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Get Inspired to Start Your Business in 2023
Looking for self employment ideas to inspire you to start your business? Being the boss is the dream for many people. You make the decisions, create your work schedule, and run your own company.
It’s a path many business owners take, and it can come with many perks, but when you’re starting out, the problem is you don’t know what kind of small business you want to run. That’s where self employment ideas come in!
Choosing a business path and deciding what business to start can be challenging. We’ve put together a list of 13 different self employment ideas to inspire you to start your dream business.
Let’s go!
13 Self Employment Ideas to Inspire You to Start Your Business
If you feel stuck and don’t know what kind of small business to consider starting, these 13 business ideas might inspire you.
1. Blogging
Blogging is about writing and publishing articles on a website. Bloggers typically choose a niche or topic to focus on in their blog, like gardening, food and cooking, fitness, fashion, etc. You create blog posts to attract traffic to your website and cultivate an audience. Then, that blog traffic can be monetized in a variety of ways, which is how you make money:
- Ads
- Sponsored posts
- Selling products and services
- Affiliate marketing
Blogging is a great small business path for creatives to pursue.
This collection of blogger income reports shares multiple bloggers revealing earnings up to $90,000 per month.
In all, this is one of our favorite self employment ideas to start on the side. Then, when your blog takes off, taking it full-time could be a wise decision that pays off.
If this sounds interesting, read this article to start your blog today.
2. Podcasting
Podcasting is like independent radio. This is one of the best self employment ideas that’s within reach for anyone.
Anybody can start a podcast and share their thoughts and opinions with the world. You can run the podcast as a solopreneur or bring on a co-host for your show.
Podcasters make money with:
- Sponsorships
- Affiliate marketing
- Selling products and services
Many podcasters also start a blog, so they can have an online home for their podcast. The blog can earn extra money for podcasters through ads and the monetization methods shared above.
A podcast is a good business for someone who is a content creator at heart. You enjoy creating and sharing content with others, and you have patience and persistence. Podcasters are often bloggers and/or video creators or other creatives.
Podcasts can be used as a business tool, a marketing tool, and for other purposes.
This business can take some time to ramp up as you build your audience, so starting this as a side project is what many podcasters do.
Podcast advertising revenues reached over 1 billion dollars in 2021. Top-earning podcasts earn tens of millions per year, and the national average salary is around $73,000/year, according to ZipRecruiter.
3. Niche Websites
Become a niche website creator, building and growing niche sites for a living. If you’re looking for website-based self employment ideas, this business fits the bill.
A niche site business is about running one or more websites as your business, like a network of blogs.
First, choose a website niche. Next, create your niche website, add articles, and monetize the website with ads, sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and selling products and services.
Then, you can run that website alone or go on to build more money-making sites.
Selling your websites in the future could also be a source of income. Did you know that a site earning $10,000 could sell for $350,000?
To start with niche site investing, Affiliate Lab teaches you the skills to rank, earn, and flip websites.
You can earn a lucrative salary in this space. Niche website builders and investors like small business owner Morten Storsgaard makes five figures per month with niche sites.
4. Social Media Manager
Social media managers manage a brand’s social media presence across one or multiple social networks. This is a great business for someone who is social media savvy, enjoys working with others, and is well-organized.
You’ll have tasks like:
- Creating and curating content
- Planning out and executing a content calendar
- Analyzing social media metrics
- Responding to comments
Social media managers play a major role in brands’ online presence and social growth. You can take on more or multiple clients and on average, earn around $51,000/year.
5. Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant (VA) is an online personal assistant. In this self employed job, you’ll work with one or more clients, helping them run their day-to-day activities like:
- Scheduling appointments
- Email and calendar management
- Note-taking
- Posting to social media
The tasks you’ll do will vary, based on your client’s needs. This is a great business to start for someone who wants to work from home, enjoys helping others, is detail-oriented, and is well-organized. VAs like Riya Jain make $8,000/month running their own virtual assistant business. It’s not unusual to run a six-figure business as a VA.
This is a business you can start and hit the ground running. Securing one or more clients can be enough to earn a full-time income. Here are some of the best virtual assistant jobs and websites for beginners to check out.
6. Freelance Writer
The best self employment ideas to consider for people who like writing is freelance writing. Freelance writers make money writing content for clients.
Making the most money from freelance writing comes from niching down. So rather than doing any kind of writing project available, choosing a niche like technical writing or copywriting will help you earn more and strengthen your writing skills so you can master writing in that niche.
On average, freelance writers make $68,000/year.
These are some of the best freelance writing jobs for beginners to get you started.
7. Sell ebooks
Selling ebooks is a small business idea that can be an exciting and lucrative career path for business owners.
First, you have to consider your book’s topic and audience. Then comes outlining and drafting your ebook. Proofreading and editing is next. Then, you’ll need to do marketing and figure out what platform to sell the book on.
This guide shows you how to write an ebook in 4 steps.
Ebook authors average $72,000/year.
8. Amazon FBA
Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) has created self employed jobs for millions of Amazon sellers. This program allows Amazon sellers to use Amazon’s fulfillment centers to store their products. When sellers make a sale, Amazon picks, packages, and ships the order to the customer.
This is a streamlined way for Amazon sellers to handle fulfillment, outsourcing this task to Amazon. Amazon FBA helps Amazon sellers save time and save money on warehouse storage costs.
How does an Amazon FBA business work?
Once you join the Amazon FBA program, you’ll source and ship your products to Amazon and set up your marketplace listings on the Amazon website.
You can start an Amazon FBA business with little money. Top FBA sellers like Clarence Cheang make as much as $17,000/month or more.
9. Coaching
Coaching is a service-based business you can do if you have expertise in business, accounting, operations, etc. Coaches work with businesses to help them be better.
For example, a business operations coach can help a company better its workforce culture, improve its operations to eliminate bottlenecks and improve processing speed.
There is also a career coach, life coach, executive coach, etc.
This is one of the lowest startup-cost self employment ideas on this list!
Business coaches earn around $75,000/year, on average.
10. Dropshipping
Dropshipping is an e-commerce fulfillment business model where an e-commerce store doesn’t hold the inventory in stock. Instead, when the store sells the product to the customer, the inventory supplier directly ships the goods to the consumer.
The main advantage of dropshipping is the money savings. The store saves money because they don’t have to bulk order inventory in advance, holding it in a warehouse until it sells. Stores only purchase inventory when a product is sold. Warehouse storage fees are eliminated, and investing in a large supply of products upfront is unnecessary.
Making a full-time income from dropshipping is possible. Many successful dropshipping stores exist today like Chad Brinkle‘s business which earns $4,000/month dropshipping car parts, or these two brothers who earn $30,000/month dropshipping.
11. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a digital marketing strategy where companies partner with affiliates to promote their products in exchange for commissions. This is a way to earn passive income as well.
For example, an affiliate can promote a blender for a home appliance company and earn $10 from each blender sale that results. Customers make a commission when they buy a blender with the affiliate’s affiliate link.
Affiliate marketing can be a very lucrative business and self employed job. An affiliate marketer earns an average salary of nearly $180,000/year, according to ZipRecruiter.
You can promote products as an affiliate with blogging, email marketing, social media, and paid ads, among other strategies.
Niche site operator L.E. McArthur makes $60,000/month from affiliate marketing income from her niche sites.
12. Start a YouTube Channel
YouTube is a video-based platform where creators can share what they know in videos for the public to watch. You can use YouTube as a marketing channel for virtually any business, from your coaching business to blogging, freelancing, and more.
Becoming a YouTuber is a business idea that’s cheap to start and can pay off in dividends in the future. It’s relatively easy to do, too!
Starting a YouTube channel is free. You pick a niche, set up your YouTube channel, start filming videos, and publish it to the platform.
Tons of different YouTube channels exist:
- How-to’s and tutorial-based
- Vlogging
- Entertainment
- Inspirational and motivational
YouTube will help you reach an audience through the videos you publish. You can monetize your channel and profit from YouTube with YouTube ads, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and selling products and services.
This is a good business idea for creators to showcase their best skills and teach, inspire, and/or entertain an audience through video.
How much can YouTube businesses make?
According to this survey, $4,616/month in 2022. Top YouTubers like Eric Worral make $40,000/month.
13. E-commerce
Running an e-commerce business is an at-home idea revolving around selling products in an online store, whether coffee mugs, t-shirts, toys, or baked goods.
First, you start by choosing a niche. What will you sell? Where will you source the product? Who is your audience? Next, after you source and stock your products, you can set up your online store using a platform like Shopify.
E-commerce can be one of the best businesses to start for $200 or less.
The sky’s the limit on how much you can earn from e-commerce.
This inspiring story shares how successful business owner Steve Chou grew his e-commerce business and blog to 7 figures, working 20 hours a week.
What are the best self-employment ideas from home?
The best self employment ideas from home are businesses that can be run remotely, like blogging or social media management. Of the 13 self employment ideas shared in this list, all can be done from home. You would win with any one of these business ideas.
Bottom line on self employment ideas
There are so many self employment ideas to choose from. Which one do you pick? Review these business ideas and choose the path that aligns with your interests and goals. The biggest challenge I think people who want to start a business face is taking action.
Which of these self employment ideas appeals the most to you?
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Cut Costs, Not Features with This Microsoft Bundle Deal
Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.
Software subscription fees can quickly add up, and for small-business owners, entrepreneurs, or freelancers, these costs can eat into profits. Businesses spend approximately 29% of their IT budgets on software, according to a 2023 survey by Gartner.
For business professionals who are looking to streamline workflow without paying steep subscription fees, the Ultimate 2019 Microsoft Bundle might be the perfect solution. For just $71.94 (regularly $927), this comprehensive four-part bundle offers Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019, Windows 11 Pro, Project 2019, and Visio 2019.
While it’s not the newest version of Microsoft’s software, it can deliver tremendous value for anyone seeking tools to manage their business, boost productivity, and work efficiently. The bundle offers a lifetime license, meaning you’ll get all the functionality you need without the recurring costs associated with subscription services like Microsoft 365.
However, it does come with Windows 11 Pro, which includes the recent AI updates. Windows 11 Pro delivers a modern, intuitive interface with enhanced security features such as biometric login and Smart App Control, making it ideal for professionals who prioritize privacy and usability. It’s also equipped with tools that support multitasking, such as Snap Layouts and Virtual Desktops.
For companies looking to reduce overhead without compromising essential functionality, making a one-time purchase of slightly older software is a smart financial move. This includes Office’s most popular productivity tools, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Project 2019 is a must-have for anyone who is managing large or small projects. It helps track tasks, timelines, and resources, making it easier to stay on top of deadlines and ensure your team moves in the right direction. Project 2019 gives you the tools to streamline processes and manage tasks efficiently.
Visio 2019 is ideal for creating professional diagrams, flowcharts, and organizational charts. It’s particularly valuable for visualizing complex data or workflows, which is essential for business owners looking to improve operational efficiency.
If you need a productivity boost without eating into savings, take a closer look at this bundle.
Get the Ultimate 2019 Microsoft Bundle with Office, Project, Visio, and Windows 11 Pro for $71.94 (regularly $927).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
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3 Trends That Will Change the Future of Entrepreneurship
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
The most recent data from the new Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report reveals a powerful trend for the future of entrepreneurship.
Young adults, aged 18-24, had both the highest entrepreneurial activity and entrepreneurial intentions in the United States, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2023-2024 United States Report. With similar results in 2022, this is not just a minor shift — it’s a fundamental change that could have lasting impacts on the economy and society.
I serve as the chair of the board for the Global Entrepreneurship Research Association, the entity that oversees GEM, which was founded in 1999 as a joint venture of Babson College and the London Business School. As the GEM U.S. team co-leader and a professor of entrepreneurship at Babson, I see firsthand the impact of the research created by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor.
Here are three entrepreneurship trends from the new GEM report that are changing the landscape for the future.
Related: 21 Success Tips for Young and Aspiring Entrepreneurs
1. Young entrepreneurs on the rise
For years, entrepreneurship has been dominated by older, more experienced individuals, but this year’s report shows that the youngest adults are now at the forefront. According to GEM, 24% of 18- to 24-year-olds are engaged in some form of entrepreneurial activity, a higher rate than any other age group. What’s driving these young entrepreneurs is equally remarkable: They aren’t just starting businesses to make money; many are deeply committed to making a positive impact on society and the environment.
These young entrepreneurs make sustainability a key priority. They are more likely than entrepreneurs from older generations to build businesses with sustainability as a core focus — whether that means reducing their environmental footprint or focusing on social causes. This shift toward impact-driven entrepreneurship isn’t just anecdotal. GEM data shows a significant number of young entrepreneurs taking real, measurable steps to create businesses that align with their values. With sustainability as their north star, young entrepreneurs appear to be simultaneously pursuing societal impact as well as profits.
However, it’s not all smooth sailing. While young people are leading the way in starting businesses, they are also discontinuing them at higher rates than their older counterparts. The discontinuation rate for 18- to 24-year-olds is 15%, the highest among all age groups. This is not surprising, given the challenges of inexperience and more limited access to capital. Starting a business is tough, and sustaining one is even more challenging. But despite these hurdles, the enthusiasm and energy that young people bring to entrepreneurship are undeniable, and with the right support, this generation has the potential to drive substantial change.
2. Tech gender gap narrows
One of the most promising findings in the GEM report is the narrowing gender gap in the technology sector. Historically, tech startups have been dominated by men, but 2023 saw a record-low difference in the number of men and women starting tech companies. The gap has narrowed to just 1%, with 8% of women compared with 9% of men launching businesses in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.
This is a significant step forward and reflects broader efforts to support more women technology startups. Still, it’s important to recognize that while progress is being made, continued focus on providing equal opportunities is essential to ensuring this trend continues.
3. Optimistic outlook for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs
Another highlight from the report is the optimistic outlook among Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs. These groups showed stronger confidence in their entrepreneurial abilities and lower fear of failure compared to their white counterparts. Black respondents, in particular, demonstrated high levels of resilience and self-assurance, which is vital in overcoming barriers faced in starting and sustaining businesses. This optimism is encouraging, but there’s still much work to be done in assuring ecosystems offer equal opportunities for all aspiring entrepreneurs, regardless of their background.
Related: I Wish I Received This Advice as a Young Entrepreneur
A promising future
Reflecting on the key findings of this year’s GEM report, it’s clear that the entrepreneurial landscape is changing in meaningful ways. The rise of young, sustainability-driven entrepreneurs signals a future where business is not only about profit but also about making a difference. These young entrepreneurs are launching businesses at a time when the world is looking for solutions to some of its most pressing challenges — climate change, poverty and economic recovery.
Yet, to fully realize the potential of this next generation, there must be more focus on addressing the challenges they encounter. Young entrepreneurs need access to the right resources — whether it’s funding, education or mentorship — to turn their innovative ideas into sustainable businesses. The narrowing gender gap in tech is encouraging, but we must continue to foster environments that support women and other underrepresented groups in entrepreneurship.
The GEM report paints a picture of an entrepreneurial future driven by purpose, diversity and innovation. But it also reminds us of the work that lies ahead in making entrepreneurship more accessible and sustainable. If we can provide young entrepreneurs with the tools and support they need, we will not only see more businesses being created — we’ll see businesses that are making a lasting, positive impact on the world.
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These Are the Top Side Hustles to Work Less, Make More Money
In the best-case scenario, a side hustle could turn into a multimillion-dollar business that generates a passive income stream — but at the very least, starting a side gig could help pay some bills.
A new survey from personal finance software company Quicken shows that almost half (43%) of Americans with a side hustle, or an extra source of income added to a primary income, make more money and clock in fewer hours overall than those without a side hustle.
The three most popular side hustles pursued by those who work less and make more money were personal assistance (20%), cooking and baking (16%), and caregiving (16%). One in five people with side hustles said they were business owners, too, selling products online or offering services like photography.
The majority of people with side hustles (82%) said starting a side gig helped them financially, and kept them from living paycheck to paycheck. Most with side hustles (57%) had savings equal to at least four months of living expenses.
The survey also found that, for younger side hustlers, a way to an extra income doubles as a path to becoming more employable. 44% of Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) choose to start a side hustle in order to obtain skills for long-term careers, much higher than the overall 18% of Americans who started a side hustle with the same motivation.
Quicken conducted the survey online, gathering responses from more than 1,000 Americans.
Additional research on side hustles, released in August by NEXT Insurance, showed that three out of five people bring in less than $1,000 monthly in side income, while 22% make $1,000 to $10,000 a month, and 15% make more than $10,000.
Related: Starting a Side Hustle Should Come With a Warning Label — Here’s What You Need to Know