Starting your own business doesn’t mean waiting for a huge innovative idea that’s going to change the world. Sometimes the simplest of ideas are the most successful. Start with solving people’s problems, not changing the world (that comes next). If you want to head down the entrepreneurial path, why not start with a microbusiness first to get some experience? The beauty of running a micro startup is that you can fit it around your lifestyle, whether you’re working or not.
Here are 35 great micro start up ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
Online microbusiness ideas
Online freelancing – If you have an expert skill that you dabble in on the side, like copywriting or graphic design, offer out your time as a freelancer
Virtual assistant – providing professional assistance and general admin tasks from the comfort of your home can be a great side hustle
Blogger – Join the blogging revolution and start your own blog (they’re easy to monetise down the line with ads or sponsored posts)
Tutoring – Tutor kids for exams, teach a language or offer adult tutoring if you are an expert in a certain area like computing. You can even tutor online using Skype
Writing – Become a freelance writer and earn extra cash in your free time
Affiliate marketing – Become an affiliate and get rewards for every click or sale you make on your website for affiliated brands
Social media posting – Many businesses want to outsource some of their social media management. Could you offer out your services as a part-time social media manager?
Forum moderator – Big online forums are always looking for people to help moderate and organise content
Ecommerce microbusiness ideas
T-shirt design -Printing T-shirts and selling them online, either on your own website or on a free site like Ebay is a great way to dip your toe into online selling (and designing t-shirts is fun and easy)
Selling crafts online – Make friendship bracelets, jewellery, cushions or clothes, and sell them on your own website or on a site like Ebay
Service microbusiness ideas
Offer workshops – Are you good at negotiating? Are you brilliant at sewing? Bit of a whizz with Photoshop? Offer niche workshops at your local community centre
Cleaning services – Offer your services to friends and neighbours, or advertise your services online on sites like Craigslist or Oodle
Dog walking and pet care – Walk neighbours’ dogs or advertise your pet sitting services online (there are sites out there like Pawshake that can help you connect with needy pet owners)
Local gardening business – Incredibly relaxing, gardening can also be stressful! Only do this kind of work if you genuinely enjoy gardening
Flat pack furniture man/woman – People often struggle with this, so what about offering out your services as a flat pack ninja? (Only if you are though, of course)
Expert consultant – provide expert advice to others on something they struggle with. Think outside the box and don’t just settle for a generic ‘business consultant’ brand; what about relationship or happiness consultant? What can you offer out to people that has genuine value? What do you excel at?
Uber – Work to your own schedule and work with Uber as driver
PC repairs – If you are a techie, why not repair people’s PCs in your spare time?
Photographer – Create stock imagery, or capture events as a freelance photographer
Custom trips, tours and walks – Do you know a lot about your local area? Do you own a boat? Tap into the tourism and leisure industry and offer out some tours
Supper clubs and pop up catering – If you are great in the kitchen, hosting a supper club or pop up restaurant might be just the ticket for you
Fitness instructor – Qualify to become a fitness instructor and teach lessons in the evenings. You could do anything from yoga to boxing
Personal trainer – Become a personal trainer and kick people into shape on the side
Compose music – If you are handy with music production, you can make loads from selling jingles or snippets of original music to brands and businesses
Translator – If you are lucky enough to speak another language, become a translator in your spare time (pays really well)
Moving service – Hire or use your own van to help people move (this is a great weekend job). Not just for families and individuals, businesses and retailers also need help with moving
Deliveroo – Become a Deliveroo driver in your spare time
Become a campaigner – Passionate about a cause? Why not become an advocate for a charity or a cause?
Repairs – If you are good with your hands, start your own business repairing all kinds of things, from cars and bikes to jewellery and shoes
Nanny services – If you are good with children, you could start an evening or daycare club or service to help busy parents take care of their kids
Retail microbusiness ideas
Up sell used goods – Buy second hand and used goods and upcycle them, reselling them at your local flea market or car boot sale (you could re-upholster an antique chair, or repaint a chest of drawers)
Wedding stationery – People are always looking for cute and quirky ways to personalise their wedding. If you’ve got creative flair, channeling it into wedding stationery isn’t a bad idea
Greetings cards – Making cards isn’t hard, but you can sell handmade ones at crafts markets for a good profit
Candle making – Candles are popular and you can easily make them at home. Sell candles at local markets or online
Making & selling jams, chutneys and preserves – Everyone is into preserves these days, so why don’t you join the revolution and start selling your own? Create cutesy labels and use interesting flavour combinations
We hope you enjoyed our microbusiness ideas. Share some of yours with us below!