6 Small Business Ideas for Outdoor Enthusiasts

We spend most of our lives at work, so it’s important to love what you do. If you love being outdoors, there are many ways that you can make your living by being outside. Giving up the idea that you have to be chained to a desk to earn a living is the first step. Take a minute to explore some of these small business ideas for outdoor enthusiasts and see if one of them is right for you.

Lawn and Landscaping Industry

If you love caring for your yard, why not try doing it for a living? This industry has many aspects, including lawn care and cleanup, gardening services, and plant nursery or produce farms. There is a lot of demand in this industry, too.

If you decide to start a business in the landscaping industry, you will want to do it right to protect yourself from liabilities by getting insurance for independent landscapers. You can save money by bundling a policy that still provides you with all the coverage you need, from general liability to worker’s compensation.

It’s easy to purchase these policies online, and filing a claim is also a cinch. You can even get a Certificate of Insurance on your phone to show prospective clients when bidding on a new job.

Make sure you are completely covered from injuries and damages or loss to your tools and equipment because every aspect of your business depends on your ability to do your job. The right insurance policies can cover lost wages due to injuries, theft of tools and equipment, and legal fees if you make a mistake and damage someone’s property.

Camping and Outdoor Tourism

Whether you want to help people camp by being a camping tour guide or start your own campground, there are a lot of opportunities in the camping and outdoor tourism industry.

Helping people camp is just one aspect of starting a camping business. You can use this as a launch pad to move into other niches in this industry, like backpacking or fishing tours. There are many training courses that you can take, and it is smart to become certified in wilderness first aid.

With minimal equipment, you can easily start a business in this industry because many people would like to camp but just don’t have the knowledge to do so. In addition, some of them just want the comfort of having an instructor.

Starting a campground is much more involved but can be just as rewarding. You should visit other campgrounds to see what works for them and to see what amenities they offer that their guests want. Many campgrounds spend much of their money on ancillary items like showers and vending machines. Be sure to explore all the financials thoroughly and develop a detailed business plan.

Pet Services

The pet industry is booming, and there are many services that you can offer to pet owners. The pet services industry can include everything from walking a dog to cleaning out horse stalls.

Training is one of the pet services that are in high demand. You can offer simple obedience courses or more advanced training.  You can learn how to become a dog trainer by taking courses, and some of these are even offered online, with accompanying externships to complete your training.

Dog walking can be fun if you like being outdoors and dogs. It can also help you stay physically fit. There are few barriers to entry for this type of business.

Pest Control

Pest control is a business that will keep you outdoors for much of the time, but you will also be in a vehicle part of the time. The pest control industry has plenty of money to make as people struggle to keep pests out of their homes and environments.

There can be a significant cost outlay for starting a pest control business. You will need a vehicle, equipment, knowledge, and experience in pest control. Some pest control services offer monthly or quarterly rates for pest control packages. You might also find that you fit better into a particular niche in the pest control industry, such as termite control or trapping small animals.

Like most outdoor businesses, pest control is seasonal, so be sure to consider that when you plan a pest control business.

Fence Installation      

Fence installation can be a very lucrative business, but you might need a considerable amount of experience to become certified and operate as a fence contractor on your own.

There are many different types of fences, and depending on the type of fence and where you live, you might be able to start a business putting in fences without a lot of requirements being met. But, at the very least, you should get contractors insurance to protect yourself and your business from liability, damages, injuries, and mistakes.

Snow Removal

Since many outdoor businesses are seasonal, snow removal can be another seasonal business that you can start that takes advantage of your downtime. If you have a similar business, like landscaping, you might already have a lot of the tools and equipment you need for snow removal.

Even a snow shovel, some elbow grease (and a strong back) can provide quite a bit of income when a big snow hits and people start panicking to get their roof cleared immediately. If you have a skid steer, a snow blower, and a truck, you can make a decent living doing this type of work.

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