100 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

Are you sick and tired of the daily 9-5 grind? Do you wish to identify an avenue that will give you exponential growth and 100% satisfaction? Well, it’s time to explore the startup scene!

The Indian economy is growing, and the startup ecosystem is a major contributor to this growth story. From a modest beginning with about 450 startups in 2016, there are now more than 128,000 of these businesses in the country.

These figures make sense since starting a business means no longer limiting your potential to the 9-to-5 grind. If you are also looking for a change, then 2025 is the perfect time to start your business and capitalise on new opportunities.

However, the challenging part is not just starting a business but starting the right one. If you are also dealing with a dilemma here, then continue reading as we explore some of the best business ideas in India to start in 2025.

Understanding the Current Landscape for Small Businesses in India in 2025 

The stage is set for small businesses in India to establish and take advantage of the available opportunities. Most recently, the Union Budget 2025-26 introduced a series of measures to strengthen this sector. 

The first of these developments is the increased credit limits for small businesses. The credit guarantee cover for micro and small enterprises has been increased from ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore. Startups will now see their guarantee cover double from ₹10 crore to ₹20 crore with a reduced fee of 1% for loans in 27 priority sectors.

Then there is the classification based on investment limits, which has increased in the following ways:

• Micro Enterprises: Increased from ₹1 crore to ₹2.5 crore 
• Small Enterprises: Increased from ₹10 crore to ₹25 crore 
• Medium Enterprises: Increased from ₹50 crores to ₹125 crores. 

There have also been some notable changes in the classification based on turnover limits as follows:

• Micro Enterprises: Increased from ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore 
• Small Enterprises: Increased from ₹50 crore to ₹100 crore 
• Medium Enterprises: Increased from ₹250 crores to ₹500 crores

This highlights that startup opportunities in Bangalore and elsewhere around the country are plenty. The only important thing here is finding the right business idea to help you make the most of this opportunity and grow.

Best Business Ideas

Everybody is on the lookout for a new small business idea that has proven successful. Here are some of them:

1. Petrol Pump

If you have the means to secure the necessary funding in the initial stages, starting a petrol pump is among the best startup ideas. There are many areas, such as land purchase, infrastructure development, fuel storage tanks, safety equipment, and licenses. These things require significant upfront investments, but the returns you get here are also impressive.

How to Start a Petrol Pump in India:

Step 1: Meet the relevant eligibility criteria and educational requirements

Step 2: Acquire land between 800 square metres and 2,000 square metres with all the legal documentation in place. 

Step 3: Get the necessary investment, which can range from 12 lakh to 25 lakh, along with other relevant funds. 

Step 4: Apply for the license to run a petrol pump on the relevant website, providing all the necessary information and details.

2. Pharmacy

A pharmacy business is as lucrative as it gets in today’s competitive business landscape. All you need is a proper business plan to start this business and get all the necessary requirements in place. Given the increasing medical demand, it only makes sense to use this lucrative low-investment business idea to your advantage.

How to Start a Pharmacy in India:

Step 1: First, ensure you have at least 10 square metres for a retail business and proper drug storage facilities. 

Step 2: Hire technical staff, which in most cases is a registered pharmacist with a certain degree of relevant experience.

Step 3: Register your pharmacy with all the relevant documentation needed to start such a business. 

Step 4: Make the necessary GST registration and get your pharmacy up and running with all the legal technicalities in place.

3. Grocery shop

If we are talking of small business ideas in Mumbai or any other place in the country that you cannot go wrong with, it is to start a grocery store. The simple logic here is that everyone needs groceries regardless of their background or anything else. So, when you open a grocery store in India, the chances of your business failing are slim to none. 

How to Start a Grocery Store in India:

Step 1: Start with creating a proper and detailed business plan and look for the right location 

Step 2: Get all the necessary relevant permits and finalise the layout of your store. 

Step 3: Spend resources on building a proper brand, getting things right with the workforce, and purchasing

Step 4: Create a proper marketing strategy and launch your grocery store in no time

4. Salon /Spa

A saloon business offering high-end grooming services, therapies, treatments, and rejuvenation at a salon or spa could be an excellent business opportunity.

5. Real Estate

A little research on the commercial and retail properties in your locality, contacts and good communication skills can make you a sought-after real estate broker. As a small business owner, understanding these aspects can significantly enhance your ability to navigate the real estate market effectively.

6. Freelance Services

With the widespread digital boom in the country and around the world, offering freelance services stands out among the most profitable business ideas. You can offer a wide range of services, from writing to web development, graphic design, and more. All you need is the right specialisation and skills to offer quality services and earn a substantial amount right from the comfort of your home.

How to Start a Freelance Service Business in India:

Step 1: The first step is to identify the right niche and build a robust and compelling portfolio.

Step 2: Set the right pricing strategy and choose a platform to attract clients who will pay the most for your specific services. 

Step 3: Next, set up a professional workspace to ensure nothing hampers your overall productivity and the quality of work. 

Step 4: Market your services effectively and manage all your finances to get things right. You can use different technology solutions to manage this part of the business for good.

7. Travel Agency

The Indian travel sector is booming, and the country has to offer so much on this front. Be it natural landscapes or iconic historical sites, there is a lot of potential in the Indian tourism sector, and you must make the most of it. You can offer services to not just domestic tourists from within the country but also international tourists from all around the world.

How to Start a Travel Agency in India:

Step 1: Based on effective market research, define the type of business you wish to establish, be it a partnership or a sole proprietorship.

Step 2: Get all the legal technicalities in order with proper registration with the Government of India, along with the necessary GST registration. 

Step 3: Set up an office and start establishing an effective online presence to reach the right customers at the right time. 

Step 4: Launch an effective marketing campaign to get customers onboard and cultivate a mindset of continuous improvement to get results in this competitive business world.

8. Courier Services

Logistics is a service that derives business throughout the year. Employ staff, have a setup, and you can start your courier business.

9. Cloud Kitchen

Bring your technology and culinary skills to start a cloud kitchen from home and thus save on rent. Leverage an online ordering platform to ensure continuous orders.

10. Personalized Gifting Business

Add a touch of class to gifting unique and personalized ideas. Stay updated with new product launches, and happenings in the luxury industry, and running a creative small business allows you to use your creativity to curate exciting gift hampers.

11. Financial Planner

Customers of every age have different outlooks on money and finance. With your expertise, you can manage portfolios of High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs) and cater to a wide clientele while also promoting financial literacy.

Identifying the Ideal Business

12. Assess Your Skills and Passions

Before diving into any business venture, it’s crucial to take a step back and assess your skills and passions. This self-assessment will help you identify a business idea that aligns with your strengths and interests, increasing your chances of success and personal satisfaction. Start by asking yourself a few key questions:

• What am I good at? Consider your professional skills, hobbies, and any unique talents you possess.

• What do I enjoy doing? Think about activities that make you feel fulfilled and energized.

• What are my values and goals? Reflect on what matters most to you and how you want your business to reflect those values.

• What kind of lifestyle do I want to have? Consider how much time and effort you’re willing to invest in your business and how it fits into your overall life plan.

By understanding your skills and passions, you can narrow down your business ideas to those that not only have the potential to be profitable but also bring you joy and fulfillment.

13. Research Market Demand

Once you have a list of potential business ideas, the next step is to research market demand. This involves understanding the needs and preferences of your target audience and identifying gaps in the market that your business can fill. Here are some questions to guide your research:

• What problems do people face, and how can I solve them? Look for common pain points that your product or service can address.

• What are the current trends in my industry? Stay updated on industry developments to identify emerging opportunities.

• What are people willing to pay for? Determine the value that potential customers place on your product or service.

• What are the demographics of my target market? Understand the characteristics of your ideal customers, such as age, gender, income level, and location.

Thorough market research will help you validate your business idea and ensure that there is a demand for your product or service. This step is crucial for minimizing risks and setting your business up for success.

14. Evaluate Profit Potential

Evaluating the profit potential of your business idea is essential to determine its financial viability. This involves analyzing the costs associated with starting and running your business, as well as estimating potential revenue streams. Consider the following questions:

• What are the startup costs for my business? List all the initial expenses, such as equipment, inventory, licenses, and marketing.

• What are the ongoing expenses? Include costs like rent, utilities, salaries, and maintenance.

• What are the potential revenue streams? Identify all possible sources of income, such as product sales, service fees, or subscriptions.

• What are the profit margins? Calculate the difference between your revenue and expenses to determine your profitability.

By evaluating the profit potential, you can make informed decisions about whether to pursue a particular business idea and how to allocate your resources effectively.

Home-based Business Ideas

The following is a list of low-cost home business ideas with high profits.

12. Bakery Services

Many discovered their passion and latent skills as a bakers/confectioner during the lockdown and took it up as their primary profession. If you can turn a room/space into your own small business by starting a bakery or have the kitchen to yourself after the meal preparation, you can think of whipping sumptuous cakes, desserts, and confectionery.

13. Consulting Services

Start your own business as a home-based consultancy with your subject matter expertise. You can offer consultancy services on how to set up a business, finance, marketing, IT, technical expertise, or even legal matters.

14. Daycare services

Use your spare time to run a daycare service for kids and toddlers in your building or from your vicinity. Daycare services require you to supervise and care for kids when their parents are away at work.

15. Recruitment Consultancy Services

Anybody could do a better job, right? One of the most satisfying jobs one can take up from home is to help someone get recruited. Use your HR skills to provide recruitment services to your contacts, even if they are employed and to new entrants to the labour force.

16. Tailoring

With the rising cost of living making spending on expensive apparel challenging, offering economical and quality tailoring services will be a good relief. Use your skills or get it done from a ‘masterji’ by providing them with a separate space in your house or dropping/picking the material at his premises.

17. Insurance Agent Services

As an independent broker, help people realize the importance of securing their family’s future by taking insurance policies. Approach a government-owned life insurance company and start your insurance-selling business.

18. Transcription Services

Media, EdTech, publishers, and production houses may require transcribing interviews from speech to text. Here’s your chance to work with the best in the industry.

19. Wedding Bureau

Armed with a registration certificate, a dedicated space in your house, and contacts, you are set to start operating as a matchmaker in your home-based wedding bureau.

20. Tarot/Astrology Services

Use your skills and intuition to guide people looking for answers to problems. Having face-to-face interaction with customers builds bonds and brings credibility to one’s work.

21. Hand-lettering and Calligraphy Services

Let your emotions ooze with the aesthetics of lettering. Use specialized calligraphy skills to sell personalized cards, invites, wedding signs, and artwork.

Business Idea Development

25. Refine Your Business Idea

After identifying a promising business idea, the next step is to refine it into a solid plan. This involves conducting further research, developing a unique value proposition, and creating a detailed business model. Here are some questions to help you refine your idea:

• What sets my business apart from the competition? Identify your unique selling points and how you can differentiate yourself in the market.

• What are the key features and benefits of my product or service? Clearly define what you offer and how it meets the needs of your target audience.

• What is my pricing strategy? Determine how you will price your products or services to attract customers while ensuring profitability.

• What are my marketing and sales strategies? Plan how you will promote your business and reach your target audience.

By refining your business idea, you can create a clear and compelling vision for your business. This will not only help you attract customers but also guide your efforts as you work towards building a successful and sustainable venture.

Part-Time Business Ideas

If time is the main resource, consider these business ideas that can make you decent money.

22. Dog-walking Services

Nowadays, practically everyone owns a dog. Some families own more than one. Look out for contacts and their contacts who require a dog-walker.

23. Online Surveys

Many businesses and market research companies require feedback on their products and offerings or for their clients. They are looking for participants to give respondents and pay them, too. Make sure you respond only to authentic survey requests and get paid, too.

24. Handyman Services

Offer your skills and services by starting a handyman business. This includes plumbing services, assembling furniture, or doing other odd jobs.

25. Event-planning Assistance

Lend a helping hand in an event planning business by assisting with venue selection, coordination with vendors, and doing decorations in your spare time.

26. Care for Elderly Persons

Households with elderly persons need help as they can’t leave them in old-age homes for a few hours. You can charge a nominal hourly rate to make a side income by offering your time.

27. Video Editing

Even the best-shot content needs editing. This is where your skills as a video editor can help you make a decent side income.

28. DJing

Music is the life of any party or celebration. If you know what music suits the event, then consider performing at a club or a pub.

29. Food Pop-ups

Curate memorable meals at food pops. Invest only for a short duration in terms of time and space. A great idea to pursue in your spare time or as per event requirements.

30. Captcha Entry Jobs

Great for homemakers and those with a fair knowledge of computers. This job requires reading the alphabet in the distorted image code, entering the correct code, and submitting.

31. Data Entry

As a data entry operator, you will contribute to creating a massive database for your clients/employer, organize the data correctly, and maintain records for future use.

Online Business Ideas

A lot is happening in the digital space and it is one of the best places to be for those with any of the following online business ideas:

32. Online Tutoring

Share your knowledge in subjects you excel in by becoming an online tutor. Help students understand challenging topics, provide guidance, and support their learning journey through virtual tutoring sessions. Share your academic expertise or guitar-playing talent through online tutoring platforms. Help students learn and boost your income by the hour.

33. Social Media Manageme

Mastered Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook? Manage social media accounts for businesses, crafting engaging content and growing their online communities. Assist businesses in establishing and enhancing their online presence. Interact with the audience to boost brand visibility and engagement. Watch your "likes" turn into profits.

34. Virtual Assistance

Offer remote administrative support to businesses. Handle tasks like email management, scheduling, and data entry, allowing entrepreneurs and professionals to focus on their core activities while you manage the behind-the-scenes operations. Be their go-to person without ever leaving your desk.

35. Content Creation

Start a YouTube channel or blog by expressing your passion. Share content about topics you love, whether it's tutorials, reviews, or personal experiences. Build an audience and monetize your content through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing.

36. Affiliate Marketing

Promote products and earn a commission for each sale. Join affiliate programs of companies you believe in, share your unique affiliate links, and earn a percentage of the sales generated through your referrals, making it a straightforward and commission-based income stream.

37. Online Courses

Turn your expertise into a digital course. Whether you're skilled in photography, programming, or any other field, create and sell online courses on platforms like Udemy or Teachable, allowing you to educate others while generating income. Teach anything from coding to baking sourdough bread. Share your knowledge with the world and build a passive income stream.

38. Graphic Design Services

Utilize your design skills to create logos and visuals for businesses. Offer your services to startups, small businesses, or individuals needing a distinctive visual identity, helping them stand out in the competitive market.

39. Digital Marketing Services

Help businesses boost their online presence through digital marketing. Offer services like social media management, email marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO). Assist clients in reaching their target audience and increasing brand visibility, while operating with minimal upfront costs.

40. Virtual Event Hosting

Embrace the virtual world by hosting events online. Whether it's webinars, workshops, or virtual parties, it offers a platform for people to connect and engage remotely. You can provide a valuable service with minimal investment in an increasingly digital age.

41. Podcasting

Share your thoughts, and expertise, or entertain your audience by starting a podcast. Cover topics you're passionate about and build a dedicated listener base. With affordable equipment and hosting options, podcasting offers a low-cost way to express yourself and potentially monetize your content.

High Investment Business Ideas

Consider some of these capital-intensive business ideas when you have surplus money.

42. Food Truck

Serve unique and delicious food from a mobile location with lower overhead than a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Think of quick bites or fusion food that offers variety and can be had on the go.

43. Coffee Shop / Cafe

Invest in a good commercial or an upmarket locale for your unique coffee shop/cafe. Focus on interiors and offerings to make having a coffee a memorable experience.

44. Juice Bar

Fresh, cold-pressed health juices and protein shakes are just what you need to start the day or perk up on a dull day. Make sure you source all your ingredients from a quality vendor and your staff follows strict hygiene.

45. PE/VC Funds / Angel Investor

Aspiring entrepreneurs need guidance and capital to start their passion projects. As an angel investor, you can mentor and provide capital to start-up founders, invest in high-risk, high-profit projects as a venture capitalist, or start a private equity fund.

46. Renewable Energy

Care for the environment? Want to be a role model for sustainability? Solar power installation of PV panels or rainwater harvesting businesses are capital and knowledge-intensive new business ideas. Great for those who can lead with an example.

47. Sustainable Clothing

With mobility becoming tech-driven and environment-friendly, fashion is going eco-friendly, too. Following ethical manufacturing processes, sustainable clothing made from organic materials commands a higher price.

48. Coworking Spacеs

Start a coworking space rеntal businеss by offering sharеd officе spacеs, mееting rooms, amеnitiеs for freelancers, startups and small businеssеs. Starting a landscaping business can also be a rewarding venture for those with a passion for outdoor design. This can catеr to thе growing dеmand for flеxiblе workspacеs in urban arеas and provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional officе lеasеs.

49. Mobile App Development

Dive into the tech world by creating mobile apps. Develop applications that solve specific problems or cater to a particular audience. With freelance developers and affordable development tools, you can enter the app market with a modest budget and a creative idea.

50. Rural Drone Delivery

With rural areas emerging as significant markets for companies, logistics problems in rural areas are prevailing. Invest in drones, tie up with businesses in rural areas, or cater to far-off areas that can provide regular shipment services.

51. Social Impact Investment Funds

As a social impact fund manager, this business idea requires raising money from various investors to create a corpus that invests in socially responsible and earth-impacting businesses.

Retail Business Ideas

Business ideas in the retail sector are always in demand. Some of these ideas can be as follows:

52. Spеcialty Boutiquе

Start a boutiquе spеcializing in womеn's clothing, mеn's fashion, childrеn's apparеl, accеssoriеs and footwеar. You can offеr uniquе and curatеd collеctions that catеr to a specific markеt.

53. Hеalth and Wеllnеss Store

Start a rеtail store focusing on hеalth and wеllnеss products, including vitamins, supplеmеnts, organic foods, natural skincarе, fitnеss еquipmеnt and еssеntial oils. You can also offer wеllnеss sеrvicеs such as massagе thеrapy or nutrition counseling.

54. Homе Dеcor and Furnishings

Start a retail store selling home dеcor items, furniturе and furnishings. You can offer a widе rangе of products, including homе accеssoriеs, wall art, lighting, rugs, and furniture piеcеs to hеlp customеrs decorate and furnish thеir homеs.

55. Gourmеt Food Storе

Start a rеtail storе spеcializing in gourmеt foods and spеcialty ingrеdiеnts. Offеr a curatеd sеlеction of high-quality foods such as artisanal chееsеs, gourmеt chocolatеs, importеd winеs , spеcialty oils and gourmеt pantry and kitchen staplеs.

56. Pеt Suppliеs Storе

Opеn a rеtail storе sеlling pеt suppliеs and accеssoriеs for dogs, cats and othеr pеts. Offеr a variety of products, including pеt food, toys, bеdding and grooming suppliеs to catеr to pеt ownеrs' nееds.

57. Vintagе or Consignmеnt Shop

Start a rеtail storе sеlling vintagе clothing, accеssoriеs and homе dеcor itеms and/or furniturе. You can also offеr consignmеnt sеrvicеs whеrе customеrs can sеll thеir pre-used usеd itеms and you can rеsеll thеm in your storе.

58. Elеctronics and Gadgеts Storе

Opеn a rеtail storе sеlling еlеctronics, gadgеts and tеch accеssoriеs. Offеr a widе rangе of products including, smartphonеs, tablеts, laptops, hеadphonеs, smart homе dеvicеs and gaming consolеs to tеch-savvy customеrs.

59. Toy Storе

Start a rеtail storе spеcializing in toys and gamеs for children of all agеs. Offеr a variety of toys and gamеs and puzzlеs and еducational products that catеr to different intеrеsts and agе groups.

60. Art Suppliеs Storе

Opеn a rеtail storе sеlling art suppliеs, matеrials, tools for artists and hobbyists. Offеr a widе rangе of products including paints/brushеs/canvasеs/skеtchbooks and craft matеrials to inspirе crеativity.

61. Outdoor Gеar and Advеnturе Storе

Start a rеtail storе sеlling outdoor gеar and еquipmеnt and apparеl for camping, hiking, fishing and othеr outdoor activities. Offеr a variety of products, including tеnts, backpacks, hiking boots, and fishing rods, and outеrwеar for outdoor еnthusiasts.

Manufacturing Business Ideas

If creating new products is your passion, then the following are some of the ideas:

62. Recycling Goods

Use discarded or worn-out items such as cloth pieces and coconut shells and transform them into trendy utility items such as bags or decorative items, which are great ways to reduce waste.

63. Preserves/Papad/Pickles

Make and sell speciality food items like jams, pickles, or papads with your unique expertise. Of late, there is much awareness about India’s ancient grains, such as millet. You can become a manufacturer specialising in millet-based products.

64. Organic Personal Care / Cosmetics

Use natural ingredients to make organic personal care and cosmetic products. Not only is it chemical-free but also a sustainable business.

65. Modular Furniture

Use your design skills and creativity to create and sell furniture pieces that are easy to assemble, yet modern. Invest in logistics and space to carry out your business idea.

66. Packaging Materials Manufacturing

Packaging materials can be a good business idea with so many new products looking to be launched. You can think of eco-friendly boxes, containers, paper bags, jute bags, labels, or packaging inserts.

67. Food Processing

If you have the expertise and technical know-how, a food processing business such as making sauce, condiments, and snacks is a great manufacturing idea.

68. Incense Stick Manufacturing

Practically, every house in India has use for this puja item. Hence, one can definitely think of starting an incense-stick business, which holds great potential due to its widespread demand in households across the country.

69. Beverage Manufacturing

Consider beverage-making such as specialised tea, speciality coffee, fruit-based soft drinks or seasonal fruit drinks.

70. Wooden Toy Making

Making wooden toys is harmless and eco-friendly too. Besides, you can get the products made by your local carpenter or artist.

71. Dairy/Frozen Desserts Manufacturing

A dairy-based business is capital and technology-intensive. However, if the quality is promised, one can expand into offering dairy-based products such as curds, buttermilk, and even frozen desserts.

Rental Business Ideas

Make your tangible asset a source of business with these low-investment business ideas:

72. Dance Studio

Use your space to run a dance studio in batches on specific days of the week and weekends.

73. Yoga Studio

With fitness on most people's minds, a yoga studio is a sure-shot way of effectively utilizing your space.

74. Rent Your Space

Offer cosy homestays to guests by using your apartments, condos, cottages, or seasonal vacation homes to travellers and backpackers. Offer basic amenities while charging for cleaning, maintenance, and concierge services as a part of the package with the rules.

75. Rent Out Your Car

If your car stays unutilized most of the time, utilize it to offer car-sharing or car-pooling services. The service can be employed to drive around the city or outskirts depending on how long it has been idle.

76. Bicyclе Rеntals 

Start a bicyclе rеntal businеss by offеring a variety of bikеs for rеnt to tourists, commutеrs and or rеcrеational ridеrs. You can provide hourly, daily, or wееkly rеntals and offеr guidеd tours as an additional service.

77. Equipment Rentals

Offer a widе rangе of tools, machinеry and еquipmеnt for rеnt to contractors, homеownеrs and businеssеs. You can provide construction еquipmеnt, powеr tools, landscaping tools, and/or spеcialty еquipmеnt for еvеnts and partiеs.

78. Party Rentals

Offеr rеntal itеms and suppliеs for еvеnts, partiеs, wеddings and other cеlеbrations. You can providе itеms such as tеnts, tablеs and chairs, linеns, dеcorations, lighting, and audiovisual еquipmеnt to hеlp customеrs host mеmorablе еvеnts.

79. Costume Rentals

 Regular party-goers need different outfits for every party. You can provide costumеs for different thеmеs, timе pеriods, charactеrs and offеr options such as custom fittings or altеrations.

80. Wеdding Attirе Rеntals

Start a wеdding attirе rеntal businеss by offеring sarееs, lеhеngas, shеrwanis and accеssoriеs for rеnt. This can catеr to individuals attеnding wеddings and prе- wеdding еvеnts and or cultural fеstivals.

81. Goods Transportation

 Have a heavy vehicle? Lease it to transport goods of small businesses, or to companies offering home relocation services.

Low-cost Business Ideas

The following are some of the best low-cost and business ideas:

82. City Tour Guide

Know your city in and out? Market yourself on SM about the iconic spots in your locale. Lead a group of locals from in and around your city on holidays and in your spare time and make decent money, too.

83. Dropshipping Business

Start a business without managing inventory. You sell products to customers in a dropshipping model, but the supplier handles storage and shipping. This allows you to focus on marketing and sales, making it a low-risk way to enter the e-commerce space.

84. Bed-n-Breakfast

Think you can host a guest with the bare minimum of services? Then, offer your extra room with basic facilities to a guest. List your space on Airbnb or homestay portals with all the details.

85. Personal Shopping Services

Offer personalized shopping experiences to individuals needing assistance finding the perfect items. Whether it's clothing, accessories, or gifts, help clients make informed and stylish choices, making shopping a hassle-free and enjoyable experience for them.

86. Counselling Services

People require counselling for multiple reasons such as career, work, relationships, family, and children-related issues. Listening to them and offering advice from experience using tools and other resources can be a great low-cost idea.

87. Delivery Services

Become a delivery partner for food delivery services or for e-commerce companies. As volumes on retail e-commerce sites rise, there will be a continuous need for delivery services.

88. Driver Services

With excellent driving skills, one can work as a school bus driver, cab driver, or office shuttle driver for schools, cab services, and corporations. Alternatively, you can also start a driving school business to teach others how to drive.

89. Personal Chef

There is a lot of demand for personal chefs who can come home and prepare meals for special occasions or even regular meals. Let the customer arrange for the set-up, while you use only your skills and expertise.

Creative Business Ideas

Make a business from your creativity with these unique small business ideas:

90. Handmade Arts/Crafts

Delight yourself in creating art decor, paintings, wall hangings, and other art pieces. A unique small business idea for those who enjoy creating art decor is handmade arts/crafts. It is creatively satisfying and can earn you decent recognition as an artist.

91. Photography Services

Baby shower, birthdays, anniversaries, engagement and wedding ceremonies and photo shoots. There are so many more events to capture that require great photography skills at economical prices. Consider this creative business idea if you can capture that one moment to cherish forever.

92. Language Translator

Know multiple languages? You can start offering language translation and interpretation services from home. You can help local companies and MNCs translate documents and audio recordings, or even be a live interpreter at meetings, conferences and events.

93. Make-up and Styling Services

Help clients look beautiful or improve their style quotient with your make-up and styling services. So many events happen all around the year, there will always be orders for small to big occasions or just for an evening at the local lounge.

94. Home Renovation Services

Transform homes and spaces by offering home renovation services. To manage costs, focus on smaller projects like room makeovers, painting, or minor repairs. With skilled craftsmanship and attention to detail, you can turn a passion for renovation into a lucrative and satisfying business.

95. Antiques’ Business

A business that caters to HNIs or those with an artistic bent of mind, an antiques business can be a lucrative business idea.

96. Artificial Jewellery Making

Market yourself as an artificial jewellery maker, or opt for a wholesale, reselling or e-commerce model to sell jewellery. Have your vendors in place and market heavily around important events.

97. Tattoo Parlor

A creative and people business, tattoo-making can be a good option. You can use the premises of your own home or a salon/parlour to offer tattoo-making classes.

Small-scale Business Ideas

These are small business ideas in India that anyone can start without investing a lot.

98. Subscription Box Service

Curate and deliver themed subscription boxes to customers. From beauty products to snacks, subscription boxes offer a delightful surprise to subscribers regularly. Partner with suppliers and explore niche markets to create a unique and appealing subscription box.

99. Soap-making

Make hand-made, aromatic, organic soaps for infants, and children that are great as gifts or even for daily use. Just a soap, but a luxury experience.

100. Candle-making

Light up someone’s special moments with artistic and aromatic candles. Offer uniquely shaped candles as sticks, and candle jars and sell to local cake shops, gift shops, and stores selling organic items.

101. Buy Bulk, Sell Retail

Everyone can't buy in bulk because of cost considerations or volume. Use this gap in customer needs to purchase products in bulk and sell in retail by adding a decent markup.

102. Breakfast/Snack Joint/Takeaway Counter

Run a brisk business by working a few hours at your breakfast/snack/takeaway joint and selling a few dishes and beverages at peak hours.

103. Roti/Chapati-making Business

In this busy life, taking away the rigour of time-consuming tasks such as making rotis/chapatis and delivering them will be of great help and a successful business idea.

Read more: 11+ Blooming Business Ideas in Kerala

Is online business a good idea?

Setting up an online business can be a great idea provided you have a thorough understanding of your target audience, have a sound strategy in place and have the know-how of leveraging digital marketing strategies smoothly. Nowadays, there are numerous platforms that can help amplify your business, such as Amazon, which has enabled independent sellers to thrive. For eg., in 2023 independent sellers in Amazon's US store sold over 4.5 billion items, averaging about 8600 items every minute and $250,000+ in annual sales. This highlights the vast potential for success if you leverage the right platforms and strategies effectively.

Conclusion

The first and most fundamental requirement for entrepreneurship is the idea behind it. This basic idea is the foundation for building a proper plan and starting things on the right foot. 

As you can already see, starting a grocery store, petrol pump, pharmacy, travel agency, or offering freelance services are some of the best ideas. It is now in your hands to evaluate your skills and interests and choose accordingly. 

So, make sure you have all the right considerations in mind and make the most of every business opportunity you can get. 2025 is a great year to start a new business in India, so make sure you take advantage of it.

FAQs

Q1. How to start a business with Rs.50,000?

Ans. With the increasing share of businesses in India’s growing economy, the scope for small and medium enterprises is also widening rapidly. You can easily be a part of this growth and start your own small-scale business with Rs.50,000 or less. Some of the small-scale business ideas pertaining to the Indian market include online tutoring, digital marketing, e-commerce, graphic designing, online reselling mechanisms, wedding planning, home-based catering, handmade accessories or apparel, YouTube content, digital books, blog writing, and juice or food stalls. 

Q2. What small business is the most successful?

Ans. A CPA Australia survey showed that Indian small businesses' growth rose from 73% in 2022 to 77% in 2023, the highest since 2019. Over three-quarters of Indian small businesses reported growth in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The most successful small business ideas that stood out in these opportunistic conditions include handmade products like decor items and jewellery, social media management consultancy, personal trainers, online tutoring, e-commerce space, app development services, digital marketing service providers, sustainable products and services, food stall and startups, online content creation and dropshipping. 

Q3. How to start a business with Rs.10,000?

Ans. You can start a successful business with an investment as small as Rs.10,000. All you need is to align your current skills with your interests and build knowledge to gain expertise. The small business ideas in India include-

1. Cloud kitchen (delivery-only model with no dining area)

2. Homemade spices 

3. IT services (like coding, app development and analytical services)

4. Dropshipping (an online store with no need for a warehouse)

5. Baked products like muffins, cookies, and cakes made at home 

6. Scented candles

7. Social media agency

8. Handmade goods like knitted items, soaps, incense sticks, and jewellery

9. Online tutoring and training

10. Freelance service providers (like blog writing, copywriting, editing, etc.)

11. Wedding planning

Most small business ideas from home involve using the available space rather than renting a new one. Moreover, if you have a spare room or property, you can even start renting the space for a steady income source or for commercial purposes like content creation, Airbnb, and holiday rentals. 

Q4. What is the easiest business to start right now?

Ans. Starting a best business in India can be promising due to its thriving economy. Here are some of the easiest and most profitable business ideas to start in India in 2024:

• Yoga Lifestyle Ecommerce Store: With the growing popularity of wellness and self-care, launching an online Yoga Lifestyle Ecommerce Store could be a lucrative business. You can offer a wide range of yoga-related products and accessories, such as mats, clothing, and essential oils, on the platform.

• Cupcake Business: Starting a cupcake business could be a good idea if you have baking skills. The demand for the cake industry is expected to grow, and small speciality shops will enjoy most of the profits.

• Designer Wallpaper Retailer: This business can cater well to a sizeable market looking for new trends and innovations in their home interiors.

• Food Truck: These have become increasingly popular and can be profitable ventures with relatively low startup costs.

• Virtual Assistant: With the rise of remote work, starting a virtual assistant business could be profitable.

Q5. Which small business gives high profit?

Ans. As per the trends of the Indian wedding market, an average Indian wedding costs anywhere between Rs.10 lakhs to Rs.25 lakhs. Amidst such a market, starting a business dealing with bridal accessories and apparel, wedding decor items, or wedding planning can be profitable. Apart from this, with the rising remote-working model, you can also profit from providing a virtual assistant. Plus, if you have a free space like a spare room or an extra property, you can start providing it for various commercial purposes or events.