Are you considering starting your own local service business, but don’t know where to start? The first thing you need to decide is what kind of business to start. Each type of business will come with its own benefits and its own challenges.
The advantage of starting a local service business is that you generally will not have to compete with huge national companies that have seven figure marketing budgets. The other advantage is Google. Yes you read that right. Google puts local businesses on an almost even playing field. I say almost because, other local service businesses may have some money to spend on a professional to help with their Google marketing, which could give them an advantage.
Social media is another obvious advantage. Social platforms are a great place to talk about and promote your local service business and get referrals from friends and family.
But, like I said, the first thing you have to do is decide on what kind of business you want to own. How do you find a great idea? Here are 16 local service business ideas that will help you make a decision and start moving forward.
16 local service business ideas
These 16 business ideas will help get you started on your entrepreneurial journey. You will find that most of these ideas require a partner in credit card processing to get started. This allows you to keep your upfront costs low.
For inspiration on the different types of businesses that can launch you to success, read on.
1. Pet sitting
Approximately 70% of American families own a pet. Your pet-sitting business can provide peace of mind for families that are away for long periods. You will be responsible for the care of your clients’ pets, including their cats and dogs. You’ll have to feed, water, play with, and walk the pets (with dogs). You will need to keep your clients happy by regularly updating them about how their pets are doing.
Pet sitting is a great small-business idea if you already have income sources that aren’t dependent on the internet and a computer. Pet owners are likely to allow you to use their laptop and spend time with their pets. This allows you to have two income streams at once.
2. Real Estate Agent
Navigating the housing market can be overwhelming for many. You can help people find the perfect home for them by being a real-estate agent. Now, you might be thinking, “that’s not your own business.” But, in fact, being a Realtor is basically owning your own business. First, real estate agents have their own brand. They market on social media, they network for referrals, and some even have their own real estate website.
The fact of the matter is that being a 1099 contractor, which Realtors are, is being in business for yourself in almost every sense of the word. The only thing you need to become a real estate agent is to get licensed in your state. That involves taking and passing an exam. Most people take a real estate course to learn the necessary information.
3. Printing T-shirts
You might be able to start a T-shirt printing company if you have a sense for fashion or humor. You can license other designs and screen print them on a blank T-shirt. You can acquire all the tools you need to start printing T-shirts if you have enough space.
Printing T-shirts can be a lucrative e-commerce venture. Customers can place orders online and order T-shirts in bulk. You can then sell T-shirts to customers all over the country or even around the globe.
4. Party Rentals
Now this one might involve a slightly higher start-up cost then the others on this list. However, the advantage is that the inventory you purchase can be rented out again and again, making you many times more than the money invested.
A party rental company helps people who are having an event at their home or another location when they don’t have enough tables, chairs, and other items to have the party. You definitely need a website for this type of local service business so potential customers can see your inventory. There is also an opportunity to make extra money with delivery and setup, if you so desire. Some companies focus on certain types of events and others cater to all kinds.
5. Cleaning service
You can turn your passion for cleaning into a profitable local service business. You can provide cleaning services for homeowners, apartments, and commercial properties with a couple of staff members and a variety of cleaning supplies. Most cleaning services charge between $25 and $50 an hour. Cleaning services are a simple business that requires little overhead. You only need to plan, dedicate and market your cleaning service to get customers.
You can add premium services such as exterior power-washing and floor waxing to your cleaning service to make it stand out from the rest. These services can make the difference between your new cleaning company and established companies with too many clients to offer that level of cleaning.
6. Chimney cleaning
You may be wondering, does this type of local service business even exist anymore? Well, not only do they exist, but they are all around. A chimney cleaning service can be even more prevalent up north, where people use their fireplaces frequently.
Many of these companies even offer other services, such as dryer vent cleaning. That being said, this type of business probably requires a little more know-how than the others on the list. So be sure you are up to the challenge of learning how to do the work safely and serve your clients properly.
7. Consulting
Consulting can be a great option if you’re passionate and knowledgeable about a particular topic. It is possible to start your own consulting company, grow it and then hire other consultants. Companies hire consultants for all types of things.
There are marketing consultants, investing consultants, general business consultants, and many more options. Use your experience to dictate what you can help others with. Some consultants are able to charge hundreds of dollars per hour for their expertise.
8. Medical courier service
You have to be able to drive a reliable vehicle, and you must be able to manage your time well. This is what it takes to start your own courier company, or a medical courier service. You would be responsible for transporting medical items such as prescription drugs, lab specimens and equipment. You can either start your own courier company or hire drivers to help you.
The healthcare sector is growing which is good news for job stability in the medical courier service industry. Your business can serve a variety of clients, including private practices, hospitals, and nursing homes.
9. Property management
We already talked about becoming a real estate agent. There are other ways, however, to make money in real estate. One of those ways is property management. The job of a property manager is basically to take the headache of managing rental properties away from the owners of the properties in question.
This can be quite lucrative as property management companies are paid a percentage of the total rent collected. So over time, the fees can really add up. Once you have enough units under management, you can hire staff to allow you to take on more clients and grow your business.
service providers prefer their transcriptionists to have received training from a certified program.
10. Professional organizing
Are you looking for a business idea to bring joy and create joy? Marie Kondo and other professional organizers help people to declutter and reduce for a living. Many people want to reduce their possessions and get control of them in this age of materialism. Although minimalism is becoming increasingly popular, many people find it difficult to let go of things they have owned for a while. Professional organizers help clients create a system to downsize.
You might find coaching others useful if you are a very organized person who likes to make spaces comfortable and functional. You can help people organize their belongings and keep them organized by charging them a fee. Ask your clients if they’d be willing to take before-and after photos of the areas in their homes that you have organized. This will help promote your business. You can create a portfolio you can post on social media to help you attract clients if they agree.
11. Insurance Agent
Here is one that can be either a job or a business, depending on which route you take. Many people get their insurance license and get a job at an insurance agency. However, there are other options.
You could work as a producer (basically the salesperson that acquires clients) for certain companies, which is a 1099 position. These positions can make significant income over time because you get paid commission every year they remain a client.
12. Home care service
An education in hospitality and caregiving can be a great asset to housebound seniors who need in-home support. This service is in high demand and will only grow. According to the Population Reference Bureau, between 2020 and 2060, the 85-and-over population is The global number of centenarians (those who are over 100 years old) has already surpassed 600,000. Many people will require care and assistance, sometimes in their own homes.
You don’t have to be a healthcare professional in order to help seniors while also running a business. However, those skills will still be needed. Seniors need assistance with many tasks such as house repairs and errands. You could grow your business and offer services to seniors who are moving from their homes into assisted living facilities.
The industry of senior home care is growing rapidly. Senior care providers can capitalize on this market by offering premium senior care and helping seniors with daily tasks.
13. Food truck ownership
Food trucks come in many sizes and offer a variety of foods and cuisines. You can take your favorite food truck on the road and offer your culinary talents directly to hungry customers. You’ll work, sure, but it will be in an area you love and with the chance to meet people with similar interests.
Although it might seem like an impossible idea to start a food truck, the industry is rapidly growing. A truck requires much less overhead and maintenance than a restaurant. You also have the benefit of being mobile.
It can be very profitable to start a food truck company. There are some costs involved in starting a food truck business, including purchasing a truck and adapting it to local regulations. You can learn more about starting a food truck company if you are interested in making smiles by operating a food truck.
14. Lawn care
Chances are that your parents taught you how to maintain a lawn if you were raised with one. While lawn care can be bothersome for many people, it can provide a sense of serenity and peace for others. It can be rewarding to work outdoors, with your hands, to beautify and tame the natural landscape. However, many people find it tedious. This can make it profitable.
A trailer, basic equipment and a few staff are all you need to provide lawn care services. This depends on the number of clients and the size of the job. A small lawn care company can be transformed into a full-service landscaping business by offering premium services. This will allow you to build a reputation for doing a great job and smiling. This could be the right business for you if you enjoy working outside and creating beautiful landscapes.
Certain states require that landscapers who use pesticides must have a license. To determine if your business requires a license, check the requirements in your state.
15. Personal training
You might consider making the gym your second home by sharing your knowledge and helping others achieve their fitness goals. Personal trainers can provide in-home training sessions to suit the needs of each client. Clients can also be helped to create individualized nutrition and meal plans in order to achieve their fitness goals.
Personal trainers often start the client acquisition process by creating social media pages. These pages include details about their experiences in the gym and motivational quotes. Although a certification is a great way to increase your client base, it doesn’t mean that you have to be specialized in order to open this type of local business.
16. Catering for events
Are you passionate about the culinary arts? Event catering could be a great idea for you. There are many people who require delicious food to serve their guests at events, parties, fundraisers or family reunions. Event catering can be a lucrative and fun way to make a difference if you are a good cook or baker and enjoy serving hungry people.
You will need to create a price list and a menu, and obtain all permits and licenses. You can start small to promote your catering business, but once your food is well-received, don’t be surprised if you have a growing client base.
Local service business summary
In the end, what really matters is that you choose the type of business that makes you happy. If you don’t feel passionate about your business, succeeding will be that much harder. If you do something you truly enjoy, then you’ll never have to work a day in your life.
