14 Outdoor Business Ideas You Should Never Miss

Running an outdoor business is a good chance to live a more fulfilling life, and at the same time, earn a steady income. As the name suggests, this kind of business model takes place in open-air settings, whether that's a garden, lawn, playground, or even your own backyard.

One of the biggest advantages of the outdoor business is flexibility. Since you are your own boss, you can choose to run it part-time on weekends and holidays or turn it into a full-time career. The initial cost of this is often very low, so you may freely try various outdoor business ideas at the beginning until you find the ideal one.

If you're ready to step away from the office and pursue something that allows you to slow down to focus on what you truly want to do, this blog will offer a lot of help. We'll share 14 of the most popular outdoor business ideas that will bring you success and create more enjoyable experiences. Take a look at them and start with the one that excites you the most!

14 Outdoor Business Ideas That Are Profitable

All of the 14 outdoor business ideas introduced here are profitable. To make it easier to understand, we'll start with a few that are simple to start. They don't require high upfront costs but still have strong demand among the public. 

Cleaning Services

Many people and businesses don't have the time to do the cleaning themselves. They are more willing to spend a small amount of money to hire someone for it. Thus, the cleaning service is experiencing significant growth. This is a major money-making outdoor business opportunity.

To get started, you'll need some essential tools, such as a professional uniform, cleaning gloves, masks, specialized detergents, squeegees, etc. It's also a good idea to have a sturdy backpack to carry basic supplies and clear out your car trunk to store larger equipment, so as to be ready for on-site service anytime.

Walk Dogs or Trains

If you are a dog lover, dog walking or training may be the best outdoor business for you. A lot of people own a dog, but they don't have much time to walk them. When they are busy working outside the home, you can accompany their dogs and take them out for a walk.

If you know how to train a dog, that would be better. You can combine it with dog walking, grooming services, and pet sitting together to upgrade your service to a new level and generate more profits.

Outdoor Adventure Business or Touring Guide

For those who enjoy outdoor activities or tours, just try some outdoor adventure business ideas! The tourism industry is booming. During weekends and holidays, the scenic spots are always flooded with tourists from all over the world.

Apart from making money, being an adventure or tour guide also allows you to meet new people and feel energized. Whether it is hiking, fishing, hunting, or rock-climbing, it is a great way to get close to nature and stay active. 

To work as a professional guide, you'll need to obtain proper licenses and insurance. And remember to carry emergency equipment and basic medicines in case of accidents or unexpected situations.

Mobile Car Wash

Mobile car wash is also in great demand. Most people don't have enough time to go to the car wash. For busy car owners, if you could come to them, you could turn this into a great money-making business. 

This service may require a little bit of upfront investment, as you'll need to pay for detergents, cleaning tools, and the travelling fees. But once you start, this business can generate a steady income quickly. 

It can also be paired with some extra car services, such as detailing, vacuuming, and waxing. These add-ons will make your outdoor business more attractive and profitable.

Party Tent Rental

Starting a party rental business is also a promising opportunity. Almost everyone will need to host or attend a party in their life. There is always a high demand for various social activities, including weddings, celebrations, and gatherings.

Most party organizers would want a top-quality tent, so if the budget allows, it is wise to prepare for a party tent rental service. Based on different scenarios, you should offer various tents, such as wedding tents, sports tents, graduation party tents, and festival tents.

To make your business more complete, you can also rent out essential party equipment such as decorative elements, lighting systems, audio equipment, and flooring solutions. But keep in mind that these additions would also require a larger upfront investment accordingly.

Outdoor Events Venue

If you have excess outdoor land that is not in use right now, then you can rent it out. For example, clean up your backyard and turn it into a rental venue for backyard weddings, parties, and other celebrations. This is one of the most practical backyard business ideas because it guarantees that you make the best out of the spare outdoor space and generate a steady stream of revenue.

When staying in such an open area, guests may easy to suffer from less favorable weather conditions like rain, wind, or harsh sunlight. To keep it guest-friendly and better achieve your outdoor recreation business ideas, you may need to set up qualified event tents on your outdoor property.

Food Truck

Do you love cooking and serving people with dishes you've made on your own? If so, starting a food truck could be the ideal outdoor business for you! It is often mobile, so you can take the vehicle anywhere, such as communities, streets, schools, parks, or other locations where you're legally allowed to operate your business.

The initial investment usually includes a truck, food supplies, and cooking equipment. Before you can start selling, you should also take some time to set up the inside of the truck to make it ready for cooking and serving food.

Lawn Care

As long as the lawn doesn't stop growing, the need for lawn care will always exist. You can simply start this business by preparing the basic tools, such as a mower, a leaf blower, and a trimmer. A business card is also needed if you want your clients to contact you anytime.

As your lawn care business grows bigger, you may also expand it to a series of full services. Besides simply trimming the grass, you could also offer services like lawn design, tree trimming, fertilization, weed control, and even irrigation maintenance.

Pool Cleaning Services

Cleaning pools can be quite a lucrative business, especially during the warmer months. The majority of your clientele will be hotels, resorts, amusement complexes, and residential customers. These places often have multiple pools that need regular cleaning. 

There is also a lot of flexibility when it comes to this work. You can decide if you want to only work for residential customers, commercial clients, or both, based on how much time you want to invest in this job. If you'd like to go beyond basic cleaning, you can also learn pool maintenance. This will not only expand your services but also increase your revenue.

Food Vendor Stand

If you've ever visited a busy outdoor area, such as a market, festival, or fair, it's easy to find that many people are actively searching for snacks or quick meals. Running a food vendor stand is a great way to meet this demand. 

However, there are more skills and prep involved in this business. You'll need a decent setup - a sturdy food vendor tent, tables, chairs, basic cooking equipment, food racks, plus eye-catching banners. Moreover, from cooking ability and food safety knowledge to equipment setup and customer service, make sure you are familiar with them before getting started.

Photography 

There are so many great photos taken during outdoor activities! If you possess both the skills to take great photos and the gear, you can choose to become a photographer! What else you need is just a photo editing software and a keen eye for detail and beauty!

Once you have photography skills and a talent for seeing and capturing beauty, you will never lose them. Every party host is willing to spend more to hire a professional photographer to help take down memorable moments, so there is always a demand for this business. So just be confident to show your talents during weddings, graduations, birthdays, and intimate gatherings.

Outdoor Fitness Classes

Offering outdoor fitness classes is also worth a try! Most people would choose to exercise to stay fit and unwind after a busy day. For personal trainers, it would be a nice opportunity to run outdoor sessions and attract more clients.

There is a wide selection of sports that you can choose from - such as yoga, running, lifting, and boot camps - just do whatever you are really good at. To make classes more enjoyable, hold them in open, refreshing spaces like parks, beaches, or grassy areas. 
This business can be very rewarding. If your students enjoy your workouts and see results, they'll continue training with you and even encourage others to join.

Landscaping Services

Landscaping and gardening services are perfect for those with a talent for horticulture. If you can plan garden layouts, arrange plants, install stonework, and create small landscape features, why not become a landscape designer?

This business often requires creativity and design skills. Not everyone can do it well. But there is still strong demand - you can offer this service to businesses, individual homeowners, or municipalities. Thus, it can be a really profitable business with relatively low competition. 

Event Planning

Having a clear mind is a big advantage. It helps you to plan everything in an organized way. More importantly, your thoughts will bring you a large amount of profit. Hosting outdoor events can be stressful for many people, especially when deadlines are tight.

In this field, your logical thinking and ability to adapt quickly can become your major source of income. As more party organizers outsource event planning, you get to take the lead in deciding how the event is going to proceed. 

Though it may sound easy, outdoor event planning actually involves many details, including layout, decorations, food and beverages, and entertainment. But for gifted people like you, it will be a comfort zone. So just try this boldly!

The Things to Consider Before Starting the Outdoor Business

Even if you've selected the optimal outdoor business, you can't just jump into it right away. To make sure it will be a sustainable one in the long run, there are several factors you must think about:

• Market Research - Check if people in your area need the service, and how many of them are expecting it. Then see what your competitors are offering by talking to their customers or experiencing their services.
  
• Investment Evaluation - Calculate how much money you need to start, including preparing equipment, obtaining permits, and learning relevant skills. Remember to make a reasonable budget plan.
  
• ROI Estimation - You can check whether the business is worthwhile by estimating how long it will take to earn back your investment and make a profit.
  
• Required Skills - Identify the skills needed for the business, like gardening, photography, or a series of outdoor cleaning services.
  
• Seasonality Check - Figure out whether your business relies on specific seasons or can operate year-round. Be prepared to plan for slower periods.
  
• Local Regulations - Learn about permits, licenses, or zoning rules that apply in your area. This is to ensure that everything you do is allowed by local law.
  
• Reliable Equipment - Don't forget to invest in durable tools and machines. They will guarantee smooth operation and reduce repair costs.
  

Conclusion

Each of these 14 outdoor business ideas lets you make better use of your time and even be self-employed. They are all easy to start, but one thing to notice is that some of them may require professional outdoor gear, like tents, to provide shade and protection for people and items under them.

If you're planning to start such a business and need a reliable outdoor tent, Sheltent is here to help. With 10 years of experience in the tent industry, we can offer the best tents that perfectly fit your needs and may offer some tips to make your business a more successful one!