Discovering small business ideas for men in a noncompetitive industry is like finding a diamond in the rough. To help you find the right opportunity, we’ve compiled a list of 15 top entrepreneurial endeavors.
No matter your skill level or interests, there’s a venture out there that can lead to profits. Here are some of the best small business ideas for men to consider this year.
1. Build a Website and Start Blogging
One of the easiest-to-start ventures, this online business idea for men involves creating and running a website where you can earn money by writing blogs for a certain target audience.
The appeal of blogging is its flexibility. Not only can you write about things you love or know about, but you can do it on your own schedule.
Gone are the 9-to-5 days. Write when it’s convenient for you or make this a side business to bring in some extra cash.
Monetize your blog by selling ad space or having others pay to guest post on your site. From there, spend as much time as you want turning your blog into a successful venture.
According to December 2022 data from ZipRecruiter, the national average salary for bloggers is roughly $45,800 annually.
2. Try Freelance Copywriting
If you love writing but don’t want to start your own website, you can still get paid to be a freelance writer for someone else.
Freelancing can be a great one-man business idea. It allows you to take something you’re good at and turn it into a potentially lucrative venture.
Freelance copywriting requires you to be punctual, creative and adept at composing appealing pieces of content.
If you have extensive knowledge or expertise in a certain subject (sports, stocks, videogames or business, to name a few), you can build a following and make even more money as you build a portfolio.
The average salary for freelance copywriters in the U.S. is approximately $69,960 a year, according to ZipRecruiter.
Keep in mind some freelancing gigs may require specialized skills, such as graphic design or computer coding.
3. Create a Dropshipping Business
If you’re on the hunt for a good home business idea for men, consider dropshipping, which involves selling a product online but having your supplier service and ship the item directly to your customer. This means you don’t need to stock inventory. This business model can be a very profitable home-based business idea for men.
All it takes is basic computer and marketing skills and a relationship with a reputable supplier.
Dropshipping has become increasingly popular with the rise of Amazon.com, allowing private sellers to lower costs by eliminating the hassle of storing and shipping products themselves.
According to ZipRecruiter, the national average salary for professional dropshippers is $42,753.
4. Work as a Business Consultant
Tired of working for someone else for years in the same industry but don’t have enough money to start your own business? Working as a consultant could be a good business idea for men with industry-specific experience.
Business owners meet daily with consultants who tell them how to better run their day-to-day operations and plan for the future. Depending on the industry and your experience, a company could pay thousands of dollars a month for advice. (And that’s just one client.)
As you build a portfolio of clients, it’ll become easier to market yourself as a top consultant, allowing you to charge even more and get high-profile clients.
According to 2022 data from PayScale, the average annual salary for business consultants in the U.S. is $78,544.
5. Rent Space to Travelers
Another small business idea for male entrepreneurs is hosting travelers. If you have an in-law suite, a vacation home or even a room with a private entrance, consider renting it out. Some entrepreneurs have turned to Airbnb and Vrbo to make money on the side or even create a full-time business for themselves this way.
People looking to get away and have their own space often enjoy rentals compared to hotels, especially larger groups or those with children or pets. Also, having a place to cook instead of going out to eat is a bonus.
Depending on your location and what you have to offer, you could earn enough to pay your mortgage. Make enough profit and you might even consider expanding by buying another property to host more guests.
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Note:
Make sure hosting on Airbnb, Vrbo or a similar site is OK with your mortgage provider or homeowner’s association before committing to the program.
6. Launch a Cleaning Business
Here’s the thing about cleaning: Not everyone loves it or has the time to scrub, sweep and mop. This makes it a great small business idea for men who don’t mind getting a little dirty.
Commercial and residential clients will pay top dollar for one-time deep cleans or regularly scheduled services.
With this one-man business idea, your only overhead costs would be cleaning supplies and transportation to and from each job. As you expand your business, you can bring on employees to fit the needs of your growing client base.
While earnings can vary depending on your market, the national average salary of cleaning business owners is approximately $55,730, according to ZipRecruiter.
7. Try Data Entry
Are you a man who types fast? OK, you don’t have to be the fastest typist in the world, but it helps for this home-based business idea.
Much like freelance writing, companies will pay you to input data for a variety of reasons and applications, all from your couch. You can bring on multiple clients at once and create a steady source of income.
Have big dreams? You could expand to employ a team of remote data-entry specialists to bring on more clients.
Based on recent stats from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) , typists and word processors earn an average of $43,370 annually.
On the other hand, more general data entry specialists average roughly $41,600, according to ZipRecruiter.
8. Grow a Landscaping Business
You don’t have to be an experienced landscaper to start cutting lawns and trimming hedges, although it does help.
Landing clients with lavish residential gardens and commercial office parks can help you be successful with this niche small business idea for men.
You may need some funding to purchase landscaping equipment and cover other overhead costs, but landscaping is a tried-and-true business that will never go away as long as grass needs mowing.
In areas that experience all the seasons, consider offering snow plowing services in the winter months and leaf blowing in the fall.
As of November 2022, Salary.com reports that, on average, landscaping contractors earn slightly under $63,379.
9. Become the Local Handyman
Skillful with a hammer or slick with a paint roller? Use those skills for this one-man business idea that can make you the go-to guy whenever something needs repair in your neighborhood.
Many homeowners are reluctant to call contractors for home repairs. That’s especially true when repairs fall into the gray area of being too involved for a do-it-yourself project but not so involved that they warrant $100+ an hour bill from a plumber or an electrician.
Once you get a name for yourself through marketing and referrals, you can be on your way to running a successful handyman business.
Glassdoor reports that the average annual earnings for a handyman in the U.S. is about $42,820 as of December 2022.
10. Open a Mobile Car-Detailing Service
Many men love cars — and many would love to work on them. However, auto repair can take years of training before you can open your own shop. What’s more, owning a shop requires paying for rent, equipment and insurance.
One way to work with different cars and save yourself on steep startup costs is by opening a mobile car-detailing service. This home-based business idea gives men a lot of freedom while bringing in profits and is even a great small business idea for young men.
You can go to your clients’ homes or places of work. Work on one-off jobs or secure contracts from office parks and other businesses to bring in steady revenue for your startup.
Who knows? You might even get to detail your dream car before making enough to buy one yourself.
Glassdoor reports that auto detailers average approximately $36,280 annually.
11. Become a Personal Trainer
Another small business for men that’s popular today is personal training. This field is growing at a pace much faster than the average, according to the BLS, which states the median pay is $40,700.
While you may have a related college degree in exercise science, physical education or kinesiology, for example, this isn’t required. That said, most trainers are certified by an accredited agency as well as have first aid, CPR and AED certifications.
12. Start a Home Inspection Business
Home inspection could be a great small business idea for men with a background in construction, home repair or a related field. While requirements vary by state, the typical entry-level education is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Some employers may require a college degree in engineering or architecture, however.
Additionally, on-the-job training is common, and you’ll likely need to pass an exam and maintain liability insurance. Continuing education courses may also be required.
The average home inspector’s salary in the U.S. is roughly $65,140, according to Indeed.
13. Provide Pressure-Washing Services
A good small business idea for young men just starting out is pressure washing, for which the median salary across the country is $21,310. This service is sought after by homeowners and businesses looking to clean building siding, sidewalks, awnings, decks and more. Investment can be minimal, with pressure washers available for a few hundred dollars.
14. Start Pet Sitting
The average pet sitter’s salary is $25,823, according to Zippia, which makes it another particularly good small business idea for young men who may not have much education or experience. With the popularity of online pet-sitting sites, such as Rover or Fetch, you could market your services to a multitude of areas. Share photos, gather testimonials, set your rate and more.
15. Offer Tutoring Services
If you’re skilled in a particular field or have a subject-specific college degree, consider becoming a tutor. With this one-man business idea, you could help children as well as adults. And according to Indeed, earn an average of $53,720 annually.
Math, science or reading, for example, could be a great area to focus on. Alternatively, you could teach English to non-native speakers or teach a secondary language to learners if you’re skilled in one, such as Spanish, French or Italian.
Choosing the Best Business Idea for Men That Works for You
Each of these small business ideas for men comes with its unique challenges and rewards. If you’re having trouble picking a business that makes sense for you, ask yourself these questions:
- What am I good at?
- What am I comfortable with?
- What am I passionate about?
Whether you’re looking for a one-man business idea or one that allows you to work from home, starting a company in one of these industries isn’t the only way to be successful. Find what’s right for you and get started today.
