Side businesses have become increasingly popular among Americans, with one-third of the population engaging in a small side business, according to a 2024 Bankrate survey. The survey also revealed that 32% of Americans believe they will always need a side business to stay afloat financially. The average side hustler makes $891 per month in extra income from their side business, showing that side businesses can be a lucrative source of additional funds.
Aside from the financial benefits, pursuing small side business ideas also provides an opportunity to build new skill sets. Entrepreneurs enjoy the satisfaction of creating a business while forging a new career path that offers greater security, especially in the face of potential layoffs. Starting a side business can be a rewarding experience that not only brings in extra income but also allows individuals to explore their passions and interests.
If you’re considering starting a side business but aren’t sure where to begin, there are plenty of options to choose from. From low-investment business ideas to turning your hobbies into a profitable income stream, there are numerous opportunities to kick off a side business today. Whether you want to start a business from home, offer services with no money upfront, or invest in a bigger budget side business, there are options available for everyone.
One popular side business idea is becoming a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants manage administrative tasks for small businesses remotely, making it an ideal home business idea to pursue alongside a day job. By offering services such as scheduling appointments, arranging travel, managing emails, and taking phone calls, virtual assistants can earn a significant income while working flexible hours.
Another lucrative side business idea is to become a usability tester. Usability testers provide feedback on websites, apps, or products, helping companies improve their offerings before releasing them to the public. By participating in usability testing through platforms like UserTesting, individuals can earn extra money by providing valuable insights.
Dropshipping is another popular side business idea that requires minimal startup costs. With dropshipping, individuals sell products online without holding inventory, as a third-party business fulfills orders on their behalf. This business model allows entrepreneurs to start an online store and sell products without the hassle of managing inventory or shipping logistics.
Renting out space in your home is a simple yet effective side business idea that can generate extra income. Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo allow individuals to list spare rooms, vacant homes, or guest houses for short-term rentals, earning money from travelers looking for accommodations.
Affiliate marketing is a profitable side business idea for those with marketing skills. By promoting products for other companies and earning a commission on sales, individuals can create a passive income stream through affiliate marketing programs. Choosing a niche market and creating engaging content around the products you’re promoting can help you succeed as an affiliate marketer.
Consulting services are another valuable side business idea that allows individuals to leverage their expertise in a specific field to advise clients. Whether you specialize in marketing, IT, HR, finance, or another domain, offering consulting services can be a lucrative business opportunity with minimal startup costs.
Teaching a language is a popular side business idea that capitalizes on the growing demand for online language learning. By offering virtual language classes to students, individuals can earn up to $40 per hour teaching English or other languages. Platforms like Skooli, VIPKid, and Qkids provide opportunities for language tutors to connect with students and offer one-on-one virtual classes.
House- or pet-sitting is a flexible side business idea that allows individuals to earn money by taking care of pets or homes while their owners are away. With more than 66% of US households owning pets, there is a high demand for pet-sitting services, making it a profitable business opportunity for animal lovers.
Becoming a rideshare driver is a popular side business idea that offers flexibility and control over your schedule. By driving for platforms like Uber or Lyft, individuals can earn extra income by transporting passengers around their city during peak hours.
Delivering food is another side business idea that requires minimal investment and offers a flexible schedule. By working as a food delivery driver for platforms like Uber Eats, Postmates, or Deliveroo, individuals can earn money by transporting food to customers’ homes or workplaces.
Dog walking is a rewarding side business idea for animal lovers who enjoy spending time outdoors. By offering dog walking services to pet owners in their local area, individuals can earn extra income while getting exercise and fresh air.
Starting a cleaning business is a low-cost side business idea that can be easily launched with basic cleaning equipment and transportation. By offering cleaning services to residential or commercial clients, individuals can earn money by providing essential cleaning services.
Event planning is a creative side business idea that allows individuals to organize and coordinate events such as weddings, birthday parties, or corporate gatherings. By offering event planning services, individuals can earn extra income by helping clients host memorable and successful events.
Car cleaning and lawn mowing are simple yet profitable side business ideas that require minimal investment in equipment. By offering car cleaning or lawn mowing services to clients in their local area, individuals can earn money by providing essential maintenance services.
Selling coffee to local businesses is a unique side business idea that capitalizes on the growing demand for high-quality coffee products. By brewing and delivering fresh coffee to local offices, cafes, or shops, individuals can earn extra income by providing a unique and convenient service.
Growing and selling microgreens is a popular side business idea for health-conscious consumers and chefs. By cultivating nutrient-packed greens like arugula, radish, and pea shoots, individuals can sell fresh microgreens to local restaurants, farmers’ markets, and health food stores.
Starting a photography business is a creative side business idea that allows individuals to monetize their passion for photography. By offering photography services to clients in their local area, individuals can earn money by capturing special moments and creating lasting memories for their clients.
Selling thrift store finds is a profitable side business idea that involves sourcing and reselling unique items from thrift stores. By flipping thrift store finds for a profit online, individuals can earn extra income by selling vintage or collectible items to a wider audience.
Teaching a class is a rewarding side business idea that allows individuals to share their knowledge and skills with others. By offering classes on topics they are passionate about, individuals can earn money by teaching workshops, courses, or tutorials to students in their local community.
Selling online courses is a lucrative side business idea that allows individuals to monetize their expertise and knowledge. By creating and selling online courses on platforms like Teachable or Udemy, individuals can earn passive income by sharing their skills with a global audience.
Organizing people’s homes is a valuable side business idea that helps individuals declutter and optimize their living spaces. By offering home organization services, individuals can earn money by helping clients transform their homes into functional and clutter-free environments.
Repairing and troubleshooting tech devices is a profitable side business idea for individuals with technical skills. By offering repair services for smartphones, laptops, or gaming consoles, individuals can earn money by fixing and maintaining electronic devices for clients.
Offering home repairs and DIY services is a versatile side business idea that allows individuals to help others with small repairs and maintenance tasks around their homes. By offering services like fixing leaky faucets, patching drywall, or assembling furniture, individuals can earn money by providing essential home improvement services.
Selling your skills is a flexible side business idea that allows individuals to monetize their expertise and talents. By offering services in areas they are skilled in, individuals can earn money by providing valuable services to clients in their local community or online.
Starting a clothing line is a creative side business idea that allows individuals to design and sell their own apparel. By using print-on-demand platforms like Printful or Printify, individuals can create custom clothing items with their designs and sell them online to a global audience.
Becoming an influencer is a popular side business idea that involves building a loyal following on social media and promoting products or services to your audience. By partnering with brands and earning money through sponsored posts or affiliate marketing, individuals can monetize their online presence and earn income as an influencer.
Writing an ebook is a profitable side business idea that allows individuals to share their knowledge and expertise with a global audience. By self-publishing an ebook on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, individuals can earn passive income by selling digital copies of their book to readers worldwide.
Selling your art is a rewarding side business idea that allows individuals to monetize their creativity and talent. By creating and selling art online through platforms like Etsy or Society6, individuals can earn money by showcasing and selling their artwork to a wider audience.
Private labeling your own products is a lucrative side business idea that involves outsourcing the production of a product to a manufacturer. By creating custom-branded products and selling them under your own label, individuals can earn money by offering unique and personalized products to customers.
Selling handmade goods is a profitable side business idea that allows individuals to turn their crafting skills into a source of income. By creating and selling handmade products like jewelry, clothing, or home decor items, individuals can earn money by selling their unique creations online or at local markets.
Starting a side business can be a rewarding and profitable venture for individuals looking to earn extra income, explore new skills, or pursue their passions. With a wide range of side business ideas to choose from, there are opportunities available for everyone to start a successful side business today. Whether you’re interested in offering services, selling products, or sharing your expertise, there are plenty of options to kick off a side business and start earning extra money on the side.
