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Small Business Ideas for the Entrepreneurial Student

Recently, we brought you some advice on getting paid for your writing. Studying for a degree can be expensive, and some entrepreneurial students decide to start small businesses to fund their degrees. The problem is that you want to make money, but you don’t want your business to swallow up all your time. Here are some small and simple business ideas to consider.

 

Proofreader

Proofreading is one of the cheapest types of business you can set up. There will also always be a steady stream of potential clients. It is also quite well paid, and you will already (hopefully) have the skills in advanced English. Fellow students, local businesses, even companies on the internet are always looking for proofreaders. The added bonus here is that you will also be honing your own communications skills and improving your degree marks.

 

Plant Sales

Another cheap and simple business is plant sales. Simply, buy packets of seeds, grow them and then sell them on as plants. Whether you sell them as seedlings or adult plants, you can make a large mark up. Sell them to fellow students or at car boot sales. Be sure to check the season advice for the plants to ensure best growth and consequently, your profit margin.

 

Hot Food Service

Another option is to offer food services to students who don’t know how to cook or can’t be bothered. You will learn new skills for your business and make money on the side, but your evenings will probably be taken up, depending on demand, with cooking. Consider charging a small fee for delivery to cover your transport costs. Be warned that you will need to apply for a food safety certificate. Food businesses are not something entered into lightly, but may be rewarding.

 

Self-Published Guides

The self-publishing industry is highly competitive so avoid publishing fiction – lots of effort for potentially little return. What you could do though, is publish books, booklets, pamphlets and magazines relevant to your student audience. Books full of simple recipes, a simple guide to the city and its culture, even a Fresher’s Guide to your university – written by students, for students. You need not charge a lot of money for them, and possibly the cheaper they are, the more you will sell.

 

Dog Walking

Unfortunately, much of the older generation are not as mobile as they used to be. Where they have young dogs with lots of energy, this creates a disparity between the dog’s needs and the owner’s ability. You can take multiple dogs for a walk at once and charge per dog, or charge by the hour. Either way, this is a cheap and healthy way of making money. Dog walking is great exercise for the mind and the body for you.