500+ Self-Employment Business Ideas
The lists below are from Adams Businesses You Can Start Almanac (F+E Publishers, Published by Adams Medio 2006). For a basic description of each business, consult the Almanac. Always do a in-depth research of a business idea before launching any enterprise. Also, thorough research sometimes may uncover other income options or variations that could be pursued – options that may be even better than the one described in this or any other directory or almanac.
81 Businesses You Can Start With Under $1,000 |
Airbrush Artist
Animal Registration/ID Services
Apartment Preparation Service
Arts Festival Promoter
Athletic Recruiter/Scout
Auction House
Auto Paint Touch-Up Professional
Automotive Loan Broker
Band Manager
Bankruptcy Services
Bar tending Services
Barter Systems
Blade-Sharpening Service
Boardinghouse Operator
Book Indexer
Bounty Hunter
Cake Decorator
Calligrapher
Candle Maker
Caning Specialist
Cartoonist
Child Care Referral Service
Childbirth Instructor
College Application Consultant
Comedy Writer
Commercial Plant Watering Service
Coupon Distributor
Doll Repair Service
Etiquette Adviser
First Aid/CPR Instructor
Garage Sale Coordinator
Genealogical Service (Family History Writer)
Gerontology Consultant
Graphologist
Handbill Distribution
Handyman Network
Home Schooling Consultant
Horse Trainer
Hospitality Service
Ice Sculpting Incorporation Service for Businesses
Jewelry Designer
Knitting/Crocheting Lessons
In-Home Mail Service | Lactation Consultant
Laundry/Ironing Service Law Library Management
Lawn Care Service
Literary Agent
Magician
Makeup Artist
Mall Promotion
Merchandise Demonstrator
Mobile Book/Magazine Distributor
Mortgage Loan Broker
Motor Vehicle Transportation
Movie Site Scout
Multilevel Marketing (careful with this!)
Mystery Shopper
Notary Public
Nutrition Consultant
Packing/Unpacking Service
Parapsychologist
Party Planner
Personal Instructor/Fitness Trainer
Personal Menu Service
Personal Shopper
Pet Psychologist
Private Tutor
Professional Organizer
Real Estate Agent/Home Researcher
Reminder Service
Roommate Referral Service
Scanning Service
Silk Flower Arranger
Storyteller
Stress Management Counselor
Taste Tester for Food Companies
Toy Cleaning Service
Vacation Rentals Broker
Wellness Instructor |
136 businesses you can start with $1,000-$5,000 Abstracting Service
Accountant
Adoption Search Service
Advertising Sales Representative
Alterations/Seamstress Business
Arbitration Service
Art Broker/Corporate Art Consultant
Association Management Services
Audio Recording for Trade Show and Seminars
Auto Maintenance
Background Music Leasing
Boat Maintenance/Cleaning Service
Book Binder
Book Packager
Bookkeeping Service
Bridal Consultant
Broadcast Sales/Advertising Broker
Bulletin Board Services
Business Broker
Buyer's Information Service
Calendar Service
Carpet/Upholstery Cleaning
Chimney Sweep
City Planner
Clip Art Service
Clipping Service
College Internship Placement
Color Consultant
Commercial Actor
Commercial Photographer
Conference Call Facilitator
Construction Management Services
Consumer Researcher
Cooking Class Instructor
Counselor/Psychologist
Credit Cardholders' Service
Credit Card Merchant Broker
Credit Consultant
Dance Instructor
Data Retrieval Service
Day Care Service
Desktop Publisher: Community-Based Coupon Books
Direct Marketing/Sales
Disability Consultant
Dog Trainer
Economic Development Consultant
Emergency Response Service
Employee Harmony Consultant
Environmental Consultant/Contractor
Factory Locating Consultant
Fan Club Management
Farm-Sitting
Farmer of Fruits or Vegetables
Feed Consultant/Broker
Financial Aid Consultant
Flea Market Organizer
Food Delivery Service
Food Item Manufacturer
Food Manufacturing Consultant
Forensic Consultant
Freelance Writer/Editor/Illustrator
Fund-Raising Firm
Government Contract Consulting
Grants/Proposal Writer
Herb/Flowers Farming
Image Consultant
Interior Designer
Internet Marketing Specialist | Interviewer
Invention Consultant/Broker
Investment Broker/Club
Jewelry/Clock/Watch Repair
Labor Relations Consultant
Licensing Agent
Liquidator
Lobbyist
Manufacturer's Representative
Massage Therapist
Medical Management Consultant
Meeting Planner
Meteorological Consultant
Mobile Hair Salon
Money Broker
Motivational Speaker
Mover
Murder Mystery Producer
Newspaper Delivery Service
Oil and Gas Field Services
On-Line Job Search
On-Line Services Consultant
Paralegal
Parenting Specialist
Payroll Administrative Services
Personality Analysis/Testing Service
Personalized Check Service
Personnel Safety Consultant
Pharmaceutical Returns Consulting
Political Campaign Management
Pollster
Printing Broker
Product Developer
Profit Sharing Plan Consultant
Property Management Service
Recreation Activities Consultant
Recycling
Referral Service
Relocation Consultant
Respiratory Equipment Repair
Resume Service
Retail Bakery/Specialty Food Store
Retirement Planner
Reunion Organizer
Sales of Novelty and Promotional Products
Seamstress/Alterations Business
Secretarial Service
Software Conversion Service
Speechwriter
Standardized Test Preparatory Services
Stenciling
Stenography Service
Systems Integrator
Taxidermist
Time-Management Specialist
Trademark Agent
Translation Services
Travel Agent
Tree Service
Tropical Fish Servicing
Upholsterer
Vending Machine Owner
Venture Capitalist
Water Pumping Service
Window Treatment Specialist
Window Washing Service
Wood Splitter
World Wide Web Home Page Creator |
Accident Reconstruction Service
Acoustical Services
Advertising Agency
Agricultural Marketing
Ambulatory Services
Animal Broker/Dealer
Archaeological Services
Art Restoration Services
Art/Photo Representative
Auditing Specialist
Auto Swap Meet Promotion
Automobile Window Stickers
Automotive Detailing
Automotive Marketing and Training Services
Balloon Delivery Service
Bicycle Rental
Boudoir Photography
Bridal Show Promotions
Business Plan Writer/Packager
Career Counselor
Carpet Installation
Casting Director
Classified Advertising Newspaper
Coffee Bar/Tea Salon
Collectibles/Memorabilia
Collection Agency
Computer Consultant
Computer Maintenance Service
Computer Software Sales
Computer Trainer
Construction Services
Corporate Insurance Broker
Corporate Trainer
Cost Reduction Consultant
Database Consultant
Dating Service
Decks/Outdoor Furniture
Designer/Retail Items
Doula/Midwife
Draftsman/Blueprinting Service
Drive-by Broadcasting
Efficiency Expert
Electrical Contractor/Electrician
Employee Benefits Consultant
Executive Search Firm
Expert Witness
Fabric Coverings
Fax-on-Demand Service
Financial Planner
Firewood Service
Fisherman
Franchise Idea Center
Furniture Refinisher
Gardening Consultant
Gift Basket Business
Graffiti Removal
Graphic Designer
Greeting Card Sender
Hauling Service
Herbal Products Distributor
Home Entertainment System Service
Home Office Consultant
Human Resource Services
Incentive Programs/Promotional Material
Information Consultant
Insurance Agent
Inventory Control
Invisible Fencing Sales/Installation
Irrigation Services
Job Hot Line
Lead Exchange/Business Networking Service
Legal Cost Control/Litigation Management Services
Lie Detection Service
Lock Box Service
Locksmith | Maid Service
Mailing List Service
Management Consultant
Manicurist
Market Mapping Service
Marketing Consultant
Mediator
Medical Claims Processing
Medical Products Manufacturer
Medical Transcriptionist
Middleman
Mini-Blind Cleaning Service
Mobile Disc Jockey Service
Modeling School/Agency
Money Order Service
Monogramming Service
Motion Picture Research Consultant
Networking Services
New Product Researcher
Newspaper Features Syndicate
Noise Control Consultant
Office Equipment Leasing
On-Line Internet Researcher
Outdoor Adventures
Packaging Consultant
Paging Services
Patient Gift Packager
Personalized Children's Books
Pet Breeder
Pet Grooming/Care
Photocopying Service
Political Marketing Consultant
Portrait Photographer/Artist
Private Detective/Intelligence Specialist
Public Pay Phone Services
Public Relations
Public Speaking Consultant
Rare Book Dealer/Search Service
Real Estate Appraiser
Recreational Coupon Distributor
Remanufacturing: Laser Printer Cartridges
Rental Business
Residence for the Elderly
Restoration Services
Rubber Stamp Business
Sales Trainer
Security Systems Consultant
Seminar (Speakers) Service
Shipping/Customs Consultant
Short-Term Auto Rental Service
Sightseeing Excursions
Small Business Consultant
Snow Plow Service
Software Development/CD-ROM Packaging
Software Engineer/Programmer
Surveyor
Talent Agency
Tax Preparation Service
Technical Writer (Documentation and On-Screen Text)
Telecommunications Consultant
Telemarketing Service
Television Program Distributor
Textile Broker
Theatrical Lighting Service
Traffic Control Consultant
Used Boat Sales
Used Computer Sales
Used Industrial Equipment Sales
Vacuum Cleaner Repair
Video Transfer Service
Water Quality Services
Wilderness-Based Therapeutic Programs
Word-Processing Service
Workers' Compensation Consultant |
Aerial Applicator
Antiques Dealer
Architect
Art Gallery
Automotive Parts Rebuilder
Banquet Facility
Biofeedback Therapist
Boat Operation Instructor
Building Maintenance Service
Bungee Jumping Instructor
Business Form Sales and Service
Catalog Retailer
Caterer
Child ID Products
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Service
Computer Composer
Computerized Special Effects Designer
Concert Promoter
Consulting Engineer
Damage Restoration Service
Desktop Publisher
Digital Imaging Service
Educational Product Development
Employee Leasing
Entertainment Directory Publisher
Fish Restocking
Floral Shop
Health Centers for Corporations
Home Inspector | Horse/Cargo Trailer Service
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Importing/Exporting
International Business Consultant
Landscape Designer
Lawyer
Mail-Order Computer and Component Sales
Message Retrieval Service (Answering Service)
Mobile Car Inspection/Repair
Mobile Paper-Shredding Service
Motor Vehicle License Bureau
Multimedia Service
Nanny Service
Occupational Health Care Services
Outplacement Services
Overnight Delivery Service
Paramedical Services
Pest Control Service
Pet Taxi Service
Pool Maintenance
Power Wash Service
Recording Studio Rental
Television Repair
Ticket Broker
Transportation Provider (Limousine/Van)
Videotext Service
Voice Messages Service Center
Voice-Activated Home Automation
Winery
|
77 businesses you can start with $40,000+ Air Charter Service
Arcade/Party Rentals
Assembly Work
Audiobook Producer/Distributor
Automotive Testing Equipment
Bed & Breakfast
Beer Brewery
Boat Tours
Canoe Livery
Car Wash
Child Development Center
Coin-Operated Laundry
Color Separation and Film Assembly Services
Commodities Broker
Creative Arts Day Camp
Custom Embroidery
Day Spa
Demolition/Wrecking Contractor
Diaper Service
Distributor
Drug Testing Service
Dry Cleaning Service
Earthquake Products/Services
Fiber Optic Transmission Systems
Fitness Rental Equipment.
Framing Service
Franchisee
Freelance TVProducer
Funeral Home
Geologic Drilling Service
Ground Water Assessing
Health Club
Home Health Care Service
Indoor Playspace
Instant Signs
Key Control Systems Manufacturer/ Distributor
Leak Detection Service
Long-Distance Phone Services
Machinery Rebuilding/Repair | Mailbox Rental Service
Manufacturer of Licensed Products
Manufacturer of Self-Adhesive Printed Labels
Manufacturer/Retail Item
Map Publisher/Distributor
Messenger Service
Miniature Golf Course
Musical Instrument Leasing
900-Number Service
Pilot/Flying Lessons
Pinball/Electronic Game Arcade
Prefab Home Sales/Construction
Professional Diver
Real Estate Investor
Repair Service
Resale Shop
Restaurant
Restaurant Equipment and Supplies
Retailer
Satellite Equipment/Systems (Wholesale)
Shipping/Freight Forwarding Service
Specialty Paper Producer/Distributor
Sports Equipment Sales/Service
Stock Photo Service
Storage Service
Tanning Booth Operation
Taxi Service
Temporary Employment Agency
Tow Boat Operator
Trophy/Engraving service
Trucking Broker
Uniform Service
Used Car Leasing
Video Production Company
Video-on-Demand
Weight Loss Center
Wholesaler
X-Ray Inspection Service
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