30+ Small Business Ideas to Become Your Own Boss (& Take Back Your Time)

If you’re absolutely tired of the nine-to-five grind and dream of being your own boss, you’ve come to the right place!

Here are 30 of the best small business ideas to help you ace your financial goals and live the life you deserve (from someone who’s done the very same thing!)

Best Small Business Ideas to Become Your Own Boss in 2024

1) Digital Marketing Agency

According to Forbes, digital marketing is set to be one of the most desirable skills an individual can have by 2035.

If you have a knack for social media management, SEO, or content creation, starting a digital marketing agency could be the perfect fit for you!

2) Content Creation Services

From blog posts to social media content, businesses are constantly in need of high-quality content to engage their audience.

If you have a way with words or an eye for design, offering content creation services can be an incredibly lucrative business opportunity.

Just one blog post can net you a decent $200-$250+ in profit!

3) Fitness Coaching

As a fitness coach you could easily pull in $3,000+ a month, just by offering your 1:1 services online.

If you take it seriously and add digital plans, memberships or products into the mix, you could quite easily be looking at a 6 or even 7 figure business.

The most in demand niches right now are:

pilates
yoga
strength training
weight loss specialists
menopausal specialists
personal training

4) Handmade Crafts

In a world dominated by mass-produced goods, handmade crafts are experiencing a huge resuragance.

Etsy alone saw a whopping 82% increase year on year of people searching for handmade goods.

The most popular searches being:

posters
wooden crafts
home decor
giftable items
handmade baskets
candles
digital products

Whether you’re into woodworking, pottery, or jewelry making, there’s a market for unique, artisanal products.

5) Online Tarot/Oracle Reading Service

Launch an online platform offering tarot or oracle readings to clients worldwide.

Provide personalized readings via video calls, phone sessions, or email correspondence, allowing clients to seek guidance and insight from the comfort of their own homes.

6) Local Handyman Services

Love working with your hands?

Why not fill the gap for reliable home repair and maintenance services by starting a local handyman business.

The average handyman with no prior experience, just newly qualified makes $5,000+ a month taking on only 5-10 projects a month, according to Home Care and Repair.

If you’re qualified to do so, offer a wide range of services such as plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, and general repairs to homeowners and businesses in your community.

7) Online Specialty Food Store

Cater to food enthusiasts’ cravings by launching an online specialty food store.

Curate a selection of gourmet foods, artisanal ingredients, and international delicacies, offering convenience and quality to culinary enthusiasts nationwide.

Sweet treat stores also fall under this category and are incredibly lucrative on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram right now!

8) Online Sticker Store

Establish an online store specializing in selling a wide range of stickers for various purposes and interests.

Curate collections featuring designs ranging from cute and whimsical to artistic and edgy, appealing to diverse customer tastes and preferences.

9) Dropshipping E-commerce Store

Always wanted to dive into the world of e-commerce without the hassle of inventory management?

Start a dropshipping business.

Despite being an old idea, there are still thousands of sellers turning incredible profits with dropshipping, like Cassiy Johnson on Etsy.

She turns well over $15,000 a month in profit (after Etsy has taken their fees/taxes).

10) Professional Organizing Services

Professional organizers can easily pull in $5,000+ a month, though obviously it helps to be in an upscale area where clients are willing to pay for this kind of service.

Help individuals declutter and streamline their lives with professional organizing services.

Assist clients in organizing their homes, offices, and digital spaces, providing practical solutions for improved productivity and peace of mind.

11) Mobile Car Wash and Detailing

A seriously undervalued business idea!

The average car washer and detailer makes $8,000 a month working just 10 hours a week by offering specialized services (note though: this isn’t just car washing, this also includes minor paint restoration, coating etc).

Offer exterior washing, interior cleaning, and detailing services using car-friendly products and convenient scheduling options for busy car owners.

12) Online Tutoring

With the rise of remote learning, online tutoring has become more popular than ever.

The beauty of this idea?

You don’t even need to set-up your own agency, you can work for companies such as VIPKid or Tutor.com to secure your clients.

Whilst the pay is slightly lower than what you would achieve if you were fully self-employed, there’s far less work involved.

VIPKid for example creates all of the curriculums and teaching plans for you, all you have to do is review the material, turn up and teach!

No marking, long hours or feedback required.

Whether you excel in math, science, or languages, there’s a high demand for qualified tutors in a variety of subjects.

Check out my article Can You Really Make $4,000 a Month With VIPKid? Real VIPKid Teaching Review

13) Meal Prep Service

Busy professionals, entrepreneurs and families are always on the lookout for convenient meal solutions.

Entrepreneurs especially are a good demographic to target given their higher potential for earning.

By offering a meal prep service, you can save your customers time and provide them with delicious, nutritious meals delivered right to their doorstep.

Just make sure to check your country’s food hygiene regulations before attempting to set this up.

14) Eco-Friendly Cleaning Service

With an increasing focus on sustainability and more people becoming aware of the problems cheap, nasty chemicals can cause to your health, there’s a growing demand for eco-friendly cleaning services.

You can offer your customers peace of mind knowing that their homes or offices are being cleaned with environmentally-friendly products, and charge slightly more for doing so.

15) Mobile App Development

The app economy is booming, and there’s no shortage of opportunities for skilled developers.

Whether you have a great idea for an app or you’re adept at coding to bring other people’s ideas to life, starting a mobile app development business can be highly lucrative.

The average mobile app developer makes around $50-$100 an hour.

16) Remote Counseling and Therapy

Remote counseling isn’t just convenient for clients—it’s a game-changer for you too.

No more rush-hour commutes or stuffy waiting rooms.

Instead, you’re free to craft your own schedule, sipping coffee in your comfiest pajamas while making a real difference in people’s lives.

Whilst training does take some time, it’s definitely a worthwhile career pivot if you’re not already in it.

17) Pet Sitting/Dog Walking

If you’re someone who’s practically fluent in “woofs” and “meows,” then diving into the world of pet sitting or dog walking could be your ticket to a truly fulfilling career.

Imagine spending your days surrounded by wagging tails or purring bundles of joy.

It’s not just a job; it’s an adorable adventure filled with cuddles, belly rubs, and endless tail wags.

Plus, it’s surprisingly lucrative; doggy day care for example can easily net you a handsome $10,000+ a month in revenue.

18) Adventure Tours

Uncover hidden gems and local treasures with urban adventure tours that offer unique experiences in bustling cities.

Lead guided tours that showcase historical landmarks, cultural hotspots, and off-the-beaten-path attractions, catering to adventurous travelers and curious locals alike.

The average tour guide makes $20-$30/hour, depending on the area, history and attractions.

19) Personalized Pet Wellness Plans

This is an up and coming idea, and one that I haven’t seen too many people latch onto yet, despite the need for it.

Prioritize the health and happiness of furry companions with personalized pet wellness plans.

Offer tailored nutrition guidance, exercise routines, and holistic care strategies to optimize the well-being of beloved pets and strengthen the human-animal bond.

20) Remote Tech Support

With more people working from home, there’s a growing need for remote tech support services.

Whether it’s troubleshooting computer issues or setting up home networks, there’s plenty of work to be done in this field.

21) Virtual Event Planning

As in-person events continue to adapt to the challenges of the digital age, virtual event planning has become an essential service.

If you have a knack for organization and creativity, starting a virtual event planning business could be your ticket to success.

22) Homemade Beauty Products

Consider yourself a skin care aficionado?

Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of what they put on their skin, leading to a growing demand for homemade beauty products.

Whether you specialize in skincare, haircare, or cosmetics, there’s always a market for natural, handmade beauty products.

Bonus, consumers know they are going to pay more for them, so the profit margin on these products is actually fairly high (usually around the $20-$25 mark).

23) Freelance Writing

Have a way with words?

Freelance writing can be a flexible and rewarding career choice, not to mention highly profitable.

The average blogger makes around $3,000 a month from brand deals, partnerships and ad networks.

If you have a small portfolio and fancy writing for someone else as a copy or content writer, you could easily pull in well over $5,000 a month.

From crafting blog posts to sales pages, there’s no shortage of opportunities for talented writers in the digital age.

24) Online Boutique

E-commerce continues to grow at a rapid pace, providing aspiring entrepreneurs with endless opportunities to start their own online boutique.

Whether you specialize in fashion, accessories, or home decor, there’s a niche waiting for you in the world of online retail.

25) Graphic Design Services

In today’s visually-driven world, the demand for graphic design services is higher than ever.

In fact, the graphic design niche has grown by 32% year on year since 2022 alone.

Whether you’re a whiz with Photoshop or you have a flair for illustration, starting a graphic design business can be a lucrative way to flex your creative muscles.

26) Home Renovation Services

Whether you specialize in kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, or whole-house makeovers, there’s plenty of high-profit work to be done in the world of home renovation.

You will of course already need to have the right qualifications and trade experience behind you, so this is definitely something to factor in before you start.

27) Language Translation Services

Whether you’re fluent in multiple languages or you specialize in a niche language pair, starting a language translation business can be a lucrative venture.

The average translator makes around $30-$40/hour, with 5+ years experience, you could easily have a 6 or even multi 6 figure business on your hands.

28) Vintage Resale

Thanks to the latest TikTok trends, vintage fashion and home decor are more popular than ever, with consumers eager to embrace nostalgia and sustainability.

If you have an eye for unique vintage finds, starting a vintage resale business can be a fun and profitable endeavor. This includes vintage clothing too!

29) Social Media Management

Everyday more than 150,000 businesses are launched, and what do all these businesses need?

Brand awareness and customer leads.

If you’re social media savvy and have a knack for engagement, starting a social media management business can be a lucrative way to build your very own small business.

30) Personal Styling Services

With so many fashion options available, many people struggle to find their personal style.

If you have a keen eye for fashion and a knack for putting together stylish outfits or couldn’t think of anything better than performing someone’s color analysis, starting a personal styling business could be your calling.

31) Online Coaching

Whether it’s life coaching, career coaching, or wellness coaching, online coaching services are growing in demand.

If you have expertise in a particular area, can help someone achieve a specific result, and have a deep passion for helping others, starting an online coaching business can be a fulfilling way to make a living.

32) Travel Planning Services/Remote Travel Agent

With travel restrictions easing up, many people are eager to start planning their next vacation.

If you have a passion for travel and a knack for planning, starting a travel planning business can be a rewarding way to help others explore the world.

The average travel planner or remote travel agent can make $3,000-$5,000 a month based on commission structures.

33) Virtual Assistant Services

If you’re the kind of person who color-codes their to-do lists, alphabetizes their spice rack, and can spot a typo from a mile away, then starting a virtual assistant business might just be your golden ticket to success.

Many virtual assistants go on to make 6 or even multi 6 figure businesses.

34) Custom Apparel Printing

From t-shirts to tote bags, custom apparel printing is a booming industry with endless possibilities for creative expression.

Whether you specialize in screen printing, embroidery, or vinyl heat transfers, starting a custom apparel printing business can be a fun and rewarding endeavor.

35) Home Staging Services

If you have an eye for design, a flair for decorating and would love to help sellers make their homes more appealing to potential buyers, starting a home staging business could easily net you $5,000-$10,000 a month.

36) Subscription Box Service

From beauty products to gourmet snacks, subscription boxes are all the rage these days.

If you have a passion for curating unique products and delighting customers, starting a subscription box service could be a lucrative business opportunity.

37) Event Photography/Videography

From weddings to corporate events, there’s always a demand for talented photographers and videographers to capture special moments.

If you know your way around a camera, have a deep passion for photography or videography and a keen eye for detail, starting an event photography/videography business could easily turn into a multi 6 figure business for you.

One thing I will say though, this isn’t a low stress side hustle, getting wedding photography right is a skill in itself, given you only have one shot to get it right!

38) Remote Fitness Classes

Capitalize on the remote fitness trend by offering virtual fitness classes.

Whether it’s yoga, HIIT, or dance workouts, provide live or on-demand classes accessible from anywhere, catering to individuals’ busy schedules.

This is especially lucrative on Youtube right now.

39) Corporate Wellness Workshops

Partner with businesses and organizations to offer wellness workshops as part of their employee wellness programs or team-building activities.

Facilitate group activities, discussions, and mindfulness exercises, promoting self-awareness, empathy, and holistic well-being in the workplace.

Corporate wellness workshops are usually priced per head, and typically start at the $50/head mark.

40) Virtual Interior Design Workshops

Host virtual workshops where participants learn the principles of interior design and receive personalized advice for transforming their specific spaces.

You’d be surprised just how many people don’t know what to do with the spaces in their home (even despite all the inspo on Pinterest!)

Offer interactive sessions, mood boards, and virtual room simulations to empower participants to create their dream interiors.