Your presence on this blog conveys that you understand the value of your time and prefer to invest it in something productive that can help you grow financially and professionally. It has never been so easy to monetize your free time as online platforms are providing excellent opportunities where you can start your business with zero or no investment. It is also the biggest reason the previous decade has given so many entrepreneurs to society. The founders of different online platforms and companies are currently among the world’s most successful people. You don’t need to be present in a country or market to do the business, and it is the trump card of today’s business startups.
However, millions of people make startups in different locations globally, but very few of them manage to make it to the top. Most startups fail in the initial months only because they were started with excitement but not with research and knowledge.
Any time is a good time to start a company
Ron Conway
So, today in this article, we will talk about a number of startup ideas that will help you monetize your spare time. However, we are also going to talk about the skills and knowledge about each idea so that you don’t repeat the same mistakes most people make while starting the business.
Ideas to Start a Business Startup from Small Scale
1. Offer Virtual Team Building
As the number of companies is increasing in the different industries, the demand for people who can perform the small tasks for them is also growing. Most employers don’t consider it a good option to hire full-time employees for small jobs such as data entry, customer handling, or writing a piece of content.
Here comes the opportunity for you. If you have good management skills, you can start a platform and build a virtual team offering different kinds of services. Your team members will be carrying the skills such as efficient writing, good communication, fast typing, or packaging the finished goods and items.
Based on the skills of your team members, it can prove to be a good income source for you. Amazon Mechanical Turk is an excellent example to understand the demand and growth of such a business startup.
2. Start a Meal-Prep Business
Ordering food online has become more like a habit rather than a need. By the year 2024, the food delivery service is expected to become a $32 billion industry in the US only. If you have good cooking skills but lack the time and investment to start a restaurant, initiating a meal-prep business is going to be the best option for you. You can prepare the meal even in your home and deliver it to the customer with the help of a delivery partner. You can list your service on the big food delivery apps to get the orders.
3. Create a Food Waste Solution
More than 108 billion pounds of food is wasted every year in the US only. It means nearly 40% of the total food is wasted.
So what can be a better business idea than managing and eradicating this problem?
As a startup, you can offer a food waste solution to utilize the wasted food for the needy ones and monetize it for you. However, setting such a solution will need a lot of hard work and time. Olio app provides the same services, and you can get a good idea there.
4. Capitalise on Plant-Based Food
The non-vegetarian market will never eliminate the vegetarian one, and that’s a fact. No matter if you are vegetarian or not, you will always need vegetables to cook your food.
So, capitalizing on plant-based and vegan food can be a good startup idea. Here, you might consider opening a vegetable supermarket and online delivery of the vegetables. Opening a vegan meal prep business is also a good startup idea.
5. Start a Dropshipping Business
If you have a big friend circle with a frequent shopping habit, the drop-shipping business can be your gold mine. Here, you can sell a wide range of products to your contacts via social media and other platforms. At the same time, you don’t need to stock the inventory to sell it. Dropshipping allows you to receive the order for a product and then ask the supplier to deliver the product at your friend’s doorsteps, securing a good margin for yourself.
6. Curate Subscription Boxes
Subscription boxes are the new trends in the market, attracting a broad audience. If you have some products relevant to everyday needs in the customer lifestyle, you can easily start the subscription boxes business.
In this business model, you will deliver your products in a box to your subscribers in the loop of a specific period. It can be monthly, weekly, fortnightly, etc. The subscription boxes are mainly used for handmade items, natural beauty, and self-care products.
7. Create an Airport-Centric App
If you carry good coding and software development knowledge, developing an airport-centric app will be a unique business idea for you.
You can provide information such as navigation for amenities, waiting time for the TSA line, availability of ground transportation, and airport maps. An app like this will save time for millions of people traveling around the world and thus has the potential of attracting good traffic if designed well.
8. Become a Destination Wedding Planner
The craze for destination weddings is at an all-time high. People want to make this one-time event even more memorable and thus opt for destination weddings. If you have good management skills, the ability to work under pressure, and the potential to work for continuous hours, starting the service of a destination wedding planner can be a good choice for you. People make attractive payments to wedding planners to make the wedding more memorable, and thus it is an excellent income-generating business.
9. Make Local Guides
No one knows your city better than you. So, why not monetize this knowledge about the surroundings? If you live in a city that attracts a good number of tourists every year, becoming a local guide can be a promising startup and a side-earning business for you. You can do this both online and offline. Writing blogs and tips for tourists can generate good income for you.
10. Create a Local Grocery Delivery Service
Everyone is busy with their daily work schedule, and most people don’t have time even for grocery shopping. However, it brings a good startup opportunity for you. Providing the local grocery delivery service can be a good option for making money both full-time and part-time. To make this startup, you need a cellphone and vehicle and you are ready to go.
11. Start a Virtual Event Planning Company
Engaging the family members and friends in the special events via digital means will be a highly preferable service in the coming time. Everyone wants their loved ones to be present in their special moments. But problems such as extended travel, busy lifestyle, health, or government rules & regulations (in the COVID case) don’t always allow people to attend the events in person. Solutions to this problem are going to be in high demand in the future. You can be a skilled planner who makes arrangements for the online presence of all your friends and family members.
12. Sell Zero-Waste Products
With the increasing population, people are becoming aware of their environmental responsibilities. As a result, they prefer sustainable, environment-friendly, and zero-waste products in their day-to-day life. So, you can start selling similar products, such as bamboo toothpaste, reusable bags, sustainable packaging options, etc., and do a good business. Companies such as Truthbrush, BAM, and Dr. Bronner’s are some of the top companies selling zero-waste products.
13. Make Products for Pets
According to the National Pet Owner Survey conducted by the American Pet Production Association (APPA), around 90.5 million families in the USA own pets.
So making different types of products for these little and adorable members of the families is a sound startup option. If you carry good knowledge about the needs of a pet owner, you can make some products for the pets and sell them to the pet owners for a profitable price. Several online platforms are already available to give a boost to this business of yours.
14. Create Custom Clothing
Everyone has their own choices in clothing, but everyone is not a designer to design their clothes. So, if you have got some tailoring skills, creating custom clothing can be an effective business option for you. Stitching and designing the clothes as per the needs and preferences of customers will help you make a good space in the fashion landscape.
15. Sell Vintage Clothing Online
There is a massive space for vintage clothes in the clothing industry. The awareness about environmental sustainability catalyzes the demand for second-hand, recycled, and vintage clothes. The industry is projected to double in the upcoming five years in the US. So, you can also flow along with the motion and start a good online business by selling vintage clothing.
16. Begin Niche Blogging
Blogging is trending part-time and full-time work for many in the present time. So, competition has also increased in the industry. But starting with a niche blogging can be the differentiating factor for you. If you carry good writing skills and command over language, you can start blogging about a topic that is important and needed but very less talked about. Once the traffic starts coming to your blog, you can earn money through promotions, product sales, advertising, and affiliate links.
17. Become an E-Book Writer
If you have some stories or any information in your head that will interest the audience, you can become an e-book writer. You can sell self-authored books in the market via online and offline means. If the books connect with readers’ emotions, they can make you a good income for a long time.
18. Start Ghostwriting
If you have writing skills, you already have many startup and business options. Ghostwriting is another business idea if you don’t prefer to wait too long to receive monetary rewards. You can start writing the needed content for the client by charging a fee per word or per piece of content. You can make a handsome income in ghostwriting.
19. Become a Resume Writer
Everyone needs a resume in their professional life, but not everyone has the skill of making an attractive and informative resume. So, if you have a good hand in making different templates and designing new formats for resumes and professional writing skills, you can easily make a promising startup as a resume writer. You can charge a fee according to your skills on every resume you make.
20. Open a Coworking Space
If you have a spare apartment, flat, or any space, opening a coworking space is a good option. Coworking space refers to the workplace where workers from different companies share the same space to get the work done. You can simply make the small renovations, provide the basic amenities and start making money. It is a far better option than giving the apartment on rent.
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21. Become an Online Coach
People nowadays don’t have time to attend offline lifestyle classes such as Yoga, fitness, or cooking. So, becoming the online coach for these classes is a better solution and more cost-efficient for you. If you have expertise in these lifestyle skills, you can be an online coach. Using good communication skills and an effective coaching style, you can maintain a good client base and generate a good income.
22. Flip Failing Website
If you carry efficient web development skills, flip failing websites will be a promising career or startup option. You can buy the existing website, which is not well-organized. You just need to make reasonable improvements to the website according to the needs of your target customers. Once the improvements have been made, the website can be sold for a good price securing a good margin.
23. Become a Web Developer
The need for online services is increasing, and all the firms are taking their businesses online. So, becoming a web developer is a promising startup option. However, to be an efficient web developer, you need to have good knowledge of programming languages and some coding skills. Developing websites for companies and business partners can generate an excellent income for you.
24. Start a Podcast
Sharing your knowledge, stories, and exciting life experiences through a podcast is also a good startup option. Podcasts are a popular source of entertainment for millions of people worldwide. If your stories and content are exciting, you can easily attract good traffic. The traffic coming to your podcast will help you generate a good income.
25. Be a Social Media Influencer
Social media influencer is the latest trend in helping millions of people to earn a good income using their skills. Upper-side of being a social media influencer is that you can make space for yourself with any talent or skill. It can be dancing, singing, writing, speaking, motivating, educating, and others. Establishing a good audience base will help you make a good income.
26. Create Online Courses
If you have something to teach but don’t prefer to take a coaching route, creating a course is the best option for you. Simply design a whole course at once and sell it on the different digital platforms.
27. Become a Marketing Consultant
Digital marketing has become the essential factor for the effective online presence of any entity. You can provide search engine optimization services and; social media handle operator to make a solid online presence of your client. However, you need to be familiar with SEO techniques for this startup.
28. Develop an App
If you have some innovative idea for a smartphone app, you can develop the application without even significant coding skills. In case the app manages to make a solid user base, it will generate a good passive income for you.
29. Make a Smart Appliance
Devices that ensure comfort to customers are high in demand. The craze of Siri, Alexa, Bixby, and many other similar devices can be observed in the current scenario. So, if you have good technical skills and knowledge, you can develop a smart appliance that makes the everyday tasks of the customers even more accessible.
30. Tap Into Virtual Reality Experiences
The virtual reality experience and accessories industry is estimated to have a valuation of $44.7 billion by the year 2024. Creating virtual reality experiences can be a good startup idea for you to step into the industry. You will need skills such as video editing, 3D modelling, exposure to digitalization trends, etc.
31. Make a Niche Dating Site
There are several different dating sites, and it might make it difficult for you to make space in the same domain. So, making a niche dating site can be a better idea. In the pool of dating websites, you can create a website designed especially for a specific target base. This slight difference is going to provide you with compelling competitive advantages.
32. Develop a Chatbot
You might have seen that small chat window on every blog or website that provides you with basic assistance. It is called the chatbox. You can create a chatbot for your client to make a decent income. At the same time, you also don’t need significant coding skills to make the chatbot.
33. Offer Matchmaking Skills
It can be understood as a more customized option for dating websites. If you have good knowledge about matches of different personalities, you can help the people get along. With this knowledge, you can advise your client online or in person about the best partner option for them.
34. Be a Virtual Assistant
Similar to virtual teams, virtual assistants are also high in demand. So, you can provide a virtual assistant service, or you can make a team of virtual assistants as well. Being in this role, you will be completing the tasks such as responding to the mail or phone calls, arranging and scheduling the meeting, managing the contact list, performing the market research, etc.
35. Reinvent Exercising
Most people start exercising with great enthusiasm and excitement but quit it after a few days. The reason is getting bored of similar exercises daily. So, if you know about physical health and exercises, you can attract a good client base by engaging them with new activities frequently. It will keep their enthusiasm and excitement alive for a more extended period. CrossFit and Peloton are examples of similar business ideas.
36. Create Eco-Friendly, Health-Friendly Makeup and Beauty Products
Global cosmetic market was valued at $380.2 billion in 2019, which is expected to achieve a valuation of $463.5 billion by the year 2027.
AlliedMarketResearch
However, most cosmetic products are made up of chemicals that cause several side effects. So, you can offer eco-friendly and health-friendly makeup products to your audience.
37. Open a Food Truck or Restaurant Pop-Up
Opening a restaurant might be too costly and a time-consuming process. So, if you have good cooking skills, you can open a food truck or restaurant pop-up. Sticking to a quick menu, you can offer your customers pasta, noodles, french fries, and other quick foods. You will be able to establish a solid consumer base based on food quality.
38. Start an Organization Business
There is a range of organizational tasks in every firm and business. Examples are organizing the pantry, managing the reception, handling the documents, managing the bookshelves, etc. So you can offer these services to the businesses and make a good income for the same.
39. Do Interior Design for Young Professionals
With the increasing number of new businesses and companies, the demand for interior designers is also increasing. You can offer interior designing services to those setting up a new office and workplace. You need to simply make a website where the client will be uploading the pictures of the interior they want. Then, you can reply with the options of wall design, furniture, lighting, and others with a quotation attached. Once you have served two or three clients, you will be receiving plenty of orders.
40. Create Educational Content
It is the age of information. So, if you have any skills or academic expertise in any subject, sharing it with others can prove to be a promising startup for you. In this competitive environment, everyone is willing to learn new skills & enhance their knowledge. Therefore, you get a broad target audience for your business.
There are several platforms that you can use for your business. Making a YouTube channel is the most accessible and trending medium of the time. Once you manage to attract viewers, it will generate a decent sleeping income for every video you upload. Byju’s, Unacademy and Coursera are edtech startups making revenue of millions of dollars every year.
How to Choose a Startup Idea?
Doing market research is the first step for a startup idea. Several factors in the market determine your business’s chances of success. So first of all, it would be best to make sure that there is demand for the service or product you are planning to offer. The majority of businesses fail in the early stages because there is no demand for their product and service in the market.
Secondly, it is you who is going to run the business. So, you need to make sure that you are carrying the relevant skills and knowledge about the product or service. If you are providing writing services without having writing skills, you will not be able to maintain the client base.
Moreover, you also need to develop a business plan which defines your vision, aim, and objective for starting the business. The business plan will define every step you are going to take to establish the business. It will work as a guiding document for you and ensure that everything is going as planned.
How Can We Help You?
It is a fact that you can target a more extensive consumer base on the online platform than on the offline one. While reading this article, you must have noticed that most of the business ideas require a website, app, or an online platform to start and get the support. In case you are planning to establish a product-based company, an ecommerce website or application is going to be the fundamental need for your business.
So, we will help you to get started in the digital world by designing a website or application specially customized according to your business needs. Our team of experienced and visionary developers will assist you at every stage of your professional digital journey providing you with expertise on how to run the business on online platforms.
Conclusion
Time is precious, and it is never a good idea to waste it doing something unproductive. So, this digitalized world provides you with a range of startup ideas that you can start with little or no investment. These startup ideas will put your skills and knowledge to work and earn money for you. The process of engaging in these startup ideas is also pretty simple and straight. You can pursue several ideas as your full-time work while others can be pursued as part-time work to generate passive income. However, it would be best to step into the startup idea only after effectively researching the industry and market.
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