Top 45 Business Ideas for 20-Year Olds [Updated for 2024]

Updated: February 22nd, 2024

Are you currently in your 20s and feeling motivated to launch your own business?

You are not alone! Many 20-year-olds aspire to be their own boss and start a business.

Coming up with realistic business ideas for a young founder on a budget can be challenging.

Fortunately, we have compiled a list of some of the best business ideas suitable for young adults. Keep reading to find out if any of these ideas interest you!

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 an auto detailing business ($20K/month)

Starting an auto detailing business is a great way to start your own business and get in on the action. Auto detailing is one of the fastest-growing industries in America, and it’s only going to get bigger as people want their cars to look like they just came off the showroom floor. Plus, you’ll be satisfied knowing that you’re helping people take care of their most prized possession: their car!

Auto detailing business is a low barrier to entry entrepreneurship opportunity and can be mobile or operate from a physical location. To start an auto detailing business, find a strategic location and invest in modern equipment and technology.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $20,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 8 hours/week

3. 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 (?)

4. Start a pet store ($927K/month)

Pet stores are retail businesses that sell animals and pet supplies. They are a leading industry category with sales of approximately $4.5B U.S dollars and positive sales growth of 2.7%.

You can set up a pet store in many places, like supermarkets, malls, or pet supply stores.

The first thing to do is to find a location for your store. A good place would be an area with many residential buildings, schools, and colleges as this will give you access to many customers. It would help if you also looked for a location near public transport as it will make it easier for people to come and visit your store.

How much you can make: $20,000 — $1,833,333/month

How long does it take to build: 356 days (?)

5. Start a music school ($2K/month)

If you have a passion for music and love teaching, starting an online music school can be a great way to kickstart your music tutoring business.

This not only helps you connect with local customers but also opens up opportunities to reach a global audience.

Moreover, starting an online music school gives you the freedom to work from anywhere and at your preferred time.

Whether you are brand new to teaching music online or you have been teaching online but are looking for some fresh inspiration, you can incorporate it into your online music school. examples include:

  • Teaching church music online
  • Teaching children’s choir
  • Youth & adults’ choirs
  • Teach live video sessions using online meeting platforms
  • Choir, band & orchestra

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

How much does it cost to start: $4,535 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

6. 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 (?)

7. 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 (?)

8. Start a personalized gift baskets business

A personalized gift baskets business involves creating unique and customized gift packages for special occasions or events.

These baskets can contain a variety of items like snacks, skincare products, or even handmade crafts, tailored to the recipient's preferences.

To start this business on a budget, first, gather supplies like baskets, wrapping materials, and a selection of items to include.

Next, establish an online presence through social media or a simple website to showcase your offerings.

Finally, promote your business locally through word of mouth, social media, and collaborations with local shops or event planners.

How much you can make: $833,000/month

9. Start an online fitness business ($15.8K/month)

Thinking of starting an online fitness business?

Online fitness is growing rapidly in popularity because it’s convenient, affordable, and accessible to everyone. The best part is that you can stay in your home to start.

Starting an online fitness business can be a great way to make money and help people. When you start an online fitness business, you don’t have to worry about overhead costs like rent or maintaining a physical location - all you need is a computer and an internet connection to get started.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $108,333,333/month

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

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

10. 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 (?)

11. Become a stock photographer

A stock photographer creates a wide variety of high-quality photos and licenses them out to individuals, businesses, and organizations through stock photo sites. This allows many different customers to use your photos for web content, brochures, advertisements, presentations, and more in exchange for royalty payments.

As a stock photographer, you retain ownership of your photos while selling licenses for their various commercial uses. With each photo download, you get paid a royalty fee. Top stock photographers make a full-time living through licensing fees across their robust galleries of creative, useful images.

To be successful, focus first on building a diverse, striking collection showcasing your best photography. Study top-selling images on leading stock sites to understand what subject matters, styles, and technical executions garner the most demand.

Target popular neglected niches and leverage platforms like Shutterstock, Stock, and Adobe Stock to upload your growing stock library. With abundant high-quality and keyword-optimized images in your portfolio, your work can start getting discovered and driving passive licensing income over time.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $45,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 3 hours/week

12. 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 (?)

13. Become a videographer

A videographer uses his video camera to record footage for different events.

Examples of events where videographers are common include weddings, documentaries, training videos, commercials, TV shows, infomercials, live events, corporate promotions, etc. Videographers are not only responsible for operating the camera. They must have the skills required for the production of a video, which includes the following:

  • Lighting
  • Sound
  • Maintenance
  • Equipment repair
  • Video editing

To become a videographer, pursue a videography education, and attend internships to gain experience. Build a portfolio, so your target audience finds you online and starts hiring your services.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $250,000/month

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

14. 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

15. 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

16. Become a blogger

Are you looking for a business idea you can start from home? One great option to explore is to start your own blog.

With the flexibility of location independence, you can work on your blog from anywhere in the world!

What’s amazing about blogging is that anyone can start with just a computer and the internet! Besides, you don’t need any special talents or previous experience to start.

It’s an open field that welcomes anyone who has a passion for writing and sharing their thoughts with the world. The best part is that it can be one of the most rewarding passive income business ideas you can start.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $25,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $199 (?)

How long does it take to build: 6 days (?)

17. Become a social media influencer

Social media has become integral to people's lives and daily routines. Given the importance of social media, brands are flocking to different social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok in the hope of connecting with their target audience.

A popular approach taken by these brands is engaging social media influencers. A social media influencer has established credibility in a specific industry and has access to a vast audience they can persuade to act based on recommendations.

Anyone can become a social influencer so long as they have the right strategy. Choose a popular niche based on your interests and start creating relevant content.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $601 (?)

How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)

18. 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 (?)

19. 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 (?)

20. 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 (?)

21. 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.

22. 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 (?)

23. 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

24. Become a tee shirt designer

Have you always had a passion for fashion and creativity? Well, then the field of tee shirt design could be the perfect opportunity for you!

As a tee shirt designer, you would be responsible for fitting model garments, ensuring size uniformity, and using your design and aesthetic skills to create unique and eye-catching tee shirts that will captivate your customers’ attention.

With this exciting career, you’ll have the chance to let your creativity run wild and make a lasting impact on the fashion industry.

How much you can make: $6,600 — $101,000/month

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

25. Become a cake decorator

Becoming a cake decorator can be an enjoyable and uncomplicated venture to embark on, particularly if you have a passion for baking and creativity. It enables you to explore the thriving bakery and wedding industries while showcasing your artistic abilities.

This business involves designing and hand-decorating specialty cakes for various events and occasions, using your artistic abilities to create beautiful, custom-edible works of art.

To start a successful cake decorating company, learn proper cake decorating techniques, purchase quality ingredients and equipment, build a portfolio to showcase your skills, and implement good marketing tactics to attract potential clients like wedding planners, event companies, bakeries, and direct consumers.

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

How much does it cost to start: $300 (?)

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

26. Start a clothing designing business

A clothing design business involves conceptualizing stylish clothing and accessory designs, selecting fabrics and materials, assembling prototypes and finished products, and determining production and distribution plans.

To launch a successful clothing line, you need to understand industry trends, choose a profitable niche like sportswear or business formalwear, use digital design tools for easy iterations and adjustments, implement lean manufacturing to control costs and market aggressively on social media and through influencer partnerships.

With keen business acumen and appealing designs, a clothing design business can stand out in a crowded apparel marketplace. Focus on building a clothing brand that resonates with consumers and enables growth year-over-year.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $9,975,000/month

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

27. Start a seeds business ($400K/month)

Are you passionate about gardening and plants in general? Consider turning your passion into a full-time seeds business. You can sell seeds online or at a brick-and-mortar location.

The seed market is booming, and researchers expect it will reach over $86 billion in the next few years. The rising demand for natural seed oils and health products and a significant shift in farming practices are some factors fueling the market.

To start a seed business, research the industry to determine which seeds are high in demand, and identify the potential market. For instance, hybrid seeds have higher disease resistance, making them highly demanded products.

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

How much does it cost to start: $300 (?)

How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)

28. Start a party entertainer business

Do you want to start a business within the entertainment sector? Becoming a party entertainer can be a great opportunity for you.

Party entertainers thrive mostly at night and on weekends. You can work as an agency and represent entertainers for parties, or if you have the skills, you can become the entertainer.

Party entertainers can work at wedding and bridal parties, birthday parties, children’s parties, corporate parties, or even home-based parties.

How much you can make: $12,000 — $25,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

29. Start an organic food store

Organic food stores stock fresh or processed food produced through organic farming methods. Healthy food restaurants and health-conscious individuals are some target customers regarding healthy organic food.

If you plan to start an organic food store, focus on providing the customers freshest, organically grown produce. Starting an organic food store is a great way to make money while helping the environment. Organic food stores are becoming increasingly popular, especially with people who want to eat healthily but don't have time to cook. If you're looking for a business idea that will allow you to make money and help people simultaneously, starting an organic food store could be the perfect fit for you!

Organic food stores are so popular because they offer fresh produce that has not been treated with chemicals or pesticides, which means they're much safer than the produce found at your local grocery store.

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

30. Start a podcast ($39.5K/month)

The podcast business involves creating and producing audio content that people can listen to online.

It’s a popular form of entertainment and information-sharing.

To start a podcast business on a budget, you'll need a few key steps.

First, choose a niche or topic that you're passionate about and that has an audience.

Next, get basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones.

Then, find a free or affordable hosting platform to publish your episodes.

Finally, promote your podcast through social media, online communities, and word of mouth to build an audience and potentially attract sponsors or advertisers.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

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

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

31. Start a jewelry making business ($363K/month)

The global jewelry market size was valued at $278B in 2018 and is expected to reach $292B by 2025.

The industry comprises manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and jewelry designers. Unlike many other industries that have gone through leaps in technology, the jewelry industry has remained untouched for over 40 years.

If you know how to make jewelry, then this might be a great way to make some extra money.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $2,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

32. Start a makeup subscription box

A makeup subscription box business is a personalized service that curates makeup packages based on the unique preferences and beauty routines of its subscribers. By collecting information about each individual’s skin type, color preferences, and makeup style, the business can offer a tailored experience that delivers products uniquely suited to each customer.

Whether it’s high-end luxury brands or eco-friendly options, a makeup subscription service provides a convenient and exciting way for beauty enthusiasts to discover new products and elevate their beauty routine.

To start a makeup subscription box business, research and select quality makeup products across categories to offer. Then, design creative monthly boxes with different themes, promoting affordable subscriptions for boxes delivered regularly and providing excellent customer service to retain loyal subscribers.

With strategic partnerships, creative packaging and branding, and data-backed improvements, you can grow a sizable base of engaged subscribers raving about their monthly surprise boxes filled with makeup must-haves.

How much you can make: $16,666,667/month

33. Become a voiceover artist

A voiceover artist business involves recording your voice in various media, such as commercials, television shows, and video games. To start this business, you’ll need high-quality recording equipment, a portfolio of previous work, and a platform to showcase your skills. You’ll also need to reach out to clients and negotiate contracts.

To succeed in this business, you’ll need excellent voice-acting skills and the ability to market yourself effectively.

How much you can make: $9,000/month

34. Start a book club ($8.5K/month)

A book club consists of several people who read and talk about the books based on the topic or an agreed reading list.

Setting up your book club can be a great way to enjoy books and meet new people.

More importantly, a book club is a well-paying side hustle idea. Therefore, figure out who you invite to your book club and define the purpose.

Do you want to learn something new, or do you just want to bond with other book lovers? Having a defined purpose helps you reach like-minded people to keep the book club close-knit.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $13,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $75 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

35. Start a food delivery business ($206K/month)

In today’s busy lifestyles and schedules, cooking is no longer a priority to many. People like to order-in food from their nearest restaurants or food joints and enjoy a meal in the comfort of their homes.

The food delivery business is like a courier service through which restaurants deliver food to their customers.

You can offer retail food delivery services to restaurants within your locality if you have a truck. Customers order through a restaurant or grocer’s website, and the owners contact you to deliver.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $83,333,333/month

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

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

36. Start a skateboard company ($1M/month)

Skateboarding has become a global industry, attracting thousands of brands to venture into the competitive industry. According to experts, the skateboarding industry will reach approximately $166 million in the next few years.

Therefore, skateboard companies will have a very bright future ahead.

Starting a skate company is not as simple as it may seem. Just like other businesses, a plan is the cornerstone of your success. Thus, you must ensure proper planning and decision making, register, and apply for a business license to start trading.

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

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

37. Become a social media influencer

Social media has become integral to people's lives and daily routines. Given the importance of social media, brands are flocking to different social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok in the hope of connecting with their target audience.

A popular approach taken by these brands is engaging social media influencers. A social media influencer has established credibility in a specific industry and has access to a vast audience they can persuade to act based on recommendations.

Anyone can become a social influencer so long as they have the right strategy. Choose a popular niche based on your interests and start creating relevant content.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $601 (?)

How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)

38. Start a housekeeping business

Starting a housekeeping business can be a lucrative venture as it allows you to offer a much-needed service to homeowners and businesses that are in need of assistance in maintaining a tidy and clean environment.

As a housekeeper, you will be responsible for performing a variety of tasks, including dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and cleaning bathrooms and kitchens. Your services can be customized to meet the specific needs of your clients, whether they require a regular cleaning schedule or a one-time deep cleaning.

By providing reliable and high-quality housekeeping services, you can help your clients save time and energy while also contributing to the health and well-being of their living or working space.

To start a successful house cleaning company, you need to hire reliable, efficient, and trustworthy staff, implement rigorous training procedures focused on safe and high-quality cleaning methods, use online platforms to simplify booking and payments and retain long-term clients by providing flexible scheduling and customizable services.

How much you can make: $416,666/month

39. Start a travel app business

Traveling has become an essential part of people’s lives. A travel app business can help you tap into the ever-growing travel industry, providing a platform for travelers to explore new destinations and experiences.

By offering a wide range of services such as booking flights, hotels, rental cars, and tour packages, a travel app can become a one-stop-shop for all travel-related needs. Moreover, it can provide users with valuable information about travel destinations, including popular tourist spots, local customs, and safety tips, making their travel experience more enjoyable and stress-free.

With an intuitive, feature-packed app that caters to diverse globetrotter needs and makes travel more epic, connected, and memorable, you can position your platform as a must-have tool for modern adventurers across the world.

How much you can make: $60,000 — $114,200,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $9,999 (?)

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

40. Start a home organizing business

A professional home decluttering service helps homeowners eliminate what they no longer need. Some home decluttering service providers do basic house cleaning and interior design guidance.

A home organizing service is easy to start and involves little running costs compared to other businesses. Register your company and apply for relevant licenses before you begin offering the services.

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

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

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

41. Start a wall art business

A wall art business involves creating various wall art pieces like paintings, prints, murals, mirrors, panels, and more, using diverse materials and mediums for an aesthetic focal point.

To build a successful wall art company, you need to establish an efficient studio setup for scaling production, master your chosen art style and mediums, determine optimal pricing strategies for profitability, and market your pieces across various channels like home décor retailers, design firms, hospitality businesses, and online print-on-demand services.

With an eye for visually compelling designs that enliven blank spaces, efficient scaling through disciplined studio operations, and sales outreach across both trade and consumer channels, you can grow a vibrant wall art brand that turns spaces into distinct places.

How much you can make: $200 — $415,000/month

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

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

42. Become a temporary tattoo artist ($1K/month)

Starting a tattoo business is not as difficult as you might think. If you have the talent, ability, and guts, you already have the essential qualities for starting your own tattoo company. The Tattoo Artists market size in the US in 2022 is $1.4B.

The tattooing business is profitable and famous, and it is one of the most rewarding careers that you can have. However, becoming a tattoo artist requires a lot of commitment and hard work.

Tattoo shops have strict standards for artists who work in shops, so to have an ideal career as an artist, you might have to go the freelance route. It can be a short-term or long-term career, so you must be prepared before taking on such a responsibility. It won’t come with a million-dollar salary at first, but once you’ve developed a good reputation and have completed enough work, the money will start rolling in.

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

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

43. Start a digital marketing business ($179K/month)

Digital marketing businesses serve local and international companies to expand their reach and grow revenue. A top reason digital marketing is so exciting is that the field is constantly evolving and is easy to learn.

If you plan to start a digital marketing business, educate yourself and understand how digital marketing agencies work. Then, focus on building your digital skills and advancing your career through online digital marketing courses.

To stand out, find a digital marketing niche and focus on the audience interested in your services.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $6,660,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,260 (?)

How long does it take to build: 58 days (?)

44. Become a TikToker

To become a successful TikTok creator, one needs to possess a great deal of creativity, maintain consistency in their content, and have a deep understanding of how the platform’s algorithm works in order to effectively engage with their audience and increase their reach.

Start by developing a niche, personality, or style of content that will make you stand out in a sea of creators and film 15-60 second videos showcasing your genuine talents, commentary, or interests.

Use relevant hashtags, viral sounds, and collaborate with other creators through duets or collaborations. This can help you attract more followers and get featured on the "For You" feed.

Interact frequently with supportive comments and responding to fans to foster an engaged, growing audience that will eagerly await more of your entertaining and informative videos.

Stick to a regular posting schedule, find what works for your niche, take risks creatively, and you’ll be on the path toward TikTok fame and possible full-time income.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $300,000/month

How long does it take to build: 183 days (?)

45. Start a cupcakes shop

Opening a cupcake shop allows you to share your baking talents and decorate delectable bite-sized treats that will have customers coming back for more.

To start, source a small retail space with room for baking and decorating cupcakes onsite to entice passersby and develop mouthwatering recipes and frosting flavors that set you apart.

Then, market your shop on social media and offer specials to build local awareness, undercut competitors' prices initially to attract customers, and ensure top-notch customer service and consistency to convert them into regulars.

Consider diversifying into customized cupcakes for birthdays, weddings, and other events to boost revenue, and explore expanding your hours, delivery options, or online ordering to increase accessibility and sales.

If your cupcake shop offers high-quality products, excellent service, and attractive presentation, it can attract a large number of customers who are eager to sample its latest baked goods and consider it to be the best cupcake shop in town.

How much you can make: $3,750 — $4,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $285 (?)

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

Frequently asked questions

Can a 20-year-old have their own business?

Yes, a 20-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 20-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 20-year-old?

Yes, making money as a 20-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 20-year-old can do.

One thing to note is that making money as a 20-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 20-year-old should prioritize studying, and making money should only be a side hustle or a hobby.

What businesses can you start as a 20-year-old teenager?

As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of business ideas that even a 20-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 20 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 20-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 20-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.