6 Real Small Business Ideas for Women Ready to Ditch the 9–5

If you’ve ever stared at your computer at work thinking,

“There has to be more to life than this…”

Same.

I was sitting at my desk one day when it hit me:

I don’t want to ask someone for permission to take a vacation.

I don’t want to build someone else’s dream.

And I definitely don’t want to be stuck at a job for the next 30 years just to retire and finally enjoy life.

That was the moment I decided to become a business owner. And I’ve never looked back.

In less than 2 years, I built not one but TWO online businesses that let me travel the world, work from anywhere, and make over half a million dollars.

So if you’re looking for small business ideas for women—not the fluffy kind that require 10 years of experience or a business degree—here are 6 real ideas you can start right now, even if you’re starting from scratch.

1. Virtual Assistant (VA)

One of the most accessible online businesses for women—especially if you want to start with skills you already have.

VAs offer support to entrepreneurs and business owners, helping with things like inbox management, social media, scheduling, design, and more.

I started my VA business with no experience and now make over $10K/month.

This is the exact business that let me quit my job and travel full-time.

✨ Want to become a VA? Check out my free virtual assistant masterclass.

2. Digital Products & Online Courses

This is for the women who want to make passive income and get paid to teach what they know.

I built my first course in 2 months and made $16,000 in the first week.

Since then, I’ve created and sold ebooks, guides, mini-courses, and digital resources—making over $500K and building a business that runs while I sleep.

If you have experience in something others want to learn—you can turn it into a digital product or course.

✨ I teach you how to package your knowledge into digital products and courses inside the Six Figure Online Course.

3. Social Media Manager

If you love Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest, there are thousands of businesses looking for help.

You don’t need to be an influencer. You just need to know how to create engaging content, write captions, and schedule posts.

This is a service you can offer on your own terms—and charge $500 to $3,000/month per client.

4. Online Coach or Consultant

Kind of like Online Courses & Digital Products, but for women who want to work with people one-on-one.

If you’ve been through something others are struggling with—whether it’s building confidence, improving their health, navigating a life transition, or growing a business—you can turn your experience into a coaching offer.

You can work 1:1, run group programs, or eventually turn your method into a course. This is a great option if you love helping others but want to work closely with them.

5. Pinterest Manager

Yes—this is a real (and in-demand) job.

Pinterest is one of the best traffic sources for businesses, but most people don’t know how to use it effectively.

You can learn Pinterest strategy, design pins, and manage accounts for bloggers, creators, and product-based businesses.

Fun fact: I pay my Pinterest manager every single month.

6. Freelance Writer

If you’re the kind of person who secretly loves writing emails or crafting Instagram captions, you can 100% get paid for that.

Freelance writers are in high demand for:

✔️ Blog posts

✔️ Website copy

✔️ Email marketing

✔️ Social captions and sales pages

No degree is required. No stuffy corporate writing. Just your words, your voice, and your laptop.

Final Thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to building your dream business.

You just have to start somewhere and choose a path that aligns with the life you actually want.

Whether you want to:

✅ Work with clients

✅ Sell digital products

✅ Build passive income

✅ Or make your own schedule and work from anywhere

There’s a small business idea on this list that can literally change your life.

✨ Want more business inspo, behind-the-scenes, and online income tips?

Follow me on Instagram @virtual.vivian 💻✨

You weren’t meant to play small. Let’s build a business that gives you freedom.

If you want to become a virtual assistant...

If you have been thinking of becoming a Virtual Assistant, there truly hasn’t been a better time to start! More businesses than ever are turning to freelancers and virtual assistants today.

You can turn the skills you already have into a service-based business, work from the comfort of your own home, work with clients you genuinely enjoy working with, and have more freedom than a regular 9-5 job. 

As someone who’s been in the game for 8 years, I can tell you - it’s a pretty fun gig!

If you want to learn how to become a virtual assistant, you CANNOT miss this free training I created for you. I deep dive into the world of freelancing, tell you how I started my virtual assistant business, and give you the absolute BEST tips for getting started and finding clients.

Want me as your coach? Join my online course, Virtual Freelancer Academy, where I teach you EVERYTHING you need to know and give you all the tools you need to succeed as a VA (just like I've done for hundreds of students just like you).

Have more questions? Message me here!