Starting a small business as a student is one of the scariest things as there are thoughts of failure surrounding us all the time but it is one of the best times to start something of your own.
We all need money, but as students, we usually don’t have the time or budget to start something. But here’s the thing.
Plenty of business opportunities can easily fit into a student’s busy schedule. This article will discuss small business ideas for students. The best part is that all these businesses can be started with a small budget.
You can use the skills and tools that are easily available online. Starting a business will help you attain real-life experience and save up for the future. Here are 19 small business ideas for students that can be started in 2025 to make money.
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Business Ideas for Students With Low Investment
Here are some of the best small business ideas for students that can be started with a budget of less than $500.
If you are starting a business for the first time then you should be aware of the basics of setting up and running a business. In this article, you will get to know everything about starting a business.
1. Make and Sell Homemade Candles
There is a huge market of scented and homemade candles. You can easily make these candles at home. This is a popular business idea for students. You can learn the basics through YouTube tutorials.
Experiment with different scents, colors, and designs. You can sell your handmade candles on Etsy, Instagram, or even at college pop-up markets. You can also set up an online store using platforms that fit your budget.
This article will guide you on how to start a candle business from home.
2. Sell Custom T-Shirts & Hoodies
The apparel market is huge these days and there are several platforms like Printify, Teespring, and Redbubble that students can use to make custom t-shirts, hoodies, and other kinds of merchandise without holding any inventory.
You can make your designs and upload them on these platforms. They will handle the printing, packaging, and shipping for you. Once the designs are live, you’ll only need to focus on promoting your products and designs on social media.
This is a low-risk business idea that allows students to make money while easily managing their studies on the side.
3. Sell Home Baked Goods
If you love baking, you can sell home-baked goods such as cookies, cupcakes, or meal preps. This is easily one of the easiest mall business ideas for students.
College students or busy people in general are always looking for affordable snacks. You can sell to them and also set up a booth at different events such as birthday parties, corporate dinners, baby showers, etc.
Instagram and Etsy are great places to promote your products. This can be an extremely profitable side hustle.
4. Sell Homemade Spices and Sauces
People who have come from different countries in the USA in search of jobs or studies often find it difficult to find the perfect spices that they use in their hometown. You can cater to this huge gap in the market by selling homemade spices and sauces.
According to research, about 47.8 million immigrants lived in the USA as per the data published in 2023.
Considering this, there is a huge potential for a profitable business. Unique spice blends or hot sauces are in demand, especially among food lovers and students who enjoy cooking so you can start by selling your products at local farmers’ markets or through Etsy.
Focus on packaging and branding to start a successful business. This is one of the best small business ideas for students.
5. Dropshipping
This is very popular among students who are looking to start an e-commerce business who have a limited budget and cannot store inventory. You can use platforms like AliExpress, Alibaba, etc. to find suppliers and set up your store on platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce. This is amongst the most profitable small business ideas for students that have the potential to grow tremendously.
Here's how you can dropship from AliExpress to Amazon and easily make $10,000 every month
6. Sell Homemade Soap & Skincare Products
If you love making handmade products such as soaps, lip balms, and organic body scrubs, this hustle can make you a lot of money. You can start this business easily, as basic ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, essential oils, and organic herbs are readily available on platforms like Amazon.
People who love organic, chemical-free products will love your products. Try creating content and targeting such customers. This business has immense potential and is easily one of the best side hustles.
7. Offer Tuition Services
This is best for students who don’t want to set up a full business model but still want to make a good amount of money. If you are great at some subject such as maths, science, or accounting then you can teach students online.
Different online places such as Chegg, Preply, and Wyzant will connect you with students who need help. You can also offer your services directly via Instagram and LinkedIn. This requires minimum to no investment at all.
8. Become a Social Media Manager
We live in a digital world, and every business, no matter how big or small, must have an online presence. Some small businesses need help managing their social media accounts, such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
You can offer your services to manage their accounts. This can be done from anywhere at any time. You can also offer these services on freelancing platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.
9. Sell Graphic Designing and Logo Making Services
Small businesses need unique branding but are often on a tight budget and cannot hire experienced graphic designers who charge a lot of money. If you love designing, you can sell your services on Fiverr and Upwork.
You can offer services such as logo design, social media graphics, and website designs. This is one of the most rewarding small business ideas for students right now.
10. Event Photography
If you love taking photographs, then start a side hustle and capture these moments for others. You can easily cover college events, birthdays, or even small weddings. You need minimal investment in equipment. This business offers a decent income which is great for college students.
11. Make Jewelry and Bags
There is a huge demand for handmade jewelry, particularly resin art, wire-wrapped rings, beaded bracelets, and beaded handbags. You can start this business with minimal upfront investment and sell your designs on platforms like Depop, Etsy, or your store.
12. Sell Customized Phone Cases
Phone cases are a highly profitable and easy-to-market product and print-on-demand platforms like Redbubble and Printful have made things easy.
You can design products like trendy and personalized phone cases and market them through Instagram and TikTok without spending on meta ads.
This is one of the best small business ideas for students that can be started with minimal investment.
13. Freelance Copywriting
This is another profitable service that can be provided via platforms such as People Per Hour, Fiverr, and Upwork. You can write blog posts, website content, or ad copy for small businesses and solopreneurs.
Direct clients can be extremely profitable and you can reach them via LinkedIn and cold emails. Copywriting is the highest-paid writing service especially after AI as sales copies need psychological persuasion that only humans can do. This makes it one of the best small business ideas for students.
14. Provide Ghostwriting Services
Some students just love to write and if you are one of them, then ghostwriting is a great option for you. You can easily write books, blog posts, or articles for busy professionals who need content but don’t have the time to create it themselves.
15. Become a Virtual Assistant
Small business owners often need help with daily tasks such as responding to emails, booking appointments, updating journals, and handling customer services but they don’t have the budget to hire a full-time assistant.
You can work as a freelance virtual assistant and offer your services in areas like social media management or bookkeeping allows you to work remotely and is easily one of the easiest small business ideas for students.
16. Website & Blog Flipping
Website and blog flipping can be a highly profitable business. This business involves buying existing websites or blogs, improving their design and content, and then reselling them for a profit.
Some websites such as Flippa and Empire Flippers are great for buying and selling websites.
17. Sell Digital Products
According to Whop blog, conservatives estimated the spending of about $135 billion on digital products in the United States in 2024.
You can create digital products such as journals, study planners, budget trackers, chatbots, software, apps, etc, and sell them for profit on different platforms and websites. The demand is expected to grow even more making it one of the ideal and best small business ideas for students.
Here’s how you can sell printables on Etsy to make passive income in 2025.
18. Start an Affiliate Marketing Blog
These days affiliate marketing is one of the best and easiest ways to earn passive income. This makes it one of the most profitable small business ideas for students.
You can easily start a niche blog such as beauty, gadgets, home appliances and review products. You will be able to make money by promoting items through affiliate links. You can use platforms such as Amazon Associates, ShareASale, and CJ Affiliate.
19. Podcasting
If you are someone who enjoys discussing topics, then podcasting can be a great side hustle for you. You can share your thoughts on college life, side hustles, relationships, beauty, etc, and earn through sponsorships and advertisements.
This business idea offers flexibility and creativity making it ideal for students who enjoy unconventional ways of making money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some small business ideas for female students?
Some small business ideas for students especially, girls include selling handmade jewelry, and custom t-shirt designs, managing social media for businesses, blogging, tutoring, and making beauty products like soaps or skincare items.
What are some business ideas for students with low investment?
Businesses to start with low investment include tutoring, freelance writing, graphic designing, starting print-on-demand stores, social media management, and dropshipping. These small business ideas for students require minimal costs and can be done from home.
Give me 12 unique small business ideas for students
1. Candle Making
2. Graphic Design
3. Virtual Assistant Services
4. Selling Home-Baked Goods
5. Tutoring
6. Social Media Management
7. Event Photography
8. Dropshipping
9. Freelance Copywriting
10. Affiliate Marketing Blog
11. Blogging
12. Thrift Flipping
Conclusion
We have discussed some small business ideas for students that allow students to mostly work online. Some of the ideas such as selling candles, homemade spices, and baked goods require physical work but the margins can be huge if the marketing is on point.
You can start by choosing a business idea that aligns with your interest. The key is to stay consistent and use tools that are available for free. This will help you cut costs and only spend on necessary things.