30 Low Cost Business Ideas For Women In Their 40's (2024)
Are you a woman in your 40's looking to start your own business or side hustle?
You're not alone – a considerable number of female entrepreneurs decide to embark on a new business endeavor or explore a side project during this stage in their lives.
In your 40s, many women experience a sense of empowerment and determination to pursue entrepreneurial goals. This drive may be inspired by a desire for greater autonomy, the pursuit of a passion project, or a shift in career priorities.
Within this article, we've curated a selection of 30 profitable and low cost business ideas for women in their 40s.
1. Start an interior design business
Interior design involves decorating and furnishing interior spaces like homes and offices to make them functional, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing.
To start an interior design business on a budget, begin by offering consultations to advise clients on decorating their spaces, source budget-friendly furniture and materials from discount outlets, start with smaller projects like single rooms to build a portfolio and market your services on social media and by word-of-mouth referrals.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $40,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $8,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)
Explore 3 Interior Design Business Success Stories
2. Start an etsy shop
Etsy has been around for over a decade, and the platform has become more popular for creators, entrepreneurs, and consumers.
The platform started as a place for crafters to sell their supplies and handmade goods. Now it has become a venue for artists and small businesses of all kinds to sell their products.
If you just started your shop or want to sell your products on Etsy, there are many different ways to kill on the platform. With the tips and advice of Etsy sellers who’ve been in your position, you’ll soon be successful!
How much you can make: $100 — $750,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Explore 48 Etsy Shop Success Stories
3. Start a photo booth business
A photo booth business involves providing a portable and automated photography setup that allows individuals to take fun and creative pictures at events or venues.
This business is becoming more popular for various occasions like weddings, parties, and corporate events, providing a unique and entertaining experience for guests.
To start a photo booth business, you need to invest in quality equipment, create a user-friendly website to showcase your services and market your business to event planners and individuals hosting celebrations.
How much you can make: $350,000 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $6,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Explore 3 Photo Booth Business Success Stories
4. Start an online jewelry store
The online jewelry store industry has been growing rapidly. More and more people are buying cheaper jewelry online because it is easier and has a much more extensive selection.
The United States jewelry market was valued at about $76B in 2020, and diamond is considered to be the most valuable and lucrative among all forms of jewelry.
If you’re considering starting an online jewelry store to tap into this market, it’s crucial to choose the right e-commerce platform that can support your business needs and enable seamless transactions with your customers.
A great platform can help you showcase your products, manage your inventory, process payments securely, and provide an enjoyable shopping experience to your customers.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $833,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Explore 22 Online Jewelry Store Success Stories
5. Start a fitness coaching business
Did you know that more and more people are embracing healthier lifestyles these days? That's why there's a high demand for fitness services worldwide.
Starting a fitness coaching business is one of the best ways to follow your passion and make money doing it.
If you love people and have an interest in helping them achieve their health goals, starting a fitness coaching business may be right for you. It can be as simple as providing one-on-one training, or you can offer group sessions.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $39,875,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 210 days (?)
Explore 5 Fitness Coaching Business Success Stories
6. 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 (?)
Explore 4 Social Media Influencer Success Stories
7. Start a cleaning business
Starting a cleaning business is an excellent opportunity to be your boss and make money doing what you love. This business is relatively easy to create and does not require much equipment or funds.
There are many cleaning services, so deciding what services (or combination of services) you will offer and what hours of the day or week those services will be available is essential.
To start cleaning service, you’ll want to consider investing in professional cleaning equipment such as a vacuum cleaner, a quality mop, and a good cleaning bucket. You will also need to buy environment-friendly cleaning products such as detergent, bleach, paper towels, and trash bags.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $708,333/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Explore 14 Cleaning Business Success Stories
8. 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 (?)
9. Start a Coffee Subscription Box
Coffee Subscription Box is a business that delivers high-quality coffee to your door. Coffee subscription boxes are popular with those who like to try new flavors or types of coffee. A subscription box will include a variety of coffees from different places and at different times.
You can also use this subscription box idea to market your business by offering discounts or other incentives to people who sign up for your coffee club.
The Coffee Subscription Box business idea is easy to start and it is very profitable because it is affordable. Consumers spend over $74 billion on coffee and the coffee industry generates over $68 billion in income per year.
How much you can make: $3,000 — $65,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $550 (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 3 hours/week
10. Start a dessert boxes store
Gifting is a culture that cements how we relate to those close to us. Consumer goods stores have innovated various gifting methods and dessert boxes happen to be one of them.
If you love baking and you have a passion for entrepreneurship, starting a dessert boxes store can be a highly rewarding venture.
Here are some ideas for your inspiration.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $150,000/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Explore 4 Dessert Boxes Store Success Stories
11. Start an air freshener business
People use air fresheners widely in workplaces, schools, hospitals, theatres, stores, hotels, fitness clubs, restaurants, bathrooms, and other structures.
The rise in desire for high-end lifestyles and luxury presents an opportunity for the use of air fresheners.
The demand has risen and opened opportunities for traders who want to start a fragrance business. Ideas include opening an air freshener shop, starting an air freshener manufacturing business, or becoming an air freshener distributor.
How much you can make: $2,800 — $4,000/month
12. Start a freelance writing business
Freelance writing can be a good career choice if you are looking for a flexible online job.
Working as a freelancer gives you the flexibility to define your work schedule. You can work from home at any time. Freelance writers work across various niches, writing about various topics assigned by the client,
To earn good money as a freelance writer, you need the following personal qualities:
- Strong writing skills
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Stay on the cutting edge
- Be a self-starter
- Be up-to-date with the current writing tools & writing trends
- Proper communication skills
How much you can make: $700 — $320,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $300 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Explore 14 Freelance Writing Business Success Stories
13. Start a soap business
Soap-making business is a growing industry that can be home-based or a small local business. Soap business is one of the most lucrative home-based businesses that perfect your decision to work in your free time while you earn good cash.
Starting a soap business sounds simple enough. You can buy supplies for probably less than $1,000. Popular skincare products are now being sold online, and this doesn’t seem like a challenging field to break into. Below are some success stories of the soap business that will inspire you.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $600,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 227 days (?)
Explore 10 Soap Business Success Stories
14. Start an ice cream product
If you are looking for a hassle-free ice cream product business idea that anyone can easily start from the comfort of their home, consider the ice cream product business.
To start, create unique and delicious homemade ice cream flavors using simple ingredients.
You can sell your ice cream products online or at local markets, capitalizing on the popularity of artisanal and personalized treats.
With a straightforward production process and the ability to tap into the evergreen demand for sweet indulgences, the ice cream venture offers a simple and tasty way to turn a passion into a profitable business.
How much you can make: $16,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 730 days (?)
15. Start a lifestyle product brand
A lifestyle brand is a company that makes products that are designed to reflect a certain way of life or attitude.
Lifestyle brands sell various products, including clothing, accessories, cosmetics, and home goods.
These companies often focus on their customers' lifestyles, and they don't just sell products—they sell an experience.
Lifestyle brand businesses are a relatively recent trend. They are changing the way that small businesses compete in the marketplace by offering personal and relevant products and services to consumers.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $83,300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Explore 8 Lifestyle Product Brand Success Stories
16. Become a nutritionist
As individuals seek to adopt healthier lifestyles, there is an increasing demand for professional nutritionists who can offer tailored advice.
A nutritionist offers personalized nutrition advice and guidance to individuals or groups, helping them achieve their health and wellness goals through dietary recommendations and education.
This may include creating meal plans, conducting assessments, and providing ongoing support to clients seeking to improve their nutritional habits.
To become a nutritionist, consider obtaining relevant certifications and gaining practical experience through internships or supervised practice.
How much you can make: $600 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $300 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 3 hours/week
Explore 5 Nutritionist Success Stories
17. Become a music tutor
Are you passionate about music or looking for a profitable coaching business? How about becoming a music tutor?
To start a music coaching business, decide your target audience and location and set your rates. For example, you can meet new students through a community event, online, or a music club, or target the local community. Set rates for your music classes and advertise your business to get as many clients as possible.
How much you can make: $30,000 — $70,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,035 (?)
How long does it take to build: 160 days (?)
18. Start a home decor business
Are you a talented interior designer? Do you know you can turn your hobby into a side income opportunity? Home décor as a side hustle is a great opportunity to build a brand as you earn extra income. You first need to work on your portfolio to launch a successful home décor side hustle.
The portfolio communicates to your potential customers your potential when it comes to home décor. You may use your home as an example or request a friend for an opportunity to do their home décor as a sample for your portfolio. Once you have a portfolio, market your business, and remember to include photos from your previous gigs to increase the chances of closing a sale.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $415,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 48 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Explore 7 Home Decor Business Success Stories
19. Start an in-home senior care service
In-home senior care services allow senior clients to live their everyday life in the comfort of their own homes.
Experienced caregivers typically customize their services based on their client’s needs - which is why seniors and families prefer this type of service, even if it costs more than a typical nursing home.
There are several different types of home care you can offer, a few being:
- Personal care services: This type of service helps clients with everyday necessities, such as grooming, bathing, dressing, and overall hygiene
- Nurse-directed care: This type of care refers to caretakers managing medication, wounds, and the overall health and well-being of the client
- Meal & Food Prep: This type of care helps prepare nutritious meals and go grocery shopping
- Transportation: Rides to the library, salon, grocery store, doctor’s office, etc.
The price you can charge depends on where you live and your experience, but this ranges anywhere from $18/hour-$40/hour.
The significant part about starting an in-home senior care business is that you do not need formal education or medical training. You can build a successful home senior care business if you have the necessary skills to do this job.
How much you can make: $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
20. Start a dog treat business
Dog treats are a cornerstone of the dog food market. If you enjoy baking and love dogs, you can combine these passions to create healthy, natural, and tasty treats for your furry friends.
As a dog treat entrepreneur, you have the opportunity to make delicious canine confections that are both good for dogs and enjoyable to eat.
Focus on ensuring your products meet the nutritional requirements and will be safe for their consumption, and consider introducing specialty services like custom birthday cakes and holiday gift boxes to provide an inviting niche.
Leverage online and local markets to transform homemade dog treats into a thriving and rewarding enterprise.
How much you can make: $15,000 — $1,833,333/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Explore 5 Dog Treat Business Success Stories
21. Become a social media consultant
Social media has become popular due to its ability to link businesses to their target customers. Social media consultants are professionals who help their clients improve, optimize and grow their social media presence.
Becoming a social media consultant comes with work flexibility and higher earning potential, but it also takes time and work commitment to grow the business.
To become a social media consultant, you must first become adept at using social media platforms and industry tools. Take online or offline courses like content marketing, public relations, and communication skills. Social media experts can choose a general practice or opt to focus on a niche.
How much you can make: $100 — $990,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Explore 11 Social Media Consultant Success Stories
22. Become a financial advisor
A financial advisor helps people manage their money and reach their financial goals by providing personalized advice on investments and overall financial planning.
To start a business in this field, you should consider a solid financial background, relevant certifications, and good people skills.
Building credibility through education, gaining experience, and networking are key steps to success in the financial advisory business.
How much you can make: $5,600 — $2,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 22 days (?)
Explore 11 Financial Advisor Success Stories
23. Start a seo consultant business
An SEO Consultant provides professional advice to businesses helping them optimize their websites so they rank high in search results. Demand for SEO services and consultants is rising rapidly across industries as companies need search optimization to compete effectively.
If you are an SEO expert, you can start an SEO consulting business and earn decent profits by offering your services.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,800,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Explore 15 Seo Consultant Business Success Stories
24. Become a mobile personal trainer
Do you love helping people through their fitness journey? If you want a great side hustle to earn extra income, consider becoming a personal trainer.
The fitness trainer side hustle can be an adamant industry to earn good money. However, once you develop a reputation as a good trainer, you can get more clients through referrals. You need to register for the certification course to start offering personal trainer services .
To attract your first clients, consider online advertising, and seek referrals from every customer.
How much you can make: $600 — $8,333,333/month
How long does it take to build: 532 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 4 hours/week
Explore 6 Mobile Personal Trainer Success Stories
25. Create an online course
An online course business involves creating and selling digital classes teaching specialized skills or knowledge to subscribed students.
As an entrepreneurial course creator, you identify educational gaps around topics you have expertise in and develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials.
With flexibility around self-paced or cohort-based structures, building a student base provides passive income potential.
For founders who enjoy information-sharing, launching an online course platform presents a lucrative way to monetize your instructional talents with small startup costs by serving eager lifelong learners seeking convenient access to emerging subjects.
How much you can make: $350 — $3,735,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,850 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Explore 55 Online Course Success Stories
26. Start a life coaching business
Life coach helps people in various areas of their lives using a combination of emotional intelligence, professional knowledge, and experience.
Life coaching is a popular industry worth over $2.85 billion, and the number of life coaches has increased by 33% between 2015-2019.
This is a very profitable business and can be started at virtually no cost. You’ll need a computer, a high-speed Internet connection, and a LinkedIn account to start. Then, you can begin coaching part-time in your spare time until you build up your clientele.
How much you can make: $100 — $660,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Explore 22 Life Coaching Business Success Stories
27. Start a crafts business
If you're interested in starting a crafts business begin by gathering the necessary materials, tools, and a dedicated workspace to create your unique products.
In addition to crafting expertise, it’s important to possess basic business skills such as marketing, pricing, and customer service.
To sell your items, you can participate in local craft fairs take advantage of online platforms like Etsy, or create your own website.
It’s crucial to keep track of your expenses and profits to ensure that you’re making a profit. Nevertheless, running a crafts business can be a fulfilling and creative way to channel your passion for making things.
How much you can make: $600/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
28. Start a web design business
Web designing is a lucrative business with many job offerings and attractive pay. However, figuring out how to start a web design business in 2024 should not be overwhelming. To be sure, you need to consider different elements, including:
- How to find and deal with clients
- How to run the backend of your business
- Planning for future and business growth
To start a web design business, decide if you want to leave your day job or work on web design as a side hustle. Then, establish a niche and indicate the target customers on your website portfolio, Reddit, LinkedIn, and across the web.
How much you can make: $3,000 — $200,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,550 (?)
29. Start a healthy meal delivery service
Meal prep delivery services offer healthy and nutritional meals to customers via e-commerce sites.
These services provide either DIY meal kits or Ready-to-eat meals, saving time and eliminating food waste.
They are particularly beneficial for busy people and health-conscious millennials who prefer nutritional food at home.
There are two types of meal services: online meal kits and fast food delivery services.
A meal prep delivery business can be profitable, especially when compared to restaurants, as they save costs on a storefront.
To make a good profit, one should invest less in groceries and ensure they have many customers.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $25,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 7 days (?)
Explore 5 Healthy Meal Delivery Service Success Stories
30. Print on demand business
A print-on-demand business involves selling customized products without upfront inventory costs.
The business model utilizes dropshipping production and fulfillment services to print custom apparel, home goods, phone cases, and other merchandise one order at a time.
By leveraging online marketplace platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy as virtual storefronts, print-on-demand sellers can focus on designing trendy and unique products while reaching global audiences.
With minimal startup costs and the freedom to run operations from home, launching a print-on-demand model empowers aspiring founders to monetize their creativity and build ascalable business at their own pace.
How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Explore 14 Print On Demand Business Success Stories
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
