Seasonal Business Ideas and Opportunities

If you have dreamed ofstarting a small business, but are wary about making a 24/7/365 commitment to your venture, you do have other options. You can start a business on apart-time basis, for one. You can also start a business that only operatesduring part of the calendar year.If you're looking for a small business ideathat doesn'trequire a year-round commitment, consider these 11 seasonal business ideas.

1. Food Truck

In fair weather, afood truckis a great business to run. Visit business centers, public venues, and college campuses and offer a quick, convenient, and tasty meal to customers.

2. Outdoor Adventure Business

Summer is a great time to be in the outdoor adventure business. You can offer anything from guided hikes to white water rafting excursions and more.

3. Personal Trainer or Coach

From tennis coach to weight-loss personal trainer, motivate people to make fitness and nutrition a priority. When the weather turns cold, focus on marketing your business to the New Year's resolution crowd.

4. Lawn Care

If you like to be in the sun, you could start alawn care businessoffering mulching, mowing, and raking services from spring to fall. Take winters off, or switch to snow and ice removal in the off season.

5. Chimney Sweep

Homeowners with wood-burning fireplaces know it's important to have their chimneys swept for safety. Work through the fall and winter as a sweep and enjoy the downtime through spring and summer.

6. Professional Organizer

After a long winter, people are ready to clean and organize their spaces. As a professional organizer you can take advantage of the spring cleaning season.

7. Fireworks Retailer

Memorial Day to Labor Day is a great time to operate a business as a fireworks retailer.

8. Halloween Retailer

Although these types of business are only profitable a few weeks out of every year, you can lease space on a short-term basis build a successful business as a costume retailer.

9. Christmas Retailer

Lease space or sell holiday ornaments, gifts, and treats online and you can start a businesses that takes advantage of the busiest shopping season of the year.

10. Tour Guide

Lead tours of historical significance or take guests through haunted locations.

11. Tutor

Launch a business as a private tutor for elementary, middle school, and high school students and help them excel during the school year.