That 9-5 grind? Over it.
Always online, answering Slack at 7 PM, and somehow your pay still doesn’t stretch like it used to. What’s up with that? Working hard for a job that barely covers rent? It’s rough.
Worse, you’re stuck on someone else’s schedule. Want to go to the doctor? Gotta ask first. Life starts to feel less like yours, more like theirs.
But here’s the good news:
You don’t have to climb the corporate ladder to get your freedom back. Even if you’re living paycheck to paycheck right now, there is another way.
And it starts with becoming your own boss.
30 careers where you can be your own boss
Spoiler: finding a job, career, or niche where you call the shots is half the battle.
But don’t stress — we’ve got you. First, we’ll toss some solo hustle ideas your way. Then, we’ll walk you through 10 steps to become your own boss (including how to nail down your niche).
Ready? Let’s dive into some solopreneur side hustles.
1. Build an ecommerce store
Online shopping isn’t just convenient, it’s a $6 trillion global industry.
That means there’s room for niche shops run by solo founders to thrive. Whether you're into handmade jewellery, fitness gear, pet accessories, or selling digital downloads like Notion templates or Lightroom presets, ecomm gives you complete control over product, pricing, and branding.
It’s the perfect online business for creatives, trend-watchers, and anyone who gets a thrill from spotting a gap in the market.
Platforms like Whop (for selling digital products) make setup simple, so you don’t need to be techy to work it out.
Get started: Pick a niche, source or create a product, and find a platform to sell on
What you'll need: Laptop, Canva/Adobe, product idea, ecommerce platform
Earning potential: $500 to $10,000+/month
2. Dropshipping
If you're good at spotting what’s trending (TikTok, we see you) and have a knack for marketing, dropshipping is one of the easiest ways to start an ecommerce business without upfront inventory.
Create an online storefront, promote products from third-party suppliers, and forward customer orders to them.
They handle the shipping, you handle the brand. It’s perfect for people who want to test and scale ideas fast, without a big financial commitment.
Pro tip: A lot of dropshippers have turned to TikTok Shop for its ease in finding customers, facilitating sales in-app, and built-in marketing tools.
Get started: Choose a winning product, set up a store, and run TikTok ads
What you'll need: Laptop, supplier app, ecommerce store
Earning potential: $200 to $5,000/month (scales with ads)
3. Print-on-demand
POD (print-on-demand) is where creativity meets commerce. If you can design a cool graphic or relatable quote, you can slap it on merch and sell it online. POD platforms like Printful or Gelato handle printing and fulfillment, so you never touch a single T-shirt.
From fan art to meme merch to aesthetic planners, this model suits artists, designers, and anyone with a sharp eye for trends. It's especially great for creators who want low-risk passive income without mass production.
Get started: Create a few mockups using Canva or Procreate, then upload to Printful or Gelato
What you'll need: Laptop, art tool (Canva, Procreate), POD platform
Earning potential: $300 to $3,000/month
4. Clipping and UGC
Clipping means editing short, punchy highlights from long-form content like podcasts, streams, or YouTube videos. UGC (user-generated content) is filming relatable, organic-feeling videos (like product reviews or TikToks) that brands can use in ads.
Both are booming right now, and you don’t need a huge following, just editing skills and on-camera confidence (some opportunities are even faceless).
Pro tip: Head to Whop’s content rewards page to see all available clipping opportunities. Go hard, and you could make money like AJ Banks:
Get started: DM creators offering to clip their content, apply to content rewards on Whop, reach out to brands directly with UGC portfolio
What you'll need: Phone or camera, editing tools (like CapCut or Final Cut), good timing
Earning potential: $300 to $6,000+/month depending on volume and clients
5. Retail arbitrage
Buy low, sell high: that’s the core of retail arbitrage. It’s retail flipping – you hunt down discounted or underpriced items from local stores or online marketplaces, then resell them on platforms like Amazon, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace—a low-tech but high-potential hustle.
This method works best for deal hunters who love a good scan-and-flip session and want to make cash without building a brand.
Jas dropped out of college to start Amazon FBA and earned six figures by the time she turned 21. She can teach you how to do it, too.
Pro tip: Use apps like SellerAmp to check real-time profit margins before you buy.
Get started: Hit up clearance racks, eBay, and Gumtree; scan barcodes with the Amazon Seller app
What you'll need: Smartphone, initial capital, seller account
Earning potential: $300 to $4,000/month
6. Subscription boxes
From self-care kits and fitness supplements to anime snacks and indie books, you've got options – and the more niche, the better. Subscription boxes provide a great recurring revenue model.
Instead of one-off sales, you build a community of customers who pay monthly for curated products. If you love packaging, sourcing cool sh*t, or storytelling through product, this one’s for you. Plus, it scales well over time.
Pro tip: Grow your community on Whop and give users a place to hang out, connect, and share their favourite picks from boxes.
Get started: Pick a niche (like K-beauty or snacks), build a brand, start pre-orders with a killer landing page
What you'll need: Laptop, supplier connections, payment platform
Earning potential: $500 to $7,000/month (after startup costs)
7. Sell ebooks
Have a story to tell or some niche expertise? Package it into an ebook.
Self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) let you publish without a gatekeeper, and ebooks have low overheads. Fiction, self-help, or a guide to growing succulents, get creative – ebooks scale effortlessly once they’re out there, with proper marketing.
Great for writers, educators, and creators who want passive income that compounds over time.
Get started: Write your first draft in Google Docs, format using Reedsy, and upload to KDP
What you'll need: Laptop, writing software, publishing platform
Earning potential: $100 to $3,000/month
8. Online courses
If you’re an expert in anything (marketing, photography, Excel formulas, tarot), package that knowledge into a course.
Online education is a $300B+ industry, and platforms like Whop make it easy to sell what you know. Courses are perfect for people who want to build once and sell forever. It’s also a great add-on if you’re already creating ebooks or content.
Get started: Outline your lessons, record with Loom or your phone, and upload to Whop
What you'll need: Laptop, camera or screen recorder, course hosting platform
Earning potential: $500 to $8,000/month
Read: How to be your own boss without burning out
9. Online tutoring
On that note, tutoring online lets you turn your knowledge into income, no matter your subject.
There’s growing demand for tutors in everything from languages to coding, even basic school subjects. Native English speakers are especially sought after globally.
Connect with students via platforms like Whop or Preply, setting your chosen schedule and rates. It’s flexible, rewarding, and scalable if you grow a student base or offer group lessons.
Pro tip: Add different apps to your tutoring whop so you can host livestreams, 1:1 chats, upload course materials, and create chatrooms for student support and interaction. You can add games and competitions, too!
Get started: Sign up on tutoring platforms or build a seller profile on Whop and use social and job boards to find clients
What you'll need: Subject expertise, patience, good internet connection
Earning potential: $300 to $4,000+/month
10. Youtuber
YouTube is still the king of long-form content, and it’s not going anywhere.
If you can be consistent and pick a clear niche, you can build a strong brand on YouTube and monetize through ads, sponsors, and product sales.
Unlike TikTok, YouTube rewards evergreen content, so your uploads can keep earning long after they go live.
Bonus: You only need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time to join the YouTube Partner Program.
Get started: Pick a niche, post weekly videos,and optimize titles/thumbnails for SEO
What you'll need: Smartphone or camera, editing software, YouTube account
Earning potential: $200 to $10,000+/month
11. Podcaster
If you can speak on topics and keep conversations flowing easily, podcasting could be your lane. You could be sharing solo takes, hosting interviews, or chatting with friends about niche topics – it really doesn’t matter.
People love all kinds of podcasts, from true crime to business to self-development.
And the best part about podcasts? They build loyal communities. Monetization options include sponsorships, listener subscriptions, community access, brand partnerships, and merch.
Get started: Record your first few episodes using Riverside or GarageBand, then upload via Buzzsprout
What you'll need: Laptop, mic, audio editing tool, podcast hosting platform
Earning potential: $100 to $5,000+/month
12. Streamer
Love gaming and chatting sh*t? Or live reacting to shows, doing study sessions, or building communities?
Streaming on Twitch, YouTube Live, TikTok, Kick, or Whop (where you can stream, build communities, and sell simultaneously) can turn your personality into profit.
Monetization includes subs, tips, brand deals, and affiliate links. And you don’t need to be a pro gamer or anything, just entertaining or relatable. If you're already spending time online, you might as well turn that attention into income.
Get started: Pick a streaming platform, choose a game or category, and go live regularly
What you'll need: Laptop or gaming PC, mic, webcam, streaming software
Earning potential: $200 to $7,000+/month
13. Blogger
No, blogging isn’t out. In fact, with platforms like Substack, it’s lowkey bigger than ever.
Blogs are often the best authority on a variety of subjects, although they might be a slow-burn when it comes to revenue. It can take a little time to build up a following and a reputation as a blogger, but once you reach that critical mass, there’ll be no stopping you.
Get started: Choose a niche, set up a blog with platforms like WordPress or Ghost, and publish content consistently
What you'll need: Domain + hosting, writing skills, basic SEO knowledge, optional email list or socials
Earning potential: $100 to $10,000+/month
How to make money as a blogger
14. Build an online community
Whether it’s for niche interests, education, support, or memes, online communities are powerful.
People want connection, and if you can create a space where they feel seen, they’ll stick around (and pay for access). Use platforms like Whop to host your community, offer exclusive content, AMAs, courses, or just a place to chat.
The key: Show up, moderate well, and keep things valuable. Done right, this becomes a full-time income stream with a loyal following.
Get started: Choose your platform, define your niche, and invite your first 10 members
What you'll need: Hosting platform (like Whop), consistent content, community management
Earning potential: $500 to $15,000+/month depending on size and monetization
15. Social media manager
Got a knack for social media? Good news! You’re in the minority, and that’s an income opportunity.
Social media can be complicated to juggle or even handle for entrepreneurs and larger businesses alike, so if you’ve got some skill in that area, your services are in demand. It’s also one of the best ways to join the team of your favorite YouTuber or streamer!
Once they make it to the big time, one of their first hires tends to be for a social media manager or curator.
Get started: Offer to manage accounts for small businesses or creators, build a portfolio, then pitch yourself to bigger clients
What you'll need: Social media skills, creativity, organisation, and a portfolio
Earning potential: $500 to $5,000+/month
16. Event planner
Event management falls under skills that are difficult to find, so if you’ve got it, use it.
You’ll need to be organized and professional, and having contacts in the biz (such as catering and entertainment) helps, but this is an industry that you can establish yourself in quite quickly if you do it right.
Get started: Volunteer at local events or offer planning services to friends, then build your client base
What you'll need: Organisational skills, professional approach, local contacts
Earning potential: $1,000 to $10,000+/event, depending on scale
17. Web developer/programmer
Coding skills = cash.
You don’t need to be San Francisco elite to freelance from anywhere. Learn in-demand languages like JavaScript or Python, build projects, and start picking up clients on freelancing sites.
Pro tip: You can build apps for the Whop App Store using LLMs and make recurring revenue for life. Keen? Check out our dev docs to get started.
Get started: Learn in-demand languages like JavaScript or Python via free or paid content, then find freelance gigs or build apps for Whop sellers
What you'll need: Coding skills, laptop, portfolio of projects
Earning potential: $2,000 to $15,000+/month freelance
18. Affiliate marketer
Affiliate marketing is all about earning commission for driving sales to someone else’s product.
At the simplest level, it can be as easy as sharing a referral code with friends. At scale, it can grow into a full-blown six-figure business (especially if you’re building an audience through social, EDMs, or a blog).
Whop’s affiliate program is a great place to start: you can grab custom links from any seller on the platform and earn recurring cash for every buyer you bring in. Some creators even share their promo materials to make it easier.
Get started: Join Whop’s affiliate program or others like Amazon Associates and share your first link
What you'll need: Social media or blog, basic marketing skills, consistency
Earning potential: $200 to $10,000+/month (and beyond with scale)
19. Micro-SaaS founder
Micro-SaaS founders build simple, focused cloud apps that solve specific problems (think AI resume graders or chatbots).
You don’t need VC cash; many founders launch solo and profit with lean operations. The key is identifying a real pain point, building a minimum viable product (MVP), and charging a small monthly fee.
Tools like no-code builders make development accessible. With recurring revenue and low overhead, micro-SaaS businesses can be surprisingly profitable and scalable.
Get started: Find a niche problem, build an MVP, and launch your tool
What you'll need: Technical or no-code skills, marketing savvy, customer support
Earning potential: $1,000 to $20,000+/month recurring revenue
20. Graphic artist
AI art can’t replace real creativity. It's got its place, but so do humans.
If you’re skilled in design, you can land gigs across industries or score private commissions that pay big. Build your portfolio on socials, post your work and BTS videos consistently, be active on stories, and the clients will come.
Get started: Build a portfolio on Behance or Instagram and pitch your services to businesses and clients
What you'll need: Design skills, software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop
Earning potential: $500 to $8,000+/month, depending on clients
21. Bookkeeper/accountant
Every business needs its books to be balanced. Start with simple bookkeeping software and level up with certifications to handle bigger clients and compliance.
Get started: Learn the basics on Xero or QuickBooks, then offer freelance services
What you'll need: Accounting knowledge, bookkeeping software, certification if needed
Earning potential: $1,000 to $7,000+/month
22. Recruiter
Recruiting is a great freelance option if you know how to spot talent (and have a good industry network).
Many companies outsource recruitment to save time and costs, so you can fill that gap by offering personalized, high-quality service. You’ll spend your time sourcing candidates, screening resumes, and coordinating interviews – all from your laptop.
Get started: Build relationships in your niche, reach out to companies, and pitch your services
What you'll need: Communication skills, industry knowledge, networking abilities
Earning potential: $1,500 to $10,000+/month freelance
23. Consultant
Big earner if you have the right expertise.
Companies pay top dollar for experts who can solve problems or improve their operations. Whether you’re in marketing, tech, HR, or another field, consulting lets you work on your terms and pick clients you enjoy.
Start by researching your niche and validating demand. Then build a personal brand and network aggressively (LinkedIn is gold for this).
Get started: Define your niche, research demand, and pitch potential clients online
What you'll need: Expertise, confidence, strong communication
Earning potential: $2,000 to $20,000+/month
20. Copywriter
Good marketing and design are nothing without the right words, and skilled freelance writers are always in demand.
Crafting emails, ads, websites, and social posts – copywriting suits creative writers who understand marketing basics and can write with clarity and persuasion.
Start small by building a portfolio of sample work, then pitch clients or join freelance platforms. Over time, you can specialize in niches like tech, health, or finance, increasing your rates.
Get started: Create writing samples and apply for freelance gigs or agency roles
What you'll need: Strong writing skills, marketing knowledge, portfolio
Earning potential: $500 to $8,000+/month
25. Video editor
Video content is basically the entire internet at this point, but good editors aren’t so common.
If you love crafting stories through visuals and sound, video editing can be highly lucrative. You’ll work on YouTube videos, ads, corporate promos, or TV projects, often remotely.
Build demo reels to show off your style and find gigs on freelance boards, social media platforms, or via direct outreach.
Get started: Master editing tools, create a portfolio, and start freelancing
What you'll need: Editing software, creativity, attention to detail
Earning potential: $1,000 to $12,000+/month
26. Financial advisor
Unlike online guru advice, certified financial advisors are legally qualified to guide people’s money decisions.
This career requires licensing and ongoing education but offers high earning potential and client flexibility. If you enjoy finance and people, this role lets you combine both while making a real impact.
Get started: Obtain certification in your country, then build a client base
What you'll need: Financial knowledge, certification, communication skills
Earning potential: $3,000 to $20,000+/month
27. Real estate agent
If you’re outgoing and love sales, this job offers big commissions and independence.
You’ll guide clients through property searches, negotiations, and contracts. Licensing is required, usually through a local course.
You get to be your own boss, build a personal brand, and make good money helping people find their dream homes or investment properties.
Pro tip: Most real estate agents leverage social media content to build their brand online, find better clients, connect with more buyers, and showcase their results.
Get started: Complete your licensing course, then join an agency or work solo
What you'll need: License, people skills, local market knowledge
Earning potential: $2,000 to $25,000+/month commissions
Check out our list of the best online real estate courses
28. Real estate flipper
Don’t want to be qualified? You can still cash in on property through real estate flipping.
Property flipping means buying undervalued properties, renovating them, and selling for a profit.
It’s risky, needing capital and knowledge of property and renovations. But if you’re detail-oriented and good at spotting potential, the rewards can be huge. It’s best to start small and learn the ropes before scaling.
With experience, flipping can become a sustainable business with solid returns.
Get started: Study your local market, build a budget plan, and find cheap properties
What you'll need: Capital or financing, renovation know-how, market savvy
Earning potential: $10,000 to $100,000+ per flip
29. Landlord
Owning rental properties provides steady passive income but still requires careful management.
You’ll buy, maintain, and rent out homes while navigating laws and tenant relationships. It can be challenging, especially with fluctuating interest rates and market shifts.
However, with smart buying and respectful management, landlords can build a property portfolio that pays off mortgages and grows wealth.
Get started: Research rental laws, financing, and find your first property
What you'll need: Capital, legal knowledge, people management skills
Earning potential: $500 to $10,000+/month per property
30. Rideshare
Driving for Uber, Lyft, or DiDi is still one of the fastest ways to start earning with no experience.
You set your hours, work when it suits you, and cash out daily. Around 15–20% of Uber drivers do it full-time, but most treat it as a side hustle to top up income or hit specific money goals.
It’s flexible, but not passive: your earnings depend on when and where you drive. Peak times (like weekends and airport runs) usually pay best.
Get started: Sign up through your preferred rideshare app, complete checks, and start driving
What you'll need: Valid licence, a rideshare-approved car, smartphone
Earning potential: $200 to $2,000+/month (location and hours matter)
10 steps to become your own boss
By now, you might have figured out which path you want to take. Here's how to get the best out of your journey to becoming your own boss:
Step 1: Be real with yourself
Before you quit your job and start living your TikTok entrepreneur fantasy, take stock.
How much time, money, and energy do you actually have right now? Do you have dependents? Burnout? Zero savings?
Whatever your answers are, that’s fine. But it’s better to know upfront so you can work around it.
You don’t need to have it all together, but you do need to be honest. Side hustle hours still count.
Step 2: Pick your niche
You don’t need a million-dollar business idea; you just need something you like doing that people will pay for.
Think about your skills, hobbies, and lifestyle. Can you film UGC? Sell handmade stuff? Offer tutoring? Niche is good. Passion helps. Bonus points if it fits your schedule.
If you’re stuck, scroll our list of remote side hustles; there’s literally something for everyone.
Step 3: Plan, don't wing it
No business takes off on pure vibes.
Map out what you’re doing, how much time it takes, what tools you’ll need, and how long it’ll take to make money.
Set goals. Be realistic. You don’t need a 47-page business plan; just know what you’re building and how it fits into your life.
Step 4: Test before you commit
Before you go all in, test the waters.
Post a video. Launch a sample product. Offer a service to one friend. Use feedback to adjust.
Market research and soft launches save time and cash. Trust us, it’s better to fix things now than after you’ve spent three months building the wrong thing.
Step 5: Set up your systems
Your business isn’t just a product or service. It’s a system.
Do you need a website? A Whop store? A payment processor? Customer service tools? A Discord server? Make a checklist of everything you need to operate, and get the basics live. You can polish it later.
You’ll also need to think about things like your company’s legal structure. By getting started with a side hustle, you’re basically a sole proprietorship, but moving into an alternate structure like an LLC (or setting out a path to doing so in the future) can be a smart business move.
Step 6: Use tools and platforms that do the heavy lifting
Being your own boss doesn’t mean doing it all alone.
Platforms like Whop handle payments, store pages, discoverability, and even customer support, so you can focus on what actually matters.
Look for tech, tools, or teammates that make your life easier and save you from burnout.
Step 7: Build your brand (aka: be consistent)
You don’t need to be "quirky" or "aesthetic" (cringe).
But you do need to be consistent. Whether you’re selling stickers or consulting, show up the same way across your content, offers, and tone. People buy from brands they recognise and trust. And they buy from realness, not overly polished content.
Keep giving your audience what they’re coming back for, and use your social analytics to improve your content and branding as you go.
Step 8: Optimize and scale
Once you’ve got traction, double down. Look at what’s working and do more of it.
Check your analytics. Improve your conversion rates. If people keep asking for a feature, add it. If a platform’s popping off, focus there. You don’t have to be brilliant at everything; just get really good at one or two things.
Step 9: Delegate and automate
When the work piles up, don’t just grind harder.
Hire a video editor, use Zapier to automate tasks, or bring on a freelance community manager. Your time becomes more valuable as you grow, so protect it. Offload what you can so you don’t burn out or stall.
Step 10: Rinse and repeat
You’re your own boss and you’re running a business that you’ve built from the ground up. It keeps you motivated, earning good money, and invested in the journey.
As long as you’re able to keep on top of market trends and make the strategic decisions you need to keep your business sustainable over the long term, there’s nothing stopping you.
Now? It's time to build your next business.
- Work at home business ideas to help you make money in your pyjamas
- Check out our list of the best businesses to start
- Ultimate list of small business ideas you can start today
Become your own boss and make bank with Whop
Being your own boss isn’t just a flex, it’s freedom.
You choose your hours, your income ceiling, and the kind of work that actually lights you up. Whether you’re building a full-blown business or just starting with a weekend side hustle, it’s 100% doable (and way more common than you think). And it’s never too soon to start: 47.1% of Gen A actively earn through online side hustles already.
And with Whop, it’s easier than ever to work for yourself online, remotely, at your leisure.
Sell what you want (courses, digital products, memberships, software) and we’ll handle the hard stuff: payments, storefronts, discoverability, and support.
Sign up for Whop and start your online business journey today.
FAQ
Why be your own boss?
Freedom, flexibility, and control tend to be the three biggest reasons.
You decide when and how you work. Whether it’s avoiding a toxic manager or crafting your ideal work-life balance, being your own boss means calling the shots.
Can I make good money working for myself?
Yep. If your business takes off, there’s no salary cap.
Creators on Whop are often hitting six-figure incomes, and your earnings grow with your skills and systems.
Isn’t it risky?
Sure, especially at first. It’s not so much about investment, but the time it can take to turn a profit.
You might not earn anything right away, and income can be inconsistent. But planning, testing, and starting small helps reduce risk.
Start with a side hustle opportunity, and never leave your job without enough cash to sustain yourself while you build something else.
Isn’t being your own boss a ton of work?
Nah, working for someone else is – and you only take home a tiny percentage of what you achieve.
Working for yourself, sure, you’ll wear all the hats (marketing, operations, support) especially early on. But you keep 100% of the profit, of the results, and of your time.
Tools and platforms exist to lighten the load (like Whop), and you can outsource as you grow.
If I’m my own boss, do I still have to deal with customers?
Until you’re big enough to hire customer service or a PA? Yes.
Your buyers are essentially your new bosses: provide value, keep them happy, and they’ll keep you in business.
Good service = good money.
What traits help you succeed as your own boss?
Discipline: You make your deadlines, and it’s up to you to stick to them.
Perseverance: It’s rarely easy, but it’s worth it.
Organisation: You’re the one keeping everything on track.
Empathy: With customers, contractors, and collaborators, being a decent human pays off.
