unique business ideas 2022

Learn more about choosing the right structure for your business from the Small Business Administration.

6. Create a business bank account.

Once you have a legally formed business and have been issued an Employer Identification Number (EIN), open a bank account specifically for your business. Having a business bank account is essential for keeping your personal and business finances separate which can help you gain an accurate picture of your business’s cash flow and financial health.

Additionally, keeping your personal and business finances separate makes bookkeeping and tax preparation easier.

Many banks offer business checking and savings accounts. Business checking accounts typically do not have a limit on the number of transactions that can take place, and issue a debit card that can be used for making business purchases. However, these checking accounts do not accrue interest.

Business savings accounts typically earn interest over time but have a limited number of transactions that can occur each month. When you’re just starting out, look for a business bank account that does not have a minimum balance requirement so you are not penalized for having low funds as you work to build your business.

7. Determine if your business idea works well from home.

Ask yourself whether your business idea will work well from home. Some businesses simply aren’t suited to be based from home. If you want to run a dog boarding center but live in an apartment without a backyard, you might want to consider a dog walking business instead.

8. Set up an office.

If your business idea is well-suited for being run from home, it’s still important you have a designated workspace. While a home office might not be possible, consider setting aside a corner in your living room or putting a desk in your bedroom for a space that inspires you and creates the conditions for success.

Need a more professional space? If you conduct client-facing work requiring you to be on video calls, no one wants to see your rumpled sheets in the background. Check out local coworking spaces for memberships that earn you access to conference rooms, desk space, and more.

9. Get to work!

You’ve put in the hard work, but I’ve got bad news — it’s only going to get harder. But most entrepreneurs will agree that the payoff of being your own boss, making your own hours, and working on projects that you’re passionate about will pay dividends for the rest of your life.

What are the types of small businesses?

The types of small business structures are sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and corporations.

• Sole Proprietorship — The simplest type of business structure is a sole proprietorship, which is also the easiest to start. As a sole proprietor, you are personally responsible for the business's liabilities and profits, and you have complete control over your business. If you are a solopreneur, you are automatically considered a sole proprietor.
• Partnership — A partnership is a business model involving two or more individuals who agree to share the business‘s profits and liabilities. Each partner contributes to the business and shares the risks and rewards. It’s essential to have a partnership agreement that defines each partner's roles and responsibilities to ensure clarity and prevent potential misunderstandings.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) — An LLC, or limited liability company, is a common option for small businesses because it protects its owners by separating personal assets from the company's liabilities. To form an LLC, the business owner must file the required paperwork with the state.
• Corporation — A corporation is an independent legal entity distinct from its owners. It provides limited liability protection to its shareholders, who are not held personally accountable for the company's debts. Corporations have formal requirements and often raise capital by issuing stocks or shares.

Which business type is best?

The best business type is a limited liability company (LLC). Operating as an LLC means that your personal assets are separate from your business assets. If your business goes bankrupt, your personal holdings won’t be affected. That said, it’s also one of the costlier types, requiring a fee paid to the state.

The easiest business type to start is a sole proprietorship. The main downside is that there’s no differentiation between you and your business.

It's crucial to seek advice from legal or accounting professionals to determine the best business structure based on your unique needs and objectives. Each structure has advantages, legal requirements, tax implications, and flexibility considerations.

How do I create a business idea?

To create a business idea, determine your skill set, work preferences, startup budget, and available resources. It’s important to strike the right balance between what you can feasibly offer and what you can feasibly afford in the short and long term.

We recommend starting with your skill set so that you can easily determine the niche in which you can effectively compete. For instance, if you have ample experience as a writer, you might consider starting a freelance writing business. But if you know you’d prefer to work with clients face-to-face, you might choose to start a ghostwriting business instead. That’s why it’s so important to take your work preferences into account, as well.

After that, take a look at your budget and determine the type of business you can start based on the resources at your disposal. For instance, you might not be able to afford a physical office or location, so a location-based business will likely not be a good fit. In that case, starting an online business is your best option.

What resources or tools can I use to refine and validate my business ideas during the brainstorming process?

Online market research tools like Google Trends, Keyword Planner, and SEMrush can provide insights into market demand, competition, and keyword trends related to your business niche. Industry reports and market analyses from reputable sources such as IBISWorld, Gartner, Statista, and industry-specific publications can offer valuable data and trends to inform your decision-making. Ensure you know the industry risk before embarking on your small business venture.

→ Download Now: Market Research Kit [Free Download]

Additionally, joining entrepreneurial communities, forums, and social media groups can provide opportunities to seek feedback, network with like-minded people, and gain insights from experienced entrepreneurs. Finally, consider conducting surveys or interviews with potential customers to gather feedback and validate your business concept before investing significant time and resources.

What are some of the most successful small businesses?

Every small business has the potential to be successful and profitable, provided it’s backed by a strong product-market fit and a robust business plan . These two elements are essential. Maybe postnatal services are one of the most successful small businesses to launch, but if you live in an area with declining population or a large elderly population, then that small business idea won’t yield a high return on investment.

Think carefully about the market where you’re launching your business, and you’ll be more than likely to see lasting success.

What are the top growing small businesses?

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8 Unique Business Ideas to Set Yourself Apart

Let’s face it: trying to stand out or be different isn’t something you’d prioritize as a first-time entrepreneur. After all, society has taught you to play it safe and blend in until you gain enough experience to innovate. 

But with the global economy becoming more and more competitive, it’s crucial to find ways to set yourself apart from other companies from Day 1 of your entrepreneurial career. In that context, nothing beats the edge you gain by adopting a unique business idea.

Unique businesses tend to have less competition, but the competition they do have ensures there’s a demand for the product. It’s important to differentiate yourself, but the success of your venture depends less on what your business idea is and more on how you execute that idea. 

If you’re looking for a unique business idea, here’s a few to get you started:

Start selling online now with Shopify

8 unique business ideas to try in 2022 

1. become a personal shopper and promote your services on tiktok.

Did you know that TikTok is a fast-growing source of revenue for ecommerce businesses? That’s right— a lot of TikTok users are buying products directly on the video-sharing app rather than shopping from brands’ websites. But not all users have the time to make shopping choices⁠—and that’s where you can build a business by providing personal shopping services.

Personal shopping is where you purchase items on behalf of another person —in this case, a TikTok user. You’ll need to demonstrate skills in finding the best buys on TikTok, so it helps to learn how to research products on the app. Additionally, you’ll need to know how to use the app’s ecommerce features to make a direct purchase. It can be a good idea to offer your service to friends who use TikTok, so you can gain some experience and get a testimonial or two to share with future clients. 

→ Click Here to Launch Your Online Business with Shopify

Once you’re fully comfortable doing product research and shopping for items on TikTok, you can promote your services via word of mouth , social media, and offline marketing.

2. Launch your own novelty t-shirt brand

If you’re a creative person and you can reflect people’s passions via art, you can get a slice of the $3.91 billion market that is custom t-shirts. People use t-shirts to express themselves: their identities, values, interests, or sometimes just the influencers they like. 

You might not think of t-shirts themselves as unique, but the reason the business seems so viable is because the niching opportunities are endless. Whether they feature stunning artwork, intricate designs, catchy jokes, or LGBTQ slogans ⁠—no other brand will be selling your designs.

To get started, find yourself a good print-on-demand company and set up a storefront on Shopify . Then come up with original designs, add them to your shirts, and get paid when someone orders from your business. 

3. Launch a podcast and build multiple income streams

Podcasts may be free to download, but the people making them don’t always work for free. Through affiliate programs, tiered Patreon subscriptions, and online live events, any podcaster can start making an income from their content.

Podcasting begins with a topic you’re passionate about—a book, a hobby, or an educational topic. Then, with people who love discussing those topics, you can put together a weekly podcast in which you inform and explore.

You’ll need recording gear and a little knowledge of audio editing to create podcast episodes. Set yourself up a weekly recording session and get your voice out there to build an audience. With time, you can start using different monetization strategies to generate revenue from your podcast. 

4. Offer virtual assistance to other businesses

With so many companies shifting their focus to online operations, the demand for virtual assistants is growing. These individuals are contracted workers who can handle a wide range of tasks, from bookkeeping to email marketing to personal tasks like managing schedules or arranging trips. You could assist virtually as a full-time business or a side job.

Since business owners can hire virtual assistants from anywhere in the world, this business doesn’t restrict you to a specific location. To set yourself apart from the competition, become skilled at handling specific tasks that businesses struggle to find talent for, like optimizing sales funnels or building post-purchase email campaigns . 

5. Start a gifts and flower delivery business

Everyone loves that feeling of receiving a thoughtful gift basket or flowers from people who care. Why not try your hand at being the one who gives people that feeling? Requiring only an initial investment and a little creativity, you can quickly build a venture that you can manage from the comfort of your own home . 

Using social media sites such as Facebook or Instagram, investigate what gifts are popular in your area, then design a set of packages for potential customers. Or base your ideas on popular themes like:

• Celebration gifts: birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Days, marriages, or new babies
• Household baskets: cleaning, car, or gardening products; cheese, chocolate, or beer or wine selections
• Personal care: spa/beauty products
• Hobbies: coffee or tea baskets, games, films, or seasonal products

You can gradually spread out to other areas after beginning with a focus on local delivery.

6. Offer mobile detailing services in your area 

Ever heard of mobile detailing? It’s the act of thoroughly cleaning and restoring a vehicle directly in the premises of its owner. This eliminates the need for a physical business location, reducing the initial startup and overhead costs.

You can start your own mobile detailing business with relatively low investment—most detailing kits cost less than $100. Most of your customers will come from gated communities, suburbs, and areas where people keep more than one vehicle. 

Get the word out that you’re offering auto detailing services by distributing flyers in your target market. Offer gift cards and discounts to first-time customers to generate repeat business. Also consider making a Google Business Profile and sending customers its link so they can leave a review about your service. Positive reviews can influence other people’s perception of your service in a good way, bringing more clientele without any ad and marketing spend.

7. Create and sell travel guides

Travelers love exploring their holiday destinations, and who better to show them around than a local? Whether looking for cinemas, restaurants, events, or just the best historical sites⁠, people who reside in a travel destination often have first-hand knowledge of the places to visit there. 

You can compile your knowledge of your local area into a travel guide that serves as a handy resource for tourists. But don’t limit your revenue stream to one product—you could sell books, maps, audio walking tours, and even augmented reality tours to grow your business income.

The best part is that you don’t have to live in a big city like London or Paris to create guides for travelers. Often, smaller tourist destinations provide greater opportunities, since fewer tourist resources are available. 

And you don’t have to niche by just your location either. You might make travel guides or maps for a specific group of hobbyists. For example, Skater Maps offers skate park maps for skateboarders and BMX riders, detailing the best routes through Australia.

8. Open a tea room and sell products to patrons

If you love tea and can judge its quality even before tasting it, a tea room business may be a good fit for you. This business doesn't require the crowds that flock to Starbucks, but you’ll still need a unique menu to draw patrons from your neighborhood and beyond. To get some inspiration, check out these tea menu templates available online. 

Choosing the right location is also highly important. Tea consumers often have a spontaneous desire to drink the aromatic beverage, so your shop needs to be where people spend time, such as near shopping malls, local attractions, and fuel stations. 

Once you’re set up, you can look into expanding your menu beyond just tea. For example, you can offer sandwiches, biscuits, and cakes to complement your beverages. You can even look into making and selling your own merch , much as shops like Starbucks do. Customers who love your shop will undoubtedly enjoy the chance to sport their own shirts, travel mugs, and tote bags featuring your logo and branding.

Jump-start your entrepreneurial career with a unique business idea

Starting a new business is exciting and daunting in equal measure. You’ll need to come up with an idea, but also execute it differently to ensure you stand out from the competition. 

Try not to get bogged down in coming up with something no other company has touched. Rather, think about how you can create a more memorable experience with an existing idea in your audience’s minds.

With a bit of effort and creativity, you can build a highly successful and valuable business. 

Unique business ideas FAQ

What are some unique business ideas.

The best business ideas either cater to a niche, underserved market or offer a new spin on an existing product or service. To get some inspiration, check out our list of unique businesses above.

How do you come up with a unique business idea?

To come up with a unique business idea, think about successful companies you find inspiring. What is it about their product or service that makes them stand out? How do they approach other aspects of business, like marketing and customer service? Often, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of other businesses can spark an idea for your own successful small business.

How can you make business ideas profitable?

There’s no blueprint for making a business profitable, but if you’re providing a unique service, it helps to promote your brand through email and social media marketing, as well as to have multiple revenue streams to draw from.

Want to learn more?

• How to Make Money Online for Free: 11 Best Ways in 2022
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27 best small business ideas to make money in 2022.

You’ve probably heard the term Great Resignation. It describes the millions of Americans who, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, decided to leave their jobs in the traditional workforce and rethink how, when and where they work .

The Future of Finances: Gen Z & How They Relate to Money Looking To Diversify in a Bear Market? Consider These 6 Alternative Investments

But that doesn’t mean people are shunning the workforce. Instead, many Americans turned to creating their own businesses, putting an emphasis on setting their own schedules and leaving more time for family and leisure. In 2020, as the pandemic got its start, 4.4 million business applications were filed. In 2021, the total reached 5.4 million, NPR reported.

If you’re a member of the Great Resignation — or thinking about joining the ranks — plenty of ideas exist for small businesses that can turn either your previous work experience or your passion or hobby into a profitable venture.

27 Small Business Ideas To Turn Into Dollars

Every small business idea can yield great success if it fills a need. Check out these business ideas that can make you money in 2022.

1. Consultant

Companies, or individuals, could be willing to pay a lot of money for the expertise you gained on your job. Consultants are called upon in a variety of specialties, including financial, human resources, career and management.

Management consultancy is expected to have a $263.5 billion market in 2022, according to business research firm IBISWorld.

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2. Home Stager

Homes for sale that are “staged” give prospective buyers an idea of what a home can be. After homeowners have packed up their belongings and have reduced the home to bare bones, stagers can reposition furniture to maximize use of the space.

Experienced home stagers invest in furniture and accessories to use in homes, but you can start with the sellers’ existing stuff, as long as it is in good shape. The National Association of Realtors reports that staged homes sell faster and for more money, making the investment worth it for sellers.

3. Exercise Guru

During the pandemic, workouts moved from gyms and fitness centers, and some exercisers decided they liked the convenience of a home workout. Still, the same treadmill and the same sort of exercises might not motivate some to get fit.

Come up with new exercises and routines and demonstrate them on YouTube and Facebook Live. These sample videos could attract customers who will pay you to access your full line of creative exercise techniques online.

4. Pet Services

With so much time working from home during the pandemic, 19% of Americans surveyed by ASPCA acquired a dog or cat from March 2020 to 2021. That has opened the door to a variety of pet-related services, including dog walking and animal training.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the employment of animal care and service workers will increase by 33% from 2020 to 2030.

All you need to start writing e-books is to select a niche you want to write about 一 and that people want to read. Amazon Best Sellers shows you what people are reading and buying.

If you plan to self-publish, you’ll find plenty of platforms where you can sell your work. Good examples include Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing , Apple Books for Authors, Kobo Writing Life and Smashwords.

6. Custom Items

This is a dropshipping model with a twist. Make your innovative designs and upload them to your preferred print-on-demand platforms. When a customer purchases one of your items, the platform prints it to order and ships it out on your behalf.

Popular platforms include Redbubble , Fine Art America, Zazzle, Society6 and Printful, all of which offer a huge variety of products to customize with your designs.

7. Coworking Office Space

With the ongoing, and likely permanent, popularity of remote work , you can create a contemporary coworking space that solves pain points like the cost of renting office space, reduced productivity and even loneliness.

Choose an accessible site in a central location and outfit it with highly desired features, such as high-speed internet, meeting rooms and team-building facilities.

8. Online Courses

If you are a professional in a specific field, you can start teaching online classes . Create educational content in videos or other available formats. Then choose a platform like Udemy or Skillshare to post and sell the content.

9. Virtual Assistant

Many entrepreneurs need help with day-to-day tasks . You can work remotely for a company or an individual to provide administrative support. Common tasks include maintaining social media accounts, managing calendars and schedules, making travel arrangements and processing documents and records, according to FlexJobs.

Although some companies, such as VaVa Virtual Assistants, provide a platform to match VAs with opportunities, building a direct client list can be more lucrative in the long run.

10. Eco-Friendly and Healthy Beauty Products

Satisfy people’s desire for eco-friendly and healthier products by creating safe and environmentally friendly items. Research local business licensing requirements, then investigate the ingredients and processes for making the products — suppliers like MakingCosmetics and MakeYourOwn.Buzz have tutorials and formularies to get you started.

You can sell your products online and in-person at vendor fairs, farmers markets and through local shops.

11. Chatbot Development

Chatbots are used on many company websites to communicate with customers who need assistance. Develop a chatbot and approach companies in need of such a product.

You don’t have to know how to code to develop a chatbot 一 with basic IT knowledge, you’re good to go using a chatbot-building platform like ManyChat.

12. Web Design and Development

You can start making cash by designing or developing websites for small businesses or individuals. Depending on your skill level, you can build sites using templates and widgets on platforms like WordPress, Wix and Squarespace 一 or up your game by learning how to code sites from scratch.

Collaborate with an experienced copywriter to boost your product line and your chances of grabbing a new client.

13. Online Coach

Create a YouTube channel to help you push your content. You can educate people about any topic in which you have expertise. If you have proven managerial and leadership skills, you can also become a life coach and charge clients to attend your sessions once you have an audience.

14. Resume Writer

Many people need a resume, but not everyone has the skill to do it well or is familiar with resume formats. This does not require any startup capital but does require knowing how to craft a unique resume that is compatible with resume screening software.

15. Handcrafted Goods

You can make your own products to earn money. Research ideas that suit your skills and interests, then start making soap, candles, pottery or jewelry. Once the products are ready, market them online via social media and in-person through local venues.

16. Event Planning

Create an event planning service in your area and specialize in specific types of events, like weddings or company meetings. A network of reliable vendor contacts will make you more successful.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the number of jobs in the profession will grow by 18% between 2020 and 2030.

17. Content Editing and Proofreading

If you have impeccable skills at spotting grammatical errors, typos or poor sentence structure in written content, you can provide editing and proofreading services to businesses and individuals.

18. Graphic Designer

If you can design logos, website and blog images, you can sell your graphic design skills. You can set your own hours and start choosing projects to build your portfolio. Many companies need graphic design support on a variety of projects.

To start, offer your services on freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork.

19. Custom Clothing

The custom clothing business is gaining momentum, which means it could be a good source of regular income. You can start with hemming and mending, then use your sewing machine to revamp customers’ existing clothes or create new ones.

Running a blog can make you money, provided you’re sharing unique and useful content. Choose a niche that you’re good at. Once you gain an audience, you can earn money through affiliate marketing or advertising.

21. Website Flipping

Buy a website and make improvements to the design and content. Then, sell it at a higher price than you paid for it. Along the same line, you can create your website, fill it with SEO-friendly content and sell it.

22. Virtual Reality Experiences

VR is the future, with the market projected to reach $44.7 billion by 2024. As long as you have the content-creation skills or can partner with someone who does, and you have the means to purchase necessary equipment, the possibilities are endless.

Real estate, entertainment, games, fitness, dating and healthcare are just a few industries where virtual reality is or could be useful.

23. Interior Design

Many professionals want to have their houses look elegant. However, the high cost can be limiting. You can start a business offering interior design services for less and target young homeowners as you build your business.

Note that in some states, you’ll need a license or registration that might require passing the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam.

24. Food Truck

If you have a background in cooking or restaurant management, a food truck is an option. It is cheaper than opening a restaurant.

Still, the investment can be significant, especially if you buy rather than lease a truck. New ones cost $75,000 and up, plus you’ll pay costs for permits, wrapping the truck in your logo and more, business technology company Square estimates.

25. Affiliate Marketing

Many online stores allow affiliates to market their products. If you are an influencer , this can earn you some good money.

You only need to get the product affiliate link from the company whose products you’d like to sell and place the link in the content you use to reach your audience. If an individual purchases the product through your link, you earn a commission.

26. Cellphone Accessories

This field might look saturated, but the number of phone users is increasing every day. You only need to be super creative and come up with phone accessories, such as adapters, cables, earphones, protectors and covers.

Etsy has a variety of handmade items in the cellphone-accessory category, ranging from phone charms to personalized charger cubes, and that website could be a great spot to sell your creations.

How big is the market of cellphone owners? A new report from RearchAndMarket.com, a market research company, predicts it will grow to $520.7 billion by 2030.

27. Dropshipping

This is one of the simplest businesses to start today. You offer items for sale but you don’t have a backlog of inventory. Instead, a third-party provider stores and sends products on your behalf. All you need is a little capital to get started, and it’s hands-off and scalable.

You can generate sales on a platform like Shopify that automatically transfers orders to your suppliers, or you can submit orders yourself using any merchant site you want.

Choosing a business idea that can make you money is a personal decision, but the above business ideas will help you get started. You can pick any of them and modify them to suit your audience. The goal is not just to have an idea but to earn money from it. However, before venturing into one, you need to first ensure there’s a demand for what you plan to offer.

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Jami Farkas and Lydia Kibet contributed to the reporting for this article.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : 27 Best Small Business Ideas To Make Money in 2022

11 Business Ideas to Inspire You in 2022

Check out these top business ideas in 2022 and get inspired to start your own business with this step‑by‑step guide

Traditional brick-and-mortar businesses aren't going anywhere. However, business opportunities have exploded in the last few decades thanks to the internet.

In 2021, approximately 4.9 trillion dollars were generated via online retail sales. While that number is huge, experts estimate it will grow more than 50% by the year 2025. These numbers clearly prove that online business ideas can make entrepreneurs a lot of money.

Are you ready to become your own boss? Let's dive in and learn about some of the best business ideas for 2022.

What are the most profitable businesses in 2022?

Any business can be profitable with the right business strategy and marketing. NerdWallet suggests that all of these business ideas have the highest profit potential.

• App development
• Vacation rentals
• Electronic repair
• Virtual assistant services
• Marketing copywriter
• Online courses

Keep in mind that your business's success and profitability will be directly proportional to how much you put into it.

11 Steps to starting a business

The first step in creating a business is to come up with a good business idea. Once you know what type of business you want to start, the next step is to learn how to start a business .

Step 1: Research the best business ideas for 2022

Before you do anything else, you need to identify what type of business you want to start. To see if your business idea has the potential for success, conduct some market research to see if there's a market for what you want to offer.

Step 2: Define your target audience

Who will use your services or buy your products? Defining a target audience is key to growing a successful business. To get started, create your buyer persona based on these descriptors:

• Income level
• Family status
• Education level
• Personality traits

Step 3: Create a business plan

A formal business plan serves as a road map that will help you start and run your business. Additionally, your business plan will show funders or investors that you've thoroughly researched the market.

Step 4: Choose a legal structure

Before you open your doors (virtual or otherwise), you need to decide on a legal structure for your business. You can start out as a sole proprietorship and later upgrade to a limited liability company (LLC).

Step 5: Nail down your financials

Do some research to determine the costs of the business you want to start. This research needs to include both fixed costs and variable costs . Once you've identified your costs, you can figure out how much money you will need to make for your business to break even and eventually make a profit.

Step 6: Secure funding

It can be a lot of fun (and challenging) to bootstrap a business, and the business world is full of stories about successful bootstrappers. However, it's important to know that many bootstrapped companies fail. There are other ways to fund your business if you want more solid options for raising startup capital .

• Institutional loans
• Small Business Administration loans
• Business grants
• Investor Capital
• Crowdfunding

Step 7: Register with the IRS

Once you're ready to start your business, it's a good idea to get a federal tax ID, which is also known as an employer identification number (EIN). You may have freelancers or employees at some point, and you will need your EIN to pay them. You also need an EIN if you're set up as a multi member LLC.

Step 8: Register with the state government

Most businesses have to register at the state level, especially if the business is an LLC or corporation. If you have an LLC, your state will require you to have a registered agent who receives your legal documents and papers.

Step 9: Create your branding

Studies show that when a business has a consistent brand, it increases revenue by as much as 33% . Branding includes voice, design style, logo, and color scheme.

Step 10: Build a website

Regardless of what type of business you have, you need a website in 2022. Your website may be where you're selling your services or products, or perhaps your website will be for informational purposes. Once you have a website, you can use it to start collecting emails as lead generators.

Step 11: Start marketing your business

Once you have everything else in place, it's time to start marketing your business. You can market your business with advertisements, and social media is also a great way to get your name and your services out there.

Unique business ideas 2022

Below, we've listed some of the most unique and profitable 2022 business ideas.

Become an online personal trainer

One of the best business ideas for 2022 is marketing yourself as an online personal trainer. We are more fitness oriented than ever before. Advances in science and research have shown people how they can live more healthily to experience longevity and prolonged vitality. With the internet, anyone can access an online trainer, even if they don't have time to head to the gym for personal training sessions.

You can streamline your personal training business with solutions such as online appointment scheduling .

Write and sell ebooks

Self-publishing on marketplaces such as Amazon has made it easier than ever to write and sell books . Whether you're writing a romance novel or a how-to book, there is someone out there who will buy it.

Open an e-commerce store

If starting a retail business seems like a daunting task, keep in mind that it's easy to open an e-commerce store.

Market yourself as a virtual assistant

For years, business gurus have been advising entrepreneurs to invest in a virtual assistant to handle tasks that can be delegated. While you may be a budding entrepreneur, your business may be exactly what other entrepreneurs are looking for. ZipRecruiter research indicates that the average salary for a virtual assistant in the U.S. is about $53,933 per year.

Virtual assistants can choose their own clients and find work that allows them to create flexible schedules. The key responsibilities of virtual assistants are scheduling meetings, managing emails, tracking tasks, and booking travel.

Learn app development

App development is one of the most profitable business ideas for one-person shops.

A Learning First Alliance report shows that more than 60% of parents believe in the benefit of apps for teaching children essential skills such as math, reading, languages, and science. If you can gear your app offerings to children, you can grow your app business even faster.

Sell your handmade goods

If you're an artist or craftsperson of any kind, it's easy to get started selling your handmade goods on marketplaces such as Etsy . With Etsy, you don't have to worry about building a website because everything happens in their marketplace. Etsy also makes it easy to collect payments.

Create and sell online courses

What is one thing you know more about than most people? You can turn your skill into money by selling your knowledge in an online course.

According to Technavio , the e-learning industry is expected to grow by more than $21.6 billion by 2024. For online courses, the options are endless. There is a demand for online courses in nearly every field imaginable, including foreign languages, marketing, business, academics, and academics.

Sell your expertise as a consultant or coach

Nearly everyone can benefit from coaching at some stage of their life, and now is a great time to tap into that market. If you have had a successful career, there are people who will pay you to coach them or advise them. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , the consulting industry is growing rapidly, with the expectation to grow more than 14% by 2030.

A personal or professional coach can help consumers with everything from their careers to growing their businesses. And coaching doesn't stop at money-making endeavors. There is a market for life coaches and wellness coaches, too.

Use your artistic abilities to become a graphic designer

Are you skilled at turning pixels on a computer or tablet screen into art? If so, you may be able to enjoy a thriving career as a graphic designer.

People are starting their own businesses in record numbers, and all of these businesses need marketing materials. According to research by software giant Adobe, more than 70% of businesses are willing to invest their money in branding design, so there is definitely a market for graphic design.

Operate a food truck

Do you make the world's best burritos? Food trucks are more profitable than ever, and the food truck industry has been growing consistently for the past five years. By 2028, the food truck industry is expected to be a $6.6 billion dollar industry.

Sell printables on Etsy or in an online store

If you're wondering, "what unique business can I start," consider selling printables in an online store or on marketplaces such as Etsy.

How to start marketing your business with Mailchimp

Now that you know how to create a good business idea , you can jump in and fulfill your dreams of becoming an entrepreneur. One of the key ways to grow your business is to build a subscriber list so that you can communicate with your customers and generate leads.

As an all-in-one marketing platform, Mailchimp helps brands create and send individualized email campaigns to subscribers. With Mailchimp, you can find help with everything from building a website for your business, building an online store , and creating customer retention strategies . Launching and growing your own business has never been easier.

BUSINESS STRATEGIES

34 small business ideas you can start today

• Cecilia Lazzaro Blasbalg
• Jun 25, 2023
• 15 min read

You dream of launching a new business this year and have the tools to create a business website that goes with it. However, you first need to find a great business idea that will spearhead your entrepreneurial journey.

Business ideas come in all shapes and sizes. Some business concepts are tried and true, while others may be more innovative or experimental. Popular business ideas include freelancing, consulting, online business, e-commerce stores, app development, coaching services and social media marketing. Freelance work is often chosen by those looking to supplement their full-time income or participate in the passion economy . Business consultants provide strategic guidance to business owners and executives to help them make the right decisions for their business.

Online business (sometimes referred to as electronic business) is becoming increasingly popular as technology advances, allowing entrepreneurs to create a business from anywhere with an internet connection. Ecommerce websites allow business owners to get started with online retail and sell products directly to customers through an online store , as well as through new business models such as dropshipping and print on demand. Take advantage of the rise of online retail by making an eCommerce website —and study up on the latest trending products and trends, like how to make money using AI.

While many business ideas require sustainable personal costs or potential risk, this article offers the best small business ideas, across various industries, skills, and talents. From popular, to low-cost, to the most profitable business ideas, this article lays out some of the best ideas to run with today.

Best business ideas

Popular business ideas.

Web designer

Ecommerce retailer

SEO consultant

App developer

Produce an audiobook

Virtual assistant

Social media manager

01. Blogger

The vast blogging world means anyone with a passion or expertise to share can do so by simply starting a blog with a blog maker . As a blogger, you’ll need to find a niche to work with a clear purpose and create content for the right audience.

Say food and cooking are always on your mind. Express yourself to other like-minded people while developing your craft and start a food blog. Once you’ve started your content creation and published some posts and can track a substantial following, you may wonder how to make money blogging. Some ways to monetize your blog include working with an affiliate marketing program or selling merchandise on your site. This is also what makes blogging a very scalable business idea .

Learn more:

How to make money as a travel blogger

How to make money as a travel agent

02. Web designer

If you’re equally creative as you are technical, then web design could be an effective business idea. Web designers plan, create and style website layouts. You can find freelance work either by soliciting companies or web design agencies, or by using a site like Wix marketplace . Run your own clientele of individuals and small businesses from home or anywhere with internet access. If working from home interests you, check out some business ideas for stay-at-home moms and our guide on how to make money from home .

03. Ecommerce retailer

Are you an avid collector or creator of special things? Now is the time to turn items in your home closet or shelves into profit with this profitable eCommerce business idea . You can open an online store and start selling products, accepting secure online payments and managing order fulfillment, while making money as an entrepreneur.

04. SEO consultant

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a practice all online businesses should know, as it affects whether a brand or business gets organic website traffic. As an SEO consultant, you’ll create a keyword ranking strategy for your clients and create online visibility that generates more leads.

05. App developer

More than five billion people use smartphones worldwide . Consider app development as a viable business idea. As long as you have a great idea for an app, you can join forces with an experienced developer to build it. That said, before you begin investing time and money into your app, make sure to research the market and user demand for it.

06. Podcaster

Podcasting is one of the most popular business ideas in recent years, according to Pew Research . The format is one of the best businesses to start with little money and lets you showcase your expertise on your choice of topics. Once you’ve recorded your interviews or conversations, you’ll want to edit your audio before publishing each new episode on a podcast-hosting site . Then you can think about monetizing your podcast by running ads throughout your show.

Looking for more creative business ideas? Be inspired by:

How to make money as a singer

How to make money as musician

07. YouTuber

Starting a YouTube channel has proven itself as one of the most lucrative online business ideas so far. YouTubers make fortunes raking up millions of views and subscribers.

If you dream of becoming a successful YouTuber, remember: Good content comes from having fun, so be yourself. Start by defining what type of content you’ll offer your channel’s viewers. It can be anything from gaming to comedy, delivered in formats ranging from commentary to tutorials.

" People don't want to be sold to, they want to get something for their time and attention – entertainment, inspiration, information, there's a lot of ways to give your viewer value. TikTok and YouTube Shorts are a great opportunity for creators who have something valuable to share – these are effectively the places where anyone can produce and host their own talk show, mini reality show, or even more narrative-driven content."

Lindsay Thomson, Head of social media for Wix

08. Produce an audiobook

Dear book lovers and self-publishers, you might have found the perfect business idea in producing an audiobook. Many readers now prefer audiobooks to visual book formats.

Recording your own audiobook does not have to be expensive. You can record it yourself or pay for production. Either way, make sure you record high-quality audio files and find an audiobook distributor that sells to your target audience.

09. Virtual assistant

If you’re trying to come up with a business idea , are highly organized and enjoy a balanced lifestyle, you may want to become a virtual assistant. You can support other businesses or entrepreneurs remotely and deal with an array of daily tasks, like content creation, bookkeeping, social media and emailing.

Got other skills and experience? Consider making money as a notary public .

10. Social media manager

As a social media manager, you'll oversee how a company interacts and engages with the public. Depending on the company’s goals, this may mean increasing brand awareness via social media outlets such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.

Your duties will likely include researching social media trends, incorporating them into a digital marketing strategy and setting key performance indicators (KPIs) for all social campaigns. You'll probably also have to manage influencer marketing efforts.

Low-cost business ideas

11. Professional organizer

12. House cleaner

13. Pet sitter

14. Translator

15. Child care provider

16. Home caregiver

17. Music teacher

19, Event planner

20. Personal chef

21. Photographer

22. Freelance graphic designer

23. Copywriter

24. Fitness trainer

25. Massage therapist

26. Bookkeeper

27. Life coach

28. Meal delivery service

If tidying and decluttering is not only your personal mantra, but you can also help others see the big picture amid the madness, then consider becoming a professional organizer. You’ll help each of your clients invest in themselves, using your services to transform old habits into more efficient ones. When it’s time to promote your business, you can show off before and after images of your work on your service website .

When it comes to cleaning a home, the key is to roll up your sleeves and get straight to work. However, seeing this plan through seems to get harder every week for those who can’t deeply clean their kitchens and bathrooms due to time constraints.

As a professional cleaner, you’ll bring all your creative hacks and effective tips to clients and leave them feeling happier about their households. Once you start a service business , you can begin accepting bookings and payments via online scheduling software .

House cleaning tends to be a great recession-proof business idea , as cleaning as a service is always in demand and considered a necessity. It's also often popular as a business idea for students as it can be arranged around a busy college schedule.

The number of U.S. households that own pets is in the millions, according to the APPA National Pet Owners Survey . If you’re an animal lover, a pet-sitting service could be the right home-based business idea for you.

Pet owners away on vacation or working long hours in the office will rely on you to care for their pets—whether that’s walking them multiple times a day or playing fetch in the park.

You can start advertising your pet care side hustle to neighbors, friends and family. Make sure to keep an organized schedule to track each new booking. As your business grows, you may need to hire extra help.

Got a teen looking for work? Pet sitting is a great business idea for teens to earn money, learn a sense of responsiblity and get bitten by the entrepreneurial bug.

Do you speak other languages fluently? Marketing your translation services is easier than ever. First, create an online resume and post it on job boards or reach out to established translating companies and institutions. If you can fill a niche, such as medical or legal translations, you’ll have a better chance of finding and working for your target clients.

In recent years, child care and how it relates to the economy has become a hotly debated topic—not just among parents, but in society as a whole. The childcare industry is now open to many new qualified candidates who can not only gain a stable income source of income, but also fulfillment in this essential sector. This can also be a great family business idea .

Serving as a home caregiver can be a rewarding experience. You help older people, veterans and those living with a disability carry out their day-to-day activities.

Additionally, if you want to advance your caregiving career, you can enroll in medical certification training to boost your credentials and potential earnings. Keep in mind that the work becomes physically and emotionally demanding over time. When you’re ready to make this business idea actionable, read some caregiving tips to reduce burnout. This can also work as a business idea for couples wanting to work together.

This small business idea not only requires musical talent, but also teaching skills. You will most likely need a teaching certificate to work at a school or university. But if you’d like to teach music independently, research what qualifications you’d need and compare the going rates for private and group music lessons, online and off. With advancements in educational tech, there are now also options to take even music teaching online.

Are you a teacher looking to start a business? Check out these business ideas for teachers .

Doulas professionally train to help expectant mothers during their pregnancy, from the first trimester to the delivery. These highly educated and informed professionals provide their clients with invaluable emotional support as well.

To become a doula, you must take a few essential steps: First, take a certification training course. Second, have a basic marketing strategy to connect with clients and build experience. This may include placing ads or creating a business card for potential clients.

19. Event planner

Event planning lets you meet new people and sharpen your negotiation and communication skills—with the majority of day-to-day work taking place in your home office. Planners often start working in one part of the special event industry, such as catering, entertainment, or styling. These self-starters can multitask, think creatively, and solve problems under pressure. This is also a great small town business idea .

As more people outsource their meals with food delivery and curbside pick-ups, the demand for culinary services continues to rise, making it a good mobile business idea . A personal chef business will give you more autonomy and independence than working in a restaurant kitchen. You can also experiment with different cuisines as you maintain an ever-changing menu based on your clients’ wants and dietary needs.

Be inspired by these food business ideas .

If you like attending weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs and birthdays and have some photography experience, consider starting a photography business. Or if session photography is more your thing, turn your home space into a small studio and offer headshots for local actors and other professionals. In this case, you’ll want to invest in extra lighting and a high-quality photo printer.

While purchasing the right equipment helps you establish some credibility right away, don’t forget to put in the hours to create a portfolio that speaks for itself. In that case, you can make a free photography website to establish your business in a few steps.

What is freelancing but a way to gain freedom in what you do and how you do it? That said, you’ll also need to search for your next opportunity. Thanks to online marketplaces for designers , you can now connect instantly with potential clients and get hired.

This business idea requires strong writing skills and creativity. Copywriting uses words to inspire people to take the next step and buy a company’s product or service.

Exercise is good for the mind, body and soul. As a fitness trainer, you will reinforce this motto to your clientele and help them strengthen their bodies and boost their confidence.

You may also want to create a fitness website . Having a strong online presence can help manage your day-to-day operations and offer consultations, fast bookings, easy payment options to your clients, as well as a direct channel to communicate with you.

Massage therapy is not only a rewarding way to help others, but is also an in-demand business idea, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics . In some U.S. states, you’ll have to demonstrate a completed 500 hours of massage therapy courses and hold a certification or licensing before opening a business. Check your local government website for more information.

Small business owners hire bookkeepers to help them complete financial tasks like data entry, bank reconciliation and monthly reports. This line of work is always in demand, and starting a business to provide bookkeeping services for other business owners can be a very profitable idea. This can also be considered a B2B business idea .

Life coaching has been around since the early 1970s , but the methods continually evolve. Today, you can offer your expertise and experience in areas such as business, dating, fitness, finance and health. By understanding what your client wants, you can empower them to reach their goals. In this vein, learn more about how to make money as a therapist or coach.

Often based out of a private home or rented kitchen, meal delivery services offer a great business opportunity for those looking to offer quality, accessible and convenient food options in their community. As people choose to stay home and avoid commuting, the demand for services offering easy online ordering and fast delivery continues to surge.

Profitable business ideas

29. Dropshipping business owner

30. Print on demand business owner

31. Create digital products

32. Affiliate marketer

33. Webinar host

34. Ride-sharing driver

dropshipping is a great way to start a business on a budget. This retail fulfillment business doesn’t require upfront inventory. Instead, you collect orders, forward them to your suppliers and then they ship directly to your customers. All you have to do is market and sell your products on your eCommerce website or build a dropshipping website .

Clothing, for example, is a popular dropshipping business idea . You can specialize even further, into kidswear for example. Check out these kidswear business ideas or these clothing business ideas for more inspiration with your dropshipping business idea.

30. Print-on-demand business owner

Running a print-on-demand business means you design your items and then work with a supplier who prints them on blank items, such as t-shirts, mugs and tote bags. Once you have an idea of things to make and sell , open a website and showcase your merchandise.

Another good online business idea is to create and sell digital products like ebooks, online courses, downloadable templates, software and even audio recordings. First, you’ll want to see if there’s a market for your digital product idea. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback—from family, friends, social followings and even relevant online forums before getting started with this form of self-publishing. Once you've found your niche, you can also try to sell subscriptions to your digital content.

With a growing online audience behind you and your content, you may want to look into affiliate marketing . As an affiliate marketer, you market another business’s products, services or brand in your content. Each time someone makes a purchase through your affiliate referral link, you earn a commission.

When choosing an affiliate program, look for one that aligns with your audience, topics and values. Start by checking out popular marketing platforms like ShareASale and the Wix Affiliate Program .

To start a webinar business, first focus on an expertise that will draw in a significant crowd. Then you can plan and create paid webinars around topics, inviting influential guests to speak on the panels.

Whether you’re looking to earn more cash on the side (see our guide on side business ideas ) or become your own boss, consider becoming a ride-share driver. All you need to start with Lyft or Uber in the United States is a valid driver's license, a car and insurance.

How to choose a business idea

A good business idea should be something that is both relevant and feasible. It should have a good return on investment, provide value to its customers, and be sustainable. Additionally, it should meet potential customer needs and also solve a problem or pain point. If you decide to pursue a business idea, it’s important to determine whether there is a real demand for the business in your target market. It’s also important to consider the competition and whether you can differentiate yourself from other companies offering the same product or service.

Finally, a business idea should be something that you are passionate about, or a field you have experience in, as this will help motivate you to work hard and bring the business to success. It will also better prepare you for the challenges ahead.

Here are a few important points to consider when choosing a business idea:

Unique value proposition: Start by understanding what is your unique selling point, compared to your competitors. Let's say you're a small business owner making candles. Unlike your main competitors, you only use organic raw materials, that's your unique value proposition.

Problem-solving: For a larger company, it may be that you’ve adopted a freemium model or have a product that solves a specific pain point for users in your industry, or do it better than anyone else in the market. How you address this and solve your potential client's problem should be at the core of your business idea. Very often the business idea you have may not be novel or unique, it may simply not exist as a service or product where you are based or you may have a better offering - whether on price or quality.

Understandable : Make sure it's clear what you are selling and the value it offers potential customers.

Profitability: The whole success of a business idea rests on this. Everyone starts a business to be profitable, even if the initial impetus also comes from your invention or product.

Testing your business idea

It’s important to do your research and testing before committing to any specific business idea. Market research can give you an idea of the potential for success given the current business climate and customer demand. You should also test out different business models, pricing strategies, and marketing strategies to see which works best. It's also a good idea to conduct full competitor research before choosing your idea, so you understand what you're competing with but also so you can understand how to do things, better and differently.

Once you have a business concept in mind, it’s important to create a business plan outlining your goals and objectives. This will give investors an idea of what you are trying to accomplish, as well as help you stay organized and on track with the business development process. Additionally, testing out different business ideas can also help you decide which one may be best for your business.

How to start a small business with your idea

Now that you have an idea of what type of business to pursue, here are three quick tips on getting your online small business off the ground. If you want more in-depth information, read our complete guide on how to start a business .

01. Refine your business idea

Before you release your business idea into the world perfect it. Take a step back to really think about the reasons behind your choice. Ask yourself, “ Why is this business idea important to me?” and “Will it be important to someone else?” Create a proof of concept to determie the feasibility of your business idea, whether it's a rental business idea or something else, and test it out with surveys or interviews with members of your target market.

02. Choose a business name

Once you've decided on your business idea, choosing a business name is an important part of getting started with your venture. Think about the type of business you're starting, how you want to kickstart your brand messaging and get creative.

Tip: Need help finding a business name for your new venture? Use a small business name generator for inspiration.

03. Write out your business plan

When starting a business, an organized business plan must lead the way. Use a business plan template to define a roadmap for your company’s structure, business model, financial analysis and management. While business plans can differ, all include an executive summary, expected investment, mission statement, market analysis and financial projections.

04. Create a business website

Having a business website is a major advantage for you, your brand and your customers. To begin creating yours, you’ll want to choose a business website template and customize it to fit your specific needs. Then, you’ll have to pick a free web hosting platform and connect it to a registered domain . Finally, you’ll want to optimize your website for search engines to increase organic web traffic. You can hire a search engine optimization (SEO) consultant to help you with your strategy.

05. Register your business

To do this you need to check the laws and regulations in your country or U.S. state depending on whether you plan to start an LLC or not. You can read more about how to register your business with our guide.

Explore more business ideas

Part-time business ideas

Craft business ideas

Beauty business ideas

Reselling business ideas

DIY business ideas

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40 UNIQUE BUSINESS IDEAS

Unique Business ideas - Whether it’s a unique food, sport, therapy, or rental service, getting in at the forefront with the right Unique Small Business Idea can be incredibly lucrative. This detailed guide breaks down everything you need to create your own small business today!

Exploring your options? Check out additional small business ideas .

Unique Small Business Ideas

We’ve broken down our top unique business ideas into seven categories including, specialty foods, sports and entertainment, pet businesses, and many more. We've ranked their startup costs, required skill level, and earning potential to help you decide which unique small business idea is right for you.

1. COOKIE DOUGH CAFE

Professional bakers or baking enthusiasts with a good sense for business may consider selling edible cookie dough. While this business can certainly remain small, the growth potential is huge. You may expand locally, regionally, and even nationally while still keeping costs low since the product can easily be shipped.

The earning potential of this business is great, considering the high markup potential of this specialty product. While costs will increase if you decide to open a brick and mortar shop, with enough business-savvy and sales, profits can grow quite high.

Learn how to start a cookie dough cafe .

2. OLIVE OIL STORE

If you have retail experience and a love for fine, specialty foods, an olive oil store may be a good fit for you. In addition to experience managing a retail operation, you’ll need be able to speak with customers about olive oil with some degree of expertise. While not necessary, cooking and teaching experience can be very helpful as hosting cooking classes and workshops can boost interest and profits.

Opening an olive oil store requires a fairly large investment to ensure your storefront is located in an area with significant foot traffic from high-end customers. The growth potential for this business is somewhat uncertain, but with more and more customers seeking premium, artisan products, the right business plan can lead to profits of 10% to 15% on sales and even more on classes, workshops, and other special events.

Learn how to start an olive oil store .

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the  Top LLC Formation Services

And, use our free tools to help start your business:

• Use our  Business Name Generator  for help brainstorming your new venture’s name
• Learn  how to form an LLC , one of the  best business structures  for unique businesses
• Use our free  business plan generator  to start planning your business today
• Get your unique logo with our free  Logo Maker  and start branding your business
• After finding your perfect idea learn how to  start a business

3. GOURMET POPCORN SHOP

If you love popcorn and are creative in the kitchen, a gourmet popcorn business may be a good fit for you. This is another great business idea that gives you the flexibility to stay small or expand. You may sell from home, open a store, or get your products on the shelves of food stores across the country. There are also a considerable number of resources available for those looking to learn the ropes of the gourmet popcorn business before opening.

Startup costs vary considerably, depending on whether you start by operating out of your home, renting a storefront, or even buying a franchise. However, because of the significant price markup, selling gourmet popcorn can potentially be quite profitable, with some national brands worth millions of dollars.

Learn how to start a gourmet popcorn shop .

4. SEA SALT BUSINESS

Anyone who is self-motivated, likes working with their hands, and has access to seawater may consider starting a sea salt business. Owners will need some level of expertise to recognize the best locations, seasons, and times to source the salt. This requires at least basic knowledge of tides, currents, and sea levels.

Once you’ve pinpointed the best source for your sea salt, the startup costs for your business are very low. You can get started with a few buckets and jars, a food processor, and a means of evaporating the sea water you collect. The low costs, virtually unlimited supply of free raw materials, and high markup potential mean a sea salt business can be extremely profitable.

Learn how to start a sea salt business .

Find a Web Domain for Your Unique Business

Securing a web domain and creating a quality website is important for the overall success of your unique business.

Find a Domain Now

Powered by godaddy.com, 5. axe throwing party business.

Axe-throwing parties are one of the many unique niche entertainment options popping up across the country. Anyone who enjoys games and entertainment may enjoy running this exciting business. Experience with axe throwing is useful, but not required.

Insuring an axe-throwing business can be expensive due to the inherent risks involved and the novel nature of the business. If you put in the time and money, though, there is a good deal of growth and profit potential. A successful axe-throwing party business has the potential to make six figures, with larger businesses realizing revenue beyond $1 million annually.

Learn how to start an axe throwing business .

6. ESCAPE ROOM BUSINESS

Creative individuals who love playing games and have a keen attention to detail may be good candidates to start an escape room business. While formal education and experience aren’t required, a background in design or other creative fields can be very helpful.

Escape rooms are a new and growing niche entertainment business that has blossomed over the past decade. While it’s hard to say how far this industry may grow, it continues to be a popular choice for a variety of people from small groups and parties to corporations looking for team building activities. Startup costs are moderate, as you will have to rent a location and design and furnish the room. However, a successful escape room business can bring in considerable profits, well into six figures.

Learn how to start an escape room business .

7. CHALLENGE COURSE

Skilled marketers and salespeople who have an interest in outdoor activities and experience in military or police training, summer camps, or corporate training are uniquely qualified to run a challenge course business.

Whether it is an obstacle course, high-ropes course, zip-line, or other adventurous activity, startup costs are significant and include land, insurance, and quality staff members. However, these businesses continue to grow in popularity, attracting individuals, families, parties, and corporate clients. With the right marketing and business plan, even small challenge course businesses can bring in six figures. Larger businesses can make millions of dollars annually.

Learn how to start a challenge course business .

8. RAGE ROOM

Creative thinkers and marketers with access to cheap, breakable items could turn a profit by letting customers smash things in a rage room. This is a relatively new idea, but one that can have widespread appeal. From parties looking for a unique experience to people looking to let off some steam after a breakup or job loss, a rage room can provide both entertainment and catharsis for its customers.

Startup costs are moderate, with a space for the rage room, storage, breakable objects, and liability insurance among the biggest expenses. Growth potential and profit will vary depending on your particular business model and price structure, but as popularity grows business owners may have the opportunity to expand into additional locations or even franchises.

Learn how to start a rage room .

9. INDOOR TRAMPOLINE PARK

If you enjoy interacting with people and having fun, you may be well suited to operate an indoor trampoline park. As with all businesses, strong marketing skills will give you an advantage over the competition.

Startup costs for this business are high, as it requires a large, open indoor space and a lot of specialty equipment. However, this is a growing industry. Those in a market with no competition can be especially successful, drawing customers from a wide area and potentially expanding to multiple locations in their region. If you have the money to invest upfront, an indoor trampoline business can see a profit margin of 25% or more, with profits well into six figures.

Learn how to start an indoor trampoline park .

10. FOOTBALL BOWLING BUSINESS

Another growing niche game that may be a good business opportunity for an outgoing person who enjoys fun activities is football bowling. Also known as bombowling or fowling, this activity entails throwing a football down a lane to knock down bowling pins. In addition to knowing the rules of the game, general business knowledge is critical for success in this new and fairly unknown business.

Startup costs are substantial, as the game requires a large amount of customized indoor space. Earning potential depends primarily on how many customers you can attract, but with the right marketing and a solid customer base, profits can be significant.

Learn how to start a football bowling business .

11. NERF ARENA

A Nerf arena is another business idea that’s great for outgoing savvy individuals looking to run a fun, fast-paced business. While the typical target customers are younger people, aged six to fourteen, many Nerf arenas have found they can increase revenue by also appealing to corporate and other adult groups.

Startup costs are fairly high, as a large amount of indoor space is required, along with things like equipment and insurance. Because of the high maintenance costs and lower rates charged to customers, earning potential is not as high as some of the other businesses in this category. However, a successful Nerf arena owner can still bring in a profit of around $50,000 per year.

Learn how to start a Nerf arena .

12. GAME TRUCK BUSINESS

If you enjoy video games and interacting with children, operating a mobile game truck business can provide a unique opportunity. Strong business management skills and a willingness to work on weekends are also important. While the mobile nature of this business removes the cost of renting a permanent space, the cost of outfitting the truck or trailer is still fairly substantial.

Gaming is a huge and booming industry, meaning growth potential for any related business is generally strong. Once established, low overhead costs mean game trucks can bring in a good amount of money from each event. If you’re able to book steady business, there is great potential to make some excellent profits.

Learn how to start a game truck business .

13. NINJA WARRIOR GYM

An outgoing individual who has an interest in fitness and entertainment may be a good fit to operate a ninja warrior gym. Popularized by the TV show American Ninja Warrior, this business draws in a variety of clients. It is important for an owner to be comfortable interacting with different people and to have some general knowledge about running a business to keep people coming back.

Startup costs are high, with the business requiring a large space, special equipment, and good insurance coverage. However, the growing appeal of ninja warrior gyms means your business has great growth and earning potential.

Learn how to start a ninja warrior gym .

14. PROFESSIONAL MERMAID

Professional mermaids have grown in popularity in recent years. This quirky business idea may be a good fit for a strong swimmer who enjoys acting and interacting with people.

While high-end costumes can be expensive, startup costs can be kept quite low for this business since it can easily be run by booking clients entirely online. As a highly specialized business, professional mermaids can charge a high hourly rate. With regular bookings, this can be a quite lucrative business, bringing in $1,500 or more per week.

Learn how to start a professional mermaid business .

15. PARTY BUS BUSINESS

If you are experienced at coordinating events, enjoy working with people and providing customer service, and can think quickly on your feet, a party bus may be a good business for you. Party buses have become a popular choice for a wide range of customers looking for a fun, unique, event that’s easy to plan.

Startup expenses are substantial, with the cost of buses, salaries, and insurance among some of the biggest. You’ll also have ongoing expenses for gas and maintenance of your buses. However, with the high hourly rates you can charge, it’s possible to bring in a respectable annual profit of $50,000 or more.

Learn how to start a party bus business .

16. CONTENDER ESPORTS FRANCHISE

A Contender eSports franchise is another great business opportunity that taps into the ever-expanding video game market. No formal education is required, but a strong work ethic, marketing skills, and a love of gaming will help increase your odds of success.

Startup costs are high since Contender requires all franchisees to have liquid assets of at least $50,000 and a net worth of $300,000. In this growing industry, the earning potential depends largely on your ability to attract customers. With a solid marketing strategy and consistent customer base, you’ll have the potential to make excellent profits.

Learn how to start a Contender eSports franchise business .

17. VINTAGE MAPS STORE

A very niche business, this is a good fit for historians and amateur map collectors who are passionate and knowledgeable about the topic. Many vintage maps business owners start out as hobbyists and then go on to establish galleries that house large collections of vintage maps.

Startup costs depend on whether you want to open a retail storefront or operate online, as well as the amount of inventory you want to carry and what you may or may not already have. As a niche market, growth can be limited. However, as accessibility to vintage maps decreases, the potential to expand your influence within the market increases, along with your earning potential.

Learn how to start a vintage maps business .

18. BONSAI TREE BUSINESS

Selling bonsai trees can be a good option for gardeners and stay-at-home workers looking for both a satisfying hobby and a business venture. While no formal education is required, owners should familiarize themselves with the various types of bonsai trees, best growing conditions, and basic techniques for raising the trees and helping them thrive.

Startup costs for seeds and other materials are relatively low, and you can turn a good profit once the trees are grown, provided you can wait 3–5 years. Bonsai are considered "high-value" trees that increase in popularity each year, especially with urban customers who lack the space to grow full sized trees. While profit margins are high, earning potential is limited by how many trees you’re able to cultivate and sell.

Learn how to start a bonsai tree business .

19. DRIED FLOWER BUSINESS

An individual who enjoys gardening, understands how different types of flowers react to different drying methods, and is looking for a way to make some part-time income may consider operating a dried flower business. Normally this business is done as a side venture to a person’s full-time job, but it doesn’t have to stay that way.

A flower drying business can grow exponentially if you establish yourself in a community as the go-to for decorative plants or sentimental keepsakes. Start up costs are low, especially if you already have a suitable space for growing your own flowers. Even as a side business this venture has the potential to bring in serious profits.

Learn how to start a dried flower business .

20. DART STORE

This niche business is ideal for an expert in darts or a master craftsman who can create a product or provide service that sets their business apart from other suppliers. With a number of online vendors of dart equipment, a dart store should focus on quality and expertise. Those who can cultivate a unique style or specialty will shine in this industry.

Startup costs will vary depending on the space you choose and the raw materials used in your products. Growth can be slow since expensive, high-quality products are made to last. However, with the right products and marketing strategy, there is an opportunity to make significant profits since top-of-the-line darts equipment can be priced quite high.

Learn how to start a dart store .

21. WIND CHIME BUSINESS

A wind chime business can be a good fit for anyone with an artistic, creative ear. Whether you craft the chimes yourself or purchase them from artists and craftsman, the ability to identify calming and beautiful sounds is vital.

If you choose to run this business out of your home, as many do, startup costs are quite manageable. With low costs and the opportunity for a large markup, those with consistent sales can make a fairly good profit with this business.

Learn how to start a wind chime business .

22. VINTAGE TOY STORE

A vintage toy store is an excellent venture for avid toy collectors and enthusiasts looking to turn their hobby into a lucrative business opportunity. Having experience finding and purchasing rare toys is important, along with the general business knowledge to properly market your toys to the best audience.

Startup costs are moderate, with the biggest expenses being rent for a storefront and inventory. Some business owners may choose to start their business online before expanding into a brick and mortar store, and many maintain an online presence even after opening. If you are good at finding a variety of valuable toys at good prices, the profits can be significant.

Learn how to start a vintage toy store .

23. STAINED GLASS BUSINESS

While general artistic abilities and knowledge of how to run a business are important, high levels of specific knowledge and skills are also required to run a successful stained glass business. Stained glass is generally viewed as a long-lasting work of art, and customers expect top quality.

Stained glass is an ancient industry that’s been beautifying homes and buildings for hundreds of years. Startup costs can be kept relatively low since most owners do business out of their home. With the internet available as a valuable tool to reach a wide customers base, the earning potential of this business is good. How far you grow will largely depend on who you market to and how much product you’re able to produce and sell.

Learn how to start a stained glass business .

24. CUSTOM DOLL BUSINESS

Most people who get into the custom doll business started out making dolls as a hobby. Knowledge of how to work with different types of materials can be useful to increase the types of dolls you can make. Being flexible and able to respond to the particular demand in your market will help you succeed.

Startup costs are quite low, but custom dolls is a very niche market with limited growth potential. Making each doll takes a good deal of time and effort, and there is a fairly low price ceiling. While you can definitely turn your hobby or craft into a profit, the low numbers mean it is much better suited as a supplemental income steam.

Learn how to start a custom doll business .

25. CHICKEN DIAPER BUSINESS

The chicken diaper business suits a pretty specific type of person: someone who is creative, a good sewer, and who has experience owning or raising chickens. This business has grown specifically out of a rise in urban chicken raising, so enthusiasm for this field is important for bringing in customers.

While the industry is on the rise as thousands of people in cities around the country have become interested in raising chickens, it is still a small and fairly limited market. Even with very low startup costs, it can be difficult to make more than a small supplemental income. Still, this can be a very fun side business.

Learn how to start a chicken diaper business .

Start a Home Business in Your State

26. tiny house business.

If you are involved in construction, architecture, or another part of the real estate industry, the tiny house business can be a fun and profitable way to use your experience.

Startup costs vary based on the specifics of the homes you build and the real estate market in your area. Because this business requires fewer materials and less land than traditional home building, costs are generally manageable. With the current popularity of tiny houses, builders can make a sizeable profit on each home.

Learn how to start a tiny house business .

27. CUSTOM TREEHOUSE BUSINESS

Individuals with a background in construction or engineering who understand tree growth patterns and enjoy being outside can be a great fit for building custom treehouses. Carpentry skills and the ability to communicate effectively with your customers are also important.

Startup costs can vary, depending on the size of your staff, the materials you use, and the type of treehouses you choose to build. The complex nature of each build can place a limit on how far you can expand, but the high markup means successful treehouse businesses can be extremely profitable. Completed treehouses can sell for anywhere from in the thousands of dollars to over a million, depending on your customer base.

Learn how to start a custom treehouse business .

28. SENSORY DEPRIVATION TANK BUSINESS

Individuals with spa service experience and the ability to afford high startup costs may want to consider a sensory deprivation tank business. This is a relatively new industry that appeals to a niche audience, but as it grows in popularity there will be room to expand into new regions and markets. However, strong marketing and customer service skills will be critical to ensuring the business takes off.

You’ll also need to make a considerable investment to get your business started, with costs for a two-tank set up easily surpassing $200,000. However, once you’re up and running, this setup can net more than $100,000 per year for successful business owners.

Learn how to start a sensory deprivation tank business .

29. PROFESSIONAL MEDITATION BUSINESS

If you have a long history of practicing meditation and enjoy working with and teaching others, a meditation business may be a good fit for you. The more experience you have with different styles and methods of meditation, the more customers you can appeal to.

People are always looking for a way to slow down and relax. The recreational therapy industry, of which meditation is a part, is slated to experience 12 percent growth over the next few years, making this an excellent, growing industry to join. Earning potential varies by region, but the average salary for a recreational therapist in the U.S. is around $47,000.

Learn how to start a professional meditation business .

30. HOT TUB GARDEN

The ideal hot tub garden business owner believes in the relaxing, therapeutic potential of hot tubs and also has strong marketing skills. Basic mechanical skills can also be useful to deal with any potential issues with the tubs, as well as to perform general cleaning and maintenance.

Hot tub gardens are a fairly new concept, allowing customers to enjoy a hot tub in a private space, paying by the hour. Startup costs are in the tens of thousands of dollars or more, so you’ll need to be prepared to make a significant upfront investment. However, a successful hot tub garden business can be quite profitable, possibly bringing in high six-figure income each year.

Learn how to start a hot tub garden .

31. AROMATHERAPY BUSINESS

If you are passionate about helping others through homeopathic methods, and you also have a heightened sense of smell and the discipline to handle the day-to-day requirements of running a business, aromatherapy may be a good venture for you. Aromatherapy businesses cater to people looking for more natural remedies for common problems like stress and insomnia.

Homeopathic and other alternative therapies have become more popular in recent years, allowing for a good deal of growth in the industry. Startup costs are generally manageable, especially if you are not renting a storefront, and earning potential is solid. Business owners report earnings of anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000 per year.

Learn how to start an aromatherapy business .

32. REIKI BUSINESS

A Reiki business isn’t for everyone, but those who have experience with this practice may enjoy starting their own venture to share it with others. Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that promotes healing. It’s based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and gives us life.

Startup costs will vary depending on your specific business plan. Many practitioners begin working out of their homes, minimizing costs early on. Your company’s growth potential is directly tied to saturation of the market, the needs of the area you serve, and the number of practitioners you’re able to hire. Innovative entrepreneurs in this field strengthen their business by offering a well-rounded practice that combines multiple types of therapy to meet all their client’s needs. Reiki practitioners report annual profits between $39,000 and $73,000.

Learn how to start a Reiki business .

33. GOAT RENTAL BUSINESS

If you own goats or have the space to accommodate them, you may consider starting a goat rental business. Sometimes known as goatscaping, this business lends goats to people looking for a natural and environmentally friendly way to cut and even fertilize their property. Business owners will need to be familiar with keeping and caring for goats.

Startup costs vary depending on your situation. You’ll need goats, enough room for them to live, and a trailer to transport them to your customers. You’ll also need to cover all the expenses required for continued maintenance of the goats. If you already own goats, this business can be extremely affordable to get started. For those starting from scratch, costs are moderate to high. Earning potential depends on how many goats you have, but you could expect to earn around $750 per week during grazing season for each four-goat herd.

Learn how to start a goat rental business .

Learn more about starting a business by visiting the U.S. Small Business Administration .

34. CHICKEN RENTAL SERVICE

Much like a goat renting business, a chicken rental service is an excellent business opportunity for anyone who already owns a chicken farm or has experience raising chickens. Chicken renting allows non-farmers to rent chickens for the purpose of egg laying without the responsibility of owning a farm or taking care of them long term.

If you’re already an established chicken farmer, startup costs are quite low. However, rental prices for two chickens for six months is typically only between $250 and $500, so it can take time and a large number of chickens to start making significant income.

Learn how to start a chicken renting busines .

35. GLAMPING BUSINESS

A glamping business can be a good endeavor for an individual who has a background in the hospitality business and an attractive piece of available land. Glamping, or glamorous camping, appeals to people looking for a camping experience without having to rough it in a traditional tent or campsite.

Startup costs can be considerable, as glamping tents can cost tens of thousands of dollars. This business is really ideal for folks who already own a large piece of land like a farm, hunting ground, or coastal property that can be converted for at least part of the year. Earning potential varies depending on the location and the quality of the tents, but with nightly rates ranging from $50 to over $3,000 and fairly low ongoing maintenance costs, this business also has a great potential to bring in large profits.

Learn how to start a glamping business .

36. PET HOTEL

Animals lovers with business skills may enjoy operating a pet hotel. While not necessary, experience working in an animal shelter, boarding facility, or vet’s office can be helpful. A pet hotel is essentially a luxury kennel, offering high-end care for pets while their owners are away.

Startup costs are moderate, typically running between $25,000 and $85,000 depending on location and the size of your establishment. The pet grooming and boarding industry is huge, generating over $8 billion in revenue each year, with an average annual growth of 6.6%. With a good location and steady business, owners can see profits around $40,000 in their first year, with the potential for much more over time.

Learn how to start a pet hotel .

37. PET BAKERY

Someone passionate about pets and pet nutrition may want to consider starting a pet bakery business. Knowledge about pet nutrition is essential, and veterinary experience can be extremely helpful. Pet bakeries provide specially formulated pet foods using more natural, high-quality ingredients.

Startup costs vary depending on the size and business model, but selling online and using your home kitchen can keep expenses very low. While many start out small, there is a great potential to grow over time, increasing both online sales and the reach your products have across retail stores. Earning potential can be quite high, with nationally recognized brands bringing in millions each year.

Learn how to start a pet bakery .

38. CAT CAFE

Outgoing and personable cat lovers can be a good fit for this increasingly popular business. Cat cafes offer people a place to relax with friends and felines, while they also enjoy a beverage or meal. In addition to serving human customers, many cafes also help the cats they house by making them available for adoption. While not required, experience running or working in a cafe can be very helpful.

Startup costs are fairly substantial, with the expenses of renting and running a cafe plus providing adequate space and care for your cats. This business model is still very new in the United States, but success in Asia and elsewhere shows that cat cafes can become extremely popular and successful.

Learn how to start a cat cafe .

Start a Unique Business in Your State

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Home Business Ideas

There are a variety of businesses you can run out of your home, and because of the minimal overhead expenses, most of them can be started fairly cheaply. In this article, we outline our top 40 home business ideas for the modern entrepreneur.

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Whether you’re looking to build an online empire or earn a little money on the side, one of the best things about owning an online business is having the ability to work as much or as little as you want -- from whatever location you prefer.

Low-cost Business Ideas

In this article, we outline our top 40 business ideas with low startup costs to help you find a low-cost business idea that aligns with your interests and goals.

Side-hustle Business ideas

If you’re looking to scratch the entrepreneurial itch without giving up your day job, you’re probably on the hunt for a side-hustle that aligns with your personal interests and your schedule. These 40 side-hustles satisfy a range of interests and can easily turn into full-time careers.

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33 weird, unusual & unique business ideas 🙀 for 2023 [exclusive list]

GrowthRomeo » Business Ideas » 33 weird, unusual & unique business ideas 🙀 for 2023 [exclusive list]

2022 – is the hot iron bed for business ventures around the world. And so, I’m sharing in this exclusive collection some unusual, and weird list of unique business ideas for 2022 that are not yet implement everywhere in the world. You must thoroughly assess the feasibility of these and only then implement. Assess these weird & unusual business ideas based on your personality as well. This would be helpful before you start implementing these opportunities on the ground zero.

Here’s a sneak peek into 20 unique, uncommon, and unusual business ideas that we discuss in detail:

• Women drivers only cab aggregator business
• Ambulance aggregator startup
• Freelancer management agency
• Senior talent training & recruitment
• Smart home robots manufacturing
• Alexa skills development agency
• Augmented reality (metaverse)
• EV manufacturing
• Textile machinery seller
• Home air purifier startup
• Solar panel retail business
• Makhana export agency
• Space tourism startup
• Divorce consultancy
• Cross-culture marriage consultancy
• Women only investment fund
• Perfume manufacturing
• Whey protein manufacturing
• Explainer videos marketing agency
• Energy consumption smart analytics app

Don’t miss the complete list of unique business ideas shared towards the tail of this exclusive collection.

When to start these unique business ideas that are not yet implemented around the world?

They say, in business ‘Now’ is the right time.

Every now and then, we are seeing new & weird unique business ideas popping up that are not yet implemented at scale around the world, and making it to the big fat newspaper headlines. Yes, I do still read hard copy of economic times. It’s a good source to learn about unique business startup ideas in India .

• We are seeing 10 year old but unique tech businesses around the world like Paytm, Zomato, Nykaa, Robinhood, Coinbase, DoorDash etcetera launch IPOs that surpassed multi-billion dollars in valuations.
• We are seeing one year old startups rake in series A, B, C funding at billions in valuations.

Loha garam hai (the iron is hot) , it’s your time to strike too. 

The above listed startups are not the only ones worth mentioning, there are so many more. Here’s a quick look at unique business ideas from around the world which are not yet implemented in all the economies:

• RealAR, a unique business idea from Australia is into 3D tech and raised $120k
• Marli, another startup from Melbourne , Australia recently raised $400k+. Marli too is a unique business idea with a focus on making agricultural supply chain more carbon conscious.
• Revoult, a fintech startup from United Kingdom is simplifying finance for the masses. It boasts 100m transactions per month and claims to be a finance super app. Indeed one of the mammoth unique business ideas from UK
• A lot of unique business ideas are started in the last few years. Hopin has digitizing networking events. UK based entrepreneurs at Hopin could see unusual business idea in the networking events business and built a solution using which you could host all sort of networking events.

Business ka maahol hai, ab nahi toh kab (The market vibes are in business favour, i f not now, then when)?

I would say, 2022 is the right time to start any of the mentioned unique business ideas on this page. But the success of your unique venture won’t be solely influenced by when you start, a lot more is at play. So, if you could smartly assess the ideas, find right partners, right resources, time the product of service accurately in the market, and get your sales & marketing in-line with your product, I can’t think of what would stop you from making your unusual business idea a huge success?

But remember, never go blind with money and resources in the startup universe. Before you could blink your mistakes could make your company dive south. Not discouraging but words to be cautious all the time.

Are we born in the best century to start a weird & unusual business of our own?

By the way, I’m Nishant – a tech and business growth consultant from India .

Yes, I do feel 2022 is the best time in the recent centuries to pursue our own business dreams, no matter how weird it sounds to your friends and people around the world. And I would say the same next year, and the year after, and the year following that one, and to the last year when I’m alive. Because seriously, “now” is always the right time to start a business, esp if you have hopped on any new weird, unique, unusual business ideas .

Whether you want to pursue unique home business ideas in India , or you want to launch your exclusive business idea which is yet to be implemented in USA , in UK , in Australia , or just anywhere around the world, the ease of doing and starting a unusual unique business was never as good as it is in 2022 . People and investors are really supportive of new businesses.

So, I strongly feel that if you have no specific reasons to delay taking a shot at your strange, uncommon, unusual business ideas, then don’t delay it. Launch in 2022 .

Exclusive list of u nique business ideas for 2022 to WOW your income!!

Mentioning Russia makes my heart go to Ukraine . Killing civilians was never something anyone would support. But we got to understand the position of Russia as well. We all want to retain power and not let it slip away. Russia is doing exactly that. It can’t appease people around the world and let its people be vulnerable to external threats. Before we judge someone, it is always helpful to put ourselves in their shoes and then analyze. Anyway, this article is not about Russia or Ukraine or the politics in the UK or USA . It’s about unique business ideas that you can start from your home , and with a neutral focus on all the countries around the world I’ll keep discussing this exclusive list of life-changing opportunities . 

Here’s a list of 30+ unique business ideas for 2022 to help you start your own business ASAP.

1. Women drivers only cab aggregator unique business idea

Would women led cab aggregator unique business ideas really thrive in 2022?

Cab aggregator unique business ideas are not so unusual around the world:

• Grab is a mammoth cab aggregator business based out of Singapore. It has raised around $10 Billions .
• Careem from Dubai , and UBER, Lyft from United States ( USA ), OLA from India , Cabubble from United Kingdom ( UK ), are some other popular cab related startups around the world.

But the likes of Ola, Uber have men dominated on-demand cab services. This needs to change to steer the industry towards gender equality , and to improve the financial conditions of women across India, USA, UK, Australia, France, and in all those countries where women are presently not dominating the Cab services business (basically, the entire world) . Countries like USA , UK, Australia,   France, and Canada have good number of women drivers. And those who are not employed can find a good unique business opportunity in the cabs space. 

As mentioned earlier, this is one of the niche unusual business ideas for women from the transport industry but worth taking a shot. Also, this would enhance women’s safety to an extent during the late hours and early morning hours, a much needed change that India and the world has been waiting for.

How to approach this unique & weird startup business idea?

To start women only cab aggregator unusual business ideas in UK or India i.e., you can first tag up with a cab agency in the target country, and then hire women drivers. It will be easy to find women drivers in UK , but it won’t be that easy to find or substitute women drivers in India. So, plan accordingly.

Because there are not many professional women drivers in developing countries like India, you can also consider a unique side business idea i.e., to ‘train women drivers for professional cabs’. Now this must be sounding like a unique, profitable, and scalable business idea. There are branching opportunities, expansion opportunities, impact quotient and so much going for this business. It will be a good experience for users as well.

Sounds like an interesting uncommon business opportunity?

I would appreciate it if women take up such women related unusual business ideas in metro cities. Esp women of France, USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, China, Russia , and India of course .

Why I recommend this exclusive business opportunity to women only?

More importantly, why I am only appealing to first tier cities?

This is because in cities people would be more open to these businesses. They are early adopters. And in cities of UK , USA , Australia , etcetera where women do not have to struggle to step out of their home are best suited for this unique business idea .  

Also, if a woman is running the business then more women would be comfortable taking the training. Families in societies of India are usually reluctant towards sending their young daughters to get trained from an opposite gender trainer. In a lot of countries women are oppressed. I have observed this behavior in tier two cities of India as well. In fact, in developed countries like UK & USA where women have significantly better environment to breathe and be themselves, even in those places they are suppressed one way or the other.

I was reading an article that despite the fact that gender gap is not as much prevalent in UK , the representation of women in the UK parliament, in the UK TV journalism channels, or in the UK workforce in general is very less. So, if more women focused unusual business ideas flutter their wings, maybe one thing and the other will lead to better balance of gender in the workforce and at all fronts. It has to start somewhere, be it India, UK, or USA, or Australia… any country! I can’t say Iraq or Belarus for obvious reasons, so it has got to be one of the aforementioned democracies.

How to take first steps toward such unusual unique business ideas ?

To start a uncommon, weird, and unusual business like women only cab aggregators,

• you can use a wordpress website theme to make your cab aggregator website, and/or
• a pre-built app package which is up for sale on app marketplaces , these are also called no-code app development tools or
• you can reach out to a custom web and mobile app development company, like Codewave .

Your money, your choice.

If you’re a woman, and are looking for more women related business ideas that you can pursue, I would recommend reading our business ideas for women blog.

Talking of cab aggregators, and aggregator business ideas , there is another one that I have in mind. Actually, there are a lot of aggregator centric   unique business ideas out there. The one in my mind right now is related again to transportation and travelling industry. But that opportunity is from the health segment. I’m wondering if I should discuss it here. Ok, let’s get it out of my mind.

By the way, could you guess what’s it?

I’ll tell you, of course.

2. Ambulance aggregator unique business ideas for 2022

I remember the enthusiasm of Bhavish Agarwal , founder of India’s largest cab aggregator, OLA. In an event, he expressed his desire to invest in a startup that aggregates ‘ambulances’ across the nation. This was in a YourStory TechSpark event. He went on to offer the tech stack support to get this implemented.

Today, we have companies like ‘AmbiPalm’, ‘StanPlus’, ‘Medulance’, ‘Ambee’, ‘eSahai’, ‘HelpNow’, ‘AppBulance’, ‘dial4242’, etcetera in India, who are serving the patients in need of medical attention. But this is one of those unusual business ideas that you can start from India and scale to the world. Despite the fact that there are already players in the ambulance aggregator business, none of them have yet scaled nation-wide.

This is what OLA did before any other startup could and that’s why they bacame a dominating player in the cab aggregator industry. Though they were already a large player, still we do see small cab aggregators sprout up in different localities of different cities in India, and they do make decent profit as well. 

Why do we need unique business ideas  like on-demand ambulance services?

• In tier ii and tier iii cities of India , medical care is in a very pathetic situation and this is a well known fact.
• As per a report by economic times, more than 27% of deaths in India is because of no proper access to medical services. That’s way too high.

As a businessman, what would motivate you more than saving lives? This is one of those unique business ideas that can be started in the United Kingdom ( UK) , Australia, The United States of America ( USA ), and elsewhere around the world. Yes the healthcare accessibility in these countries are far better than India, of course, but these nations need ambulance on-demand services as well.

Profitability of o n-demand ambulance aggregator businesses

Impact is good, but businesses need money as well, and a sustainable business model. Sustainability needs profitability. So, let’s talk about the profits here.

StanPlus, a Hyderabad headquartered ambulance aggregator startup says that it has been profitable for the last 18 months. They claim to be clocking INR 100 Crores in annual recurring revenue (ARR).

They plan to expand to the top 30 cities in India and take the ARR to 1000 Crores. An ambitious and well achievable goal.

Who should star this unique online ambulance aggregator business & how?

You too can think of starting this unique business idea in areas where on-demand medical services are highly required. Doping this you can become a real impact maker.

Your business model could be simple i.e., commute cost (driver, care givers, petrol/vehicle maintenance) + the ambulance extra services charges + a profitability fee + miscellaneous charges. The scalability of the business while being profitable might be a question to consider but on a high-level, as already emphasised, this is a very impactful unusual business idea to start in India.

Do explore our blog on some of the best business ideas for India .

3. Freelancer management agency – new unique business ideas for 2022

Gig economy based unusual business opportunity

A major drive in the Indian gig economy (freelancing sector) is coming from home grown 39+ startup Unicorns.

Recently listed Zomato, Paytm, Nykaa has surpassed 1.1 Lakhs crore market size, and they are barely 10-15 years old companies. This is a feat that many age-old companies have been striving for but are still struggling to achieve after 50 years in existence.

And presence of such big startups signals about the potential India beholds within its economy, and talent within its territory.

A rising trend in this market is talents opting for flexibility, freedom, and exposure. The industry is called “freelance market”. And because the restrictions on the number of hours you are working, the pay you get, the work you do, the projects you are engaged in are all under your control, I find freelancing itself to be one of the most exclusive unique business ideas out there. But Freelancing gives rise to multiple issues as well. Before we discuss the issue and find a potential solution for it, let’s understand freelancing in detail. 

What’s freelancing?

For those who are unaware of freelancing – it’s just like how a normal employee works in the company but the salary here is not on a monthly basis but for the work that the employee does for the client.

So, yes – freelancing is akin to a contract with a quick expiry date – sometimes merely an hour. While it has obvious benefits for both: those “who need work to be done i.e., talent seeker”, and for those “who want money to do the work i.e., talent”, but it has certain drawbacks too.

What’s the challenge in the freelancing sector?

We just mentioned about drawbacks in the second last line.  From clients point of view i.e., those who need DIFM (Do It For Me) service – they struggle to find the right talent, right bandwidth, right quality, etcetera. And those who are looking for new projects – they struggle to find desired projects, timely payment, and support in the hour of need.

Are there any weird, unusual, exclusive unique business ideas sprouting out of the freelancing economy?

A freelancer management agency, an agency, which works with a set of freelancers in a revenue sharing model and gives them the flexibility of working from anywhere, anytime, sometimes in shorts, sometimes while having the food.

Back to the topic.

A freelancer management agency is one of the best unique business ideas to start in 2022 . It could be a global organisation. You can pursue freelancing related unusual business ideas from United Kingdom ( UK ), USA, Australia, or India. These are the countries with huge number of followers and it will be easy to tap in the market as the internet penetration in these countries are pretty high. In fact,

• India is home to 15 Million+ freelancers already – that’s close to 1% of the entire population.
• In The United States of America (USA), 33% of their workforce is freelancing. Yes, that’s a lot of people, close to 50 Million .
• 2.2 Million freelancers are in UK , and 5 Million+ freelancers are there in Australia .

In a Country like India with over 1 Billion+ people, the number of freelancers would get to at least 100 Millions in a decade or maybe earlier. So, the opportunity here is definitely huge!

Is this really one of the best unique business ideas not yet implemented ?

Starting a freelancer management agency right now will give you a unique advantage over your future competitors. If you doubt the future of freelancing, just take a look at the stock performances of Upwork and Fiverr.

Find out other amazing online business ideas to start in 2022.

4. Senior talent training and recruitment business to implement around the world

• the median age of people in the United Kingdom ( UK ) is 40+ years, not exactly old but yeah the workforce is getting closer to retirement.
• the median age of people in Australia, and USA too are in the late 30s i.e., 37 in Australia, and 38 in USA.
• In India, the median age is 28 years, pretty young!

Reading these reports about the world’s age, I started wondering, what ventures can be started focusing at this growing older population? I have some really weird and unusual business ideas that are not yet implemented , but I’ll keep most of them for my book. Here, I’ll list only some 15-20 odd unique business ideas .

Ask any company owner what do they fear the most within the company – and their answer will be related to ‘stagnancy’. What hurts a company the most is when one/more employees of the company starts under performing. Of-course, occasional performance swings is a work phenomena which is observed even in international sports but when an employee stops learning and develops a bad attitude of not delivering quality work/service – the company starts bleeding revenue.

This would need to get fixed early. And that’s where lies our next unique business idea 😉

Executive training programs are focused at training the senior workforce at organisation, upskilling them, and helping the participants grow in their career. Continuing the list of weird and unusual business ideas, let’s discuss starting and running an ‘executive training + HR agency’, where you not only train executive level students, but also help them find right opportunities.

Why upskilling senior executives is one of the most profitable unusual business ideas in 2022?

This is among very profitable niche unique business ideas to start in 2022 . Esp true for India as the Indian IT workforce has finally matured, and these days we have people in their late 60s working in IT. People in their 40s are somewhat less exposed to modern tech stacks and need upskilling so they can be your customers. The ticket size is not that of b2b enterprise level, but the scale is of retail level.

Are their competitors for this senior executives training business?

Companies like UpGrad (an edTech startup from India ) charge as much as 2-5 Lakhs for a 6 months to 12 months course. Coursera and other platforms charge for certification. Plus, some HR agencies are known to take the first month of the salary as commission to find the right opportunity for the talent, and some charge the company for helping them get the right talent.

There are several approaches to monetizing skill focused training organisations. Of-course, you will find HR agencies who charge both talent and employer. Because, we are here talking about 7 figure annual salaries, so the profit margin is quite high in this business model.

Need more business or startup ideas? Checkout our post on startup business ideas with good collection of opportunities.

5. Smart home robots manufacturing unique business ideas

Why robots business has good growth potential ?

• The use-cases are mostly in the industrial equipment inspection and maintenance, material handling like warehouse inventory shifting, loading, unloading, and sorting of shelf products. 
• Robots are also used in security and surveillance – police use it for remote patrolling and defence use it for surveillance on country borders.
• Lastly, you could also find the use of robots in the education and entertainment industry.

What unique business opportunities are there for you in the robots industry?

The unique business idea that I see here is in the use case of robots in the home industry. People are now more open in adopting the latest technologies – and home automation is a rising sector. Smart Home Robots (for cleaning, intelligent home management, lawn management), companion robots, and smart kids education robots are very common.

How to get started with manufacturing robots with unique use-cases?

You can start robot assembling and robotic parts and equipment manufacturing plant in India, UK, USA, Australia. Whether you venture into the industrial or home robots sector, it is totally up to you. My personal favorite is home robots. Lynx, Zenbo, Roomba, Alfawise, Worx Landroid, Dolphin Nautlis are some of the interesting robots which you can research about and tear down their business model to get inspired and start a unique future business.

Here are some of the cool robots related unique businesses from United Kingdom (UK):

• Recycle eye is a unique robotic business from UK that focuses on solving the waste management problem
• Touchlab is another unique business idea from the robotics space that has developed a robotic skin thinner than that of humans to sense pressure and other sensations.
• Dogtooth, Automata, Open Bionics, Zoa Robotics, Flare Bright are some other amazing unique business ideas from UK .

If you liked this unique future business idea, I recommend exploring our list of future business ideas too.

6. Alexa skills development agency: a unique business opportunity for developers

I feel when the robot market will start maturing, we will have gestures, phones, as well as voice controlled smart ecosystems.

Envision a unique world of voice apps 

Let’s say, we want to play a song – we’ll ask Alexa to do that for us, we need yellow lights in the room – again command Alexa, we want to schedule a cab to go to a night party – you can focus on getting all hot-shot, while ALEXA will book your cab! It’s not like Alexa will be the only player, but right now it’s all Alexa and Google home.

So, gaining any experience developing skills for Alexa would help you in venturing into home automation business in the future. The USA alone has built around 80,000+ Alexa skills, and some markets are seeing a 3 digit annual Growth – Spain jumped to 10.6k Alexa skills from 4.6k within a year.

Just like mobile and app development company, you can start an Alexa skills development company. As this is a services business, it is location agnostic unique business idea and can be started in countries with good IT workforce – United states, Australia, India, United Kingdom (UK).

If you are liking development focused unique business ideas then you may like the next one as well. Facebook and Microsoft are betting big in these sectors.

By the way, I also did a blog on electronics business ideas , do check it for more electronics related business idea inspiration.

7. AR related futuristic exclusive unique business ideas

• Augmented reality market size globally stands at 14.7 Billions and is estimated to grow to 88 Billions by 2026.
• Almost 600% growth. Amazing, right? But some of you might be thinking, what is AR or augmented reality? Just so that we all understand it, here is a one line explainer – it overlays digital content on real world objects to enhance your real-world experiences.
• AR is the next big thing! The next wave of innovation will be AR and blockchain powered. Get ready for a world full of AR related unique business ideas .

Need AR explanation with an example?

For example, imagine walking by a skyscraper, and you look at it and your spectacles display you the length of the building. Or let’s say you’re at a party, where everyone is wearing designer dresses, you walk up to a person, appreciate their dress and in the meantime your AR glasses tells you who designed it and the price tag associated with it. Another example, you walk into a mall and click a dress – and your camera shows you how the dress would look on you. Isn’t all these ideas interesting. 

Their is much more that we can experience with AR. The best use-case of AR at present is in the hospital and care industry. Other industries that are actively investing in the AR led technologies are retail sector, automotive sector, e-commerce, education, and entertainment. Now that you understand the AR world, you can think of AR powered unique business ideas for the industries that interests you. 

Unique business ideas in the augmented reality space:

• Start an AR platform for personalized e-commerce product visualization. 
• Launch an AR based experiential STEM learning app for Indian students.
• Build an AR based remote health care delivery product
• Develop an AR based gaming platform.

If you’re more into futuristic business ideas, you would like our list of upcoming business ideas .

8. EV manufacturing focused unique business ideas for 2022

• More and more automobile companies are entering into the electric vehicle manufacturing business in India.
• Two years back, India clocked a sale of 7.5 Lakh EVs over the economic calendar year. 
• The FAME scheme from the Government of India (GOI) is a driver behind faster adoption and manufacturing of EV.
• You can leverage FAME and other policies by GoI to leap ahead in the EV manufacturing business.

Another unique business opportunity in the EV segment could be to set up charging stations.

The EV opportunity for entrepreneurs on hunt for unique business ideas

Delhi government, recently made it mandatory for cab aggregators and food delivery startups to go fully electric. This presents a huge opportunity for EV entrepreneurs.

Charging infrastructure and penetration will be a crucial factor in deciding the future of EV adoption and success in India.

You can start an EV business in the two-wheeler, three wheeler, truck, bus, and Car segments. EV battery recycling and swapping business, solar vehicles, home charging stations, EV customisation garage are some other unique business ideas to consider starting in India in 2022.

Those were our top picks for unusual business ideas that you can start in India (or USA, UK, UAE, Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand).

If you’re a problem solver at heart, you may want to read our list of innovative business ideas .

9. Textile weaving machine retailer unusual business ideas for 2022

Am I right? Okay.

Anyways, these textile products that consumers purchase first gets produced in the field in the form of crops, then gets processed to form yarns which gets weaved to form fabrics and then it gets stitched to form your fashionable wearables.

More details on the unique opportunities related to the textile machinery business

Retailing the weaving machines i.e., powerloom, auto loom, and rapier looms is an awesome unique business idea for those who want to deal in high worth products. 60 inches, 90 inches looms are common, 120 inches textile looms are in demand these days.

• The ticket size is quite big here. There are looms that can cost upto 50 Lakhs.
• Selling one unit can bring you profits between 1.5 Lakhs to 5 Lakhs and in some cases even above that.
• Gujrat is the hub of textile machinery in India. So, if you decide to venture in this field  – you gotta book tickets to Gujrat.

This might not be as hot as other unique business ideas on this list, but yeah the crowd/competition is pretty less in here and so I thought this is worth mentioning about.

10. Home air purifier: a must start unique business idea

Some unique business ideas are more of a necessity for our survival. Home air purifier business is exactly that. The health implications of polluted air with bacterial and viral particles is well known to you. The pandemic catalyzed the air purifier market, the demand went high before the lockdown period.

But during lockdown – the supply chain was totally disturbed, economy fell into the arms of uncertainty, and people were wary of their savings, income and future.

• In no time, the peak that air purifier business saw in late 2019, saw a nose diving trend in mid 2020s as countries around the world went for lockdown.
• But still, the market is growing fast at a CAGR of above 8%, and by 2025 home air purifier business will be commanding $13.6 Billion in the markets around the world.

It’s one of the best unique business ideas out there which might create several multi billion dollar companies around the world. It is well suited for modern impact entrepreneurs. Talking of location, you can start this in pretty much any part of the world, as every country out there is polluted when it comes to Air quality index. India , UK , USA , Australia .. every country out there is polluted. Air pollution is a major problem in the 21st century. This needs to be solved.

Wait, explore our home-based business ideas blog to start a business based out of your home.

11. Solar panel retail business: One of the futuristic unique business ideas

• Countries across the world are investing big on setting up the infrastructure for the renewable energy sources.
• Solar energy is one of the most prominent sources of renewable energy.
• Wind mills are also a good reliable source of renewable environment friendly energy source.

We shall talk about windmills later. For now, let’s discuss the solar panel retail unique business idea.

Solar energy related unusual & unique business ideas

• Solar presents a range of unique business opportunities – from manufacturing to assembling, retailing, distributing, installing, and contracting for government projects – the scope is limitless. 

The question is – how do you get started. I suggest if you do not have the technical know-how – then jump into the retail solar panel business and then slowly diversify into manufacturing and retailing, installation, and lastly 360 degree solar panel solutions.

Once you have a big budget and brand name – get into the franchise model or open up your own manufacturing units and stores across the nation.  Need ideas inspiration for what else you can sell other than solar panels? Go to our blog on E-commerce business ideas , it has some other brilliant retailing opportunities.

12. Makhana export business – An unusual unique business idea to start from Bihar

But because the cultivation & processing of Makhana (Fox Nut) is a very complex and labor intensive task, farmers usually shy away from this business. The unique business ideas that I see here is to start a Makhana export house, makhana wholesale business, and Makhana packaged snacks business right from the state where it gets produced in Bulk.

Why Makhana Exports business is a good unique business idea ?

• It is estimated that around 32000 MT of the retail Makhana out of the 40000 MT is produced in Bihar.
• So, starting a Makhana export house from Patna is a sensible thing, and it’s necessary for the local economy of Bihar too.
• If you’re someone from Bihar , or if you know someone from Bihar – this could be a good unique business opportunity for you.
• The Makhana trade is estimated at around 500 Crores in India.

Here are some more food business ideas for you. And if you are specifically looking for business ideas for Bihar , we have that as well for you.

13. Space tourism: Futuristic, unique, weird business ideas

Who can get into this unique business ?

• Space tourism industry is something that’s limited to Billionaires right now as it is a very, very, very high ticket business.
• One single space trip can cost something in the range USD 20-35 Millions.
• Companies like Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, SpaceX are few who are exploring and spearheading the advances in the space tourism sector.

If you’re not a billionaire yet, then you know what you gotta do to explore this unique business opportunity. Become a billionaire 😉 I know, you can!

Explore other top business ideas you may want to consider.

14. Divorce consultancy: ‘Not funny’ but one of the quintessential weird business ideas for 2022

Would this business thrive?

• As love marriage culture rises in India, and other closed cultured nations, the divorce rate will rise too!
• And couples would need highly credible lawyers to smoothly get through tough times.
• If you are not a lawyer yourself, you can hire a few pros and launch a consultancy.
• All it’s gonna cost you is the salary + website platform development and maintenance + marketing costs.

You can also consider starting kids-focused business ideas . Read that blog to find best opportunities in kids business segment.

15. Cross-culture marriage consultancy: A strange unique business opportunity for the evolving India

Cross-culture marriage business!

• It is not the same as inter-caste or inter-religion marriages, so don’t get furious if you’re against such marriages. 
• C ross-culture, in Indian context, is more like a Bihari boy getting married to a Delhi girl, or a Punjabi boy marrying a Tamil girl. Yeah, half-girlfriend movie and two-states movies kinda thing. FYI, half girlfriend, and two states are Indian Hindi movies. In international context, it is like a bride from India marrying a groom from UK, and vice-versa.
• Cross-culture marriage consultancy can plan marriage events and ceremonies taking care of the rituals of both cultures. These businesses can ensure minimum conflict between the bride’s and groom’s family.  It’s more like a marriage bureau business – remember the ‘Band Baaja Baraat’ movie? If you were looking for some unique business ideas that are yet not implemented than this is one such opportunity to go after.

We discussed one more marriage related business in our blog on business ideas in Patna . Please do share that blog with a Bihari friend of you. Bihar needs more entrepreneurs to help the state step out of poverty and poor living conditions.

16. Women only investment funds unique impactful business idea for India, 2022

Earlier we spoke about niche impact focused investment funds where private investors lend out their money in lieu of equities to unusual business ideas that are creating some sort of social or cultural impact – for example, businesses that are making education and healthcare more accessible.

• One similar unique investment business opportunity is to start a women focused angel investment fund to only invest in startups that are run by women founders/co-founders.
• A variant of this is government schemes where banks have to lend out loans to women entrepreneurs.
• This is one of the most impactful unique business ideas to start in India and UK in 2022.
• Presently only 2.3% of women entrepreneur led startups receive any funding.
• This needs to change immediately and your investment fund can be a catalyst for that.

17.  Perfume manufacturing unique business opportunities , India – 2022

Why it’s a good unique opportunity for Indians ?

• Out of the 300 important natural fragrant raw materials that are in use, 50% are cultivated and remaining are sourced from wild habitats.
• India is well known for cultivating 20% of the cultivated fragrant raw materials i.e., 31 of the essential fragrance oils like Menthol mint, Sandalwood, Jasmine, Tuberose and spices could be sourced from India.
• Perfume retailing is a common phenomenon, but manufacturing and supplying fragrance oils is a unique business idea to start in India.
• If you want to start in the Menthol Mint fragrance oil business in India – Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh are your go to places.

If you’re a student or know anyone, then recommend them our blog on student business ideas . I feel, the early you start your venture the better innovator, entrepreneur you will be!

18. Whey protein powder manufacturing unique home business ideas

We have discussed a lot of hardcore business ideas until now. Let’s discuss a few software related unique business ideas which you can consider to be your new venture.

19. Explainer videos marketing agency: An online unique home business idea with low investment

What’s the unique business opportunity here?

The unique business opportunity here is that a lot of b2b organisations are looking for digital content creators who understand their business thoroughly, and can create explainer videos  for them. These explainer videos are either to assist the existing clients, or to find and convert new prospects by making them understand how their business works. These videos if done right can bring in lot of engagements and revenue for your clients. Does it sound like an opportunity that gets you excited? Hmm. Anyways, I’ve one more impact making business ideas that I feel like sharing with you.

Find some of the top marketing business ideas that you can start in 2022.

20. Energy consumption smart analytics: exclusive startup business idea

I try not to share the business ideas that I have discussed on some other blog. If you’re more inclined towards venturing into online business ideas , then do check out the linked blog.

That’s not all… more unique business ideas for 2022

Huh! That was a long read – but a good collection of unique business ideas. Agree? I hope a few ideas must have intrigued you.  Research/consult further to bring your business or startup idea to life. If the above ones didn’t interest you, no worries –

14 more unique business ideas

• Laptop & high-end device renting business
• Grocery subscription services
• Doctors & hospitals booking apps
• On-demand online tutor services business
• Customized garment stitching business
• Kitchen interiors decor business
• Real-time virtual translator business
• Bike & vehicle renting business
• Defense ammunition manufacturing business
• Content publishing business
• Self-publishing books services business
• On-demand merch printing business
• Remote teams event management business
• Social media influencer management agency

For a even larger collection of business ideas, explore our mega list of business ideas with 277+ business opportunities.

Nishant Choudhary

Nishant is a marketing consultant for funded startups and helps them scale with content.

Previous Post 37 best business ideas in Bihar 2024 | GrowthRomeo

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30 Small Business Ideas to Try in 2024

Christopher Ike

Last updated on April 24, 2024 12 mins read

Have you been searching for the best small business ideas to try in 2024? You’ve pitched your tent on the right post. We’ve compiled a detailed list of 30 small business ideas for all sizes and purses.

Starting a business offers numerous perks. You own your time, you get a chance to do what you truly love, and most importantly, you get to make more money.

In this post, we’ll share 30 small business ideas worth considering. From cleaning services to selling your expertise and starting an eCommerce site, you can’t run out of options.

Most of these businesses are easy to start, don’t require heavy financial investment upfront, and require very little technical expertise.

Let’s get started.

Top 10 Startup and Small Business Ideas to Try in 2024

Are you looking for your next startup idea? We begin with:

1. Cleaning services

Consider starting a cleaning business if you don’t mind doing the dirty work others cannot do for themselves. The financial reward can be incredible.

Starting a cleaning business is fairly easy and you can start with very little capital. Sometimes, all you need is a scrub and cleaning soap.

That said, here are some cleaning businesses you can easily get into:

• House cleaning services : Know some busy, single professionals in your neighborhood? Why not approach them and ask to clean their homes for a small fee? The growth potential in this business will surprise you.
• Vehicle cleaning : Some vehicle owners do not have the time to clean their vehicles. Why not give them some help? You could even take things a bit further by approaching companies and asking to clean their private or a public fleet of vehicles.
• Carpet cleaning : Got carpet cleaning equipment or know where to hire? Consider starting a commercial or home carpet cleaning service.
• Graffiti cleaning : Do you know how to take graffiti off walls? Shoot a shot at a graffiti cleaning business.

2. Freelance Writing Business

Freelance writing is readily one of the easiest online businesses to start in 2023. A computer and an internet connection are all you need.

Contrary to popular opinions, you don’t need to have a degree in journalism, literature, or English to get started.

You don’t even need to be a native English speaker to break into freelance writing.

If you have expertise or experience in a particular field – say crypto trading – you can make a business out of it by writing on that subject or shooting videos for your YouTube channel. You can help people understand what are cryptocurrencies, how to trade, which exchanges or crypto portfolio trackers to use.

You can also provide Blockchain PR services, since blockchain technology is the future and offer them on your Patreon account. Moreover, you can also provide Blockchain PR services, since blockchain technology is the future.

But if you don’t have any expertise, one good way to start is by hunting for re-writing gigs on platforms like WriterAccess , Fiverr and Upwork.

3. Amazon Kindle Publishing

Can you possibly make money off your writing skill even while sleeping? You definitely can, thanks to Amazon Kindle Publishing.

It works like this: You write a book and upload it to Amazon Kindle Publishing. Amazon’s review team will review the book.

Once approved, it will be published on Amazon, and readers can purchase your book. Each time your book gets sold, Amazon will take a certain percentage and leave the rest to you.

If done correctly, Amazon KDP can be a source of passive income. Plus, it is scalable.

Are you great with kids? Why not help give busy parents a helping hand by starting a daycare business?

Starting a daycare business can be fulfilling and rewarding. On top of that, you don’t need so much upfront investment to get it off the ground. You could even start one from the comfort of your home. Suppose, If you are thinking of starting a doggy daycare business you just need a doggy daycare business plan to start your business

Remember that you might need to get a permit to start your daycare, so look into that before starting one.

5. Pet Grooming

If you enjoy having pets around, and grooming them doesn’t seem like much work, consider starting a pet grooming business.

To stay flexible, consider offering home services. In this arrangement, you visit the homes of pet owners, groom their pets, and get paid for your services.

Creating a Google My Business Page for your business can help you reach more clients in your local area.

6. Aerial Photography

The demand for aerial photography has risen to unprecedented heights in the past decade. If you are good at flying a drone – or at least can learn one quickly – an aerial photography business won’t be a bad idea.

Luckily, a good drone isn’t expensive – with as little as $500, you can get a nice one for yourself from Amazon .

Who will your ideal clients be? Real estate developers, intending couples with an upcoming wedding event, movie and music producers, and more. In addition, photography makes a great hobby and can quickly turn into your favorite pastime activity.

7. Build and Sell Themes Online

If you’ve got good coding skills and are particularly good at front-end development, you can build a business out of your skills by creating and selling website themes online.

Depending on your skill set, you can build themes for WordPress and sell them on Themeforest .

However, if you have limited knowledge about WordPress, you can build your theme using Bootstrap, CSS, HTML, and Js and then publish it on GetBootstrap.

Consistency and persistence will go a long way in turning this small business idea into reality.

8. Blogging

Can you still make money today by blogging? The short and simple answer is yes.

To succeed with blogging, you need to have good writing habits as well as find a niche with little competition and hit hard on it. Patience and diligence will undoubtedly help. If you’re planning to start a blog, it’s important to choose the right hosting solution.

Beginners can try  WordPress hosting, where technical tasks like migration, maintenance, and security are handled by the service providers. Blogging is a good business idea for college students, stay-at-home moms, etc.

9. Food Delivery Service

Starting a restaurant can be daunting and capital-intensive. Too many details need to be taken into account starting from restaurant design plan to the color and pattern choice of utensils If you have been looking at starting one but haven’t got the funds, look into starting a meal delivery service instead.

It works like this: you prepare quality, tasty meals at home and then deliver them to your customers either at work or in their homes.

Depending on the laws of the city you live in, you might need a permit and courier insurance to run this type of business.

10. Property Management

If you’ve worked in the real estate industry before, or you are just good at real estate management software development, you might find success as a property manager.

The thing is, there are lots of property owners who don’t have the time to manage their properties spread across town. They need someone they can trust to collect rents, fix broken stuff, and kick bad tenants out.

If you’ve worked in the real estate industry before, or you are just good at management, you might find success as a property manager, especially with the right property management software.

So, if you are up to the challenge, by all means, give it your best shot.

Top 10 Most Successful Small Business Ideas to Start

Not all businesses succeed. In fact, some go belly up even before they get a chance to start.

You sure don’t want that to happen to you. What small business ideas with a high probability of success can you explore this year?

Here are a few:

11. Virtual Assistant Service

Many small business owners and solopreneurs need helping hands to keep their business going, and wouldn’t mind paying to get one.

You can help them manage booking appointments , send and reply to emails, make calls to their clients, answer customer queries, and lots more.

The best part is that you can do all this without being physically present.

Crowdsourcing platforms like Upwork , Remote.co, and Indeed can help you find clients.

12. Social Media Management Service

Having a solid online presence is key to surviving and staying relevant in business in this digital age – little wonder why many companies are jostling to establish themselves on social sharing sites.

13. Web Design Agency

In the early age of the web development services business, you needed to know how to write long, intricate codes to build a web application. But all that has changed now, thanks to no-code solutions like WordPress and Wix.

If you like to design stuff and don’t mind devoting time to learning how to use WordPress, consider starting a web design business. Automation web testing comes in the website development life-cycle. You can also offer web design as well as automated testing services. And can work as an automation testing company.

To acquire clients for your business, start by telling your friends and family what you do. You’d be amazed at how this simple networking strategy can bring you lots of clients.

You don’t have to stop with web design. Branch out into other agency roles, such as SEO. This London-based SEO consultancy is a great example of how you can start. You could even work fully remotely.

A solid online presence is a key to surviving and staying relevant in business in this digital age – little wonder why many companies are jostling to establish themselves on social sharing sites.

How to acquire customers

14. Coffee Shop

Turn your love for coffee brewing into some serious cash-making venture by launching a coffee shop.

If you don’t have the time and dedication to build your coffee business from the ground up, franchising might be a better option. Alternatively, you can purchase an already established coffee shop and rebrand it.

Of course, you will some serious cash to pull that off.

15. Sell Online Courses

Got a skill you can also teach to others without thinking so much about it? Why not start making money out of it by creating and selling your courses online ?

And you can teach just about anything: DIY hacks, copywriting, how to fix broken stuff, gardening, etc.

You don’t need expensive filming gear to get started; your smartphone is enough.

Udemy, Coursera, Skillshare, and other course building platforms are good places to start.

16. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is ideal for 9-5ers, stay-at-home moms and dads, and anyone looking for a passive side income.

How does it work?

You find a physical or digital product you would like to promote, drive traffic to that product, and hope to make a sale. Each time that product gets sold, you earn a commission.

For example, we run an affiliate program at Adoric. Each time you refer visitors, and they sign up for any of our paid plans, you earn a 20% commission. You can utilize a referral software to set up and automate the process for such a marketing campaign.

To find profitable products to promote, check out platforms like Commission Junction or Clickbank.

17. Home Tutoring

Home tutoring is another unique small unique business idea worth giving a try in 2023.

The best part is that you can provide this type of service virtually online or physically. And you can teach just about anything: maths, economics, piano, swimming, etc.

Platforms like Tutorme can help connect you with clients looking for your services.

18. Video Editor

Did you know that YouTube is the second largest search engine just after Google?

This is a clear indication that video consumption is soaring and with the increase in the video popularity it is advised to make videos  using creative slide templates to reach your audience.

Hence, if you are good at video editing, there are lots of people out there that will need your services. Besides, some video editing effects are available for free so it makes the job easier for you.

19. eCommerce

Thanks to the internet, selling is now easier than ever. You can sell products to people on the other side of the planet without stressing about it.

When done right, an eCommerce business can be extremely profitable.

Choosing the right eCommerce platform is vital for the success of your business. WooCommerce, Shopify, Oberlo, etc. are some that you can try.

Not sure which to go for? Also, choose your hosting provider carefully and consider deploying your online store on a managed VPS instead of using traditional shared hosting to guarantee yourself much better loading speeds, security, and scalability.

Providers like ScalaHosting are among the top-rated companies in this segment, and with their SPanel, VPS management is no longer a challenge even for newbies.

Check out this detailed WooCommerce vs Shopify comparison guide

WooCommerce vs Shopify

20. Amazon FBA

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is one of the small-scale business ideas that you will likely find success with come 2024.

You find products you would like to sell, purchase them, and send them over to Amazon’s warehouses. If your products pass Amazon’s quality test, they will be uploaded online.

When customers place an order for your products, Amazon will package and deliver them. Payments and returns are handled out of the box for you.

Amazon FBA is more convenient than selling via Shopify or WooCommerce. Furthermore, you can use FBA tools like Helium 10 or Jungle Scout to increase sales on Amazon. If you want to import products from China, then you can get help from a sourcing agent like Sourcing Nova to find the best quality manufacturers.

How To Automate Small Business Ideas

Automating your processes can save you time and money if you own or manage a small business. There are many different ways to automate small business processes, and the best way to find out is to experiment.

Here are some tips on how to get started:

1. Create a process map. This will help you understand your current workflow and identify areas that could be automated.

2. Use software to help automate tasks. Programs like Automation Anywhere can streamline many common business processes, including email marketing, accounting, shipping, and customer service. You can also try Edi Consultant to automate your small business.

3. Use artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning operations to make decisions on your behalf. This can include things like automating billing or scheduling appointments.

4. Use big data analytics to improve decision-making and optimization of your processes. This will allow you to better understand customer needs and trends and optimize your operations accordingly. To do it effectively you can partner with an information broker who specializes in collecting and analyzing data from various sources to provide valuable insights.

Top 5 Small Business Ideas for Women

Are you a stay-at-home mom, single mom, or just a woman looking to take her destiny into her hand by starting a business?

Here are 5 unique small business ideas that you should try your hands on.

21. Personal Shopper

Turn your shopaholic craze into a profitable business venture by helping those who haven’t got the time to shop for themselves.

The coolest part is that you need virtually nothing to get started – just your passion for shopping will do.

To get started, talk to as many people as you can and let them know you can help them with their shopping needs. From there, you can begin to scale up by building a website to promote your business.

22. Handmade Crafts

If you are skilled at making mittens, beaded bags, shawls, or any other valuable craft, consider selling your handmade crafts in places like Etsy.

A lot of women have built for themselves a business empire via Etsy – so also can you.

23. Church Management

Church management software is transforming how religious institutions operate. It simplifies administrative tasks, improves communication, and enhances member engagement.

Startups and small businesses have a significant opportunity to develop customized church management software solutions to meet the unique needs of religious organizations in 2023.

By offering user-friendly interfaces, automation features, and robust support, entrepreneurs can contribute to the growth and effectiveness of churches while building successful ventures in the digital age.

Church management system streamlines operations strengthens community connections, and enables data-driven decision-making, making it an essential tool for church growth and sustainability

24. Caregiver

A lot of families have aged and sick ones that need to be taken care of at home. So, if got some nursing experience, or you are just a people person, you can make a business out of this.

Keep in mind that you might need to get certified by a recognized body to provide personal care to invalids.

25. Teach English Online

The demand for English teachers around the world has been on the rise. If you speak English natively and have a good internet connection, you can build a business out of this demand by teaching English online.

You can use platforms like VIPKID can help you connect with potential clients around the world.

26. Blogging

If you naturally like to write, you might find a lot of success with blogging. A lot of stay-at-home moms are meeting their family needs from the blogging incomes.

What can you blog about?

Anything you have passion for. It could be about your new reality of being a mom. Or maybe helpful personal finance tips. But all that has changed now, thanks to no-code solutions like Appy Pie website builder, WordPress, and Wix.

To see substantial income from blogging, you need first to build sizable traffic to your website. This will require publishing content regularly.

You can then monetize that traffic using Google ads, Affiliate marketing, etc.

Top 5 Small Business Ideas for Teens

Who said your teenage son or daughter can’t start a business of their own. If your kid has got an entrepreneurial spirit, here are some small business ideas you can encourage them to try their hands on:

27. Car Wash

Make your enterprising kids work for their weekly allowance by letting them wash your car. Once they start getting better at it, you can ask your neighbors and friends if they would like your kids to wash theirs too.

28. Errand-running

Helping others with errands like buying groceries, grooming pets, etc. can be a lucrative venture for teens.

It has a minimal entry barrier, easy to start, and doesn’t require any capital – a bicycle is enough to get started with.

29. Ice Cream Joint

Who doesn’t love a cold cup of ice cream in the heat of summer? Why not sell this business idea to your kid and see if they would run with it.

You can support them by purchasing a vending machine and renting a small space somewhere in your neighborhood.

30. Podcasting

Some people have a natural flair for creating audio content. If you’ve noticed this talent in your teen, encourage them to start a podcast.

And they don’t need to buy expensive gear to hit the ground running – their smartphone is enough.

31. Laundry

The laundry business, though old, still strives till today. This makes it an excellent business opportunity for teens and young persons looking to start their first entrepreneurial venture.

Starting a  small business and finding success with it can be demanding, but at the same time rewarding.

If you are stuck on ideas, try any of the 30 small business ideas shared in this post.

Already have a business going for you? Let Adoric help you win more customers and boost your sales.

Sign up for a free account today. No credit card is required.

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Branding your Shopify store has numerous advantages: more customer loyalty and sales, etc. Learn how to brand your Shopify store in this post.

Optimizing your Shopify store for SEO can help boost your sales greatly. Here are the best Shopify SEO apps to use.

Believe it or not, pop-ups work – that’s why you see them everywhere. If you want to connect with users,

Launch Your Ecommerce business today

  Join Ecommerce platform QPe and start your online store without any technical expertise.

Follow our blog and learn small business ideas, strategies, marketing tips and reach the height of success you dream of.

(Image Source:  https://www.ibef.org/industry/ecommerce )

E-commerce has changed the way business is completed in India. India’s e-commerce market is projected to grow from $46.2 billion in 2020 to $188 billion by 2025. it’s expected to reach $350 billion by 2030. India’s e-commerce market is projected to reach $111 billion by 2024 and $200 billion by 2026. Much of the industry’s growth is driven by the proliferation of the web and smartphones.

RECOMMENDED BLOG:

What are Micro Small Medium Enterprises? Guide to Scale MSMEs in 2023

The amount of internet connections in 2021 has increased significantly to 830 million through the Digital India program. About 55% of all internet connections were in urban areas, 97% of which were wireless connections.

Unique business ideas to start small

Handmade Crafts :

The web has made it easier for artisans to turn their craftsmanship into a profitable business. Unlike retail merchants who work with suppliers, you’ll have a foothold in  online selling with a list of various items that your customers won’t find anywhere else.

As a result, you’ll be ready to charge more for your creations as you can modify your prices in your online store anytime you want.

Event/wedding planner :

Weddings are timeless. Whether the economy is booming or during a slump, there’s always a market for weddings. Furthermore, weddings range from “big fat Indian weddings” to very private gatherings. To place things in perspective, the Indian wedding market was estimated to be around $50 billion (around 33,000 crores) in 2017 and is growing at a rate of 20% per annum.

This presents an enormous opportunity for wedding planners who can ensure wedding themes, planners, decorators, and caterers are in situ, and also flawlessly plan and organize the entire wedding ceremony.

It requires initial capital investment for workers, logistics, and arrangements, and a variety of small business loan options are available. While the initial investment is low, the returns on investment are substantial because the business grows.

Boutique, Salon, Spa, etc :

Services connected to grooming, fashion, and private hygiene are always in demand. If you concentrate on selling and brand alliances after making the initial investment in the shop and raw materials, you’re quite likely to turn it into a successful business idea .

For this, a little business loan is easily obtainable. The instant is now if you’re interested in starting your own business and working for yourself.

Dropshipping :

Starting a drop shipping business may be a great start to entrepreneurship. you’ll sell products to your customers, set your own product prices, and market your own brand. you do not even have to pay for inventory until it’s sold to an actual customer. If you’ve got the drive, you’ll build a successful brand.

And if you are still hesitant about starting an online business , it’d help to know that global e-commerce sales in 2019 were nearly $3.5 trillion. So, if global e-commerce statistics are any indicator, starting a web business has become an increasingly profitable option these days.

Print on demand :

Print on Demand (POD) involves selling your own custom designs on items like phone cases, mugs, and t-shirts, but you do not actually print the artwork. Instead, you’re employed with suppliers who print your design onto the product.

They even pack and ship items to your customers, so you do not have to worry about logistics. In addition, you simply pay when you have sold the product. No sale equals no cost.

One of the fastest ways to get started is to create a QPe store and install a POD app like Printify. In terms of selling, partnering with Instagram influencers to market your POD posts is an effective way to reach an audience.

Cloud Kitchen :

There’s no end to the list of people who are struggling to find the time to cook healthy and nutritious meals. This has led to the increase of takeout businesses, offering all kinds of culinary options. you’ll capitalize on this trend by starting your own takeout business in your city, state, or neighborhood.

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to invest in the design of a large commercial kitchen. The shared kitchen is enough for a food service business . These places are usually provided with essentials and can be rented by the month, day, or hour.

Natural beauty products :

If you’ve got a knack for making soap bars, making drinks, or cooking specialties, then a craft business could be perfect for you.

Not only does it provide an excellent creative medium, but it also can easily scale as information about your business goes viral. A number of the most profitable homemade products include agricultural products, beauty solutions like cosmetics and soaps, and accessories like jewelry.

The ingredients and raw materials that are relevant to your work must provide a sustainable return on investment. Create an online store with QPe and sell beauty products online .

Tattoo Studio :

Talented individuals can make small fortunes by opening their own tattoo parlors and establishing themselves within the industry. Some people travel the planet to get tattoos of their favorite artists. a substantial initial investment is required.

They need to have a QPe-like website or online store that allows individuals to book online. ensure you are using predictable risk management. you would like a deeper understanding of how to prevent the health risks associated with inappropriate tattoos and body piercings.

Stationery & Book Store:

Stationery is usually in demand, whether at college or at work.  The simplest place to run stationery or bookstore is always near your school or business. Your chances of getting more trades and making big profits are very high. This business requires no investment and no special skills.

With just a few clicks your customer can reach you and connect with you through an online store just like dMart online and big bazaar online store. You can also sell stationery online with your own branded Ecommerce store and increase your sales.

Love baking and feeding others ?

Look no further than this business idea.: It’s amazing what proportion baking can translate into different types of profitable business ideas. Begin earning extra cash by kneading flour, mastering the oven, and satisfying everyone’s appetite.

While some experts have made baking their sole “bread and butter,” you do not need to quit your day job just yet to pursue this business idea. Counting on your experience, you’ll start small, like perfecting grandma’s nostalgic cookies, before getting to offering exquisite artisanal fare.

Being a TaskRabbit Handyman:

If you do not care about other people’s chores and consider yourself a handyman (or lady), TaskRabbit could be the right small business idea for you.  you’ll earn extra income by doing chores like walking your neighbor’s dog, mowing Smith’s lawn, or fixing a leaky sink.

Not your style? The site’s top handyman is reportedly earning up to $7000 a month, making it a full-time business and an opportunity for a few entrepreneurs.

Toy Store :

A toy store may be a business idea that grows over generations. Toys have been a popular category among consumers due to the growth of online shopping; customers can easily find local toy stores by searching for “toys or toy shops near me” online.

Furthermore, toy stores are categorized into various niches including stuffed animals, electronic toys, puzzles, dolls, sports equipment, etc., and Gujarat. India’s toy market is going to be worth $1.35 billion (around 21,000 kroner) by 2021. However, consistent with IMARC research, India’s toy industry could reach $2.73 billion by 2027.

This new generation is getting busier and busier nowadays, but regardless of how busy young people are, children are always trying to find a way out. This is often a handful of toys for her. With a platform like Qpe, you’ll create an online store and boost your business in just 30 seconds. Sell toys online  to grow your business multifold.

RECOMMENDED READ:

27+ Small Scale business ideas in 2023 – Highly Profitable

So, hopefully, you’ve found the best business ideas to pursue in 2022. Consider your skills, experience, and income expectations when choosing.

However, it takes plenty of hard work and dedication to become a successful internet entrepreneur. Choosing an online business idea offered by the best Ecommerce Platform or Ecommerce solutions provider that fits your interests and passions will make the journey less painful and more rewarding.

In the decision-making process of online shopping, customers have seen a significant transformation in recent years. Before ever chatting with a salesperson, buyers perform thorough web research. Additionally, more customers are making direct purchases online and through their smartphones, never setting foot in conventional retail stores.

Brick-and-mortar stores must change to satisfy the needs of their customers in order to remain competitive. As long as the obstacles to online purchasing, like security issues, delivery costs, etc., are removed, consumers are quite willing to shop from home and complete their purchases there.

Many of us don’t want to go to a store, shop around for what we need, then deal with a cashier to complete the transaction. In fact, a survey by E-consultancy found that 51% of us citizens prefer to shop from the comfort of their homes, and 60% of citizens like knowing they don’t have to go shopping in a crowded mall or store.

Consistent with a new survey, 49% of Indians liked to get online over the traditional shopping ways (brick and mortar). Businesses that want to expand quickly must adapt to the needs of the day and move toward internet marketing and sales.

There are a lot of websites and applications on the internet, but QPe stands out for its straightforward interface, simple setup procedure, and committed customer service. With QPe, business owners can create accounts in just a few seconds and keep an eye on their data.

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15 Little-Known Unique Business Ideas that Pay Well

Unique Business Ideas

Have you been looking for unique business ideas that can really make you some good money?

I was searching for the same thing.

I wanted to get past all the scams out there, and really find some unique business ideas that weren’t too crowded but had a proven success model.

Out of frustration, I ended up just asking successful business owners what they did, how they got started and how much they earned.

Through my research I found blogging and earned six-figures in only my second year of getting started!

I’ll talk about blogging in this article but blogging is not for everyone, so I’ll share the many other unique business ideas from people who are actually doing them today and they all pay well!

I’ve done the research so you won’t have to. Feel free to duplicate the methods used by these business owners and make it your own.

Quick question:  Are you on our email list? If you’re a mama like me, you definitely want to be on our list where we send out regular new mom jobs, productivity tips, and inspiration to get through this tough yet awesome journey of motherhood.  Click here to subscribe .

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.

Here are the BEST unique business ideas, all Tried and True!

1. property preservation business.

Have you ever wanted to get into real estate but didn’t want the hassle of buying or selling homes? If so, this will be right up your alley. 

Banks don’t like to get into Real Estate but they need someone to preserve the properties they now own (foreclosures) while they try to sell it. 

That’s where you’ll come in. You will basically be preserving the house (keeping up landscaping and debris removal) until the bank can sell it, and the bank will pay you handsomely for this. But don’t think you’ll have to do the work. 

Danielle Pierce does this and outsources 100% of the work and only does the admin work at home (while homeschooling her 3 kids).

Earning potential: Danielle says its very feasible to earn at least $100k or more in just 18 months.

Danielle earns over $400k+/year! 

How to get started: Check out our article How to Become a Property Preservation Contractor to learn more about this from Danielle and to find her FREE Master Class!

2. Pick up Litter for Business es

Starting a litter-picking business is one of the easiest business ideas to put into motion and earn a nice profit.

The service hours also don’t interfere with a typical day job, so you can do this on the side and grow it however big or small as you want.

Earning potential: We interviewed Brian Winch who earns a whopping $600k/year with his own litter business. He of course outsources most of the work but you can expect to earn $30-$50 an hour

How to get started: See how Brian got started and how you can too in our how to start a litter-picking business article. Brian will also help you grow your business!

3. Run a speed dating/Event business

If you like the idea of hooking couples up you should definitely give this a try.

Earning potential: One of our readers does this and earns $1,000 per month.

How to get started: Start with age ranges from 25-35 and 35-45 selling tickets from $10-$30 depending on the venue.  Create a Facebook page, find a venue and sell tickets. 

Many bars or local restaurants may let you have the event for free on a weekday just to make some extra money with your event OR pay you to have the event at their venue.

It’s an easy and unique business idea that could be a fun way to earn some extra money on the side.

4. Blogging Business

If you like the idea of earning a passive income you should definitely consider blogging. 

You write helpful articles that people would search for on platforms like Google and answer them in the form of written articles. 

You can make money by simply having ads on your articles, affiliate products, products of your own and so much more. 

Just think about what pops up in the search results when you look up things on Google. It’s blog articles written by people like you and me! You can see the many ways to make money blogging and how we do it in our How to Make Money Blogging article.

Earning potential: It takes time to make money blogging, but once you put in the work you can earn anywhere from $1k-$50,000+ per month!

How to get started: Check out our step-by-step guide on how to get started and the types of blogs that make the most money and get the most traffic. 

5. Mobile Car Detailing Service Business

Car detailing is a great business to get into because of the earning potential and convenience of having a mobile service.

When you’re starting off, the basic car detailing includes a full interior, exterior and a wheel wash.

Earning potential: One of our readers earns $400 a day (once he started mastering this and offered more advanced services like polishing, paint correction, ceramic coatings, shampooing seats and carpet).

How to get started : The main way to get customers in detailing is referrals. If you do well on one person’s car, they are likely to refer you to all of their friends. Then you do well on their friends’ vehicles and it just keeps going. 

Definitely check out these YouTubers: The detail geek , Pan the organizer , ammo NYC , and Stauffer Garage to perfect your craft.

6. Loan Signing Agent

A loan signing agent is a job that basically will never not be needed. Homeowners need them to be able to close on their new home so they can oversee the loan signing process.

Earning potential: This job has huge potential to be able to earn you extra money. You can earn up to 6 figures while even working a 9 to 5 job. This can even be your main source of income. 

How to get started: To get started you’ll want to see how John Flick became one and earns $5k-$7k per month only working 3-4 days a week! Check it out in our How to become a loan signing agent article.

Not enough people know about this unique business and how much you can earn without sacrificing too much time and energy.  

7. Proofreading Business

This is perfect for those of you who enjoy reading or even can easily spot errors in books or any type of writings. 

Proofreaders are also in high demand due to businesses needing an extra set of eyes to review their work and catch things they usually wouldn’t.

Earning potential: Caitlyn Pyle makes $40,000 a year just proofreading PART-TIME. Putting more time in can make you anywhere between $1,000-$4,000+ a month.

How to get started: Check out this free workshop to show you how it all works and to see if this is right for you.

8. Bookkeeping Business

As a virtual bookkeeper you’ll be recording business transactions for small business owners. 

This is one of the BEST unique business ideas because on average your clients pay $300 a month but the work only takes you 1-4 hours at the most per MONTH!

This is a very lucrative and unique business that does not get enough love. We interviewed a mom who has 9 kids and homeschools six of them and still earns over $2,000 a month doing this.

It’s because of the awesome flexibility of this job.  See how she did it and how you can to in our how to become a bookkeeper article. 

Earning potential: The earning potential is huge, if you have 10 clients and charge $300 and it roughly takes you 1-4 hours per client then you could be clocking in at $3,000 per month with only 10 hours worked at minimum. 

How to get started: The easiest way to get started in this business is to check out this free training to see if this is right for you.

9. Flipping Products from Flea Markets/Thrift Stores

This side hustle might just be the cheapest hustle to start and perfect for just about anyone. It’ll just take a little bit of upfront spending but the pay out is great. 

Earning potential: You can potentially earn anywhere from $1,000 upwards to $100,000+ just by flipping things you buy at thrift stores or flea markets. By spending $20-$50 on products you can earn $100-$300 in profit. Take that money and do it again and again.

How to get started: Here’s a FREE workshop created by Rob and Melissa who do this full-time with their families to help you get started.

10. Sell Printables on Etsy

This side hustle is one of my all time favorites due to the fact that you can make money without doing anything. When I say “without doing anything” I mean you put in the initial work, then you can sit back and enjoy your profits. 

With printables this is something you make once, and can sell it over and over again. All you’ll need is a laptop/computer.

Earning potential: To put it simply you can make anywhere from $500-$8,000 per month!

How to get started: Check out this short video I did to see how one of our readers earns $8,000 a month and for a discount code on the course she took to help her get there.

If you rather read than watch, you can check out our article here on how to get started.

11. Virtual Assistant Business

Are you good with micromanaging, staying organized, and tech-savvy? If so, then this could be just for you.

Earning potential: Many virtual assistants make $25-$100+ an HOUR! You just have to find your niche.

How to get started: Kayla Sloan went from being flat broke to building her Virtual Assistant business to $10k a month! She now teaches others how to do the same. Check out her free workshop to see the simple step-by-step process for becoming a Virtual Assistant here .

12. Make money by losing weight

This is a very unique business idea and a short-term one. Once you lose the weight, this idea is pretty much over. 

The way this works is the government has partnered with this company called HealthyWage to incentivize people to lose weight by betting their own money against themselves with the potential to earn up to $10,000!

Here’s how it works:

• Start with the HealthyWage Prize Calculator
• Enter how much weight you want to lose, the timeframe to lose it, and how much you want to bet each month for that period.
• The calculator determines your prize amount, up to $10,000. You can play around with the calculator until you get your desired prize amount.
• Sign up and agree to pay the monthly amount for the duration of the challenge
• Achieve your goal and you will get paid to lose weight!

Earning potential: You’ll be able to win upwards of TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS!

How to get started: See how it all works from two people we interviewed in our How to Make Money Losing Weight article and a success story of a $10,000 winner!

13. Baby Equipment rental business

Did you know that you could make money just based on where you live? This unique business idea is one that I’m sure no one ever stops to think about.

This side hustle will be very lucrative, especially in high tourist areas. 

Earning potential: You’ll be able to make any where between $500-$3,000+ per MONTH.

How to get started: The best way to get started is to read our interview with Ashley in our article How to Start a Baby Equipment Rental Business and see how she makes upwards of $3,000 a month!   

14. Photography

Do you own a cell phone or a professional camera? If your answer is yes, then you have the potential to earn some great money.  

Earning potential: The profit will depend on what kind of shoot you are doing like Weddings will earn you around $700-$3,000+, senior portraits can make you $100-$300 per session, and pictures for local businesses can make you about $25-$200 per image.

Real Estate is a great field to get in. Taking pictures of homes to sell is a requirement and steady work. Talk to the realtors in your area and find out how you can get their business. 

How to get started: You can start by taking photos of just about anything, take classes to learn how to take better photos, and then polish them off with photoshop. Post your pictures to your social network, and then use these two apps to make the money from your phone.

15. Rent your Car for Ad space

Hey, if you are really willing to do anything to make some extra cash (that won’t end with you in jail) then this will definitely peak your interest. This will be simple, fast, and worth it.

Earning potential: You can make up to $264-$452 a month without any UPFRONT cost at all.

How to get started: Getting started is easy, just download Wrapify to your phone and follow the easy steps to start earning money by driving.

16. Courier Business

Starting a courier business is one of the easiest and most simple businesses you can start yourself. I really mean it, if you have a cell phone and reliable transportation then you’re all set. 

If you like the idea of delivering things for companies or local businesses but don’t want to start your own business, then you should check out Amazon flex and Instacart . They tell you who and what to deliver, with no strings attached.

Earning potential: $1,000+/week depending on your area, the amount of orders you pick up and the types of orders you choose.

How to get started: The best way to get started is to have a way to market yourself to companies such as business cards or even social media. Check out our articles on how to get started with Amazon Flex and Instacart .

Did any of these unique business ideas spark your interest? If they did, let us know in the comment section below.   

One of the many things that hold people back from going all in on their business is health insurance.

Don’t let that be you, check out the different ways these entrepreneurs have been able to cut the corporate cord and choose their own AFFORDABLE healthcare here .

Finding and creating ways to make some extra cash doesn’t have to be as hard as it seems. If you didn’t find anything here, definitely check out our most popular article on 30 Real Ways to Make Money From Home Part-Time

Make sure to join our FREE mompreneur tribe on our exclusive email list . Where we send out new mom jobs, financial tips, and more! Subscribe here .

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Home Business Ideas: 40 Remote Jobs to Explore in 2022

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Working remotely and starting businesses from home have grown in popularity over the past decade. Currently, in the United States, millions of self-employed individuals have acted upon home business ideas and work regularly from their home.

There are plenty of compelling reasons to want the flexibility that working from home can offer. If a change in lifestyle is what you’re after, then you’ll want to take a close look at your skills and interests to figure out which of the many work-from-home jobs suits you. To help you in your exploration, we’ve gathered this list of 40 of the best home business ideas.

Home business ideas

Any office worker can probably tell you that they've had a daydream about quitting their job and starting their own business. Luckily, in this technological age, this dream can more easily become a reality. If you have a computer and internet connection, there are home business ideas aplenty, including those with low startup costs (if any) and flexibility for stay-at-home parents.

Here are 40 of the best home business ideas to consider:

1. Freelance writer

If you’re a great writer, then you could make a great freelance writer. And best of all, freelance writers work from all over the world. Whether you want to sit in your neighborhood cafe all day or country-hop all year, this job could apply to you.

Of course, successful writers need to have a firm grasp on grammar and tone, superb editing chops and the ability to do their own research and synthesize content that they might be unfamiliar with. It could help if you become an expert in a few different fields, like technology or small-business finance, and it’s always important for all freelancers to know how to market themselves and network with potential customers.

You might be asked to write anything from a blog post series to an industry white paper, website copy or email newsletters. The more you’re familiar with, the better off you are.

And finally, don’t forego the possibility of writing your own e-books to sell on Amazon and similar websites. With basically zero publishing costs and low design costs, this is another way your writing can benefit your bank account directly. (You could even write an e-book about freelance writing — the possibilities are endless.)

2. Virtual assistant

If all of your friends know you as “the really, really organized one,” then being a virtual assistant might be the home business idea for you.

When busy executives reach a point in their careers where they can't manage all the calls, emails, appointments and smaller responsibilities on their plates, that’s where you come in. As a virtual assistant, you would use your phone, email, computer skills and any number of online tools and applications to handle their online calendars, schedule appointments and meetings, make reservations, purchase tickets, set up reminders, organize events, file documents and more.

If this kind of work isn’t your thing, then it might sound a bit unglamorous. But if you’re the type of person who color-codes their planners and sends out Google calendar invitations for coffee dates, then being a virtual assistant could be a fun and fulfilling job — that you can do from home.

How much do you need?

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We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.

Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

3. Researcher and fact-checker

From perusing old academic essays or case files to analyzing bibliographies or carrying out some market research, you can establish yourself as a professional researcher and fact-checker. Various types of businesses within several different industries need researchers and fact-checkers. Establishing a niche may help you better market your services.

You need to be organized, meticulous and skilled at communication. If that sounds like you, then add this to your personal list of home business ideas.

4. Social media manager

Today, every business, brand and public figure needs social media to engage with their audience, stay relevant and boost brand awareness.

And as it turns out, many companies pay pretty highly for people to manage their social media accounts well. If you can stay on brand, share content appropriately and reply to customers intelligently — while getting those precious likes, hearts, retweets and upvotes en masse — then you could be a killer social media manager.

5. Blogger and affiliate marketer

While managing a blog in and of itself won’t net you any money — in fact, it’ll cost you to purchase a domain, upgrade the appearance and run marketing campaigns — there are a few ways for you to monetize your blog. You could offer up advertising space, which is a useful but typically minor revenue stream, but a lot more money is often found in sponsorships and affiliate marketing.

Affiliate marketing, a sort of product placement, will let you receive payment from companies in return for advocating for their goods and services. Although this might sound a bit iffy, if you truly do recommend that your readers try out these products, then it doesn’t need to come across as sales-y or insincere. Readers will understand that you need to make money somehow, and many will appreciate your recommendations if they’re accurate.

6. Freelance designer

If you’re more of a visual person, then the freelance lifestyle can still work wonders. Try your hand at designing posters, flyers, or online advertisements for companies that don’t have the time or talent to do this work themselves.

As a freelance designer, you’ll build an online reputation and eventually have control over the projects and timelines you manage. Try out Behance and other freelance design sites to check out your options.

7. Freelance coder

Becoming a freelance coder is an especially great home-based business idea since it’s already a very commonplace gig. Whether you want the flexibility of being your own boss, enjoy taking on a wide diversity of projects rather than working with a single company, or prefer to travel instead of staying in one place, you've got many reasons to pursue freelance software development — even though technology companies and startups offer their own perks as well.

8. Online thrifter

Have a unique eye and the salesman’s pitch down to a science?

If so, you might want to consider running your own online thrift shop. Whether you focus on fashion specifically, another category of product, or prefer to amass collections of interesting items from all over the internet (but especially eBay), there’s always a strong demand for items with a story .

Give your store a compelling, memorable identity, and it will be seen as much more than a simple consignment store.

9. Data entry guru

It might not be the most lucrative or stimulating job in the universe, but data entry can certainly give you the funds you need to work from home or abroad. Plus, data entry jobs rarely require a lot of time or attention, unlike many on this list of home business ideas. You can listen to your favorite podcasts or audiobooks as you work your own hours.

Moreover, since all you need for data entry is a computer, this is certainly a home business idea with low startup costs — if you already own a laptop and have a reliable WiFi connection, you're pretty much all set.

10. College consultant

If you’re a top-notch editor with a deep understanding of how college admissions works — including standardized test preparation, personal statement requirements, supplemental essay requirements, applicant statistics and even financial aid — then you might be able to snag a rather well-paying job as a college consultant. Some families are willing and able to pay, and pay well, to make sure their kids submit the best possible applications to their dream schools.

This is by no means an easy job, as it requires a lot of knowledge and skillsets, but it can bring in a lot of cash for a home-based business.

11. Online tutor

Whether you’re an expert in a certain subject matter, like calculus or biology, or you’ve secured top scores on standardized tests, like the SATs or MCATs, you may be able to share that knowledge with current students looking to get an edge.

So if you have a passion for teaching, are up to date on the formats and policies of the tests you plan to instruct students on, and feel comfortable handling the content, then it might be time to start an online tutoring business.

And just like with the rest of these online home business ideas, you can easily service customers over the phone or, in this case, a video conferencing program like Skype or Zoom.

12. Translator

If you know multiple languages, then this is the home-based business idea for you. As a translator, you can service businesses and clients in a number of different ways. You can translate articles, press releases, e-books or other written work. You might also translate videos, podcasts or contribute to international closed captions for a variety of visual products. Moreover, you might connect with international businesses to serve as a translator for meetings or phone calls.

With experience in more than one language and access to the internet, you'll be surprised about how far-reaching your home translating business can extend.

13. Cybersecurity consultant

With even the biggest businesses around the world being subject to data breaches, cybersecurity is more important than ever. If you have experience with software and IT, a remote job as a cybersecurity consultant might be one of the best home business ideas for you.

From the comfort of your home, you can work with different companies to test their programs, software, backups, firewalls, encryption and generally assess potential threats to their network and advise them on the best cybersecurity practices. Although this may be one of the home-based business ideas on our list that requires the most training and education, it can be a highly lucrative position if you already have the knowledge, or are willing to work to obtain it.

14. Transcriptionist

Can you type extremely quickly while listening to someone talk? If the answer is yes, you might consider transcription services. Like data entry, this might not be the most exciting of our home business ideas but is certainly low-cost, flexible and you can get started very easily. There are all kinds of companies out there who hire freelance transcriptionists, as well as specific services that employ individuals to transcribe audio for various clients.

15. Travel planner

If you frequent websites like TripAdvisor and Yelp and are well-traveled yourself, you might extend your travel expertise to others as a home-based travel planner. You can use your experience to plan and book trips for your clients — manage hotel reservations, flights, excursions, create itineraries and offer tailored recommendations.

For families looking to go on a two-week vacation or couples planning their honeymoon, hiring someone to handle the details, big and small, of their trip, can be invaluable. Plus, in working with different hotels, resorts and vacation attractions, you'll start to build relationships with the staff — and possibly, receive discounts or perks that will make traveling on your own even easier (you might even start a travel blog while you're at it).

16. Fundraiser

If you have any prior experience managing campaigns and events, or simply have an electric personality, you might consider starting a freelance fundraising business. As a fundraising consultant, you'll have the opportunity to market for a business or cause and talk to prospective donors about how and why they should contribute to your campaign.

This home business idea is great for individuals with a background in nonprofit or government work, as well as former marketers or salespeople. If you have excellent people skills and a drive for meeting goals and getting results, this can easily be the right business for you.

17. Medical billing and coding

Although this job may require some form of medical background or schooling, it can be easily profitable and sustainable. Medical billing and coding connect health care providers, patients and insurance companies. As a medical biller and coder, therefore, you would work with patient records to determine the correct codes that are then verified by doctors and sent to insurance providers.

This career is a great business idea for nurses looking for a change; they can easily utilize their prior experience and relationships to succeed in this kind of self-employed role.

18. Video producing

With the prevalence of video in social media and marketing, the need for video producers and experts has only grown in recent years. Even if you don't have prior experience cutting and editing video, this is an online-based home business idea that you can easily learn and teach yourself with classes, tutorials and general guidance from the online video community.

Moreover, video production can transcend a number of different industries, styles and goals. As a video producer, you'll not only have the flexibility of working from home on a variety of projects, but you'll also have the ability to utilize your creativity on a daily basis.

19. Publicist

Looking for a way to combine your public speaking, communication and writing skills? You might consider serving as a freelance publicist or public relations consultant. You can greatly appeal to smaller businesses or individuals who can't invest in full PR teams or staff, but still need this kind of assistance for their organization.

As a freelance publicist, you may handle press releases, emails, social media — essentially, assisting with all facets of your clients' public-facing presence.

20. Customer service representative

Many companies now outsource their customer service to home-based representatives, so you should have no shortage of potential clients in this field. After all, any service- or product-based organization is more than likely going to have some kind of customer support need.

As a customer service representative, you'll be able to work with individuals online or over the phone and talk them through any issues they're having. If you have a communicative and approachable personality, this could be a great option for you.

21. Pet sitter or dog walker

As a pet sitter or a dog walker, you'll get to spend time with other people’s animals while they’re at work or on a trip. Simply follow your client's instructions, as well as your own experience and expertise, to provide care and comfort to these pets. It’s an easy way to get paid, especially if you’re an organized and trustworthy individual with a reputation for or history of animal care.

22. Arts and crafts master

Consider putting your knack for arts, crafts and design to use as the manager of an online store. So long as you believe your creations can find a market and sell at a profitable price, there’s very little stopping you from signing up as a seller on a site like Etsy and carving out your niche. While it might be a tough business, there’s plenty of wisdom out there to learn from.

23. Accountant

If you’re currently an accountant, transitioning to remote work might be as simple as letting your clients know that you work remotely now for reasons of convenience or perhaps hanging your own shingle out to start your own firm. On the other hand, if you’re looking to enter the industry (virtually or not), you should be aware of the training and certifications necessary.

24. T-shirt designer

The U.S. apparel industry is a $225 billion dollar market, and as it turns out, the T-shirt business is relatively quick, easy and painless to get into.

So if you’re interested in entering the eclectic and diverse T-shirt business with an idea or brand of your own, rejoice: This is certainly one of the best business ideas for setting your own hours and calling your own shots.

25. Cleaning service

If you love — or just don’t mind — cleaning up after others, then starting a cleaning business could give you the flexibility you want without forcing you to sit at a computer all day long.

However, this is an endeavor that could certainly grow into a much larger company if you’re successful, meaning that, eventually, you’d probably have to get an office and hire staff.

26. Massage therapist and wellness expert

Over the past decade, the massage therapy industry has grown nearly 20% with no indication of stopping. If this statistic interests you, then you might want to consider entering this burgeoning field.

After getting your massage therapy certification, along with the business license and massage equipment needed to work from home, you can turn your house into a local massage parlor for clients to come to, relax and improve their health and wellness. Plus, you could combine your massage therapy with a more holistic wellness practice or a nutritionist practice — but make sure to check your state’s licensing laws before offering dietary advice or supplements to customers.

27. Personal trainer

As a personal trainer, you could make house calls, visit a gym or let clients come to you (if you have the necessary equipment). You need to be very knowledgeable about everything from proper exercises for different body types to how to motivate people who want to get healthy. You should feel comfortable getting close to your clients in order to learn what works best for them.

Although a certification may not absolutely be necessary, it’s not a bad idea to find out if you can get one in your state before starting up, just in case.

28. Interior decorator

If you have an eye for composition, organization and feng shui, think about starting an interior design business . Partner with local furniture stores and design businesses (with your clients’ knowledge) to get good deals, help decorate public spaces and business interiors as well as houses and apartments, and let everyone in and outside your network know that your services are available.

29. Event planner

Everyone plans events — but not everyone lives and breathes it. Do you love coordinating food and drinks, invitations, scheduling conflicts, music, gifts, goody bags and every other aspect of the parties or events you’ve set up?

From birthdays to weddings, corporate get-togethers and local conventions, the world is your oyster when it comes to events to plan. If you’re passionate about logistics, then this could be the home business idea for you.

30. Caterer

If nobody you know can stop talking about your cooking, then maybe it’s time to charge for your services and talent and start a catering business .

While you won’t necessarily be able to do all of your catering work from home — you may need to use a commercial kitchen and will likely have to hire some part-time employees to help during events — much of the organization, planning, marketing and actual business work can be done wherever you like.

31. Bed-and-breakfast manager

This idea is for the folks who live in popular tourist locations, or would like to move to one. With some preparation, planning, tidying, cooking and a dash of advertising (made easier by services like Airbnb), you can convert your home into a bed-and-breakfast for weary travelers to rest in.

Keep in mind that you need spare bedrooms or a guest house for your customers, and you might want to invest in your cooking and decorating skills to leave a lasting positive impression. Good reviews go a long way in booking out your house for the future.

32. Florist

With a green thumb and a knack for crafts, you might consider opening a floral business to sell flowers and floral arrangements. Depending on your location, you could grow your own flowers, sell and arrange them at home; or, you can outsource the flowers, but still manage the whole of your operations from your own house.

33. Day care manager

Provided you have space, you can start a day care business by supervising a few children during the day — and expanding with staff to accommodate more kids as your business expands.

A day care can be an important business in a local community, especially if your town doesn't already have one. Plus, if you have any experience with teaching or kids, getting into this business will be quick, easy and rewarding.

34. Rideshare driver

Although not home-based per se, becoming a rideshare driver, with Uber or Lyft can offer the same flexibility and freedom as a business that's physically based in your home. As a rideshare driver, your business will more or less be based in your car, and you'll be able to choose your own hours and be your own boss. With the popularity of ridesharing apps continuing to grow, there's no shortage of clients looking for rides, especially if you live in a tourist area or near a big city.

35. Photographer

By starting your own home photography business, you can manage the operational side of your endeavor right from home and travel as needed to meet clients. If your home is particularly picturesque, you might even consider bringing clients there to take photographs or set up a home studio for portraits.

If you want to venture into event photography, you can market your services and look for clients who need professional photography for weddings, graduations, engagements or other events.

36. Landlord

If you have an extra room or guest house on your property, you might consider renting the space — or even investing in a separate property that you can market to renters. As a landlord, you'll be responsible for the upkeep of the property and dealing with any issues that arise with your renters, but you'll generally have flexibility in your business and be home-based.

37. Hair stylist or makeup artist

Are you the person that your friends come to for help with hair and makeup? If so, you might decide to start a home-based salon or makeup artistry business. You can set up a small place in your home with good lighting and the tools you'll need to service your clients, as well as create an on-the-go kit to offer hair and makeup in your clients' homes.

You may find that your hair or makeup business is particularly busy during prom and wedding season, which will be the perfect time to continue to market to new customers. If you have downtime during seasons, you might consider starting a hair or makeup blog or YouTube tutorial channel as well.

38. Eldercare

If you're passionate about helping people and have any experience in personal care, you might consider starting an eldercare business. Nursing homes can be expensive and people are often hesitant to put their family members in full-time care facilities. Therefore, you might decide to offer freelance care, traveling to your clients' homes and caring for them as needed. Keep in mind, you'll want to make sure you have any certifications and the proper training you need.

With the growing popularity of craft and local beers, you might consider brewing beer in your own home. Although this home business will require research, training and equipment, it can be sustainable if your properly market and sell your product.

Or, if you're particularly attracted to the brewing process but don't want to get involved in all of the other areas involved in selling beer, you might look into contract brewing, where you help beer companies make and package their beer. Either way, this can be a great hands-on business, especially if you like experimenting and figuring out how the best beer is made.

Even with all of the different brands and clothing stores out there, people are still going to have those moments where they need a piece of clothing fitted or repaired. If you have any skill with a needle or sewing machine, you might want to open up your own home tailor shop. As a tailor, you can perform fittings and alternations for dresses and suits, as well as repair damaged clothes.

Moreover, you might find there's a market for sewing personalization that you could capitalize on as well, especially for sports teams uniforms, wedding gifts, company swag and more.

Start Your Dream Business

Tips for starting a home-based business

Owning a home-based business is a dream that many people have. The good news is, the process is much more straightforward than you might think. If you're already working from home, contracting or freelancing, you may be able to turn your marketable skills into your own home business. Consider the following steps:

1. Craft a business plan

All businesses are born from a solid plan. Your home-based business is no different. Decide your company's purpose, figure out what service or products you will offer and set measurable targets and goals. You should also determine business financing options if you need initial capital to get started. Your business plan may adapt as your company evolves, but it's the foundation your company will grow upon.

2. Carve out a dedicated workspace

If you're new to working from home, you may think the kitchen table or couch makes for a perfect workspace. Unfortunately, when you're running your own home-based business, you may need a designated space to manage your business. This space does not have to be large and can always grow with time, but it should be separate from daily distractions in your home. If you don't have a second room to utilize, consider setting up your workspace in a spare bedroom or another less-trafficked room. You'll appreciate the privacy when you're taking work calls.

3. Choose a business entity

When planning home business ideas, you need to decide what type of business you want to form. Each business type has its own advantages and disadvantages, so make sure you do thorough research before deciding on one.

You don't have to form your own business to work from home, but doing so can be beneficial when filing your taxes and separating personal and business expenses.

The bottom line

If you're exploring small-business ideas from home to find the one that will be cost-effective, fit your skills and inspire you—we hope you found the right idea on our list; or, if not, you at least came up with a brilliant home business idea of your own.

The market for working from home (and home-based businesses) continues to grow, especially in small communities and niche markets. If you're intent on shifting to a home-based career, then, the opportunity is out there to start, sustain and even grow your own business.

On a similar note...

12 Ways to Build a Passive Income Stream

There are many ways to earn passive income, including starting a business, investing and even using your car to advertise something.

Getty Images

House sitting, pet sitting, or both, is not entirely passive since you're feeding a pet or bringing in somebody’s mail.

Key Takeaways

• Passive income is a source of revenue that allows you to earn money while you’re doing something else.
• There are many ways to earn passive income, including starting a business, investing and using rewards credit cards.
• Many passive income strategies sound simple enough but require a lot of work upfront.

Earning passive income sounds like a dream, but you often still have to work plenty hard to do it. Let's take a look at what passive income actually is – and how you can get some.

What Is Passive Income?

Passive income is any source of revenue you earn when you're doing something else.

For instance, if you sell T-shirts at a local festival, you’ll earn money every time you make a sale. That's an active income stream. But if you set up an online store at a website and customers can buy T-shirts from you whenever they like and you don’t have to be involved in the sales process, that's passive income.

Setting up passive income, however, takes work, like partnering with a business to supply the T-shirts and mailing them out to your customers.

So how can you earn passive income? Consider these 12 ideas:

• Rent out space in your home.
• Advertise on your car.
• Create a blog.
• Rent your old home.
• Create a product.
• Start a business that relies on passive income.
• Become a silent business partner.
• Design T-shirts.
• Be a pet sitter or house sitter.
• Open a high-yield savings account.
• Apply for credit cards with rewards.
• Invest in your retirement.

1. Rent Out Space In Your Home

Yes, you could rent space to a tenant, but you could argue that that’s not entirely passive income, especially if it’s a difficult boarder or tenant who takes up a lot of your time.

Instead, you might want to rent out space for somebody's stuff. There are a lot of websites that can help you do that, like Neighbor, Spacer and StoreAtMyHouse.

“There are many spaces in your home that can be rented out for storage, parking and workspaces, such as basements, attics, closets, garages, driveway and sheds. If you have a pool, you might rent it out for parties, water aerobics classes, swim lessons or training. A large yard can be rented out for events or parking large vehicles such as boats and RVs,” says Ryan Barone, CEO of RentRedi, a property management software.

Don’t expect to get incredibly wealthy if you rent out space, but you could make a few hundred bucks a month. Spacer, for instance, suggests you might make $350.

Even if you do go with a tenant, Barone says that tenant-landlord technology has made being a landlord more amenable. “Becoming a landlord is not as complex and time consuming as it once was,” he says.

2. Advertise on Your Car

Some advertising firms will pay you to let them display ads on your car. Some of the big names include Carvertise, Wrapify, StickerRide, Free Car Media and ReferralCars. The advertising "wrapping" can be removed and won't damage the car's paint.

Many of these firms actively court ride-share drivers, since they're on the road a lot, but they’ll usually work with commuters, too. You probably aren’t going to have much luck with these advertising car companies if you work from home and your car is parked in a garage somewhere.

You make money simply for driving around, running errands and commuting to work. Generally people report earning a few hundred dollars a month, and sometimes up to $1,000. Wrapify estimates you might make $264 to $452 a month if you wrap your entire car with their ads. Free Car Media says you can make up to $400 a month.

While you may feel a little foolish at first, driving what will essentially be a mobile billboard, this is arguably one of the best sources of passive income. You're going to drive anyway; why not earn money to offset at least the amount you spend on gas? Once you go through the hassle of getting approved for one of these vehicle wrap companies – and it can be a process – it's passive income all the way.

3. Create a Blog

This can be a passive form of income, but it can also be a lot of work. If enough people visit your blog and thus see the ads on the page, and especially if they click on ads or affiliate partners, you’ll make money even while you sleep. But it may not be much money, and you won’t make money if you don’t have fresh content on your blog.

Jessica LeBrun of Naples, Florida, has a graphic design business as well as a blog, OnMoxieandMotherhood.

“I have left the site untouched for almost a year at a time before and still earned monthly income from ad revenue and affiliate sales,” LeBrun says.

“It's important to note, this is possible because of the amount of initial work I put into the site,” she adds.

During slow months, she generally pulls in $200 to $300. If it’s a high-traffic month, she may see as much as $800 or even $1,200. Google’s algorithms have sent her less traffic lately, LeBrun says, but Pinterest traffic has increased.

“I actually think if this increase continues I'll be more profitable each month for the rest of the year, but too early to say for sure,” she says.

Not every blog generates $200 a month, even after a lot of initial work. It depends on how much interest there is in your subject matter, how much internet traffic you manage to capture and other numerous factors beyond your control.

4. Rent Your Old Home

The bad news is that buying a condo or rental home requires a significant down payment, and it’s expensive. Still, if you can buy a property – or move into a new house and rent your old one instead of selling it, you can create a very solid passive income stream.

“The best way to earn passive income is through real estate,” says Omer Reiner, a real estate agent and president of FL Cash Home Buyers LLC, a real estate investment company based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

“When you buy an asset like real estate, you usually make money twice,” he says. “You make money because the asset increases in value and when you rent it out and earn rental income. However, real estate can be difficult to get started in.”

“My best advice for getting started is to choose a market where you want to buy,” Reiner says. "Then, spend a few months becoming an expert in that market before you start buying. Doing this will help you avoid spending too much for a property. It will also help you start uncovering deals.”

5. Create a Product

This can be extremely difficult to pull off, but it is the ultimate form of passive income.

Of course, you could lower your sights and do what LeBrun has done. She has an Etsy shop.

“Whenever I design something for my kids or my household, like a behavior chart or a birthday invite, I just add it to my Etsy shop,” she says.

She adds that she also sells the same products on her blog, increasing her passive income stream abilities.

“I know this income could grow if I put more time and effort into adding more products to my shop,” LeBrun says.

“However, I am happy with the sales coming through for things that I designed and used for myself, listed once, and then never have to touch again to make sales. The digital products are sent to the buyer automatically once I set up the listing, so I am able to collect the money for the sales without any further work,” she adds.

6. Start a Business That Relies on Passive Income

Laundromats are often perfect passive income businesses. Generally, your customers can help themselves. You may want to hire somebody to be there occasionally throughout the day to clean the place, or you could do it yourself.

Tide Cleaners is a dry cleaning and laundry franchise. For what it calls a “neighborhood drop store,” you would need $1.1 million in liquid capital and a net worth of $2 million. This is one of those “it takes money to make money” situations.

Self-service car washes and vending machine companies are also businesses that generate passive income. While you don’t have to physically be at these passive income businesses to make sales, they’re still businesses. You will be working a lot, maybe more than you expect, to keep them profitable.

7. Become a Silent Business Partner

You could invest in a business as a silent partner. In this case, you'd be the one with the deep pockets and your partner would be the one exerting all or most of the energy and time to run the business.

You could come up with an equitable way to split the profits, and as long as the business is a success, you'll have a passive income.

8. Design T-shirts

If you’re an artist, professional or up until now a hobbyist, there are a lot of companies that will help you sell your artwork as designs for T-shirts and other merchandise, like coffee mugs. Spreadshirt, Designhill, Zazzle and CafePress are a few.

Some websites charge fees to sell your designs, but most don't. Generally, these companies take care of the marketing and shipping of the shirts; if your design is bought, you'll receive a commission, usually around 10% to 15%. It may not make you a fortune, but once you've uploaded your design, anything you earn from a sale is passive income.

9. Be a Pet Sitter or House Sitter

House sitting, dog sitting, or both, is not entirely passive since you're feeding and walking a dog or bringing in somebody’s mail. But often you're doing your own thing in somebody else’s home or maybe yours (if you’re just pet sitting).

A number of websites offer house or pet sitting gigs, like Rover, MindMyHouse, Housesitter.com and TrustedHousesitters.

How much you’ll make depends on the home, the pet and the part of the country you live in. Chances are, this won’t be a full-time passive income career but just occasional or regular extra money flowing into your bank account.

10. Open a High-Yield Savings Account

Opening a savings account to store money for mid- or long-term goals or your emergency fund is not only a good idea, it's an easy way to earn passive income.

“One of the easiest and fastest ways to start generating passive income today is to move your savings to a high-yield online savings account,” Andrea Woroch, a shopping consultant and U.S. News contributor, said in an email.

Woroch said that if you’re going with a traditional bank, you probably won’t earn all that much.

The national average annual percentage yield on savings accounts is 0.46% at the time of publication. Many high-yield online savings accounts are paying more than 5% interest.

“It's an easy way to earn some extra cash,” Woroch said.

11. Apply For Credit Cards with Rewards

The reason that credit cards offering cash back , miles or points are so popular among consumers is that they provide income while you're making purchases you were going to make anyway.

If you have a good credit score and can successfully apply for a rewards credit card, earning 1% to 5% back on everything you purchase could give you a steady source of passive income.

12. Invest in Your Retirement

Keep in mind that every time you put money into your retirement portfolio , you're passively making money.

Sure, you can lose money in investments, but over time most investments go up in value. For example, investing in dividend-producing stocks in a taxable investment account could generate some passive income each quarter. And while investing in your retirement accounts may not help you pay the bills right now, it’s a passive income strategy that will help you pay the bills in the future.

Should AI Manage Retirement Plans?

Brian O'Connell May 6, 2024

Tags: personal finance , money , income

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Comparative assessments and other editorial opinions are those of U.S. News and have not been previously reviewed, approved or endorsed by any other entities, such as banks, credit card issuers or travel companies. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired.

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