100+ Business Ideas for Young Entrepreneurs

Every business begins with an idea. Coming up with that idea is one of the coolest feelings in the world. It makes you daydream during the day and keeps you awake at night. However, that idea doesn’t come easy.

So we’ve compiled a list of 100+ business ideas that you can pursue as a young entrepreneur. Every idea that’s listed could be started out of your bedroom, and if done right, could reasonably earn $1,000 or more in one summer.

In addition to starting a business, you should use these ideas to expand your business. For example, if you have a lawn mowing service, you could also offer a snow removal service. If you have a graphic design service, you could offer a web development service.

These ideas fall under three categories: products, services and Internet businesses. Choose one you’ll enjoy and let us know if you have suggestions. We’ll always update this list with new ideas.

Hardest to start – high start-up costs, few potential customers, large barriers to entry, etc.

Easiest to start – low start-up costs, lots of potential customers, small barriers to entry, etc.

Least profitable – high start-up costs, slim profit margins, little room for growth, etc.

Most profitable – low start-up costs, huge profit margins, plenty of room for growth, etc.

Articles related to business idea – All of the JuniorBiz articles that mention this idea. Click the icon and get a list.

JuniorBiz Guides – Represents a JuniorBiz Guide that has been written for that idea. Only a few now, but more to come.

Products

When you offer a product, people will pay you for something that they can hold in their hands. This product must either solve a problem (i.e. t-shirts) or satisfy a want (i.e. lemonade stand). Selling a product as a young entrepreneur has advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

• You can make it once, and sell a lot of them.
• You can sell it around the world.

Disadvantages

• You’ll spend a lot of time and money developing the product before you could ever sell it.
• You have to compete with other products around the world.

Arts & Crafts

	Ease of Start	Profitability	Articles	Guide?
Greeting Cards
Homemade Candles
Portraiture from Photos
Scrapbooking
Woodworking

Food Products

	Ease of Start	Profitability	Articles	Guide?
Chocolate
Cookie Arrangements
Fresh Produce and Herbs
Gift Baskets
Gourmet Baked Goods
Lemonade Stand
Popsicle Cart
Sauces and Salsas
Specialty Foods

Household Products

	Ease of Start	Profitability	Articles	Guide?
Birdhouses
Building and Selling Computers
Custom Shelves
Custom Dollhouses
Custom Knitting and Quilts/Afghans
Custom Flower Arrangements
Decorative Pillows
Draperies, Upholstery and Slipcovers
Firewood
Storage Sheds, Playhouses and Doghouses
Used Book Reselling

People Products

	Ease of Start	Profitability	Articles	Guide?
Cosmetics
Jewelry and Accessories
T-Shirts

Services

When you provide a service, people will pay you for your time and effort. The service you choose to provide must be something that they can’t do (i.e. babysitting) or take a task off of someone’s plate (i.e. lawn mowing). Providing a service as a young entrepreneur has advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

• You’ll make money almost immediately.
• You only have to compete with local services.

Disadvantages

• You have to convince people that you can provide a quality service the first time.
• You have limited time to provide a service and can’t grow without hiring extra help.

Automobile & Engine Services

	Ease of Start	Profitability	Articles	Guide?
Car Cleaning/Detailing
Car/Oil Maintenance
Small Engine Repair

Childcare Services

	Ease of Start	Profitability	Articles	Guide?
Babysitting
Babysitting Agency
Children’s Event Organizer
Children’s Night Out
Kids Taxi
Vacation Childcare

Computer, Photography, & Event Services

	Ease of Start	Profitability	Articles	Guide?
Computer Repair
Data Archiver
Disc Jockey
Entertainer
Film to Digital Scanning
Party Planner
Photo Album/Inventory
Specialty Photographer

Educational Services

	Ease of Start	Profitability	Articles	Guide?
Computer Tutor
Educational Tutor
Language Instructor
Music Lessons
Standardized Test Prep

Home Exterior Services

	Ease of Start	Profitability	Articles	Guide?
Construction Cleaning
Deck Cleaning and Refinishing
Gutter Cleaning
General Maintenance/Handyman
House Painting
Pressure Washing
Roofing
Snow Removal

Home Cleaning Services

	Ease of Start	Profitability	Articles	Guide?
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning
Commercial Cleaning
Duct Cleaning
Garage and Attic Hauling
Miniblind Cleaning
Window Cleaning

Home Specialty Services

	Ease of Start	Profitability	Articles	Guide?
Apartment Preparation
Baby Proofing
Cake Baker
Catering
Chimney Cleaning
Garage Sale Organizer
Holiday Decorating
House Sitting
Interior Design
Knife Sharpening
On-Demand Trash Removal
Packing/Unpacking
Plant Maintenance
Pool Cleaning

Landscaping

	Ease of Start	Profitability	Articles	Guide?
Concrete Curbing
Decorative Bricks
Garden Tilling
Lawn Mowing/Care
Leaf Removal
Low-Voltage Outdoor Electrical Wiring

Miscellaneous Services

	Ease of Start	Profitability	Articles	Guide?
Music Instrument Tuning and Repair
Newsletter Publisher
Newspaper Delivery
Tax Preparation

Personal Services

	Ease of Start	Profitability	Articles	Guide?
Alterations and Custom Tailoring
Dry Cleaning
Errand and Delivery
Makeup Artist
Personal Chef
Personal Organizer
Personal Shopper
Personal/Sports Trainer
Senior Care

Pet Services

	Ease of Start	Profitability	Articles	Guide?
Aquarium Maintenance
Dog Cleanup
Dog Walking
Pet Sitting

Internet Businesses

When you have an Internet business, you can sell a product (i.e. through blogging) or you can offer a service (i.e. web development). In either case, you must offer something unique. Running an Internet business as a young entrepreneur has advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

• You have relatively low start-up costs.
• You can reach a worldwide audience of potential customers.

Disadvantages

• You have to take some time to figure out how the Internet works.
• You have a practically unlimited number of competitors.
• It can be dangerous.

Web-Based Services

	Ease of Start	Profitability	Articles	Guide?
Graphic Design
Internet Marketing
Online Auctioning
Videography
Web Development/Maintenance

Writing

	Ease of Start	Profitability	Articles	Guide?
Blogging
Copywriting and Proofreading
E-Zine Publishing
Freelance Writing
Transcription
Translation (audio & written)

If your business didn’t make the cut or ranked low, please leave your comments below. I’m open to debate and I’d love to hear what you have to say. Thanks!