101 New Ideas to Inspire You to Start a Business

Illustration displaying several business ideas

Illustration by Catherine Song. © The Balance, 2018

Few things are as exciting as starting a new business. Before you start your own company, though, you've got to come up with some great ideas. The trick is finding a great small business idea that will be viable, excite you, and fit your skill set. So, how do you come up with a business idea that is right for you? 

Small Business Ideas for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

If you are looking for a small business idea (or even a micro-business) to kickstart your path to entrepreneurship, you are in the right place. This list of 101 small business ideas includes everything from personal services, to retail opportunities, to environmental services, to pet-related ideas, to technology businesses. It's bound to include something that will inspire you and get you one step closer to your dream of running your own company.

  1. Air Duct Cleaner
  2. Antique Furniture Sales
  3. App Developer
  4. Appliance Repair Technician
  5. Aquarium Maintenance
  6. Basement Remodeler
  7. Blog Consultant
  8. Bookkeeper
  9. Business Consultant
  10. Candle Maker
  11. Candy Maker
  12. Carpenter
  13. Catering Service
  14. Childproofing Expert
  15. Cloth Diaper Service
  16. Composting
  17. Computer Repair and Maintenance
  18. Computer Trainer
  19. Construction Cleanup
  20. Customer Service Professional
  21. Data Entry Service
  22. Desktop Publishing
  23. Direct Mail Marketing Service
  24. Disaster Planning and Prevention Service
  25. Dog Trainer
  26. Dog Treat Baker
  27. Dog Waste Remover (Pooper Scooper)
  28. Doula
  29. eBay Consultant
  30. eBay Seller
  31. Florist
  32. Freelance Writer
  33. Furniture Mover
  34. Gardener
  35. Genealogist
  36. Grant Writer
  37. Green Cleaner
  38. Green Consultant
  39. Gutter Cleaner
  40. Hair Salon Owner
  41. Handmade Crafter
  42. Handyman
  43. Hauling Services
  44. Holiday Decorator
  45. Home-Based Child Care Provider
  46. Home Stager
  47. Home Theater Designer
  48. Home Weatherization Professional
  49. House Painter
  50. Ice Cream Shop Business
  51. Image Consultant
  52. Ink and Toner Cartridge Refilling
  53. Interior Designer
  54. Internet Researcher
  55. Jewelry Maker
  56. Laundry Service
  57. Life Coach
  58. Locksmith
  59. Marketing Copywriter
  60. Massage Therapist
  61. Medical Transcriptionist
  62. Motivational Speaker
  63. Nutritionist
  64. Organic Hair Care Products Seller
  65. Organic Lawn Care Provider
  66. Party Planner
  67. Personal Chef
  68. Personal Concierge
  69. Personal Trainer
  70. Pest Control Professional
  71. Pet Couture Designer/Seller
  72. Pet Groomer
  73. Pet Sitter
  74. Photo Restoration Service
  75. Photographer
  76. Pizza Parlor
  77. Pool Cleaning and Maintenance Provider
  78. Private Tutor
  79. Professional Organizer
  80. Project Manager
  81. Proofreader
  82. Public Relations Agency
  83. Resume Writer
  84. Sales Consultant
  85. Scrapbooker for Hire
  86. Senior Care Provider
  87. SEO Consultant
  88. Snow and Ice Removal Service
  89. Soap Maker
  90. Social Media Consultant
  91. Speech Writer
  92. Tax Accountant
  93. Translation Service Provider
  94. Tree Farmer
  95. Video Producer
  96. Virtual Assistant
  97. Virtual Call Center
  98. Voice-Over Professional
  99. Web Designer
  100. Wedding Planner
  101. Yoga Instructor

Use this list to create your own smaller list of ideas. Once you have a few new business ideas in mind, you've completed the first step toward starting a company: you're inspired! It's time to take the next step, and evaluate the business ideas that made it to the top of your list.

Doing this research at the beginning of the process is vital to avoid wasting time and money on a business idea that flops.

Once you have confirmed there is a market for your business, it's time to jump in on the small business startup process. Just a bit of hard work, and you'll be on your way to starting a new business in no time.