Creative business ideas for working out and about
54 ideas
If you would rather be at venues, fairs and client locations than behind a desk, these 54 creative ideas are a good place to start. They suit performers, makers, photographers and teachers who enjoy meeting people and can carry their skills with them.
Art dealer for interior clients
Source and place artwork for designers, hotels, offices and homeowners, earning a margin on each piece.
- £500-5k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Drone photos for estate agents and local firms
Shoot aerial photos and video of homes, land and local businesses for agents, builders and marketers.
- £1.5k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Local news and picture agency
Spot local stories and sell reports and photos to papers, news sites and broadcasters.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Corporate and advert video maker
Make promo films, adverts and training videos for local businesses, working solo or with a few freelancers.
- £1.5k-7k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Documentary and branded film company
Produce documentaries and longer films for charities, brands and broadcasters, building a small team around each project.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Pop-up art gallery
Run short exhibitions of local artists in borrowed or hired spaces and earn commission on sales.
- £500-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Media training and interview coach
Coach founders, experts and spokespeople to handle radio, TV and press interviews with confidence, in person or online.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Freelance video production for small brands
Film and edit short promo, social and explainer videos for local businesses and organisations.
- £1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Weekend wedding photographer
Photograph a handful of weddings a year at weekends while keeping your day job.
- £1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mural and commercial artist
Paint murals and bespoke artwork for cafés, shops, schools and homes in your area.
- £400-2k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Event and party photographer
Photograph birthdays, christenings, corporate events and small weddings, and deliver edited galleries to clients.
- £800-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Freelance business video maker
Film and edit short promo and social videos for local businesses, working from home and on location.
- £800-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Artist selling originals at fairs and galleries
Paint a body of work and sell it through craft fairs, open studios, local galleries and your own shop page.
- £300-2.5k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Drone video for events and weddings
Add aerial video to weddings, festivals and sports days, working with other event suppliers.
- £2k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Full-time wedding photography business
Run a full-time wedding brand with premium packages, albums and a steady flow of enquiries.
- £4k-15k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Business photographer on location
Visit local businesses to photograph their premises, team, food or services for websites, social media and adverts.
- £1.5k-7k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Model portfolio and headshot photographer
Shoot portfolios and headshots for models and actors in hired studio space, paid per session.
- £1.5k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Portrait and family photographer
Photograph families, couples, pets and headshots at outdoor spots or a simple home setup.
- £800-3.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile airbrush artist for events and walls
Take your airbrush to events, shops and homes for live tattoos, T-shirts and wall murals.
- £500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Small-scale touring theatre show
Stage a small cast show and tour it to village halls, studios, arts centres and fringe venues.
- £1.5k-7.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Dance troupe for hire at events
Form a small troupe and sell ready-made dance acts to weddings, corporate events, festivals and venues.
- £500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Community dance company for schools and groups
Run a dance company that delivers performances and workshops in schools, care settings and community venues, partly grant funded.
- £400-2k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Small dance company staging ticketed shows
Create an original show and tour it to local theatres, arts centres and fringe festivals, earning from tickets and venue deals.
- £2k-10k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Gigging covers or original band
Form a band that plays pubs, weddings, parties and local venues for a fee.
- £500-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
You might run local photography workshops, sell as an artist selling originals at fairs and galleries, or build a following with a Pop-up calligraphy workshop. Before you choose, think about the practical side: how you will transport kit, where you can legally trade or perform, what insurance you may need, and how weather or seasons could affect bookings. It also helps to test one small paid session or stall before investing in equipment, so you can see what people actually pay for.
More ideas
- Henna art workshops
- Touring puppet shows for schools and parties
- Puppet theatre company for festivals and venues
- Ballroom and social dance classes
- Private ballroom lessons and first dances
- Mobile clay workshops for groups and schools
- Ballet classes in a hired hall
- Community theatre or music group
- Touring children's theatre company
- Small touring theatre company
- Schools and community theatre company
- Gigging musician for pubs, weddings and events
- Astrology readings at fairs and parties
- Knitting workshops at cafes, shops and halls
- Freelance make-up artist for shoots and screen
- Pop-up calligraphy workshops
- Touring show for schools and venues
- Solo children's show performer
- Painting classes in village halls and cafes
- Local photography workshops
- Outdoor photo walk tuition
- Chamber orchestra for hire
- Project orchestra giving ticketed concerts
- Bead wholesaler selling at craft fairs and shows
- Pop-up craft workshops at venues
- Small touring chamber opera company
- Community opera company
- Weekend party and event entertainer
- Personalising stall for markets and events
- Full-time professional entertainer
Questions
Do I need permission to work in public places or at venues?
Often you will. Check with the local council about street trading, busking or event rules, and ask venue owners or landowners directly. Requirements vary by area and activity, so confirm what applies before you take bookings or promote dates.
What insurance should I look into for a mobile creative business?
Look at public liability insurance, cover for your equipment while travelling, and professional indemnity if you give advice or tuition. Venues, councils and event organisers may ask to see a certificate, so check their requirements first.
How can I test a creative idea before spending a lot on equipment?
Start with a single paid session, stall or small booking using kit you already own or can hire. Note what people ask for, what they pay and what it costs you in time and travel, then decide what to buy next.