There are lots of winter business startups out there but most of them require a lot of capital to get off the ground. If you don’t have enough cash to invest into your new venture, then you should consider starting with a side hustle instead.
A side hustle is a low-cost way to test out a new idea without having to spend too much money. It’s also a good way to build up your savings while you work towards your main goal.
Ways to Make Extra Money During the Winter
With the holidays around the corner and winter settling in, many of us are looking for ways to make a little extra money. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Sell items you no longer need – Have a garage sale, sell items online, or take them to a consignment shop.
- Offer your services – Shovel snow, walk dogs, or run errands for your neighbors.
- Get a part-time job – Check with your local businesses to see if they are hiring seasonal help.
- Make and sell crafts – Get creative and make some extra money by selling your homemade goods.
- With a little effort, you can easily make some extra money this winter. So get started and earn some extra cash!
Read also: How to Start a Food Business on A Shoestring Budget?
The Best Winter Business Ideas:
Describing some of the lucrative ideas;
Snow Removal Service
Snow removal service is one of the most popular winter trade ideas. You can offer snow removal service to local businesses and homeowners. This is a very profitable business idea because you can charge anywhere from $50 to $100 per hour.
Ice Cream Shop
If you love ice cream so much, why don’t try this as your winter business? If you have an old home or commercial building, you can convert it into an ice cream shop. The only thing you need for this type of business is space and freezer equipment. All other things such as cups, spoons, etc. can be bought easily at any store.
Candle Making
Candle making has been around since ancient times. People used candles made out of wax during festivals and special occasions. And if you know how to make them, they will still remain relevant even today. Candles made of beeswax are more expensive than those made of soybean oil but people prefer buying them due to its fragrance. Oil lamps were also widely used especially by poor people who could not afford firewood on cold winters.
Today, candle making is becoming increasingly popular using electric heaters which makes it easier to do compared to earlier days.
Selling Firewood
If you live somewhere where summers are scorching hot, selling firewood might sound like a bad deal. However, if you live in places where winters are freezing cold, then you must definitely think about this winter business idea. Most houses use wood stoves to keep themselves warm throughout the year.
During the colder months, many households buy extra firewood to help their families stay warm. Therefore, if you own land near forests, you can always opt for this winter business idea.
Flower Arranging
Flower arranging is another seasonal activity that never goes out of fashion. Even though flower arrangement seems easy enough, there are certain techniques that you need to learn before getting started. For example, you need to choose flowers carefully based on what kind of mood you want to create.
Also, you need to arrange the flowers properly depending on the size of the vase. Moreover, you need to pay close attention to details including color combinations, texture, shape, and placement. You should also consider the seasonality of each particular plant because some plants look best in different seasons.
Read also: These 20 Oil and Gas Business Ideas Will Get You Started
Snow Sculpture Art
Snow sculpting is one of the most fun activities that kids enjoy doing. They get creative with snowballs and build amazing sculptures while having tons of fun. This winter business idea involves purchasing pre-cut shapes from local stores. Then, you melt the snow and pour it over these shapes.
Once everything hardens, you take your creations outside and display them proudly. If you have an artistic side, you can decorate your home or office space with these unique pieces.
Ice Carving
Ice carving is similar to ice sculpture except that instead of melting ice, you carve it. The process takes time and effort, so be prepared to spend hours upon hours working on perfecting your craft. When you’re ready to start making carvings, make sure that you purchase quality tools such as chisels, saws, drills, sandpaper, etc.
These will ensure that your work turns out well. Afterward, you can either place your artwork inside glass cases or simply set up a table outdoors and let people admire your handiwork.
Christmas Tree Farm
Growing Christmas trees may seem like a difficult task but once you know exactly what needs to be done, it’s actually quite simple. First off, you’ll need to select which type of tree you’d prefer growing. Next, you’ll need to prepare the soil by adding compost and manure. Finally, you’ll need to water the seedlings regularly until they sprout roots. From here, all you need to do is wait patiently for the little green shoots to grow into full sized trees.
Ornaments Sales
If you love creating beautiful handmade ornaments, then this might just be the right opportunity for you. There are many online websites selling premade ornaments however, if you would rather sell your own homemade ones, then you could easily turn this hobby into a profitable business venture.
Hot Beverage Stand
You’ve seen them everywhere, hot beverage stands at malls, airports, train stations, sporting events, concerts, festivals, parades, etc. People go crazy about flavored coffee drinks especially when it’s cold outside. So why not capitalize on this trend? By setting up a small stand near busy areas where lots of people gather, you can offer delicious beverages to warm yourself up. Of course, you must first determine whether starting a new business is something that you really desire.
Chimney Sweep Service
Chimneys play a huge role in keeping homes safe from fires. However, chimneys also collect creosote buildup overtime along with other debris. As a result, clogged chimneys often lead to serious problems including carbon monoxide poisoning, smoke damage, and costly repairs. To prevent this from happening, homeowners should hire professional chimney sweeps who specialize in cleaning chimneys every year.
Winterization Service
Winterizing houses means ensuring that everything inside stays cozy throughout the harsh weather conditions. This includes checking windows and doors to see if there are cracks or leaks, caulking around pipes, fixing broken lights, turning down thermostats, closing vents, covering air conditioners, clearing gutters, repairing roofs, and more. If you have experience doing home maintenance, consider offering your service to local businesses and individuals.
Winter Sports Equipment Rentals
Are you an avid skier or snowboarder? Do you enjoy spending time outdoors during the winter months? Then owning your very own set of ski/snowboarding gear such as boots, jackets, pants, helmets, goggles, gloves, poles, and so forth can definitely help you save money each season. Instead of buying these items outright, rent them instead! You can either buy individual pieces or get packages depending on your preference.
Furnace Repair Service
Furnaces are one of those things most people don’t think twice about having installed in their house. But unfortunately, furnaces aren’t always easy to maintain. They require regular inspections and routine tune-ups to ensure proper operation. In addition, some parts wear out over time and therefore will eventually need replacement.
For example, filters become dirty overtime and cause furnace issues. Also, heating elements may burn out after years of use. These are all reasons why hiring professionals to do furnace repair work is highly recommended.
Gift Basket Business
Gift baskets make great gifts for any occasion but they’re even better for holiday seasons like Christmas and Valentine’s Day. The best part is that gift basket making isn’t difficult, anyone can learn how to create beautiful gift baskets quickly and easily. All you’ll need is fresh ingredients, good quality containers, wrapping paper, ribbon, and a few basic tools. With just these materials, you can start creating unique gift baskets right away.
Skateboard Company
If you love skateboards then you know what a big deal it is to find someone willing to sell you one. It doesn’t matter if you want to ride it indoors or outdoors, you won’t be able to find anything close to what you’d expect to pay for a brand name board. That’s because many companies only produce cheap boards which lack durability. Fortunately, you can avoid this problem by selling custom made skateboards.
Quilt Trade Business
If you’ve ever sewn quilts before, then you already understand how much effort goes into crafting something that looks nice enough to hang up at somebody else’s place. Quilting has been popular since ancient times when women would sew clothing for themselves and their families. Today, however, men are taking advantage of the craft too. Men now offer quilted products ranging from pillows to bed sheets.
Read also: Profitable Accounting Business Ideas to Start
Conclusion
These winter business ideas are perfect for the entrepreneur who wants to start a business with low overhead and the potential for high profits. Whether you’re looking for a brick-and-mortar business or a seasonal business, these ideas will give you the inspiration you need to get started. With a little hard work and dedication, you can turn your winter business into a full-time, year-round business.
