You might have often read or watched a YouTube video about how starting a small business is a tough job. How you should always stay away from business if you don’t have “these qualities.“ The thing is… Starting a business is quite easy, and depending on which country you live, you can register a new business within 24 hours. What is the problem then? The real problem is running the business successfully and actually making profit out of it. That’s what most people don’t talk about. There are also many businesses that make $1+ Million in revenue, but the actual profit margin is only 5%.
So, yes, starting a small business is easy, but the real trick is starting a business that actually works. And, that’s what I’m going to talk about today. I have made it easier for you to choose a trendy and profitable business that will actually make you profit. They require low investment and you won’t have to spend too much time in managing it. I don’t want to say this since it would fill you with overconfidence, but I have also include some businesses that you can run on autopilot.
So, if you’re ready…let’s dive in…
(1) Etsy Shop
Before you ask too many questions, here are some reasons why starting an Etsy shop is going to be a great decision (the reason why most women do it): (a) Super easy and cheap to list your business, (b) Low listing fee, (c) Low transaction fee compared to other ecommerce websites.
Etsy is the go-to website if you want to list your small business. The best thing about Etsy is, unlike Amazon, it’s a tad bit less competitive. And, since most women choose Etsy to showcase their business products, the platform has an optimistic environment for sellers, and for buyers too. Of course, you’ll have to make your products unique and affordable, but, trust me when I say this: It’s far better than Amazon, or any other ecommerce website.
To add to your happiness, building your brand on Etsy is easier than other ecommerce sites. Few years ago, it was relatively easier to feature on top of Etsy, but today it’s little harder than before. But, don’t let that stop you though. Since, your hard work will actually payout without you even spending a dime.
(2) Virtual Assistant
It’s not like Virtual Assistant didn’t exist few years ago, but being a Virtual Assistant has become popular in the past few years, especially after the 2020 world events. As a virtual assistant your job would be to help your client take off some of their workload and making money out of it.
In fact, being a virtual assistant is super-helpful for you too. It helps you to learn time management. Yes, it’s often harder in the beginning, but once you get a hang of it, you’ll do good. Now, let’s talk about how you can setup a small business out of your virtual assistant side hustle. Once you know how the entire system works, make a website, and revisit your previous employer. Next, you can either hire VAs from Fiverr, or anyone you know personally. Or you can go solo in the beginning and your company’s first employee.
One thing you have to keep in mind is that every business takes time to make money. The first few steps are hard. It’s like moving a rusted wheel, but once you start getting clients, your business will roll in the dollars faster than your work.
(3) Social Media Management Service
While most parents blame social media, social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter (X), Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms have made many people millionaires, even a few billionaires. Aside from those millionaire influencers and content creators, there’s another small business niche that makes huge money—It’s the “Social Media Management Services.” While there are solo Social Media Managers, but the real OGs are the the management businesses that makes the most money.
As it is with most businesses, the initial days will be hard. So, you have two options, either join a social media management company and gather working experience, or go solo, which is riskier and harder. Once you know how the entire business work, and have enough money to invest, start your own. You only need a few good deals. Most big business and famous people don’t have the time to stick to their social media account. That’s where your company comes in.
I have read online that the top Social Media Management companies make millions to manage social media accounts, though I cannot confirm how true this information, unfortunately.
(4) Blogging
I guess Blogging is the most versatile way to earn money today. People have started blogging as a side hustle, and have switched it into a full-fledged business with millions in yearly revenue. Blogging gurus like Pay Flynn and Adam Enfroy have proven this repeatedly that Blogging is yet a great way to make money.
What makes Blogging a great small business is it’s low-barrier entry. You can literally start a blog with NO MONEY! Yeah, I don’t know when was the last time I said that. Of course, a free website comes with too many restrictions, but it’s possible to test your blogging instinct. But, if you want to jump the bandwagon and become a professional blogger, then you can start an operational website within $20.
What makes blogging a great business idea is the sheer number of money-making options. Your new blog can make money in countless ways. The most common way is through affiliate marketing, and ads. Most bloggers make the real money from selling courses. Anastasia from anastasiablogger.com regularly makes $30,000+ every month from her single blog. Most of her income comes from her Pinterest course.
Finally, before you jump right in thinking there’s big money blogging, you’re half-right. Yes, there’s still big money from blogging, but it has become harder than before. If making money is your only reason to enter into blogging, then you’ll quickly lose hope once things go wrong. So, please think multiple times before starting a new blog.
(5) Skillshare Coach
Lately, Skillshare has become the biggest money-maker for many online gurus. But, Skillshare has existed for years now. If you don’t know Skillshare, it’s an online platform where you can release courses and make money as people watch them. It’s a bit similar to Udemy, but I feel Skillshare is a better way to make money, especially if your course focuses on teaching something that require repeated lessons (graphic design, music lessons). You only have to make a well-made course and release on Skillshare. That’s pretty much it.
If your courses are good and valuable, releasing it on Skillshare will make you some serious cash. If you have a hard time believing me, then search “Skillshare income report” and you’ll know how much people are earning. Earning money from course selling is the best passive income idea. You can make money while on vacation, and surprisingly enough, selling courses on Skillshare is most common among bloggers and content creators.
Famous YouTuber Ali Abdaal makes $1M+ every year from Skillshare alone. Of course, he is top of the line content creator, but most people with valuable courses easily make $1,000 every month. The least I have seen is $250/month, which is a decent number for someone who is not an internet celebrity, and have millions of followers on social media.
(6) Interior Design Agency
As the name of the business suggests, an interior design agency’s work is to design their client’s residential, commerical or industrial building. While industrial buildings don’t come under the interior desing, but still some prefer it.
An interior designer’s entire work is to design their client’s home/office according to their needs keeping ing mind the budget. Yes, unlike other small businesses, interior designing is a little harder and more complex, but the payout is pretty great.
I have seen interior designers making enough money from a single project that many other professions would make only after completing a handful of them. In the beginning you may not get those gold-rated, high paying clients, but with time when you improve your skills and establish a good network between people, you WILL get get high-value orders.
(7) Professional Babysitting Service
Babysitting and pet walking are the two side hustles and small businesses that are rising in demand. Why? Because people don’t have enough time like before, even to walk their pets or their kids. That’s where services and small businesses like babysitting and pet walking comes in.
Unsurprisingly enough, these services are a superhit among busy parents. Pet caring websites like Rover make millions every year providing pet walking, and other pet care services. What I like about these businesses is that it’s beneficial for everyone. Rover, of course wins because they are the backbone, the person/people who take the service don’t have to stress over their pet’s health, and finally the individual/hustler who walk pets make good money.
While Rover has become a big company, this market is still not stagnant. The business model is mundane, and everything depends on how good you serve your customers. So, if you have an experience with pet walking or babysitting, then you can try creating your own version of Rover and start making money from home.
(8) Meal Prep Service
How often have you thought of making your own meal rather than only eating from your nearest KFC? I suppose, at least once. There are many people who think like you. Who want to give a little rest to their stomach and have homemade food once in a while.
There are also many people, due to various reasons prefer ONLY homemade food, but they don’t have to time to cook for themselves. That’s where this small business idea comes in. Meal prep service is quite famous in big cities. The starting investment is nearly zero, keeping side food prices and cooking charges, and the profit margin is pretty decent. And guess what? Women lead this business category. So, if you love cooking and want people to taste your homemade food, start this business and make your first buck.
(9) Social Media Influencer
This one is different than “social media management”. Social media managers are the one who manages a social media influencer‘s account. I guess I don’t have to tell you how lucrative becoming a social media influencer is. Yes, there’s competition, but if you have some unique idea, then you’ll make it big on the internet.
The risk to reward for becomoing a social media influencer is very high. While the top of the line influencers make in millions, most beginner influencers make nearly nothing. But, but… there’s a catch. People LOVE unique and unexpected contents. So, if you have some unique ideas, then you should try releasing it on social media. Maybe you might get a pleasent surprise…
(10) Podcasting
Go to YouTube and you’ll stumble upon at least one podcast. Surprisingly, everyone is starting a podcast today hoping to make it big. Do you know why there are so many new podcast channels today? And why are most podcasts successful? There are two primary reasons: (1) Podcasting shows the raw, unedited side of a person. A podcast is often unscripted and the invited guest aren’t aware of the questions, and (2) Podcasting creates “brand value.”
In today’s competitive business environment, creating your personal brand value is absolutely important. The better brand value you have the more money and success you can extract from it. A sportsman plays the brand value game better than anyone. Internationally acclaimed players like Messi, Tiger Woods, and Virat Kohli have created such strong brand value that anything connected to them are bound to become a success. Whether it’s their personal brand, or sponsorships, fans won’t hesitate to spend a little extra to get their favorite player’s jersey or buy from their brand.
Of course, I’m not forcing you to create a stronger brand value than Messi, but you surely can create your own small podcasting business and make use of it to make money.
(11) Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a great business idea. The reason why Dropshipping became famous few years ago was because it was relatively easier to kickstart a Dropshipping business than other businesses. You can sum up every Dropshipping business within few points:
(1) Choose a product
(2) Find it on Alibaba
(3) Build a website and a Facebook store
(4) Advertise and redirect people to the Dropshipping website
(5) Make a sale
There, that’s the entire Dropshipping business summed up. Most dropshipping websites made insane money while the trend was huge… Why? An item imported from China at $0.1 a piece was often sold for $2 a piece. How big is the profit margin? I will leave it at that…
Yes, those huge profits days are gone, but Dropshipping still exists and Dropshippers have shifted from Facebook to TikTok. I won’t lie and tell you that it’s easy to start a Dropshipping like before, but is there any deduction is profits? NO! Everything depends on the product. If your product is attractive and affordable people WILL buy it.
(12) Wellness Coach
If you’re good with fitness and want people to become healthy too. If you know how to change someone’s life just by the power of fitness, healthy eating, and following a strict diet, then you’ll become a successful wellness/fitness coach.
Good thing is, people are becoming more health-conscious than before. They want to live a healthy life, devoid of any diseases. Which is a good option! Unfortunately, often times enthusiasam can cause more harm than good. Hence, taking lessons from a healthy/wellness coach is absolutely necessary.
So, if you live a healthy life and want people to have it too, start a fitness class. You don’t have to start a brick and mortar business, make a YouTube channel and start with super-simple exercises. Keep it free in the beginning, and once you have enough audience, start providing professional courses.
Trust me, the health and wellness industry is set to expand. Newage people don’t want to suffer the same health issues their elder family members did few years ago. If you start today, within few months you’ll probably get a chance to make your first dollar.
(13) Cleaning Service
Few years ago one of my friend hired a cleaning company to clean one of their buildings, and I happened to visit while the process was going on. They were great and cleaned the entire building within few hours. So, I enquired about the business and learned how profitable a cleaning service business can be. Though I didn’t have the capital back then, me and my friend started a small business based on cleaning service.
We had to work hard initially (pretty common for any beginner business), but once we learned about the business model, we started making pretty good money. Well, I can go on with this one because it’s a personal experience, but I’ll stop here. Starting a cleaning service is a great business idea. So, if you want to keep yourself positively busy with a business, and also make money in the process, then starting a home/business cleaning service would be a great idea.
One thing I’ll warn you beforehand though! Cleaning service business is a thoroughly ACTIVE business model. It might not be for you if you’re more inclinde towards a PASSIVE income source. Yet, if you’re interested in starting one, then I’ll suggest you to start a “green cleaing service.” It’s a fancy way of saying that “out cleaning services don’t use any toxic and harmful chemicals for cleaning.”
(14) Event Planning
Event Planning is one business that has existed for years now. This industry has become so active in today’s world that nearly nothing happens without an event planning company. As an event planner you’ll be responsible for arranging and managing various types of corporate, wedding, and other events. This business requires good managing skills, but the financial reward if good.
Keeping aside the “hard” part a bit, the good thing about an event planning company is that it is a low initial investment business. What you’ll need is creating networks. The more people know you and your business, the better your chances of getting a deal.
If you keep these two things: (1) Networking, (2) Management in mind and work on it if you’re not so good at it, then eventually you’ll become a successful event planner. Your profits will naturally sore and people will love hiring your company for every event.
(15) Personal Shopper Service
People are busy nowdays. They have embraced such a busy lifestyle that they don’t have enough time to buy their personal products. While this type of lifestyle is becoming pretty common in these times, I didn’t know an industry has taken shape from this. “Personal Shopper Service.” These are individual people or businesses who help you buy the best products for you.
Initially I thought such business ideas are not good enough, but after learning the profit-margin I thought to include it in this post. If you have good fashion sense, and have a good idea about the types of clothes that would fit and suite a person, then this business is best for you.
Your job is simple: Meeting with your client, knowing their fashion requirements, budget and their needs, and finally delivering your advice to them. Once they agree to your choice, you do all the heavy lifting for them, like buying clothes, taking care of the budget, returns, if something does not go right, etc.
If you feel such business idea is lame, wait for few years. You’ll know how silently this industry is rising. Within few years more people will prefer opting for a professional service before buying their clothes than just Googling the “latest trends.”
Finally, to end this post, I would like to THANK YOU for visiting my site. All this hardwork I do is entirely dedicated to you. If you love my contents, my work is done… Please visit again.
