The Best Businesses to Start from Home After a Layoff (That Are Actually Doable)

Tara Shepherd-Bowdel
Mar 5
2 min read

Losing your job can feel like a punch to the gut—especially in today’s uncertain market. Whether you saw it coming or it hit you out of nowhere, the question that usually follows is:

"What now?”

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. The good news? You don’t have to stay stuck. Many successful entrepreneurs launched their businesses after a layoff—from home, with little upfront investment, and no fancy degrees.

You can too. Below are the best (read: easiest, least expensive, and most viable) business ideas to start from home—plus a few tools to help you do it right.

1. Freelance Consulting (Trust us.)

Use the skills from your last job and offer them independently. Whether it's marketing, operations, finance, logistics, or HR—you likely already have what someone else needs.

Why it's viable:

No inventory
No startup costs (just your brain and a Zoom link)
You can charge premium rates if you position your expertise well

Want help packaging your skills? Check out the Business Launch Step-by-Step Guide (coming soon) to clarify your niche and offer.

2. Virtual Services Business

Start simple with services like:

Virtual assistant (VA) work
Bookkeeping
Customer support
Data entry
Social media management

Why it works:

Demand is high as small businesses scale.
You can start with one client and grow from there.
Low barrier to entry—learn as you go.

💡 Not sure what structure to use? Try our Business Entity Decision Tree (coming soon) to figure out whether an LLC, sole proprietorship, or S-corp is best.

3. Digital Product Seller

Are you good at creating? You can sell:

Templates
Ebooks
Printables
Courses
Canva designs
Notion boards

Why this is smart:

It’s passive income once set up
Start-up costs are minimal
Products can be sold again and again

✨ Need help building your digital product funnel? Our Launch Kit for First-Time Creators (coming soon) walks you through every step.

4. Home & Garden Services

Love working outside or with your hands? Start a:

Lawn care microbusiness
Home organizing business
Simple handyman services
Container garden consultant gig

You can even specialize for seniors, busy parents, or first-time homeowners.

Why it's solid:

Tangible, local, and always needed
Word-of-mouth spreads fast
Great for couples or families to do together

5. Coaching or Mentoring

Turn your life experience into a framework. Whether it’s career coaching, parenting support, health & wellness, or faith-based encouragement—you can guide others through what you’ve overcome.

Why it's powerful:

You build community and impact lives
You can deliver via Zoom, Voxer, or email
Scales with digital products and group programs

Already certified or experienced? Use the Service Menu Starter Template (coming soon) to design your offers clearly and confidently.

Final Thoughts: Starting Small Is Still Starting

You don’t need a 10-year plan to start a business—you need a 10-day plan to take the first steps.

Pick something lean. Keep it simple. Focus on getting your first client or sale, then build from there.

Feeling stuck or need help mapping it out? Contact us here. We’d love to hear your story and help you sketch the next chapter.

You’ve got this. The layoff might’ve closed one door, but you’re about to open your own.