Did you know that half of businesses are started from home? You can own and operate all kinds of businesses remotely, from an online store that you manage by yourself to large-scale ventures with physical locations and teams of employees.
In this article, we will explore 40 home business ideas to kick-start your entrepreneurship journey. Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or a full-time venture, there is something for everyone. Let’s dive in!
40 Best Home Business Ideas
- Buy products in bulk and sell them online
- Sell homemade products
- Start a dropshipping store
- Start a print-on-demand business
- Offer online services
- Teach online classes
- Monetize your expertise
- Grow an audience you can monetize
- Buy an existing small business
- Start a subscription-box business
- Turn your pet into an influencer
- Sell used items
- Play video games professionally
- Sell your art
- Become a virtual event planner
- Launch a photography business
- Start a beauty business
- Start an affiliate marketing business
- Start a daycare
- Sell on marketplaces
- Become a social media manager
- Become a virtual personal trainer
- Offer bookkeeping services
- Design websites
- Start a dog-grooming business
- Become a pet sitter
- Become a freelance writer
- Manage properties
- Start a landscaping business
- Start a house cleaning business
- Become a personal chef
- Start a home staging business
- Run a mobile spa
- Offer therapy
- Run meditation sessions
- Teach journaling methods
- Be a professional organizer
- Edit podcasts
- Create a herbal product line
- Create a candle brand
1. Buy products in bulk and sell them online
When starting your first home business, it’s best not to reinvent the wheel. Instead, try an existing, reliable small business model, such as buying popular products in bulk and selling them individually for a profit.
The key to a successful home retail business is savvy product selection. Can you identify the next trend or fashionable item? Tips for sourcing profitable products include analyzing social media for trending products, importing products popular in foreign markets, and serving niche markets.
If your customers would benefit from in-person browsing, you can even use your home as a showroom. That’s how home retail business Artemis Design Co. got its start!
2. Sell homemade products
If you’re a maker or have a passion for creating, consider turning that hobby into a business by selling your own handmade products. From homemade soaps and candles to handcrafted jewelry and artwork, the possibilities are endless.
Items crafted in your studio, workshop, or kitchen can become well-known products with the right branding and marketing. Selling independent goods can also be cost-effective, as you won’t need to buy from wholesalers and can control nearly every aspect of production and pricing.
Craft brand Peg and Awl began as a way for husband and wife Walter and Margaux Kent to sell items they’d made using reclaimed materials in their home workshop. Today, their online store offers a wide range of products, from bags and journals to home décor items.
3. Start a dropshipping store
If you want to start an online business without spending money on large amounts of stock, dropshipping is the way to go. In a dropshipping business, retailers promote and sell products that are produced and shipped by a third party. You earn a commission for making a sale, while the supplier takes care of storing and shipping the product.
Many successful home dropshipping businesses find success by targeting a niche. Curate products from different suppliers to create a collection of related items on your website. Subtle Asian Treats is an excellent example of a niche retailer in the “cute and kawaii merchandise” market.
4. Start a print-on-demand business
Another home business idea that doesn’t require you to buy or hold inventory is print-on-demand. Print-on-demand services allow you to apply your branding and original designs to white label products. When you make a sale, the print-on-demand company prints and ships the item to the customer on your behalf.
You can sell a wide range of print-on-demand products like books, hats, blankets, mugs, and more. Many successful print-on-demand businesses focus on serving a specific niche or shared identity. For example, The Outrage is a women’s rights apparel brand that sells print-on-demand t-shirts and donates a portion of proceeds to non-profit organizations.
5. Offer online services
If selling products online isn’t your thing, why not consider offering online services? Service platforms can be simpler to set up than retail businesses because there’s no inventory to create or manage.
One way to develop a home service business is to leverage your existing talents. Whether you’re skilled in writing, virtual assistance, marketing, design, translation, SEO consulting, web design, or graphic design, there are opportunities to monetize your expertise.
Freelance writing, virtual assistance, marketing, design, translation, SEO consulting, web design, and graphic design are all popular service-based home business ideas. These service-based businesses often require fewer clients to make a profit.
6. Teach online classes
If you have a teachable skill, why not monetize and share that knowledge through an online course? Online audiences exist for almost any desirable skill, whether it’s English as a second language, advanced marketing, or everyday home maintenance hacks.
Online platforms like If I Made provide a platform for creative professionals to sell video classes in their areas of expertise. You can choose to offer live or pre-recorded content and provide downloadable material for purchase.
7. Monetize your expertise
If you’re a service-based business that provides one-on-one assistance, consider productizing your services to scale your business. Create physical or digital products that package your expertise and can be sold multiple times.
You can create courses, designs, licensable assets, reports, templates, merchandise, ebooks, and other service-based products. For example, StrawBale offers courses and plans for building straw bale homes.
8. Grow an audience you can monetize
If you’ve always dreamt of starting a blog, YouTube channel, Instagram account, or podcast, you could turn that idea into a home business by growing and monetizing a following.
Building a loyal audience requires patience, consistency, and focus. But if you’re able to grow a following around something you love, it can be one of the most fulfilling home business ideas.
Jordan Ferney, founder of Oh Happy Day Shop!, built an audience via blogging and later turned it into a fully-fledged business. She now sells products on her ecommerce site. Similarly, podcast hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark monetized their show, My Favorite Murder, by creating a paid membership tier.
9. Buy an existing small business
If you’re not interested in starting a business from scratch, you can consider buying an existing small business. The cost of acquiring a business varies based on its state of health. Some businesses are sold while generating revenue, allowing you to take over and continue operations.
Others may need rebuilding but contain valuable assets like an email list, social following, online content, or brand reputation. Physical retail stores may have inventory or equipment that comes with the sale.
10. Start a subscription box business
The online subscription box industry is forecasted to grow rapidly in the coming years. If you’re able to curate desirable product selections, you can start a subscription business from home.
Consider bundling surplus products or products with a specific theme to create a subscription box. Cloth and Paper started by bundling surplus products into subscription boxes and gained a loyal following. Haverdash rents clothes and generates more revenue from rental items returned by customers.
11. Turn your pet into an influencer
Pet influencers are all over social media, inspiring thousands of likes and promoting subscription brands like BarkBox. If you share your life with a pet, try turning them into a social media personality. Grow their following and connect with relevant brands for promotion deals.
Take inspiration from Mensweardog, the most stylish dog in the world. He collaborates with big brands like Booking.com and Spotify.
12. Sell used items
As consumers become more environmentally conscious, sustainable shopping options are growing in popularity. You can start a home-based resale business by listing and selling your unwanted clothing and other items online.
Platforms like Poshmark, Mercari, Craigslist, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace are great places to start selling your items. Coal and Terry is a great example of a successful home-based business that sells vintage clothes.
13. Play video games professionally
Esports and video game streaming platforms like Twitch have opened the door for gamers to monetize their skills. You can become a sponsored pro gamer or create a gaming-based home business by becoming a Let’s Play streamer.
For example, Maxx Burman and Banks Boutté launched an online festival celebrating video game art directors on Twitch. They later started KitBash3D, a company that sells 3D assets for video games and movies.
14. Sell your art
If you’re an artist, your creativity can become your livelihood. Whether you’re into painting, digital art, sculpture, photography, or music, there’s a market out there for your work.
Selling your art from home involves more than just creating. You’ll need to dedicate time to promoting your work, building a brand, and connecting with your audience.
Helen Levi turned her passion for pottery into a home-based business, selling ceramics from her online store.
15. Become a virtual event planner
Virtual events and conferences are on the rise, creating opportunities for virtual event planners. If you have events management skills, consider starting a home business as a virtual event planner.
Develop a niche in terms of the types of events you organize or the events’ purpose. Familiarize yourself with event platforms like Hopin and Whova to win customers.
16. Launch a photography business
If you have an eye for capturing special moments, starting a photography business could be perfect for you. You can specialize in various fields such as weddings, pets, fashion, or product photography.
Photography platforms like Brooklyn Candle Studio or KitaabWorld can provide inspiration for building a successful photography business.
17. Start a beauty business
The beauty industry is always in demand. If you have a passion for cosmetics, consider starting a beauty business from home.
Look beyond the current trends and identify the next big thing in beauty. Convenience is essential, so consider offering multiple purchasing and delivery options to cater to customer needs.
18. Start an affiliate marketing business
Affiliate marketing is a popular home business model where you promote products or services and earn a commission for generating sales. Choose the best affiliate program that fits your niche and promote partner brands through various channels.
19. Start a daycare
If you love working with children and have space in your home, consider starting a daycare. The daycare market is growing rapidly, and the startup costs are minimal.
Ensure you research child care licensing requirements, undergo background checks, and get the required training to open a daycare.
20. Sell on marketplaces
Marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace are popular platforms for selling products from home. Selling items on marketplaces is a simple way to start your home business.
However, building a reliable income stream from marketplace sales can be more challenging due to limited promotional options and price wars with other sellers.
21. Become a social media manager
If you have social media skills, consider starting a social media consulting business from your laptop. Demonstrate your expertise through your own accounts and invest in social media management tools.
Rachel Pedersen, a social media manager, leveraged her TikTok following to quit her job as a hairdresser and run her social media business from home.
22. Become a virtual personal trainer
With the rise of fitness trends, becoming a virtual personal trainer can be a lucrative home business. Market your services to an audience interested in getting fit from home and promote your expertise on platforms like Instagram.
23. Offer bookkeeping services
If you’re good with numbers, consider starting an at-home bookkeeping business. Freelance bookkeepers have the potential to earn a significant income by increasing rates and building a customer base.
Promote your services on social media platforms like Instagram, just like Zeal Bookkeeping does.
24. Design websites
If you have design skills, you can start a website development agency from home. Platforms like Upwork and Dribbble are great starting points for finding clients.
As you finish jobs and collect testimonials and samples, it should become easier to land clients without the help of a marketplace.
25. Start a dog-grooming business
Offering dog-grooming services can be a profitable home business. Check the demand in your area and consider opening a grooming business for your local community.
You’ll need proper training and understanding of pet grooming to start a successful dog-grooming business.
26. Become a pet sitter
Providing pet sitting services is a great way to earn money from home. Platforms like Rover and Wag allow sitters to find clients in their area.
You have the flexibility to choose your own hours and decide whether clients will bring their pets to your home or if you’ll travel to theirs.
27. Become a freelance writer
If you have a passion for writing, becoming a freelance writer might be the perfect home business for you. Companies are always looking for skilled writers, whether it’s for copywriting, journalism, blogging, or digital marketing.
Start by searching for writing job postings on LinkedIn and establish your expertise in a niche to stand out.
28. Manage properties
Renting out properties or managing rental properties can be a profitable home business idea. Coordinate bookings, cleanings, and be the point of contact for guests.
You don’t need significant funds to start, and you’ll get to work in the tourism industry. Learn from the experiences of other Airbnb hosts to increase your chances of success.
29. Start a landscaping business
If you have a green thumb and enjoy gardening, starting a home-based landscaping business might be the perfect fit. The lawn and garden market is vast, and there is always a demand for landscaping services.
Understand your client’s needs and analyze the competition in your area to create a successful home-based landscaping business.
30. Start a house cleaning service
Offering house cleaning services is a popular home business that requires minimal startup costs. The global home cleaning services market is projected to grow rapidly in the coming years.
Ensure you offer quality services and research cleaning techniques to stand out from the competition.
31. Become a personal chef
If you love cooking, you can turn your culinary passion into a home business by becoming a personal chef. Cook for clients in their homes, catering to their dietary preferences and needs.
Offer additional services like cooking lessons, meal kits, or open a food truck or website to sell food online.
32. Start a home staging business
As a home stager, you can work with realtors and homeowners to make homes more appealing on the real estate market. Focus on creating desirable living spaces to attract potential buyers.
No specific certifications are required, but a background in interior design or real estate can boost your credibility.
33. Run a mobile spa
Bring the luxury of a spa to clients’ homes with a mobile spa business. Offer services like massages, manicures, and pedicures with the convenience of being near or in people’s homes.
Provide a relaxing spa experience without the need for clients to travel to a physical location.
34. Offer therapy
If you have the necessary certifications, you can offer therapy services from your home. Services like massage, acupuncture, or physiotherapy can be performed in a home-based setting.
Ensure you comply with all local regulations, professional guidelines, and stay up to date with techniques and trends in your field.
35. Run meditation sessions
If you’re a meditation instructor, you can offer live sessions, pre-recorded meditation guides, or even a personalized meditation app. Teach your techniques and help others achieve mindfulness and relaxation.
Create a calm and welcoming space in your home for conducting sessions—whether it’s physical or virtual.
36. Teach journaling methods
If you regularly journal or keep a diary, consider teaching others your techniques for a fee. Help people unlock their creativity and improve their mental well-being through journaling.
Ryder Carroll, creator of the Bullet Journal method, turned his method into a home business. He now sells journals and offers journaling advice on his website.
37. Be a professional organizer
If you love creating functional and clutter-free spaces, consider starting a home business as a professional organizer. Help clients declutter their homes or offices, creating order and calm wherever you go.
Use Neat Method as an example of how to build a successful home organization business.
38. Edit podcasts
Podcasting is becoming increasingly popular, and podcasters often need help editing their episodes. If you have the skills and software to edit podcasts, consider offering your services to podcasters.
You can also offer photo and video editing services as profitable home business ideas.
39. Create a herbal product line
If you have knowledge of herbal remedies or family recipes, you can create and sell herbal products from home. Use natural ingredients to create teas, tinctures, and other wellness products.
Wooden Spoon Herbs started this way, and they now sell a range of herbal products that promote health and well-being.
40. Create a candle brand
Candle making is a classic home business idea that continues to be profitable. Start by creating unique and high-quality candles and develop a strong brand that resonates with your target audience.
Consider expanding your product line to include related items like scented diffusers or bath oils as your brand grows.
How to Start a Home Business
Once you have an idea that fits your skills and experience, it’s time to get to work on building your new home business. Here are the five basic steps you’ll need to follow:
- Come up with your own business idea.
- Create a business plan to guide your actions.
- Start the legal process, including choosing your business type and applying for licenses.
- Open a business bank account to keep your finances separate.
- Start providing your products or services and market your business.
Remember, starting a home business doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Take it step by step, and seek professional advice when necessary.
Pros and Cons of Starting a Home Business
As with any business, there are pros and cons to consider when starting a home-based business. Here are a few to keep in mind:
Pros:
- Lower overhead costs compared to traditional businesses.
- Potential tax deductions for home-based businesses.
- Ability to target local or international markets online.
- Improved work-life balance and flexibility.
- Potential for family involvement and collaboration.
Cons:
- Need for dedicated office space and equipment.
- Compliance with industry regulations and permits.
- Competition with larger, established businesses.
- Potential for loneliness and lack of social interaction.
Starting a home business requires careful consideration of these factors, but with the right mindset and dedication, it can be a rewarding and profitable venture.
Find Your Perfect Home Business Idea
The best home business idea for you will depend on your skills, interests, and resources. Take the time to evaluate your strengths and choose a business model that aligns with your goals.
Remember, technology has made starting and running a home business easier than ever before. Platforms like Shopify provide the tools you need to build and grow your home business.
So don’t wait! Take the plunge into entrepreneurship and find the perfect home business idea for you. Good luck on your journey to success!
