Looking to start a small business this year? The pet care industry is a great chance to succeed, especially since pets are now part of 70% of American households. No wonder pet grooming has become a thriving $5 billion market.
You don't need huge investments or complex expertise to launch your own business. Profitable options exist across many fields, from running it at home to providing services. The home cleaning industry serves as a prime example - it's projected to reach $10 billion by 2026.
Personal trainers can make anywhere from $30 to over $100 for each session they conduct.
The digital world keeps creating new possibilities. Virtual events should grow at 18.8% each year until 2030. Online education has opened up countless paths for people who have specialized knowledge. The secondhand market looks promising too, with expectations to hit $350 billion by 2028 - almost double its current size.
This piece will show you profitable small business ideas to start this year. We'll help you pick the right option based on your skills and walk you through practical steps that turn business dreams into reality. Whether you want a side hustle or plan to change careers, you'll find business ideas that line up with what you want to achieve.
We broke down the best business ideas, so you don’t have to guess what works. Scroll to find.
Key Takeaways
- The best small businesses in 2025 align with your skills, require low startup capital, and meet a clear market demand—no fluff, just smart execution.
- Profitable ideas range from service-based gigs (like virtual assistants and cleaning pros) to digital-first ventures (like online courses, affiliate marketing, and telehealth).
- Telehealth is exploding—expected to grow 24% annually through 2030—and platforms like Bask Health simplify launching with HIPAA-compliant, white-label tools.
- Testing your idea with a minimum viable product (MVP), using lean planning, and starting part-time are low-risk ways to build long-term success.
- Whether you start from your kitchen table or a coworking space, the formula is clear: solve real problems, use available tech, and scale sustainably.
How to Choose the Right Small Business Idea
The right small business idea matches your skills and fits your lifestyle and money goals. Let me show you a practical way to find your perfect business venture.
Assess your skills and interests
You need to look at what you can bring to the table. Business owners succeed more often when they start with what they already know well. Your passion gives you the drive to keep going when things get tough. Think about the skills from your career, the knowledge others might pay you for, and the work that gets you excited instead of tired.
Your background in the field gives you a real edge in running operations and making sales. This inside knowledge helps you break into the market and stand out from others doing similar things.
Decide between full-time or a side hustle
Your business doesn't need to be full-time from day one. Research shows ecommerce businesses are 2.5X more likely to be supplementary forms of income. Many people start their business while keeping their day job and work on it during evenings and weekends.
A side business lets you test your ideas with less risk. You can build multiple income streams, grow your network, and confirm your concept works before jumping in fully. The right time to go full-time comes when your side work brings in enough money to replace your salary, ideally double your corporate pay to cover benefits and sick days.
Understand your local market and demand
A business idea only works if customers will pay for it. Good market research should tell you:
- The size of your potential market
- Your local customer profile (age, income, occupation)
- What competitors do well and poorly
- Local economic conditions
This homework cuts your risks before you even start. It also helps you see what your customers want, so you can target your products just right.
Online vs. in-person: what suits you best?
Your choice between online and physical stores will affect your business path a lot. Online businesses usually reach profit faster because they cost less to start and run. You avoid expensive rent and can start small with inventory, growing as sales increase.
Physical stores offer something different. Customers get their items right away, face-to-face help, and experiences they can't get online. The downside? You'll need more money upfront and face higher running costs.
Look at which option fits your lifestyle, available resources, and business type best.
Profitable Small Business Ideas by Category
Small business ideas that match your skills and interests can lead to success. Your expertise, startup budget, and priorities will help determine the best option. Here are several business categories you can start this year.
Service-based businesses
Starting a service business lets you use your existing skills with minimal upfront costs. Personal assistants make around $50,749 per year, and virtual assistants can earn $40-$100 per hour. The professional cleaning industry continues to grow, with experts projecting a 5.6% increase over the next five years. Event planners earn roughly $2,100 for each event. Wedding planners do especially well since couples typically spend $33,000 on their celebrations.
Product-based businesses
Successful product entrepreneurs value community support and know their creative work makes a difference. They also set clear boundaries effectively. A print-on-demand t-shirt business needs minimal investment - you create designs while production companies handle the rest. Bakery businesses let passionate cooks sell their goods to neighbors, local cafés, or through online platforms.
Digital and creator economy ideas
The creator economy helps people earn money through YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Content creators make money from advertising, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. Online courses show great promise, with projections reaching $87.51 billion in 2024. Consulting businesses can be lucrative too - management consultants average $212,000 yearly.
Home-based business ideas
Dog walking services on platforms like Rover can bring in $2,000-$4,000 monthly. Home bakeries work well with basic equipment and give you flexibility. You can create passive income by renting out unused spaces - pools ($25-40/hour), backyards, or cars.
Low-cost startup options
Your specialized knowledge can turn into a tutoring service without much investment, especially with the growing edtech market. Virtual assistance only requires a computer and an internet connection. Freelance writing pays hundreds per article through platforms like Upwork, making it a great option for skilled writers.
Bask Health and the Rise of Telehealth
Telehealth has emerged as one of the most promising small business chances in today's healthcare world. The digital evolution of medical services gives entrepreneurs an easy way to enter healthcare without traditional barriers.
What is a telehealth business?
Telehealth businesses deliver healthcare services remotely through digital communication technologies. These services have video consultations, secure messaging, remote patient monitoring, and mobile health applications. They connect patients with healthcare providers virtually and expand care availability, whatever the patient's location or mobility limits.
Why telehealth is a growing opportunity
The global telehealth market reached $83.50 billion in 2022 and will grow at 24% annually through 2030. North America leads with a 45.76% market share. This quick growth comes from rising chronic conditions, higher healthcare costs, and wider acceptance of virtual care solutions. McKinsey's research shows that $250 billion of current US healthcare spending could shift to virtual platforms.
How to start your own telehealth business
Your telehealth business journey needs these key steps:
- Pick your niche (specialty care, chronic condition management, mental health)
- Learn regulatory requirements and get the necessary licensing
- Choose the right technology platforms that ensure HIPAA compliance
- Build efficient processes for patient management
- Design marketing strategies to reach your target audience
Understanding telemedicine startup costs
The original investment ranges from $10,000 to $250,000 based on your business scale. The main costs are licensing fees (~$1,500), technology and equipment ($20,000-$40,000), and legal services ($200-$400/hour). Software prices range from $25,000 for simple platforms to $150,000 for complex solutions.
Telehealth business model examples
Successful telehealth businesses use different revenue approaches. The B2C (Business-to-Consumer) model serves patients directly through subscription fees or per-consultation payments. The B2B (Business-to-Business) model provides telehealth infrastructure to existing healthcare providers. Many successful companies blend both models to maximize revenue and expand their reach.
Steps to Launch Your Business This Year
You've picked your small business idea, and now it's time to make it real. Here's a practical guide to turn your concept into a thriving business this year.
Create a simple business plan
A business plan will boost your startup's chances of success. You might not need financing, but writing one helps you spot weak points in your idea and find opportunities you might have missed.
Your plan should include:
- Executive summary (write this last)
- Company description
- Products/services offered
- Market analysis
- Marketing strategy
- Operations plan
- Financial projections
Skip the complex document and think about a lean business plan that shows everything in your business—your company overview, the problem you're solving, your unique value proposition, and target market.
Register your business legally
Your location and business structure will determine the registration process. Most businesses just need to:
- Choose a business structure (LLC, corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship)
- Register with state authorities—usually through the Secretary of State's office
- Get necessary licenses and permits
- Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS
Using your legal name means you might not need to register. But registration gives you personal liability protection, legal benefits, and tax advantages.
Set up finances and tools
Your business and personal finances should stay separate. A business bank account helps even when you're starting—customers can pay your business directly, and accounting becomes easier.
Key financial tools to think about:
- Accounting software that tracks income and expenses
- Billing and invoice systems for quick payments
- Budgeting tools to plan expenses
- Tax filing programs that ensure compliance
Start small and test your idea
Test your concept with a minimum viable product (MVP) before a full launch. This bare-bones version helps you get feedback.
Budget-friendly testing approaches include:
- Talking to potential customers (try to reach at least 50 people)
- Building a landing page to see interest
- Using crowdfunding to verify demand
- Testing with friends and family
Market your business online
Digital marketing is a great way to get to broader audiences cheaply. Small businesses with structured marketing plans are 6.7 times more likely to succeed than those without one.
Start with these basics:
- Build a functional, mobile-friendly website
- Set up lead capture systems on your site
- Pick core marketing channels where your audience spends time
- Create foundational content that explains what you do
Final Thoughts on Starting Your Small Business
This year could be your moment to turn skills and interests into profit. We explore a range of business ideas for every type of company, but the best fit depends on your talents, budget, and lifestyle.
Great founders know their strengths and gaps. Your expertise forms the foundation, while market research reveals whether people need what you offer. Start part-time if that keeps finances safe—plenty of full-time successes began as side gigs.
Momentum comes from action. Draft a lean business plan, handle the legal basics, set up simple bookkeeping, then gather feedback and refine. Those early systems feel daunting, but they protect you as you grow.
Whether you coach clients, launch an online course, or ride the telehealth boom, the formula stays constant: identify a problem, craft a solution, and reach the customers who need it. The road won’t be perfectly straight, but with grit and flexibility, today’s small start can become tomorrow’s thriving enterprise.
References
- Forbes Advisor. (n.d.). Home business ideas. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/uk/advisor/business/home-business-ideas/
- Xero. (n.d.). Online vs. brick-and-mortar business. Retrieved from https://www.xero.com/us/reports/online-vs-bricks-and-mortar-business/
- NerdWallet. (n.d.). Most profitable business. Retrieved from https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/most-profitable-business
- SCORE. (n.d.). Business plan template: A startup business. Retrieved from https://www.score.org/resource/template/business-plan-template-a-startup-business
- U.S. Small Business Administration. (n.d.). Register your business. Retrieved from https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/register-your-business
