There are plenty of small business ideas for women out there. Whether you're looking to start a business from scratch or grow an existing one, there are plenty of opportunities available.
20 Small Business Ideas for Women Entrepreneurs
Ladies, ready to hear some great business ideas?
“There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: those who are afraid to try and those who are afraid you will succeed.“
Ray Goforth
You might ask yourself, “Am I prepared to play the role of an entrepreneur and start a business on my own?”
It sounds intimidating and scary, isn’t it? But trust me, planning out your business will make you more confident in your decision. Once you decide the type of business you want to initiate and take your first steps to officially launch your business, you’ll feel more confident. The initial step to start your business is to identify the best business idea for you. You need to select an idea that you’re passionate about, and have related skills and resources in your hand.
There are several small business ideas for women for you to consider:
1. Start an Online Store
One of the best ways to start a small business is by opening an online store. You can sell products that you make yourself, or resell products that you buy from wholesalers. There are so many products for you to choose from, and with a little bit of creativity, you can find a niche that not many other businesses are in.
For example, if you were to create an Etsy shop to sell candles, you could specialize in selling scented candles that are made with natural ingredients. This would set you apart from other candle retailers who may use synthetic fragrances.
If you wanted to start your own clothing brand, you could focus on selling sustainable and ethically-made clothing and open a Shopify store. This would again set you apart from fast fashion brands that are often criticized for their negative impact on the environment and exploitation of workers.
Bring your idea to life with the tools you need to start selling. Create your online store today with Shopify with a 3-day free trial. No credit card required.
2. Pet Sitting
Another great small business idea for women is starting a pet sitting business. This is a great option if you love animals and are looking for a flexible job that you can do from home.
To get started, you can easily create an account on Rover.com, which is a platform that connects pet owners with pet sitters. Once you create a profile, you can start accepting bookings from pet owners in your area.
If you live in a big city, there is a good chance that you will be able to find plenty of clients who are looking for someone to watch their pets while they are out of town or at work. You can also offer additional services such as dog walking, feeding/watering, and providing transportation to vet appointments or the groomer.
What can be more fun than walking dogs around your neighborhood and get paid? You can do it on your time and get paid today with Rover! According to Rover, dog walkers and sitters can earn up to $1,000 per month.
3. Fitness Trainer
If you've got a love for fitness then starting your own fitness training business could be the perfect small business idea for you. You can offer personal training sessions, group classes, or even create your own workout programs to sell online.
There are a few things you need to get started as a fitness trainer. Firstly, you will need to be certified in CPR and have liability insurance. You will also need to have access to a gym or studio space where you can hold your classes or meet with clients.
If you want to train people in their homes, you will need to invest in some quality equipment such as dumbbells, a yoga mat, and resistance bands.
4. Web Design
With more and more businesses needing an online presence, there is a growing demand for web design services. If you have experience in web design or coding, then starting your own web design business could be a great option for you.
You don't need to be an expert to get started – even basic knowledge of HTML and CSS can help you create simple websites for your clients. Once you've got a few projects under your belt, you can start to branch out and offer more complex services such as e-commerce development and SEO optimization.
5. Travel Agency
If you love to travel and help others plan their dream vacations, then starting a travel agency could be the perfect small business idea for you.
To get started, you will need to become a certified travel agent. This can be done through completing a travel agent training program or by taking an online course. Once you are certified, you can start working with clients to help them plan their trips.
You will also need to have a good understanding of different destinations and what they have to offer. This will allow you to make recommendations to your clients based on their interests and budget.
In order to be successful in this business, it is important to build relationships with different airlines, hotels, and tour operators. This will give you access to exclusive deals and discounts that you can pass on to your clients.
It is also a good idea to specialize in a certain type of travel such as honeymoons, family vacations, or corporate travel. This will allow you to build up a niche clientele who are more likely to use your services again in the future.
6. Photography Business
One great small business idea for women is starting a photography business. This can be done either by working as a freelancer or by setting up your own studio. If you have a passion for photography, then this could be the perfect business for you. There are many different types of photography businesses you could start, such as wedding photography, pet photography, or even landscape photography.
7. Home-Based Daycare
Most women have a natural flair for taking care of others and making them feel comfortable. This makes starting a home-based daycare an ideal small business idea for many women. If you love children and have a knack for taking care of them, then this could be the perfect business for you. You'll need to be patient, organized, and have a lot of energy to keep up with the little ones, but it will be worth it when you see the smiles on their faces.
8. Resume Writing Business
Another great small business idea for women is starting a resume writing business. This is a great way to help others who are struggling to put together a winning resume. If you have a background in human resources or writing, then this could be the perfect business for you.
You'll need to be able to give constructive feedback and have a keen eye for detail, but if you can help people land their dream job, then it will be worth it. You can start your resume writing business by working as a freelancer on sites Upwork and Fiverr and then eventually expanding to setting up your own website or promoting your services on social media.
9. Wedding Planning Business
If you're a woman with a passion for weddings, then starting a wedding planning business could be the perfect small business idea for you. This is a great way to use your creative skills to help couples plan their dream wedding. You'll need to be organized, detail-oriented, and have a good sense of style, but if you can help make someone's big day special, then it will be worth it. You can start your wedding planning business by making business cards and promoting your services on social media.
10. Freelancing Business
Starting a freelance service business is one of the best options available. It is because you’re starting a business using the skills you already have in you. Freelancing will allow you to work at your own pace. You can select clients while you’re still working on something else.
Apart from that, you may sharpen your entrepreneurial skills while doing the same thing.
The greatest benefit of this option is that it doesn’t need a ton of money to invest upfront. You just require a small budget, a freelance portfolio, a few legit online profile creations, a verified email address, and you are good to go on.
Here are leading freelance business ideas for women to take:
- Graphic Design
- Editing and Proofreading
- Marketing Copywriting
- Public Relations Consulting
- SEO Consulting and Strategy
- Social Media Management
- Event Planning
11. Avon Representative
Want to earn more money, meet new friends, and be part of one of the world’s most trusted beauty and lifestyle brands? Then you should consider becoming an Avon representative.
Thousands of women have been able to turn direct selling into a steady source of secondary income or even a full-time career. If you’re interested in how to sell Avon and want tips on how to build your clientele, it’s pretty simple to get started.
To begin selling Avon online, you can visit https://www.youravon.com/becomeARep and a person from Avon’s corporate office will get back to you. However, in this Avon review article, you can learn more about the opportunity and if it is the right fit for your lifestyle.
12. Blogging
Blogging is one of the best business ideas for women that can earn you good money. The most interesting thing about blogging is that it can be done at home without having extra expenses. Blogging is one of the best stays at home mom jobs because you can work as per your work schedule. Blogging is also one of the best ways to earn passive income. Once you create a blog post that ranks in search engines, it'll continue to bring you traffic and revenue year after year. Many teenagers, business persons, and even celebrities start money-making blogs and earn a decent amount of money every month.
13. Interior Decorating
Interior decorating is a great way to earn good money. You can work for yourself and start your new career as an interior decorator. Your creativity, project management, and self-motivation skills will help you to gain a popular place in this career. You should first check into the licensing requirements. The license terms and conditions can differ from state to state.
14. Flower and Gift Shop Business
A great small business idea would be a flower and gift shop. Flowers are easy to produce and you may get high margins per order. You may also sell different gift items such as chocolates, cakes, jewelry, caps, showpieces, clocks, etc. You can sell “packages” instead of one-off single bouquet orders.
If you live in a small town and needed to promote your business online, you can make a visually enticing Instagram or Facebook page. Try to build a network with the right suppliers, generate funds and set up a flawless delivery system, set your online payment platforms for receiving online payments.
15. App Development
If you are good at designing apps, you may opt for that option and create apps that can be used by thousands for solving a lot of problems.
From booking beauty treatment appointments, providing healthy fitness tips, or helping new mothers to learn baby care, you may choose any niche and start developing a business app.
With your creativity and logic, you can be a top app developer and earn good money from there.
16. Photography
Did you know that your hobby can make you money simply by taking pictures? Getting paid to take pictures is actually being straight-forward.
Photography is potentially profitable in multiple areas. Being a photographer you may build studios to document wedding snaps, vacation pics, or any other occasion. In today’s growing families you’ll find multiple clients eager to get those moments with beautiful album art.
Capturing a special moment is unique, and you can earn money by doing this. You may become a freelance photographer and take pictures of wildlife or geographical locations.
If you have the talent and enough skill, you’ll shine as a photographer and follow the footsteps of Suzi Eszterhas, Kathy Adams Clark, or Morgan Heim.
17. Investing
Thinking about investing is one of the best options for women who want to earn their own money and achieve financial independence. There are multiple investment options (low-risk) that can allow you to make money in the short term.
- Certificate of Deposits
- P2P (LendingClub)
- Real Estate Investing (Fundrise)
- Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS)
- Money Market Funds
- Corporate Bonds
- Municipal Bonds
- U.S. Savings Bonds
- Cash Value Life Insurance
- Online Checking Account
- Bank Bonuses
- Dividend-Paying Stocks
- Preferred Stocks
You could also take a stab in the real estate industry by buying an investment property or using real estate investing apps. Now, you don't need a huge investment to buy a property and rent it out with the help of financing options available to investors, such as a conventional mortgage, private money lenders, hard money loans, partnerships, and syndication.
Once you get the property, you may again sell it at a higher price and grab the profit. This extra income can help you to solve your other financial issues or build other businesses you have going on.
You can also use your proceeds to pay your insurance premiums, save for emergencies, save for retirement, or get debt consolidation help by paying off your unsecured debts.
18. Creative Writing
If you have proper knowledge and experience in literature, starting your own small business as a content writer can surely get the bills paid. You can start a blog and put your initial posts there. There are multiple forums and platforms where clients are seeking potential writers for writing high-quality content.
You need to contact them to show your portfolio as a writer. If the clients like your work, you’ll get a good amount of projects at a good price. Starting your own business in writing can be incredibly fulfilling and lucrative over time. Here are some of the best forums and websites for freelance writers:
- Upwork
- Talkfreelance
- FreelanceUk
- Whydowork
- Truelancer
- Freelancer
You can also learn more about opportunities where you can get paid to write for major companies.
19. Business Support
Businesses also need a little extra help and it can be your new business’s prime motto. You can provide bookkeeping and accounting services, which most companies need. You may provide that extra support. There are multiple tasks your business can do to help other companies. Supportive business services may include:
- Scheduling
- Bookkeeping
- Payroll Services
- Accounting
- Business Coaching
- Remote Customer Service
- Business Event Planning, etc
20. Agriculture and Farming
This is a home-based business idea that is suitable for the right type of woman. If you are a nature lover, this could be the best startup idea for you. You can start a bee farm and sell freshly made honey. How cool is that? You may also take beekeeping classes to teach interested people as a paid service.
This way you can make hundreds of thousands of dollars every year. You may also plan for a pig farming service. This option will make millions of dollars every year selling bacon, sausage, and other pork products.
Are You Ready to Run Your Own Business?
Are you looking for some trending self-employment ideas for your startup business? I decided to make a list of business ideas and home-based business jobs for 2024– these hot new business ideas will help you take the right path toward self-employment.
Let's end with an inspiring quote for small business owners:
“The road to success and the road to failure are almost exactly the same.” — Colin R. Davis
We should be grateful for technological advancements that have helped us to grow plenty of small business ideas for women. Today, women can initiate small businesses from home while requiring very minimal small startup capital. By utilizing this opportunity women can start working from home that could be become a full-blown business one day.
As per the statistics, more than 11 million U.S. firms are owned by women, and the number is expected to grow into 2023. Despite the growing prevalence of women in the workforce, the median earnings of women over the age of 25 was $32,679 in 2017, with men’s median earnings for that
The business concept for women now is extended to industries such as tech, financial, medical, and many more. This explains how women are getting motivated to pursue financial freedom through entrepreneurship. From 2017 to 2018, nearly 1,800 new businesses started by women each day, as reported in American Express’s 2018 report “The State of Women-Owned Business.”
Whether you want to create some side income, or making extra money while working online and from home, these are some expert tips that can help aspiring new female business owners.
The Bottom Line
A woman can do anything. The world's toughest job is to give birth to a new life, and women can do that easily.
So, by forming a business and maintaining it with grace, women can do that too. Being a woman you just need to gather knowledge, find out the best small business idea for which you are passionate, and dare to carry out that idea. That’s it.
Got a better half in your life that also wants to take a stab at being self-employed? Here are small business ideas for men. Or you can start listening to some of the top business podcasts to get answers to your burning business questions on a daily basis!
“The real test is not whether you avoid this failure because you won't. It's whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere.” — Barack Obama
Share your favorite home business ideas for women and moms in the comments below!
