Business Ideas for Working Out and About in Canada

1182 ideas

If you would rather be on the road, at events or at customers' doors than behind a desk, these 1,1182 ideas are for you. They range from light, low-cost starts like a clothing market stall and pop-ups to more equipment-heavy options like event AV hire: speakers, screens and mics, or a solo service plumber with a van.

Swipe through these ideas →

Workers installing a striped awning above a café front on a sunny street.

Patio and deck awning installer

Sell and fit retractable awnings for decks, patios and windows, working from home with a manufacturer's range.

C$3k-12k
Side hustle
Out and about

Awnings for cafés and shops

Supply and fit storefront and patio awnings for cafés, restaurants and shops, often with your branding on them.

C$5k-25k
Part-time
Out and about

Tents, sleeping bags and hiking gear displayed in an outdoor camping shop.

Camping gear pop-up and rentals

Sell and rent camping gear from a seasonal stall near campgrounds, markets and events.

C$8k-35k
Side hustle
Out and about

Farmers and cattle gathered around a busy livestock auction ring.

Part-time sheep, goat and calf trader

Buy lambs, kids or calves from local farms and sell them on to other farms, with a trailer and a good eye.

C$3k-15k
Side hustle
Out and about

Feeder cattle dealer

Buy and sell feeder cattle between ranches, backgrounders and feedlots, earning the margin on each load.

C$100k-500k
Full-time
Out and about

Carpenter fitting timber deck boards into a frame in a garden.

Part-time deck builder

Build and repair small timber decks for homeowners on weekends and evenings during the warm months.

C$2.5k-10k
Side hustle
Out and about

Full-time design-build deck company

Design and build timber and composite decks for homeowners with a small crew and a truck.

C$15k-50k
Full-time
Out and about

Group of people following an energetic dance fitness class in a studio.

Aero dance classes in a rented hall

Run upbeat dance fitness classes in a community hall or studio, paid per class or by monthly pass.

C$500-2.5k
Side hustle
Out and about

Elegant plated desserts served in a restaurant dining room.

Dessert stall at markets and events

Serve made-to-order sweets and drinks from a stall or cart at farmers' markets, festivals and pop-ups.

C$6k-25k
Side hustle
Out and about

Holidaymakers collecting paddleboards and kayaks from a beach rental stand.

Mobile kayak and paddleboard hire

Tow a trailer of kayaks and paddleboards to lakes and beaches and rent them by the hour or day.

C$5k-20k
Side hustle
Out and about

Notary stamping and signing a legal document on a desk at an office.

Mobile notary who comes to you

Witness signatures and certify documents at clients' homes, workplaces or care homes, evenings and weekends included.

C$600-3k
Side hustle
Out and about

Hands fitting a replacement air filter into an engine or unit.

Local air filter supply for garages and buildings

Deliver replacement filters to garages, fleets and building managers on a regular schedule.

C$3k-15k
Part-time
Out and about

A construction crew working on the exterior of a house under renovation.

Home renovation contractor

Take on kitchen, bathroom, basement and repair jobs for homeowners, using trusted subtrades for specialist work.

C$15k-60k
Part-time
Out and about

Exchange student smiling with a host family at home.

Local homestay coordinator for exchange programmes

Recruit, vet and support host families in your town for schools and exchange programmes.

C$500-3k
Side hustle
Out and about

Technician repairing an air compressor unit in a workshop.

Mobile air compressor repair and servicing

Drive to workshops, farms and job sites to service and repair air compressors on the spot.

C$8k-30k
Part-time
Out and about

Customers seated at tables with teapots, cups and light food in a tea room.

Pop-up afternoon tea

Run booked afternoon tea events in hired halls, galleries or gardens before committing to a full tea room.

C$1.5k-7k
Side hustle
Out and about

Colourful acai bowl topped with fruit and granola on a café counter.

Açaí bowl market stall or cart

Sell açaí bowls and smoothies from a stall, cart or pop-up at farmers' markets, festivals and summer events.

C$8k-35k
Side hustle
Out and about

A group doing pilates on mats in a bright studio.

Pilates mat classes in rented space

Teach small mat pilates classes in a rented hall or studio room and build a loyal group of regulars.

C$1k-5k
Side hustle
Out and about

Farmer servicing milking equipment in a dairy farm parlour with cows nearby.

Mobile milking equipment service and parts

Drive to dairy farms to install, service and repair milking systems, and supply the parts they need.

C$15k-60k
Full-time
Out and about

Mechanic fitting an exhaust silencer under a car in a garage.

Mobile exhaust repair service

Repair exhaust leaks, broken hangers and damaged pipes at customers' homes and yards from a equipped van.

C$15k-45k
Part-time
Out and about

Pallets of cement bags being unloaded from a delivery lorry at a building site.

Cement and mortar delivery service

Deliver bagged cement and masonry materials straight to job sites, with no shop and low overheads.

C$20k-60k
Part-time
Out and about

Students in uniforms practising martial arts moves in a training hall with an instructor.

Martial arts classes in a rented hall

Teach kids and adults a martial art you know well, in a rented community hall or school gym.

C$800-4k
Side hustle
Out and about

Workers assembling a new play structure in a school playground.

Playground supply and install crew

Supply and fit play equipment for schools, councils and daycares, working directly with customers and as a subcontractor for dealers.

C$8k-40k
Part-time
Out and about

Scuba instructor teaching a student underwater beside a coral reef.

Freelance scuba instructor

Teach scuba courses and lead dives on contract for local dive shops, around your day job or in the diving season.

C$3k-9k
Side hustle
Out and about

About these ideas

Start by thinking about how you will get around and carry your gear, since a vehicle, insurance and storage can shape your costs. Also consider weather, Canadian winters and seasonal demand, because many outdoor and event-based businesses are busier in warmer months. Check whether you need local permits, vendor fees or trade licences, then compare ideas by startup cost and how many hours you can commit.

More ideas

Questions

What should I check before starting a business that works out and about?

Check whether your city or town requires a business licence, vendor permit or trade certification. Also look into vehicle and liability insurance, parking rules and where you can operate. Requirements vary by province and municipality, so confirm with local authorities.

How do I handle Canadian weather and seasonality?

Look at when customers actually buy. A farmers' market stall may peak in summer, while services like repairs or tutoring can run year-round. Consider a plan for slower months, such as indoor events, off-season offers or a complementary service.

Do I need special insurance for a mobile or outdoor business?

Often it is worth checking. You may want commercial vehicle cover, general liability and insurance for your equipment, and some venues or markets ask for proof of cover. Speak with a licensed broker to see what fits your business and province.