You don’t need to invent a game-changing product or build a revolutionary website to become your own boss. Sometimes the route to entrepreneurship is much more simple and inexpensive.
In this article, we highlight 7 easy ways you can quickly become your own boss in 2024. Whether it’s as a side hustle or a full-time endeavour, these ideas are perfect if you’re a business owner in waiting, but haven’t had that flash of inspiration just yet. Let’s get started.
1. Freelance
Do you have a skill that people are prepared to pay for? Then going freelance is an obvious way to be your own boss. Web developers, programmers, graphic designers, copywriters, photographers, accountants, project managers, and accountants are all occupations commonly associated with freelancing, but the list really could go on.
- Do you need to register a business?
- How to write a business plan as a start-up
- Business licences – does your startup need one?
As a freelancer you have the freedom to choose when you work, who you work with, and where you work from. And now, thanks to sites such as Upwork and Fiverr, one of the biggest challenges of freelancing – finding clients – is made much simpler.
What’s more, if you’re not quite ready to hand in your notice, freelancing is a great way to test the waters of working for yourself, without fully committing to what is no doubt a huge decision.
2. Sell online
Are you a skilled artist or a crafter? If the answer is yes, selling your goods online through sites such as Etsy could be an easy way to turn your passion into a business.
The big sellers on Etsy include crafts and supplies, handmade goods, wedding essentials, jewellery, and home decor items. So, if you are adept at making any of these – or can pivot your current crafting activity to these – there’s a chance to make some money. Of course, whether or not you can make a living through this will depend on just how productive (and good) you are.
Even if you aren’t a capable crafter, there are still opportunities to sell online. For example, with Vinted you can sell pre-owned items such as clothing, homeware, video game software, and pet care items. And there’s eBay, where you sell pretty much anything. All it takes is some smart buying (think charity shops) and you could turn a profit online.
3. Courier/delivery driver
Becoming a self-employed courier or delivery driver is ideal if you enjoy driving (or cycling), have access to an appropriate vehicle, and take pleasure in being out and about.
There is a level of flexibility connected to the role. Not only do you have autonomy over when you work and the routes you take, but you also have a choice regarding how you start up.
For example, you could set up your own courier business from scratch. This would entail finding your delivery niche (such as food and catering, fragile materials, or larger items), growing your client base, and – if you wanted to expand – building up a fleet. Alternatively, you could get started by becoming a self-employed driver/rider with an existing service like Amazon, Deliveroo, or Evri.
It’s not for everyone. However, if you are driven (excuse us), logical, and love being behind the wheel, it’s a viable startup option.
4. Online tutor
Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach. Right? Well actually, no. Tutoring, and specifically online tutoring, is a remarkably rewarding career that could be the perfect fit for you, if you have a speciality topic that dovetails with formal education.
Somewhat surprisingly, you don’t need a qualification to become a tutor – although having a relevant qualification in place will certainly help when it comes to attracting students (or more likely, their parents). However, because you will be working with children, you will need to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
As with most businesses, finding customers will be your biggest challenge. Having said this, there’s generally never a shortage of parents who want their children to get the best grades possible, plus, platforms such as Tutorful and MyTutor will assist in connecting you with appropriate students.
So, if you’re looking to make the most of your expertise and help students fulfil their potential at the same time, online tutoring could be right for you.
5. Childminder
If you are a nurturing individual who enjoys spending time with children, childminding could be your path to being your own boss.
This may be particularly appealing if you have your own children. You already have access to a suitable environment, the working day will generally fit well around your current childcare routine, and you will be familiar with the challenges young children can bring. Plus, your services will appeal to other parents thanks to your experience (you may already have a list of potential clients).
You must register with Ofsted to become a childminder. To do this, you will need:
- To complete a DBS check for childminders
- First aid training
- Childcare training
- A health declaration booklet
- Two references
Childminding represents a fulfilling career where you can genuinely make a difference – find out more about the requirements for becoming a childminder here.
6. Consulting
As a consultant, you can lend your skills to other businesses – as and when you want – to help them achieve success. When done, you can then move on to another challenge within your sector.
Industries where consulting is common practice include:
- Accounting
- Education
- Environmental
- Finance
- Healthcare
- HR
- Legal
- Operations
- Marketing
- Technology
Whilst there’s no set qualification required to become a consultant, the businesses that you want to work for will want to see that you truly are an expert in your field. Typically, this entails providing a detailed portfolio made up of client success stories.
If you have experience in the corporate world, but are now fed up with working for someone else – consulting provides you with the ability to utilise your existing skill set at the same time as choosing who you work with.
7. Dropshipping
Yes – we know dropshipping always appears on these lists, but this is for good reason. It’s a low-risk business model that can be started extremely quickly with very little cash upfront.
So what is it? Dropshipping is a business model whereby you sell goods online through an e-commerce store, without needing the goods in stock. You…
- Find a reliable third-party provider for a product
- Sell the products through your store
- Notify the third-party provider about the order, and they then ship it directly to the customer
Essentially, you connect the customer to the company that provides the product. It’s a business model that allows you to flex your marketing muscles, without the need to get involved with the logistics (or own a massive warehouse).
Interested in finding out more? Read why Shopify thinks dropshipping is still worth it in 2024.
Ready to become your own boss?
Once you’ve found your business idea, you’ll need to make it official. This is where we come in.
From only £52.99, we can register your UK limited company with Companies House. Our process is entirely online and companies are normally registered in under 24 hours.
Still looking for inspiration? No problem. Take a look at our blog hub for some more ideas.
Thanks for reading
That’s 7 business ideas to help you become your own boss in 2024. We hope this article has given you the push you needed. Please leave a comment if you have any questions. Have a brilliant year.
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