Modern consumers love to hire people to do things for them—whether helping maintain their homes, taking care of their health, navigating their busy lives or delivering food and other goods to them. This is good news for those who start businesses that offer these types services.
Offering personal services can be a reliable way to generate income and build a business, especially if there’s a viable market. And the added bonus? Start-up costs can be quite low.
Looking for inspiration for an in-demand personal services business to start? Here are 20 ideas.
1. Professional Driver / Chauffeur
If you like spending time on the road, becoming a driver for hire—taking people to the airport or wherever they need to go—can be a lucrative business. You need a clean and well-maintained vehicle, along with a specialty “chauffeur’s license” (requirements differ by state). To get started, you could join a company like Uber or Lyft. Or you could potentially make more money and build your own business by marketing your driving services independently on sites like Nextdoor and through your own website. Keep in mind that you may need to work non-traditional hours, such as early mornings or late nights, to make a good living in this business.
Startup needs: Well-maintained vehicle; chauffeur’s license (as determined by your state); a clean driving record; professional website
2. House Cleaner
If you’re physically fit and enjoy cleaning and organizing, house cleaning can be an excellent opportunity. It’s strenuous work—you’ll carry equipment, scrub floors and travel between clients—but start-up costs are low. All you need are cleaning supplies and reliable transportation. Many housecleaners today also use scheduling apps that make scheduling their services and customer communications easy.
Many startups differentiate themselves by offering more flexible scheduling options or nontoxic, environmentally friendlier cleaning products. Word-of-mouth referrals, social media and lead generation sites (like Thumbtack and Angi) can be helpful marketing tools.
Startup needs: Physical fitness; cleaning supplies; transportation; scheduling app
3. Handyman or Handywoman
Being a jack of all trades who knows how to do lots of tasks—whether painting, installing doors or new locks or performing small repairs—can be a winning business model. In fact, demand for handyman services is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13.4% through 2032, according to Polaris Market Research. If you already have lots of home repair and maintenance skills, this can be a natural business to start. You can find your first jobs through Nextdoor and lead generation sites. Once you’re deemed reliable and skilled, word of your business will likely travel fast.
Startup needs: Toolbox with lots of tools; home repair and maintenance skills; scheduling app
4. Health and Wellness Coach
Everyone wants to be healthier, so there’s growing demand for people who can help instill healthier practices. It’s helpful to have an educational background or job experience that provides you with the credibility and credentials to be a professional coach. While most states don’t require wellness coaches to have a professional license, it can help to get trained and be certified by a reputable organization. Many colleges and universities, including Mayo Clinic, offer wellness coach training and certification. There are also apps and tools geared to helping health and wellness coaches provide wellness plans and guidance to clients digitally, keep track of billing and payments and track their progress.
Startup needs: Job experience, credentials and/or certification by a reputable organization; tools to assist with coaching and training
5. Mobile Pet Groomer
Shampooing and snipping dogs’ and cats’ fur is a fast-growing business opportunity—and bringing it to people’s doorsteps can make it even more successful. The mobile pet care market is expected to grow 8.1% annually through 2030, according to Coherent Market Insights. If you love taking care of animals, this could be the right fit for you. The start-up costs of this business aren’t cheap, but the opportunity could pay for itself quickly.
Startup needs: Fully equipped van; grooming tools; business licenses; specialized training
6. Furniture Maker
Demand for unique, crafted items has been growing. Furniture is one area ripe for high-end, uniquely designed, domestically made pieces. Success often depends on finding a niche and developing signature designs. A solid marketing strategy also matters: Will you sell online, work with retailers or both?
Startup needs: Furniture-making expertise (woodworking/design classes); equipment and raw materials
6. Delivery Service
From shipped packages to restaurant meals, delivering things to people’s doorstep can be an easy way to start a business. You’ll need a reliable vehicle, plus licenses, permits and training, depending on what you’re delivering. If you’re considering food delivery, you might partner directly with popular local restaurants and food businesses. Or you could sign up to deliver through a food delivery service or a company such as DoorDash.
Startup needs: Several licenses (depending on business format); reliable delivery vehicle
7. Organization and Productivity Coach
If you’re highly organized—both physically and mentally—this may be a natural fit. Stay up to date on trends both for home and office organization and time management, and also develop a smart marketing plan. Industry groups like the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals offer certification, training and networking opportunities. Many organizers use social media to share tips and attract clients.
Startup needs: Certification; professional website
8. Pet Sitter
If you love dogs and cats, pet sitting can be an option. Reputation is everything, so you may need to offer discounts early on. Consult a lawyer to ensure you have proper insurance and legal protection in case something happens to a pet in your care.
Startup needs: Love of animals; schedule flexibility; marketing skills; liability insurance
9. Landscaper
If you love the outdoors, have physical stamina and feel comfortable handling equipment, landscaping may be for you. You’ll need lawn-care and gardening expertise, along with knowledge of safe equipment and chemical handling. Word-of-mouth marketing is powerful—offering discounts to initial customers can help build your base. You can also market your services online through sites like Nextdoor.
Startup needs: Lawn/gardening knowledge; tools and vehicle; physical fitness
10. Photographer
Photography enthusiasts can turn their hobby into income. While courses in photography and editing help, they aren’t required. Build a strong portfolio—even if that means initially offering free or discounted shoots. Interning with professionals is also valuable. Avoid overinvesting in equipment early on. Buy used gear and upgrade slowly based on your needs.
Choosing a niche also helps, whether that’s sports, weddings or family portraits.
Startup needs: Strong portfolio; photography equipment; editing software; computer
11. Home Caregiving
As the U.S. population ages, demand for caregivers continues to grow. In fact, home health and personal care aide jobs are expected to grow 17% by 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Decide whether to open a franchise or start independently. You also must decide whether to offer non-medical care (such as eating, bathing and mobility) or pursue Medicare certification for medical care. Some states require certificates of need for home health operations.
Startup needs: Home care/medical training; licensing or certificate of need (state-dependent); strong community demand
12. Hair Stylist
Before launching your own business, you must complete beauty school and obtain a state cosmetology license. This typically requires 1,500 to 2,100 hours of training. Working for someone else first can help you refine your skills. Once you go out on your own, you’ll likely need financing for space and equipment. Decide whether to join a franchise or operate independently, and consider whether stylists will earn commissions or rent chairs.
Startup needs: Cosmetology license; startup capital; good location
13. Daycare Provider
If you’re great with children and have a safe home environment, starting an in-home daycare may be a good option. Every state has licensing rules involving inspections, background checks and regulations. Experience at a licensed daycare can help you build skills and reputation. Opening a commercial daycare facility involves more regulation but may be viable—even via franchise.
Startup needs: State licensing; ability to safely care for children; supportive home environment (for home daycare)
14. Tutor
If you have expertise in an academic subject, tutoring can be a solid business. Check with a lawyer about legal requirements for teaching children at home. Tutoring in schools requires specific training and certification. Building a client roster takes time, but strong results can quickly lead to referrals.
Startup needs: Subject matter expertise; ability to teach from a syllabus; communication skills with children; legal compliance; training/certification for school-based tutoring
15. Tax Preparer
This business suits someone with math skills and does not require a college degree. Training courses and IRS registration are required. Obtain a Preparer Tax Identification Number and complete state registration. Working at an established tax prep business first can provide valuable experience. Joining the IRS’s voluntary Annual Filing Season Program can boost your credibility. Success may eventually lead to becoming a CPA.
Startup needs: Training courses; IRS PTIN; state registration
16. Personal Trainer
Personal trainers don’t need a license in the U.S., but certification through a recognized training association such as NASM is highly recommended. You must excel at fitness training and be able to network, market yourself and grow your client list.
Startup needs: Personal training courses; certification; meeting any requirements of the gyms where you train.
17. Seamstress
Help people get more life out of their clothes by offering sewing and apparel repair services. You need to have great sewing skills, but you may be able to start your business at home if you have space.
Startup needs: Sewing machine; apparel repair supplies; business license; liability insurance
18. Jewelry Repairer
Fixing jewelry is a job of precision, but one in high demand. Beyond the skills and training to do it, you’ll need business licenses, strong anti-theft and security measures, plus ample insurance to ensure you’re protecting customers’ precious wares. On-the-job training is a must, and some vocational classes could help. As you establish your own business, you might consider seeking one of the four certification levels offered by Jewelers of America.
Startup needs: Specialized tools; workbench; liability insurance
19. Miscellaneous Task Performer
Even if you don’t have the skills of a handyman, you can still find work doing jobs that require less training and experience. That could be raking lawns, assembling furniture or cleaning a room. Flexibility is key, and work may come in at odd times. But if you show yourself to be reliable and capable, you could build steady income by performing random tasks that people need done.
Startup needs: Handyman/housekeeping skills; willingness to work odd hours; customer service skills; computer
20. Shoe Repairer
If you aren’t already skilled, you’ll need to learn from an experienced shoe repair professional. Hand dexterity and comfort using heavy machinery are essential. Customer service also matters. Opening your own shop requires financing for equipment and space. Licensing and insurance may also be required.
Startup needs: Trade training; capital; good location; liability insurance
Whatever type of personal services business you start, dependability, strong communication and excellent customer service will be critical ingredients to success. It’s important to make sure you can offer all of those things before striking out on your own.