America thrives on entrepreneurship. According to the SBA Office of Advocacy, in 2022, there were 33.2 million small businesses in the United States employing 46.4% of the private workforce.
Home-based businesses are part of the numbers. In fact overall, the Small Business Administration (SBA) estimates that about half of America’s 33 million or so businesses are home‐based.
Top 25 Home-Based Business Ideas
It’s always a good idea to do something you like as you will be spending time growing any new business.
1. Drop-Shipping
Dropshipping is a fulfillment method in which a business doesn’t maintain its own inventory of the products it sells. Instead, the seller acquires the products from a third-party, such as a wholesaler or manufacturer, as needed to fulfill customer orders. The main distinction between dropshipping and the traditional retail model is that the seller doesn’t own or keep stock of the products – they serve as a mediator in the transaction.
Here are the top drop-shipping categories according to Shopify:
- Apparel and footwear
- Beauty and personal care
- Kitchen and dining
- Baby
- Pet supplies
- Home interiors
- Office products
- Tools and home improvement
- Phone accessories
- Car accessories
2. Open a Daycare
If you enjoy working with children, opening a daycare business could be a viable option. The daycare industry is currently valued at over $50 billion and is projected to continue growing in the years to come.
According to the Center for American Progress, the childcare workforce has lost 88,000 jobs since February 2020. Many in the daycare workforce are not returning since the pandemic due to low wages and poor working conditions. This industry is wide-open.
3. Print-On-Demand Business
A print-on-demand (POD) business is a type of business model that allows entrepreneurs to create and sell custom-designed products without having to hold inventory. Instead of keeping a stock of products on hand, the business owner only produces items when they are ordered by customers.
This is made possible through the use of third-party POD suppliers, who print and ship products directly to the customer on behalf of the business. This approach helps to minimize the business owner’s upfront costs, as they only pay for the production of items as they are sold, and also eliminates the need to store excess inventory.
Popular print-on-demand items:
- T-shirts
- Mugs
- Phone cases
- Hats
- Backpacks
- Hoodies
- Blankets
4. Jewelry and Accessories Design
Creativity is the key to this business. The opportunities abound for custom jewelry and accessories design. There’s a huge online as well as off-line market that exists for your custom made necklaces, earrings, bracelets and even belt buckles.
Online marketplaces include sites like:
Offline marketplaces include:
- Holiday bizarres
- Cultural fairs
- Arts and Crafts Shows
- Conferences
- Museums
- Neighborhood Farmers Markets
5. Start a subscription box business
A subscription box is a recurring delivery service that sends a curated selection of products to customers on a regular basis, usually monthly or quarterly. These boxes typically contain a variety of items related to a specific theme or niche, such as beauty, food, fashion, or fitness.
Customers sign up for a subscription and receive a new box of products each month, often at a discounted price compared to buying the items individually. Subscription box services may offer a range of customization options, such as allowing customers to choose their preferred products or curating boxes based on individual preferences or needs.
Experts predict that the online subscription box industry will experience a growth to 73.6 Billion by 2028.
6. Sell unwanted apparel
There are several online platforms where you can sell your unwanted apparel and shoes. Here are some popular options:
- Poshmark. A social marketplace for buying and selling clothing, shoes, and accessories. Poshmark takes a commission on sales, but there are no upfront fees.
- Depop. An online marketplace for buying and selling unique fashion items, Depop has a strong community of buyers and sellers. The platform takes a commission on sales.
- eBay. A well-known online marketplace for selling a wide range of products, including clothing and shoes. eBay charges fees for listing and selling items.
- ThredUp. An online consignment store for buying and selling secondhand clothing, shoes, and accessories. ThredUp provides a prepaid shipping label and pays sellers upfront for their items.
- Mercari. A marketplace for selling a variety of products, including clothing and shoes. Mercari charges fees for listing and selling items.
7. Event Planning
The pandemic disrupted many in-person events, but this gave a boost to virtual events. Someone needs to plan a virtual event. All you need is a smartphone or laptop, and an internet connection along with the use of event platforms like Hopin, Cvent, or Whova you can plan a memorable event.
But that’s not all. Many industries have returned to in-person events. So whether it’s a sweet sixteen party, corporate event, private soiree or political rally, the event planning industry is expected to grow to $1,552.9 billion by 2028. An eye for detail, lots of creativity, strong organizational and management skills and excellent people skills is all you need. This profession can be fun and rewarding.
8. Notary Public
A notary public has several options for working. A traveling notary service can make a very good income. Notaries are needed for all sorts of reasons. They officially witness signatures on legal documents, administer oaths and statutory declarations, collect sworn statements and authenticate documents. Everyone, at some point in time, needs a notary so the possibilities for clients are endless.
9. Mobile Catering
Love to cook? Even better, love to cook for others? In today’s time crunched society working families need a good home cooked meal without the hassle. A mobile catering service can be just the answer. Start by giving out sample meals. Create simple menus and go from there. You can target specific neighborhoods and even pass out samples and menus at the local parks while the soccer moms and dads are cheering on the kids.
10. Mobile Hair Salon
Ever been sitting under a dryer, magazine in one hand, bottled water in the other, with a frown on your face? Let’s be honest, most women like getting their hair styled by a professional but do not necessarily enjoy the time spent in salons. The mobile hair salon is a growing industry as women and men are willing to pay extra for convenience.
11. Sell unwanted household items
There are several online platforms where you can sell unwanted household items such as lawnmowers. Here are some popular options:
- Letgo. A mobile app for buying and selling secondhand items, Letgo allows users to list items for free and communicate with buyers within the app.
- OfferUp. A mobile app for buying and selling items locally, OfferUp allows users to list items for free and communicate with buyers through the app.
- Craigslist. A classifieds website that allows users to post listings for free. You can list your lawnmower and communicate with potential buyers through the site.
- Facebook Marketplace. A platform within the Facebook app that allows users to buy and sell items in their local area. You can list your lawnmower and negotiate with buyers through Facebook Messenger.
- eBay. A well-known online marketplace for selling a wide range of products, including household items like lawnmowers. eBay charges fees for listing and selling items.
12. Become a pet-sitter
As pets are increasingly viewed as members of the family, responsible and dependable pet sitters are in high demand to provide care when their owners are away. Starting a pet sitting business requires minimal investment and has low overhead costs. Platforms like Rover and Wag! make it easy to find clients and customize your services, including the types of pets you care for and your work schedule.
Whether you choose to provide services at your home or travel to clients’ homes, pet sitting can be a lucrative business depending on location and demand. According to Scoutforpets, pet sitters typically earn $25 for a 30-minute visit.
13. Airbnb Manager
With the rise in travel, there is a high demand for accommodations. You have the option to rent out your own space or work as an Airbnb manager for someone with multiple properties. As an Airbnb manager, your responsibilities would include managing property listings and bookings, providing customer service for guests, and overseeing cleaning and maintenance tasks.
The advantage of being a property manager is that you don’t require a lot of upfront investment, and there are no formal qualifications or degrees necessary to get started. In 2022, the global revenue of Airbnb was 8.4 billion U.S. dollars.
14. Teach online classes
Share your expertise and skills through online forums to increase your visibility and create online courses to monetize your knowledge. Almost any in-demand skill, such as blockchain and crypto, credit repair, car maintenance, video production, teaching English as a second language, social media marketing, or health and fitness tips, has a potential audience. There are several online teaching platforms that make set-up simple and easy, including:
- Teachable
- Udemy
- Skillshare
- LearnDash
- Podia
- WizIQ
- EdApp
15. Power-washing service
This is a business you can start without actually having the equipment. Power-washing equipment can be rented from places like Home Depot, Lowes and equipment rental businesses. A power-washing service typically involves using a high-pressure water spray to clean and remove dirt, grime, and other debris from various surfaces.
This service can be used for cleaning buildings, driveways, sidewalks, decks, fences, and other outdoor surfaces. The power-washer may use various types of cleaning solutions or detergents to help remove tough stains or debris. The goal of a power-washing service is to effectively clean and restore the appearance of outdoor surfaces, while also improving their overall durability and longevity.
16. Online Coaching
Online coaching: With the rise of remote work, online coaching in various areas such as career, life, or business has become a popular home-based business idea. The U.S. life coaching market was valued at $1,469.1 million in 2022 and is expected to grow.
The demand for life coaches is on the rise as individuals and corporate employees seek to enhance their interpersonal skills, achieve better work-life balance, and improve their overall wellness.
17. Virtual assistant
With a smartphone and laptop you can offer virtual assistant services from your home, assisting clients with administrative tasks such as email management, scheduling, and research. Virtual assistants have become a popular choice for both companies and individuals looking to save money.
By hiring a virtual assistant, they can pay for only a few hours of work per day instead of a full-time salary to handle simple day-to-day tasks. Find listings for virtual assistants on sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Ovdym.
18. Join the gig-economy
The gig economy refers to a labor market characterized by temporary, freelance, or part-time jobs, often provided through digital platforms or apps. In the gig economy, workers typically have more flexibility and control over their schedules and can work for multiple clients or companies at the same time. The term “gig” refers to a one-time job or project, and workers are often paid per task or project rather than on a regular salary basis.
The gig economy has grown in recent years with the global gig economy generating $204 billion in gross volume. Driven by the rise of digital platforms and the demand for more flexible work arrangements the gig economy is not going anywhere. Examples of gig economy jobs include ride-share drivers, food delivery workers, freelance writers, and graphic designers. Uou can use sites like Upwork, Freelancer, and TaskRabbit, to find work.
19. Social media manager
Many small businesses need help managing their social media accounts. If you’re skilled at social media, you can start a business managing these accounts from home. Tools like Sprout Social, Hootsuite, or Buffer can get you started.
20. Real Estate Appraiser
Real Estate Appraisers estimate the value of real property which includes land, buildings and natural resources. The work is interesting yet tedious. Appraisers prepare a written description properties and estimate the value. They may also examine income records, verify legal descriptions of property, draw diagrams and note conditions and special features of buildings. Appraisers generally work alone and find opportunities with state and local government, banks, credit unions, utility, insurance and mortgage companies.
21. Graphic design
If you have a knack for creating visual content, starting a graphic design business from home can be a great idea. You can create logos, websites, marketing materials, and more.
22. Meal prep services
If you enjoy cooking healthy meals, you can start a home-based meal prep business.Fresh-food meal kits are a growing industry in the United States. The industry was valued at 6.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2021 and is projected to continue growing. It is expected that by 2024, the segment will generate sales of over ten billion dollars.
23. Handyman
Has anyone ever called you “Mr. Fix-It” or “Ms. Fix-It” or, do you just think of yourself in this manner? If so, the handyman business may be for you. There are so many prospects for clients, you will be very busy. Start simple by posting fliers at your local grocery stores, advertise in your local newspapers, look-up the neighborhood realtors, drop by the senior citizen housing complexes, the possibilities are endless.
24. Personal training
If you’re a fitness enthusiast, you can start a home-based personal training business. Personal training has become a thriving industry. Obtaining certification in the field will enable you to offer virtual training classes.With the right certification and skills, you will be well-equipped to start a successful virtual personal training business.
25. Cleaning services
If you’re a neat freak, you can start a home-based cleaning business. You can offer services to both residential and commercial clients. The global home cleaning services market is set to reach $10 Billion by 2026.
More Small Business Resources
- Check out how to establish business credit without a personal guarantee.
- Check out business loan options for bad credit.
- Discover the best online business checking accounts that can be opened from the comfort of your home or office.
- Find out why microloans are a good option for small business owners with bad credit.
- Get quick funding with a merchant cash advance.
- Find business checking accounts that don’t use ChexSystems for entrepreneurs with ChexSystems records.
