There are many great reasons why starting a business is appealing – flexibility in work hours, the ability to work from home, less stress than working for someone else.
More women and moms are looking to work from home so that they can bring in money for their families. Not only that, but women are looking to grow their income in ways that they may not be able to in a traditional work setting.
Even if you are low on funds or aren’t sure where to start, we can help you with some great business ideas and some advice.
Here is a list of over 25 perfect small business ideas for women that you can start today!
Table of Contents
1. Start a Money Making Blog
Starting a blog is one of our favorite online business ideas because of how much it has changed our lives! We have been able to grow our blog past six figures while working on our own schedule in the comfort of our home.
Blogging is a great business idea for moms because you can stay home with your children while still bringing income in!
What it is: A blog is a website that you post content on related to your niche. For example, this is a personal finance blog where we post money-related content.
What it pays: It all depends on the work you put in, how you market your blog, the tools you need to assist you, your niche, and whether you can write good content. According to ProBlogger, 28% earning under $10 a month, 25% earning $10–$99 a month and 17% earning $100–$499 a month. Bloggers make money through affiliate marketing, ads, sponsorships, and selling their own products or services.
How to get started: Check out our step-by-step guide on how to start a money-making blog. With our exclusive BlueHost link, you can get started for a very low price today!
2. Proofreading
If you’re the type of person who constantly points out typos in restaurant menus or finds yourself correcting other people’s grammar, you might make a great proofreader!
If you like to read, plenty of publishers or bloggers will pay you to read their work!
What it is: You read documents and check for spelling and grammatical errors. This is typically the last step of content creation. A writer will write the content and then submit the piece to the proofreader to check over before it is sent out for publication.
What it pays: The salary range for an online proofreader is $45,392 to $59,066. Our friend Caitlin Pyle made $43,000 working part-time hours from home as an online proofreader. She has a free online workshop for those who are looking for at-home business ideas involving proofreading.
How to get started: Check out Caitlin’s free training to see how to make money as an online proofreader, or dive right into her full course on how to become a proofreader. You can also get started by hanging out in business Facebook groups, checking job sites, and pitching to publications who hire proofreaders.
3. Freelance Writing
If you have strong writing skills, you could be making lots of money as a freelance writer.
What it is: Many online business owners need content to connect with their readers, but great content takes a while to create. They will outsource this content to freelance writers, who will take over their articles, blog posts, social media content, emails, and more.
What it pays: Most beginner freelance writers are making between $21 to $40 per hour. You decide whether you are paid per project, per word, or per hour.
How to get started: You can also check places like Indeed, Writers’ Work, Contena, ProBlogger, Facebook groups, or reaching out to business owners who have content on their site and seeing if they need extra help.
Our friend Holly makes over $200,000 a year by freelance writing! She has a free training called Earn More Writing that teaches you the step-by-step process on how to start a freelance writing business (and you can get even more info in the full Earn More Writing course).
4. Bookkeeper
Bookkeeping is a great way to make great money online if you are highly organized and good with numbers. The best part is becoming an online bookkeeper is super flexible.
What it is: Bookkeepers are responsible for keeping track of a company’s financial records. Typically, you record a business’s expenses and income and keep track of financial documents.
What it pays: Bookkeepers can make anywhere from $20 to $60 per hour depending on experience.
How to get started: Join this free webinar on how to start and launch your own online bookkeeping business.
5. Online Tutoring (VIPKID)
Online tutoring is one of the best business ideas for moms at home who are former teachers or hold a bachelor’s degree.
What it is: You will teach children overseas in subjects like math, English, etc. You are able to teach from the comfort of your own home and pick the hours that are most convenient for you.
What it pays: The average hourly rate is $20 per hour or more depending on experience or company that you tutor for.
How to get started: You can start making around $15-$22 per hour when you sign up with VIPKid. When Kelan left his job, he taught for VIPKid and loved it. You can check out our full review of VIPKid if you are interested in learning more!
6. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is one of the ways bloggers monetize their site, but you don’t need a blog to get started with affiliate marketing.
What it is: You recommend products or services to your readers or loved ones. You will provide them with a special link that tracks their purchases. If they click that link and make a transaction, you get a commission from the company.
What it pays: You could make thousands of dollars per month if you know the best affiliate marketing strategies, including how to increase your click-through rate, the best programs to work with, and how to increase your payouts.
How to get started: Our friend Michelle at Making Sense of Cents makes over $50,000 per month with affiliate marketing and created a course teaching you to do the same. Check out the Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing course here.
7. Flip Items for Profit
If you love thrifting or have items that you think you could sell for a profit, flea market flipping is another great small business idea for women.
What it is: You thrift or find items at a low price and then resell them for a higher price to generate a profit. You can do this on sites such as eBay, Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, etc.
What it pays: It depends on how much work you put in and the items you find. Our friends at Flea Market Flipper made $133,000 working part-time hours!
How to get started: Sign up for the course at Flea Market Flipper. They teach you everything you need to know about flipping items for a profit and making a full-time income!
8. Start a Shopify Shop
If you are good at making digital printables or other crafts that you can sell online, then starting a Shopify store is a great small business idea for women.
What it is: Shopify is an online store where you can sell digital products, physical products, services, and dropship products.
What it pays: This depends on what you sell and how well you market your products. Our mentor, Sarah Titus, makes over $300,000 per month with her Shopify store!
How to get started: You can set up your own Shopify store right away if you know what you want to sell.
9. Sell on Etsy
If you like to create things, you could make a great income by selling on Etsy.
What it is: Etsy is an online store where you can sell digital or physical products.
What it pays: This depends on how visible your products become and the nature of what you are selling.
How to get started: Brainstorm what you could make and sign up for your own Etsy storefront. You will also need a great marketing plan to make sure people are finding your products.
10. Sell on Amazon (FBA)
You should consider selling on Amazon’s FBA program if you have a good eye for a bargain, are highly organized, and willing to put in time and effort.
What is it: Similar to flea market flipping, you find items for a low price and sell them for a much higher price on Amazon. However, not everything does well on Amazon, so you’ll need to do your research when trying to sell. You send the items to Amazon’s warehouse, and they ship the product for you once it’s sold.
What it pays: It depends on what you sell and how much time you put into it. There are many people making more than a full-time income from selling on Amazon.
How to get started: Do you research by looking up Amazon FBA articles or YouTube videos so that you know what you’ll need to invest, how to get started, and how to make a large profit.
11. Become a Freelancer
Freelancing is one of the best online jobs for women who want to quit their 9-5 and work on their own schedule.
What it is: Online businesses typically outsource jobs such as copywriting, administrative tasks, graphic design, web design, social media management, and more. The best part is, you can get started even if you have no experience on sites like Upwork or Freelancer.
How much it pays: This depends on experience and the service you provide. Most freelancers start out at $15 per hour and can charge up to $100+ per hour.
How to get started: You can sign-up for sites like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr where business owners go to outsource their work. Most freelancers also have success finding clients in Facebook groups, where clients tend to pay more.
12. Sell Online Courses
If you have something to teach, selling online courses is one of the lucrative online business ideas.
What it is: You create a course on a certain subject. For example, we have a course on blogging.
What it pays: This depends on the subject matter. The good news is, you are able to price your course however you want! There are many course creators making five to six figures per MONTH because of their courses! You’ll have to deal with the ins and outs of starting a business, but once your course takes off the income is very passive.
How to get started: Brainstorm and research profitable course ideas and sign up for an account on Teachable (our favorite platform) to host your online course.
13. Start a Dog-Sitting Business
If you love pets and want something that provides a steady income, consider starting a dog or pet sitting business!
What it is: You can babysit dogs or other pets while the owners are away. You’ll take them for walks and can even offer training or grooming services as well.
What it pays: On average, pet sitters charge from $20-$40 per day.
How to get started: Getting your first client can be tough, but once you do your services can spread by referral. Be sure to sign up for Rover where you can advertise your services.
14. Graphics Designer
If you have an eye for design and love making eye-catching printables, social media posts, books, etc., you would make a great graphics designer.
What it is: You will make graphics such as opt-ins, ebooks, social media content, printables, and more for business owners. Typically, you’ll need some experience in software such as Adobe Illustrator, PhotoShop, or Canva.
What it Pays: Most graphic designers charge anywhere from $20 to over $50 per hour depending on experience.
How to get started: Check out sites such as Fiverr, Upwork, or business Facebook groups to find clients looking for graphic designers.
15. Social Media Manager
If you love being on social media, then starting a social media management business is another great small business idea for women.
What it is: Companies know how powerful social media can be in building a brand and connecting with their audience. However, social media can take a lot of time and requires certain strategies, so often times business owners will outsource it. You’ll be in charge of posting content regularly, engaging with subscribers, managing Facebook groups or pages, and possibly taking control of ads.
What it pays: Social media managers can start out at $15 per hour and charge up to $75 per hour with more experience.
How to get started: Hang out in business or blogging-related Facebook groups. This is where you will find your ideal clients who are willing to pay you what you’re worth. If you are interested in Pinterest specifically, be sure to check out this free workshop on how to become a Pinterest VA today! If you love the sound of it, there’s an excellent Pinterest VA course to teach you everything you’d need to know!
16. Life Coach
If you are a positive person who loves pushing people to live their best lives and become the best version of themselves, you should start a business as a life coach.
What it is: You’ll help clients identify their goals and help them along the way. You provide personal development techniques, strategies, support, and motivation.
What it pays: This depends on the type of client you are trying to reach. Life coaches can make anywhere from about $50 per hour up to $250+!
How to get started: In order to become a life coach, you need some type of training. Be sure to check out the Life Coaching Certification Course. There are many different courses out there so be sure to do your research to find one that fits your needs.
17. Transcribe
Are you a fast and accurate typer? Transcribing will be perfect for you!
What it is: You’ll listen to audio files and then type what is being said on them. You’ll need to be able to type fast in order to keep up!
How much it pays: A transcriptionist’s salary is typically around $15 per hour.
How to get started: Check out sites like TranscribeMe, Capital Typing, CastingWords, GMR Transcription, etc. All you’ll need to do is sign up and possibly take a typing test.
18. Virtual Assistant
Becoming a virtual assistant is a great business idea for women at home who are organized, love systems, and have administrative experience.
What it is: You assist business owners with administrative tasks that they hand off to you. Usually, this work is done remotely, but it just depends on the company’s requirements.
What it pays: Beginner virtual assistants in the United States typically start out around $15-$20 per hour. More seasoned virtual assistants can charge up to $50+, especially if they specialize in a certain skill. You are able to price your services as you see fit.
How to get started: There are many virtual assistant training courses that can help you build your business step-by-step. You can start finding clients on Fiverr, Upwork, or in business-related Facebook groups.
19. Start a Real Estate Business
Investing in real estate properties can be a great way to make some passive income. You could even make enough to quit your 9 to 5!
What it is: You rent out properties to other people for more than you bought them and they pay you.
How much you can make: This depends on the type of property you rent out and how much you charge. There are many people making over six-figures passively by getting into real estate.
How to get started: There are many real estate investing courses out there to learn from. Be sure to do your research and find a course that’s right for you and your business goals.
20. In-Home Child Care
This is a great at home business idea for women who love to take care of children.
What it is: In-home childcare is where you watch other people’s children in your home. You may be required to feed them, play with them, and keep them safe.
What it pays: Most service providers charge around $30 per day. Be sure to do some market research and see what others are charging in your area and charge accordingly.
How to get started: Check out care.com to see if there are any opportunities in your area. You’ll need to make sure you get properly licensed and see if your HOA allows in-home businesses.
21. Photography
Consider starting a photography business or selling your photography to stock photo sites if you love to take nice pictures.
What it is: You could make money by selling your photography to stock photo sites or by charging others to take photos for them.
How much it pays: You get to set your rates as a photographer, but the average income is around $65,000 per year. If you are selling your photography, it depends on the site you are uploading on.
How to get started: Check out sites like Shuttershock or iStock Photo and see what other photographers are uploading and selling!
22. Travel Agent
If you love to travel or have a lot of experience with traveling, you should consider becoming a travel agent.
What it is: Travel agents help their clients find travel destinations, arrange vacations, and try to find the best deals for their customers.
What it pays: The average salary for a travel agent is $40,840. Your income will depend on experience and how many clients you have.
How to get started: There are agencies that will help you to get started as a travel agent, such as Outside Agents, Travel Planners International, Avoya Travel, and Nexion.
23. Clean Houses
If cleaning is something that comes naturally to you, something you find therapeutic, or something you don’t mind doing for some extra money, then you should consider starting a cleaning business!
What it is: You go into other people’s homes and clean for them! It’s that easy and you can make a ton of money doing it part-time.
What it pays: This depends on your area, but you could make up to $60 per hour if you have the experience.
How to get started: There are many articles and YouTube videos that will show you the step-by-step process on how to start your own cleaning business, so make sure to do your research.
24. Start a Laundry Business
No one likes doing laundry, so many people are starting to outsource it!
What it is: This is pretty self-explanatory – you charge to do other people’s laundry for them!
How much it pays: You can make up to $500 a week depending on how much you charge.
How to get started: Check out Laundry Care to learn more about becoming an Active Laundry Care Provider. This is one of the best business ideas for moms who enjoy something low-activity, quiet, and low-stress.
25. Become an Online Influencer
You don’t have to be a celebrity to make good money as an online influencer!
What it is: If you have a blog, YouTube channel, or social media account with lots of followers, you could be making money by partnering with brands and recommending their products.
What it pays: The pay depends on the brands you work with, commission and sponsorship rates, and how many followers you have. Some influencers are making six-figures per MONTH with their brand deals!
How to get started: Start building up a presence on your platform of choice, such as YouTube, Instagram, or by starting your own blog. Start by reaching out to smaller brands who are willing to collaborate with you while you’re just starting out.
Bonus Ways to Make Money From Home
One of our favorite ways to make money from home is by taking paid online surveys and using cashback apps. While you won’t be able to make a full-time income this way, these methods can be great side hustles to generate some extra income in your spare time. Here are some of our favorites.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks is one of our favorite paid survey sites. You just watch videos, take surveys, and play games and you are rewarded with Swagbucks. When you earn enough, you can trade them for cash or gift cards.
Ibotta
Ibotta is a cashback app that you can use to save money on groceries. All you need to do is scan your receipt and you’ll earn money back on qualifying purchases. The best part is you get a free $10 just for signing up!
Rakuten
If you enjoy shopping online, be sure to shop through Rakuten to earn money on qualifying purchases. All you have to do is download the Chrome extension and click on the website link by clicking through Rakuten first.
Rakuten is free to join and you can get a free $10 bonus for signing up today!
Final Thoughts on Small Business Ideas for Women
As you can see, there are many small business ideas for women who want to stay home or just build a side hustle while they’re still working full time.
Most of these small business ideas don’t require a lot of money up front to start which is amazing!
If you do need some additional funds for a more brick and mortar small business check out this awesome small business loan calculator.
You just need knowledge and grit to make sure you are successful!
