20 Small Business Ideas That Use Skills That You Already Have

Consider these in-demand small business ideas for your side-hustle or core business

If you’ve been dreaming of becoming an entrepreneur, but have no clue what services to sell, then this article is for you.

We’re giving you 20 small business ideas that can utilise skills you might already have in order to generate more money.

Whether you want to start a side-hustle to make some extra cash or whether you want to throw yourself full-time into your own business, these ideas can inspire you to see that opportunities are everywhere.

What if we were to tell you that you already have skills that you could turn into a great small business?

Here’s what you need to give you some direction about small business ideas

Some business owners go into a market or industry that they are already trained and skilled at. They have a business plan, investors, retail space and a production line all set up.

Others need to start closer to the ground and work their way up. The key is to be creative and fill a gap in the market.

Believe it or not, you don’t have to “come up” with an idea that no one has ever thought of before.

You just need to meet a need and solve a problem.

We have listed 20 skills that you possibly have (or could acquire relatively easily and inexpensively) that may be the start to a great business venture for you.

Here are some great small business ideas to consider

1. Fix cars or improve their look

Being able to work on a car and not sending it away for repairs is an amazing “money-saving” skill. While this could benefit you personally as you’d be able to work on your own car, it’s something you could earn decent money for.

Maybe you already had the raw talent but decided that you’d go a step further. You thus decide to learn even more about the technical aspects of motor mechanics.

You can use your acquired skills to create a lucrative business that everyone needs. By fixing other people’s cars you not only help them but also do something that you enjoy.

2. Do you love working in a garden?

If you have a knack for keeping a garden looking great, not to mention true “green fingers” then you could start a landscaping business.

Beautiful gardens are admired by everyone, but not everyone has enough patience, time, and talent to keep it in shape.

I’m sure that some of you would agree that simply keeping plants alive takes a lot of time and effort. With a need for great gardens and well-kept lawns, your landscaping business may just be the thing your potential customers have been looking for.

3. More than just a DIY pro

Are you handy at fixing things?

Many people are in need of handymen and women who can help them maintain their homes. At any given time something could break and not everyone has the insight to know how to fix it.

Why not use your DIY skills to start your own home-repairs business where you can help people maintain their homes?

4. Pool maintenance

Pools are almost a “catch-22” business and keeping them clean and “swim-worthy” isn’t always as simple as it looks. This is why you could start your very own pool maintenance service and help other folks keep their pools looking great all year-round.

If you already have a knack for pool maintenance and getting the PH balances correct then this should be something you could do. Payscale South Africa shows that on average you could earn around R180 000 per annum as a pool maintenance specialist.

Folks need your business, so why not start one?

5. Carpentry

Carpentry is a lucrative business especially if you can help your customers create custom-designed furniture. If you are naturally artistic and creative and can design and create wood furniture, then you could enjoy this as your business idea.

If you want to go a step further and sharpen your carpentry skills, then you could learn at special institutes where you can complete carpentry training.

6. Freelance photography

Photography is magnificent especially if you enjoy it and have extra training. There are many in-person or even online courses that you could apply for to improve your skills.

Freelance photographers can earn good income potential. Photographers are always needed especially to capture those unforgettable moments at weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions.

You will have to invest in good cameras and equipment, but this is still far cheaper than trying to start a brick-and-mortar business.

7. Freelance graphic designing

The digital market is booming and continues to grow throughout the years. If you are a graphic designer or want to pursue this career for future business prospects then go for it.

Companies are always looking for artistic and creative professionals to help them create websites, business cards, banners, and more.

This is a really great option for a side-hustle. By this, we mean that you can work your normal full-time job and take on design projects to work on in the evenings and over weekends to make extra money.

This is a great way to build up your design portfolio and maybe one day you can work for yourself full-time.

You can choose to study at an independent graphic design school or at one of South Africa’s many schools of technology or technikons. This article can help you with more insight into studying graphic designing.

8. Resume or CV writing

If you already possess great typing skills you could help people create their very own professional CVs or resumes. Help them stand a better chance of their CV being chosen from the crowds as it possesses attributes that make it professional and readable.

However, starting a CV or resume writing business requires you to be extremely cautious with grammar and spelling. You don’t want their potential customers to overlook their CV because of all the grammatical errors.

So if you have excellent writing skills and are able to pay fine attention to detail, this is one of many small business ideas that could work for you.

9. Housekeeping business

Housekeeping is another one of many small business ideas that doesn’t require much training or further tertiary studies.

Not everybody has the time and or energy to maintain their homes especially big properties and commercial offices for that matter. Working a full-time busy schedule makes chores impossible.

A housekeeping business is a profitable venture that is needed and will benefit various industries.

10. Paining as a small business idea

A painting project isn’t easy and it takes hard work and energy to complete. You can read more about painting courses in South Africa here. With a painting course, you can improve your skills and learn other essential basics to complete a professional painting job.

You can grow your skills for interior and exterior painting.

11. Beauty therapy

Beauty therapy is a fantastic industry and one of the perfect small business ideas to help you start earning a lucrative income.

Many places such as Placecol offer a franchising opportunity to help you get a start financially with equipment and shared-profits. As your business grows you can manage to fully own your beauty spa.

We do recommend that you obtain proper training and certification before starting this business, as the beauty industry requires you to maintain certain standards for proper procedures, hygiene practices, training hours and so forth.

12. Event planning

Some people just have a knack for getting things organised without getting stressed or flustered. If you enjoy coordinating plates, table cloths, decor and floor plans, then maybe you could turn your passion into revenue.

If you’re great and organizing, you could be an events planner.

If you want, you can get more help by studying a course at one of South Africa’s many event management institutes.

13. Interior decorating

If you have a natural gift for design and decorating a place into something different yet beautiful then interior decoration is a good small business idea for you.

14. House-sitting

There isn’t much except responsibility and accountability when it comes to house-sitting. If you love animals and wouldn’t mind taking care of pets then this is great. People often travel and can’t take their pets with.

Sometimes they can’t find someone in time to check-in and feed their pets, water their plants, and be at their home for the housekeeper and gardener. Your house-sitting business will help.

15. Catering business

Catering is the perfect small business idea if you love creating savoury foods and sweet treats on a large-scale.

You may have a natural talent for cooking and baking, or maybe you’ve studied in this industry. A catering business is a lucrative job as so many people often need a caterer for various occasions.

16. Hair salon

If you’re passionate about hair then owning a hair salon is the ideal small business choice for you.

You can further your skills by studying at one of the country’s many technikons or do an internship at reputable salons.

In this way, you can train and learn from the best and most prestigious hair salons in South Africa and internationally.

17. Dog grooming

Dog grooming isn’t as glamorous as it may seem once you see the beautifully groomed doggy. You may need to learn some important factors to help you deal with being able to groom and manage all types of breeds.

The true reward probably comes with seeing how pleased the owners are after you hand them back their groomed fur baby.

18. Open a coffee shop or a restaurant

To open an eatery of this size you may need a large capital. To own a coffee shop or a restaurant takes hard work and probably as many hands as you can get to help you in preparing and serving the food and drinks.

If you enjoy making food whether savoury or sweet then you will enjoy owning a restaurant could work for you.

19. A food truck

A food truck is your way of enjoying your foodie skills on a mobile scale.

With your food truck, you can provide special catering for small parties. You could also use your food truck to help people find and enjoy an easy, ready-to-eat meal even if they work in an office setup.

20. Childcare/Daycare

Taking care of children is a huge responsibility that requires vigilance, time, and nurturing instincts. Apart from that you also need essential training such as first aid and other childcare skills.

Read more about courses and the industry here.

You don’t always need certifications and tertiary education

If you already possess the skills and the experience, not all industries require further education. Many physical jobs call for a hands-on approach is more practical than theoretical.

Do your research before opening up your small business to ensure that you have all the requirements you need.

Physical jobs are another way that you can save time and money. You don’t always have to spend months or years as well as money to further your education in some of these industries. Instead, if you have the capital to get your business started then you can go right ahead.

The takeaway

Many of us have an enthusiasm for things that other people might not enjoy doing. This means that we can make money by using this passion and talent to solve their problems.

If you’re a new business owner looking to start a new venture but you’re not sure of the industry, don’t be afraid to listen to your gut. If you’re great at what you do and already have prior experience and training, then go for it.

We hope that you have learned and acquired more tools to help boost your small business in a way that will profit and benefit you.

Consider these in-demand small business ideas for your side-hustle or core business

Here’s what you need to give you some direction about small business ideas