Top 50 Business Ideas for 19-Year Olds [Updated for 2024]

Updated: February 22nd, 2024

Are you feeling inspired to start your own business? You're not alone! Many 19-year-olds are looking for ways to become their own boss and start their own business.

There are a lot of great business ideas out there, and we've gathered some of the best ones for you. So read on and see if any of these ideas catch your eye!

1. Become a virtual assistant ($340K/month)

Virtual assistants support businesses, teams, or individuals by performing administrative tasks remotely. As businesses these days tend to outsource their tasks, the demand for virtual assistants is growing rapidly.

Becoming a virtual assistant is flexible, as you can choose a work schedule and location at your convenience. Many virtual assistants have a dedicated home office where they work in a quiet and distraction-free environment.

To become a virtual assistant, identify a niche you like and undertake any training. Then, figure out how much to charge your customers and create an online presence where you can apply for jobs. As a virtual assistant, you can define your work schedule depending on your availability.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

2. Start a Greeting Cards Business ($50K/month)

People use greeting cards to mark births, deaths, graduations, anniversaries, and other parties or events.

If you love helping people celebrate special occasions, starting a greeting card business can be a great business opportunity.

When starting a greeting card business, choose a potential niche and write a business plan.

Then, find an ideal spot to sell the greeting cards.

For instance, you can offer greeting card design and posting services, so customers can choose the best designs and post greeting cards online.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 65 days (?)

3. Start a self service car wash

A self-service car wash is a booming and profitable low maintenance business idea. Generally, the self-service car wash provides bays equipped with soap, brushes, high-pressure water, and wax for vehicle detailing. Other services can include an EV charging station, tire inflation, and vacuum cleaning.

If you are starting a self-service carwash, ensure you provide customers with quality equipment.

The advantage of a self-service carwash is that you do not need to employ someone to wash the cars and that you can monitor your income conveniently.

4. Become a musician ($3K/month)

A musician writes, records, performs, markets, and sells original songs, albums, and merchandise. As a musician, you can build your business by creating music and connecting with fans.

With the rise of social media, music streaming, home recording technology, and direct fan access, indie musicians can build profitable artistry-driven businesses themselves.

To start, hone your craft and find your unique creative niche. Master your instruments, produce demos of songs showcasing your style, and play small local venues to build an early following.

You can leverage platforms like Instagram and TikTok to share your music as you build out a catalog of content. Also, release songs on major streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music so fans globally can listen, save, and share your work. Sell merchandise like t-shirts, hoodies, and posters on your own website to generate additional income from your growing following.

By perfecting your sound and engaging possible fans through social media, streaming, performances, and direct outreach, you can build a thriving long-term business around your artistic passion and originality.

How much you can make: $3,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 360 days (?)

5. Start a child care business

Starting a childcare business is a great way to build a steady income. You will have the opportunity to be your boss and set your hours even from home. You will have the satisfaction of building one-on-one relationships with children and watching them grow over the years.

A childcare business is an excellent idea. It is both a personal and economical investment for its owners. This is especially true if you are considering starting your non-profit organization or becoming licensed to provide child care. Running a childcare business allows you to help children develop while also making money. As with any business endeavor, running a childcare business has its ups and downs, but it can be very rewarding.

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

6. Start a transcribing service business ($3K/month)

How much you can make: $3,000 — $200,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,050 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

7. Become a graphic designer ($30K/month)

Graphic designing involves creating sketch designs and materials for corporate clients, advertising agencies, public relations firms, and publishers. Besides, graphic designers provide visual solutions to specific company images, log design, and branding problems.

Graphic design is an excellent career for creative thinkers who enjoy using their talent and artistic skills combined with technology and communication abilities to come up with unique solutions for their clients.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $81,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 165 days (?)

8. Become a tutorial video creator

A tutorial video is a subcategory of instructional videos that share knowledge and interact with viewers. Different forms of tutorial videos include:

  • Presentation: common among college professors and teachers
  • Niche videos: short 10-15 minutes tutorials covering a wide range of topics
  • Training videos: teach candidates the skills they need to perform better at work

Creating tutorial videos is not a difficult task. With a proper strategy, you can make a tutorial video. Invest in a professional camera for your business and start creating a tutorial video. Then, outline the video contents you intend to create and create scripts.

How much you can make: $1,700 — $375,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $109 (?)

How long does it take to build: 18 days (?)

9. Start a co-working space rental business ($300K/month)

The co-working spaces are becoming essential in the post-pandemic world. Experts estimate five million people will occupy coworking spaces in the next few years. The projections are based not only on the growth the coworking industry has experienced over the past few years but also on the sharp increase in the number of startups coming up each year.

Therefore, creating your coworking space business will become a lucrative opportunity. To create a coworking space, do proper market research to ensure you have the demand for a co-work space in your target area.

Then, focus on finding an ideal location to attract the maximum number of customers.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $300,000/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

10. Start a dog walking business ($54K/month)

Are you a dog lover? If so, you can turn your passion for animals into a profitable side hustle that allows you to earn extra income for your mortgage, a vacation, or paying off student loans.

As a dog walker, sitter, or boarder, you can earn an average annual income of between $10,000 and $30,000 by offering your services to dog owners in need of a caregiver for their furry friends.

To get started, register on a credible dog-walking app and create a compelling profile that showcases your experience, skills, and love for dogs.

With your dedication and expertise, you can help dog owners ensure their pets receive the care and attention they need while building a thriving business that fulfills your passion for animals.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $54,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

11. Start a mobile laundry service

In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, many people have little time to wash their clothes at home. Most prefer having a mobile dry-cleaning service within their locality, picking the clothes from their homes or business.

If you are an entrepreneur looking for a profitable business model, a mobile laundry service could be it! To start, invest in commercial-grade washing machines and dryers. You will need a pickup and delivery van to reach your customers conveniently.

How much you can make: $24,000 — $100,000/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

12. Start a pet photography business

Cat photography is a growing industry, with more and more people wanting their pet cats to be photographed professionally. A cat professional will know how to take the best photos of your cat and how to make sure that they are happy during the shoot.

Professional pet photography is a growing industry. Pet owners are willing to pay top dollar for beautiful, high-quality photos of their furry companions. The most common type of cat professional photographer is the traditional pet photographer, who focuses on taking pictures of pets in natural settings.

There are three main categories:

  • Portrait photography: This is when you take pictures of cats in their natural habitat, such as on the couch or in bed.
  • Action shots: These are photos where the cat is doing something interesting, like eating food or playing with toys. These are great for social media posts.
  • Event photography: This involves taking pictures at events like weddings or parties. You need to be able to work quickly so you don't miss any important moments!

How much you can make: $105,000/month

13. Start a packing business

A packing business focuses on designing, creating, and labeling packages. The business ultimately protects the products for sale, transportation, distribution, storage, and use.

To start a packaging business, get clear on the services you offer. Design the packages, test, and research if the packaging works for your customers. You may need to refine the packaging to keep the customers satisfied.

14. Start a leaf removal business

A leaf removal company provides lawn care to keep the yard clear of leaves through vacuuming, bagging, and removal of leaves. To start the leaves removal business, you need a high-quality leaf blower and leaf collection bags.

You can attract new customers by asking existing customers for referrals and ensuring positive reviews for your business. Hang flyers in coffee shops, and around estates, and ask friends for business referrals.

15. Become a craft business blogger ($1K/month)

The craft industry is becoming more popular than ever before. More people are expressing their love and affection for the craft. Besides, more people are showing their interest in starting a craft-related business.

If you have an affection for crafts, consider starting a craft blog.

A craft blog can cover anything from art and craft industry trends to popular industry news. Just make sure your craft blog focuses on an interesting niche. Thus, start with identifying a niche and studying what they love about the craft.

Focus on developing relevant content for your blog, and post the content regularly.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $600,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $200 (?)

How long does it take to build: 10 days (?)

16. Start a tech consulting business

How much you can make: $3,000 — $10,000/month

17. Start a college prep tutoring business

College prep tutoring involves assisting students through the stages of preparing for college. The college prep help falls into private college consulting and standardized test tutoring.

The consultants assist students in creating a resume, choosing extracurricular activities, planning essays, selecting schools, and identifying colleges with specialized programs tailored to students' interests and needs.

18. Start a garage sale business

How much you can make: $7,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

19. Start a tech support business ($10K/month)

In today’s world, technology plays a crucial role in our day-to-day lives. Therefore, the need for technical support has become increasingly critical. A tech support business can provide invaluable assistance and troubleshooting services to individuals and companies facing software, hardware, or any other technology problems.

If you’re considering starting a tech support business, you must have a solid understanding of technical skills and possess experience in IT support roles.

Providing exceptional customer service is critical to the success of your tech support business. Actively listening to your clients and thoroughly diagnosing their issues is crucial. Additionally, offering clear and patient support will help you to build a loyal client base.

Finally, it’s essential to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and maintain a comprehensive knowledge base to address a wide range of technical questions and problems effectively. This will help you to provide your clients with the best possible service and maintain a competitive edge in the market.

How much you can make: $200 — $10,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

20. Start a gift wrapping service

Gift wrappers use wrapping papers and other supplies to box up and decorate presents on behalf of their customers. Starting a gift-wrapping business does not involve considerable capital and is easy to manage. You can market your business online for free and request current customers to give recommendations.

21. Start a landscaping business

A landscaping business is engaged in maintaining lawns and gardens, trimming trees and shrubs, and providing landscape maintenance and beautification services. Landscaping costs vary depending on the size and location.

For small jobs such as taking care of the lawn and trees, the cost can vary from $50 to $100 per hour. The average wage of a landscape designer is $70,000 to $90,000, and a landscape architect makes around $50,000 to $100,000 per year. For basic maintenance and mowing services, a single person who runs a landscaping business can get started with as little as $5,000 or less. However, a proper landscaping business will require a large investment. The average start-up cost is between $15,000 to $20,000.

Once the type of service is decided, the list of tools and equipment can be purchased. The best way to succeed in a landscaping business is to provide quality service. This will not only retain existing clients but also promote and attract new customers.

How much you can make: $375,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $8,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

22. Become a proofreader ($2K/month)

Proofreading business is a service that helps customers review their written work and ensure it is ready for publication. Typically, a proofreader corrects grammatical errors and provides the written piece meets any relevant style guide.

As a proofreader, you can work online, allowing you to choose what time to work.

If you plan to start a professional proofreading business, make sure you possess the following skills:

  • Have an excellent grasp of grammar
  • Ability to correct mistakenly capitalized words
  • Familiarity with the proper use of capitalization
  • Use spell-checkers to flag misspelled words

Proofreading is a great way to enhance content quality. With the increased use of written content marketing to reach a broader market, the demand for professional proofreaders has grown tremendously. Professional proofreaders earn an average of $12/hr. And $30/hr.

Therefore, consider proofreading as a business if you are looking for a great side hustle idea or simply looking for ways to increase your income.

How much you can make: $2,000/month

23. Start a web design and development blogging business

How much you can make: $6,600 — $7,846/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

24. Start a lawn care service

Are you ready to begin your lawn care business and be your boss? A lawncare business offers lawn aeration, Seeding, fertilizing, soil acidity tests, and controlling weeds, among other services. If you love creating amazing landscapes, consider starting a lawn care company.

To start lawn care legally and run it profitably, you must register the business legally. You can get into a franchise or start a business from scratch. Decide what lawn care services you will offer and your target clients.

To offer effective service, purchase lawn care equipment, and hire skilled lawn care personnel.

How much you can make: $375,000/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

25. Start an amazon reseller business

An Amazon reseller sources products at wholesale prices and sells them on Amazon. To start an Amazon reseller business, choose a low-competition product. Low competition products offer a great way to establish your brand as a leader in particular product categories.

To grow your business, ensure high-profit margin products, as selling only the low-profit margin products can curtail your business growth.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $60,000/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

26. Start a social media marketing agency ($350K/month)

Whether you want to clear your utility bills, finance your college education or save for a vacation, a social media marketing agency is one of the best ways to earn extra income. The advantage is that you do not need to commit so much time to automate using social media marketing tools. All you need to do is develop a good social media marketing strategy that will enable you to serve customers efficiently. Besides, you need to create an agency portfolio to market your services to target customers.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $2,400,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $6,250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week

27. Become a youtube personality

YouTube personalities produce videos on YouTube and post them on their channels. YouTube personalities make money through the following:

  • Advertising revenue - Ads revenue from the display, overlay, and video ads
  • Channel Memberships – members earn recurring revenue in exchange for special perks they offer
  • Merch Shelf – When channel fans browse and purchase official branded merchandise, you showcase it on watch pages.
  • Super Chat & Super Stickers – Fans pay to get their messages highlighted in chat streams
  • YouTube Premium Revenue – Get part of a premium subscriber’s subscription fee when fans watch your content.

You can start earning money through either or all of the above options, so long as you meet their YouTube-defined criteria and they are available in your location.

If you want to make money on YouTube, you must apply and be approved for the YouTube Partner Program, which gives creators greater access to YouTube resources and features.

How much you can make: $3,055 — $4,500,000/month

28. Start a sports promotion business

A sports promotion business uses sporting marketing strategies to popularize sporting activities and appeal to the target audience. The sports promotion businesses may focus on marketing:

  • Sporting activities
  • Sports businesses
  • Individual athletes
  • Stadium and sports facilities

To start a sports promotion business, choose a niche, define the target audience and create a website. Then, create appealing marketing content and post it on your website. Launch a social media marketing campaign to expand the reach and accelerate results.

How much you can make: $16,000/month

29. Become a gift basket seller

A gift basket is typically a bundled gift filled with presents and delivered to the recipient at home or the workplace.

The gifting ritual is an old practice, and regardless of the occasion, people love giving each other gifts (and receiving them). According to data, the global gift market’s worth is estimated at $62 billion, with 62% of Americans preferring to give personalized gift markets over expensive items.

If you love unique gifting, starting a gift basket business could be a gratifying and fun business idea. Many gift basket shops choose to operate entirely online since an online business allows them to work from anywhere, while customers can also purchase at their convenience.

How much you can make: $400/month

30. Start a cleaning service ($243K/month)

A housecleaning side business is a beautiful idea for people with free time on weekends or even weekdays. The side hustle idea requires little capital to start. During the launch, you can choose to offer the service to your neighbors and scale as you gain experience. The average salary for a house cleaner is $17.32 per hour.

By starting a house cleaning business, you are tapping into an enormous market with plenty of clientele. There could always be demand for your cleaning service, which keeps you in business as you help homeowners keep their homes spotless.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $600,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 80 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 7 hours/week

31. Start a mobile pet grooming

Do you love attending to pets? Starting a pet grooming business is a fun and profitable business idea.

Pet grooming service includes bathing, nail clipping, and brushing of pet animals. Grooming pets ensure they remain healthy and enjoy an improved physical appearance. To start a pet grooming business, create a business plan and portfolio.

Establish a business website and market your services to the target audience. Then, buy pet grooming tools and supplies and focus on offering your services to the target audience.

32. Start an errand service

Errand services help people and businesses who have daily errands to run but need an extra hand. So, they seek professional help who can do their chores on time with utmost efficiency.

You can provide various services as an errand business, including grocery shopping, picking up + sorting through mail, going to the bank, and much more.

Starting an errand business is relatively easy. Consider offering package deals as a way of getting and retaining customers. Most errand businesses charge per hour, and you may charge per mileage if the task involves driving.

More business ideas

  • 33. Start an organic food repacking business

34. Start a Community Delivery Service

Community Delivery Service is an easy business to start. Subscribers pay a monthly fee to receive a curated box of products based on their preferences. The boxes contain items such as food, beauty products, and other lifestyle goods.

The idea behind the subscription service is that customers can't always find time to shop for themselves or they have trouble finding what they want in stores. Community Delivery Service offers a way for people to get their favorite items without having to spend time looking for them every month.

35. Start a snow removal service

Snow plowing is a high-margin scalable business with low overhead costs. Although seasonal, you can earn a decent living by plowing snow in winter. Entrepreneurs with a dump trailer and snow plow can serve commercial and residential customers and stay busy during or after a snowstorm.

More business ideas

  • 36. Start a fire safety products selling business
  • 37. Become a live streamer

38. Start a holiday decoration business

The holiday decoration business involves creating and selling festive decorations for holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah, and Halloween. This can include everything from traditional decorations such as wreaths and tree ornaments to more unique and customizable items like personalized stockings or holiday-themed home decor.

To run a successful holiday decoration business, it is essential to keep up with the latest trends and offer various products to appeal to various customers. It is also essential to have a strong online presence, as many holiday shoppers turn to the internet to purchase decorations.

Effective marketing and promotion strategies, such as social media advertising and partnerships with local businesses, can help attract customers and drive sales. It is also essential to focus on customer service and offer excellent customer support to ensure a positive shopping experience and encourage repeat business.

Finally, it is essential to have a reliable supply chain in place to ensure the timely delivery of products and avoid any potential delays or disappointments for customers. With proper planning and execution, the holiday decoration business can be a lucrative and rewarding venture.

More business ideas

  • 39. Start a pinterest templates, graphics and art selling business
  • 40. Start a business errand services
  • 41. Start an ice cream producer business
  • 42. Start a smart tutoring app business
  • 43. Start a professional babysitting networking platform business

44. Become an event photographer

Do you enjoy capturing memorable moments? Becoming an event photographer is a great way to combine your love for photography with your love for events.

Event photographers often work for companies that specialize in event photography. They are hired because of their expertise and experience with the kinds of events they will be covering. They may also be hired by individual clients who have a specific need for event coverage, such as a wedding or corporate retreat. You can find potential clients through social media or local networking groups; once you've got a few clients lined up, start scheduling events with them so you can really show off your skills.

Aside from having a passion for photography, it's also important that you have some experience with lighting and setting up equipment at events. You should also be aware of how various lenses function and what they are used for.

More business ideas

  • 45. Become a house cleaner
  • 46. Start an infographic designing business
  • 47. Start a party clown business
  • 48. Start a recycling project business

49. Become a scrapbooker business

Scrapbooking is a creative hobby that involves designing and putting together a visually appealing album of memories and memorable moments. It can be a great business idea for those passionate about crafting and design.

To start a scrapbooking business, you will need a few essential supplies such as paper, stickers, markers, and other decorative items. You may also need a computer and photo editing software to create digital layouts and designs.

For success, it is essential to have a strong understanding of the different scrapbooking techniques and styles. It would help if you also were skilled in design, creativity, and customer service.

Several ways to offer scrapbooking services include hosting parties, creating customized albums for clients, or selling scrapbooking supplies. You can also consider offering online classes or tutorials to teach others how to scrapbook.

Marketing your business is crucial to attracting potential customers. You can use social media, online directories, and local advertising to showcase your skills and services. You can also consider joining local craft fairs and events to showcase your work and connect with other crafters.

Overall, a scrapbooking business can be a rewarding and fulfilling venture for those passionate about creativity and design. You can turn your hobby into a successful business with the right skills, supplies, and marketing efforts.

50. Start a podcaster community

How much you can make: $5,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

Frequently asked questions

Can a 19-year-old have their own business?

Yes, a 19-year-old can have their own business. However, the process can be a bit complicated, as most business requirements include conditions, terms, and even permission from the legal guardian (for minors).

Now, while such things can get complicated, there are ways for a 19-year-old to earn money from different things. As long as the business isn’t something like a large-scale, you likely wouldn’t have to go through some tedious process.

Is it possible to make money as a 19-year-old?

Yes, making money as a 19-year-old is possible. There are many ways to earn and make money, and most of these ways only require doing and finishing simple tasks that even a 19-year-old can do.

One thing to note is that making money as a 19-year-old is good, but it doesn’t mean you’ll spend most of your time with it and discard essential duties like studies. As always, a 19-year-old should prioritize studying, and making money should only be a side hustle or a hobby.

What businesses can you start as a 19-year-old teenager?

As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of business ideas that even a 19-year-old can start. But, of course, these businesses can be as easy as doing simple tasks or selling simple products or services.

Also, it would be best to start a small-scale business, especially if you’re only 19 years old. While it’s possible to do something large-scale, it takes a lot of time and responsibilities.

Further, a large-scale business isn’t ideal for a 19-year-old since the entire thing can take up lots of time, affecting important stuff like school and study time.

Conclusion

I hope this list of ideas for 19-year-olds has helped you at least a little to get an idea of how you can make money at this age.

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meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.