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5 small-business ideas you can start from home
Your home address can double as the base for your small business with these five ideas for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Roughly half of the 36.2 million small businesses in the U.S. are currently based out of people’s homes. And the number could be increasing as people have less patience for commuting and adding to their startup expenses. Telecommuting, fortunately, is supported by a large number of small-business ideas.
Internet-based businesses can often easily be run by people who would prefer to work from home. It’s also an especially popular choice for sole proprietors who launch their company without a staff.
For founders who are bootstrapping their business, working from home is often a necessity. The average cost of starting a small business, as estimatedby the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, is $30,000. Home-based startups, however, average between $2,000 and $5,000.
Thinking about starting a business from your home? Here are a few ideas that could be well suited to that goal. (For more inspiration, read Inc.’s full guide to 25 small-business ideas for 2026.)
ONLINE TUTORING AND COURSES
The skills and knowledge you’ve built up over the years, whether that’s in some corner of the business world or a popular (or niche) hobby, is likely in higher demand than you realize. The e-learning market reached $314 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to $615 billion by 2029.
The trick to success with this small-business idea is to find a niche that’s not already overcrowded. Your insights about specialized skills can make it easier to attract paying clients. It’s also a good idea to offer your instructional lessons in a variety of manners, including video lessons, downloadable resources, and quizzes. Some platforms to consider include Skillshare, Udemy, Teachable, and Kajabi.
Potential customers range from school kids who are struggling with core classes to founders looking to learn more about specific business skills (such as HR, management, or expansion planning).
WEB DESIGN
There’s no doubt that the rise of AI has made web design a more challenging field, but it’s hardly a dying one. Market research firm Modor Intelligence forecasts the market will grow from $61 billion this year to $92 billion by 2030.
“The surge in e-commerce has amplified the demand for responsive and user-centric websites that ensure smooth shopping experiences,” writes Mordor. “This trend underscores the growing reliance on professional web design services, emphasizing the enhancement of customer experiences and conversion rates.”
E-COMMERCE
Whether you’re doing drop-shipping, creating designs with a 3D printer, making jewelry, or have some other expressive endeavor, you can easily launch an e-commerce business from home. Consider focusing on niche items, such as pet accessories or hobby-specific items, so you can target a narrow but loyal customer base with less competition. The TikTok Shop can be a good place to catch the eye of younger shoppers.
Shaina Rainford launched her hair care business Bask and Lather out of her home in 2020, while working as a nurse practitioner. “We filled orders in our living room,” Rainford told Inc. “Within three months, the monthly income from the business replaced my annual salary as a nurse practitioner.” The Yonkers, New York-based company took off on TikTok Shop, and now sells its products on Amazon and in Walmart. Bask and Lather hit No. 355 on this year’s Inc. 5000 list, with 975 percent revenue growth over three years, and is on track for $269 million in sales in 2026.
Of course, as your business grows, it may outgrow your home—as Rainford’s eventually did.
TAX PREPARATION
With all of the recent changes to the tax law, there’s an increased demand for tax professionals. Consider tailoring your business toward a niche such as the creator economy, which is expected to bring in a global total of more than $221 billion this year. Many in this space don’t know how to optimize their side hustles for taxes, and some may not even have things like quarterly payments and deductions on their radar. A competent tax professional can save them thousands.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Like web design, AI might be a challenge to graphic designers, but it’s not an inevitable conqueror. Clients, both corporate and private (such as book authors), will continue to look for unique designs that aren’t amalgamations of other art forms. (Customers have also increasingly rebelled against companies that use AI artwork.)
The work can be done from a home office easily—or anywhere that sparks your creativity. And as you build a portfolio and establish a reputation, you’re more likely to get repeat assignments and referrals.
—Chris Morris
