41 Great Small Business Ideas
to Start in 2025

Becoming an entrepreneur is a big step, but the advantages of starting your own business are endless.

For you, it might be to take charge of your own time, earn an extra income, run a side hustle from home while keeping your current employment, enjoy a flexible lifestyle, pursue a creative outlet, or be the boss.

While motivation is essential to your success, choosing a business idea that suits you is also crucial!

Together, we’ll look at 41 small business ideas to start in 2025 relevant to current trends; some are easy to start, others are low-investment, and all can help you achieve your entrepreneurial dreams.

41 great small business ideas to start in 2025

Freelancing

The dictionary describes a freelancer as:

 “A person who works as a writer, designer, performer, or the like, selling work or services by the hour, day, job, etc., rather than working on a regular salary basis for one employer.”

It’s an excellent description, but it misses some vital lifestyle points. 

You get to work in an industry that interests you, choose exciting projects, and provide services for clients who appreciate your effort.

Plus, you can enjoy geographical freedom, a flexible work schedule, and a better work-life balance.  

While freelancing itself isn’t a business idea, it’s a way of working that suits people looking for a low-investment start-up they can run from home or abroad, either as a side business or as their primary occupation.

 

Here are 12 freelancing ideas to get your entrepreneurial juices flowing:

1. Customer Service

Customer service representatives attend to customer complaints and queries to ensure they are beaming with joy and satisfaction and continue to use their employer’s brand. 

CSRs need excellent problem-solving, time management, and communication skills to manage calls and understand their employer’s products or services to provide immediate solutions.

Customer service courses:

2. Virtual Assistant

VAs provide various part-time or full-time professional services to help businesses run effectively.

Duties (depending on your skill set) can include bookkeeping, technical help, and administration, like responding to emails, booking appointments, or scheduling meetings.

VAs must be tech-savvy, comfortable with computer skills, and proficient in software and business programs.

Virtual assistant courses:

3. Transcription

Virtual transcription freelancers convert speech into written text for professional businesses (often legal or medical) who pay them by the word.

To start a transcription business, you need a computer, fast typing skills, writing software like Pro Writer or Grammarly, and Google Drive or equivalent, depending on how your employer sends and receives your work. 

Transcription courses:

4. Content marketing/writing

Content writers create online content like articles, blogs, social media copy, white papers, ebooks, and infographics for their employers to connect with their readers by providing helpful and engaging information that builds trust and loyalty. 

Content marketers do the same; however, they choose what content their clients need (including the subjects) and how to create it using proven SEO strategies.

Content marketing/writing courses:

5. Copywriting

Copywriting is the art of using words to convince people to take specific actions.

Nike’s ’Just Do It’ is a brilliant copywriting example.

Copywriters are highly skilled wordsmiths who create interesting blogs, engaging emails, and persuasive advertising slogans for their employers that captivate and convert readers into loyal customers. 

Copywriting courses:

6. Blogging

Bloggers use writing, photography, and other content to promote their websites or social media platforms to engage their target audience.

Bloggers blog to build communities around a specific niche (like food, travel, BBQs, pets, the list is endless) to generate revenue from direct sales or sponsored advertising, using informal language and providing lifestyle hacks and tips. 

Blogging courses:

7. Freelance social media manager

Freelance social media managers are marketing professionals who create campaigns to strengthen a business’s online branding strategies by analyzing and improving their employer’s content based on their target audience’s engagement rates.

Other services social media managers provide include running ads, responding to comments, identifying optimal posting times, and writing engaging bios.  

Social media management courses:

8. Social video marketing

Social video marketing involves using videos to promote a brand’s products or services to their target audience. 

Social media marketers are experts at crafting short videos that captivate viewers and increase engagement rates on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. 

Social video marketing courses:

9. Freelance video editor

Video editors are experts at reviewing their client’s raw video footage and editing its sound, quality, and length to ensure it looks professional and tells the story their employer’s brand wants to convey.  

Freelance video editors often work for several clients and provide services to social media marketers, wedding videographers, advertising firms, and filmmakers. 

Video editing courses:

10. Freelance programmer/software development

Freelance software developers create bespoke software solutions for their clients to help design and build any software applications they use, like their websites or mobile apps.

Successful freelance software developers need a deep understanding of programming and time management/problem-solving skills. 

Freelance programmer/software developer courses:

11. Freelance web designer

Freelance web designers work alongside developers to help create, test, and publish their client’s websites.

Skills for becoming a web designer include knowing how to code CSS, HTML, and JavaScript, using WordPress (including other content management systems), and having a high understanding of SEO to optimize a client’s websites in search engines. 

Freelance web designer courses:

12. Freelance graphic designer

Graphic designers use computer software to create visual concepts that convey their employer’s brand and products in a way that captivates their target audiences’ imagination and inspires them to take a specific action. 

Visual concepts include developing and laying out a brand’s advertisement strategies, including magazines, brochures, and reports.

Graphic design courses:

Consultancy

Like freelancing, consultancy isn’t a specific business idea but a broad category that includes many niches.

But unlike freelancing, becoming a consultant requires a deep understanding of the subject you’re offering, which means having adequate qualifications and experience.

However, once you have those in an in-demand subject (like SEO, IT, or accountancy), consultancy might be the business idea you’ve been looking for!

13. Software Consultant

Software consultants are experts who provide their clients with advice relative to their software and computer language knowledge and expertise.  

It takes 6 to 8 years of training to become a software consultant. The first 4 years to gain a bachelor’s degree in computer science. The following 2 to 4 years working in software development or a relative niche.

Software courses:

14. Business management consultant

Business management consultants work with business owners and company managers to assist them in improving their operations and developing and growing their strategies on a temporary or contract basis.

Companies hire business consultants to gain an objective opinion on their operation or processing systems (including their business strategy, marketing, employee productivity, and supply chain) and use the consultant’s advice to maximize efficiency and increase revenue. 

Qualifications management consultants might need are an MBA or a master’s degree and a Certified Management Consultant certification. 

Business consultancy courses:

15. Cyber Security consultant

Security consultants (also called security analysts) identify possible vulnerabilities in their client’s computer systems, software programs, and networks to provide solutions that protect them against evil hackers.

Most security consultants have an undergraduate degree in cybersecurity, engineering, computer science, or information security.

Consultants often begin as junior IT team members and require 1-3 years of work experience before starting a consultancy business. 

Cybersecurity consultancy courses:

16. Financial consultant

Financial consultants help clients meet their personal or business goals by reviewing their income and expenses (debts/assets) and creating a financial plan.

FCs can also manage their client’s investment portfolios and provide financial advice to ensure they get the highest return on their investment. 

Financial consultancy courses:

17. Tax consultant

Tax consultants advise professional organizations and individuals on tax matters to comply with state and federal tax laws and minimize tax liabilities. 

To become a tax consultant, you need a bachelor’s degree in accounting. You must also comply with your state’s CPA requirements, pass the final exam, and have several years of experience working for a tax accountant/consultancy firm. 

Tax consultancy courses:

18. Accounting consultant

Accounting consultants assist businesses with analyzing and evaluating their financial data and guide them in overcoming any financial problems to increase their revenue.  

ACs also implement financial strategies (like a financial business plan) to ensure their clients maintain efficient accounting practices.

Accountant consultants require a relative bachelor’s degree and several years of work experience before becoming a self-employed consultant.

19. IT consultant

IT consultants help large organizations and small businesses manage their technology by assessing elements of their computer systems, such as software performance, data analytics, and cybersecurity, to ensure they benefit from their technology investments. 

After the assessment, an IT consultant advises on what to change, develop, or install to streamline their client’s operational systems and maximize their internal processes. 

IT consultants need a software engineering or computer science degree and additional training in relevant business software programs.

IT consultant courses:

20. HR consultant

HR consultants provide HR-related services to any business with employees. Services can include developing their client’s recruitment process, onboarding new staff, creating employee benefits packages to attract the best talent, and mediating disputes between employees and management. 

HR consultant courses:

21. SEO (search engine optimization) consultant

At the base level, SEO consultants optimize their clients’ websites to increase search engine visibility.

SEO specialists achieve that by identifying strategies and techniques that increase the volume of visitors to a website using analytical software tools and years of experience. 

Search Engine Optimization consultants often work as freelancers with clients who hire them to achieve a time-specific organic traffic goal.

SEO consultant courses:

22. Environmental consultant

Environmental consultants assess and advise their client’s business activities on environmental management issues.

For example, an environmental advisor would ensure a construction project complies with federal and state environmental regulations by implementing plans to minimize soil, air, and water contamination while reducing waste and disposing of it as per government requirements.   

Environmental consultants often require a degree in Environmental Studies or Conservation Biology to provide their service.

Environmental consultant courses:

Tutoring

Tutors have significant professional knowledge and expertise in their chosen subjects, like languages, math, cooking, copywriting, singing, and dancing. 

And if you’ve got the skills, there is a world of keen enthusiasts waiting to learn from your expertise. 

Tutoring suits entrepreneurs looking for a low-investment business idea they can run from home either as a side hustle or a full-time occupation. 

23. Second language tutoring

Second language tutoring involves teaching English to kids, teenagers, and adults whose mother tongue isn’t English, and trust me, it’s hugely rewarding. 

Besides writing, I had a fantastic time teaching ESL in Italy for 3 years! 

ESL tutors can follow a syllabus or go freestyle (look it up) to teach through listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities that suit their student’s level. 

You can teach individual students online or hold group classes (like I did, and the more students, the better).

ESL tutoring courses:

24. Public speaking tutoring

Public speaking tutors teach students (often business owners) how to confidently speak to a large audience.

PSTs educate their clients on articulating their thoughts, organizing persuasive arguments, and using their voices and bodies positively and convincingly.  

Public speaking tutoring courses:

25. Math Tutoring

Math tutors help grade-level students (and sometimes adults) develop strategies to understand their math coursework. MTs also assist with homework, advanced studies, test preparation, and address learning difficulties. Math tutors can work directly for schools, academic businesses, or individual students. You need a B+ (or higher) diploma to be an elementary-level math tutor, and you might require a specialist subject degree relative to the teaching level for higher education. Join a national tutoring association to find tutoring work, advice, and resources.

26. Singing tutoring (vocal coaching)

People often use the terms singing tutors and vocal coaches interchangeably, but they have different focuses and approaches.

Singing tutors work on a student’s vocal/singing technique, while a vocal coach works on their musicality and performance abilities, assisting students with microphone techniques, stage presence, and interpretation. 

To offer either service, you require musical experience and knowledge. While there’s no prerequisite to becoming a private singing/vocal coach, schools and universities often require tutors to have a music diploma.  

Singing tutoring courses:

27. Cooking tutoring

Cooking tutors teach adults and children how to cook (gourmet or basic) by demonstrating various culinary skills, like cutting techniques, measuring ingredients, reading recipes, correct appliance use, and food safety procedures.

Cooking tutors can work from home, online, or in professional settings like colleges, universities, or culinary schools. 

To work in a culinary institution, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts and a minimum of 3 years of experience.

While you don’t need cooking qualifications (like degrees or diplomas) for private tuition, having adequate subject knowledge is advisable.

28. Personal trainer

Personal trainers work with small groups or individual clients in a gym, online, outdoors, or in their homes to help achieve athletic goals by assessing their fitness levels and implementing personalized training plans and nutrition advice. To become a personal trainer, you’ll need an accredited National Commission for Certifying Agencies certificate. Personal trainer courses:

29. Advanced Excel skills tutoring

An advanced Excel skills tutor educates their clients on using Excel to create graphs and tables, spreadsheets, perform calculations, and process large quantities of data.

Clients can include private individuals, business owners, and large corporations.

To become an Excel Microsoft Certified Trainer, you’ll need a Microsoft Certification that validates your knowledge and experience for your service.

Advanced Excel courses:

30. Musical instruments tutoring

MITs teach clients how to use musical instruments, create compositions, and advise on topics relative to music history.

Tutors can teach from home, online, or in schools and fine arts academies.

Musical instrument tutoring courses:

31. Tailoring, dressmaking, and clothing design tutoring

Here’s a tutoring profession that never goes out of fashion!

Tailoring, dressmaking, and clothing design lessons are popular with individuals who want to learn alteration and sewing skills to make, improve, or alter their clothes. 

Skilled tutors can also provide their service to businesses in the fashion and wedding industries.

While certifications aren’t essential, experience is, and you can get that by taking one of the following courses.

Tailoring/dressmaking courses:

eCommerce

eCommerce is a business model that enables individuals and businesses to sell and buy products and services online. 

Buyers and sellers can create an eCommerce store and run entire brands from smartphones, tablets, computers, and any location with an internet connection. 

eCommerce has 4 major market areas where you can trade every imaginable item and take payments using electronic gateways like PayPal. 

The 4 eCommerce markets:

  1. Business to business (B2B): Where one company sells to another.
  2. Business to consumer (B2C): You sell to consumers. 
  3. Consumer to consumer: Individuals who sell to each other on third-party websites like Etsy and eBay.
  4. Consumer to business: Individuals selling to businesses, such as consultants and freelance writers.

To help you choose an eCommerce business idea that suits you, I’ve included product ideas and tips on how to start your online venture.

  1.  

32. eCommerce Store

When starting an eCommerce business, your first steps are finding a product idea and performing market research to validate its demand and profitability. 

Once you identify an in-demand product, take the following steps:

  1. Select your eCommerce platform: eCommerce platforms are software systems you use to build and host an online store where people can purchase your products or services. Popular eCommerce platforms include Shopify, Magento Ecommerce, 3DC, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and Squarespace. 

  2. Purchase your domain name: You can purchase a domain name from several domain sites like GoDaddy or Namecheap.com. When choosing your domain name, avoid creative spellings and generic names. Keep it short (between 6-14 characters) and prioritize “.com.”

  3. Pick your eCommerce theme: Themes, or templates, are code-free pre-built websites with customizable pages. eCommerce platforms like Shopify or WordPress provide free and paid themes for every industry and niche. When choosing a theme, ensure there’s a smooth navigation system, areas for videos and images, and a customizable homepage so you can infuse it with your brand’s style

  4. Add your products: Product pages with high-quality imagery are essential, as they’re where you’ll make your sales. Your website theme must allow you to display products in easy-to-navigate categories with scroll and magnification capabilities so people can see what they’re buying. 

  5. Set up payment options: Payment gateways are electronic payment software systems that allow consumers to purchase products online and for sellers to receive payment. Popular payment gateways for eCommerce stores include PayPal, Stripe, 2Checkout, Google Checkout, and Apple Pay.

  6. Choose your shipping agent: Shipping is vital to eCommerce, as shoppers expect fast, hassle-free service. Some excellent shipping services for small to medium eCommerce stores include ShippingEasy, ShipStation, Ordoro, Shopify shipping, United States Postal Service, UPS, DHL, and Ship-Bob.

33. Amazon Seller

An Amazon seller is a business or individual that sells their products on the Amazon eCommerce platform.

Selling on Amazon enables thousands of entrepreneurs to reach a global audience who knows and trusts the Amazon platform, increasing the seller’s chances of making regular sales. 

You become an Amazon seller by joining the Amazon Seller Central platform relative to the country where you want to sell. Once you enroll, you can upload your product visuals, write your description page, and use FBA (fulfillment by Amazon) to store, pick, and post your products.

Amazon retail ideas:

Amazon.com, Inc. sells over 12 million products, and Amazon sellers add a further 350 million to the platform, so plenty of product options exist. Some categories include:

How to become an Amazon seller:

  1. Find your niche: Discovering your niche is essential to the Amazon seller process. You must conduct intensive market research to find a profitable product with high demand and low competition. You can find the perfect product niche using tools like Helium 10, SellerApp, AMZScout, IO Scout, and ZonGuru. 

  2. Identify product suppliers: Most Amazon sellers use sites like Alibaba and AliExpress because of their low prices. Before working with a supplier, ensure Alibaba verifies them; they have at least 3 years’ worth of positive testimonials and agree to 3rd party product testing.  

  3. Register an Amazon account: You have 2 Amazon seller accounts to choose from, individual and pro seller. Anyone intending to sell large quantities of products needs the pro seller account at $39.99 per month. You’ll also pay Amazon a percentage on every sale, and if using their FBA system, additional storage, packing, and delivery costs. 

  4. Create product listing: Your product listing is where you display your product and tell people its features and how it’ll benefit them. You must use high-resolution product images and optimized descriptions to gain people’s attention. You can check out the top sellers in your niche to see how they use their product description page. 

  5. Manage your inventory: As an Amazon seller, you must pay attention to inventory levels because if you run out, your listing will lose its ranking, undoing your hard work and losing sales. 

34. Etsy Seller

Etsy, like Amazon, is a 3rd party online marketplace platform that enables people to sell and buy handmade, bespoke, vintage, and art and craft items.

You create an account and open a storefront to sell your products on Etsy; it charges you $0.20 per listing plus a 5% fee on every product you sell.

Etsy product ideas:

Etsy has over 50 product type categories; here are the top 6:

5 tips to sell on Etsy:

  1. Set up your Etsy store: To open your shop, visit its homepage, click sell on Etsy, and open your Etsy shop. Etsy will then guide you in creating your store’s settings. 

  2. Select your payment method: Etsy requires you to submit your billing information for identification. Once verified, you can set up your payment preferences. Many sellers use the Etsy Payments solution, but you can receive payments in other ways, such as PayPal, Worldpay, Adyen, and other licensed card payments. 

  3. Set your shipping fees: Etsy sellers must arrange product delivery themselves and fix shipping fees and times when creating their shop.

  4. Optimize your profile: Etsy allows you to design your shop to suit your brand’s style and personality. Use it to tell your story and grab shoppers’ attention. Include high-quality images, photos of yourself, and your bio to connect with like-minded people and build credibility. 

  5. Inventory quantity and price: You must list your stock, including sizes, colors, and product specifications, to ensure customers love their purchase. With pricing, ensure you include all associated selling costs, such as product manufacturing, advertising, and shipping fees, to set a price that turns a profit.

Local businesses

Local businesses suit entrepreneurs who enjoy working with their community or want to start a side hustle from home.

Another bonus of starting a local business is that you can often begin while keeping your primary occupation and income.

As local business ideas can be hard to choose and often require a lot of time and financial investment, I`ve included ideas and tips to help you.

35. Airbnb

Airbnb is an online platform that enables property owners to rent short- and long-term spaces to private and business individuals. 

You can rent anything from a single room with a shared bathroom, a beachfront condo, a luxury city apartment, or a country mansion. 

To rent a room/property, you list it on Airbnb, write an engaging property description, add high-quality images, set your rates, and include contact information. 

Airbnb reports that the average host earns $924 monthly, which can increase depending on your property and location.

Airbnb ideas:

Spaces of all shapes and sizes work as Airbnb rental properties, and often, the quirkier, the better. Here are some examples of what you can rent:

5 tips for starting your Airbnb business:

  1. Choose your rental market: Your property and location will determine who your rental market is. Research to see who visits your area, for example, families on holiday adventures or business professionals, because once you know your market, you can design your listing and property to suit their taste.

  2. Study local Airbnb laws and regulations: Before you open your doors, research your local rental rules and regulations to ensure you don’t break any laws. Regulations to look out for include city zoning laws, multi-family building rental restrictions, subletting legalities, and licenses and permit requirements.

  3. Research your competitors: Those new to renting have much to learn to ensure clients enjoy their stay. One trick is to find the top listing properties similar to yours on Airbnb, then book at off-peak times to discover the secret to their success.

  4. Promote your location: Use key attractions, such as national parks, historical buildings, crazy nightlife, and convenient public services like airports, train stations, or bus terminals to promote your Airbnb listing and attract visitors.

  5. Get insurance cover: Airbnb provides property owners with 2 types of insurance coverage at no extra cost: Host Protection Insurance and Host Guarantee Program. However, as they’re free, they have their limitations. It’s advisable to purchase separate insurance to protect you and your property from damage or lawsuits because of injury.

36. Landscaping Business

Landscaping businesses provide residential and commercial clients with plant care, garden maintenance, and construction services. Starting a landscaping business suits anyone who enjoys physical activity and working outdoors. And if you live in a warmer climate, you could work all year round. 

Landscaping covers several services, from indoor plant care and weeding to complete installations, including trees, plants, decking, water features, lighting, and stone terracing. 

11 landscaping business ideas:

5 tips for starting a landscaping business:

  1. Know your target market: You can approach your target market in one of 2 ways: Pick an area of landscaping that suits your skills and then research the target audience. Or identify a landscaping service in high demand in your area, get the skills required, and then find your ideal clients.

  2. Decide which services you’ll offer: When you know what landscaping area you want to enter, you can choose a specific service. Landscapers that provide a niche service can find start-up costs cheaper and build a client base quicker because they need less equipment. Plus, people get to know you as the go-to person for that specific job.  

  3. Establish your business structure: Your landscaping business will need a business structure to get a business license, permits, a business bank account, and pay taxes. A sole proprietorship could suffice if you provide lawn care or garden maintenance services. However, an LLC with limited liability protection could be the wiser choice for larger landscaping companies that use power tools and equipment. 

  4. Rent or buy your equipment: The good news is that essential landscaping tools, like rakes, shovels, pickaxes, buckets, wheelbarrows, and personal protection equipment (PPE), aren’t too expensive. But costs rise when you include lawnmowers, strimmers, power tools, trailers, and trucks. Many new landscapers solve this problem by renting the more expensive equipment on a job-by-job basis or purchasing 2nd hand gear from other local landscapers. 

  5. Get business insurance: Landscaping can be dangerous, so you’ll need adequate insurance to cover your equipment and any accidents involving clients. General liability insurance protects against client injury and property damage. And equipment insurance will cover any damage or loss to your gear while doing business.

37. Cleaning Business

Cleaners are in high demand, so starting a cleaning business can be lucrative and rewarding. 

The cleaning industry also has low entry fees and set-up costs, enabling people from all backgrounds and locations to start and run a successful enterprise. 

Two types of cleaning businesses exist: Residential and commercial, each with several niche services.

Residential cleaning involves working in a client’s home, cleaning kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, etc, providing all equipment and products, and requiring fewer licenses and permits than commercial cleaners.

Commercial cleaners often require specific training and licenses to enter the sector, using specialized equipment to clean commercial buildings like offices, schools, banks, factories, and hospitals. 

11 cleaning business ideas:

5 tips for starting a cleaning business:

  1. Choose your market: When starting, a residential cleaning business is more straightforward to establish than a commercial one. However, if commercial cleaning suits your location, there’s no reason you shouldn’t go for it. When choosing your market, consider set-up costs (commercial is more expensive) and your competition. You want to enter a cleaning service niche that isn’t too competitive but with enough demand to support your new venture. 

  2. Find your specialty: Many new residential cleaning businesses provide a complete service, cleaning houses from top to bottom, and that’s a solid approach. However, specializing in a specific sector (such as cleaning chandeliers, high-end sports cars, or commercial ovens) often brings higher rewards and enables you to build a reputable business faster.

  3. Buy the correct equipment: As start-up costs are affordable, most people don’t need external funding to start a residential cleaning business. However, specialized and commercial cleaning equipment can be costly. Either way, you’ll need the essential tools of the trade to do the job; here are some to consider:

  • Commercial-grade vacuum cleaner or cordless backpack vacuum cleaner with high HEPA ratings to reduce dust particles.

  • Commercial carts, trolleys, and residential cleaning trays.

  • Carpet steamers.

  • Supplies include a mop and bucket, brush and dustpan, dusters, rags, cloths, spray bottles, disinfectant, all-purpose cleaners, window cleaner, squeegee, gloves, and garbage bags.

  1. Choose a business name: Your cleaning business name must be catchy to grab people’s attention and set the right impression. When choosing a name, include an industry-related word like clean or maid, then add an adjective or location. For example, the Gloucester commercial cleaning company, Maid in LA, and Busy Bee Cleaning Service hit the mark.  

  2. Get your licenses and permits: Most states require a cleaning business to have specific licenses and permits. You can find your state requirements by visiting the U.S. Small Business Administration website and following the relative links.

38. Handyman

A handyman is anyone skilled in various repairs with a broad knowledge of trades and craftsmanship. 

Handymen and women work at people’s homes doing odd jobs homeowners can’t do themselves or are too small for a registered tradesperson. Tasks could include repairs, trade skills like carpentry, and interior and exterior maintenance work.

11 handyperson ideas:

5 tips for starting a handyman business:

  1. Pick your services: The more you define your specific services, the easier it’ll be to establish yourself as the go-to person in your community.

  2. Learn about handyperson state laws: States have specific regulations regarding what work a handyman can do. Contact your secretary of state’s office or research your state’s contractor board website to see what those are. 

  3. Define your ideal client: Your ideal clients are those people who regularly need your service. You find them by researching your area and looking for typical demographics (age and type) and home needs (large yards, pools, lawns, etc.) 

  4. Set your pricing structure: Consider the following 4 price points when you set your price. 

  • First, your level of expertise; the better you are, the more you can charge. 

  • Second, it depends on your location. A handyperson in Washington State could charge more than one in Mississippi. 

  • Third, your target audience’s financial position often determines your rates. For instance, professional couples and affluent retirees can usually afford to pay more than families with young children. 

  • Finally, a handyman focusing on one niche can charge a flat rate, often higher than an hourly rate. It’s common for a handyperson to earn $100 per hour. Still, getting it takes time, professionalism, and a marketing strategy. 

  1. Develop your marketing strategy: To land clients, you need a marketing strategy that grabs their attention. Research your target audience to discover where they shop, what local publications they read, what radio stations they listen to, etc. Then, develop your marketing strategy and position your local advertising where they can see it. 

39. House Sitting

House sitters stay in other people’s homes while the owners are away and carry out various tasks, such as maintaining the property’s cleanliness, watering plants, and essential handyman duties like mowing the lawn and cleaning gutters for an agreed duration and fee. 

How to start your house-sitting business:

40. Pet Sitting

Like house sitting and often combined, pet sitters look after their client’s animals by walking, feeding, and playing with them. Pet sitting often involves staying in the client’s home. It can be a daily gig (while they work) or for several weeks if clients are on extended business trips or vacations. How to start your pet-sitting business: Join a pet-sitting platform like Rover and Care.com, create your profile, and begin marketing your service.

41. Dog Walking

Dog walkers walk dogs for local clients, often continuously or until the pet goes to doggy heaven!

A dog walking business can be a great business idea for aspiring entrepreneurs with little experience because it’s profitable (your only expense is your time and a roll of poop bags) and involves many of the skills most businesses require, like marketing and pitching your service, maintaining client relationships, timekeeping, and multitasking. Plus, it’s an excellent gig for dog lovers who enjoy exercise and need a flexible work schedule.

To start your dog walking business, check out your area’s business license requirements, get liability insurance, advertise on local social media dog forums, encourage word-of-mouth referrals, and consider building a website to promote client reviews and take bookings.

41 Great Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025 FAQ

What are the most successful small business ideas?

Many examples of our 41 great small business ideas are the most successful; however, which is right for you is subjective to your present financial position (what you can afford to start), skill levels, business aspirations, and lifestyle needs.   

Many profitable business ideas exist, but only you know which will bring stability, happiness, and success.

What is the easiest business to start?

The easiest business to start is a sole proprietorship; you don’t have to register it with your location’s Secretary of State’s office and run it using your name. 

Another benefit of choosing a sole proprietorship is how you pay taxes, as it uses a pass-through tax structure, reporting profits and losses on your tax return. 

However, get adequate liability insurance and the licenses and permits your business requires to operate in your jurisdiction.

What business services are in high demand?

Local service businesses are in high demand because people like the convenience of employing others to do specific tasks and pay for the privilege.

Here are some high-demand service business ideas:

Conclusion

And those are my 41 great small business ideas to start in 2025!

I hope one or 2 inspire you to become an entrepreneur and realize your self-employment dreams.

If so, my final advice is to write a business plan to help you validate your chosen business idea and get funding if and when needed.

Good luck.