In this article, we will be looking at 12 unique business ideas for students. Starting a business as a student at university can be very exciting and thrilling.
As students, we all know that maintaining oneself in school can be expensive, especially when it comes to paying school bills and being able to live a comfortable life.
So, how do you solve this problem? This is where your entrepreneurship skills and your business ideas set in. If you are a student with business skills, then this article is for you. The rise of the gig economy and recent advancement in technology has created more opportunities than ever for students to start up their businesses.
Now, whether it’s a full-time or part-time business, the business world has got you covered. Before we delve into the topic of today, here are some of the reasons why it is important to start a business as a student:
(i) It is an easy way to earn extra money. As students, extra cash goes a long way in making us happy in school. We get to save more, spend more, and have fun with our friends without the fear of being broke. Furthermore, if you are in the category of students using student loans, you can begin to offset your loans gradually.
(ii) It allows learning a new skill. As an entrepreneur, these skills will help you to perform maximally in your business and can provide super value for you in your post-uni career.
(iii) You can build your way into the professional world by connecting with other entrepreneurs, meeting individuals, and building a network that could help you post-uni.
(iv) Your business could be a bulk of your resume. As a business entrepreneur, you already have the experience, skills, and knowledge of certain types of businesses. All of these go a long way to making your resume more outstanding.
(v) As a boss of your own, you get to set your schedule to focus on other things, such as academics.
The List of 12 Unique Business Ideas for Students
Now we know the benefits of starting a business, let’s explore some unique business ideas:
1. Freelancing writing
Freelance writing is one of the most popular and unique business ideas for students. To be a freelance writer, you must be a good and creative writer. You can further develop your writing skills by taking advanced writing classes. You can also incorporate editing and proofreading to increase your income.
Secondly, register on freelance platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Indeed. Note: Registration on this platform is 100% free.
You can advertise your services on social media platforms such as Twitter, Medium, WhatsApp, and Facebook to gain more clients. It is important to know that this job requires a lot of time, patience, hard work, and dedication. So don’t be in a rush.
2. Podcast
Starting a podcast is one of the unique business ideas for students in 2023. This business started trending during the covid era. What makes this business unique is that there are plenty of topics and ideas and many yet undiscovered ones.
Furthermore, the competition is very low, making it a great business idea. With consistency, dedication, and good content, you would attract plenty of listeners and watch your audience grow.
Over time, brands, and companies can partner with you to showcase their products and services. This way you can generate revenue and monetize your channel.
All you need is a mic and a phone to record.
3. Social Media Content Creator
Everyone knows that social media is one of the best ways to advertise and promote products and services as it attracts more customers. Being a social media content creator is one of the unique business ideas for students.
As a social media content creator, you create content for a client’s social media platforms. You can also advertise for brands, companies and help promote their goods and services. All it requires is a good command of English, a good accent, and creative writing skills. You should have a vast knowledge of how to handle social media and social media techniques.
You can sharpen your skills by following and studying other content creators, especially the successful ones, and learn a thing or two from them.
Although the ground is saturated, there is always room for people who want to stand out among the competition.
4. Photography
This is a unique business idea for students, especially if you have great photography skills. Photography is now more in demand than ever before due to advances in technology and most businesses are now online.
Photography is a broad business, you can either be a food photographer for restaurants, food blogs, food critics, or a chef. You can also be a nature photographer that captures nature and animals in their habitat.
Other services you can offer include graduation, matriculation, birthday, weddings, proposals, business functions, family, or even product shoots at affordable prices. All you need is a good camera and a studio.
5. Car Pooling
This is a unique business idea for students looking to earn extra money. This involves creating a mobile app for individuals or travelers going in the same direction for carpooling and cost-sharing.
Spread the word about what you do with your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues through word of mouth, or you could take an extra step by advertising and social media to gain more customers.
6. Mobile App Developer
This is a unique business idea for students, especially if you have a high level of programming and tech skills. The invention of mobile apps has been of immense benefit to everyone, including students, as it contributes a greater percentage of learning.
The first as a mobile app developer is to identify the purpose and goals of your app. Secondly, your target audience and what your app aims to solve. Once that is settled, the other things you
need to depend on the kind of application, the platform (IOS, android or both), and your level of programming skills.
To keep your app trending and afloat, you should always update your app and fix the bugs. This will improve functionality and productivity.
7. Resume and Cover Letter Writing
One of the unique business ideas for students to earn money is by writing cover letters and resumes for people. This is a great idea, especially if you are good at it. A good resume allows job applicants to stand out from the competition and increases their chances of getting their dream job.
You can also create a cover letter that shows up the best of your client’s work and help them get their dream job. You can spread your services by word of mouth or via platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
8. Selling Handmade Goods /Crafts
Selling handmade crafts or goods is a business that has been existing for a long time. What makes it a unique business idea for students is the creativity. From handmade scented candles, bags, shoes, plants, fans, decorations, jewelry, hats, and so on.
You can advertise your craft via social media platforms and by word of mouth to your friends, family neighbors, and colleagues.
9. Language Tutoring Service
If you are excellent in a particular language or languages you can start an online tutoring class for your fellow students and junior colleagues. You can offer one-on-one sessions or group sessions.
All you need is a good phone or a laptop and a good Wi-Fi or internet connection. You can also develop a mobile app that will help students to learn from any part of the world. You can increase your student base by advertising your services on social media platforms and joining online teaching platforms.
10. Smartphone Repair
Smartphone repair is a unique business idea for students. With the increasing usage of smartphones, starting a smartphone repair is very lucrative. First, you must be excellent at fixing common phone issues such as cracked screens, battery replacement, hardware issues, and software troubleshooting.
All you need are your repair tools and constant electricity. You can advertise your services to your friends, family, neighbors, and on social media platforms.
11. Personalized Gift Baskets/ Curated Gift Baskets
We all love receiving and giving gifts, who doesn’t? Whatever the occasion is, there is always an appropriate gift to give. A personalized gift basket is one of the sweet and thoughtful ways people use to surprise their loved ones.
As a student, this is a unique business idea for you. You can create two types of gift baskets, a personal gift basket for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays or a corporate gift basket.
First, you should create a website that showcases your products and prices so that clients can choose what they want in their gift baskets. You can also offer customization of certain products such as t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, or accessories to make your customers more thrilled. Advertise the website through paid ads or via social media.
12. Plant Rental Service
This is a unique business idea for students to rent out natural plants to homes, offices, business organizations, schools and social gatherings. Most people appreciate the aesthetics and the health benefits of having plants in their spaces but do not know how to maintain them or have the time to maintain them properly.
As part of your duty besides renting out the plants you would be in charge of maintenance. This involves watering and pruning them regularly. Plants such as orchards, ivy, palms, and dracaena are some examples of plants that can be used for this service.
Conclusion
There are limitless opportunities available for every student. All you should do is discover what you like and are passionate about. If you can dream it, then you can do it.