18. Rideshare driving

If starting your own business seems daunting or too much of a risk, you can always use your car to become a rideshare driver. The overhead and responsibility of running the company fall on the rideshare service, giving you the freedom to work as much or as little as you want. Rideshare applications such as Uber and Lyft allow people to start side hustles that pay well and require little more than a willingness to drive people to their destinations and make occasional friendly conversation.

Rideshare drivers have the independence of a small business owner without the heavy workload required to manage behind-the-scenes logistics. If any of the other business ideas seem to require too much effort or upfront capital, ridesharing might be the way to dip your toe into the world of entrepreneurship.

19. Real estate

For many people, navigating the housing market is overwhelming. As a real estate agent, you can help people find their dream home at a price that fits their budget. In many states, you only need to complete a few months of classes and pass an exam to qualify as a real estate agent. Keep in mind that even with a certification, you’ll need strong social skills, so if you’re not a people person, this might not be the route for you. [Read related article: How to Become a Real Estate Agent]

20. Graphic design

Corporations, small businesses and sole proprietors all need eye-catching promotional materials, but not everybody has an eye for what looks good. If you have an artistic streak and know how to organize content into a visually pleasing format, start a graphic design business to provide flyers, digital ads, posters and other engaging visual materials. Graphic design requires few physical tools beyond a laptop and a desk

21. Dropshipping

Not all companies that sell goods store them on-site. In drop-shipping, people who run e-commerce sites go to a third party to fulfill all orders. The third party is likely a wholesale retailer or other entity that runs a warehouse and shipping operation. The minimal inventory and tools needed for drop-shipping make it an especially great startup idea if you’re worried about overhead costs and physical space

22. Personal training

If the gym is like your second home, you might want to share some of your expertise and help others reach their fitness goals. As a personal trainer, you can offer in-home training sessions that cater to each of your clients’ exercise capabilities. You can also help clients build customized nutrition and meal plans so their diets complement their physical goals.

Many personal trainers start their client acquisition process with social media pages that detail their experience in the gym along with some motivational quotes. While a certification can help expand your customer base, you aren’t legally required to have any specialized training to start this type of business.

23. Resume writing

People are always applying for jobs, whether they want to make a career shift, increase their pay or switch work environments. Of course, most job applications require candidates to submit resumes to detail their professional background. As a resume writer, you can help job applicants’ resumes stand out from their competition.

You’ll also help your clients create cover letters and portfolios that show off the best of their work. Plus, you don’t need any special schooling to be a resume writer – just some basic organizing and proofreading skills. If you know what makes resumes appear professional and ready for employers’ eyes, you’re already off to a great start.

24. Host a podcast

Podcasts have become extremely popular, with more than 100 million active podcast listeners in the U.S. alone. Best of all, you can start a podcast on any topic that interests you, from business to history to pop culture and more. Starting a podcast requires consistency and dedication, as well as a basic understanding of audio editing (and video editing if you want to start a companion YouTube channel for subscribers to follow).

Once your podcast has built up a substantial following, you can sell time to advertisers or establish partnerships with companies that generate revenue. As your brand expands further, you may even be able to charge to speak at events or moderate panels on topics your podcast focuses on.

Of course, in order to get to that level, you need to come up with a unique small business idea that you’re passionate and knowledgeable about, and then make sure you can relate to your target audience. 

25. Launch a newsletter

If podcasts aren’t your thing but you like the idea behind building a robust list of subscribers and then selling space to advertisers and partners, consider creating an email newsletter. More than 90% of Americans subscribe to email newsletters. This means if you can capture the attention of a particular audience, you could build a substantial following and monetize it. 

To do so, come up with an umbrella topic you can write about at length, and then work to establish a brand voice and mission. Explore the best email marketing software that can help you manage your subscriber list and email sends, and then you’re ready to get started. Solicit feedback from your audience over time to give them more of what they want and less of what they don’t. After all, their continued engagement with your newsletter is what will help you build it into a successful business. 

26. Event catering

Do you have a passion for the culinary arts? If so, event catering may be a great business idea for you. There’s no shortage of people who need delicious food to serve their guests, whether that’s at parties, weddings, fundraisers, or family reunions. If you have a knack for cooking or baking and love to serve hungry guests, event catering could be a fun and lucrative way to do just that.

To get started, you’ll need to set up a menu and price sheet, as well as obtain all necessary permits and licenses. Start small to get the word out about your catering service, but when your food speaks for itself don’t be surprised if your business grows by leaps and bounds through word of mouth alone.

1. Choosing a job based on culture rather than salary

When choosing between two jobs, you might be tempted to take the one accompanied by the higher salary. Although you want a job that pays enough to cover your expenses, money isn’t always the most important aspect of a job and you shouldn’t accept a role based on salary alone. A higher salary often comes with higher demands and that doesn’t always equate to a good

Job seekers today are more willing to sacrifice a big paycheck and a more comfortable lifestyle for a work environment where they are highly valued and given more long-term opportunities.


“When you are happy at your job and you align with the company’s core values, you do your best work,” said Nate Good, former chief technology officer at Idelic. “If you find the right culture match, your career ― and salary ― will ultimately thrive as well.”

Did You Know?

Did you know
In a Glassdoor survey, 77 percent of adults said they would consider a company’s culture before applying for a job and 56 percent said company culture is more important than salary.

2. Getting a job abroad

Getting a job overseas is a major undertaking. It’s not as simple as sending out a job application. You will need to obtain the proper certifications and visas, of course. Additionally, it is important to consider the company you will be working for, whether there is a language barrier, where you will live and how to move your essential belongings with you. 

Working abroad can require a massive effort, but it comes with great rewards. Moving across international boundaries (or even frequently crossing them for business travel) is daunting but offers a great deal of personal and professional growth. Traveling internationally for business is a great way to expand your network as well.

“Go international if you have the chance,” said Douglas Baldasare, founder and CEO of ChargeItSpot. “The perspective you will build and the people you will meet will stay with you forever.”

Tip

If you are an immigrant looking to work or start a business in the United States, check out our related article on how to become an immigrant entrepreneur.

3. Asking for more responsibilities

Many people find themselves unhappy with some aspect of their current job but do nothing about it. Whether you deserve a raise, want more challenging projects or need professional development opportunities, asking for more can be intimidating.

As the famous author Nora Roberts once said, “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.” Employees should keep this in mind when managing their careers. If there is something you need to feel successful in your role, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Prepare the proper materials to back up your request and arrange a meeting with your manager to discuss the matter. 

If the answer is still no, figure out alternative ways to get to where you want to be. A good manager will be willing to help you grow professionally and achieve what you deserve.

4. Quitting a job that you hate

No one wants to be stuck in a job they hate, but many professionals do end up taking jobs that don’t let them reach their full potential. If you find yourself at a company with a toxic work culture or in a role with no room for professional development, you may need to take one of the biggest career risks of all — quitting your job.

Quitting a job can be scary and uncomfortable, but there’s no sense in staying with an organization whose values and goals don’t align with your own. Learn how to navigate a midlife career change smoothly.

It’s always wise to have another job lined up before quitting your current job. If there’s something you’re more passionate about than the work you’re doing in your career, find a way to make your passion your job. This may involve working for another company, venturing out on your own as a freelancer or starting your own business.

6 ways to manage chronic illness at work

Although chronic illnesses present challenges for the employees who experience them as well as for their managers, taking thoughtful steps to address these difficulties and maintaining open communication can help create a supportive and productive work environment for everyone.

Here are some tips for managing chronic illness at work. To understand employees’ perspectives, leaders also may benefit from this advice.

1. Be honest with yourself.

Your illness is a condition that you are trying to manage, and you shouldn’t deny it just because you’re at work. If you’re experiencing symptoms, acknowledge and approach them with care rather than working until you crash.

Be honest with yourself, both physically and emotionally. According to Kelli Collins Damron, director of patient engagement at the National Kidney Foundation, many people are afraid of losing their job, don’t know their rights or fear they can’t keep up. However, pushing yourself too far and placing your health at risk will only hurt you in the long run, she said.

Jean Paldan, founder and CEO of Rare Form New Media, was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome after an emergency appendectomy two years ago. At first, this had a negative impact on her business because she couldn’t dedicate as much time and energy as before. Paldan has since learned to accept the condition and prioritize her health over her business.

2. Find a balance between work and health.

Many people put work before their health, but that shouldn’t even be an option. Your condition doesn’t have to prevent you from thriving in your career, but you need to take care of yourself first.

“We’ve seen folks who become physically or emotionally unable to do the work but are scared to talk with their employer about that,” Collins Damron said. “On the other side, there’s people who just power through and don’t want to let any balls drop and then crash because it’s just too much.”

Working beyond your physical and/or mental limits can result in poor work quality and increased health risks, neither of which is worth proving a point to yourself or to your boss. You have a legitimate reason to slow down — don’t ignore it. Find a healthy way to get work done without exhausting your body or mind.

3. Disclose your diagnosis sensibly.

You don’t have to tell anyone about your condition unless you want to. However, depending on the severity of it, consider disclosing the information to your boss, especially if it interferes with your job.

“Part of the challenge an employee faces at the outset of an illness is determining what to share with their employer,” said Thomas O’Brien, president of O’Brien & Feiler, a law firm that concentrates on disability and insurance law. “Some employees may be fearful of being fired outright (especially in at-will employment states). As such, it would be wise for an employee to consider the accommodations that may be needed in the immediate and long term before having this conversation.”

“Sometimes it’s a nice means of support. These are people you probably see more than your family some weeks. If there are folks that you work with that are comrades, I think it’s a nice way to be supported and for people to understand if they are seeing changes in your schedule.”