best business ideas near college campus

60+ College Campus Business Ideas You Can Start Today [2024]

Interested in starting a college campus business in 2024?

We put together 59 of the best college campus businesses you can start in today.

For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples of other college campus businesses to help you see what it really takes.

Here's the full list:

1. Start a music school

If you have a passion for music and love teaching, starting an online music school can be a great way to kickstart your music tutoring business.

This not only helps you connect with local customers but also opens up opportunities to reach a global audience.

Moreover, starting an online music school gives you the freedom to work from anywhere and at your preferred time.

Whether you are brand new to teaching music online or you have been teaching online but are looking for some fresh inspiration, you can incorporate it into your online music school. examples include:

• Teaching church music online
• Teaching children’s choir
• Youth & adults’ choirs
• Teach live video sessions using online meeting platforms
• Choir, band & orchestra

How much you can make: $2,000 — $100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $4,535 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Former IT professional Meenakshi started Art Splash Academy of Fine Arts, offering Keyboard, Guitar, Violin, Rock & Pop vocals, Indian Music, Carnatic vocals, Bharatnatyam, Certified Jazz, Arts, Yoga, and Tabla courses for all ages with an investment of $9,000, and now manages it successfully with 80% of customers enrolling in online classes during COVID-19.

2. Start a sports coaching business

Sports coaching is a fast-growing industry in all areas of the world.

If you have a sports coaching qualification and experience, you can turn those experiences into a profitable business.

You can offer coaching to teams or individuals depending on your preference and the nature of sports.

You may join sports associations or attend networking events to market your sports coaching abilities.

How much you can make: $4,759 — $8,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $550 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

Girl Boss Sports, founded in December 2018, aims to increase the number of women sports coaches while keeping girls in sports by partnering with companies and organizations, and has brought in an average of $4,700 of revenue per month over the last 6 months by hiring over 20 female soccer coaches in Greater Seattle area.

3. Start a hair product line

Starting a hair product line can be a fun and profitable way to build a new income stream. It's also fairly easy, as long as you plan it out (and maybe do a little bit of market research before creating your sales funnel). There's a reason we often talk about trends in hip-hop and pop culture when we talk about hairstyles — they often have a lot to do with advancements in the hair product industry. The industry is expected to grow to 102 billion dollars by 2024 .

How much you can make: $550 — $2,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

Private Label Extensions is a hair distribution and technology company that builds hair brands from A to Z for entrepreneurs, achieving over $650,000 in monthly sales and ranked #278 of the fastest-growing companies by Inc Magazine for 2018.

4. Start a personalized gift business

Personalized gifts are great for celebrating important dates, joyous occasions, and memorable moments. The personalized gifts include photo frames, key chains, to group gifts.

A personalized gifts business is a low-capital idea since you do not need a physical storefront or office space to start the business. Besides, you can put as much time into the business as possible, which means you can run the business as a side hustle.

Check out our guide on how to start a personalized gift business

How much you can make: $1,000 — $416,000/month

How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)

Bestowe Gifting quadrupled their sales during the pandemic by shifting to online sales and offering unique, locally sourced gifts, resulting in a successful eCommerce side hustle that allowed the founder to pay themselves and expand their custom business.

5. Start a book club

A book club consists of several people who read and talk about the books based on the topic or an agreed reading list.

Setting up your book club can be a great way to enjoy books and meet new people.

More importantly, a book club is a well-paying side hustle idea. Therefore, figure out who you invite to your book club and define the purpose.

Do you want to learn something new, or do you just want to bond with other book lovers? Having a defined purpose helps you reach like-minded people to keep the book club close-knit.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $13,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $75 (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

Two friends started an online book club that now has 570 members and generates £10,500 MRR, by addressing the problem of 'Tsundoku,' charging a monthly subscription fee for one non-fiction book, one inspiring meetup, and one custom cocktail, inspiring conversation and community.

6. Start an animation business

Animated posts and animated ads have become more prevalent today than ever before. Starting an animation business focusing on helping brands create animated ads and illustrations can be fun and profitable.

The animated videos can be posted on Instagram and other social media platforms. To start an animation studio, you should start by hiring some specialists. You need a pair of illustrators, animators, and a scriptwriter to bring the idea to life.

As an animation artist, you can create animation and visual effects for films, gamers, ads, etc.

How much you can make: $500 — $400,000/month

How long does it take to build: 212 days (?)

An animation company owner generates between $75,000 and $100,000 annually from producing custom explainer animations for start-ups and marketing companies for between $5,500 and $7,500; logo animations for companies that market using videos at $200 to $500; and Instagram Stories stickers beginning at $350.

7. Start a healthy meal delivery service

Meal prep delivery services offer healthy and nutritional meals to customers via e-commerce sites.

These services provide either DIY meal kits or Ready-to-eat meals, saving time and eliminating food waste.

They are particularly beneficial for busy people and health-conscious millennials who prefer nutritional food at home.

There are two types of meal services: online meal kits and fast food delivery services.

A meal prep delivery business can be profitable, especially when compared to restaurants, as they save costs on a storefront.

To make a good profit, one should invest less in groceries and ensure they have many customers.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $25,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 7 days (?)

Healthy Chew is a profitable weekly meal preparation service that grew from 200 to 10,000 weekly bowls in just over 3 years, with an overall sales figure of $1.8 million, achieved through effective branding and personalised customer service.

8. Start a selfcare subscription box

How much you can make: $1,000 — $50,000/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Hemp Crate Co is a CBD subscription box delivering over $125 in value to their 1,000+ subscribers, generating $50k+/month in revenue, operating as a side hustle while offering a low-capital, prepay-based startup model.

9. Start a healthy snack food business

Businesses with healthy snacks are becoming increasingly popular. This is because people are becoming more conscious of what they eat and the ingredients used in their food products.

Compared to a few decades ago, more people value health over anything else. A tasty snack food business can be a great way to turn your passion for snacking into profit.

The global healthy snacks market is expected to reach $152B by 2030 , and there’s no sign of this slowing down. Healthy snacks can include anything from protein bars to gluten/dairy-free alternatives to chips, cookies, crackers, and more.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $3,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 270 days (?)

Neuro co-founders Kent Yoshimura and Ryan Chen developed their functional gum and mint products to offer a portable, healthy, and efficient alternative to energy drinks and supplements, hitting 12M pieces sold and generating ~$500k in monthly revenue with over 25% repeat customer rate and retail presence in over 6,500 locations including 5,000 CVS stores.

10. Start a mobile photography business

Want to start your own photography business? You're not alone. With the rise of social media and photo-sharing, blogging, and online retailing, it's never been easier to start making money behind your camera.

There are photographers shooting weddings, creating images for ad campaigns, freelancing for magazines, touring the world, taking photographs of destinations — the list is endless!

To start mobile photography , research the target audience and determine which specialization area is more lucrative. Invest in high-quality, professional cameras, lenses, and a computer with professional software photo-editing software.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)

Photobooth Supply Co. offers a profitable business opportunity through their sleek and portable photo booths, with up to 97% satisfaction rate and a focus on customer experience, in a fast-growing event industry where photo booths are exploding.

11. Start a career coaching business

A career coaching business involves providing personalized guidance, support, and strategy services to help clients navigate professional transitions and growth opportunities.

As a career coach, you design custom sessions to assist with resume building, interview prep, and workplace advancement goals tailored to each client’s aspirations.

With flexibility for in-person or virtual meetings, building a client base lets you empower breakthroughs through specialized advice and accountability.

Launching a coaching practice can be a great opportunity for those with speaking talents and human resources expertise to monetize their natural motivational abilities while setting their own schedule.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

Wall Street Oasis, the largest online community focused on careers in finance, has over 100 million visitors during its 14-year history and is currently receiving over 2 million visits per month, offering interview courses and mentorship services, in addition to building and investing in a thriving online community.

12. Start a stationery business

A stationery business sells stationery products such as paper goods, notebooks, greeting cards, and envelopes.

The best part about starting a stationery business is that it's relatively easy and inexpensive to get started.

Since there are so many different types of products available in this industry, there are endless opportunities for creativity, customization, and expansion.

You could even start out small by selling your products on Etsy or eBay before opening up an actual storefront.

How much you can make: $200 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)

Chasing Planner Peace is a planner company that has expanded from selling planner inserts on Etsy, to offering a one-stop shop customizable planner experience with over 300 inserts, a planner line, and various other related products, gaining a monthly revenue of around $25,000 at its busiest time of year.

13. Start a freelance writing business

Freelance writing can be a good career choice if you are looking for a flexible online job.

Working as a freelancer gives you the flexibility to define your work schedule. You can work from home at any time. Freelance writers work across various niches, writing about various topics assigned by the client,

To earn good money as a freelance writer, you need the following personal qualities:

• Strong writing skills
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Stay on the cutting edge
• Be a self-starter
• Be up-to-date with the current writing tools & writing trends
• Proper communication skills

How much you can make: $700 — $320,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $300 (?)

How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.

14. Start a digital magazine

A digital magazine is an electronic publication that takes a digital format rather than printed on paper.

Ideally, digital publications and traditional print magazines are not all that different. The only difference is the medium of delivery. To start a digital publication, decide the publication’s goals and pick a topic or theme. Then, create a content strategy and choose the right software.

How much you can make: $50,000 — $800,000/month

Flipsnack is an online tool that allows anyone to create digital flipbooks and has increased its business revenue by over 50% year over year, with YoY growth rates between 50% - 84%, shifting from a B2C approach and focusing more on B2B.

15. Start a sex toys business

The sex toy industry is growing rapidly, and there's no sign of this slowing down.

The reasons for this growth are varied. The rise of social media has made it easier to find out about new products and services, which has given companies greater access to their customer base and helped them grow their businesses. More people are also getting comfortable with buying things online; not only does this make it easier for them to shop in private, but it also helps them avoid embarrassment if they're nervous about their purchases being seen by other customers while they're waiting in line at a store.

The industry itself is changing as well: companies are offering more variety than ever before, which means that there's something for everyone—even those who might not have considered themselves interested in this sort of thing before now can find something that suits their needs perfectly!

There are already individuals who made it big in this industry and these stories are the proof of their success.

How much you can make: $500 — $5,260,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $625 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

SexToysForMen.Co founder shares how he stumbled into the adult toy industry, and through organic content marketing and referrals, has grown the business to bring in monthly revenue of $2,000-$3,000 with an email list accounting for 30% of sales.

16. Become a graphic designer

Graphic designing involves creating sketch designs and materials for corporate clients, advertising agencies, public relations firms, and publishers. Besides, graphic designers provide visual solutions to specific company images, log design, and branding problems.

Graphic design is an excellent career for creative thinkers who enjoy using their talent and artistic skills combined with technology and communication abilities to come up with unique solutions for their clients.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $81,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 165 days (?)

Draftss.com is a productized graphic design and front-end code service on subscription that made $66k ARR in 2019, has an MRR of $9.6k as of July 2020, and offers add-ons such as designers being added to team in interacting tools and front-end code services on WordPress using various page builders like Elementor and Divi.

17. Start a youtube channel

For anyone looking to start a successful YouTube channel, there are plenty of YouTube channel success stories that can be used as inspiration and encouragement. In addition, YouTube has an established monetization system and boasts incredible popularity, making it a potential platform for revenue generation.

In this article, we'll look at different approaches you can use to help promote your channel and grow your viewers. While there's no quick and easy way to success, you can take these tips to build your own YouTube Channel Success story. If you love content creation, you can capitalize on YouTube's popularity to earn extra income.

If you want to join the Youtube partner program to monetize your channel, you will need to reach a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months.

How much you can make: $800 — $4,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 48 days (?)

Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.

18. Create a website builder

How much you can make: $200 — $350,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $4,750 (?)

Luke Van Der Veer's Website Rental Coaching business teaches people how to create passive income by renting lead generation websites to local businesses, which has helped him generate $42,000 per month as of April 2022.

19. Start a language translation service

Language translation services bridge the linguistic barriers, helping businesses reach a wider audience outside of a single language. A language translation job is an opportunity to cover a wide range of topics and meet people from different cultures.

To become a language translator , master a second language and earn some experience so you become fluent in the second language.

How much you can make: $40,000 — $550,000/month

How long does it take to build: 70 days (?)

DEMAN Translations grew from 6 employees and 1.5 million euros in turnover in 2015 to 17 team members and 3.5 million euros in sales in 2020 after acquiring 12 other translation agencies, with a goal to reach 6 million euros this year and 10 million euros in 2022.

20. Become a social media influencer

Social media has become integral to people's lives and daily routines. Given the importance of social media, brands are flocking to different social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok in the hope of connecting with their target audience.

A popular approach taken by these brands is engaging social media influencers. A social media influencer has established credibility in a specific industry and has access to a vast audience they can persuade to act based on recommendations.

Anyone can become a social influencer so long as they have the right strategy. Choose a popular niche based on your interests and start creating relevant content.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $601 (?)

How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)

How one mother built a profitable frugal motherhood, life, and travel blog from scratch, using Instagram, Pinterest, and paid sponsorships to grow from 0 to 18.5K followers and generate $1,500-$3,000 per month in less than two years.

21. Start a book rental business

22. start an upcycle fashion products business.

Upcycle fashion products business involves creating fashionable clothing and accessories using recycled or pre-owned materials. This type of business is environmentally friendly and helps reduce waste by repurposing materials that would otherwise be discarded.

To start an upcycle fashion products business, you must source materials from thrift stores, garage sales, and other places where pre-owned items are sold. You can also consider partnering with organizations that collect and donate used clothing and other materials.

Once you have gathered your materials, you must design and create your products. This may involve sewing, knitting, or other creative skills. You can also consider hiring skilled artisans to help with the production process.

To sell your products, you can set up an online store, participate in craft fairs and markets, and sell your products through local retailers. It is essential to market your products effectively and showcase the unique aspect of your products being made from recycled materials.

To run a successful upcycle fashion products business, it is essential to have a clear vision of what you want to create and how you want to sell your products. It is also crucial to have a strong network of suppliers and customers and to continuously find new and innovative ways to create and sell your products. It is also essential to stay updated with the latest fashion trends and be flexible and adaptable as the market changes.

23. Start a pet sitting business

A pet sitter is a professional who provides daily care for pets while the pet owners are at work or on vacation. The pet sitter's duties include:

• Cooking special meals for pets as instructed by pet owners.
• Reporting any behavioral issues to pet owners.
• Playing with the pets to encourage their mental and physical stimulation.

One of the advantages of working as a pet sitter is that it's not a stressful career. You also get to work with different animals while enjoying a work-life balance.

How much you can make: $15,000/month

A technician-turned-CEO built an in-home pet care enterprise that generates $8k per month by documenting business operations and empowering employees, inspired by the successes of McDonald's founder Ray Kroc and researcher Brené Brown's work on vulnerability and empathy in the workplace.

24. Start a youtube channel

25. Start a delivery service

Delivery service refers to a collection of services that deliver goods and products through the land, air, or waterways across locations. The delivery services serve B2B, B2C, and C2C customers.

The growing e-commerce sect and increased cross-border trade are some factors driving the growth of delivery services. Furthermore, consumer preference for online shopping has greatly contributed to the increased demand for delivery services.

To start a delivery service, make sure you have a cargo van, a fully functional website, and meet all the legalities for operating a business in your state.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $83,333,333/month

How a logistics company grew its revenue over 300% in 2 years, starting with just 2 vans and 25k+ square feet of warehouse space, and focused on relationships, efficiency, and building trust with its customers.

26. Start an etsy seller business

Etsy is an online marketplace where people can buy and sell all kinds of handmade goods, vintage items, and art supplies.

It's a great way to make some extra cash, and you can use it as an opportunity to build your brand and find new clients.

To get started on Etsy, you'll need these four things:

• An Etsy account
• A PayPal account
• A product idea (or at least a product category)
• A visually appealing storefront with photos of your products

How much you can make: $100 — $750,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

27. Start an used books retail kiosk

The global second-hand books will evolve at a CAGR of 6.6% over the next few years. If you want to start a used book shop, now is a great time to profit from the business.

To start a used book shop, you may source the books from overseas or purchase them locally. Your business will target the local book lovers looking to read more books. Your used book kiosk can be located in a shopping mall or a residential location.

28. Start a furniture lending business

29. start a research paper writing business.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $62,500/month

How much does it cost to start: $67 (?)

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

Content-Whale, a content curation agency, has achieved a Rs. 4 crore ($514k/year) turnover 4-5 years after being started with just Rs. 2500 ($35), and has a pool of more than 500 writers, aiming to become a market leader in the global content market.

30. Start a campus bus shuttle service

A campus bus shuttle service is excellent for getting students and campus staff to and from class as efficiently as possible. Many campuses provide the bus shuttle service through a partnership with a private transport operator.

To start a campus shuttle service, collaborate with the campus administration, so you are allowed to operate within the campus.

31. Start a campus newspaper business

32. start a mobile phone repair kiosk.

A cellphone repair kiosk is a low-startup cost business; hence easy to start. However, the profit margins may be low as you start the business, but they increase over time as you become well-known and successful.

To start a mobile phone repair kiosk, find streets with high foot traffic, and open a store. Advertise your business widely to get more foot traffic to your shop.

33. Start a brochures printing business

34. start a private library business, 35. become a bed and breakfast owner.

Bed and breakfast is a sort of hybrid between a luxury hotel and a private home. The host offers the guests affordable accommodation featuring a bed and breakfast at the room's price. B&Bs offer affordable accommodations and are becoming popular among travelers who prefer a private setting.

If you have realistic expectations, B&B can be a profitable and enjoyable business. To start, you can renovate and turn your home into an inn. Alternatively, you can build or buy a ready house and convert it into a modern B&B.

36. Start a bike rental store

Bike rental is one of the most profitable business ideas most people overlook. Today, bike rental is in high demand, especially among people who love outdoor activities. Today, people prefer renting a bike as opposed to buying one. Moreover, bikes offer a hassle-free and quicker ride option for daily commuters. In that regard, starting your own bike rental business is exciting and can be profitable.

If you are starting a bike rental business, some avenues you could use to increase business profitability include:

• Targeting tourists
• Reaching out to biker clubs
• Biking training schools
• Cater to employees in organizations that encourage the use of bikes

Use bike rental software to manage bookings, and market your business on social media and biking clubs, to maximize bookings.

37. Start a child care business

Starting a childcare business is a great way to build a steady income. You will have the opportunity to be your boss and set your hours even from home. You will have the satisfaction of building one-on-one relationships with children and watching them grow over the years.

A childcare business is an excellent idea. It is both a personal and economical investment for its owners. This is especially true if you are considering starting your non-profit organization or becoming licensed to provide child care. Running a childcare business allows you to help children develop while also making money. As with any business endeavor, running a childcare business has its ups and downs, but it can be very rewarding.

38. Start a sports bar

People drink when they are happy or depressed. Opening a sports bar can be an excellent opportunity to earn money no matter their mood.

Are you looking for a strip mall business idea? You can start a sports bar at your nearest strip mall. You can sell take-away wines, spirits, whiskey, or beers and have a sitting place for customers who enjoy drinks at the bar.

39. Start a cyber cafe business

40. start a perfume retail kiosk.

The global perfume market is growing rapidly, a trend attributed to increased awareness of luxury and exotic fragrances. Among the end users, the fragrance market is segmented into male, female, and unisex. However, the females account for a higher value luxury perfume market share.

To start a perfume kiosk, understand the market potential and conduct proper research. Select a niche and an ideal location for your perfume business. To keep the business running, create a sourcing plan and scout the competition.

How much you can make: $19,000/month

Founder Rafael Hernandez launched Alfred Lane, a line of handcrafted personal and home fragrances, generating $19k in monthly revenue with 50% attributed to online and wholesale sales, while expanding to 65 stores across 6 countries and expanding to Europe and South America.

41. Start a bakery

Everyone loves baked goods, be it sweet items like cakes, muffins, and cookies or savory baked food like pizzas, buns, bread, and puff pastry. Baking takes a lot of effort and patience, which is why many people buy baked items from stores or restaurants instead of baking them at home.

Starting a bakery can be a rewarding business opportunity if you have a passion for baking. If you plan to start a bakery, consider that happy customers often become repeat customers. Therefore, always focus on quality and work on customer satisfaction.

To start a bakery , pick an ideal format. Some options include:

• Counter-style bakery
• A hybrid bakery with a cafe,
• Food truck with a bakery
• Home bakery.

Write a suitable business plan and choose the correct location.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $25,000/month

French chef and founder of online bakery Pastreez, Anthony Rosemond, shares keys to success including validating ideas with the market, focusing on SEO and organic growth, building customer relationships through email and SMS, never offering discounts but offering freebies, and diversifying the business with new products and content on social media.

42. Start a Xerox Store

Starting a Xerox store can be a lucrative and rewarding business opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to enter the printing and document solutions industry. This business provides various services, including printing, copying, scanning, and document management.

To start a Xerox store, you’ll need a good location that is easily accessible to your target customers. You’ll also need to invest in high-quality Xerox equipment, including printers, copiers, and scanners. In addition, you’ll need to have a strong marketing and sales strategy to attract new customers and retain existing ones. Running a successful Xerox store also involves providing excellent customer service and building client relationships.

You’ll need to be knowledgeable about the various products and services you offer and be able to troubleshoot any issues that may arise. It would help if you were proactive in staying up-to-date with industry trends and advancements to provide the best solutions to your customers.

Overall, starting a Xerox store requires a combination of business savvy, technical expertise, and excellent customer service skills. You can build a successful business in this exciting and growing industry with the right approach and dedication.

43. Start a music and video sales business

44. start a mobile supermarket business, 45. start a clothing and accessories delivery business.

How much you can make: $105,000 — $500,000/month

Teenager turned millionaire entrepreneur creates viral alt-fashion brand from scratch, with 380K followers on Instagram and more than 1 million dollars earned from Depop app, now launching her own website to sell original designs under her brand name, iGirl.

46. Start a coffee shop

Starting a coffee shop is an exciting and rewarding venture. It's a business that can be started with relatively little capital, and there are many ways to make it profitable. Coffee shops feature a low-cost stock but are profitable businesses.

If you plan to open a coffee shop, you may purchase a franchise, buy an existing business, or start from scratch. Whichever the decision, ensure a strategic location and renovate the space to create an inviting atmosphere. Develop a fantastic offering and begin marketing the business even before you open.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $52,500/month

This case study follows the co-founder of Camper Cafe, a mobile coffee van business which started as a hobby and now has 6 units that supply the UK's biggest sporting events, commercial and film shoots, generating around £150k from working only 70 days of the year.

47. Start a fitness center

Are you interested in starting a business that revolves around health and body fitness? How about setting up a fitness center?

A fitness center business is a health, recreational, and social facility geared towards exercise and other physical activities. These centers serve people who may want to do workouts to get into shape and improve their overall health.

The health and fitness industry is one of the fastest-growing industries today. Some factors behind the sector’s popularity include a health-conscious population who want to avoid lifestyle-related illnesses, social media influence, and a shift towards better healthcare.

Starting a fitness center business can be a fun and profitable venture. If you plan to start the business, secure a good location, and equip your fitness center adequately. You may choose to operate entirely online or a hybrid model where you have the physical fitness center and the online one.

How much you can make: $20,000 — $39,875,000/month

BioFit is a fitness studio that offers safe and effective exercise through high-intensity training (HIT) methodology, using adaptive resistance exercise (ARX) machines that can achieve results in as little as 20 minutes a week, with an 80% closing ratio, over 70% client retention, 125 clients, and an average monthly revenue of $20k.

48. Start a gadget accessory store

49. start a gaming lounge business, 50. start a juice bar.

The increasing popularity of healthy juices and low start-up costs make starting a healthy juice shop appealing.

To start a healthy fresh juice business, prepare a business plan, create juice recipes and ensure you have the licenses and permits to sell fresh juice. Locate local producers and source fresh fruits for your business.

51. Start a beauty parlour business

A beauty parlor business offers various services, including haircuts, styling, coloring, makeup application, and other beauty treatments. To start a beauty parlor business, you will need a space to operate out of, typically a salon or storefront. You will also need various equipment and supplies, including styling chairs, shampoo stations, mirrors, styling products, and makeup.

For the success of a beauty parlor business, it is essential to have a team of experienced and skilled stylists and beauty professionals. It is also crucial to have a strong marketing strategy in place to attract and retain customers. The marketing strategy can include advertising through social media, local events, and word-of-mouth referrals.

Offering high-quality services and maintaining a clean and welcoming atmosphere is vital to returning customers. It is also essential to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty industry to offer the most current services to your clients.

Overall, a beauty parlor business can be a rewarding and lucrative venture for those passionate about the beauty industry and provide excellent customer service.

52. Start a dorm room cleaning business

53. start a laundry business.

Starting a laundry business can be a fulfilling and lucrative venture for entrepreneurs looking to make a difference in their communities. With the right equipment and a commitment to providing excellent customer service, this business idea has the potential to thrive in a variety of locations.

One unique aspect of starting a laundry business is the opportunity to offer specialized services, such as eco-friendly detergent options or same-day turnaround for busy professionals. Additionally, partnering with local dry cleaners or offering pickup and delivery services can set your business apart from competitors and attract a loyal customer base.

In terms of upfront costs, starting a laundry business will require a significant investment in commercial-grade washing machines and dryers, as well as a convenient and well-located storefront. However, with the right marketing strategies and a focus on providing top-notch service, this investment can quickly pay off and result in a thriving business.

Overall, starting a laundry business is a rewarding and potentially profitable venture for entrepreneurs who are passionate about making a positive impact in their communities. With the right approach and a commitment to excellence, this business idea has the potential to succeed in a variety of settings.

How much you can make: $24,000 — $83,333/month

Dhobilite disrupted the laundry market in India by using smartphone technology and becoming India's first app-based, on-demand cleaning service provider, expanding to more than 15 cities, with 20+ stores and 30+ franchises, offering premium online dry cleaning and laundry services, with revenue equally distributed between dry-cleaning and laundry.

54. Start a laptop cleaning business

55. start a t-shirt customization business.

A t-shirt customization business is a business that allows customers to design and create their unique t-shirts. You can do this business either online through a website or in a physical storefront location.

To start a t-shirt customization business, you must invest in a t-shirt printing machine and the necessary equipment, such as ink and screens. You may also want to consider offering a variety of t-shirt styles, colors and sizes to appeal to a broader range of customers.

One way to attract customers is to offer a user-friendly online design tool that allows customers to easily upload their designs or choose from a selection of templates and clip art. You can also offer in-store design consultations for customers who want a more personalized experience.

In addition to t-shirts, you may consider offering customization for other types of clothing, such as hoodies, tank tops, and hats. You could also provide customization services for other items, such as bags, mugs, and phone cases.

To market your t-shirt customization business, you can use social media, online, and local advertising to reach potential customers. You can also participate in local events and trade shows to promote your business and attract new customers.

Overall, a t-shirt customization business can be a fun and rewarding way to turn your creativity and passion for design into a successful business.

How much you can make: $200 — $4,255,000/month

NG Apparels is a garment export unit based in Ludhiana that caters to the clothing segments worldwide, boasting a turnover of $1,581,547 without loans or credit card limits.

56. Start a grocery store

A grocery store sells a wide variety of food products, fresh or packaged, and other household & personal care items. The grocery store industry is the largest retail channel that makes $682 billion in the United States.

To start a basic grocery store, you can expect to spend a minimum of $50,000. Ideally, the bigger expense would be the rent, equipment, labor cost, cash registers/POS systems, and software. Some of these are recurring monthly fees. However, the location, size of the store, competitors, and local customers will significantly impact the business. A new grocer should sell more items for a lower price to make a more significant profit.

A new grocer can also save costs by buying the items from local distributors. The distributor is the middleman between the manufacturer and the grocery store selling it. Once the store cost and location are decided, the next step is to obtain a seller license. In most states, a grocer's license is required to run a grocery store.

Thus an average grocery store has a profit margin of 3% to 5%. The profit rates depend on the store's location, size, and popularity. On average, a small to medium grocery store can make a profit of up to $300,000 annually if all the profit factors are considered.

Another way to make your business more profitable is to diversify your store and add amenities like a coffee shop or stocking up the front of the store with magazines, batteries, etc., as these items can cross a margin of up to 70%. As a rule of thumb, offering lower prices on higher purchases will ultimately win more customers and increase profitability.

57. Start an acting lessons business

Mumbai is the hometown of Bollywood, and many people are coming to Mumbai to become actors. As the owner of an acting classes business in Mumbai, you will provide training, coaching, and support to those considering getting into the Mumbai Bollywood industry. To get started, you may choose to work with children or with a career-oriented adult audience interested in stage acting, film, commercials, voice-over work, or other areas of specialization.

58. Start a yoga tutoring business

Research has proven that yoga holds many health benefits. And with more and more people wanting to increase their quality of life, the demand for quality yoga trainers is rising daily. Take advantage of this growing industry and start a yoga business today. There is no doubt that being a yoga teacher is a gratifying job. Some benefits of starting a yoga business are:

• You can start it from your home
• You can explore more
• You have a low-stress way to test the waters
• No significant investment is needed

Here we have all that you need to start an online yoga tutoring business:

• Get your certification
• Pick your specialty
• Pick a name and a logo
• Decide on a marketing and execution plan

59. Start a skill development training business

How much you can make: $30,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $8,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 2 days (?)

Online learning community Frontend Mentor has over 200,000 members, with over 1,500 paid subscribers generating over $15,000 MRR, offering professionally designed challenges to improve front-end coding skills with a freemium business model and a focus on real-life experience.

• 4,818 founder case studies
• Access to our founder directory
• Live events, courses and recordings
• 8,628 business ideas
• $1M in software savings

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19 Profitable College Town Business Ideas with Low Startup Costs

If you live in a college town, whether you’re a college student or you just happen to live near a college or university, you may have thought about starting your own business. In fact, you’re in a unique opportunity to start a business that specifically caters to college students and recent graduates. With the right business idea, you can make a great living taking advantage of where you live!

While there are plenty of businesses, like a coffee shop, food truck, or beauty salon, that would do well in a college town, this article will focus on ideas that have a relatively low startup costs. Keep reading for college town business ideas and valuable information on how to get started!

Cell Phone Repair Business

College students love their phones! I mean, we all do, right? But they are expensive! So it would make sense that many young people would rather opt to fix their phones rather than upgrade, especially if they’re a typical college student on a budget. Cell phone repair businesses offer repair services for damaged or broken mobile phones.

To start a mobile phone repair business, you’ll need technical skills to diagnose and repair phone problems and supplies and equipment such as replacement parts and tools. Honestly? You can find many instructions for different phones online to start learning this craft before you start.

Computer Repair Business

College students rely heavily on their computers for taking notes, research and staying connected with friends and family. So a computer repair business is kind of a no-brainer when it comes to profitable business ideas that will be successful in college towns.

With the right skills and equipment, you can offer repairs for laptops, desktops, and other types of devices that college students use every day. Not only will your services be valuable to those who need them, but they can also be quite profitable as well!

Used Bookstore

While this one does require a little more capital because you will need to get a retail space, a used book store business can be a super profitable college town business idea. This is especially true if you advertise that you buy books and textbooks. Certain courses often need the same books each semester so if a student can buy it used then come back and sell it to you to sell to another student next semester, you can definitely make a good profit.

But you don’t have to just sell text books or books required for college courses. Believe it or not, there are still plenty of people who like to buy actually books rather than reading digitally, so this can be a great business. Plus, if you make sure to have more of a relaxing, inviting atmosphere, rather than a thrift store vibe, you may even end up with a much larger customer base than just college students.

Personal Training

Personal training is a great business in a college town! College students often want to stay fit and healthy, so they might hire someone to help them with their fitness goals. Get your personal trainer certification to ensure you know the latest techniques and can help your clients reach their goals and start advertising for your first few clients.

You can work from home or rent a space at a local gym. From there, you’re ready to start making money! And you can make your own hours! It may take some time to build up your client base, but you can offer the first session free or offer up packages to get people back because they see the value in your help.

Vending Machine Business

College students love snacks! This business does have some definite start up costs, unless you can get your hands on cheap vending machines, but it’s still cheaper than many other options out there. Plus, it’s pretty hands off, making it a great idea that gives you plenty of free time!

To start a vending machine business, you’ll need to purchase vending machines, stock them with products that college students enjoy, and find smart locations to place them. Some places may require a small fee, while others may not. Once you get a few locations to place your machines, you can start making money!

Dorm Room Cleaning

Let’s face it, college students are often bogged down with academic work and extracurricular activities, leaving them with little time to clean their living spaces. This is where a dorm room cleaning business can come in! It’s a niche market, but there are students that are more than willing to pay for someone to come and clean their dorm or other housing.

The real money will come toward the end of the school year. When the semester is over, students will often pay someone to clean their dorm room before they leave. Whether it’s because they have to catch a flight, start a road trip home, or they simply don’t want to, it’s definitely a service that some students would be happy to pay for.

Of course, you could expand to more cleaning services, but this is just one type you can offer to make good money.

Pet Boarding

While not all college goers have pets, there are plenty that do! Sometimes they need to go out of town, or simply need to spend a few days focused on studying for a big exam. By starting a pet boarding business, you can take on their dog, cat, or other pet for them while they’re unable to care for them.

For this business, you’ll need a safe place to keep pets in your home, unless you have the funds to rent commercial space. If you want to try it out, apps like Rover are a great way to get started gathering clients and trying out the pet service business.

Thrift Shop

College students love a good deal and in recent years, thrifting has become more common and less of a taboo. Starting a thrift shop is an affordable and easy brick and mortar business to start in college towns.

To start a thrift shop, you’ll need to consider how you’ll get your inventory. Many college students will donate their furniture and a lot of their belongings upon graduation so they don’t have to move them and you could offer free pick up.

During other parts of the year, you could advertise to regular households and offer to pick up the items for free. You might even get in touch with a local charity and agree to donate a portion of proceeds and get donations that way.

Airbnb Business

Starting an Airbnb business can be a low cost startup business if you already have property to offer up. If you have to go and buy a house, it might not be the right option for you. Some of the more successful business ideas are those that take advantage of something is hard for people to get. In this case, if you have an extra room, guest house, or RV you can park in your yard with hookups, this may be a great way to make an extra $50-$100 per day!

Why is this good in a college town? Because loved ones visit college students on a regular basis and those people need somewhere to stay.

Resume Writing

College students coming up on graduation may need a resume to start looking for their first jobs so a resume writing business can be a great, extremely low cost business to start. To start a resume writing business, you’ll need strong writing and editing skills, knowledge of different industries and job markets, and the ability to market and promote your services.

Photography Services

From graduation photos to special events in college towns, there is always a need for photography services. To start this business you’ll need to invest in basic equipment like a camera and lenses, but the cost to start should be relatively low compared to many businesses. Of course, if you don’t already have photography skills, you’ll need to learn the basics and practice to build up your portfolio.

DJ Services

College students are always planning local events and parties, and a good DJ can make or break the atmosphere. From fraternity and sorority events to campus-wide celebrations, there is a high demand for talented DJs as college students are very into having an active social life. In fact, if you’re a college student yourself, you have the advantage of being in the same demographic as your potential clients which gives you insight into the music they want to hear and the vibe they’re going for.

The equipment for this is probably going to cost quite a bit upfront, but once you buy it, you’ll be able to use it for years, across hundreds of gigs.

Tutoring Business

Where there is a college, there is always going to be a great opportunity for tutoring. If you have extensive knowledge of a particular subject, you may be able to make a good income tutoring university students who need a little help to get the grade they want. To start a tutoring business, you’ll need knowledge of academic subjects along with good teaching skills.

Furniture Rental

It may sound weird, but furniture rental can be really lucrative in cities with big colleges! Many college students can’t afford, or don’t want to buy, expensive furniture. Offering good, modern furniture that students can pay for while they need it, and then give back when they’re done, is a great way to make money. To start this business, you’ll need to invest in the furniture and have somewhere to store it when not rented out. But you could easily do this out of your garage or a storage unit so you don’t have the expense of a storefront.

Bike Rental

If you know anything about bikes, you know they can be expensive! Many people don’t want to invest hundreds of dollars in one if they’re only going to need it for a few months. Starting a bike rental business is a great way to fill this need while making some extra money. All you’ll need are some good quality bikes, a space to store them, and a way to promote your bike rental service.

Bike rentals can be a good side hustle, but could easily turn into a full time business as well. If you start with 10 bikes at $500 each, you’re investing $5,000. But if you rent them out for $100 per month for 12 months? That’s already over $14,000! Add more bikes, or find good deals on used bikes to make even more profit!

Bike Repair Shop

If the college campus near you is bike friendly, opening a bike repair shop can be a great way to make some extra money. To do this, you’ll need knowledge of how to fix bikes, some basic tools and supplies in addition to the space for your shop. This is easily something you could start out of your garage and move into a storefront as you increase your business.

There’s that stereotype that college students eat ramen and PB&J’s, but there are plenty of college students that prefer to have real, healthy meals. But most college students living in a dorm, spending all their time in class or studying don’t necessarily have lot of time for cooking.

To solve this problem, you can start a meal prep service that offers ready-made, healthy food that college students can pick up or have delivered to their dorms. Depending on where you live, there might be some licensing or food handling certification you need, so make sure to check on this, but it can be a really lucrative business.

Moving Services

College students are always on the move. Whether it’s from one dorm to another or from college to home for the summer, there is always a need for moving services in college towns. To start this business, you’ll need some strong helpers and a truck, or at least somewhere to rent a truck for the day for your local market if you don’t have the funds to purchase one just yet.

Used Furniture Store

Secondhand furniture stores are great business for college towns. College students are often frugal because they’re on a tight budget and don’t want to spend thousands on furniture. Start off by picking up used furniture from thrift stores, estate sales, or liquidation sales. You can even offer a delivery service for an extra fee to save them the hassle of having to pick it up.

Car Rentals

Not all college students have a car because it’s not always necessary, or they simply can’t afford the payment or insurance. If you have a car that you can offer up, a car rental business can be a great side hustle. Some even take this full time, using their profit to purchase more cards. The most important thing to double check for this business is that you have the right insurance on your car.

Apps like Turo are a great way to get started because they already have an established platform for you to use. All you need is a car and the willingness to rent it out!

Hopefully, this article gave you some good college town business ideas! Whether you’re a student or just happen to live in a college town, these great business ideas can help you make some extra money while also serving the local college community.

If you’re ready to get started, start researching the college town business ideas that look best to you and get a business plan together!

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Small Business Trends

18 business ideas for college students to consider and pursue.

For many, college is a time of learning and growth. Yet, it’s also an ideal period to explore business ideas for college students.

The drive to earn extra money and the entrepreneurial spirit can align perfectly in these years. Starting a business during this phase can significantly expand opportunities and empower students to immediately apply what they’ve learned.

Read on to discover some prime ideas tailored for those eager to embark on college business ventures.

Here’s a word from Adam Erhart about the “7 Best Businesses for Beginners to Start in 2023.” Some will look familiar, like pet sitting, but the ones like honeybee and goat rental services are truly unique! It’s a good watch and supplement to the article:

Why Should College Students Start a Business?

If you’re a college student, here are some benefits you can obtain by starting your own business:

• Earn extra money: What college student couldn’t earn extra money? Starting a business can help you cover tuition, books, or living expenses. With a particularly profitable business idea, you could even save serious money for graduation when you’re on your own.
• Get a head start on your career: Many people start their careers once they’ve graduated from college. But if your dream is to start a business, jumping into entrepreneurship during college means you’re even closer to your goals upon graduating.
• Build an impressive resume: If you’re interested in a more traditional career path, acting on startup ideas during college still holds many benefits. Potential employers may notice your ambition, creativity, and leadership, giving you a better chance of scoring your dream job.
• Take advantage of networking opportunities: You have access to lots of help while in school, from other students and teachers to business centers and student organizations. Connect with others who have connections to your industry to share ideas or partner on a new venture.
• Start in a low-risk environment: Many college students have loans or parental assistance covering living expenses during college. Once you graduate, you may have extra expenses, a mortgage, or a family that makes you risk-averse. Starting young allows you to really jump in without doing any major harm to your future.

Read more: A College Student’s Guide to Launching a Startup

Our Methodology: The Best Business Ideas for College Students

In guiding college students towards successful entrepreneurial endeavors, we employ a specific set of criteria tailored to their unique needs and constraints. Each criterion is rated on a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 denotes the least importance and 5 indicates the highest importance in our review process:

• Importance: 5
• We prioritize business ideas that require minimal initial investment, considering the budget constraints typical for college students.
• The business should offer flexibility to accommodate a student’s class schedule and academic commitments. Ideas that require less time commitment or allow for variable working hours are preferred.
• Importance: 4
• Business ideas that provide students with valuable skills and experience, contributing to their resume and professional growth, are highly valued.
• Importance: 3
• We assess whether the business idea has the potential for growth and scalability, either during the college years or after graduation.
• The idea should cater to a genuine market need or demand, and it should be feasible for a student to implement with limited resources.
• The business idea should have a clear path to generating income, even if it might not be immediate, to ensure it’s financially worthwhile for the student.
• Given the digital proficiency and online engagement of most college students, business ideas that leverage digital platforms or online marketplaces are considered advantageous.
• Importance: 2
• Ideas that incorporate ethical practices and potentially provide a positive social impact resonate well with the values of many college students.

By applying these criteria, we aim to help college students identify business ideas that are not only feasible and flexible for their unique lifestyle but also provide opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Ideas for Local Businesses Founded by College Students

There are many startup business ideas you can run in your college town. If you’re looking to serve others in person as a university student, here are some small business options.

1. Tutoring Business

If you excel in a particular subject, help your fellow students as a tutor. You can charge for Expanding your knowledge is a great way to both help others and earn. If you’re proficient in a particular subject, why not share your expertise?

By offering tutoring sessions, you can charge either per session or establish packages for longer periods. Don’t limit yourself to just college peers; high school students can also benefit from your insights, broadening your client base. This business has a low startup cost and can be a great way to help others.

2. Cleaning Business

Every space, whether a home or an office, requires regular cleaning. If you’re seeking a venture that’s evergreen, a cleaning business might be your answer.

Start by investing in essential cleaning equipment, and then promote your services to homeowners and businesses in your locality. With consistent service quality, you can establish a steady client roster and scale over time.

3. Essay Writing

For the eloquent writers out there, a business opportunity awaits. Students constantly face challenges in crafting the perfect essay. While you shouldn’t write assignments for them, providing templates, outlines, or even just guidance can be invaluable.

Moreover, offering editing services ensures their work is polished and ready for submission, adding another potential revenue stream. There’s almost no startup cost, and you can scale with additional services.

4. Delivery Service

The modern world thrives on convenience, and delivery services are in vogue. If you have access to a car or even a bicycle, start your own delivery business, with high market demand in many areas.

Deliver meals, groceries, or essential items around the campus or the local town. While apps can be useful partners, a more personalized approach with posters and word-of-mouth can also yield customers.

5. Plan Local Events

For those who find joy in bringing people together and orchestrating memorable events, an event planning service is a viable business. From birthdays to corporate gatherings, events are numerous and varied.

While much of your organizational work might be digital, being present on the ground, especially on event days, ensures everything aligns with your vision.

6. Personal Trainer

Physical well-being is on everyone’s list, making personal training a sought-after service. If you’re passionate about fitness and health, leverage that to help others in their fitness journey.

By collaborating with local gyms or offering specialized sessions at clients’ homes, you can craft unique workout plans catering to individual needs.

7. Photography Business

The world of photography is vast and constantly evolving. If you possess a quality camera and have a knack for capturing moments, this business might be for you.

Whether it’s covering local events, offering portrait sessions, or even landscape photography, the possibilities are vast. Additionally, the digital space provides avenues like online galleries or stock photo platforms to monetize your work further.

8. Food Delivery Services

In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is a key selling point, and food delivery taps into this need. If you wish to zero in on this niche, establish collaborations with local eateries that lack a delivery component.

Instead of just being the middleman, establish a business framework, either contracting with the restaurants directly or setting up a personalized delivery service where you charge customers a specific fee per delivery. There’s tons of demand for this service, and many digital platforms can support your growth.

9. Sports Coach

Sports play a pivotal role in many students’ lives, providing both physical fitness and discipline. If you possess athletic skills and a knack for teaching, consider venturing into coaching.

Local schools often seek skilled individuals to enhance their teams. Alternatively, offering private coaching sessions to student-athletes can provide a more tailored experience, improving their skill set significantly.

10. Pet Sitting Business

Pets are cherished family members for many, and ensuring their well-being is paramount, especially when owners are away. If you share a deep affinity for animals, this business avenue can be both emotionally and financially rewarding.

By providing a trustworthy and loving environment, you can watch over dogs, cats, or other pets in the comfort of their homes, providing owners with peace of mind during their travels. There are even digital platforms you can use to market this service and connect with clients.

Summary Table

This table provides a concise summary of local college business ideas:

Initial Investment :

• Low : Minimal financial outlay (like just promoting services online or using skills and tools you already have).
• Moderate : Some investment is needed for equipment, renting space, or initial inventory.

Target Market : A general classification of the primary audience that the business aims to serve.

Online Business Ideas for College Students

Online small businesses often allow college students to serve a niche market for a low initial investment. Here are some opportunities to consider if you’d like to start a business online.

11. Develop Online Courses

The e-learning industry is booming, with many individuals seeking knowledge online. If you have expertise in a particular subject or skill, consider structuring it into an online course.

Whether you’re conducting live classes or creating pre-recorded modules, the flexibility allows students globally to benefit at their convenience, all while you generate revenue.

12. Social Media Platform

The power of social media is undeniable in today’s interconnected world. If you possess technical skills, consider developing a niche social platform tailored for your university or a specific interest group.

Such a platform could operate on subscription models or rely on advertising, depending on your target audience and the value proposition.

13. Web Design

In this digital age, a strong online presence is crucial for businesses and individuals alike. If you have a flair for design combined with technical prowess, web design can be a lucrative avenue.

By offering customized website solutions, either charging per project or on an hourly basis, you can cater to a wide array of clients, from local entrepreneurs to larger corporations.

14. Sell Online

E-commerce is a dynamic sector with immense growth potential. If you have unique products or can source them, establish an online storefront. Whether you’re leveraging existing marketplaces or designing your own website, ensure efficient inventory management.

For those with limited space, drop-shipping or partnering with print-on-demand services can streamline operations, letting you focus on marketing and customer service.

15. App Developer

With the proliferation of smartphones, apps have become an integral part of our daily lives, presenting an incredible business opportunity. If you have coding skills and a unique idea, consider developing your own app.

This can either be a standalone product where users pay a fee or a freemium model with in-app purchases. Always ensure that your app brings significant value to encourage users to invest.

For those who might not want to launch an independent app, there’s a thriving market where businesses seek developers to bring their digital visions to life through contractual arrangements.

16. Market Research

In today’s competitive market landscape, businesses are in constant need of insights to tailor their strategies effectively.

By offering research services, you can assist them in gathering crucial data. This could range from online surveys that gauge consumer sentiment to in-depth focus groups that dive deep into product feedback or usability studies to optimize products.

Position yourself as a trusted intermediary between companies and the information they seek, and monetize this essential service.

17. Translation Services

In our globalized world, bridging language barriers is invaluable. If you’re proficient in multiple languages, leverage that skill by offering translation services. This could involve translating business documents, marketing materials, or even literary works.

As businesses expand internationally, there’s an increasing demand for professionals who can accurately and effectively communicate messages across diverse linguistic landscapes.

18. Transcription Services

The digital age has seen an explosion in audio and video content, from corporate webinars to podcast episodes. This surge has concurrently increased the demand for transcription services.

Whether for accessibility reasons, content repurposing, or detailed analysis, turning spoken words into written text is an invaluable service. If you possess keen listening skills and a fast typing speed, this venture could be a perfect match.

Ensure accuracy and timeliness in your transcriptions to build a reputation in this expanding sector.

This table provides a concise summary of online college business ideas:

• Low : Minimal costs, primarily relying on skills, online platforms, and minimal tools.
• Moderate : Some investment in specialized tools, software, advertising, or initial inventory.
• High : Significant financial outlay, particularly for development-heavy projects or infrastructure.

Target Market : Gives an overview of the primary potential clientele or user base for the specific business.

Local vs. Online Business Ideas for College Students

To assist college students in understanding the potential opportunities available, here’s a table showing the differences between local and online business ideas:

What Business Idea is Best for College Students?

The best college business ideas vary based on each student’s skills and goals. However, some options that can be both fun and profitable include web design, managing social media platforms, tutoring younger students, and running a writing service.

Read more: Small Business Ideas for Beginners

What Business is Most Profitable for Students?

The profitability of a student business idea can vary widely based on the market, business plan, and startup costs.

However, online businesses tend to be inexpensive to start, and thus can be quite profitable. Popular ideas include digital marketing, graphic design, and running a YouTube channel.

Image: Envato Elements

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Business Idea Insight

Learn to develop a side business idea to launch

17 Business Ideas for College Students for 2022

Startup and business ideas for college students.

Starting a business in college can be a great way to make a living and pay for your way through school, if you do it right. Or, if you’re inspired by other great entrepreneurs who met their co-founders and launched the next biggest fortune 500 company, then starting a business in University may be your calling.

The great thing about business ideas for college students is that campuses can be the perfect place to validate a product or service offering too.

We are going to go over 17 business ideas. There is also both a range of small and large scale business ideas.

1. Voice-enhancement app

The voice-enhancement app would be a fun and cool app that people could download and use to enhance their voices for voice messaging. It would utilize their already installed messaging app, such as iMessage, and allow people to enhance their voices in cool and interesting ways, clip their audio files, and other fun features. They say audio is the next big thing as more and more people use it to type out texts, send regular voice messages, and use voice devices like the Amazon Alexa.

One co-founder would need to have a strong background in coding and software development, but this could easily be developed and launched from a college dorm room. If you wanted to take a different route, this could also be possibly created into an app that people could use. This idea would be worth validating if you want to try and create the next big social business idea!

2. Dorm cleaning service

Some people in college and university really miss having their parents or home maids clean their rooms. Now that they are at university, they may not want to clean their dorms by themselves. Leaving the perfect opportunity for you to charge them a fee to clean up the room.

It would be easy to do as you can simply market the business by going door to door in dorm buildings. Startup costs would also be very low since it costs could consist of cleaning supplies and a business license. After a while, and if you have a consistent clientele base, you could look into hiring other students to do the cleaning for you. The great thing about this idea is that it could be started from almost any college or university, and has the opportunity for expansion.

3. On-campus delivery service

There are many delivery services established that will delivery goods, packages, and food around cities, however, there are no or very few services that will deliver goods across campus. A professor may need a suit from the school dry cleaner delivered to the lecture hall. Or a group of students may need a bunch of food delivered to their dorms from the cafeteria. Saving them time so they can study. This would also be another business idea for college students that would be low-cost to start . You’d only need a bike, a strong bag for transporting things, and potentially a GPS if it was a large campus. This business idea could easily be expanded across other schools if you wanted to grow this idea beyond your own college.

4. Add-on online courses for college classes

If you have a strong interest and specialty in a set of college courses, you could create an online and easy to follow set of video courses that others could watch and learn from. Sometimes students need to hear the course information in different ways than the professor presents it, to fully understand the material.

Be careful though that you don’t copy the courses you just took, otherwise you could end up in legal trouble with the college. Your courses would have to have a different spin on how the material is taught. They could pay a simple fee for each course or a package deal if there were multiple courses. A background in video editing and course creation would come in very handy.

“Our extremely conservative estimate for the global tutoring industry is that it’s worth $100 billion (annually),” said Julian Dierkes, a professor with the Institute of Asian Research at the University of British Columbia (Source).

5. language transcription service.

If you are at a college or university abroad in a different country where they speak different languages, and you know both your home language and the native language in that country, you can start a transcription service.

By setting up a website where other people or companies can upload documents in one language, you could have an online portal of work that you can do in your dorm. When they upload it to your website, you could work on it, transcribe the document to their needs, and then send it back to them over your portal and a fee would be taken. This would be a great way to set it up so you don’t spend your precious time dealing with mail and hardcopy documents.

Again, this idea can grow into a large company if you hired other students to expand your workforce.

6. Research paper writing company

If you love to write and have a strength in writing research papers, this business idea for college could be perfect for you. Similar to the idea above, you could setup a website where other students from different universities around the state or country could send in their research paper requests, along with deposits for the work.

Then you could write the paper from the comfort of your dorm room and charge a fee for the end work. Many of these students will pay big money for a great finished product as it means they get a good grade when they really needed it.

However, one thing to watch out for is that some colleges and universities have policies about helping students in this manner. This is another idea that could grow with the help of other students.

7. Furniture Lending Service

Many college and university students move to their dorms with furniture specifically designed for their new room. But after a year they often end up throwing it out or selling it for pennies on the dollar as it usually does not accommodate other places well, and students don’t have time to sell the furniture. This means the students or their parents have wasted a lot of money on custom furniture of their dorm.

This college business idea would help stop that by allowing students to rent their dorm furniture. By working with local furniture shops around each campus, you can design furniture for each room and then charge a monthly or yearly fee to students. You could advertise to them online through Facebook or Instagram or Google to get them to know about your service before they come to the school.

8. Virtual assistant – professor niche

The virtual assistant is a great business model for college students as you can operate this business from your dorm room or house. As a virtual assistant, you would help other businesses and professionals with their online needs. This may be converting datasets in excel, transcribing audio, or simple data entry.

However, due to the current market competition for general virtual assistants, you could change your offerings to fit professors and college teachers. You could provide marking services, presentation preparation and development, and other tasks a professor would need done.

9. University/ College entrance consultant

As a new college or university student, you may now be qualified to help others get accepted into the schools you got accepted to when you were in high school. If you applied to several schools and got into them all, this will broaden your credibility.

For this business idea, you could set up a consulting service for wealthy families to coach their teen through the process of applying and getting accepted to their school of choice. A deposit for the work done, and a fee for the acceptance could be a good way to setup the payment systems. This could also be done online if you have the email packages and a great video calling system.

10. Senior companion service

There is no doubt that the 65+ community is growing around the globe. In some areas of the world, that group is poised to be the fastest growing demographic in the area! Meaning they will have a huge impact on business. If you are attending school in a place with a high senior’s population, this could be a great fit for you.

By advertising to the local communities about your service, you could charge a monthly fee to go and hangout with a single or group of seniors for the afternoon or evening. Possibly running chores for them in case they can’t or their family couldn’t anymore. This service would also have great potential to expand, as you can hire other students to take various shifts, and it would be a great way for them to meet others in the community while getting paid.

11. Textbook exchange service

The textbook exchange service is a classic college business idea that is hard to start and grow, but if done right, can have major rewards. This service would involve setting up an app or website where people from a certain school could upload their used textbooks for others to be able to buy or rent them.

Where this idea usually fails is that at the launch due to low stocks of the needed textbooks, and then the textbook buying season buys and the company runs out of money to sustain until the next semester.

If you are able to set up this website or exchange in advance with a great stock of textbooks, this would increase your chances of success. Similarly, if you chatted with the professors and teachers to confirm older versions of the textbook could be used for class, it would give students confidence that they can get the used book and still succeed.

This would be a great business to run as most of the work would be needed before the new semester, before any large assignments in class.

12. Notes Digitization service

If you can type fast, you could offer a note digitization service to other students, teachers, or university staff. This service could be charged on a per-word basis for you to type up handwritten notes into word documents, excel sheets, or even powerpoints.

If you like dealing with people in person and don’t want to run a business that is completely based online, this may be a great service for you to run. There would be a human interaction component, as you would always need to pick up the notes since they are a hard copy.

13. Dorm room greens service

I’m talking greens.

Many students want to have plants in their dorm, but may fail to keep them healthy, or simply throw them out after. Instead, you could offer a service where you can deliver and water the plants for them. Every few weeks or months, the plants could be switched out to a different plant at the student’s preference. You could also see if you could get help from the school to fund this since, as it would be costlier to startup with all the costs of plants, containers, soil, etc. Payments could be set up on a one-time or monthly subscription.

14. Campus electric scooter rentals

Campus committing doesn’t have to be boring and with this service, it won’t. The campus electric scooter rental would have 5-10 electric and push scooter racks located at various strategic points on campus. Students could then rent them for a per minute or single-use fee to get to their classes.

This is another larger scale business idea as the scooters would an expensive initial investment, but it has the potential to grow as you can expand to large cities with huge campuses.

15. Care-package subscription service

Many new university and college students miss home when they first move to school. And their parents miss taking care of them! This service would help solve that problem as parents could buy their kids care packages that could be delivered at certain times of the year. That way, the students don’t get as home-sick and they also get a great and healthy packed box of goods.

This business could partner with local food chains and suppliers as it would help them get their name out as well, so supplies could be cheaper or even free. Secondly, the willingness to pay by many families may be quite high, so the price point could be higher than most other subscription box services.

16. New grad employment consulting service

Graduating from college or university can be very intimidating. Especially for those whos programs didn’t prepare them to get a job when they left their studies. This is a nightmare reality that many new grads face, and many of them end up getting a job completely unrelated to their studies just to pay the bills.

This is another college business idea that could be potentially funded by the university, as it gives the institution a good reputation of helping their students and their alumni landing job opportunities. To start this, you could put together a resume and cover letter training packages, as well as mock interviews and other classes related to getting the job in the field they want. A single class-fee could be charged here.

Although the employment rates have returned to their 2007 average, there are millions of graduates every year, so 2% to 4% of 10 million is a healthy market size of around 300,000 people that could use your help. This idea could also be adjusted for high school students that need a job, as that market is larger and would be a good place to expand.

17. The ethical phone company

The large phone producers like Apple, Samsung, and Google continue to push the boundaries of what is acceptable for a company to do to its consumers. From purposefully draining and gaming the batteries phone life around the launch time of new phones, and the unethical pricing you’ll pay to get your device repaired, it is time someone start an ethical phone company.

This company would involve creating a phone that is not $1,000, but instead around $300-$500, with parts that can be interchanged and replaced as needed. Additionally, parts wouldn’t be made for the purpose to break in 6 months either. This phone company would be ethical, and that could appeal to a very large mass market across the world.

It would also be a great business idea to start in college because you may have access to students in other programs like computer science and engineering so they could help you make this a reality.

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12 business ideas for students to start at college

• Nirit Braun
• Dec 10, 2023
• 10 min read

A student business idea is an entrepreneurial endeavor initiated by a college student. College students may start businesses for various reasons and these ventures can range from small side hustles to full-fledged startups.

Learn more: How to choose a business idea

Why might students need to start a business?

There are many reasons why college students might choose to start a business . Some of the main ones include:

College students often face financial challenges, including high tuition fees, living expenses and student loan repayments. Starting a business can provide an additional income source and financial stability. Read more about how to make money as a student or how to make money as a teenager .

Entrepreneurship allows students to gain real-world job experience and build their resumes or portfolios. This practical experience and gained expertise can be valuable when seeking employment after graduation.

Running a business can offer flexibility in terms of work hours, which can be beneficial for students with irregular class schedules or other academic commitments.

Students may have unique talents, skills, or interests they want to pursue as a business. Entrepreneurship allows them to turn their passions and college studies into profitable ventures.

12 best business ideas for students to start while at college

Students at college can explore a range of business opportunities that fit into their busy schedules. Ideas like freelancing, dropshipping, tutoring, blogging and others offer them the chance to earn and learn simultaneously. Service businesses like pet care, landscaping and cleaning are great for part-time ventures that can accommodate academic commitments.

Freelancing

Dropshipping

Craft business

Start and monetize a blog

Marketing services

Pet sitting and care

Landscaping

Bookkeeping

Delivery services

01. Freelancing

Freelancing involves offering your skills and services to clients or businesses on a project-by-project basis. Freelancers work independently, often remotely and may provide services such as writing, graphic design, web development, social media management or digital marketing.

Learn more: Freelance ideas , how to make money as a graphic designer

Why is freelancing a good business idea for students?

Freelancing offers students the flexibility to work around their class schedules and other commitments, much like other side business ideas do. Students can leverage their skills and expertise to earn income in areas they are passionate about. Freelancing allows students to gain real-world experience, build a portfolio and network with potential clients. All of which can help them in their professional careers post-graduation.

What are some good freelancing businesses for students to start?

Content writing : this could be writing blog posts or freelance copywriting services for businesses.

Graphic design : creating logos, infographics or marketing materials for clients.

Web creation and development : build websites for individuals or businesses. You can use a website builder like Wix to easily build websites for clients.

Social media management : manage and grow social media profiles for small businesses. This can include creating posts and content, tracking users and building engagement.

02. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is an eCommerce business model where students can set up online stores and sell products without holding inventory. When a customer places an order, the products are shipped directly from the supplier to the customer.

Learn more: eCommerce business ideas , Dropshipping business ideas

Why is dropshipping a good business idea for students?

Dropshipping requires minimal upfront investment, making it accessible to students on a tight budget.

Learn more: Low-cost business ideas , How to sell online

The e-Commerce industry is continuously growing and dropshipping allows students to tap into this market without the hassles of inventory management. In 2022 global retail m-commerce sales topped $431.4 billion and are expected to top $511.8 billion in 2023.

Learn more: How to start a dropshipping business

What are some good dropshipping businesses for students to start?

Online clothing store: sell clothing, accessories, or niche-specific fashion items. Learn more: How to start a clothing business .

Electronics and gadgets: offer a range of tech gadgets and accessories.

Home decor: sell decorative items, furniture or interior design products.

Health and wellness: focus on products like supplements, fitness equipment or eco-friendly products.

03. Reselling

Reselling involves buying products at a lower price and reselling them at a profit. This can be done through various channels, including online marketplaces, thrift stores, or even college flea markets.

Why is reselling a good business idea for students?

Reselling can be started with a small investment, which is suitable for students. It provides students with valuable experience in sales, marketing and negotiation all of which are important professional skills to learn. Students can engage in reselling part-time or during breaks so it doesn’t conflict with their studies.

Learn more: Best businesses to start with little money

What are some good reselling businesses for students to start?

Thrift store finds: sell vintage clothing , collectibles or antiques.

Online bookstore: sell used or rare books through online marketplaces.

Tech accessories: offer phone cases, chargers, or tech gadgets.

Home decor: resell furniture, artwork or other decorative items.

04. Craft business

Selling crafts online involves creating and selling handmade crafts and products. This can include jewelry , candles , artwork, hand-knit scarves or personalized gifts.

Why is crafting a good business idea for students?

Craft businesses allow students to express their creativity and turn their hobbies into income. Operating from a dorm room or small workspace minimizes overhead costs.

Learn more: Home-based business ideas

Handcrafted items have a unique, artisanal appeal that can attract regular customers. Learn how to sell crafts online .

Learn more: Unique business ideas

What are some good crafting business ideas for students to start?

Handmade jewelry: create custom jewelry pieces or unique designs.

Candle making : craft scented or decorative candles.

Art and illustrations : sell original artwork, prints, or digital designs.

Personalized gifts : offer custom-made gifts, such as mugs, T-shirts or home decor.

05. Tutoring

Tutoring involves providing educational support to students or learners in specific subjects or skills. This can be done in person or online and subjects can range from math and science to languages and test preparation.

Learn more: How to start a tutoring business

Why is tutoring a good business idea for students?

Students can leverage their knowledge in subjects they’re passionate about and in turn, share them with other students. Tutors can schedule sessions around their class schedule and availability which makes this a flexible business idea to start. It can also be a great business idea for students looking to enter teaching or lecturing as a professional post-graduation.

Learn more: Business ideas for teachers

What are some good tutoring businesses for students to start?

Academic tutoring: offer assistance in subjects like math, science, or history.

Language lessons : teach foreign languages or provide English as a Second Language (ESL) lessons.

Test prep: help students prepare for standardized tests like the SAT or GRE.

Music or art lessons: provide music instruction or art lessons to aspiring learners.

06. Start and monetize a blog

Blogging involves creating and regularly updating an online platform where you share information, opinions, or expertise on a specific topic or niche. Monetizing a blog means earning income from it through various methods like advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored content or selling digital products.

Learn more: How to start a blog

Why is a blog a good business idea for students?

Blogging allows students to work on their own schedules, making it easy to balance with classes. All you need to blog is a computer and an internet connection, making it possible to do from anywhere. It's an opportunity to express ideas, passions and knowledge. These are all important skills for a college student. Over time, a well-monetized blog can generate passive income.

Learn more: Passive income ideas .

What are some good blog ideas for students to start?

Travel blog : share travel experiences, tips and affiliate links to booking platforms.

Fitness blog : Discuss fitness nutrition and promote related products.

Tech blog: write reviews and recommendations for tech products.

Finance blog : offer financial advice, budgeting tips and promote financial tools.

Get started with the Wix blog maker and make your own blog.

07. Marketing services

These services encompass a wide range of activities, such as social media marketing, content creation, SEO and advertising, to help businesses reach and engage their target audience.

Learn more: How to start a marketing business

Why is marketing a good business idea for students?

Students often possess digital marketing skills, either from their studies or from their own use of social media and can leverage them to help businesses improve theirg online presence. Marketing is essential for businesses and there's a consistent demand for marketing services that students can tap intoStudents can offer marketing services on a freelance basis, which provides flexibility around their studies and extracurricular commitments..

What are some good marketing businesses for students to start?

Social media management : help businesses grow and manage their social media profiles.

Content creation : provide blog posts, articles or video content for companies.

Email marketing: helping to create the assets and strategy for email marketing campaigns.

08. Pet sitting and care

Pet sitting and care services involve taking care of pets when their owners are away. This includes pet sitting, dog walking, feeding and providing companionship or even boarding.

Why is pet care a good business idea for students?

Students who love animals can earn income doing what they enjoy. Pet sitting can be done part-time, at the weekend, in the evenings or during breaks. Minimal investment is needed for pet sitting and dog walking which suits most students' budgets.

What are some good pet-related businesses for students to start?

Dog walking: offering daily dog-walking services for pet owners.

In-home pet sitting : care for pets at the owner's home while they're away.

Pet boarding: provide boarding services for pets in your home or a rented space.

Pet grooming: offer grooming and spa services for pets.

09. Landscaping

Landscaping services involve tasks like lawn maintenance and gardening. This can include mowing, weeding, planting and landscape design.

Why is gardening a good business idea for students?

Landscaping provides a physical workout, which can be appealing to students who want to keep fit as part of their business. Landscaping can be seasonal, allowing students to work during breaks and avoiding conflict with their studies. The startup costs for basic landscaping services are relatively low, some lawn care services can be done with the lawn owner's tools or equipment.

Learn more: Business ideas for teens , Recession-proof business ideas

What are some good landscaping-related businesses for students to start?

Lawn care: offer services like mowing, edging and lawn treatment.

Gardening and planting: assist homeowners with garden design and planting.

Tree care: prune, trim and care for trees on residential properties.

Landscape design: create landscape plans and implement them for clients.

10. Cleaning services

Cleaning services involve cleaning and maintaining residential or commercial spaces. This can include house cleaning, office cleaning and specialized cleaning services.

Why is cleaning a good business idea for students?

Cleaning businesses can start with basic cleaning supplies, keeping initial costs low for students. Cleaning can be scheduled around classes and other commitments, a flexibility that is ideal for college students as a part-time business idea .

What are some good cleaning businesses for students to start?

House cleaning: offer regular house cleaning services for homeowners.

Office cleaning: provide cleaning services for small businesses or offices.

Specialized cleaning: focus on niche cleaning services like carpet cleaning, window washing, or post-construction cleaning.

Janitorial services: offer cleaning and maintenance services to commercial properties.

11. Bookkeeping

A bookkeeping business involves maintaining financial records and ensuring the accuracy of financial transactions for businesses. This includes tasks like data entry, reconciling accounts and preparing financial reports.

Why is bookkeeping a good business idea for students?

Students with accounting or finance knowledge can offer bookkeeping services to businesses who need it, this can be done on a freelance basis, providing flexibility for students. It’s also a great way for students to learn how to manage a business themselves.

What are some good bookkeeping businesses for students to start?

Small business: assist small businesses with their financial record-keeping.

Virtual services : provide remote and online bookkeeping services to clients.

Tax preparation : expand services to include tax preparation and filing.

Financial consulting: offer financial advice and consultation in addition to bookkeeping. Make sure you understand the risks and liabilities involved in providing businesses with financial advice that they may then act on.

12. Delivery services

Delivery services involve transporting goods or packages from one location to another. This can include food delivery, courier services or package delivery.

Why are delivery services a good business idea for students?

Delivery services can be scheduled around class hours and student availability. Basic delivery services can be started with a vehicle or even a bicycle, meaning minimal startup costs.

What are some good delivery services for students to start?

Food delivery: partner with local restaurants for food delivery services.

Package delivery : delivering parcels for courier companies or retailers.

How to turn a student business idea into a successful business?

Choose a business idea that aligns with your skills, interests and market demand. For example, if you have a special talent for animation, then you can learn how to make money as an animator . Conduct market research to identify unmet needs or niches within your target industry. You can also consider choosing from recession-proof business ideas , to ensure no matter what you're able to maintain your business.

Create a detailed business plan outlining your business goals, target market, competition, financial projections and marketing strategy.

Explore funding options, such as personal savings, grants, loans or crowdfunding, to finance your business.

Effectively manage your time to balance coursework, business operations and personal life. Create a schedule that accommodates your class schedule and business needs.

Build a network of mentors, peers and potential clients. Networking can provide valuable guidance and opportunities for collaboration.

Establish a strong online presence through a business website , social media and e-Commerce platforms (you can do this by making an eCommerce website of your own) if applicable. Online visibility is essential for attracting customers and clients via an eCommerce model.

Prioritize the quality of your products or services and provide excellent customer service. Satisfied customers are more likely to return and refer your business.

Ensure your business complies with all relevant laws and regulations. This includes registering your business and applying for business licenses, permits, taxes and intellectual property considerations.

Develop effective marketing strategies to reach your target audience. Consider digital marketing, social media, content marketing and traditional advertising methods too.

Be prepared to adapt to changes and challenges in the business landscape. Flexibility and the ability to pivot when necessary are key to success.

Keep accurate financial records and budget your expenses wisely. Monitor your business's financial health regularly.

Seek feedback from customers to identify areas for improvement. Be open to making necessary changes and enhancements to your business.

Consider seeking mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs or professors who can provide guidance and support. They can provide invaluable advice, such as this from Anegl Gregorio, Founder of the Spice Suite , "The best advice that I give to people is always 'Start now, perfect later,'” she says. “I never got so tied up in the need to perfect it all. I'm here to say, 'Just start it. You can fix it along the way. If you build your tribe and your community, they will go along the journey with you.’"

Explore more business ideas

Craft business ideas

Beauty business ideas

Reselling business ideas

DIY business ideas

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Earn Money While Studying: 15 Business Ideas for College Students

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With the rise of the gig economy and the increasing demand for entrepreneurship, college students have a unique opportunity to turn their passions and skills into profitable ventures. 

Whether you’re looking to make some extra cash, build your resume, or simply explore your entrepreneurial spirit, numerous business ideas can be executed from the comfort of your dorm room or campus. 

In this article, we’ll explore the best business ideas for college students, from building your personal brand online to offering technical services and tutoring. 

Is It Possible to Start a Business While Being a College Student?

Yes, it is possible to start a business while being a college student. You can start a business with relatively no cash . The internet has made the process easier than it used to be. You no longer need a physical storefront or a large investment.

Instead, you can leverage your creativity, skills, and knowledge to create a successful business from your laptop or smartphone. Whether you’re looking to sell products online, offer services, or simply build your personal brand, there are numerous opportunities for you to get started.

Why Start a Business Even as a College Student?

Starting a business as a college student has numerous benefits. Firstly, it allows you to explore your entrepreneurial spirit and test your ideas in a low-risk environment. 

Secondly, starting a business can help you develop valuable skills such as leadership, communication, and time management, all of which are highly sought after by employers. 

Thirdly, it can provide you with a source of income, allowing you to gain financial independence and freedom. Finally, starting a business can allow you to make a positive impact in your community and the world, by solving problems and creating value for others.

15 Business Ideas for College Students

The entrepreneurial spirit can strike at any time, and finding creative ways to make money while still in school can be a great way to gain valuable experience and financial independence. 

Here are 15 business ideas that are perfect for college students, whether it’s during the school year or over the summer break:

Build Your Personal Brand Online 

With social media platforms and blogging websites, it’s never been more convenient to build your personal brand . Create content around your interests, expertise, and experiences to build a following. This can help you monetize your online presence through affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or even offering your own products or services.

Sell Items at Pop-Up Stores or Online

Use your creativity and entrepreneurial spirit to source unique items, design your own products, or thrift for treasures to sell at pop-up stores or online marketplaces like Etsy or eBay. This type of business is flexible and can be adapted to fit your busy college schedule.

Resell Different Items of Interest

Buy popular items at a low price and sell them for a profit, either online or in person. This could include limited edition sneakers, collectible items, or trending products. Keep an eye on market trends and demands to make the most of your reselling venture.

Pet Sitting

If you love animals, pet sitting is a great way to earn some extra cash. Offer your services to friends, family, or neighbors, or sign up on websites like Rover to connect with clients. This is a flexible and enjoyable option, especially during breaks when people may be on vacation.

Babysitting

Babysitting is a classic way to make money while still in school. Offer your services to family, friends, or neighbors, or use websites like Care.com to find clients. Babysitting is in high demand, particularly during evenings and weekends, making it a perfect side gig for students.

Cleaning Business

Start a cleaning business and offer services such as house cleaning, dorm room cleaning, or even laundry services. This business idea is flexible and can easily fit around your class schedule. Plus, it’s always in demand, as people are constantly looking for help with cleaning tasks.

Become a Freelancer

Freelancing allows you to offer your skills in areas like writing, graphic design, web development, or social media management. Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr can help you find clients and build your portfolio. You can also set up an LLC as a freelancer to reap the benefits of tax advantages. 

Offer Technical Services

If you’re tech-savvy, you can offer services like computer repair, software installation, or smartphone troubleshooting. Advertise your services on campus, online, or through word of mouth. This is a great way to put your technical skills to use and make extra money.

To excel as a tutor, you need to first identify the subjects or areas in which you have expertise and passion. You can then advertise your services on campus, through social media, or by joining online platforms like Wyzant or Tutor.com. When working with students, be patient, empathetic, and prepared with effective teaching strategies. 

Essay Writing

You can offer your writing skills to help students with essays, research papers, or other writing assignments. This is a great way to utilize your writing skills and make money in your spare time.

Translation Services

If you’re fluent in multiple languages, offer translation services to individuals or businesses. This can include document translation, language tutoring, or even providing interpretation services at events.

Become a Local Reviewer

As a local reviewer, you will assess and write reviews for products, services, or events within your local area or community. Offering your services as a local reviewer, include providing honest reviews of local businesses, restaurants, and attractions. This can lead to paid partnerships, sponsored content, or even free products and services in exchange for your reviews. 

Delivery Service

With the rise of food delivery apps and online shopping, there’s always a need for reliable delivery drivers. Offer your services as a delivery driver or courier for local businesses or sign up with apps like DoorDash or UberEats. This is a flexible gig that can work around your class schedule and help you earn extra cash.

Organize Student Trips

If you love planning events and have a knack for organizing, consider organizing student trips. This could be anything from weekend getaways to spring break trips. Work with travel agencies or plan the trips yourself, and charge a fee for your services. This business idea allows you to explore new places while helping fellow students create lasting memories.

Run a Summer Camp Program 

During the summer break, consider organizing and running a summer camp program for kids. This could be a day camp focused on sports, arts, or academics, or even an overnight camp. This business idea requires careful planning and organization, but it’s an excellent way to gain leadership experience, work with kids, and make money during the summer months.

8 Steps to Start a Business

Once you’ve settled on a business idea and a suitable business name , it’s time to take actionable steps to bring your idea to life. Here are eight direct steps to help you start your business:

• Create a Business Plan: A business plan helps you focus on your objectives and serves as a guide for decision-making as you grow your business. You need to have a business plan to better manage your business.
• Choose Your Business Structure: Decide on the legal structure of your business, such as sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC) , or corporation. This decision affects taxation, personal liability, and legal requirements.
• Register Your Business: Choose a unique and memorable name for your business and register it with the appropriate government authorities. This may include registering your business name, obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN), and registering for state and local taxes.
• Obtain Necessary Licenses and Permits: Depending on your business type and location, you may need to obtain licenses and permits to operate legally. Research the requirements in your area and ensure you comply with all regulations.
• Open a Business Bank Account: Keep your personal and business finances separate by opening a dedicated business bank accoun t. This makes it easier to manage your business finances and track your expenses and income.
• Secure Funding: Determine the amount of capital you need to start your business and identify potential funding sources, such as personal savings, loans, grants, or investors. Create a detailed budget to guide your financial decisions and help secure the necessary funding.
• Get Business Insurance: Protect your business from potential risks and liabilities by obtaining the appropriate insurance coverage. This may include general liability insurance, property insurance, or professional liability insurance, depending on your business type and needs.
• Promote Your Business: Develop a marketing strategy to attract customers and build awareness for your business. This may include creating a website, leveraging social media, networking, and using traditional advertising methods. Continuously analyze and adjust your marketing efforts to maximize your business’s growth.

Become a College Student Entrepreneur

Starting a business while in college is not only possible but also highly rewarding. Whether you want to earn extra income, gain practical experience, or explore your passions, there are plenty of business ideas that are perfect for college students. From building your personal brand online to offering technical services to tutoring, the possibilities are endless. 

However, it’s important to take note of your finances as your business grows. doola’s bookkeeping services can help ease the financial management aspect of your business, allowing you to focus on your passion and drive your business forward. With doola , you can stay on top of your finances and make informed decisions for your business.

What is the best business idea to start for students?

The best business idea for students depends on their skills, interests, and available time. Popular ideas include tutoring, freelancing, pet sitting, or selling items online. Choose a venture that aligns with your passions and schedule.

What is a profitable small business for students?

A profitable small business for students is one with low overhead costs and high demand. Freelancing, tutoring, or offering technical services are examples of businesses that can generate significant income with minimal upfront costs.

What are low-cost college business ideas?

Low-cost college business ideas include offering services like tutoring, pet sitting, or freelance work. These ventures require little to no initial investment and can be easily scaled as the business grows.

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The Complete Guide to Business Ideas for College Students

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More than ever, young people are starting businesses. We’ve long since passed the days when starting a business in college was an outlier. Coming up with strong ideas that will launch a profitable business is more important than ever.

The life of a college student is hectic. While there may be some free time, most students have a full plate of work, classes, homework, and socializing. Starting an independent business with the right business idea can make a student’s crazy schedule easier to manage because it’s more lucrative and flexible than most part-time jobs. It’s also a great way to build a solid foundation for the future.

Finding the right business idea in college can be tough because founders and inventors still in school often don’t have enough real-world experience or connections to get investor funding, anticipate urgent pain points, or recognize whether their ideas are viable. This can lead to products that aren’t practical, wasted energy and time, and administrative and legal complications. 

Why College Business Ideas Are So Important

There are many benefits to starting a business while pursuing a college degree. It’s a chance to earn extra income with flexible hours. Running a business offers professional experience and a chance to try out different niches and industries. College can be challenging for hands-on learners, and starting a business in college provides an opportunity to apply the theories and ideas that come up in the classroom.

26% of entrepreneurs start two or more businesses in their life. With each business, owners and founders learn new tools and strategies that contribute to future success. A classroom can be the best place to test a risky idea. Coming up with business ideas in college isn’t a strategy for leaving school early; it’s an opportunity to make the most of your college investment. A college campus is also a great place to build a business toolbox. 

College startups offer an opportunity to hone skill sets that may be useful in the future. For example, if your business ideas are primarily mobile apps, you may want to take computer science classes to learn how they are made (not necessarily to make them yourself). Relevant college courses that relate to your business ideas can provide a better foundation for communication with your future team and help you set realistic expectations for your industry. 

Learning new skills can also connect you to people who share your passion and help hone your business ideas. Starting a business in college can also make it easier to narrow your sights on the right job after graduation.

Even better, students have access to heavy discounts to set up technology for a new business.  Colleges may offer copying and printing services, free Wi-Fi, extensive libraries, and private online resources that make it easier and less expensive to launch a business. And there’s no better place than a college campus for word-of-mouth advertising.

How To Develop Business Ideas As a College Student

42% of startups fail because the business idea isn’t something customers need. Instead of running with any business idea while in college, focus on the right one. 

When you’re trying to find the perfect product to sell, there are three questions that you should ask:

• What do people need?
• What do you love?
• What do you know?

Let’s dive into each of these further.

1. What do people need?

Start with your daily life and any problems you run into regularly. Many of these problems won’t seem like a big deal, like the fruit you buy at the grocery store molding before you can eat it. But you aren’t the only one to encounter it. You could invent or find a dropshipped product that can slow the molding process and keep your fruit fresh to solve this problem. Or maybe you want to address financial planning and budgeting for students with an app.

As you’re looking for problems to solve, think about the industries the problem relates to and other related problems. Then keep brainstorming about what manufacturing and development might look like or the supply chain. 

It might feel like these concerns are too complex to worry about yet. Still, if you plan to start a business while in college, you’ll soon realize that thinking about any new ideas from every possible angle is necessary for success. 

Excellent planning can cut down on risk, open up exciting avenues for growth, and help build the relationships any startup needs.

The problem you aim to solve does not need to require a product. Perhaps you encounter an issue of time, such as needing someone to walk your dog during the day while you work.

Other examples of business ideas that may solve a problem include:

• App development
• Dog walking
• Virtual assistant
• Tech support
• Affiliate marketing

When looking for problems to solve, involve others. Ask friends or family members what daily issues they’d like to fix, mitigate, or solve. Research what people search for or buy online and what issues they aim to solve or prevent.

2. What do you love?

Another great source for business ideas is your hobbies and passions. The business idea will connect to the communities you are already part of. The challenges and pain points will be easy for you to understand because of your experience and expertise.

Launching a business is more than making money. It’s easy to bail on a struggling business when it’s not a passion project, so coming up with original ideas is a better strategy than pulling from a list of someone else’s college business ideas. 

The right business for college students won’t just turn a profit. It will be a mission to dedicate significant time and energy to. Maybe you made memes for fun in high school. You could build a business in social media management in college. Find an area you already have relevant experience in and turn it into a service you can offer for profit. Other passion-based business ideas might be:

• Creating or testing video games
• Starting a blog
• Running a podcast
• Editing term papers
• Creating crocheting, knitting, or sewing patterns
• Logo and graphic design

Think about the things you already enjoy and see if there’s a way to turn that into a profitable venture.

3. What do you know?

For some, the first step toward a new business idea will pop up while on campus. For example, suppose you were at a career fair and noticed that students asked for assistance with grad school applications or career advice. In that case, you might think about creating a career consulting and application review service for students on campus. 

There are a ton of business ideas that would work at any college or university. Make the most of college connections, classrooms, and concerns. These business ideas can work on any campus:

• Tutoring/teaching
• Event planning
• Personal training or exercise classes
• Moving and packing services
• Lawn care/landscaping
• Painting and general handyman services

Consider what you already know how to do and who you know that may be looking for help. Use these answers to identify where you can make a difference.

Quick Tips To Improve & Refine Your Business Ideas 

Whether you’re just starting or have been playing with business ideas for a while, these quick tips can help you hone your loose thoughts into a tight business idea to start while in school.

Find a niche

No matter what business idea comes out on top, there will be stiff competition. In addition to popular local businesses, any new company will compete with a rapidly growing online market. 

It may seem counterintuitive, but the most effective way to grow an audience for a new business is to select a small and specific segment of people to market to. For a baking business, this might mean limiting baked goods to custom-decorated cookies or wedding cakes. For a personal trainer, focus on a specific type of exercise or a single type of fitness you excel at, like strength training for endurance runners. 

Every industry can benefit from innovative ideas, and the deeper you go into an area of interest, the more potential problems and solutions will rise to the surface. 

Ask a mentor

An excellent resource for college business ideas is the campus community. College is typically a moment where there is more time to try new things, meet new people, and learn from experts in different areas of study. 

These qualities make any college campus a hotbed of exciting and valuable business ideas. Set up an appointment with a mentor or professor on campus, organize a meeting with like-minded friends to brainstorm ideas, or set up a spot on campus that’s ideal for meeting new people and collect their opinions about your latest product ideas.

If you can find an expert or professor in the field of your general business ideas, having a mentor can be extremely valuable for first-time entrepreneurs. 

Read reviews

If you have a niche but haven’t settled on “the” business idea yet, start reading product or service reviews in your area of interest. You’ve probably had multiple “Aha!” moments scanning reviews in the past but didn’t write your ideas down because you were too busy shopping! 

Reviews are also a great resource to refine and develop an idea that’s still in progress. Learn from someone else’s mistakes before investing your time and energy in a new college business.

Be sure to look at negative reviews, too. As you read through what actual users and customers have to say about products and services in the area you’re interested in, you’ll see where companies are doing things well and where there is a problem to solve or a challenge that needs addressing. Researching user experiences is part of a broader concept called market research, which includes identifying pain points.

Long-Term Strategies for the Right Business Ideas for College Students

While the above tips are things you can start doing right now to come up with business ideas, these tips and strategies are looking to your long-term success.

Practice giving and receiving feedback

Students in creative majors get a lot of practice taking criticism since most writing and visual arts classes focus on making projects and participating in classroom critiques. Most other majors don’t get as much of this experience, but it’s essential to learn how to accept and use critical feedback on your ideas, especially if they have significant personal meaning. 

Criticism can be tough to take and sometimes our emotional responses to criticism can overpower the value of the critical input that we receive. Try to remember that anyone offering feedback is a potential future customer. There’s a good chance that anything that you’re hearing in a critique will come up again once people are paying for your products.

Practice giving constructive criticism and asking for it back from others on your ideas, business plan, and more. Don’t get defensive. Instead, reflect on the feedback and see if it makes sense with what you’re trying to build and accomplish. 

Remember, just because you receive feedback does not mean that you’ll implement all of it. Think critically about all feedback and criticism you receive and identify what makes sense to use and what doesn’t.

Come up with a business plan

Do you want your new business to last beyond college, or is it just something for right now? Starting any business is a commitment, so it’s smart to think about the long-term costs and benefits of each business idea. 

As you evaluate each of your business ideas, ask yourself:

• What will it take to scale? (tools, resources, labor, etc.)
• What are the risks?
• Will you need to hire help to make it work?
• Does the idea require skills and knowledge you don’t have yet?
• What kind of funding will the idea need? 

As you are getting ready to launch your new business, take the time to write a real business plan. Business plans include details like your market research, your specific products and/or services, your sales and marketing strategies, your plan for funding and investments, and more. You may not think you need one yet, but having a detailed business plan increases your chances of success with your new company.

You can use business plan software to assist in this step. A great software we recommend for beginners is LivePlan . LivePlan will walk you through the entire business plan process piece by piece, and even includes templates so that you aren’t starting from scratch. With the tutorials and support for first-time business owners, you can’t go wrong with LivePlan. 

LivePlan’s Standard package is just $15 per month and includes step-by-step instruction, a pitch builder, over 500 sample plan templates, financial forecasting, and financial statements. Plus, it comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Start small and grow slowly

An initial great idea doesn’t always lead to a great business. What can seem like tiny details in the planning process can have a significant future impact on the product, marketing, and sales. Take some time to experiment and test ideas before jumping on your first inspiration.

The right business idea for a college student like you won’t be the best business idea for everyone. A valuable business idea should be fit for your unique skills and abilities. It should be something you can create and run in the extra time you have available during the school year and holiday breaks. You’ll also want it to be something you enjoy or care about enough that you will put your business ahead of the friends and activities outside of school that are also vying for your time and attention.

When a business sees early success, it can feel like every moment should go toward growing the business. But if your business idea gets big too fast, you’ll be unable to balance school and work, and both will suffer. Look for ideas with growth potential that you can start small, like a t-shirt business on campus. As school becomes less demanding and your marketing and business operations skills improve, you’ll find the right time to add new products, expand to other campuses, or start utilizing social media.

As you start coming up with business ideas, this guide for starting a business for under $100 will walk you through creating a business plan, naming your business, and setting up hosting and a domain name.

The most budget-conscious way to launch a new business is to start an ecommerce site. This simple guide, How to Start an Online Store and Make Your First Sale , has everything you need to start selling with your new business idea!

And after launching your business, don’t sit on branding! Here is a guide to building your brand and why it is your most powerful marketing tool.

Make your website better. Instantly.

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Last Updated on November 13, 2023

20 Business Ideas For College Students 2023

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Cash on my mind!

Looking for business ideas for students while in college is a sign that you are already looking to make it big in the future and is indeed quite a rewarding experience. Starting out with a business can teach you many life skills, such as time management, money management (students dread this term, we know), and so much more. This insane rise of technology our generation has seen has been unprecedented, which also means huge chances of growth!  In this blog, we will be sharing 20 business ideas for students in 2023 that suit your interests and passions while also having the potential for growth. Strap in, as we are in for a long ride - the future is bright for college entrepreneurs!

1. Make money from social media

As one of the top small business ideas for students during college, we have all grown up surrounded by the advent of social media. Keeping apart the random snaps you send your friends, social media can also be transformed into a source of income. With corporates and businesses all around the world looking to connect with Gen Z via their primary mode of communication, the potential for growth in social media is unsurprising. To get started, students should identify a niche they're passionate about and create a social media account around that topic. Once they have a following, they can start making it as a startup business ideas for students through sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, or by selling products related to their niche. Since you are a student, this blog can help you understand how Social Media shaped Gen Z in recent years .

2. Pet-sitting services

Pet sitting can be a pawsome way for students to earn some extra dough! It's one of the most amazing business suggestions for students that allows you to spend time with furry friends and get paid for it. For starters, you can ask the neighbourhood family if they would like to opt for you as their pet-sitter for the night, and, eventually, word-of-mouth and clever marketing can help you garner various leads. Additionally, you get to hang out with cool fur babies and chill while the owners come back. How cool is that?

3. Sell on creative marketplaces

Looking for a side hustle that won't take up all your study time? Why not sell your wares on creative marketplaces as startup ideas for students? Whether you're a know-it-all at creating beautiful handicrafts, a designing magician, or a passionate photographer, you can utilise your skills to make money! Do not slack on your academics,  the key to success is finding the right balance between studying and selling!

4. Publish a magazine or blog

Perhaps a business suggestion for students that many may have already considered before is publishing a magazine or blog. This is one of the common business ideas for students that does not require as much effort as the others, but what it does require you to do is unleash all your creative potential. You do not need to be a hardcore journalist to begin. This is one of the small business ideas for students that expect you to choose your own niche, hone your writing skills, and learn more about search engine optimisation. All you have to do then is write a repository of relevant articles and content that you feel your audience would like to read about, and you're all set! 

5. Upcycling

Remember donating or throwing away the books you don't have use for anymore, or perhaps that old piece of furniture that didn't suit your house's aesthetics anymore. Well, what if we tell you can turn a profit from all those things and more? With upcycling business ideas for students, you can upcycle times you do not need any more such and turn them into items with more value. Have a lot of soda cans lying around? Stack them up and engineer them into a stool! There are so many things you can upcycle and transform into business suggestions for students with artistic and utility value.

6. Create food hampers

Isn't it so fun receiving a cute basket filled with exciting goodies and snacks? You can make one too with such similar business ideas for students. Creating food hampers requires some initial investment as well as a creative eye, but with their selling value, you can make a great profit by creating some interesting-looking food hampers. You can ask your friends and family if they need some hampers for an upcoming event, and chances are you'll probably receive a bunch of leads. Use these business suggestions for students and become the new entrepreneur in town!

7. Buy and sell popular graphics

Why not try your hand at buying and selling popular graphics and icons as one of the most popular small business ideas for students? With the rise of online business ideas for students, the market for graphic assets has never been hotter! Items such as rare Pokemon TCG cards and other rare pop culture icons can be bought at low prices and flipped for huge sums of money. You don't even have to leave your dorm room!

8. Organise Student Trips

You have always been that friend who has carefully created the itinerary for the upcoming group trip, right? Time to put those painstaking efforts into a business of your own. You can start organising student trips as a side hustle. Start off by enquiring your own school if they can let you handle the organisation in exchange for some monetary benefits and see how things go from there. As you grow, you can start marketing yourself on the internet via SEO and social media!

9. Sell Audio or eBook versions

With the rise of e-commerce and technology, there's never been a better time to turn classic literature into cash! You can easily convert out-of-copyright works into audio or eBook formats and then sell them on popular platforms. You will not only be bringing old classics back to the forefront but also making good money while doing so! 

10. Become a Model (for Stock Photographs)

Constantly receive compliments on how good you look? Or perhaps how comically expressive you are? Those are all great qualities that can help you become a great stock image model! With modelling business ideas for students, becoming a stock photograph model is often the first step to a glistening career in the industry. Reach out to your nearest stock image agencies and submit your portfolio now!

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11. Web Design And Development Business

Are you tired of ramen noodles and instant coffee tech-nerds? Wish to explore business suggestions for students? This is your chance to turn your coding skills into cash (excuse the joke)! Whether you're into HTML or CSS, you can start your own web design and development business and make a mint while you study. Put your tech skills to the test and consider this as one of the perfect business ideas for students and for you. 

12. Offer transcription services

For students who have a keen ear and a quick typing speed, offering a transcription service as one of the business ideas for students could be the perfect side hustle! With the rise of online learning, there's never been a better time to turn your listening skills into a business. You can offer your services to fellow students, professors, or even to businesses and organisations. You get to brush up on your lecture material while you work, too! With a little bit of hustle and an acumen of transcription expertise, you'll be making money in no time!

13. CV design freelancing

Offering a CV design freelancing service could be one of the perfect startup ideas for students! With economies all around the world booming. You can bet a ton of people are looking to boos their chances of getting their dream jobs with a killer CV. You can offer your services to fellow students, alumni, or even local businesses. You will also get to brush up on your own CV skills for when you have to apply for a job yourself, too!

14. Translation Services

Multilingual students, this is your chance. With the globalised world we live in, there's never been a greater need for such small business ideas for students to provide clear and accurate communication across languages. You can offer your services to individuals, businesses, or even online platforms. You not only get to help out your clients, but you also brush up on your own linguistic skills, which sounds like a win-win!

15. Photography Services

The world is enamoured with those who capture life at its finest, and photography is a skill that lets you do that. With social media and the cutthroat competition of posting the perfect photo, there's never been a higher demand for skilled photographers. You can start by offering your talent to friends and family, local businesses, or even event planners. You get to turn your passion for clicking pictures into a successful business while you graduate! With some creativity and an eye for business opportunities, you have one of the best business ideas for students. Photography also makes an appearance in our blog on the top 10 creative side hustles .

16. Blogging

Your search for sharing your writing skills and earning money while doing so is not a dream anymore! Companies and individuals all over the world are looking to post high-quality human-written content; do not miss out. You can blog about anything that interests you, whether it's fashion, food, travel, or just your daily musings. You get to turn your writing into a steady source of income! Wait no more to share your artistic abilities with the rest of the world.

17. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Business

offering search engine optimisation (SEO) services could be the perfect side hustle for you if you are in the know-how of boosting traffic for websites! The demand for SEO experts has never been higher as it not only gets your website more traffic but also offers it more reliability. Especially in today’s time, the appeal of an SEO expert is more than ever. Weave through Google rankings and offer your expertise on the same to fellow friends and family or even local businesses when starting out.

18. Start Affiliate Marketing Business

Hey there, studentpreneur, looking for a side hustle that won't hog all your free time? Why not try your luck with affiliate marketing? With just a few clicks, you can become your own virtual sales squad, earning a commission for every sale made through your referral links. You can spread the word on your blog, social media, or even just by chatting it up with friends and family. All you need to be familiar with is online marketing know-how, and you'll be living the life of a successful student business boss in no time!

19. Become a clothes reseller

Thrifting has been more popular than ever. Gen Z can be credited with rediscovering the art of thrifting the trendiest (not always, but it’s okay) clothes out there.  We bring you the best online business ideas for students you've been looking for! Give those old Vans another chance at life by upcycling and reselling them. Whether it's patching up denim jackets or giving t-shirts a new graphic, authenticity is what matters when you aim to create a thrifting business. Who says you can't make money while being environmentally conscious? 

20. Provide packaged meals

We all miss home-cooked food when away. Restaurants never give you the homely feeling you’re looking for. Why not fill that niche for your peers and family by starting a meal service, perhaps on campus? Making money while packaging your meals with love is a notion most can’t refuse, so the money-making potential is definitely there. Start your empire now with the best business ideas for students!

Things to know before starting a business

We're sure after reading these business ideas for students. You are itching to go out there and make a name for yourself in the niche you're interested in. Hold your horses, young Padawan. Consider these few rules, or rather, guidelines, before you go about your next business venture.

• Manage your expectations: We are in no way asking you not to dream big. But starting out, be realistic with your expectations of how successful you'll be. Even Bill Gates's first business venture failed! Don't give up if you face setbacks.
• Conduct legal business: All of these business ideas for students leave little room for illegal activity, but even then, make sure whatever you do is all done legally. Read the fine print.
• Identify a niche: Most successful startup ideas for students stem from a niche or inadequacy that others have failed to fill. Identify that niche and breakthrough!
• Prioritise your studies too: It is obvious that planning a business plan at such a young age, but make sure you do not slack with your studies.
• Financial management: Starting off it is understandable that you would start off small. So make sure when you implement these business ideas for students, you record every single investment and return. 

In conclusion, starting business ideas for students in college can be a great way to develop entrepreneurial skills, earn some extra income, and gain valuable experience. With the right idea and a solid plan, it's possible to turn a side hustle into a successful and sustainable business. The list of business ideas for students in 2023 provides a starting point for anyone looking to launch a new venture. Whether you're interested in fashion, technology, or something else entirely, there's an idea on this list that is sure to inspire you. Remember, the key to success is persistence, hard work, and the ability to adapt and pivot as needed. So, take these ideas and run with them – the sky's the limit. Check out this blog to learn how you can start freelancing as a student.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i implement business suggestions for students with no money, which business ideas for students are the best, what are some cheap business ideas for students to start with, how can students make money through social media, what are some things to keep in mind before starting my startup ideas for students.

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The Best 36 Business Ideas for Students on a Budget 2024

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When you are a high school or college student, you generally have huge batches of free time. There's no better way to spend them than becoming a student entrepreneur...

In the past decade, the world has seen many incredible businesses being started by college students (Facebook, just to name one).

Is it Possible to Start a Business While Being a Student?

The internet has removed many barriers that once prevented students from starting businesses. These days, there are no legal, financial, or knowledge restrictions holding you back from launching a side hustle while in school.

School and university demand many of your hours, but if you stay organized and make the best use of your hours, you will find time to both study and run your startup.

Best 36 Business Ideas for Students

1) sell used books.

Difficulty : Low

Investment : Low

Description : You finished your academic year, congratulations! Now check your desk… you have a pile of used books, right? In many cases, they end up in your house’s trash bins. However, there’s something better to do with them: sell them to younger students at a cheaper price than what a new copy is.

You'll probably, at least, make enough money to purchase the books needed for your next semester. The best of this idea is that it doesn’t require either any investment or much time.

Resources : Here’s an article on the 6 best places to re-sell old books and some tips on how to do it.

2) Flip Websites

Difficulty : Medium

Investment : High

Description : You buy websites that are exiting for a low price, grow them in 6 months to 2 years, and sell them at a much higher price for a profit. There are people who work full-time on this and make millions per year with their sites.

The key here is to buy a high-quality website at a low price. There’s a ton of information on what you should consider and check when doing it. At the same time, there are all kinds of free digital marketing courses that you will find useful if growing one of these websites.

Resources : Flippa , Empire Flippers, and Micro Acquire are three website marketplaces. Besides that, you should check out this article on how to find, evaluate and buy websites , as well as this review we've written about Micro Acquisitions course , which goes all about buying, growing, and selling sites.

3) Re-Selling

Investment : Medium

Description : There’s an ethical unresolved issue around re-selling sneakers, tickets, or whatever, but I’ve personally seen many people make loads of money buying items at a low price and selling them at a higher one. Re-selling works best with limited items (such as the mentioned tickets and some exclusive sneakers), as those who haven’t been able to purchase them are willing to pay more than their original price to have them once the item is out of stock.

The key when re-selling is understanding the market and anticipating which items will people be more willing to pay for once they run out. Note that it can be pretty risky; I know of a guy who bought 10 tickets for a concert and couldn’t re-sell them. He ended up inviting all of his friends for free with a huge loss.

Resources : This is a really inspirational article on how to re-sell sneakers and make a profit.

4) Writing Services

Description : Start a website that offers all kinds of writing services to students or businesses. It could be anything from sales & marketing copy, SEO content, essay writing, academic papers, or even simple proofreading.

There are already many trustworthy services online, and before starting out your own writing service, it is a good idea to work as a professional essay writer for a top website. After you have gained some valuable experience doing this, you can move on to creating your own essay-writing service. You could charge per hour or project.

+1 if the website invites other fellow students to offer such writing services and you charge a fee ;)

Resources : This article will help you decide whether you should or should not start freelance writing. If yes, make sure to check this one, which teaches you how to do it.

5) Play Cupid

Description : Set up a website or an app, exclusively for your college campus or local area, to let the singles meet. This will be much appreciated by the community and, with a small fee, the app could kick-off and be the Tinder of your campus or neighbourhood.

The app could, instead, be focused around networking. People could use it to meet other people and make new friends.

Alternatively, the app could also be focused around professional networking.

Resources : This Bubble template is a great and cheap point to start a dating app.

6) Motivational Apps

Difficulty : Hard

Investment : Medium 

Description : Motivational apps have a broad scope range. They could be for anything from academics to mental health.

Consider academics. The app could show events, seminars, or lectures and let the user log the attendance to these, getting award points in exchange. Such apps encourage improved productivity among students in a positive and fun way.

These rewards could be in the form of vouchers, coupons, or deals for any local service. For the sponsors, this would be a worthwhile advertisement option among the clientele too.

Similar apps could be designed for fitness, gym attendance, and other activities too.

The easiest way to monetize such an idea would be through ads.

Resources : There are many tools out there to build apps cheaply and fastly (even without coding). Check our Tools page .

7) Babysitting

Description : There will always be demand for babysitters and nannies. With both parents working and maternity and paternity leave shrinking in length, the market for this is only widening. If you have a knack with babies and have a pleasing personality, you are already good to go.

Resources : Here is a detailed article on how to properly set up your babysitting business and make the most of it.

8) Babysitting Network

‍ Difficulty : Medium

Description : You can create a sort of marketplace for babysitting. Other prospective babysitters could sign up for it and offer their babysitting services. Parents could select between the available babysitters and hire them through the platform. You could keep a commission.

Even if you are not able to do the babysitting job due to lack of time, you'll still make a commission from fellow babysitters who have signed up for the program.

Resources : Here is a long article on how to build and grow a nanny app.

9) Pet Sitting

Description : What’s better than babysitting? Pet sitting! Who doesn’t want to spend the whole day playing with dogs? There are busy workers and families taking holidays who need someone to take care of their loved pets.

There are two main ways to face this business idea. The most common one is to take pets for a one/two-hour walk every day/every two days. The second one would be to take care of pets of people taking holidays, for one to four weeks.

Resources : The Balance Careers has a huge series of resources for pet sitters.

10) Local Reviewer

Description : Every time we want to buy a product, the first thing we do is to look online for product reviews. Sure enough, all big cities have their own dedicated websites for such reviews from multiple sources. But what about small places or even campuses? There’s a huge opportunity there.

Start a website that reviews the local accommodations. You can make this exclusive for the campus itself or other accommodations in the area that students could rent out. This would work as a credible source rather than just word of mouth. There could also be options added to include listings and discussion forums. You can monetize this through advertising.

Resources : WPBeginner has a long article on how to build a review site using WordPress, which would probably be the cheapest and fastest way to do it.

11) Swap Website

Description : Swap websites are used to swap, sell, and borrow goods and services. For example, if a person needs something but only for a single use, it is best to rent it out rather than buy one.

On campus, there is more than one person who is willing to do that, but it is lacking a way to find that person. Such a website would simplify this while enabling people to save a few bucks.

Call it a new age barter system; especially on campus, there would be a lot of demand for this. Start this locally and then expand it later. There are loads to borrow and exchange from academic services, bikes, books, and even clothes. You can monetize it through advertising.

Resources : Here’s a list of 36 bartering and swapping websites to get some inspiration. We’ve also interviewed the founder of a shutdown swapping site who shared all the mistakes he made throughout his journey.

There are loads to borrow and exchange from academic services, bikes, books, and even clothes. You can monetize it through advertising.

12) Design Services

Description : All kinds of businesses have design tasks. So, you can create a site that offers different types of design services, such as logos, flyers, packaging, or even websites, and niche down to local businesses or even other students starting their own startups. This is a great startup idea for students and you could charge per hour or per project.

When you are a student, it can be hard to get businesses to trust you. There are many ways to achieve it, such as showing them previous high-quality work, offering one free project, and connecting them with your previous clients.

Resources : You may be asking how to build a portfolio if you’re just starting and have never had clients, right? Here’s a tool that generates fake client briefs for you to design and showcase in your site.

13) Digital Marketing Services

‍ Difficulty : Hard

Description : Digital marketing has grown a lot in the last decade, with the emergence of eCommerce and online businesses. The businesses that don’t digitalize themself and ignore working on their internet profile and presence are missing a huge percentage of clients.

There probably are many local businesses looking for help on their digital marketing strategies. You can reach their owners and provide them with a free consultation to show you know about the subject. You could help them with local SEO , social media management , and Google Ads / Facebook Ads campaigns, among other strategies.

Resources : Make sure to check out Acadium , a tool connecting businesses looking for digital marketing work to be done, and students who are willing to learn and do that work. They provide great free digital marketing courses on different topics.

14) Development Services

Description : Having a website is a must for any kind of business, and most local ones tend not to have one. There’s a huge opportunity there.

Learning to code is super accessible for everyone. There are thousands of free development courses, books, articles, and videos, so “I don’t know how to code” is definitely no longer an excuse. And if you don’t want to learn, you can even build a website without coding. This site was built with Webflow , a powerful visual web design tool.

Resources : Google “free web development course” and you will get 3.2B results… I think that’s enough ;) You should also check this complete guide on web development freelancing.

15) Cleaning Services

Description : Publish an online ad offering cleaning services in your neighborhood. Do a great cleaning job and build trust with your clients. Ask your clients for a referral and you will soon be cleaning the houses of all your neighbors.

That’s actually what Kisten Hadeed did and the origins of Student Maid, a really successful cleaning company in Florida. You can charge per hour and keep initial investment really low by asking clients to supply you with the needed equipment. 

Resources : This article from Entrepreneur.com teaches how to get started in this industry.

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16) Pool Cleaning Services

Description : Cleaning pools is an alternative to the already mentioned cleaning neighbor’s houses business idea. It’s definitely not as easy, as it requires to be educated on what you’re doing. You might even need legal permissions to work on it, depending on where you are based. On the side, it requires some investment in equipment and products to be able to carry out the job.

Both the difficulty and investment issues come with a big chance of making great money. You can easily get paid $40-60/hour. Note that the business would mainly run during the summer seasons.

Resources : This article provides detailed information on how to set up and grow a pool cleaning business.

17) Moving Service

Description : Both neighbors and students need moving services eventually, whether it's because the academic year has finished and the student is moving back to their homes, or because a neighbor has rented a new house. You can make money (at least $200/moving) if you find it easy to pack items and move boxes.

Resources : Here’s a long article on how to start a moving company, some tips for growing it, and the recommended price you might want to charge.

18) Transcription Services

‍ Difficulty : Low

Description : Transcription services are needed in all kinds of fields, such as law, medicine, and businesses. It also doesn’t require either fixed hours or many skills. On the side, there are many forms of transcription, including video podcasts and recorded lectures, so you will probably be able to select the niche that interests you.

No formal training is needed in order to be able to do transcription services. Good listening abilities, great knowledge of English grammar rules, and fast typing skills would be a perfect combination to get high-quality work done fast.

Resources : Here’s a motivational story on how Benjamin Walker grew a transcription business to +$1M/year.

19) Translation Services

‍ Difficulty : High

Description : Offering translation services isn’t as easy as offering transcription ones. You will need to be bilingual in both languages and know the grammar rules of the two of them. Businesses may not be really willing to offer advanced translation work to students, but they might be if it is basic and unimportant translations.

You could start by translating lectures, books, and articles for professors. There’s a ton of high-quality content in other languages - professors might want to share it with their students but they can’t as it isn’t in the student’s native language. That’s where you can help and charge per word translated.

Resources : Here’s a whole content site dedicated to the business of translation.

20) Photography Services

Description : If you love taking photographs, you can take your hobby and talent into a photography freelancing business. Both students and local businesses may need your services whether because they want to update their Tinder profiles or because they are looking to promote their recently-launched products.

In the beginning, you can start offering all kinds of services, but as you grow the business, you will probably realize there’s a ton of competition and you will need to niche and focus on one segment or one specific photography service in order to be different than the rest.

The biggest issue for this kind of business is the cost of the photography equipment, which, if you’re moving from one place to another, can break and make it even more expensive.

Resources : Make sure to check this guide from Bplans on how to start a successful photography business.

21) Photography Portfolios

Description : Good photography skills need to be appreciated before they get lost in that Instagram page. Any campus will have a few fellows with exceptional skills in photography and videography. It would be easy to make a database of students who are interested in and create a platform to sell their work to others.

The platform could charge a fee to either the photographer or the customer. On the side, it could also work hand in hand with a photography club giving more chances and connections to both sellers and buyers by offering more exposure.

Resources : Here’s a no-code template to build such an app.

22) Food Delivery Services

Description : Create a platform to deliver quick eatables, like sandwiches and smoothies, made by local businesses. Start by targeting firms with employees in younger age groups, who often go out to grab a meal during lunch breaks. This is a gold mine, with food deliveries for simple items that don't break their wallet, the business would be exponential. With options to schedule deliveries made earlier to arrive at lunchtime, this could actually be a problem solver for the firms.

Take a step further and make these homemade too. This way, it is not necessary to rely on multiple third-party services. The food will be authentic, tasty, and have a personal touch to the service.

Resources : Steven Long was the founder of Chowdy, a Toronto-based food delivery startup making $110k/month which had to shut down due to some legal issues. Ali Jiwani is the founder of MealSurfers, a Canadian food startup that made an exit when it was making $7k/month. Make sure to check those two stories and learn from both the wins and mistakes of each.

23) Deliver Food Hampers

Description : How often have you thought about that mac and cheese your mom makes so deliciously. Or even wondered when you are finally going to eat something healthy?

Well, the lack of time or will to go to a grocery store and cook something is in the least probable category. And the parents are well aware of this too. So design an app where parents can make such orders for kids that would be delivered to them. 

This will have the personal touch and love of a package coming from home itself. You could monetize it by taking a shipping fee.

Resources : Entrepreneur.com has a complete article about food hamper businesses. You should check it out!

24) Blogging

Description : Is there anything you really enjoy talking about? Are your friends tired of listening to you talk about it? Then start a blog about that topic, build an audience, and monetize it through ads and premium content.

 The startup costs of building a blog are super low nowadays (with a domain and hosting would be enough, so less than $50/year) and the information to grow such a site is free all over the internet.

When we started this site, we had 0 knowledge of how to grow it. Nowadays, it receives +150k users every month from all over the world. Note that it took us 3 years to build such an audience. Consistency is key when blogging.

Resources : GrowandConvert is a content marketing agency that has an amazing blog related to creating and publishing content on the internet. Backlinko is another blog that publishes content-related articles, particularly about the search engine optimization of these. 

25) Video Classes

Description : Visual media often makes things easier. That is precisely the reason why we are all so hooked up on Youtube, without having a clue why we are watching a cat playing piano at 3 am. The thought is simple, won’t lectures be so easy to understand with such visuals? With a creative mind and some graphic design skills, it could be put to use for this.

The idea is to make a visual representation of any lectures and offer them to tutors and students. It would make studying so much better and more straightforward. You could monetize it by pricing every video or through a monthly subscription.

Resources : Here’s a great guide on how to make videos look professional without investing much money.

26) Class Notes

Description : We all know those students who are pretty lazy to actually take notes or those others who tend to miss classes under any kind of excuse, right? Those students would be your niche market if you set up a class note business.

There are some people who are really great at taking lecture notes, being able to summarize the information in a nice-looking and concise way. If you are that kind of person, you should consider re-selling your notes to other students. You could sell them independently per class or in packages of all the notes related to one exam or to one semester.

Resources : Make sure to check this well-known book , in which Sönke Ahrens shares his unique technique to take smart notes that are easy to study and learn from.

Description : Where there are students, there are tutors. If you stand out in one subject, you can probably teach it to someone else who struggles to understand it. A common trouble-maker subject is Maths, but note that there are many math tutors as well.

Schools and professors tend to be helpful with students starting their tutor businesses. Some schools even have a database of tutor students, so make sure to check if there is one in your school. The monetization model would be per hour; you can charge anything between $10-$100, depending on the subject, the concepts taught (how advanced they are), etc.

Resources : This article is super inspiring for anyone starting a tutoring business. The writer shares how he is making $1,000/week as well as lots of recommendations and mistakes you should avoid.

28) Organize Trips

Description : It is a known fact that most of the group plans for a trip but never happens. The WhatsApp groups have seen hundreds of failed plans. It is the time that someone takes responsibility and get things done.

Organize trips to various destinations which could be for events, festivals, or even just weekend trips. You can charge a commission or a fixed amount for an all-inclusive deal.

Resources : Here’s a detailed guide from Bplans on how to start a travel agency.

29) Event Organizer

Description : Lots of students enjoy parties and socializing, so why not capitalize on it? Everyone is willing to spend $10, $30, or even much more on a great party. These can take all forms and shapes, from organizing a small meetup at a nightclub to running Project X 2.

What will you need? Excellent communication skills to convince everyone they can’t miss such a party (social media is a MUST to promote it!) and advanced organization abilities to make sure everything is in the right place at the right time.

Resources : Here’s a long article from Capterra explaining how to turn those small parties/events you have maybe carried out in the past, into a profitable business.

30) Campus Newsletter

Description : This is quite a unique business idea for students. If your campus doesn't have a newsletter already, it is time to start one. The source of money from this could come from advertisements from local businesses or even other student startups.

The newsletter could be sent as emails rather than printed versions or both. As a third party, a student can even make a deal with the college to create brand awareness among potential students using the letter. It could be used for promotional purposes, branding, and lead generations outside the campus too.

Resources : Here’s an article on 7 tips to create a school newsletter.

31) Campus Podcast

Description : Instead of a campus newsletter, you could do a podcast. It could be an interview podcast, talking with students and professors, or more like a solo podcast, talking about the news, events, and things going on in the campus.

The equipment needed is pretty cheap, with the possibility of recording even with your phone. As for monetization, it could be done through sponsorships from local businesses or premium content for those who love the podcast.

I haven’t personally seen this on many campuses, which makes me think this is one of the most innovative and unique business ideas for students on the list.

Resources : Here’s an article on the 5 steps required to start a school podcast.

32) Language Course

Description : Do you excel in any language? Do you enjoy teaching other people? Then you should set up a Skype language course and sell classes to people from anywhere in the world while staying in your home. You could easily charge $20-$60/hour and work part-time on it.

Growing your client base is all about building an online presence and getting referrals from your existing customers. In the beginning, you could boost your initial customers by providing them with a free 1-hour call.

Resources : Here’s a long guide for beginners on how to make $30/hour teaching languages and 6 places to get your first clients.

33) Bookkeeping

Description : You don’t need to have a finance degree in order to be able to manage a local business’s bookkeeping records. An online course or even just some Youtube videos would be more than enough to start with. As all businesses require such work to be done, you probably won’t have big issues finding your first customers.

The initial investment costs are super low, as you can ask the business owner to supply you with the needed tools. As for monetization, most bookkeepers charge per hour and the amount depends on the complexity of the tasks ($30-$100 or more).

Resources : Here’s a detailed video on how to start a bookkeeping business in 2021.

34) Jewelry Business

Description : This is a great startup idea for students because jewelry making isn’t as hard as it sounds. You can easily learn about it through online courses and Youtube tutorials. You will then need to practice a lot until you start getting great results. Profit margins can be really high when you achieve a nice looking product.

There’s a ton of competition in the jewelry space so you will have to identify a niche. Social media (particularly influencers) are among the most usual strategies carried out by this kind of businesses.

Resources : Shopify has a detailed guide on how to start such businesses. Besides that, a few years ago we interviewed , on this site, the founder of a jewelry business that shut down and then emerged again with a new business model just to start making +10k/month.

35) Baking Business

Description : Selling cakes, cookies, bread or other baked goods can be another startup business idea for students. You can easily post an online ad or some leaflets around your campus. Make a client happy, and you will have 3 new ones. The food industry works a lot with word of mouth.

There are two main ways to monetize this. The first would be to prepare the goods based on requests from customers. The second could be to produce 100 cookies, rent a bike, and wander around the campus and neighborhood looking for hungry people. The chosen price for the cookies would be cheaper than if it’s a requested job.

Resources : Here’s a detailed article on how to set up and grow such a business. You should also watch this video from the founder of a “late-night cookie delivery service” in his college city.

36) Youtuber

Description : Becoming a YouTuber looks like a easy and lucrative career. Many see it as a great business plan idea for students because you make videos on a niche that you enjoy and then make money off them through ads and sponsorships. But the reality is that becoming a well-known YouTuber is not an easy feat. 

Behind every famous one, there is a long, painful journey of hard work. Start by creating content and keep iterating from there with the help of your audience. It won't be an overnight success, but if you keep going for some time, you'll see amazing results.

Resources : Here’s an article about a checklist to become a successful Youtuber.

How Can a Student Start a Business?

Or in other words, how do you become a student entrepreneur?

The list of business plan ideas for college students mentioned above is nonsense if you don’t now take action toward the chosen business.

If you are a Business student, you probably have an idea of what are the steps that involve setting up and launching a business. However, all kinds of students read this article, so here are some common steps that entrepreneurs carry out:

1) Decide on the idea

All of the business ideas for college students on the list are really interesting ways of making money, but you definitely can’t work on them all.

To decide which to focus on, make sure to think about what you enjoy doing in your free time, what you excel in, and what would you be willing to keep doing even if it doesn’t bring money (or it means negative numbers). We have compiled a list of both online business ideas and offline business ideas so you can pick the one that best suit your needs and skills. We hope we came up with some innovative startup business ideas for students that you would have never imagined.

Make sure to also consider your initial investment. Some featured in the list are business ideas for college students without investment or little resources, while some others will require a few hundred or thousands to start.

Note that some of the above are business ideas for students in university (or would work better with them) and others are business ideas for students in school (those that don’t require much money and getting physically involved).

2) Decide on a niche

Nowadays, there are businesses of all sizes and shapes. Building one has become so easy that the internet is full of websites, millions of videos are uploaded to Youtube every second, and thousands of LLCs are formed every day.

This means that there’s a lot of competition in any industry. The best solution for students who don’t have enough resources to invest in research and development and build a unique product or don’t have the capital required to set up a huge factory and win over competitors through economies of scale (= low pricing), is to focus on a niche.

A common niche could be to geographically limit the business so that you just focus on people within your neighborhood or your college campus. Another could be to focus on people with certain interests and likes.

3) Choose a name and a brand style

Here’s a detailed article on how to choose a name for your startup. The key is to brainstorm many, evaluate each option, and ask for feedback from your partners.

As for branding, here’s another article on how to build the brand of a business. There are free tools to do it. Don’t spend much money/time on it, at least at the beginning.

4) Launch the business

It’s now time to push the LIVE button for your business.

This needs to happen as fast as possible so that you quickly validate whether it is worth it to keep pushing towards that business idea or it’s better to move to a new one from the above list of entrepreneurship ideas for students.

There’s a common issue entrepreneurs face when launching new startups that’s called “ paralysis by analysis ”. They keep improving the product, adding features, changing the design, etc, and spend months and months without launching it.

This is exactly what you need to avoid, especially if this is your first business. 90% of startups fail (I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this), so you need to launch fast, validate early, and move to another business if it didn’t work.

5) Market your business

You pushed the LIVE button and you didn't get any sales, right?

The “build it and they will come” phrase is a completely unreal myth . It will take you blood, sweat, and tears to get your first clients.

Do some advertising, go outside your home and deliver leaflets (there actually are some unique business ideas for students at home above, in case you’re too lazy), knock on your neighbor’s doors, send cold messages to potential customers that you found on Facebook groups, etc.

6) Make sure your customer is happy

Many of the college business ideas tend to market themselves by word of mouth and referrals. That is why it’s essential to make sure that each of your clients is happy with the results.

Interact with your customers, ask them what they think you could do better next time, provide them with a discount if any parts of the job were done incorrectly… there are so many ways to make your client happy, even if the price of the service is high or the quality of the work wasn’t the best.

If the business is going well, you will soon find yourself with many tasks under your belt and little time to work on them, along with studies and extracurricular activities.

That’s when you might start considering hiring your first employee. In order to avoid the risks of going into negative numbers during a bad month, you can work on a commission-based wage.

In this stage, the selection of new team members is essential. Remember that word of mouth can be a key way of promotion and marketing. If you hire someone who has zero knowledge of the tasks they are required for, delivers low-quality work, or mistreats clients, you will soon find yourself ceasing operations.

Now It’s Your Turn!

There is no direct and simple answer to the question of how to start a business in college.

As smooth as the above startup ideas for students may sound, they will all inevitably require a lot of dedication and perseverance.

There is an abundance of resources at your fingertips, from valuable classes to school technologies, and access to professors. So make use of them in the best way possible, and if the idea still doesn’t seem feasible, lay the groundwork for it.

You would be getting practical knowledge and work experience before finishing the course. Even if it fails. Remember that college is the time to blossom and experiment, and it is only the beginning of your life journey.

If you have any questions, have other small business ideas for students you think we’re missing, or want us to help you with your new startup, make sure to reach us at [email protected] !

Which Business is Best For Students?

Here are some of the best businesses: flip websites, re-sell sneakers or tickets, baby or pet sitting, deliver writing, design or development services, start a blog, sell your class notes, become a tutor, organize others’ trips, organize parties, and create a campus newsletter or podcast.

What Kind Of Business Can a Student Start?

Students can start all kinds of businesses, but it’s really common that they start a service-based one, such as house cleaning, pool cleaning, food delivery, content writing, content transcription, graphic design, and website development, among others.

First, decide your business idea and choose the segment of the market that you’ll be serving. Then, choose a business name and design your business’ brand. Once it is launched, market your business in your neighborhood or campus. Finally, hire employees and scale it!

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50 Best Business ideas College Students Can Start Today

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Business ideas for Career People

Do you want to make money in school as a student entrepreneur? If YES, here are 50 best small business ideas for college students to start on campus. There are several easy to start and manage businesses that a college student can conveniently combine with his or her studies.

Although, most students would prefer to only concentrate on their studies and avoid distraction especially if they are fully sponsored by their parents; or if they on scholarship from the government or from any other source.

The truth is that if a student can create time for social life and also for the internet, they can as well create time to start and manage a business. In recent times, the internet has made it possible for people to successfully launch businesses with little or no stress and as a student, you can leverage on the potential of the internet to launch your business.

There are several internet based businesses and offline businesses that a college student can successfully start with little or no start – up capital within campus, off campus and during holidays. Here are 50 business ideas for college students who are interested in making money while studying;

Best Business ideas for College Students

Sale of customized greeting cards and flowers (bouquet).

As a student, one of the suitable businesses that you should consider starting on campus is to go into the sale of customized greeting cards and flowers (bouquet).

During valentine, customized crediting cards and bouquet are always in high demand on campuses and you can leverage on such celebrations to sell your customized greeting cards and flowers. Besides people celebrate birthdays on campus hence there will always be a market for customized greeting cards and bouquet (flowers).

Sale of Artworks

Sales of art work within the campus community is yet another highly thriving and profitable business a college student can successfully launch on campus. This type of business is highly suitable for those in the arts department or those who have artistic skills.

Such skills could be painting, sculpturing or carving et al. As a college student, you can successfully organize mini exhibitions where you will invite people to see your art works and also to make purchase.

Standup Comedy

Another interesting and easy to start business that a college student can successfully run on campus without much stress is standup comedy. Of course, it is not everybody that can become a standup comedian, but if you know that you are gifted in that regard, then you should think towards making money out of it while on campus.

If you are able to successfully do standup comedy on campus and you are able to pay your bills, who knows you might end up doing it full time after graduating. Take out time to study all the standup comedians that you know both home and abroad, and you will find that they are really hard working. It is for this reason that you have got to be really up and doing.

Sale of Call Cards and Data Bundles

Selling of call cards and data for different network service provider is another easy to start business that a college student can successfully run on campus. Aside from people that subscribe to post – paid packages for their mobile phones / GSM, most people buy call cards and data on a regular basis.

Depending on the country you reside, there are several telecommunications companies that you can deal in their call cards and data bundles.

Selling call cards and data bundles is a simple, easy to establish retail business that does not require any skills. As a matter of fact, this type of business can thrive in any location as long as there are people who make use of mobile telecommunication and the internet.

Start a Football Jersey Customizing Business

If you are college student who is looking towards starting a business on campus, one of your options is to start a foot jersey customizing business.

Top football clubs in Europe such as Real Madrid FC, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal FC, Manchester United, Chelsea, AC Millan, Inter Millan, PSG, Juventus, Manchester City, Liverpool FC et al have a fan base that cuts across people from all over the world.

Part of what you would need to get this type of business rolling is a good graphic skills and a business network that can help you access quality jersey at affordable prices.

Forex Trading

Another profitable business that a college student can successfully start is forex trading. Trading currencies online could be a risky venture, but it is indeed a very rewarding online business.

If you have good analytic skills and you have sound knowledge on cash flow and the exchange market, you can do well as a forex trader. You can Google forex trading platforms and tutorials to learn how to become a professional forex trader.

Sell Videos Online

It is now pretty much easier for people to produce amateur videos and as a college student; you can consider producing and selling educative videos . YouTube and other video publishing sites online and some of the internet platforms you can leverage on to sell your videos.

If you can produce videos to teach people how to do stuffs for themselves, and put them online, you will be amazed at the rate people will be placing demand from all over the world for the video.

Freelance Writing Jobs

Freelance writing is yet another easy to launch business that a campus student can successfully run on campus. If you are a skilled and creative writer and you have enough time at your disposal, then you can earn good income from freelance writing business.

There are loads of websites you can secure high paying writing jobs. Some of the sites where you can bid for freelance writing jobs are freelancer.com, upwork.com, guru.com and elance.com et al. From these sites you can get writing jobs that can comfortable pay your bills while you are still schooling.

Retailing of Hair Extensions and Hair – care Products

It is observed that ladies spend more on shopping when compared to their male counterparts which is why any business that is geared towards ladies are known to thrive. As a college student if you are looking for a business to start on campus, a business that is easy to start and manage, then you should consider retailing hair extensions and a wide range of hair care products.

It is a thriving business and profitable business that a female student can comfortably combine with her studies. You can move from one hostel to another to market your products to ladies in your campus. The market for these products is really vast.

Although it seems that it is a competitive market, but truth remains that it is one of the best line of business to delve into- as it is a lucrative business.

Sale of Perfumes

Retailing of perfumes from different designers is yet another profitable retailing business venture that a college student can successfully combine with his or her education. This type of business is simple to start and it is also easy to manage. What you need to do is to ensure that you have perfumes from different perfume designers and then move from hostel to hostel to market the perfumes to students.

Everyone want to look and smell good- so, this is one of the reasons why you have got to adopt a great marketing strategy in other to get a whole lot of people to buy stuff from you.

Retailing of Jewelries and Fashion Accessories

If you have cash and are looking for a viable retail business to start on campus as a college student, then you should look towards retailing Jewelries and Accessories. Students can comfortably buy necklaces, rings, earrings, bangles et al. It is indeed a viable and profitable business.

As a student, you can conveniently combine this type of business with your studies without stress. Truth remains that women never get tired of accessorizing their styles when they dress up. This is one of the reasons why delving into the trade might be your very best bet.

Sell eBooks

Another easy way you can make money as a college student is to sell eBooks. There are countless number of subjects that you can write about and of course there will be ready market for such subject. One of the easiest ways to generate money from selling eBooks is to start writing self – help books or books on ‘How To’.

For example, if you are good with graphics, you can write a book on ‘How to create your own logo’ there are loads of people out there that will be willing to pay for such book.

EBooks are cheap and easy to make and from one eBook you can continue to generate incomes as long as the information that it contains is still pretty valid and useful. EBooks (electronic books) are books in soft copies and they can be downloaded online from any part of the world.

Buying and Sell On eBay

As a college student who is looking towards making money on a campus, you should consider going into buying and selling different goods on eBay. EBay is an internet platform that you can sell your stuff on. All you need to do is to sign up for their services, play by their rules in listing selling your products and be extra careful when dealing with your clients.

If you have got your products ready, do not hesitate to sign up on eBay. This is a very good online platform that helps attract tons of clients daily to businesses.

Offer Graphics Services

If you are studying an arts related course on campus or if you are good with graphics, then one of the businesses you should consider starting as a college student is graphics services. There are loads of people out there who are looking for graphic artist to contract their graphics jobs to.

You just have to be proactive and aggressive in marketing your services. One good thing about offering graphics services is that you can sign a long term business deal with just one clients especially if you are good at what you do.

Retailing of Bed sheets, Duvets, Pillows et al

As a college student who is looking towards making extra money on campus you should consider retailing bed sheets, duvets and pillows et al to fellow students. It is a thriving and profitable retailing business that a college student can conveniently combine with his or her studies. You can easily visit various hostels within your campus to market your bed sheets, duvets and pillows et al.

Retailing of Shoes, Sandals, Slippers and Belts

Another profitable and highly thriving business that a college student who wants to horn his or her entrepreneurial skills should consider starting is to start retailing male and female shoes, sandals, slippers, and belts et al. It is a simple business that a student can successfully combine with his or her studies.

Just like any other retailing business on campus, you don’t need a shop; all you need to do is to move from one hostel to another to market your wares. The market for this kind of business is also wide. Even though it looks as if the competition is stiff, but truth remains that profit is guaranteed.

Become a Social Media Expert and Manager

As a college student, if you have enough time and are good with various social media platforms, then you can start an online business managing social media handles for several busy business executives, politicians, government officials, pastors, celebrities and public figures.

Of course you must display some level of professionalism and expertise before you can be hired to manage social media pages and social media handles for people, but the truth remains that you can make pretty cool cash from this type of online business as a college student.

But you must be ready to strike a balance between your studies and this business because it can take the bulk of your time.

Video Editing Services

Video editing is yet another thriving and profitable business that a college student can successfully combine with his or her studies.

Although it is easier for people to post amateur videos on social media platforms this days and still get several likes, but if you are in the business of selling resource video materials, then you must endeavor to be professional with the videos you put up for sale.

If you live in Toronto, Canada, you don’t have to travel through the street of Toronto in search of a video editor, from the comfort of your office you can contract the editing of your videos to an expert somewhere in Tokyo, Japan and they will get the job done for you within record time.

So as a college student who has video editing skills, you can list your business on the internet and you can as well source for clients from the online community.

Sale of Tickets for Sports Events

Selling of tickets for sports events is another easy and profitable business that a college student can conveniently combine with his or her studies. People usually purchase tickets in order to watch live sports events. You can start a business that is involved in selling tickets for different sports events.

You can engage in the sale of tickets for football matches, boxing matches, athletics events, rugby events or any event as longs as people are ready to pay to watch the sports event. This type of business is based on commission; the amount you are expected to make is dependent on the numbers of tickets you sell.

Sales of Cakes

Making and selling cakes is yet another easy to start food retailing business that a college student can successfully start on campus. If you know how to bake cake, then you should consider starting a business that deals in cake. Aside from the fact that you can retail your cakes yourself, you can also source for weddings, birthdays and special anniversaries to market your cake.

There is indeed a large market for cakes and if you are hardworking you can reap a fortune from this type of business even as a college student. Once you are able to get a hang of selling quality cakes , you can be sure of attracting lots of people to your business per timer.

Open a Barbing Salon

Another business that is highly thriving and profitable on campus is barbing saloon. If you are good at offering a nice haircut, and you know you have time to spare in the evenings and the weekends, then you should consider opening a mini barbing salon on campus.

Open a Beauty Salon

Beauty salon is yet another highly thriving and profitable business that a female college student should consider starting on campus. Just like barbing salon business, this type of business can be demanding and time consuming.

So, if you want to successfully combine this type of business with your studies, then you should do all it takes to strike a balance. Weekends are usually the peak period for this type of business so ensure that your weekends are free from academic work.

Open a Boutique

Another easy to set up business that a college student can start off campus is a boutique business. Boutique is also a typical retailing business and any entrepreneur in any part of the world can successfully open a boutique without much stress.

All that is required to lunch this type of business is a store that is well positioned and money to stock your boutique with different types, colors, shapes and designs of clothes and fashion accessories from different clothing labels / designers.

The truth is that, if your boutique is well located and well stocked with quality clothes and fashion accessories, you are likely not going to struggle to attract customers. You don’t necessarily need to be the person manning the boutique, you can hire a salesgirl.

Open a Grocery Store

A Grocery Store is yet another easy to set up business that a student can successfully start off campus. If you are looking for an ideal retailing business to start – a mom and pop style of business that requires low start – up capital to set – up, then you should consider opening a grocery store in an ideal location within your campus community.

People visit grocery stores to restock their homes from time to time. This type of business is simple to set up and it is indeed a profitable business. You might not make huge profits from this type of business, but you are sure of maintaining steady cash flow on a daily basis.

If you choose to start this type of business, ensure that you conduct market survey in order to know the types of products to stock your store with. The truth is that if you stock your store with what the people around do not need, you will struggle to make sales. You don’t necessarily need to be the person manning your groceries store, you can hire a salesgirl.

Retailing of Music and Movies

Retailing of music and movies is yet another highly thriving and profitable business that a college student can successfully combine with his or her studies.

There is indeed a large market for music and movies and this market cut across people of different faith, race and culture. The united states of America has the largest entertainment industry in the world and products from this industry are basically retailed.

If you a college student and you are considering starting a business off campus, then one of the businesses that you can successfully start is retailing of music and movies. In other to stay competitive in this industry, you must be involved in retailing music and movies in all formats; that is in softcopies (downloads) and hardcopies (CDs and DVDs et al).

Vehicle Licensing Brokerage Services

A college student who is interested in making money can venture into vehicle licensing brokerage services. Vehicle license and other relevant vehicle documents usually expires annually, hence there is room for renewal at least once in a year; it is a crime to drive a vehicle whose documents has expired.

Starting a vehicle licensing brokerage services involves helping individuals and corporate organizations do all the work as it related to vehicle license renewal et al. This type of business can be successfully combined with other related brokerage business.

Car Advertising Business

Another cool way of making money from the automotive industry as a college student is through car advertising business. If you have a car and you love driving around town, you can turn this hobby of yours into a money making venture.

There are loads of advertising agencies looking for cars that can serve as their moving billboards and they are willing to pay pretty well for that.

The innovation in the advertising industry is evolving and new windows for both conventional and unconventional style of advertising are opening up. Advertisers will do all they can to catch up with their target market and branding cars is one of such option.

Start a Gourmet Business

Gourmet business is another typical retailing business that a college student can successfully run off campus. If you are looking for a simple but highly thriving small business to start as a college student, then you need to consider starting a gourmet retailing business.

It is indeed a profitable business and if you want to make the best out of this type of business, then position your gourmet outlet around a cinema, football viewing center, sports center and outdoors event centers.

Offer Voiceover Services

As a college student, your good voice and excellent diction is an asset; with it you can generate extra income for as long as you are willing to work. It is simple, all you need to do is to Google voiceover outsourcing jobs and you will see loads of them.

Ensure that you read through them source for the ones you feel you can handle. As a voiceover artiste, you can sign up with an advertising company and they will help you secure voiceover jobs.

Sell Software

As a college student who is interested in making money, one of your options is to start selling software; there is a large market for software. All you need to do is to look for a task in the IT world and then build a software to help simplify the task.

For example you can develop a software that will help people manage their clientele base (CRM software); you can develop software that will help people manage their payrolls, accounts, online files et al.

Start Your Own Social Networking Site

The now famous Mark Zuckerberg the founder of Facebook started Facebook as a student. The fact that there are several big time networking websites does not in any way stop you from starting your own social networking site. It may take time before you start making money from the site, but with diligence, dedication and hard work, you will sure start generating income from it.

Part of what you need to do is to choose a niche or concentrate on a target audience that can make it easier for you to attract people to you social networking site. For example; you can start a social networking site to connect doctors and nurses together, you can start a social networking site that connects people of same ethnic groups or people with similar interest et al.

Fish Farming Business

Another highly thriving and profitable business venture a college student who is interested in making money from the agriculture industry should consider starting is to go into fish farming. Fish are consumed in all parts of the world hence there is a large market for fish.

Over the years, quite a few people have made fortunes from fish farming, as the population is swelling and protein needs are far outstripping the available supply. Before now, people find it easier to rear only catfish, but in recent time fish farmers can comfortably rear tilapias, trout and salmons fish et al. All you need to get started is a space, tanks or ponds, fingerlings and fish feeds et al.

Dog Breeding Business

Dogs breeding business is yet another profitable business that a college student can start off campus. Amongst domestic animals, dogs are considered to be one of the closest companion to human. Dogs breeding business is a lucrative business especially in countries where people value dogs. Dogs are used for hunting, for security as pets, for games and in some climes as a major sources of protein.

In essence there is a global market for dogs howbeit different breeds of dogs are used for different purposes. If you are looking towards setting up your kennel, ensure that you source for dog breeds that are highly marketable in your area. It is important to state that it is easier to sell puppies than to sell adult dogs.

Start a Book Club

Starting a book club is yet another easy to start business in the education industry that a college student can conveniently combine with his or her studies. Book clubs is basically all about a group of people coming together to discuss a book or books that they have read or the books they are currently reading.

It is cheaper to start and to run a book club, but you have to be creative if you want to make money out of your book club. Aside from the membership fee you will collect from people who want to join your book club, you would have to design strategies on how to generate income from members of your book club and from other related areas.

If you want to make money from your book club, then you should consider starting a sales book club; with a sales book club, you will be able to sell books at a discount price to your members and of course your members will be the first set of people to get newly released books from your stable.

Become a Translator

As a college student, if you can speak and write two or more languages whether foreign or local languages, then you can comfortably list your services online as a translator.

There are many authors of books and producers of films et al who wouldn’t mind translating their books to local dialects or other foreign languages once they can get someone to do it for them at an affordable fee. You can visit elance.com, freelancer.com, oDesk.com and other freelance sites to source for translating jobs.

Landscaping and Lawn Care Business

Landscaping and lawn care business is one of the businesses a college student can engage in during holidays; it is an avenue to generate income a student. Landscaping and lawn care business is not one of those businesses that someone can start and make big money from without truly working pretty hard and smart.

Any entrepreneur who intends to start his or her own landscaping and lawn care business and making huge profits from it must be very creative and must be ready to go the extra mile to convince clients that he or she can deliver an excellent job and he or she must prove beyond every reasonable doubt that they are competent.

Real Estate Agency Business

As a college student one of the ways of making money during holidays is to work as a real estate broker. The real estate industry involves the buying, the selling, or the renting of lands, buildings or housing facility et al.

Real estate agency or a real estate agent (broker) is a person who acts as a middleman between the sellers and buyers of real estate / real property. They are involved in searching for sellers who sell properties and buyers who to buy properties.

Repair of Computers and Mobile Phones

If you are serious about making as a student, then you should be willing to go all the way to acquire skills that can help your generate incomes during holidays.

One of the skills that you should looking towards acquiring is technical skills; especially in the areas of computers and mobile phones repairs. If you have this skills, you can go into the repair of computers and mobile phones. It is a highly thriving and profitable business venture.

Offer Web Designing Services

Another thriving and profitable business that a student can engage in during holiday is to offer web designing services. Statistics has it that there are well over 350 million active website on the internet and it is not enough to meet the demand of people visiting the internet; there are still pretty much to learn from the internet hence people are opening new websites on a regular basis.

If you know how to design website, you should not restrict the marketing of your website design services to people you can see and visit within your location. There is a large market within the online community waiting to be tapped. All you need to do is to list your services online and if you are good, you will attract clients from all over the world.

Ghost Writing Job

If you are creative writer, then you can start your own online business as a ghost writer. There countless number of people out there who are overdue to author at least one book, but they can’t due to their very busy schedule. All you need to do is to collect their thoughts together and help them for a book.

You can indeed write a book on their behalf. Although your name might not appear in the book, but you are sure of being rewarded adequately for your services. It could be a pay off or on percentage based on the number of copies of the book sold within a period of time et al. All the same it is a good way of making cool cash from the connection you can make with people online.

Ice Block Making and Sale Business

Another business that a college student can successfully start is Ice block business. Ice Block making and sale business is one of the retailing businesses that is easy to start and manage; it is a business that won’t take your time. With effective ice block making machine, all you need to do is to employ a sales girl or sales boy and they will help you handle the business.

So if you are looking towards starting a retailing business that won’t take most of your time; a business that will allow you to socialize and enjoy your holidays as a college student, then you should look towards going into ice block making and sales business.

Taxi / Cab Services

Tax business is yet another business a college student can run during holidays. When it comes to starting a transportation related business, one of the easy to start business that readily comes to mind is taxi services. With just a car, a college student can successfully launch is tax business.

As a matter of fact with hard work and dedication, a serious minded entrepreneur can grow his taxi business from just one taxi and to fleet of taxis covering an entire city or state. Taxi business is a profitable business in the United States of America and in most countries of the world.

Editing and Proofreading Business

Editing and proofreading is yet another easy to start business in the education industry that a college student can start during holidays; it requires little or no start – up capital to launch this type of business. The nature of this type of business makes it easier to work from home and for clients who are thousands of kilometers away from your country.

If you are a good editor and you have eyes for details, then you should consider visiting freelancer.com, elance.com, oDesk.com et al to enroll and become a member. From such platforms, you can get enough editing and proof reading jobs that you can handle.

Home Tutor Services

Another easy to start and profitable business in the education sector that requires little or no start – up capital is home tutors services. A college student can conveniently start home tutor services during his or her holidays especially if they have flair for teaching and imparting knowledge.

Parents engage teachers to teach their children at home hence there is need for the services of teachers. So if you are good at teaching, then you should consider starting home tutor services during your holidays.

Sale of Children’s Educational Materials (Toys, DVDs, CDs and Pads et al)

Another profitable and thriving business in the education industry that a college student can successfully start during holidays without any form of technical skills is retailing of children’s educational materials. Materials such as kinds learning pads, story books, Lego, jig saw puzzle, educative video games, educative CDs and DVDs et al are highly sellable as long as you position the business is a location where there are loads of children.

You can as well take your goods to schools to market. Retailing children’s educational materials is indeed a profitable business and anybody can start this type of business. As a matter of fact, you would not need any specially license or permit to run this type of business.

Sale of Books and Stationeries

If you are considering starting a retailing business during holiday as a college student, then one of your options is to start retailing books of different genre from different authors. There is a large market for books especially if you have done your homework before selecting books to retail.

Vegetable Farming

Starting a vegetable garden is one of the businesses that a college student goes into during holidays. Spinach, lettuce, pumpkin, broccoli, cabbage, and cucumber et al are all vegetables that are consumed in every part of the globe and can also be cultivated in every part of the world.

This goes to show that there is a very large market for vegetables. So if you are looking towards starting an agricultural crop cultivation business as a college student, then one of your options is to go into vegetable farming.

Just like most agriculture produce, vegetables are perishable crops hence proper arrangement must be put in place to ensure that they are sold as soon as possible after harvest. Usually, farmers ensure that they make arrangement with buyers before harvesting their crops; it is safer and cost effect. It is only when they can’t secure buyers that they take their crops to farm markets et al.

Fumigation Services

A typical agro allied related services business that a college student should consider starting during holiday is to offer fumigation services.

Fumigation is done to eliminate unwanted insects, and weeds et al. It is a highly thriving and profitable business venture that is easy to set – up and manage. If you looking towards starting a fumigation services business, then you need to apply to the appropriate authority in your country to secure the required chemical handling permits and license.

Parrot Breeding Business

Breeding and selling of parrots is a business that a college student can successfully start and manage during holidays. Parrots are interesting birds that are loved by many because of their display of intelligence. Starting a parrot breeding business might not be easy initially, especially when it comes to sourcing for parrot.

But one thing is certain, if you are apple to kick start the business with good spices of parrots (the talking species) then you will not struggle to sell and make good profits off them.

There is a large market for parrots although it is rear to see people who eat parrots, but almost everybody that purchase parrots keep them as pets, they are funny and interesting pets to keep as companion. If you are lucky to have an intelligent and lively parrot in your home, there won’t be any dull moment.

Rabbits Farming

Rabbit’ farming is yet another highly thriving and profitable livestock breeding business that a college student who is interested in the agriculture business should consider starting during holidays. There is no law prohibiting the keeping of rabbits in Towns and Cities.

A backyard can serve as a good source of additional income, food and employment; thus reducing poverty, hunger and idleness.

Rabbit do not compete with humans for food, as kitchen leftovers, cut grasses and formulated or compounded feed can sustain them. Rabbit keeping does not require much capital for investment and maintenance. As little space is needed, most rabbits could be kept in the backyard or in the abandoned sheds.

It is true that students may not have ample time to really man their businesses, but it is equally true that starting a business from the campus is one of the best ways to make great profit.

As such, if you are really keen on delving into business, then you have got to take the business ideas that you have earlier on read here seriously. Truth remains that when you are equipped with the right information, you will be able to do really well in a trade.

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16 Business Ideas for College Students

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Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on July 12, 2022 Updated on April 24, 2024

As a college student, you’re no doubt tight on money but full of energy. You could work at the local campus bookstore or a restaurant, but maybe you’d rather start a business you can work on between classes and studying. 

You wouldn’t be alone, as many college students are starting side hustles, sometimes as a gateway to full-time entrepreneurship. Well, you’ve come to the right place, as this guide lists 16 great business ideas for college students that can put you on the road to serious success. 

1. Freelance Writing

Skilled writers can earn $25 to $40 per hour or more, and businesses often hire freelancers for projects like website content, marketing copy, and white papers. College students can start by building a portfolio through online writing and then find clients and gigs on platforms like Upwork.

The flexibility of freelance writing makes it an ideal choice for students. They can choose projects that align with their interests and fit their schedule, ensuring they can balance their academic commitments. By engaging in freelance writing, college students can earn money, build their portfolio, and develop valuable skills that will benefit them in their future careers.

2. Proofreading

With a wide range of materials requiring proofreading, such as books, business plans, and web content, the demand for proficient proofreaders is constant and diverse. Platforms like Upwork provide abundant job opportunities, allowing students to start earning right away, typically at rates of $15 to $20 per hour.

Building a strong online presence and continuously improving skills are crucial for success in the proofreading business. Creating a professional website or online portfolio, networking with potential clients, and staying updated with industry standards can help attract clients and establish a solid reputation.

3. Virtual Assistant

Becoming a virtual assistant is an excellent business idea for college students due to the high demand for tasks like appointment scheduling, email management, and travel booking. The virtual assistant industry is projected to see a stunning 22% annual growth through 2028 , providing ample opportunities. College students can earn $20 to $25 per hour and enjoy the flexibility of working from their dorm room or apartment.

To start as a virtual assistant, college students can market their services online, create a professional website or portfolio, and network with professionals in various industries. The ability to work remotely and set their own schedule allows students to balance their academic commitments while earning income.

4. Search Engine Optimization

Countless small businesses outsource their SEO needs, recognizing its vital role in their success. With hourly rates ranging from $50 to $150, depending on experience, and an industry worth over $80 billion, it’s a side hustle that can blossom into a full-time business.

To start, college students can leverage their skills by offering SEO services to small businesses. Building a strong online presence, networking with local businesses, and staying updated with the search engine algorithms are crucial steps.

5. Dropshipping

With no need to purchase inventory upfront, students can sell a wide range of products . Dropshipping allows online businesses to place orders with suppliers only after receiving orders from customers, eliminating the need for inventory management and reducing financial risks.

The logistics and shipping process in dropshipping are simplified as the goods are shipped directly from the supplier to the customer. The most important aspects include: deciding a niche – what you want to sell, finding a reliable partner and setting up your online store. When it comes to marketing, the focus should be on SEO and promoting your products via social media.

6. Pet Sitting

As a pet sitter, your responsibilities typically involve visiting the client’s home to feed and spend time with the pet, with some clients even requiring overnight stays. It’s a flexible way to earn extra money in your spare time while indulging in your love for animals.

To start a pet sitting business, college students can promote their services through various channels such as word-of-mouth, local advertisements, and online platforms dedicated to pet services. Building a reputation for reliability and excellent care is crucial for attracting clients and securing repeat business.

7. House Sitting

When homeowners go on vacation, they often hire house sitters to ensure the security and maintenance of their properties. House sitters typically stay in the house, preventing theft or damage and attending to tasks like watering plants. With an average daily rate of around $50, college students can earn income while managing their academic commitments.

To start a house sitting business, college students can rely on word-of-mouth referrals from friends, family, and neighbors to build their reputation. They can also create profiles on house sitting websites or join local community groups to connect with homeowners in need of their services. Demonstrating reliability, trustworthiness, and attentiveness to homeowner needs are key factors for success in this industry.

8. Social Media Marketing

Businesses often outsource their social media marketing needs, presenting an opportunity for students to help companies establish and grow their online presence. Social media marketers typically earn a minimum of $50 per hour, with potential for higher rates depending on the extent of the work.

To establish a social media marketing company, college students can create a strong online presence through a professional website or portfolio, showcasing their services, expertise, and testimonials from successful clients. Networking with local businesses and professionals, as well as staying updated with social media trends and best practices, are crucial for success in this industry.

9. Mobile DJ

As an alternative to bands, mobile DJ services are increasingly popular for various events. Whether you have prior DJ experience or not, starting a mobile DJ business allows you to make money while enjoying yourself. With potential earnings of up to $1,000 per event, it presents an attractive income potential.

To get started, invest in essential DJ equipment and build a diverse music library. Promote your services through social media, local event directories, and word-of-mouth referrals. Networking with event planners and industry professionals can also lead to additional opportunities. Providing an exceptional and memorable experience for event attendees will help you build a solid reputation and secure repeat business. As your business grows, consider expanding your services or partnering with other event service providers to further enhance your offerings.

By leveraging your writing skills and choosing a subject you’re passionate about, you can attract a following and monetize your blog. Income can be generated through ads or affiliate marketing, where you earn commissions from companies when readers make purchases through your blog’s links.

To start, select a niche that interests you and resonates with your target audience. Consistently produce valuable content to engage and retain readers. You should learn how to optimize your blog for search engines, like Google and Bing. However, you should write for your audience, not search engines.

Promote your blog through social media and networking with other bloggers. As your blog gains traction, explore advertising options like Google AdSense or collaborate with brands for sponsored content.

11. Vending Machines

With minimal effort, maintaining and restocking the machines can bring in a monthly income of around $300 to $400 per machine. By strategically placing vending machines in high-traffic locations like college campuses, hospitals, airports, or office buildings, students can establish a reliable income stream.

To start, research suitable locations and acquire vending machines stocked with popular products. Building relationships with property owners or businesses for machine placement is crucial. Regular inventory checks and prompt restocking are necessary to ensure customer satisfaction and maximize profits. Providing excellent customer service and promptly addressing any issues or malfunctions contribute to the success of the business.

12. House Painting

Exterior house painting is a lucrative weekend business idea for college students. With the potential to earn thousands of dollars per job, it offers a profitable income stream. Basic equipment such as a ladder, a vehicle, and painting supplies are all that’s needed to get started. While expertise in painting is beneficial, there are ample online resources, including YouTube tutorials, that can help students learn the necessary techniques.

To attract clients, you can create a professional website or online portfolio to showcase their previous work and customer testimonials. Promoting services through social media platforms and local advertising (getting listed on Google Business and Yelp) will help reach homeowners in the area. Offering competitive pricing and exceptional customer service will set you apart from the competition.

13. Software Development

The US software market has seen substantial revenue growth over the past decade, presenting a lucrative opportunity for students to enter a thriving industry and make significant earnings before graduation. You know the famous start up companies that began in college, like Facebook and Google, but there are many others.

To begin, you should identify a market need or problem ( use our lean canvas generator ) that can be addressed through innovative software solutions. By leveraging technical skills, you can develop software tailored to specific industries or customer demands. Starting a software company requires a solid business plan, securing necessary resources such as funding and talent, and building a strong brand and online presence. Actively networking within the industry, collaborating with businesses, and seeking mentorship can further improve growth prospects and open doors to new opportunities.

14. Tutoring

By leveraging the expertise in specific subjects or an area that you have experience with, you can offer valuable tutoring services to other students, kids or even professionals. The convenience of online platforms like Zoom or Google Meet allows for flexible and accessible tutoring sessions.

To start, you can create a professional online presence through websites or tutoring platforms . Effective marketing strategies such as social media promotion and word-of-mouth referrals can help attract clients and build a solid client base. Offering flexible scheduling and competitive pricing makes tutoring services appealing to students seeking academic assistance.

15. Jewelry Making

Whether selling online or locally, you have the opportunity to express your artistic vision through appealing designs of bracelets, rings, necklaces, and more.

To begin, focus on developing a collection of jewelry pieces that align with your artistic vision and cater to your target market’s preferences. Experiment with different materials, techniques, and styles to create designs that set your brand apart.

Selling your jewelry online can be done through e-commerce platforms, social media, or online marketplaces. Utilize captivating product photography, engaging product descriptions, and responsive customer service to create a positive shopping experience. Additionally, consider selling your jewelry locally through pop-up shops, craft fairs, or collaborations with local boutiques.

16. YouTuber

While the competition is fierce, innovative content creators have the opportunity to build popular Youtube channels and earn significant income through ad revenue.

To succeed, you should find a unique niche or angle that sets their content apart, delivering high-quality videos consistently and engaging with their audience authentically. Utilizing creative storytelling and showcasing their own personality can help foster a strong connection with viewers. Building a strong online presence beyond YouTube and exploring alternative income streams like brand partnerships or merchandise sales can further enhance their success.

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Thriving in a Student Market: Top College Town Business Opportunities

Starting a college town business can be a great move in college towns, where lots of students and a fun vibe make for good business chances. These places are perfect for entrepreneurs looking to meet the different needs and likes of students. You can provide important services, create special experiences, or make new products in college towns.

For your business to do well, it’s key to understand the local college culture and fit your business to it. Knowing who you’re selling to helps shape your products, how you market them, and how you connect with customers. Also, it’s important to stay in touch with what students like and the newest trends.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• College towns provide diverse business opportunities due to student interests and a vibrant atmosphere.
• Adapting to local dynamics and understanding the target audience is essential for success.
• Staying relevant and updated on emerging trends is crucial in running a successful business in college towns.

Understanding College Town Dynamics

As someone who has lived in several college towns, I’ve observed the unique characteristics that set these communities apart from others. College students make up a significant portion of the local population and greatly influence the social life of the area. The presence of a university creates a small but tight-knit community that revolves around student life. This community often consists of a mix of high school students, college goers, and young professionals seeking better opportunities.

In my experiences, one of the most important aspects of a college town is that it caters to the needs of both university students and the local community. The best college towns strike a balance between providing a vibrant social life for students and offering valuable resources and support to the local community. This might include community colleges, events, and amenities that are accessible to residents and students alike.

In college towns, it’s essential to remember that not all students come from the same background. Many are young students transitioning from high school to college life and are in need of support and guidance. Additionally, there may be international students adapting to a new culture, as well as non-traditional students returning to school or seeking a career change. It’s important to cater to the diverse needs of this student population, offering services and businesses that help them adjust and thrive.

During my time in college towns, I have noticed that local businesses play a crucial role in supporting the unique needs of the college campus community. From bookstores and coffee shops to workout facilities and cultural events, these businesses provide essential services and create a sense of belonging for students and residents alike. Many local businesses also offer part-time employment opportunities ideal for college students seeking flexible work schedules.

In conclusion, understanding the dynamics of college towns is essential for creating an environment that caters to the needs of college students, local residents, and businesses. By being aware of the diversity within the student population and finding ways to support and engage all community members, college towns can offer a unique and enriching experience for everyone involved.

Popular Business Ideas

In my experience, there are several popular business ideas that thrive in college towns. Students, young professionals, and even faculty members need convenient and tailored services to cater to their unique needs. In this section, I’ll discuss some of the most common and promising businesses that tend to do well in college towns.

Opening a coffee shop is an excellent idea for a college town. Students and faculty often need a comfortable place to study, meet, or unwind, and a cozy café with a relaxed atmosphere meets that requirement. A well-designed coffee shop, offering good quality beverages and snacks, can become a hotspot on campus. With the right location and atmosphere, my coffee shop would become the go-to place for study breaks, meetings, and socialization.

Another popular business idea for college towns is a food truck . Portable and versatile, food trucks can cater to different tastes, cuisines, and dietary preferences. By offering a variety of options and exploring unique food concepts, I can capture the attention of college students, faculty, and even local residents. Plus, a food truck gives me the flexibility to move around and explore different areas, increasing my potential customer base.

A fitness center is another potential business opportunity. Students and faculty alike are always looking for convenient places to work out and stay fit. With flexible hours and memberships, my fitness center can cater to varying schedules and budgets, making it accessible for the entire campus community.

Other promising businesses or services in a college town could include a thrift store, book store, dry cleaning business, or laundry service . A well-stocked thrift and book store can cater to the needs of budget-conscious shoppers, while dry cleaning and laundry services can provide convenience to those with busy schedules.

Finally, niche businesses such as ice cream shops, flower shops, or vending machines can offer unique products and services that appeal to a college town’s diverse population. By creating specialized and memorable experiences, these businesses have the potential to attract loyal customers and build a positive reputation on campus.

Overall, college towns present various opportunities for creative and profitable businesses. By remaining flexible, innovative, and customer-focused, I can successfully establish a thriving business in a college town.

Launching Your Business

I firmly believe that starting a small business in a college town is a great way to build entrepreneurial skills, connect with fellow students, and earn some extra money. In this section, I’ll share some important tips on how to launch your business effectively in a college town.

Firstly, it’s essential to come up with a solid business plan that outlines your business model, target market, and potential for growth. I recommend focusing on small business ideas that cater to the specific needs and preferences of college students. This could include services like bike rentals, bookstores, or coffee shops, as these are popular among college town residents and require minimal initial investment.

Next, make sure to research the local market and see what type of services or products are lacking in the area. For example, if your college town lacks a quality juice bar or bakery, this could be an excellent opportunity to introduce a new and unique offering to the community.

Another important consideration is how you’ll promote your business and reach your target audience. Utilize social media, campus bulletin boards, and local events to spread the word about your new business venture. Don’t forget to network with fellow students and local businesses, since word-of-mouth is often one of the most effective marketing methods, especially in tight-knit college communities.

Finally, ensure that your business is running efficiently and manage your finances wisely. This may include learning to delegate tasks, implementing cost-effective marketing strategies, and keeping track of your cash flow. By staying disciplined and finding a balance between your academic and entrepreneurial responsibilities, you can maintain a successful and sustainable small business in a college town.

Always remember that launching a successful business in a college town requires hard work, dedication, and adaptability. By continuously refining your business plan and staying tuned to the needs of your fellow students, you can create a thriving enterprise that benefits yourself and your college community.

Leveraging Social Media

Leveraging social media to reach potential customers and grow your business is vital. By choosing the right social media platforms, you can effectively connect with my target audience and create a strong online presence for my business.

To start, invest time in identifying the most popular social media platforms among college students and members of the local college town community. By focusing on these platforms, you can increase the likelihood of connecting with potential customers and building lasting relationships.

On these platforms, aim to create engaging and shareable content that highlights your business and its offerings to the college town community. By creating high-quality content, you can inspire your followers to share it with their friends and network, increasing your reach and visibility online.

Additionally, collaborate with influencers and local organizations to further expand your business presence on social media. Partnering with influencers who already have a significant following among the college community can help your business become more relatable and authentic.

Lastly, utilize online platforms to promote your business and provide online courses or workshops related to your business offerings. Offering online courses allows you to share your expertise with a wider audience and generate additional revenue streams, while promoting your business and the services it provides.

By leveraging social media and other online platforms, you can effectively grow your college town business and better serve your community.

Running a Successful Business

It’s important for you to recognize the unique opportunities and challenges that come with operating within this environment. College towns are often teeming with potential customers, and local businesses can thrive in these areas if done right.

One factor that allows small businesses to excel in college towns is the high demand for goods and services that cater to students’ needs. For example, offering affordable and convenient options will likely attract the student population, which often looks for budget-friendly choices. Additionally, keeping a pulse on current trends and preferences will help business owners stay relevant and appeal to young adults.

Another key aspect is building strong relationships with the students. College students often rely on word-of-mouth recommendations and will become loyal customers if they have positive experiences. By providing excellent service and fostering a welcoming environment, business owners can establish a loyal following that will help sustain the business throughout the year.

Of course, one of the crucial components to running a successful business is maintaining healthy profit margins. By efficiently managing costs, business owners can ensure they are competitive while still achieving profitability. For instance, if high demand exists for a particular item, business owners might consider buying it in bulk in order to reduce costs.

A great option for local businesses is to collaborate with the college or university and participate in events, such as orientation fairs or campus-wide promotions. This helps increase visibility among students and can lead to new customers discovering the business.

Finally, it’s vital to stay adaptable as a small business owner. Regardless of the industry, change is inevitable, and knowing when to pivot or adjust strategies can make the difference between a thriving business and one that struggles to survive.

With a confident and knowledgeable approach, local businesses in college towns have the potential to become successful ventures. By catering to the needs and preferences of the student population, maintaining a strong relationship with the customer base, and managing finances effectively, business owners can seize the opportunities presented by a college town environment.

The Role of Market Research

Market research plays a crucial role when exploring business ideas for college towns. It helps understand the specific needs, interests, and behaviors of your target audience in that niche market. By conducting proper market research, you can identify opportunities and potential challenges specific to college towns, thereby increasing your chances of success.

The first step in the market research process is to identify the college town’s unique demographics. You need to consider factors such as the size of the student population, the socioeconomic status, and the different types of students attending the college. This information helps determine which business ideas are most suitable for the target market.

Next, delve into the competition within the college town. Analyze competing businesses and their performance to determine which industries are oversaturated and which ones have unmet needs. This analysis helps to position your business idea in a way that caters to an untapped market or offers a unique value proposition.

In addition to understanding your target audience and competition, conduct surveys and interviews with students and locals. This qualitative research provides valuable insights into their preferences, opinions, and pain points. These insights help to tailor your business ideas to cater to potential customers’ specific needs and desires.

Lastly, analyzing trends and popular culture in the college town allows you to identify promising business ideas that align with current interests and demands. By staying up-to-date with the latest news and events within the college community, you can ensure that my business idea remains relevant and appealing to your target audience.

Overall, market research is an essential tool for developing successful college town business ideas. By thoroughly examining the target market, competition, and trends, you can confidently launch a business that meets the expectations and needs of your potential customers.

Setting Up Delivery Services

Convenience is very important for busy students. One effective business idea is setting up delivery services, catering to the needs of students who may not have the time or means to travel off-campus for essential items or food.

I would start by researching the most popular local businesses and restaurants around the college campus in order to identify which establishments would benefit the most from delivery services. Once I have gathered the necessary information, I could approach these businesses with a proposal highlighting the potential increase in sales and customer base.

Another crucial aspect of establishing delivery services is investing in efficient logistics and an online platform that students can use to place orders. The platform should be user-friendly and include options such as scheduling orders, tracking deliveries, and providing reviews. This would make it easier for students to get their necessities without having to disrupt their study schedules.

To generate buzz around my delivery service, I would collaborate with local college clubs and organizations, offering them discounts or promotional deals, and ensuring that my brand becomes synonymous with convenience and efficiency among the student community.

Overall, setting up a delivery service business in a college town has the potential to be a profitable and rewarding venture. By providing a much-needed service to students and partnering with local businesses, I can create a robust business model that caters to the unique needs of a college town, ensuring success and sustainability.

Emerging Business Trends

It’s essential to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in small town business trends. With a focus on college towns, I’ve identified several emerging business trends that present lucrative opportunities for those looking to launch or expand their businesses in these unique settings.

One promising trend I’ve observed is the increasing demand for co-working spaces. These shared office environments provide students and young entrepreneurs with a cost-effective workspace solution that fosters collaboration and creative synergies. Leveraging this trend, you can consider opening a co-working space with amenities like Wi-Fi and a coffee corner, targeting the campus community.

Another prevalent trend is the rise of technology-related service businesses, like cell phone repair. With the ubiquitous presence of smartphones and other gadgets, this business opportunity has a vast potential customer base among college students and faculty members.

Retail businesses focusing on the food and beverage sector are always popular in college towns. For instance, opening a coffee shop provides a cozy hangout for students and a reliable stream of revenue. Similarly, another retail trend gaining traction is customized t-shirt printing, which caters to the distinct fashion preferences of the youth and campus organizations.

Lastly, I’ve recognized that educational training institutes, particularly in computer and technology skills, are trending in college towns. By establishing a computer training institute, you can cater to the growing demand for specialized skills among students, supporting their academic pursuits or preparing them for future employment.

By staying informed about these trends and identifying potential niches, I believe there are ample opportunities for establishing successful businesses in college towns. It’s up to me, as an entrepreneur, to seize these opportunities and contribute positively to the vibrant campus community.

Businesses For Health Conscious Customers

Catering to health-conscious customers can also be a great idea. There’s a growing interest in health and wellness, making it essential to offer services and products that align with this market’s needs.

One excellent business idea is to open a health food store. Stocking items such as organic fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other nutritious products will attract health-conscious individuals in the area. These customers are looking for high-quality, natural foods to maintain their well-being and support their studies.

Starting a gardening service is another fantastic option for serving health-conscious clients. Many college students and residents in college towns have limited time or space to maintain their own gardens. Offering gardening services such as garden design, installation, and maintenance can help promote healthier eating habits by providing access to fresh, local produce. Plus, not only do gardens benefit the individual’s health, but they also contribute positively to the environment.

While operating these businesses, it’s essential to maintain a confident, knowledgeable, neutral, and clear tone of voice. As a health-conscious business owner, I would want to build trust among customers and provide them with the best possible service and products to support their healthy lifestyles. By staying current on health and wellness trends and continuously improving my offerings, I could create a thriving business that keeps customers happy and coming back for more.

Business Ideas for Creative Minds

Finding a business idea that allows you to express your skills and interests can be crucial to staying motivated. College towns offer an excellent environment for creative minds to thrive, as there is a constant demand for unique products and services that cater to the needs of the local student population. Here are a few business ideas that are ideal for creative minds in a college town.

One idea that resonates with me is starting a book club . I could create a cozy, welcoming space where fellow book lovers can gather to discuss and share their favorite reads. In addition to providing a platform for like-minded individuals to connect, a book club can also double as a bookstore – selling popular titles, academic books, and even exclusive merchandise.

Another business venture I might consider is web design . With numerous businesses and organizations in college towns, there’s always a demand for skilled web designers who can create visually appealing and functional websites. As a web designer, I would have the opportunity to work with clients from various fields and even connect with fellow creatives to collaborate on larger projects.

Similarly, I could also start a graphic design business, focusing on creating captivating visual content for clients. From designing logos and promotional materials for local businesses to crafting eye-catching posters for college events, a graphic design business would allow me to showcase my artistry while catering to the diverse needs of the community.

Finally, launching a photography business is another excellent idea for creative entrepreneurs. College towns are filled with events and special occasions that need to be captured through the lens of a skilled photographer – be it graduation ceremonies, sports games, or local festivals. By offering professional photography services, I could create lasting memories for clients while honing my craft.

For creative individuals, the possibilities are endless when it comes to starting a business in a college town. Whether it’s a book club, web design, graphic design, or a photography business, you have the opportunity to combine your personal interests with your professional skills, ultimately providing services that cater to the unique needs of the college community.

Making Use of Limited Spaces

In college towns, space is often limited, and making the most out of small areas is essential for success. I’ve observed that one effective way to utilize limited spaces is to transform them into co-working spaces. By renting out a large office or dorm room , and creating a shared office space with Wi-Fi and other amenities, young entrepreneurs and students can benefit from a productive environment without needing a lot of room.

Setting up a small coffee corner can add value to the co-working space, as it provides a place for people to take short breaks without leaving the premises. Additionally, including a guest lounge can accommodate visitors and facilitate networking opportunities.

I believe that it’s important to decorate and design the space to promote a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. This way, users are more likely to feel at ease and be productive in the limited space available. An effective layout may involve grouping desks or tables together to maximize the room’s capacity while still maintaining a sense of organization.

Furthermore, these limited spaces can be transformed into small-scale businesses, such as on-demand photography services or laptop and mobile device repair shops. This not only helps in making the most of the available space but also caters to the pressing needs of college students.

In conclusion, limited spaces in college towns can be optimized to create business opportunities that cater to the unique needs of students and young entrepreneurs. By focusing on efficient space utilization, a small area can be transformed into a thriving co-working hub or a niche service provider.

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10 Best Business Ideas for College Students

• Last Updated: September 28, 2023
• By: Greg Bouhl

Advertising Disclosure

Everyone knows how expensive college can be, and while there’s always a plethora of part-time jobs to be found around college towns, you’d much rather start your own business.

And who can blame you? 

After all, while most of the vacancies you’ve found may bring in the money, they’re not exactly aligned with your post-graduation career plans, nor do they offer the kind of flexibility that comes with being your own boss. 

If that sounds familiar, this guide to the ten best business ideas for students is for you. 

Below, you’ll learn not only which type of student business may be best for you but also how much you can make and how to get started. 

1. Drive for Ride Sharing Apps

Ride-sharing apps are immensely popular in college towns , with students, faculty, and local residents alike taking advantage of them for hassle-free journeys to the abundance of sports, entertainment, and leisure attractions typically found in such towns. 

Still, that’s far from the only reason why driving for the likes of Lyft and Uber is such a popular side hustle .

Whether you’re driving your fellow university students to and from the big game or making food deliveries to their dorms via Uber Eats, it’s a gig that allows you to earn extra money on your own schedule, making it easy to fit around lectures, studying, and other commitments. 

What Do I Need to Get Started?

All you need to get started driving for a ride-sharing app is a driver’s license and insurance. 

You don’t even necessarily need your own car, as Lyft offers a unique rental service that allows you to hire a car for as little as $189 per week plus a non-refundable deposit. 

You can use this car to drive for Lyft, other ride-sharing and delivery apps, or simply for personal use, with your Lyft earnings covering the rental charges. 

Whether you go down that route or use your own vehicle, all you need to do is download your preferred ride-sharing app, apply with your license and insurance, and wait until you’re approved. 

You can then log in, schedule a shift, and hit the road. 

How Much Can I Make? 

The national average earnings for Lyft and Uber drivers is around  $18 per hour .

(source: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Uber-Driver-Salary )

However, this varies from location to location, with major cities and college towns boasting higher earning potential thanks to the high demand. 

Your earnings will also depend on the time of day you work and how long you drive for. Evenings and weekends are typically bigger earnings, though there’s still money to be made if you want to do a few Uber gigs in between lectures during the day. 

2. Start a Tutoring Business

Starting a tutoring business is a great way to leverage your skills, knowledge, and passion for a particular subject into creating a profitable venture. 

This could be as simple as helping students in the year below gain a better understanding of the subject you’re currently studying or offering tutoring services for standardized tests such as SAT, GRE, and GMAT.

Not that academic subjects are all you can teach. You could, for example, also consider teaching people how to play a musical instrument or learn a foreign language.

Related: How to start a tutoring business

What Do I Need To Get Started?

To start a tutoring business, you’ll naturally need a deep understanding of whatever you plan to teach, not to mention strong communication skills that will help you explain concepts effectively to your students. 

As for how to find clients, you have multiple options here. 

If you’re planning to help your fellow students, flyers and a solid online presence.

Alternatively (or perhaps even additionally), you can consider expanding your reach by offering virtual tutoring services via platforms such as: 

• Varsity Tutors  
• Tutor.com  

$18 per hour is the  national average pay for online tutors , though the more experienced and sought-after you become, the higher you can set your rates.

(source – https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Online-Tutor-Salary-per-Hour ) 

If you decide to teach online, you’ll find that some top tutoring sites pay as much as $25 per hour or more, though you should expect a commission fee to be deducted from your earnings. 

3. Take Care of Other People’s Pets

If you’re an animal lover, you’ll find few ways to fund your college journey more rewarding than starting your own business offering pet-sitting and/or dog walking services. 

Not only is this a great way to make extra income by hanging around with your favorite furry creatures, but it also provides an ideal opportunity to keep active, something which may be important if the constant grind of studying and working leaves you with little time to get any exercise.

Related: How to start a dog walking business

Beyond a genuine love for animals and the stamina to keep up with them, pet-sitting and dog walking require very little to get started, making them among the best small business ideas for students with little to invest. 

You can find potential customers using traditional marketing methods, such as putting up flyers around town.

You can also use sites like Rover, which pair pet owners with pet care service providers. However, this does come with a $35 profile review fee. 

Whether you use Rover, a website, or simply advertise on your social media accounts, using high-quality photos and videos of you with animals and of your home or the locations where you’d take dogs for a walk will all help you stand out and win clients.

How Much Can I Make?

Rover pays an average of $20 – $28, depending on the service you offer. 

If you choose to run your business without using that platform, expect to earn between $15 – $20 per walk for dog-walking or between $25 – $50 for pet-sitting services. 

4. Run Speed Dating Events

Are you a social butterfly who enjoys bringing people together and creating connections? Running speed dating events on your college campus can be a fun and profitable small business idea.

What’s more, It’s a perfect fit for college campuses, where a hectic academic schedule can leave students with little time for romance or meaningful connections. 

As an event organizer, you’ll be organizing, hosting, and promoting each event, earning your money from registration fees paid by your attendees.

How Do I Get Started?

Your first task is to choose a suitable venue on or near campus and book it for your event. 

Many locations may require a booking deposit, though you may luck out and find a venue that’s willing to reduce it or waive it altogether for students). 

Set a date, decide on a format (e.g., one-on-one, group speed dating, themed events), and set your fees.

You can use services such as EventBrite to handle registrations and payments, while a combination of both traditional and digital marketing strategies will be essential for attracting sign-ups. 

On the day of the event, set up the venue with tables, chairs, and name tags. 

Ensure a welcoming and friendly atmosphere to put participants at ease and stay on top of facilitating each session. 

Many speed dating events charge between $25 – $50 per person, though you’ll benefit from keeping your prices on the low side if you want to attract college students. 

You can also bring in extra revenue by partnering with local businesses to sponsor your event or offering premium features like personalized matching or post-event networking opportunities.

5. Sell Photography Services

Starting a photography business in college provides a fantastic entry into the world of entrepreneurship, providing opportunities to make not just money but also useful connections and a stellar portfolio that can serve you well for your future career. 

Related: How to start a photography business

What You’ll Need to Get Started 

Depending on your current set-up, your photography business may require some startup costs as you’ll need quality cameras and essential equipment like lenses, a tripod, lighting, and editing software. 

Sure, you don’t need the most expensive gear to start, but having reliable equipment is crucial.

With your equipment at the ready, use services such as  Portfolio Box to build a portfolio of your best work that you can use to showcase your skills. 

From there, it’s all about advertising and marketing. Use visual-based social media apps like Instagram to promote your services and search for low-cost advertising opportunities in publications, websites, and events relating to your niche. 

The average hourly pay for freelance photographers is around $21 per hour, though certain niches, such as wedding and commercial photography, tend to be more profitable. 

6. Offer Virtual Assistant Services

Starting a virtual assistant business means providing a range of marketing, administrative, and other tasks for businesses, making it an ideal way to channel many of the skills that are probably already getting you through your college degree into a lucrative money maker. 

The great thing about this one is the flexibility, not just in terms of working hours that suit you, but in terms of the variety of work you could possibly do. 

It may be that you put your marketing degree to work providing virtual social media management or similar services to small businesses, or perhaps you help your fellow student entrepreneurs with bookkeeping, accounting, or data entry. 

Related: How to start a virtual assistant business

A virtual assistant business is a great  no-money side hustle idea , as you can start building a client base without investing a cent.

First, you’ll need a presence on freelancer marketplace sites such as  Fiverr and  Upwork . 

Create a free profile, and you can use it to create and advertise a package of services (known as “projects” on Upwork and “gigs” on Fiverr), or search and apply for existing jobs posted by clients looking for virtual assistants. 

If you’re serious about growing your college business, you might want to consider reinvesting some of your earnings into building a website and investing in search engine optimization (SEO) to build your business away from those platforms.

The going rate for virtual assistant services on Fiverr and Upwork averages between $10 – $20 per hour, though this is before those sites take a percentage of your earnings as a commission. 

Fiverr, for example, takes 20% of your earnings. So if you earned $100, you’d take home $80, with the remaining $20 going to Fiverr. Meanwhile, Upwork takes just 10%, meaning you’d take home $90 for the same job on that platform. 

To earn more, you may find that a better approach is to reach out to local businesses and work with them directly, giving you more flexibility when it comes to setting your own rates and ensuring you keep 100% of your earnings. 

7. Sell Your Skills as a Freelancer

The same freelancer marketplaces used by virtual assistants can also be put to work in selling any number of different skills and services. 

Again, there’s plenty of scope here to tie your freelance work into your studies, leading to a profitable business idea that you could transition into a full-time business post-graduation. 

If you’re on a graphic design course, for example, you’ll find an abundance of paying clients looking for help with everything from logos and marketing materials to full-blown branding campaigns, while the journalism and creative writing students among you will find a market for your talent as a freelance writer. 

If you’re looking to start a freelancing business with no initial investment, the best way to do that is to use marketplace sites that match freelancers with paying clients looking to hire them. 

Along with Fiverr and Upwork, other options you may want to consider include: 

• People Per Hour – General freelance marketplace, popular for web design, SEO services, and content writing
• Dribble – Graphic design and visual arts 
• Contently – Writing and content creation
• DesignCrowd – Web and graphic design
• Toptal   – Software and app developers.

How much you can earn as a freelancer depends on your skill set, niche, and the type of work you do. 

Designers, for example, will find scores of $1K+ projects on Dribble, while writers can bring in anywhere from $25 – $50 per hour, depending on experience and the quality of work they do.

8. Flip Second-Hand Clothes on Poshmark

As a student renowned for your unique sense of style and uncanny ability to always pick out the best thrift store finds, you could do far worse than channel that passion for second-hand fashion into becoming a Poshmark seller. 

Poshmark is a thriving online marketplace popular with shoppers looking for vintage and retro clothing, unique, one-of-a-kind fashion pieces, and rare discounts on top brands. 

You can sign up to sell on Poshmark for free, after which you can enjoy hunting thrift stores and vintage clothing outfits, looking for unique finds that you can then flip for a profit on the app. 

What Do I Need to Get Started? 

Other than the Poshmark app itself, all you’ll need is an inventory to sell. 

Although women’s fashion remains Poshmark’s top seller, you’ll also find plenty of eager buyers for everything from men’s and children’s fashion to furniture, home goods, and even electronics.

Although it’s free to sell your items on Poshmark, the app does take a flat $2.95 commission on sales under $15 and a 20% cut on sales of $15 or more. 

After that, the sky’s the limit with regard to how much you can make, and, as with any business, the more time you invest, the greater your earning potential. 

9. Start a Textbook Store

If you’re on a college campus, you’ve likely been part of the annual ritual of students hunting down expensive textbooks. 

Herein lies a golden opportunity to turn an academic necessity into a profitable textbook reseller business, sourcing textbooks at the lowest possible prices and selling them at a markup. 

Of course, while making a profit is important here, you’ll certainly benefit by offering highly competitive pricing, making your business the most attractive option for cash-strapped students.

Related: How to start a bookstore

What Do I Need to Start

To begin, you’ll need an inventory of college textbooks. 

Start by collecting used textbooks from graduating students or sourcing them through online platforms such as  CampusBooks, which offers discounts as high as 90% off the publisher’s recommended price. 

You can then begin to promote your business using  low-cost marketing strategies such as printing flyers and engaging in social media, or perhaps even consider hosting your own book fair event. 

While your prices should undoubtedly be student-friendly, there are plenty of ways to maximize your earnings, such as: 

• Offering the option to rent textbooks or purchase on a buyback scheme
• Selling bundles of related textbooks
• Expanding to sell study guides and other related educational materials.

The amount you can make with your textbook reseller business will vary according to both the quality of your textbooks and the demand for them. 

Pangobooks notes that “like new” textbooks can be priced around 70 – 75% of the original retail price, while “excellent books” are typically priced around 55% of the retail price. 

10. Sell on Etsy

Etsy is an ideal platform for crafty and creative students looking to make extra income from their talents. 

Whether you’re a master at handcrafted jewelry, a wizard with a paintbrush, or the king or queen of crochet, the artisan marketplace gives you a huge audience of potential buyers to sell your creations to. 

How Do I Start? 

To start selling on Etsy, all you need is to create a free store and begin listing your items.

Use high-quality photos of your products and compelling titles and descriptions optimized for keywords related to your items. 

Away from the platform, promote your Etsy shop through your Facebook and Instagram page, email marketing, and consider collaborations with social media influencers and bloggers.

To learn more about this, see our  guide to becoming an Etsy seller . 

Although Etsy doesn’t have real information about its sellers’ earnings, reports suggest that the median Etsy seller makes around $100 per month, while top sellers working their Etsy store as a full-time job can bring home as much as $65,000 per year. 

You’ll also need to be mindful of  Etsy’s fees and charges . 

The company charges $ 0.20 for each new listing plus a 6.5% transaction fee. 

One way I’ve found to keep more of your Etsy earnings is to opt-in to their Share & Save program. 

This gives you a unique, tracked URL that you can use to drive traffic to your Etsy listings from third-party platforms such as social media, your website, or email. 

When you make a sale via one of these links, Etsy takes 4% of the order total off your bill. 

What are the Best Businesses for Students to Start? Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the best businesses for college students to start are those that combine a genuine passion with low (or preferably zero) start-up costs and an opportunity to gain valuable skills and real-world experience that will benefit you long after you’ve graduated. 

Also see: Best business ideas for teens

If none of the suggestions I’ve shared above tick all those boxes for you, see my guide to money-making hobbies for more ideas and inspiration. 

And if they did? 

Be sure to read these 8 things to consider before starting a side hustle to ensure you stand the best chance of success with your new venture.

With over two decades as an entrepreneur, educator, and business advisor, Greg Bouhl has worked with over 2,000 entrepreneurs to help them start and grow their businesses. Fed up with clients finding and acting on inaccurate and outdated information online, Greg launched StartUp101.com to be a trusted resource for people starting a business.

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20 Successful Students Business Ideas For College Towns in 2023

Businesses today have lot of opportunities to explore and exploring the right business for yourself is the key to success. A successful business has a huge dependency on the area where it is executed and how it is implemented. If you are a college student or you live in a town full of colleges and universities then this article is for you.

Here we will talk about some best business ideas which can be implemented in towns where the number of colleges are high.

1. Customized T-shirt Printing

Every odd is a fashion and youth loves fashion. That is why the customized T-shirts businesses are becoming so popular in college towns. You can start a business in this line as well. you need to have the skills and the materials ready in hand to have a T-shirt printing business. The investments are low but the profit margins are very high as you can sell a T-shirt at any price based on your marketing skills. Many college students by custom printed t-shirts during college events or some other occasion.

2. 3D Selfie Printing

Selfies have taken a center stage in the past and it is more of an obsession among the youth. This has laid the platform for 3D selfie printing business. It requires some initial investment but the returns are really good depending on the objects where the selfies need to be imprinted. It is a good business option as it is new in the market and business has only one rule: Start early. This business has taken exponential interests from college goers.

3. App Based Laundry Service

Laundry service is always in demand by the college students and this opens up the scope in this area. It is a good business idea where the investment is very less but the profit percentage is good. All you need is to have the minimum essential things required for the service which requires very less capital. You can also have mobile app where students can place their order for the service and then your business is all set to roll.

4. Dorm Room Cleaning

Cleanliness is next to godliness as the saying goes like and it is very true. Health and hygiene are an important aspect in the college hostels and dorms and therefore this business is profitable. Also, it does not require much investment except the purchase of basic equipment such as brooms, floor cleaners, mops etc. You can hire a cleaning staff and send them as per their requirement to clean the dorms. You can earn a healthy income in the form of commission. It is important to maintain a good rapport for your business to keep growing.

5. Fast Food Corner

Food, food and food is something which every youth likes and owning a fast food corner is bound to garner the attention of college going mass. Then why think again, just prepare list of menu and you are set to rock. There is definitely some investment in this business but as we all are aware that the food business yields a minimum of 50-60% profit . Distribute leaflets in the colleges to make more and more people aware about your food junction.

6. Tea/Coffee Shop

Tea and coffee are one of the favorite beverages of the students, therefore owning a small shop in college town can give you good returns. You can start with a small tea shop with biscuits and cakes and as your business grows you can convert your shop to a decent size cafe and serve good snacks with tea/coffee.

7. Fitness Center

Everyone these days are health conscious and staying fit is the order of the day. Therefore, fitness centers are in high demand. You will definitely need a set up for this which includes infrastructure, basic equipment for the gym and an instructor for sure. However, once the money is invested you will get good returns. The important part of this business is the marketing to get more people join your gym. It is one of the most successful business ideas for college towns.

8. Mobile Phone Accessories Shop

The most common thing that everyone uses these days are the mobile phones and hence to have a business in mobile phone accessories can be a profitable one. Mobile accessories consist of back cover, ear phones, phone chains etc. The investment is less and profits are marginal.

9. Vending Machine

A vending machine business has gained momentum in college towns in the recent years. Right from tea/coffee to dry snacks all are available in the vending machine and is considered an easy option for the students. It requires some capital initially to install the vending machines in the colleges but once done regular food and drink supplies can make your business a real profitable one. However, the only thing to be kept in mind is that vending machines require maintenance from time to time.

10. Gifts & Accessories Business

Gifts and accessories are favorite for all especially the girls. They like to celebrate each and every event with a gift or use a small accessory such as earrings, decorative items, make up kits etc. Therefore, starting such a business in the college towns can be of great benefit. The returns are huge. The primary focus should be on the demand and the quality of products delivered.

11. Hair and Beauty Salon

No business can run better than a hair and beauty salon for both the genders in college towns. Students love to spend their money lavishly to look good and this is why this business is one of the growing and popular business in college towns. An initial set up and infrastructure with basic equipment is required and then you can earn as much as you want. The quality of your service must be excellent to run the business successfully.

12. School and College Supplies

This is another happening business in this field. Schools and college supplies are always in demand throughout the year and hence this is a profitable business. You can supply as small as stationeries to as big as furniture depending on your capacity and this will definitely generate a handsome revenue.

Also Read – Profitable Education & Training Based Business Ideas That You Can Start

13. Furniture Rental Business

College going students are always in search of furniture rental shops as they temporarily need study table, bed etc for their daily use. Therefore, establishing a furniture rental business in the college towns can give you high income. Based on the demands, you can rent out furniture to the students on a monthly or yearly basis and charge them the prices you like. It requires initial investment but the amount spent can be easily covered up in a year’s time.

14. PG Accommodation

This is a highly profitable business for college towns as the income from this business is really high. Even if you do not own an apartment you can start as a broker and these days brokers are paid one month’s rent by the students. Therefore, you can earn very high and maybe someday you can have your own apartment as well. the hygiene and basic facilities should be good enough for students to get attracted towards the PG accommodation.

15. Internet Cafe

Internet café or parlors are the order of the day and the returns in this business is significantly high. Student love to browse and use social media. Therefore, owning an internet café is really beneficial. The charges are on an hourly basis and you can earn really high if the internet speed and browsing speed is high.

16. Gaming Parlour

Gaming is another division which college going students are crazy about and they spend long hours in the gaming parlor. The rates are high but you will get lot of customers if the games are good. You can also attach a vending machine for students to munch over some snacks and have some soft drink option. You must trust your instinct that this business is going to give you unlimited profit.

17. Tailoring Service

Tailoring is a good business and the first and foremost requirement in this field is the knowledge and skills of stitching clothes. You can earn a decent income by starting a tailoring business. You can hire some expertise tailors and the most important thing is the deliverable time. People prefer such tailors who can deliver on time and love to place more orders with them.

18. School/College Merchandise Store

School college merchandise store are always in demand and they are like everyday need. It may include uniforms, shoes, stationary items, playing objects etc and hence this a regular business where the demand is always high and hence the returns are high too.

19. Snacks & Juice Parlour

There is no better place to chit chat than a snacks and juice parlor. Chit chat with friends while sipping over juice or having snacks can be a great moment for the students as well as for your business. Moreover the investment in these business is very less whereas the income is high. You can also mix and match some juices and create new flavors which students love to try. If the quality of food and juice is up to the mark then your center is bound to flourish.

20. Event Management

Event management is another progressive business and it can also yield returns throughout the year if your agency or you are really good at it. Almost all the colleges have excursion and study trips and taking them to different cities is a big task. Therefore, colleges opt for skilled professionals who can manage the team and make the tour really interesting. The amount paid for such services is really high and is directly dependent on the number of students participating. You need to establish a good rapport and this business will definitely here to stay. Many college students take part in an event during the vacation.

Successful student business ideas include creating an online tutoring service, offering virtual assistant services, freelance writing, web and app design, online courses, and more.

To start a successful business as a student, focus on a need in the marketplace, research what’s already out there, develop a business plan and connect with other entrepreneurs and businesses in related fields.

The amount of money you can make with a student business depends on the type of business you’re operating, your target demographics, and the time, effort, and money you are willing to invest in the business.

As a college student, you can start a wide variety of businesses from tutoring, freelancing, web and app design, virtual assistant services and more.

Students can run a variety of businesses from home, such as virtual assistant services, freelance writing, web and app design, creating an online tutoring service, and much more.

The best business for college students is one that capitalizes on their skills and interests. Consider starting an online tutoring service, offering virtual assistant services, freelance writing, web and app design, and creating online courses.

To start an online business as a student, first choose a business model that fits your skills and interests. Then, create a business plan, research your competitors, set up the necessary technologies, and begin marketing the business.

Yes, there are many part-time business ideas for college students, including offering virtual assistant services, freelance writing, web and app design, online tutoring, and much more.

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13 Business Ideas For College Students With Little Or No Capital

May 23, 2023 by Mystudentkit Leave a Comment

I’m sure you’ll agree with me that it takes money to have fun in college, and it’s no secret that tuition and costs of student living go up every year. For this reason, many college students are opting to go into starting their own businesses to fit their skills and limited time.

According to entrepreneurhandbook , universities should serve as a breeding ground for new businesses. Where else can you get free marketing, video, development, and design resources? In addition to the abundance of resources; many students are actively seeking work experience, with the majority of them willing to work for free on an exciting project to use as a reference when applying for jobs after graduation.

Here are 13 business ideas for college students with little or no capital that you can build while still in college.

Table of contents

1. sticker shop online, 2. tutoring, 3. transportation and delivery, 4. personal training, 5. writing, editing and proofreading, 6. become a social media influencer, 7. forex trading, 8. web design & development, 9. marketing firm, 10. voiceover services, 11. niche blogging, 12. do something for your school, 13. create a service for your peers, is it possible to start a business as a college student.

It is definitely possible to start a business as a college student. In fact, many successful businesses have been launched by college students who were able to leverage their skills, resources, and networks to create innovative ventures.

Benefits Of Starting A Business As A College Student

Here are some reasons why starting a business as a college student is feasible:

1. Access to resources

College campuses often provide a wealth of resources that can support entrepreneurial endeavors. These may include business incubators, startup competitions, mentorship programs, access to faculty expertise, funding opportunities, and networking events. Taking advantage of these resources can provide a strong foundation for your business.

2. Flexibility and experimentation

College years are often characterized by a more flexible schedule compared to the demands of full-time employment. This flexibility allows you to allocate time to work on your business idea, test different strategies, and learn from your experiences. College is also a time when you can afford to take risks and experiment with different business concepts.

3. Knowledge and learning opportunities

As a college student, you have access to a wide range of academic courses and educational resources that can enhance your understanding of business concepts, entrepreneurship, and various industries. You can leverage your coursework to gain knowledge and skills that are directly applicable to your business venture.

4. Supportive community

College campuses are often vibrant communities with like-minded individuals who are eager to support each other’s endeavors. You can connect with fellow students, join entrepreneurship clubs or organizations, and build a network of collaborators, mentors, and potential business partners. The college environment fosters an entrepreneurial spirit and provides opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing.

5. Low-cost marketing and testing

With the prevalence of social media and digital marketing channels, it has become easier and more affordable for college students to promote their businesses. You can utilize online platforms to reach your target audience, gather feedback, and test your product or service before scaling up.

6. Personal and professional growth

Starting a business as a college student can be an incredible learning experience. It allows you to develop valuable skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, leadership, and resilience. The lessons learned from building and managing a business can be highly transferable and beneficial in your future career, regardless of whether the business succeeds or not.

Business Ideas For College Students With Little Or No Capital

If you are a student, you already know the dilemma of student life and you might already have searched a lot about the following:

• Business ideas for students in university
• Affordable business ideas for students
• Business Ideas for college students
• Things to sell to college students
• Business ideas for students without investment
• Money-making ideas for college students
• Low-cost startup ideas for college students
• Home-based business ideas for students
• Online business ideas for students

This article will guide you through some of the best business opportunities and startup ideas that you can start in your student life. The best thing is that all these ideas do not require a huge investment and can be started with little or no money.

On our list of business ideas for students, the sticker business comes in first. Stickers are a popular item all around the world. It can be stuck to cups, laptops, skateboards, and other surfaces. Many people begin their sticker business on Etsy, Shopify, or social media platforms. Making stickers nowadays is quite simple and straightforward. It is possible for you to design and create it on your own.

Using a Cricut at home, you can create your own designs. Alternatively, you can look for a reputable sticker manufacturer, such as CustomSticker.com or Stickers.co . Both are inexpensive and accessible. Because they have an amazing team from design to production that is favorable to beginners, the latter will help you save a lot of time when it comes to designing and making.

Tutoring is undoubtedly the most cost-effective option because it does not require any investment. Individual or group sessions are possible options. Consider distributing flyers in local libraries and stores; many parents would welcome the assistance of a current college student with application essays and other tasks.

You might also advertise your services on the internet and on social media, or just reward those who can help you with word-of-mouth marketing by giving them referral prizes.

If you have a vehicle, it can help you generate money in your spare time. You can become an Uber driver (or sign up for other comparable services) or provide local transportation services (pick & drop to office, school, etc.).

Within the city, you can also contact local firms for documents and small product delivery. As your business grows, you can add new services, such as assisting students with moving in and out of school residences and dorms, airport pick-up and drop-off, and so on.

Unlike the previous startup concept, a transportation company may have some upfront costs, such as a vehicle, licensing, and insurance, as well as ongoing costs, such as fuel and maintenance.

READ ALSO: How To Become A Chartered Accountant In Nigeria In 2023

If you enjoy working out and staying in shape, you should consider launching a personal training business on your college campus. Believe me when I say that a large number of students will be interested in your service and will be able to bring in a significant amount of revenue through referrals. Beginning with early morning yoga classes or nighttime fitness camps for students and professionals is a good place to start.

Because many trainers work out of their client’s homes and do not require office space, this business does not require a large investment. After you’ve built up a sufficient clientele, you might consider partnering with a local gym rather than launching your own.

Offering writing, editing, and proofreading services is another simple business idea for college students. It is only viable if you have strong writing talents. The nicest part about starting a writing and editing business is that it is one of the best work-from-home possibilities. All you have to do now is put some effort into your spare time.

Start by looking for essay writing jobs on Fiverr , EssayWriters.net, DigitalPoint Forums , and lots more. The more jobs you get, the higher your chances of increasing your customer base gets. Existing consumers can receive referral discounts, which will undoubtedly assist you in gaining new customers. To find new clients, you can also look into other business forums and freelance platforms.

If you enjoy spending time on social media, this is likely the greatest way to turn your enthusiasm into a constructive activity. You may be having the same amount of pleasure, but it should be worth your time.

Using an online video editor , almost anyone can make amateur videos, and as a college student, you may start your own Facebook/Instagram page and create and distribute funny/interesting/valuable original videos. Develop a strong fan base and reach out to businesses to promote their products to your audience.

This is another lucrative home-based business that a university student can start, but it is a bit of a risky enterprise. The forex trading business, like the crypto trading software, requires little capital, so only consider it if you’re ready to learn how to trade, are confident in your analytical skills, and have a solid understanding of cash flow and the exchange market.

SEE ALSO: 13 Effective Time Management Tips For College Students

If you’re a design or computer science student, this could be a terrific way to get real-world experience while still in school. You can begin with modest projects such as logo design or a simple HTML website, and as your skills increase, you can expand to include comprehensive website redesigns and mobile apps.

There are numerous options for web design and development experts; nevertheless, you must focus equally on marketing your company and honing your professional talents. This is one of the top college business ideas for students because it prepares you well for the commercial world.

Students with marketing majors have a lot of chances in the marketing and advertising industries, and you’ll see a lot of non-marketing grads who are highly successful in operating their own agencies.

You may begin by assisting small businesses, startups, and personal brands with social media marketing, and as you acquire experience, you could expand to provide entire online and offline marketing solutions.

Consider it your company capital and start a voiceover service today if you’re a college student with a nice voice and exceptional diction. On Fiverr, you can start with small projects and scale up based on customer feedback.

Voice-over services are in high demand by big firms and startups, thanks to rising marketing trends, and now it’s your turn to capitalize on this opportunity.

READ ALSO: How To Register For ICAN 2023 | Requirements, Set Up Guideline

Now, this is a truly stress-free business any student can launch with no money. It will also allow you to work at your own pace. The success of your firm, however, is contingent on your ability to turn your blog into a profitable enterprise.

You’ll need to do a lot of research to identify a profitable blogging niche that also happens to be something you’re interested in, and then create some fantastic content for it. When you have a great site with a large following, you have a lot of possibilities for monetizing your business.

You’re a university student. So, what better way to spend your time than starting a business that you can later integrate into your school? When it comes to college operations and systems, the possibilities for improvement are boundless. One of the best business ideas for college students is to stay school-related.

If a student truly had a fantastic suggestion to improve their machine’s performance, many institutions across America would be highly receptive. Assume you’re a web developer who’s designed a class scheduling tool tailored to your college. Most institutions have their own systems, and it would be beneficial for students to have something that they and their lecturers are both familiar with. No more excuses for being late for class!

Send an email to the head of the business department or a school official who can assist you in getting started. Pitch your proposal to them, being sure to include a clear plan. If it’s a good idea, they’ll most likely be pleased to help a future graduate launch a firm. By assisting your school, you will be assisting yourself!

You may want to check out the 15 Best Colleges In Connecticut For International Students | 2023

Perhaps the route of ‘assisting your school’ isn’t for you. What’s better and more accessible than school administrators and the stumbling blocks that come with authority? Students all around you! This will be especially useful if you attend a large school. Consider the complaints you hear from your fellows and create a business out of it.

Here are a few things I’ve personally heard over and time again:

• Professors don’t communicate well. When academics have nothing to hold them back from communicating effectively, things might get choppy. Create a web interface for students and professors that clears their inboxes and allows for more direct communication!
• After a weekend of partying, my sneakers are filthy. Make a shoe-cleaning business. People can sign up, after which you collect their shoes and record their addresses. Clean them up as best you can, then return the shoes for a charge. The fact that the shoes are collateral means you may either get paid upfront or be sure you’ll get paid later.
• Make a cleaning company. College students are notoriously dirty, so if you’re up for it, gather some friends and clean some rooms!

You can come up with a lot more business or service concepts for your school. Why put off your decision? Begin generating ideas and earning money!

Bonus Tip 1 – Become a Disk Jockey (DJ)

Being a DJ as a campus student is one of the best ways to horn your skills and make cool money from it too. As a Disk Jockey, you can play for big events in and outside the school and also at smaller events.

Bonus Tip 2 – Car wash services

Taking up a car wash business is one lucrative business idea for college students. Setting up car ash doesn’t require much other than a reliable after source and space where people can park their vehicles.

Are There Drawbacks Of Starting A Business As A College Student?

Starting a business in college may be a perilous venture. For one thing, college students sometimes lack business experience. This might make it difficult to attract cash, hire qualified employees, and build good marketing and financial strategy.

Furthermore, the fast-paced environment of college might make devoting the required time and attention to a new business difficult. Students who establish enterprises while in college face the danger of graduating with significant debt.

Here are a few disadvantages of being a student entrepreneur:

1. Time management

Balancing the demands of running a business with your academic commitments can be challenging. College coursework can be demanding, requiring a significant amount of time and effort. Starting a business might require you to dedicate additional time and energy, which can put a strain on your ability to effectively manage both.

2. Financial constraints

Starting a business often requires financial resources, and as a college student, you might have limited access to capital. It can be difficult to secure funding or invest significant amounts of money in your venture. Limited financial resources might restrict your ability to grow and scale your business.

READ ALSO: What IELTS Score Is Required For PNP Canada In 2023? Full Details

3. Lack of experience and knowledge

As a college student, you may have limited experience and knowledge in the specific industry or field you’re venturing into. This can make it more challenging to make informed decisions, navigate obstacles, and compete with more experienced entrepreneurs. It’s important to recognize the gaps in your knowledge and seek guidance from mentors or industry experts.

4. Social and personal sacrifices

Starting a business requires dedication and commitment, often resulting in personal sacrifices. As a college student, you might have to forgo some social activities, leisure time, or even part-time jobs to focus on your business. This can impact your social life and overall college experience.

5. Uncertainty and risk

Starting a business inherently involves risk and uncertainty. There is no guarantee of success, and failure is a possibility. As a college student, you may have limited experience in managing risk and dealing with the consequences of failure. It’s important to carefully evaluate the risks involved and have contingency plans in place.

Despite these challenges, many successful businesses have been started by college students. It’s essential to be aware of these drawbacks and develop strategies to overcome them. Proper planning, time management, seeking advice and support from mentors, leveraging resources available on campus, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance can significantly enhance your chances of success.

How To Balance School And Business As A Student Entrepreneur

Balancing school and a business as a student entrepreneur can be challenging, but with careful planning and effective time management, it is possible to succeed in both areas.

Here are some tips to help you balance your responsibilities:

1. Create a schedule

Develop a clear schedule that outlines your academic commitments, study time, and dedicated business hours. Allocate specific blocks of time for each task and prioritize your activities accordingly. Having a structured schedule will help you stay organized and ensure that you allocate sufficient time to both school and your business.

2. Set realistic goals

Establish realistic goals for both your academic and business pursuits. Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks that you can accomplish within the available time. By setting specific targets, you can stay focused and track your progress in both areas.

3. Manage your time effectively

Time management is crucial when balancing school and business. Identify time-wasting activities and minimize or eliminate them. Use productivity techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique (working in focused, timed intervals) or task prioritization methods to make the most of your time. Avoid multitasking, as it can often lead to decreased productivity and quality of work.

READ ALSO: 13 Effective Time Management Tips For College Students

4. Leverage support and delegate

Don’t be afraid to seek support and delegate tasks when necessary. If you have a team or business partners, distribute responsibilities among them. Delegate tasks that don’t require your direct involvement, allowing you to focus on essential areas. Additionally, consider leveraging support from family, friends, or classmates who can help with certain aspects of your business or academic workload.

5. Take advantage of resources on campus

Many colleges and universities provide resources and support for student entrepreneurs. Explore opportunities such as business incubators, entrepreneurship programs, mentorship, or networking events offered on campus. These resources can provide valuable guidance, connections, and even funding to help you grow your business while managing your studies.

6. Prioritize self-care

Balancing multiple responsibilities can be mentally and physically demanding. It’s important to prioritize self-care to maintain your well-being. Make time for rest, exercise, healthy eating, and relaxation. Taking care of yourself will ensure that you have the energy and focus needed to excel in both school and your business.

7. Communicate with professors and classmates

If your business activities occasionally require flexibility or adjustments to your academic schedule, communicate openly and respectfully with your professors and classmates. Explain your situation, and the importance of your business, and explore potential accommodations or alternatives when necessary. Building positive relationships and maintaining clear communication can help you navigate any conflicts that may arise.

Many students are finding it difficult to make ends meet while pursuing their degrees due to rising tuition fees, an uncertain employment market, and rising living costs.

Rather than taking out thousands of dollars in student loans, starting your own business would not only help you support yourself through college, but also beyond. You’ll have less debt and more money when you graduate, plus you’ll be able to add this experience to your CV in case you need a job later!

• Startupguys.net – 12 Profitable Business Ideas for College Students with Little or No Investment
• Enterpreneur.com – 9 Low-Cost Business Ideas for College Students
• savethestudent.org – 53 small business ideas to start at university
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About Mystudentkit

Odumije, a graduate of Communication Arts from Imo State University, is a lifelong learner with a passion for making education updates and insights engaging and accessible to all. Here, he shares tips, tricks, and resources for students, parents, and educators alike.

Mystudentkit is a student educational resource website that provides foundational academic information, materials & digital skills acquisition to students of all levels

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In a cooling job market, these cities remain hot spots for new grads

As a post-pandemic hiring frenzy fades, Class of 2024 college graduates face a cooling but still solid U.S. job market.  

But the job, and the quality of life, young adults have after graduation may hinge on where they choose to live and work.

With that in mind, Realtor.com this week unveiled a list of top rental markets for recent college grads based on factors such as job opportunities, rent availability and affordability, the share of other grads in the area and cultural amenities.

The No. 1 market? Austin, Texas, followed by Bloomington, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh.

Grads with job offers or plans to live near family may already have a destination picked out, but "others who are still considering their options and want to explore a new area may want to consider this curated list of cities in their job and home search,” says Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale.  

Is the job market getting harder for college grads?

Nationally, hiring is expected to dip 1.9% for 2024 grads versus their counterparts the prior year, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers .

What happened to the tech job market in 2024?

Tech and finance companies have been laying off more workers because of excessive hiring during the pandemic and the Federal Reserve’s historically high interest rates , which are aimed at curbing inflation but also squeeze profits at financial companies.

Consulting firms like EY are delaying start dates for new grads in response to a slowdown in demand for their services, LinkedIn says.

And there are two applicants for every job vacancy, compared with just one in 2022, according to LinkedIn.

Why is the job market harder in 2024

Across the U.S., the number of job openings edged down to 8.5 million in March, the lowest since February 2021. And hiring has slipped below pre-pandemic levels. After job gains averaged 269,000 a month in the first quarter, employers added just 175,000 in April in a possible sign of a coming slowdown.

To identify the top job markets for college grads, Realtor.com ranked 313 cities and towns in the 50 largest metro areas with a population of more than 75,000.

Some broad themes emerge: Midwest markets appear more affordable; vacancy rates are higher in the South due to a surge of multifamily construction; and tech hubs like Austin, Texas, have many entry-level jobs.

"The top rental markets for college graduates are not found in the biggest urban markets," Hale says.

As you check the rankings, keep in mind some key averages for the communities studied:

The average rent-to-income ratio is 29.7%; rental vacancy rate, 6.3%; share of entry-level jobs, 23.9%; and share of recent college grads, 3.4%; unemployment, 4.2%; job posting index, 121; commute time, 30 minutes; number of entertainment, shopping and lifestyle establishments per 1,000 households, 23.9.

Here are the top seven cities for freshly minted college grads in Realtor.com's ranking:

Austin, Texas

◾ Rent-to-income ratio : 21.4%

◾ Share of graduate-friendly occupations (no prior experience required) : 29.6% (tops in category)

◾ Share of recent college grads : 3.3%

◾ Average commute time : 26 minutes

◾ Yelp culture and lifestyle business per 1,000 households : 21.5

◾ Rental vacancy rate : 9% (tops in category)

◾ Unemployment rate : 3.3%             

◾ Job postings index (based on average of 100) : 125

Bloomington, Minnesota

◾ Rent-to-income ratio : 19.9% (most affordable in category)

◾ Share of graduate-friendly occupations (no prior experience required) : 26.7%

◾ Share of recent college grads : 2.5%

◾ Average commute time : 23 minutes

◾ Yelp culture and lifestyle business per 1,000 households : 22.4

◾ Rental vacancy rate : 7.9% (tops in category)

◾ Unemployment rate : 3.1% (Lowest in category) 

◾ Rent-to-income ratio : 21.7%

◾ Share of recent college grads : 4.4% (tops in category)

◾ Average commute time : 25 minutes

◾ Yelp culture and lifestyle business per 1,000 households : 24.6

◾ Rental vacancy rate : 6.3%

◾ Unemployment rate : 3.5%             

◾ Job postings index (based on average of 100) : 131

Raleigh, North Carolina

◾ Share of graduate-friendly occupations (no prior experience required) : 28.8%

◾ Share of recent college grads : 2.9%

◾ Yelp culture and lifestyle business per 1,000 households : 17.1

◾ Rental vacancy rate : 8.7%

◾ Unemployment rate : 3.4%

◾ Job postings index (based on average of 100) : 119

Overland Park, Kansas

◾ Rent-to-income ratio : 20.7%

◾ Share of graduate-friendly occupations (no prior experience required) : 24.5%

◾ Average commute time : 22 minutes (lowest in category)

◾ Yelp culture and lifestyle business per 1,000 households : 18.1

◾ Rental vacancy rate : 7.5%

◾ Job postings index (based on average of 100) : 124

Richmond, Virginia

◾ Rent-to-income ratio : 24.6%

◾ Share of graduate-friendly occupations (no prior experience required) : 25.8%

◾ Share of recent college grads : 3.7%

◾ Average commute time : 24 minutes

◾ Yelp culture and lifestyle business per 1,000 households : 24.4

◾ Rental vacancy rate : 4.9%

◾ Job postings index (based on average of 100) : 127

Scottsdale, Arizona

◾ Rent-to-income ratio : 24.4%

◾ Share of graduate-friendly occupations (no prior experience required) : 22.1%

◾ Yelp culture and lifestyle business per 1,000 households : 25.2

◾ Rental vacancy rate : 8.1%

◾ Unemployment rate : 4%

◾ Job postings index (based on average of 100) : 166 (tops in category)