60 Rural America Business Ideas You Can Start Today [2024]

Interested in starting a rural america business in 2024?

We put together 59 of the best rural america businesses you can start in today.

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

Here's the full list:

1. Start a brewery

If well-planned, a brewery can be a profitable business. However, starting a brewery is not a walk in the park.

Opening a brewery requires a lot of planning, involves many decisions, and is capital intensive.

If you have decided to start a brewery, you must comply with the legal requirements. Then, understand the startup costs involved in starting a brewery.

Your brewery business plan must indicate the brewery concept and outline the brewery funding plans.

2. Build a home security system

Home security systems are an effective way to deter criminal activities and safeguard valuable possessions.

Homeowners opt for high-quality security systems to monitor their homes remotely, while also enjoying the added benefit of lower insurance premiums, up to 20%.

Starting a home security systems business can be a profitable venture, especially as more homeowners prioritize safeguarding their investments.

To start, you can partner with a home security systems manufacturer as a distributor or technical expert. Alternatively, you can create your own line of security systems from scratch.

To become a successful business owner in the home security industry, it’s important to have a basic understanding of technology and electrical systems.

This knowledge will enable you to install the systems correctly and earn recommendations from satisfied customers.

3. Start a catering business

A catering business is responsible for providing food & beverage-related services for vast types of events.

Catering businesses are known to be more flexible than other businesses because they don’t have to worry about location or pricing and can even work 24/7. They can cater anywhere and offer any price point that they want.

However, starting a catering business requires a lot of planning.

To start a successful catering business , you'll need to plan and prepare menus, manage budgets, handle clients, and more.

In addition, catering allows you to meet more people and show off your cooking skills.

4. Become an author

Becoming an author is an exciting journey that involves creating and publishing written works, such as books, novels, or articles that reflect one’s ideas, stories, or expertise.

You can establish yourself through traditional publishing routes or self-publishing, utilizing your literary skills to connect with readers and potentially earn revenue from book sales.

Traditional publishing involves submitting a manuscript to a publishing house or literary agent who will review and decide if it is suitable for publication.

On the other hand, self-publishing gives authors complete control over the publishing process, allowing them to publish their work independently and market it on their own.

You can generate income through book sales, royalties, and opportunities such as speaking engagements or workshops.

5. Start a cleaning service

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.

6. Start a youtube channel

For anyone looking to start a successful YouTube channel, there are plenty of YouTube channel success stories that can be used as inspiration and encouragement. In addition, YouTube has an established monetization system and boasts incredible popularity, making it a potential platform for revenue generation.

In this article, we'll look at different approaches you can use to help promote your channel and grow your viewers. While there's no quick and easy way to success, you can take these tips to build your own YouTube Channel Success story. If you love content creation, you can capitalize on YouTube's popularity to earn extra income.

If you want to join the Youtube partner program to monetize your channel, you will need to reach a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Start a hair product line

Starting a hair product line can be a fun and profitable way to build a new income stream. It's also fairly easy, as long as you plan it out (and maybe do a little bit of market research before creating your sales funnel). There's a reason we often talk about trends in hip-hop and pop culture when we talk about hairstyles — they often have a lot to do with advancements in the hair product industry. The industry is expected to grow to 102 billion dollars by 2024.

12. Start a mobile photography business

Want to start your own photography business? You're not alone. With the rise of social media and photo-sharing, blogging, and online retailing, it's never been easier to start making money behind your camera.

There are photographers shooting weddings, creating images for ad campaigns, freelancing for magazines, touring the world, taking photographs of destinations — the list is endless!

To start mobile photography , research the target audience and determine which specialization area is more lucrative. Invest in high-quality, professional cameras, lenses, and a computer with professional software photo-editing software.

13. Start a solar energy business

Switching to solar energy has become the best way to save money by reducing utility bills. Are you interested in starting a business that focuses on renewable energy solutions?

A solar company can be a great business idea. You can set up a solar energy plant and sell the power to households and businesses without requiring them to purchase the entire solar energy system.

14. Sell firewood

Starting a firewood business can be a great opportunity for those looking to enter the wood industry or simply wanting to supplement their income. This business involves sourcing, cutting, and selling firewood to customers for use in wood-burning stoves, outdoor fire pits, and other heating purposes.

To get started, you will need a reliable wood source, such as a woodlot or access to a sawmill. You will also need proper equipment, including a chainsaw, splitting maul, and possibly a wood splitter if you plan to sell pre-cut and split firewood. In addition, you will need a way to transport and store the firewood, such as a pickup truck or trailer.

Marketing your firewood business will be key to success. You can start by reaching out to local customers through word-of-mouth and advertising in your community, such as through flyers and online classifieds. You may also consider setting up a website and social media presence to showcase your products and services.

Running a firewood business can be physically demanding, as you will be handling and cutting large amounts of wood. However, with the right knowledge, equipment, and marketing strategies, you can turn your love of woodworking into a profitable enterprise.

15. Start a home restoration business

Residential and commercial properties are prone to water damage, fire damage, roof damage, mold, and asbestos damage.

Home renovation companies will help with the home restoration process. home restoration businesses work with insurance companies or directly with homeowners to restore the property to normal after a devastating loss.

If you are passionate about home improvement, you may consider starting your own home restoration business. To start, you may hire certified home repair professionals to be in charge of home renovation projects as you market the business.

16. Start a private tutor business

17. Start a Dairy Farming Business

Dairy farming is a business that involves the raising of dairy cattle to produce dairy products. The products made from dairy farming include milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and other dairy products.

Dairy farming is one of the most profitable businesses in the world. It is one of the few industries where a small farmer can earn more than an industrialist.

The average salary for a dairy farmer in the United States is $48,733 as of October 27, 2022. However, the salary range typically falls between $45,405 and $54,912.

This business can be started on any scale, depending on your financial position, availability of land, and capital required for starting this business. You will need proper land for your cows and other animals that will be used in the process of producing dairy products.

18. Start a community museum business

A community museum is an exhibition and gathering space for specific identity groups or geographic areas. Museums not only provide a sense and place for celebrating collective heritage, they are also a profitable economic activity.

If you know about a particular community and its economic activities, you can start a museum.

19. Start a transportation service

Transportation businesses offer ridesharing services, haul consumer goods, or ship supplies and products from one location to another. They target individual passengers, other companies, or global business partners.

If you are starting a transportation service, decide who and what you will serve, set up the business structure, register the business, and apply for the required business licenses or permits. To ensure a profitable business, incorporate proper hiring procedures and keep up with maintenance and recertifications.

20. Start a wreath making business

21. Start a grocery delivery service

Grocery delivery is an on-demand service where clients shop for groceries, and you deliver to their commercial or residential premises.

As a carrier in grocery delivery, you have an opportunity to maximize your output, as you can serve multiple customers in one trip. Besides, you get to choose your preferred working time and location.

22. Start a consignment clothing store business

23. Start a tech refurbishing business

24. Start a rural resort business

25. Start a barn rental business

26. Start a rural WiFi cafe business

27. Start an in-home senior care business

With the busy lifestyle, family members are often absent and employ in-home caregivers to look after the elderly parents.

Caregivers assist the elderly with personal care routines, including bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and exercising. Caregivers also oversee medication & prescription usage and administer medicine.

Researchers anticipate a shortage of more than 100,000 caregivers for the elderly in the next decade. Therefore, starting an in-home senior care business is a great opportunity if you enjoy caring for the elderly and spending time with them. You can choose to work as an overnight caregiver or whichever work schedule suits you.

28. Start a mobile phone repair kiosk

A cellphone repair kiosk is a low-startup cost business; hence easy to start. However, the profit margins may be low as you start the business, but they increase over time as you become well-known and successful.

To start a mobile phone repair kiosk, find streets with high foot traffic, and open a store. Advertise your business widely to get more foot traffic to your shop.

29. Start a daycare

Daycares provide educational, medical, and social services for the children of working parents either during school hours or when the parents are out of the home for an extended period of time. This can be a lucrative enterprise if you start a daycare in an area where it is needed.

As the growth of families has become dependent on two incomes, the need for quality daycare has skyrocketed. Starting a daycare business is challenging but rewarding. You will face many challenges but can overcome them as long as you are ready to make the sacrifices required.

30. Start a grocery store

A grocery store sells a wide variety of food products, fresh or packaged, and other household & personal care items. The grocery store industry is the largest retail channel that makes $682 billion in the United States.

To start a basic grocery store, you can expect to spend a minimum of $50,000. Ideally, the bigger expense would be the rent, equipment, labor cost, cash registers/POS systems, and software. Some of these are recurring monthly fees. However, the location, size of the store, competitors, and local customers will significantly impact the business. A new grocer should sell more items for a lower price to make a more significant profit.

A new grocer can also save costs by buying the items from local distributors. The distributor is the middleman between the manufacturer and the grocery store selling it. Once the store cost and location are decided, the next step is to obtain a seller license. In most states, a grocer's license is required to run a grocery store.

Thus an average grocery store has a profit margin of 3% to 5%. The profit rates depend on the store's location, size, and popularity. On average, a small to medium grocery store can make a profit of up to $300,000 annually if all the profit factors are considered.

Another way to make your business more profitable is to diversify your store and add amenities like a coffee shop or stocking up the front of the store with magazines, batteries, etc., as these items can cross a margin of up to 70%. As a rule of thumb, offering lower prices on higher purchases will ultimately win more customers and increase profitability.

31. Start a tour guide business

Can you offer a native perspective of a town you know well? If yes, starting a tour guide business can be a significant business venture. Tour guides charge tourists per tour and provide visitors with an area with local tour narration and navigation.

To start a tour guide business, choose an area you know, and study its history. Visitors will often ask questions and expect you to answer them. Therefore, you have to be well-versed in the areas you will cover.

You can partner with a tour & travel company or a game park near you and offer the visitor's tour guide services.

32. Start a guest house business

33. Start a pet boarder business

A pet boarding facility provides a safe and nurturing environment for pets while their owners are away. As a pet boarder, your responsibilities include providing food, exercise, and companionship to pets.

This business has become increasingly popular due to the rising demand from pet owners who require a dependable and trustworthy place to leave their pets when they are unable to care for them at home.

By offering this service, pet boarding businesses can provide busy pet parents with the peace of mind and convenience they need.

34. Start a camping park business

Do you love outdoor experiences? If yes, you could consider setting up a camping ground. You can purchase or rent land where you can start a good campsite. Your target market could be millennials and travelers who love outdoor experiences. You may partner with tours and travel businesses or hoteliers near you to market your business.

35. Start a gym

Over the last decade, more people across the globe have become self-aware of the importance associated with living a healthy lifestyle.

As a result, the gym has become a trend for millions of people, leading to a rapid increase in the size and popularity of the global fitness industry. According to statistics, the global fitness club industry is worth over $96 billion.

Therefore, starting a gym could be a great business opportunity.

36. Start a RV park business

Do you love outdoor ventures? Starting an RV Park can be a high-yielding investment with high returns on your money.

If you have idle land, you can build an RV park and tailor your park to your customer’s needs. An RV Park must-have features and amenities that make camping sites stress-free and as fun as possible.

37. Start a junkyard business

A junkyard is a place where scrap is collected before recycling or discarded. The junkyard operators purchase scrap metal at their weighted price and sell it to recyclers for a profit.

With the demand for scrap metal and recyclable items expected to touch $60 Billion in the next few years, starting a junkyard can be a profitable venture. To start, you need to meet the legal paperwork, so authorities allow you to purchase scrap metal.

38. Start a landscape designing business

Landscape design, also known as landscape architecture, involves arranging and modifying features in a landscape, urban area, or garden. The scope of work requires planning, designing, and managing open spaces to create an appealing environment.

The demand for landscape design is high among homeowners and commercial space owners. According to statistics, the employment of landscape architects will grow by 6% in the next few years. The need for planning and developing new and existing landscapes for commercial, industrial, and residential construction will drive the growth.

Starting a landscape design business can be profitable if you are an experienced designer with excellent artistic skills. To start a landscape design business, do market research and write a business plan. Invest in quality landscape design tools and equipment and register your business.

39. Start a winery business

40. Start an animal training business

41. Start a stock video business

Stock video is pre-filmed footage that can be purchased and used in various projects and films. Like stock photos, copyrighted stock videos cannot be used without permission and licensing from the rightful owner.

Businesses and filmmakers use licensed stock footage as they save money and hours, they would need to create original footage. Starting a stock video suitable for use in commercials and entertainment can be a great venture.

42. Start a real estate appraisal service

Starting a real estate appraisal service is a great way to get involved in the industry without having to buy or sell property. As a real estate appraiser, you'll be responsible for estimating the value of properties. This can involve anything from single-family homes to commercial buildings.

To be successful, you'll need to have a strong understanding of the real estate market and the factors that affect property values. You'll also need to be licensed in your state. But, if you're up for the challenge, starting a real estate appraisal business can be a great way to make money in the industry.

Licensed appraisers can make between $40,000 and 100K. They can work for an appraisal management company (AMC), lending institution or government agency. Salary starts at about 40k with top end reaching up to 120 K depending on experience.

Starting a real estate appraisal business offers a niche opportunity that can be very profitable. Appraisers can often work from home, making it a great option for those who want the flexibility of being their own boss.

With the increase in transactions, there is a need for appraisers to accurately value properties. If you have the skills and experience, starting your own appraisal business can be a great way to make money in the real estate industry.

It 's important to note that, while there is a demand for appraisers, the industry is highly regulated. You'll need to be licensed and have the proper credentials to operate your business.

43. Start a drone instruction business

44. Start a youtube channel

For anyone looking to start a successful YouTube channel, there are plenty of YouTube channel success stories that can be used as inspiration and encouragement. In addition, YouTube has an established monetization system and boasts incredible popularity, making it a potential platform for revenue generation.

In this article, we'll look at different approaches you can use to help promote your channel and grow your viewers. While there's no quick and easy way to success, you can take these tips to build your own YouTube Channel Success story. If you love content creation, you can capitalize on YouTube's popularity to earn extra income.

If you want to join the Youtube partner program to monetize your channel, you will need to reach a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months.

45. Start a drone photography business

Drone video, a.k.a, aerial cinematography, is the best way to achieve affordable bird's view footage of an event or commercial.

Until recently, when organizations wanted an aerial video of their business, they had to hire a helicopter, or a photographer had to climb the highest roof to cover the business. Nowadays, drones are the best approach when it comes to aerial photography.

The technological evolution has created an opportunity for aerial cinematography. To start a drone photography business, get your drone flying license, buy a basic drone and camera, and create your aerial cinematography profile.

46. Start a Poultry Farming Business

Poultry farming is a business that involves raising chickens and other birds to sell eggs. It is a very simple and easy business to start. You can even do it in your backyard.

Poultry farming is one of the world’s most lucrative businesses, especially selling eggs and meat. Anyone can start this business. You only need to invest in a place to keep the poultry, which you can rent or buy.

A farmer who raises poultry will have a steady income from his business. About 60% of chicken farmers earned household incomes that exceeded the U.S.-wide median, with the top 20% making an average of $142,000 per year.

47. Start a seeds distribution business

The seed distribution business involves delivering seeds, seedlings, growing supplies, and farmer's starter kits to farmers across the nation or within a preferred geographical location.

To start, partner with a seeds company or a seedlings distribution business near you, and request to offer logistics solutions to them or their customers. As your business grows, you can start your online seeds and seedlings business.

48. 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.

49. Start an Agriculture Farming Business

Agricultural farms are the backbone of our economy. The agricultural farm business is also known as agribusiness. Agribusiness involves the entire process of sending an agricultural good to market, from production to distribution.

To start an agricultural farm, you need to decide what kind of crops you want to grow. Choose from different crops like vegetables, fruits, nuts, or flowers. Once you have decided on your crops, then all that's left is raising them and selling them at farmers' markets or online stores.

Agriculture farming can be profitable in many ways. One of the most important ways to make money with agriculture is through selling your crops at the market and by renting out your land for other uses, such as growing crops or raising animals.

The profit from an agricultural farm can be very high, especially if you have a lot of land and a lot of cattle. The Average net cash farm income (NCFI) for farm businesses is forecast at $98,200 in 2022.

50. Start a photo products seller business

51. Start a wind energy business

52. Start a gift shop kiosk

The gifting culture is a trend that will not end anytime soon. People will look for customized or surprise gifts for their friends, parents, relatives, and colleagues.

Do you love the gifting tradition and looking for a chance to help others improve their gifting experiences? Maybe you can start a gift kiosk in your neighborhood.

A Gift kiosk sells greeting cards, books, candy, jewelry, fragrance, inspirational gifts, and baby and fashion items. To start, identify the niche, and set up the shop at a strategic location. It would be best to have high-quality suppliers so your business stands out and attracts return customers.

53. Start a roadside farm stand business

54. Start a farm equipment maintenance business

55. Start a garage business

56. Start an antique mall owning business

57. Start a plant nursery shop

Starting a plant nursery shop can be a rewarding and lucrative business opportunity for anyone passionate about plants and gardening. A plant nursery shop is a retail store that sells various plants, including annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, and herbs.

To start a plant nursery shop, you’ll need a physical location to sell your plants. This can be a standalone store or a small corner of a larger retail space. You’ll also need to understand the different types of plants and how to care for them. This includes knowing which plants best suit various climates and how to properly water and fertilize them.

One of the key elements of running a successful plant nursery shop is having a diverse selection of plants that appeal to a wide range of customers. This might include popular annuals like petunias and marigolds and more unusual specimens like orchids and bromeliads. You should also have a good selection of pots and other gardening supplies to help customers take care of their plants once they get them home.

To start a plant nursery shop, you’ll need to invest in essential equipment, such as pots, trays, and other supplies. You may also need to hire a small staff to help you manage the business’s day-to-day operations. This can include sales associates, gardeners, and other experts who can help customers find the right plants for their needs.

Running a plant nursery shop can be a rewarding and fulfilling business opportunity for anyone with a love of plants and gardening. With the right location, selection, and staff, you can create a thriving business that brings joy to your customers and profits to your bottom line.

58. Start a furniture upcycling business

Furniture upscaling is when old or discarded furniture is converted into something usable. Repurposing old furniture is not only a fantastic approach to handling unused items, but it can also be a profitable business venture.

To start a furniture upscaling business, find a great location and advertise your business. Clients will bring their unloved furniture to your store, where you will add style to make it look new and a great addition to their homes.

59. Start a laundry business

Starting a laundry business can be a fulfilling and lucrative venture for entrepreneurs looking to make a difference in their communities. With the right equipment and a commitment to providing excellent customer service, this business idea has the potential to thrive in a variety of locations.

One unique aspect of starting a laundry business is the opportunity to offer specialized services, such as eco-friendly detergent options or same-day turnaround for busy professionals. Additionally, partnering with local dry cleaners or offering pickup and delivery services can set your business apart from competitors and attract a loyal customer base.

In terms of upfront costs, starting a laundry business will require a significant investment in commercial-grade washing machines and dryers, as well as a convenient and well-located storefront. However, with the right marketing strategies and a focus on providing top-notch service, this investment can quickly pay off and result in a thriving business.

Overall, starting a laundry business is a rewarding and potentially profitable venture for entrepreneurs who are passionate about making a positive impact in their communities. With the right approach and a commitment to excellence, this business idea has the potential to succeed in a variety of settings.

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