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Starting a family-run business can be both lucrative and rewarding. Get inspired with this list of the 50 best family business ideas you can start today.
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Starting a family business can provide a certain amount of stability not present when opening a business as a lone wolf. Your family members are the people you go to when things get rough—making them ideal business partners.
Your family also knows you better than anyone. They know where your strengths and weaknesses lie, and vice versa, which can make for a well-rounded team. The best family business ideas leverage the talents and interests of the family members involved.
If you know you want to work with your family, but you’re not sure what type of company to start, consult this list of fun family business ideas, from local businesses to online stores, to get inspired and start building your own business close to home.
Do green thumbs run in the family? Start a family-owned business that plants, raises, and sells everything from cherry tomato starts to rare variegated monsteras.
Perfect Plants is a shining example of how you can turn this family business idea into a lucrative company. The plant nursery, which was started by the current owners’ father back in 1980, has an About Us page on its website sharing the company’s (and the family’s) history.
Pets need food, water, and exercise, but they also can benefit from massage, custom diets, and even therapy. Differentiate yourself in the marketplace by adding boutique services to your dog walking or pet sitting business.
The US faces a major shortage of child care providers. Open your home (or rent a local community space) and provide day care or in-home babysitting services.
Turn your passion for rearranging furniture into a family business by helping clients select and implement design schemes in homes and offices.
HÁM Interiors, for example, is a family-run interior design company operated by different family members, including a husband, wife, son, and daughter.
Got an entire family of showboaters? Monetize their talents with a family-owned singing telegram business—and don’t forget to involve the kids.
Have experience and insight into the stressful college admissions process? Whether you’re the student or the parent, many families are willing to pay for help navigating financial aid forms, selecting target schools, and studying for standardized tests. You can also help prep admissions materials, making college consulting a great family business idea.
If you’re interested in starting a family business, consider launching a skin care line. Some skin conditions are hereditary, so there’s a chance that your family members will experience the same problems you want to solve with your own products.
For example, take Fresh Heritage—a skin care brand founded by siblings after a vacation to Morocco made them aware of different men’s grooming habits.
Are your family members avid anglers? Expert rock climbers? Schools, businesses, and social groups often look for immersive outings to boost morale and encourage teamwork.
Your lawyer cousin can research legal and regulatory requirements, and your Gen Z niece can help you select platforms for social media marketing and create content to promote your business.
Many flower shops and farmers market vendors sell loose stems. Leverage your floral design talents and arrange and deliver custom bouquets through your own online store.
If you love antique hunting, starting an antique or vintage clothing resale business can monetize that passion. Involve the entire family by delegating tasks such as restoring furniture, posting products to your ecommerce store, looking for goods at yard and estate sales, and running a creative marketing strategy.
Taking time off for a trip is one thing—but who has time to plan it? Turn your family into a destination research and booking concierge. Charge a small fee for every trip that you book.
To get the word out about your business, consider starting a blog or creating social media accounts to share your family’s travel adventures. This will help you build trust with fellow travelers and position your family as experienced globetrotters.
Do you collect vintage velvet chaises? Own 15 miniature horses? Have a garage full of folding tables and chairs? Rent them out to cash in on your permanent collection.
Renting items for special occasions like weddings can be a lucrative business venture, giving you the opportunity to loan out things such as cutlery, vases, chairs, or décor items multiple times a year.
If creating order from chaos brings you joy, unleash your services on the closets, garages, basements, and attics of people in your community.
Take the Style Sisters, for example—a sister duo that promote their wardrobe organizing services on Instagram.
Turn your clothes obsession into a small family-owned business and source custom wardrobes for your clients’ needs. Family members can pitch in by shopping, researching trends and designers, sourcing and curating clothing, scheduling appointments, coordinating alterations, and undertaking marketing, admin, and accounting tasks.
Turn your love for the environment into a local business that uses organic pesticides or poison-free or humane traps to rid the community of pests.
Fire up a tiny, mobile restaurant and take your family’s cherished recipes to bars, festivals, and tourist districts. Be aware of high start-up costs, though—on average, food truck owners spend thousands in the first year on permits, business licenses, and compliance alone.
Plant a vegetable garden and sell your goods at a local community co-op, at farmers markets, or through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Valley View Produce is a family-run produce wholesaler that spans three decades and generations.
Are you a math whiz, with an uncle fluent in Spanish and a physicist for a husband? Start a family tutoring business. Tutoring is also a good way for high school students to make some extra money.
A family car wash can carry significant startup costs in the form of purchasing professional equipment, but it also can make for a very lucrative business. The car wash servicing industry is set to be worth $23.79 billion by 2030.
Want to test the waters before investing in equipment? Arm your family with buckets and sponges and set up a human-powered car wash in a high-traffic location.
Monetize your famous enchiladas and Grandma’s secret pozole recipe by catering corporate events and private parties with a family-run small business.
Ginger Snap is just one example. The husband and wife team cater weddings and events through their family owned business.
Just like a small cleaning business, a lawn care business can help you secure repeat customers and a reliable source of income. As long as the grass keeps growing, the community will need your services.
A family-owned photography business can document conferences, weddings, family reunions, and other community events. Designate one or two family members to take photos, one to select and edit shots, and one to manage your online gallery and fulfill orders.
All things tend toward chaos—and that makes cleaning services a profitable family business idea. Start a cleaning business and generate a reliable revenue stream by fighting a losing battle.
“I own and operate a family business that was inspired by my dad over 50 years ago,” says Brian Winch, owner of Cleanlots. “My dad was a janitor who supplemented his income with a few side gigs. He cut grass in the summer, shoveled snow in the winter, and cleaned up litter debris outside a shopping plaza year-round.
“Years later, when I was 21 and looking for my own side gig, I recalled my dad’s parking lot litter cleanup gig. I decided to give it a try while working my full-time job.
“He passed away unexpectedly at the age of 61, just as I was starting up. I pressed on, determined to make him proud. My brothers became involved in the business. I scaled from a one-man operation to a six-figure business of 50-plus years. We know dad would be proud!”
From remembering forks to setting up microphones, planning an event is a lot of work. But if you clearly define your target market and price your services right, it can also make for a profitable family business idea.
Corporate event planning can be particularly lucrative: corporations frequently have higher event budgets than individuals, and busy staff are often glad to pay for professional help.
Task and shopping apps like TaskRabbit and Instacart are big businesses. Go small (and avoid platform services charges) by starting your grocery delivery business.
Tap your family to help you build relationships with clients as well as local suppliers, guaranteeing the freshest products.
Consider offering flexible delivery times to help you compete with larger businesses.
If your heart beats for brioche, open a bakery or supply local restaurants and coffee shops with fresh-baked goods.
Roeser’s Bakery, for example, is Chicago’s oldest family owned bakery still in the same location. It’s now in the hands of a fourth generation Roeser, who expanded the family business online while maintaining its brick-and-mortar store.
Don’t let the struggling family laundromat in Everything Everywhere All at Once dissuade you—a family-run laundry business can be a profitable business idea. Add washing, drying, dry cleaning, or starching services to command a premium price.
Do you dream of hedge mazes? Have a backyard replica of Ryōan-ji? Start your own landscaping business and share your aesthetic gifts with your local community.
If there’s one industry that will stand the test of time, it’s weddings. The average couple spends $30,000 on their wedding and there are a plethora of things that get a slice of this budget, from dresses and suits to stationery and décor.
Ava Rose Hamilton uses this family business idea to sell wedding dresses. Run by a mom and her daughters, the fact that the stores are family run helps brides feel comfortable shopping for their big day.
Many people would love to eat three healthy, homemade meals a day—they just don’t have time to make them. This problem presents a business opportunity for your family. Prepare and deliver pre-made meals featuring your signature family recipes.
Start a family-run apiary and join the beekeeping business. You can tend your own hives (in full protective gear, of course), rent them to farmers who need crop pollination, sell raw honey, and launch a line of beeswax products, including lip balm, candles, and soap.
Bee Lovely Botanicals, for example, is a husband and wife team that sells honey and beeswax products through its online store.
“I was a stay-at-home mom and pregnant with my second son at that time,” says co-founder Jodie Kieliszewski. “My husband was a teacher and was laid off. He was able to find another job, but at a drastic pay cut.
“To help support our family, I started taking my honey soap and beeswax skin care to farmers markets. Through the years, my boys have grown and so has the business. They help take care of the bees, pack orders, make products and do some photo editing for me.”
If you’re a family of fitness buffs, open a gym or yoga studio, or start your own family business offering personal training or exercise classes. You could even buy cheap wholesale products—such as protein shakes, workout equipment, or meal prep kits—to earn more money from your clients.
There’s no feeling quite like killing it in a unique, stylish homemade costume. Use your kids’ creative brainstorming powers, your design talents, and your brother’s sewing skills to make custom costumes for holidays and theme parties.
You can make them custom for customers or sew up popular designs and rent them out year after year.
Some of the best family business ideas are cheap to start but still profitable. Jewelry making is just one example. You can pick up beads, string, and wire from a wholesaler and sell your jewelry online at a high markup.
Bead Time is a successful business in this industry. In this TikTok video posted by the owner’s daughter, we hear the story of how the business has stayed within the family.
Many food services businesses close at or before 10 p.m., but plenty of customers get hungry later. Make and deliver homemade cookies to a grateful late-night crowd—and don’t forget to also offer cow, oat, soy, or almond milk if you want to cater to all.
Many parents are eager to sign their kids up for enriching opportunities that get them out of the house. Why not stage a tiny Macbeth in your backyard? Your kids can manage props and lights, your partner can build the stage set, and your family pets can always play the witches in a pinch.
If you’re a skilled graphic artist (or chock full of hilarious one-liners), there’s a market for home goods and apparel emblazoned with your signature aesthetic. Consider starting a family print-on-demand business, an online business model that requires minimal overhead and startup investment.
King of ketchup? Matriarch of mayo? Hercules of hot sauce? Make, bottle, and sell homemade condiments and sauces and share your talents with the world.
Lillie’s of Charleston is just one of many family-owned businesses that sells condiments through its own online store.
Crocheting is an especially great children’s business idea if you want to teach your kids a new skill. YouTube is home to millions of crocheting tutorials—many of which are child-friendly. With your support, they’ll be a farmers market vendor in no time.
Cooking classes make for great family businesses because recipes are often passed down through generations. If you’re looking for a new business venture, take stock of your family recipes. Can you monetize them by teaching others how to cook?
There’s a big appetite for cooking classes. Chiara Nicolanti created her cooking class business, Nonna Live, with her grandmother teaching Italian recipes that had been passed down for generations. Today, there are many Nonnas involved in keeping the culinary history alive, teaching classes in person and online.
If you don’t have the patience to teach your skills (or would rather keep your family’s recipes private), consider opening a family restaurant. There are jobs available for everyone, from young front of house servers to experienced line cooks who run the kitchen.
Some 65.1 million American households own a dog—many of whom have a full-time job. This has created a huge demand for pet sitting. The pet day care industry, in particular, is estimated to be valued at $2.02 billion by 2030.
This is a great family business idea if you love dogs. Pet owners want to know that their beloved family member will be safe and well cared for. Whether it’s your home or a warehouse you’re renting, the doggy day care industry is a great option if you want to start your own business with family.
Got a knack for turning clay into beautiful pots, mugs, or trinkets? This family business idea is for you. Get yourself a pottery turntable and kiln and teach your family how to make ceramics.
By Glaze is an example of how you can turn this idea into a successful family business, run by a mother and daughter duo who set up their own ceramics studio and jewelry business. They promote their products on TikTok to drive online sales from their ecommerce store.
Vending machines make money by purchasing wholesale products in bulk and reselling them through a vending unit. You’ll need to know the technical aspects of how to operate a machine, but the rest is trial and error.
If you’re choosing this small business idea to run with family members, the geographic location of your vending machine is the most important part of your business plan. Choose a space with high foot traffic where convenience is key and other options are limited. Schools, for example, are full of students who would love a sugar rush they can’t get from the canteen.
Families often have heirlooms that were originally created to solve a specific issue. If you’re experiencing a problem, there’s a good chance that someone else is too. That’s how EazyHold, a sister-run business that sells grip aids, came to life.
“My two sisters and I designed, double patented, and manufactured a new product for children and adults with grip issues, opened a Shopify shop, and we are now distributed in over 15,000 care facilities and schools, with 30 distributors around the globe,” says co-founder Kerry Mellin.
“Eight years later our partners and employees are all still family members: sons, daughters-in-law, nieces, nephews, sisters. Little did we know how profound our product and business would become.”
Has your family lived in the same place for decades? You likely know your town’s history better than most. Make money from tourists who want to dive deeper into your city’s backstory by offering tours of the local area. You can sell this type of experience on platforms such as Get Your Guide, TripAdvisor, or Airbnb.
If you love vintage shopping, consider this family business idea—particularly if you can cover multiple demographics. Older generations can weigh in on timeless styles, whereas Gen Z family members (who are inherently social) can keep an eye on trends to stock the online vintage clothing store accordingly.
When you’re starting a family business, the key is choosing an idea that everyone can get involved with. Candle making does exactly that. Find a family member who enjoys making candles, another who likes to sell in-person, and another who has a knack for ecommerce. That’ll give you a well-rounded team to sell candles and make money as a family.
Take Frères Branchiaux, a candle company created by three brothers all under 13 years old. The brothers wanted to buy a PlayStation 4 and were given two choices by their mom: get a job or start a business. They chose the latter.
If you’ve recently left the nest and your parents are yet to downsize, capitalize on the $19.77 billion vacation rental industry by letting out your old room. Marketplaces like Airbnb connect tourists with people who have a place to stay. Margins can be huge—especially if you do your own cleaning in between guests.
If there’s one thing that people pay big bucks for, it’s personalized products. Jess Munday, co-founder of Custom Neon, took on this industry with personalized lighting, which originally started as a maternity leave side hustle. Her husband, Jake, came onboard and the family business grew.
“Our family entered the picture at this point,” Jess says. “Jake’s parents were helping us out with the hiring arm of the business. Scheduling, packaging and distributing—this gave me a chance to focus on the retail side of the operation, which escalated a lot quicker than we anticipated.
“Hiring family members wasn’t just about convenience; it was about trust and shared vision. We were all determined to see Custom Neon through, since we thought it had huge potential. Our staff’s commitment has been important to our success.”
As a family business just starting out, there are lots of things to learn. The good news is that you don’t have to do it all. Use the skills you’ve got and combine them with your family members’ knowledge and you’ll have a strong head start.
You never know—what might be a small business now could turn into a lucrative company that’s passed down to future generations.
Consider the following when vetting family business ideas:
Then consider the same questions for the other family members involved and select an option that leverages your unique strengths, fits your budget, and meets your cash-flow needs.
Although the easiest family business to start depends on your talents, existing assets, and location, inventory-free online businesses such as print-on-demand shops tend to have simple start-up processes for most people.
Restaurants, clinics, retail stores, and salons are all common family business ideas.
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