Top 10 Starter Business Ideas.

Kick Off Your Entrepreneurial Dreams (Without Losing Your Mind). Here's Our Top 10 Starter Business Ideas

So you already know you want to be in business for yourself, but not sure what your business would be? First of all, congratulations! This is an exciting opportunity for you. Welcome to the world of endless coffee refills and the glorious freedom of being your own boss.

But before you start selling off possessions on Marketplace to invest in a hotdog cart you'll never use, let's talk about the top 10 starter businesses that are the most doable (and can be fun).

Ready? Let's Go!

Top 10 Starter Businesses

1. Freelance Writing or Editing

Pros: Low startup costs, flexible hours, work in your pajamas.

Cons: Clients who want “just one more revision.”

If you can string words together coherently, there’s a market for you. Blog posts, website copy, social media, you name it. Don't forget that a ton of companies are incorporating AI writing tools to get content out faster. Go ahead and use it to assist you, that's what the tool is for. I do suggest you use it as a base for your copy. Be sure to edit and rewrite, and always make sure the client is aware it's a tool you use to help manage workflow.

2. Social Media Management

Pros: Everyone needs it. It feels like getting paid to be online.

Cons: You’ll live on social media. You may also need to travel a bit to be on-site to make content.

Small businesses are desperate for help with posting, planning, and engaging with customers. If you’re a meme wizard or a TikTok strategist, this one’s for you. For this one, you will need a tool like Canva if you are creating the graphics or video clips. They have a free version, and the pro version is affordable as well!

Social Media Manager and Content Creator

3. Virtual Assistant

Pros: Super versatile, remote-friendly.

Cons: You may schedule someone else’s dentist appointment at 2 a.m. (highly unlikely though! Most people have reasonable expectations)

Perfect for organized folks who want variety, calendar management, emails, and research. No huge investment required beyond a decent laptop. This is basically a project management role; the project is someone's life and/or business.

4. Handmade Crafts or Products

Pros: Get paid to be creative.

Cons: Glitter. Everywhere. Forever. Honestly, you will have to find deals on supplies, as these days the cost has increased, making some crafts less affordable. However, if you create a unique product, you will be able to charge well for it!

Whether it’s candles, jewelry, or crochet octopuses (yes, they sell!), social media and local markets are great for testing the waters. I would look at using a site like Shopify for selling products online. Etsy tends to have a large competition and no transparency or detailed targeting ability when signing up for their marketing. A few quick tutorials online will show you how to run your own Meta ads.

5. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking

Pros: You get paid to hang out with animals.

Cons: The occasional, uh, "accident."

Easy to start in your neighborhood. Great for animal lovers. Bonus points if you have endless energy and don't mind picking up poop. For this one, I would be getting insurance right away, as you are caring for someone's fur baby and want to be covered in case they get hurt on your watch.

There's a high demand for pet sitting and dog walking, with a lot of companies mandating a return to the office. A lot of people have a long commute, leaving their pets alone for long periods.

6. Tutoring or Teaching Online

Pros: Share your knowledge, set your own rates.

Cons: Explaining the same math problem 12 times, which is what you would need to do if you were tutoring me lol.

Languages, music, school subjects, and test prep. Platforms like Zoom make it easy to teach one-on-one or in groups. This is also a great side-hustle for retired teachers and teacher's assistants.

Tutoring is rewarding for both teacher and student.

7. Cleaning Services

Pros: Always in demand. Very flexible hours.

Cons: Not exactly glamorous work.

Homes, offices, Airbnbs. Low barrier to entry, just basic supplies and marketing to get going. Make sure you get bonded and insured before you start. This one is more fun if you partner up with a friend, and you get more done in less time!

8. Personal Fitness Coaching

Pros: You get paid to stay fit.

Cons: Early mornings. But you'll get used to it fast and have a head start on the day!

Can be in-person or online. Certifications help, but you can start small with friends, neighbors, or social media followers. You can branch off for this one and take some certificate courses in nutrition and meal planning. Again, insurance. With any type of physical coaching or exercise where people are exerting themselves under your direction, you will want a legal waiver and insurance.

Get paid to get fit and help others!

9. Dropshipping or Print-on-Demand

Pros: No inventory!

Cons: Highly competitive.

Sell products online without ever handling them. Focus on niche markets and great marketing to stand out. You'll be doing some research on what you want to sell. If it's print-on-demand products, make sure you check for trademarked phrases. You will be surprised how many everyday words and phrases are owned.

10. Consulting

Pros: Leverage what you already know.

Cons: Imposter syndrome is real. You can learn not to listen to your self-doubt.

If you have experience in marketing, HR, operations, or anything else valuable, someone will pay for your advice. This will be more in demand as companies, unfortunately, scale down with rising business costs. We may be seeing more contract work for some roles.

Business consultants are hired for a multitude of skill sets.

Final Thoughts

There you have it: the top 10 starter businesses for anyone itching to break free of the 9-to-5.

Remember, the best business is the one that suits your skills, resources, and interests. Don’t overthink it, start small, learn as you go, and have fun with it!

Ready to take the leap? Let me know which idea you’d choose and why, in the comments!

Disclaimer: This post is for general inspiration only and doesn’t constitute business, legal, or financial advice. Before starting any business, check your local regulations, licensing requirements, and tax obligations. Consider consulting with legal and financial professionals, and make sure you have any necessary insurance in place. Always do your research!