Do you want to start a business but don’t want to rent a storefront? A mobile business may be a great option. A mobile business is a business that goes directly to the customer. You might clean cars in someone’s driveway, groom pets outside their home, or repair an RV at a campground. Instead of…
Do you want to start a business but don’t want to rent a storefront?
A mobile business may be a great option.
A mobile business is a business that goes directly to the customer. You might clean cars in someone’s driveway, groom pets outside their home, or repair an RV at a campground.
Instead of waiting for customers to come to you, you bring the service to them.
I personally think mobile business ideas are such a smart idea because people are willing to pay for convenience. Many people are busy and don’t want to drive somewhere, wait around, or figure out how to transport something large.
I’ve hired several mobile businesses over the years, especially when we lived in an RV and on a sailboat. When your RV, boat, or car needs work, it can be extremely helpful to have someone come directly to you.
Some mobile business ideas require a truck, van, or trailer, but others can be started with a regular car and just a few basic supplies.
Best Mobile Business Ideas
Whether you want to make extra money on the weekends or eventually grow a full-time business, below are 18 mobile business ideas to think about.
Note: Before starting any of the mobile businesses below, check the rules in your city, county, and state. Depending on the service, you may need a business license, permit, insurance, commercial vehicle coverage, or permission to work at certain locations. Rules can vary quite a bit depending on where you live and the type of work you provide.
1. Mobile car detailing
Mobile car detailing is where you clean a customer’s car at their home, office, or another location.
I think this is a great mobile business because almost everyone has a car, and cars always seem to get dirty.
Many people want a clean car but don’t want to spend hours sitting at a car detailing shop. If they can have their car cleaned while they are working from home or doing something else, that makes the service much more convenient.
You could offer services such as:
- Washing the outside of the car
- Vacuuming the seats and floors
- Cleaning windows
- Wiping down the dashboard
- Shampooing carpets
- Removing pet hair
- Waxing
- Cleaning wheels and tires
- Polishing headlights
You don’t have to offer everything when you first start, and you could begin with basic interior and exterior cleaning and add more detailed services as you learn.
You may be able to find customers by posting before-and-after pictures in local Facebook groups. Office parking lots, apartment complexes, RV parks, and busy neighborhoods may also be good places to advertise.
2. Mobile pet grooming
A mobile pet groomer travels to a customer’s home to groom their pet. Services can include bathing, brushing, haircuts, nail trimming, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, and de-shedding.
Mobile groomers usually work from a van that has a grooming table, bathtub, water tank, and all of the tools they need.
Mobile pet grooming is becoming more popular because it makes things easier for both the pet and the owner. The customer doesn’t have to load their pet into the car, drive across town, and wait for the grooming appointment to be finished.
It may also be less stressful for pets that are nervous around other animals or don’t like busy grooming salons.
A fully equipped grooming van can cost a lot of money, so you don’t have to start there. You might begin with mobile nail trimming, brushing, or basic bathing. Then, you can add more services or buy a grooming vehicle once you have regular customers.
3. Mobile pet waste removal
A mobile pet waste removal business may not sound like the most glamorous way to make money, but it can be a consistent and much-needed business in your area.
With this business, you travel to customers’ homes and clean dog waste from their yards. Most customers sign up for weekly or biweekly visits, which means this business can bring in recurring monthly income.
People pay for this service because picking up dog poop is a chore that many people don’t want to do. Your customers may include busy families, older homeowners, people with disabilities, and households with several dogs.
The startup costs can be fairly low, too. You will usually just need a rake, a dustpan, disposal bags, disinfectant, gloves, a phone, and reliable transportation. If you already own a vehicle, you may be able to get started for just a few hundred dollars.
You can find your first customers by posting in local Facebook groups, giving door hangers to homes with dogs, and offering a free first cleanup in exchange for an honest review.
In my interview How To Make $100,000 a Year With a Pet Waste Removal Business, William Milliken explains how his company started as an idea to make an extra $1,000 a month and grew into a much larger business. His company brought in over $260,000 in scooping revenue during its first full calendar year.
4. Mobile lawn care
A mobile lawn care business can be a great option if you enjoy being outside and don’t mind physical work.
Lawn care is already a mobile business because you bring your mower and tools directly to each customer’s home.
You might mow lawns, trim weeds, edge sidewalks, clean up leaves, trim bushes, pull weeds, spread mulch, or remove yard waste.
You can start small with a lawn mower, weed trimmer, leaf blower, and a few basic tools. As you get more customers, you may decide to buy better equipment or a trailer.
I have paid for lawn care many times over the years, and it is such a helpful service. Yard work can be hot, sweaty, and take a lot of time!
You should also think about what services you can offer when lawns are not growing. Depending on where you live, you might add leaf cleanup, snow removal, gutter cleaning, storm cleanup, or holiday light installation.
5. Mobile parking lot litter cleanup
A mobile parking lot litter cleanup business is where you drive to commercial properties and pick up trash from parking lots, sidewalks, landscaped areas, and around buildings. Your customers may include shopping centers, office buildings, apartment complexes, warehouses, and property management companies.
This is not the same as emptying trash cans or doing heavy cleaning. The main job is walking around the property and picking up litter on the ground before customers and employees arrive.
You don’t need a lot of equipment to begin – just basic litter collection tools, gloves, trash bags, and reliable transportation may be enough.
You could start by finding nearby shopping centers, offices, and apartment buildings that have litter outside. Then, contact the property manager and explain how your service can keep the property looking clean without requiring their regular employees to do the work.
You can learn more about this business in How I Started a $650,000 Per Year Litter Cleanup Business.
6. Mobile RV repair
Mobile RV repair is a business where you travel to campgrounds, RV parks, homes, or storage lots to repair RVs.
If you have ever owned an RV, then you probably know that something always seems to need fixing.
RVs have plumbing, electrical systems, appliances, air conditioners, water heaters, slide-outs, and many other parts. They are basically a house going through an earthquake every time they are driven down the road.
I traveled full-time in an RV for years, and I know how valuable mobile RV repair can be. We have used a mobile RV repair person many times over the years, and it’s who I prefer to call when something breaks!
Bringing an RV to a repair shop is not always easy. If someone lives in their RV, they may have to pack up everything they own just to have a small issue looked at. Some repair shops also have long wait times (like several months long!).
A mobile RV repair technician may help with roof leaks, broken water pumps, appliance problems, toilets, electrical issues, air conditioners, awnings, slide-outs, and more.
This is not a business where I recommend guessing your way through repairs. RVs can have complicated electrical, propane, and plumbing systems, so training and hands-on experience are important. Due to this, I think completing an RV technician program or work for an RV repair business is very important.
Once you have the right skills, campgrounds and RV parks can be great places to find customers. You could introduce yourself to campground managers and ask if you can leave your business cards at the office.
7. Mobile boat cleaning and repair
If you live near a marina, lake, or ocean, mobile boat cleaning and repair can be a great business idea.
Boats need a lot of care after all; salt, sun, mildew, water, and regular use can quickly make a boat dirty.
You could offer boat washing, waxing, polishing, seat cleaning, mildew removal, or metal polishing.
If you have mechanical experience, you may also offer engine maintenance and small repairs. But you don’t need to be a mechanic to start a boat-related business. Cleaning and detailing alone can keep you busy in many areas.
I have lived on a sailboat and currently live in an area where there are boats everywhere. Boat owners all the time need help keeping up with regular cleaning and maintenance.
Note: Make sure you know which cleaning products can safely be used around the water. You will also want to learn the rules about where dirty water and cleaning products are allowed to go.
8. Mobile bicycle repair
A mobile bicycle repair business is where you repair bikes at a customer’s home, workplace, campground, trailhead, or event.
This can be so helpful because not everyone has an easy way to transport a bicycle, or maybe they are just looking for a convenient way to get their bike fixed.
You could fix flat tires, adjust brakes, replace chains, tune gears, clean bikes, replace worn parts, and put together new bikes.
9. Mobile mechanic
A mobile mechanic goes to the customer’s home or workplace to repair their car.
This can be an extremely helpful service for someone whose car won’t start or isn’t safe to drive. It is also convenient for busy customers who don’t want to sit in a repair shop waiting room.
A mobile mechanic might replace batteries, change oil, repair brakes, run diagnostic tests, or complete other small repairs.
Of course, you need real mechanical skills for this business. You will also need tools, insurance, and possibly certifications or licenses.
10. Mobile tire service
A mobile tire service helps customers with tire problems at their home, workplace, or wherever their vehicle is parked.
You could repair flat tires, replace tires, rotate tires, check tire pressure, and help with seasonal tire changes.
This service may be especially helpful for families, seniors, busy workers, and companies that own several vehicles.
The amount of equipment you need will depend on the services you offer. Typically, though, this would require a large van with special equipment, so the investment to get started may be higher than other mobile businesses on this list.
11. Mobile notary
A mobile notary travels to customers who need documents notarized.
You may meet people at their homes, workplaces, hospitals, senior living communities, coffee shops, or other locations.
This can be a good mobile business because you don’t need a van or a lot of equipment. A regular car, your notary supplies, and a reliable way to keep track of appointments may be enough.
Every state has different rules for becoming a notary. Depending on where you live, you may need to complete an application, buy a notary stamp, take a course, pass a background check, or purchase a bond.
Once you are approved, you can contact title companies, real estate agents, hospitals, law offices, and senior living communities. You can also create an online listing so that local customers can find you.
Evenings and weekends may be the busiest times because many people need documents notarized outside of their normal work hours.
12. Mobile massage therapist
A mobile massage therapist brings a portable massage table or chair to customers, and appointments may take place in homes, offices, hotels, vacation rentals, or at special events.
One big benefit for the customer is that they don’t have to drive home after the massage, and they can relax in their own home once it’s done.
Professional training and licensing are important for this type of work. You will also need business insurance, clean sheets, a portable table, and other supplies.
13. Mobile personal chef
If you enjoy cooking, becoming a mobile personal chef can be a fun business idea.
A personal chef travels to a client’s home and prepares meals in their kitchen. You may plan the menu, shop for groceries, cook several meals, label everything, clean the kitchen, and leave the customer with food they can enjoy throughout the week.
A customer may want:
- Family-friendly dinners
- High-protein meals
- Plant-based food
- Food without dairy or gluten
- Meals that can be frozen and reheated
- Help following a certain diet
- Meals made around food allergies
Busy families, professionals, seniors, and people with special dietary needs may all hire a personal chef. Many people want to eat home-cooked meals but don’t have the time or energy to plan, shop, cook, and clean up every day.
I recently interviewed Jessica Leibovich from Chef Jessica, who has been a personal chef since 1999. She explained that in many areas, a personal chef may charge around $500 for a cook day, plus the cost of groceries. At five cook days per week, that would be around $10,000 per month before expenses and taxes. Of course, rates vary depending on your location, experience, menu, and services. You can learn more about this at How To Make $10,000 a Month as a Personal Chef.
14. Mobile tutoring business
A mobile tutor meets students at their homes, libraries, community centers, or another agreed-upon location.
You could tutor students in subjects like:
- Math
- Reading
- Writing
- Science
- Foreign languages
- Music
- Test preparation
- Study skills
Most tutoring customers need help regularly, so this can turn into a business with repeat clients. You may meet with the same student once or twice each week throughout the school year.
To find your first clients, tell friends, family members, teachers, and parents in your area about your service. You could also post in local Facebook groups or leave flyers at community centers (with permission).
15. Mobile photography business
A mobile photographer travels to different locations to take pictures for customers.
I personally love hiring photographers for important times in my life. For example, I hired a photographer for my maternity and newborn photos, and I’m so glad I have those pictures to look back on. She came right to my home, which made things so easy.
You could take family photos, pet pictures, wedding photos, business headshots, product pictures, graduation photos, real estate photos, or pictures at events.
16. Mobile food business
There are many different kinds of mobile food businesses, like a food truck, coffee cart, ice cream truck, dessert trailer, smoothie stand, or mobile bakery.
You don’t have to start with a huge menu. In fact, a smaller menu may make your business easier to run.
You could focus on one type of meal, baked goods, coffee, shaved ice, ice cream, or another simple item. A small menu can make it easier to buy ingredients, prepare orders quickly, and avoid wasting food.
A mobile food business can be fun, but it may cost more to start than many other ideas on this list. You may need a truck or trailer, cooking equipment, food storage, refrigeration, insurance, permits, and health inspections. The rules can be different in every city and county, so research them before buying a vehicle or equipment.
17. Mobile dog walking and pet sitting
If you love animals, dog walking and pet sitting may be one of the easiest mobile businesses to start because you don’t need an expensive van or expensive tools.
You mainly need reliable transportation, a flexible schedule, and experience taking care of pets.
My mother-in-law is a dog walker, and she has had many regular customers over the years. Once someone finds a pet sitter or dog walker they trust, they may continue hiring that person for a long time.
Pet sitting may include feeding animals, giving them water, cleaning litter boxes, playing with them, or staying overnight while their owner is traveling.
Recommended reading: Is Rover Worth It? A Guide to Making Money with Rover
18. Mobile pressure washing
A mobile pressure washing business can be a way to make money cleaning outdoor areas.
You could pressure wash driveways, sidewalks, fences, decks, patios, home siding, and more (of course, please make sure you learn the correct ways to do so so that you don’t damage anything – a pressure washer is powerful!).
One reason I like this business idea is that the results are easy to see. A dirty driveway or deck can look completely different after it is cleaned. Due to that, before-and-after pictures can be great for advertising. With your customer’s permission, you could share them on your website, social media, or in local groups.
To start, you will need a pressure washer, hoses, cleaning products, and safety gear. You will also need a way to carry everything from one job to the next.
How To Start a Mobile Business
You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting a mobile business.
Here are some steps that can help you begin.
Think about your skills and interests
The first step is to think about what you are good at and what you enjoy doing.
- Do you love animals?
- Are you good at fixing things?
- Do you enjoy cleaning, cooking, teaching, or being outside?
You can always learn something new, but starting with a skill or interest you already have may make the process easier.
You should also think about whether you like driving and working in different places. A mobile business means you will spend part of your day traveling, unloading supplies, and setting up.
Find out whether people need your service
Before spending a lot of money, I recommend that you research the demand in your area.
You can do this by:
- Looking for similar businesses online. Read their reviews and pay attention to what customers like or complain about.
- You could also ask in a local Facebook group if people would use the service you are thinking about starting.
Competition does not always mean an idea is bad. If several mobile pet groomers are booked months in advance, that may mean there is plenty of demand.
Start with only what you need
It can be tempting to buy the nicest vehicle, every possible tool, matching shirts, and a fancy website right away, but you may not need all of that.
You may just want to start with the equipment needed to safely provide your main service because you can improve your vehicle, buy better tools, and add more services after you have paying customers (and when you know that it is a business you’d like to do for a while).
This is also great because starting small can help you learn what customers actually want before you spend a lot of money.
Set a service area
Driving can take up a large part of your day if you are not careful, so I recommend you decide how far you are willing to travel and which towns or neighborhoods you want to serve.
You can schedule customers who live near each other on the same day. For example, you may work on one side of town on Mondays and another area on Tuesdays.
For customers outside your normal area, you can charge an extra travel fee or require a minimum appointment amount.
Make it easy to book an appointment
Your customers should have an easy way to learn about your services and contact you – this may be a small website, Facebook page, online booking tool, phone number, or email address.
You should also have a clear cancellation policy. Last-minute cancellations can be expensive when you have already blocked off time and planned your route.
Ask for reviews and referrals
Reviews can be one of the best ways for a local mobile business to grow.
After completing a job, send the customer a short message thanking them and asking if they would be willing to leave a review. You could also create a referral program. For example, a current customer may receive a discount after referring someone new.
Most importantly, arrive when you say you will, communicate clearly, and do good work. If customers trust you and enjoy working with you, they may hire you again and tell other people about your business.
Keep track of your business finances
Once you start earning money, you will need a way to track what comes in and what goes out.
This includes customer payments, fuel, supplies, equipment, vehicle repairs, insurance, advertising, and any other business expenses.
Keeping good records will help you understand whether your mobile business is actually making a profit, and it will also make things much easier when tax time comes around.
Xero is accounting software made for small business owners. You can use it to send invoices, connect your business bank account, track expenses, run reports, and see which customers still owe you money. Xero also has a mobile app, which can be helpful when you spend most of your workday away from a desk (so this is very convenient for a mobile based business!).
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about starting a mobile business.
What is a mobile business?
A mobile business is a business that travels to its customers instead of operating from one permanent location. Mobile businesses can work at homes, offices, campgrounds, marinas, events, hotels, parks, and many other places.
What is the cheapest mobile business to start?
Dog walking, pet sitting, tutoring, pet waste removal, and mobile notary work can be some of the more affordable mobile businesses to start – you may already own many of the supplies needed for these businesses. Your exact startup cost will depend on your location, insurance, training, licenses, and the services you sell.
What mobile businesses make the most money?
Mobile RV repair, boat repair, car repair, food trucks, and beauty or health services may have high income potential. However, these businesses may also require more training, equipment, and startup money. The amount you can earn will depend on local demand, your prices, your expenses, and how many customers you have.
Can you start a mobile business without a van?
Yes, many mobile businesses can be started without a van. You may be able to use a regular car, SUV, truck, bicycle, or small trailer. Tutoring, dog walking, pet sitting, notary work, and photography may only require a regular car and a small amount of equipment.
How do mobile businesses find customers?
You can find customers through local Facebook groups, neighborhood apps, business cards, referrals, community events, and partnerships with other businesses. For example, a dog walker could connect with pet groomers. A pressure washer could work with real estate agents. A photographer could meet wedding planners and vacation rental owners. Word-of-mouth can be huge for mobile businesses because one happy customer may introduce you to several friends or neighbors.
Best Mobile Business Ideas – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on the best mobile business ideas.
I have hired many mobile businesses for different jobs over the years, and it’s usually the first way I try to solve a problem (such as if something is broken or I need something regularly done). Having someone come directly to me is a no-brainer!
Mobile businesses can be a good way to make extra money or even to build a full-time business.
You could clean cars, groom pets, repair bikes, mow lawns, take pictures, tutor students, or sell food.
And, you can begin with one service, a few affordable tools, and a small service area. As you get more customers, you can add equipment, improve your vehicle (if you want or need to), and grow from there.
What mobile business idea are you interested in starting?
Recommended reading:
