Let’s say you have decided to start a business to make some retirement income and keep yourself active. But what kind of business? Almost any business can be made to fit your retirement, but here are 20 ideas to get you thinking.

Teach Classes

Make a list of skills you have that others would find useful. Can you teach a class for either small groups or an individual? These could be in person or over the web.

Pet Sitting

Boy is this service appreciated by pet owners. Many would prefer a pet sitter to a kennel and once you establish a customer’s trust you will have them as a customer for life.

Rental Property Manager

Many real estate investors have money to buy their properties but no time to manage them. Maybe you can help them and start a nice little business for yourself.

Direct Sales

Do you have some experience in sales or at least like approaching and talking to people. As an independent sales agent you can help businesses that are too small for their own sales staff.

Running a franchise

Many retirees go this route. I personally think it is most appropriate for those with substantial savings, as most are not cheap and you don’t want to risk principal that you need for retirement income.

Tutoring

This one would be great for retired teachers and others that just like helping people one on one. There are many possibilities from young children to high school, college or even adults.

Computer Repair Business

People still need help repairing and upgrading their computers. Once you learn the skills this can be a lucrative side business.

“Other” Repair Business

Just like computers most things that are expensive enough to make repairs sensible can turn into a business. First step is to learn the necessary skills.

Consulting

This is the retirement business most often mentioned in lists like this. Many times your first customer can be your former employer. This can work for both parties as the former employer gains from your experience and you gain by having greater control over what projects you work on and how much you work.

Coaching

This is another often mentioned retirement business. It is similar to consulting except you are working one on one. This business may take time to get started and build a reputation but many coaches eventually earn high fees and have more work than they can handle.

Speaking

This might work for somebody who is well versed in a certain area and there are groups that are willing to pay for a speaking engagement.

Catering

This could be a good business for somebody who likes to cook for large groups and work with people. It doesn’t have to be large gatherings like weddings. You might build a business doing smaller gigs like dinner parties or barbecues, where the hostess would greatly appreciate having somebody handle the food while they spend time with their guests.

Senior Care

There are probably many potential businesses in this area with the millions of baby boomers that are turning into seniors and will need all kinds of services.

Handyman

Boy are they in demand. If you are good with little jobs many find they have more work then they can handle once they establish a good reputation.

Campground Worker

You could run this like a business by offering your services to assorted campgrounds or even gather a group of retirees together and coordinate sending them to local campgrounds on busy weekends.

Bed and Breakfast

Another business that appears on a lot of retirement business lists. This of course is a big undertaking but can be very fulfilling for the right kind of people.

Tourist Guide

Do you live anywhere near a popular tourist area? Really get to know the sights and the best restaurants and gift shops. Then rent yourself out as a guide.

Crafts

This can take hundreds of forms. You can sell your wares at craft malls and shows or on web sites like Etsy.

Writing

Again this can take many forms, from writing articles for bloggers to writing and publishing your own books.

Small Business Support Person

Many small business need all kinds of help and can’t afford to hire employees. Offer your general services to assist. This could be anything from becoming a virtual assistant and working from home to helping with whatever needs done at a particular location.

Art

Are you an artist? This can take many forms from selling your own fine art to prints. The key here is to establish a following and that can take some time.

Other thoughts

This list just scratches the surface as usual but hopefully it gets and keeps you thinking. What are your ideas?

Until next time…

It is becoming more and more common for retired people to start their own businesses. The purpose can be anywhere from just making a few extra dollars to finally having the time to test out that business idea you have had for years.

Just to get you thinking here are some ideas to get you started:

Consultant

Why not put all those years of experience to work for you. Some form of consulting is probably the most common form of small business in retirement. The nice thing about a consulting business is that it can be as big or as small as you want. You can do it part time, and sometimes seasonally. For many people their first consulting customer is their previous employer, who likes the idea of still having your skills available on an as needed basis.

Life Coach

A Life coach is similar to a consultant except the goals may be different. The field is growing rapidly and there are many variations of work. There are online training courses and certifications available if you want.

Bed and Breakfast Owner

When I think of a bread and breakfast I think of a beautiful Victorian home with incredible breakfast croissants and impeccable service. That certainly is a possibility, but another might be something much simpler. Do you have a spare room you could rent out for a few days a month and make some extra cash. If you live anywhere near a tourist area that may be a possibility.

Home Inspector

Do you have a background in building or construction? A Home Inspector business may be just right for you. Regulations and requirements may vary depending on your location so you need to do your research first. Then a little marketing to local realtors could get you started.

Online Business

There are many forms of online businesses being started today and many can be perfect for retirement. Some allow you to work from anywhere, which is perfect if you want to travel.

Freelance Writer

Did you always want to write? There is a need for all kinds of writers, from novels to all kinds of web content. New forms of publishing even allow you to publish your own books on Kindle and similar devices.

Senior Care

With all of us aging baby boomers there will be a need for all kinds of senior services. Just use your imagination and look at what are the needs.

Crafts

Those crafts that you never had enough time for can become your retirement business. Check out sites like Etsy.

Tutoring

If you are a retired teacher, or simply like to work with students you may want to start a tutoring business. Again do your research and check any applicable regulations.

Pet Sitting

We all love our pets and many people do not want to put their pets trough the stress of boarding at a kennel. Pet sitting can take different forms. Some sitters stay in the house of the owner. Others go over a few times a day to let out the pet and spend some time playing with them. The nice part about this business is that once owners get to know and trust you the business just keeps coming back, year after year.

House Sitting

This is another business where once customers get to know you the business just keeps coming back. It also can give you the opportunity to visit new places.

What are your business ideas?

The ideas above just scratch the surface. What will be your retirement business?

Until next time…