Business Services Ideas You Can Start in the United States

349 ideas

Business services are companies that earn money by helping other businesses work better, whether through advice, equipment, supplies, or space. This page lists 349 ideas, from a freelance marketing consultant for local businesses to a coffee vending machine route or a Refurbished lab equipment dealer.

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Under 1k1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
Stack of plain white envelopes arranged on a warehouse shelf.

Home-based envelope reseller

Sell envelopes in bulk to local printers and offices, with orders shipped straight from a wholesaler.

  • $500-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
3,190 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.9% in a year
Stack of plain white envelopes arranged on a warehouse shelf.

Local envelope and stationery distributor

Stock popular envelope sizes in a small unit and deliver fast to printers and offices in your area.

  • $15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
3,190 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.9% in a year
Office paper being fed into an industrial shredder machine.

Mobile on-site document shredding

Shred confidential papers at clients' offices from a truck or van, so they can watch it destroyed.

  • $15k-75k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
1,568 US businesses with employees in this field, +10.3% in a year
Office paper being fed into an industrial shredder machine.

Shredding pickup and drop-off service

Collect locked bins of paper from small offices and take them to a shredding site for secure destruction.

  • $1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
1,568 US businesses with employees in this field, +10.3% in a year
Security patrol officer walking past a commercial building at dusk.

Mobile security patrol service

Drive set routes past small businesses, lots and neighborhoods, checking property and reporting what you see.

  • $3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
11,104 US businesses with employees in this field, +4.2% in a year
Security patrol officer walking past a commercial building at dusk.

Event and venue security team

Supply licensed guards for parties, markets, bars and local events, paid by the shift.

  • $2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
11,104 US businesses with employees in this field, +4.2% in a year
Customer service agents wearing headsets taking calls at desks in an office.

Home-based answering service for local businesses

Answer calls and book appointments for local trades and small offices that can't pick up the phone.

  • $500-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
3,106 US businesses with employees in this field, -7.8% in a year
Customer service agents wearing headsets taking calls at desks in an office.

Small outsourced customer support team

Run a small team that handles customer calls and enquiries for online stores and software companies under contract.

  • $3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Online
3,106 US businesses with employees in this field, -7.8% in a year
Financial adviser discussing pension and savings plans with a client at a desk.

Virtual fee-only financial planner

Help individuals and families plan savings, investing and retirement by video call, for a flat or hourly fee.

  • $3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Online
23,359 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.9% in a year
Financial adviser discussing pension and savings plans with a client at a desk.

Independent financial advisory practice

Open a small local advisory firm that manages investments and retirement plans for households in your community.

  • $15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
23,359 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.9% in a year
Financial planner showing a retirement savings plan to a smiling couple.

Local retirement planning practice

Open a small office and guide nearby families and retirees with ongoing planning and retainer-based advice.

  • $8k-40k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
23,359 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.9% in a year
Accountant reviewing tax forms and using a calculator at a desk.

Home-based tax return preparer

Prepare personal and simple self-employed tax returns for neighbors and local workers from your home office.

  • $500-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
47,699 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.7% in a year
Accountant reviewing tax forms and using a calculator at a desk.

Online accountant for small businesses

Keep the books and file the tax returns for local small businesses, mostly remotely, on a monthly fee.

  • $1k-5k
  • Part-time
  • Online
47,699 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.7% in a year
Two people shaking hands over documents during a company sale agreement.

Business broker with an established firm

Help local owners sell their businesses under a brokerage's name, training and listing network. Paid by commission.

  • $5k-30k
  • Part-time
  • From home
163,894 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.0% in a year
Two people shaking hands over documents during a company sale agreement.

Independent business brokerage in one niche

Run your own small brokerage selling one type of local business, such as landscaping, HVAC or restaurants.

  • $3k-15k
  • Full-time
  • From home
163,894 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.0% in a year
An agent handing house keys to a tenant in front of a rental home.

Rental leasing agent (tenant placement only)

Find and screen tenants for landlords for a one-time fee, with no ongoing management.

  • $1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
163,894 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.0% in a year
Recruiter meeting a senior executive candidate in a modern office.

Solo executive recruiter in one niche

Find senior hires for employers in an industry you know well and earn a fee when they accept an offer.

  • $1k-6k
  • Part-time
  • From home
5,897 US businesses with employees in this field, -5.5% in a year
Recruiter meeting a senior executive candidate in a modern office.

Part-time headhunter for a few select searches

Take on one or two senior searches at a time alongside your job, using your professional network.

  • $300-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
5,897 US businesses with employees in this field, -5.5% in a year
Large technical blueprints being printed and laid out on a table.

Home-based plan printing with delivery

Print large plan sets for local builders and architects from a home workspace and deliver them to job sites.

  • $4k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
15,140 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.9% in a year
Large technical blueprints being printed and laid out on a table.

Blueprint and plan print shop

Run a small shop near builders and architects offering plan printing, scanning, copying and bid-set production.

  • $20k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
15,140 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.9% in a year
Agent showing a commercial lease to clients in front of an empty office.

Office finder for small businesses (tenant rep)

Help small companies and startups find, tour and negotiate office leases in your city.

  • $1k-4k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
163,894 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.0% in a year
Agent showing a commercial lease to clients in front of an empty office.

Leasing agent for small office building owners

Fill vacant offices for local landlords by marketing spaces, showing them and closing leases.

  • $1k-4k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
163,894 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.0% in a year
Broker showing a white sailing yacht to a prospective buyer at a marina.

Independent yacht broker under an established firm

Help owners sell and buyers find yachts, working as an independent agent under an existing brokerage and earning commission.

  • $1.5k-6k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
4,246 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.7% in a year
Broker showing a white sailing yacht to a prospective buyer at a marina.

Your own small yacht brokerage

Open a boutique brokerage near a marina, list yachts under your own name and keep the full commission.

  • $10k-40k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
4,246 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.7% in a year

About these ideas

These ideas tend to suit people with work experience, an existing network, or a knack for solving practical problems. Some need little more than a laptop, while others call for storage, vehicles, or inventory. Before you pick one, think about who would pay you, how you would reach them, and how long a typical sale takes. Also check whether your chosen idea needs a license, insurance, or registration in your state, since advisory and financial work can be regulated differently from selling goods.

More ideas

Questions

How do I choose a business services idea that fits me?

Start with the skills, contacts, and money you already have. Consulting ideas lean on experience, while dealer and route businesses need cash for stock or equipment. Look for a clear customer who already pays for this kind of help, then test interest before spending much.

Do I need a license to start a business services company?

It depends on the idea and your state. Work such as mortgage brokering is often regulated, while general consulting may not be. Check with your state licensing agency, your city or county, and the Small Business Administration, and consider asking a qualified adviser.

How do I find my first customers for a business-to-business idea?

Begin with people who already know your work, such as past employers, colleagues, and local owners. Ask for introductions, join a local networking group, and offer a small, clearly priced first project. Check how long customers usually take to decide, so you can plan your cash.