How to Start a Money Making Small Business
Gone are the days of searching print ads for a job to make a living. In today’s environment, the internet is at your fingertips, making it easier than ever for small businesses to find additional ways to make money online and offline. In fact, setting up two streams of income can be a simple task. To find good business ideas, just ask yourself:
- Do you have any personal skills or expertise that would make you a natural candidate to start a certain type of lucrative business?
- Is there a common problem that you could solve with a small business?
- Are there any emerging trends or technologies that could be used for a source of income?
- Is there a current product that you could make and sell cheaper or better?
The internet provides ample opportunities to finance and start small businesses that make money quickly. Many of these opportunities use the skills you already have. These skills can be anything from grammar or technical skills to social media skills.
Forexample, a nutritionist could easily make the case for starting a health foodcompany. Meanwhile, an accountant could partner with a software developer tocreate a better tax preparation service. You may be better positioned than mostpeople to take advantage of an opportunity by leveraging the expertise youalready have.
Just because you already have a full-time job doesn’t mean you can’t find small business ideas to make money and create multiple streams of income. As you pursue these jobs, keeping a positive mindset will be a key to your success.
Ready to learn how to make money fast? Read through 30 of the top money making small business ideas below:
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30 Top Money Making Small Business Ideas
The internet is built for convenience. People no longer have to commute to the same building for work every day. Employees can log in remotely from virtually anywhere on the globe and earn money online successfully. This means that anyone has the opportunity to make a steady income from wherever they are. All you need is an internet connection, a computer and an idea of how to pursue your new small business. So, what’s the best type of business to start? Check out our top money-making small business ideas below.
1. Proofreading Services
Wondering how to make money from home? If you love to correct grammar and punctuation, offering proofreading may be a great new business to start. Perks can include working from home and setting your own hours. Startup costs are generally low. You’ll typically need a computer, grammar style guides (such as the latestAP StylebookandChicago Manualof Style) and perhaps certain software programs used by your clients. You can promote your service on sites like Upwork, LinkedIn, and other places where prospective clients may look.
2. Social Media Manager
Do youknow the ins and outs of Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and othersocial channels? Helpbusinesses keep up with the latest trends and tricks for building andengaging audiencesthrough social media. Thenshow your value by using analytics to gauge how well your social campaigns perform.
3. Podcast Producer or Editor
You may hear the term “content marketing” more than you hearabout advertising these days.Companies are seeking to engage their prospects and clients via alltypes of content. Podcasts are an integral part of content marketing and can be agreat niche for someone who wants to have a thriving content marketingbusiness. It all comes down to experience and having a portfolio of existing work to sell yourexpertise to new clients. A professional website with examples of your bestwork is a must.
4. Graphic Designer
Even if you have a degree or ample experience in design, it’s important to stay current on all the latest design programs and trends. If you need a refresher, graphic design courses at local colleges can help. Designers who also have animation and web development experience typically have the most opportunities. Develop an attractive website that houses samples of your best work to show to prospective clients. Then network through business networking groups and in places where businesses look for graphic designers, such as Upwork and LinkedIn.
5. Travel Agent
Dreaming of a job where your “research” involves traveling to exotic destinations? A travel agency could be the business for you. You’ll need to take some travel planning courses, such as those offered by theInternational Air Transport Association (IATA). Or you could get a degree in travel and tourism. A handful of states, includingCaliforniaandFlorida, also require travel agents to register. It doesn’t hurt to serve a specific niche. For example, a geographical niche might mean becoming the go-to person for Orlando, Fla. theme parks or for trips to Central America. Or you could channel your inner Rick Steves and become a European vacation expert.
6. Career or Life Coach
If you like counseling people and helping them help themselves, being a career or life coach may be your calling. You can get training and certification through organizations accredited by theInternational Coach Federation (ICF). Rather than being vague about your expertise, refine your area of coaching to attract a certain group of clients. Whether that’s leadership coaching or helping people who are making career transitions.
7. Food Delivery Services
Depending on your location, you may need several licensesand permits, including those that allow you to handle food. Consider partneringwith popular local restaurants and food businesses for a win-win. They can bring inmore business while you benefit from their established recognition in thecommunity. (If you plan to prepare the food yourself, you may need to work froma commercial kitchen.) You’ll need a website unless you work with anestablished food delivery company, such as BiteSquad.
8. Furniture Maker
If you’re looking for unique small business ideas, you may want to consider creating your own product. For instance, the demand for well-crafted home furnishings has been growing. The time could be right for more high-end, uniquely designed, domestically-made furniture. Success in this area will likely depend on finding a niche and utilizing unusual signature designs. Your marketing strategy will also be key: Will you want to sell online, get your furniture into retail stores, or both? Your operations initially can easily be set up right from home, either in a garage, basem*nt, or designated room.
9. Bookkeeper
For someone who knows how to manage financial records, thiscan be a solid business opportunity that requires minimal startup capital. Youmay even work from home. Getacquainted with bookkeeping through online courses or get a head start on atwo-year associate degree in bookkeeping or accounting. Certificationfrom the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers could also enhance yourcredentials.
10. Professional Organizer
Being a “neat freak” could make you a natural fit for thistype of startup. Professionalorganization is perfect if you like to stay abreast of trends in homeand office organization and be savvy about how you market your services.Industry groups such as the National Association of Professional Organizersoffer training and certification. They also provide pointers on how to launch a profitable smallbusiness and network with prospective clients. Many professional organizers usesocial media to share organizational tips and meet potential clients.
11. House Cleaner
If you are in good physical health and enjoy washing andorganizing, then cleaning homes may be a good work opportunity. It’s strenuous,gritty work, but it’s an affordable business to start. All you need arecleaning supplies and transportation to get to your clients’ locations. Do somemarket research to determine what kind of housecleaning service would be most in-demand in your area.Then carve your niche and come up with a competitive pricing structure. Forexample, many startup cleaning services focus on using environmentally-friendlypractices and products.
12. Food Delivery
This is a good option if you want a flexible schedule.Food delivery drivers work at any time during the day and can set their own hours. There are usually opportunities to make extra money during peak hours.
13. Photographer
Enthusiastic shutterbugs can turn their pastime into apaycheck. Interning or apprenticing with an established professionalphotographer can help you learn the business. Avoid a common trap whilestarting a photography business: buying a ton of expensive equipment and photoediting software. Instead, buy used and slowly build your equipment inventorybased on your needs. Building a strong portfolio and finding a niche can help:Are you interested in shooting sports events, weddings, family portraits, orsomething else?
14. Grocery Delivery
This may seem like a crowded field, with competing companiesranging from Peapod to Amazon to established grocery stores. There may,however, still be ways to carve out a niche. Perhaps you’ll focus on sourcinggroceries from health food stores or co-ops that offer organically grownproduce. Or you canprovide extra perks such as recipes and accompanying ingredients.
15. Miscellaneous Services
Do you have some decent handyman skills? Are you a greatwedding DJ? You might try offering your services on sharing economy websites,such asTaskRabbitorThumbtack.Note that you may have to work odd hours or change plans when work comes yourway. If you’re lucky and have skills that are in demand, you may be able tobuild a reliable base of clients who regularly seek your services.
16. Freelance Writer or Editor
These professionals can stay at home and produce content fora variety of venues. All they need are writing skills, editing skills, acomputer, and an internet connection. Then start accessing companies or individuals who have a needfor the work they do.
17. Jewelry Repair Business
Setting up a jewelry repair shop in your own home is easy,convenient, and inexpensive. Customers can drop off their jewelry in need offixing directly to your home. On-the-job training is a must, and somevocational classes could help. As you establish your own business, you mightconsider seeking one of the four certification levels offered by Jewelers ofAmerica.
18. Professional Blogger/Social Media Influencer
Thinkingabout starting a blog and turning it into a business venture? Blogs are a greatmethod for how to make money in business. Professional bloggers earnmoney through selling advertising and affiliate marketing on their own blogs orby getting paid to blog for another company or organization. Popular topics forbloggers include travel, cooking, health, technology, and finance.
19. At-Home Pet Sitter
Want to turn your love of dogs and cats into a business?Becoming a pet sitter could be an option. Reputation is going to be everything,and you may have to offer discounts as you build the pet sitting business.
20. At-Home Daycare
Are you great with kids and have a home that’s a safe environment for children? Or, are you a single mom in need of side hustle? You already know what you’re doing when it comes to childcare. Now you can make these skills work for you by offering babysitting and childcare services. Daycare could be a business option.
Notethat every state has its own licensing rules regarding home daycare providers,which often involve home inspections, background checks, and following specificregulations. Consider getting experience by working at a licensed daycarecenter. Gain a good reputation, and you could have a successful, home-basedbusiness.
21. Sell Handmade Products Online
Do you have a talent for making things? Have you always been crafty? If so,Etsymay be the place for you. The website hosts countless profitable small businesses that offer homemade goods. These goods include jewelry, clothing, toys, craft supplies, and home decor. Etsy sellers also sell vintage items. Etsy allows sellers to channel their inner creative spirit while taking in extra cash each month. For the crafty, this could be the perfect small business side hustle.
22. Web Designer
Websites are necessary for selling products and services inour modern economy. This means that businesses especially need websites to sellproducts to their customers, as well as to communicate with them. Therefore, ifyou have website building skills, the market is booming with opportunity. Allyou have to do is get the word out about your website design services and begin. Building andoptimizing your own website can be a good starting point.
23. Online Tutor
Math, science, and English are common subjects students need help with. If you have teaching experience, a degree, or are knowledgeable about these subjects, online tutoring could be for you. Certain companies also hire current college students for tutoring jobs. To find online tutoring opportunities, check outAim-for-AorChegg Tutors.
24. Virtual Assistant
Working as a virtual assistant can be more profitable thanmany people would think. Online tasks such as proofreading blog posts,formatting email newsletters, and responding to customer questions aretime-consuming for companies. Virtual assistants can step in and finish thesetasks easily while working from the comfort of their own home. All you need todo is search for job openings to start.
25. Photograph Seller
In the age of social media, taking photos has become so muchmore common. Today, sites likeShutterstockandiStock by GettyImageswill allow you to sell photos for money. So thenext time you capture that breathtaking landscape for your Instagram account,think about turning a profit.
26. Survey Filler
Did you know you can get paid by expressing your opinion? Companies likeSurvey Junkiepay users cash for taking surveys. This is a good way to get a little extra income flowing in, although it has the potential to become time-consuming.
27. Search Engine Optimizer (SEO)
Reaching customers on the internet is only becoming morechallenging and complex. Understanding SEO means you can help companiessuccessfully navigate Google and other search engines. These skills can earnyou money in today’s market. To start learning the basics of SEO, read throughthe guides inMoz’slearning center.
28. Video Editor
When you’re struggling with what side business to get started with, one good option is to use skills you already have. For instance, as more companies turn to video to communicate their messages to consumers, video editing skills become more valued. This skill can be used to assist businesses, or even to assist individuals, with making videos.
29. Invest in Real Estate
Rentingreal estate to tenants can bring in passive income without much effort. Andtoday’s landlords don’t need to deal with the hassle of long leases and badtenants. With Airbnb, you can simply rent a spare room in your home or extraproperty.
30. Food Truck
Have alove of food, but don’t have the capital or desire for a full-blown restaurant?Think about starting a catering business or food truck. Starting can below-cost if you purchase or lease a used trailer. This business venture is inhigh demand for weddings, farmer’s markets, and other events.
The Key to Starting a Small Business That Makes Money
Ready to start a business? Making money starts with knowing what’s out there. The key to success as a business owner is finding the right job to fit your needs, skills and preferences. Once you do that, don’t be afraid to invest in your small business ideas. With today’s digital environment syncing multiple streams of income in support of a single well-supported lifestyle is easier than you might think.
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a full-time job oralready have one. Adoptingthe right mindset and putting your skills to work can help lead to amoney-making victory.
