36 Proven Small Business Ideas for 2025 That Anyone Can Start — Even With $0
Ever sat at your desk, scrolling through Instagram, and thought:
“I could totally work for myself… if I just knew what to do”?
Yeah, same.
That was me a few years ago — stuck in a 9–5 I didn’t hate, but definitely didn’t love. Until one day, I decided to try building something of my own. Fast forward, and not only do I work from home, I call the shots, sip my coffee when I want, and never ask for PTO again. 😌
Sound dreamy? It is.
And you don’t need an MBA or a million-dollar idea to get started. What you need is a plan… or, say, a list of real, doable small business ideas that don’t require much (or any!) experience.
Lucky you — I’ve got 36 of them right here. 😉
What You’ll Find in This Post:
🔹 A list of 36 beginner-friendly small business ideas
🔹 Real stories + earnings from people who’ve done it
🔹 Free tools and training to help you get started
🔹 A nudge (or two) to finally bet on yourself
1. Blogging
Let’s start with the one closest to my heart. Blogging.
I started with zero followers, a WordPress theme I couldn’t figure out, and an internet connection that barely cooperated. And yet… that little blog grew into a 7-figure business.
No joke.
If you’ve got something to say — and we all do — blogging lets you build an audience, help people, and earn through things like affiliate links, digital products, and sponsored content.
📚 Want to start? There’s a free 7-day “Start a Blog” email course that covers everything — from picking your niche to making your first dollar.
2. Selling Printables on Etsy
Minimal cost, maximum potential.
Printables are downloadable files — think planners, wall art, budget templates — that people buy and print at home. You make the file once and sell it over and over. Pure digital magic. ✨
Low tech? No worries. Canva + Etsy = match made in hustle heaven.
3. Litter Cleanup Service
Wait… what? Picking up litter?
Yep — and you could earn $30–$50/hour doing it.
Brian Winch turned cleaning up parking lots into a six-figure business. All you need is some basic gear and a willingness to wake up early. Perfect for introverts, walkers, or anyone who wants to make money while listening to podcasts.
Sounds doable?
4. Virtual Assistant (VA)
You don’t need to be an expert — just organized and willing to learn.
As a VA, you help business owners with email, social media, scheduling, and more. I started as a VA before my blog took off, and it was one of the most flexible, profitable gigs I ever had.
💡 Many beginners earn $20–$40/hour. Some go on to make $10K/month.
5. Selling Stickers Online
Stickers are hot. Etsy, planners, laptops, journals — everyone wants ‘em.
My friend Mim started with no design skills and now makes six figures from her sticker shop. You can use free design tools like Canva or Procreate, and yes — there are step-by-step tutorials for everything.
6. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking
If you’re an animal lover, this might be your calling. 🐶
Apps like Rover make it easy to start, and you can earn $20+ per walk or $25+ per overnight pet sit. Some people turn this into a full-time gig. Others use it as a relaxing side hustle.
7. Bookkeeping
No CPA? No problem.
Bookkeepers help small businesses stay on top of expenses, invoices, and reports. You can learn it online and work remotely with clients around the country.
Ben (a CPA) teaches beginners how to launch their own bookkeeping biz — even if math isn’t your thing.
8. Freelance Writing
Got a way with words? Or just good at Googling and rewording things?
Freelance writers create blog posts, newsletters, product descriptions, and more. You don’t need a degree — just samples. Start small, build a portfolio, and before you know it, you’re landing $500+ assignments.
9. Selling on Amazon FBA
Buy low, sell high — Amazon style.
With FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon), you send in products (books, kitchen gadgets, toys), and Amazon handles storage and shipping. Jessica and her family made $100K+ their first year — without any prior experience.
10. Proofreading
If you catch typos like a hawk spots prey, this one’s for you.
Proofreaders are in demand. Bloggers, authors, even students need help cleaning up their writing. My friend Caitlin earned $43K her first year doing it part-time.
🛠️ All you need is a laptop, an eye for detail, and a willingness to learn.
11. Selling Canva Templates
Templates = digital gold.
You design a wedding invite, resume, or Instagram post layout once — and sell it over and over. Maliha earns $2,000/month with a few hours of work each week.
No design background? Canva makes it easy (drag, drop, done).
12. Voice Over Acting
Have a nice voice? Or even just a distinctive one?
From YouTube narrations to explainer videos, the world needs voice talent. Carrie went full-time in under a year and now teaches others to do the same. 🎤
13. Running Facebook Ads
Businesses want new customers. You know how to find them.
Learn how to set up and manage Facebook/IG ads, and you can charge $1,000+ per client per month. Great for marketers, creatives, or anyone who loves results.
14. Freelancing in… Anything
Design, SEO, translation, coaching, web dev — if you’ve got a skill, there’s someone who will pay for it.
Set up shop on Upwork or Fiverr. It’s not just pocket money. Some freelancers make more than corporate salaries — with way more freedom.
15. Creating Online Courses
Think you don’t have anything to teach? Think again.
Parenting, productivity, painting, playing ukulele — someone wants to learn from you. My first course brought in $1,000,000+. No big launch. No paid ads. Just helpful info and consistency.
16. Renting Out… Stuff
Garage? Rent it. RV? Rent it. Spare bedroom? Yep — rent that too.
Sites like Neighbor and RVShare let you make thousands from unused space or vehicles. Literally make money doing nothing. 🍃
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need to Have It All Figured Out
You just need to start.
Pick one idea. Explore it. Tinker with it. Fall in love with the process, not just the outcome. You’ll learn so much more by doing than you ever will by reading another “top 36” list.
If I can build a business from scratch, while working full-time and Googling “how to make money online” at 2 a.m… so can you. 💪
So, what’s your move?
Which idea sounds like it could be your thing?
Let me know in the comments or hit reply — I’d love to hear your plan.
And if you’re still stuck, here’s a simple challenge:
Pick ONE idea, research it for 30 minutes today. That’s it.
No pressure. Just momentum. 🚀
P.S. Want all 36 business ideas in a pretty PDF you can read offline? Let me know — I’ll send it your way!
