This article includes more than 180 business ideas for starting a part-time business from home. These suggestions are to get you started—the possibilities are endless.
The best home-based business ideas:
- build on your interests and skills
- respond to customer needs and preferences
- are solid business opportunities, not scams designed to part you from your money!
The more tailored a business idea is to your needs and the needs of potential customers, the more successful it’s likely to be. To get started with ideas of your own, choose appropriate interests or skills and check out the related occupations. To learn more about each of these business ideas, try using them as a search term in Google or Bing.
Animal care and services
pick-up and delivery pet groomer, aquarium servicer, dog walker, pet sitter, dog trainer, pet breeder, pet accessories designer and maker, specialized pet food chef
Artisan products and crafts
craft product maker (for example, jewellery, decorations, handmade furniture, handmade paper, etc.), craft show or flea market retailer, tailor or dressmaker, furniture refinisher, toymaker, window covering designer, doll refurbisher, custom bridal veil designer, upholsterer, picture framer, engraver
Business services
virtual assistant, word processer, data entry operator, billing servicer, telephone answering service operator, team building consultant, specialized business travel agent, human resource consultant, communications consultant, medical transcriptionist, court reporter, real time reporter, inventory servicer, business coach, researcher
Cooking and catering
business lunch or boxed lunch caterer, home chef service operator, bread maker, specialty baker, gourmet jam or salsa seller, chocolatier, special event caterer, cake decorator
Education and child care
day home or after-school-care operator, private facilitator, trainer, tutor, craft workshop instructor, music teacher, corporate babysitter (for example, for hotels or conferences), gardening consultant, playground designer
Entertainment
musician, recording studio operator, music producer, clown, party planner, puppeteer, booking agent, talent manager, promoter, novelty message deliverer, educational performer, lyricist, gaming consultant, game inventor, disc jockey, playwright, musical director, director, lighting designer, costume designer, set designer
Finances
accounting system developer, bookkeeper, investment consultant, financial planner, real estate appraiser, retirement planner, credit repairer, refund auditor, insurance claims consultant, tax preparer, credit consultant
Health and wellness
seniors’ care service provider (for example, companion, driver, home safety consultant), alternative health consultant, massage therapist, reflexologist, home child proofer, midwife, personal fitness trainer, personal weight management consultant, consulting dietitian, yoga instructor, fitness instructor
Home and garden
home renovator, handyperson, lawn care specialist, herb gardener, window washer, tree trimmer, commercial plant horticulturist, hauling service operator, cleaning services operator, house sitter, chimney sweep, house painter, carpet cleaner, pond and water garden installer, landscape or garden designer, playhouse designer or builder, home inspector, landlord
Internet and digital services
web optimization consultant, social media consultant, home or business network installer, website designer, website architecture specialist, web master, troubleshooter, data rescue specialist, consultant, trainer, desktop publisher, app developer, online trader (for example, on eBay or Kijiji), digital media conversion specialist
Personal service
life coach, concierge, gift basket maker, seniors' helper (shopping, yard, fix-it services), personal organizer, bed and breakfast operator, in-home beauty and grooming services operator, balloon or candy deliverer, gift-buying specialist, dating service operator, wardrobe or image consultant, career counsellor, resumé writer, family tree researcher
Sales and marketing
online affiliate marketer, direct distributor (for example, for home party sales), comic book dealer, sports card dealer, freelance publicist, manufacturer sales representative, collectibles dealer, market researcher, online marketing consultant, online advertising salesperson
Special events and organizational support
fundraiser, corporate meeting planner, information broker, balloon decorator, party rental business operator, party planner, wedding consultant or planner
Visual art and graphic design
graphic designer, interior designer, photographer, decorative painter, house portrait painter, home stager, fabric painter, calligrapher, greeting card designer, art tutor, floral designer, event videographer, web designer, web videographer
Writing and publishing
website content developer, researcher, corporate newsletter publisher, editor, proofreader, fact checker, indexer, blogger, corporate biographer, desktop publisher, translator, grant writer, advertising copywriter, technical writer, abstract writer, family history videographer
Learn more about working part-time from home
Home-based, part-time businesses succeed the way all businesses succeed: through solid market research, skill and hard work. Beware of work-at-home opportunities that sound too good to be true—they probably are.
When you start looking for home-based business ideas, you’ll find many online and print ads promising you hundreds of dollars a week working part-time from your home (no experience required). Acquaintances, friends or family members may even approach you about these kinds of businesses. Be cautious if the opportunity is unclear but promises a big profit, especially if you’re pressured to send money, call a 1-900 number or provide credit card or banking information.
Running your own home-based, part-time business can offer you flexibility, creativity, independence and plenty of challenges. As many home business operators will tell you, seeing your idea succeed is a uniquely satisfying experience.
Additional Information
For more information about working part-time from home:
- visit your local library to research business ideas
- contact The Business Link at 1-800-272-9675 toll-free
- check out Self-Employment