Here’s a quick promise — with the list of business ideas below (these are small scale, low investment, and viably profitable), you will ATLEAST have 3-5 ideas to start a business on by the end of this post.

Here’s my guaranteed promise — you can start earning on these ideas, in as little as 6 weeks, by putting in 5-10 hours a week. Yep, you read that right. 

I’ve done it multiple times, I’ve seen many people (or what I call micro-entrepreneurs doing it.), and these are not ideas which the “digital marketing gurus” promise you.

And finally, here’s a scary promise — if you don’t put in the work, none of what I list below will work. You will see promising results only if you put in the work, and not just by reading and scrolling.

I’ve created this list by the fact that all of these are business ideas in india, and can be started with:

• Investment: Low investment, and in some cases, no investments upfront
• Time: You can be up and running in about 4-6 weeks if you go through the action steps, by putting 5-10 hours every week in your spare time. (Because, let’s be honest, for most of us we’re already working full-time at a day job, and want to start something on the side. So, how do you find time?)
• Expertise: Best of all, for the most of all, you do not need to be an “expert” or have special skills, or need a fancy looking website
• Infrastructure: Most of these ideas can be started right from working on a laptop (I’ll show you how)

I’ve started multiple income streams in the past 5 years, and I’m going to show you how. There are a few key things to start (and the liberating part is you can IGNORE most of the other stuff, like “Dude, you need to be on Social Media! Get 23477 instagram followers!!!” I mean, seriously?)

Excited? Great. But, here comes the twist — this isn’t going to be yet another article of “hey, here’s the list of 50 ideas, go start your business!”

Let’s be honest, we all know this doesn’t work. “Internet marketers” love to just throw out listicles assuming that is all is required. 

Building a business (or better a side-business) is not just about finding ideas. In my experience, for you to get started, there are 3 basic steps you need.

Step 1: Find an idea

Step 2: Validate it

Step 3: Get your first 1-3 paying customers

Today, we’ll focus on the 1st step. I’ll cover the rest in detail in other articles.

To help you further, I have categorized this article based on different situations. Feel free to browse to individual sections or for all — Your choice.

These are small profitable business ideas you can start almost immediately. 

Business ideas that are profitable, small scale and low investment

Business ideas for working professionals

I believe any working employee has a bag of skills to start a business on the side. 

• Programming with Java (or any other coding language)
• PHP, HTML, SQL, etc. 
• Excel learning
• Making presentations
• Data analysis
• Management consulting and project management
• Branding
• Resume writing 
• Interviews, Finding a job
• Personal finance
• Web development/ App development
• Project management
• 2D/3D Animation
• Lead generation
• User interface and experience (UI/UX)
• 3D modelling, AutoCAD
• Accounting
• Audit, Tax, Valuation
• Law
• Video production and editing
• Productivity coaching
• Human resource and payroll service
• Stock market consulting
• Front-end, Back-end development

Small business ideas for beginners (many are quick to start, low investment and extremely low-risk)

If you don’t know where to start, browse through this list to get your business ideas creative juices flowing. 

• Event management
• Internet/Market research
• Ecommerce assistant (Amazon, Ebay, Flipkart)
• Content writing for companies (grants, proposal, white papers, websites, etc.)
• Search engine optimization
• Content writing
• Database management
• Travel planning
• Copywriting
• Cooking, Chef
• Personal trainer
• How to learn humor
• Masseuse/Self-healing therapy
• Google analytics, Pay-per-click
• Customized and Personalized gifts
• Learning a new language

Btw — my cute little niece started going through and creating her list too. Look at her, hard at work!

Ideas for stay-at-home professionals

I think a lot can be achieved if you’re staying home and have a basic laptop. Few low investment profitable business ideas that fit the bill here:

• Jewelry making
• Conduct workshops on arts, crafts, etc.
• Conduct subject tuitions
• Content marketing
• Yoga instructors
• Virtual assistant
• Anchoring at events and shows
• Child care
• Career help (resumes, interviews, negotiation)
• Pet services and grooming
• Real-estate agent
• Tiffin service

Small scale business ideas for college students

One of the best things you can do while in college is to generate a channel to earn revenue. small business Ideas can range from literally anything, 

• Organizing events and shows
• Photography
• Cold calling, telemarketing, sales calling
• Dance, Choreography
• Music instruments (for eg: guitar)
• Fashion
• Automobile repair
• Import/Export specialist
• Tour guide

Profitable business ideas for working parents

Being in any creative field lets you come up with many profitable business ideas as you can. 

• Interior decorator
• Architect
• Image consultant
• Catering
• Education preparation (CET, GRE, SAT, etc.)
• Resume and Cover letter writing
• Blog writing
• Graphic design (business cards, logos, newsletters)
• Translation service
• Tutoring
• Children focused workshops (learning, activity, arts, etc.)

More small scale business ideas

Let me also throw more business ideas to get your creativity going, 

• Animation, videos, whiteboards, etc. 
• Voice over
• Speed reading
• Photography
• Email marketing
• Martial arts, karate, etc. 
• Sports (swimming, basketball, cricket, etc.)
• Property management, real estate
• Adventure tours, off-site activities
• Public speaking
• Voice over
• Hair styling, Make-up
• Graphology

3 techniques to find business ideas in under 15 minutes

All of the business ideas above are proven ways to earn a second income, ultimately giving you the flexibility to quit your job and make it full-time.

The reason I gave you these ideas because I’m tired of reading the same type of listicle articles telling you “50 business ideas to start”, but most of them are pure trash.

Many of these ideas require so much upfront cost, that it’s not even worth your time to get into it. I suggest you reframe it. Instead of looking for the “perfect” business idea, look inside. There are many ways to find creative small business ideas.

You have few unbeatable skills, and many of it can be turned into a business. The thing is, most of us don’t even realize we have these inner skills, let alone think of starting something on it.

The truth is, each one of us has few superpowers, something unique to you, and which nobody else can beat.

I call it — The YUS (Your Unbeatable Superpowers) Technique.

Technique 1: The YUS (Your Unbeatable Superpowers) technique

Here are few questions you answer:

1. Experiences you’ve gained  (like learning algebra or economics, finance or consulting, traveling by spending less)

2. Skills you’ve developed (like playing a guitar, working on excel, taking better photos, coding in java)

3. Challenges you’ve faced and overcome (like foot pain, getting the perfect muscular body, writing better)

4. Achievements you’ve been awarded for (maybe you got a promotion, or a high MBA score, or bought a car from your own pocket) 

The key takeaway for you is that there are plenty of things you’re naturally good at. Identify what those are by answering the questions above, and you now have a solid list of potential business ideas ready in front of you.

Many of these are viable feasible to start a second income.

Technique 2: The 3-Detective Questions technique

You meet your best friend after a long time. Go to starbucks. Grab a coffee. Sitting and chatting, and suddenly he asks you some pointed questions. You put your detective hat on.

Question 1: What do your friends and family ALWAYS compliment you on?

Is it:

• “You make amazing presentations”, or
• “Man, I can’t believe you are so fast at Maths!”, or
• “You’re so good at creativity and craft”

What is it?

Bonus points to you if you pick up your phone, open whatsapp, and send this text to your 3 closest friends.

“Hey, I’m trying to analyze few things, and your suggestions will surely help. What do you think are few things I’m good at? Skills, Hobbies, Interests, etc. anything. Can be anything what comes to your mind, would appreciate your reply.”

(Send me a screenshot of what they reply. Trust me, you’ll be amazed with few responses you didn’t even think of!)

Question 2: ​What do your friends struggle with, that you find VERY easy to do

​Could be:

• Planning a trip
• Organizing and arranging events
• Managing your finances and investing
• Things requires to do when buying a car
• etc.

Again, it can be ANYTHING. The point here is to be creative and list down as many ideas you can. We are going to validate ideas, but for now, just get them down first.

Question 3: What would you do if you had three extra hours everyday

Say you had like 27 hours everyday. What would you do? Put it another way, what do you usually (or would rather do) on a Sunday morning, if you were otherwise completely free from your routine tasks.

Would you:

• Read articles on stock options and investing
• Check some online certification courses on Big Data, Hadoop, etc.?
• Do a relaxed yoga session?
• Meet your close friends and discuss some new ideas?
• Go to a networking event or a workshop?

Technique 3: The Flight technique

Pat Flynn talks about what he calls Airport Test in his book, which inspired me to come up with something similar, but different.

I call it the Flight technique.

Let’s say you book an international flight, from India to Dubai. Total duration — 3 hours, 30 minutes. On the day of departure, you arrive at the airport with your wife or friends or anyone you are with. 

You are at the check in desk. You do check in for your luggage. As you’re getting ready for your tickets, the flight assistant disappoints you by saying — “I’m sorry sir, your seats are not together” Bummer!

You sit in your flight and see a stranger next to you. The aircraft departs. And you don’t have internet to browse. Now here’s where it starts to get interesting. 

You initiate some conversation with Mr. Stranger. What is the ONE topic or discussion you can keep talking with this stranger for 3 hours?

• Maybe something you’re deeply passionate about, like cricket or dancing
• Something you really want to pursue, like travelling to different places, or getting a promotion
• Discuss relationships, or spending money consciously, or getting a promotion
• Talk about the job market, company culture, salary negotiation, etc. 

By the way, I’ve used this technique several times in real life. With Uber drivers, close friends, small business owners, etc.

It’s a good test to see which are the topics you can keep talking for hours and hours. The idea is to ask yourself — “What is that ONE thing I can talk about ALL day to anyone?”, and those are the ideas you want to note it down.

The natural FAQs you will have

Alright, where are we?

We’ve gone through the list of small scale business ideas above, and we’ve also gone through the 3 techniques and applied it to our own life experiences. Super juicy stuff which lays a solid groundwork to earn an extra income.

But, one of the things I’m obsessed about is our psychology and mindset. If you get that wrong, then none of the above matters.

In other words, I can give you the best material, but if the mindset is not in order, I know you will NEVER take any action.

At this point, it’s natural to have more questions and concerns which will stop you to move ahead. So, I want to go one step further, and answer any potential questions you have. 

#1: “What if there is too much competition for my business idea?”

Let me relieve you first, competition is a GOOD thing to have. That means there is already demand for your idea, people are willing to spend money on it.

One great way to think about this is, take an example from your market at where you stay. There are literally dozens and dozens of shops of the SAME business.

Take sarees, jewelry, mobile repair, etc. I can find these shops at almost every 25 steps I take. Yet, they are sustaining, so there’s room for everyone in business. 

So, reframe it, having competition is a GOOD thing. That means, you can niche your ideas further, and just be little better than them. (We’ll cover how to do that, don’t worry.)

#2: “But I’m already doing a full-time job, Zubin. How do I find time?”

Of course you are, and there’s no denying each one of us has time constraints and restrictions we adhere to everyday.

That is the reason I hammer home the point that the ideas we’ve talked above are simple, yet profitable businesses. 

With a little bit of work of as good as putting about 5-10 hours a week, for just about 6-8 weeks can get you started and making significant revenue.

In fact, I’ve also written a detailed article, on how do you find time when working full-time. There are some simple techniques to use, which will save you 10 hours a week. 

#3: “I’m stuck. How do I get started?”

The first step I have for you is to get a list of ideas. This article or this, is the best place to start. The next steps are — Validating your ideas, and Getting your first 1-3 paying customers. 

Remember, the crux of starting a business is quite simple (yet people LOVE to complicate it.) It boils down to 3 fundamental steps:

1. Find a list of ideas
2. Validate them
3. Get your first 1-3 paying customers

And we’ll talk about each of it in great detail as well.

What else? What other questions do you have which will stop you from getting started? What other concerns which will make you close this window, and start binge watching on Netflix again? 

Maybe that concern is “Ahh, this will never work for me. I’m different. My situation is different, because (insert a classic excuse here.)

Conclusion, and Action Step for You

Put aside 15-minutes, and go through the list and the 3 techniques above. I promise you’ll easily be able to list down 5-10 ideas minimum.

Remember, you don’t need a fancy website, logos, business cards, or any other magical stuff to get started for this. These are small scale business ideas without investment required.

Bonus points and consider I’m personally patting your back if you list your idea, (which we’ll call your own small business idea) down in the comments.

Next up, we’ll talk about how to pick 1 idea, validate those idea (so you don’t waste time behind it if there is no potential), and how to find your first 1-3 paying customers.

Stay tuned, and get a free pdf guide below on a ready-made list of business ideas proven to work.