1,500+ Business Ideas to Start in 2023 [Updated]

Table Of Contents−

Introduction

Are you a current or prospective entrepreneur looking for your next business idea?

When I started my first business, I had many ideas and wasn’t sure which one to choose. I created a business naming startup (along with Jumpcoast four years later). But I had ideas as varied as a bulk meal shipping service, career coaching, and a batch geo-mapping service.

Part of the challenge in choosing a business idea was knowing what was out there. With a complete list, I would have had an easier time choosing, as I would have known the full range of options. So in this post, I set out to create the list I didn’t have and compile the internet’s most extensive list of business ideas.

The goal of this post is to help spark your creativity and get you thinking about all the possibilities for your business.

Whether you’re looking to start a side hustle or a full-time business, there’s an idea on this list for every interest, skill level, and budget. You can start many of these ideas for little more than the cost of a domain name.

Start exploring our business ideas now and take the first step towards building your own successful business!

Navigating This Post

This is an enormous post that covers a massive range of ideas, ranging from small business ideas to startup ideas. You probably have some idea of things that you’re not interested in – for example, as someone who can barely draw stick figures, I wouldn’t be interested in starting an art business.

I created a table of contents to make it easier for you to scan through the post. It’s on the left side on desktop and at the top of the post on mobile. You can click on a link to navigate to whatever section strikes your fancy.

Another option is using the “find” function on your browser. You can try searching for a few keywords you’re interested in and go from there.

Online Business Ideas (Low-Cost and Beginner-Friendly)

Affiliate Marketing: Affiliate marketing is a business model in which you promote other people’s products or services and earn a commission on each sale. It’s a competitive space but offers significant passive income potential.

Blogging: While some people blog for fun, others have turned blogging into a full-fledged business. Successful bloggers can earn a significant income from their writing by finding a niche market and providing helpful content. In addition to advertising revenue, blogging can generate income through affiliate marketing and sponsored posts.

Bookkeeping Service: Bookkeeping is one of the most important aspects of running a business. Without accurate books, it’s impossible to file accurate taxes or make sound financial decisions. If you have experience in bookkeeping and are looking for a business idea, you can consider starting your own bookkeeping service. Depending on their needs, you could work with clients remotely or meet them in person.

Branding Consultant: Branding consultants help businesses develop and implement branding strategies. This can involve anything from creating a new logo to developing a brand identity. As a branding consultant, you need to understand marketing and design principles. You also need to communicate effectively with clients to understand their needs and objectives.

Digital Marketing Agency: A digital marketing agency is a business that provides marketing services to businesses and organizations. They offer a wide range of services, including SEO, content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, and pay-per-click advertising services. The key to success in this business is to offer high-quality services and to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends. Additionally, it is essential to build strong relationships with clients so that they will continue to use your services in the future.

Domain Name Investing: Domain name investing involves buying, selling, and leasing domain names (like Google.com or Yelp.com). It can be lucrative, as domain names can be leased or sold for a profit (typically at $2,000 or more). To get an idea of how this business works, check out Squadhelp’s “domains for sale” search engine or DNAcademy.

Dropshipping: Dropshipping is a business model in which eCommerce entrepreneurs sell products without having to carry any inventory. When a store owner receives an order from a customer, they contact the supplier, who will ship the product directly to the customer’s door. Dropshipping is a great way to start an online business with little up-front investment, and it’s also perfect for entrepreneurs looking for a flexible, low-risk business model.

Freelance Writing: If you enjoy writing, you can make money by offering your services as a freelance writer. You can work from home and set your own hours. For more information on freelance writing, check out the “Freelance Writing Business Ideas” section below or Elna Cain’s WriteTo1K course.

Graphic Design: Graphic designers create visual content to communicate messages. Graphic design appears in various communication mediums, such as print, web, television, and film. To be successful, graphic designers must have a strong portfolio that showcases their skills and ability to meet client needs. They must also be able to market themselves effectively and build relationships with potential clients.

Lead Generation: Lead generation is the process of attracting and converting strangers into leads, typically for sales or marketing. If you start a lead generation service, you can generate leads for clients and charge a fee in return. Some options for generating leads include LinkedIn messaging, generating organic traffic, and cold email outreach.

Naming Consultant: A naming consultant is a professional who helps companies and organizations choose names for their products, services, and businesses. Naming consultants use various methods to come up with names that are creative, memorable, and aligned with the client’s branding goals. To learn more about naming consultants, check out the websites of top naming agencies on Clutch.

Podcasting: Podcasting is a great way to earn money while sharing your interests and ideas with the world. After you get an audience, you can make money via sponsorships and affiliate marketing. Assuming you already own a computer, the startup costs are super affordable.

Sell Online Courses: If you are knowledgeable about a particular topic and enjoy teaching others, a great way to monetize it is by selling online courses. You can create a course on any topic, and many platforms make it easy to sell your courses. Creating a course takes time and effort, but after you make it, you can sell it repeatedly. Courses come at various price points, from $20 Udemy courses to $10,000+ courses with a one-on-one coaching component.

SEO Agency: SEO agencies help clients improve their visibility on search engines. They offer various services, such as content writing, building links on other websites, technical site audits, and keyword research. SEO agencies can make money through monthly retainers or on a project basis. Either way, SEO agencies aim to help their clients earn more search engine traffic, which can lead to more leads and sales.

Social Media Management: Most business owners often don’t have time to keep their social media platforms up-to-date, which is where a social media manager comes in. Social media managers typically develop strategies for content creation, engage with customers and followers, and monitor results. Social media management businesses usually make money by charging clients a monthly fee for their services.

Software Testing: Tons of companies are writing software today, and tons of bugs result from the software development process. Software testers come in to find those bugs and report them. Most software testers work for businesses or large QA agencies, but you can also work independently using freelance platforms like Upwork.

Subscription Boxes: Subscription boxes have become a popular way for people to receive products every month. These boxes can contain anything from clothes to gifts to food. The businesses make money by marking up the purchased products, then charging a monthly fee for the box. It’s possible to start it with limited investment, as you can create each box when an order comes in to pay for it.

Tech Support: Have you ever known someone who had a problem with a computer or a similar device? They might have hired a tech support business to fix their problem. Tech support businesses can help set up new devices, troubleshoot problems, and provide general advice. Tech support businesses can make money by charging an hourly rate or creating monthly and annual plans.

Video Production: Video production is the process of creating videos for clients. Some potential niches include creating commercials, shooting weddings, or creating “explainer” videos. To start a video production business, you will need field experience and access to the necessary equipment. You will also need to create a portfolio to showcase to potential clients.

Virtual Assistant: Virtual assistants work as remote assistants to businesses and individuals. These services can range from administrative tasks, like scheduling appointments or managing emails, to more creative assignments, like social media marketing or web design. Because they don’t have the overhead costs of traditional office space, they can often offer their services at a lower rate than a traditional assistant. As a result, virtual assistant businesses can be very profitable.

Web Design Agency: A web design agency creates websites for clients. They usually create websites on WordPress, SquareSpace, and Wix, but some agencies also offer custom web development. Web design agencies can charge on a per-project basis, or monthly to keep the website up-to-date and running smoothly. There are also numerous opportunities to enhance revenue with partnerships and affiliate marketing.

Web Development Agency: Web development and web design agencies have similar functions. The critical difference is that a web design agency is more focused on how things look, while a web development agency is more focused on how things work. There is plenty of overlap between the services, but starting a web development agency requires a coding background.

YouTube Channel: YouTube is competitive, but it can be highly profitable if you follow the right strategy. To start a YouTube channel, you only need a smartphone camera or screen recording software. After you upload videos, YouTube will help you monetize them with advertising. You can also monetize YouTube channels through sponsorships, merchandise sales, and affiliate marketing. The more viewers you get, the more money you’ll make.

Home-Based Business Ideas

Bike Repair Business: Are you great at fixing bikes? You can start your own bike repair business with just a few tools and a little bit of knowledge. The simplest way to make money is by charging for services, but over time you can expand and offer bikes for sale, tours, and bike rentals. It’s important to pick a name that will allow you to expand your services over time.

Child Proofing Business: A child proofing business helps families make their homes safer for children. Typically, you’ll spend your time installing latches, gates, and knob covers. You can charge on an hourly basis, or on a per-project basis. Another idea is purchasing some of the products for clients, and then marking up the price to increase profits.

Christmas Light Installation Business: Many people want Christmas Lights, but don’t have the time or skill to set them up. Starting a Christmas light installation business will enable you to reach those clients and charge them a fee for the set up. For more elaborate displays, you can charge for an initial consultation. You can also charge maintenance fees for people who install the lights on a permanent basis.

Clothing Reseller: A clothing reseller is a business that buys clothing from other stores or individuals and then sells it to customers at a higher price. To start a clothing reseller business, you need to have a good knowledge of clothing brands, styles, and sizes. You also need to be able to find clothing at a low price. There are many ways to find clothing at a low cost, such as through garage sales, thrift stores, or online websites. Once you discover clothing at a low cost, you can sell it on your website or online marketplaces such as eBay, Amazon, or Poshmark.

Dog Grooming Business: Tons of people have dogs nowadays, so dog grooming can be a very profitable business. Some services you can offer include bathing, nail clipping, and fur trimming. It’s possible to get started for a low cost by providing services directly at the dog owner’s home. Eventually, you can lease your own space and have the customers come to you. As the pet industry continues to grow, dog grooming businesses are well-positioned to take advantage of this trend.

Doula Business: Are you fascinated by pregnancies and births? If so, becoming a doula might be a great option. Doulas typically offer services such as emotional and physical support, assistance with medical decisions, and access to resources for postpartum care. Doula businesses make money through charging an hourly rate for providing these services. They may also offer different packages depending on the amount of service a family needs.

Drone Business: Drone photography businesses are becoming increasingly popular as technology develops. By using drones, photographers can capture images and footage from angles and perspectives that were previously impossible. This has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for marketing, advertising, and event coverage. Drone photography businesses typically make money by selling their services to clients who wish to use drone-captured imagery for their purposes. In addition, many drone photography businesses also sell stock photos and videos, allowing customers to purchase drone footage for their use.

Electronics Recycling Business: Recycling electronics is a great way to reduce waste, conserve resources, and protect the environment – and you can make money while doing it. One way to get electronics is by partnering with businesses or organizations that regularly upgrade their electronics (like schools, large corporations, and government agencies). You can charge a fee for the service, and sell components like gold, copper, and silver to manufacturers or other types of buyers.

Electronics Repair Business: If you are great at fixing electronics, starting an electronic repair business may be a good option. Some options include offering a mobile service, opening a kiosk in a mall, or contracting with an established service. Usually, you’ll want to provide a warranty on your repairs. You can specialize in a specific service, such as washer/dryer, motor, or iPhone screen repair.

English Teaching Business: A language teaching business has a simple goal – to help people learn languages! Teachers typically make money by charging a service fee, either by the hour or for a course/seminar. Depending on the size of the business, it might also generate revenue from other activities, such as selling materials and organizing events.

Etsy Shop: You’ve probably heard of Etsy, but if not, it’s an online marketplace for handmade, vintage, and other “unique items.” With Etsy, you can get access to their network of buyers, but will need to pay a commission on every sale.

Home Day Care Business: A home daycare business provides child care services to families in their home. These businesses are usually small, with the provider caring for a limited number of children. It can be a great idea if you already take care of your own children, as you’ll be able to make money while taking care of them each day.

Home Staging Business: A home staging business helps real estate agents and homeowners make their homes more presentable for sale. Typically, a home stager has an interior design background with interior design. Home staging can involve anything from decluttering and organizing the home to making largescale changes to the home’s decor. Home stagers typically charge by the hour or by the project, and they often work on multiple homes at a time. Given that home staging can increase the home’s sale price by tens of thousands of dollars, it can be a very profitable business.

House Cleaning: A house cleaning business is simple – charging customers to clean their homes. It’s super affordable to get started, as you likely have a lot of the equipment in your own home. You can clean the houses yourself, then start hiring other cleaners to work for your business.

Massage Therapy: If you have a background or certification in massage therapy, you can start a business providing massage services to clients. Massage therapists typically learn their trade through massage therapy school, although some may apprentice with a more experienced massage therapist. Massage therapists can work in various settings, including spas, chiropractic offices, and hospitals. Typically, massage therapists charge by the hour, and most massage sessions last for 60 minutes.

Professional Organizer: Do you like Marie Kondo? If so, you might be interested in starting a professional organizing business like her. You’ll help people better manage their environments, lifestyle, and schedule by decluttering, creating storage solutions, and implementing systems. Most organizers charge an initial consultation fee and an hourly rate for ongoing work. Usually, home organizing is a one-off transaction unless your client has multiple homes or businesses.

Senior Care Business: A senior care business provides care and assistance to older seniors. The business may provide transportation, meals, laundry, housekeeping, and personal care services like bathing and dressing. You can run your business directly at the senior’s home or contract with senior housing facilities or nursing homes. Senior care businesses make money by charging clients for their services. Some businesses may also receive reimbursements from government programs or private insurance companies.

Tour Guide: If you’re in a city that attracts tourists, you can start your own tour guide business. You can organize tours on your own or partner with a tour company that offers packages. Tour guides typically make money by charging a fee for their services and getting customer tips. You can also partner with local businesses such as restaurants, and they may pay you a fee for bringing customers to their establishment.

Tutoring Business: If you are knowledgeable in a specific area related to academics, you can open a tutoring business. You can charge an hourly rate for your services or offer packages for students who want to purchase in bulk. It’s possible to run the business in your own home, go to your client’s home, or partner with an established franchise like Kumon or Mathnasium.

Freelance Writing Business Ideas

Starting your own freelance writing business is a great way to make money from home. You can work as much or as little as you want and choose your clients.

One of the best ways to get started is by picking a niche. By selecting a niche, you can act as a specialist and command higher rates than a pure generalist. I do this with Jumpcoast’s SEO content writing service, focusing only on creating optimized content for search engines.

Within each niche, you also have the option of picking an industry. For example, you can pick case study writing as a niche, and specialize in working with software as a service (SaaS) companies.

If you’re interested in freelance writing, I highly recommend Elna Cain’s $195 WriteTo1K course. I purchased her course myself, and the content is fantastic. It also has a great community of freelance writers if you want to connect with others or ask questions.

Here’s a list of popular freelance writing niches:

SEO Content Writing: If you have a strong grasp of SEO and content creation, you can create SEO-optimized blog posts. To learn more about this niche, check out our SEO content writing service page.

Article Writing: Write articles that are more journalistic in nature. These might require interviews or in-depth research. It’s typical of what you’d see in a newspaper or magazine.

B2B Writing: B2B stands for “Business to Business.” With B2B writing, you create content for businesses looking to sell to other businesses.

Copywriting: Business owners want to create content that makes them money. As a copywriter, you can write engaging copy that helps turn prospects into leads or buyers.

Copyediting: Writers sometimes need a second pair of eyes on their content, or complete content re-writes. Copyediting can include grammar, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, and more. I offer an SEO-focused copyediting service – feel free to click the link if you want to learn more about it.

Case Study Writing: Case study writing helps potential customers learn more about how a product or service has worked for another company. They’re typically used as a marketing tool to increase leads or sales.

Curriculum Writing: Write curriculums for educators or online course creators.

eBook Writing: Write in-depth eBooks for yourself or clients.

Ghostwriting: With ghostwriting, you’ll write for clients in the background. When the final product is completed, it will be as if they wrote it themselves.

Grant Writing: Create research proposals to get funding from government agencies or other grant-issuing organizations.

Press Release Writing: When launching a new product or service, businesses may want to announce it to the world by creating a press release. Press release writing involves creating and framing those press releases so journalists and customers are interested in the product or service.

Resume Writing: Help job-seekers write better resumes for their job search.

Social Media Writing: Create social media posts and content.

Technical Writing: Write how-to and help documents in technical niches, such as software as a service. Typically, technical writers have a background in the niche they are writing in, such as coding or web design.

Website Content Writing: Write copy for a company’s core website pages. Examples of what you can write include service pages, about pages, FAQ pages, product description pages, and more.

White Paper Writing: White papers are similar to case studies but more intensive. White paper writing is a lucrative business, but the content is usually pretty academic and informative.

Business Ideas for Beginners

Airbnb Host: Becoming an Airbnb host can be a great way to make extra money. You can list your space and set a price, then rent it out to paying guests when you’re not using it. One excellent option is to rent your home as an Airbnb and go on vacation yourself, which will heavily subsidize your vacation cost.

Carsharing: If you’re interested in renting your vehicle, you can sign up for a car-sharing service. One great way to get started is by signing up for Turo, which can be described as “Airbnb for Cars.”

Cleaning Business: If you’re known for your cleanliness, you can monetize that skill by becoming a house cleaner! This is an excellent business if you want recurring income, as clients will typically hire you to come bi-weekly or monthly. Eventually, you can grow the company to have a team of cleaners working for you.

Complete Surveys: There are many paid online survey sites, including Google Opinion Awards and MyPoints.com. To learn more, try searching on Google for a term like “complete surveys and make money.”

Courier Business: Courier services charge individuals or companies for the delivery of their packages and documents. Most documents handled by a courier service are important, so you’ll want to get insurance to cover potential liability. Otherwise, the process is simple and similar to other delivery businesses.

Crowdsourcing Brand Names: If you love naming things, you can crowdsource brand names for companies like Squadhelp and Crowdspring. One caveat with starting this business is that you might do a lot of work for little pay. For example, Crowdspring pays $200 to the winner of a contest with 100 names, meaning each name is worth $2 on average. If you’re good at it and can send off names quickly, you’ll probably be able to make more than $2 for each submission.

Delivery Business: In today’s age of eCommerce, delivery businesses have become increasingly popular. You can pick up goods from suppliers, then transport them to their destination. Companies like Amazon have delivery service partner programs and market them as being able to grow your own business.

Dog Walking Business: If you love dogs, you can make money by starting a dog walking business. This business has high recurring income potential, as busy owners typically need their pets walked daily.

DoorDash Driver: If you want to pick up takeout and groceries for clients, you can make some extra money by becoming a DoorDash driver. DoorDash is a better option than Uber (mentioned below) for introverts, as you’ll only interact with people during the pickup and dropoff.

Handyman Business: If you’re good at fixing things (I’m not), you can start a handyman business. You can focus on assembling difficult items that clients purchase, making minor home repairs, or all of the above. Handyman businesses have strong recurring revenue potential, as clients typically return to the same handyman repeatedly.

Medical Transcription Business: Medical transcriptionists transcribe voice recordings from physicians and other healthcare workers. Transcriptionists are super important to medical providers in creating medical records and billing insurers. To be successful in this business, you’ll need to

Personal Shopper: If you have a strong sense of style, you can try personal shopping for clients. Many people don’t understand their style well, so you can help them by providing fashionable options that meet their needs. As you gain experience, you can apply to work as a personal shopper in stores like Bloomingdale’s or Bergdorf Goodman.

Pet Sitting Business: As a pet sitter, you take care of animals in their homes or your home. You can combine this with a house-sitting business when clients go on vacation. Packages are flexible – some people may want you to be there the whole day, while others may want check-ins to ensure their pets are fed and doing well.

Starting a Podcast: If you want to connect with an audience, podcasting can be a great way to make extra income. There are plenty of options to monetize a podcast, such as subscriptions, sponsorships, merchandising, and exclusive episodes.

Translation Business: If you’re fluent in two languages, you can help clients translate their documents or content into different languages.

Uber or Lyft Driver: If you like driving and conversation, becoming an Uber or Lyft driver is a great way to make money. You can set your schedule and earn wherever you are, even if you’re on vacation! All you need is a car in good condition and to complete Uber and Lyft’s account activation process.

Voiceover Business: If people tell you your voice belongs on the radio, consider starting a voiceover business. To get started, you need basic recording equipment and a website to showcase your portfolio. The interview process can be super easy – after the clients hear your voice, they’ll get most of what they need to know!

Accounting & Bookkeeping Business Ideas

Accounting and bookkeeping blogger
Accounting coach
Accounting software implementation
Accounts payable and accounts receivable management
Becoming an IRS Enrolled Agent
Bookkeeping service
Budgeting and forecasting
Business tax planning and compliance
Credit repair business
Financial analysis and financial modeling
Financial statement preparation
Forensic accounting business
Internal auditor
Online payment service
Payroll processing
QuickBooks training and support
Risk management consulting business
Selling financial models and accounting templates
Separating personal and business finances for tax time
SOX compliance business

Agriculture Business Ideas

Agriculture/farm life blog
Agri-tourism business
Agroforestry business
Alpaca farm
Beef farm/cattle ranch
Beekeeping business
Bison farm
Camel farm
Clam farm
Composting facility
Crab farm
Dairy farm
Deer farm
Ecofriendly fertilizer production
Egg farm
Elk farm
Emu farm
Exotic animal farm
Farm equipment sales, rentals, and leasing
Farm-based animal grooming or boarding business
Farm-based B&B or vacation rental. (I hear there’s a good one in Scranton, PA.)
Farm-based consulting or coaching business
Farm-based event venue
Farm-based financial planning or insurance business
Farm-based membership or subscription service (such as a farm box delivery service)
Farm-based product business (such as making jams, jellies, or pickles)
Farm-based retail store
Farm-based retreat or wellness center
Farmers’ market stand
Fish farm
Floral arrangement service
Flower farm or floristry business
Fruit orchard or fruit farm
Goat farm
Grain farm
Greenhouse or hydroponics business
Herb or spice farm
Hobby farm
Horse boarding stable
Livestock auction house
Livestock feedlots
Llama farm
Lobster farm
Mushroom farm
Organic farm
Ostrich farm
Oyster farm
Pig farm
Plant nursery
Poultry farm
Poultry hatchery
Quail farm
Seed production
Sheep farm
Shrimp farm
Silkworm farm
Sustainable agriculture consulting
Tree farming or forestry business
Turkey farm
Vegetable farm
Winery or vineyard

Automotive Business Ideas

Auto body shop
Auto customization business
Auto detailing
Auto paint supply store
Auto repair shop
Auto salvage yard
Boat and watercraft repair shop
Brake installation and repair service
Car accessory store
Car audio installation service
Car dealership
Car financing and loan company
Car insurance agency
Car leasing company
Car parts supplier
Car rental service
Car storage facility
Car upholstery repair service
Car wash
Car window tinting service
Car wrapping service
EV charging station installation and maintenance business
Exhaust system muffler shop
Exotic car rental service
Fleet maintenance and management service
Junk car removal
Mobile car washing service
Mobile mechanic service
Mobile oil change service
Motorcycle repair and customization shop
OEM replacement parts store
Off-road equipment retailer
Online car seller
Parts disassembler/recycler
Performance tuning shop
Providing emergency roadside assistance
Racing performance parts and services business
Refurbishing and restoring classic cars
RV and camper repair and maintenance service
Tire center
Transportation and logistics company
Used car dealership

Art Business Ideas

Art appraisal
Art blogging
Art consulting
Art education
Art events planning
Art gallery ownership
Art installation
Art licensing
Art storage and preservation
Custom framing
Digital art creation and sales
Event photography
Fine art printing
Graphic design
Illustration
Interior design
Mural painting
Online art sales
Original art commissions
Public art management
Sculpture creation and sales
Set design
Special effects makeup
Textile design
Virtual art tours
Web design for artists

Baby & Kid Business Ideas

Baby food production
Baby gear rental service
Baby or mom blog
Babysitting agency
Children’s app development
Children’s book publishing
Children’s clothing boutique
Children’s fitness center
Children’s furniture manufacturing
Children’s gardening classes
Children’s hair salon or barber
Children’s language classes
Children’s party planning and entertainment
Children’s photography business.
Children’s podcast
Children’s theater group
Children’s therapy services (e.g., speech therapy, occupational therapy)
Daycare center
Indoor playground
Kids’ art classes
Kids’ coding classes
Kids’ cooking blog or YouTube channel
Kids’ cooking classes
Kids’ dance classes
Kids’ educational game development
Kids’ science classes
Kids’ self-defense classes
Kids’ subscription box service
Music lessons for children
Pregnancy and childbirth education classes
Toy store

Care Business Ideas

Addiction treatment center
Adult day care facility
Alzheimer’s support group
Anticipatory grief counseling
Assisted living facility
Continuing care retirement community (CCRC)
Elder financial consultation
Fall prevention programs
Gardening and landscaping service for seniors
Geriatric case management services
Grocery shopping assistance
Health insurance consulting
Home automation design
Home cleaning and organization service for seniors
Home health care agency
Home medical equipment store
Home safety assessment and modification service
Hospice care service
Independent living facility
In-home personal care service for seniors
In-home pet care service for seniors
Laundry and errand service for seniors
Live-in caregiver
Massage therapy business
Medical billing and coding service
Medical equipment supply company
Medical spa
Medical transportation company
Medication management service for seniors
Memory care facility
Memory enhancement classes
Nutrition counseling/coaching
Pharmacy delivery service
Professional nursing agency
Respite care service
Senior activity center
Senior companion services
Senior financial planning and management service
Senior fitness and wellness program
Senior meal delivery service
Senior relocation and downsizing service
Senior technology support and training service
Skilled nursing facility (SNF)
Telemedicine platform for seniors
Virtual social engagement platform

Coffee & Café Business Ideas

Café combined with clothing boutique
Cappuccino bar
Coffee / café food truck business
Coffee bar for offices/schools/universities
Coffee bean subscription service (like Bean Box)
Coffee cart
Coffee delivery service
Coffee kiosk
Drive through coffee stand
Home-based coffee roasting business
Mobile coffee business
Organic coffee cafe
Popup cafe
Private-label coffee company
Roastery and tasting room
Rural cafe
Specialty coffee shop
Specialty roasted beans retailer
Standard coffee shop
Tea room
Weekend coffee truck

Cleaning Business Ideas

24-hour emergency cleaning service
Air duct cleaning
Airport cleaning service
Blinds, shades, and drapery cleaning
Boat and yacht cleaning services
Carpet and upholstery cleaning service
Commercial cleaning service
Construction site cleanup service
Disaster restoration service
Event cleaning services
Floor polishing and refinishing
Fumigation service
Gutter installation
Home organization and decluttering services
Hot tub maintenance service
Hotel cleaning services
HVAC cleaning service
Industrial facility cleaning service
Janitorial services
Medical facility cleaning services
Mold remediation
Odor removal service
Office cleaning service
Pest control services
Pet cleaning service
Pool maintenance service
Pressure washing service
Residential / home cleaning service
Restaurant cleaning service
Spa and salon cleaning service
Stadium and arena cleaning services
Tile and grout cleaning and sealing
Upholstery and fabric cleaning
Wallpaper removal service
Window cleaning service

Coaching Business Ideas

If you go on Instagram, you’ll find a coach for everything, from healthy eating to toddler behavior coaches. Here’s a list of some of the most common types of coaching businesses:

Academic coaching
Acupuncture coaching
Addiction coaching
Aromatherapy coaching
Art and design coaching
Business coaching
Career coaching
Communication coaching
Confidence coaching
Creativity coaching
Executive coaching
Fitness coaching
Health and wellness coaching
Healthy eating coach
High-performance coaching
Holistic health coaching
Leadership coaching
Life coaching
Lifestyle coaching
Marriage and relationship coaching
Mental health coaching
Mindfulness coaching
Motivational coaching
Nutrition coaching
Nutritional therapy coaching
Parenting coaching
Personal development coaching
Public speaking coaching
Sales coaching
Sports coaching
Stress management coaching
Study skills coaching
Success coaching
Time management coaching
Transition coaching
Weight loss coaching
Wellness coaching
Writing coaching
Youth coaching

Creative Business Ideas

Acupuncture practice
Art therapy practice
Audio engineering and music production
Bed and breakfast
Boutique hotel
Children’s party planning
Clothing design and production
Community garden and farm stand
Consignment shop
Cooking school
Etsy shop
Floral design
Hair salon (mobile or in-person)
Home cleaning and organization services
Home decorating
Home staging
Landscaping and gardening
Massage therapy
Nail salon
Personalized gift and novelty shop
Social media management
Talent agency
Teaching studio
Travel agency
Used book store

Delivery Business Ideas

Amazon delivery business
Appliance delivery and installation business
Automobile towing
Baby product rental home-delivery
Bicycle courier
Corporate gift delivery service
Courier service
Flower delivery service
Furniture delivery and assembly service
Garden supply and plant delivery service
Gourmet food and ingredient delivery service
Grocery delivery service
Laundry and dry cleaning delivery
Meal prep delivery service
Medical supply/medicine delivery services
Trash removal service

Design Business Ideas

3D printing design and services
Architectural design
Branding and identity design
Clothing and fashion design
Commercial interior design
Computer-aided design (CAD) services
Concept art
Corporate event design
Exhibition design
Game design
Graphic design
Illustration
Industrial design
Interior design
Landscape design
Lighting design
Logo design
Packaging design
Photography
Product design
Set design
Sound design
Space planning
Technical illustration
User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design
Vehicle design
Visual merchandising
Web design
Window display design

Drone Business Ideas

Cell tower inspections
Crowd surveillance
Drone data analysis
Drone delivery service
Drone flight training school
Drone inspection service
Drone insurance brokerage
Drone maintenance and repair service
Drone manufacturing
Drone mapping and surveying service
Drone photography and videography
Drone racing events
Drone rental service
Drone-based advertising and marketing campaigns
Drone-based construction site monitoring and analysis
Drone-based crop monitoring and analysis
Drone-based data center and infrastructure inspections
Drone-based disaster response and recovery operations
Drone-based environmental monitoring and analysis
Drone-based event coverage (e.g., weddings, concerts, sporting events)
Drone-based forestry and environmental monitoring
Drone-based research and development
Drone-based search and rescue operations
Drone-based security and surveillance
Drone-based shipping and logistics
Drone-based traffic monitoring and analysis
Drone-based weather data collection
Drone-based wildlife monitoring and conservation
Emergency disaster response
Environmental monitoring
Film and television location scouting
Film production assistance
Forest fire detection and prevention
Law enforcement support
Real estate photography/videography
Roof inspections
Search and rescue missions
Utility/power line inspection
Wildlife habitat surveys

Ecommerce Business Ideas

Art and craft supply store
Artisanal food products
Baby and children’s clothing store
Beauty salon supply store
Bed and bath store
Book store
Car and auto parts store
Coffee and tea shop
Comic book and collectible seller
Custom print shop
Designer apparel outlet
Digital reseller (eBooks, software, online courses, etc.)
Educational toys and games
Electronics store
Exotic meat store
Flower and plant shop
Garden and outdoor living store
Gift and novelty shop
Gift basket and specialty food store
Handmade crafts store
Health food store
Home appliance store
Home decor and furniture store
Home office supply store
Jewelry store
Kitchen and cookware store
Luxury automobile marketplace
Luxury goods boutique
Music equipment store
Niche collectibles
Online auto parts supplier
Online clothing store
Organic and natural products store
Outdoor gear and adventure store
Pet supply store
Secondhand marketplace
Shoe store
Sporting goods store
Sports memorabilia retailer
Subscription box service
Toy store
Vintage and antique items store

Education Business Ideas

After-school program administrator
Arts and crafts classes
Campus bookstore
Career counseling service
College admissions consultant
Continuing education provider
Early childhood education center
EdTech company
Education blogger
Education counseling services
Educational book publishing company
Educational consulting firm
Educational publishing company
Educational technology company
Educational tour operator
Educational toy or game company
Executive education program
International education consulting
Language school/tutoring
Mobile learning app developer
Mobile tutoring service
Online educational courses/platforms
Online lecture series
Professional development training provider
School sports programs
Special needs education center
Specialty class provider
Student organization support
Student travel agency
Study abroad consulting
Test prep services
Textbook rental service
Tutoring center

Entertainment Business Ideas

Acting school
Amusement park
Animation services
Arcade/family entertainment center
Art gallery
Board game cafe
Circus
Concert promoter/event planner
Dance studio
Escape room
Entertainment blogger
Film production company
Ice skating rink
Improv theater
Independent film production company
Indoor trampoline park
Karaoke business
Live music venue
Magic show
Mobile DJ service
Movie theater
Museum
Music lessons
Music production/recording studio
Music school
Online streaming platforms
Paint and sip studio
Party entertainment company (e.g., face painting, balloon animals)
Party rental business
Performance venue
Photography studio
Pottery studio
Standup comedy club
Talent agency
Theater
TV and radio production company
Video editing services
Video game development
Virtual reality arcade
Water park
Zoo or aquarium

Event Planning Business Ideas

Art showcases & concerts
Community event planning
Corporate event planning
Event app development and management
Event catering and food services
Event design and decoration
Event entertainment and talent booking
Event fundraising
Event insurance
Event management software development
Event marketing and promotion
Event photography and videography
Event planning blog
Event production
Event registration and ticketing
Event security and crowd management
Event staffing and personnel
Event sustainability and green initiatives
Event technology and av services
Event transportation and logistics
Festival and fair planning
Fundraisers and nonprofit event planning
Gala and award ceremony planning
Nonprofit event planning
Planning baby showers
Planning conferences, seminars, and symposiums
Planning family reunions
Quinceañeras/sweet 16s
Sports event planning
Team building activity planning
Trade show management
Trade show planning
Wedding and anniversary planning

Finance Business Ideas

Accounting and tax preparation services
Accounting firms
Blockchain and cryptocurrency-related services
Bookkeeping services
Business valuations
Commercial and residential lending
Commercial lending
Consumer finance and lending
Corporate and municipal bond trading
Corporate finance and restructuring
Corporate financial training and education
Corporate treasury and cash management
Credit and lending services
Credit card processing
Credit repair and debt consolidation services
Crowdfunding and peer-to-peer (p2p) lending
Crowdfunding platforms
Financial analysis and research
Financial consulting and advisory services
Financial data and analytics
Financial literacy education and coaching
Financial modeling and forecasting
Financial planning
Financial planning and wealth management
Financial risk management
Financial software development and licensing
Financial technology (fintech) development and consulting
Financial translation and localization services
Financial translation and localization services
Hedge fund management
Insurance brokerage/agency
Insurance sales and brokerage
Investment banking
Investment banking and advisory services
Mobile payment apps
Money transfer services
Mortgage brokerage and origination
Payroll and employee benefits management
Payroll solutions
Personal finance management and budgeting
Private equity firm
Real estate investment and development
Retirement plan consultancy
Retirement planning and 401(k) management
Robo-advisory services
Stock trading platforms
Tax preparation and advice
Venture capital and private equity
Wealth management

Fitness Business Ideas

Acrobatics classes
Adventure and wilderness fitness programs
Aerial fitness classes
Animal-assisted fitness programs and classes
Aqua aerobics and water fitness classes
Balance and coordination training classes
Barre and ballet-inspired fitness classes
Body composition and metabolic testing services
Boot camps and outdoor fitness classes
Calisthenics and bodyweight training classes
Children’s fitness classes and camps
Corporate wellness programs and workshops
Creating fitness DVDs
Creating fitness equipment
CrossFit and functional fitness training
Dance and Zumba classes
Fitness app development and consulting
Fitness blogging
Fitness equipment financing
Fitness equipment sales and service
Functional movement and mobility training
Group fitness classes
Gymnastics classes
Health and fitness retreats and workshops
Hiking and backpacking trips
Hula hooping and circus fitness classes
Ice skating classes
Indoor cycling and spin classes
Kayaking and paddleboarding classes
Kickboxing and boxing classes
Lifestyle and habit coaching
Martial arts and self-defense classes
Nutrition counseling and meal planning
Online fitness classes
Online fitness coaching
Opening a general-purpose gym
Personal training and coaching
Physical therapy and rehabilitation services
Pilates studio
Prenatal and postpartum fitness classes
Rock climbing gym
Running clubs and coaching
Senior fitness and fall prevention classes
Ski and snowboard fitness programs
Sports-specific training and coaching
Surf fitness and ocean swimming classes
Swimming and aquatics classes
TRX classes
Weightlifting and powerlifting training

Food Business Ideas

Bagelry
Bakery café
Bistro
Burger joint
Catering business
Child-friendly restaurant
Chocolate shop
Craft brewery or taproom
Cupcake shop
Deli
Ethnic food store
Family dining restaurant
Farm-to-table restaurant
Food blog or food-related social media platform
Food photography and styling service
Food processing and packaging business
Food tour company
Food truck
Food waste reduction consulting and education business
Fruit and vegetable stand
Gluten-free bakery, restaurant, or café
Gourmet food gift basket business
Ice cream shop
Korean BBQ
Meal planning service
Mediterranean restaurant
Mobile event bartending service
Opening a stand at a farmer’s market
Personal chef service
Pizza parlor
Plant-based or vegan food products
Popcorn station
Pop-up restaurant
Recipe development and testing service
Shaved ice shop
Smoothie and juice bar
Spanish tapas bar
Specialty food store
Standard restaurant
Sushi restaurant
Virtual cooking classes or workshops
Wine bar

Furniture Business Ideas

Antique furniture restoration and repair
Bespoke furniture design
Commercial furniture sales and leasing
Custom upholstery and reupholstery services
Furniture refinishing
Furniture rental and leasing
Furniture restoration and repair
Home consignment store
Home staging and interior design
Kitchen and bathroom cabinetry design and installation
Mattress sales and manufacturing
Outdoor furniture design and production
Recycled and repurposed furniture design and production
Refurbished furniture sales
Sustainable and eco-friendly furniture design and production
Upholstery fabric and supply sales
Used furniture sales
Vintage furniture sales
Wall units and built-in furniture design and installation
Window treatments and blinds sales and installation
Woodworking and custom carpentry services

Green Business Ideas

Many business ideas on this list can be made green. For example, you can offer a green construction business or a line of green cleaning products. Here are some common green business ideas:

Agriculture and farming
Aquaculture and sustainable seafood production
Biodiesel production and distribution
Clean energy production and distribution
Composting and waste reduction
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure development
Environmental consulting
Ethical and sustainable fashion design
Green building materials manufacturing and distribution
Green cleaning products and services
Green event planning and management
Green home and office furniture design
Green mattress business
Green public transportation advocacy and planning
Green transportation services
Home energy audits and retrofitting
Landscaping and urban gardening
Local and organic food production and distribution
Natural and organic skincare and beauty products
Organic food production
Recycling and waste disposal services
Renewable energy financing and investment
Sustainable agriculture education and training
Sustainable packaging and shipping solutions
Sustainable tourism and travel planning
Water conservation and management
Wildflower and native plant nurseries
Wind energy production and distribution
Zero-waste and low-waste lifestyle products and services

Insurance Business Ideas

Insurance is a super profitable field, as insurers pay much less than they collect in premiums. It typically requires a heavy investment in marketing. Think of all the Allstate and State Farm ads you see when watching sporting events.

Here’s a list of insurance business ideas. We included various types of insurance, as well as some general ideas.

Actors and performers insurance
Adventure sports insurance
Aerospace insurance
Animal liability insurance
Aquatic sports insurance
At-home business insurance
Auto insurance
Aviation insurance
Bicycle insurance
Boat insurance
Business insurance
Cargo insurance
Childcare insurance
Commercial property insurance
Construction insurance
Cyber liability insurance
Directors and officers insurance
Disability insurance
Drone insurance
Employment practices liability insurance
Entertainment insurance
Environmental insurance
Equestrian insurance
Errors and omissions insurance
Exhibition insurance
Exotic pet insurance
Extra expense insurance
Farm and ranch insurance
Film and TV production insurance
Fine art insurance
Fishing boat insurance
Flood insurance
Golf course insurance
Group health insurance
Growers insurance
Health club insurance
Health insurance
Home health care insurance
Home insurance
Hospitality insurance
Hunting and fishing guide insurance
Identity theft insurance
Inland marine insurance
Insurance broker
Insurance for wedding planners
Insurance quote comparison portal
Landlord insurance
Legal insurance
Life insurance
Livestock insurance
Long-term care insurance
Malpractice insurance
Marine insurance
Medical malpractice insurance
Motor trade insurance
Motorcycle insurance
Office insurance
Offshore insurance
Personal accident insurance
Personal liability insurance
Pet insurance
Private medical insurance
Professional liability insurance
Pub and restaurant insurance
Public liability insurance
Renters insurance
Restaurant insurance
Risk management insurance
RV insurance
Self-storage insurance
Senior health insurance
Sports event insurance
Student insurance
Technology insurance
Trade credit insurance
Transportation insurance
Travel insurance
Umbrella insurance
Valuable property insurance
Vehicle insurance
Wedding insurance
Wildfire insurance
Workers’ compensation insurance
Yacht insurance

Jewelry Business Ideas

Custom jewelry design and creation
Diamond grading and certification
Diamond trading
Fine jewelry repair and restoration
Handmade jewelry design and creation
Industrial jewelry production
Jewelry appraisal
Jewelry cleaning and maintenance services
Jewelry consulting
Jewelry education
Jewelry financing and loans
Jewelry insurance
Jewelry photography
Jewelry rental
Opening a jewelry store
Online jewelry sales
Vintage jewelry sales
Wedding and engagement ring sales

Landscaping Business Ideas

Need help starting a landscaping business? Check out these free resources!

Here’s a list of landscaping business ideas:

Deck and patio construction and repair
Dog run construction and design
Eco-friendly landscaping
Fence installation and repair
Fertilization and pest control
Garden bed design and installation
Garden design and maintenance
Green roof installation and maintenance
Hardscaping, including patios, walkways, and retaining walls
Irrigation systems installation and repair
Landscape business blog
Landscape cleanup and debris removal
Landscape consultations and advice
Landscape design and installation
Landscape education and workshops
Landscape photo blog
Landscape photography and videography
Landscape renovations and makeovers
Landscape-themed gifts and merchandise
Lawn care and maintenance
Native and drought-resistant plantings
Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits
Outdoor kitchens and living spaces
Outdoor lighting design and installation
Pergola and trellis construction
Playground design and installation
Rainwater harvesting and greywater systems
Seasonal color and plantings
Sod installation and repair
Tree and shrub care, including pruning and removal
Treehouse design and construction
Water feature design and installation, including ponds and fountains

Marketing Business Ideas

Marketing is an enormous field with a ton of businesses. You can go broad or get highly specialized – for example, you can focus on lead generation for photography businesses.

Account-based marketing
Advertising agency
Affiliate marketing
Ai marketing
Amazon marketing
Augmented reality marketing
B2B marketing
Blogging
Brand activism
Branding and identity development
Chatbot marketing
Consulting for bootstrappers
Content creation
Content marketing
Conversion rate optimization
Copywriting
Creative direction
Customer relationship management
Design / UX consulting
Digital marketing
Direct marketing
Display advertising
E-commerce marketing
Email marketing
Event marketing
Facebook ads consultant
Fundraising advice
Gamification marketing
Go-to-market strategy consulting
Growth hacking
Idea validation
Inbound marketing
Influencer marketing & outreach
Integrated marketing communications
Interactive content marketing
Link building agency
LinkedIn ads consulting
Local search marketing
Market research
Marketing automation
Micro-influencer marketing
Mobile marketing and advertising
Native advertising
Niche marketing
No-code development
Online lead generation
Online reputation management
Online surveys
Outreach marketing
Outdoor advertising
Personal branding
Podcast marketing
PPC marketing
Public relations
Quora ads consultant
Reddit ads consultant
Sales funnels
Search engine marketing
Search engine optimization (SEO)
Social media marketing
Sponsorship marketing
Strategic planning
Target market research
Twitter ads consultant
User research
Video marketing
Viral marketing

Music Business Ideas

Do you love music or have a talent as a singer or musician? If so, there are a lot of options within the music industry.

Album production and distribution
Artist management
Audio engineering and production
Becoming a professional singer
Composing and arranging music for film and television
Concert and event planning
Concert and event promotion
Designing album cover art
DJ services
Education and music lessons
Event photography and videography
Event space rental
Forming a wedding band
Instrument lessons
Instrument sales and rentals
Jingle writing
Live sound engineering
Music blogging
Music festival organization
Music licensing
Music publishing
Music store and retail sales
Music studio design and construction
Music studio management and staffing
Music supervision for film and television
Music therapy
Music transcription and notation
Music venue booking and talent scouting
Music venue management
Music video casting and styling
Music video direction and production
Music video editing and post-production
Music writing and journalism
Music-themed event planning and design
Music-themed food and beverage catering
Music-themed gifts and merchandise
Online music streaming and distribution
Online music tutoring and instruction
Performance coaching and development
Performing arts academy
Personalized song recordings
Personalized songwriting
Private event music entertainment
Providing voice / choral lessons
Record mastering and restoration
Record pressing and vinyl manufacturing
Recording studio equipment sales and repair
Recording studio rental
Selling songs
Songwriting workshops and classes
Sound system rental and installation
Starting a record label
Talent agency
Tour and travel management for musicians
Tour merchandise design and sales
Used CD store
Writing lyrics

Notary Business Ideas

Once you get your notary license, you’ll be fully licensed to act as a Notary Public in your space. Within the notary field, you can be a generalist or target various niches. Here are some notary business ideas:

Administrative services for document certification
Bilingual notary service
General notary public
Mobile notary service
Notary blog
Notary services for business documents
Notary services for educational documents, such as transcripts and diplomas
Notary services for financial, legal, and real estate documents, such as loan documents, settlement statements, and living wills
Notary services for governmental documents
Notary services for healthcare documents
Notary services for insurance documents, such as policy documents and claims forms
Notary services for marriage licenses
Notary services for passports and other travel/identification documents
Notary services for shipping documents, such as bills of lading and customs forms
Notary services for technical documents, such as patents and trademarks
Online notary service

Outdoor Business Ideas

Awning cleaning service
Birdwatching tours and education
Boat broker & marine sales
Boat club
Fishing guide
Flight and helicopter tours business
Graffiti removal service
Greenhouse installation
Gutter cleaning service
Hunting guide
Installing advertising billboards
Junk hauling service
Kayak & canoe tour business
Leisure cruise operator
Mobile car washing and detailing
Mobile farm-to-table dining experiences
Mobile fire pit or outdoor fireplace rentals
Mobile ice cream or frozen treat truck
Mobile treehouse or tiny home rentals
Outdoor adventure and tour guiding
Outdoor clothing and gear sales
Outdoor event planning and coordination
Outdoor furniture and accessory sales
Parasailing business
Parking lot sweeping business
Pest control business
Plant nursery
Pool cleaning and maintenance
Pool maintenance, sales, and installation
Power equipment sales and repair
Rock climbing wall rentals
Sailboat rentals
Scuba diving lessons and tours
Snow plowing or shoveling service
Starting a summer camp
Water sports rentals and lessons
Window washing service
Windsurfing business
Zipline or adventure course business

Pet Business Ideas

Aquarium maintenance and installation
Creating pet toys and products
Exotic pet care
Pet adoption business
Pet blogger
Pet boarding and daycare
Pet breeding
Pet event planning and coordination
Pet finder / lost pet recovery
Pet first aid and CPR training
Pet food and treats
Pet grooming
Pet health and wellness products
Pet insurance
Pet psychology and behavior counseling
Pet sitting and dog walking
Pet supply and accessory business
Pet training
Pet transportation
Pet waste removal

Photography Business Ideas

Action photography
Aerial photography
Automobile photography
Baby photography
Black and white photography
Candid photography
Concert photography
Corporate photography
Event photography
Family photography
Fashion photography
Fine art photography
Food photography
Headshot photography
Interior photography
Landmark photography
Landscape photography
Lifestyle photography
Nature photography
Nature photography
Night photography
Pet photography
Portrait photography
Product photography
Real estate photography
Sports photography
Stock photography
Street photography
Time-lapse photography
Travel photography
Underwater photography
Wildlife photography

Real Estate Business Ideas

I spent six years working in commercial real estate investments, so believe me when I say there are many options in the real estate space!

Acting as an owner’s rep for construction
Affordable housing development
Airbnb / VRBO management
Apartment leasing agency
Architectural design services
Commercial property leasing
Commercial property management
Commercial real estate brokerage
Commercial real estate lending
Community association management
Community development
Construction management
Cooperative housing management
Corporate real estate services
Corporate relocation services
Debt restructuring and refinancing
Disaster recovery services
Distressed property sales
Environmental consulting
Estate sale management
Facilities management
Farming and agriculture land sales
Foreclosure cleanout and rehabilitation
General property manager
Golf course and country club property sales
Green real estate development
Home inspection services
Home staging services
Home warranty services
Hospital development
Hospitality/hotel/resort development
House flipping
Industrial development
Industrial property sales
Infrastructure development
Interior design for real estate listings
Investment property financing
Land use and zoning consulting
Landlord representation
Lease negotiation and management
Leasehold improvement consulting
Leasing broker
Life science development
Luxury property sales
Manufactured home sales
Medical office development
Mixed-use development
Mortgage brokerage
Moving and storage services
Multifamily development
New development consulting
Office development
Off-market property sales
Online real estate marketplace
Property appraisals
Property conservation and preservation
Property insurance
Property management software development
Property tax appeal services
Property tax consulting
Public housing management
Raising debt capital for projects
Raising equity capital for projects
Real estate advisory services
Real estate agent recruiting and training
Real estate auctions
Real estate crowdfunding
Real estate education and training
Real estate investment banking
Real estate market analysis and research
Real estate photography and videography
Real estate private equity fund
Real estate project management
Real estate rental marketplace
Real estate syndication
Real estate venture capital
Real estate virtual tours
Rehabilitation and retrofitting
Remodeling and renovation
Residential development
Residential real estate agent
Resort property sales
Retail development
Retail property management
Right-of-way acquisition and management
Self-storage facility development and management
Senior housing and care investment sales
Senior housing development
Short-term rentals and vacation rentals
Site selection consulting
Starting a real estate investment trust (REIT)
Student housing development
Student housing management
Subdivision development
Sustainability consulting
Tenant improvement project management
Tenant representation
Timeshare sales and management
Title and closing services
Urban planning and design
Vacant land sales
Vacation home sales
Virtual property management
Warehouse and distribution center development
Waterfront property sales
Winery and vineyard property sales
Workforce housing development
Zoning and land use litigation
Zoning compliance consulting

Recruitment Business Ideas

Career coaching
Employee assessment
Executive search
International recruiter
Interview coaching
Niche recruitment
Outplacement services
Recruitment automation
Recruitment process outsourcing
Resume writing
Technical recruiter
Temporary / contract recruiting

Security Business Ideas

Access control systems
Alarm monitoring
Background check services
CCTV installation and monitoring
Commercial security systems
Cybersecurity services
Electronic security systems
Event security services
Fire protection systems
Fraud prevention
Guard dog training and services
Home security systems
Information security consulting
Personal protection services
Physical security assessments
Private investigation services
Risk assessment and management
Security guard services
Security system maintenance and repair
Security training and education

Small Town Business Ideas

Antique store
Bank
Barbershop
Bike shop
Bookstore
Clothing store
Coffee/tea house
Convenience store/gas station
Dentist’s office
Diner
Dry cleaner
Florist
General store
Gift shop
Grocery store/supermarket
Gym
Hardware store
Health food store
Laundromat
Law firm
Lawn and garden center
Lumberyard
Medical clinic
Notary public services
Optometrist
Pharmacy
Physical therapy clinic
Real estate agency
Restaurant
Salon
Shoe store
Thrift store
Toy store
Veterinary clinic

Solar Business Ideas

Blogging about solar power
Solar energy consulting
Solar generator rental company
Solar home design and construction
Solar panel cleaning and maintenance
Solar panel component manufacturing company
Solar panel financing and leasing company
Solar panel installation and maintenance business
Solar panel recycling and disposal service
Solar product sales
Solar-powered advertising billboards
Solar-powered backup power systems
Solar-powered boat charging and maintenance business
Solar-powered car charging stations
Solar-powered farm equipment and machinery
Solar-powered home automation and security systems
Solar-powered irrigation systems
Solar-powered phone charging kiosk
Solar-powered traffic signals and lighting systems
Starting a solar farm

Startup Business Ideas

Startups can encompass an enormous range of business models. But in general, each startup will fall into an overarching category. In this section, I included a list of the industry groups on Crunchbase, a business information service founded by TechCrunch.

Within each industry group, Crunchbase includes a variety of industries. For example, “advertising” covers ad exchanges, advertising platforms, outdoor advertising, and several more.

If you want to launch a startup but don’t know where to begin, their post is a great base to generate ideas.

Administrative Services Startup
Advertising Startup
Agriculture and Farming Startup
Apps
Artificial Intelligence Startup
Biotechnology Startup
Clothing and Apparel Startup
Commerce and Shopping Startup
Community and Lifestyle Startup
Consumer Electronics Startup
Consumer Goods Startup
Content and Publishing Startup
Data and Analytics Startup
Design Startup
Education Startup
Energy Startup
Events Startup
Financial Services Startup
Food and Beverage Startup
Gaming Startup
Government and Military Startup
Hardware Startup
Health Care Startup
Information Technology Startup
Internet Services Startup
Lending and Investments Startup
Manufacturing Startup
Media and Entertainment Startup
Messaging and Telecommunications Startup
Mobile Startup
Music and Audio Startup
Natural Resources Startup
Navigation and Mapping Startup
Payments Startup
Platforms
Privacy and Security Startup
Professional Services Startup
Real Estate Startup
Sales and Marketing Startup
Science and Engineering Startup
Software Startup
Sports Startup
Sustainability Startup
Transportation Startup
Travel and Tourism Startup
Video Startup

Travel Business Ideas

Adventure sports and activities
Adventure travel business
Bed & breakfast
Bike and scooter rental business
Car rental service
Credit card/points blogging
Culinary and food tours
Cultural exchange programs
Designing travel accessories
Eco-tourism business
Educational travel
Foreign language translation services
Limousine service
Medical tourism business
Tour guide/operator
Travel agency
Travel blogging
Travel insurance
Vacation rental management
Visa and passport services
Wildlife safaris and conservation

Wellness Business Ideas

Acupuncturist
Aromatherapy business
Corporate wellness coach
Creating wellness products
Float therapy business
Health & wellness blog
Health and wellness coach
Infrared sauna business
Massage therapy business
Nutritionist business
Private chef business
Spa
Wellness center
Wellness retreats

Wedding Business Ideas

Creating wedding favors
Creating wedding registries
Custom tailored clothing
Engagement ring advice consulting
Florist specializing in weddings
Ice sculpture business
Invitations and stationery design
Jewelry business with designs for weddings
Marriage preparation course
Wedding blog
Wedding cake maker
Wedding catering business
Wedding dance lessons
Wedding day-of coordination
Wedding decorations
Wedding DJ
Wedding dress rental service
Wedding dressmaker
Wedding furniture rentals
Wedding hair and makeup
Wedding insurance & financial counseling
Wedding magazine
Wedding photo booth business
Wedding photographer
Wedding planning
Wedding transportation/limousine service
Wedding venue
Wedding videographer

What Business is Best to Start?

Many business ideas have the potential to turn into successful businesses. It’s difficult to say which idea is the best to start, as the best choice depends on various factors, such as your skills, interests, and resources.

Assuming you’re funding your business out of your own pocket, it’s generally a smart idea to consider starting a business with low startup costs. Freelance writing is an excellent example of a business with high ROI potential and low costs.

If a freelance writing business only costs $50 to start up, finding a single freelance writing client that will pay you $500/month ensures an astronomical ROI. The business would be a success on that basis alone, and it can grow from there.

Other low-cost business ideas might include starting a social media management service, dropshipping, or providing virtual assistance services.

When picking a business idea, it’s generally good to choose one that already has established demand. While starting a social network might lead you to create the next Facebook, it has a much higher chance of failing. Whereas acting as a virtual assistant, for example, is a proven model because many businesses utilize virtual assistants.

What Business Can I Start With No Money?

Believe it or not, it’s easy to start a business while spending $0. Assuming you already have a computer, you only need a website and email address. You can create a variety of information-based and service-based businesses.

You can create a free website with Systeme.io’s free plan and get free email with Zoho Mail.

With Systeme.io, you can create an online course, sell a digital product like an eBook, engage in affiliate marketing, or sell physical products. You can even use the Systeme.io website as a base for a service-based business, like freelance writing, a web design agency, or a lawn mowing service.

For the best results and improved credibility, it’s better to invest $10-15 in a custom domain name.

If you’d rather build your site on WordPress, web hosts like Bluehost offer a free domain with an annual purchase, which costs as little as $35/year.

What Are The Most Successful Small Business Ideas?

The most successful small business ideas can vary widely, as each person defines success differently. Some people may define success based on profitability, while others may define it based on personal satisfaction or positive societal impact.

That being said, some small businesses tend to be successful more often than others. Generally, the best small business ideas have the potential to cover their startup costs quickly.

As a result, low-cost businesses such as freelance writing or consulting can provide a positive return on investment (ROI) almost instantly. The required investment is as little as $10, and signing one client can pay for that many times over.

Other successful small businesses might include service-based businesses that offer a unique or specialized service or e-commerce businesses that can tap into a specific niche market.

The key to choosing a great business idea is to identify a need or problem you can solve and then deliver a high-quality solution that meets that need.

How do I Get Clients For My Small Business?

As a small business owner, there are many ways to get clients. At the end of the day, your goal is to reach people and tell them about your small business. Here are some popular techniques to find clients:

Affiliate and partnership marketing
Search engine optimization (allowing your business to rank in Google search)
Cold emailing potential clients
Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising
Participating in local events or trade shows
Guest blogging on established websites in your industry
Networking and building relationships
Advertising in local media or online platforms
Public relations and earned media
Appearing on an established podcast
Growing your email list
Hosting webinars

What is the Step-By-Step Process for Starting a Business?

Each business has a different process, but you’ll generally want to do all of the items below regardless of the business you choose to start. After you select an idea, here’s a general list of steps:

Find a business name. You can use our name generator on NameBounce.com to find a name for free. Make sure you pick a flexible name to accommodate future product and service expansions.
Create a business plan. Your business plan doesn’t have to be incredibly detailed, but you’ll want to outline your initial services, pricing, and customer acquisition strategy. You’ll want to start with the simplest possible service and then expand.
Choose a business structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, C-corporation, or S-corporation)
Get an EIN and open a business bank account
Create your logo, branding, and website
Get licenses, certifications, and insurance as needed
Purchase your startup equipment and get financing (if needed)
Market your business
Complete work, get paid, and pay taxes
Scale and expand your services

Do I Need a Business Plan Before Becoming a Small Business Owner?

You don’t need to go overboard with a business plan unless you’re considering raising funding or getting a loan. In general, you’ll want to spend your time on activities that will move you towards acquiring paying customers faster.

However, given the time investment involved in starting a business, it’s a good idea to spend an hour thinking through various parts of your business. Here are a few areas to think about:

What are your projected startup costs?
What will be your ongoing expenses?
What are your initial products and services?
What is your target market?
Who are your competitors? How do they acquire their customers?
What is your customer acquisition strategy?
What services might you offer in the future? You’ll want to think ahead, as it will help you choose a flexible name and frame your focus as you start your business.

What If I Choose the Wrong Small Business Idea and Change My Mind?

Don’t worry! With a small business, you can quickly pivot. Believe it or not, Play-Doh was initially launched in the 1930s as a product designed to clean coal heating soot from walls.

If you’re not 100% sure where your business might go, it’s better to pick a flexible name that can accommodate a wide range of products and services. I did this with Jumpcoast – it’s a highly flexible name that would accommodate everything from marketing to real estate to website hosting.

You can always rebrand if you think a more specific name would work better for your company. The key is to be flexible, look for opportunities to pivot, and identify what needs to change in the newest iteration of your business.

Conclusion

Starting a business can be incredibly rewarding and exciting. With this post, I hope you were able to get some inspiration and think about all of the possibilities for your business.

There are plenty of ideas out there, ranging from home-based businesses to low-cost online businesses and more. No matter your passion or expertise, there is likely a business idea on this list that is a good fit for you.

Regardless of what idea you choose, you’ll have the best odds for success if you keep your startup costs low and start with the simplest possible service. It’s also a good idea to seek advice from a mentor or people in your industry to help you make an informed decision.

It will take time, effort, and commitment, but with the right idea and approach, you can start a lucrative and fulfilling business!

About the Author

Axel is the founder of Jumpcoast, a blog and agency that helps people jumpstart the growth of their online businesses. He also founded NameBounce, a popular domain name and business name generator. Previously, he worked as a commercial real estate investments manager.

The Complete List of 1,500+ Business Ideas to Start in 2023 [Updated]

Axel DeAngelis