Small Business Ideas for Women…15 Profitable Ones
Reading Time: 8 minutesWhile “Small Business Ideas for Women” may imply that these businesses are solely for women, it’s important to note that a great business idea is not limited to gender.
So, you have a full-time job and have recently considered starting a side business or even transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship. However, the challenge is you aren’t sure of the services or products to offer.
You aren’t alone.
While many YouTube videos depict success stories of people quitting their jobs to start a business, the reality is not as easy or glamorous as it’s often portrayed. However, they all start with an idea.
Ideas are the driving force behind many successful businesses worldwide. The more valuable your business idea is to your market, the greater your chances of expanding and scaling your services.
This blog post discusses small business ideas for women likely to be successful based on popularity and opportunities.
These business ideas can fluctuate and change based on platforms and regions. However, based on consistent trends and popularity, here are 15 profitable business ideas frequently sought by women:
Did You Know?
Women-owned businesses have reached a significant milestone, comprising 39.1% of all U.S. businesses, with over 14 million enterprises operating in various sectors. This marks a 13.6% increase from 2019 to 2023, showcasing the resilience and growth of women entrepreneurs.
15 Business Ideas for Women
Here are 15 profitable small business ideas that can empower women entrepreneurs:
1) Photography
The keyword “how to start a photography business” gets at least 3,300 search volume every month, with the US accounting for most of the search volume (2,000+)
This data suggests that there is quite a huge market for photography in the US. Zippia data shows that 52.6% of professional photographers are women, while 47.4% are men.
Overall, women make up a significant portion of the photography workforce, suggesting a thriving field for women considering the idea of starting a small business.
The average profit margin for a photography studio typically ranges between 25% and 40%. In other words, for every dollar earned, you can expect to retain between 25 and 40 cents as profit.
2) Home-based Business
A home-based business has an estimated monthly search volume of 7,500, with the US accounting for 57% of the total search volume.
Starting a home-based business often appeals to women striving for a work-life balance, catering to those who wish to juggle professional goals with personal duties.
Baking and crafting are popular choices among the many possibilities.
These avenues allow for creative expression, personal fulfillment, and financial independence.
Baking attracts those with a knack for culinary arts, offering opportunities to specialize in custom cakes or dietary-specific products.
The average profit margin for a bakery business typically ranges from 5% to 15%.
Crafting appeals to the artistically talented, enabling the creation of unique, handmade items such as jewelry and home decor.
Send Professional Invoices and Manage Your Business Expenses Conveniently. Check out Akaunting
3) Event Planning
Have you considered starting an event planning business? It’s one of the most lucrative businesses for women in the US, with a global search volume of 2,300.
According to Zippia data, 77.6% of all event planners are women, while 22.4% are men, making it an industry dominated by women.
This is not to say men can’t be successful in this field. However, women tend to be more interested in event planning.
The event planning business covers wedding planning, corporate gatherings, and others, with an average profit margin of 10% to 20%.
Send Quotes/Estimates to Clients on Akaunting. Try now for Free!
4) Health and Wellness
82% of U.S. consumers consider wellness a top or important priority across dimensions like health,
sleep, nutrition, fitness, appearance, and mindfulness.
The keyword gets an estimated 37,000 search volume monthly, with the US accounting for 48% of the total search.
Gen Z and millennial consumers are particularly engaged in purchasing wellness products and services.
Health and Wellness business ideas include but are not limited to fitness training, nutrition coaching, wellness consulting, spa services, and health product lines.
5) Beauty and Fashion
The beauty and fashion industry is a popular choice for women considering the idea of starting a small business.
Some examples include makeup artistry, personal styling, fashion boutiques, accessory design, and beauty blogging.
Makeup and hairstyling businesses are particularly popular as they offer mobile styling services for special events and provide clients with makeup and hairstyling tips.
Some of the consumer trends to note are:
- – Center parts, colored eye makeup, and acrylic nails were the most popular beauty trends in 2022.
- – 25% of consumers claim they only buy eco-friendly beauty products, and over three-quarters are concerned about the environmental impact of their purchases.
- – 92% of buyers would be more loyal to cosmetic brands that support environmental or social causes
6) Interior design
The interior design small business offers a dynamic and creative outlet for women entrepreneurs passionate about transforming spaces.
This idea enables you to leverage creativity and design skills to help clients enhance the aesthetics, functionality, and overall appeal of their interiors.
Services can range from residential projects, where the focus is on creating environments that reflect the client’s personal style and needs, to commercial interior design, which aims to elevate the look and feel of business spaces, ultimately contributing to their branding and customer experience.
Most interior decorators and their firms have a 35-40% gross profit margin. This margin represents the difference between the revenue generated from design services and the direct costs associated with those services.
Online design consultations have also become increasingly popular, especially in the digital age, allowing for broader reach and flexibility. This service enables clients to receive professional design advice and customized plans without needing in-person meetings, making interior design services more accessible to a wider audience.
7) Online Coaching
Online coaching allows small business owners to work remotely from any location.
According to Ahref data, the keyword gets an average monthly search of 11,000 across different countries, with India, the US, and the UK being the top three.
You can specialize in life, business, career, and wellness coaching through online coaching.
8) Blogging and Influencing
In recent years, blogging and influencing have become increasingly popular avenues for women entrepreneurs, providing a diverse platform for self-expression, networking, and business growth.
Did You Know?
77% of influencers actively monetizing their content are female, while the remaining 23% are male. Instagram is the most female-dominated platform, with 78% of influencers who monetize content being female, compared to 22% male. TikTok has 76% female influencers and 24% male, while YouTube has 69% female and 31% male.
Blogging allows for sharing insights, tips, and experiences across various niches, such as fashion, beauty, travel, health, and personal development.
Simultaneously, social media influence has emerged as a powerful tool for women to leverage online presence for brand collaborations and endorsements. Influencers use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter to showcase products or services, blending authentic content creation with strategic marketing.
9) Digital Marketing
Starting a digital marketing business often depends on your experience as a marketer.
Based on Ahref Data, digital marketing business is very popular in the US and India. This suggests markets with revenue opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
You can work as a marketing consultant to help businesses with their online presence, social media management, SEO, email marketing, and advertising strategies.
If your clients have design or content needs, you could hire graphic designers or freelance content writers to complement your services. As your business grows, you could consider hiring full-time employees.
10) Handmade and Custom Products
The handmade and custom products industry is seeing a significant rise in the number of women entrepreneurs. According to a recent Etsy census, 87% of handmade business owners are women, with an average age of 39.
Many women are turning to handmade businesses to earn supplemental income, with 81% of Etsy sellers expecting to earn only supplemental income.
However, for some, it has become their primary occupation, with 30% of makers listing their handmade business as their main source of income.
Handmade and custom products include jewelry, clothing, accessories, and personalized gifts.
11) Real Estate
Starting a real estate business requires you to be state-licensed. You can help sell and purchase property, serve as an advisor helping buyers make informed decisions, and facilitate the legal elements of real estate transactions.
According to Realtor data, in the US residential real estate workforce, women represent approximately 66% of professionals. Among real estate agents, 56% are female, while 44% are male.
12) Child and Pet Care
Women are increasingly entering the child and pet care sectors, including babysitting, pet sitting, dog walking, and pet grooming, as viable business opportunities. This trend is driven by both demand and the flexibility these industries offer.
Programs like “The Business of Child Care” in Pittsburgh provide essential training and support for aspiring child care providers. You get equipped with tailored curricula, one-on-one coaching, and networking opportunities, which are crucial for navigating the complexities of starting a business in this field.
You can leverage resources and training programs designed specifically for child or pet care businesses to start successfully.
13) Small Business Consulting Firm
Having gained a wealth of knowledge from years of experience in the business world, starting a small business consulting firm can be a rewarding venture.
It allows you to support business owners by offering strategic advice, planning services, and actionable solutions to help them overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
Did You Know?
Approximately 41.0% of small business consultants are women, while 59.0% are men.
By focusing on business development, marketing strategies, financial planning, and operational efficiency, you can provide comprehensive support to entrepreneurs and small business owners.
14) Education and Tutoring
Starting an education and tutoring business offers a promising opportunity for women passionate about education and personal development.
This spans several niches, including online tutoring, test preparation, and educational content creation. Each area caters to a specific need within the educational sector, from offering personalized learning experiences to students globally through online platforms to preparing students for pivotal exams such as the SAT, ACT, or GRE.
Another vibrant avenue is creating and selling educational content, such as lesson plans, worksheets, and instructional videos.
This not only taps into the creative aspect of education but also meets the growing demand for accessible and engaging educational resources.
Hosting specialized workshops or webinars can further diversify your offerings, catering to niche interests or skill sets that may be underserved in traditional educational settings.
15) Food and Beverage
Women are increasingly exploring the food and beverage industry, which offers a diverse range of business opportunities.
Common types of food and beverage businesses include restaurants, cafes, catering services, food trucks, food delivery, culinary classes, and specialty food shops.
These categories can further classify establishments based on service styles, such as fast food, casual dining, fine dining, and self-service options.
For instance, fast food chains and casual eateries are popular for new entrepreneurs due to their relatively lower startup costs and high demand.
Remember, the best business idea aligns with your skills, interests, and goals. Feel free to explore these options and find what resonates with you!
What’s Next?
When thinking of small business ideas for women, it’s worth noting the importance of a detailed plan and prudent financial management.
Akaunting offers comprehensive invoicing and accounting software that simplifies how you manage your business finances.
Beyond the basics of financial management, you can conveniently take care of your everyday business needs, such as payroll, projects, expenses, budgeting, contracts, and more. Try Akaunting for Free.
