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

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
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

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

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

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
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

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

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

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

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

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

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
Person typing information from paper documents into a computer at an office desk.

Freelance data entry from home

Type or enter information from documents into spreadsheets and databases for small businesses, paid by the hour or project.

  • $0-800
  • Side hustle
  • From home
4,375 US businesses with employees in this field, -11.2% in a year

Document data processing service

Lead a small team that handles ongoing data entry and document processing for offices, practices and companies.

  • $1k-5k
  • Part-time
  • Online
4,375 US businesses with employees in this field, -11.2% in a year
A small team planning sales growth and client partnerships around a table.

Freelance business development consultant

Help small companies find new customers and partners, paid by a monthly retainer or a share of deals won.

  • $300-2k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
52,258 US businesses with employees in this field, +4.5% 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.