41 Home-Based Small Business Ideas

Are you dreaming of launching a home-based business but don’t know where to start? I’ve been there, pondering the best home business ideas for those eager to be their own boss. In this guide, we’ve compiled the most effective small business ideas you can run from the comfort of your own home.

1. Develop Mobile Apps

Envision creating an app that makes everyday life easier or more entertaining. You could find success as an app developer. Take Patti Rogers, who crafted Rallyhood to streamline group communication and coordination. To embark on this venture, securing funds for app development is crucial. Once your app goes live, you can monetize through ads, in-app purchases, and affiliate marketing, as detailed in this guide.

2. Craft Gourmet Dog Treats

Last year, spending on pets reached a whopping $150 billion, with online shopping coming on top, especially among millennials. By diving into the gourmet dog treat industry, you can seize a share of this booming market. Think about Kristin Larsen, who started her dog treat business as a side gig, earning substantial monthly income. Now, she imparts her knowledge through free training sessions available online.

3. Start a Virtual Bakery

If your baked goods garner rave reviews and you relish decorating confections, consider launching a home-based bakery. This venture requires appropriate licenses, permits, and an efficient means of handling kitchen space, storage, and delivery. Jennifer Jacobs, known for the Wandering Whisk, found success with her cake-baking endeavor, ultimately leading to a storefront in 2019. For more insights on starting a bakery, explore this detailed article.

4. Become a Blogger and Content Creator

Blogging offers a plethora of benefits: diverse monetization options, no need for a degree, and low startup costs. If this piques your interest, I provide a step-by-step tutorial to get you started. As your blog gains traction, you can explore earning through affiliate marketing, ad sales, sponsorships, and more. A successful blog, as highlighted by Financial Samurai, can generate $1,000-$10,000 monthly for those with substantial page views.

5. Launch a Virtual Bookkeeping Venture

Detail-oriented individuals who thrive with numbers may find bookkeeping a rewarding choice. Beyond lucrative hourly rates, this service is in high demand since many business owners abhor such tasks. To excel in this field, understanding bookkeeping software and client acquisition is essential. The Bookkeeper Launch program is a popular choice among aspiring bookkeepers, helping dedicated individuals like Callie Sitek launch their businesses.

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6. Offer Consulting Services

Consulting is a versatile business model that leverages your unique skills and expertise. Former roles in fields like social media can guide small businesses in establishing an online presence. For further steps on starting a consulting business, you can check this helpful resource.

7. Start as a Creative Copywriter

Copywriters craft persuasive copies for marketing and advertising. While a degree in marketing helps, many thriving copywriters honed their skills through online courses. Consider Mindy McHorse, who transitioned from project management to a six-figure freelance copywriting career, as described in this salary overview.

8. Build a Course Creation Empire

Share your success story by creating online courses. People offer courses on virtually anything, from choosing paint colors to decorating homes. Innovative platforms like Teachable make it easy to deliver your courses while earning significant returns, much like Nick Stephenson, who reached over $130,000 on his first launch as discussed in this analysis.

9. Craft and Sell Online

Creative individuals can find substantial success creating handmade items for platforms like Etsy. Melanie of Simple Made Pretty began by selling custom cards, and today, she makes a full-time income through her Shopify store. Selling crafts online allows you to tap into your artistic spirit to run a business from home.

10. Run a Customer Service Agency from Home

Kickstarting a customer service agency is flexible with platforms like Arise, which guide you through forming a call center business with a manageable setup fee. Focus your agency on industries like retail or telecommunications, and expand by assembling a team for greater reach and impact.

11. Leverage Direct Selling

Direct selling has evolved, with premium products creating fresh opportunities across various niches. Starting with a nominal fee, direct sales let you sell products in person and online, leveraging communal support to boost your business. Here, commission averages between 20%-40%, with potential for more through team building.

12. Launch a Pet Sitting Venture

Dog walking and pet sitting are effortless ways to start a home-based business. Pet lovers are often sought after by people going on vacations or working prolonged hours. Starting is simple: promote locally or use third-party apps like Rover and Wag! to find clients.

13. Create Unforgettable Events

Passionate about planning events? Establishing a home event planning business can be your ideal path. With minimal investment, commence with smaller gatherings before branching into larger-scale events or specializing in areas such as decoration, collaborating with seasoned planners for additional opportunities.

14. Dive into Revolutionizing Marketplaces

Transform your love for uncovering hidden treasures into a profitable venture. Like Melissa and Rob Stephenson, those flipping flea market finds and reselling on platforms like eBay can earn significant income. They notably generated $130,000 in a year as detailed in their course.

15. Franchise Success Story

Smaller, home-based franchises provide an accessible entry point into owning a franchise business. These opportunities include extensive training to replicate a proven business model, though they often come with higher startup costs. Explore home-based franchise opportunities for a guided entrepreneurial journey.

16. Write Your Way to Success as a Freelance Writer

If words come naturally to you, plenty of writing opportunities await. From copywriting and articles to ghostwriting, you can tap into an industry that rewards effective communication. Freelance platforms offer countless gigs across diverse niches, allowing writers to flourish in a dynamic landscape.

17. Design Artistic Graphics

Graphic design offers endless creative opportunities, whether you possess advanced skills or rely on user-friendly tools like Canva. Graphic designers can focus on various projects, earning a thriving income as outlined in this report. The potential within this visual field is immense.

18. Embrace the Influencing World

Utilizing platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube can transform content creation into your main gig. As your audience grows, you can enjoy profits through sponsorships and ad revenue, just like Judy Travis does on her successful YouTube channel.

19. Create Innovative Inventions

Inventors who address unmet needs or improve existing solutions open doors to impressive earnings. Sara Blakely, the visionary behind Spanx, created an empire valued at $400 million by addressing a simple need, illustrating the power of inventive thinking. Learn more about her journey here.

20. Guide Peoples’ Journeys as a Life Coach

Those passionate about fostering growth can become life coaches, providing clients guidance and encouragement in realizing personal aspirations. Life coaches like Jessica Nazarali found success by mentoring others, demonstrating the potential of this rewarding career path.

21. Produce and Sell Lip Gloss

With the lip gloss industry reaching remarkable sales, this fun and creative business can be a lucrative venture. Entrepreneurs such as Kiki Quesada have captivated audiences through platforms like TikTok, surpassing 1.8 million followers on her successful account.

22. Create Member-Exclusive Content

Switch expertise into recurring revenue through a membership business. Platforms like Patreon make it straightforward to offer value to subscribers, as Carol Tice has done with the Freelance Writers Den, a success reflected in substantial annual earnings.

23. Tutor Students Virtually

Subject matter experts and bilingual individuals can help others learn through online tutoring. Former teacher Adrianne Meldrum transitioned into providing online services and now runs a flourishing tutoring agency, utilizing skills and experience to guide others.

24. Manage Personal Affairs as a Concierge

As a personal concierge, you cater to clients’ personal tasks such as appointments, travel bookings, and gift selection. Forbes estimates earnings between $40,000 and $60,000, offering an excellent opportunity for individuals with a penchant for organization.

25. Coach Fitness Enthusiasts

Enthralled by fitness? Share your enthusiasm through a coaching business, providing guidance and professional development in various niches like yoga, personal training, and more, reaching clients virtually through video platforms.

26. Capture Moments as a Photographer

Photography enthusiasts with an eye for composition can build a home-based business, specializing in diverse categories like stock photos, family, or landscape photography. Those like the successful photographer who utilized a simple Craigslist ad to flourish demonstrate its potential.

27. Declutter and Organize as a Professional Organizer

Turn your knack for tidying into a profitable business. You may consider joining organizations such as NAPO or seeking training through Marie Kondo’s resources to refine your skillset. Forbes reports hourly rates up to $130 for professional organizing services.

28. Polish Words as a Proofreader

Proofreading offers a rewarding path for those who value grammatical precision. Proofreaders assist authors and businesses by identifying linguistic errors in content. By enrolling in resources like Proofread Anywhere, you can enhance proficiency and attract clients.

29. Publish Online Ventures

Operate a blog while purchasing rights to specific areas: the blog-in-a-box model provides the required training and structure, allowing you to focus on cultivating a successful publication. This approach provides access to a stable audience and support system.

30. Buy Established Businesses

Purchasing a ready-to-operate business can simplify entrepreneurship. Marketplaces like Flippa or Niche Investor present viable prospects for acquiring successful enterprises, offering a more seamless transition into business ownership. Explore Lisa Stein’s journey for more guidance.

31. Write Impressive Resumes

Share your HR expertise by running a resume writing service. Such endeavors attract clients seeking polished resumes, cover letters, and career coaching, with average earnings of $59,000 annually. Enhance your offerings to meet diverse job-seeking needs.

32. Sell Digital Printables

Turning your enthusiasm for printables into profit is feasible. Julie Berninger crafted popular bachelorette printables, while Cody Berman’s success hinged on labels and coloring pages. Their E-Printables Side Hustle Course offers essential insights on launching this lucrative enterprise.

Do you excel at designing engaging social media posts? Launch a social media management business catered to various client needs, from account setups to advertising campaigns. Enhance your skills with the Pinterest VA course to corner this niche.

34. Transcribe Audio and Video Clips

Transcribers convert audio and video recordings into text for client use. This career demands attention to detail and proficiency with transcription tools. Platforms like Rev, TranscribeMe, and Fiverr offer opportunities for remote transcription experts.

35. Translate Languages

Utilize your linguistic prowess by starting a translation business. This venture allows freelance work or the establishment of an agency. Besides, consider tutoring, interpreting, or capturing services to expand your service offerings.

36. Arrange Travel Itineraries

For someone who relishes browsing travel deals, opening a home-based travel agency could be ideal. Pick a niche, from Disney to luxury travel, and join a hosting agency or construct one from the ground up, as detailed here.

37. Run a Print-On-Demand Enterprise

Capitalizing on the print-on-demand model can see you selling custom designed T-shirts, accessories, and more. These platforms eliminate inventory issues, ensuring a smooth path for aspiring designers. Utilize services like Gelato to execute your creative expression.

38. Produce User Generated Content

Creating videos and promotional content as a UGC creator presents a viable path to income. Unlike standard influencers, UGC creators focus on brand-generated content rather than audience-driven promotions, providing flexibility in content development.

39. Venture into the Vending Machine Market

Starting a vending machine enterprise requires upfront investment, yet it promises rewarding passive income. Explore buying used machines to minimize costs and expand your reach with multiple locations, boosting overall returns according to this analysis.

40. Assist Online as a Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant’s work is wide-ranging, involving administrative, research, and creative tasks. Virtual assistants command higher rates for specialized services. Learning from established VA professionals can illuminate profitable service paths.

41. Engage as a Voice Over Artist

Those praised for vocal prowess can find prosperity as voice actors. Following the example of Julie Eickhoff, who flourished as an audiobook narrator with Audible, aspiring talent can embark on this fulfilling career path, guided by her course offerings.

Start Your Ideal Home-Based Business

From our list of viable business models, choose the one aligned to your skills and interests. Launching a business starts with:

1. Obtaining the Right Training

Where expertise is lacking in performing specific tasks, seek educational courses that cover necessary skills and business knowledge. A comprehensive course prepares you for swift entrepreneurship.

2. Business Planning

A robust business plan ensures thorough preparation, charting the steps toward launching and sustaining your new venture. Don’t hesitate to download our free planning template to get started.

Free Business Plan Template

Contemplating a home-based business, yet unsure where to begin?

Access our FREE Simplified Business Plan Template, offering intuitive steps for launching your venture!

3. Assemble Your Toolkit

Equipped with a computer, internet access, and payment means, you’ll have the basics covered. A professional website lends credibility, showcasing your services, pricing, policies, and client feedback. Include crucial pages such as:

• Contact details
• Privacy policy
• Rates
• Portfolio
• Services
• Testimonials
• Terms and conditions

There are streamlined, budget-friendly website options, detailed here.

4. Market Your Business

“Build it, and they will come” is a myth in the entrepreneurial world. Entrepreneurs must actively engage in marketing, setting aside time each day for outreach. Employ 2-3 strategic marketing techniques, ensuring a constant flow of clients and income.

Explore Diverse Small Business Opportunities

Your skills, interests, and circumstances can guide you to the perfect business match. Whether pursuing creative arts, professional services, or innovative endeavors, the ideal opportunity awaits in this extensive list, ready to propel you towards success.

Interested in even more lucrative ideas? Access service-oriented and inventive business suggestions!

Originally published April 12, 2021. Content updated March 2025.