We don’t have to remind you that Apple’s first Macs were designed in the garage to justify why it’s worth starting your own business there, do we? Besides, when you are only beginning to run a small business, you are more likely to work with what you already have and look for convenient and cost-efficient ways to organize the workflow.
Your garage may provide you with this opportunity! You can turn it into a full-fledged home office or a workshop, depending on your business niche. And if you are only looking for business options and ideas to bring to life in your garage, this article is for you.
Below, you will find seven profitable businesses to start without leaving your home, ranging from tech refurbishing and repair, laundry service, and furniture upcycling to clothing alterations, eCommerce reselling, tutoring, web development, and so much more. Read on and choose what suits you best.
Furniture Upcycling Business
Are you a creative person? If your answer is yes, then you can start a furniture upcycling business!
Furniture upcycling is a process of modifying used furniture into something more beautiful, functional, or practical. For example, you can turn an old sofa into a colorful ottoman, unique coffee table, or anything else that comes to your mind.
Alternatively, you can make some minor changes to the furniture, like adjusting garage door height or making a four-legged table a three-legged one. The possibilities are endless!
If you are thinking about starting this business from home, you will need a workshop where you can cut the furniture into smaller pieces using power tools, sand it up, and shape it according to the customer’s preferences. Your garage is as good a place for this as any other.
Tech Refurbishing and Repair Business
One of the most profitable small business ideas you can start in your garage is opening a tech refurbishing and repair shop. With the increase in electronic device usage, people are more likely to break their gadgets than ever before. And not everyone can afford to buy a new tablet or phone, especially if you’re living on a tight budget.
As an owner of this business, you will be responsible for checking the gadget for any damage, removing broken parts, and repairing what can be fixed. Additionally, if there is no way of fixing the device, you will have to replace its parts with new ones. At the end of your work, you will have to clean it and make it look brand new again.
Laundry Service
Laundry service is another fantastic opportunity to start a profitable business from home and earn some extra cash. You can go to people’s homes to collect dirty laundry, wash it in a professional washing machine, and deliver it back to them as fresh as new. It sounds simple, doesn’t it? Well, it is!
You should consider buying a van or a truck to transport your supplies and equipment to each customer’s location. You will also have to purchase industrial washing machines to process your customers’ laundry efficiently. The only thing you will have to do yourself is load and unload the washing machine and deliver the clothes to customers’ homes.
Tutoring Business
Teaching is one of the best ways to make money online while working from home, even from your garage. People are always looking for tutors who can help them overcome their educational hurdles or teach them new skills.
The main thing you need to be a successful tutor is knowledge in a particular subject (e.g., math or English) and good communication skills. Of course, a computer with a reliable internet connection and access to the platform where you will post your services will also come in handy.
Sewing Alterations
This business idea is perfect for those who are good at sewing. As a person skilled in handling fabrics, you can run a traditional tailoring shop in your garage where customers would come over to get dressed.
To start your own alterations business from home, you will need sewing equipment such as a sewing machine, cutting mat, rotary cutter, sewing measuring tape, seam ripper, pins, scissors/shears, tailor’s chalk, etc. Also, you will need to buy types of fabric depending on your niche.
We recommend you choose one of these niches:
- Bridal wear
- Dress alteration
- Men’s formal wear
- Wedding gown alterations
- Women’s formal wear
- Children’s clothing alterations
- Pet clothing alterations
E-Commerce Reselling Business
Unlike dropshipping, where you don’t need to keep any inventory and only need to send orders to your supplier, reselling business requires more work and capital investment. However, if you have a knack for finding the best deals on the web and reselling them at a better price, this is one of the best businesses to start in your garage.
There are many ways to sell products online, but most online sellers use popular marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and others. When you sell something on an eCommerce marketplace, you will have to buy it from a third-party seller, pack it, and ship it out to the customer. On top of that, you will usually have to pay fees for each of those operations (e.g., listing and selling fees). That is why it’s important to find niche products that have a high-profit margin and low competition so that you can make money easily.
Website Development Business
If you are into web development and design, this is one of the best ways to start making money online while working from home. Your garage can be a perfect place to take your first steps in this line of work.
Many businesses are looking for website developers who can help them create a new website or revamp their existing one. If you are an experienced web developer who knows how to work with popular CMS such as WordPress, Magento, or Drupal, you can start a one-person business and quickly find clients on your own.
The Bottom Line
Do not let your lack of workspace and funds prevent you from pursuing your career goals. If you are willing to put in some extra work, you can start operating your business in a garage and become an entrepreneur in no time. Being your own boss will give you an excellent feeling of freedom like no other job.
Remember that there are many profitable businesses you can start in the comforts of your home. Laundry service, furniture upcycling business, and website development are all perfectly valid ways to earn profit while working from your garage. All you need to do is pick the right career line for yourself. Good luck!
