Starting a small home business is really exciting. Many women around the world want to start their own businesses at home and earn a living. There are many business ideas for women that are profitable and can be set up easily.
We have worked with hundreds of women entrepreneurs building their Shopify stores. Based on our experience, we have created this list of the 10 small business ideas for women with low upfront costs that can be started from home.
10 Best Business Ideas for Women
Cosmetics Business
If you enjoy hairstyling, makeup, and nail care, opening a beauty salon at your home is the best idea.
There are many branches of cosmetics based on their applications on the human body.
- Skincare
- Hair care
- Makeup
- Nail care
If you have expertise or are passionate about any one of these personal care services, you can set up your home-based beauty salon right away.
Pro Tip:
- Set up a website to easily manage appointments.
- Buy all the appropriate beauty care products so that customers are completely satisfied.
- Collaborate with skincare influencers to widen your reach.
- Offer a feature where you can visit the customer’s homes to offer services.
Cloud Kitchen
If you are into cooking, opening a cloud kitchen is one of the best business ideas for women because of its low set-up costs as compared to regular restaurants.
Cloud kitchens are spaces where you can offer deliveries and takeouts without the dining experience. People who prefer quick orders and want to eat from home prefer cloud kitchens.
Start by inviting family and friends and introducing them to your cooking. Spread the word and slowly build from there.
Pro Tips
- Find a niche. The best business will come from your favourite dish.
- Set up a kitchen that is compliant with the rules and regulations.
- Set up an online store to take orders.
- Ensure packaging is secure to keep the food fresh.
- Partner with delivery apps.
Shopify would be the best option to open your cloud kitchen because of its wide range of applications in the Shopify store. Apps like Stellar, the store pickup app, will help you schedule and manage store pickups easily.
Dropshipping
This is on the list of great business ideas for women who want to sell products from home. Dropshipping is an e-commerce business model where you can partner with a supplier and sell their products in your online store.
The best thing is that you don’t need any storage space or inventory management tools to run your business. As soon as a customer buys the product from your store, you can forward this order to the dropshipping supplier. From there on, the supplier takes care of the packaging, shipping, and delivery.
Pro Tips
- Research the product, supplier background and the region you want to sell before starting dropshipping.
- Learn about the entire production process to solve any customer queries.
Jewelry Designer
According to Statista, in 2025, each person on average will contribute $47.97 to the revenue in the Jewelry market.
Jewelry designing has become a great niche for women who are creative and want to start a business from home. This comes under the broader fashion industry. Techniques like casting and beading are easier to learn, and you can start by sourcing affordable materials like turquoise and topaz.
Pro Tips
- Focus on a specific type of jewelry, such as custom engagement rings, minimalist designs, or eco-friendly pieces.
- Use social media to showcase your designs and build a following.
Online Marketing
There are many niches that come under online marketing. Social media manager, content writer, SEO, and paid advertising.
All businesses need some type of online marketing. You can use websites like Upwork and Fiverr to get clients or build a small business website offering your services. Build small from home and slowly start a full-fledged marketing agency.
Pro Tips
- Start by focusing on one niche (SEO, social media, paid advertising, content writing) and build from there.
- Once you start getting clients, build a portfolio of your work.
- Use free AI tools to enhance your marketing projects.
Online Teaching
Online teaching doesn’t require a huge investment. With a computer, a reliable internet connection, and a good camera, you can start teaching.
You can teach a wide range of topics, like math or languages, and skills like fitness or cooking. You can start teaching on YouTube or use platforms like Skillshare and Udemy to help you set up and manage your classes. Students can pay and enroll on your online course.
Pro Tip
- Structure your online classes. Teach the basics first and move to the next level.
- Invest in quality recording equipment.
- Offer personalized learning sessions based on students and their schedules.
Graphic Designing
Another part of marketing, along with content, is designing. Free and easy-to-use tools like Canva are available where you can create designs with built-in templates.
You can work on various projects like branding, logo design, packaging, and advertising, allowing you to explore different styles and niches. Graphic design requires a small initial investment. A good computer, design software (e.g., Canva), and an internet connection are the only things you need to get started.
Pro Tip
- Invest in e-learning courses to learn about graphic design and create better outputs.
- Stay updated with the rates of different types of design outputs. Research your competitors and set your rates accordingly.
Content Creator
This is another one of those business ideas for women where you can record yourself and start an online channel.
YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok are popular channels where you can start gaining followers. As a content creator, you can start recording videos on many niches like movies, news updates, video games, design, technology, and more. The possibilities are endless.
Once you gain enough followers, you can monetize your content or get sponsorship deals with brands to talk about their products and services.
Pro Tip
- Invest in tools that take care of the recording, lighting, sound, and editing of your videos.
- Create a content calendar (weekly or monthly) to plan ahead for your content.
Print-on-Demand Business
Do you want your design to be on a t-shirt, a mug or a backpack? This is the core of the print-on-demand business. It is an e-commerce business model where you can design anything, such as artwork and send it to the supplier to print on products once the order is received.
This means once the order is received, the third-party print-on-demand service prints, packs, and ships the product. You don’t have to worry about inventory or shipping.
Pro Tip
- Use platforms like Printify to start your print-on-demand journey.
- Research the type of materials your design would be printed on and create designs accordingly.
- Give your customers the option to personalize products (e.g., adding names, special dates, or custom messages).
Sell Homemade Products
Last but not least, homemade products are naturally one of the best home business ideas for women. You can produce beauty products, food items, candles, wall paintings, and more at home and make a killing by selling them offline and online.
Demand for homemade, eco-friendly products has increased in recent years. Just make sure that whatever niche you use, you follow the proper state and federal guidelines while sourcing and creating your products.
Pro Tip
- Homemade products do have lower setup costs, but make sure to use high-quality materials.
- Platforms like Etsy are an excellent choice to sell homemade products.
- Also, stay active in local markets to sell your products.
Women Business Ideas: Spark Your Entrepreneurship
Being at home doesn’t mean you cannot earn money and live your life. New business ideas for women come every day, but there’s only one way to build your business: Find your niche and work on it every day. Start small at home and slowly grow your business with patience.
FAQs
1. What are some great business ideas for women?
Content creator, dropshipping, print-on-demand, and selling homemade products are some of the best business ideas for women.
2. What are some beauty business ideas for women?
Providing services like hair care, nail care, skincare, & makeup and selling cosmetic products are some of the best business ideas for women in the beauty and personal care industry.
3. What is a good idea for a small business?
Online marketing is a great idea for a small business. You can do graphic design, content writing, SEO, paid advertising, and more as a freelancer to earn money.
4. Is online teaching a good business idea?
Yes. There’s a huge demand for online learning with platforms like Skillshare and Udemy. You can start teaching your skills to learners around the world and make money doing so.
5. How much investment is needed to start a business from home?
The investment to start a home-based business depends on your niche. There’s no definite amount. It is advisable to start a business with a low-cost investment (freelancing) and make it big (marketing agency).
About the author
Vineet Nair
Vineet is an experienced content strategist with expertise in the ecommerce domain and a keen interest in Shopify. He aims to help Shopify merchants thrive in this competitive environment with technical solutions and thoughtfully structured content.