Looking to begin your entrepreneurial journey, but not sure where to begin? Maybe you have been reading venture capital blogs, or watching too much on Shark Tank and are wondering how you can make it through the first steps in the process.
Lucky for you, there are many great, easy business ideas for beginner entrepreneurs. We have compiled this list to help you pick a simple, low-cost first business to get your feet wet in your entrepreneurial journey. These 13 easy business ideas for beginner entrepreneurs will help you get a jumpstart, and go from dreamer to doer on your business journey.
So, why wait when you can get started with your first step here. Go ahead and cross the “explore easy business ideas” off of your checklist by checking these out. Here are our top ideas for starting an easy, cost-effective first business as a beginner entrepreneur.
1. Branded Dropshipping
While the days of dropshipping fidget spinners and “free” watches may be over, building a brand around this is still a viable option that follows a similar concept.
The price difference between a $0.10 cup of coffee and a $5.00 cup of coffee is all in the branding. If you have enough money to put a logo together on a tool like Canva, and then have a manufacturer send you a sample product with your logo, you can make this work. Get photos of your branded sample, and then get pre-orders for your product. Now you can use the preorder money to purchase your initial inventory and your business has begun.
How to get started? Select the product and follow the method as described above. Costs will vary based on manufacturer location, and shipping can add up. Why choose this option? At a minimum, you will be able to sell your product at-cost, so it is a low-risk option. With great marketing and other business strategies, this can turn into a full-time income.
2. Copywriting
As an entrepreneur, you are going to need to learn how to write compellingly. Writing is what drives SEO, fans, and sales. Why not get paid to hone this skill?
Getting into copywriting is simple. There are countless groups – both via paid memberships and free access – that are all about sales funnels, blogging, SEO, email marketing, and more. All you need to do is put together a few examples of your writing, and then offer services among these groups. After a while, you will have regular clients and referrals to keep you as busy as you want. Plus, test your “success drive” as you get paid more for how well and efficiently you work.
How to get started? Begin by finding a group that hosts copywriters and submit a few samples. Then, follow the steps described above. Why choose this option? If you are skilled at English, typing, and creative writing, the hourly rate for this exceeds many others and the positions are fully remote.
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3. Online Course Instructor
Are you good at any one thing? That’s perfect. Whatever it is, someone is trying to learn that one thing. Who better to teach them this than you- someone with a moderate level of expertise.
Put together the best possible resource you can – videos, documents, checklists, action plans – and have other people check it out to make sure it is well-done and makes sense. Once it is ready, you can host it on Gumroad, Udemy, or something similar. After that is done, all you have to do is learn to find those who are looking to learn that skill. The great thing about owning an online course is, once it is built, any money you make is (almost) no extra work.
How to get started? You must first pick your “thing” i.e. the topic you hope to instruct. Then, prepare your resource and ensure high quality for your potential clients. Why choose this option? Ideally, you will select to address a skill that you already have, so your base knowledge is pre-existing. Once the content is created and in a marketable platform, this can become passive income.
Want to start a business but got no ideas? Read my comprehensive guide for the new entrepreneurs
4. Sell on Etsy
Are you crafty? Do you like to spend your free time woodworking, painting, welding, sewing, or even just trying new things? Then selling and marketing on Etsy might be just the thing for you.
Starting your own Etsy store is simple- all you need is your product. Since most of the products on Etsy are handmade, you can fit right in and be competitive from the beginning. One thing to keep in mind is that being unique helps you stand out for obvious reasons. Pick something that you do that others may not, and use that to get your foot in the door for higher sales and ratings.
How to get started? Select your skill or trade and a branding idea that will fit your potential audience. Then, follow the above instructions on creating an Etsy store. Why choose this option? You can make as few or as many products as you would like, and you get to spend your work hours doing something you enjoy.
5. Cell Phone Flipping
While cell phone flipping may seem like an odd suggestion at first, there is a lot of money to be made in selling used cell phones. Of course, these need to be legally obtained for legal sales.
Cell phone flipping requires a bit of money down (like other business ideas), but it is highly lucrative. You can learn to fix most common cell problems (camera, battery, screen, etc…) from YouTube, and then resell the cell phones for double your costs – or more. People are generally willing to pay for a “like new” product more quickly than attempting to wait for a repair on their own “used” cell phone.
How to get started? As this is a unique market, you will need to prep yourself by doing a bit of background research. Then, follow the steps above. Why choose this option? Done well, this can be highly lucrative and does not have an incredibly high start-up cost. You can begin with a few devices before flipping larger quantities.
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6. Local Baker
Requiring both little money down, and no technical skills, baking locally might be an easy way to start a business. Of course, you will need to be able to bake well or your business will flop like your pastries.
Baking locally is not yet known as a very common practice – which means less competition for you. The startup costs are just the ingredients needed, and once you get a single order you will quickly make your money back. Marketing this on something like the Facebook Marketplace will help create a visual and local appeal – and costs you nothing. You can do this from your home and enjoy limited overhead costs and providing your family the “extra” treats.
How to get started? Ensure that your baking skills are up to par. Practice on a few homemade treats for your family and then begin having friends test them out for honest feedback. Why choose this option? You get to explore your creative side, create tasty treats, and can market from your cell phone for free.
Get business naming inspiration from my list of catchy bakery name ideas here
7. Photographer
A little more competitive than some of the other options, becoming a photographer is still a very good way to make a lot of money. Many free courses are available online to help you refine your skills.
Photography is usually done locally, which allows you to work on your terms fairly easily. You will need money for equipment, but starting with just a decent camera and doing natural-light family photos can help you increase your money to buy more equipment. A great aspect of photography is, as you increase in skills and equipment, you can charge more for your time. Plus, free platforms like Instagram can help you with marketing in your area.
How to get started? You will first need to learn how to use basic photography equipment, like a DSLR camera, and editing software like Lightroom or Photoshop. Take a few crash courses to learn the basics and practice your skills daily. Why choose this option? At a minimum, you will have learned how to capture beautiful photos for your family. When successful, you can earn quite a bit, establish relationships with clients, and work on your own timeline.
Check out my list of cool photography business names that are not taken here!
8. Wellness Coach/Fitness Instructor
Are you in good shape, and maintain a healthy lifestyle? One way to make a business (that works with your schedule) is to become a wellness coach.
Becoming a wellness coach is a great way to utilize your healthy lifestyle and make money. There are more millionaires in America than there are people with 6-packs. Use this to your advantage. Not only does helping people stay fit pay well, but it is also rewarding to help people change their lives for the better.
How to get started? Ensure appropriate levels of certifications in the area that you hope to coach. Check your local gym for opportunities, or create a virtual platform. Or, you may market this to individuals as their personal trainer. Why choose this option? It promotes a healthy lifestyle for you and others and generally requires little financial investment.
9. Bookkeeping
Every business needs it, but not every business is able to get it. One of the little-known things about bookkeeping is that it does not always require formal education.
Bookkeeping is a high-paying job that often allows flexible hours and working remotely. You are able to learn this skill through courses online, or offering another bookkeeper assistance in exchange for learning. Once you become confident in your skills, finding a bookkeeping job becomes fairly easy.
How to get started? Ensure that you complete any necessary certifications and are able to do basic math. Then, reach out to local small businesses to offer your services for 10-15 hours per week. Why choose this option? You can often find remote positions and work as much or as little as you’d like by working for multiple companies. Plus, you will often set your own schedule.
10. Create a Subscription Box
Everyone has seen a subscription box before – everything from shaving razors to date nights is now coming delivered to your door each month.
Did you know it isn’t that difficult to create one? If you have enough money down for a handful of box items, you could put this together – and then use the monthly subscription to pay for the next boxes. You can source items from discount stores or manufacturers, and then resell them at a profit with this subscription. The best part? This is recurring revenue, each sale can pay for months or years to come.
How to get started? Select your “brand” or the type of box that you would like to create. Research product sourcing and markets to begin your subscription box journey. Why choose this option? With a little creativity, you can come up with an option that generates recurring revenue. It will require order fulfillment and storage space, but you can house as much or as little of the products that you offer as you would like.
11. Pet Care Business
In today’s world, people love their pets more than almost anything else. People are willing to put out a lot of money in order to make sure their furry friend stays healthy and happy.
Starting your own pet care business can be easy, fun, and lucrative. Begin by doing simple things like dog-walking or watching pets for people on vacation. As you earn, put money into grooming items, or becoming a certified trainer. You can easily go from a beginner to a full-time income earner in a matter of months if you devote the proper time to this.
How to get started? Make sure that you enjoy spending time with animals and start by offering your services to friends, family, and neighbors to build your portfolio. Then, follow the directions above. Why choose this option? There are endless opportunities for the level of achievement you accomplish, and it is generally a self-paced (and often cash) income-earning opportunity.
12. Web Agency (No Code Required)
Are you not technical but you understand the power of a good website and SEO in making sales? Perhaps you even just know people who have terrible (or no) websites?
Starting a web agency is completely possible in today’s world without even knowing how to code. First, find a few people to make websites for free. This can be done by hiring someone to make them or learning a no-code solution like webflow. Get those people to give video testimonials, then set up a sales funnel to attract new clients. Now, you can get a payment and turn around and hire others to make your clients’ sites.
How to get started? Decide if you would like to learn to code or begin your search for people who have this skill. Then, follow the directions above. Why choose this option? This option allows you to be the (paid) middleman that connects businesses with services. Your pre-existing skill set in web-related services can be minimum, and you can still be successful.
13. Print on Demand
Dropshipping from China is not the only way to start an e-commerce brand without having to hold inventory. Now you can do similar things with a variety of products.
Printing on demand allows you to design products like t-shirts, mugs, towels, stickers, etc… without having to purchase large quantities. Once you have your designs, you can list them on your shop and they will only be created (by the 3rd party) when purchased, relieving your cost risk from having to hold inventory all the time.
How to get started? Choose the product that you would like to print, and create (or work with someone to create) a design. Then, follow the directions above. Why choose this option? It requires little initial financial investment so that you can test out the waters. Additionally, all options can be outsourced if you are not creative and can find someone who is.
Check out my guide on how to start your business right with tons of useful tips I learned by successfully starting, building, and selling multiple companies.
