Things are tough right now. The economy isn’t great, the world is pretty volatile at the moment, and we all feel a little unsure of what the future holds. To add to all of this, the cost of living is high, and many of us are struggling with it.
So what can we do? Unlike the Enid Blyton stories, there is no magic faraway tree in the garden for us to escape to. Unfortunately, we need a more practical solution, however nice it might sound to step into the pages of a storybook.
Luckily, there are some real options out there offering a relatively quick fix to the problem. If you’ve ever thought about starting a business but talked yourself out of it because you assumed it would cost a fortune to get off the ground, think again. Some of the most profitable small businesses right now require very little upfront cash.
15 Businesses To Set Up Quickly and Earn Straight Away
They might not cost much to set up, but they do require your time, your skills, and a willingness to get started. Whether you’re looking for extra income on the side or something you can grow into a full-time venture, these 15 side hustles have the potential to give you the cash injection you need right now.
Personal Chef
If you love to cook and can handle the pressure of a dinner party without a glass of wine in hand, this one’s for you.
Personal chefs cook for private clients, either in the client’s home or by preparing batched meals for the week ahead. It’s a growing market, especially among busy professionals and older adults who want nutritious, home-cooked food without the effort.
You don’t need a culinary school diploma, but you do need solid cooking skills, knowledge of food safety, and the ability to adapt menus to dietary needs. A food handler’s certification is worth getting early on.
Word of mouth is everything in this business. Start with one client, do exceptional work, and let the referrals come naturally.
Delivery Services
If you have a car, a bike, or a reliable set of legs, this one has the lowest barrier to entry of anything on this list.
Platforms like Uber Eats and Amazon Flex let you sign up, pass a background check, and start earning within days. You set your own hours, which makes it ideal if you need something flexible around existing commitments.
It’s not the most glamorous job in the world, but it’s consistent. And in cities, the demand rarely dries up.
Home Organizer
Clutter is a universal problem. Most people know they need to deal with it and have absolutely no idea where to start.
That’s where you come in. If you’re the one among your friends who is the most organized, who labels everything in the pantry, and whose home is spick and span, then this could well be for you.
Professional organizers help clients declutter, create systems, and improve the way their homes function. The job is part practical, part psychological. You’re helping people make decisions they’ve been avoiding for years.
You don’t need formal qualifications, though training from organizations like the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) can add credibility. Start with friends or family at a discounted rate to build a portfolio and collect testimonials.
Tutoring Services
If you have expertise in a subject, there are students who need you.
Tutoring is one of the most straightforward businesses to launch. You can work in person or online via platforms like Wyzant or Tutor.com, or market yourself directly through local schools and community boards.
Math, science, test prep, and foreign languages tend to be in the highest demand. But music, writing, and even cooking can be tutored, too.
Set your rate, decide your hours, and you’re in business.
Logo Design
Companies need logos, and they need them constantly. New businesses launch every day, rebrands happen regularly, and the demand for affordable, quality design never stops.
If you have a design background or have taught yourself tools like Adobe Illustrator or Canva Pro, you can start taking on clients right now.
Platforms like 99designs, Fiverr, and Upwork are good starting points for building a client base while you grow your reputation. Over time, direct clients will pay significantly more than marketplace jobs.
Social Media Influencer
Let’s be clear: this one takes longer to monetize than most on this list. But if you have a niche, a personality, and some patience, the earning potential is real.
Influencers make money through brand partnerships, affiliate links, and sponsored content. The key is to pick a specific niche and create consistently. Lifestyle, health, food, travel, and personal finance all perform well.
You don’t need millions of followers. Many brands actively prefer smaller, engaged audiences because the conversion rates are higher.
House Sitter
People travel and worry about their homes. That’s where house sitters come in.
House sitting typically means staying in someone’s property, collecting mail, watering plants, and keeping an eye on things while the owners are away. In exchange, you often get free accommodation and sometimes payment as well.
Sites like TrustedHousesitters and HouseSitter.com connect sitters with homeowners. If you’re location-flexible or happy to travel, this can become a full lifestyle as much as a business.
Graffiti Removal Service
Believe it or not, graffiti removal is in high demand, especially in the bigger cities.
Graffiti removal is a service required by local governments, property managers, retail businesses, and homeowners. It’s regular work because graffiti is a recurring problem, not a one-off.
The startup costs are modest. You’ll need a pressure washer, the right cleaning chemicals for different surfaces, and some basic protective gear. Many operators find their first clients simply by approaching local businesses directly.
Once you have a few satisfied clients, ongoing contracts are common.
Self-Publishing
If you have knowledge worth sharing or stories worth telling, self-publishing has never been more accessible.
Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) allow anyone to publish and sell books with no upfront cost. You upload your manuscript, set your price, and earn royalties on every sale.
Non-fiction tends to convert well if it solves a specific problem. Think how-to guides, cookbooks, planners, or workbooks. Fiction takes longer to gain traction, but can generate passive income for years once an audience finds you.
Brand Ambassador
Brands pay people to represent them at events, in-store, and online.
Brand ambassadors promote products, run demonstrations, and create a positive impression of a company. The work is often part-time and event-based, making it a good fit alongside other commitments.
You’ll find opportunities through marketing agencies, directly on company websites, and on platforms like Teamwork Commerce and GigSmart. Strong communication skills and a friendly approach are the main requirements.
Language Translator
If you’re fluent in more than one language, you’re sitting on a marketable skill. My next-door neighbor recently started a translation business, and he’s already got five clients and is doing really well.
Freelance translators work with businesses, legal firms, medical providers, and publishers who need documents, websites, or content translated accurately. The pay rate varies by language pair, with rarer languages commanding higher fees.
Platforms like ProZ and TranslatorsCafe are good starting points. Medical and legal translation typically requires additional certification, but general business translation does not.
Podcast Host
The podcasting space is competitive, but it’s far from saturated in most niches.
Starting a podcast costs very little. A decent USB microphone, free recording software like Audacity, and a hosting platform like Buzzsprout or Podbean are all you need to get started.
Monetization takes time. Sponsorships, listener memberships via Patreon, and affiliate links are the most common revenue streams. The podcasters who do well tend to pick a specific topic they can talk about consistently for years without running out of things to say.
Yoga or Pilates Instructor
If you’re already a practitioner, teaching is the natural next step. One of my close friends here in France recently did a two-week yoga training course, passed with flying colors, and is now teaching yoga here in southwest France, and the business is building nicely.
Certification programs vary in length and cost, but they’re a necessary investment before you start charging clients. Once qualified, you can teach in-person classes, partner with a local gym or studio, or run your own sessions in community centers.
Online classes have significantly increased income. Platforms like Mindbody and ClassPass help instructors reach students beyond their immediate area, and pre-recorded classes can generate ongoing income from a single session.
Write Greeting Cards
This is one of the most underestimated income streams around. I did this years ago and got some very lucrative contracts out of it, making some decent money with very little effort.
Greeting card companies regularly buy verses and messages from freelance writers. American Greetings and Hallmark both have submission guidelines on their websites. Pay per accepted verse varies but typically ranges from $50 to $300.
The writing style required is punchy, warm, and brief. If you can say something meaningful in three lines, this could be a surprisingly steady side income with very little overhead.
Sell Custom T-Shirts
The print-on-demand model has made this business almost entirely risk-free.
Platforms like Printful, Printify, and Merch by Amazon handle the printing and shipping. I can vouch for Printify as I’ve used them myself, creating cute tote bags, mugs, and t-shirts with Parisian designs on them.
You create the designs, upload them, set your price, and pocket the difference: no stock, no fulfillment, no warehouse.
The challenge is standing out. The most successful sellers focus on specific niches rather than trying to appeal to everyone. Dog breeds, hobbies, occupations, and regional humor all tend to sell well. And, of course, everyone loves Paris.
I only run my shop in the lead up to Christmas, as that’s when it does well. But that suits me perfectly, as I don’t have the time to do it year-round, and the holiday season is the most lucrative.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or business advice. Always carry out your own research before starting any new business venture.