Welcome to Working Inspired’s Business Ideas UK list. Do you want the freedom of running your own business? Do you want to be in control of your own destiny? This list is designed to awake your inner tycoon.
Some of the following business ideas can be started with little or no capital; others will require training and qualifications and perhaps a modest initial investment. Some are based on hobbies and interests while others simply require a bit of good, honest hard work. Why waste your talent making money for somebody else when you could be making more for yourself? This article is called Business Ideas UK but most of the businesses listed could be run anywhere in the world.
Business Ideas UK
Dog Walking / Pet Care Services
The first entry on our Business Ideas UK list is a proven way of earning some extra money. Very little outlay is required to start a dog walking business. An advert in the newsagent’s window will get you your first customers, then word of mouth will take over and before you know it you’ll be being pulled around the park by a group of dogs that have found their inner husky! A dog walking business can be expanded to grooming and dog sitting services.
Professional Blogger
If you have a hobby or are knowledgeable about something, then you can blog about it. Income can come from advertising schemes such as Google’s Adsense, or affiliate marketing such as Amazon’s Associate Program. Most bloggers, professional or not, use the WordPress free blogging platform.
Digital Publishing Business
If you enjoy writing then you could start publishing your own books. Self-publishing no longer requires costly printing and distribution; you can publish you books digitally via services such as Amazon’s KDP and Barnes And Noble’s Nookpress.
Brick And Mortar Shop
Reports of the high-street’s demise are in our opinion, premature. Location is key to any kind of retail business; getting the customers in though the door is paramount. Be realistic, and don’t try to compete with the big boys. You’re not a charity: if you are selling exactly the same product as the supermarket next door, but charging more, then no one will buy from you. Add value by delivering products, assembling products, locating hard-to-find products, offering personalised products, etc.
House Sitting
There are several websites that connect home owners with potential house sitters. This is often unpaid work, but it will save you rent while you are there. Sometimes owners go away for months on end, which could mean big savings. Perhaps you could take advantage of living rent-free by starting your own business while doing so?
Business Ideas UK – Cattery / Boarding Kennels
If you live in a suitable location then with a little bit of investment you could start a boarding kennel or cattery business. Looking after any kind of animal is a big responsibility and you’ll need to love animals, but if you get a good reputation then you could make some good money.
Secretarial And Office Services
If you have secretarial skills there is no need to go through an agency. Advertise locally to local firms. This isn’t just for traditional secretarial skills such as shorthand and touch typing, it can also be for word processing and spreadsheet work. If you are a skilled administrator your skills are very marketable. There are many companies, for example, who send out mailings without using their software’s mail merge facilities, or even by writing labels by hand. You could help businesses develop systems that will make them more efficient.
Bookkeeping
All businesses need to keep their books up to date. Although most accountants offer bookkeeping services, many outsource their bookkeeping to self-employed bookkeepers. While qualifications aren’t absolutely necessary, you will be more likely to be hired if you have the relevant training. In the UK, the ICB and IAB are two organisations that offer bookkeeping qualifications. The AAT is an established non-chartered accountancy body whose members can offer accountancy as well as bookkeeping services.
Lawnmowing And Hedge Trimming
If you like being outdoors then you can start a business offering simple gardening services such as mowing and hedge trimming. You’ll need to buy the equipment and perhaps a van at the beginning, but if there is no competition in your area you could find yourself very busy in a short space of time.
Landscape Gardening
You can either get training to be a landscape gardener, or learn on the job. Once you know what you are doing you can do very well if you can build and maintain a good reputation. As with many trades, you’re only as good as your last job. This is a very fulfilling job but it can be hard work.
Web Design Business
There is still a market for great-looking, simple brochure websites. This is all that many small businesses will ever need. You can increase your earnings by adding hosting, online marketing and search engine optimisation services.
Still looking for your ideal start-up? There are plenty more in our Business Ideas UK list…
Taxi, Minibus And Limousine Hire
If you are sociable, reliable and like driving then you could start a taxi service or limousine hire business. Although the cost of motoring is increasing, this is also having the effect of making many people live without their own car. You could offer an airport taxi service, a minibus service to and from country pubs, or a full limousine service. Initial costs will be relatively high, but if you put in the hours you could do very well.
Virtual Office Provider / Telephone Services
Many online businesses require a physical address, but do not want to use their own. You could start up a business support service that offers not only a mail-box service, but also a telephone answering service. You will have to vet your clients carefully to make sure that your service isn’t being used for anything illegal.
Car Valeting Service
Despite the economic downturn, there are always queues of people at roadside car valeters. You could either hire a roadside lot, or offer a mobile valeting service.
Tree Surgeon
If you have a good head for heights and enjoy working outdoors then starting a tree surgery business could be a good choice. There are a number of qualifications you’ll need to get, the most essential being your chainsaw tickets: you’ll need these before you can get work as a sub-contractor. Many agricultural colleges offer tree surgery courses that offer practical and business skills.
Copywriting Business
If you can write good copy that is grammatically correct, then you can start a copywriting business. This can be a varied and satisfying home business. You can either find customers locally, or get work via online freelancgin sites such as Odesk and Elance. Copywriting can be very lucrative, if you can find the right clients.
Window Cleaning
It can be hard work and you are governed by the weather, but if you don’t mind a bit of hard work then window cleaning may be an option. Find an area that is not already being serviced ideally with a group of properties (e.g. flats) that you can do in one morning or afternoon. It’s not prestigious, but it’s an honest day’s work and you can earn a good hourly rate.
Picture Framing
If you are reading this indoors then have a quick look around you. Chances are that you can see at least one framed picture hanging on the wall. You can take picture framing courses and gain framing qualifications. You’ll need a workshop, and the equipment requires a modest initial outlay, but you can put a good mark up on your wares.
Traditional Trades
Most tradesmen become self-employed at some stage in their careers. If you are practical and like using your brain rather than sitting in front of a computer all day, then why not learn a trade? You’ll have a varied, fulfilling and potentially lucrative career and be running your own business.
Training Agency
It sometimes seems that there are more training agencies than there are jobs. However, training agencies seem to do very well (the government likes throwing money at people to get them trained), so if you have a qualification yourself, and feel that you could pass on your skills to others. This is a very good option for those who are working in a skilled but physically demanding job who wish to slow down a bit without leaving the profession entirely.
Local Dating Agency
If you are sociable and discreet you could set up a local dating agency. Not everyone likes to put their details onto a computer, and many people prefer the personal touch.
Start A Local Advertising Paper
If you have desktop publishing skills you could set up a free ads paper. You could invest in a copier or come to an arrangement with a local printer. Incorporate some local news and you could find yourself the hub of the community!
Online Shop
If you have a strong interest in a particular pastime then you could put your knowledge to use and start up an online store. If, for example, you enjoy fishing, then you could specialise in a particular niche within that field. Online selling is competitive, but if you offer excellent customer service and can provide good advice . Check out distributor.
Hobby Businesses
If you have skills in anything, they are marketable, even if they are non-professional. If, for example, you are fit and are good at football, you could start a Saturday football skills club. If you are like fly fishing then you could offer casting lessons. Your hobby can be profitable, whatever it is. Keen bird watchers could offer nature walks in the local countryside. History buffs could offer tours around spots of historical interest.
Man With A Van
No explanation required for this one! You don’t even need a van – just rent one and factor the cost in to your quotes. You could specialise in a particular This is an easy business to start, but you should know your limits, and it’s worth learning how to lift correctly.
Business Ideas UK Conclusion
No matter what your skills are, there is a business that you could start up and run. Your idea doesn’t have to be unique: just look around you and see what is missing in your area. We hope that our ‘Business Ideas UK’ list has inspired you to start thinking about potential businesses. Although running your own business can be hard work, it is also extremely rewarding and a great way of improving your quality of life.