25 Great Small Business Ideas
Find the perfect small business idea for your next venture. We’ve organized our list of small business ideas into these categories:
Browse our full collection of business idea lists in our Business Ideas Categories guide.
Hear startup stories and business insights from real founders on the Startup Savants podcast.
Most Profitable Small Business Ideas
1. Consulting Business
Consultants solve problems and offer advice to clients. Consulting businesses offer a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to offer their expertise to others in a lucrative way.
Get started with these business idea guides:
2. Cleaning Service
Those with an eye for detail and a knack for tidying up may consider starting a cleaning service. With a potentially small investment, a cleaning business can service many different types of clients and customers. There’s always a need for cleaning services, meaning the profit potential is always good.
Get started with these business idea guides:
3. Beauty Industry
The beauty industry is a booming business, and many people are looking to use their skills and expertise to earn extra money. Beauty businesses can encompass anything from makeup artistry to cosmetic manufacturing and salons.
Get started with these business idea guides:
4. Real Estate Business
The real estate industry is a thriving and diverse one that offers plenty of opportunities for those who are interested in starting their own venture. There are many different aspects to this field, and it is important to have well-rounded knowledge if you want to succeed.
Get started with these business idea guides:
Online Business Ideas
5. Online Courses
Online courses have become increasingly popular as they provide an easy and low-cost way to learn new information. Many online course businesses offer a variety of topics, from business management to computer programming, and offer varying levels of certification.
Get started with our online courses business guide.
6. Social Media
As the popularity of social media continues to rise, so do the business opportunities. Your social media-based business could be about content production, or you could opt to work behind the scenes helping other businesses thrive as a social media manager or consultant. Either way, the potential for profit and the relatively low startup costs are worth considering.
Get started with these business idea guides:
7. Tech Development
There is a growing demand for tech-related services and digital products as businesses continue to move online. Entrepreneurs with a background in coding or development may consider starting their own tech business, either for product creation or for web-based services.
Get started with these business idea guides:
8. Graphic Design
If you have an eye for visual arts and creating designs for clients, a graphic design business can be a great way to make your own income and have creative control over your work. Its low startup costs and ongoing expenses make it a great online-based (and home-based) business idea for creative individuals.
Get started with our graphic design business guide.
9. Drop Shipping
Drop shipping is a business model where products are sold without having to carry the inventory yourself. This is done by placing an order with the supplier, and then getting the product delivered directly to your customer. You may consider starting a general drop shipping business or focusing on serving a particular platform like Amazon.
Get started with our drop shipping and Amazon drop shipping business guides.
10. YouTube Channel
YouTube is one of the most popular platforms for broadcasting and sharing video content online. Millions of users tune in to watch videos each day, and many YouTube channels have become very successful thanks to their innovative monetization strategies.
Get started with our YouTube channel guide.
Low Startup Cost Business Ideas
11. Dog Walking Business
Do you have at least a few hours a day to spare? If so, consider starting your own dog walking business. This is a great low-cost business idea that can be very profitable. There are many benefits to running your own dog walking business. First, you can work from home. Second, you can set your own hours. And third, you can be your own boss.
12. Personal Trainer
Individuals with a background in fitness may consider becoming a personal trainer. A personal training business is a low-cost, low-investment business that requires minimal ongoing costs. If you already have equipment, you can base your business from home. Otherwise, many personal trainers offer their services through gyms to keep expenses low.
13. Event Planning
If you have an eye for detail and are good at multitasking, becoming an event planner could be a low-cost way to start your own business. Clients can vary from weddings to conferences and even larger-scale conventions. You can provide services for multiple types of events or focus on a particular niche.
14. Pet-Sitting Business
For animal-loving entrepreneurs with expertise in pet care, consider starting a pet-sitting business. Pet sitters offer short- and long-term care for clients’ animals, either at the clients’ home or in the sitter’s home. Some sitters only focus on a particular animal such as dogs or cats, while others offer broad services.
15. Freelance Writing
A freelance writing business can be a low-cost, small-investment enterprise that can provide you with a steady stream of income. With a little effort and creativity, you can start your own freelance writing business and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Home Business Ideas
16. Catering
A catering business can be a great way to work from home and make your own schedule. Catering businesses can be operated in a number of ways, including as a full-time business, part-time business, or you can hire staff and grow the business.
Get started with our catering business guide.
17. Foreign Language
There is a growing demand for foreign language skills in today’s economy, making it an ideal home-based business opportunity. With the use of online resources and software, anyone can start and run their own business from the comfort of their own home, providing excellent flexibility and work-life balance. Consider offering your knowledge as a language instructor or as an interpreter.
Get started with these business idea guides:
18. Home Inspector
A home inspector business can be a great way to work from home, and there are many ways to start this type of business. You can start by providing home inspection services, and then you can pivot to focus on providing other services such as home repairs or remodeling. Getting started requires passing a state test, and there are online courses to help you prepare.
19. Professional Organizer
Do you have a flair for organizing? Are you looking for a way to make money from home? If so, consider starting a professional organizer business. There are many reasons why this business could be successful. First, it is a relatively new and growing field. Second, it is something that can be done anywhere in the world. And finally, professional organizers typically charge high fees for their services.
Passive Income Business Ideas
20. Car Wash
Are you looking for a passive income small business idea? Then consider starting your own car wash business. Car washes continue to be one of the best small business ideas for generating passive income.
21. Airbnb Business
So many people are creating passive income by renting out all or part of their homes, including vacation rentals and event-oriented rentals. If you have space to rent, especially in a desirable location, starting an Airbnb could generate the passive income you’re looking for.
22. Laundromat
A laundromat business could be an excellent way to provide passive income, and there are many options available for starting a successful laundromat business. Some considerations when starting a laundromat business include location, hours of operation, equipment required, and pricing strategies.
Unique Small Business Ideas
23. Beer Brewing
Want an idea for a unique business? If so, consider starting a beer brewing business. This industry is growing and there are many opportunities available. Microbrewing and nanobrewing businesses are well suited for college towns and for cities with large populations of educated citizens, especially college-grad millennials.
24. Axe-Throwing Business
Axe throwing is a small business idea that may be the most unique of all of them on this business ideas list. Axe throwing is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, making it a great option for entrepreneurs wanting something out of bounds.
25. Rage Room
Rage rooms are all the rage on this list of unique business ideas to start. A rage room is a place where people go to break things, kick things, hit things, and basically release stress and frustration without hurting themselves or others. Consider it therapy for pent-up rage.
More Small Business Ideas
Business Ideas for Kids and Teens
How to Start a Small Business
Turning your perfect business idea into a small business is easy with our guides:
Step 1. Plan Your Business
In the planning stages of a business, we recommend starting by choosing a name, finding a business location, conducting market research, and creating a business plan.
Step 2: Get Funding
Learn how to plan, raise, and manage your funds by visiting our guide to Small Business Finance. Then, visit our How to Build Business Credit Fast guide for detailed instructions on how to build credit for your business.
Step 3: Choose a Business Structure
Check out our How to Choose a Business Structure guide to learn which business structure will be the best fit for your unique business. Most small businesses benefit most from forming an LLC.
Step 4: Form Your Business
Form your business today using our corporation, nonprofit, or LLC guides. Alternatively, you can use a professional formation service to help you.
Step 5: Set Up Banking and Accounting
It’s important to separate business and personal assets immediately. In our guides, you can learn more about business banking and small business credit cards.
Step 6: Get Insured
Business insurance helps manage risk and allows you to focus on developing your small business.
Step 7: Get Licenses and Permits
To operate your new business legally, you’ll need to comply with federal, state, and local government regulations. In many cases, this involves obtaining one or more business licenses and/or permits.
Step 8: Build a Business Website
Every business needs a website. We recommend using a website builder and our website building guides to simplify the process. Using a website tool like the GoDaddy Website Builder makes creating a basic website easy.
Check out our Best Website Builder review to learn more about website builder features and value.
Small Business Franchise Opportunities
If you’re eager for an entrepreneurial career but are intimidated by the prospect of creating your own business concept, a franchise can be a great option.
Check out our Franchise Guide to learn more about franchising, or browse some popular types of franchises below.
Coffee Shop
Coffee shops are great for people who like to build long-lasting relationships—customers tend to be regulars, with some even coming in daily. Opening a coffee shop franchise typically requires $200,000-$700,000 of investment, in addition to long hours to get the business up and running.
Daycare
Opening a daycare franchise is an excellent option for people who love to nurture and influence children. It can also be a great choice for entrepreneurs interested in opening a business with stable demand and regular customers.
Laundromat
Laundromats are great franchises for entrepreneurs who want to start a business but don’t want to put in a ton of time. Once they’re up-and-running, laundromats are typically low-maintenance.
Moving Company
Moving can be a hassle, so many look to hire a moving service to help take the stress off of their hands. If you live in a densely populated area, joining a strong moving company franchise ensures ready access to a large pool of customers.