Are you looking to become your own boss or just begin a side business to earn some extra cash? Here are our top 10 recommendations for small businesses almost anyone can start. None of these take any special skill or talent or require a lot of capital to get going.
1. Buy and Resell
Anyone can find cheap items online or in local stores and then sell them at a higher price. You should focus on items that are popular right now and that you know will get a sale, or you can focus on items you know a lot about. Spend some time searching up prices for your current market, so you can get an idea of how much you should be selling for. Also, wait for sales to buy any of them for your business.
2. Fruit Selling
You don’t have to be a farmer to sell fruit locally. You can go to wholesale markets and famer’s markets and get really good prices, and then you can take that produce and set up a stand somewhere that has no produce stores nearby. Sell at a rate below that of the grocery chains and you should do well. Also make sure that you set up your stall in an area where you will be highly visible.
3. Pet Sitting
If you know much about pets, you could start up your own pet-sitting business. This means you will be hanging out at people’s houses with their pets or taking the pets to your house to hang out. You may also take the pets for walks or on playdates with other pets, and it’s a god idea to prepare your vehicle for animals to travel in it. You may want to hire an NYC apartment cleaning service to cover your household chores for you while you take care of other people’s pets, because the hours can be really long.
4. Babysitting
In some areas, you may need to take a course or get some sort of accreditation before you start babysitting professionally, but otherwise, this is a fairly easy industry to get into. Just be friendly and get some good references and you should be all set. Also make sure you know how to deal with emergencies and any kind of small problem you might run into with the kids.
5. Personal Shopper
Do you have good taste in clothes, food, and other goods? Are you trustworthy and personable? You could become a personal shopper, buying things for other people and doing some of their errands so that they don’t have to. This is a great job for someone who loves to shop, who knows where the good buys are, and who is good at making smart recommendation to their friends. You can help out people who have busy schedules and do some of their shopping for them, assisting them with the buying decisions.
6. Start a Food Cart
This one takes a little bit of investment to get started, but you could always rent a food cart to begin with. If you can find one for rent and you have a good food idea that you can pull off, then this small business can be a lot of fun. It’s hard work to make the food each day and to keep up with customers’ orders, but if you are good at it, you can become popular and successful quickly.
7. Handyman
Do you know how to fix things and are you good with your hands? You could be a general handyman, which would mean you are perhaps less skilled than a plumber, electrician, or other specialist. So, training courses might not be required, but a good knowledge of how to repair things is essential. If you are used to fixing things around your house in a way that makes them look like new, then why not put those skills to use as a small business owner?
8. Landscaper
This one requires very little skill to get started. You can learn a lot about the job as you go along. Just get a few tools to begin with, like a mower, weedwhacker, clippers, and a gardening spade. For people who work in their own gardens, clip their own bushes, or cut their own grass, this business is a natural fit. You will be able to work at your leisure, and there is work to be had all year round.
9. Car Washing
You could set up a car wash on your property, just putting up signs and enticing people to make use of our services. You could also go to where people are and wash their cars for them at their convenience. It’s up to you how to go about the business, but make sure you know what kind of cleaning agents to use on different types of cars and practice on your vehicle first. If you can get it looking shiny, take some pictures, and use them to promote your business.
10. Photographer
Anyone can take pictures these days using their smartphone, but can you use a professional grade camera and take smart pics? Try looking at some free online tutorials for how to get started. There are YouTube training videos you can use and some free classes you can find online that will teach you the basics, and then you can learn on the job from there. You might be surprised at how quickly you pick up the skill and learn the tricks of the trade.
Many of these jobs just require you to be resourceful and dedicated. If you have the willpower and you are able to learn as you go, you can do a lot with a small business and earn a decent living by doing something you love. Who knows how far the side business can go and if it one day might become your main focus and provide everything you need to live.
11. Dog Training
A deep understanding of canine behavior can lead you to start a dog training business. People are always looking for ways to ensure their pets are well-behaved, making dog training an in-demand skill. You don’t necessarily need a degree, but attending workshops or getting certifications can give you an edge. Networking with local veterinarians, pet stores, and shelters can also get your name out there. To begin, you might offer free sessions or discounted rates for referrals. Word-of-mouth will become your most powerful tool as you build your reputation and portfolio. Offering group classes or specialized training, like agility or therapy dog sessions, can further expand your client base and increase your income.
