Trust me when I say that starting a business doesn’t have to mean draining your bank account or risking everything you own!
There are plenty of small business ideas that require little startup capital, are easy to manage, and can become seriously profitable with the right amount of effort and creativity!
If you’ve been dreaming about working for yourself, having flexible hours, or turning a passion into profit, these 35 business ideas might be your perfect starting point!
Whether you’re looking for something online, offline, or a hybrid of both, there’s a business model here to fit your lifestyle, budget, and goals.
35 Most Profitable Small Business Ideas That Anyone Can Start (No Huge Investment Required!)
1) Freelance Writing
Do you have a knack for storytelling, grammar, or persuasive writing? Freelance writing can be one of the easiest, most flexible businesses to start.
With platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and direct client outreach, you can turn your passion for writing into a profitable business by creating blog posts, social media content, newsletters, and more.
Cost to start: Minimal (laptop and internet)
Potential profit: $30,000–$100,000+ per year
Related: How to Become a Freelance Writer With Absolutely No Experience
2) Virtual Assistant Services
As businesses continue to operate remotely, the demand for virtual assistants (VAs) is booming.
Virtual assistants provide administrative support to businesses and entrepreneurs, which can include email management, scheduling, data entry, and customer service.
Cost to start: Low (computer, internet, and organizational skills)
Potential profit: $25,000–$75,000 per year
Related: 8 Real Ways to Find High Paying Virtual Assistant Clients (Even as a Beginner!)
3) Social Media Management
Love spending time on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook?
Many businesses and influencers need someone to manage their social media accounts.
This includes content creation, posting schedules, responding to followers, and running ad campaigns.
Cost to start: Low (computer, internet, and creativity)
Potential profit: $30,000–$100,000+ per year
Related: How to Make Money on Pinterest Without a Blog
4) Dropshipping
Dropshipping allows you to sell products online without ever holding inventory.
You partner with suppliers who ship directly to your customers.
With platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce, setting up a store is relatively simple.
Cost to start: Low (website and marketing)
Potential profit: $30,000–$200,000 per year
Related: 23 Real Passive Income Ideas to Quit Your Job Fast
5) Pet Sitting or Dog Walking
Pet owners are willing to pay good money to have their fur babies well taken care of while they’re away.
Dog walking and pet sitting services are perfect for animal lovers looking for a low-cost, high-reward business idea.
Cost to start: Minimal (advertising and pet supplies)
Potential profit: $20,000–$50,000+ per year
Related: How to Start a Successful Dog Treat Business From Home ($4,000+ a Month Idea!)
6) Handmade Crafts
If you’re good with your hands and love making crafts, why not sell them?
From jewelry and pottery to custom artwork or knitted goods, platforms like Etsy make it easy to sell handmade items to a global audience.
Cost to start: Low to moderate (materials and marketing)
Potential profit: $10,000–$100,000 per year
Related: 21 In-Demand Pottery Crafts That Sell Like Crazy Online
7) Online Courses or Tutoring
Have a skill or subject matter expertise? Share your knowledge by creating online courses or offering tutoring services.
Websites like Teachable and Udemy allow you to create and sell courses, or you can offer one-on-one tutoring in anything from math to music to marketing.
Cost to start: Low (laptop, internet, and teaching material)
Potential profit: $20,000–$100,000+ per year
8) Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing allows you to earn a commission by promoting other people’s products or services.
You can start a blog, YouTube channel, or social media page dedicated to a specific niche and recommend products that align with your audience’s interests.
Cost to start: Minimal (website or social media presence)
Potential profit: $10,000–$200,000+ per year
9) Personal Training or Coaching
Are you into fitness or have experience in life coaching? Personal trainers and coaches can offer services both in-person or online.
You can charge clients for workout plans, nutrition advice, or life coaching sessions.
Cost to start: Low (certifications, marketing)
Potential profit: $25,000–$100,000+ per year
Related: 23 Hobbies That Make Money: Build Your 6 Figure Business!
10) Home Cleaning Services
Starting a cleaning business is one of the simplest small businesses you can begin.
Residential or commercial cleaning services are always in demand, and with just a few cleaning supplies and some basic marketing, you can start booking clients right away.
Cost to start: Low (cleaning supplies and transportation)
Potential profit: $25,000–$75,000 per year
11) Blogging
Have a passion for a particular topic? Start a blog and monetize it through ads, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing.
The key to success with blogging is consistency, quality content, and targeting a specific niche.
Cost to start: Low (domain name, hosting)
Potential profit: $10,000–$200,000+ per year
12) Graphic Design
If you have an eye for design, you can offer graphic design services for businesses, content creators, and influencers.
From logo design to social media graphics, there are plenty of businesses that need your skills.
Cost to start: Low (design software)
Potential profit: $30,000–$100,000+ per year
13) Event Planning
Love organizing parties and events? Event planning can be a fun, creative, and profitable business.
You can specialize in weddings, corporate events, birthday parties, or any other kind of event where people need help planning.
Cost to start: Low to moderate (advertising, vendor connections)
Potential profit: $25,000–$100,000+ per year
Related: How to Make Printables that Sell Like Crazy Online!
14) E-commerce Store
Whether you want to sell products you make yourself, curated items from suppliers, or even vintage goods, an e-commerce store can be a lucrative business.
With platforms like Shopify, you can easily get a store up and running.
Cost to start: Low (website, product inventory)
Potential profit: $20,000–$200,000+ per year
Related: 19 Beyond Easy to Source Products that Sell Like Crazy on Amazon FBA
15) Photography
If you have a good eye and a camera, photography can be an incredibly profitable business.
Specialize in wedding photography, portraits, product photography, or even event photography.
Cost to start: Moderate (camera equipment)
Potential profit: $25,000–$100,000+ per year
Related: 15 Lucrative Photography Side Hustles To Turn Your Passion Into Profit!
16) Mobile Car Detailing
Mobile car detailing services are great because they offer convenience to clients while requiring relatively low startup costs.
All you need is cleaning supplies and transportation, and you can start offering car detailing right in people’s driveways.
Cost to start: Moderate (cleaning supplies, vehicle)
Potential profit: $20,000–$50,000+ per year
17) Food Truck
Love cooking? A food truck is a fantastic way to bring your culinary skills to the masses without the high cost of starting a restaurant.
You can serve up your signature dishes at local events, farmers’ markets, or even in busy downtown areas.
Cost to start: Moderate (food truck, permits, ingredients)
Potential profit: $50,000–$200,000+ per year
Related: 35 Easy Christmas Food Gift Ideas to Sell at a Christmas Market For Serious Money
18) Content Creation (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram)
Do you have a personality for video or social media content?
Content creation is huge right now, and influencers are making money through ads, sponsorships, and brand collaborations.
Find a niche you’re passionate about and start producing high-quality, engaging content.
Cost to start: Minimal (camera, phone, internet)
Potential profit: $10,000–$1,000,000+ per year
Related: How to Start a YouTube Channel to Replace Your Full Time Income
19) Copywriting
Businesses always need content—be it website copy, marketing materials, or newsletters.
If you have a way with words, copywriting can be a high-demand, profitable business that doesn’t require much to get started.
Cost to start: Minimal (laptop, internet)
Potential profit: $30,000–$100,000+ per year
20) Handyman Services
If you’re good with tools and can fix anything from leaky faucets to broken cabinets, offering handyman services could be the perfect low-cost business.
There’s always demand for quick home repairs, installations, or improvements.
Cost to start: Low (basic tools, transportation)
Potential profit: $30,000–$80,000 per year
21) Personal Chef Services
Many busy professionals or families want healthy, delicious home-cooked meals without spending time in the kitchen.
Personal chefs can offer meal planning, cooking, and even shopping services tailored to individual clients’ needs.
Cost to start: Low to moderate (cooking supplies, marketing)
Potential profit: $40,000–$100,000+ per year
22) Digital Marketing Consultant
With the rise of online businesses, digital marketing has never been more critical.
If you have expertise in SEO, social media advertising, or email marketing, you can start consulting businesses on their digital marketing strategies.
Cost to start: Low (laptop, internet)
Potential profit: $50,000–$150,000+ per year
23) Personal Stylist
If you have a flair for fashion, becoming a personal stylist could be your calling.
Help clients revamp their wardrobes or shop for special occasions, all while turning your passion for style into profit.
Cost to start: Low (marketing)
Potential profit: $20,000–$75,000 per year
24) Translation Services
If you’re fluent in more than one language, offering translation services can be a great way to make money.
Businesses, authors, and websites often need translation for international markets, making it a highly in-demand skill.
Cost to start: Minimal (computer, internet)
Potential profit: $30,000–$100,000+ per year
Related: How to Become a Transcriptionist and Make $25+ Hour Online
25) Print on Demand
Print on demand allows you to design custom products like t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases without needing to keep any inventory.
Services like Printify or Redbubble handle production and shipping, so you can focus on creating awesome designs and marketing them.
Cost to start: Low (design software and marketing)
Potential profit: $20,000–$100,000+ per year
26) Home Organization Services
If you love decluttering and organizing spaces, starting a home organization business could be a great fit.
You can help clients get their homes in order, from closets and kitchens to garages and entire households, making their lives more functional.
Cost to start: Minimal (organizational tools)
Potential profit: $25,000–$75,000 per year
27) Resume Writing and Career Coaching
People are always looking for better jobs, and they need help polishing their resumes and preparing for interviews.
If you’re good with words and know what employers are looking for, you can offer resume writing or career coaching services to job seekers.
Cost to start: Minimal (laptop, internet)
Potential profit: $30,000–$80,000 per year
28) Custom Furniture or Woodworking
If you’re skilled at carpentry or have a passion for woodworking, custom furniture can be a profitable business.
You can start small by making tables, shelves, or decor pieces and selling them online or locally.
Cost to start: Moderate (woodworking tools and materials)
Potential profit: $30,000–$100,000+ per year
Related: Woodworking Projects That Sell: 19 Most Profitable Ideas
29) Health and Wellness Coaching
If you’re passionate about fitness, nutrition, or mental wellness, becoming a health coach could be a fulfilling business.
You can offer personalized coaching online or in person, helping clients achieve their health goals.
Cost to start: Low (certifications, marketing)
Potential profit: $30,000–$100,000+ per year
30) Mobile Notary Services
Mobile notaries witness signatures on legal documents, and they’re often in high demand for real estate transactions, legal forms, and other official paperwork.
You can charge for travel and convenience, making it a flexible and profitable business.
Cost to start: Minimal (notary license and marketing)
Potential profit: $25,000–$75,000 per year
31) Personal Concierge Services
Busy professionals and families often need help with errands, appointments, and day-to-day tasks.
As a personal concierge, you could offer services ranging from grocery shopping and dog walking to booking travel or organizing home deliveries.
Cost to start: Low (transportation and marketing)
Potential profit: $20,000–$60,000 per year
32) Voiceover Services
Do you have a unique or professional-sounding voice?
Offering voiceover services for ads, audiobooks, animations, or podcasts can be a great way to turn your voice into a profitable business.
Platforms like Fiverr and Voices.com make it easy to find clients.
Cost to start: Minimal (microphone and recording software)
Potential profit: $20,000–$100,000+ per year
Related: 26 Best Online Jobs to Make $1,000 a Month (Even With Little Experience!)
33) Fitness Instructor
Whether you love yoga, Zumba, or strength training, becoming a fitness instructor is a fantastic way to help others stay in shape while earning money.
You can teach classes in a local gym, start your own studio, or offer virtual fitness classes from home.
Cost to start: Low (certifications and equipment)
Potential profit: $30,000–$75,000+ per year
34) Home Repair or Renovation Consulting
If you have experience in construction or home repair but don’t want the physical labor of doing the work, offering consulting services to homeowners can be a great alternative.
You can provide advice on home improvement projects, help clients plan renovations, or connect them with reliable contractors.
Cost to start: Low (knowledge, marketing)
Potential profit: $25,000–$80,000 per year
35) Meal Prep Service
Busy families and professionals are always on the lookout for healthy, ready-made meals.
If you love cooking, starting a meal prep business allows you to prepare, package, and deliver nutritious meals to clients who don’t have time to cook.
Cost to start: Low to moderate (kitchen supplies, marketing)
Potential profit: $30,000–$100,000+ per year