ss Ideas: 330 Types of Small Businesses to Start

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Business Ideas: 330 Types of Small
Businesses to Start
by Janet Attard

Last Updated: Apr 15, 2020

Looking for business ideas? This list of business ideas has 330 startup suggestions plus tips on
how to choose the right type of business for you to start.

Image source: Photospin

Are you looking for small business startup ideas? Do you want to start your own business, but
aren't sure what kind of business to start? Maybe you're tired of working for a boss who makes
every workday stressful. Perhaps you are convinced you can make more on your own than you
can working for someone else -- or you just want to bring in a little extra money to pay for a few
luxuries in life. Perhaps you've been laid off and haven't been able to find a new job. Or it could
be that your family really needs two incomes but you don't want your kids to be latchkey kids.

Whatever your reason for wanting to start your own business, running the show can be
personally and financially rewarding--if you come up with the right business idea.

What's the Best Business To Start?

That's one of the first questions most people ask. Another is "What's an easy business to start?"
But a better question than either of these is "What's the best business for me to start."

Different businesses require different skills, abilities, and cash to get going. A great business for
a programmer to start, might not be a good idea for physical therapist or waiter. Your own likes
and dislikes also need to be considered. Some businesses might be lucrative, but involve doing
work you dislike doing. Others can be highly enjoyable, but not produce enough income for your
needs.
So, how do you find real business opportunities and avoid scams? The answer is as individual as
you are. Here are some of the criteria you should consider when you are deciding what type of
business to start:

 It is something you know how to do and can do well.

 It is something you LIKE to do and wouldn't mind doing day after day.
 It is something with a broad enough appeal to sell on a steady basis.
 It can be sold at a price that will cover all of your expenses and overhead plus return a
healthy profit.
 The market (your potential customers) is one you will be able to reach
 You have or can raise sufficient funds to get the business started and keep it running until
it becomes a profitable venture.

RELATED: Where to find a business idea that's right for you

If you haven't yet found your entrepreneurial niche, perhaps you'll spot a business that sounds
promising (based on the criteria just mentioned) in the list of business ideas below. Some can be
started as a home-based business, others really can't. Some require you to be an expert in a
particular task or industry. Others are in fields that can more easily be learned.

Many can be turned into full-time businesses, but some are ideal primarily for moonlighting or as
add-on income streams in an existing business. All are viable ways to make money, if you know
the business and become good at marketing.

Free Business Startup Checklist

Starting a business can be overwhelming! Use this free Business Startup Checklist to make
sure you don't miss any important steps. This downloadable Word document lists the steps you
need to take to get your business up and running, and includes space for you to note your own
comments and deadlines. You can get the checklist free when you subscribe to the free Business
Know-How Newsletter.

The list below is not all-inclusive. There are many, many other ways to start a business. (If you
know of anything you think we should add to our list use our site feedback form to let us know.)

To help you find ideas that match your skills and interests, we've grouped the business ideas into
a number of categories. Under some of the types of businesses (Artist, for instance) we've
mentioned particular products or services that might be offered either as the main business or as
one of the business' offerings. Once you find a business idea you think you'd like to start, check
out our how to start a business guide to find out how to get ready to launch the business.

330 Small Business Ideas

Here are the main categories. Click on the links to go directly to that section of the list of
business startup ideas.

Art
Automotive
Business and Consumer Services
Crafts
Computer & Internet
Consulting Services
Editorial, Graphic Arts, Publishing
Entertainment
Miscellaneous
Planning and Organizing
Retail and Commercial
Sales

Art

Paint and sell original works of art

Sculptor
Draw caricatures
Graphic designer
Draw original artwork for presentations
Book illustrator
Paint wall murals
Hand paint designs on furniture, and decorative items
Create animated videos for businesses
Sell hand-painted or handmade holiday ornaments
Art instructor
Art broker

Back to Category Listing

Automotive

Automobile Detailing
Auto parts sales Related articles:
Auto repair garage
Brake replacement & repair  10 Businesses You Can Start for $500 or Less
Car wash  How to Transform Your Hobby Into a Career
Car rental  Business Start-up Checklist
Junk car removal  More Business Ideas
Mobile car tune-up and repair service
Motorcycle Repair
Muffler shop

Back to Category Listing

Business and Consumer Services

Advertising specialty sales Landscaping

Administrative support services Laundry service
Appliance repair Lawn cutting
Bed and Breakfast Inn Lawnmower and motor repair
Bicycle repair Lead generation service
Balloon decorating service Limousine service
Boat excursions and tours Loan consultant
Business plan writer Locksmith
Cabinet maker Magician
Car Detailing Mailing service
Carpet and upholstery cleaning Market research
Catering Marketing agency
Chemical testing Masonry & Paving for homeowners
Child Care Service Medical Claims Billing Service
Chimney sweep Medical transcription
Cleaning Service Moving company
Clown Music teacher - private lessons
Coin dealer Nail salon
Collectibles dealer Novelty T-shirt sales
Collections service Nutritional supplement sales
Concrete construction and repair Nutritionist
Cook Paddleboard lessons
Cosmetologist Painter
Crafts instructor Personal fitness trainer
Currency auctions Personal concierge
Dance instructor Personal chef
Daycare for adults Pet sitting
Dental claims processing Pet walking
Dog walking service Pet grooming
Dog obedience training Pet waste cleanup
Dog / yard cleanup Pest control service
Drive for ride-hailing service Plumber
Elderly companion Pool cleaning service
Electrician Portrait and wedding photographer
Employment agency Private investigator
Environmental cleanup service Property Management
Errand service Power washing service
Executive recruiter Public relations agency
Financial planner Public speaker
Fishing boat rides Remodeling service
Flea market seller Reupholster furniture
Food delivery service Seminar producer
Formal wear rental service (male or female) Senior services
Food truck Screen printing
Framing service (picture frames) Shopping service
Furniture reupholstering Shuttle service
Genealogist Sightseeing tours
Grant writer Small business consultant
Hair Salon Swimming pool installation
Handiman service Swimming pool maintenance
Home or office organization services Reseacher
Home attendant service Tailor
Home design service Tax preparation
Home staging service Telemarketing service
Home healthcare service Telephone service reseller
Home inspector Tool rental
Housekeeper Travel agency
Outsourced HR services Tree trimming and removal
HVAC installation & service Tutor
Inventory control service TV installation
Janitorial service Veterinarian
Junk removal services Water taxi service
Window cleaning
Yard cleanup

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Computer & Internet

App developer
Affiliate marketer
Blogger
Computer consulting
Computer backup service
Computer repair
Computer programming
Computer training
Data recovery service
Digital Forensics Specialist
Document scanning service
Email/marketing & newsletter services
Game developer
Internet marketing agency
Software developer
IT services provider
Podcaster
Search engine optimization
Search engine marketing
Social media marketing & management
Social Media Influencer
Warehouse automation systems
Web site development
Web site hosting
Website designer
Web database developer
Web content provider
Web content marketing service

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Consulting Services

Agricultural consultant Labor relations consultant

Air quality consultant Social media consultant
Business improvement consultant IT consultant
Coach (personal or business) or mentor Marketing consultant
Computer Consultant Medical office consultant
Construction management consultant Product development consultant
Diversity consultant Proposal consultant (government contracts)
Engineering consultant Proposal consultant (grants)
Environmental consultant Retail consultant
Expert witness Risk management consultant
Failure analysis / evaluation Safety consultant
Fitness consultant Sales consultant
Franchise consultant Security consultant
Health & wellness consultant Skincare consultant
Healthcare consultant Total quality management consultant
Human resources consultant Training consultant
Image consultant Utility auditing consultant
International consultant Wedding consultant
Internet marketing consultant Yoga instructor

RELATED: Starting a Consulting Business

Back to Category Listing

Crafts

Arts and crafts instructor

Calligrapher
Custom designed T-shirts
Custom designed jewelry
Custom-designed dried or silk flower arrangements
Decorative pillows
Design and sell craft patterns
Design and sell handmade jewelry
Handmade dolls and childrens' toys
Handmade candles
Handmade pottery
Handmade soaps
Handmade knitted goods
Leather belts
Quilts
Crafts supply sales
Wood crafts

RELATED: How to Get Started Selling on Etsy

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Editorial, Graphic Arts, Publishing

Advertising agency
Advertising copywriter
Audio editing
Audio transcription
Audiobook narrator
Blogger
Book cover designer
Cartoonist
Columnist
Commercial photographer
Computer animation
Editor
Ebook design & production
Ghost writer / ghost blogger
Graphic artist
Book indexer
Internet Publisher
Literary agent
Multimedia presentation creation
Newsletter production for clients
Nonfiction writer
Novelist
Proofreader
Publicist
Subscription newsletter
Translator
Video animator
Video editing
Videographer
Write book jacket blurbs
Write Publicity Releases

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Entertainment

Agent
Ballet studio
Band leader
Comedian
Dance company
Dancer
DJ
Escape Rooms Musician
One-man band
Producer
Singer
Song writer

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Miscellaneous

Environmental restoration Related articles:

Fund raiser
Import/Export Business  13 Tips for Starting a Successful Business
Manufacturer  Start-up Cost Calculator
Plant nursery
  Where to find money to start a business

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Office Services

Business Support Service

Bookkeeping
Commercial art
Legal transcription
Mailing list management
Medical transcription
Resume writing
Translation service
Virtual assistant

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Planning and Organizing

Business plan writing

Business turnarounds
Professional organizer
Event Planning Service
Meeting planning
Party planning
Show promoting

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Retail and Commercial

Antique dealer
Collectibles shop
Bar/Club
Used book store or online seller
Bakery
Bicycle sales
Bicycle repairs
Bodega
Boutique owner
Chemicals
Chinese food take-out service
Clothing Store
Coffee shop owner
College food delivery service
Delicatessen
eBay Business
Fishing supplies
Gift basket Service
Gift shop
Homemade foods
Janitorial supplies
Jewelry store
Pizza parlor
Posters
Restaurant

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Sales

Business broker
Manufacturer’s sales representative
Network marketing business
Real estate sales & rentals
Telemarketing service
Sales coach or trainer
Direct selling
Printer toner recharging
Sales training