19 Business Ideas For Stay At Home Moms [2024]
Being a stay-at-home mom is a full-time job in itself, but you could also explore new ways to contribute financially to your household. With the rise of flexible business models and online opportunities, there's never been a better time to consider starting a business from home. Whether you have a skill you want to monetize or an interest you'd like to develop, there are plenty of paths to explore.
You could turn your knack for crafts into an Etsy shop, offering handmade goods to a broad audience. If you prefer something more digital, consider starting an online consulting service in a field you're experienced in. The beauty of these ideas is that they allow you to work around your parenting schedule while still connecting with a wider market.
Many moms have found success by sharing their journeys through blogging or vlogging, generating income through sponsorships and ads. You might also think about diving into the world of e-commerce, where you can sell products without having to leave your home. The options are vast and varied, making it easier to find something that fits your lifestyle and interests.
For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other stay at home mom businesses to help you see what it takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog can be an excellent way for stay-at-home moms to engage with a passionate online community by sharing expertise on a specific topic. The first step is identifying a profitable and underserved niche, whether it's fashion, cooking, or any other interest you have. Once you've found your niche, you could create unique and informative content such as articles, how-to guides, or video interviews to attract readers and followers.
To monetize, you could gain visibility and followers to provide affiliate links, collaborate with brands, and even grow a YouTube channel. By consistently creating engaging content and regularly interacting with your community, you could turn your blog into a profitable business venture with low upfront costs.
Why start a niche blog?
- You could work flexibly around your family's schedule, making it ideal for stay-at-home moms.
- You have the opportunity to turn a personal passion into a source of income through various monetization strategies.
- Building a community around your blog provides both social interaction and professional growth, enabling you to connect with like-minded individuals.
For more detailed insights, check out our success stories of niche blogs.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
2. Start a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)
Starting a subscription box business can be an excellent way for stay-at-home moms to supplement their income and create a profitable side hustle. By offering a curated set of niche products on a monthly basis, you can tap into a growing market that values exclusive offerings and personalized customer service. Additionally, a subscription box business can be managed alongside family responsibilities, as much of the work can be done from home and on a flexible schedule.
Why start a subscription box business?
- You could turn your passion or hobby into a lucrative business by curating products that resonate with your niche market.
- You could achieve a steady revenue stream with recurring monthly subscriptions, offering financial stability.
- This business model allows for substantial creativity and personal touch, making it highly engaging and fulfilling.
For additional insights and resources, you can check out subscription box business success stories here.
How much you can make: $400 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.
3. Start a dropshipping business ($414K/month)
Starting a dropshipping business can be a flexible and rewarding way for you, as a stay-at-home mom, to supplement your income or build a full-fledged business. With no need to manage inventory or handle shipping logistics, dropshipping allows you to focus on marketing and customer service. By selecting a niche and using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce, you could easily set up your online store and begin selling a variety of products from reliable suppliers on AliExpress.
Why consider starting a dropshipping business?
- Minimal upfront costs. You don't need to invest in inventory, significantly lowering your initial investment.
- Flexible working hours. Manage your business on your schedule, allowing you to balance family responsibilities.
- Scalability. As your business grows, you can easily expand your product range without worrying about stocking additional inventory.
For a closer look at how to make dropshipping profitable, visit Starter Story here.
How much you can make: $6,000 — $3,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $8,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week
Entrepreneur Kamil Sattar has developed multiple six-figure drop shipping businesses, and his company, e-commerce mentoring, specializes in helping others create their own successful companies, with favorite platforms including using Shopify and apps such as Loox reviews and SMSBump.
4. Start an online course sales business ($85K/month)
Starting an online course sales business is a perfect fit for Stay at home moms seeking to supplement their income or venture into a side business. You could leverage your skills and knowledge in areas like cooking, coding, or crafts to create courses that cater to a specific target audience. With the booming e-learning market, projected to be worth over $645 Billion in the coming years, there's immense potential to generate passive income with your valuable expertise.
Why start an online course sales business?
- Flexibility in schedule allows you to work around family commitments.
- Minimal startup costs enable you to begin without a significant financial burden.
- The market demand for e-learning is growing, providing ample opportunity to reach a broad audience.
For more insights and tips, you can explore various success stories of those who have started online course businesses.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
5. Start a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be an excellent way for you to supplement your income or even build a full-fledged business as a stay-at-home mom. With a knack for creating compelling video content, you could share your expertise, passions, or hobbies on a versatile platform that offers endless opportunities. Whether it's how-to guides, educational content, or vlogs, you could potentially earn revenue through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise.
Building a successful YouTube channel does require effort—planning content, shooting and editing videos, and engaging with your audience regularly. However, if you’re dedicated and consistent, the financial and personal rewards can be significant. For more insights on starting a YouTube channel, visit Starter Story.
Why starting a YouTube channel?
- You could work on your own schedule, allowing flexibility around your family's needs.
- You could turn your passions and hobbies into an income stream, making money doing what you love.
- You could build a community of followers who value your expertise, providing both personal fulfillment and potential for growth.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
6. Start an ecommerce reselling business ($83.3K/month)
Starting an ecommerce reselling business as a Stay at home mom could be a rewarding way to supplement your income and make extra money. By purchasing goods for resale rather than consumption, you could launch an online business relatively easily without worrying about production costs. You don't even need a website immediately; you could effectively begin by leveraging social media platforms and then expand into a full-fledged e-commerce site as your business grows.
For more information on starting an ecommerce reselling business, check out these success stories.
Why consider an ecommerce reselling business?
- Low startup costs: You could begin selling on social media platforms, saving money until you're ready to scale up.
- Flexibility: Running an ecommerce reselling business offers the freedom to work around your schedule, making it ideal for Stay at home moms.
- Profit potential: Since you're not producing goods, your risks are minimized, and your profit margins could be higher.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $150,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,999 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Empyre Off-Road, an e-commerce business founded by Greg Shuey which sells aftermarket parts for Toyota Tacomas, Tundras, and 4Runners, generated approximately $100,000 a month in revenue and was able to expand its product offering, focusing on content marketing, email marketing campaigns, and organic social media to attract and retain customers.
7. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be an excellent business opportunity for a stay-at-home mom looking to supplement her income or start a side hustle. With minimal upfront costs, such as purchasing a microphone and headphones, and the flexibility to record episodes during downtime, podcasting presents a viable way to balance work and family life. Choosing a niche you are passionate about can make the process enjoyable, and there is always the potential to attract sponsors or advertisers as your audience grows.
Why consider starting a podcast?
- Flexibility: Record episodes at your own pace, even during nap times.
- Minimal startup costs: Basic recording equipment and free or low-cost hosting platforms are all you need.
- Monetization: As your audience grows, you could attract sponsors or advertisers, creating additional income streams.
For more information on how to get started, check out podcast success stories on Starter Story.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
8. Start a niche website ($107K/month)
Thinking about ways to supplement your income, make extra money, or even start a side business as a stay-at-home mom? Building a niche website could be the perfect solution. A niche website focuses on a specialized topic you’re passionate about, offering targeted content and products to a dedicated audience. This venture allows you to exercise creative freedom while potentially generating income through affiliate marketing, ad placements, or selling digital products.
Why start a niche website?
- Flexible working hours allow you to balance family and work life seamlessly.
- Low startup costs make it an attractive option without the need for substantial upfront investment.
- Once established, it can provide a steady stream of passive income, freeing up more time for your family.
Looking for inspiration? Explore success stories of niche website entrepreneurs on Starter Story to see how others have grown their businesses.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
9. Start an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketing business makes great sense for a stay-at-home mom looking to supplement her income. This flexible and low-cost venture allows you to earn passive income by promoting products and services you already use and love. By strategically selecting high-demand products and leveraging your online presence, you could build a steady revenue stream without ever leaving the comfort of your home.
To get started, you can explore successful affiliate marketing strategies and learn how to partner with reputable brands by visiting resources like this guide on affiliate marketing business profitability.
Why consider an affiliate marketing business?
- You can work around your own schedule, allowing for a perfect work-life balance while tending to your family.
- It requires a relatively small initial investment, primarily focused on time and learning.
- This business has the potential for a steady passive income, making it an efficient way to supplement household earnings.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
10. Create a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
Turning your brilliant idea into a mobile app can be an excellent way to supplement your income as a stay-at-home mom. Developing a mobile app involves creating a software application that runs on smartphones and tablets, and you can either learn basic coding or hire a skilled developer to bring your vision to life. From productivity tools to gaming, mobile apps cater to various user needs, making them a versatile business opportunity.
Starting a mobile app business requires careful planning, including designing engaging user interfaces and thoroughly testing for functionality and bugs. Effectively marketing your app is crucial to attract users and achieve downloads. With mobile apps being a significant part of everyday life, there's immense potential for your app to solve a problem or entertain millions.
Why create a mobile app?
- Flexible work schedule: You could work on developing your app during nap times or school hours, fitting the business around your family's needs.
- Scalable income: Once launched, your app could generate substantial revenue through downloads, in-app purchases, or subscriptions.
- Creative outlet: If you enjoy problem-solving and innovation, app development can be both a challenging and rewarding endeavor.
For more insights on starting a mobile app business, check out some success stories from other moms who have made it work here.
How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.
11. Start a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
Starting a stock photography business is a fantastic way for stay-at-home moms to supplement their income while leveraging their creativity. By investing in good photography gear and learning the necessary techniques, you could build an impressive portfolio and earn passive income from the comfort of your home. An excellent online presence is key, allowing you to quickly sell your high-quality photos to businesses looking for marketing and advertising resources.
Why consider a stock photography business?
- Flexible work allows you to balance family time with your side business.
- High-quality stock photos are in demand, making it a lucrative opportunity to earn passive income.
- You can turn your passion for photography into a profitable venture while working from home—explore more related success stories at Starter Story.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.
12. Start a health and wellness app ($108K/month)
Starting a health and wellness app makes sense as a Stay at home mom because it allows you to combine your passion for health and technology with the flexibility of working from home. With a growing awareness about fitness and mental well-being, there's a rising demand for personalized digital solutions. By creating an app that offers customized fitness routines, nutrition plans, and mental well-being exercises, you could provide a one-stop solution for users looking to improve their overall health—something that can positively impact many lives.
If you're entrepreneurially minded and eager to start this venture, you'll need to dive into market research, collaborate with health experts, and employ effective marketing strategies. The potential to tap into a growing market and truly make a difference in people's daily lives makes this a rewarding business opportunity. For more insights and real-world examples, you can explore success stories on Starter Story.
Why start a health and wellness app? - You could create a flexible business that fits around your family schedule, allowing you to maintain a work-life balance. - There is a tremendous demand for health and wellness solutions, offering a lucrative market with plenty of growth opportunities. - You could make a meaningful impact on people's lives by helping them achieve their health and wellness goals.
How much you can make: $600 — $300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)
Founder and CEO of SelfDecode, Joe Cohen, explains how his company helps people discover personalized diet, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations based on DNA and lab tests; generating about $2.7 million in revenue over the past year and raising $8 million in a crowdfunding campaign, SelfDecode provides personalized health recommendations prioritized on unique genetic variants, marking the future of healthcare.
13. Start a stock investing business ($30.3K/month)
Navigating the world of stock investing can be a lucrative venture if you’ve got a knack for financial markets. A stock investing business revolves around buying and selling stocks to generate profit. It’s all about analyzing market trends, making informed decisions, and executing trades with precision.
For entrepreneurial stay-at-home moms, starting a stock investing business offers flexibility and the potential for high returns. By dedicating time to learning and understanding market intricacies, you could turn your passion for finance into a profitable business venture. Explore how other stay-at-home moms have found success with stock investing by visiting Starter Story.
Why start a stock investing business?
- You can work on your own schedule, trading at times that fit into your daily routine as a stay-at-home mom.
- The initial investment can be tailored to your budget, allowing you to start small and grow as you gain confidence and experience.
- Educational resources and online trading platforms make it easier than ever to get started and hone your skills from the comfort of your home.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $160,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Ticker Nerd is a monthly subscription service for investors that surfaces and analyzes trending stocks before the hype train arrives, and now has $4.5k in monthly recurring revenue from its newsletter without spending a single dollar on advertising, having validated the business via subreddits and organic Product Hunt launch strategy.
14. Start a jewelry rental business
Starting a jewelry rental business can be an excellent opportunity for a stay-at-home mom to supplement her income or even build a full-fledged business. With the popularity of sustainable and affordable luxury growing, there is a market of consumers who prefer renting over buying expensive jewelry for special occasions. Managing a jewelry rental service from home allows you to utilize your organizational and customer service skills, without compromising on family time.
To explore more about how to get started, check out this complete guide on the startup costs of a jewelry rental business.
Why starting a jewelry rental business?
- Flexible Work Hours: You could manage rentals, interact with clients, and handle inventory from the comfort of your home, fitting it around your family schedule.
- Low Initial Investment: You don't need a massive upfront investment; start small with a modest collection and scale up as you grow.
- Lucrative Market Demand: With more people preferring to rent jewelry for events rather than purchasing it, there's a substantial market ready to be tapped into.
15. Start a social media automation business ($139K/month)
Imagine managing multiple social media accounts effortlessly while driving engagement and growth. That’s the essence of a social media automation business. In simple terms, this involves creating tools and services to schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data across various platforms. Your clients—from small businesses to influencers—could pay you to save them time and enhance their social media presence.
With the burgeoning need for consistent and strategic social media engagement, there’s a significant demand for automation. The real work involves developing or integrating software solutions, staying updated on social media trends, and building relationships with clients to tailor services to their needs. For those with a knack for technology and marketing, starting a social media automation business can be both a lucrative and fulfilling endeavor. You can read more about starting a social media automation business at Starter Story.
Why starting a social media automation business?
- There is a growing demand for businesses and influencers to maintain an active social media presence.
- You could work with flexible hours, allowing you to balance family time and career aspirations.
- This business leverages existing skills in technology and marketing, making it a natural fit for entrepreneurial moms.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)
MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.
16. Start an email marketing tool ($992K/month)
As a stay-at-home mom, starting an email marketing tool business could be an excellent way to supplement your income while leveraging your organizational and creative skills. Email marketing is one of the most effective channels for reaching customers, driving sales, and building a loyal subscriber base. With the email marketing industry projected to reach $2.53 billion by 2028, the potential for growth and profit is substantial.
Why consider starting an email marketing tool?
- Flexible schedule: You could work on your email marketing tool business during nap times or after bedtime, allowing you to balance entrepreneurship with family life.
- High demand: Email marketing tools are consistently sought after by businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups, providing a steady market for your product.
- Low startup costs: Initial setup involves basic investments like a domain and hosting, making it accessible for stay-at-home moms looking to start a business. For more information, visit Starter Story's email marketing tool tips.
How much you can make: $120 — $20,833,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.
17. Start an antique camper van boutique business
Starting an antique camper van boutique business could be a creative and flexible way for a stay-at-home mom to supplement her income. By transforming a vintage camper into a mobile shop, you could sell unique items like handmade crafts, vintage clothing, or artisanal goods, all while setting your own schedule and traveling to various markets and events. This allows you to balance the demands of parenthood with an entrepreneurial venture that can grow alongside your family.
Why consider an antique camper van boutique business?
- Flexibility to work around your family's schedule, setting your own hours and choosing when and where to open your boutique.
- Minimal overhead compared to a traditional brick-and-mortar store, making it a cost-effective way to start a business.
- Opportunity to showcase and sell unique, curated products, bringing a personalized shopping experience directly to your customers.
For more detailed insights, you could read about the pros and cons of starting an antique camper van boutique business.
18. Start a hunting space business
Starting a hunting space business could offer a unique and lucrative opportunity for you as a Stay at home mom. From leasing space-related properties to organizing space tourism expeditions, you could tap into a burgeoning market driven by increasing interest in space exploration. Despite the complexity, the long-term rewards and groundbreaking potential make it an enticing option for entrepreneurial minds.
Why consider a hunting space business?
- You could capitalize on the swiftly growing space industry, which is attracting major investments from private companies and governments.
- Operating from home, you could manage strategic partnerships and navigate regulations efficiently through virtual meetings and digital tools.
- The chance to be a part of the "Space Rush" opens doors to innovation and high returns, offering a mix of excitement and financial benefits for forward-thinking entrepreneurs.
For more insights and practical advice, check out Starter Story’s hunting space business success stories.
How much you can make: $2,000/month
How long does it take to build: 270 days (?)
Silent Pursuit is a hunting industry startup that sells deer stalking/hunting moccasins designed to reduce noise and increase comfort while hunting, with a successful launch that brought in around $2k per month, and plans to expand their product line and improve online sales with efficient marketing on Facebook and Google.
19. Start an architecture firm
Starting an architecture firm from home can be a great way for a stay-at-home mom to leverage her professional skills while maintaining the flexibility needed for family life. As an architect, you could offer services like designing, project management, and feasibility studies, which could be managed effectively from a home office. By identifying a niche market and creating a robust business plan, you could distinguish yourself and attract clients with unique needs.
Why starting an architecture firm?
- Leverage your expertise: You can utilize your professional architectural skills and education to build a clientele and create innovative designs.
- Flexibility: Running your own firm allows you to manage your schedule and work on projects during hours that suit your family commitments.
- Growing market: There's always a demand for specialized architectural services, providing opportunities for steady income and business growth.
Consider checking out ideas for your architecture firm's online presence at Starter Story to get inspired and start planning your business strategy.
How much you can make: $63,500/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Founder, Dustin Feider, shares how he started O2 Treehouse Commercial, a custom-built treehouse business generating $63K/month, which has been featured in over 85 publications and has a two-year backlog of projects waiting, along with the launch of Treewalkers, a treehouse hospitality franchise seeking to reconnect people with nature on a larger scale through a crowdfunding equity campaign via StartEngine.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
