Looking for a break from your nine-to-five job? Part-time business ideas are a great way to explore one’s hobbies and skills and turn them into income-generating activities. These businesses are often easy to set up and cost very little to start but don’t be surprised if they turn into a lucrative venture in the long run.
Check out the top ideas for part-time businesses we’ve compiled below.
Part-time Business Ideas That Require No Special Training
If you are a full-time busy professional working in an office or in front of a computer, these part-time business ideas can be your break from the usual grind while still earning money.
1. Lawn Mowing Service
Use your personal lawn mower to start your business without investing heavily in equipment. (Source: Pixabay)
Lawn mowing or lawn care may be one of the easiest part-time businesses to start. If you already have a lawnmower and use it regularly in spring to clear your own lawn, then there’s not much upfront investment to worry about. Your income will even take care of the cost of maintaining your equipment.
With the advantage of being locally available, start your business by reaching out to your neighbors. Offer your services and provide them with your contact information to request for a schedule. Use the calendar on your smartphone to block out dates and times for jobs you accept.
2. House-sitting
Earn money part time by tending to your neighbor’s homes while they’re away. (Source: Pixabay)
Did you know that one out of three Americans go on vacation two to three times a year? This doesn’t include people who travel for business. House-sitters are paid to keep the homes “lived-in” while the owners are away. They water the plants, take care of pets, collect the mail, answer phone calls, and do light home maintenance. This is a perfect side hustle if you work as an online freelancer.
To become a house-sitter, expect homeowners to run a background check on you. Start with neighbors who know you to build experience and reference for a year before expanding your clientele. Looking to travel yourself? There are websites like Workaway dedicated to international house-sitting jobs.
You will need a way to send your clients an invoice to collect payments. PayPal is the easiest app to use for part-time businesses looking for a quick and free invoicing solution. Read our PayPal business review.
3. Grocery Pickup & Delivery
Start your own grocery delivery service within your community. (Source: Pixabay)
Grocery delivery served a significant purpose during the pandemic and has stayed that way for some people. But you don’t have to join DoorDash to get started. Offer your services around your neighborhood—seniors and persons with disabilities (PWDs) would appreciate your businesses, especially if you charge less than what they pay DoorDash.
To get started, search for two or three regular clientele in your area. Use your smartphone to create a profile for each one with their contact information. Create a schedule that works for you. Because this is a part-time business, you can choose to do this once a week and head to the supermarket to shop for all of your clients. You don’t need a delivery app, but if you choose to expand there are no-code mobile app builders like Wix to help you out.
4. Car Wash & Detailing
A car wash business can be simple to moderately complicated to run depending on the services you offer. (Source: Pixabay)
Much like lawn mowing, car washing has a long tradition of serving as an easy money-making activity for beginners. So if you are a working professional with a love for cars, a car wash service on the weekend may be a good way for you to de-stress and earn at the same time.
To get started, determine what kind of car wash and detailing service you intend to provide, then research competitor prices to offer better deals. Invest in a small amount of supplies first, just enough to use on one weekend then look for clients around your neighborhood. You can hire employees looking for part-time jobs after a while if you find your number of clients growing.
5. Designated Driver for Hire
A designated driving service can earn as much as $53/hour. (Source: Pixabay)
While Uber and Lyft are convenient modes of transportation, designated drivers are more popular because it’s generally less expensive, especially for short distances. It’s also a whole lot safer because drivers will not cancel the service in the middle of a ride if the passengers become somewhat unruly. Having a designated driver is not a new idea and is a great way to reward yourself if you don’t drink alcohol.
You will need a valid driver’s license and a smartphone with GPS. There are many designated driving companies out there, but you can charge cheaper rates and tap into your community to get your part-time business started. A good local reputation can help you easily land your first designated driver gig. Partner with local drinking establishments so they can call you whenever they need someone to bring a patron home.
6. Professional Organization
Professional organizers are hired for their ability to offer ideas to optimize space. (Source: Pixabay)
Ever took a “Which FRIENDS personality are you?” quiz and get Monica? If your answer is yes, chances are you love decluttering and creating a system for organization. However, it’s important to note that professional organizers are not cleaners. Their role is to sort through the client’s items and suggest an organizational system to make a space more functional.
Anyone with a passion for organizing and creating a functional workspace can try their hand at professional organization. All you need is a basic set of organizing products such as a label maker and a good listening ear to understand what your client needs. No special certifications are required but it helps to get inspiration from those who have been in the industry for a while. It’s best to get clients around your area but you can also join marketplaces for home professionals like Houzz.
Once you’ve successfully worked with a few clients, start a simple blog to document your ideas, create a portfolio of your projects, and attract potential clients. Check out these business blogs for inspiration.
7. Garage Cleaning Service
Offer garage cleaning service around your area for spring cleaning or for residents who are moving out. (Source: Pinterest)
Residential garage cleanup can be a huge project for some and hiring professional garage cleaners can set a person back hundreds of dollars. So, a part-time garage clearing assistant business can get you clients around your neighborhood pretty quickly. People doing spring cleaning, planning a garage sale, elderly people living on their own, and individuals moving out are your potential clients.
To get started, make sure you are physically prepared because it will involve a lot of heavy lifting. You will need basic protective gear like gloves and working boots to protect yourself from injuries. Partner with a local junk shop, if possible. You can also charge more if you have a truck to dispose of junk for your client.
Part-time Business Ideas for Pet Lovers
Pet lovers are a special kind of human. Their capacity to nurture and passion to learn how to care for animals properly even with a full-time job is exceptional. If this resonates with you, consider the following part-time business ideas.
8. Pet-sitting/Walking Service
Pet-sitting and dog walking take skill and patience. (Source: Pixabay)
Did you know that, as of 2024, 66% of households (that’s 86.9 million homes) own a pet? People who can’t bring their pets along on trips will need someone to temporarily take care of their animals until they are back while others simply may not have enough time on a busy day to take their pets out for exercise.
You’ll likely find potential clients among neighbors, particularly those who live in apartment buildings. Make sure to learn about your client’s pet, and keep a profile on your smartphone if possible. Research how to properly take care of each one, know first aid, and have a veterinary clinic’s phone number always handy. If you plan to walk multiple dogs, make sure they can all get along.
9. Pet Grooming
Pet grooming salons are often fully booked giving part-time pet groomers more business. (Source: Pixabay)
Between 2023 and 2024, pet owners have also spent $12.6 billion in auxiliary pet services, which include pet grooming, sitting, and walking. The demand is high enough that appointments can take owners weeks sitting on a waitlist. Part-time pet groomers can easily capitalize by picking up the slack and providing added convenience by making house calls.
To get started, you would need your own vehicle to store grooming supplies. As this is a part-time gig, you don’t have to invest in too much equipment or a ton of supplies. Although, you may want to print some calling cards to get the word out. Dog groomers service around four to six dogs per day.
10. Pet Treats
Research dog-safe ingredients and create specialty dog treats. (Source: Pixabay)
More and more pet owners are looking for treats made with fresh ingredients instead of those sitting in pet shops for months. If you are a pet lover with a knack for making pastries, starting a pet treats bakery should be easy. You can research online for small baked goodies and update the recipe to use dog-safe ingredients.
You can use your weekends to develop your own pet treat recipe and start baking. Create simple but pretty packaging then give your fellow pet owners some samples for their pets to try. You can sell at farmers markets and on online marketplaces like Etsy.
Learn how to sell on Etsy with our step-by-step guide.
Part-time Business Ideas for Outgoing Individuals
Some people are more comfortable when they are socializing. These individuals would have no trouble going out on weekends and engaging with strangers while also earning on the side.
11. Local Tour Guide
Locals living in an area with rich history can work as a part-time walking tour guide. (Source: Pixabay)
Ever been on one of those New York City walking tours? While these events are professionally arranged, the tour guides are likely NYC locals with personal knowledge and stories that they can share to add to the tour experience. The latest research shows that 65% of tour guides are self-employed and more than half only work part time. So if you live in an area with rich history, unique culture, or amazing food, you can spend your weekends showing tourists around.
Before starting your own part-time tour guide business, we suggest going on a few tours yourself. This will give you a feel of what happens during a tour, what information gets the attention of tourists, strategies to keep tourists engaged, and what expenses are involved. Work with your local tourism office and get accredited if necessary. Note that some states like Washington D.C. and New York require special licenses for tour guides.
12. Vacation Hosting
Airbnb hosts can earn an average of $81/hour renting out a room. (Source: Pixabay)
Airbnb hosts are some of the highest earners in the gig economy index, earning a median of $500 to $7,000 per month. If you love entertaining guests and have a spare bedroom you can sign up with a real estate app like Airbnb to look for potential short-term renters. You can host holiday visitors or those attending special events in your area.
Start by prepping your property and taking great photos to share on the app. Next, source supplies for toiletries, sheets, and other essentials. Set your house rules and determine your pricing by looking at other similar rental properties in the marketplace. Sign up and list your space in the property app. As this is a part-time business, you can always block out dates when you don’t intend to entertain.
Get a more in-depth guide to starting your own Airbnb business.
13. Event Emcee
Harness your love for socializing into part-time event-hosting gigs (Source: Pixabay)
Outgoing individuals are often the life of a party and channeling this energy into part-time emceeing can be an easy source of income. Aside from just working a few hours, you control how often you want to accept a job. The hourly pay is decent and could be more significant if you bring additional skills such as singing to the table. Depending on the event, it can also involve free travel, food, and accommodation.
Networking is the most important factor to get started as an event emcee. Start by offering your services to local events such as birthdays, fundraising activities, and festivals. Let your socialization skills work for you to keep the audience engaged and entertained. Don’t forget to leave your business card to event organizers for recommendations after a successful hosting.
Part-time Business Ideas for Individuals With Special Talents/Skills
Hobbyists and artists can turn their skills into part-time business ideas. They can either teach or sell crafts for special events.
14. Baking & Selling Pastries
Selling baked goods during the holidays can be a profitable part-time business. (Source: Pixabay)
If you already bake cookies and pastries as a hobby, why not start selling your products online? Baked goods are popular gifts during celebrations and holidays and consumers love trying out new products advertised on social media platforms. As a part-time business, you can control your schedule by limiting the number of orders and collecting them in advance.
You will likely have baking equipment and supplies to get started but to gain clients, you need to learn how to post enticing photos of your baked products on social media. Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms provide businesses with marketing tools to help reach your target audience. Alternatively, you can also hand out samples to your neighbors and office mates and let them know you’re open for business.
Pro Tip: Shipping baked goods is not legal in a number of states; you will need to know this if you plan to sell online and find a local partner where you can drop off your products and customers can pick up (or locally deliver) their orders.
15. Hand-painting Tote Bags
Sell customized jute and canvas bags online or at trade shows. (Source: Pinterest)
For artists, customizing jute and canvas tote bags with your one-of-a-kind painted design can be a profitable part-time business idea. These bags are sold anywhere from $3–$50 a piece on marketplaces like Etsy and in local events such as farmers markets and trade shows. Use your weekends ahead of events to create designs or offer special customization services.
To get started, check marketplaces like Amazon for suppliers. Plain jute bags cost anywhere from $37/dozen to $59 for a set of 15 depending on the size. Blank canvas bags are available for $33 for a pack of 20 depending on size and quality. You can use social media to showcase your work and even sell them online if you want to. Creating a Pinterest and Instagram account to show off your designs can also help bring in customers.
16. Teaching a Musical Instrument
Share your talent and earn extra income teaching neighborhood kids to play a musical instrument. (Source: Pixabay)
Did you know that two out of three Americans have learned to play a musical instrument? Nearly half of these started learning as early as 6 years old. Teaching music part-time can be lucrative and rewarding at the same time. Offer your services particularly when school is out and parents are looking to find ways to keep their children busy for a few hours.
To get started, hand out fliers around your neighborhood that show information on what you teach, your available schedules, and how much you charge. Create a goal for your students at the end of their sessions. You should also be prepared to have some extra instruments available for those who don’t have their own.
17. Personal Gift Shopping
For busy individuals, a personal shopper is a godsend for getting shopping during the holiday rush and nearing big events. (Source: Pixabay)
A personal shopper loves retail and often possesses a keen sense of style as well as an instinct for big discounts and sales. They can strategize really well and have great organizational skills that help them accomplish a long shopping list, especially during the holiday rush. While mostly hired full time by retail companies, you can be a freelance personal shopper for busy professionals and event planners shopping for giveaways.
A background in retail is ideal when you want to become a part-time professional shopper. That said, it also works if you have been shopping retail for a long time and are familiar with establishments in your area. To get started, identify the personal shopping service you want to offer. Then, create social media profiles to showcase your shopping skills such as finding great buys during big sales, creating an outfit, searching for unique gifts, and more.
18. Photography
Turn your love of photography into a part-time source of income. (Source: Pixabay)
Do you often receive compliments for the photos you take? If the answer is yes, it doesn’t matter whether you are self-taught or professionally trained, as long as people find interest in your work, you can consider earning a part-time income from your hobby. Photographers are in demand during special events, for taking portraits, or simply capturing the beauty of nature through the lens and selling them online.
As a part-time venture, creating a schedule is important to ensure that you only work on weekends or special events. And while smartphones nowadays have advanced photography capabilities, professional cameras are still the best to use for a photography business. Chances are you don’t need to purchase new equipment and simply work with what you have if you already have this as your hobby. Start a blog and social media profiles to showcase your work.
19. Refurbishing & Selling Old Furniture
Look for old furniture at flea markets to refurbish and resell in your spare time. (Source: Pixabay)
If you are good with simple carpentry and DIY home designs, flipping old furniture may be a potentially lucrative part-time business idea. You will need a keen eye around flea markets and garage sales to spot potential projects that can turn $25 dressers into something you can sell for hundreds of dollars. Hundreds of blogs and social media platforms can inspire you.
Regardless of how long you’ve been into refurbishing old furniture, learning new tips can help. Do research on flipping blogs like The Flip Hubb and download e-book sources when available. Sell your projects at farmers markets and create your own online portfolio to share your work.
20. Language Coaching
Earn part time from your second (maybe even a third) language. (Source: Pinterest)
Countries like the USA are a melting pot of different cultures and languages and one recent research showed that there are 42 commonly spoken second languages in the US. These natural bilingual skills can open up opportunities to earn extra income from teaching English or a second language.
Becoming a part-time language coach does not necessarily require a certification to teach. You can offer your services to train learners in conversational English or a second language (free talk method) or introduce them to grammar and pronunciation basics. This will help learners prepare for accreditations or travels abroad and will favor working with you if you offer competitive rates.
Part-time Businesses for Individuals Who Prefer to Earn Online
If you’re someone whose work regularly takes them outdoors, side businesses that let you stay at home over the weekends may interest you. This is especially true if you have graphic designing and writing skills you can harness in your spare time.
21. Graphic Designer
Part-time graphic designers get hired by other professionals to create logos, website banners, and images for e-books and PDFs. (Source: Pixabay)
Graphic design is used for both online and print advertising, and as the marketing industry expanded on both platforms, the demand for graphic designers grew even more. The US saw a 0.3% growth in demand for graphic designers from 2018 to 2023. So, if you have been dabbling in graphic design and are familiar with widely used computer graphic design tools, this part-time business may be right for you.
To start your part-time graphic design business, you may need a premium version of your preferred graphic design software. Put together a portfolio and sign up for online platforms such Upwork, Etsy, and Fiverr.
22. Video Editing
Video editing is one of the most highly-paid hourly remote jobs in the US. (Source: Pinterest)
Similar to graphic designers, video editors are highly sought after, especially where online advertising includes commercials, vlogs, podcasts, and other interactive social media videos. However, hourly rates for video editors are higher which may be due to additional skills required to complete a project such as sound editing, visual effects, and even captioning. That said, if you have developed these skills as a hobby, starting a part-time video editing business may be a natural advancement for you.
To start your part-time business, you will need a premium version of your video editing software. Watch and follow professionals in the business to get inspiration using the various tools in creating your video projects. Build a portfolio of your work and sign up for freelance marketplaces to become visible to potential clients.
23. Affiliate Marketing
Freelance affiliate marketers earn commission from promoting products and services of another company. (Source: Pixabay)
Affiliate marketing is an income-earning strategy where marketers partner with companies and earn a commission when they successfully promote products and services to their audience. While this is more of a regular side hustle to be profitable, part-time affiliate marketers can earn with the right partnership and platform. As a part-time affiliate marketer, you can spend weekends creating social media posts, vlogs, or blogs and embed your affiliate link within your content.
What makes affiliate marketing a perfect part-time business idea is the flexibility. You can choose your preferred platforms and work on sharing posts in your own time. You are also free to choose the company to partner with based on your interest and the audience you have. Low-paying, high-volume affiliate programs such as Amazon Associates are a great starting point for beginners where the products are popular and commissions are based on a customer’s entire purchase and not just your promoted product.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
These are some questions we commonly encounter about starting your own part-time business.
Not all the time, some part-time businesses are based on an individual’s personality that allows them to excel in activities such as emceeing or tour guiding. Other part-time business ideas can come from a person’s long-time hobby like jewelry making or painting.
You will need to comply with some form of permit or license to run any type of business. Primarily you will want to check with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to know specific licensing requirements in your state. Your local tax office and homeowners association may have their own guidelines. Other activities such as designated driving service require you to have a driver’s license
The best part-time business ideas are those that cost little to start and require minimal effort to set up. It should harness what resources and skills you already have to create income-generating opportunities in your spare time.
Bottom Line
In the current financial climate where inflation and cost of living continue to grow, it’s important for the average person to create an alternative income stream. Use our list of part-time business ideas to inspire you to harness your creative skills and hobbies toward potentially profitable ventures while keeping a full-time job.
