There’s never been a more popular time to start a business. Over the past five years, more than five million new business applications have been filed per year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (Compare that with just 2.8 million new business applications in 2015.) If you’re one of the aspiring founders looking to start your entrepreneurial journey, the first step is finding the best small-business ideas for you.

“People who are working in a [particular area] might say, ‘Hey, I’m doing this and it has a clear impact for my company, but I could do it better or make more money if I started my own company,’” says Peter Hansen, director of research and policy analysis with the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). “It’s a localized experience that tells you it’s the time to do it.”

Trying to decide on what sort of small business to start? There’s no shortage of small-business ideas, but some industries are growing faster than others. Here at Inc., which has been reporting on the entrepreneurial community for over four decades—including publishing the annual Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in America—we’re seeing a variety of small-business ideas taking off right now. If you’re looking for inspiration, here are some small-business opportunities that are seeing growth potential in 2026.

1. Health and wellness coaching

People are getting more serious about their health these days—and they’re looking for help to meet their goals. The market for health and wellness coaches in the U.S. hit an estimated $4.4 billion last year. McKinsey says people are spending more for experiences like wellness retreats, nutritional coaching, and meditation. The optimal clients for this small-business idea are younger Millennials and Gen-Z. And the market is growing at an estimated 4 to 5 percent each year.

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2. Mobile pet grooming services

More than 56 million U.S. households have a dog (or two)—and pet owners are increasingly pampering those furry family members. The pet grooming services market is projected to grow to nearly $3 billion by 2030, giving people who have grooming skills a significant runway. By bringing your services to the client’s home, you eliminate another pain point and can charge a higher rate as well. If you’re not comfortable trimming or cutting nails, pet waste removal is expected to reach a market value of $3.5 billion by 2034 as people outsource the job to third parties.

3. Senior downsizing services

“Downsizing,” in this case of this small-business idea, has nothing to do with layoffs. Instead, it addresses the growing number of older Americans who are moving to smaller homes and thinning their belongings. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2025 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report found that 19 percent of homebuyers between the ages of 79 and 99 moved because they wanted a smaller home. Still, that sort of change can be overwhelming, creating an opening for businesses that specialize in helping seniors sort what to keep and what to get rid of, pack, and settle into their new space.

4. Online courses

The e-learning market reached $314 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to $615 billion by 2029. That’s a huge opportunity for people with the right real-world experience. You’ll need to find a niche to start, ideally one that’s not overly crowded. That can be anything from computer programming to hobbies to whatever skill you’ve mastered as part of your current 9-to-5 job. From there, spend the time to create content that’s both informative and interesting, with video lessons, downloadable resources, and quizzes. These lessons can generate passive income for you as you plan follow-up courses and grow your business.

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