Some business ideas leap out at you when you think about starting a business from your backyard. I covered some in my article Can I convert a Shed into a Home Office?.
Others just aren’t that obvious.
If you’re struggling to come up with ideas for your own home business we get it.
Launching a profitable business from home isn’t easy.
It’s always best to play to your own strengths.
Not sure what those are? Checkout the list below for inspiration.
Here are 100 Backyard Business ideas you can launch today from home.
Disclaimer alert! double check any zoning or licensing regulations in your area before you start on your new business venture.
Prefer watching instead? Check out our latest video Top 10 Home Business Ideas for 2023:
Now let’s dive in.
Listen to this article:
1| An Art Studio Shed
If you’ve always had a bit of artistic flair, but never done much with it except for drawing some family portraits you may be able to use your shed to change all that. With a top quality easel and the right collection of paints you can create a studio right in your backyard.
A great thing about using your shed as an art studio is that you’re always close to nature when you need a little inspiration.
2| Work from Home Architectural Studio
As long as you have a shed that’s big enough to fit a drafting table and chair you can turn it into an architectural studio. You can design the plans for your latest masterpiece without ever leaving your backyard.
Instead of paying to rent that expensive downtown studio you can stress less and spend more time creating now that you don’t have to commute. It’s just one of the many benefits of working out of your own backyard office. If you’re looking for backyard business ideas and you have the skills, an architectural studio is a great option.
3| Backyard Pet Grooming Business
If you’ve always had a love of pets, you may want to think about creating a pet grooming station as one of your backyard business ideas. A DIY enthusiast can easily add a homemade grooming table to your space or you can find lots of great pet grooming tables on Amazon as well.
4| A Personal Training Gym
As a registered personal trainer, there’s no need to set up shop in one of the large franchisees in your area. You can clear out that shed, add some weights, a yoga mat and take advantage of all the space in your yard to create an ideal personal training gym at home. This is one you can easily do on a tight budget.
5| A Drop Shipping Business
You don’t need a ton of space to start drop shipping. It’s one of the best backyard business ideas for a shed since a quick turnaround is the key to success in this space and having the room to move your product is essential.
As long as you have a shed that’s at least 8 x 10 and you’re able to relocate the garden tools to the garage you’re ready to get started. Load up that shed with product and start making money.
6| Dog Training Business
If you’ve got a knack for getting dogs to listen when others can’t you may be the perfect candidate for a dog training business. You can easily base your new business out of your shed and use your backyard as a training center.
7| Shed Based Carpentry Business
If your friends and family members are always bugging you to make them a bench or homemade rocking chair, why not consider using those skills as one of your backyard business ideas?
Set up shop in your shed, start advertising online and through word of mouth. Before you know it you’ll be running a thriving carpentry business from your own backyard.
8| Run an Electronic Repair Business from Your Shed
If you’re a genius at wiring and putting anything electrical back together then you have one of the best backyard business ideas ready to go. All you really need is a workbench, some tools and some storage baskets for any parts you may need.
For this type of work it’s a good idea to set yourself up with a free Google Business Profile page as well.
9| Consider Candle Making for Your backyard business ideas
Candles seem to grow in popularity every year and they also happen to be fairly easy to make. Instead of running your candle making business from your basement you can set up shop in your comfortable backyard shed studio. That way you’ll have a dedicated space of your own and peace and quiet to work.
10| Use Your Shed as a Base of Operations for a Maid Service
For the most part, a maid service business is mobile by nature, but you still need a spot to store customer files and all your cleaning supplies.
Using your shed allows you to keep your business and family life separate. It also means you’re cleaning supplies should be right where you left them when you need them. It might not be one of your most obvious backyard business ideas, but it could be one one of the easiest to get started.
11| Run an Office for a Junk Removal Business from Your Shed
A junk removal operation is another of the backyard business ideas that can easily be run out of your shed. Why rent office space when you plan on being at clients homes rolling up your sleeves most of the time?
Even if you spend most of your time overseeing operations and not hands on removing junk from homes, a shed based office is all you need to build a successful junk removal company.
12| Create a Small Salon in Your Shed
If you’ve been slugging away working in a salon for an employer for years dreaming of opening your own studio you can. That backyard shed can easily be converted to a beautiful salon with a little creativity. Let your loyal customers know you’re setting up your own shop and ask them to start spreading the word.
13| Run a Tool Rental Service from Your Shed
I have a brother-in-law that has pretty much every tool under the sun. In many cases he’s got duplicates of a lot of them because that’s what we always buy him for his birthday.
If you’re the tool person in your home why not consider turning that surplus into a tool rental business? You can run it right out of your shed. Just remember to have a good quality lock and an alarm to protect your investment.
14| Use Your Shed as an Office for Your Mini Farmers Market
If you have a shed and a greenhouse you’re ready to start your own Farmer’s Market. People love fresh, locally grown produce. You can grow it in your greenhouse and garden and use your shed as the shop for your sales.
15| Work as a Novelist from Your Shed
If you’ve always wanted your own space to write the next great novel of our time then your shed awaits you. With a few modifications you can transform that dusty shed into the perfect setting to create your masterpiece.
For more ideas on how to launch your home based business check out our Ultimate Guide to Working from Home in Your Backyard.
16| Custom T-Shirts
If you’ve got a bit of a creative streak and you’re into designing, custom T’s may be the perfect backyard business idea for you. You get to tap into your inner artist and make some great money while doing it.
17| Garden Nursery (Plants)
Are you the one person in the family everyone turns to for help with their plants? Why not turn that green thumb into a garden nursery business? You get to enjoy your passion for plants, spend lots of time in the great outdoors and make a living all at the same time!
18| Garden Flower Shop
Perhaps plants aren’t really your thing, but you love working in your flower garden — that can be your ticket to becoming a Backyardpreneur. With a little bit of social media savvy you can quickly turn that love into a thriving business.
19| Canning
My sister-in-law loves the canning season. There are so many things you can grow in your garden and preserve for later such as jams, pickles and soups. If your family loves your canned products, chances are there’s a market for your goods.
20| Firewood Sales ( Big Property)
If you happen to have a large property with lots of trees at the back, there’s a backyard business opportunity waiting for you. Why not consider selling firewood? You have virtually no overhead and it can be very profitable.
21| Landscape Design
Do your neighbors look upon your yard with envy because of your mad landscaping skills? Why not take some pictures of your creations, set up a website and start offering your landscaping design services to people in need? You’d be surprised how many people are looking for help with creating the ideal backyard oasis.
22| Party Rentals
Every holiday we get requests from family members to borrow some of our many folding chairs. If you’re that person in the family with all the chairs and folding tables you could easily turn that into a party rental business. There’s always a demand for party supplies!
23| Chickens — Egg Sales
Forget about the debate about what came first, the chicken or the egg. If you’ve got chickens why not make your own eggs and sell them? It’s the perfect shed based business idea you can launch from your own garden.
The backyard chicken coop above was designed and built by Livingston Farm. If you live in Vermont, New York, Massachussets or New Hampshire check them out.
24| Fishing Experience (Pond in Yard)
I have a friend who started building his own large pond in his backyard a few years ago. He later added some bass to his pond and turned it into a lucrative fishing experience business. If you’ve got the space and you love fishing there’s no reason you can’t do the same thing!
25| Beekeeping
The great thing about a beekeeping hobby is that you’re making a positive contribution to the welfare of a creature that’s essential for the pollination process. As an added bonus, you can make lots of honey as well. People love fresh tasty honey and that can be a great business opportunity for you.
26| Raise Sheep for Wool
You need a large yard to raise sheep so this one’s not for everyone, but if you do have the space raising sheep can be a great money making venture. There’s always a demand for wool.
27| Soap Maker
Specialty soaps will always have a market and you can tap into that market with your own backyard soap making business. Just remember, don’t give too many samples away free if you want to make some serious cash!
28| Petting Zoo
You don’t have to have a massive farm for a petting zoo. If your backyard consists of more than an acre or two you have room for a variety of animals. It’s a fun experience for families and always a popular attraction.
29| Pumpkins & Hay Rides
What kid doesn’t love pumpkin picking and hayrides? This is another great idea for a backyard business for large property owners. You could also combine this with a produce market in the warmer weather and make a profit year round!
30| Car Detailing
If you love cars and you have an artistic flair, starting your own car detailing business from your home can be a great way to make a living without having to leave home. This is an idea with a healthy market.
31| Horseback Rides
Another idea if you have a few acres and love horses is to offer horseback rides. It’s an activity that appeals to people of all ages.
32| Photography
Anyone with a good eye and a knack for taking great photos can be an amateur photographer these days. But if you’re truly gifted at capturing perfect moments, why not turn that gift into a backyard business idea? Great photographers are always in demand.
33| Web Design
Tons of prospective business owners just like you are looking to build a great website to promote their venture. If you’re tech-savvy and you have the skills to create stunning websites, that’s a business you can easily do from your backyard office.
There are some amazing contractors that can help you build the ideal web design studio in your backyard, depending on where you live. The beautiful office pod above was designed and built by Modeco Construction out of Brampton Ontario, Canada.
34| Graphic Design
Designing websites isn’t the only online skill that’s in demand these days. If you’re creative with impressive design skills, you can start a graphic design business from that shed office in your yard. For creative types it’s a great way to make money and practice what you love at the same time.
There may be innovative tools like ChatGPT business owners can use, but they still can’t replace the creative skills of a human touch just yet.
35| Mom & Dad Bloggers
Parenting can be both challenging and rewarding at the same time. If you have a gift for the written word and you’re a mom or dad, why not start a blog about your own experience and how you’ve handled them? There are plenty of parents out there looking for great advice. As your site grows you can make great money through advertising and sponsors.
36| Guitar Lessons
All those years of guitar lessons can really pay off in the form of your own home business. Turn that shed into a music studio, line up the students and watch the cash roll in!
For inspiration checkout the amazing backyard studio office above by Frise Design + Build serving the Greater Toronto area in Ontario, Canada.
37| Outdoor Fitness Classes
Whether you have a passion for Pilates, Yoga or Crossfit, you can turn that into a profitable backyard business. There are always tons of people looking for help getting in shape and you can offer your skills to help them do just that.
38| Virtual Tutoring
Online learning is one of the fastest growing industries in the world today. If you’re an expert in just about any field you can easily turn that into an online tutoring business from your own backyard shed office. People love that one on one touch!
39| Private Courses Based on Expertise
As a great alternative to live lessons, you may want to consider building and selling private courses based on your expertise. The possibilities are just about endless whether you’re into cooking, website building or any number of other things.
40| Furniture Restoration and Upgrades
That old dresser you transformed into a work of art the family just loves can be a great idea for a business. One person’s junk can turn into a fresh treasure in the right hands. If you have a keen eye and a magic set of hands for fixing old furniture and turning it into a masterpiece, there’s a big market for old furniture restored to its former glory.
41| Etsy
The Etsy crave has swept North America and it’s a great business to run from your home if you’re handy and crafty. You can set up your shop and sell your handmade creations to your adoring public.
42| Pottery
If you already have a pottery studio set up as a hobby in your shed, why not turn your pastime into a thriving backyard business? There’s a real demand out there for homemade ceramics just like yours.
43| Composting
Want a business idea that will make you money and help the environment at the same time? Why not try composting? You can reduce your family’s waste footprint and provide a great product for local gardeners as well.
44| Jewelry Maker
Making great custom jewelry takes talent and if you have it why not flaunt it? Whether you’re skilled in beading, wirework or metal creations you can make beautiful jewelry to sell out of the studio in your garden shed.
45| Interior Designer
If you’re the one that friends and family turn to for design ideas, you may just have a great business idea you can turn into a home based business. Why not advertise those skills and create a backyard studio to work out of? Homeowners are always looking to improve their living space with beautiful and functional designs.
46| Sewing — Repairs and Creations
Another great idea for a home business is to take advantage of that talent with a needle and thread. You can offer repair services, alterations and even your own custom creations from your backyard.
47| Financial Advisor
Those years of education in finance can be a great springboard for a home business. As long as you have the certifications to back up your knowledge, there’s no reason not to offer financial advice right from a garden office.
48| Tax Preparer
While tax preparation is more of a seasonal business, it can be a great option if you have other talents you can offer the rest of the year. There’s no rule stating that you can’t have more than one way to make money from your backyard.
49| Tik Tok Influencer
It can be hard to figure out what type of content will go viral, but if you have a talent for it, you can set up a Tik Tok studio in your backyard shed and make creations to share with the world. The more success you have, the more opportunities you’ll have for sponsorships and ads.
50| Youtube Influencer
Youtube is another great way to tap into your creative side to start a business from home. If you have a talent for creating amazing, helpful and engaging video content, it may be the business opportunity you’ve been looking for.
51| Handyman or Woman
If you’re handy at home repairs you might think that others are too, but what you have is an in-demand skill that other homeowners can benefit from. Set up a shop in your shed and start offering those home repair skills out for hire.
52| Scrap Metal Collector
It’s amazing how much scrap metal people place at the curb every week. You can use your backyard shed as a base of operations and collect what you find in your neighborhood and beyond to sell to scrap metal dealers. This can be a great side business, or a full time home based enterprise if you have a truck and a trailer.
53| Junk Removal
You don’t need a big office and warehouse to launch your own junk removal business. All you need is a trailer, an office in your shed and a strong back to get started.
54| Closet Organizer
I’m not going to lie, my closets could use some work. If you have a reputation as being a great closet organizer you might be able to help people just like me with your skills. With the help of a great website, a social media presence and some well placed advertising, this is a business you can easily build from home.
55| Decluttering Expert
Why not take those organization skills a step further? Clutter is a huge problem for many homeowners. If you’re great at decluttering and helping people let go of junk they just don’t need, you have a great idea for your backyard business.
56| Virtual Assistant Services
During the pandemic remote work became the number one buzz phrase around. While many people returned to work when the worst was over, the popularity of remote work has continued. It can be hard for busy professionals to stay organized and on task while working at home.
If that speaks to your strengths then setting up a virtual assistant business to help these busy people out may be a great opportunity for you.
57| Social Media Manager
I spent years trying to build up a solid social media following — it isn’t easy for most of us. If it is for you then you may have a future as a social media manager and that’s a business you can run from your backyard shed.
58| SEO Expert
It doesn’t really matter what type of business you have these days, you need a strong web presence. It’s not enough just to create a website though, it needs to be optimized for the search engines or no one will ever find you. If you have some skills in this area you can help struggling businesses with their web visibility offering your services as an SEO expert from your garden office.
59| Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing isn’t an easy gig, but if you can write great copy you might want to build a website and give it a go. If you’re good at it, you can easily make a full time living in this area from your own home.
60| Pet Sitter
People can’t always take their pets with them when they travel so they need an alternative. If you have a big property and a love for animals you could open a pet sitting service out of your backyard shed.
61| Baked Good Sales
I’ve tried making muffins before and the results weren’t very good, but my nana’s muffins were always out of this world! If you can bake like my nana, then you might want to think about offering your baked goods out of a backyard shed either as a way to make extra money or as a full time business from home.
62| Podcaster
You don’t have to be photogenic to work as a podcaster. All you need is the gift of the gab, great topics to talk about and interesting guests. If you can build a strong, loyal audience you can turn your podcasting skills into a profitable business through advertising and sponsors.
63|App Design
If you’re tech savvy and have some great ideas for tools to help people, you could launch an app design business from your backyard shed office. This is a business where you can really let your creative nature loose with some profitable results.
64| Proofreading and Editing
Some people are great writers, but not so good at editing their own work. If you love editing you may want to start up a proofreading business from your backyard. You’ll find tons of willing clients online.
65| Translation Services
Learning a new language is a struggle for most of us, but if you’re one of the lucky few that find other languages easy to learn you may want to start a translation business. There’s all kinds of demand in this area.
66| Herb or Vegetable Garden
If you’ve got a greenthumb and a love of gardening, local restaurants are always looking for fresh locally grown produce. Herbs are always in demand. Selling the seeds for others that want to start their own herb garden is another option.
67| Organic Pest Control Services
Organic and eco-friendly services are in hot demand and people are always in need of pest control services. Combine the two and you have a winning combination for a great home business idea.
68| Dog Walking
People love their pets, but sometimes they need a hand giving them the attention they deserve. That’s where you come in with your backyard Dog Walking service. It can be a great money maker right from your own home.
69| Birdhouse or Bird Feeder Production
Watching the birds in your backyard can be a serene and relaxing experience. There are tons of people who love bird watching. If you’re a skilled woodworker why not think about building birdhouses and bird feeders in your backyard? You can easily advertise your creations on social media or create a simple website for sales.
70| Outdoor Painting Classes
I’ve always wanted to learn how to paint and one of these days I’m going to take a lesson or two. If you’re an amazing artist you could be teaching painting classes to people just like me in your own backyard!
71| Event Planning
Planning a big private event can be a daunting task. If you’re a master organizer why not advertise your skills as an event planner to help people feeling overwhelmed with their upcoming gathering?
72| Catering
Just invested in a beautiful outdoor kitchen and BBQ? Why not turn your love of cooking into a full-time catering business from the comfort of your own backyard!
73| Homemade Ice Cream
This one can be a bit tricky, but it is doable with the right equipment. If you love ice cream and you want to share your own flavor combinations with the world, don’t let anything stand in your way!
74| Bike Repair Services
Everything’s more expensive these days so people are trying to do everything they can to extend the life of their favorite items. Bike’s are one of those things we’d rather have repaired than replaced.
If you’re the one everyone in the family turns to for Bike Repairs, that’s a great opportunity to start a business from your shed or garage.
75| Lawn Mower/Small Engine Repair
A few years back a friend of mine started repairing small engines out of his garage. These were things like lawnmowers, snowblowers and even the odd go-kart! Fast forward a few years and it’s now his full time business. It could be yours too if you’re skilled at small engine repair.
76| Small-Scale Mushroom Farming
Mushrooms can really transform a meal so they’re always in demand. If you’ve got the room in your yard and the right conditions for mushrooms it can be a great side business. You can advertise online or even hit up some local restaurants and try to set up a supply deal.
77| Homemade Salsa
Homemade salsa is an easy to make, versatile food topping that’s always in demand. If you’re ready to experiment with your own personal recipe you just might have a winner on your hands. Who doesn’t love a delicious salsa for their salads and tacos?
78| Outdoor Meditation or Mindfulness Classes
Stress is hard to avoid in today’s fast paced society. It’s why people are constantly searching for new and innovative ways to deal with it. That’s where you come in. If you’ve been practicing meditation and mindfulness for years, why not teach what you’ve learned by offering classes in your garden?
79| Homemade Beauty Products
Beauty products can be expensive and you can’t always be confident in how they’re made. People are always looking for natural and affordable alternatives. That makes for a great business idea you can start from your own backyard.
80| Mobile DJ and Music Entertainment Services
Music makes the world go round and you can be a part of that with a Mobile DJ service run out of your shed studio office. This one does require a bit of upfront investment, but it can easily be run as a home based business.
81| Language Tutoring
Earlier we mentioned translation services as a great home business opportunity, but that’s not the only way to put your extensive language skills to work. You can also offer one-on-one language tutoring out of your garden office.
82| Massage Therapy
If you’re a registered massage therapist and you’ve been thinking about opening your own massage therapy studio, why not start it from your converted shed? You can work just steps away from your home, making your commute about as easy as it gets.
83| Homemade Greeting Cards
My aunt has been making creative greeting cards for our family for years and they’re much better than anything you’ll find in a store because of her creativity. If you have the same creative spark you should consider starting your own homemade greeting cards business.
84| Cooking Classes
That new outdoor kitchen isn’t just great for a catering business. It could also be the foundation of a unique business idea. Imagine offering in-person cooking lessons in your own backyard? With a smart business plan and some creative online marketing, this could easily be a reality.
85| Homemade Hot Sauce Production
When it comes to hot sauce there’s always a market if you get your branding and formula just right. If your family’s always asking for you to make them some hot sauce, you just might have a recipe that could turn you into a viral backyard sensation.
86| Tablet and Phone Repair
We spend so much time on our smartphones and tablets these days it seems like a disaster when one of these devices starts working. If you have the talent to fix these types of gadgets you could launch a successful repair business from your backyard.
87| Homemade Organic Spice Blends
If you’re already growing your own herbs and spices and you’re good at drying and mixing them into tasty blends, that could be the business idea you’ve been looking for. Instead of just supplying your blends to friends and family you could launch an online retail site to sell your healthy homemade organic spice blends to the world!
88| Homemade Baby Blankets
There are probably tons of different ideas you can come up with for backyard baby focused products and one of them is baby blankets. The only limitation is your skill level and your creativity. If those aren’t obstacles to you then this is a business idea you should be giving some serious thought to.
89| Bike Rentals
Bikes can be expensive. For many, it’s one of those items they think about purchasing and then decide instead they want to spend their money elsewhere. That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t love to go for the occasional bike ride. If you have some bikes gathering dust in the shed, why not consider renting them out to clients in your neighborhood or beyond?
90| Video Game Maker
The video game market is huge! If you have amazing programming skills you don’t have to sign on with a major gaming company to make money. If you’re willing to put in the effort, there’s no reason you can’t launch your own game making empire from the comfort of your backyard design studio.
91| Comic Book Creator
Creativity should always be celebrated no matter what type of form it takes. That includes comic book creators. Why not turn that shed into a comic book creation studio, launch a website to sell your exclusive one-of-a-kind comics and enjoy the fruits of your labor?
92| Antique Center
If you’ve got a keen eye for rare antiques and you know where to find them, it could be a great business idea — even better if you’re skilled in restoration. There’s no reason your love of antiques shouldn’t be your gateway to home based business prosperity.
93| Bookkeeping Services
Some of us dread looking at numbers, but others thrive on it. If you’re in the latter category then you should consider starting a bookkeeping business out of your office shed. Sure there’s software for that, but someone still has to input the details and understand what it means. That could be you.
94| Auto Repairs
Starting an auto repair business out of your home garage or backyard shed may be restricted in your area by zoning regulations, so you’ll want to look into that first. If it can be done and you’re a great mechanic, this is a business opportunity that you can easily turn into a full-time work from home business.
95| Licensed Daycare Operator
Running a daycare business from your home is possible, but you will need a license first in most jurisdictions. Before getting started check into your local guidelines, but once you’ve done your homework, this could be a great money making venture.
96| Dance Instructor
Most of us would like to believe we can dance with the stars, but the reality is often much different. If you’re an exceptional dancing talent, why not offer lessons as a dance instructor by converting your large shed or garage into a dance studio?
97| Toy Maker
Santa’s elves aren’t the only ones that can make great classic toys. A friend of mine runs a side business making wooden toys and games — you should see the huge yahtzee-style games he sells! If you think you have the same level of talent, you too could be running this type of business from your backyard.
98| Snow Removal Services
While it is a seasonal business, snow removal can be quite lucrative in the winter months. Combine it with a lawncare business in the summer and you have yourself a full-time, year round business that can be run from your backyard workshop.
99| Worm Farmer
Traditional fishing isn’t the same without live bait. If you’re willing to raise worms from your backyard you’ll find plenty of willing clients ready to line up at your door. If you happen to live near a popular fishing destination this could be a big money maker for you.
100| Homemade Fishing Lures
Keeping with the fishing market, making homemade lures is another way you could tap into the fishing sector. If you’re creative and skilled, this is a business that you could take beyond your local market with a well marketed website.
101| Home Voice Over Studio
If you’ve ever been told you have a voice for radio, you may be sitting on a great backyard business idea you can use to make with your voice from home. There are tons of options when it comes to voice over work from audiobooks to radio commercials.
All you need is a half decent laptop, a set of headphones, a decent mic and a homemade voice booth like the one in the image above and you’re ready to start making money with those amazing vocal cords of yours!
