Small Business Ideas for Women
Modern Mentor AI
Posted in Business • 4 min read • January 24th, 2025
Relevant Influencers
Timothy Ferriss
Business, Investing
Tim Ferriss is an acclaimed author, investor, and business innovation guru. Recognized as one of Fast Company's 'Most Innovative Business People' and Fortune's '40 under 40', he has advised early-stage technology companies, such as Uber and Facebook. Ferriss has authored four #1 New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers, with 'The 4-Hour Workweek' being his flagbearer. His 'The Tim Ferriss Show' podcast made him 'the Oprah of audio'. Ferriss graduated from Princeton University in 2000, studying language acquisition and East Asian Studies. He honed his non-fiction writing with Pulitzer Prize winner, John McPhee.
Ray Dalio
Business, Economics
Ray Dalio, founder and co-chairman of Bridgewater Associates, has built the world's largest and highest performing hedge fund in the past 40 years. He is the author of Principles, a number one New York Times Bestseller and Amazon Business Book of the Year. Appearing on Time 100's list of the world's most influential people and Bloomberg Markets' list of 50 most influential individuals, Dalio resides with his family in Connecticut.
Michael E. Salla
Business
Dr. Michael Salla is a renowned scholar with expertise on international politics, conflict resolution, and U.S. foreign policy. He has held academic appointments at several institutions, including American University and George Washington University in Washington D.C., and Australian National University in Canberra, Australia. Dr. Salla, who holds a Ph.D in Government, has authored multiple books on international politics, and is credited with pioneering 'exopolitics', a field studying political processes associated with extraterrestrial life. Salla has written a series of best-selling books on the subject. He is the Founder of the Exopolitics Institute.
Brendan Kane
Business, Marketing
Brendan Kane is a forward-thinking strategist for Fortune 500 companies, celebrities, and brands, specializing in audience engagement. He began his career at Lakeshore Entertainment, pioneering the company's first influencer campaign and working on films generating a $685m worldwide gross. Kane later developed platforms and applications for high-profile clients such as Taylor Swift and Rihanna, accessed by over 50 million people globally. He co-created an advertising technology with MTV, utilized by companies like MGM, Lionsgate, and Sony. Past roles include Vice President of Digital for Paramount Pictures and leading a major social optimization firm. Known for acquiring a million followers in under 30 days, Kane wrote bestseller One Million Followers to share his methods.
Howard Marks
Business, Investing
Howard Marks is the co-founder and chairman of Los Angeles-based investment firm, Oaktree Capital Management, which boasts $80 billion under management. Academically, Marks achieved a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from the Wharton School and solidified his background by gaining an MBA in Accounting and Marketing from the University of Chicago.
Jake Knapp
Business, Marketing
Jake Knapp, author of "Make Time" and "Sprint", is renowned for creating the design sprint during his decade at Google and Google Ventures. He has mentored 150+ companies such as Slack, Uber, New York Times and LEGO, teaching his process. He is based in San Francisco where he resides with his family.
Marty Cagan
Business, Marketing
Marty Cagan, founder of the Silicon Valley Product Group, is a renowned figure in the tech industry who was previously an executive at notable companies like Hewlett-Packard, Netscape, and eBay. His expertise spans product management, software development, product marketing, user experience design, software testing, and general management. He also offers guidance to tech organizations via SVPG. A prominent author, his written works include "INSPIRED: How To Create Tech Products Customers Love", "EMPOWERED: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Products", and "TRANSFORMED: Moving To The Product Operating Model". He is also a distinguished keynote speaker.
Lyn Alden
Business, Investing
Lyn Alden is a renowned investment and macroeconomic analyst offering research for diverse investors through her platform, lynalden.com. Her unique expertise combines engineering and finance, focusing on energy and monetary system analysis. Besides research publishing, Alden holds positions on the board of Swan.com and acts as an advisor to venture capital firm ego death capital.
Donald A. Norman
Business
Don Norman is a distinguished designer known for his focus on the intersection of people and technology. Noted by Business Week as one of "the world's most influential designers," Norman's influence spans books, lectures, and consultations. He has held numerous esteemed positions, such as Vice President at Apple, and has been honored with multiple degrees and awards. His prolific work includes renowned books like "The Design of Everyday Things" and "Design for a Better World". Norman asserts the importance of design in solving pressing global issues, emphasizing it as a tool to understand and address human behavior. Find his work at www.jnd.org.
Rob Fitzpatrick
Business, Marketing
Rob Fitzpatrick is an author, entrepreneur, and business mentor. Over 14 years, he's run numerous small businesses and shared his knowledge in three handbooks: The Mom Test, The Workshop Survival Guide, and Write Useful Books. His books are studied at Harvard, MIT, and UCL, while companies like SkyScanner and Shopify utilize them for training. Having run training programs for companies like HP and Sony Mobile, he's also helped mentor numerous startups. His advice is practical and proven. Fitzpatrick also shares insights via short YouTube videos and more information about him can be found at robfitz.com.
In today's world, where digital advancements are transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, the search for both personal satisfaction and professional achievement is leading many women towards entrepreneurship. In the midst of this digital transformation, there's a quiet yet powerful space for small businesses that thrive on personal connections, creative solutions, and a level of service that feels genuine—qualities that sometimes get lost in the digital shuffle.
This journey is about more than just financial success; it's about finding a niche that reflects your passions and values, and offers the kind of flexibility that allows for work to be done on your own terms, perhaps even from the comfort of your own home. It's about building something real and impactful in an age where so much feels transient. For many women, who often wear many hats, this path isn't just a break from the conventional work environment but an opportunity to craft a life that truly aligns with what they hold dear.
As we explore these small business ideas, it's important to remember that they're not just potential ventures—they're a reflection of who you are, a way to channel your creativity, and an opportunity to make a difference. Each idea is more than a way to make money; it's a step towards personal development, community engagement, and a chance to make a meaningful contribution in a way that feels authentically you.
Here are 20 ideas that will help you with brainstorming your entrepreneurial journey:
Artisanal Soap Making: Crafting handmade soaps with unique scents and organic ingredients can cater to the growing demand for eco-friendly personal care products. Example: Soap Hope
Custom Jewelry Design: Designing and creating personalized jewelry allows for expression through art. Focusing on sustainable materials can add to the appeal. Example: Catbird
Herbal Tea Blending: Blending organic, medicinal teas from homegrown or locally sourced herbs caters to health-conscious consumers. Example: Mountain Rose Herbs
Eco-Friendly Baby Products: Producing and selling organic, sustainable baby clothes and accessories meet the demand of eco-conscious parents. Example: Burt's Bees Baby
Online Tutoring Services: Specializing in niche subjects or catering to specific learning disabilities can create a unique space in the tutoring industry. Example: VIPKid
Personalized Nutrition Plans: Offering tailored nutrition advice and meal plans can target various needs, from weight loss to managing health conditions. Example: Eatright.org
Yoga and Wellness Coaching: Conducting online yoga classes or wellness coaching sessions can appeal to those seeking personalized health guidance. Example: Yoga with Adriene
Sustainable Fashion Consulting: Assisting individuals or small businesses in making eco-friendly fashion choices can fill a niche market. Example: Green Strategy
Pet Care Services: Offering at-home pet grooming, training, or pet-sitting services can cater to pet owners’ needs for personalized care. Example: Rover
Home Organization Consulting: Helping people declutter and organize their spaces can appeal to those looking to simplify their lives. Example: The Home Edit
Ethical Beauty Consulting: Providing advice on cruelty-free, sustainable beauty products fills a niche in the growing ethical beauty market. Example: Ethical Elephant
Handcrafted Stationery: Creating bespoke stationery for events or personal use can cater to those seeking a personal touch in digital times. Example: Rifle Paper Co.
Virtual Event Planning: Specializing in organizing intimate, virtual gatherings or celebrations can cater to the ongoing demand for online socializing. Example: Social Tables
Niche Blogging or Podcasting: Focusing on specific interests, from sustainable living to niche hobbies, can build a dedicated audience. Example: The Minimalists
Heritage Craft Classes: Teaching traditional crafts like knitting, pottery, or woodworking online can appeal to those seeking to learn and preserve these skills. Example: MasterClass
Personal Branding Consulting: Assisting individuals in building their personal brand online, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, can cater to professionals and freelancers. Example: Goldie Chan
Custom Meal Kit Service: Creating and delivering meal kits for specific dietary needs (gluten-free, keto, vegan) can offer a personalized touch to home cooking. Example: Purple Carrot
Art Therapy Services: Offering virtual art therapy sessions can provide a creative outlet and mental health support. Example: Art Therapy Studio
Indie Book Publishing: Focusing on publishing niche, indie authors can cater to readers looking for unique stories outside the mainstream. Example: Salt Publishing
Mobile Beauty Services: Providing beauty services at clients' homes, from makeup to nail care, can offer convenience and a personalized experience. Example: Glamsquad
Each of these business ideas offers a unique blend of personal touch, creativity, and niche market appeal, ensuring they remain relevant and competitive in an AI-driven world. They not only allow for flexibility and the comfort of working from home but also cater to specific consumer needs that require the human element, something technology cannot replace. By focusing on these areas, women entrepreneurs can carve out successful paths in industries where empathy, creativity, and personal service are at the forefront.
Relevant books
The 48 Laws of Power
70727
Will
23560
Relevant Influencers
Timothy Ferriss - 369
Innovative businessperson, technology advisor and best-selling author known as ‘the Oprah of audio’.Ray Dalio - 335
Founder and co-chairman of world's largest, top-performing hedge fund; author of best-selling book.Michael E. Salla - 154
A renowned scholar in international politics and peacemaking, best known as a pioneer in 'exopolitics', and a bestselling author.Brendan Kane - 148
Innovative digital strategist successfully designing ad tech for brands, celebrities; garnered 1M followers in <30 days.Howard Marks - 94
Cofounder and chairman of Oaktree Capital, with a finance degree and an MBA in accounting and marketing.Jake Knapp - 93
Author of "Make Time" & "Sprint", created design sprint at Google, coached 150+ companies.Marty Cagan - 62
Tech executive with experience at eBay, Netscape, and HP, founded SVPG, is an author and global speaker.Lyn Alden - 51
Independent investment analyst with expertise in energy and monetary systems, board member, and VC advisor.Donald A. Norman - 48
Influential designer and author with a focus on human-tech interactions, former Apple VP, and co-founder of Nielsen Norman Group.Rob Fitzpatrick - 32
Business owner and author of three enduring handbooks used in universities and companies globally.Relevant Books
Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!
93125
The 48 Laws of Power
70727
The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are
40836
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
29375
Will
23560