10 Easy Business Ideas You Can Start Today [2024]

Updated: July 24th, 2023

Interested in starting a easy business in 2024?

We put together 10 of the best easy businesses you can start in today.

For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples of other easy businesses to help you see what it really takes.

Here's the full list:

1. Start an art business

Starting an art business can be a great idea if you have a passion for art.

You’ll be able to work on your schedule, set your prices, and do something you love—while supporting yourself or even making money!

There are so many different avenues available to you as an artist-entrepreneur right now—from selling your work online (on sites like Etsy), through galleries or museums, or even at craft fairs and flea markets.

How much you can make: $876 — $415,000/month

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

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

How I Turned My Hobby For Painting Into A Successful Art Business

Innerglow Art is a successful custom abstract painting business that incorporates scripture and personable connection with buyers to produce beautiful and unique artwork.

About
Sarah started Innerglow Art over 7 years ago
Revenue
Sarah grew the business to $4.3K/month
Read by 52,191 founders

2. Start an antique business

Owning an antique and vintage business can be fulfilling and profitable for those targeting the elite.

Antique businesses focus on procuring items at a low price and restoring them, then selling them at a profit. The items can include old toys, cars, bikes, household items, crafts, vintage jewelry, etc.

Opening an antique item store may seem somewhat daunting. However, once you have researched the items available and acquired the necessary skills and expertise, you will be ready to kick off.

For some, a storefront with enough storage for antique items might fit the bill. For others, an online store will work pretty well. Regardless of your approach, the secret is applying your entrepreneurship strategies to an overall framework for success.

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

How I Left A 25-Year Career To Start A $15K/Month Antiques Restoration Business

How a former educator built a successful antique restoration business from scratch, growing from a 2-car garage to a 2200 sq. ft. space over seven years, thanks to communication skills, dedication to organization, regular website updates, and utilization of Google My Business and Maps.

About
Tim started Hoosierboy Restorations LLC about 11 years ago
Revenue
Tim grew the business to $15K/month
Read by 9,401 founders

3. Start a sewing and alteration business

Do you have sewing skills and looking for an entrepreneurship opportunity? You can start your sewing and alteration business.

A sewing and alteration business offers customers clothing repair, custom tailoring, button replacement, and other alterations. You can start a sewing and alteration business at home or set up a retail location.

To start a sewing and alteration business, you will need a commercial-grade sewing machine and a marketing strategy, so target customers learn about your business.

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

These Two Founders Started An On-Demand Clothing Alterations Startup

ALTRD is a clothing alteration service launched by two socially oriented entrepreneurs that connects customers with skilled immigrant women tailors in New York who work from home and has already built an impressive team of 25 experts while making an effort to offer convenient and quality tailoring solutions as well as opportunities for women in need of work.

About
Saara started ALTRD almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Saara grew the business to $1K/month
Read by 7,614 founders

4. Become an online dating consultant

An online dating consultant is a person who provides advice to people in the world of Internet dating. An online dating consultant can help you direct your profile, help you write your first message to an online match, and help you make a great impression on your date.

Online dating can potentially be one of the world’s most remarkable customer service industries.

How much you can make: $5,200 — $11,250,000/month

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

How I Built My Own Business Improving Online Dating Profiles

The Match Artist helps singles take amazing photos for their online dating profiles through a 3-hour executive shoot, coaching, and email course, pioneering a new genre of photography, with an average monthly revenue of $5,000-$6,000 and a plan to double down on paid ad campaigns in the future.

About
Shane started The Match Artist over 6 years ago
Revenue
Shane grew the business to $5.2K/month
Read by 11,790 founders

5. Start a woodworking business

While many see woodworking as a hobby to pass the time, it is a profitable blue-collar business with growth potential. If you are skilled, passionate, and looking for a blue-collar side hustle, consider starting a woodworking business.

Starting a woodworking business allows you to work from home. Besides, you can scale the business easily and enjoy unlimited earning potential. Some opportunities you can go for include building custom wood pieces, teaching others about woodworking, starting a woodworking blog, and flip furniture.

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

How long does it take to build: 204 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Took My Woodworking Hobby Full Time To Build A Successful Brand

Sasha Weekes, owner of Timber Grove Studios, turned her fine arts and cabinetmaking education into a successful home-based woodworking business that grew from a side project to netting 20-50% profits month-to-month and up to $10,000 in sales during peak periods through Etsy, with her company's growth continuing to increase through other social media outlets.

About
Sasha started Timber Grove Studios almost 7 years ago
Revenue
Sasha grew the business to $6.5K/month
Read by 58,453 founders

6. Start a handyman business

A handyman business covers a wide range of home repair and maintenance services, making it an easy entry into the industry.

You can start with minimal resources, and by providing valuable assistance to customers, you'll quickly establish yourself as a trusted professional in the field.

To start a handyman business on a budget, identify your skills and the services you can offer confidently.

Then, create a basic business plan outlining your services, target market, and pricing.

Next, obtain any necessary licenses or permits, and invest in basic tools and equipment.

Finally, promote your services through word of mouth, local advertising, and online platforms to attract customers and gradually grow your handyman business.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $1,600,000/month

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 8 hours/week

How I Started A $8K/Month Pool Service And Installation Business

Learn how a third generation business owner started a profitable pool service and installation business in Southern Ontario, earning an average of $8000/month net revenue during peak season and growing from servicing 0 to 350+ pools since May 2016 by doing things that don't scale, such as manually talking to customers and focusing on the ideal customer.

About
Dan started Dundas Valley Pools almost 8 years ago
Revenue
Dan grew the business to $8K/month
Read by 15,193 founders

7. Become a garden designer

A garden designer business involves creating and planning outdoor spaces for residential or commercial clients.

The business can include services like selecting plants, arranging pathways, and designing features like patios or water elements.

To start this business on a budget, begin by gaining basic knowledge of plants and garden design through online resources, books, or local classes.

Next, offer your services to friends and family to build a portfolio.

Keep startup costs low by purchasing plants and materials as needed and gradually expanding your inventory as your business grows.

Finally, market your services through social media, local advertising, and networking to attract potential clients.

How much you can make: $700/month

How much does it cost to start: $4,100 (?)

How long does it take to build: 37 days (?)

I Turned My Love For Urban Gardens Into A Profitable Blog

Ann Remo turned her love for urban gardening into a profitable blog, Blooming Anomaly, which earns her around $700 a month through Mediavine ads, Amazon affiliates, and other affiliate programs. She recommends focusing on writing great posts with keywords, and investing in SEO and social media through courses.

About
Ann started Blooming Anomaly about 7 years ago
Revenue
Ann grew the business to $700/month
Costs
It cost Ann $200 to start the business
Read by 3,891 founders

8. Start a car-detailing specialist

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

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

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

How We Started Our $96K/Year Mobile Auto Detailing Business

Belk Mobile Detailing, a mobile automotive detailing business, generated an average of $8,000 over the past 12 months, detailing 60-80 vehicles per month and is set to break a record for their highest sales month yet, having done over $15k in sales for April, 2022.

About
Josh started Belk Mobile Detailing over 4 years ago
Revenue
Josh grew the business to $20K/month
Costs
It cost Josh $500 to start the business
Read by 3,055 founders

9. Become a personal chef

If you’re looking for a career that allows you to work within your own schedule, look no further. Becoming a personal chef means setting your own hours, planning your own schedule, and taking on as much or as little work as you want.

Not everyone has the time to prepare meals for themselves. If you love cooking, you can start a personal chef business in your area and earn a good income from the side gig. The side hustle can fit into your schedule easily, and you can offer delivery and pick-up or curbside options to ensure more people are buying your services.

Personal chefs can work at various locations, including their client’s homes or restaurant kitchens. They may have regular clients who call on them to prepare meals for them weekly, or they may get called in to prepare meals for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.

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

How much does it cost to start: $50 (?)

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 15 hours/week

I Built A Resource Site For Chefs Like Me That Generates $60K Of Extra Income

Chef David Buchanan generates over $6,000 per month through his website Chefs-Resources.com, which provides professional chefs with free and paid access to detailed culinary information and kitchen management resources such as Excel sheets, resulting in gross revenue of $46,000 to date and a subscriber growth rate of over 1300% from 2015 to September 2021.

About
David started Chefs Resources over 13 years ago
Revenue
David grew the business to $5K/month
Costs
It cost David $50 to start the business
Read by 4,374 founders

10. Become a property manager

A property manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a property. This can include tasks such as marketing and leasing units, collecting rent, and maintaining the property.

To succeed in this business, you’ll need to have strong people skills and be comfortable working with various clients. You’ll also need to be organized and detail-oriented. If you have these skills, starting your own property management business can be a great way to make money in the real estate industry.

The average property manager's salary in the United States is $54,183/year. The low-end range falls between 36k at 12% below to 79K+, which represents 24%.

With the recent craze of people wanting to invest in real estate, property management has never been more popular than now. Property managers often have the opportunity to work from home, making it an excellent option for those who want the flexibility of being their own boss.

The property management business is a great way to make money if you’re familiar with the real estate market and have strong people skills. You can make a lot of money by managing properties for investors.

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

How long does it take to build: 362 days (?)

We Started A $2.4M/Year Coliving Business In Singapore

Casa Mia Coliving, a sustainable and modern co-living and property management company in Singapore offering affordable accommodation, has an annualized revenue of $2.5M with 150 bedrooms across popular neighborhoods, attracting young professionals and boasting a 10x LTV/CAC ratio, all while focusing on unit economics and profitable growth.

About
Eugenio started Casa Mia Coliving over 4 years ago
Revenue
Eugenio grew the business to $200K/month
Read by 3,592 founders

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.