Summer is just around the corner, bringing sunny skies and the perfect chance to start a seasonal business and make some extra money. Here are some ideas to kick off your summer hustle:
Lawn care: Offer services like mowing, trimming, edging, and weeding in residential areas. Focus on older residents who might need help maintaining their yards.
Home improvement: If you’re handy, offer minor repair services such as painting, furniture assembly, or hanging blinds. You can expand your reach by joining online marketplaces like Thumbtack.
Pet sitting: Boarding pets can be expensive, so many pet owners prefer hiring pet sitters while they’re on vacation to feed and walk their animals.
House sitting: When people go on vacation, they often need someone to water their plants, bring in packages, or just check on their homes.
Car detailing: With people keeping their cars longer and taking better care of them, a mobile car detailing service can be a great part-time gig. Offer a range of options at different price points.
Event/party planning: If you’re organized and detail-oriented, consider starting a party planning business. Use your network to find clients interested in hosting events like birthday parties, graduations, weddings, baby showers, and summer block parties. This hustle can even turn into a year-round business.
Tutoring: Summer is a great time to tutor students and help them get a head start on the new school year.
Crafts: Many cities and towns host arts and crafts fairs, town celebrations, and farmer’s markets during the summer. Sell your handmade items like jewelry, paintings, home décor, and food items. Make sure to comply with local health regulations if you’re selling food.
Freelancing: Businesses often need freelancers for writing, editing, graphic design, and social media management. You can also work as a virtual assistant, helping with administrative tasks.
Online retail: Set up an e-commerce store on platforms like Etsy, Amazon Handmade, eBay, or your own site using Shopify, Wix, or Squarespace. Sell your handmade goods or source and resell products.
Online courses: If you’re an expert in a particular field, consider creating and selling online courses on platforms like Coursera, Skillshare, and Udemy.
Delivery service drivers: There’s always a demand for drivers to deliver food for services like Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash, or groceries for services like Shipt.
Since it’s already May, you need to act fast to prepare for the summer season. Here are some quick tips:
1. Do your homework: Research the market to see what services or products are in demand in your area.
2. Make it legal: Check local regulations for any permits or licenses you might need. Ensure you comply with zoning laws and have the necessary insurance.
3. Marketing: Develop a marketing plan to reach your customers effectively.
4. Money: Keep track of your income and expenses. Consult an accountant about any tax implications.
If you already own a business in a tourist area, you can also benefit from the summer season. Prepare for the influx of new customers by:
1. Checking local event calendars to see if you can set up a booth or sponsor events.
2. Planning your marketing tactics early to attract tourists.
3. Using social media to raise awareness and connect with influencers who promote tourism.
4. Contributing to travel and tourism blogs to highlight what makes your area special.
5. Ensuring your business is listed on review sites like Tripadvisor and Yelp, and that your website is up-to-date.
6. Listing your business on local search directories like Google Business Profile and Apple Maps.
7. Timing your efforts based on when the influx of visitors starts and ends.
8. Hiring additional staff if needed, possibly through a temp agency for flexibility.
Summer is a fantastic time for small business owners to attract new customers and for aspiring entrepreneurs to start a side business. At the end of the season, evaluate your success and consider if your summer business can become a year-round venture.
