There are over 730,000 business owners in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean every million-dollar idea has already been taken. Business owners come from all walks of life: 49% are women, 10% are part of the LGBT community, and the average business owner in the U.S. is around 44 years old.
While many entrepreneurs are regular people just like you, their unique ideas help them support their local economies, find their own niche, and earn a living doing what they love.
If you’re interested in starting your own business but need inspiration, this guide offers some fresh ideas to help you make your mark in the local market.
1. Share Arts and Crafts with Your Community
If you love hobbies like scrapbooking, building furniture, knitting, or sculpting, you can turn your passion into a business by offering arts and crafts opportunities in your community.
Here are some ideas for creative business owners:
– Open a craft store: Instead of big chain stores selling mass-produced products, you could open a local craft store offering handmade or locally sourced items for hobbyists.
– Start an after-school art camp for kids: Many kids don’t have access to arts and crafts activities. Running an after-school camp could introduce children to creative skills while also providing working parents with childcare.
– Create a makerspace: Set up a community space filled with tools, supplies, and workspace for local artists to use. You can charge membership fees or offer drop-in passes.
2. Turn Your Love for Cooking Into a Business
There are plenty of ways to make money from cooking without opening a full-scale restaurant. Consider these options:
– Meal or meal kit delivery service
– Affordable personal chef services
– In-home or virtual cooking lessons
– Job training for restaurant workers
– A unique food truck or mobile food stand
These ideas are relatively affordable to start and can be done part-time if you’re still working a full-time job. To stand out, consider sourcing ingredients from local farms, keeping your prices reasonable, or incorporating global cuisines.
3. Share Your Local Knowledge
If you’re a long-time resident, you likely know a lot about your town that visitors and even other locals might not. Use that knowledge to offer:
– Walking tours highlighting historic buildings, unique architecture, or hidden spots
– Themed experiences like costume pub crawls
– Tours aimed at long-time residents
For example, if you’re well-connected in the local bakery scene, you could offer a walking tour that takes participants to the best spots for cakes and pastries in town.
4. Teach Others Your Skills
Not all learning happens in a classroom, and there’s always room to teach new skills. If you have a hobby or specialty, consider:
– Offering online or in-person courses
– Teaming up with other experts to create course bundles
– Creating paid resources for beginners
– Writing articles or starting a blog on your subject
Take inspiration from Garten’s Music in Wichita, Kansas. They offer music lessons for all skill levels and ages, including one-on-one and group lessons both in person and online.
5. Build a Business Around Animals
If you love animals, why not turn that passion into a business? Here are some ideas for animal lovers:
– Pet sitting
– Dog walking
– Doggy daycare
– Starting a vet clinic
– Offering pet grooming services
– Making homemade pet food or treats
– Designing custom pet collars or wearables
– Teaching obedience training classes
– Opening a cat café
6. Start a Community Newsletter
If you enjoy writing, starting a local newsletter can be a great way to engage with your community and even make some money. Here’s how you can get started:
– Design a newsletter template
– Build an email list
– Write engaging content
– Recruit contributing writers
– Sell ad space
You can offer both free and paid versions of your newsletter, with the paid version offering additional content or perks for subscribers.
7. Design and Sell Custom Merchandise
If you’re creative, consider designing and selling custom merchandise. With tools like Cricut or Silhouette machines, you can put your designs on items such as:
– T-shirts, hats, scarves, and other wearables
– Mugs, coasters, and tea towels
– Wooden signs or canvas art
Take a look at Nice People Tees, a small business from Greenville, South Carolina, that specializes in custom t-shirts for various themes like sports, holidays, and plants.
8. Start a Community Podcast
Podcasts are becoming increasingly popular, and starting one that focuses on local news or topics could be a great way to connect with your community. To start, you’ll need:
– Basic podcasting equipment
– Co-hosts or guest speakers
– A plan to promote your podcast
– A regular schedule for recording and releasing episodes
You can monetize the podcast by selling ad space to local businesses or offering extra content to paying subscribers.
9. Become a Real Estate Agent
If you’re outgoing and well-connected in your community, real estate might be a great business opportunity. As a real estate agent, you can help people find homes, support your local housing market, and make money in the process.
Look to people like Maranda Taylor from Omaha, Nebraska, who doesn’t just sell houses but also helps her clients find the right homes that suit their lifestyles.
10. Open a Stress Relief Studio
One new and growing business idea is a stress relief studio where people can release tension by breaking things, yelling, or engaging in other stress-relieving activities. This type of business can be set up in a rented space, garage, or backyard shed.
Things to Consider When Starting a Business
If you’re feeling inspired to start your own business, keep these tips in mind:
– Budget carefully: Have a solid financial plan to ensure your business turns a profit.
– Know your competition: Study similar businesses in your area to understand their strategies.
– Engage your community: Promote your new business to local customers and get them excited about what you’re offering.
You can also use platforms like Nextdoor to promote your business, find customers, and connect with your local community.
