Generating Business Ideas
Coming up with a good idea isn’t a static
process; it involves a lot of trial and error. The best way I’ve found to generate ideas is
to write and write often. Make lists every day of things that you might enjoy,
and try to figure out how you could make money doing them. To help, here’s a
list of business ideas you can beging.
Each of these ideas is very simple to start,
and most can be done as a sole proprietorship at first (meaning you don’t have
to file any legal documents to get started, though you will want to do that if
it starts to take off). Most of these can be done at home in your spare time,
and in your spare space, too.
See if there are any ideas below that fit you
well. If you find an idea you like, do a bit of research or seek out a
guide on how to get started in that area.
1.
Cake and cupcake baking and decorating
Enjoy baking and
have a bit of an artistic touch? Learn how to decorate cakes and make them for
special events. Sell your creations online via Craigslist or your local neighborhood Facebook
page, or at local farmers markets. Many people are willing to pay others to
create custom cakes for birthday parties and special events.
2.
Creating custom clothing
The Internet has
created opportunities for people who can sew and design custom clothing for
special events. Many people have found success creating custom birthday outfits
for babies and selling them on sites like Etsy or eBay, for example. In addition to
selling online, you could also market this service to people in your local
community.
3.
Housecleaning
Many people simply
don’t enjoy cleaning their homes and are willing to pay a reasonable price to
have someone do the work for them. This is a great way to earn extra money in a
flexible way, particularly if you have time off during the workweek. And since
you will be working for yourself, you can often choose your own hours, terms,
and pay.
4.
Cleaning services for businesses
Many businesses and
civic institutions need individuals who can clean their offices and common
areas outside of normal business hours. If you’re willing to work some nights
and weekends, you can build a cleaning side business and get in shape all in
one fell swoop.
5.
Personal chef
I recently met a
woman who earned quite a bit of money as a very part-time chef. Once a week,
she would go to someone’s house and prepare a homemade meal for their family,
then do all the dishes and cleanup work. This gives the family plenty of
together time, while putting some cash in the woman’s pocket. If you love to
cook, this can be a great opportunity, but you may have to put a lot of effort
into searching for clients.
6.
Event coordinator
Events like family
reunions and large parties are often full of busywork that many people simply
don’t want to tackle. That can be the perfect place for you to step in and take
charge of the planning and coordination. And thanks to the Internet, it is now
easier than ever to market your event planning services.
7. Event DJ
Are you an
audiophile? If you have a great sound system and a large selection of music,
you’ve already got what you need to hire yourself out as a DJ for various
events and receptions. This is a great way to fill an afternoon or evening
while also earning some cash in the process.
8.
Exercise instructor
Many gymnasiums will
trade membership and often a bit more for a person willing and able to teach an
exercise class. You can also find people who don’t want to go to a gym and
train them at home as a personal trainer. If you’re in good shape, this is a
great opportunity to earn some extra money, plus it can often lead to
additional income with one-on-one instruction opportunities.
9.
Catering
If you love to cook,
take the “Blondie” route and start a home catering business. Catering is a
business that’s perfectly designed to reward those who plan well, and it can
often fit perfectly into weekends, which could work great if you are trying to
build a business outside of normal working hours.
10.
Interior decorating
Fascinated by
interior design? Have a huge collection of interior design materials around?
Many people are quite happy to hire someone to help them decorate their home,
and that’s especially true of those who want a magazine-caliber style yet don’t
have an eye for design at all.
11.
Furniture making
If you’re adept at
woodworking and have some basic equipment, it’s easy to get into business
making deck furniture. It only requires a few items – a saw, a drill, a sander
– and some creativity and passion for working with wood. If you have the tools
or just want to turn your hobby into a business, this may be a great small
business idea for you. In addition to creating new items, you could also focus
on repairing existing wooden furniture or woodwork.
12.
Jewelry making
If you have a good
eye for detail work and a lot of patience, homemade jewelry can be quite
profitable. As with other items on this list, there are many opportunities to
sell such items through local gift shops, craft fairs, or sites like Etsy.
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