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Florida is one of the most desirable locations in the United States for its sunny weather and the many benefits of its income tax rules. Whether you’re moving here for the opportunity to spend time on the sandy beaches or not, you need a way to earn money. But what is the best business to start in Florida?
Starting a business is the best way to scale and have complete control over your income. A Florida business has the potential to be quite successful — if you know what markets to target.
Here’s what you need to know.
Best Business to Start in Florida: 15 Ideas to Get Started Today
Why should you consider starting a Florida business instead of a business in any other state? For many, its state income tax rules are the real deciding factor: Florida has no state individual income tax and only minimal taxes for corporations (5.5 percent). It even has a low sales tax.
That means you can earn more with a solid business plan in place, keeping money out of the pockets of the money-hungry government. This is reason enough for most people to apply for a Florida business license.
That said, here are the 15 best business ideas to start in Florida!
Real Estate Business
Florida is one of the hottest destinations in the country for people to move to, especially those looking for a great place to retire. It’s estimated that more than 1,200 people move here daily — and they all need to find a great place to live!
A real estate business may require some time for you to learn the laws, rules, and regulations of selling someone their dream home. However, it can also be quite lucrative. Real estate agents earn an average income of $61,467 per year in the Sunshine State.
Automotive Repair Shop
Want to start an essential business that will always be in need, no matter what happens? Starting an automotive repair shop business in Florida might be the answer. One of the benefits of Florida’s state rules is that you don’t have to have a certification or license to work as an automotive technician.
If you have a great knowledge of cars, you can start your business in Florida in no time at all.
Just remember that this could be a more expensive business to get off the ground. You’ll need a lease on a commercial space, tools, and equipment to get your job done right. Make roughly $24 per hour with this trade skill.
Mechanic names matter, so be sure to see our guide here to get you started!
Cleaning Business
Maybe you are passionate about helping people keep their living spaces as clean and tidy as possible. Opening your own housekeeping business could be a great option for Florida business owners. Many people lack the time and energy to keep up with their home maintenance.
You can tap into this market, getting paid roughly $15 per hour for your services.
Apart from getting your business license from the appropriate Florida department, you won’t need much to start cleaning houses. Invest in a set of basic cleaning supplies and a vacuum, and you should be good to go. You can buy more cleaning supplies and equipment once your client roster starts to pick up.
Get the breakdown of how to start a cleaning business here.
Food Business (Including Breweries)
People often don’t want to cook their meals and are willing to pay a premium to have someone else take this off their plates. Foodservice is a $50 billion industry in Florida, so consider whether you have the skills or finesse to cash in on the trend.
While you could open a restaurant business in Florida in the traditional sense, this is often expensive. Instead, consider some of the newer methods of starting a business: food trucks and breweries. The startup costs for these small businesses tend to be less than formal sit-down restaurants, allowing you to turn a profit faster.
Landscaping
Because Florida is warm and sunny all year round, there is no such thing as an off-season for yard work. Cash in on the trend by opening your own landscaping company.
You have a couple of options for approaching this business:
You can offer run-of-the-mill services like mowing that need to be done each week or a gardening service where you choose plants and design an exterior aesthetic for maximum curb appeal that boosts property values.
This industry is estimated to grow by 3 percent between now and 2032, so it has a solid outlook for those who want the best business to start in Florida.
Help with Senior Care
Florida has a higher median age than many other states, likely because it’s a retirement destination for older people. That means there is bound to be a greater market for in-home services for seniors who need a little help to maintain their independence.
You could offer services such as:
- Light housekeeping
- Meal preparation
- Medication administration
- Transportation to doctor’s appointments and for running errands
- Provide respite for family members
You won’t need a hefty Small Business Administration loan to start this type of business. Having reliable transportation and a heart for senior care might be all you need to get the job done right.
Travel Blog
Florida is a great place to live as a business owner. And if a freelance writing business isn’t the right fit for you, why not capitalize on this travel destination and start a travel blog? You can review hot spots around the areas where you live: restaurants, amusement parks, coffee shops, and more.
Give people a realistic idea of which small businesses are worth visiting on their next trip to Florida.
Travel bloggers earn an average of $62,000 per year, according to Zip Recruiter. This can be a profitable business you can do from the comfort of your home in your spare time. Learn how to start a travel blog here.
For more inspiration, see how Nina Clapperton grew her travel blog to $10K per month!
Beauty Services (Nails, Salons, Tanning, & More)
Want to help people look and feel their best? Many businesses revolve around helping people refine their appearance in the Sunshine State, and your small business could do the same. There are endless opportunities for someone interested in the beauty industry, including nail salons, hair salons, tanning, and more.
The beauty services industry is a $646 billion industry with expected growth over the next few years.
Nail salons are one of the best options, but you’ll need to seek out training to get started. Once you know what you’re doing, you only need a very small storefront to welcome customers who want you to work on their appearance.
Here are some nail salon name ideas to start thinking about!
Short-Term Rentals, Hotels, or Motels
If you want a small business that allows you to cash in on the hospitality industry, you might think about running your own lodging accommodations. You could purchase several short-term rentals leased through sites like Airbnb and VRBO. This is a great business idea because real estate holds a lot of potential.
You could also set your sites higher and start a hotel or motel for cheaper accommodations on a larger scale. This is an especially good idea for South Florida individuals who want their own business.
Getting started may be difficult, requiring permits and a potentially lengthy remodeling or building process. However, it can pay off if you compete with the other giants in the Florida vacation industry.
Travel Agency
People want to visit Florida to visit the attractions and enjoy the beaches but don’t know what to do once they get there. After all, more than 137 million people visit the Sunshine State each year. Help people plan their best vacation ever by opening a travel agency.
This is a great option because you run it entirely as an online business. You can set up tickets, schedule hotel accommodations, and do everything else you need to do from a home office. This reduces real estate costs and makes you hyper-flexible with your business location.
Get inspired by Amy Fillinger who earns more than $12K monthly as a travel agent and blogger!
Translation Services
Translation services are in high demand in the cultural hotspot of Florida. Almost 30 percent of families report speaking a language other than English at home. Many of them struggle with the language when they leave the safety and comfort of their home as well.
You can help them if you are fluent in more than one language (especially Spanish). As a bonus, you don’t need a physical location and can easily run services as a home business.
Many translators attend appointments with people, helping them navigate their day-to-day lives more easily. This can be particularly important in medical and legal contexts where communication is key for everyone involved.
Childcare Business
People always need someone to watch their kids while they conduct business, go on dates, or even just pop into grocery stores for a quick trip. Babysitters make a decent wage ($12 per hour), but you may be able to make more by opening a daycare. This model scales, allowing you to watch multiple children in a similar age range simultaneously.
Childcare costs in Florida are relatively high compared to other states, so you may want to consider cashing in on the trend here. It should be easy to position yourself as a competitive option until your available slots are filled!
For more information on how to start a babysitting business, see our complete guide here.
Petsitting
In addition to watching children, many people also need someone to watch their four-legged friends. Whether traveling or working long hours, a pet sitter can help by walking pets, feeding them, and giving them love and attention throughout the day.
The best part?
It may even pay better than childcare does. The average dog sitter salary in Florida is about $20 an hour, almost double what you would make for watching someone’s child.
Get some catchy and clever petsitting business name ideas here.
Moving Services
Because people are always relocating here, a moving service is one of the best businesses to start in Florida. People don’t want to do the heavy lifting required to pack up all their belongings and move to a new area (or even just a new apartment across town).
If you don’t mind building a little sweat equity, this could be the right move for you. You’ll have to stay organized, invest in a moving truck, or rent one daily for cheap. Other than that, there isn’t much you need to do to get this small business off the ground.
As a labor-based business, you may not even need to collect sales tax as part of a growing business plan.
Tutoring
Do you have expertise in an area where many people struggle? Maybe you’re a math whiz or have in-depth knowledge of economics. Whatever skill you have or the advanced degree you’ve earned can be used with tutoring. You could earn roughly $24 per hour as a private tutor.
Better yet, you could start a tutoring company where you employ others. You don’t have to do any teaching in the day-to-day business operations and can simply collect a portion of the proceeds for organizing everything.
Final Thoughts: Are You Ready to Earn with These Small Businesses?
The best business to start in Florida is just as variable as your interests and talents. This list gives you a great jumping-off point to settle on the professional services you can offer in a growing economy. Start a new business and capitalize on the zero state income tax benefits that convince many to set up shop in the Sunshine State.
Which business entity is right for you, and what startup costs can you afford? There’s an option here for just about everyone!
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