Owning any small business takes hard work and dedication. But unlike more traditional year-round business models, seasonal small businesses offer unique profit opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs.
Seasonal businesses range from hotels to summer camps and restaurants. These companies must manage their cash flow, hiring, and inventory closely because most of their revenue comes during certain months of the year.
If you are looking to start a seasonal business, here are our top ideas for 2023.
1. Start a tour guide business
“Can you offer a native perspective of a town you know well? If yes, starting a tour guide business can be a significant business venture. Tour guides charge tourists per tour and provide visitors with an area with local tour narration and navigation.
To start a tour guide business, choose an area you know, and study its history. Visitors will often ask questions and expect you to answer them. Therefore, you have to be well-versed in the areas you will cover. You can partner with a tour & travel company or a game park near you and offer the visitor’s tour guide services.”
Source: Starter Story
2. Snow removal
“Snow removal is a common winter seasonal business, especially for landscapers, lawn care professionals, and window cleaners, whose work tends to slow down in November or December. It’s a $20.5 billion industry that can earn $400 per residential client per season.
Assuming a four-month season with 50 clients makes snow removal a very lucrative seasonal business to start. It’s also fairly easy to start a snow removal business if you already have an existing business truck and driver’s license. Just expect to invest a little more for things like plowing equipment.”
Source: Jobber
3. Sports coaching and training
“If you are into sports or a personal health care enthusiast, you have an opportunity to convert your passion into a career. You can acquire the required equipment using a business loan and market your training services to the right customers this summer.”
Source: FieldCamp
4. Rental scooter business
“Similar to bicycle rental shops, having scooter rental shops can turn out to be a great business idea. It creates excellent possibilities for company owners in locales with a high tourist population and scooter-friendly driving regulations. Owners of successful businesses will need to be proficient in scooter maintenance as well as sales and customer service.
Depending on how many scooters you have in your fleet, startup costs may be considerable, but seasonal revenues may also be substantial. The region in which you operate and the volume of clients you can consistently bring in will decide the success of your bike rental business. It can be in terms of your total growth and earning potential, making it the best seasonal business idea.”
Source: Invoice Owl
5. Sell gift baskets
“Unique gift baskets remain at the top of many holiday shoppers’ gift lists, so there’s never been a better time to start a seasonal business selling holiday gift baskets. You could create a variety of gift baskets or focus on a specific niche in the market.”
Source: Small Business Trends
6. Childcare services
“During the fall, winter, and spring, many parents require after-school childcare. This makes after-school childcare a highly desirable seasonal business. On the flip side, you can also offer childcare services during the summer when school is not in session. This makes childcare extremely adaptable to different schedules and seasons.”
Source: Entrepreneur
7. Car detailing
“If you want to earn some extra cash in the summer season, you can start a car detailing business. Basically, this type of business doesn’t demand any upfront startup investment if you operate as a home-based. And in that case, you must promote the business online in the local community.”
Source: 99BusinessIdeas
8. Pool cleaning
“Starting a seasonal pool cleaning business can be a great idea for people who enjoy being outdoors and working with their hands. While no formal education is required, several courses and certifications are available to expand your knowledge of pool maintenance. The National Swimming Pool Foundation offers a Certified Pool/Spa Operator Certification Program that’s widely respected in the industry.
Startup costs for a pool cleaning business are low, and earning potential is solid. If you can cement a solid client base, there is excellent potential room for growth in this industry. While this can start out as a summer business, there are also great opportunities to expand by acquiring commercial clients, like health clubs and hotels, who will need your services year-round.”
Source: TRUiC
9. Landscaping services
“One of the best ways to get started with a seasonal business is to do landscaping services. Landscaping services typically occur from spring to autumn, with the greatest amount of work occurring in the summer. In the spring, clearing dead plants and preparing seedlings can be a great source of income.
As the weather warms, lawn mowing, sprinkler maintenance, and planting can also generate revenue. Finally, sprinkler blowouts (winterizing) at the end of the season, mowing at the end of the year, and preparing garden beds and lawns for winter can make you money.”
Source: biz.crast.net
10. Photography business
“Businesses and individuals need photographers for many reasons. Starting your own photography business is a great way to add a second or primary income. The photography market is competitive. Professional and personalized photography gives you the opportunity to gain an advantage over your competitors.
At Christmas, most people like to take a photo to keep them as a memory. Also, many people are going outside from home and enjoy themselves there to keep those moments as photos.”
Source: Startup Talky
Need Funding for Your Seasonal Business?
First Union Lending is here to help. If your seasonal business needs a loan for any reason, we likely have the ideal financing option for your situation. Call 863-825-5626 today!