21 great small business ideas

In your quest to become an entrepreneur, you’re struggling to put your ideas down on paper. You need motivation if you want to start your own business. There must be a seed of an idea that has the potential to bloom into a full-blown project.

For those who plan on beginning a firm in 2022, the new normal must be factored in. The COVID-19 epidemic has had a profound impact on consumer behavior. You may want to postpone opening a retail store or a restaurant until you see how the following year unfolds, even if you previously felt they were terrific ideas. Think of companies that can help people live their lives in the way they do today, rather than more conventional firms. There are several ideas on our list that merely need a credit card processing partner to get started, but you’ll still need a solid business strategy nonetheless.

There are 21 different sorts of businesses on this list, all of which have the potential to be lucrative in the years to come, including 2022 and beyond. Review the processes for starting your own company if you discover a niche you’re interested in.

21 great small business ideas

Any of these business sectors may be right for you if you’re ready to start your own company.

1. Consulting

Consultancy might be a profitable alternative if you are skilled and enthusiastic about a certain subject (such as business, social media, marketing, human resources, leadership, or communication). As your consulting firm expands, you may need to bring on more staff members.

2. Online reselling

Starting an online apparel reseller company may be a good option for those who like fashion and sales. You may transform a side hustle into a full-time resale company by putting in the time and effort, as well as having a keen sense of style. Start by selling your unused clothes on Poshmark or Mercari, then go on to your resale website.

3. Online teaching

Entrepreneurs now have more options because of the surge in interest in online education. Because this is an internet business, you may teach a course on any topic you are familiar with, no matter where you are located. Teaching English online to students from other countries is a great option if you lack expertise in a certain field.

4. Online bookkeeping

Many accounting services may now be completed online, much as in schooling. If you’re an accountant or bookkeeper who wants to manage your own company, consider starting an online accounting service with the help of current technology.

5. Medical courier service

Consider starting your own courier business, especially a medical courier service, if you have a dependable car and excellent time management abilities. Transporting medical supplies such as test specimens, prescription medicines, and equipment would fall within your remit as a driver. You may get into business as a courier on your own or with the help of other drivers you employ.

Were you aware of this? Jobs in medical courier services are likely to remain steady as long as the healthcare business grows.

6. App development

Is app development something you’d be interested in? If so, you may want to check it out. Many Americans use their smartphones daily, which has led to a surge in the demand for mobile applications. Additionally, as virtual reality headsets have gained popularity, so needs for VR application development.

7. Transcription service

Transcription services enable you to work from home and set your hours if you have a good ear and fast typing speed. As more and more healthcare providers use voice recognition technology to dictate their notes, the need for medical transcription services is increasing. Transcribing work may be taken on a part-time or full-time basis, depending on your schedule and the number of transcription assignments you have lined up. Consider being certified as a transcriptionist and specializing in a few areas to increase your earning potential and justify charging more.

A medical transcriptionist’s usual line rate is 6 to 14 cents per line, which rapidly adds up. Because the normal turnaround time for transcribing work is 24 hours, staying on top of your assignments is critical. This implies that you can scale up as soon as you’re ready to take more requests. The best part is that the beginning costs and expenses are minimal. Computer, software, and a secure messaging provider are all you’ll need.

Professional organizing

Trying to come up with a company concept that would provide you joy? De-cluttering and reducing clutter is what Marie Kondo does for a livelihood. Many individuals nowadays feel compelled to reduce and regain control of their belongings in the age of consumerism. When it comes to minimalism, many individuals find it difficult to give up items they’ve had for a long time. One of the responsibilities of a professional organizer is to assist customers in the process of decluttering.

To be an excellent coach, one has to be a highly organized person who appreciates making their surroundings both useful and pleasant. People will pay you to assist them in decreasing their belongings and keeping a tidy home. Consider asking your customers if you may take before and after images of the spaces you’ve arranged in their homes as a way to build a portfolio you can share on social media to get additional business.

9. Cleaning service

It’s simple to convert your passion for cleaning into a lucrative company. Cleaning services may be offered to households, apartment complexes, and commercial establishments with only a few employees, a large supply of cleaning goods, and a vehicle. Between $25 and $50, an hour is a typical rate for cleaning services. You don’t need a lot of money to start a cleaning company; all you need is a lot of hard work and a lot of patience.

If you want to stand out from other cleaning services, try offering extra services like floor waxing or outdoor power washing for an additional price. New cleaning businesses may have to compete with established firms that have too many clients to give the same quality of care.

10. Freelance copywriting or content writing

It is possible to establish oneself as a freelance copywriter or content writer with a good command of the English language and some marketing understanding. There are lots of firms willing to pay for your blog posts, site material, or press releases. As an SEO expert, you can help customers build a plan based on particular keywords that their target audience uses while searching the internet for products and services. Copywriters who specialize in a certain industry may charge more than the standard rate of $40 to $50 per hour.

As long as you have an Internet connection, you may work as a freelance copywriter. Whether you’re at home or on the road, this is a company that you can run from anywhere. It is possible to work full-time as a freelance writer if you build a big enough network and earn recommendations from pleased customers.

11. Home care service

Supporting elders who are housebound and in need of in-home care may be made easier if you have experience in the care and hospitality industry. It’s also a service that is only going to become more popular in the future. Over the next decade, the number of people over the age of 85 is expected to rise by 351 percent worldwide, while the number of centenarians (those over the age of 100) is expected to rise tenfold. Many people will need some kind of care and support, and this will most likely take place in the comfort of their own homes.

The good news is that you don’t need to have a background in healthcare to aid the elderly and run a profitable company at the same time. Many older citizens need assistance with a wide range of duties, such as running errands or doing home maintenance. Once you’ve gained some expertise, you may explore expanding your company to include services such as packing, moving, setting up, or storing seniors’ belongings when they move from their homes to assisted living facilities.

12. Translation service

It is expected that the translation services industry will experience a “major uptick” over the next five years, according to research from IBISWorld. Because of the internet’s ability to connect businesses in non-English-speaking countries with those in English-speaking ones, this expected increase is not surprising.

In light of this trend, multilingual speakers can provide services such as document translation and translation of website content into other languages for use in other markets. If you’re proficient in more than one language, you may be able to carve out a successful career in the translation industry.

13. Digital marketing

Every day, the internet’s relevance rises, but so does the difficulty for companies to effectively sell themselves online. Many small and midsize businesses choose to outsource their digital marketing needs rather than build an expensive in-house staff. To be able to work from home, you’ll need expertise in a variety of areas including search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, pay-per-click advertising, site construction, and administration of various social media platforms.

You’ll need to keep up with changes in your clients’ marketing strategy if you want to keep up with the times. It’s not enough to schedule posts and then walks away from social media management; it’s also necessary to keep a constant eye out for comments and communications. Digital marketing might be the perfect business for you if you like designing and methodically executing marketing strategies. Additionally, you may want to explore becoming an affiliate marketer.

14. Owning a food truck

A food truck might be a better option for budding restaurateurs due to the lack of indoor dining options in many regions at the moment. It’s not uncommon to see food trucks of different sizes and shapes, offering a vast selection of delicacies. Taking your favorite cuisine on the road is a great way to make money while sharing your love of food with others. Even though you’ll be working, you’ll be doing it in a field you’re interested in, allowing you to meet others who share your enthusiasm.

Although food trucks may seem like a crazy concept, they are a burgeoning business. A truck has lower operating and maintenance costs than a restaurant and the additional advantage of portability. Check out our guide to launching a food truck company if you’d want to learn more about how to get started.

15. Lawn care service

Your parents probably had you maintain the lawn if you grew up with one. Lawn maintenance is a chore for many of us, but for others, it provides a feeling of calm and tranquility. Because so many people despise manual labor, it may be both enjoyable and financially lucrative to use your hands to help tame and beautify nature.

When it comes to landscaping, you don’t have to invest in a lot more than a few pieces of equipment and a trailer, depending on how many customers and how large the works are. It is possible to turn a modest lawn care business into a comprehensive landscaping firm by providing quality services and building a reputation as a brand that performs a thorough job with a smile. Working outside and creating beautiful landscapes might be a great career choice for you.

16. Rideshare driving

If you don’t want to take the risk of establishing your own company, you may always use your vehicle to drive for a ride-sharing service. You may choose how much or how little you want to work since the ridesharing service bears the burden of operating the business. It is possible to start a side business driving for Uber or Lyft, which pays well and requires little more than a willingness to drive others to their destinations and engage in light conversation with them along the way.

As a rideshare driver, you enjoy the freedom of a small company owner without the heavy strain of managing behind-the-scenes operations. You may want to consider ridesharing as a way to get your feet wet in the business world if you don’t have the money or time to start a new company.

17. Real estate

Navigating the home market may be a daunting task for many individuals. A real estate agent can help clients locate the house of their dreams at a price they can afford. To become a real estate agent in many states, you just need a few months of education and passing an exam. To be successful in this field, you will need excellent interpersonal skills in addition to your qualification. If you are not a people person, this may not be the best career choice for you.

18. Graphic design

To be successful, a company, small business, or even a solo entrepreneur must have eye-catching marketing materials. Start a graphic design company to create eye-catching flyers, internet advertisements, posters, and other visual marketing materials if you’re creative and know how to arrange information into a visually acceptable style. A laptop and a desk are all you need to get started in the field of graphic design.

19. T-shirt printing

When it comes to beginning a T-shirt printing company, you’ll likely like doing so if you’ve got an eye for design or if you prefer screen printing other people’s designs onto blank t-shirts. With or without room for a T-shirt printing setup, getting started is as simple as purchasing the essential gear.

20. Dropshipping

Products aren’t always kept on-site by every business that sells items. Dropshipping is an e-commerce practice in which retailers outsource their order fulfillment to a third party. Probably a wholesale merchant or other company that handles warehousing and shipping operations. When it comes to starting a new business, dropshipping is an excellent option because of the little inventory and equipment required.

21. Pet sitting

Your pet-sitting service may provide these families a sense of security while they’re gone for long periods. Your job as a pet caretaker is to take care of your client’s pets while they’re at home, including feeding and watering them, playing with and spending time with them, and taking them for a walk if necessary. You’ll also have to keep your customers up to speed on the health of their dogs.

Pet sitting may be an excellent small business idea if you already have other sources of income that just need an internet connection and a laptop. The vast majority of pet owners are more than happy to allow you to work from home while you spend time with their animals, so you may generate two sources of money at once.

What are the most successful small businesses?

Digital marketing for small businesses includes a subcategory called website design, and these companies are among the most successful in terms of sales and profits. Getting customers and a constant flow of cash is easier when you advertise your company on the internet than in other ways. With so many individuals in need of houses, it’s no surprise that cleaning services and real estate agencies are doing well.

Website design, cleaning services, and real estate are some of the most lucrative businesses.

It’s time to think about starting a new small company.

You can increase your profits while lowering your burden by using any of the small company concepts that have proven effective. Start a small company that satisfies you, uses your abilities, and allows you to combine your work and personal lives. This question is impossible to answer objectively since there are so many amazing company ideas out there. You, more than anyone else, know which small business ideas will offer you pleasure, prosperity, and security.

Without any money, how can I start my own business?

If you want to start your own company, you don’t have to have a fortune. With little money, the first step is to retain your existing employment and start your small company as an additional hobby initially. Create a business strategy that takes into account the demographics of your target audience, your industry, and any possible obstacles. Finally, you’ll have a clearer idea of how much money you’ll need in the last phases of planning to make your company a full-time career. Crowdfunding sites and investors can help you raise this money. Take out a company loan only after all other options have been exhausted.

Pick a small firm with a cheap start-up cost as a recommendation. If you’re still short on cash, consider raising funds for your startup through crowdfunding or finding investors.

What steps should I take to establish a home-based business?

Small enterprises that can be run out of one’s own home are often the most controllable and handy. Make sure your company can be run from home before you get started. Jobs that need a lot of face-to-face interaction may not be a good fit for a home office. Any office supplies or equipment that make your online company ideas a reality, including a separate computer and a desk, high-speed internet, and file cabinets should be included in your business plan and budget.

What are the characteristics of a successful work-from-home company concept?

Small company ideas that allow you to work from home should have the following characteristics:

• Inventory and supplies are kept to a minimum. When it comes to inventory and supplies, likely, your house is not a mansion (yet). So, if you want to work from home, forget about the lawn care business. If you don’t have a place to keep your T-shirt prints, the same may be true. There is nothing more you need for copywriting and graphic design except an internet connection, which you presumably already have.
• The low initial outlay of capital. Starting a successful home-based company shouldn’t be prohibitively expensive. You can’t stockpile raw materials and inventory in a cramped warehouse. For certain small company concepts, you may need to purchase software or get licenses, but these impediments should be few and few between.
• Online and computer-based jobs. To carry out any of the above suggestions, you’ll need access to the internet and a computer. There are several instances of dropshipping, digital marketing, and translation. A notable exception to this rule is pet sitting, in which case you take care of a pet’s needs while the owner is away. A set of attentive eyes and ears are all that is required. You can even work on a computer while looking after your pets.
• A variety of options for scheduling. Traditional office employment generally requires workers to adhere to a strict 9-to-5 schedule. Working from home, particularly as your employer, might make this schedule seem less crucial to keep. Small company ideas that may be run from home should be able to accommodate flexible hours. Who’s to say you can’t work on your finest apps at 3 a.m.?

There are just a few tiniest cooperation requirements here. Despite the ease of remote team cooperation, working from home is more enjoyable when you are virtually completely self-sufficient. The freedom that comes with working for a small company with just a few customers and, at most, a few coworkers is priceless. Once you’ve achieved this, you’ll be able to work at your own pace and see your startup concept through to completion.