Creative business ideas for working out and about

43 ideas

These 44 creative business ideas suit people who would rather take their skills to customers than sit in a studio or office all day. You might run pop-up painting classes at local venues, work as an event and portrait photographer, or perform as a gigging musician for events and venues.

Swipe through these ideas →

Under 1k1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOwn premisesOnline
Live theatre production on stage under coloured spotlights before an audience.

Community theater production company

Stage a few shows a year in a rented venue, earning from tickets, sponsors and program ads.

  • $3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
3,490 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.4% in a year

Touring children's theater show

Create a small cast show and perform it at schools, libraries and festivals for a fee.

  • $1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
3,490 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.4% in a year
Dealer showing a painting to a collector in a gallery.

Art dealer for designers and offices

Source and sell artwork to interior designers, home stagers, restaurants and offices that need pieces for their spaces.

  • $1.5k-8k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
4,729 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.9% in a year
A film crew filming a scene with a camera and lighting rig on set.

Documentary and corporate film studio

Run a small team making brand films, commercials and documentaries for companies, nonprofits and outlets.

  • $8k-40k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
17,366 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.8% in a year
Drone hovering above a coastline capturing aerial photographs and video.

Real estate drone photographer

Shoot aerial photos and short videos of homes and land for agents, builders and property owners.

  • $1.5k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
5,021 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.8% in a year

Drone video for events and local businesses

Film aerial footage for weddings, festivals, resorts and local business promo videos.

  • $2.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
5,021 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.8% in a year
Band members performing on stage under coloured lights in front of a crowd.

Local gigging band for bars, events and weddings

Form a band and get paid to play live at bars, private parties, weddings and local events.

  • $500-4k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
5,681 US businesses with employees in this field, +3.7% in a year
Composer writing notes on a score beside a piano.

Live event musician for hire

Perform at weddings, parties, restaurants and local venues as a solo act or small band.

  • $500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
38,677 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.6% in a year
Young audience watching an actor performing on a colourful children's theatre stage.

Touring children's theatre for schools

Perform short, portable plays at elementary schools, libraries and daycares for a flat booking fee.

  • $1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
3,490 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.4% in a year

Weekend family theatre productions

Stage ticketed plays for families in rented venues, with weekend matinees and school group bookings.

  • $3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
3,490 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.4% in a year
Group of dancers performing together on a lit theatre stage during a show.

Dance troupe for hire at events

Form a small group of dancers and get paid to perform at weddings, festivals, corporate events and community shows.

  • $500-4k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
872 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.7% in a year

Local dance company staging original shows

Create original productions, sell tickets and seek grants and sponsors to support a small company of dancers.

  • $2k-10k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
872 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.7% in a year
A photographer shooting a product on a table with lights and a camera on a tripod.

Event and portrait photographer

Shoot parties, family sessions and small events at your clients' venues and homes.

  • $1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
5,021 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.8% in a year
Interior designer reviewing room layout plans with fabric and paint samples.

Interior designer for small businesses

Design layouts and finishes for local offices, restaurants, salons and shops, paid per project.

  • $1.5k-8k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
16,797 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.8% in a year
Visitors viewing paintings on white walls in a gallery exhibition.

Pop-up art gallery shows

Curate short exhibitions in borrowed spaces like cafes and vacant shops, no long lease needed.

  • $500-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
4,729 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.9% in a year
Actors rehearsing on a stage with a small theatre crew watching.

Pop-up community theater company

Stage plays a few times a year in rented spaces, with a volunteer or paid cast, and earn from tickets, sponsors and grants.

  • $1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
3,490 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.4% in a year
Reporter typing a news story at a desk in a busy newsroom.

Local news stringer service

Cover local events, meetings and breaking stories and sell the text, photos and video to newspapers, TV and radio.

  • $500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
321 US businesses with employees in this field, -9.6% in a year
A consultant coaching a client before a television interview in a studio.

Media and interview coach

Coach founders, experts and spokespeople to handle TV, podcast and press interviews with confidence.

  • $300-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
8,646 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.1% in a year
Musician performing on stage in front of an audience.

Gigging musician for events and venues

Play paid shows at bars, weddings, restaurants and private parties as a solo act or small band.

  • $300-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
38,677 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.6% in a year
A photographer photographing a product on a table under studio lights.

On-location business photographer

Photograph local businesses at their own sites: staff, spaces, food and branding images.

  • $3k-12k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
5,021 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.8% in a year
A puppeteer performing with colourful puppets on a small theatre stage for children.

Traveling puppet shows for schools and parties

Bring a portable puppet show to libraries, schools, birthday parties and community events.

  • $500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
3,490 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.4% in a year

Touring family puppet theater company

Run a small company with larger shows for festivals, theaters and ticketed family events.

  • $3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
3,490 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.4% in a year
Photographer taking pictures of a couple during their wedding ceremony.

Weekend wedding photographer

Shoot a handful of weddings a year on weekends while keeping your day job, building a portfolio as you go.

  • $1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
11,483 US businesses with employees in this field, +3.3% in a year
Artist painting on a canvas in a light, airy studio.

Artist selling at art fairs and markets

Sell originals, prints and small pieces face to face at weekend art fairs and local markets.

  • $500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
38,677 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.6% in a year

About these ideas

They tend to suit sociable, flexible people who enjoy meeting new groups and can pack up and set up reliably. Before you choose, think about what you need to carry, how you will get there, and whether venues, schools or clients will pay enough to cover your time and travel. Check whether you need permission to use a space, and whether insurance is worth having when you work on other people's premises. Start with one offer you can test locally.

More ideas

Questions

How do I find venues for a pop-up creative business?

Start with places that already host groups, such as cafes, libraries, community centers, breweries and shops. Ask what they need, how they handle bookings, and whether they charge rent or share revenue. Test one or two venues before committing to a regular schedule.

Do I need insurance to work at other people's locations?

Often it is worth checking. Many venues, schools and event organizers ask for liability insurance before they will book you. Look at what your activity involves, such as equipment, materials or working with children, and ask an insurance provider what cover fits.

What licenses or permits might a mobile creative business need in the US?

Requirements vary by state, city and activity. Check whether you need a local business license, a sales tax permit, or permission to perform or sell in public spaces. Your city or county website and a local small business center are good places to start.