50 Side Businesses You Can Start On Your Own

By Trent Hamm Last updated August 20, 2014

In the past, I’ve discussed how it’s a good idea to spend your spare time dabbling in entrepreneurship: it fills your time with something that you choose (and thus you enjoy) and sets up a potential long-term revenue stream. I also discussed how I got a side business going myself.

Since then, lots of readers have written to me, asking for ideas on how to start a simple side business. What follows is a list of 50 of those ideas that I’ve collected over the last year or so.

Each of these ideas is very simple to start, and most can be done as a sole proprietorship at first (meaning you don’t have to file any legal documents to get started, though you will want to do that if it starts to take off). Most of these can be done at home in your spare time in your spare space, too.

 

See if there are any ideas below that fit you well. If you find an idea, seek out a guide on how to get started in that area.

50 Business Ideas

1. Antique refurbishment

This is a perfect side business for people who love antiquing. Take worn-out antiques home with you, invest the time and care needed to transform those old items into something amazing, then resell them at a profit.

2. Auto detailing

Have a meticulous eye for detail and love to get things gleaming clean? Auto detailing is probably a perfect side business for you. In essence, your job is to make cars sparkle inside and out – and many people are quite happy to pay well for this service.

3. Babysitting

Got lots of evenings free? Like kids? Babysitting may be a great side business for you. Keep an eye on multiple children on Friday and Saturday nights and you can earn some solid income.

4. Bed and breakfast

Have some extra space in your home? Turn that extra bedroom into a “bed and breakfast” room. This works particularly well if you have a somewhat older home or live near an area that attracts regular travelers and tourists.

5. Blogging

If you enjoy writing, find a topic you’re passionate about and start a blog on the topic. All you need is a computer, some time, and some energy to consistently write. It can start as a hobby and turn into a business.

6. Cake decorating

Enjoy baking and have a bit of an artistic touch? Learn how to decorate cakes and make them for special events. One of my mother’s old friends does this and makes quite a bit of money on the side.

7. Candle making

Candle making is a great little craft to learn. You can often easily sell the candles at local shops and also through websites like Etsy.com, eBay and more.

8. Candy making

Homemade candies are easier to make than you think and quite popular. Package them in nice little boxes and sell them through a local gift shop. You can get started pretty quickly.

9. Card making

This is another artistic “crafty” angle you can follow. Make greeting/birthday cards from scratch using your own photographs, some blank cards, and a healthy dose of artistic flair. Again, you can sell items like these through a local gift shop or at sites like etsy.com.

10. Catering

If you love to cook, take the “Blondie” route and start a home catering business. Catering is a business that’s perfectly designed to reward those who plan well and can often fit perfectly into weekends, lining up wonderfully opposite a normal workweek.

11. Childcare service

Many states allow people to start up in-home daycares with minimal licensing and paperwork. If you love children and have plenty of time and space at home, this is a perfect business to get into.