We live in a (mostly) cashless society. Most people don’t carry cash, and instead, carry credit or debit cards to pay for transactions.
While cash is becoming less common, cash businesses still have their benefits. Not everyone has access to a credit or debit card so that you can expand your reach. Cash businesses also help you avoid card fees and other costs of cashless payments.
If you’re considering opening a cash business, here are some ideas to help you get started.
1. Transportation Service
If you have access to a vehicle and the appropriate licensing, you can offer customers transportation services and collect cash payments.
Although this may be a more complicated business to launch, it is one that can grow and thrive if there’s enough local demand.
2. Delivery Services
If you have access to a reliable vehicle, you can offer delivery services as a primarily cash business. You can deliver virtually anything if you have the right equipment, from food to household goods or anything in between.
Make sure that you understand local demand to find a suitable market and fill a need.
3. Bakeries
One advantage of bakeries is that most customers want to get in and out. In addition, bakery items are typically low-cost, so customers are more inclined to pay with cash.
If you are interested in baked goods and there is local demand, opening a bakery may be an excellent option for a cash business. However, you will need to consider the start-up costs, licensing and other expenses that you will need to get your operation up and running.
4. Take-Out Restaurants
If you’ve dreamed about opening a small-scale restaurant but want a cash business, a carryout restaurant is one option. If you only offer carry-out items, you can easily make your business a cash-only operation.
5. Farm Stand or Farmer’s Market
If you enjoy growing produce or have a small hobby farm, a farm stand is a great cash business idea. However, if you’d like to take the concept to a larger scale, you can rent space at a local farmer’s market.
Farm stands and farmer’s markets are primarily cash businesses, and customers are well-aware of this.
6. Craft Vendors
If you have a crafting hobby, you can turn that hobby into a cash business. Craft fairs offer an opportunity to sell your crafts for cash. Start-up costs are minimal, especially if you’re already engaging in your craft as a hobby. However, you will need to rent space at a craft fair, which can cost a few hundred dollars.
Still, most vendors find that it’s worth the cost. Some crafters earn $1,000 or more per event.
7. Flea Market Vendor
If you have items at home that you want to get rid of or can get access to cheap wholesale goods, a business as a flea market vendor may be a good cash business for you. If you can get your hands on a continual supply of items to sell, this is a business that can succeed for years to come.
Keep in mind that you will need to pay rental fees and other expenses to have a space at a flea market. But even after accounting for these costs, vendors generally make between $200 and $500 per day.
8. Food Truck or Fair Food Vendor
Fair food and food truck vending is a primarily cash business. A business like this could have high start-up costs, but it may be much easier to get started if you already have access to a suitable food truck.
Having the ability to transport your food business from one location to the next will open up more opportunities for growth and ensure steady cash flow.
9. House Cleaning
Home cleaning is an excellent cash business with minimal start-up costs. If you already have access to cleaning supplies, then you can get started tomorrow.
Simply build up your client base and collect your cash payments after the work is complete. You can offer your services on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis. This ensures that have continual cash flow.
10. Pet Care
From pet sitting to training and grooming, there are many opportunities for cash businesses in the pet care industry. However, check your local laws first, as training and grooming may require licensing.
Otherwise, start-up costs for these types of businesses are minimal. Of course, groomers and trainers will need supplies and tools, but pet sitting requires nothing more than your presence (and maybe some patience!).
If there’s demand for pet care services in your area, this could be a successful cash business.
11. Tutoring or Personal Instruction
Another great idea for a cash business is tutoring or personal instruction. This type of business isn’t limited to just academic tutoring. Your business may offer:
- Personal training or fitness instruction
- Music instruction
- Dance instruction
- Language tutoring
- Cooking lessons
- Painting, pottery or other art lessons
If you’re an expert in a particular subject or field, personalized instruction can be a successful cash business if there is demand in your area.
12. Moving Service
Although many moving services accept credit cards, customers are more inclined to pay with cash. However, starting a moving company doesn’t have to be complicated either. All you need is access to a truck and moving supplies to offer packing and moving services.
13. Running Errands
Looking for a job where no two days are the same? One idea for a cash business is to run errands for customers. Errands can be anything from grocery shopping to doing laundry or picking up a package. Then, simply collect your cash payment after completing your customer’s errands.
Cash Businesses Have Benefits
Cash businesses allow you to save on fees and expand your reach. Many of these cash business ideas have low start-up costs and are easy to start. Customers are happy to pay for these services or goods in cash, and if there’s enough demand, you could grow a successful business. Just make sure to do your research to understand all licensing costs and regulations.
