40 Family Business Ideas

What kind of business is better than a family-run business? Those are often the best kind, because they’re built on love and trust and help build community. If you enjoy spending productive time with your family and are looking to go into business with some of them, you’ve got a lot of options. 

The most common are restaurants, farms, dry cleaners, bakeries and shoe stores. But you could run a rental management or contracting firm. The key will just be making sure you bring on the right family members! 

Check out our list of profitable family business ideas below, and good luck to you and your family.

1. Catering

Starting a family-run catering business can be a rewarding venture, especially if cooking and hosting are your family’s passions. This business is ideal for families of any size, though having at least three members can distribute tasks efficiently—cooking, client service, and business management. Family members can take specific roles based on their strengths, such as a chef, a customer relations manager, and an accountant. A key piece of advice is to start by catering small events within your community to build a reputation before expanding to larger events.

2. Lawn Care

Lawn care is suitable for families that enjoy outdoor work and have a knack for gardening. This business can be started with as few as two members, making it perfect for smaller families. Roles can include operation management, customer service, and the actual lawn care duties. You should start by offering services to neighbors and friends to slowly build a reliable clientele base. Investing in quality equipment and ensuring consistent service quality are critical for success.

3. Car Wash

A family-operated car wash can start with minimal initial investment and is a great way for families to work together, especially during warmer months. This business suits families large and small, with roles easily split between administrative tasks, customer handling, and the physical washing of cars. The best advice is to choose a high-traffic location and focus on efficient, friendly service to encourage repeat customers.

4. Moving Company

A moving company requires a bit more physicality and is ideal for larger families who can share the load. At least three to four members are needed, with roles divided into logistics, customer service, and the physical moving of items. You should ensure they are properly licensed and insured, and focus on building trust through reliable and careful service.

5. Contracting

Starting a family-run contracting business can be very lucrative, especially if some family members already have skills in construction or remodeling. This is best suited for medium to larger families. Important roles include project management, skilled labor, customer relations, and finance management. You should gain the necessary certifications and build a portfolio by starting with small projects or offering services within their community.

6. Rental Property

Managing rental properties can be a good fit for families looking to invest in long-term assets. This business requires few family members, with roles that can include property maintenance, tenant relations, and financial management. The advice here is to start with a single property to learn the ropes before acquiring more properties, focusing on locations with high rental demand.

7. Farm

Running a farm is a classic family business that requires commitment and a love for agriculture. Suitable for larger families, roles can be spread across crop management, sales, equipment maintenance, and financial oversight. You should start by focusing on a niche market or specialty crops to differentiate from larger agribusinesses.

8. Laundry Business

A laundry business is perfect for families looking for a steady, service-based venture. It can be started with a small number of family members, with roles including service provision, customer management, and financial duties. Initial advice would include locating the business in a high-traffic area close to residential apartments and offering competitive pricing and quick turnaround times.

9. Travel Agency

A travel agency is a great idea for families that love travel and have good organizational skills. This business can thrive with just a couple of family members, handling travel bookings, client consultations, and marketing. You should focus on creating unique travel packages and building strong relationships with clients and travel providers.

10. Floral Shop

A floral shop can be a wonderful family business, especially if there’s a shared love for flowers and design. This is suitable for small to medium families, with roles that include floral arrangement, customer service, and purchasing. The key advice is to establish connections with local suppliers for fresh stock and to actively engage with the community through workshops or local events.

11. Pet Sitting

Pet sitting is ideal for families that love animals and wish to work from home. This business can start with just one or two family members, focusing on care and management tasks. Family roles can include animal care, customer service, and administration. To begin, it’s advisable to gain pet care certification and start by offering services to friends and neighbors to build trust and reputation.

12. Ranch

Operating a ranch requires a larger family due to the scale and variety of tasks, from animal husbandry to land management. Key roles can be divided into livestock care, financial management, and property maintenance. You should start with a clear business plan, focusing on one type of livestock to manage costs and complexity, gradually diversifying as they gain experience.

13. Grocery Store

A family-run grocery store can be a central part of a community, suitable for families of any size. Essential roles include inventory management, customer service, and financial oversight. To set yourself apart from big chain stores, you should focus on selling unique local goods and giving great customer service.

14. BBQ Business

Starting a BBQ business is perfect for families that have a passion for cooking and community gatherings. This can be managed with as few as three family members, with roles in cooking, service, and management. Starting small, perhaps as a food truck or at local events, and focusing on quality and unique flavors will help build a loyal customer base.

15. Craft Business

A craft business is great for families with creative talents, requiring only a few members to start. Roles can include product creation, marketing, and sales. You should leverage online platforms like Etsy, Amazon Handmade or local craft fairs to reach a broader audience, focusing on unique designs and high-quality craftsmanship.

16. Cattle Farm

Running a cattle farm is ideal for larger families who can share the significant responsibilities of care and management. Family roles can range from feeding and herd management to sales and bookkeeping. It’s wise to start with a small herd to minimize risk and learn the business before scaling up operations.

17. Bed and Breakfast

A bed and breakfast is a charming way for families to work together, especially in scenic or tourist-frequented locations. This business is suitable for small to medium families, with roles in hospitality, cooking, and maintenance. You should focus on creating a unique guest experience to generate word-of-mouth referrals and repeat visits.

18. Pig Farm

A pig farm can be a profitable family business if managed well, suitable for medium to large families. Roles can include daily animal care, financial management, and marketing. The most important step is to ensure your pig farm complies with all health regulations. Focus on sustainable farming practices to appeal to today’s conscientious consumers.

19. Farmers’ Market

Operating a stall at a farmers’ market is a great way for families to sell their produce or homemade products directly to consumers. This business can be run with just a few family members, taking roles in product preparation, sales, and customer interaction. Your priority should be quality and freshness, building relationships with customers to encourage repeat business.

20. Printing Business

A printing business requires a moderate investment in equipment but can be profitable for a tech-savvy family. Necessary roles include machine operation, customer service, and graphic design. To start a printing business, offer services to local businesses and community organizations. Quality and fast turnaround will lead to a solid client base.

21. Spa Center

Starting a spa center is ideal for families passionate about wellness and customer service. This venture can involve multiple family members, with roles ranging from management, spa therapy, to customer service. You need to obtain all the necessary licenses/certifications. Think about a unique wellness approach or specialty services that can differentiate you from competitors.

22. Dry Cleaning

A dry cleaning business is a stable enterprise suitable for families looking to enter a service industry with steady demand. Roles can include operations, customer service, and garment care. The most important aspects include: high-quality service, reliable turnaround times, and a strong customer relations approach to build a loyal clientele.

23. Donut Shop

Opening a donut shop can be a delightful and profitable family business, especially if one has a flair for baking and creative food presentation. This business can be run effectively by small to medium-sized families, with roles in baking, sales, and management. A key strategy is to offer unique flavors and engaging in community events to gain popularity.

24. Bakery

Running a family bakery allows members to share their love of baking with the community. Suitable for families of any size, roles can include baking, customer service, and financial management. Consistency, quality, and creating specialty items can make your bakery stand out from the local competitors.

25. Tree Farm

A tree farm is perfect for families interested in long-term agricultural investments and who enjoy working outdoors. This type of business suits larger families as tasks include planting, maintenance, and sales. Starting small with a focus on popular local species can help to gradually build a sustainable business. The downside is the seasonal nature of this business.

26. Gardening

This business can be managed with a few members, handling roles like design, planting, and client relations. Emphasizing sustainable and local gardening practices can set the business apart in the market.

27. Dog Daycare

A dog daycare is a fantastic venture for animal-loving families and can be started with just a few members focusing on care, administration, and marketing. Key advice includes obtaining proper licensing, creating a safe and engaging environment for the pets, and providing exceptional service to build trust and referrals.

28. Pizzeria

Opening a pizzeria can be a rewarding family business, especially if cooking is a shared passion. You can start with a small shop, dividing roles among cooking, front-of-house operations, and management. Specializing in unique recipes or offering customizations can attract a steady flow of customers.

29. Carpet Cleaning

Carpet cleaning is an excellent venture for families looking to enter a service industry. This business requires minimal start-up costs and can be operated with just a couple of family members, focusing on service delivery and customer relations. Offering eco-friendly cleaning options can appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.

30. Recycling Business

Starting a recycling business can be both profitable and environmentally beneficial. This business can be managed with a few family members focusing on collection, processing, and sales. Specializing in specific types of recyclable materials can make the business more manageable and efficient.

31. Insulation Business

An insulation business caters to a specific need in the construction sector and is ideal for families with skills in building and renovations. Key roles include installation, customer service, and project management. You need to be up-to-date with the latest energy-efficient technologies and building codes to provide valuable services to clients.

32. Parking Lot

Operating a parking lot is an excellent business for families with access to a well-located property. This can be managed with just a few members focusing on maintenance, security, and financial management. You should consider implementing automated payment systems and offering monthly rates to increase profitability and customer convenience.

33. Beekeeping

Beekeeping is a unique and environmentally impactful family business, suitable for families who aren’t afraid of a little hard work and have a land for bee colony. Roles can include hive maintenance, honey harvesting, and product sales. It would be the best to start with a few hives, learn extensively about bee health and behavior, and gradually expand as you gain confidence and expertise.

34. Restaurant

Family-run restaurants are quite common. This business requires a considerable investment and can be managed by larger families with roles divided among kitchen duties, customer service, and administration. Focusing on a unique theme or cuisine and maintaining high standards of food and service are crucial for success.

35. T-shirt Business

T-shirt business can be operated with a few family members handling design, production, and marketing. Leveraging online platforms for sales (Etsy, Amazon) and focusing on unique, niche designs can help establish a strong brand presence.

36. Cleaning Business

A cleaning business offers reliable income and flexible hours, perfect for families looking to start a straightforward service business. Necessary roles include cleaning staff, customer service, and management. Specializing in particular types of cleaning, like eco-friendly practices or commercial spaces, can enhance marketability.

37. Pet Store

Operating a pet store can be a fulfilling venture for families who love or have animals. This business requires involvement in management, care, and sales. You should focus on ethical sourcing of pets, offer a variety of pet care products, and perhaps incorporate services like grooming to increase revenue.

38. Landscaping

Landscaping business can function well with a small number of family members, with roles in design, client liaison, and physical landscaping work. Building a portfolio of diverse projects and focusing on customer satisfaction are key strategies for growth.

39. Grocery Delivery

A grocery delivery service can be managed with just a few family members coordinating orders, handling logistics, and managing customer relations. Offering personalized shopping experiences and prioritizing speedy delivery can set the service apart from competitors.

40. Home Decor

Starting a home decor business is perfect for families with an eye for design and interior decorating. Roles can include product selection, design consultation, and sales. Utilizing online platforms to reach a broader audience and focusing on distinctive styles or home trends can attract a dedicated clientele.