Some students have come up with great ideas and started successful businesses while still in school. Even if you just want to make some extra money while you study, having a creative idea can help you stand out. Here are some good business ideas for students that we found.
1. Tutoring
Do you know a lot about something or are you really good at doing something special? If you are, you can help other kids by teaching them. You can teach any subject you are really good at, like math, English, or science.
Tutoring businesses can charge for each tutoring session or by the hour. You can promote this type of business at your school, the library, or community centers. And the best part is, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to start this business.
2. App Development
Even though there are already lots of apps out there, there are still so many new ones that can be made for fun or to help with daily tasks. This idea is perfect for kids who are good with technology, but anyone can make a cool app with the right help and a good idea.
If you don’t have an idea for an app yet, that’s okay! You can start thinking of ideas by looking at things you do every day or problems you have that an app could help with. The most popular apps usually solve a problem that a lot of people have, which makes them liked by many.
3. Freelance Writing
If you’re really good at writing, you can make money by doing freelance writing jobs for companies or magazines. They need people like you to write blog posts and articles for them.
When you start writing for companies online when you’re young, you’ll get better at writing and it can help you find a job later on. Websites like Upwork and Writer Access help companies and writers find each other safely.
4. Podcasting
Next on our list of ideas for students to start their own business is podcasting. Podcasts are like radio shows that you can listen to on the internet. It’s a good time to start your own podcast because lots of people are listening to them. The most popular podcasts have hosts who are interesting and talk about a specific topic that people want to hear about. Before you start a podcast, you should be comfortable talking to people and speaking in public.
It’s important to pick a topic that you really love and want to spend time learning about. For instance, if you care a lot about helping the environment, your podcast could be about talking to other people who are working to stop climate change.
5. Tech Support
Do you like fixing computer problems? You could start your own tech support business from home. You can advertise by putting up flyers at places like schools and coffee shops. All you need is a phone, a website, and some technical skills. You can charge for your help based on the job, how long it takes, or what kind of device you’re fixing.
In this job, people who need help with their computers can either call or email you for help. You can either talk them through fixing the problem over the phone or have them bring their computer to you so you can see the problem in person.
6. Digital Textbook
Digital textbooks are like books you can read on a computer or tablet. They are cheaper and better for the environment than regular books. More and more people are using devices to read digital textbooks instead of carrying around heavy books. If you want to create your own digital textbook or website for digital books, you can make money while helping students and schools.
7. Edtech
Online learning became more popular last year. Creating a new company that uses technology to help people learn can make education easier for more people. It can cost anywhere from $12 to $27,209 to start this kind of business.
Before you start making an app or online classes for students, you need to decide what you want to teach and where you want to teach it. It’s important to make sure your product works well and is easy for people to use. Keep this in mind when you’re creating your product.
8. Meal Delivery Service
Because there were less places to eat out, more and more people started ordering food to be delivered to their homes. This is expected to keep growing in the next few years. If you start your own food delivery service, you can help local restaurants deliver their food, let customers still enjoy their favorite meals, and have a flexible job that fits your schedule.
To be as good as the big meal delivery companies, work with the restaurants in your neighborhood. Some delivery apps charge restaurants a lot of money to deliver food. If you deliver quickly and charge less, you can do better than them.
9. College Care Package Business
When someone goes off to college, it can be a fun new experience. Families and friends can show their support by sending them special care packages filled with goodies, and there are businesses that can help make sure the packages are just right.
One good thing about starting this business is that you can run it on the internet, which will save you money and give you more time for other things. By offering different packages for different students and letting them choose what they want, your college care package business will stand out from others.
10. Ebook Writing
Today, you can do almost everything online, like making a book. Ebooks are a different way to make a book that is cheaper for both the person writing the book and the person reading it. Ebooks are also better for the environment than regular books made of paper.
To start writing an ebook, you need to have some experience writing and an idea for what you want to write about. Ebooks can make a lot of money and don’t cost much to start. They are becoming more popular, so it’s a good idea for people who want to start their own business.
11. Social Media Influencer
A popular social media influencer knows how to make and promote a brand well. If you’re interested in trying this, it could be a fun and profitable business idea. Influencers with 10,000 to 25,000 followers can typically earn $100-$250 for each post they make.
People who are influencers make money by working with companies to promote their products. If you focus on something you love and enjoy talking about, like a hobby or interest, you can attract more people who are interested in the same things. Being able to talk to people and make them feel connected to you is important if you want companies to pay you to promote their products.
12. Mobile Coffee Cart
Some students work in coffee shops and cafes while going to school. A mobile coffee cart lets you choose when you work and meet people in your area. It’s cheaper than opening a regular cafe, with most carts costing between $2,000 and $5,000 to start.
People who want to serve coffee at events like parties or school functions often rent mobile coffee carts. To make your coffee cart special, you can create a menu of drinks that match the theme of the event.
13. YouTube Channel
Next on our list of business ideas for students is starting a YouTube channel. YouTube is a popular platform with lots of viewers, making it a great place to share videos. You can make videos about things you love, like making pottery, and share them with others who are interested. It’s like blogging, but with videos instead of writing.
Social media like YouTube helps people connect with others who share similar interests. You can use YouTube to share your hobbies or interests and make money from it, as many YouTubers in the US earn around $33 per hour.
14. Review Website
Before you go to a new store or restaurant, you might check online to see what other people have said about it. Websites that have reviews help us learn more about businesses so we can decide if we want to give them our money.
You can create a website with very little money, which is great for kids who want to start their own business. To make your review website successful, you need to show customers that they can trust your reviews and make your site stand out from big sites like Yelp.
15. Social Media Platform
Many people like to try out new social media websites to make friends and chat with others. Creating your own social media platform can help you build a community and possibly make money. It also allows you to have a flexible schedule when you first start running the website.
To get more people to join your social media website, think of fun ideas that will make it different from other websites. You could choose to focus on a certain group of people, like people who like playing games or making music.
16. Livestreaming
If you love playing video games a lot, you can share your games with others by livestreaming them. This means showing your game live while you play on websites like Twitch or Smashcast. Once you have enough people watching you (like 500 on Twitch), you can start making money from your streams.
17. Graphic Design
Lots of companies and groups need artists to make logos and pictures for their signs and ads. If you know how to make different kinds of designs, like logos or websites, you can get more jobs and show off your work to more people.
18. Dropshipping
If you want to start a store online but don’t have space to keep products, dropshipping could be a great option. With dropshipping, you can take orders from customers online and have a different company ship the products directly to the customers. You would focus on making sure customers are happy, promoting your store, and choosing which products to sell. On average, people who do dropshipping make around $3,414 per month.
19. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a way to make money by promoting products for companies. You earn a commission for each sale you help make. It’s a good idea for college students because it doesn’t take a lot to get started. Just choose products you already like and have a way to sell to people.
20. Website Development
Creating websites can be a good way for students to earn money, especially if they are studying something related. Many people and businesses need websites, and if you do a good job on your first few projects, you will get more work from people telling others about you. It is easy to get started in this field because there are many free tools available for developers to use.
21. Virtual Assistant
You can help businesses & entrepreneurs get organized without working in an office by starting a virtual assistant business. If you are good at staying organized and completing tasks, this could be a great idea for you. You can easily find work online and earn around $24 per hour in the US. Try learning new skills to make yourself more competitive and open up more job opportunities.
22. Web Design
Web designers make websites that are easy and fun for people to use. If you like designing things, starting a web design business with a friend who knows how to make websites work well could be a great idea. You can offer your services together to attract more clients.
23. Handcrafted Products
Handmade, special items are always popular and are expected to become even more popular in the coming years. You can sell your handmade products online, in stores, or at markets. The first thing you need to do is decide what you want to make, such as food, pet toys, or furniture. To be successful, make sure your products are high quality and appeal to the right group of people.
24. Cleaning Services
Another great idea for students to start a business is offering cleaning services. You can clean houses, offices, or even remove graffiti to make money.
This type of startup doesn’t cost much money to start, and you can choose when you want to work. You can decide how many customers you want to clean for based on how much time you have. The only things you need to pay for are things like flyers, cleaning products, and gas for your car. In the US, people who own cleaning businesses usually make a lot of money each year, so it’s a good business for students to try.
25. Moving Company
Most people don’t like moving, so starting a moving company could be a good idea because more and more people are looking for help with moving. You will need to hire a team and buy a big vehicle to move furniture, which can be expensive, but it could be worth it once you start getting customers and good reviews.
26. Planner and Journal Business
A special notebook or planner can help people who are messy with their time to be more organized. These notebooks can be used for many different things and are really helpful. If you start a business selling these notebooks, you could make a lot of money because lots of people want them.
Companies that make planners and journals can sell them in stores or online. To make your products special, you can add unique things like time management tips in planners or make journals from recycled materials.
27. Social Media Marketing
If you enjoy using social media a lot and know how to promote things, you could start your own business helping other people advertise online. Lots of businesses need help with social media, and it doesn’t cost much to get started because there are free tools to use.
28. Website Flipping
Another way to start a new business online is by flipping websites. Sometimes people stop using their websites, either because they closed their business or lost interest. You can buy these websites for a cheap price, make them better, get more people to visit them, and then sell them for a lot more money.
29. Motivational Apps
Mobile apps are very popular and can make you feel good and help you in your everyday life. Apps that help motivate people are especially successful and are easy to create and keep updated. You just need to think of a new and interesting idea, like apps for relaxing, staying focused, feeling inspired, or getting things done. If you want to make your own app, there are programs at universities or organizations like Techstars Mobility or Plug and Play Tech Center that can help you get started.
30. Organization Service
Some people are really good at keeping things organized, and if you’re one of them, starting an organization service could be a great idea. This means helping people clean up their messy spaces and teaching them how to stay organized in the future. You can do this by visiting people’s homes or offices, or by talking to them over video.
31. Errand-Running Service
Grown-ups who are very busy, small businesses, and older people sometimes need someone to help them with tasks they can’t do on their own. This might mean going to the post office, getting clothes from the cleaners, or taking a pet to the doctor.
To start your errand-running business, all you need is a car, a phone, and some free time. You can work from home and advertise your services by putting up flyers in places like community centers. Errand runners usually make about $15 an hour, and if you have a team of runners, you can make even more money.
32. Language Learning Startup
Learning a new language can be hard, especially for grown-ups. But it’s not just a cool thing to do – it can also help you find cool jobs and make new friends from different places. A language learning startup is something that helps people learn a new language, like a fun app or website with lessons.
To make your new business special, make sure that learning a new language is enjoyable for the people using your product. If you choose to use technology to help people learn languages, you can get help from places like Berkeley SkyDeck, FasterCapital, or ASU Venture Devils to develop your idea.
33. Virtual Event Planning
Because of social distancing rules, many businesses are now hosting events online instead of in person. This has become really popular and important for businesses. If you’re good at using technology and organizing things, you could start a business helping plan these online events. There are lots of free tools that can help you get started without spending a lot of money.
34. Clean Beauty Products
More and more people are choosing green or “clean” beauty products because they are better for our health. A new company that makes clean beauty products is becoming popular because they are just as good as regular products but without harmful ingredients.
35. Software Startup
A company that makes computer programs for other businesses is growing a lot and making a lot of money. Starting a company like this could be a really good idea for someone who wants to be an entrepreneur.
36. Snack Company
Do you have a yummy snack that you make at home and think other people would like too? You could start a snack company and sell your treats to more people. People always like trying new and special snacks, so you could go to markets or events to let them taste your yummy snacks and grow your business.
37. Robotics Startup
Sometimes, kids who are studying robotics in college start their own companies to make robots. They might get help from their school and classmates. It’s important to learn about robots and the industry before starting a business.
If you’re in a cool robotics program, make sure to use all the help you can get to make your startup successful. You could also think about joining a special program like AlleyCorp, MARL 5G Accelerator, or Buildit Accelerator to get even more support for your startup.
38. Fintech
If you know a lot about money and technology, you might want to start a company that helps students with their finances. These types of companies have been successful in the past. It’s important to follow the rules when it comes to money. Once you do that, your company can start. You might want to get help from a company that invests in new businesses like yours.
39. Marketplace Website
Create a website where people in your community can buy and sell things. Make sure the website is easy to use and safe for everyone. The most important thing is to make sure everyone has a good time buying and selling things on the website.
40. Sustainable Clothing Line
Fashion is not always good for the Earth because it creates a lot of waste. If you want to make clothes, try to make them in a way that is good for the planet. More and more people want to buy clothes that are made sustainably, which means they are good for the environment. You can make a difference by creating clothes that last a long time and are made in a way that is good for the Earth, like using materials that are good for the environment, such as linen or hemp.
41. Virtual Meeting Platform
As more and more events are happening online, the demand for services to help people have virtual meetings has gone up. This could include software to help plan and manage meetings or apps to help big companies handle many meetings at once. There are also free tools you can use to get started in this field.
42. Beverage Startup
If you have a great idea for a yummy drink or a special ingredient that people will love, you can start a drink company! To stand out from others, you should make sure your drink looks cool and appeals to the people who will buy it. If you know a lot about drinks, you could also start a company that delivers drinks to stores. And it’s a good idea to join a group of other people who start companies like yours to learn and grow together.
