In this article, we will take a look at the 20 side businesses you can start while working full-time. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to 5 Side Businesses You Can Start While Working Full-Time.
Entrepreneurship and Employment Trends in the US
According to a report by Business Insider, 46% of Gen Zs and 37% of millennials have started side businesses or taken second jobs. Most second jobs or side gigs involve the use of technology or social media, such as gig work, product selling, online services, food delivery, social media influencing, and ride-sharing. Financial concerns have pushed more people into finding second jobs or side gigs. 55% of the Gen Zers and millennials suggested that asking for a raise was out of the question. 52% of Gen Zs and 52% of millennials find it challenging to find a new job. Such may suggest why more people are looking into setting up new businesses.
According to a report by the US Chamber of Commerce, 5.5 new business applications were filed in 2023. Data from 2016 to 2019 suggested that 9.5% of applications matured to business formation. The US witnessed 20.4 million business applications, of which, the body expects 1.9 million businesses to form. Some of the most popular industries include retail trade, professional services, construction, and transportation.
According to a report by Forbes, artificial intelligence and automation tools are helping combat burnout among employees. The report highlights some common reasons for burnout. These include understaffing, increasing work pressure, and a poor work-life balance. 76% of employees happen to experience workplace burnout sometimes, while 40% of employees in the US suggested that their workplace has been a negative deterrent to their mental health.
Burnout and improper work-life balance can be combated using artificial intelligence and automation tools. These technological innovations have made it increasingly convenient for aspiring entrepreneurs to set up their small businesses. Let’s discuss some of the best AI and automation tools that can help potential business owners set up shop.
The Best Automation Tools To Get Your Entrepreneurial Journey Started
HubSpot, Inc. (NYSE:HUBS), Asana, Inc. (NYSE:ASAN), and QuickBooks, a product of Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU), are among the leading business automation platform providers. These platforms make the entrepreneurial journey easier for budding business founders. Let’s discuss some recent updates and offerings from these companies. You can also take a look at the best AI marketing tools for corporations.
HubSpot, Inc. (NYSE:HUBS) is a leading marketing automation platform provider based in Massachusetts, United States. The CRM company allows companies to integrate their marketing, sales, service, and website-building functions in a single platform. HubSpot, Inc. (NYSE:HUBS) offers a range of free tools for “solopreneurs” to get started including email marketing, list segmentation, ad management, SEO, design management, and monitoring and threat detection, among many others.
Asana, Inc. (NYSE:ASAN) is a project management platform and software company based in California, United States. The company helps remote businesses flourish by enabling project management, task management, and team management. Asana, Inc. (NYSE:ASAN) offers several classic project management tools for free. Users can collaborate with up to 10 team members, manage unlimited projects and messages, enjoy unlimited file storage, and track time with integrations. It offers more than 100 integrations to users for free. Asana is also available as a mobile application on iOS and Android. The free tools are beneficial for businesses with less than 10 team members. Users can purchase the starter version for $10.99 per user per month. It caters to businesses with up to 500 team members.
Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) is known for its top-notch business automation software. Intuit Inc.’s (NASDAQ:INTU) QuickBooks is one of the top accounting software for small businesses. The company helps business owners manage their invoices, track their expenses, and provide comprehensive financial reports. The Simple Start plan is targeted at new businesses. It is priced at $18 per month. It is available at a discounted price of $1 per month for the first three months. Under this plan, individuals can track their income and expenses, send custom invoices and quotes, connect their bank accounts, track taxes, garner top-notch insights and reports, and organize receipts. This plan is available for one user and their accountant.
With this context, let’s discuss the 20 side businesses you can start while working full-time. You can also read our piece on the best free accounting software in 2023.
20 Side Businesses You Can Start While Working Full-Time
Our Methodology
To gather a list of the 20 side businesses you can start while working full-time, we consulted over 10 rankings and reports on the internet. We picked the business ideas that appeared in 50% of our sources and then ranked them.
20 Side Businesses You Can Start While Working Full-Time
20. Podcasting
The Joe Rogan Experience podcast has almost 16.4 million subscribers on YouTube. The podcast is also available on Spotify. Individuals can start a podcast on YouTube and market it on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
19. Dropshipping
Dropshipping is one of the fastest-growing industries. Individuals can set up a dropshipping business on Shopify Inc. (NYSE:SHOP) and connect it to their online store. Some of the most profitable products to dropship include personal care products, kitchen appliances, apparel and footwear, and beauty products, among others.
18. Landscaping & Gardening
Landscaping and gardening is another side business idea workers can look into without having to quit their full-time jobs. There are a range of gardening jobs posted by companies or individuals on Glassdoor. Gardeners may earn somewhere between $15 to $20 per hour. Individuals can also provide gardening tips on social media.
17. Social Media Influencer
Becoming a social media influencer is one of the best side businesses to start for full-time workers. Mirco influencers are garnering immense attention from marketers across the globe. Micro-influencers focus on creating content for a specific niche or topic of interest. Creating niche content enables influencers to receive targeted brand collaborations.
16. Translator
A translation services provider earns somewhere between $10 to $30 per hour on Upwork. These translation projects may be one-time projects or long-term contracts. Users specializing in any language may find relevant jobs on Upwork.
15. Fitness Trainer
Kayla Itsines is a fitness trainer on Instagram with 16 million followers. She also owns a mobile application, Sweat. The application is specifically for women with planned exercises. Users are billed $19.99 monthly for the application. The application has an average customer star rating of 4.6 on the App Store based on almost 40,000 reviews, as of March 22. Similarly, individuals can look into providing personal training to people either virtually or in person.
14. Ridesharing Driver
Joining Uber, Lyft, or other ridesharing services as a driver is a profitable side business individuals can start without having to quit their full-time jobs. Uber drivers earn a standard fee for every completed trip along with an extra fee for surge hours and tips. According to data from Glassdoor, an Uber or Lyft driver earns somewhere between $30 to $35 per hour.
13. Graphic Design
Graphic design is an in-demand skill. Most companies and solopreneurs require top-notch graphics to stand out. These may include brochure design, social media design, presentation design, and portfolio design. Designers may earn somewhere between $15 and $200 on Upwork. The prices depend on the length and nature of the project.
12. Handyman Services
The average handyman earns somewhere between $15 and $45 per hour, according to the jobs available on Glassdoor. Services provided by handymen include maintenance of facilities, plumbing, painting, and carpentry. To start the business, individuals may provide these services within their residential area.
11. Tour Guide
Becoming a tour guide is one of the best side businesses users can start while working full-time. Individuals can arrange trips on weekends for tourists in their area. Individuals can also set up a travel consultancy business to provide travel advice. One of the best ways to garner an audience would be to create a page on Instagram or TikTok for travel advice and content.
10. Blogging
Becoming a blogger is one of the best side businesses full-time workers can start. A blogger can earn somewhere between $5 to $30 on Upwork. Users may blog as guests, create links for blogs, edit blogs, and manage a client’s online presence.
9. Social Media Marketing Services
Engaging in the provision of social media services is one of the best side businesses full-time workers can start to earn extra money. A social media manager or content creator may earn an average of $15 and $50 per hour on Upwork.
8. Affiliate Marketing
The affiliate marketing industry is growing rapidly. According to a report by Verified Market Research, the global affiliate marketing platform market was valued at $22.4 billion in 2024. The global affiliate marketing platform market is expected to grow to $36.8 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6%. Such is primarily due to the rise in e-commerce and mobile commerce.
7. Pet Care Services
Providing pet care services is one of the best side businesses, full-time workers can start without having to leave their job. An average pet caregiver or pet sitter earns somewhere between $15 and $45, according to jobs listed on Glassdoor.
6. Cleaning Service
Specializing in the provision of cleaning services is one of the best side businesses you can start while working full-time. There are multiple cleaning jobs available on Glassdoor. Individuals can earn somewhere between $20 and $45 per hour for cleaning jobs posted on Glassdoor. A housekeeper may earn somewhere between $28,000 and $39,000 per annum from the jobs available on Glassdoor.
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Disclosure: None. 20 Side Businesses You Can Start While Working Full-Time is originally published on Insider Monkey.