These great business ideas offer opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to start something new, whether you’ve run a business before or are looking to start your first company.
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If you’re thinking of starting a business, you should consider whether your idea meets a need in the way people live their lives and approach their work. If you can identify an unmet need and a target market, you may just have a business idea with legs. But how do you come up with a good small business idea in the first place? This list of business ideas includes 26 of the best types of businesses to help you find success.
26 Great Small Business Ideas
This list of 26 great business ideas will help you start 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 costs relatively low.
Read on for some inspiration about the many types of businesses that can lead you to success.
If you are interested in selling clothes, you can 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 can start by using online store websites like Poshmark and Mercari to sell your unwanted clothes and accessories, then expand to your resale website.
Consider shopping estate sales and flea markets for low-cost hidden finds and then listing them online for a profit. If you are diligent enough and search the right places, you may be able to accumulate a substantial inventory of items that are in good condition for very little overhead.
2. Pet sitting
About 70% of American families own a pet. When these families are gone for an extended period of time, your small pet sitting business can give them peace of mind. As a pet sitter, you will look after your clients’ dogs, cats or other pets at their home. As part of the job, you will need to feed them, water them, play with them and (with the dog) walk them as needed. To help keep clients satisfied, you’ll need to regularly update them on how their pet is doing.
If you have other sources of income that require nothing more than an internet connection and a laptop, pet sitting can be an especially suitable small business idea. Almost all pet owners will be happy to let you work on their laptop while you spend time with their pets in their home, meaning you can run two streams of income at the same time.
3. T-shirt printing
If you have a sense of fashion (or sense of humor), you might enjoy starting a t-shirt printing business. You can also license someone else’s designs and screen print them onto a blank tee. Either way, if you have the space for a t-shirt printing setup, you can easily get the tools you need to get started.
4. Cleaning service
If you love cleaning, you can easily turn it into a business. With a few staff members, cleaning equipment and a host of transportation, you can offer cleaning services to homeowners, apartment complexes and commercial properties. Most cleaning services charge $25 to $50 an hour. Cleaning services are straightforward businesses that require relatively little overhead. All you need is planning, dedication and marketing to attract customers.
If you want to set yourself apart from other cleaning services, consider adding premium options like floor waxing or outdoor power washing for an additional fee. These services can be the deciding factor between your new cleaning service and experienced companies that maintain a huge client list to provide this 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 and teach the course regardless of location. If you don’t have advanced knowledge in a particular subject, consider teaching English as a foreign language online to overseas students.
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 to run 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 (such as business, social media, marketing, human resources, leadership or communications), 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 starting your own courier service – specifically, a medical courier service. As a driver, you will be responsible for transporting medical supplies such as laboratory specimens, prescription drugs and equipment. You can start your own courier business or hire other drivers to work for you.
9. App development
If you are knowledgeable and experienced in technology, you can consider a career in app development. Smartphones are an everyday accessory for many Americans, which has increased the demand for mobile apps. Similarly, virtual reality software has become popular in recent years, so VR app development is also in demand.
10. Transcription service
If you have a good ear and can type quickly, a transcription service will allow you to work from home with a flexible schedule. Medical transcription services are especially in demand as voice recognition technology for healthcare provider dictation proliferates.
You can accept as few or as many transcription jobs as you want. This flexibility can be especially beneficial if you don’t want to start all at once or if you have a day job you want to keep right now. To increase your business prospects and justify charging more, consider becoming a certified transcriptionist and look for certain qualifications.
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 only accept a few requests at first means you can expand as you’re ready. Best of all, the start-up cost and overhead are very low. All you need is a computer, the appropriate software and a secure messaging service.
11. Professional organizing
Looking for a small business idea that really sparks happiness? Professional organizers, like Marie Kondo, help people declutter and declutter their lives. In the age of materialism, many people are eager to reduce and possess their possessions. Minimalism is becoming extremely popular, but people often find it difficult 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 may be good at training others to do the same. People will pay you to help them figure out how to minimize their possessions and maintain an organized space. To promote your business, ask if your clients will let you take before and after photos of areas of their homes that you’ve arranged. If so, you can use them to create a portfolio that you can put out on social media to attract more clients.
12. Freelance copywriting or content writing
If you are 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, many companies will pay for your services. Add value by using your SEO knowledge to help clients develop strategies 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. This is a business that you can run from the comfort of your home or even on the road if you travel. If you establish a large enough network and get referrals from satisfied clients, you can even make freelance writing your full-time job.
13. Home care service
A background in caregiving and hospitality can go a long way in helping homebound seniors who need in-home care. It’s also a service whose demand is only going to grow. According to the Population Reference Bureau, between 2020 and 2060, the population 85 and older is expected to triple from 6.7 million to 19 million. The global number of centenarians (those over 100 years old) has already reached nearly 600,000. Many people will need care and support, often in their own homes.
Fortunately, 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. Many seniors need help with all kinds of tasks, such as work around the house or repairs. With some experience, you may consider expanding your business to help seniors move from their homes to assisted living facilities, offering services such as packing, transportation, set-up, or moving them. Storage of furniture and equipment.
14. Translation service
According to IBISWorld research, the translation services industry saw a decline in 2020, as did many industries; However, IBISWorld predicts a “big growth” for the industry over the next five years. This expected growth is not 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 specialized services for multilingual speakers, such as document translation and translating website information into languages for use in other markets. If you are fluent in multiple languages, you may be able to make your way in the translation services industry.
15. Digital marketing
The importance of the Internet is increasing with each passing day, but it becomes increasingly difficult for businesses to cut through the online clutter and market themselves properly. Digital marketing services are always in demand. Still, many small and medium-sized companies will outsource rather than build an expensive in-house team. If you lack SEO, content marketing, pay-per-click advertising, web development or social media management, you can take advantage of business opportunities that give 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 involves watching comments and messages around the clock, not just scheduling posts with a set-it-and-forget mindset. If you enjoy strategizing and carefully implementing marketing plans, digital marketing may be the right business for you. You can 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, offering a wide range of snacks and meals. Take your favorite style of food on the road, and sell your foodie passion directly to hungry customers. Sure, you’ll be working, but you’ll be in a place you’re passionate about, with an opportunity to connect with people who share similar interests.
Starting a food truck is a great small business idea for entrepreneurs who have a taste for cooking. The overhead and maintenance for a truck is significantly lower than for a restaurant, and you have the added benefit of mobility. [See our recommendations for POS systems for your food truck.]
17. Lawn care service
If you grew up with a lawn, chances are your parents made you take care of it. For many, lawn maintenance is a chore, but for some it offers a sense of peace and tranquility. Working outside of your hands to beautify and beautify a natural landscape can be a rewarding experience, but because many people find it difficult, it can also be lucrative.
Lawn care services require little more than some basic equipment, a trailer and maybe 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-fledged landscaping company by offering premium services and building a reputation as a brand that gets things done with a smile. If you love working outdoors and creating beautiful landscapes, this could be the business for you.
18. Rideshare driving
If starting your own business seems difficult or too risky, you can always use your car to become a rideshare driver. The onus and responsibility of running the company falls on the rideshare service, giving you the freedom to work as much or as little as you want. Rideshare applications like 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 the occasional friendly conversation.
Rideshare drivers have the freedom of a small business owner without the heavy workload required to manage behind-the-scenes logistics. If other business ideas seem to require too much effort or upfront capital, ridesharing can be a 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 certification, you’ll need strong social skills, so if you’re not a people person, this may not be the path for you.
20. Graphic design
Corporations, small businesses and sole proprietors all need eye-catching promotional materials, but not everyone has an eye for what looks good. If you have an artistic streak and know how to organize content in a visually pleasing format, start a graphic design business to provide flyers, digital ads, posters and other visually appealing content. Graphic design requires few physical tools other than a laptop and 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 operates a warehouse and shipping operation. The minimal inventory and tools required for dropshipping make it a great startup idea, especially if you’re concerned 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 skills and help others reach their fitness goals. As a personal trainer, you can offer at-home training sessions that meet the exercise abilities of each of your clients. You can also help clients create customized nutrition and meal plans so their diet meets their fitness goals.
Many personal trainers start their client acquisition process with social media pages detailing their experience at the gym with some motivational quotes. While a certification can help expand your customer base, you don’t need to have any special training to legally start this type of business.
23. Resume writing
People are always applying for jobs, whether they want to make a career change, increase their salary or change the work environment. Of course, most job applications require candidates to submit a resume detailing 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 showcase their best work. Plus, you don’t need any special schooling to become a resume writer – just some basic organizing and proofreading skills. If you know what makes resumes look professional and employer-ready, you’re already off to a great start.
24. Host a podcast
With over 100 million active podcast listeners in the US alone, podcasts have become extremely popular. The best part is that 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).
Once your podcast has built up a large enough following, you can sell time to advertisers or partner with revenue-generating companies. As your brand expands, you can also charge to speak at events or moderate panels on topics your podcast focuses on. Of course, to get to that level, you need to come up with a unique small business idea that you’re passionate about 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 strong list of subscribers and then selling space to advertisers and partners, consider creating an email newsletter. Over 90% of Americans subscribe to email newsletters. This means that if you can capture the attention of a certain audience, you can build a large following and make money from it.
To do this, come up with an umbrella topic that you can write about at length, and then work to establish the brand’s voice and mission. Discover the best email marketing software that can help you manage your subscriber list and email sending, and then you’re ready to get started. Ask your audience for feedback 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
Are you passionate about culinary arts? If so, event catering may be a great business idea for you. There is no shortage of people who need delicious food to serve their guests, whether at parties, weddings, fundraisers, or family reunions. If you have cooking or baking skills and love serving hungry guests, event catering can be a fun and profitable way to do so.
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 exponentially through word of mouth alone.
What are the most successful small businesses?
Small businesses that include website design, a subset of digital marketing, are among those that sell the most and make the most profits. People often learn about business on the Internet in other ways, so finding clients and a steady stream of income is not that difficult. Cleaning services and real estate businesses also have high success rates, which means – all people need homes, and they prefer them to be clean.
What would be a good small business to start?
If you want to maximize your profits while reducing your workload, try these small business ideas that are often successful. However, if you’re more interested in pursuing your passions while making enough money to live on, start a small business that fulfills you, the skills you need to use, and the work you need to do. And provides a good balance of life. There are so many great business ideas out there – and you know better than anyone that small business ideas can bring you joy, success and stability.
How can I start my own business without money?
You don’t need money to be a small business owner. The first step to starting a business with no money is to keep your current job and start your small business initially as a side pursuit. Then, develop your business plan and analyze your customer base, market and potential challenges.
Near the final stages of planning, you will have a better understanding of 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 trusted professionals, including a lawyer and accountant. Most of the businesses on this list require specific permits or licenses, and legal counsel can help you make sure you get them all by the book. Meanwhile, an accountant is crucial to managing finances properly, especially in the early days when you’re still establishing your income stream. Although these professionals represent an upfront cost, they are worth it and can help you build a healthy business.
How do I start a small home business?
Home based businesses are the easiest and most manageable. That said, not all great business ideas are suitable for home offices, so make sure your business can be run from home – jobs with on-site requirements and heavy personal demands may not be suitable. In your business plan and budget, include any office equipment and tools that make your online business ideas viable, such as a separate business computer, a proper desk, high-speed Internet, filing cabinets and a business website.
What makes a good work from home small business idea?
A good work from home small business idea boasts the following traits:
- Minimal inventory and supplies: Most likely, your home isn’t a mansion (yet), and you only have so much space to store inventory and stuff. That means a lawn care service is probably not for you if you’re looking to work from home. The same can 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 start-up costs: A viable work-from-home business doesn’t have to cost a lot to start. With minimal storage space, it’s not like you can accumulate raw materials and inventory. You may need to purchase or license some software for some small business ideas, but your financial constraints should be minimal.
- 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. The one exception to the rule is pets – if you keep an eye on pets at your home rather than at the owner’s home. Then, all you need is a pair of alert eyes and open ears. You can also do computer-based work while looking after pets.
- Flexible schedule: Traditional office jobs often require employees to work a rigid 9-to-5 schedule. If you’re working from home, especially when you’re self-employed, sticking to this schedule can feel less important. Thus, the best work from home small business ideas allow for a flexible schedule. If you do your best app development work at 3 in the morning, who’s to stop you?
- Modest collaboration needs: While it’s easy to get the support of a remote team, working from home is easier when you’re almost completely independent. A small business in which you only answer to a handful of clients and one or two colleagues (if any) allows for more freedom. Then you can truly work on your own terms and see your small business idea through to fruition.