Explore business types
See what running a business involves, the work, customers, costs and requirements, for 49 kinds of business. When one fits, test your own numbers for it.

49 business types
Home services
- Carpet and upholstery cleaning
Deep cleaning carpets, rugs and furniture in homes and businesses.
- Handyman services
Small repairs, installations and odd jobs around the home.
- Junk removal
Hauling away unwanted items, furniture and cleanout debris.
- Pressure washing
Washing driveways, decks, siding and storefronts.
- Residential cleaning
Cleaning homes on a one-time or recurring schedule.
- Window cleaning
Cleaning windows for homes and storefronts on a regular route.
Skilled trades
- Electrical contracting
Electrical installation and repair for homes and businesses.
- Heating and air conditioning
Installing, servicing and repairing heating and cooling systems.
- House painting
Interior and exterior painting for homes.
- Mobile auto repair
Car maintenance and repair at the customer’s home or workplace.
- Pest control
Treating homes and businesses for insects and rodents.
- Plumbing
Plumbing repair and installation for homes and businesses.
Outdoor and seasonal
- Landscaping and garden design
Designing and installing gardens, beds, patios and plantings.
- Lawn care and basic yard services
Mowing, edging, trimming and seasonal cleanups for homes and small properties.
- Pool cleaning and service
Weekly pool cleaning, chemical balancing and openings and closings.
- Snow removal
Plowing and shoveling driveways, walks and lots.
Personal care and wellness
- Barber
Haircuts, shaves and grooming in a barbershop or rented chair.
- Esthetician and skin care
Facials, waxing and skin treatments.
- Hair stylist
Cuts, color and styling, in a rented chair, a suite or a salon.
- Massage therapy
Therapeutic and relaxation massage in a studio or mobile.
- Nail technician
Manicures, pedicures and nail art.
- Personal training
One-to-one and small-group fitness coaching.
Pets and family care
- Dog walking and pet sitting
Daily walks, drop-in visits and overnight pet care.
- Home child care
Caring for children in your own home.
- Pet grooming
Bathing, clipping and grooming, in a salon or mobile van.
- Senior companion care
Non-medical companionship and help at home for older adults.
Food and drink
- Catering
Food for events, offices and private parties.
- Coffee cart
Espresso drinks from a cart at events, markets and offices.
- Food truck
Selling meals from a mobile kitchen at events and busy locations.
- Home bakery
Baked goods made at home and sold locally.
Retail and online
- Handmade goods
Crafts, candles, jewelry and other things you make and sell.
- Online store
Selling physical products through your own website or marketplaces.
- Reselling
Buying secondhand or wholesale items and reselling them online.
- Vending machines
Placing and stocking vending machines in local businesses.
Creative and digital
- Graphic design
Logos, branding, print and digital design for businesses.
- Photography
Portraits, weddings, events and business photography.
- Social media management
Running social media accounts for small businesses.
- Videography
Video for weddings, events and businesses.
- Virtual assistant
Remote admin, scheduling and support for busy owners.
- Web design and development
Building and maintaining websites for small businesses.
Lessons and coaching
- Coaching and consulting
Coaching or consulting based on your expertise.
- Music lessons
Private and group music lessons.
- Tutoring
Academic tutoring and test prep, in person or online.
Transport and moving
- Courier and delivery
Local deliveries for businesses and individuals.
- Mobile car detailing
Cleaning and detailing cars at the customer’s home or workplace.
- Moving services
Local residential and small-office moves.
Events
- DJ services
Music and entertainment for weddings, parties and events.
- Event planning
Planning weddings, parties and corporate events.
- Party and event rentals
Renting tents, tables, chairs and inflatables.
About these profiles: sources and local estimates
A business you recognize isn’t automatically a business that will work where you live. Each profile explains how the work is done and what it costs to run, then opens the same planning tool as the Business Idea Check, with the cost categories already listed and every amount left for you to fill in with local quotes.
Profiles show published government figures where they exist, with their limits, but no made-up “typical” prices, costs or incomes: those vary widely by place. You’ll gather your own.
Don’t see your business? The Business Idea Check works for any business — you list the costs yourself.
Ready to make it official? GHL Financial Services can set up your business, keep the books and plan your taxes. Talk to GHL (opens in a new tab) ↗
Thinking about a franchise version? Compare a franchise with going independent using your own numbers.
