as more and more people have accumulated a 2 nd home they don’t live in that ends up being unoccupied for periods of time due to the aforementioned reason. This is a purely serviced-based business idea that has no real requirements beyond reliability, some understanding on security and basic property maintenance.

This business works in both the residential and commercial markets, with demand from private homeowners and businesses alike. On the upper side of the market it’s a pretty awesome business, get paid to hang out in a mansion while the owners are on holiday… a fully stocked fridge and a king-size bed, happy days! To market this business, you should reach out to family, friends and social network, beyond that its about word of mouth and digital marketing if desired (i.e. PPC).

49. Accountant

As the saying goes there are two things you can always rely on “death and taxes”. The latter is usually the bane of most people’s existence and is of major importance to business.

Almost all small businesses are required to pay business taxes , to this end they must consistently record financial dealings, submit annual abbreviated accounts (self-assessment for freelancers), corporate tax returns , file/ pay VAT bills and manage many other financial reporting/tax obligations.

The majority of small businesses can’t afford to have an accountant in-house so turn to local accountants or small accounting firms to help make sure their filing is correct and their tax is as efficient as possible.

To start an accounting business, you’ll need to have basic accounting qualifications (College or University) and be registered with the Institute of Financial accountants. The setup cost for an accountant is minimal as it’s serviced-based. In essence you’ll need a place to work from (home or small office), a good filing system, accounting software ,  a decent computer and security software to protect client private financial data.

Local accountants can earn anywhere between £50,000 and £150,000 a year. The beauty of this business is that every business needs an accountant. For marketing you can send letters to other local businesses, attend networking events and join local business groups (i.e. British Chambers of Commerce ) to meet new accounting clients. You can also work remotely for companies who are not in your local area.

50. Financial adviser

Very similar to an accountant but a little broader and generally focused on personal finance in most cases. The majority of the middle-class people with expendable income that could be investing lack an understanding of the basic investment vehicles that are open to them (alongside the relatively risk and potential upside of each). This leads to many such people putting all their money into savings accounts and very low risk/return investments (such as premium bonds). Though low risk is a necessary part of any diversified portfolio, to maximise return in most cases mixing in a number of medium and high-risk investments is necessary.

The role of a financial adviser is to assess people’s income, outgoings and other assets and then provide them with options as to how they could invest any excess capital to make a return (the same logic largely applies to commercial clients as well). To get started as a financial adviser you’ll need a strong understanding of finance and investments, great communication skills and an ability to manage and deliver on client expectations.

Financial advisers are required to be registered and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Advisers are generally paid a consulting fee, ongoing maintenance fee and/or success fee depending on the yield of investment advice. Advisers in some cases also manage investments on the client’s behalf.

51. Cleaning company

This is arguably one of the easiest businesses to start, and the upfront capital costs are low (you’ll need basic cleaning supplies and equipment to start).

As a cleaning business, you have two markets to choose from, you can either choose to serve the residential or commercial market (meaning you can clean people’s homes/property or offices/business premises).

The quickest and cheapest way to reach new potential cleaning clients is through traditional direct marketing.  Start by finding a leaflet template on Microsoft publisher (or other design software) and amend the template/branding to your business. Then start direct marketing and go to door-to-door distributing the flyers offering your cleaning services (you can also create posters and ask local businesses to put these up in their windows).

Though this business idea is easy to start and scale, competition is intense in the cleaning market. You’ll need to make sure that your brand stands out and your pricing is competitive for your local area (you can find this out by doing some competitor analysis).

52. Painter/Decorator

Painting and decorating are essential services most homeowners, renters and business owners will require at multiple points throughout their lifetimes. Although very time consuming (as its all labour) it’s a very simple business idea and is typically quite well paid although competitive market (due to the low barriers to entry).

To get going you need paint brushes, sheets, rollers and basic decorating materials. You’ll also need a reliable form of transport to easily reach homes and businesses. Additionally, it’s advisable to look at tradesman insurance and other forms of business insurance to ensure your protected in case of doing damage/harm to a property, yourself or a client (i.e. leaving a paint brush around as a trip hazard can be costly).

With painting and decorating it’s very simple to reach new clients, by listing yourself on sites like Checkatrade , myBuilder and rated people (sites are paid via commission on each job or through a listing fee). To get work (request for quotes) through these platforms it’s advisable to build up a number of good reviews, as positive feedback and price are the major factors potential clients will use to decide when hiring a painter or decorator.

53. Pet sitting

There are close to 51 million household pets in the UK. So, what happens when a pet owner needs to go away on holiday or for work? This is where the Pet sitting business comes in, providing accommodation, feeding, walking and in some cases grooming services for pets.

The business model for petting sitting is quite simple, you collect peoples pet/s from their home or they will drop them off to you.  Then you look after the pet/s at your home or property for the agreed period (typically charging a day rate, paid upfront).

In terms of setup this business idea might be a little more costly than you think, depending on the animals you’ll be sitting (cats and dogs being the most common). You’ll need a range of cages, food, leads, toys, beds and more. You’ll also need to develop a daily schedule for feeding, affection time and walking where necessary.

In some cases, you may need to have a license, particularly if you’re doing this on a commercial scale as with a cattery or kennels. A good understanding of animal husbandry is a must and the specific. You should also have a good vet on speed dial to cover any pet health needs and make sure you have the correct insurance in place.

You can market your pet sitting services through social media, local advertising (flyers, letterbox drops, etc.) and partnerships with other animal companies (i.e. Pet shops, Vet’s.).

54. Architect

Architect firms are paid on a project by project basis. This means that they typically keep a very small core team onboard at any one time (avoiding paying for excess salaries when projects are not underway). This model has lead to the industry heavily relying on contractors (freelance architects) to come and work on a project by project basis.

To start you’ll need a degree level qualification in architecture and have specialised in one of the key aspects involved (3d building render, drawing, site inspection, material assessment). Typically, as a service-based business you’ll been paid on an hourly basis and in some cases you may have retainers for longer term projects. You can market yourself by creating a list of local and national architecture firms, emailing them your portfolio and a list of the services you can offer.

You can also choose to work directly with a client by offering your services on freelancer sites such as Upwork to work with small home and business owners owners on individual projects varying in scale (full houses, conservatories, office refurbishment…).

55. Private Solicitor (Lawyer)

Legal advice is highly sought from a contract, criminal, family, intellectual property and general commercial perspective in the UK. If you’re a licensed solicitor (Lawyer is the American term for a solicitor) in most fields of law then your services are in demand. Many solicitors choose to work with large law firms based in major cities, but a good proportion also choose to work for themselves.

Typically, private solicitors will charge an hourly rate ranging from £80 anywhere up to £2000 depending on the type of law they practice and client base.

To start as a private solicitor, you’ll need to licensed to practice law and a be member of the Law society. You’ll need to invest in a website, business phone and business cards to start. Depending on your area of law you will also want to create basic legal documents that can be amended for the majority of client needs.

To find clients as a private solicitor you can offer free consultations in your local area for businesses and private clients. You can also advertise yourself on freelancer platforms providing an hourly rate or provide standard packages for specific work such as completing terms and conditions, creating investment contracts , contract review by pages or filing a trademark. For local businesses make sure your listed in local service directories.

56. Tutoring

Some people just love teaching, they really enjoy helping others learn. If that’s you and you have a good level of education, then you should be making money as a tutor.

You can tutor students in a group, one to one and even remotely via the internet. There are even apps like Tutorme that can help you monetise your tutoring. Besides apps, there are online platforms like  Preply , where you can teach online on your schedule from anywhere! It offers a stable base of students from all over the world, secure payments and constant customer care. Plus, you set your own hourly rate and can change it at any time!

If you want to find local tutoring clients you can strike up partnerships with the local schools, colleges and universities in your area (or at the least ask them to post your flyer to their noticeboards). As with any business it helps to specialise on what you provide to stand out and present yourself as an expert in a certain area (i.e. maths tutor, Key stage 2 tutors, English tutor, GCSE tutor, business tutor, A-level tutor…).

57. Delivery company (Man with a van)

The classic man with a van scenario. There’s always a steady demand for moving objects from location A to location B. Particularly with the boom of eCommerce , the number of heavier packages and objects that need individual delivery or courier services has increased sharply.

To start a delivery company, you’ll need a driving license and a large multi-purpose vehicle (i.e. Van or Truck). You’ll also need straps and sheets to secure and protect more delicate objects from damage while in transit. To market your new business, you can reach out to local businesses who deal in physical products and need delivery services, find out what they’re paying for current delivery services and undercut. If you want to start on a smaller scale, you can also do delivery for companies like Amazon as a subcontractor for FLEX . It’s also worth listing your services on Gumtree and targeting sellers of larger items on eBay offering your delivery services.

58. Carpet cleaning

Every few years carpets and rugs go beyond the help of a good hoover, this is where the need for a professional carpet cleaning service comes in. Though people can rent a carpet cleaner to do the work themselves, the majority turn to a professional carpet cleaning business to solve the problem.

As a service carpet cleaning is relatively easy to start, there are however higher equipment costs than most previously mentioned small business ideas. You’ll need a range of carpet cleaning machines and chemicals on an ongoing basis (though you can find decent second-hand equipment on Ebay).

In terms of potential customers, you either go after the residential market (private homeowners or renters) or to businesses, the former is by far the largest market for a carpet cleaning business.

59. Dog walking

Dogs need a good deal of exercise per day to remain happy and healthy. Everybody loves dogs but the majority of us have no time or energy to walk our dog/s after a busy day at the office.

To get started with a dog walking business you’ll need a good level of physical health, understanding of dog behaviour/training and a master harness (for multiple dogs). You may also need a dog walking license, depending on the region your in.

To market your dog walking services you can advertise on sites like  Gumtree  or register as a provider on sites like BorrowMyDoggy (yes, it’s real).

60. CV (Curriculum Vitae)/cover letter writer

Getting a job for most people is an important part life but it can be extremely difficult. It’s made even more difficult by the fact that the majority of people don’t know or are unsure about how to write and structure their CV/cover letter. Even those who have a fairly good idea of how to write a CV often seek a second opinion and feedback to improve their odds of getting their CV noticed to secure that all important job interview.

As such there is a growing requirement for experienced writers who know how to create, structure and enhance CV’s and cover letters. To get started you’ll need to have a background in business English, impeccable grammar/spelling and an understand as to what company recruiters are looking for. The startup costs with this business idea are relatively low, as you can work from home and only really need basic word processing and editing software (some design understanding/software will also help as there is a visual element to this role).

Marketing can be a little tricky with this business as you need to reach people when their applying for jobs, with this information being private it can difficult to identify or reach these people. The best methods for promotion would be to use local professional networking events and advertising yourself your CV writing services through schools and colleges.

61. Private investigator

Become Sherlock Holmes and solve crime for a living. The reality is slightly less exciting, but there is a market for private investigators in the UK, often dealing with spousals disputes, tracking missing persons and in some cases investigating crimes.

To become a private investigator, you’ll need to be licensed and generally have experience or background in law enforcement. This is very much a service-based business idea with little upfront setup cost (you may need some equipment for sound recording, video and photography). This business can be set up at home but its arguably better to have an office where clients can meet you to discuss their investigation needs privately.

To market your services, you should list yourself in local directories, build a website and invest some time in digital marketing (either PPC or content marketing). This business also scales quickly on word of mouth and recommendations. As you expand, you can approach large businesses and carry out corporate investigation work, i.e. thorough background checking employees.

62. Proofreader

Proofreaders read and edit written content to make sure there are no mistakes in terms of grammar, spelling and typography. The amount of content (particularly digital) being written and published each year is growing exponentially (this includes blogs, eBooks, landing pages or other forms of content). This has led to a significant and growing demand for proofreaders.

To get started proofreading you’ll need a great understanding of English literature and language (English is the primary business language globally, but you can focus on other languages). You’ll also need an eye for detail and ability to read/skim written content for errors at speed. Beyond this you’ll word processing and editing software ( Hemningway or Grammarly).

To get start getting work proofreading, you can list your services on platforms such as UpWork or ClickWorker . You can also reach out to local businesses via email or post to offer your services (make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors on your communications).

63. Window cleaning

Window cleaning has been essential since the invention of glass (no one likes dirty windows and they prevent light getting in). The amount of windows/glass used in building construction both in residential and commercial properties has increased significantly, resulting in the demand for window cleaning services being much higher than previously.

To get started with a window cleaning business, you’ll need to pick up the basics of cleaning windows and get some standard window cleaning supplies and equipment. It’s arguably one of the simplest business ideas to start. Due to the low barriers for entry, the market is competitive for window cleaning, so make sure to get your pricing right and put together a number of standard packages.

To market your window cleaning services print flyers and target your local community (private individuals and business). You can also list your services on sites like FantasticCleaners and remember to list yourself and ask your clients for reviews on Google and Yelp (with contact details).

64. Photographer

Nightclubs, weddings, events… the list of potential clients for photography services is huge. If you have a decent DSLR camera and an eye for a great photo, this could be perfect business for you.

To get started you’ll need some experience of how to take photos and have atleast semi-professional camera equipment/editing software. You can market through social media, let your work speak for itself… oh and ask for clients to recommend you to their friends, family and colleagues.

If you have access to a space that can be used as a photography studio, you can also offer profile shots for professionals. For a 15-minute photo photoshoot you can charge anything from £50 to £300, depending your area and marketing access.

65. Personal chef

The working week has increased significantly over the last few decades, this has led to many busy professionals not being able to find the time to shop for and prepare healthy/delicious meals.

Thus, there is a steady and growing demand for personal chefs of all levels who can prepare and deliver meals to clients (in some cases in a clients home).

To get your personal chef business started you’ll need to be an experienced cook and have at least a basic level of catering qualification. From an equipment perspective, you’ll need an industrial ewtup in your home kitchen and portable cooking equipment to take to client’s locations (i.e. a decent set of knives, pans…). As with any food-based business make sure you get the correct licenses for hygiene and cooking and the right insurance in place.

If you want to expand your services you can also cater for important home events (i.e. parties, weddings) or offer a live in chef service (from the super wealthy there is a demand for live in chefs, meaning there’s somebody on hand to cook morning, noon and night).

66. Disk jockey (DJ)

The entertainment industry is a behemoth, and the demand for disk jockeys to play music for private events such as weddings, parties and corporate events are significant.

To get started as a DJ, you’ll need a passion for music, an understanding of how to read a crowd and a decent music collection (or Spotify playlists, depending on the type of event). You’ll also need basic DJ equipment such as decks, mixers, PA, lights and a vinyl collection. You’ll also need transport to carry your equipment and yourself to client locations.

To start acquiring clients you can partner with venues, events companies, wedding planners etc to provide DJ services. This type of business relies on recommendations and word of mouth to expand beyond your initial client base.

67. Personal stylist

The idle super rich among us make great use of personal stylists. The job of a personal stylist is to advise persons on colours, clothing, fashion trends and ultimately on what a client should wear each season or for a particular event.

To get started as a personal stylist, you’ll need a background/expertise in fashion, makeup and an impeccable eye for superficial detail (also keep up with the latest trends). Beyond that this business comes down to personal networking, you’ll need to find events where you can meet and develop relationships with super-wealthy potential clients. You can also develop inbound marketing with this business by starting a YouTube channel providing authority advice on style, build your followers and then let clients come to you.

68. Nutritionist

Eating healthy has never been more difficult, as the working week has increased more and more people are struggling to find time to shop, cook or acquire the knowledge needed to help them keep a healthy level of nutrition (just look at the enormous increase in obesity in the UK to see the impact of poor nutirition).

Nutritionists work with individuals to devise meal/nutritional plans so they can lead healthy lives. The dieting and nutrition industry is big business with a growing demand for nutritionists as a service.

To get started, you’ll need an office client can visit, be a certified nutritionist, have basic plans for nutrition that can be adapted to each client and a business website/phone number. To market your nutrition business, you can advertise your services through local publications, partner with local gyms and trying leafletting busy urban areas.

You can also expand revenue by providing a healthy meal service, so clients don’t have to worry about purchasing healthy food/finding the time to cook it. Alternatively, you can partner with other organisations to provide this service and take a commission.

69. House staging

Selling a house is something the average homeowner does every 7 years and is extremely important as the price a seller can get for their home typically dictates the amount they can spend on the next property. Thus, maximising the value of a home sale is of upmost importance to any seller, it’s been proven that correctly staging a house can increase the sale price by as much as 5% and will generally lead to a far quicker sale.

Staging a house is all about interior design, basically going into a home and rearranging furniture, decorating and generally re-designing the property interior to make it as a appealing as possible to the ideal groups of potential buyers.

Often home stagers will keep or rent a range of furniture in storage they bring into a home to create the desired visual effect (whether you do this is highly dependent on client budgets). To get started you’ll need an understanding of interior design and how different aspects/looks can increase the value of a property.

In terms of marketing you can use websites such as Zoopla or rightmove to find private sellers and contact them via other channels (i.e. letters, leaflets or social media). You can also cycle or drive around your local area and put leaflets in the houses that have signs listing them as a private sale. As build up your reputation you can also start pitching to work with local estate agents which will open you up to a much larger client base.

You can also increase the revenue potential of your house staging business by working with a local photographer to professionally photograph the house (or even learn to take decent house photography yourself). Remember the higher the price tag for a house the bigger the budget they’ll have for staging as the difference you can make is much larger.

70. Personal trainer

Fitness is a key part of any person’s life, its crucial for health, longevity, and to look and feel better. Personal trainers work one-to-one or in a group with clients to help them meet their health and exercise goals through the coaching of exercise and in some cases nutritional advice. Thus, it’s probably no surprise that the personal training market in the UK will be worth over £670 million by 2020 (from £600 million in 2015).

Starting your own personal training business is fairly straight forward, you’ll need to have a good level of fitness, goal setting experience and understanding of exercise/ how to provide exercise training. You’ll need to find a space you can rent for sessions (or provide outdoor sessions at clients homes or public locations). Having a website and business phone number is also a must for this business. Finally, you’ll need to get certified and get public liability insurance coverage (as well as first aid training/certification).

From there, it’s all relationships game; personal training empires are built of word of mouth referrals from happy clients. To get started securing clients, you should consider partnering with a local gym to reach their clientele. Personal trainers can earn anywhere from £50 to £500 an hour.

In the age of digital, you can also now be a personal trainer virtually, working with and checking in on your clients via Skype and other platforms (though you will to establish yourself as a fitness thought leader online first, via content and video guides).

71. Car boot sales

Business conglomerates have been built off car boot sales; these markets allow you to find, buy and sell every type of 2 nd and 1 st hand item you could ever imagine. Car boot sellers will typically source goods from house clearances, car boot sales and wholesalers to resell these products at car boots at a margin.

To start your car boot sales business, you’ll need portable tables, an eye for presentation, a large vehicle (estate or van) and access to a steady stream of goods to sell. From there, it’s all about sales skills and communication (anything you don’t sell is going home or being sold at cost/or below). Many car boot sale businesses will focus on a particular niche and build up a loyal customer base who come back for items such as cameras, watches or furniture.

72. Tattoo artist

The cool thing about this industry is you can generally rent a space in a tattoo parlour, meaning you don’t need to shell out £££ for your own site and you can make use of their brand.

Tattooing is an art form, to get started you’ll require many years of education or tutoring and a good setup of tattoo machine (ink pen) and inks. You’ll also need to have a good understanding of the health and safety involved and make sure relevant insurance is in place.

Marketing a tattooing business largely relies on word of mouth marketing from previous clients but you can also use visual platforms like Instagram to build a following and gain more clients.

73. Hairdresser

Hairdressing has been booming in recent years, particularly as the professional styling and cutting of hair has become more important/popular among men and women.

To establish a hairdressing business, you’ll need to have a strong technical knowledge of cutting/styling many different types of hair as well as all the appropriate tools of the trade (trimmers, scissors…). The lowest cost way to get started is running a home service where you visit clients to cut their hair, you can also rent space from a local hair salon or subcontract. Another business idea where it pays to understand the health/safety and get relevant insurance sorted.

From a marketing perspective this is another business that largely relies on word of mouth or passing high street foot traffic. From a digital perspective you can use social media (Instagram and Pinterest) to show recent work, collect client emails and keep up an emailing list of clients (for repeat business).

74. Motivational speaker

If you have a particularly inspiring story or are just amazing on stage, you can make a lot of money touring the speaker circuit. Conferences shell out thousands of pounds for 1-hour long sessions.

Motivational speakers come in all shapes and sizes but typically focus on areas including business, lifestyle and fitness. To get started as a motivational speaker you’ll need to decide on the niche you wish to speak about and build up base topics, speeches and presentations (that can be amended to event/client’s specific needs).

Next, you’ll want to build up a portfolio of public speaking work, ideally which includes professional photography and videography of speaking at events (you can build up this portfolio by offering your services for free initially).

You’ll also want to set up a professional website and list yourself with speaker agencies (such as the JLA ). The motivational and public speaking circuit is competitive; it’s all about connections and exposure, networking and getting good visibility through speaker platforms to drive business.

75. Pilates/Yoga instructor

Pilates and Yoga are a form of exercise and meditation that many people actively practise across the world. Both disciplines often require holding various positions for lengthy periods and often focus on stretching and own body resistance.

To start your Yoga/Pilates business, you can rent out space from a local gym or hotel and offer classes or one-to-one sessions with your clients. You’ll need to be certified and understand how to teach a class (generally 5 – 15 in size). You’ll also need mats (unless clients bring their own).

To market this business, you should work with the space your renting to reach their existing client base (via commission structure) and particularly target the 25+ year old female demographic who make up the majority of the people who practice Pilates and Yoga.

76. Martial arts instructor

Self-defence and martial arts courses are always popular. Martial arts instructors provide expert instruction in one or several martial arts such as Karate, Kung Fu or Krav Maga.

To start martial arts instructing, you’ll need a high level of skill in a particular martial art, find a flexible space to rent and have the training pads/flooring necessary to martial arts training. You’ll also need to make sure you’re fully insured (high risk of injury/accident) and are certified to teach a martial art.

Marketing should be locally focused via newspapers, newsletters or by partnering with local schools, universities and colleges to teach students. It’s worth targeting a niche to set yourself apart; female defence training would be a particularly popular niche at the moment.

77. Dance instructor

Dance instructors run classes varying in size from 10 – 30 people on all forms of dance including ballet, salsa, tango, modern ballroom and more.

Starting as a dance instructor or a dance academy is relatively straightforward, you’ll need a background in a specific type of popular dance, to create a range of dance programmes for different levels of skill, then find a space you can rent out as needed (local community centres are a regular hub for dance classes). To market this business, you can advertise in the local paper, local magazines or through community groups.

It’s worth noting that dance classes are extremely popular among elderly couples (high level of expendable income and available time). To reach this group, you should look into partnering with nursing homes and your local church.

78. Personal shopper

Personal shoppers either work for a retail store or client directly. Their role is to advise clients on what to buy, also in some cases help them carry these goods around a store (typically department stores, i.e. Selfridges ). Personal shoppers may also go out on a clients behalf and purchase goods for them based on a brief (typically focusing on fashion and jewellery purchases).

To start your personal shopping empire is relatively simple; it’s a purely service-based business relying on your knowledge of the latest goods that can be bought and what would work for different clients.

The market for this extends from the middle class to the upper class, from little old ladies who need help carrying bags to those who are too busy to shop for themselves. Marketing for personal shopping work is a relationships game, so get your party hat on and make some well to do friends. You can also partner with various well-known stores and suppliers to access their client base.

79. Tour guide

Tourism is big business in the UK if you’re based in a historical or major city there’s money to be made from providing guided tours of landmarks and historical sites. There’s even a market for social histories tours, i.e. Jack the Ripper tours in London.

To get started as a tour guide, you’ll need to have specialist knowledge of the area you plan to take tourists around and setup predefined routes/information to provide on the tour. You’ll also need to have a Blue Badge qualification and put in place the necessary public liability insurance. First aid training is also advisable so that you can provide necessary aid in the event someone becomes ill on one of your tours.

You can market your tourism business by working with the local tourist office or by simply having a sign and waiting in a popular tourist location for groups. Partnering with museums and other tourist relevant organisations is also an option. Digitally you can offer tours via platforms like Airbnb, where they offer these services when people book accommodation (walking/hiking tours are very popular on this platform, as always they do take a fee for any tours booked).

80. Event/Party planner

Party planning for events such as weddings and 60 th birthdays are in demand. A party planner organises locations, catering, security and all other bits and bobs it takes to throw a great party or event (taking the stress and load of the hosts).

This business is predominantly service-based as you are the organiser, you will, however, need to source supplies for different events and parties (the client will pay for these, if you buy wholesale you can also make a margin on these supplies). To start with party planning, you’ll need to build relationships with all needed suppliers and put together basic formats/plans for typical events.

This business is primarily marketed through word of mouth referrals, so tap your local network for your first few jobs. From there, you can invest in digital marketing for local search traffic related to party planning and build up content to establish yourself as a go-to planner in the event/party planner in the local area.

81. Mystery shopper

Retailers care about what their customers think. However, it can be difficult for them to get feedback about the shopping experience in their stores from traditional market research (how many customers want to fill in questionnaires).

With a positive shopping experience being heavily linked to overall sales and customer loyalty, the phenomenon of mystery shopping came into existence to help retailers understand how customers view their shopping experience.

Mystery shopping is where a person or team of people are paid to visit a retailers shop, purchase goods, assess the interior and ask customer service people for help. During this process, they are assessing the shopping experience across several aspects, then providing a report to the retailer.

Setting up a mystery shopping company requires you to build relationships with local businesses, sell them in and then source/pay individuals to act as mystery shoppers. You effectively act as the middleman between the retailer and the mystery shopper, summarising information and providing valuable market research/insights on shopping experience to the retailer.

Students commonly take up mystery shopping jobs (although wider demographics made be required for some jobs), so try reaching out to advertise through your local universities or colleges. As you scale this business, you can then start looking to work with national retailers, sourcing mystery shoppers for regional and national campaigns.

82. Massage therapist

The world is going massage crazy these days and the market is huge. From sports massages to Friday massages at a startup’s offices.

To start a massage business, you’ll need formal qualifications in massage or physiotherapy and access to a space to carry out client massages (there are studios for this or you rent space per hour from local businesses). You’ll need a massage table, license, relaxing playlist and a clear set of packages and pricing (you can also run this business at client’s offices or home if your struggling to find space).

Massage therapists in terms of marketing should look to use local directories for advertising and pursue flyering residential/commercial properties as a low cost way to access customers.

83. Dog training

Everybody loves the dancing dog that won Britain’s Got Talent a few years ago. If you’re a bit of a dog whisperer this could be the perfect idea for you. The majority of pet owners don’t know how train their own pets and often have a short window when their young to get this training done or face dealing with a nightmare pet for life (particularly dogs).

This means the need for those few pet whisperers/professional trainers is huge, particularly with estimated 10 million dogs in the UK alone. To get started you’ll need to have a solid experience in training animals. You’ll also need to have access to a park or location you can use (particularly an enclosed space early on to avoid young puppies running off). There’s very little upfront equipment cost with this business, it is really all about your skill and time.

You’ll likely have to run training classes for dogs in groups or one to one at the weekend or in the evening when the majority of people are available. You can charge per session or for packages that provide a certain amount of training. To market yourself to local pet owners, you should partner with pet stores, farms and local vets.

84. Body piercing

Body piercing is the practice of body modification, it most commonly involves the piercing of ears and belly buttons (particularly for ear piercing there is a large demand from the female demographic).

Body piercing is something you can quickly learn via a course if you do not know already how to do (the knowledge barrier to entry is lower with this service than most). Make sure to get to grips with safety and get the relevant business insurance in place. In terms of space you can rent from a local piercing parlour and arrange to meet clients there.

This type of business relies on word of mouth and passing trade, hence being located in a high foot traffic area is important. You can also conversely go entirely online, invest in digital marketing and offer a home piercing service in your local area.

85. Sports instructor

Football/rugby/athletics… if you have a natural talent for sports and enjoy teaching, then becoming a high-level sports coach and working on a freelance basis for local teams and individuals might be a great business for you. There’s a demand across the country for freelance sports coaches who can work on a one-to-one and group (team) basis.

To get started you’ll need a background in the sport you’ll be coaching in, be personable (as you’ll be working with people) and ideally have some level of coaching qualification either at a college or university level.

You can advertise your sports based coaching business through local sports clubs and by approaching local private schools. It is a competitive business, your level of skill at coaching and ability to market will be key to your success. Who knows, maybe you’ll even be the next Alex Ferguson.

86. Poop scoop

Believe it or not, people run businesses based around picking up dog poop. Most owners just let their pets do their business in the back yard and somebody must clean it up with many choosing not to. It’ll cost you about £5 to set-up and you can market it just like pet sitting.

The poop scoop business only works with a large repeat customer base (as the fee is quite low). A nice addition to your revenue scheme could be consolidating this waste and selling it to farmers as fertiliser (you’ll need to check the mix required).

The simplest way to market your poop scoop business is by using online advertising and flyering in your local town or city. You can also contact the local council and see if there looking to contract someone to clean up mess in public spaces (bear in mind local council contracts can be difficult to obtain).

87. Makeup artist

A makeup artist professionally applies cosmetics on women (though the male makeup industry is growing). In the UK, individuals will generally hire makeup artists to apply cosmetics pre important events or functions i.e. weddings, parties, dates…

To start as a makeup artist, you need to have a good understanding of cosmetics, skin tone and the application of said cosmetics (this could mean having a formal education in makeup or learning online, there are lots of tutorials). You’ll also need to select a hair product supplier and stock a product range of cosmetics you want to use. You can initially work from home and visit your clients at their location or at events (there’s a big demand for onsite makeup artists for weddings in particular). From there you can scale up to a makeup studio when you have the capital in place and want to access foot traffic for the business.

To market this business, you can partner with wedding related companies such as dressmakers, florists, wedding planners, event agencies, caterers and wedding venues to access there clientele. Aside from charging for your service, one of the ways you can increase your income is to buy makeup wholesale and sell to your clients the products your applying.

88. Gardening company

Over 87% of homes in the UK have gardens, many homeowners want to enjoy their garden but lack the time or don’t want to take care of it to achieve that end.

This means the demand for professional gardeners who will come in and maintain people’s gardens is high (moving lawns, cutting hedges, planting…). All you need to get started is basic gardening equipment such as shovels, trowels and wheelbarrows. You don’t need a formal gardening qualification although an understanding of horticulture would does help and will be necessary for larger/more complex gardens.

In terms of marketing, you can start by asking friends and family about their gardening needs and by leafletting your local area. This type of business grows heavily based of word of mouth marketing, so it’s essential you keep your customers happy, it’s all about building a repeat customer base whose gardens you regularly maintain.

The great thing about gardening is the results speak for themselves, start working for a neighbour and work your way up to an empire.

89. Pool cleaning

There’s been an increase in the number of private and public pools in recent years in the UK (particularly in southern England where the temperature is warmer). To keep these pools running and hygienic requires constant maintenance, meaning there’s a need professional pool cleaners (who clean pools and keep the chemicals required for operation topped up).

Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t have to be 21 and well-built to run this business, it can also easily be home-based as you’ll be visiting clients to carry out the work. To start a pool cleaning business, you’ll need basic understanding of pool cleaning and maintenance, as well as a range of chemicals required to clean the pool and prevent infection (including chlorine). You’ll also need a series of pool cleaning device, perhaps most importantly a net for dredging large particulates from a pool.

To market your pool cleaning business, you should target affluent homes with pools via leafletting, you can also partner with local businesses who sell pools/installation to offer your services alongside there’s (with them taking a commission).

Beyond initial marketing, growing your pool business is all about building up a repeat clientele list, customers hiring you for maintenance and cleaning on a monthly basis (typically during the summer months).

90. Aquarium cleaning

Fish and amphibians can be fantastic pets but depending on many you have and the size of your aquarium they can be a lot of effort when it comes to maintenance.

Particularly aquarium cleaning can take hours and aqua imams require professional cleaning equipment and chemicals. To start an aquarium cleaning business, you’ll need to know how to professionally clean tanks and aquariums. You’ll also need to have a range of equipment such as gravel cleaners and nets.

You can advertise your services on platforms like Gumtree. You can also approach local pet shops and partner with them – offer them a fee for each successful referral. Local partnerships will work with independents; I wouldn’t waste your time with the national stores unless you scale this business.

If you’re a talented artist, then don’t sit around wasting that talent. Even if it’s just a hobby, stick your fantastic artwork on the market and see what happens.

You don’t require any formal education to get started as an artist, but the majority of great artists have some form of education or tutoring from other more established artists. You’ll need a studio (room) to do your work in and various supplies depending on the type of art your producing (oil paintings, watercolour, installations or sculpture).

To sell/market your work, you need to build relationships with local galleries to have your work appraised and sold. You can also sell directly via sites like Sell Your Art Online . It’s important to note that creating demand for your work and achieving high prices takes time and can be difficult, (some artists don’t become commercially successful until long after their death, i.e. Vincent Van Gogh). The artworld is also highly competitive due to the number of active artists, professional and amateur selling artwork. That said there are a lot of mid and high-level commercially successful artists who produce and sell work in their lifetime.

92. Videographer

Videographer’s document important occasions such as weddings, parties and corporate events in the form of video. They then edit and provide a finished video of such events. Videographers also do work for promotional videos, documentaries and more.

To get started you’ll need to have experience with shooting video and access to the right videography equipment (a decent DSLR with a Rode mic will work early on). You will also need advanced editing skills and access to video editing software (editing video is a complex process and usually takes far longer the recording).

To advertise your videography services, you can reach out to local businesses with packages (i.e. business promo video, house tour, product explainer video…). You should also look to partner with local photographers as your services are complimentary.

New business ideas for 2019/2020

93. virtual store.

Instead of having to source/or manufacture products, why not sell digital goods? Virtual stores sell purely digital products such as website themes ( Themeforest ), stock photos ( Adobe Stock ) or design work ( VectorStock ).

To get started you’ll need to create a brand, decide on a niche of products to sell, then set up an eCommerce store using an opensource eCommerce website builder like Magento or software like Shopify. If you have a particular skill in design, development or another field, you can also create your own and sell digital products.

When it comes to virtual shops, all the marketing is digital. Start by setting up your social profiles, installing email capture for newsletters and building a notifications marketing list (then it’s all about growing and engaging with your audience). You can do this naturally through content marketing or by using PPC to drive potential customers to your site.

94. Pop-up shop

If you have great products, be it fashion, food or anything else, grab yourself a storefront for a day or a week using  WeArePopup . Pop-up shops have become a real trend and a way for new retailers to get access to a great location for a limited time at little or in some cases no cost.

To get started, you’ll need a professional brand, product range, stock and access to a POS system (card machines, till, payment gateway…). Beyond WeArePopup you can reach out to your local council or private owners of vacant to shops to ask about short term lets, you’ll be surprised how many will be open to giving a new retailer a chance, particularly if there’s a chance based on the success that a shop can be let long term.

To market the opening of your pop-up shop, you can speak to your local newspaper about covering the limited opening (i.e. try an angle of new retail business opens to rejuvenate high street). The rest of the marketing will come down to passing trade you’ll get at the shop location, add a coming soon sign in the shop window and a promotional offer to entice shoppers visiting.

95. Recycling/reselling

Did you know you can get paid for recycling other people’s rubbish? There’s a lot of money in things like reselling/recycling copper piping, simply offer to rip it out for free to your neighbours and sell it on at a profit. The government is also soon to be introducing legalisation forcing the recycling of glass (with payment).

To start a recycling business, you’ll need to assess whether you want to focus on household or business waste and choose the right materials/products to recycle/resell for the highest return. Next, you’ll need to secure potential buyers for the goods you want to recycle, bear in mind that some materials will be easier to find buyers than others (such as metals where there is a steady demand). You can also list materials for sale on platforms like eBay and or sell paper waste to Recycling UK .

For picking up and recycling goods/materials you’ll also need acquire a van or similar vehicle, beyond that it’s all about our own labour to remove, pickup and resell materials (you may also need a second pair of hands, depending on what your recycling). To acquire goods to recycle you’ll need to reach local businesses or consumers offering to do weekly or monthly pickups of goods (bear in mind for household, the council will recycle the majority of goods).

In terms of marketing your recycling business, you can start by sending letters to local businesses and organisations who you would assume have a good deal of waste. For example; schools are constantly upgrading their IT equipment, much of this outdated hardware is simply thrown away and could easily be resold at a profit in many cases.

96. Voice over artist

If you have a distinct voice or are great at impressions, you can sell your services as a voice-over artist for commercial videos and in some cases TV productions.

To become a successful voice-over artist, you’ll need to become a master of conveying meaning through language, intonation and pitch (you can find many voice-over courses on the web). Next, you’ll need to secure yourself decent microphone equipment and if you’re doing your own editing a sound editing software (i.e. open-source software like Audacity ).

To market your voiceover skills, you can start by listing yourself on freelancer websites like Fiverr to build up a portfolio. As you build your portfolio, you’ll want to set up your brand and website and started targeting larger clients and charging higher prices.

In terms of reaching your potential customer base, you can target businesses through email marketing; you can also partner with video production companies as a sub-contractor.

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