50 Small Business Ideas to Start

Many people who evaluate the option of entrepreneurship find an early hurdle in defining what exactly they will do. Not everyone understands that the logic of identifying and conceiving a business requires a simple, practical, modest initial approach. 

It is small business ideas that make long-term ventures viable, sustainable, and profitable.

These are 50 small business ideas to start. None require large resources or investments.

1. “Handyman” (multiple service offer):

Are you always fixing things at home? Is it the help friends turn to when they need to solve or complete something? Then you can start a multi-service home or office business. There are millions of clients for this.

Build a website, find out how much your time and expertise are worth, and offer your services. Help people solve these small but important problems of daily life. Start with the references that friends and family can provide. This is a small business at birth, but it can scale remarkably.

2. Carpentry:

If you are passionate about making beautiful furniture or other household items, there is a public demand for that. Register your pieces on sites like Etsy, eBay, or local classifieds. Once you have an echo, consider building a website, accepting custom orders, or expanding into painting and upholstery jobs.

3. Online dating consultant:

Among small business ideas, this one is rapidly expanding. The market is wide and the generic demand is almost universal. Appointment consultants charge for their time. They help people create online dating profiles, search for matches outside the virtual world, and give personalized advice to be successful in commendation. If you think you have a knack for this, consider turning it into a business.

4. Specialist in sewing and garment arrangement:

People always need their clothes in good condition (“the patched buttons”). In this “throwaway economy,” sewing and repair services are not easy to find. If you like to sew, start by offering simple services, such as those mentioned above, and expand your reach to tailoring and design as you develop customers and demand.

5. Autonomous developer of WEB pages:

Starting from the creation of sites for small businesses, to the point of providing technical assistance services to projects, quality WEB development is in great demand today. If you have these technical skills, describe what you do in easy-to-understand language. Put your message to the test with friends and family and then bring it to market.

6. Personal trainer:

Offer in-home consultation and counseling: personalized nutrition, exercise, and training programs. Create an “Instagram” profile with inspirational quotes, free exercise videos, and delicious snack ideas. This is the common way fitness gurus build their brands.

7. Freelance graphic designer:

Of all the small business ideas being discussed, this is one of the most in-demand today. Graphic design is very important for growing virtual communication.

Pick your projects, set your own hours, and build a portfolio and a business to be proud of. Websites, blogs, and many companies are looking for experienced graphic designers for all types of projects.

8. Life/career coach:

If you have experience, apply it as a life or career coach for other people. Many seek guidance to direct their careers, and finding someone with time to guide them is not easy. Life/career coaches are not cheap, but they can offer the training and advice you need to take serious steps in your personal and professional life. Everyone needs uplifting advice.

9. Writer of Resumes, “Curriculum Vitae” and other professional presentations:

Submitting a resume, cover letter, and if necessary a portfolio to apply for a job can be difficult and time-consuming. That’s why people hire help. Collaborate with your clients with personalized resumes, well-edited cover letters, and carefully crafted portfolios. That these documents cannot be ignored by employers.

10. Freelance writer:

If you have writing skills, someone is willing to pay you for them. Write blog posts, magazine articles, and website content. Make sure you have a portfolio of your work ready to share with potential clients. Even if they are small pieces of your work, having them on hand will help showcase your talent and generate business.

11. Translator:

Do you know a foreign language very well? Start translation service. Consider specializing in a specific genre – medical or financial translation, for example, as you may be able to meet a specific need in your community.

12. Garden designer:

Many people are willing to do their dirty work in their backyards, but few know to design appropriate spaces and environments. Create designs for your clients’ outdoor spaces and let them do the work.

13. Owner of an e-commerce store:

Create, collect or trade something special? Consider starting an e-commerce store and turning your hobby into a full-time job. Whether you need a place to sell the crafts you’ve been producing or a space to display the sports memorabilia you love. An e-commerce store can make these concerns financially viable as long as they remain your passion.

14. Landscaper:

Small business ideas emerge from all kinds of activities. Mowing, pruning trees, and decorating green areas are some of them. It adjusts to each season and is a specific need for neighborhoods. If you have or can afford the equipment, a landscaping business is quite lucrative.

15. Cameraman:

Video productions require up-front investments in equipment, which can be expensive. But the services of a cameraman are very valuable. Make sure you always have a tape with details of your work to share with potential stakeholders. Also plan to create a WEB site with the exhibition of your work for those who need professional support in their video filming.

16. Photographer:

Start by holding photoshoots for your family and friends. As you build a volume of work, ask for references. Photography businesses typically grow from personal referrals, so create a Facebook page where you can tag recent clients who will appear on your friends’ news walls.

17. Trip planner:

It may be true that the conventional travel agent is going out of style, but people are still looking for people to coordinate non-traditional trips. If you always plan the perfect vacation, with beautiful hotels, ideal locations, and delicious restaurants every night, consider advertising your services as a more modern way of planning trips.

18. Specialist in “Car-Detailing” or automotive aesthetics:

The devil is in the details and you can be too. Aesthetic and “retail” vehicle care services are in great demand (cleaning, paint polishing, detail repair). Make sure you have flexibility in work and cleaning equipment that can be transported where the customer is.

19. Cleaning of houses/offices:

This business has low barriers to entry. Consider posting ads to homes in your neighborhood and also look for small businesses as clients.

20. Personal chef:

Everyone loves to eat, but few have the time or energy to cook delicious and healthy meals. Advertise your services to families and businesses alike. Consider “dividing” customers (eg vegetarians) into groups, to cook in larger quantities and take advantage of economies of scale.

21. Property manager:

Small business ideas are often associated with niche markets. This is one of those cases. Many people maintain properties that they do not live in, often located in different cities or states. It is helpful for them to have someone who makes sure the property is well cared for, also takes care of minor repairs as they arise, and liaises with potential tenants.

22. Facilitator of packaging services:

Moving is always complex, and many people prefer to hire packing processes. If you want to get into this business and have a steady stream of clients, partner with a local moving service that frequently recommends new contracts.

23. Masseuse:

Contribute to calm and better stress management of people. Look for training/certification courses. Invest in a specialized bed and some basic equipment for client visits. It is a business that you can manage with total control of your time and progressively scale it.

24. Hairdresser or makeup artist:

Specialized hair and makeup services in clients’ homes or offices are highly sought after today.

25. Interior designer:

It is similar to the case of landscape design. Many people can buy the furniture and decoration they need in their homes, but few know how to do it and where to start. It may take some time to develop a client portfolio, but documenting the projects done and sharing them online creates a fan base for your work that makes it very profitable over time.

26. Owner of a non-profit organization:

It seems that this is not part of small business ideas, because it is not economically profitable, but nothing is further from the truth. Non-profit organizations can have a substantial impact on the community and involve many interests.

When well managed, they provide important social relationships and rewards in professional salaries and fees. Similarly, many countries have special tax regimes for this and thus contribute to the profitability of the project.

Considering any type of social entrepreneurship is always a good idea.

27. Tourist guide:

Do you like the history of your city or country? Consider becoming a tour guide. You may need to do a lot of research to get the job done, but that’s fun too. Set yourself apart by offering sightseeing tours in a niche in your community’s history. Some tour guides offer historical walking tours of the most representative places of their city, while others organize guided gastronomic tours so that guests can enjoy the true flavor of the place. It’s all a matter of ingenuity.

28. Tutor:

Whether you’re a math whiz, a piano teacher, or a Shakespearean, there is someone who needs your help and is willing to pay for it. Advertise your services through local schools, colleges, and community centers so that people will find out and start building a customer base.

29. Consultant (see options for this in ” 51 Market niches for a coach, consultant or expert “):

If you have significant experience or knowledge on a particular topic, consider becoming a consultant. Perhaps you are an expert in hiring practices, know SEO, or have led successful sales teams. If you’re good at something, promote yourself as a consultant and collect a fee for your work.

30. Owner of a clothing boutique:

A typical case among small business ideas. If you dream of a fashion empire, why not start with a local boutique? Build buzz with great storefronts, inspiring social media accounts, and great community engagement. If ingenuity and creativity exist, the rest is not expensive or complicated (unlike what many believe).

31. Event planner:

You can choose to specialize in a specific type of event: weddings or business meetings. Or it can be set as a general event planner. If you are organized, pay close attention to detail, and have experience planning large events, it is time for others to benefit from your skills.

32. Owner of a specialized food store:

Gourmet foods, cheeses, sake, wine. You name a portion of food and food stores specializing in them. You can put your passion for exotic olive oils to good use (to take one example), and open a store where you offer your expertise and service to an audience that cannot find the same in a conventional store.

33. Personal assistant:

If you are organized and handle the details well, a career as a personal assistant might be ideal for you. There is increasing demand for these tasks. And now they do not need to be done in person. The virtual assistant can work thousands of miles away carrying agendas, calendars, email management, appointments, book registration, customer support, etc. It is an opportunity to work for any person or company in another part of the world.

34. Owner of a food truck:

Have you dreamed of owning a restaurant but are not ready to take the plunge? Put your concepts to the test with a food truck. It’s a great way to get acquainted with the business. See what people like and dislike, and build a voracious audience before opening or investing in a physical location.

35. Owner of a consignment store:

If you have good taste in style or fashion but don’t want to invest in a new boutique inventory, consider activating a consignment store. This is one of the small business ideas that can be negotiated with suppliers and manufacturers.

It’s not as hard as it looks. A consignment clothing store allows you to select highly personalized clothing collections and to serve customers with great exclusivity. The investments and expenses that are saved in the inventory, can be applied in other aspects that reinforce the positive experience of the client.

36. “Catering” provider:

If the personal chef job is too restrictive for your schedule, consider catering. Pick your projects, work on fewer but bigger events, and be good at managing time for your contracts.

37. Gym owner:

Kickboxing gyms, yoga studios, CrossFit, etc. There is more variety than ever before. Turn your passion for fitness into a community.

38. Owner of a nursery:

Childcare is still in high demand, and good daycare is hard to find. Solve this unmet need in your neighborhood by opening yours. And, as always, make sure you meet the zoning, licensing, insurance, and inspection requirements of your city or state.

39. Owner of an agency:

What is your specialty? Whether it’s marketing, social media, or public relations, it might be time to start your own agency. Many small businesses need these services but do not have the resources or volume to qualify for a full-time position. Consider creating a small team and learning from other entrepreneurs who have successfully started their own agencies.

40. Owner of a cafeteria:

One of the most flexible and potential small business ideas. Turn your caffeine addiction into a lucrative one. Opening a franchise or buying an existing store are less risky ways to enter the business, but require more investment. Starting a store from scratch takes more planning and a lot of work, but it also maximizes your profit potential in the future.

41. Moving company:

A correct truck, moving equipment, labor, permits, and insurance are the building blocks for starting your own moving business. However, before you buy your first fleet of trucks, start with a truck and keep your costs down. And if it still seems like an excessive initial investment, consider offering only packaging services. It is an excellent entry into the business.

42. Dog walker, groomer, or trainer:

This is a business that does not stop growing. More and more people have pets and demand specific and guaranteed services for them. A personalized and safe approach to the client open any of these options: animal care, walks, hairdressing, training, food delivery, etc.

43. Self-employed from home:

You can work from home and be your own boss. Use your skills to activate business in the field of your choice:

• Writing
• SEO
• Transcription
• Design
• Illustration
• Coding / programming
• Consultant

44. Social networks administrator:

Have a gift for social media? As an administrator of them, you can use your skills to manage the accounts of companies or individuals. Influencer marketing has become common, and many of them are looking for agencies or people to help them manage their social channels.

45. Assistant for data entry and management:

Many companies are looking for people to help them enter specific data into their information systems and spreadsheets. If you have computer and typing skills, this could be the business for you.

46. Electronic commerce:

With the rise of e-commerce and how easy it is to connect with shoppers online, there is a great opportunity to market and sell products on WEB. Whether you choose to build your own, work with wholesale distributors, or go the dropshipping route, you can build a successful business by managing the technical, marketing, and logistics aspects well.

47. Audio or video editor:

More and more people are listening to podcasts and watching videos on social media. For this reason, companies are turning to audiovisual content to connect with consumers. 

The problem is that many organizations do not have the time to invest in content production or lack the skills to do so. Audio and video editors are in high demand when it comes to producing quality content for expectant audiences. This is one of the small business ideas that best fit the virtual market trends.

48. Announcers:

When it comes to podcasts and videos, many content creators recognize the value and professionalism that good broadcasters can bring to their projects. There is demand for introductions and farewells to podcasts, voiceovers, narration for explanatory videos, and voice work for recording audiobooks.

49. Pet sitter:

Which is not the same as providing them with specific services or products. Rather, take care of them while the owners work or are on vacation. Stay the pet in your home or visit your home.

50. Holiday host:

Have you ever used a shared living service instead of a hotel? You could earn a living by hosting visitors in your own home, or by renting a room. Consider hosting businesses like Airbnb, Vrbo, or Homestay.

Never before has the global economy and the markets where it runs, provided more small business ideas or better opportunities to do so. 

Never before! Entry barriers are not high, and capital or knowledge needs are not insurmountable. It is the era of entrepreneurship, of people who are willing to seriously investigate the possibilities and take a step forward.