10 EASY Small Business Ideas

10 EASY Small Business Ideas

Starting your own small business can be a daunting process. However, it doesn't have to be. There are many small business options that can be started with only minimal investment. 

Finding inspiration can be difficult though! If you're struggling for ideas, here are ten of the best that can be started immediately:

1. Sports Coach 

Are you proficient at Golf? Tennis? Football? Volleyball? Badminton? Or any other sport? If so then you may find a lucrative side-stream as a sports coach! 

You'll have to be more than an amateur at the sport yourself, a good motivator and have patience!

 If this is the idea for you, post an advert anywhere! Gumtree, local notice boards, Facebook groups and anywhere else you can think of!

Start your own coaching website too! A blog is fine!

2. Interior Decorator 

Got an eye for home furnishing and interior decoration? Monetize it! 

You can create marketing materials for building contractors to examine, and include questionnaires for homeowners to look over to identify their requirements!

Success in this field can be lucrative! Many of the most successful interior decorators work with wealthy clients across multiple properties. 

3. Website Developer 

This is an increasingly popular one, and remains a lucrative business idea, and one that can often be done from the comfort of your home! 

Obviously, you'll need to know how to design & create websites. If like me you're learning the ropes I highly recommend Codecademy. 

You can learn how to create and develop all types of websites and designs here, and also learn how to implement coding on them!

If you already know what you're doing and are good to go, advertise your services on LinkedIn, Bayt, or other business media. You can also freelance on elance or freelancer. 

Then identify your clients specific requirements and get started right away! 

4. Buying and Selling Through Ebay 

This has long been a popular online business idea, and with good reason! 

Think about items you know the price of, and then plan your strategy. You'll want to start from your own account first, and then upgrade your account once you're selling in volume.

People often start with cheap essentials and electrics-related goods if they find a good wholesaler. 

Mobile phone covers, phone chargers and spare parts, batteries, plug adapters and USB pens are all popular! 

5. Social Media Expert 

A well-known more recent idea, but an easy and effective one! 

Many companies will pay an expert to manage their Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn accounts.

If you know any local businesses who lack a social media presence, but would benefit from one - this is a great place to start! 

Also you can try the freelance sites above too. Another good idea is to check out business accounts on LinkedIn, send them a message and give a couple of suggestions about how you think you could improve their presence! 

6. Music Lessons 

One of the oldest ideas out there, but still one of the most popular. 

If you're lucky enough to play a musical instrument, offer your services and you're likely to get many inquiries. 

Guitar and piano are always popular. You're likely to get many requests from parents from their children so you may have to be patient and able to motivate! 

7. Local Newsletter Business 

Do you have a computer and a printer? That's all you need to get started with this idea! 

Put together a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly newsletter for your local area, and sell advertising space to businesses.

If successful, you could choose to charge a nominal fee for delivery. 

8. Personal Shopping Service 

If you have an eye for style, and enjoy shopping this can be a fun option!

Many people, particularly in busy cities such as London, New York, Dubai, etc. are too busy to shop, so would like someone to streamline the process for them! 

You don't just have to know fashion to implement this idea. You could be a personal shopper for more mundane day-to-day items the client cannot source too! 

9. Elder Caregiver 

With an ever expanding elderly population, there is only going to be ever more demand in this industry! 

The best approach is to market towards senior citizens who may wish to avoid living in assisted-living communities, but would benefit from help with minor day-to-day activities such as light housework, and daytime chores. 

10. Wedding Planning 

Wedding planning is an industry that has seen a resurgence in recent years, and it is easy to start up!

You will need a website. To look professional, it would be best to purchase a domain name.

You will need creative skills aplenty, to manage all aspects of the day, as well as a base to organize the event. Home is fine, but a computer, colour printer, digital camera and a phone line are a must!

To be successful you will need to treat each clients wedding as if it was your own! A wedding is often deemed the most important day of a couples life, so to be successful you will need to apply yourself to every aspect and detail to ensure everything is coordinated perfectly!

How to Make Extra Money in Dubai and the UAE

How to Make Extra Money in Dubai
& the UAE 

If like myself you are an ex-pat in the UAE, you may have found it more difficult to find additional revenue streams. 

Side-jobs can be tricky as labour is very cheap, and certain techniques are not available due to local laws 

(e.g. fixed-betting.) 

So often you need to think that bit harder

I was reading this article recently in TimeOutDubai that identified a few interesting ideas, whilst others were fairly typical. 

Here are a few of my favourites: 

Be a Part-Time Fitness Instructor 

Whilst this may not be for everyone, fitness is big-business in the UAE, with many in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in particular seeking trainers, and having the disposable income to do so! 

If you don't have it already, it's advisable to undertake the REPS training programme in your chosen field. There are many different areas you can specialize in, I recommend REPS as it is recognised worldwide. 

If you wish to go freelance as a trainer you will need to undertake the REPS 3 Personal Training module.

Please also note that in the UAE you will be required to be first-aid trained (this often comes as part of a training program) and have your own liability insurance. 

Host a Club Night 

The UAE, and in particular Dubai is the home to a lively and exciting nightlife scene. Why not take advantage of this by organizing your own event? 

This is a particularly good idea if you have many friends and connections out here.

Your first step, as with many business ideas is to identify a niche in the market, then contact a venue and persuade them the event will make money. If they believe in it they'll likely be a willing host! 

Buy & Sell through Dubizzle 

Dubizzle is a brilliant site. Think a UAE-specific version of Ebay meets Gumtree. 

Do you know the value of everything and anything? Then this may be the place for you! There are thousands of people arriving in Dubai and Abu Dhabi every single day who require furniture, household goods, electrical goods and vehicles!

Buy low sell high! See my advice on car-flipping to get started! But you could also buy and sell air-con units (popular given the heat!), and nearly any other type of product you can think of!

Give it a try! 

Note: PTC sites such as Neobux, Buxvertise etc, are also perfectly fine to use in the UAE, so feel free to continue using these! 

Top 5 Ways to Make Money Working From Home

Top 5 Ways to Make Money From Home 

(That anyone can try!) 

I mainly focus on online money making strategies in my blog, however it would be foolish not to incorporate strategies for making money from home that aren't entirely internet reliant.

Of course, these days all money making strategies use the internet to some extent. Even if this simply involves going through your e-mail contacts or social media connections to publicize your activities. 

Therefore, you will see that some of the suggestions below do not require extensive internet use. 

Here are the top 5 ways I have identified to make money from home: 


1) Start your own 'Cottage Industry' 

Primarily, this refers to arts and crafts, however the concept can be extended to niche hobbies such as stamp collecting, drawing and painting among others.

You can sell your ways the conventional way at craft fairs, or on online on ebay, or more recently Etsy and Redbubble. 

How much?: Hundreds of pounds or dollars a month depending upon your time, talents and ability to sell your goods. 

2) Take in Foreign Exchange Students 

Renting out an available room or floor space to an exchange student can provide a steady stream of income. Get in touch with local secondary and language schools to find out about how they find accommodation. 

You also get the added benefit of brushing up on your language skills!

Of course, if you're looking for a more permanent means of renting out additional space, I'd recommend airbnb.

How Much?: Rates of course vary dependent upon the level of accommodation you can provide. In typical circumstances you'd be looking at above £80 ($120 USD) a week. 

3) Earn from Internet Research 

From time to time, internet businesses such as 63336 will take on researchers. 

This is how it works: A customer searches for the answer to a random question by sending a text to researchers -you- who replies with the answer. 

The advantage with this line of work is you can choose the type of questions you are willing to answer, and your hours of work. 

To find vacancies, I'd recommend following 63336 via Twitter.

How Much?: You will be paid at a rate of 40p (about 70 cents) a question. The amount you can earn is dependent on the time you are able to put in! 

4) Ironing Services 

This was a very popular money-making from home strategy in the 80s and 90s, and it is no less relevant now! 

Set yourself up as professional ironing service, advertise in local shops newspapers and online via gumtree. A good tip is to advertise in the poshest areas, that way you can typically charge more!

How much?: Typically an ironing business charges per item, with 20 items costing approximately £10 ($15-16 USD). It is best to check what the competition is charging before deciding on pricing though. 

5) Solve Companies' Problems

I have saved the most interesting, and most perplexing one til last! 

Several companies put problems online and offer cash to people who can come up with effective solutions.

While no guarantee of raking in cash, it can be an interesting and potentially very lucrative way of making money from home. 

InnoCentive is the main site companies use to post such problems. Although they're often quite technical, previous projects have been as simple as low cost label solutions for a company that was worth £5000 ($7800 USD). 

How Much?: No guarantees here, but top paying solutions can be worth up to £600,000 (just short of $1mil USD), for the right solution! 

So it is definitely worth checking out!

Make Money Online Listening to Music!

Make Money Online Listening to Music! 

I wanted to add this as a point of interest rather than as a huge money-maker, but it is possible to generate money simply by reviewing the music you love online.

A small income here beats earning nothing whilst you're enjoying your own music; however eclectic your taste! Furthermore, if you have ambitions to become a professional journalist or music critic you can build a portfolio of your abilities whilst you earn!

The best place to sign-up for this is SliceThePie, where you are paid for every song you review.  As you build a reputation your earnings can increase. 

How Much Can you Realistically Earn? 

Not a huge amount, but a decent wedge for just expanding upon a hobby. A dedicated fan putting in a few hours a week can make up to $50 (£32) a month. 

The amount you make per track is typically about $0.10 - $0.25, however this can vary depending upon the track itself, and the length and detail of your review.

**You'll need to make $10 (£6.50) before you can make your first withdrawal. Click here to get started!

Top 5 Gigs on Fiverr

Top 5 Gigs on Fiverr

What is Fiver? 

Fiver describes itself as an 'online marketplace', offering tasks and services at a starting price of $5 USD. 

Indeed you'll find all sorts advertised on Fiverr. From popular online tasks such as SEO development, website or graphic design work, to people dressing up as comic book characters and holding a message of your choosing  

..if you don't believe me check here! 

So for the creative mind Fiverr is your oyster! However, if you are struggling to find inspiration here are 5 great Fiverr ideas that you can try yourself!

1. Video Spokesperson/Testimonials 

Are you well-spoken? 

Do you look distinguished and professional? 

Do you have a great accent? 

Are you just highly appealing on camera? 

If you're any (or all) of these then this might well be for you! Some of the most successful people on Fiverr are acting as a video spokesperson for companies and individuals.

It's smart to work with your best assets here. For example if you're a fitness buff and look the part you can get work advertising associated products. 

If you have an accent that is sought after (British is often popular, but so are many others) you may find yourself advertising a product or service where this is desirable!

The sky is the limit really, more inspiration and ideas can be found here. 

2. Proofreading 

We all remember seeing corrections like the above on our schoolwork! It quite literally pays to be punctual on Fiverr!

If you're better at spelling grammar and punctuation than the average person (certainly myself!) Then this could be the gig for you!

Businesses are always on the lookout for competent proofreaders, and it could prove a steady revenue stream if you're a skilled one.

Further information and inspiration can be found here.

3. Web Programming 

Do you know the basics of PHP, Java, C++, Ruby, Python or any other programming language? 

If so, congratulations! I wish I did! Simple programming tasks are a very popular revenue stream on Fiverr. 

If you can write simple codes, or you're confident enough to fix coding bugs and errors then get yourself here right away!

..And if you're like me and keen to learn for free check out Codecademy

4. User Testing  

A great simple one that just needs an internet connection or a smartphone!

Companies and individuals are always coming up with new websites, and more recently 'apps' that they require testing and rating before exposing to the public.

If you can offer a valuable critique, have used plenty of apps, or even have a bit of technical know-how, you should be doing this. 

5. Human Billboard 

Saved the strange one til the end! Yes, it actually exists as a concept on Fiverr. 

People will pay to see their advertising or a message of their choosing on your person! 

This message can be as simple as something scribbled on your cheek! 

Advertisers are looking for creativity and being creative pays on Fiverr! 

If you want inspiration here it is! 

A message on the cheek really is just the start ;) 

Get Started on FIVERR