Tired of working for someone else? Don’t like other people bossing around? If so, starting your own business might be the perfect path for you. And if you don’t have an idea of what this business can be, make sure not to skip this article. Here we’re exploring the 20 most lucrative directions in which new entrepreneurs may want to run their own business.
Table of Contents
1. Handyman
If you’re DIY-inclined, it might be a good idea to start a handyman business and turn your skills into a money-making asset. To spread the word about yourself, post an ad in your local newsletter or create a simple website listing services you specialize in. Don’t try to embrace all the services possible, though. It’s best to start small and expand the coverage as you go.
The good thing about this business is that it requires neither special education nor a certificate, making it easy to launch for everyone. That said, in some states, you may still need a license to operate a business that generates more than a certain amount of dollars.
2. Online selling
If you’re keen on fashion and looking for a job to do from home, launching an online reseller business can be the way to go. The great thing about this business is that it doesn’t necessarily have to be full-time work from the outset. You can run it as a side job while doing something else. And then, when you notice progress, you can turn it into a venture that earns a living.
All clothes for resale can be easily purchased at shopping sales or flea markets at more than affordable prices. If you drive around your neighborhood and ask people to donate items they no longer need, you can find even more great clothes that can go on your virtual shelves.
Side-hustles have taken the world by storm. But you can turn this into a career by putting the profession into professional. All you need to do is learn the basics. Start slow, and work your way up. Invest in tools, learn how to write a handyman invoice, and keep up with licensing. Then you can slowly move on from there if you want to do it full-time.
3. Pet Sitting
Being a pet sitter isn’t one of the first ideas that may cross your mind when planning your own business but is certainly quite rewarding, especially if you’re a big fan of pets. To give you the gist, over 66% of US households have a pet. And all these families may occasionally need to put their furry friends into shelters when going away on a vacation.
Moreover, some pets take even a short separation from their owners too hard, bringing lots of stress into the lives of thousands of families. That’s where your pet-sitting business can be a game-changer.
By taking care of your neighbors’ dogs, cats, or any other pets, you’ll give them peace of mind that the mental health of their four-legged friends is in safe hands while you can earn good money. Besides, pet-sitting can easily fit into a full-time employee’s schedule, so you can start it as a side hustle and then make a decision if you want to do it as a full-time job.
4. T-Shirt Printing
Another great business idea that is ideal for creative people is T-shirt printing. Basically, all you need is your desire to work and a T-shirt printing machine with a pack of ink. Transfer your imagination to the canvas of T-shirts to create truly outstanding pieces of clothing. Handmade T-shirts with unique designs are valued among fashion enthusiasts all around the world.
Alternatively, you can get a license from the brands which prints you like and want to use on your clothes. This will help extend your range and tap into established fan bases.
5. Cleaning Services
Many people don’t like to clean up their homes, while others simply don’t have time for work and household chores, which opens the door to a very profitable business. Starting a cleaning business is very easy and doesn’t require a lot of capital. All you need is to get a few cleaning supplies and advertise yourself.
Start by asking people around if they need help with cleaning their homes. You can also check with your local commercial facilities if they’re looking for cleaners. The cleaning job, though not the easiest, is financially rewarding. You’d be surprised how much you can earn by turning it into a proper business.
And when you get more clients than you can physically cover, you can hire additional staff to expand your cleaning services. At some point in time, you may completely get away from cleaning and become the boss of your own cleaning team.
6. Online Teaching
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, online teaching has become the new norm. Why not seize this opportunity if you feel a strong passion for education and want to share your knowledge with others? Online teaching offers a flexible and potentially lucrative business opportunity that allows you to impact learners worldwide.
If you don’t excel in any particular subject but your English is good, you can consider becoming an English teacher for foreign students. This business is easy to run and requires nothing more than a laptop, camera, microphone, and Internet connection.
Absolutely, online teaching offers a flexible and potentially lucrative business opportunity that allows you to impact learners worldwide. Many people are eager to learn new skills and subjects, including cryptocurrency investment. If you’re knowledgeable about topics like how to purchase Dogecoin or other cryptocurrency-related subjects, you can tap into this demand and create online courses or tutorials to educate others. It’s not only a way to share your expertise but also a chance to potentially earn income from your knowledge in a growing field.
7. Online Consulting
If you aren’t interested in teaching but enjoy working with people and have deep knowledge in a particular field, online consulting can be a fulfilling and profitable venture. Whether you’re an expert in business, marketing, finance, SMM, health, technology, or any other area, be sure there’s an audience eager to tap into your insights and expertise.
8. Freelance Writing Business
Freelance writing is another great business idea to consider. What’s good about freelance writing is that it is available for everyone, regardless of whether you’ve got a degree in journalism and literature or not. You don’t even need to be a native speaker to break into the international market. A portfolio visualizer can help demonstrate the effectiveness and reach of marketing strategies or the variety and depth of written content to potential clients, showcasing your expertise and attracting a broader audience.
Part of the prerequisite for a successful career as a freelance writer is knowledge of a specific topic, which can be anything from the crypto world, streaming, and marketing, to caring for your garden. When you’re an expert in the theme, you can create a blog to share your insights with other people and eventually turn it into a profitable business.
9. A Sewing Specialist
Mending clothes is something people will always need. And if you love sewing, you can easily turn your hobby into a business. Start by offering hemming and alteration services to your friends and family, and as you gain experience and build a reputation, expand your offerings to a wider audience.
To be a sewing specialist, all you need is a good sewing machine, quality thread, and strong sewing skills. No license or certificate is necessary.
10. Food Delivery Service
If you’ve been thinking about opening a restaurant but the budget is holding you back, consider starting a food delivery service instead. This business doesn’t entail the overhead costs of a brick-and-mortar restaurant while offering you the opportunity to serve delicious meals to your customers.
You may have a small clientele at first. However, as more people get to know your service, it will gradually grow, and you’ll have the chance to build a loyal base of customers among both your neighborhood and office workers looking for convenient dining options.
11. Photographer
Photography is another great idea for starting your own business. And though photography equipment isn’t exactly cheap, the rewards can be immensely satisfying. To get started, take photos of your friends, relatives, and family to build a portfolio of your works. You will also need to create a business page on social media networks where people can find you.
Every time you upload a new batch of photos to your professional account, make sure to tag people. This will encourage them to share these photos with their following, thus exposing your service to a wider audience. It’s also a good idea to specialize in a specific photo genre rather than being a jack of all trades to build a strong business profile. This is where your portfolio will come in handy. Do you want to specialize in weddings? Maybe family photos? Build out your portfolio and print off quality hard copies using Mixbook. Customers can flip through your stunning work to see different photographs with the same theme.
12. Massage Therapist
If you have a passion for wellness and a healing touch, becoming a massage therapist can be a fulfilling entrepreneurial endeavor. This business doesn’t require much investment other than buying a good bed and can be started by anyone with training in massage therapy and customer service.
13. Digital Marketing
It’s never been so important to establish a strong presence online. At the same time, as competition gets more fierce every day, it’s become more challenging for companies to cut through the noise. That’s where your knowledge of digital marketing can make a significant impact.
You don’t even need to join an in-house team to start working as a marketer. Many companies, including well-known brands, choose to outsource specialists to run advertising campaigns remotely. So, if you have the required expertise and set competitive pricing, you can become a digital marketer and pave the way for a profitable career in the digital marketplace.
14. Event Planner
For people with strong interpersonal and organizational skills, the role of an event planner can be the way to go. First things first, it’s not expensive to start — you will only need to pay for advertising your services. And secondly, this role is not the easiest to automate, which means it’ll remain popular for a long time.
Depending on the time you’re ready to invest in this role, you can choose to specialize in one particular event, like weddings, for example. Or, if you plan to work with a team, embrace all trades. Event planners, like marketers and other consulting specialists, advertise online to find clients using platforms like WeddingWire, Eventective, and similar.
15. Audio/Video Editor
The popularity of podcasts is growing exponentially. According to reports, in 2021, there were already more than 1.75 million podcasts, and this number has risen quite a lot since then. Sure enough, many companies see this as an opportunity to connect with their customers.
The tricky part? Not all of them have the skills or time to produce this type of content. And though AI tools are getting quite good at generating different content, the human touch is still irreplaceable when it comes to audio/video production. This is where your expertise as an audio and video editor can shine.
16. Start a Dropshipping Business
Another business that you can start with little to no money is dropshipping. The great thing about dropshipping is that you don’t have to worry about logistics or warehouses since all the items are stored in the manufacturer’s inventory, and there’s no need for a brick-and-mortar store. As long as you have a website or your personal social media account, you can sell.
What is also great about dropshipping is that there’s no limit to the amount of money you can earn. You can partner with any number of manufacturers, offering your audience the widest range of items, and they will definitely return to your store for more.
17. Become a Vacation Host
If you have a property with a spare room, you can consider joining the Airbnb platform and becoming a vacation host. Airbnb is one of the most popular platforms among tourists from all over the world with over 150 million users. Imagine how many check-ins happen on this platform every day! And you could most certainly get your share of the profits.
Becoming a host isn’t difficult, but it does come with certain responsibilities. First off, you need to keep the place neat and clean. You’ll also need to buy supplies such as toiletries, bedding, utensils, etc. from time to time. Additionally, hosting may require occasional maintenance to keep the business running.
However, even with these costs, becoming an Airbnb host can be a lucrative venture that provides a steady stream of income. And if for any reason you don’t like it, you can stop hosting at any time.
18. Tour Guide
Do you live in a picturesque corner of the country and know everything about this land? If so, you can become a tour guide and earn money by showing foreigners around your area. Of course, you’ll need to do additional research to be able to provide your guests with insightful and engaging tours, but the effort is well worth it.
Actually, with so many tour guides to choose from, you don’t necessarily have to specialize in history if this niche doesn’t particularly appeal to you. Instead, you can arrange foodie tours for travelers who love to explore local cuisine or outdoor adventure tours for those seeking thrilling experiences. The choice is yours.
19. Makeup Artist
While makeup stuff is readily available at any store, not all people have a talent for enhancing natural beauty. Therefore, becoming a makeup artist can be a rewarding career choice. However, in order to tap into the makeup artistry, you’ll need to invest in a few things.
First off, you need to have professional makeup training to gain a strong foundation in makeup techniques, hygiene, and skincare. Not only will this give you confidence that you’re doing everything right but it will also add credibility to your skills and help attract more clients.
You also need to spend time building a professional portfolio showcasing your versatility and expertise. The better your portfolio looks, the more likely you are to attract people, so you may need to reach out to photographers and models to help you on that front. Aside from that, you’ll need to invest in high-quality makeup products and tools, which can be quite costly.
Regardless, with a strong business plan in place, your investments can be easily paid off and you can make a name of a respected makeup artist who has a queue of people eagerly waiting for your services.
20. Become an Affiliate
If you have a website or blog that receives traffic, you can consider an affiliate marketing business. Affiliate marketing is a great online business model that allows you to earn commissions by promoting products or services from other companions on your website or blog.
This business is quite easy to start even if you don’t have much experience in it. All you need is to find a few affiliate programs and networks related to your chosen niche, complete an application, and wait for approval. If you meet the program’s requirements, such as website traffic and content quality, you’ll get the green light to begin your affiliate marketing journey.
Once approved, continuously optimize your affiliate marketing strategy based on performance data. It may also be a good idea to experiment with different products, content formats, and promotional methods to determine the most effective approach for your audience.
Conclusion
All told, there are hundreds of opportunities to start a business across various industries. If you have motivation, passion, and commitment to bring what you started to completion, you should have no problem finding a niche where your expertise and skills can shine.
