What's the Easiest Business to Start? 14 Ideas for Entrepreneurs

Many traditional small businesses, such as retail or restaurants, require massive initial investment and also come with a high inherent risk. For this reason, we will mostly be focusing on freelance services you can do from your own home, which have relatively low startup costs and low financial risk, even if you decide to quit the gig later on down the line.

1. 3D Design

If you possess a license to 3D CAD software, you can make a mint selling component designs to business clients, or by selling them directly to consumers using a service like ShapeWays.

2. Arts and Crafts

Here is one of the most creative small business ideas — not creative in its inherent uniqueness, but in what you do.

If you're great at making unique items with your hands then an online store like Etsy can be a great venue to sell paintings, pottery, homemade candles or various other knickknacks. Or, create a website and sell them through your own store.

3. Car Detailing Business

Car guys (and gals) will pay a pretty penny for a detailing job done right. If that's your trade of choice, you can make good money by becoming a business owner for car detailing, performing jobs like washing, waxing and window tinting.

4. Dog Walking Business

Dog walking sounds like a simple task, but a lot of professionals out there don't have time to do it and would rather delegate it to someone else.

If you can handle wrangling furry friends, then dog walking can be a quick and easy way to make some extra cash. Freelance apps like Rover also make it easy for dog walkers to connect with potential clients.

5. Freelance Writing

Writing skills are some of the most valuable to leverage while working from your own home (or at the local coffee shop). Whether it's writing fiction, composing informative articles or copy writing for local businesses, you can find a niche that matches your talents.

6. Graphic Design

Skills in Adobe Photoshop or other graphic design software can be in very high demand for both personal and business clients. Graphic design is a great way to provide clients with fresh logos or eye-catching marketing materials for social media.

7. Landscaping Business

If you have a green thumb then this can be one of the most profitable business ideas out there. Homeowners and small business owners alike often have lawns that need mowing and bushes that need trimming.

However, this does require manual labor as well as the overhead costs of buying, transporting, storing and operating landscaping equipment.

8. Online Marketplaces

A great business idea for vintage collectors is to open up an Ebay storefront and sell some items you no longer need. You may be shocked at how much potential cash is just laying around the house.

9. Personal and Business Finances

If you have a certified accountant's license, providing financial services locally to individuals or business clients can be a great way to earn an income. However, you'll need to pass the right college courses and training sessions if you're not already licensed.

10. Personal Chef

Put your cooking skills to the test with this small business idea — even better if you have previous experience in the professional cooking world. Getting your foot in the door as a personal chef can be difficult, but marketplace apps like Castiron can help get you started.

11. Personal Training Business

If exercise is your passion, you can apply that knowledge to personal training and help others along their fitness journey. Personal trainers can also promote themselves on contracting sites like Thumbtack.

12. Pet Sitting Business

Also available on the Rover app, pet sitting can be a profitable business idea, provided you have the time and space required to house pets for days at a time.

13. Social Media Management

Know how to generate buzz on social media? Chances are, there are local stores and small businesses in your area which have near zero online presence and no social media accounts. Your social media management expertise could bring them into the 21st century and help them generate new sales from customers.

14. Video Production Business

If you own camera equipment and are familiar with video editing, you can start your own video production business and create content for YouTube and social media, music videos for local artists, or marketing materials for small businesses.

It's a great way to earn some cash while flexing your creative muscles.

The most important thing to focus on when being self-employed or starting your own business is to focus on business ideas which are relevant to your skills and interests. Clients will see that you are knowledgeable about a certain topic or good at a craft and will keep coming back for your services. Furthermore, you'll want to use resources like online courses to hone these skills as you go.

Conversely, if you try to start a business idea just because you think it can meet market demand but it has nothing to do with your personal interest, it probably won't attract clients. The actual quality of work that you put out will probably suffer as well, and you won't end up with a very lucrative business.

Being your own boss isn't right for everyone. If you're looking for businesses to start because you think it'll be easier than clocking into your day job every day, think again.

Even when you're making a living doing something you love, getting a new business off the ground (and keeping it from going under) takes immense amounts of self-discipline, time, tenacity and — if we're being honest — a little bit of good luck.