25 Business Ideas You Can Launch While Still Having a Full-Time Job

Have you ever wanted to start your own business? If so, you

realize that there are a lot of risks involved, not to mention

that it may require you to take out a loan or quit your current

job. While that sounds great on paper, not all of us can

completely give up our 9-to-5 jobs. You can, however, start a

side business and keep working on it until it has enough

traction to become a full-time job.

When I started my own company years back, I was working at

a job. I realized that I wanted more but was really scared of

moving forward and quitting. I decided to take it at a level I

was comfortable with. I built a side business while working my

job. By the time I quit, I was earning double outside of

work than I was inside my regular job. It was still one of the

hardest things I'd ever done, giving up my stability for the

unknown.

When deciding on a business idea, let factors like your passion

and expertise guide you. You also want to consider how

difficult and expensive it will be to launch this side business.

In most cases, your business idea should be relatively

inexpensive to start. You should reinvest what you make into

the business to help it grow faster. Finally, you want to make

sure that your business idea is legal. You don't want to get in

trouble with the law or IRS. I recommend setting up a

company to help protect you personally, as well.

If you're still stuck on business ideas that you can launch while

working full-time, here are 25 possibilities to help get you

started.

1. Local Business Consultant

If you have experience or knowledge in a specified field, then

put those skills sets or certifications to use by becoming a

consultant for local business owners. There are plenty of

businesses that might be willing to pair with you to help them

solve a problem, such as implementing a business strategy or

managing social media. You can use this handy 18-Step

Checklist to get started.

2. Repairs or Handyman

If you're good at home repairs, like replacing a window, fixing

a leaking pipe, or putting together a piece of furniture, you can

definitely use those skills to help people who either don't have

the time or skills to do so on their own.

3. Graphic Design

Having experience or training in graphic design is definitely a

plus. But if this is an area that excites you, you can learn

graphic design on your own and become one of the 10 million

designers now working in the U.S. Also, there are now sites

like Canva and Adobe Post that make graphic design work

possible for anyone.

4. Web or App Design and Development

Web or app design and development is another field that is

becoming increasingly important for businesses, as they look

to enhance the experience of their customers. Just as with

graphic design, experience is beneficial, but there numerous

online courses on sites like General Assembly , Skillcrush , or

CareerFoundry that can teach these skills.

5. Blogger

If you're passionate and knowledgeable in a certain area and

you enjoy writing, then you can start blogging as a way to

bring in a little extra cash . Keep in mind that this won't happen

overnight, and you probably won't become rich, but working

with affiliate programs, selling ad space, and publishing an e-

book are ways that you can earn money through writing. I

personally have been able to earn extra cash over the years by

blogging.

6. Social-Media Expert

Companies are more than willing to pay people to manage and

handle their Facebook, Twitter, or whatever other social-media

channels they possess. You can find opportunities on freelance

websites like Freelancer and Upwork , or on Paid Social Media

Jobs.

7. Tax Preparation

If you're good with numbers, then you can prepare taxes for

busy individuals and business owners for a decent return--tax

preparers charged an average of $229 per return in 2010. To

get started, here are a few sites for accountants .

8. Educator

Do you have a degree or experience in a field that is being

taught to students? You can use that knowledge to become a

tutor to local students in your area who need help in areas like

science, math, English, or history. It may not be necessary, but

consider getting your certification to make you seem legit, or

look for tutoring services that are hiring.

You can also share your knowledge by tutoring or teaching a

course online on sites such as Tutor.com or Udemy .

9. Event Planner

Do you love throwing parties or are you extremely organized?

Then you can become an event planning service. Entrepreneur

has an excellent article on how to launch one.

10. Personal Chef or Catering

You don't have to be a trained chef to launch this business.

But it wouldn't hurt to take a course or two to pad your

résumé and put clients at ease. You can do so by visiting the

American Personal & Private Chef Association .

11. Tour Guide or Travel Agent

If you love travel or showing off your hometown's attractions

when someone visits, then you can become a local tour guide

or travel agent. The Travel Academy has information on travel

agent training, while The Penny Hoarder has advice for

becoming a local tour guide.

12. Bed and Breakfast

If you have the extra space and enjoy entertaining others, then

get into the bed and breakfast business, if you're zoned

correctly. Thanks to Airbnb, you can now rent out a room,

apartment, or house with relative ease. I personally do this,

and it helps to dramatically lower my expenses each month.

13. Interior Designer

For creative and imaginative individuals, consider launching

your own interior design firm. As the American Society of

Interior Designers states, you can then work with clients to

identify designs that are "aesthetically appealing, technically

sophisticated, and pragmatically satisfying."

14. Landscaping or Gardening

Love being outside? There's no better business then

landscaping or gardening. While a degree isn't required, you

may want to earn a certification in horticulture at your local

public college. If you're concerned about finding work during

the winter, add a snowplow to your truck to provide snow

removal service.

15. Cleaning Service

You'll definitely get your hands dirty, but you should have no

shortage of clients. There are plenty of businesses and busy

individuals looking for a weekly cleaning service .

16. Delivery Service or Uber or Lyft Driver

I've lumped these together because they both involve using

your vehicle to start a new business. The first idea is to start a

delivery service to transport anything from office supplies to

after-hours food to college students. Check to find out if you

need any special licenses or permits for a delivery service in

your area.

The other idea is simply becoming an Uber or Lyft driver during

your downtime. Depending on the hours that you work and

your location, you can make a solid living going in this

direction.

17. Brewery or Vineyard

Who doesn't enjoy a beer or a glass of wine every now and

then? Take that love and start your own microbrewery with kits

like Mr. Beer. If you prefer wine, you can also start your own

vineyard, if you have the land. Both ideas will take hard work

and several years to take off, which makes them appealing as

you hold down your current full-time position.

18. Photographer or Videographer

If you excel at capturing a story through the lens, then this

profession deserves mention, since it's something that you can

do based on your schedule. Just remember, find your niche

and stick with it. If you're a wedding photographer, focus on

that. If you're more skilled at taking professional headshots or

filming promotional videos, market that expertise.

19. Handmade Items

If you have a knack for creating crafts, jewelry, or clothing,

then you can start selling these handmade items via sites

such as Etsy , CafePress , or eBay .

20. Senior Home Companion or Caregiver

Did you know that, according to U.S. News & World Report ,

there "are now more Americans age 65 and older than at any

other time in U.S. history"? If you're kindhearted, patient, and

looking for a rewarding career that's in demand, then consider

becoming a senior home companion or caregiver .

21. Exercise or Health Specialist

Don't be surprised to find out that your local gym will

exchange membership dues for teaching a course. In fact, they

may even offer training. After a while, you may even start

earning more than just a free membership. However, you can

also become a personal trainer through the NASM Certified

Personal Trainer program.

22. Pet Care or Training

Whether it's walking your neighbors' dogs, training their four-

legged friends, or watching their pets while they're on vacation,

working with pets can be a lucrative side business (Americans

were on track to spend more than $60 billion on their pets in

2015, according to NBC News ) that you can do in your spare

time.

23. Child Care

If you don't have any plans this weekend or have availability on

afternoons and you're great with kids, then offer to babysit or

become a nanny. Start out by letting your friends, family, and

neighbors know. If you watch children in your home, you may

have to get a license.

24. Translator

If you're fluent in another language, or would love to learn, you

can also start making a living as translator. To get started, you

should get accredited or earn a certification . After that, you

can find gigs on most freelance websites.

You can also use your language skills to teach English to

students either remotely or in an actual classroom.

25. Exclusive Product Distributor

You've heard of Avon and Tupperware representatives, right?

You too can become a direct marketer for exclusive products

to make some extra cash on the side. If you find a legit

company and are dedicated , this may actually become a full-

time job.