Being able to make some extra money as a student is always handy – and why not make money on your own terms by starting your very own business? Although you’ll have to juggle running a business with your studies, most students find that they have plenty of free flexible time to do this. It’s likely that you won’t be able to invest a lot of money upfront into your business venture. Fortunately, there are many startup ideas that don’t require a lot of funds to launch. Below are just a few great examples of business ideas that could be worth considering as a student.
Sell handmade products
Got a craft skill such as crocheting, beading or even origami? You could make money selling hand-made creations such as scarves, bracelets or pop-up cards. Your college may have an online platform that you can sell these through. Alternatively, you can set up your own social media page and website and accept online payments through here.
Start a dog-walking business
If you love dogs, you could consider setting up a dog-walking business. There could be many people locally that don’t have the time to walk a dog due to work or other commitments. By posting some flyers door-to-door or paying for some social media ads, you may be able to find customers who are willing to pay you to walk their dog.
Sell your own t-shirts
Selling custom t-shirts has long been a popular way to make money as a student. There are t-shirt printing companies that can print custom shirts off for you. These could be sold to fellow students or general locals. Targeting students could be a profitable option – you may be able to tap into private jokes or common interests shared by students at your college with your t-shirt designs.
Manage people’s social media
Many students know a thing or two about social media – and you could find that many local businesses are willing to put their trust in a student to take over their social media accounts for them, particularly if you’ve experienced some mild social media success yourself. Simply by putting out some content each week and replying to messages, you may be able to make some extra money each week.
Organize student trips
Another business idea could be to organize local trips for students. You could hire out a bus and take students to local attractions or events – which could include museums, festivals, concerts, sports events, amusement parks or theatres. Each student pays for a ticket which covers transport and access to the attraction/event. By charging strategically, you make a small return per student, which could work out as a big return overall.
Teach technical skills
Do you possess technical skills such as Photoshop skills, coding, web design or video editing? Are these skills you might be able to teach to a fellow student or even the general population? Charging for one-on-one sessions or even workshops could be a great way to make some money. Consider putting up some posters or publishing some social media ads.
Sell used student supplies
Finally, you could consider setting up a buying and selling service for student supplies such as books, printers and furniture. You could even set up an online service where students sell directly to other students, charging a small commission fee on each sale. Start by selling your own supplies to make some funds to build your site.
