Side businesses have become increasingly popular among Americans, with many individuals turning to side hustles to earn extra money outside of their regular day jobs. According to a recent Bankrate survey, about 40% of Americans have a side business, with 28% expecting it to be an ongoing financial necessity. Nearly 30% of those with a side hustle made more than $500 a month from their business. The financial benefits of a side business are evident, as the extra income can be used to pay off debt, invest, or treat oneself to something special.
However, the benefits of a side business go beyond just financial gain. Pursuing side business ideas also provides individuals with the opportunity to build new skill sets and explore their entrepreneurial spirit. Entrepreneurs often find satisfaction in creating a business and forging a new career path that offers greater security in the face of potential layoffs.
If you’re considering starting a side business but aren’t sure where to begin, here is a list of 22 best side business ideas that you can kick off today:
- Start a photography business: Turn your passion for photography into a profitable side business by offering photography services in your local area or selling your photos online.
- Start a clothing line: Utilize the print-on-demand model to create and sell custom-designed clothing items without the need for upfront investment in inventory.
- Sell your skills: Monetize your existing skills by offering services or consulting in high-demand areas.
- Become a virtual assistant: Utilize your organizational and management skills to provide remote administrative support to businesses.
- Teach a language: Capitalize on the growing online language learning market by offering virtual language classes.
- Start a cleaning business: Offer cleaning services to homes or businesses with minimal startup costs.
- Become an event planner: Tap into the event planning industry by organizing and coordinating various events.
- Start a house- or pet-sitting business: Provide pet or house-sitting services to individuals in need of caretaking.
- Be a usability tester: Provide feedback on websites, apps, or products to help companies improve user experience.
- Become a dropshipper: Start an ecommerce business with minimal startup costs by selling products through dropshipping.
- Rent your space: Generate income by renting out spare rooms or commercial spaces on platforms like Airbnb or Peerspace.
- Sell thrift store finds: Flip thrift store items for a profit by reselling them online.
- Become an influencer: Build a social media following and collaborate with brands to promote products and services.
- Teach a class: Share your expertise by offering classes or workshops in your area of interest.
- Start affiliate marketing: Earn commission by promoting products or services for other companies through affiliate marketing.
- Become a rideshare driver: Join rideshare platforms like Uber to earn money by transporting passengers.
- Deliver food: Work as a food delivery driver for platforms like Uber Eats or Postmates to earn extra income.
- Write an ebook: Self-publish your own ebook and sell it online through platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
- Sell online courses: Create and sell online courses based on your skills, hobbies, or interests.
- Sell your art: Monetize your artistic talents by selling your art online through platforms like Etsy.
- Private label your own products: Outsource production of products with your branding to manufacturers and sell them online.
- Sell handmade goods: Create and sell handmade products online, such as clothing, jewelry, or skincare items.
Each of these side business ideas offers a unique opportunity to earn extra income, build new skills, and explore entrepreneurial ventures. Whether you’re a photographer, artist, teacher, or entrepreneur, there is a side business idea on this list that can suit your interests and goals. Take the first step towards starting your side business today and see where it can take you in the future.
