25 businesses to start in 2025

Could 2025 be the year you take the first step towards starting your own business?

There could be several reasons why you are thinking about launching your own start-up next year.

Perhaps you’d like more financial freedom, to be your own boss, to have more flexibility, or to have a career challenge.

Businesses can often be born out of passions, hobbies, or past experience, so finding the right start-up idea might be easier than you expect.

Whether you’re planning to start your own business or exploring the idea of a side hustle while you continue with an existing job, read on.

Our list of 25 ideas for new businesses in 2025 could just inspire you to take the first step.

Read our guide on how to juggle your current job and a start-up.

1. Home or office organisation services

Many studies have shown that our environment can positively or negatively impact our mental health and affect our ability to get tasks done.

So, it’s no surprise that businesses offering decluttering and organisation services have become increasingly popular over the years.

This can be a rewarding start-up choice if you have good organisational skills and enjoy helping others.

You could offer specialised services for homes, offices, or even trade workshops.

You can promote your business on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to showcase your work with ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos to showcase the transformations you have worked on. 

You can also build a following with decluttering and organisational tips.

Download our free social media toolkit.

2. Mobile app development

With the UK app market predicted to grow over the next few years, now could be the time to develop your own app.

You could choose from a wide range of different niches depending on your expertise and interests.

For example, you might wish to create an educational app for children, an app focused on health and fitness for a certain market, or a travel app for solo travellers.

If you lack the necessary skills and experience to develop an app yourself, consider partnering with a developer to bring your idea to life.

Together, you can build a professional portfolio and market your app across websites and social media platforms.

3. AI consultancy

With the number of UK businesses using at least one AI tool expected to significantly increase, so too could the need for AI support and training.

An AI consultancy business provides support and training to employees to help them use these tools correctly and maximise their efficiency.

This type of start-up may be increasingly in demand as AI becomes more integral to everyday business operations.

4. Personal chef

Starting a personal chef business offers professional chefs, recipe developers, or foodies the opportunity to turn their passion into a profitable business.

As a personal chef, you prepare meals in clients’ homes, creating dishes that cater to specific tastes and needs.

You might also consider partnering up with a nutritionist or dietician to provide your clients with balanced and bespoke options to help them reach their health or weight-loss goals.

5. Website design and development

Nearly every business or organisation has a website – it’s an invaluable brand, marketing, and lead-generation tool.

However, building the perfect site for your brand can be time-consuming and require specific skills and resources.

If you have the right skills, starting a web design and web development business could cater to this core need.

You’ll need previous experience and knowledge of specific software, an eye for detail, and good design and organisational skills.

Read our guide to 6 ways to make your website more effective.

6. Event management

Managing events can be incredibly stressful for individuals and businesses, with many moving parts to organise.

An events management business could be a satisfying start-up option for budding entrepreneurs who are highly organised and work well under pressure.

The events industry is hugely diverse and you could pick a niche that suits your expertise, from smaller, private celebrations to office parties or business seminars.

Initial start-up costs might include marketing, networking and a bespoke website that acts as an online portfolio and contact form for potential clients.

7. Online tutoring

If you don’t have the space or ability to start an in-person tutoring business, why not take the learning online?

Tutoring services can range from supporting students throughout the school year or during exam times, to helping adults learn new languages or understand how to use software.

To instil trust in your customers, you may need to have a relevant degree or teaching experience in your particular subject.

Learn more with our guide to how to start a tutoring business.

8. Pet grooming

In 2023, the UK pet care industry was worth £8.2 billion.

If you love cats and dogs, and have experience in grooming them, a pet grooming service could be a suitable option for you.

Your business could be either mobile or operated from a shop, depending on your budget and target market.

This type of start-up could be a good match for budding entrepreneurs with excellent people and customer service skills, and an eye for detail.

9. Virtual assistance

Time is a valuable resource that most businesses can’t afford to waste, so providing virtual assistant (VA) services could be a smart business idea if you want to become your own boss.

Virtual assistant duties can include administration, customer services, personal assistance, marketing support, and technical assistance.

You might offer a broad range of services or specialise in a particular niche, depending on your experience.

This type of start-up could suit someone who is organised, flexible, and good at multitasking.

Read our guide on how to become a virtual assistant.

10. Organic or natural beauty products

Sales of organic health and beauty products reached £136 million by the beginning of 2024 – and the industry is predicted to grow further.

If you enjoy creating your own products or have experience in the industry, you might consider launching a start-up producing natural and/or organic beauty products such as skincare, make-up, haircare, or fragrances.

Starting a beauty business could be an ideal option for those who want to combine their passion with financial independence.

11. Travel planning

If you have a passion for travel and past experience in the industry, or you have strong planning and organisational skills, you might consider a travel planning business.

You could design personalised trips and itineraries tailored to families, corporate clients, or solo travellers.

Specialising in niche markets, such as eco-friendly tourism or foodie city breaks, can help you stand out from the competition.

As your travel planning business grows, you could negotiate collaborations with related businesses, such as airlines, hotels, and tour operators.

This way, you could offer more bespoke packages while earning commission on bookings.

12. Home repairs

If you love working with your hands, solving problems and fixing items, why not use your skills to help others?

Home repairs can include everything from hanging doors and cleaning gutters to more technical tasks, such as plumbing and electrics.

Alternatively, if you don’t wish to carry out the work yourself, you might decide to manage a team of home repair experts.

Build success in your local area first with a network of happy customers.

Then, you could branch out to offer your services further afield.

Find out more with our guide: Starting a handyman business: what do you need to know?

13. Social media management

Running social media accounts requires expertise, time, and resources, and many businesses lack the capacity to do this successfully.

If you have experience in social media management, starting a business offering your services to clients could be a lucrative idea.

You could provide essential marketing services to businesses, develop social media strategies, create content, and manage online communities.

You could tailor your services to meet the specific needs of each client as you help them enhance their online presence.

Read about how to make social media work for small businesses.

14. Interior design

As an interior designer, you could offer in-person or virtual consultations depending on your client’s needs and location.

An interior design start-up could serve a wide range of customers, including businesses and private clients.

Your business could cover commercial spaces, such as hotels, restaurants, and cafés, as well as homes and offices.

Previous experience and qualifications in the interior design industry is useful for encouraging client trust in your start-up.

You could also showcase your passion and skill with a bespoke website featuring photos and videos of your past work, and an idea of pricing.

Find out how to create a website for your business.

15. Mobile coffee shop

In 2024, coffee was the UK’s most consumed drink, so why not jump on the bandwagon and serve people a cup of quality joe while they’re on the go?

A mobile coffee van means you could move to wherever your clients are, including local parks, shopping areas, corporate events, or festivals.

This could be a smart start-up for entrepreneurs who have a passion for coffee and meeting new people.

With the added flexibility of a mobile business, you could avoid the heavy overhead costs associated with cafés and coffee bars.

16. Yoga instruction

Yoga has become an increasingly popular fitness trend in the UK, and the growing awareness of health and wellness among consumers could be driving this interest.

The rise of online yoga courses has also made yoga accessible to more people who like to exercise at home.

With a yoga class start-up, you could scale your services up or down based on demand.

You might teach both groups and individual clients, and with in-studio or at-home instruction.

You could start an online Yoga school, sell courses or run a Yoga YouTube channel.

If you don’t have the relevant skills and experience to teach classes yourself, you could manage a group of instructors.

17. Construction business

With the construction industry predicted to grow by 7% in 2025 and new laws in place to speed up the planning system, it could be a good time to launch your own construction start-up.

If you’d like to run a construction business, you would have a range of options to choose from.

Depending on your skills and experience, you may wish to focus on residential, commercial, or infrastructure projects – or a combination of these.

18. Subscription box services

Starting a subscription box service may be a good idea if you’re a creative entrepreneur with a knack for identifying niche markets and trends.

You can curate and deliver any type of themed subscription boxes – from gourmet snacks and craft supplies to wellness products.

In the early days, this type of business could be run from home.

To make it a reality, you’ll need to research your target audience, source unique products, design appealing packaging, and establish an online sales platform.

Effective marketing and consistent quality are key to building and retaining a subscriber base.

19. Freelance illustration

If you’re a talented illustrator, you could consider turning your skills into a business and becoming your own boss.

You might offer your services to a wide range of businesses, including publishers, retail businesses, or advertising agencies.

You could also sell illustrations as artwork for private clients, take commissions, or personalise your designs.

20. Custom candle making

With a growing demand for personalised and artisanal products, creating and selling handcrafted candles can be a promising business idea.

This business can be run from home with a small initial investment in materials.

Success depends on creativity, quality ingredients, and effective marketing.

Offering distinctive scents, eco-friendly options, or themed designs can help you carve out a niche in the market.

21. Video editing

With high-quality digital content in demand, starting a video editing business could be a good choice for someone with the right skills and experience.

You could offer various services, such as promotional videos, social media content, and event footage editing.

Consider marketing your services to content agencies, YouTubers, event planners, and online educators who are looking to engage their audiences with compelling videos.

22. Care agency

Starting a home care agency could allow you to run a rewarding new business while meeting the increasing need for adult social care.

As the ageing population increases and puts more of a strain on public services, there may be a demand for care services in your area.

Having previous experience in the care or medical field would be extremely useful.

Alternatively, you may prefer to stay on the administrative side of the business.

Find out everything you need to know about how to start a home care agency, from start-up costs to the necessary qualifications and insurance.

23. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing involves earning a commission from promoting other business’s products and services.

To run an affiliate marketing business, you would benefit from expertise in online marketing strategies and analytics, and the ability to identify profitable niches.

Launching this type of start-up could require very little start-up costs and might have the potential to grow easily while offering flexible work.

Read our full guide on how to start an affiliate marketing business.

24. Pet sitting

Being paid to look after people’s pets might be considered a dream job for an animal lover who wants to run their own business.

Pet sitting could be a flexible and rewarding start-up option that could easily scale up depending on demand.

You could begin at a local level and potentially grow into a multi-community enterprise with numerous pet sitters working for you.

You might also consider offering additional services, such as grooming or training.

A pet care certification and insurance (such as Public Liability Insurance and Professional Indemnity Insurance) could instil trust in potential clients who entrust your business with their pets.

25. Heat pump installation

With the growing demand for renewable energy solutions, starting an air source heat pump installation business can be a good idea.

You’ll need the necessary plumbing and heating skills and qualifications. A comprehensive knowledge of air source heat pump systems, including installation, maintenance and troubleshooting, is essential, too.

To help promote and grow your business, you can consider using digital marketing, word-of-mouth referrals and partnerships with builders or architects.

Read our guide on ten reasons to start your own business.