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 138 Small Business Ideas You Can Start in 2025 (& Make Money on the Side) for New Entrepreneurs

In this guide, we’re breaking down 138+ of the best small business ideas for new entrepreneurs to start today. Choosing the path of entrepreneurship is no small move—and you need to pursue the right business idea if you hope to make your endeavor a success. Once you’re reaping the lifestyle benefits of being your own

In this guide, we’re breaking down 138+ of the best small business ideas for new entrepreneurs to start today. Choosing the path of entrepreneurship is no small move—and you need to pursue the right business idea if you hope to make your endeavor a success.

Once you’re reaping the lifestyle benefits of being your own boss it’ll be difficult to ever go back to working a full-time job again. And one of the best ways to build momentum with your new business, is to start it on the side of your day job that’s keeping the bills paid. So, let’s dive into the most relevant small business ideas for entrepreneurs in 2025.

And by now you probably already know… with some of the lowest startup costs, one of the most proven successful small business ideas you can start working on right now is launching a blog of your own. For that reason, I’ve perfected my free guide that breaks down how to start a blog (and make money)—where I share the exact strategies I’ve used to turn my blog into a more than $50,000/mo business

RyRob.com: A Blog by Ryan Robinson | Learn How to Blog and Make Money on the InternetMENU

137+ Best Small Business Ideas You Can Start in 2025

Proven Side Business Ideas (for New Entrepreneurs) to Make Money Outside a Full-Time Job

Let’s talk small business ideas. No matter how rewarding your full-time job may be, finding the best side business ideas and eventually becoming self-employed is even more meaningful than great pay and solid benefits.

UPDATED ON AUGUST 5, 2025 BY RYAN ROBINSON 1,991 COMMENTS

In this guide, we’re breaking down 138+ of the best small business ideas for new entrepreneurs to start today. Choosing the path of entrepreneurship is no small move—and you need to pursue the right business idea if you hope to make your endeavor a success.

Once you’re reaping the lifestyle benefits of being your own boss it’ll be difficult to ever go back to working a full-time job again. And one of the best ways to build momentum with your new business, is to start it on the side of your day job that’s keeping the bills paid. So, let’s dive into the most relevant small business ideas for entrepreneurs in 2025.

And by now you probably already know… with some of the lowest startup costs, one of the most proven successful small business ideas you can start working on right now is launching a blog of your own. For that reason, I’ve perfected my free guide that breaks down how to start a blog (and make money)—where I share the exact strategies I’ve used to turn my blog into a more than $50,000/mo business.

Try My Free AI-Powered Business Idea Generator

Business Idea Generator (Free AI Tool) by Ryan Robinson ryrob

Discovering the right business idea for you used to be a game of trial and error. I didn’t love that. That’s why I built this forever free business idea generator, powered by AI. In seconds, you can generate endless ideas for your next project.

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Disclosure: Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission. Know that I only recommend tools and learning resources I’ve personally used and believe are genuinely helpful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to purchase them. Most of all, I would never advocate for buying something that you can’t afford or that you’re not yet ready to implement

The question I’m asked most (by far) when I speak with fellow entrepreneurs is, “How do I know which business ideas are best for me?” This is always quickly followed by, “How do I start on this small business idea while I’m still working my full-time job?”

Check out these 138+ best small business ideas you can start while keeping a full-time job.

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This makes perfect sense. With how many business ideas already exist out in the world, it can be difficult to come up with the right side business idea you should be spending your time on.

With that in mind, I put together this comprehensive list of the 138+ Best Small Business Ideas You Can Start While Working a Full-Time Job, to help give you inspiration with proven ideas that can be executed on while you still keep your primary source of income and healthcare coverage.

If I missed any good ones, please share your picks for the best side business ideas in the comments below! And be sure to use this clickable table of contents list to jump straight down to the business idea that excites you most.

138 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025 (& Make Money) for New Entrepreneurs

Start a Blog

Graphic Design

Web Development

Web Design

Teaching Online Courses

Writing eBooks

Instagram Marketing

Online Coaching Business

Podcasting

Dropshipping & Amazon Reselling

Local Business Consulting

Phone Case Business

Commission-Only Sales Business

Affiliate Sales and Marketing

Virtual Assistant

Tax Preparation

Remote English Teacher/Tutor

SAT Test Tutor

Social Media Manager

Google Paid Ad Consultant

Presentation Design Consultant

Travel Consultant

Landing Page Specialist

Interior Design Consultant

Housesitter

Babysitter

Property Manager

Sell Handmade Products on Etsy

eBay Sales Business

Fiverr Gigs

College Admissions Essay Tutor and Editor

Portrait Photographer

Wedding Photographer

Online Dating Consultant

Writing Erotic Fiction

Writing Greeting Cards

WordPress Website Consultant

Drive for Uber or Lyft

Rent Your Car on Turo

Art Collector

Catering Business

App Development

Online News Correspondent

Patent Something Useful

Buy and Sell Domain Names

Start a Popup Shop

Brew Your Own Beer

Freelance Proofreading and Editing

Buy Used Electronics and Refurbish Them

Data Analysis Consulting Business

Acquire and Resell Parts from Electronic Stores

Freelance Writing & Copywriting

Licensed Product Distributor

Fill Out Online Surveys

Airbnb Host

Personal Fitness Trainer

Yoga or Meditation Instructor

Start a YouTube Channel

Online Translator

Local Tour Guide

Music Instructor

Stock Photographer

Ghostwriter

Online Subcontracting

DJ-ing

Clothing Alterations and Tailoring

Teach DIY Projects

Baking

Being a Task Rabbit Handyman

Freelance Content Marketing

Freelance eBook Writing Business

Investing Your Money

Investing Others’ Money

Accounting and Bookkeeping

Building a Niche Website

Car Washing and Detailing

Caregiving Business

Carpet Cleaning

House Cleaning

Child Care

Computer Repair Business

Modeling

Computer Training and Lessons

Contract Customer Service

Dog Walking Business

Real Estate Sales Consultant

Making Custom Furniture

Making Handmade Jewelry

Being a Gigwalker

Home Appraisal Business

Human Billboard

Purchasing an Existing Website

Mobile Laundry Service

Junk Removal Service

Becoming a Notary Public

Wedding Planning Business

Event and Party Planning

Becoming a Personal Chef

Pet Sitting

Pet Grooming Business

Pool Cleaning

30+ More Profitable Small Business Ideas